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............................................"

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................................