At dinner...

I never had been an admirer of such glamorous dinner parties, where the rich and the famous dine together. In the name of style and fashion, money is squandered which may have been beneficial to some. Philanthropic thoughts!! As I walked up the stairs to the fancy mansion, am greeted by the butler. Does he even know me? I doubt. The lighting has been well done, the chandelier was exquisite, the waiters doing the rounds with the drinks where impeccably dressed. Everything was picture perfect. The monstrosity of extravagant show-off!! But, I can't find him. The guests cannot be avoided.

"Hello, how are you doing dear?"
"Very well, thank you!! I hope you are keeping well these days."
"Oh yes! but, old age has been catching up you know...."

I interrupt...

"Ah there he is! If you would excuse me please, I'll be right back."

I made my way across the hall. This was rude, but anything to get away from the old hag.

Dinner is served!! Let's see where is it that I get to sit. Charming company I have here, an oil magnate, a TV presenter, an aging socialite, a rich playboy with an important father and an actress. Ah, now I see him. He is sitting at the table on the my right. I just need a few moments with him. I engage in small talk with the presenter on my right and allow him to brag about his successful show on air regarding current affairs. The shrimp is magnificent. Though as always the caviar is what I love the most. Almost time for the dessert. The playboy has his eyes all over the actress, and she is fawning over the magnate. The socialite just looks at all of them. She has such a bored expression. I never noticed when the presenter stopped and the magnate started. He is rich, important but a bore!!

I look at him. Enjoying his dinner. Wiping the corner of his mouth with the dinner napkin. He seems to be enjoying his conversation. And his meal. A hearty meal calls for a smoke. His favourite... Dunhill. Good choice!! Guess I'll join him. He is alone on the roof. Ideal moment for the conversation.

"Quite a nice evening, isn't it?"
"Oh yes, it certainly is. Ideal for a night out in the wild. Care for a smoke?"
"No, thank you. I have mine."
"I insist!! It's Dunhill, one of the finest."
"Well, if you insist. Incidentally, Dunhill is what I smoke."

I waited till he lit his cigarette.

"So, you here alone?"
"Ah yes! My wife couldn't join me tonight. She was held up."
"You love her?"
He was surprised at the question but smiled and answered, "Of course, I do. Not all rich couple are on the brink. You aren't into journalism, are you?"
"Not really. I'm into music. Am a musician."
"Interesting"

A few more drags. The conversation has to draw to a close now, its almost time.

"You did tell your wife, you loved her, today, didn't you?"
He was surprised, "Why do you ask?"
I smiled, "Goodbye."


His breath had started shortening. Time for me to leave.

"Why?" He was gasping for breath now.
"Never make a promise you can't keep." I could see he understood now.
"Who are you?"
"Told you", he breathed his last, "the musician."

Some people never realise when the inevitable stares them in the eye. As I leave by the front door, I hear a shout. Have they found him? I took of my wig and made the call.

"Done."

Ijazaat (Permission)

The story is incomplete. But then it is still at a spot where I can tell you about it. Happy reading. Now, I would like an honest opinion on this one. Part of it has been produced here before, but then I thought of having it all at one spot.

------------------

Agar tum ijazaat do to,
Phir tumhare sapno se tarashu,
Koi naya Taj Mahal;
Sile hotho se tumhare ,
Chura lu koi nayi gazal;
Nashile un nigaho se,
Chalka du phir madhoshi ka vo jaam;
Agar tum keh do to,
Phir se likhu pyaar ka,
Koi naya paigam;
Chand ko mei phir se bulao,
Aur savaru tumhe.
Agar tum hidayat do to,
Mei tumhe phirse vahi,
Geet sunau;
Mei phirse tumhe apna,
Pyaar jatau.
Agar tum ijazaat do to.



Hi there,
I wonder what made you read this far. Probably u found the text at the start of this page quite intriguing. Well I really can’t say much about that coz I wrote that myself. But then this page and whatever is going to be written in the next few pages is going to be written by me. The setting of my story is a beautiful evening in the “City of Joy”. For the uninitiated I’m talking about Kolkata, erstwhile Calcutta. Our story revolves around two people who despite having once shared a deep love for each other have in the course of years forgotten how it really was to feel for, and pine for each others love. It reflects what a fast paced life, engrossed in a career can do to your relationships. It’s a story about us, the new age individuals who have forgotten the meaning of being human. Well enough said about the story. I can see u r getting impatient over there. Let’s read and find out how much do we identify ourselves with them? Where does that one evening take them? Is that evening going to come in our lives too? Read on…..

I

My story takes place on hot summer evening. It was a holiday or a Sunday. I really can’t remember that. U know it was so long ago. Oh! By the way let me introduce myself. I’m Aditya Roy, 35, presently working in an MNC. Or should I say was. Because you see I gave in my resignation a week back and they haven’t got back to me to yet. So really, I don’t know my status – employed or unemployed. The only thing that I can say is that right now I am nestled in a cottage in the Himalayas, far away from the rush of a city and just close enough to civilization to satisfy my basic needs. In fact, if right now you are wondering as to what my present has to do with that fateful summer evening, the truth is - everything. You see it was on that evening that a major chapter of life finished. A part of me died. Though I never realized it until it was too late.

My wife’s name was Sulakshana. A pretty name and very Bengali. But then, I knew her since my college days. I was a student of English (Hons.) in a Calcutta college. She was a year junior to me, in the department of History. We met during the rehearsals of a college play for some inter-college fest. It was in the year 1997. We hit off immediately. Life was then full of vision, full of eagerness. And it all seemed possible because one of the most perfect ladies ever created by the God Almighty was with me. Our relation blossomed and finally we married, when I was 26. Life seemed to be very pleased with me then. I started getting plum projects for my firm. I performed beyond expectations; my success egged me on towards new challenges. I excelled. It was all too good last. I had everything in life that a man could want. I had a successful career, a wonderful social status, a beautiful and loving wife. Things were perfect or so it seemed to me then.

II

By this time 4 blissful years of marriage had already passed by. On that fateful evening I was reading a newspaper as was my habit. Then came a phone call for my wife. It was from someone I didn’t know. Maybe someone from the college days. I dismissed the matter from my mind. A few minutes later she announced that she had to go out. I agreed and was about to get ready to drop her off, when she told me that she would like to go on her own. I was surprised. This was a definite deviation from her predictable behavior. Usually when I was home I used to chauffeur her around, which I must say wasn’t very often. It was quite obvious that whatever the reason it must be due that call. “The Call”. She left in her car. Unable to bear the tension I decided to tail her. That was the first mistake I should have trusted her. I didn’t!! I still don’t know why? But I didn’t.

And so as she sped down the wide roads of Kolkata in her car, I tailed her. I wanted to see, wanted to know. The curiosity was killing me. What was it that was keeping her so secretive?? I wished I could peek into her mind and know what she was upto. The tailing took me to one of the most posh area of the city – Park Street. Just when I was about to start wondering where she was actually headed for, she stopped. I stayed low in my car. Couldn’t afford to have her see me. She went into one of the many restaurants that lined up in that stretch. Whom was she meeting?? I really wanted to know. All that I read about extra-marital affairs came flooding back to my mind. This was too tormenting. But my instincts warned me of such a move. The restaurant I knew well. I can’t possibly remain under cover for long there. What do I do??

About 20 min later, she walks out looking busy as hell, gets into her car, revs it up and speeds away. I had trouble keeping up with her. Where now?? I relaxed a little when I realized that she was heading home, before panic struck home. I was supposed to be at home. It was my turn to speed. I decided to take a different route. I sped……….

Finally, she came home. I was already back at my place. She comes in gives me a peck on the cheek and proceeds to her bedroom. I decided to ask her about her whereabouts.

“Hey honey, where did rush off to?? Is everything alright?”

She comes out of the bedroom, draped in a robe and looking prettier than ever.

“Yes dear. I just had something important to tend to.”

“What??” I was way too intrigued!!

“Nothing sweetie. Nothing that you should worry about!!” And she goes off for a bath.

I guess it was that secretive attitude that I saw which triggered a wave of mistrust in me towards her. I spent the entire night contemplating reasons for such behavior of hers. Married for 4 years, known each other since college days and yet this day had to arrive when I would chuck all my feelings aside for and wondering whether she is having an affair or not. I decided to put this doubt of mine to rest once and for all. This calls for some sleuthing. I called for professional help.

III

The sleuth was one of the more efficient ones in town. He took the job up as if it was a regular routine. I wanted this matter sorted out within a space of 2 weeks, before our 5th anniversary. I didn’t want to dance her arms then with heart full of doubts about her. The young man appointed tailed her, tracked her had each and every detail of her movements. He made a detailed report of her activities and gave me a report. The highlighted facts were very disturbing to say the least.

Sulakshana would meet this guy just about every other day at the same restaurant. The fellow happened to be the manager at there. What they used to talk about was a subject of guesswork, but the maximum their meeting had lasted was 30 min. And that was the day before I was given the report. Next day would be my marriage anniversary. Everything that I had planned for seemed to be going to the dogs. All that I could see was my wife with some other guy. That night I went to sleep with a heavy heart.

IV

The next day, as can be expected, I turned up early from office. I knew she would want that. As I walked through the door, I heard her speaking over the phone.

“Have you made sure everything is alright?? You know how I would hate a goof up.”

Some reply from the other side…………
“I know dear, but there should be no slip up.”………
“I get that. He doesn’t need to know now. And anyways, my husband is a sweetheart he’ll never suspect”……………..

She laughs and hangs up the phone. And there I stood rooted to the very spot. I couldn’t believe my ears. It seems that my wife was having an affair!! I couldn’t believe it. This can’t be happening to me.

Finding me at the doorstep she was taken aback. Caught at a wrong moment she didn’t know how to react. She smiled then laughed and then put on her trademark smile (it always drove me wild), came forward and asked in a musical voice,

“So now you know everything??”

I couldn’t believe my ears or my eyes. Caught cheating on me, this woman as looking me into the eye and asking about it as if it were a joke???? Is this the faithful woman I had loved and married??? I had to play by the rules already set then.

“Yes dear, you never could really keep things hidden from me. I did have a hunch. It seems I was right.”

“You did?? But, how could you? I took so much care so as not let you know about this.”, she was very surprised. That gave me a sadistic pleasure.

“Well honey, it’s my life and you really can’t keep me in the dark about this for long. Sooner or later I had to know.”

“I know dear, but I wanted to break the news to you myself.”

“Really??? It would have been great right? What a sight!! Wife breaks news of adultery to her husband. Husband too shocked to react. Wonderful headlines!!”

“Adultery?? What are you talking about??”

“Exactly what you’ve heard. You have been going around with someone for the past few weeks, haven’t you??”

“What are you talking about??”, she had one of the most astonished and shocked expressions on her face. The innocent look of hers drove me wild. I wanted to hurt her like anything then.

And so I started giving her an account of all that she has been doing for the past two weeks. Each and every breathing moment had a record. The pictures were there too. All this while, she simply had a shocked and pained look on her face. I couldn’t believe that. I wanted explanations. I had too many questions.

“Who is he?” “Manav.”
“Is that all??” “Manav was one my class mates. He is now a manager at that restaurant.”
“So how long have you been seeing him?”
“I’m not seeing him. He’s my friend and he was helping me organize a party for today evening at his restaurant. It’s our fifth anniversary and there was an important announcement that I wanted to make.”
“What announcement??”
“I don’t think it matters anymore.”
“It does, tell me……”
“I’m pregnant. You are going to be Dad.”

That knocked a little wind out of me.

--------------------

But, who’ll forgive me??

This is story came about for the same reason as that of the last one. So, thanks again to PS!! :)

I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless. I could foresee how the future is going to be laid out now. But I had no option but to follow the general’s orders. I fired…...

BANG……

Reload……

BANG……

I would never be forgiven for this. How can I be?? I’m firing on my fellow countrymen, that too when I know they are innocent. Am such a lowlife that I cannot even object to this inhumanity?? All I need to do is turn the gun at the general and he’ll be no more.

“Fire at will…”

Ah!! Now may be I can…. but what next? I’ll be tried, sentenced to death for treason. What would become of my family? But, what of that young boy I just shot down, hardly 21. I hope he wasn’t the only son or the sole bread-winner of his family. Oh god!! Why doesn’t my finger stop firing the gun? Am I not committing treason by firing on these people? May the Lord have mercy!! I can’t do this anymore…. What if I end this now?? What if turn the gun on me? Yes, that would mean one gun less firing on them. Why is has the firing stopped? Where are the people?? Is it all over??

It’s over…. I must seek penance for this act. But, who’ll forgive me??

---------------------------------------

This is a fictitious account of a soldier's conscience under General Dyer when the troop was ordered to open fire at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar on April 13, 1919, an incident condemned to this day.

The Night.........

Having taken my cue from PS on this one, I had to write a short story which had to start with the phrase: "I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless. If helpless is the word that I seek. Now before I throw you of the deep end and launch into further narration allow me to take you back in time a while.

The current circumstances had one of my closest pals standing surrounded by an entire gang of angry youngsters. But then there was apt reason for all that. This young gentleman was being hauled over the coals, because of our tiff….. I was his protector... the devil’s advocate… he had slaughtered many an image to further his own interests. I had overlooked most of it, for though I knew it to be a part of him… had sensed it rather, never seen him to do that. May be he was clever enough to make sure his closest aide never gave up on him…. But then tables turn.

One winter evening he introduced me to someone… over a few meetings and conversation that someone became the special one for me. The vindictive nature of his bared its fangs… he hurt me… he hurt her… and then I found out he had hurt many other… this fellow who, I claimed to be my friend had done something despicable… Till, a few days when he crossed all barriers of civil behaviour. Shocked to the core, matter had to be taken in hand before they engulfed everyone around me into doom.

And so there stood the one who had failed to value the ones most loyal to him. He was doomed, while I stood helpless, may be by choice, for I cannot stop anyone from launching into him. They say, sometimes it is necessary to amputate your digits if they tend to threaten you existence. I say, is it really necessary, couldn’t that be done in another manner... some other way?? This night, won’t leave us the same again…. The dark shroud engulfs us, as we get sucked into a pit from which no one escapes unscathed… everything seems to be losing itself into the darkness of….. the night!!

--------------- The End ------------------

First Meeting...... Or the Last!!

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely incidental and not intentional. So, treat it lightly :)

His Story

He sat there in the cafe fiddling with his mobile. A calm demeanor had enveloped but deep within there was a tempest of emotions. He couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived. A moment long awaited was finally about to engulf his senses. Will things turn out to be just the way he had imagined them to be. Will he live up to expectations? A cold sweat broke out as he walked out of the cafe. The weather was hot and humid. Should he just sit there and wait? How long would he have to wait? He was supposed to be there at 7:00 but he had arrived a good 15 minutes earlier. And that seemed to be lasting through ages. He stared at his mobile. A simple one with nothing but the basic functions that one would need! But, it had led him to his source of joy, his elixir of life. He thought of calling but what if the line on the other end was busy, what if the voice at the end said it would take a little more time. He knew the voice worked hard, very hard. At times he thought it was killing her, but then he couldn't do much about it, not when he is 2000 km away. But today he was just a few hundred meters away, and they seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. Time was passing about so slowly. He noticed his clammy hands and wiped it against his pants. He checked his reflection in a glass. He did seem alright. Not weather beaten, given the weather of this city it was natural to look that should one be using the public transport to commute. And this was his first visit to this city as a grown up. And definitely a first to this part of the city! He glanced at his watch. Still 5 more minutes to go before the BIG moment arrived.

His thoughts took a time travel back to their first conversations and marveled for the umpteenth time how things had changed between them from casual conversation to flirting and finally much beyond. From just another friend, she became his most essential reason for living, his very essence of existence. And surprisingly all this without ever meeting each other!! He couldn't believe his luck for as per him he had found his dream girl, accidentally but he had found her. And She would be walking through the parking lot in front of him any minute now. They had got on with each other like a house on fire right from their first words. A call supposed to last for just 10 minutes had gone on for more than a few hours. As this became more of a norm than an exception, they started spending virtually every moment awake with each other. Every aspect of the other person was clearly etched in the other’s mind. “Can this be real?” he often thought! Guess it was, else he wouldn’t have been standing here in a distant land just because of a girl who was the perfect woman in his eyes. He thought back to the moments when they had their tiffs and how she had fought back to claim him more ferociously than ever. The fiery little girl had everything that he had ever asked for in his prayers.

His prayers were answered. His search was over; there she was calmly walking towards him across the empty parking lot looking radiant, a shy smile playing across her lips, her eyes twinkling (or were they really shining bright??), her beautiful mane falling over face. She tosses her head to one side and finally stops in front of him. He was rooted to the spot. He shook her hands to confirm that he was not dreaming. And as they walked back to the coffee shop, he pinched himself to be assured once more that he had finally met her. The heart was really set alight to hover miles over the earth into a different world of its own.

********

Her Story

She couldn't believe that after months of talking she was finally going to meet the very guy who had swept her off her feet, without ever setting his eyes on her. The very thought that in a few minutes he would be staring straight into her eyes was making her knees go weak. Will he be as subtle as he had always portrayed himself to be? Will be the guy she had imagined him to be over the past few months? A dozen questions chased each other across her head. He had called a few minutes back. He was here. She wanted to rush out immediately and meet him, but something kept her rooted to her seat. This seemed to be so unreal. It still felt like as if they’d come to know each other a few days back, yet it had been many a months since that day. The butterflies in her stomach had gone into an overdrive. She got up, checked into a mirror, was she looking alright. It had been a long day at work, and she just hoped that the fatigue didn’t show. But would he really care about that? After all, this fellow simply knew how to cool her down after the most horrendous of days. And his voice…….. She simply loved his voice. Somehow it had the ability to keep her on her toes, and at times soothe her when she had frayed nerves. Would he be just like that in person? She checked the time, 5 more minutes to go before she met him. She started walking towards the meeting spot.

Her mind went back to the first time she had called him up on a cold winter night. Right from the very beginning it was like he knew everything that there could be about him. Did he fit into her idea of the perfect guy?? She was surprised that she was asking herself this question. And the first thing that she fell in love with him was his voice. It was just the way she had always thought a guy should be having. And the way he modulated to allow the maximum impact of his words. Very early on she realized he could play with words and twist things to his advantage. A fighter to the core, she loved losing to him. It was perhaps a silent submission from her end, but then neither of them realized it till they had gone far ahead into a relationship which was perhaps the sweetest that could ever be. She couldn't forget all those times when she had gone extremely disturbing phases and how the fear of losing him had gripped her a few times. Yet he had never gone, he had stayed around, assured her of that soothing her frayed nerves and made sure she was alright. He was always patient with her. And the way he knew her made her think he was some sort of a magician. Yet, it was he who called her a Black Magic Woman, for according to him; she had cast her magic on him, and didn’t want to break free of it. Yet, she felt, he too is guilty of the same. Else, how could a fiercely independent girl be so much in awe of a guy she had never met? After months of planning to chalk a free schedule thanks to their busy schedules, they were meeting today. Looks like her search might be over.

And then she saw him, standing with a lost expression on his face, staring straight at her. He was the splitting image of what she had imagined him to be…. tall, dark and ordinary looking fellow, nothing special about him except perhaps his voice and his intellect. As she walked towards him, he stared at her as if she was a dream. Was this really the first time they were meeting? It sure did feel awesome, but definitely not the first time. Yet, the realization had to kick in. And it did, when he shook her hands. The very sense of his gentle touch sent a shiver down her spine. It was him. Finally, the fellow who had made her smile at the most stupidest of things was there in front of her eyes. And when he said “Hello”, the same voice that had mesmerized her all these day threw her into a tizzy and she felt like saying a hundred things. Yet all that she managed to say was, “So, finally our first meeting.”

********

And Then…

And then their story flew into the deep abyss of the night, to be shared and known only by those two souls. Moment which would leave them longing for each other more than ever would perhaps never be known by anyone, but then some things are to be experienced and not shared.

And Now

But then some love stories were never meant to be. The needle pierced her soul one day and tormented her beyond imagination. Unable to take in the pain she sought to break away, but then he was not a man to give up. A tumultuous period followed during which they came together and then apart, until one day the the thread snapped. Ironically their first meeting was their last, and perhaps the moment of their greatest avowal of love that they could be capable of. They still love each other but then the phones never ring now. She lives with a remembrance of a sweet love... and he with the hope of her return. Will things work out in the end? We'll never know, until they script their story again.

Love never dies...... circumstances do

P.S. Well this one is to tell you all that this story was written about 3 months back. So don't fret and link me to it. However I'll continue a little for the sake of a happy ending!!

Currently

They patched up... Yes!! They did... the phone rang... she returned... He had set free what he loved the most and she came back.. stronger than before. Life seems smooth and the future beautiful. The regular shades of uncertainty will remain... but then love truimphed and ruled their hearts!! And they are now happily enojying the onset of the Indian winter.

Love honestly..... and you shall not be deprived of it.

A day to change it all!!

The streetlights were not too bright. They never really were, but then somehow he found it to be too dim today or was it his eyes? He looked straight down the street. It was a long walk ahead. Nothing to take him to the end of the street! He had to take the walk alone. And on such a dark and stormy night it seemed to be an ominous task. But somehow, the thought of taking this walk seemed to fill him with a dread and he wanted to go back to the brightly lit thoroughfare which had people milling around in a world of their own. Somehow the very thought of going back seemed to offer him comfort and the security that he sought. But then can he go back? Was going back really safe?

As he thought back to the events of that night and how they unfolded, he couldn’t help but smile. A smile that seemed to mock the sudden turn his life has taken. A happy and content man, he was now on run, from the cops, from the hideous men of the streets, from the world in general. A man, who was as clean as they come, was now a murderer, a drug trafficker, a scorned lover – an outlaw!! It all started with a phone call. She was on the other and very calmly, as if she had thought it all over, told him that there were things she couldn’t deal with and had to part from him. Hearing her say so he felt as if his world had dissolved and moving far away from him, as if he was falling into a deep abyss which kept getting darker and darker. And then he could fall no more and darkness descended on him. He had passed out. As he came into his own he realized that a crowd had formed around him and that somehow his phone has gone missing.

As he walked down the streets mulling over what to do and sipped over the takeaway coffee, he was suddenly aware of a feeling of being stared at. He glanced around. No one!! He chuckled to himself. Obviously, his love walking from him has left him in a bewildered state. It was then that he saw the news on TV. In a major drug heist today, the police have gunned down one man. The bulk of drug however was taken away by another fellow, who also happened to have shot dead one of the cops. He had left behind a mobile phone. The extracted details did reveal the identity of the person. He stared into the screen as the news flashed. It was his face and name on the screen. The past one hour has done major damage now!! His mind went into an overdrive. He contemplated all possible lash backs that could happen. He had to reach the cops. But how will he prove his innocence? Till he heard gunfire……. And since then he has been on the run. Been chased by cops, taken in, beaten up, escaped, he has done it all. He’s now running for his life. But will he make it?? To make it he had to walk this street. Yet, the unknown squeezed his heart hard enough to make him think twice. Will he go ahead???

She's still waiting..........

She's waiting.............
She's waiting with bated breath for the phone to ring. It hasn't till now. It's been quite sometime since he walked out through that door. He'd promised he'd call. She vividly remembers that day.

Theirs was a love marriage. Married against the wish of their parents, it wasn't an easy decision. But then, they were deeply in love. And so they took the plunge. His parents said, " You can't marry a girl older to you". Her parents said, "You can't marry a guy younger to you and just starting a career". But they kept on at it.......

The first few months were bliss for them. The excitement of living together and starting a new life had engulfed them. While the days were spent in hard work and trying to make ends meet, the nights were equally relaxing. Everything seemed perfect. Then one day she sensed something wrong with her. It's been just four months since they got married. Having taken precautions she found it hard to believe what the symptoms told her. She went to the doctor. Everything about her body confirmed her fears.... She was pregnant!! She had to inform him. But how?? They had not planned for it..... not now. During the long walk back home, her fear turned into joy, as the thrill of a life forming inside her embraced her. With a spring in her step she reached home. He was waiting.

Not particularly known for his subtlety, he questioned her about the purpose of her visit to the doctor. Not expecting such a welcome, she was taken aback. Stammering her way through, she told him. As disbelief spread across his face, she hoped he'd be happy about the news.... eventually. But then, fate had something else in store for her. He went ballistic, raved and ranted about how the baby could not be brought up given their hands to mouth existence. He went on to explain how it was all her fault and how he was not in a mental frame to be a father. And then he kept on. His words seemed to be like hot irons against her body. Everything seemed to blur. She realised she was crying.A silent flow of tears, as he carried on oblivious to the hurt she was going through, her feelings, her joys and her despair.

And then he said, he needed more time. Time to think it over. She was perplexed. And then he walked out through the door, promising he'd call. Little did she know that he was going never to look back. As she sat there at the window staring out into the cloudy sky, she recalled those moments. A silent tear trickled down her cheeks. She was staring out, but her ears strained for the phone to ring. And then someone tugged her saree, and broke her dreaminess. A smiling face looked deep into her eyes. She wiped her tears, and smiled at her bundle of joy. She cradled her child in her arms and again stared out into the world outside waiting......

It's been two years since that summer and shes still waiting.................................

PS: I find this song from Les Miserables to be quite apt for this theme, though I happened to hear it 2 years after I wrote the above story.

Ijaazat (Permission) - an Incomplete Story (contd.)

My story takes place on hot summer evening. It was a holiday or a Sunday. I really can’t remember that. U know it was so long ago. Oh! By the way let me introduce myself. I’m Aditya Roy, 35, presently working in an MNC. Or should I say was. Because you see I gave in my resignation a week back and they haven’t got back to me to yet. So really, I don’t know my status – employed or unemployed. The only thing that I can say is that right now I am nestled in a cottage in the Himalayas, far away from the rush of a city and just close enough to civilization to satisfy my basic needs. In fact, if right now you are wondering as to what my present has to do with that fateful summer evening, the truth is - everything. You see it was on that evening that a major chapter of life finished. A part of me died. Though I never realized it until it was too late.

My wife’s name was Sulakshana. A pretty name and very Bengali. But then, I knew her since my college days. I was a student of English (Hons.) in a Calcutta college. She was a year junior to me, in the department of History. We met during the rehearsals of a college play for some inter-college fest. It was in the year 1997. We hit off immediately. Life was then full of vision, full of eagerness. And it all seemed possible because one of the most perfect ladies ever created by the God Almighty was with me. Our relation blossomed and finally we married, when I was 26. Life seemed to be very pleased with me then. I started getting plum projects for my firm. I performed beyond expectations; my success egged me on towards new challenges. I excelled. It was all too good last. I had everything in life that a man could want. I had a successful career, a wonderful social status, a beautiful and loving wife. Things were perfect or so it seemed to me then.

By this time 4 blissful years of marriage had already passed by. On that fateful evening I was reading a newspaper as was my habit. Then came a phone call for my wife. It was from someone I didn’t know. Maybe someone from the college days. I dismissed the matter from my mind. A few minutes later she announced that she had to go out. I agreed and was about to get ready to drop her off, when she told me that she would like to go on her own. I was surprised. This was a definite deviation from her predictable behavior. Usually when I was home I used to chauffeur her around, which I must say wasn’t very often. It was quite obvious that whatever the reason it must be due that call. “The Call”. She left in her car. Unable to bear the tension I decided to tail her. That was the first mistake I should have trusted her. I didn’t!! I still don’t know why? But I didn’t.

This is where I lost track.... Any ideas??

Ijaazat (Permission) -- An Incomplete Story!!

Yes, this is an incomplete story..... And till date I'm yet to figure out how to go ahead with this. SO all you people out there... I'm waiting for your suggestions!!

Agar tum ijazaat do to,
Phir tumhare sapno se tarashu,
Koi naya Taj Mahal;
Sile hotho se tumhare ,
Chura lu koi nayi gazal;
Nashile un nigaho se,
Chalka du phir madhoshi ka vo jaam;
Agar tum keh do to,
Phir se likhu pyaar ka,
Koi naya paigam;
Chand ko mei phir se bulao,
Aur savaru tumhe.
Agar tum hidayat do to,
Mei tumhe phirse vahi,
Geet sunau;
Mei phirse tumhe apna,
Pyaar jatau.
Agar tum ijazaat do to.










Hi there,
I wonder what made you read this far. Probably u found the text at the start of this page quite intriguing. Well I really can’t say much abt that coz I wrote that myself. But then this page and whatever is going to be written in the next few pages is going to be written by me. The setting of my story is a beautiful evening in the “City of Joy”. For the uninitiated I’m talking abt Kolkata, erstwhile Calcutta. Our story revolves around two people who despite having once shared a deep love for each other have in the course of years forgotten how it really was to feel for, and pine for each others love. It reflects what a fast paced life, engrossed in a career can do to your relationships. It’s a story abt us, the new age individuals who have forgotten the meaning of being human. Well enough said abt the story. I can see u r getting impatient over there. Let’s read and find out how much do we identify ourselves with them? Where does that one evening take them? Is that evening going to come in our lives too? Read on…..

(to be continued....)