Sharp Turn

..................this cell phone, amazingly unscratched and this purse." the police said. He had no expression on his face. Sakharam picked up the plastic bag and walked away. He called for a cab. He was accompanied by his childhood friend Santosh. Both got into the cab. Santosh slowly opened the bag and switched on the cell phone. Santosh started traversing through different sections and landed into the video gallery. Sakharam watched what Santosh was doing. In between he gave directions to the cab driver. Sakharam looked out for an overtaking truck. It was carrying hens, he held his hand on his nose as the truck was exhaling a bad smell. Suddenly he heard some noises, he looked towards Santosh it was from the cell phone. A video was playing. The video showed a boy in his early 20s. He was smoking cigar. The boy smiled every time he looked at the camera and then exhaled out smoke making various shapes from it. 

                     Sakharam's cell phone started ringing, Santosh paused the video on the cell phone he was holding. "Hello, yes sister, no he is alright.....I am going...yes I talked with him... you don't worry...no...you don't have to come...I will bring him to you..." Santosh looked at Sakharam in astonishment. Sakharam touced the cell phone button to resume the video. The boy in the video said "Janardan is my name, smoking is my game...." the boy inserted 10 cigars at one time into his mouth and he then lit all them" Santosh and Sakharam watched closely, they could hear people clapping around. The video got over, the cab took a sharp turn making Santosh almost fall over Sakharam.

                     "Sir..50Rs.." Santosh paid the money and both men got out of the cab. They walked towards the newly built building. There were not many people, but Sakharam and Santosh had to put some efforts making there way, to go to the first floor. The woman across the table said "What is the name?" Sakharam was wiping the sweat off his forehead. Santosh replied "Janardan..." The woman started looking into the book. After a few seconds she looked up towards an anxious Sakharam and Santosh. She said pointing towards a table "Please sit there, I will call you.." They followed the instructions. Santosh pulled the cellphone out and played another video. 

                     Sakharam looked towards video and then again towards the counter to see if the woman calls them. In the new video Janardan was swimming in a well. His friend was shooting from out side the well. Janardan's head was the only thing visible from the water. It was a deep well. Just then one of his friend jumped from the wall of the well. "Hello.." the woman cried, Sakharam walked to the counter. "This is Nandu.." A boy was standing next to the woman. He yawned and showed his blackened teeth. Sakharam looked towards Nandu. "Nandu please take him with you..", the woman said. Sakharam followed Nandu. Santosh ran towards them to catch up. Nandu looked at  Santosh and said "Sir, one is enough." A disappointed Santosh sat back on the same bench. He started another video.

                     This time Janardan was seen standing on a train bogie. Some one was shooting him as he stood on the bogie and smoked. The train started to move, but Janardan smoked calmly. He then threw the cigar down." Nandu had taken Sakharam inside now. Sakharam was rubbing his palms to generate heat. Nandu opened another door and pointed towards something.

                      Santosh looked closely in the video, Janardan was now running on top of the bogie he was jumping from one bogie of the train to the other. His friends cheered. Suddenly he fell down, out of fear his friends screamed. The cell phone slipped down into darkness. The only noise that could be heard after that was of the train.......Sakharam screamed and ran out of the mortuary, he was almost paralyzed after seeing the dead body of Janardan in pieces..........

A journey to find her.....................10

 Arun saw a person making tea at a corner. He looked at Kimaya and asked "Tea?" She smiled and agreed. Both walked to the tea vendor and ordered 2 half cup tea. Arun only looked at her as she slowly sipped the hot tea. Kimaya said "Life cannot be predicted, a few weeks back we met when I was still a dependent woman at the mercy of my parents, and now when I meet you, I am probably reborn as a new person" Arun interrupted her and said "Aren't you worried that your parents be tensed about you leaving the house this way?" Her eyes got moist and she said "Maa....I don't miss anyone else..." Arun felt bad seeing her in pain.

                              He looked at his watch he had another 10 mins. They walked to the station the train had just arrived. Arun and Kimaya sat on the same chair which Arun was on some time back. Arun ran behind Kimaya and in that spur of moment he left his diary on the seat. Kimaya had the diary in her hand now and was reading it. Arun could not stop her as she went through every page and tears dropping on to the diary. She looked with her wet eyes towards Arun and said "Is this your diary?" Arun wanted to react, but he was shocked. Kimaya's voice had changed, it was more manly. She repeated "is this your diary?" in the same manly tone. Then she kept one hand on his shoulder and shook him.

                               Arun was awake. He saw the diary in the man's hand, he was shaking him. Arun had slept on the chair while looking towards the ceiling. Arun  looked around and he was still in a semi awaken state. He got up, picked up his bag and pulled the diary from the man's hand. He then walked to a lonely wash basin and washed his face. Just then he heard the train making its way to the station from darkness.

                               Arun got into his berth. As the train was about to leave, he heard some one getting in the train. There was some chaos at the doors. He looked out and saw a girl with an elderly woman walking towards his berth. Arun smiled at both the woman. They placed their bags and sat across his seat. "These coolies, I tell you... the girl said looking at Arun and other fellow passengers..." Arun looked away outside the window. He slept resting his head over the window. 

                               When he got up it was early morning. He had slept a lot more than he had expected. "You slept a lot son....must be tired.." the elder woman said. "We will reach Delhi in some time..." Her daughter got back to the seat, and then the woman walked away. The girl smiled at Arun and said "You write well, I am sorry I saw this diary and although one should not read other's diary I was not feeling sleepy so I....I am sorry...very sorry.." Arun was still trying to make sense of what was happening around. "You read the diary...." The girl showed a guilty face and said "Yes, I did..." Arun adjusted himself on the seat, his leg was asleep being in one position. He then asked the girl "What do you think of the story?" The girl smiled now and said "Its incomplete...." Arun yawned and said "How do you think it should complete?" The girl said "I don't know...but both Arun and Kimaya should have met...." Arun then asked what is your name "My name is Lalita." Arun got up and walked to the washroom.  When he walked back both Lalita and her mother were packing their bags. "Do you live in Delhi?" Arun answered "yes, I am a professor in Delhi University"

                                Lalita's mother looked at him and said "Lalita has got a job in Delhi so we are now going to live there. I lost my husband at an early age and that made me get out of the house and work. Lalita now works and takes care of me" Both women looked at each other and smiled.At the Delhi station Arun bid farewell to the two women. Arun then slowly walked towards the rickshaw near the Delhi station that would take him back home. While he walked he wondered what the journey was about. Was it about finding a girl? Was it finding himself?" The characters he met from the old watch man  outside the hostel. The hostel warden, Kimaya's mother, the rickshaw drivers that though poor had a unique happiness on their faces. The man who neighbored the author. All of them were in front of him. And the last was an image of Lalita and her mother. Two women who were forced to work in the man's world out of no choice. Kimaya was some where but Arun had decided to not find her any more..........she was a dream....and dreams are to be forgotten. 

                                Vijay was well dressed and so was his wife. They got out of the  car, which Vijay had recently bought with two garlands in their hand. They climbed the stairs and walked into a small room. The lawyer was sitting on his chair. To the lawyer's left was Lalita and her mother while to his right was Arun smiling. Arun and Lalita were going to have a register marriage. After the small meeting in the train they bumped into each other a lot more. Arun started to visit their small house in Delhi. Lalita was an understanding woman, Arun thought, he deiced to marry her. The mother and daughter would live with him in his house.

                                 Vijay and his wife were happy for Arun. After a few months of the marriage, once Arun was reading a news paper. A certain girl has started a business in Nagpur with a group of rural woman. Her name was Kimayal. For a while Arun thought, just then Lalita got out of the kitchen and saw Arun in thoughts. She saw the newspaper and picked it to read the news. She looked at Arun squinting her eyes. Arun smiled and took her hand. He then said "My journey to find her got over with you.....and i love you......" Lalita only smiled in return.....................................

A journey to find her...............9

 .............so after all his assumptions had gone wrong, Arun sat on the Howrah station. A needless and fruitless journey to Calcutta had come to an end. As he sat on the station for the train that would take him to Delhi he wished he could forget everything that had happened. But then he thought he rather record this unfinished stupid journey he had been on. He took out a diary and started noting down everything that happened from the time he met Kimaya.

                     His train to Delhi was another 2 hours away. But he did not want to go to any other place. The visit to the jail was useless too. First the authorities did not allow him to meet the author. But later when they did the author showed no interest in his questions. She took Arun to be a reporter whom she did not wish to give any interview.

                     Arun was still positive that Kimaya took the bold step to leave her house because the author's writing was thought provoking for a woman of Kimaya's thinking. And then the author mentions clearly at the end of her book, asking woman to visit her so she can guide them to an independent life. Arun had taken a chance and had failed. After an hour when he had wrote the last part of his journey he kept the diary besides on the seat and rested his head on the chair. He looked up and he could see an unclean ceiling of the station. A fan that was rotating at a very slow speed. He closed his eyes for a while and he saw her again. Kimaya sitting across the seat. Her voice, her eyes and her departure from the train, all the scenes were fresh. 

                     Arun opened his eyes and got angry on himself for not able to get the girl out of his head. He looked at the other direction and in a distance he saw a blur image. Arun looked at the other direction and then looked back at the exit. He picked up the bag that he had placed near by and started running. Soon he was out of the station. He looked around and then started running towards the road, he was breathing heavily by the time he had crossed the road. He entered the building he had a few visited hours back and now raced to the same floor he had been too.

                     She was knocking the door but the door was locked. Arun almost out of breath said "She is not here...." Kimaya looked towards him. Kimaya quickly replied back "Where is she?" "She is arrested." Kimaya sat on the stairs. Arun sat next to her. "Why. What happened?" Kimaya asked. Arun said with a smile on his face "She took part in a protest against the government leading to riots with the police and..." Kimaya had an angry look "What is to smile in that?" Arun could not hide his happiness of meeting Kimaya, after all his assumptions were not all wrong. She got up and said "God...I need to meet her...." Kimaya started to walk downstairs.

                      Arun followed her. After following her for some time, he said loudly "You don't remember me..." Kimaya turned around with her eyes fixed on Arun. "You are the...O so sorry, didn't we meet....right...now I know...nice to meet you..." Arun moved ahead and said "Arun..." Kimaya walked away from him and said "Well! How come you are here?" Arun looked at her she was wearing a lemon green saree, her hair neatly tied, ""hello" Kimaya said. 

                       Arun smiled and then said "I was here for some work, and I wanted to meet the lady who wrote such an inspiring book, so I visited this building some hours back and found out that she is arrested and all..." Kimaya frowned hearing it and said "I know, its such a bad luck, but I have to meet her." Arun cut her in between and said "So what are you doing here Gayatri, you lived in Bombay right?" Kimaya said "Gayatri?" Arun replied "Isn't that your name?" Kimaya walked close to him and said "Did I say that last time, I am so sorry Arun....just did not want to give my real identity to a stranger..my real name is Kimaya...and I have just shifted to this city for work...I got a job a few days back...but I had to meet the woman who inspired me to take a step of getting out of the house and stay independent in this men's world...I actually ran away from my house a few weeks back...but this was after we met....had a fight with my Dad...took a decision...by God's grace..everything turned out to be well....." Arun acted surprised hearing Kimaya.

                       But what next? Arun thought, his train was another hour from now. Kimaya clapped to get Arun out of his thoughts. "Arun, I asked how long are you in the city.." Arun replied "...another 50 mins and then I take the train from the station..." Kimaya smiled and said "I think I will come back later in the week and hope I meet her then....ok...I also need to take a train......" Kimaya and Arun walked towards the station.............................

A journey to find her............8

 .............it was cloudy but humid. The train stopped and Arun was out on the Howrah station.He carried a small bag in one hand. A copy of the book that brought him to the city was peaking from his shirt pocket. Arun walked towards a rickshaw and asked the driver "Will you take me to this address?" He flashed the last page of the book. The driver smiled and said "May be you are new to this place. This place is right across the road." The reply brought a big smile on Arun's face.

                  He crossed the congested road. It was an old building. As he entered the building and started walking up the stair it made a squeaky voice. Arun wondered how a woman living in such a building can help other women. He knocked on the door, there was no answer. He knocked hard this time.

                  "Hello Sir!" Arun moved back after hearing the voice. But then he looked down at the door it was locked. Now he looked around to find the voice. It was a man wearing no shirt, just shorts. He was brushing his teeth with black charcoal. "Sir, madam is not here.." Arun smiled at the man. He walked towards him and said "Do you know when she will return? I have some important work."

                   The man spat out from the balcony. Arun did not like it and showed his unrest by tweaking his nose. "Sir, she is arrested.." "What?" Arun reacted and continued "But why?". The man took some water in his mouth and started to gargle. He then spat the water out and said "Sir, she is an author, may be you know but lately she had joined the communist. They were protesting against the government and its policies. The protest turned to riots between the police and the rioters. All of them were arrested. She was one of them. Brave woman, but I don't agree protesting against Indira, she is also a woman. Whom do you support?"

                    Arun started to walk away upset. While he walked down using the same stairs, the man screamed "Sir, she is arrested and imprisoned at the Alipore Jail." Arun felt bad, he should have thanked the man. He looked upwards and screamed back "Thank you.." The man waved his hand to bid farewell.

                     Arun got out on the road and walked to the rickshaw. It was the same driver "Sir, you did not get what you needed?" Arun was happy to see the friendly nature of the driver. "Friend I need to go to  Alipore Jail. Do you know the way?" The driver now showed a concerned look. "That is really far about 13 miles. Take a bus. Arun followed as his new friend suggested. It was after another hour that he reached the jail.

                      Arun walked to the office out side the jail to take an appointment. While he walked he wondered about the amount of assumptions that he had made. His big assumption being that the girl has travelled to calcutta to meet this author. The second being the the author knows where Kimaya is. The third being that the author will speak to him about Kimaya, after all she ran away she might have asked to keep her identity secret. After knowing the author is in jail, Arun came to meet her again assuming that she will talk to him in the jail about a certain girl that he probably likes a lot. His intelligent brain had boycotted him long back he thought. But he continued to walk giving a deaf ear to his apprehensions...............

A journey to find her..................7

 ............Vijay was tired after the days work. He relaxed on the couch listening to the evening show on the radio. Some one knocked on the door. Vijay got up from his seat and walked to open the door. When he opened the door he saw a thin man, with fat glasses standing in front of him smiling. Vijay smiled back. "Yes, how can I help you?" Vijay asked. "I am Suresh, Arun and I met in Bombay a week back during the conference. I was to come to Delhi so he sent a letter with me for you, here it is....." Suresh handed the letter to Vijay. It was sealed in an envelope. Vijay was confused. He suddenly realized that he had not asked Suresh to come in. "Please come in, so we can talk in detail, I have been worried about Arun for the last few days"

                 Suresh frowned and said "Sorry, I cannot, I have to leave for a very important work, in fact I am already late. Arun had requested me to give this letter and since I promised him then...." Suresh left. Vijay got back to his seat. There was a sense of excitement and concern in his mind. He switched off the radio. There were a thousand thoughts running in his mind. Vijay pulled his glasses that he used for reading.

                 After five minutes into the letter there was another knock on the door.Vijay was upset this time since he did not want to leave the letter. He briskly walked to the door and opened it. It was his wife. She was carrying a bag full of vegetables. Vijay pulled it from her hand and kept it aside. He then pulled her hand and asked her to sit on the couch. "What?" his wife complained. "Remember I told you about Arun and that he had gone to Bombay to find a girl.." "Right I remember that..." Vijay's wife cut him off and said.

                 "Arun sent a letter through a friend of his, I was reading that, the girl actually gave him a fake name. But that is not the end, he later found out that the girl is missing.." "O! Then where is he now." Vijay's wife asked. Vijay said "Yes that is what I was about to read when you entered. "Please read loudly" Vijay started to read the letter loudly "...I was sitting at gateway wondering what I can do. I decided to leave for Delhi but something in me kept on saying that I should find out about the girl. The next day I visited her home." Vijay and his wife exchanged looks.

                 Vijay continued reading "She is from a rich family. But the people were not good with me. Her father was least interested in talking with me. Her brother asked me many questions but did not tell me why his sister left the house. I was not happy with the treatment but I still wanted to know why is she missing. Her father and brother left the house, asking the girl's mother to answer the rest of my questions. Her mother was a nice woman. She explained me everything. Some of the things I had already predicted, had come true. Basically the girl's father wanted her daughter to get married. But Kimaya, well that is her name as I found out in the newspaper wanted to work. Even in today's age its disheartening to see that parents don't encourage their daughters to work. The conflict in their thoughts led to a quarrel in the house and one day Kimaya left the house. Her mother cried as she told the story. But I was still clueless, I knew the reason as to why she left the house, when she did it, but where did she go? thats still a question mark....." Vijay turned the page to read further.

                  But then today when I walked into the local library I saw the same book that Kimaya was reading in the train. I read the entire book. It was truly inspiring and I am not surprised that Kimaya took such a step after reading the book. The last page of the book gave me the clue as to where she might be. The author of the book is a woman and she had mentioned that she would like to help woman who want to break the shackles of society and live independent life. I think Kimaya for sure would have gone to meet this author and this woman is probably my next clue. There is a chance that I might be wrong, but today I would not want to think that. I am leaving for Calcutta for that is where this author lives. Once I reach there I will send you a telegram. I hope you are in good health and so is my sister, your wife. Suresh is a good friend who was coming to Delhi so I quickly penned down everything and gave him this letter...."

                  Vijay kept the letter down. He placed both his hands on his head and said "he is gone mad.." his wife replied and said "...in love" Both simled.

A journey to find her..............6

 .........and hence I support Indira Gandhi, her tactics might seem wrong today but they will be fruitful in the longer term." Arun completed his speech. A few claps were heard. Arun was one of the few from the assembled scholars  who supported the ruling government and the prime minister. Arun got back to his seat. Some other speakers continued most having contrasting views. Although Arun did not agree to them he did took notes of the way they presented the points. Being a professor he thought these are somethings that he should adapt while he take lectures.

            Last three days, Arun had completely concentrated on the conference. He had not pondered about the girl.He had booked his return ticket for the night train. He had made a friend in the last 3 days. His name was Suresh. He was a professor in Mumbai, being of the same age they connected very well. Suresh also agreed to Arun's views. Suresh had suggested Arun to visit the gate way of India. Arun had read about it and decided to not leave such an opportunity.

             After the conference, he had some time to fulfill his wish. He sat in the familiar rickshaw and it brought back his memories of the first day. His travelling in the rickshaw to the hostel. The humiliation. Arun also remembered the words of his friend Vijay. Vijay was right, Arun thought he cursed himself to loose his mind over a girl and it was one of the most stupid things that he had thought in his life of doing.

              The wind was blowing strong when Arun got down at the Gateway of India. He soon realized he was not the only tourist there. Arun had once visited a remote village in Orissa. It was near the sea. This was the second time he was seeing the large mass of water. There were a few ships that looked like dots near the horizon.  After viewing the fantastic architecture of the gateway he sat on a chair,looking towards the evening sky. He saw a group of birds flying together. He thought it was symbolic to him since he was leaving for Delhi tonight back to his nest.

              Arun had some time, so he decided to buy a newspaper. He walked to a newspaper stand and bought a regional newspaper. He wanted to check if there was any mention about the conference. Most of the pages of the newspaper had pretty much the same content that he had heard in the  discussions over the last 3 days. Arun was not able to find any mentions about the conference. He read every page and finally turned to the last page.The last page looked more for the advertisers. He was about to the turn the page out of no interest, but suddenly something caught his eyes.

              Arun was shocked seeing the picture of Gayatri in the newpaper. It was under the column where missing people are listed. He read the news carefully. Her real name was Kimaya and she was missing..............

A journey to find her…….5

…….Arun took out 3 coins from his pocket totaling to 25 paise. The rickshaw driver accepted it and drove off leaving Arun at the gates of a newly constructed building. Arun read the name engraved on the side walls of the gate. He had come to the right place. Arun walked towards the gate, the watchman who was sleeping on a chair near the gate woke up. He saw Arun and saluted him. He then smiled at Arun and said “Sir, whom do you want to meet?” Arun was happy seeing the hospitality of the watch man. He said in a soft voice “I want to meet some one who lives in this hostel.”

                   The watchman looked at Arun for a while and then said “At this time most girls are in the college, but today is a Sunday, are you Manisha’s brother, I remember seeing you once.” At first Arun wanted to correct him, but he quickly discarded the thought and nodded in agreement with the watchman. The watchman escorted Arun towards the office. While he walked he explained Arun how every girl living in the hostel appreciates his work and how most of them personally know him. Arun pulled a 5paise coin and placed on the old man’s hand who returned back to his place.

                   The watchman had escorted Arun to the office. Arun sat on a chair, soon a woman who was probably in her late 40s got in to the office and took the chair across the table. “Hello, I am Miss Kulkarni, are you a relative of a girl living here…let me know the name of the girl you are here to meet…I know this may sound weird…but this is a girl’s hostel…..we have to be very strict and make sure we don’t allow any anonymous person to get into it…” Arun wiped the sweat on his forehead and said “I am here to meet Miss Gayatri..” The woman said loudly “Vidya…”

                   Another woman dressed like Miss Kulkarni in skyish blue saree entered the room. She looked at Arun, then towards Miss Kulkarni. “Yes Madam..” “This is Mr…” Arun smiled and said “I am Mr. Arun and would like to meet Miss Gayatri…” Vidya smiled and left. Miss Kulkarni read a few papers lying on her table, after realizing that they are useless she threw them in the thrash bin.

                   Vidya entered the room followed by Gayatri.”Hello Madam…” Miss Kulkarni greeted back. Miss Kulkarni said “Gayatri your relative Arun is here to meet you…” Arun raised his hand as if to interrupt Miss Kulkarni “I am so sorry, but this is not the Gayatri I wanted to meet” All three woman stared at Arun. Miss Kulkarni indicated Vidya to leave the office. Gayatri followed her. “Mister, in his hostel there is only one Gayatril, and I know every girl in this hostel…:” Arun was confused, the name of the hostel, may be there are two hostels by the same name in Bombay he thought. “Miss, I am sorry for the confusion is there another hostel in Bombay by the same name…”

                    Miss Kulkarni was now angry “I don’t know what you want, you say you are a relative and now you are not even sure about the hostel name, for your information this is the only hostel with this name and this is the only Gayatri staying here…now if that is not the Gayatri you had come to meet I would kindly request you to leave…….”Arun walked out of the hostel. While he walked out the watchman saluted him back and asked if he got to meet Manisha.

                    Arun ignored the watchman. He looked at his watch. It was close to 11am. Arun decided to find a lodge. While he walked on the roads he replayed the image of the girl in the train. He remembered her saying Pandita Ramabai Hostel and her name as Gayatri. Arun felt cheated, disappointed and humiliated at the same time.

                                                                    to be continued…………………….

A journey to find her.......4

 ...........the train moved ahead. Arun continued to look at Gayatri as she walked away. Gayatri did not turn around to see. Arun walked back to his seat. While he sat on the seat, he still looked at the other seat remembering Gayatri who was sitting there just a few minutes back...................

                     Vijay was sitting in his office when he heard a knock on the door. Vijay said "Please come in Arun..." Arun walked in with a smile on his face. He had shaved, and was wearing a nicely ironed shirt. Vijay looked in surprise. "Wow! You change from the last time I saw you. I guess you decided to forget her. That is a good decision I must say, no point wasting time over a girl that is miles away. And about whom you know so little. Just because her thinking matches with your..."

                     "....Sir, please allow me to speak..." Arun interrupted. Vijay frowned. Arun sat on the chair in front of Vijay. Arun tried to relax on the chair, but to his surprise the chair inclined back. He held the chair firmly. Vijay laughed and said "Just got them...don't worry relax the chair will not break...you were saying.."

"Vijay, I got an invitation for an all India Conference...its about the existing political turmoil in India..." Vijay shook Arun's hand to congratulate him. He then tweaked his nose and said "No wonder you are happy and got all clean shaven and up tight..."

                     Arun nodded in agreement. Arun then inclined forward on the table and whispered "The great thing is that the conference is in Bombay.." Vijay said "What is the good thing....wait a minute...so you are going to meet this girl after all..." The smile on Arun's face faded away. Arun started looking out from the window after giving a cold look to Vijay. Vijay said "Alright, I am just not used to this Arun, I know the Arun that thinks logical, and not some one who is crazy behind a girl...."

                      Arun replied "Vijay, I am not crazy behind the girl, I just want to meet her once...." Vijay got up from his chair. The chair sprung up straight with a noise. Vijay placed his hand on Arun's shoulder and said "and do what..." Arun pushed Vijay's hand away and spoke "I don't know, but what ever happens I am ready to face it." There was silence for some time. Vijay then broke the silence and said "Arun I don't agree with what you are doing, but if meeting this girl is so important for you, which only you understand why, you should do it" Both men hugged each other.

                       After another week, when Arun got down on the station he was tired. He had to stay in Bombay for three days, but the most important thing he was looking forward to was meeting Gayatri. Arun got out of the V.T station. He saw a group of people with red flags protesting against the government. Arun saw a horse driven rickshaw. He smiled and walked towards it. The rickshaw driver smiled back at Arun. Arun said "I want to go to Pandita Ramabai Hostel, can you take me there..."

                       The rickshaw driver said "Sure, it will be 25 paise, do you agree to the fare, I don't want to fight later..." Arun sat in the rickshaw, "I agree lets go................."

A journey to find her........3

               ..................accepted that there is more to be done to make women independent" Arun joined both his hands and said. Gayatri only smiled. She opened the book and started reading it. Arun decided to sleep. Arun was not able to sleep for a long time. He was disturbed by a fast train that passed whistling loudly. Frustrated he sat on the upper berth lowering his head to not hit the ceiling. 

               He decided to sleep back when he looked at Gayatri. She was sleeping with the book placed on her abdomen. Her steady breathing made the book move up and down. Arun observed her.He watched her two hands locked into each other, placed on the book.  There was some thing that was making him look at her. He tried to sleep but again turned around to watch Gayatri. Arun had never met a girl that intelligent and beautiful. Her thinking was very modern. Her approach to life very brave. Arun started to feel sleepy again. 

               "Tea, Coffee..." Arun woke up one more time. There was a hawker on the station selling tea, where the train had stopped. He watched across to see Gayatri on the other upper berth, but she was missing. He quickly tried to get up, and while doing so his head hit the ceiling. He rubbed it and jumped down from the berth. The two women who were sleeping on lower berth were also no where to be seen. Arun looked around and then sat near the window. "O! You are awake.." Gayatri said. "The two women probably got down...while we were asleep..and now for the bad news, the train has been on this station for 30 mins, there has been some problem ahead...." 

               Arun listened to Gayatri but his eyes were mesmerized. He was not himself. "Hello...are you listening to me...?" Arun smiled and replied "Where do you live?" Gayatri gave a confused look and said "Me, I come from Bombay...and I am going to attend a marriage.." Arun gathered some more courage and asked "Nice...and where do you live in Bombay..." Gayatri was now sitting on the seat across Arun's. She said "I, well I don't share such information with stranger but you seem to be a...what do you do?"

                Arun cleared his throat and said "I am a Professor. I teach social science, very reason why our discussion interested me and I was very impressed by your thoughts on woman empowerment, you have a thinking that is way ahead of time, but you are right by the end of the 20th century we will have as many women working as men..."

                "You think that! I wish there were more men like you.....". Both Arun and Gayatri felt a push as the train started. Gayatri heaved a sigh of relief. Arun looked out of the window. He suddenly remembered what he had to ask. When he turned around to ask he saw Gayatri trying to pull the bag from the upper berth. He helped her. She thanked him in return. Arun asked "Are you getting down?" Gayatri said "Yes" Arun did not understand what to say or do. 

               After another 15 mins Gayatri picked her purse and her bag. She started walking towards the door. Arun tried to pick her bag but she refused him to do so. Just as the train arrived at the station Arun asked "You did not tell me where you live in Bombay..." Gayatri looked back at Arun and said " Pandita Ramabai Hostel....................."

A journey to find her.......2

 ..........she said "Thank you..." Arun sat back on his seat after helping the girl in keeping the bag on the upper berth. The girl sat on the seat in front of him. Arun started looking outside the window. He saw a station master walking near the bell placed at one end of the station. He rang the bell and the train started. Arun felt a jerk. He looked out as the train left the station and started to speed up.

                 "Excuse me.." he heard the girl. He looked at the girl. She was fair, with dark deep eyes. The girl was trying to pull some thing. Arun looked down and realized that he had stepped on the strap of her purse. He lifted his foot. "I am sorry.." Arun apologized. The girl ignored and dusted the purse. The girl pulled a book from the purse to read it. 

                Arun felt sleepy and decided to rest his head on the window. In a few minutes he slept. After another hour when he woke up, he saw a face looking at him. Arun got a bit scared. He took a deep breath and got up. The face was of a lady. Arun said "Yes, may I help you.." The woman quickly replied "The seat next to yours is mine..." Arun pulled his body close to himself to allow the woman to sit. Just as the woman sat down, another woman arrived at the scene. The girl who was reading the book had also started observing now. Both women looked over weight. One woman sat next to Arun, while the other sat next to the girl. 

                   The two woman started talking with each other in a loud voice. Both seemed to have hearing problems. Arun was not happy because he was not able to sleep. He walked out and stood near the door. The girl followed him. "You are not going to get any sleep..." Arun smiled looking at the girl. "I know...neither will you be able to read the book" The girl walked towards the door and started looking out. As she stood near the door, the incoming wind started blowing her hair. Arun watched her as she enjoyed the wind blowing into her. Just then the girl looked towards Arun, being embarrassed Arun looked elsewhere. 

                    Arun walked slowly towards the girl and then asked "What is the name?" The girl walked away from the door and said "Why do you want to know my name?" Arun smiled and said "The book, what is its name.." The girl blushed and said "Sorry I misunderstood, its a hindi book on woman independence" She handed the book to Arun. Arun read a few contents and then gave the book back. Arun then walked back to his seat. He was astonished to see both women sleeping. "They are sleeping..." Arun turned around towards the voice. The girl was having a smile on her face. Both Arun and the girl climbed on to the upper berth opposite to each other.

                  After making his way on to the upper berth Arun looked towards the girl who was still trying to climb up. "Do you need help?" The girl pulled herself and said "No, Thanks..." Arun looked down, both woman were snoring. Arun looked at the girl and said "So you believe what is written in the book..." The girl gave a cold look and said "I know no men will ever agree....to such books" "I never said I disagree, woman empowerment is the need of the hour, but then our Prime Minister is also a woman, so I don't think we can bluntly say all men disagree to woman independence...else Indira Gandhi would not have been the Prime Minister" The girl kept the book away and said "Excuse me, Mr..."  "Arun...." Arun replied "and you" "Gayatri...." the girl replied.........................

A Journey to find her....1

                 ......he observed as the girl struggled to place her bag on the upper berth of the train. Arun decided to help her. He pushed the bag, thats when she looked towards him.

                 Arun..." Arun was brought out of his thoughts. He was in his bed room. He walked out of the bedroom. There was some one knocking at the door. "Arun.." he heard the cry again. It recognised the voice of his old friend. He opened the door. Vijay was Arun's childhood friend and he was now standing smiling at him. Arun smiled looking at him. Vijay walked in literally pushing Arun at one side. "Sorry I thought you would never ask me to come in, so I pushed myself.."

                 Vijay pulled a key chain from his pocket. Aun looked at the key chain, it was made of a sea shell. Vijay said "This gift for you, I visited a shop last week saw it there, thought you will appreciate it." Arun took the key chain and hung it on a hook next to the calendar. Vijay looked towards Arun as he placed the key chain. Vijay looked at the calendar and smiled. "Arun its April now, not March, you need to change the month, April 1977 has arrived."

                 Arun looked at the calendar and frowned. "Vijay please sit, its good to see you in town. How is your business going on?"Vijay wiped the sweat on his brow and said "Its awesome, made profit over 1000Rs last year...and wish to....hey what is wrong with you....when was the last time you shaved.." Vijay looks around and realises the house is not been cleaned for a while. He sits at the chair next to Arun. "Arun, what is the matter...is everything alright..."

                 Arun takes a deep breath and says "I would tell you but you would only make fun of me, it is so stupid and this has never happened to me before.Vijay "A man gets that messy either when he looses his job or when he looses.." Arun "I did not loose my job.."Vijay says "So there is a girl involved....no, it cannot be, I know you for ages you been away from all such things.."

                 Arun shakes his head. He stands up and scratches his grown beard. "I cannot think about anything since I have met her...its been like I am stuck in time....its good that the colleges are closed...I don't think I could have taken a single lecture in this state..."

                 Vijay stands up and pats Arun on his back. "Professor you are in love....noq is there a problem....a girl would be lucky to be with you..." Arun smiles, he walks towards the photo of a married couple hanging on the wall. He looks towards the photo and says "Vijay, when my parents passed away I drowned myself in studies for that was there dream that I get well educated, after becoming a professor I felt happy that I was giving the knowledge I learnt to others.....love...girls...or marriage...were words out of my dictionary...until..."

                 Vijay yawns "I know all this, until you met this girl...now can you please tell me who the girl is, where is she.Arun turns around to look at Vijay who has raised both his eyebrows. Arun smiles and then says "Vijay, I wish I knew where the girl is..." Vijay quickly replies "Wish you knew, is the girl real or you dreamed about her..." Arun smiles and sits on the chair. "Please sit down, I will tell you what happened.............................................................."

The missing bag....the stolen wallets

.............as the train moved, Ramesh got in action. He first unlocked his briefcase just a bit. The train was crowded but since he had practiced the act so well, it was an easy thing for him. He held the bag in his left hand with the index finger, he was stopping the bag from getting locked. His eyes moved around to find a new victim. Once he had decided, he took a deep breath and waited for the train to arrive at the next station.
The train reached the station. It slowed down and people desperate to get down started pushing each other. Ramesh moved the right hand, he felt the wallet. Next step took less than 5 seconds, the small blade taped to the thumb did its work. The wallet fell in his hand, then slowly into the briefcase. The index finger moved and the bag was locked. People pushed Ramesh from behind and he was soon on the station. Once on the station he locked the bag using the secret combination. "Job done !" he thought and gave him self a virtual pat on the back.
It was about 11am in the morning. He had got around with 5 wallets, which meant lot of booze for the week, and importantly he can meet Rani.
The thought of Rani also brought the thought of the necklace that she was once craving for. He decided to go to a lonely place and check the amount of money he was able to rob. After walking another 20 mins in the hot sun, Ramesh found the lonely place. Ramesh was dressed in white shirt, black trouser and a blue tie. It made him look some executive in an office. It was a trick he used so that if the person whom he is robbing do realize that he is been robbed, the people around will not put a suspicion on Ramesh. He learnt all the tricks from his mother's brother Shiv. Uncle Shiv always told him a thing "Ramya, only rob when you are in need" But Ramesh soon realized that needs never end they just become more with every hour.
Rupees 5000 he counted till the last change and was surprised to see a round figure in hand. He mentally calculated the amount of money he would need including the money to buy the necklace. He had to get into the train one more time.The prime requirement was that the train needs to be crowded which at that hour would be many, especially the ones going towards the town side. He was in between two railway station. Ramesh decided not to walk to the station he get down at, there was an element of risk involved. After walking another 30 mins he reached the other station where he got into the train. There were a lot of people as Ramesh expected, but he would need to pick the ones that look to give him the most profits.
As his greedy eyes moved, he saw a person standing in a corner. The person looked familiar. Just as he tried hard to think and recall, he realized and Ramesh started to sweat. The person was one of the few that he had pick pocketed recently. In a city of more than 60 million train travellers the chances of seeing the same man were very remote. Ramesh would not take the same train, of the same route. He would change the time, the route, the bogie. Ramesh decided not to take a risk. If he does anything now, he might get in trouble. The man was staring at him. Ramesh thought he needs to abort the mission and just get out. As the train arrived at the station, Ramesh started to push people to get down. There was suddenly chaos as a person with a big bag tried to get down. He pushed Ramesh, in the process Ramesh was thrown out of the train on the station.
It was when he reached the station he realized what he was missing. The hand was not feeling any weight, the bag broke leaving the handle in his hand. Ramesh cursed himself, there was no point looking for it now. The train had left.An hour back he was rich and now he was penniless.By evening Ramesh was able to recover himself from the shock. All day he walked on the roads not knowing what to do. He stood outside a briefcase shop, he needed one. But will the same trick work, whoever finds his lost bag might give it to the police. The police will find him. He was too scared.
"Sir. hello...." Ramesh turned to see who it was. He looked somewhere when he realized who the person was. "Sir, I am talking to you...look what I have..." It was the same man, whom Ramesh had seen in the train, the same whom he had pick pocketed a week back. The man was standing next to Ramesh now. "Sir, this is your bag right, handle broke and it remained in the train, that man was fool who pushed you out, here it is take it..." Ramesh did not understand what to say. Ramesh wanted to ask "Did you open and see what the bag has, you fool..it also has your own wallet...." But instead he just said "Thanks" "No problem sir, see some ass stole my wallet last week, I was devastated, all my cards, my money everything. I know how you must be feeling so I helped you..."
Ramesh had some money in his wallet, he took out the money and handed the man, The man returned the money saying "Sir a good work is priceless, take the money, I don't want it." Ramesh quickly opened the bag a little bit and peeked into it to see all the wallets. "Combination lock, perfect no one can open it that easily..." the man said with a smile.The man left.Ramesh thought "I have turned into a monster, a crazy, greedy monster, I have given pain to so many, people don't just loose money, they loose their license, their identity cards, their photos, sometimes there is a letter, may be an important one"
Ramesh felt terrible, seeing the goodwill of the man, as against which he was nothing but a rat, that too a one rotten from inside. Ramesh walked away from the crowd and opened the bag. All the wallets were in it, he pulled one and opened it there was no money, he then tried the next one, same result, all wallets were empty, only one of them had a note saying "5000 rupees, and I got my wallet back, meet me next time you ass, and I will give you to the cops....................."

Simple Life

                      .........the clock ticked to 2am, and Punit stood on the lone road. There were few dogs that looked towards him. Punit walked a bit, he saw a small temple, he bowed down and prayed. Punit heard a sound, it was of an auto rickshaw. He could only see the light in the dark but it soon turned into proper shape. He raised his thumb to  indicate the driver to stop the auto rickshaw. The rickshaw stopped a bit ahead from the place where Punit was standing. Punit walked to the vehicle and leaning enough so that the driver can see his face said "Vintage woods..."
                       The driver twitched his nose and said "Midnight fare, remember.." Punit smiled to it. He sat in the rickshaw. It was a clean auto, with nice seat covers. The driver had decorated the inside with photos of gods.
Punit looked at each photo and showed his appreciation by nodding his head. As the rickshaw moved, Punit started to look outside. It was a silent city. A few homeless sleeping on the footpath. The only sound that echoed was of the auto rickshaw. Just then Punit's eyes caught something. There was a figure standing. As the vehicle moved closer, he could see the figure clearly. 
                        It was a man about the same age as Punit. He was raising his hand to indicate the driver that he needed a ride. As Punit had already engaged the auto, the driver ignored the signs showed by the person on the road. As the vehicle passed by the man standing, the driver felt a pat on his back. He turned his face a bit, to hear Punit. Punit said "Stop the auto, let the man sit, we can give him a ride. Where will he find an auto at this hour in this lonely city..."
                        The auto stopped, Punit leaned out of the vehicle and whistled. The man read the sign and showed a broad smile. When the man was standing right next to the auto, Punit said "Come in, I know its tough to get an auto at this hour, I always give a ride to a person if I see them standing, not all accept the invitation." The familiar sound of the auto started again. Punit introduced himself to the man, to which the man replied "Thank you so much, myself Sur.." "Sur! thats a nice name...very unique I must say...so where can I drop you..." Punit tried to be friendly.Sur replied "I am not going too far, I will stop the vehicle when I am near to my place..." Punit smiled and said "If thats what you want..." 
                        "I had a very bad day today, nothing went as planned..." Sur said. "I don't like to stay awake but you know how life is, some times its so difficult at some other time it is very simple." Punit took a handkerchief from his trousers and wiped his nose. He then looked out again, it was a long ride. He then looked towards Sur, who was still lost in his thoughts "In my opinion life is simple, we make it complex by adding things to it...I believe in Simple Life, may be you will not get the desserts after the main course, but you will get a very nice sleep...except today of course..." Punit smiled. He scratched his hair and then continued "You see there are days like these, but if life would have been just about the good days..." Sur cut him by saying "I understand your point.." then looking towards the driver said "Stop, I will get down over here..." Sur got down of the auto, he thanked Punit and tried to pay him, but Punit refused and said, "The smile on your face is worth everything...."
                          Punit stopped the driver after another 15 minutes. He had reached his destination. Punit said "Alright, time for me to go..." The Auto driver smiled and said "You are a nice man, you helped that man, it was a nice gesture..."
                          Punit moved a step back and said "Well I had to he is my brother..." The auto driver was confused "Your what...but then.." Punit smiled and then laughed. "Ok, he was my brother, he died a few years ago, it was his ghost, we often take the auto together and act like stranger, its fun.." The auto driver at first was confused, he then gave a scared smile and finally laughed "You are not just a nice man, you have a strange sense of humor too..."
Punit said "good you got that..." 
                          Punit handed the money to the driver, which slipped from the driver's hand, as the driver bowed to pick up the money, he saw Punit's leg twisted 180 degrees from its knee cap. The next day morning office goers saw the auto in the middle of the road, while the driver was dead on the road. Doctor said he had an heart attack.

Ready for a hike

".....................rest time" Raju said it as always. They had hiked only for about 20 mins and Raju was already breathing heavy. Jagdish was walking briskly and was way ahead of the pack. Mohan and Dinesh were taking photos of the trees they saw around. Jagdish shouted looking down towards the place where Raju was resting. "Raju, this way we will never make it to the fort before noon, and then we have to cut short our time on the fort, the whole schedule will be a mess..." Raju was breathing heavy and decided to not reply. Jagdish decided to sit down, since going alone was never a good idea in the dense forest. It took another 20 mins for Raju to catch up with Jagdish. Mohan and Dinesh were also close. Apparently Jagdish had stopped them from taking any more pictures since he believed it was slowing down the hike.

The group of 4 then continued slowly upwards, however Raju just could not keep up with the pace. Soon it was close to 11am. Jagdish said "Thats it, we need to look for alternative path, if we have to make it to the top...." Raju in a very soft voice said "We don't have a map, thats a high risk..." Jagdish replied loudly "Its all your fault, you fat swine, wish I had not taken you with us..." Raju did not like what Jagdish said and was about to say something when Mohan interrupted them, sensing that this can break into a fight. Mohan said "Lets try to figure out a trail by observing around, Dinesh behind those bushes there seems a trail, most probably its a dry river bed..." Jagish had a wide smile on his face, "Guys, yes great work Mohan, lets use the river bed as the trail and see how far we can go...."

It was after another hour that the group gave up. Raju looked red, Jagdish was holding his head. Mohan and Dinesh were about to cry. "This is what we get to be adventurous, I hope you learnt a lesson Jagdish, we are in the middle of nowhere, we cannot descent considering the slope we trekked, at least I cannot, neither can we go any further since the river bed just ended abruptly in the woods"

Jagdish wiped the sweat on his forehead. He observed that some thing had bit him in the lower part of his calf muscle and it was slowly swelling. Raju was looking in anger towards Jagdish. Just then they heard a voice in the bushes, it was as if some one was walking towards them. Mohan stood up, trying to look for who it is. He soon saw the figure and had a hope in his eyes. Dinesh walked towards the incoming figure and asked "Friend can you help us?"

The boy was about 16 years. He seemed like a local resident by his clothes. The boy at first looked a bit scared to answer. But then he looked at the group and realized that they are lost. He walked closer and asked "How come you got to this place in the forest? I think you people were planning to go to the fort." Jagdish quickly rushed to the boy "yes, yes we want to, but we lost the way, please help us, please in return we can give you some money...."

Raju shouted "Jagdish!", he did not like Jagdish's idea to give the money to Pandhari, Jagdish ignored him. He removed his wallet and offered 10Rs. The boy smiled and took it. The boy then looked towards the water bottle that Raju was carrying. Jagdish pulled it from Raju's hands and offered it to the boy. Dinesh asked "What is your name?" The boy replied promptly "My name is Pandhari."

Soon the pack of boys were following Pandhari. It was after another 20 mins, that they saw the fort. Pandhari guided them to the top of the fort. At the entrance of the fort was a huge stone with some engravings. The four boys stood next to the stone and asked Pandhari to take the pic. Pandhari did it enthusiastically. After taking the snap he handed the camera back to Mohan.

Jagdish, Raju and Dinesh stood around Mohan to see the picture that the camera had just clicked. The picture had come very nicely. To the left of the stone was Mohan and Dinesh. To the right stood Jagdish and Raju. Raju read loudly the engravings on the stone "In memory of Pandhari who committed suicide from the fort three years back...." The four boys looked behind to see Pandhari missing...............that was the last time they want on a hike.....

Hide And Seek

...............hey, Arjun, what a coincidence" Suraj sees Arjun and reacts. Suraj's wife Poonam is with him. Arjun for some time is trying to remember and then suddenly moves forward and hugs Suraj. "Mustache and all, it was hard to realize its you my friend and then I saw Poonam and it struck me...good you did not grow a mustache..." Poonam said "You have not changed, nor have the quality of your jokes"

Suraj is buying some fruits from the shop. He pays the money to the shop keeper and then turns around towards his friends again "Guys, its been such a long time, I live 10 mins from here, so please come to my place so we can talk" Poonam and Suraj smile and follow Arjun. Arjun is walking fast and his guests are a few feet away from him trying to catch up. "I never liked Arjun he was such a flirt, and had so many affairs right from college days, god knows how you two became friends, you two are so very different..." Suraj looks at Poonam and frowns "Look, thats his personal thing and perhaps now he might have changed and even settled..."

Arjun enters his society and realizes that he walked too fast, so he stops. When Suraj and Poonam catches on to Arjun he quickly comments "Sorry, I was hurrying since she can come home any time" Suraj raises his eye brows. "So there is a she in your life, I mean there was always a she in your life...it was just a new she every week...just joking...are you married...?" "Suraj, thats true, not a joke, I was the Casanova of the college wasn't I, am I married the answer is no" Poonam quickly asks Arjun "So are you serious about this girl?" Suraj says "Poonam!"

Arjun walks into the lift, he is followed by his guests. He presses the 3rd floor button. "Suraj, its ok, even before you two got married, I and Poonam were friends so she has all the rights...." Poonam is unimpressed by the statement. Arjun continues "To answer you Poonam, yes I am very serious about this girl..." The lift stops at the third floor and the three of them get out of it. Arjun quickly unlocks the door and switches on the lights and fan. The living room is equipped with all necessary luxuries like tv, sofa, telephone etc. Poonam and Suraj sit on the sofa as Arjun goes into the kitchen to keep the fruits in his refrigerator.

He comes out to find his guests whispering something. "Coffee?" Both of them nod in agreement. After 5 mins Suraj stands up. "I will be right back..." Poonam picks up the magazine and starts reading in response. Suraj walks into the kitchen where Arjun is making the coffee and singing a song. "Hey, Arjun so how long do you know this girl..." Suraj asks. Arjun replies "Which girl?............oh the one who is coming in some time.....I know her for an year now..." Suraj is astonished and reacts with a big smile. "Wow! Did you ever continue with a girl for even more than a month..you have really changed. I am so happy...." Arjun smiles in response...:and says "Well what can I say time changes everything....the coffee will take some time by then we can talk outside..." Both men move out to see Poonam almost sleeping on the sofa. "Thats why we need coffee..." Arjun says. "I am sorry, we came from USA 2 days back so going through a bit of jet lag.." "Its fine Poo..." just when Arjun is about to complete his line, he hears a horn.

He moves towards the window looks down and says "yes honey, I will be right with you sweet heart..." Poonam and Suraj watch with smile on their face. Poonam says "You must really lover her..." Arjun quickly replies "More than anyone and anything, excuse me I will be right back, she needs some help...", as Arjun leaves the room. Poonam says "I was so wrong about Arjun, he has changed, whoever the girl is she is so lucky..." Just then the phone placed next to the sofa rings. At first Suraj is hesitated to pick it up but then he picks it up and says "Hello, Oh he is gone...yes....sorry...ok...what....he is...oh...I will give him the message..." Poonam asks Suraj "What happened, who was it.." Suraj "Son of a ***** he will never change, it was a girl with whom he is going out today...." Poonam gives an angry look and says "Men, they never change, he is cheating on a girl....how can you be friends with such a person..."

"Hello, can I introduce you to my love..." Poonam and Suraj both turn around together with anticipation but are surprised to see no one next to Arjun. But then they move their eyes down and see a girl of 4 years old. The girls says "Good evening Uncle and Aunt...my name is Manasi....nice to meet you..." Suraj fumbles at start and then says "Nice to meet you too, sweetie you are very beautiful..." Arjun squats down and says "Manu these are my friends, like Chinu and Tanu are your friends same way.." "So do you people play hide and seek like us..." Poonam replies "Well some times we do, but today your Dad.." she was awkward while using the words and then continued "...found us....hiding" Arjun says "Manu go now, and change your clothes and then clean your hands and legs with soap..." Manasi replies "Ok Dad..."

Suraj and Poonam shows signs of confusion. Arjun has an ear to ear smile. "Sorry for not being clear, I wanted to have some of my own fun, sorry again, I adopted her last year, I am not married yet, her mother was my friend and a single mom, she passed away, but I am not her DNA Dad.................how did I end up adopting her is a big story which I will tell you over the coffee, so let me get it...."

Just when Arjun is about to go into the kitchen Suraj says "You have a message, a girl called in...." Arjun says "Neeeta, I am currently dating her, so I need to drop Manasi at her baby sitting................and then...." Poonam cuts him and asks "So why are you not getting married.....?" Arjun smiles, winks and says "I am still young............................................"