The light moment

Why Hate ? Last part

When Anirudh got to the office, there was hardly anyone else. He went about with his plan. Kavya got in office and started with her work. It was now end of the day and Kavya had to update her days work on daily task sheet application. She found the application that recorded her task sheet to be not working. The office staff responsible for fixing such issues was not present. Anirudh was working on his work station not showing any emotions on his face. He could hear Kashyap trying to work with Kavya to fix the problem. Just then Anirudh heard the voice that he was waiting to hear. "Brother, can you help us?" it was Kashyap.

Anirudh acted as if he did not hear anything. He continued looking at the monitor. From the corner of his eyes he could almost see Kavya looking at him, but he ignored it. Then he felt Kashyap coming towards him and Anirudh turned to look at him "Kashyap, my friend whats wrong?" Kashyap gave his unique smile and said "Oh great being," Anirudh interrupted him and said "Kashyap come to the point..."

Kashyap said "Yeah, of course can you help Kavya with her machine it seems to be having some problems with the task updater" Anirudh knew exactly what was wrong, he had broken it in the first place by coming early to the office and logging on to the rmachine. Anirudh walked confidently to Kavya's desk and pulled a chair to sit besides her. Kavya was not happy to take his help and showed her discomfort by quickly moving away. Anirudh observed that but did not react. Kashyap was busy mean while eating the pea nuts that he carried in a plastic bag.

Kashyap "Brother do you know what is the issue or you are just shooting in dark" Just then Anirudh got up and smiled looking at Kashyap "Brother, nothing is difficult if you know what you are doing." Kashyap did not say anything and just mocked him by moving his neck side ways some thing that Anirudh did regularly.

Kavya tried the software again and this time it was working. She had a big smile on her face, and she quickly thanked Anirudh. Anirudh on the other hand tried to show modesty on his face. Anirudh went back to his place. After another 15 mins when Kavya was about to leave the office she came to Anirudh's desk and thanked him for his help. Anirudh asked her where she lives and she replied back. Anirudh was smiling from inside and had a firm belief that the hatred is gone after all. After Kavya left, Kashyap got to Anirudh's desk and Anirudh smiled at him. "Kashyap, I told you its easy, and now she does not hate me, this is how the cookie crumbles............" Kashyap said "Oh great Guru! I am too much impressed by you, no wonder you are so great"

While going home Kavya was accompanied by another of her friend. Kavya said "Anirudh fixed a problem on my machine today, and felt he had done a great job, but honestly I hate that ass...." Bothg girl laughed. At the office Anirudh sat alone looking at the screen feeling great about himself.

Why Hate?

.............Kavya hated Anirudh, Anirudh worked in the same office as Kavya and had no clue about it. One day his good friend Kashyap mentioned him and Anirudh was shocked. He thought for a while and tried to rewind if he a wrong word said or any incident that might have made Kavya think in this sense. But he really could not find it. That was when he asked Kashyap as too why Kavya hates him.

Kashyap requested Anirudh that the conversation between them should be kept secret. Kashyap got a chair besides Anirudh and started talking "Brother! She thinks you are too smart and you have a big attitude issue" Anirudh smiled and said "Thats true, I do act over smart and do have a big attitude" to which both of them laughed. Kashyap continued "Anyways thats the reason she hates you.........she will always hate you.......don't try to open my mouth, you will not feel good about what you willl hear."

That night when Anirudh returned home he was not able to understand why would a girl think of him this way without knowing him.While waiting for the bus that day, Anirudh wondered how he could change the mind set of Kavya. He hardly watced her and had no feelings for her in any sense. It was just the fact that he could not stand the truth that a girl hates him for no reason. He wanted to solve this mystery perhaps talk to Kavya and understand what makes her think this way. However he did not know how he could ever start. Just then his bus arrived and Anirudh jumped into it.

Next day while sitting at his work station, Anirudh was reading a few emails. One of them was from Kavya, it was an official email however it brought back his last night thoughts again. Anirudh wanted to show Kavya how nice he was, and that at heart he has no ego or attitude. But how could he do it and thats what kept on bothering him. He needed a plan to make the girl at last not hate him. Perhaps he could help her, Anirudh thought. But again help in what, it seemed like an endless cycle for Anirudh. Just then he saw Kavya pass by his desk towards her. Anirudh's eyes followed her, just then she turned and their eyes got locked in. Anirudh was embarrass and he quickly looked else where.For the first time he thought Kavya was not that bad looking either. "What if I just go and give her smile or perhpas appreciate her fancy purse, no purse is very gay, may be I will just give her smile, but may be I can do that when she goes for her lunch" Anirudh stuck to the plan and gave Kavya a very wide smile, to which she did not react for a while and they reciprocated with a smile. She passed him and then murmured "Over smart..........." Anirudh heard it clearly and he felt like screaming loudly and asking her "Why the hell she said it?" But then he just remained quiet. In one corner Kashyap was standing with his lunch box. He came close to Anirudh and said "Brother! Lets have lunch, you will be always in her bad books no use trying" Anirudh frowned looking at Kashyap and said "You please continue, I will have my lunch later"

Anirudh was already on plan B, he was waiting for Kavya to get done with he lunch, the plan was that he would ask her "Lunch over! How was it?" He was acting trying to show he is concentrating looking at the monitor, just then he saw Kavya passing by and he quickly turned to ask but he stopped, Kavya did not look at him. Anirudh then walked towards Kavya's desk and said "Kavya which project you are working on?"

Kavya softly said "Can we talk later, I have a few emails to read?" The lines felt like slaps to Anirudh who turned back and sat on his place. He was clear of one fact that the girl hates him and hates him a lot. He wanted to some ways do something and change this equation. Aniridh decided to give it a try on Monday, and think over the weekend......................................that weekend Anirudh thought about multiple ways of impressing Kavya. On Monday he had a very clear plan and he was very confident that by the end of the day Kavya will not just stop hating him but perhaps will also become good friends with him.

(to be continued.............)

Parallel Rivers Part 1

Anirudh was in USA when he got to know of her. There was a certain hype in the office about the new girl that had joined. Anirudh was chatting one night, when his office colleague mentioned him about her. His friend was fascinated by the girl. He was so excited, that he was even able to transfer some of the excitement to Anirudh.

Anirudh could not wait to get back to India and meet her. I did not love her, not even liked her, I had not even seen her, but there was a curiosity that any child can have. It seemed the child in me was all curious.

Poetic Lover

Love means a lot to some for others its just part of the life. But everyone needs that feeling to come into their life. Raju was no exception to it. The one thing Raju wanted to do is make sure the person he loves so much is always gifted to make sure she knows how much he loves her. Today when he got up he decided to do the same thing he did many a times before. He was ready to write a poem for the girl whom he loved so much. Raju was no poet but he loved to write for her. It was a feeling that was amazing. The piece of paper in the flower bouquet, the fragrance of the flowers and the romance in the poem. It was a combination that Raju just could not resist.

He was ready with a piece of paper and a pen. He looked out of the window and saw two crows sitting on the terrace of a building. He had read a lot of description about pigeons making love, but he was amazed to see that a pair of crow did the same thing. Their color might be the reason why their love was not that famous. But Raju knew love sees no color, no barriers.

Raju was looking for an inspiration to start the poem. He was happy to see the crows but they did not inspire him to jolt down any line.

After another two hours of thinking and seeing that the page is still all blank Raju got up and walked to the rest room. He washed his face and sat again on the bed. The bed was big enough to allow one person to sleep. On one side of the bed was an old t.v while another side was a small box having a lot of books pilled up.

Raju opened up a dictionary to find something, and then threw it away. This was frustrating why is this so difficult he thought. He slept flat on his back looking at the fan rotating. The ceiling showed that the apartment was really getting old. There were some spider webs hanging which Raju was planning to remove for weeks now.

Finally he thought about a saying, which his professor once told him "Son, think what you want to convey and then words will just pop put" Raju thought, he wanted to tell her how important she is been to him. He wanted to tell her how she refreshes his mind every time he remembers her. He wanted to tell her how honest his love has been for her. Soon Raju started to smile which then converted into a more serious face, he sat back and started writing.

It was mid day when he was done writing his 8 lines. Raju neatly folded the paper. He had a bottle of perfume which he sprinkled on the paper. He then kept the paper in an envelope. Raju then kept the envelope in the pockets of the coat he was planning to wear. Raju was now having a big smile. He walked to the kitchen and opened up the refrigerator. He saw the frozen curry and five slices of bread. He took it out quickly. Raju put the curry in the owen and then followed it up with the bread. Raju finished this lunch far quickly and then went off to the bed.

When Raju woke up it was 5pm in the evening. Raju saw outside the window again, he saw fair amount of traffic. Raju then got dressed up, double checking if the paper having the poem is in the pocket. Raju then got out of the house, he locked the door and kept the keys into the inside pocket of his trousers. Then he walked out of the society compounds towards the man who sold flowers at the end of the road. He collected the best roses. Raju knew where to find her and he walked towards the familiar place.

A girl dressed in pink, wearing a skirt that was long enough to cover her knee line was standing. She was wearing dark black goggles. Raju watched her move towards him. He moved forward, as the girl passed him, Raju watched her again as she moved into the opposite direction. He was now close to the gate. He opened it, walked a few steps and stood silently. He then just squatted down, kept the flowers down having the paper in it.

Raju turned around and walked back. Raju was 75 years old and this was the 40th poem he wrote for his dead wife. It was her 40th death anniversary. He placed it on her tomb and left. Jolly was the name of his late wife, who loved his every poem, but just after 5 years of her marriage she died of breast cancer................................

Poetic Lover

Love means a lot to some for others its just part of the life. But everyone needs that feeling to come into their life. Raju was no exception to it. The one thing Raju wanted to do is make sure the person he loves so much is always gifted to make sure she knows how much he loves her. Today when he got up he decided to the same thing he did many a times before. He was ready to write a poem for the girl whom he loved so much. Raju was no poet but he loved to write for her. It was a feeling that was amazing. The piece of paper in the flower bouquet, the fragrance of the flowers and the romance in the poem. It was a combination that Raju just could not resist.

He was ready with a piece of paper and a pen. He looked out of the window and saw two crows sitting on the terrace of a building. He had seen a lot of description about pigeons making love, but he was amazed to see that a pair of crow did the same thing. Their color might be the reason why they were not that famous. But Raju knew love sees no color, no barriers.

Raju was looking for an inspiration to start the poem. He was happy to see the crows but they did not inspire him to jolt down any line.

After another two hours of thinking and seeing that the page is still all blank Raju got up and walked to the rest room. He washed his face and sat again on the bed. The bed was big enough to allow one person to sit. On one side of the bed was an old t.v while on the other side was a small box having a lot of books pilled up.

Raju opened up a dictionary to find something, and then threw it away. This was frustrating why is this so difficult he thought. He slept flat on his back looking at the fan rotating. The ceiling showed that the apartment was really getting old. There were some spider webs hanging which Raju was planning to remove for weeks now.

Finally he thought about a saying which his professor once told him "Son think what you want to convey and then words will just pop put"Raju thought, he wanted to tell her how important she is been to him. He wanted to tell her how she refreshes his mind every time he remembers her. He wanted to tell her how honest his love has been for her. Soon Raju started to smile which then converted into a more serious face, he sat back and started writing.

It was mid day when he was done writing his 8 lines. Raju neatly folded the paper. He had a bottle of perfume which he sprinkled on the paper. He then kept the paper in an envelope. Raju then kept the envelope in the pockets of the coat he was planning to wear. Raju was now having a big smile. He walked to the kitchen and opened up the refrigerator. He saw the frozen curry and five slices of bread. He took it out quickly. Raju put the curry in the owen and then followed it up with the bread. Raju finished this lunch far quickly and then went off to the bed. When Raju woke up it was 5pm in the evening. Raju saw outside the window again, he saw fair amount of traffic. Raju then got dressed up, double checking if the paper having the poem is in the pocket. Raju then got out of the house, he locked the door and

Vacant Seat

My father decided to buy a new house at the other end of the city which meant I had to join a new school and that is where I met her. I was 9 and she was perhaps 8.5 years. She was very talkative, she was very funny and most important she was a total tom boy with short hair. I being introvert just did not speak with any one. But Reena made sure that was not the case. She would greet me everyday. I would just smile back. It was after 7 days that I finally managed to ask her "How are you?'" and she busted into laughter.

Another 4 months and we became good friends. In a bad way though that isolated us from the rest of the group. But I did not mind I was a loner anyways.

Soon I was 11 and she was 10.5, we just knew anything and everything about each other. We would fight like boys and played like girls. Everything was good but then in the summer of 1996 she went on vacation and when she came back she was not the same. Reena was talking more perhaps but her looks were different. She had grown her hair so had she started putting a bit of make up or may be thats what I thought. I asked her and she just giggled and touched my cheeks. Another 6 months Reena had changed drastically she was now looking like a girl.

I was 12 and she was 11.5, still not in our teens. But one day when we walked home it started to rain. I watched her hair go wet, we were not carrying an umbrella. The water dripping from her hair onto her forehead. She was shivering and I just watched her. I thought of the last 3 years since we were such close friends, however today was the first time I felt a very different thing for her. She was looking beautiful I thought. After that day I did not fell the same that Reena felt for me. I started caring more about her. She would joke on me, but I just could not do the same to her. I used to beat her on the head and I stopped that too. Reena was surprised and she asked me how the devil that I was for her, changed into an Angel. Well I could not say anything.

I had entered into my teens and Reena was now half year away from that. I decided to stop the hide and seek and tell her the fact. However days passed into weeks and I could not speak up. Some of my friends in school did start to tease me that I am Reena's boy friend. I felt good from inside but never showed it, I did request them to not tease me in front of her. But it did not work Reena got to know the whole thing. She came to me and asked me if I knew anything and I told her that even I did not like it. I told her I have warned my friends to not tease me of all such things. Reena asked me to meet in the classroom next day. I agreed to it but she did not declare the agenda. All my friends were sitting and they watched me and Reena enter the class together. Some of them giggled and some coughed. Reena stopped in between and asked me to held my hand up. She quickly got a string from her pocket and tied it to me. Hindu culture that means I am her brother. That night I cried a lot. It took me weeks to get out of it. I did not show anything to Reena and continued my behavior in the same manner to her.

I was 14 and Reena was 13.5 when she left my school to go to another city for education. We tried to call each other but then it slowly stopped and then there was no contact.After that it was in year 2002 when I saw her again. I knew it was Reena the moment I saw her. I walked to her and said "Do I know you......" my next line was "of course I do" and then perhaps even hug her. But she quickly replied saying "No" I was embarrass, I was accompanied by a friend of mine. He sympathized with me. Reena was standing with her friends and they just... laughed. I had no clue what had happened. It was perhaps my friend who dragged me from the scene and then scolded me for such stupidity. I had no answer to any of his question.

2007 when I was 22 and she was 21.5 we met again, this time on chat. I reminded her of the incident but she replied back saying she don't remember it. I wanted to call her a liar but I could not. I just continued talking to her like nothing happened that day. I continued to chat with her and then also wrote poems for her. Our relationship was renewed via the internet. I wished she still did not consider me as her brother and would just think of it as a childhood mistake. My memory just could not erase the rainy day. The day when I fell in love with her for the first time. She loved my poems and thanked for it.

However in the summer of 2008 when I was 23 and she was 22.5 she declared on chat that she was getting married. She also told me she was going to Dubai. 2 years passed that now, so why are we talking about it today.

Because couple of months back when I turned 25 and she perhaps 24.5 I ran into her in a public bus. I looked at her and she looked at me. I waved to her and she just looked elsewhere. I was so upset. But I just looked down and continued to read the book. However I could not concentrate and I looked at her again. She had gone a bit fat I thought. She looked back at me and this time I just looked back into the book. Apparently this was not the last of it, she took the same bus that I did everyday. I would watch her from the corner of an eye. The vermilion high up on her forehead suggested that she was indeed married. It was then that I also realized that she was pregnant. I was in too much of debate, it was Reena after all, what happened why are we behaving this way. I was totally confused. Today however the ice did break. The bus was packed, I got a seat and Reena was standing right besides me holding on to the seat. I was feeling very restless. I finally just got up from my seat, she looked at me, I had no clue what I was thinking. I said "Madam please sit......." people around especially the ladies gave me a smile seeing my good will. Reena got on to the vacant seat. I turned around, when she touched my hand from behind. I turned back and she said "Thanks brother................................................."

Inside Out

Inside Out

............the bike stopped, the dust settled and Manoj got down. He pulled out his halmet to reveal a very fair face as if being not tanned in the sun anytime. He parked the bike and pushed the iron gate. He was now facing a two storey palace where once his ancestors had lived. On the borders of China in a small village where they once ruled. It was at the change of the 20th century that his great grandfather decided to leave the place since public revolt was now out of control.
Manoj's grandfather a scientist of his time did visit this place after his infamous divorce with his grandmother. However today it had become important for the youngest son of the family to come back and claim what was theirs.Manoj is a free lance interior decorator who had specially come to study the interiors of this once beautiful palace. He entered the palace and was stunned to see the number of rooms. He tried to count but then gave up since something else attracted him. One of the room doors had the name as labaratory. He immediately understood that this was the same room where his grandfather spent his last few days doing experiments.
He slowly walked towards the room. The stairs made up of wood seemed to gone week as they shook everytime Manoj took a new step. He tried to help himself by holding on to the side wall but that was too dusty for Manoj's liking. Once he was on the first floor he began to look around, and he spotted the room once again. He walked towards the room. While he walked he could smell bird poops. He also saw a rat moving on the old electric wires hanging from the ceiling. Manoj decided to ignore all that. He was now in front of the door when he saw the lock. He was angry on himself for not looking at the door carefully before. He kicked the door in anger which made is slam to the opposite side. It seemed the door hinges had gone rusty. But the slamming of the door on the floor made the dust blow up. Manoj covered his mouth with a handkerchief and squinting his eyes moved in. There were lot of electric machines lying around. He saw a printing machine which had a paper stack stuck in it. He also spotted an instrument that pretty much looked like a washing machine. Manoj looked at his new shoes they were not looking the same with all the dust. The dirty shoes brought another frown on Manoj's face. He was about to get out of the room when he saw a small cupboard on the floor.
Manoj squatted and opend the door of the cupboard. He could not see what is in there since it was too short for him to see inside it. Manoj slowly moved his head downwards almost touching the floor. In fact his breathing made the dust blow away. That is when he spotted the red cloth.He tried to pull it out and soon understood that the red cloth was wrapped around something.Manoj picked up the object and slowly removed the red cloth around it. Manoj stood up, since the room was a bit dark, Manoj opened the window. Manoj tried to guess what it must be while touching the cloth and unwrapping it at the same time.
A pigeon was sitting on the window, Manoj was now holding the object pointing at the pigeon. It was a gun, a sparkling silver gun. Manoj was ready to shoot, when the pigeon flew and he stopped himself from pulling the trigger. Manoj threw the cloth away which after touching the floor revealed a paper in it. Manoj bowed down to pick the paper and read it loudly.
“When you try to clean the dirt outside don't forget there is more in you that needs to be cleaned first, only when the inside is clean so will then the outside look beautiful”

Manoj, tried to understand the meaning but then just gave up. He pushed the gun into the inside pocked of the coat he was wearing. He kept the note in his trouser pocket. For another hour Manoj tried to find something but nothing interested him and he left the lab. The lab was not the only room Manoj visited he did enter each and every room. Some were unlocked and the locked one just required a gentle push to bring them down. Manoj wondered if he could push hard the whole palace might also come down. Manoj was now in the last room, which had pictures of his great ancestors hanging on the wall. He saw one of the photo to be cruked he, adjusted it however it still would return to the same titled position. Thats when he tried to look behind the frame and saw a small door handle. He quickly pulled the photo down and pushed the secret door in the wall to see a vessel. He pulled the vessel out and opened it to see gold coins, a few gold chains and also a lot of pearls. Manoj pocketed them and got out of the palace. It was unfortunate that he could not wait in this place. The palace was away from the village, there was not even a neighborhood only forest as far as one can see. Manoj walked towards the bike got on it and decided to go back to the nearest village to rest for the night. The bike started after two unsuccessful tries, Manoj kept the found treasure inside a box fitted on the sides of the bike. Wearing his halmet Manoj began his journey back.
After riding his bike for an hour Manoj recalled the incidents that had taken place in the last 3 hours. He was thirsy and looked around to see if there was any water source. Just then he spotted a well. He decided to walk towards the well. He slowly looked into the well when he saw there was no water to see. He streched him self to see more but there was no water. He quickly looked out and then again looked in. At first glance he did not believe it but now he was sure there was a skeleton lying at the bottom of the well. The skeleton made him worried about himself. Manoj decided that he is not going to waste any time and just walk out of the jungle. Just then he turned around and saw a very differet picture. A more pleasant one. A woman who had wrapped a saree around her just to make sure her body is not revealed was walking across the jungle with a vessel of water. Manoj rushed towards her and got down on his knees. “Please give me some water..........I have to go across the forest by tonight and I will die if I don't get water............”
The woman who was at first scared to see Manoj acting weird had now got back her composure and did manage to give a smile. She revealed a perfect set of beautiful white teeth. She poured the water on Manoj hands. Manoj was holding his hand like a funnel to help him to drink water. Manoj drank the water and seeing satisfaction on his face, the woman moved forward. Manoj got on the bike but the thirst of water was now replaced by the thirst for the woman in Manoj's body.Soon his brain tried to figure out a plan to make sure he ends the night wih the woman. He kicked started his bike and traveled behind the woman leaving behind the expected path. The woman turned around hearing the bike noise. “Can I drop you, if this bike can go upto your house I will have no problems dropping you. The woman gave an uncomfortable smile but then gave a second look at Manoj she realized he was from the city and also looked educated. She was also tired of walking and was tempted not to turn down the offer. Manoj helped her get on the bike. As she sat on the bike holding the vessel in one hand and Manoj's shoulder by the other the bike came alive. As the bike moved Manoj could not stop imagining himself with the woman. It took over 15 minutes to get to the house. It was just a hut. It had a wooden cot and was roofed with coconut leaves. Manoj could not control his thoughts and his feelings. Just then he heard another voice. He saw around and a strong looking man came out from behind the house. Although he was strong he gave a very humble smile to Manoj. The man grabbed the vessel from the woman and moved back into the house, woman followed him and Manoj followed the woman The woman used some signs to explain the man and the man responded in the same way. Manoj was not able to guess which one of them was deaf and dump or rather both were. He also wondered how they might have lived in this jungle with this disability. The woman got into the hut, she decided to change her saree. Manoj looked into the hut from the holes in the wall. The man was busy cutting wood.
Manoj was seeing the beautiful body, he just could not control his temptation and a more evil thought crossed his mind. “What if I kill this man, then in this jungle this woman would be all mine.........but how would I, luckily I hav a gun and since it is so heavy it perhaps is loaded, I need to take this man away from this hut, kill him somewhere and come back to the hut then the woman will have no place to go.........”
Manoj moved towards the man and started to speak in sign language, “I can speak..........it just that she was shy speaking in front of you” Manoj heaved a sigh of relief. “Friend I picked up your wife near the well and dropped her here because she helped me with water.........” “I know she told me...” the man answered. “But there is a problem, when I got down of the bike I dropped my purse over there, there is lot of money in it, but I am scared to go back alone over there, will you please come with me............” The man without answerig got into the house and then came out again “I am ready we can go now........” Manoj and the man got onto the bike. Manoj was now started to feel bad and perhaps he was thinking he was doing something wrong. But the image of the woman was not getting off his mind. Her touch was still fresh on his shoulder. When they reach the well, the man started to look into the bushes around while Manoj moved towards the well. He pulled out his gun and pointed towards the Man's brain who was trying to find the purse which was not there. Manoj pulled the trigger, there was a loud noise, the woman came out of her hut hearing the sound. Little that she knew what had happened. She sat outside the house for a lot of time, it turned dark and now she was really worried. Just at that time she saw something moving when she closely looked she saw the figure. She was worried and she jumped and ran towards the approaching figure. She hugged him and asked him “What happened...........?”
The gun made a noise that was deafening, but the shocking part was that Manoj was now falling into the well. The special gun was made in such a way that it would shoot back at the person who was holding the gun. The man had stopped looking for the gun in the bushes, he tried to look into the well and scream out loud. He even thought of getting into the well but then he remembered his wife and thought otherwise. The man sat besides the well and cried for a while. He was still not able to understand why the city dweller had shot himself. After a long time the man got up and decided to forget about it. He knew that city police can come and they might think that he has killed the tourist. He decided to walk out of that place, keeping the bike in the same position that Manoj had.
The woman was shocked to hear what had happend and was even more shock when her husband asked her to pack her clothes and move out of this place. After travelling for about 3 days the man and his wife reached a village and forgetting of the dreadful indicident decided to live a fresh life. The police till date are not able to solve the mystery, they found the body, treasure, bike, money and the gun. The gun is with the police as an evidence and is untouched so little does anyone knows of its secret. Also as a proof the police have kept the paper that was found in Manoj's shirt. The note saying the two lines Manoj once read out lout.

“When you try to clean the dirt outside don't forget there is more in you that needs to be cleaned first,
only when the inside is clean so will then the outside look beautiful.............”

Misson Karnala

Misson Karnala

Based on the discussion of all members of safhayedh kawla (white crow) organization it was decided to conquer the Karnala fort. Karnala fort is 75 kms away from Mumbai and is about 12 kms away from Panvel. It is around at a height of 450 mts from sea level.
We started at about 6:00am in the morning. While trying to take a shortcut towards the vile parle station we were greeted by dogs. In dark morning, we were unable to spot where the dogs were but could hear them bark, so just like the brave men would do, we ran away to fight another day. Now we were in problems since we had just wasted another 5 mins. We were not sure of the timings of the train so decided to get into an Auto. The auto driver was not happy to have 5 passengers, however he had little choice since we literally hogged him to take us. Once on the station, Trushal Pawar, bought the tickets. However he only bought single way, which he realized later. We got into the 6:09 C.S.T from Vile parle which dropped us on the Wadala station at 6:35am. We then got into a 6:35am Panvel. The train was pretty empty and since we were a bit bored we started reading the train advertisements. Thats where we found a new name for Trushal, and he was renamed as Baba Ajmeri, a psychic who can cure anything.
We got out on the Panvel station at 7:50am. From there we walked to the panvel state transport depot. We found there was one bus that suited our requirement. We were soon in it and Baba Ajmeri as usual was joking with the bus conductor. There was no place to sit hence we remained standing. After 20 mins at about 8:15am we were at the Karnala stop. The sanctuary official responsible to give away tickets to get into the sanctuary acted quickly. We gave him 100 Rs and he returned nothing, it was 20 Rs per man, and we were 5 of us.
After walking for another 300 mts, we saw a bird cage. It had a duck in it. Then we soon spotted a few more cages. One had a peacock both male and female. There was a himalayan parrot, rabbit and some other birds. We watched the map that was placed a few meters from the cage. The map showed two roads to get on the Karnala fort. There was a long route meant to go to the top safely and there was one route for crazy people to go trekking. The trekking route was a steep one. It was stupid to take that route. However we still took it. Then started the great trekking, crossing a small bridge, then many roots, tree trunks fallen in between as barriers and a lot of stones that some times helped and some time acted as a barrier. Slowly Deepak, Trushal, Sumit made there way up. Mayur remained behind taking one photo every step he took. I was all out, sweating, and litterally crawling from behind. Another 30 mins and we were soon near half point. We reached a flat plateau where we took a few snaps. There was a thought to stop and eat but was soon discarded. I started walking briskly leaving other to continue taking the snaps.
It was getting tougher towards the end. I climbed over the big stons and then climbed on to the steps to get into the fort. When I entered the fort it was 9:50am. I mad it quickly to a spot where there was a cool breeze blowing. I sat down. Other slowy followed and I was happy to claim that I was the first one to get on the fort. We then decided to have our breakfast. Following was the light breakfast we had, around 35 theplas, 10 dosas and 3 chapatis. After this we took rest. It was 10:30 am when we started again. We saw a few caves at the top and decided to move there. When we reached into the caves and found there was very clean water there. We were able to see the bottom. However we were sure it was not good for dinking. Baba Ajmeri got into the caves and showed how he meditate which made everyone laugh. After relaxing some time at the caves which included singing, Mayur snapped a few pics and then we left. We then explored some other areas of the fort and were amazed to see how people might have lived there. After some more snaps, we decided it was time to go down. At that time the clock said 11:30am.
We decided to take the long route to get down this time. It took around one hour to get down. However during the one hour descent we encountered with monkeys. A group of about 20 monkeys were hanging from the trees and seemed to charge around us. Thats where I took a risk and asked the rest of the guys to do that too. This is not something that you should try. We raised our hand and taking a position that we do while doing jumping jacks screamed loudly. We screamed so loudly that the monkey ran upstairs on the tree that they hung on too. After that we continued to descent downwards taking little rests in between. Once at the foothills we saw the peacock in the cage again. This time, the peacock was dancing and displaying the wonderful designer feathers that god designed himself for this great bird. It was a great sight and would remain in memory for a long time. We were resting below a tree when we saw a few more monkeys hanging on the trees. We decided to do the same exercise. But to our surprise the monkey this time retaliated and made us run.
Next mission after conquering the great fort was trying our hand on cooking some rice. We read boards of no cooking, or no litting fire in the sanctuary. We did not break the rules and got out of the sanctuary. Then walking a few distance we found aother place with no one around and decided to make a small fire to cook. There was one big vessel, we added rice, cereals (moong not sure of the English name, but then who cares), turmeric and salt, and yes jeera (again don't ask the english name).
Baba Ajmeri lit the fire. Sumit thinks its his old business ('aag laagane may he has done phd' were his exact words). Trushal left us to refill the bottles. The fire soon started to work around and made the rice boiling. Wait a minute this is a lie. Nothing of that worked, the fire was not making anything boil. The fire was picking up in the wrong place. I and Deepak tried to adjust the fire. Sumit continued complaining that we have no clue what we are doing and this is not going to work. Mayur was collecting dry leaves. Soon Trushal (Baba Ajmeri) arrived and made a new fire. We adjusted the vessel on the new fire and it started to boil. Basically we were missing a simple point, that you should allow oxygen to make fire work and not pack the leaves from all sides. Trushal made sure that does not happen again. After one hour of this effort rice was all cooked. We all enjoyed it, there was morning thepla left, which we ate and then there was pullav which we also ate everything.
After the lunch and cleaning the utensils, we started walking towards the higway. After some time the state transport bus arrived and we reached panvel. Then once at panvel, we got the Andheri train and after another hour and thiry minutes we were back at Vile Parle station, it was 7pm then.Its about 11pm now, I am sure all of us are suffering from body aches. In the words of Baba Ajemeri our legs are yzed (whatever that means)........................................

A Dark Love Story

....................another cola please, he said and got back on his chair. Now it was almost 3 hours that Arun and Seema had spent together.However both of them were happy. After walking on the beech for over an hour, then sitting in sand and watching the sun set, finally get into the restaurant for some wine and dine. There could not have been a more perfect evening in Arun's life.

Arun was sipping the freshly ordered drink when he heard a noise. Both he and Seema who were sitting fingers locked into each other got out of their thoughts and looked backwards. A man was completely drunk seemed to be not in control of himself. Seema made a worried face, while Arun looked rather interestingly at the man. The man walked towards their table now and rested his head on it. He was about to say something when waiters pulled him off. He continued to make noise, but he was pushed outside the hotel. The man seemed to be in his twenties. It seemed he had not shaved for some days. He had curly hairs and his face seemed all murky.

The waiter quickly got to Seema's table and cleaned the beach sand the drunkard had left. The waiter apologized to the guest and then continued on his usual duty. Since the manager watched this even he felt bad and went personally to apologize the beautiful couple. Arun now seemed to be overwhelmed with all the hospitality, did not complain over the incident and decided to continue talking to Seema.

"Seema, it seemed like nothing in this world, can be better than you. I watched the beautiful beach, I watched the great sun set, I watched the birds flying back home but all seemed nothing in front of your beauty" Arun continued grabbing her hand in his hand. She did not mind and bored a smile that seemed to not leave her all this evening except when the drunkard stepped in.

Seema only looked at Arun, while under the table she stretched her leg to scratch his leg. This instantly tickled Arun who gave a surprised look and rocked his chair a bit backwards. Both were served a plate of pasta and it was accompanied by fish sauce. Arun took a small piece of the sauce and started enjoying his pasta with it. Seema continued to watch him and sip the cold drink out of the glass. Arun seemed like the perfect man. She knew him for over 3 years now. Arun never spoke ill about anyone anytime. He never showed any anger or even disappointment towards Seema. Arun also liked Seema a lot. A woman of just 24 years she had accomplished a lot that seldom girls of her age do. Arun was aware of the age difference that they had but it hardly mattered to him. His belief was that love has no barriers, age or stature. Love is just love.

After completing the hefty dinner both left the hotel. It seemed like no dinner, no date or no day could have been this perfect for both of them. Little they knew that the drunkard was standing outside.

Arun stepped out of the hotel, Seema held him tightly as she noticed the drunkard.He walked towards both of them. Then like a pendulum he first watched Seema, then Arun. He continued to do so for about a minute and then tried to hit Arun. Arun dodged and kicked him back in his abdomen. The drunkard fell down, Arun walked ahead and got in the car. Seema followed him. The drunkard remained down with his hands on his stomach. People gathered around him. He slowly got up and moved towards the sea. He kept on walking into the shores. People watched for some time and then feeling uninterested continued there work. The drunkard was now having half of his body in the waves.

Seema reached home, and went straight into the kitchen. She started making food, when a tiny voice of a three year old asked her "Where is Dad......................."

Arun was still stuck in traffic and as he saw the time, he knew he was late. Arun reached home late than his usual timings. When he opened the doors a small girl of about 3 years came rushing on to him and hugged him. He kissed her on both cheeks. She pointed Arun towards the kitchen where her mother was cooking. Arun hugged her from behind.........................

Seema pointed towards the empty wine bottle which was in the middle of the hall "Thats where your dad is............" The drunkard was now drowning, his wife Seema was drowning in love of a married person named Arun, who at his own house was now drowning in a bath tub................Arun's wife was sitting with his daughter outside the bathroom holding a towel in her hand.

Justice..........or..................injustice

...his hands were trembling when he kept the receiver down. His brother Ram had called to inform him that, Raju's mother was not feeling well. Raju at that time was in his small house in another corner of the city. He quickly found his jeans which was some where below the bed. Living in a one room kitchen, this struggling song writer had to still taste success. He was able to get a pay check thanks to a scrip he provided for one of the award functions. Living alone for the past 4 years he was still determined to achieve his dream.

His father never understood his dream and asked him to leave the house if he will not get on a good job. He followed his destiny and got out of the house. But he did meet his mother every week, he knew his mother missed him a lot. Over the last month his mother was suffering from flu which had got very serious.

Although he knew of all this, for Raju the call was a surprise. He was quickly near his bike, which he found to have enough petrol to ride him to the hospital. He kicked thrice when finally the bike came to life. He mentally got a map in his mind and started following it. Soon he was on the main road, he was still thinking the closest way to go to the hospital. He prayed he did not get into traffic. It seems his prayers were listened by God. He saw no traffic, only a few policeman at every corner. He was happy to see empty roads, he increased the speed of his mechanical horse.

Another two turns and Raju knew he was only 20 mins away. Just then he heard a siren, and it took him very less time to understand that a police car was following him. He saw behind and it was a batch of police vans following him. He had to stop aside. It was truly a batch of police vans, about 15 police vans, followed by 5 cars having red lights glowing on top of it. By the time the convoy had passed by, Raju had learnt that it was some minister that had come to visit the city. However he had some thing more to learn. As he got on to the bike, some one caught his collar. He turned around, and soon there was a slap on his face.

It was time for the evening news, the news reporter announced that she had a breaking news. She continued "We just got a breaking news, a person was caught who broke into the minister's security convoy. He is been detained, police is not reveling his name, however the question still remains that in a country where the President's security can be broken, the common man really is living with his heart in his mouth............"

Raju was crying now, he kept on telling himself that he shall not cry since he is not in fault. But after 6 hours being detained and all his belongings taken away, he could not contact his brother, he could not know about his mother.........and this is what made him cry. The chief police was briefing the press, who seemed to have a million questions. Raju watched as much as he could from the steel cage that he was in. He looked around and there was no one else in the cage.

He remembered the old parrot that his uncle had kept in his house. He remembered the parrot looking outside the cage, but Raju never knew what the parrot was trying to tell. Perhaps he knew it today. The chief police press conference went for another hour and finally the electronic and print media were convinced that it was not a serious thing.

It was now getting to 11 pm and Raju had no food the whole day. At that time, the chief officer got in, pulled Raju out of the jail and threw him out of the station. He then threw his belongings next to him in a bag. The chief had warned him up front to not give any interviews to any media and just go home directly. Raju walked towards his bike that was lying down, due to which all its oil had leaked out. Raju started walking with his bike pushing it. After going a fair distance away, Raju did what he wanted to do for the whole day.

He picked up his cell phone, called his brother. Raju did not speak and only listened. Ram was very angry and asked Raju to never show his face, Ram however did mention Raju that his mother was alright and will be discharged the next day. Raju disconnected the call. He decided to meet his brother the next day and explain him everything.

By the time he reached home, it was 3am in the morning, The stray dogs were interested in asking a lot more questions. Raju thought if the dogs had the same question that the police had. Even after going through hell he managed to smile and sleep.

When he woke up the next day, it was already noon. Raju picked up the paper which was dropped outside his door. The front page had the news of a young man breaking the President's convoy, but there was no photo. On the same page was the photo of a successful actor who was caught with illegal weapons at his home years back but was now given awards for his works in the movie. Another photo of a politician's son who was involved in drugs and was now running a matrimonial for his own wedding on the television. Also a cricketer who killed a person years back, but was leaving free thanks to money and was now ready to do commentary for the new cricket season.

After seeing all these ironies, Raju thought if his last day in the prison was really justice..................

NO BALL

.......................within 3 seconds was the ball out of the boundary and another 3 seconds it took for the umpire to declare it official as a boundary. The score said 112 for the loss of 7 wickets. The Mumbai team had to get another 78 runs. It seemed liked the number one team in the country will be defeated by this years surprise finalist the team of Gujarat. Having played the whole season very poorly it was a great effort for Gujarat to come to the final. While defending a total of 190 runs the bowlers had done a great job to get 5 Mumbai wickets within first 50 runs. The big hope was now, Ramesh Korgaonkar. He was the opening batsman and survived the opening bowling attack. He was playing on an individual score of 64. He was now in a partnership of 32 for the eight wicket. It seemed like Mumbai was slowly crawling back into the match. They needed a run rate of 5.

But the real reason for which the people or rather media was so glued into television was because they were watching Ramesh. Ramesh a former national player who had to pause his career after allegations of match fixing. It was about 8 years back now, Ramesh saw the interview of his colleague who confessed that money was involved in one of the matches played against Pakistan in Toronto. He had also confessed that Ramesh was involved in it. Ramesh was dropped in the following series as the cricket board did not want the media to blow the issue any further. Ramesh then went to the court and decided to fight on his own. The trial took another 8 months to start. As Indian judicial is famous for its slow process it continued for over two years. In two years time a lot changed around. The colleague who accused Ramesh was already retired. The national team was a new young team. But Ramesh was happy that the board had no evidence against him. However the board was humiliated something that was not part of Ramesh's plan but was very well in the scripts of the press and electronic media. Ramesh was asked to start from bottom again. Board declared that they want a young team in the world cup, Ramesh aged 25 did not seem to fit into that category. Also they believed that in the last two years there was enough bench strength to replace the likes of Ramesh.

Another over been bowled by the Gujarat bowler and now things looked more easy and Mumbai could see a very good chance to win. The score was now 135 and Mumbai needed another 55 runs in 66 balls. Mumbai had kept the wickets intact and the 31 year old Ramesh had inched his score to 76. Just then the first bowl was bowled and unfortunately the partnership of 55 runs came to a fatal end. Ramesh saw his partner utterly disappointed which most of the times turn into dressing room anger. Hence he quickly ran behind him and gave him a pat on his back. Ramesh whispered in his ears "Good job, don't worry one more good stand and we are home......"

While he returned back to the crease with the new batsman who had got in, Ramesh remembered his days at home. He had thoughts of leaving cricket and how so many of his friends gave him the confidence. Even some of his fans who followed him in his very short national career supported him. There was a sympathy around however after a good performance of the team in the 2003 world cup, all the sympathy dried up for Ramesh. Clearly the new team was been worshiped like gods. Ramesh dropped the idea of getting into the national team. He also had to support a wife and a year old son. He took to the local club and made enough to see a smile on his wife's face. It was after being in club cricket for another 4 years that Ramesh got into the Mumbai team. Many thought the main reason being that the national board had a new team too. The new team wanted to do things differently and there first main decision was to allow all those players back in the main stream who were kicked out of false allegation. Unfortunately many of them were now at their retirement age and settled for money, alternative jobs, public apologies, very few like Ramesh took on the challenge to get back into the main stream cricket. Ramesh was now in Mumbai team and took very less time for him to become a permanent member of it. Ramesh had come to terms with his conscious that Mumbai team is the farthest he can go at this age. He also realized that enjoying cricket is important and not the level at which he is playing.

Another wicket, and suddenly Gujarat needed just one more wicket to close business. Mumbai was struggling now at a score of 162 for 9 wickets. They needed another 28 to win the match, but one mistake and it was all over. Ramesh had decided to not depend on the player at the non striker end and was hitting any ball that seemed loose. He had increased his score now to 90 runs. Since the match was played on the home grounds, Ramesh had the support from people. He knew what was to come if he makes the next 28 runs. His photo on the leading paper's sports page. But Ramesh also had his attention on the next bowler. Gujarat had asked their opening bowler to return. Mumbai needed to do the score in 3 overs now. The last partnership was rather slow since the dismissed batsman played a lot of dot balls.The first 3 balls were beautifully bowled and Ramesh was beaten by pace and bounce. The next two however were hit hard and both managed to hit the advertisement boards outside the boundary. On the last ball Ramesh even managed to take a single. Ramesh was happy with the last over. However he did not realized that he had got himself on to 99 runs. One run away from the century. The new over begun, Mumbai needing 20 runs, Ramesh tapped it to mid wicket, where it was brilliantly fielded and was thrown at the strikers end. It hit the wickets and the third umpire was been called for. Ramesh with him the last man watched the replays and then heard the crowd response. The replay followed by the decision and the decision was followed by the Gujarat team players taking out the stumps. The bowling team had done something even they did not expected at the start of the season.

Ramesh remained on 99 runs and his team lost by 18 runs. During the presentation ceremony the opening bowler of Gujarat was given man of the match award for his 5 for 25. It was clear that he broke the Mumbai's batting back bone. Just before the presenter could give the winners award they called in Ramesh and awarded him for a good show. It was a small award that Ramesh held and rushed to the dressing room, he clearly needed a shower. After the shower Ramesh sat alone in the dressing room. He walked to his locker and took out the small gift he was awarded. Mumbai had lost the match, he opened the gift to see a gold plated watch, and check of 2 lacs. He pulled his mobile and called, "Hello, let me know next time when a match needs to be fixed..............."Ramesh winked looking at the mirror in front of him.

Toasted Bread

.................when Arun got home, he was thinking something he rather never did in his whole life. At a very confused stage of life, known as teenage, Arun had many debates in his head. However never in world did he thought that he would have ever have the question that he was having today. After talking to his friends he was not able to think of anything else. Arun and his friends would all walk together after school. The 14 years boys discussed everything from studies, movies, career, politics and a lot on girls. But today the conversation took a very different course. His friend talked about the sacrifices done by their mother for them. Some talked about how there mother sold her ornaments at one point just for there education. Some other talked about the resignation that there mother had to give just so that she could take care of him. One boy talked about an incident where his mother walked two kms just to buy a gas balloon which he wanted. Another example was about a boy's mother being awake all night so that her son could be awake during exams.

Arun scratched his brain but just could not find any such example. Apart from Mithun, who lost his mother, even before he could open his eyes all others had a story. Arun just had none. He kept on asking himself, "Really never, there should be something great my mother did for me.............." but all efforts of thinking were in vain. That night, Arun had little else to think. He kept his book aside and just stared at the fan hanging from the ceiling. He watched the fan rotating slowly, he turned his attention towards the open window, he could see the stars twinkling. Remembering the first poem he learnt, "Twinkle, twinke......." he smiled but still no story that explains how great his mother is, or then is she?

A thought that also made him guilty as if his conscious was stopping his heart from asking this question and now he finally did. Arun stood and went out to drink another glass of water something he was doing just because he had no sleep. He stood in the kitchen slowly sipping the water from the bottle. He had now drunk the whole bottle normally kept for the whole night. He kept the empty bottle away and turned around. Thats when he saw a man 4 inches taller than him. He was smiling looking at him. In his right hand he was carring a laptop.......he walked towards Arun and said "Son............"

Arun knew his father very well, and he knew his father would not let him go back to his bedroom unless he does not get his answers. "Son, three times you have stepped in the kitchen in just a matter of 15 mins. You are sleeping most of the time before I feel sleepy. I come to your bedroom after you sleep and give you a kiss on your forehead." Arun frowned, his father continued "At the age of 11 you said Dad, don't kiss me I am a big boy so I do it when you sleep, and I know you know that and thanks for not stopping me from doing it." Arun and his father walked out into Arun's bedroom where both sat on his bed keeping a distance enough for his father to keep his lap top. Arun looked again towards the fan, he was sweating and perhaps thought of increasing the speed of the rotating machine.

"I am your father, you can tell me anything and everything........go on dude..." Dude a word Arun's father started using for him. He just thought that it got him close to his generation. "Dad not sure how you will feel about me...........when I tell you............I think.............see Dad she is your wife.......but understand...." Arun's father was trying to find clues to understand where his son was heading. "I don't think I have a great mother..........I think she is just ordinary.............I mean all my other friends talk about how great there mother is and frankly speaking I have no such story............if you all deserve to have a great son, why can't a son expect............"

Any father would have got angry on his son in this situation, but not Arun's father, he only smiled, he got up and then movved towards the doors. He was now carrying his lap top in his left hand. He turned around and looked at his son who seemed had no expression on his face, his father broke his silent "Education is in asking question, and if you have a question or a concern or even a doubt that I am expected being your parent to answer I will, but not now, tomorrow is Sunday lets discuss this tomorrow.Arun felt bad the moment he spoke but then there was one part that felt good. Also seeing his father not having any answer to the question made him sure that he was right in what he was thinking.

Next day when Arun woke up it was 8am, and even being a Sunday morning he decided to get out of bed instead of giving another try at sleeping. He entered the kitchen and found an unfamiliar sight. His father was cooking instead of his mother. "Dude.....whats happening.." Arun smiled seeing his father in good mood. He was a bit worried if he had hurt his father somewhere. "Arun, can you do a favor please, I forgot to tell you something, I had a fight with your mother, and ended up challenging her, I lost the challenge as all husbands do when they challenge there wives. The punishment was to make the Sunday morning breakfast.

Now can you help me in completing the task.........." Arun was already standing next to his father with a knife waiting for his father to order. "Dad you just let me know what I need to do, I will help you....at least with the easy stuff........" "I understand", his Dad said, its just the bread toast that remains, I will call your mother you get them ready............." Arun's Dad appeared in some time, Arun had inserted two breads in the toaster, when his mother came to the kitchen and took the place on the dining room. "Arun you know how your mother serves the toast bread to you right, do the same way, we want to show her that we can do what she does and there is nothing........" Arun's father took a pause and then continued "..............great in it."

Arun recalled the every day proceedings when Arun would be late on the table in morning. Just when the school bus would arrive his mother quickly pulled the toasted bread apply butter and serve him. It was Arun's turn to do the same, he pulled the bread out of the toaster and then the next moment threw it away with a cry "Oh god......" thats hot. I think I burnt my fingers, his mother was quick to react and applied some cold water to his fingers. Arun's father watched it from a distant. Arun was pleased to see his finger had no injuries. He sat on the chair, while his mother said "I am sorry I should have warned you, but don't worry I can do it for myself, you two done a lot to prove that you are as capable as I am to take care of the kitchen, while she smiled looking at her husband who seemed to have his eyes fixed on his son.

Now Arun's mother also turned his attention to his son. He was having tears in his eyes "Son, its hurting a lot......", his mother inquired. Arun looked up and hugged his mother...."yes it is hurting a lot, but not in my fingers in my heart..............mom everyday you apply butter to the toast, I have seen it so many times but never thought that when you get the bread out it is so hot. Probably every time when you do that your fingers might also feel the heat that I did, I had a question in my mind if my mother was great or not, and I am proud to say that I have the best mother in this very world................."

Arun's mother could not understand how to react, "Son, but I cannot be the best mother in the world if I would not have got the best son...........you make my world the best......................after another two minutes of hugging his mother, Arun walked towards his Dad and kissed him........"

Connecting Flight

When Bhupinder walked on to the hong kong airport it was not the first time he saw the airport. However it was not a great feeling either leaving India and getting

into a connecting flight to States. One thing that Bhupinder hated for sure was to go to California. But it seems there was no choice something he told himself every time.

When he walked to the center of the transit section he saw the big time table displaying various flight departures times with the gate at which the passenger is suppose to board.

Bhupinder read it carefully and soon found he had to walk to gate 23. He dragged his wheel equipped bag, having another bag on his back carrying a lap top. He was amazed to see the swine flue effect still seen on the airport with people wearing masks. When he was moving to the gate he saw a Starbucks opening and decided to divert there.

There were a few chairs lying there and most of them seemed empty. He watched a woman who was busy, playing a popular car racing game on her lap top. He placed his bag besides her chair and then collapsed on to the chair. The sudden movement towards her right distracted Rajinder who was very focussed on the game by that time. She frowned at the man besides her, who returned a wide smile. She looked back on her lap top and restarted the game.

Bhupinder observed her play the game. He opened his mouth twice and then again shut it up without saying anything. Then he looked at her ticket which was poking out of the carry bag, he read the flight number CX685 and destination BOM which meant Mumbai India.

Rajinder, paused the game and gave a very cold look to the man besides her. It seemed she was not much happy with the neighbor. Bhupinder finally said "Wondering if you would like to have a cup of coffee...........I was going to the counter...may be a caffè latte.....hello......I thought......on me................................"

Rajinder was not happy with the offer, she wanted to say something in anger, but she quietly said "No, I don't want it......and it would be good if you don't disturb me......"

Bhupinder adjusted his bag and as if he did not hear the earlier comment asked the same question again, this time Rajiner only nodded and agreed perhaps she thought

it was the only way to stop her troublesome neighbor.

When Bhupinder walked towards the counter, Rajinder quickly turned around to see him, she had a cunning smile. On his return with the two cups, she sipped one and frowned, "Thats bad very bad........." Bhupinder gave a worried look, He kept his cup down near his bag, "Really, wait I will go again and get a new one......." Bhupinder took more time than before however the end result was the same, Rajinder rejecting it. His own cup was now cold, and so he got an ice coffee for himself again. After an exercise of 20 mins, and shelling 30 dollars an exhausted Bhupinder sat down on the ground, almost about to cry and then he said

"Rajinder I am sorry, but it was not planned, an emergency, I know its bad that you are going to Mumbai and same time I am going back to States, but its just part of our job and I know I did promise to be with you when you return............" Rajinder had tears in her eyes, she touched his cheeks as Bhupinder got into his chair. Rajinder moved towards him, rested her head on his shoulder.Bhupinder pulled the passport that was in her sweater. He read it, just out of habit, he looked at the passport photo he had accompanied his wife when she had gone to take that photo....................