A Night to Remember

The last bus to home had left, now she has to take a rick home. She had finished all her work in time, just to make sure that she gets to the last bus without fail. But that was not to happen. She thought for sometime, 'Should I call Rahul, to pick me up'. But then rejected it, thinking he was an incorigible flirt and might just think otherwise. It’s a Friday night and all her colleagues had left early, so she ahd to get home alone.

Raavya, has been working for Acecom Tele Support for last one year and she has been posted in Delhi all these while. But somehow she has not been able to fall in love, or least like, this city. Every morning when she opens the newspaper, there has been one or more crime against women being reported. She is from a small town in eastern part of the country. Before coming to Delhi, she had never set her foot outside her hometown. Delhi in a way was her first taste of life outside the cocooned world of home, safety and warmth of a family. Her mother had never wanted her to leave home and move into Delhi. Delhi has never portrayed itself as a safe place for females, and nobody has bothered to make it one also.

It was getting late, Raavya checked her watch it said five minutes to eleven, she looked outside at the gate, there were a few autos there. She braced herself, she had to take an auto. All the crime reports that she has read or seen on television played right infront of her eyes. She was a bit scared. But she knew she cannot show it on her face. It was a Friday and she was wearing a Friday casual. She was not prepared for late work. She cursed her client, who had requested her for the last minute data requirement, which took her almost five hours. She could have got a cab from the office but that meant she has to share it with her boss, who is a bigger lech. She decided to find an auto, not very sure of her decision. So she moved towards the main gate, her steps were unsure. As if deciding, contemplating and arguing with herself. She tried to evaluate every possible option. Weighed them and then rejected them. She told herself 'You need to fight your own battles'. Late night in Delhi for a girl-alone, is definitely a fight for safety.

The watchman looked at her, as if questioning 'How are you planning to go, alone?'. She ignored the look, quietly swiped the card at the gate and moved out. The air was balmy, very unlike a winter evening in Delhi. But she didn’t mind. She pulled at the open zips of her jacket. The road was empty but for a few autos, the auto drivers were smoking beedis near a fireplace. She walked upto them, this was the first time she is alone looking for an Auto so late in the night, she didnt know what to say. Rohan has always been her Knight in the shining armour. Her late night movies at Saket or gorging at Comesum in the early hours of the morning. She had Rohan to her aide. But today even he is not there.

She reached the spot where the auto drivers were smoking. She called out "Bhaiya! Malviya Nagar chalogey?" (Will you go to Malviya Nagar?). Everyone moved their stare towards her. One of them stood up, 'He doesn’t look menacing', she thought to herself. "One Fifty", he said in a very accented voice. She didn’t want to get into a bargaining business with an auto driver at this hour of the night, especially when she is alone. 'fifty rupees, max sixty', she thought to herself. "Okay!", she agreed. The guy moved towards the auto and got into it, then he directed her to be seated in the back seat. She moved to the passenger seat.

It was chilly, she wasn’t feeling the chill so far, but when the auto started moving the air rushing against her cheek made her feel the nip in the air. The maze of roads in Chanakyapuri was familiar to her. She knew they were going in the right direction. The auto driver switched on FM, there were some hindi film songs playing on it. She didn’t give much attention to it. She was feeling tired. But she told herself not to fall asleep, she needs to be alert. She moved her hand inside her bag to check for the pepper-spray. It was there. She has never used it, even the seal was not broken. 'How stupid is that' she thought to herself. Then she looked at the auto driver. He was still smoking his beedi. The smoke was irritating Raavya, but she didn’t bother to shout at the auto guy. She was far too scared to do that.

The auto driver was not at all intimidating. Might be into his 30s, not very tall. Wore the khakhi uniform and a jacket. The stickers of various Gods in the auto, surely tells his religious bent. Then of course, the way he touched his forehead with his head and whispered a prayer before starting the vehicle, says that he is not at all a bad person. Raavya was trying to evaluate him. Till now he was scoring well.

Raghav, the auto driver, was lost in his own thoughts. Today he had received the call from his village. His wife has gone into labor. 'A girl again and I will divorce her. If she is unable to give a boy to the family, she doesn't belong to the family, she can take her girls and leave the house', he thought. But this thought had crossed him when they had their third child too. But Baba Ambernath has predicted that it would be a baby boy this time. He is waiting for the call. For a moment he looked into the mirror at his passenger in the back seat. She was looking straight at him. "Kya dekh raho o", she shouted back (what are you looking at?). More out of fear than anything else. He turned away, he didn’t bother to reply. He has got this shouting a lot many time. Many times when there is a couple at the rear seat, he has stolen a few glances to catch them in 'action'. The voyeuristic pleasure is the only good thing about driving at night.

There werent many vehicles moving at that time of the night. Only a few cars or bikes passed them. They crossed the Chanakya theatre, Raavya remembered the first movie that she had seen here. Even those yummy kababs that she and her friends use to enjoy here. Just then the mobile rang. Raavya looked at hers, but it wasn’t her mobile. The auto driver pulled out his. "Hell-ooo" he said in a very anxious voice. She looked into the mirror, to see his reflection. His expression changed from anxious to ecstatic. He seemed to be very happy, he pulled his auto around a corner. It was a dark one. Raavya moved her hand inside her bag. "Why have you stopped the vehicle here?", she asked, trying to feed her voice with enough strength. "Madamji, let me just take this call, something personal, one minute only", he replied. It was dark, the street light was flickering. She sat there thinking she had no other option. Her hand hit something, it was the pepper spray. She thought to herself for a second and then without bringing the bottle outside the bag she removed the cover.

It had already crossed five minutes. She didn’t want to wait for that long, so she decided much against her will, to step out of the auto and try to find an alternate option. She saw the light of an approaching vehicle. But soon realised it to be a private car. She decided not to wave at it. The car passed by her. Then she turned, moment she turned, she saw him coming towards her, infact running. He looked as if a man possessed. She thought of running, but her legs were as if planted to the ground. She didn’t know what to do. Next instant the auto driver was a couple of feets away from her and looked almost menacing with those mad eyes. She turned around and started to run. He called out "madam rok jao". She ignored the call and ran. He didn’t let her go, he too tried to be after her. Even matched her pace. He caught up with her, his hands caught hold of her shoulder. She was ready, she turned around and sprayed the pepper-spray into his eyes. He was caught by surprise, he fell on the ground writhing in pain. She realised the lane led to her house. She ran without stopping straight into her house.

He was still lying there writhing in pain, thinking why did she do this. He re-ran the whole event in his mind. The call was from his mother, she told her wife has delivered a beautiful baby boy. His nose was almost like his and so was his eyes. He was happy and talked a little longer over the phone asking about his wife and son in details. When he was through with his call, he realised it was late. He was happy and wanted to dance, he ran towards her in that frenzy. He saw her looking for another vehicle, that’s why he ran towards her, thinking he might lose his fare. He was right, she was trying to give him a slip. She started running, even when he asked her to stop she didn’t. She kept on running. But he did caught up, she sprayed something into his eyes, probably chilly powder and ran away.

He had calmed a bit. His eyes were hurting a lot, he collected himself up. Searched for some water. A tap was running. He washed his face with water. Then he thought to himself, what an eventful night 'These city girls are so dangerous', he thought to himself and walked away.

She was inside her room. Almost shaken by the night's episode. She was crying uncontrollably. She was thinking about things that could have happened. She thanked God and decided never to take an auto late at night, alone!

The Smile

She passed by me for the second time. Coincidence?? Well could have been, but I have trained my mind to think otherwise, especially when a beautiful girl is involved. She was looking pretty in her tight jeans and cowboy check short shirt. Her hair was tied up in a bun and a pencil was carelessly tucked into it. She was wearing a pair of spectacles, which gave her look of an intellect. Her bag was hanging from one side of her shoulders, left shoulder. 'College going, probably', I thought to myself. "I think she likes me", I whispered into Manish's ear. "And what makes you think so?", he questioned.
"She looked at me and smile"
"There could be a million reasons for her to smile", he tried to reason.
"One of them could be me", i tried to justify.

Manish preferred to remain silent. Being friends for five years with me, had taught him that in cases like such, I am a die-hard fool. And this was not the first time that a girl has passed by me, but I was sure the smile was definitely for me. And to prove this, she returned. She walked towards me. And when I say me, it means 'me only'. She looked into my eyes and smiled. Thats the moment I knew I was the reason. Then she spoke in her sugar coated, honey wrapped voice "Would you mind standing up? This is a lady's seat". Manish burst out laughing. She and the rest of the passengers, just looked at him and then ignored. I stood up and took the position next to the pole. She made herself comfortable next to Manish. The bus was full, but all were seated and the only person standing was me.

Manish kept smiling all through the journey. Thankfully it wasn't long one, the journey. Neither was this love story.... Well its my story and choose to call it a love story!

The Wanderers - I

I was not willing to let go off her hand. It was the final paging call for me and I knew this is the last time I would be holding her hand the way I did.

Two days ago when I landed at the Mumbai airport, she was already there. She had come to pick me up. I had booked a hotel for myself and didn’t want to bother her, but she insisted. I came out the airport and was welcomed with a warm hug. I knew them from a long time. I had their company at the weakest and the happiest moments of my life. I hanged on for little more time and so did she. Then I flung my bag to the rear of her car and placed myself on the passenger seat. I didn’t want to drive; she asked me “So, where is the master wishing to be driven?”, ‘Someplace where a hot cup of tea and a friend would be present’, I replied.

“So what about your Hotel?”

“There’s a booking and I can walk in anytime I want to, but not now”
I was tired and she understood, she didn’t speak all through the journey upto her apartment.

Only when I got down, did she tell “Apu passed away, last week”, her voice was quivering and I knew how much she loved him, her pet puppy. She had told me the day he passed away but I think people, when they are brooding, tend to forget stuffs.

Ali was at the lift, he has been managing the lifts ever since Mia moved into the apartment. Must be 6-7 years. I at times wonder, do these guys have anything like promotion. I mean what would be promotion for a lift guy, something like; Mr Ali is promoted and from tomorrow he would be working from 1st floor and upward only, no more ground job for him.

I walked into the lift behind Mia. He looked at me and smiled, I smiled back, no words exchanged. ‘Fourth Floor’ the mechanical voice of the lift announced. We walked out of the lift. Mia was walking infront of me. She was always in a hurry and I was dragging myself. Too much of work over the week had drained out all of my energy.

She rang the bell of her apartment, Bina Kaki was there. She has been taking care of her since her childhood days, almost a mom-like figure for both of us. She hugged me with that motherly affection of her, that I was very accustomed with. “Kitna dubla ho gaya hai(How thin are you looking)” she said, she is always like that. Very caring and very sweet. I just smiled and said “Iss baar lambi chhuti pe aaya hun, mota hoke hi jaunga (This time I am here for a longer time, I won’t leave before I am fat enough)” and both of us laughed.

Mia had been uncharacteristically quite since the morning. I knew there must be something bothering her but I waited for the right time to ask her.
Mia showed me the room I was meant to be in. I took a shower, changed my clothes and came out. The breakfast was ready and there was Bina Kaki’s special tea. Mia joined for the breakfast and tea.

“So how you feeling now?” she asked. “Fine, infact much better”, I replied. “I spoke to your mom, she was complaining that you have not been calling her up regularly?” she was a bit angry, trying to be my mom. She has been like that all the while.“Actually I have been a lot busy”“I think you just try to be irresponsible”, that was short and sharp.

I didn’t dare to speak more. We finished our breakfast. Carried our cup and went to our fav spot. It was her balcony. It opened to an artificial lake and greenery, a rarity in Mumbai. And something for which you pay an heavenly price.

We sat there for sometime filling ourselves with the serenity of the atmosphere around us. We knew, inside there was a turmoil that was building. She moved closer, laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. I didn’t want to disturb her, I didn’t move a muscle.

“So how is your job treating you”, she broke the silence, without moving“I am liking it” I said. “And how have you been doing?”“Not bad either”, she said.“What are you reading now?”, she asked“Nothing, in fact not getting enough time”

I just loved it when she rested on my shoulder, and that fragrance of her body filled me with a sense of pride.

....To be continued....

Love You Maa

I am off to home, not been long when I was last there but then whenever I feel exhausted or need to rejuvinate, nothing better than home comes to my mind.



I still remember long time back, a couple of decade ago i presume, when i was a little boy, i remember falling off a swing and banging my head against an iron rod. I had done some major damage near the right eye, tears had tricked down those eyes then, she had felt the pain more than me and she still does, when I am hurt. Yes Maa. She is always there for me and always loves mewithout telling me how much she loves me and how much I mean to her.

As children we all thought our mothers to be nothing sort of a super human, i mean where else would you find someone doing so many things and not even once thinking about herself.

Every exams we take are like her exams, she would stay up all night only to ensure that we dont fall asleep. And I doubt if we match her excitement every time we succeed in our life, she is the first one to celebrate our successes. And she is the first shoulder that we all like to hang on to at every small or big failures in our life. She is the emotional balance that we all cling on to.

I remember the day I left my home for further studies, she had emotions flowing down her eyes, and I know she still misses my presence. But she will never let me feel that. She is a strength that I always rely on.

I miss those hot cup of tea she used to serve me during the exam times, late in the night. I miss those shouting at me when I used to keep my room unclean. I miss her hand made food. I miss her pep talks when I am down. I miss my antakshari sessions with her. I miss her lullaby.



Maa this is for you: telling you that all that you have done to me and all that you would be doing I love you, I respect you and I miss you. I know you would be there for me when I need you the most and even when no one would be there to hold my hand, you would be there to take care of me...



LOVE YOU MAA

The Beginning of my book...

Its been a long time since I am thinking about writing a story, after many an unsuccessful and half hearted attempts, I have thought of putting together a few short stories, this is one of the few that might get into the book. So I need your help and inputs for the story. You can leave a comment if you like it dislike it or think I should go ahead with this... Waiting for your responses:

11th September 2008:

The rain was insistent since the morning. Rahul was getting late for his office. All the buses were going full. No bus seems to have a single seat. After letting four buses go by, he found a bus with one empty seat in the back row. He dashed in and as he was about to sit on it he dashed into Asha, the books she was carrying fell in a heap. He apologised to her and picked the books, she simply nodded.
The rain had picked up the pace and there was no way it was going to calm down. The bus moved.
Rahul works in an MNC in Noida, his company bus picks him up everyday from Nehru Place, but today he missed it by a couple of minute and therefore had to do with Blueline. Asha goes to her college in Noida everyday in the same bus.
As they settled down, the conductor came and they paid for their tickets. For the first time Rahul looked sideways and his eyes saw one of the most innocent faces that he had ever seen in his life. Asha was looking outside, fresh wet air was playing with her hair, at times they would bring a strand on her face and then she would flip them back with her hand. He got lost in her. The bus stopped at sector 18, Asha stood up to get down, so did Rahul. It was not raining anymore. Asha took an auto, Rahul stood there for sometime and then he walked to his office.

12th September 2008:

RAHUL:
I reached the stop on time, the company bus was right there but I didn’t want to take it. So I hid behind a tea stall, SMSed a colleague that I would be late and they need not wait for me. The bus took off at the scheduled time. I waited at the Noida bus terminus, I was looking for her. I saw her, she was wearing a white top and blue denim, she was carrying some books. Probably she goes to college. She looked at me for a moment, probably she didn’t recognise me. She entered the bus no. 493. I followed her. I went upto her and asked if I could sit next to her, she smiled and then nodded, probably she recognised me. Her name is Asha, it’s written on her book.

ASHA:
I reached the bus stop on time, the guy who had dashed into me yesterday was there too. I feel he was waiting for me. I took the usual 493, he followed me too. I was bit scared, thinking him to be like usual guys who follow every other girl. But he is not like others, he came near my seat and asked whether he could sit next to me. I nodded in affirmation. He is working in some company, I don’t remember the name, it was written on his i-card, his name is Rahul Sharma, I remember that. He is decent looking and seems to be having a good job. I got down at my stop in Noida, and took an auto to the college.

13th September 2008:

RAHUL:
By the time I reached, Bus no.493 was already there, I took my position behind the tea stall, waiting for her. She came from Kalka temple side. She was looking even more beautiful than yesterday. I was dreaming about her whole day yesterday, I don’t know what has happened to me. Am I falling in love? She went in to the bus I followed her, she had taken the seat right behind the driver’s but the seat next to her was occupied. I stood there. She seemed to have noticed me. But she didn’t look at me. She was looking outside the window. The bus reached Noida, we got down and like yesterday she took an auto and went. I walked towards my office.

ASHA:
He was there again, I saw him. But didn’t look at him, I didn’t want to give any signal to him. The bus was half filled when I entered the bus. But I took the seat behind the driver’s as it had another passenger an elderly woman already sitting, I was hoping he would find a seat for himself and sit somewhere else. But he didn’t, he rather stayed there. It’s nice to get attention of a guy but I am a bit nervous. Only I know the secret...