21st November, 2013.
“But, my career is more important. You distract me. High time we part. If destined, life will make us meet again’’ he snapped and she shook up with a sudden jerk. Breathing heavily, she cursed herself for poisoning her mind watching those Hindi-soaps lately.
“Thank God it was a dream. Kaustubh can never dump me. Never will” she thought splashing cold water on her face and walking back to bed.
*I unread message* the 8 inch long device blinked.
Her inner Goddess danced. She knew who it was. Adjusting herself under the cold blanket and mushy pillows she clicked ‘open’ giggling like a 16 year old teenager.
And, that was it. The universe halted to a pause. November was not cold anymore. Blanket, no more comforting.
The typical dewy-eyed was forced back to the sands of time.
20th June, 2012.
Tanya was jogging on the tracks of Chinese Park with ‘It’s a beautiful world’ humming in her ears when this striking outline of a man passed across her talking on the phone. But something in the air was so exciting, something so magical when their eyes met and the humid air suddenly transformed into a magical, exciting one. Their eyes met for a nanosecond and the world collapsed.
He could feel the chill in his spine and dragons in his stomach.
She could smell the intoxicating fragrance which would take an eternity to expunge her brain cells.
He cursed himself for not wearing the Blue T-Shirt.
She cursed herself for not brushing her hair.
..And, they were no more into sight. The force separated them.
21 year old Tanya would drool metaphorically every night thinking about the nameless-guy.
But, time swept fast. The nerd had no time for love and hopes were given up. Faith lost.
Though she would still wish for HIM every day when she visited the Gurudwara.
Religion was brutally followed now.
2nd January 2013, 8 p.m.
The red-nosed girl sneezed for the 5th time struggling with her oregano in the infinite queue of Reliance Fresh when she heard a similar voice squeaking his name for the third time ‘K-A-U-S-T-U-B-H’ yes, yes! It’s ‘U-S-T’.
Her head pounded due the sudden rush of blood and she turned behind in reflex.
Faith was again misplaced.
Smiling to herself she pondered ‘Blue suits him’ and walked out of the store.
Oregano was no more an essential ingredient for her pizza.
For the first time in her well spent 21 years of life, Miss Tanya Tandon did not think of the ‘people’ and continued smiling liked an idiot on the street.
“I finally know his name.” She IM-ed her best friend well versed with the mystery of the nameless; now-with-a-name guy.
“Screw you. Get over the jerk” the reply came. Which was –without any second thought- ignored. And, deleted.
She finally had ‘good’ reason to switch on the mean machine on her table.
45 minutes was all it took to find HER Kaustubh among 84652136 other Kaustbh’s, as it seemed.
Ignoring her conscience which made her feel like a desperate witch, she sent a friend request.
It was accepted within second.
Within minutes, giggles shared.
Within hours digits exchanged.
Within days, relationship statuses changes.
There was something surreal about them. Nobody could ever refrain envying them. From the old uncle who visited the same park for yoga where they met; to the little kids who played cricket with Kaustubh when Tanya showed up late. (Everyday)
Perhaps, only until the last message.
(21st November, 2013)
Far away from all what WAS, she was now undergoing the most horrifying shock of her life. Everything within her, numbed. No tears. No swears. She lay on the bed, silent. Nothing registered her mind. The echo of his message was terribly beating against her eardrums. She curled up squeezing her legs. She re-read;
“But, my career is more important. You distract me. High time we part. If destined, life will make us meet again’’
Tears flickered but did not fall.
The fighter inside her raged.
Tanya Tandon did not let her life pause.
She did not whine or complain.
“I want to get married” she declared next morning. Leaving her parents rejoice.
Arrangements were instantly completed. Everything set-up.
31st December, 2013.
28 days was all it took for Miss Tanya Tandon to become Mrs. Tanya Raj Kapoor.
Everything was good again.
Though, somewhere in the dark deep buried tales of the night, the fragrance still lingered and felt. She knew it would take forever for the fragrance to expunge her brain cells.
“But, my career is more important. You distract me. High time we part. If destined, life will make us meet again’’ he snapped and she shook up with a sudden jerk. Breathing heavily, she cursed herself for poisoning her mind watching those Hindi-soaps lately.
“Thank God it was a dream. Kaustubh can never dump me. Never will” she thought splashing cold water on her face and walking back to bed.
*I unread message* the 8 inch long device blinked.
Her inner Goddess danced. She knew who it was. Adjusting herself under the cold blanket and mushy pillows she clicked ‘open’ giggling like a 16 year old teenager.
And, that was it. The universe halted to a pause. November was not cold anymore. Blanket, no more comforting.
The typical dewy-eyed was forced back to the sands of time.
20th June, 2012.
Tanya was jogging on the tracks of Chinese Park with ‘It’s a beautiful world’ humming in her ears when this striking outline of a man passed across her talking on the phone. But something in the air was so exciting, something so magical when their eyes met and the humid air suddenly transformed into a magical, exciting one. Their eyes met for a nanosecond and the world collapsed.
He could feel the chill in his spine and dragons in his stomach.
She could smell the intoxicating fragrance which would take an eternity to expunge her brain cells.
He cursed himself for not wearing the Blue T-Shirt.
She cursed herself for not brushing her hair.
..And, they were no more into sight. The force separated them.
21 year old Tanya would drool metaphorically every night thinking about the nameless-guy.
But, time swept fast. The nerd had no time for love and hopes were given up. Faith lost.
Though she would still wish for HIM every day when she visited the Gurudwara.
Religion was brutally followed now.
2nd January 2013, 8 p.m.
The red-nosed girl sneezed for the 5th time struggling with her oregano in the infinite queue of Reliance Fresh when she heard a similar voice squeaking his name for the third time ‘K-A-U-S-T-U-B-H’ yes, yes! It’s ‘U-S-T’.
Her head pounded due the sudden rush of blood and she turned behind in reflex.
Faith was again misplaced.
Smiling to herself she pondered ‘Blue suits him’ and walked out of the store.
Oregano was no more an essential ingredient for her pizza.
For the first time in her well spent 21 years of life, Miss Tanya Tandon did not think of the ‘people’ and continued smiling liked an idiot on the street.
“I finally know his name.” She IM-ed her best friend well versed with the mystery of the nameless; now-with-a-name guy.
“Screw you. Get over the jerk” the reply came. Which was –without any second thought- ignored. And, deleted.
She finally had ‘good’ reason to switch on the mean machine on her table.
45 minutes was all it took to find HER Kaustubh among 84652136 other Kaustbh’s, as it seemed.
Ignoring her conscience which made her feel like a desperate witch, she sent a friend request.
It was accepted within second.
Within minutes, giggles shared.
Within hours digits exchanged.
Within days, relationship statuses changes.
There was something surreal about them. Nobody could ever refrain envying them. From the old uncle who visited the same park for yoga where they met; to the little kids who played cricket with Kaustubh when Tanya showed up late. (Everyday)
Perhaps, only until the last message.
(21st November, 2013)
Far away from all what WAS, she was now undergoing the most horrifying shock of her life. Everything within her, numbed. No tears. No swears. She lay on the bed, silent. Nothing registered her mind. The echo of his message was terribly beating against her eardrums. She curled up squeezing her legs. She re-read;
“But, my career is more important. You distract me. High time we part. If destined, life will make us meet again’’
Tears flickered but did not fall.
The fighter inside her raged.
Tanya Tandon did not let her life pause.
She did not whine or complain.
“I want to get married” she declared next morning. Leaving her parents rejoice.
Arrangements were instantly completed. Everything set-up.
31st December, 2013.
28 days was all it took for Miss Tanya Tandon to become Mrs. Tanya Raj Kapoor.
Everything was good again.
Though, somewhere in the dark deep buried tales of the night, the fragrance still lingered and felt. She knew it would take forever for the fragrance to expunge her brain cells.
