First time in life I tried writing a love story. Even after 4 months, I was not able give it a proper direction. But now, I have got an excellent ending and will complete it one day (don’t know when). I would like to thank my friends who gave their valuable inputs (Sudeepta and Pady). There is an indirect contribution from karthik and Rajesh, a dialogue when Kabir proposes Sanjana. We had a cool discussion on that a long time back. Topic was “Essentials to impress gals” HAHAHAHAHA
Chapter1: Journey of a lifetime
I was standing at Heathrow waiting for my flight. It was 12.15 PM and I still had 4 hours to pass. My Business Meeting was a total disaster and I was not able to clinch the deal for my company. I was very tensed and tired at the same time. I thought of taking some rest and started moving towards rest room. “Excuse me are you an Indian”. I raised my head. A beautiful young lady was standing next to me. I was having severe headache and was in no mood of talking. I nodded positively. She said “You look like a gentleman. Will you please listen to me” The gentleman word did its magic and I stopped on the aisle and asked “What For?” “My name is Sanjana. I am from India.” She was polite in her manners. “Kabir. I am Kabir. What do you want?” I was trying to behave like a rude gentleman. “Actually I forgot my purse in a taxi. I don’t know anybody out here and I got a flight at 4:30 to India.” This statement reminded me of Mumbai. You go to any market and you will find people stating the same reason and asking for money. I was always cautious and never got fooled. Once, a stupid friend of mine gave some money. After that event, he got famous in our friend group as “Daani Baba”.
I put a hand on my purse as if I was checking it’s out there or not. “But why do you need money? Don’t you have your ticket?” I was trying to be sympathetic.
“I have it. But it is something else” She was speaking very slowly, Stressing on each word. “I haven had anything from last 2 hours and I am feeling hungry. Will you pay for me”. She looked genuine to me. May be my long association with a lady of the same name in the past, forced me to help her or It could be because of her beauty. I wasn’t sure but I said” Yes, No problem at all. I started taking my wallet out” “Why don’t you come with me? I am also feeling hungry. If you don’t mind” I thought it was not a bad idea when you had a long time to pass. I took her to Costa. Costa had been my favorite place at Heathrow. She went to the ladies room for some time. In meantime, I was observing the grand ambience. It was nicely decorated. The design was Italian but some touch of French was also evident, in particular the furniture. By now I had forgotten all my tension and tiredness and started enjoying atmosphere. She came back after 10 minutes. I observed her closely for the first time. “Simply Awesome” It came out of my mouth. “What?” she asked. “The ambience” I tried hiding my feelings for her. “Yes, I liked it too. The design on the walls is very attractive.” We ordered tuna mayo, pastries and hot chocolate coffee. As usual, it was an awesome combination. On inquiring, I came to know she was here for a design competition. She was a student of a fashion institute in India and wanted to open her own fashion house. We spent next few hours together. Although, very short time but long enough to befriend someone. In my whole life I always have a strong belief in coincidences. And whenever I have asked god for something desperately, I have got it. Probably that might be the reason; we got our seats next to each other in my journey of lifetime. I was not able to take my eyes out of her. We chatted on sphere of topics started from general, social, political and then personal. She was a chatterbox but whatever she spoke was sensible. She was a nice combination of beauty and brain. I was so happy, when she said she was looking for someone, that I could have jumped out of my seat. I thought I should not waste this opportunity. At the time of landing, I decided to reveal my feelings to her. But there was a fear of rejection. At last, I made up my mind. Our flight reached at 6 AM in the morning. It was cold in Delhi but less than London, off course. No sun light, only fog on the airport and in the backdrop some flying lights. The ambience was not perfect but unique enough for one, not to forget. As soon as the bus dropped us, I took her to the corner of the platform. She asked me “What Kabir?” I said” I don’t know how to sing, dance or play guitar, I don’t know how to play basketball, not a formula 1 maniac” “So what? Are you mad?” I realized that I am doing all that what I am not supposed to. It may be, because of my habit of spoiling things at the right moment. I composed myself to make a point “Hey will you accept me as your lover boy without all those things?” I saw a little smile on her face. We forwarded and hugged each other. She said “I liked the way you proposed me.” I was in Seventh heaven. That’s how a new phase of my life started. Here On I will rewrite
Here on I will rewrite
I reached my apartment at Rohini before the first ray of light. I slept till the afternoon. When I woke up it all looked like a dream? I called her and confirmed it wasn’t a dream. We had our dinner together at Parikrama. I dropped her to home at gurgaon. These meetings continued but meantime I was transferred to Mumbai. Phone was the only medium but I used to go Delhi alternate weekends. I was planning to talk to my parents. But destiny will take such a sharp turn, I never imagined. I called her on that unforgettable evening. Her mother was on the other side. The news from other side was shocking enough for me that my tears started flowing, voice mumbling and hands shaking. “She has got Blood Cancer.” That’s what her mother said. I asked “What? Sanjana. Blood cancer. Does she know”? Her mother started crying on the phone. I tried to console her but of no use. I informed my colleague to take care of my work and to inform the boss. I took next flight to Delhi and was at her home by 9. Whole house was gloomy. She was sleeping on her bad. I saw her face. It was bright like a goddess. Nobody could believe after seeing her that she was a patient of cancer. (To be cont…..)
Chapter1: Journey of a lifetime
I was standing at Heathrow waiting for my flight. It was 12.15 PM and I still had 4 hours to pass. My Business Meeting was a total disaster and I was not able to clinch the deal for my company. I was very tensed and tired at the same time. I thought of taking some rest and started moving towards rest room. “Excuse me are you an Indian”. I raised my head. A beautiful young lady was standing next to me. I was having severe headache and was in no mood of talking. I nodded positively. She said “You look like a gentleman. Will you please listen to me” The gentleman word did its magic and I stopped on the aisle and asked “What For?” “My name is Sanjana. I am from India.” She was polite in her manners. “Kabir. I am Kabir. What do you want?” I was trying to behave like a rude gentleman. “Actually I forgot my purse in a taxi. I don’t know anybody out here and I got a flight at 4:30 to India.” This statement reminded me of Mumbai. You go to any market and you will find people stating the same reason and asking for money. I was always cautious and never got fooled. Once, a stupid friend of mine gave some money. After that event, he got famous in our friend group as “Daani Baba”.
I put a hand on my purse as if I was checking it’s out there or not. “But why do you need money? Don’t you have your ticket?” I was trying to be sympathetic.
“I have it. But it is something else” She was speaking very slowly, Stressing on each word. “I haven had anything from last 2 hours and I am feeling hungry. Will you pay for me”. She looked genuine to me. May be my long association with a lady of the same name in the past, forced me to help her or It could be because of her beauty. I wasn’t sure but I said” Yes, No problem at all. I started taking my wallet out” “Why don’t you come with me? I am also feeling hungry. If you don’t mind” I thought it was not a bad idea when you had a long time to pass. I took her to Costa. Costa had been my favorite place at Heathrow. She went to the ladies room for some time. In meantime, I was observing the grand ambience. It was nicely decorated. The design was Italian but some touch of French was also evident, in particular the furniture. By now I had forgotten all my tension and tiredness and started enjoying atmosphere. She came back after 10 minutes. I observed her closely for the first time. “Simply Awesome” It came out of my mouth. “What?” she asked. “The ambience” I tried hiding my feelings for her. “Yes, I liked it too. The design on the walls is very attractive.” We ordered tuna mayo, pastries and hot chocolate coffee. As usual, it was an awesome combination. On inquiring, I came to know she was here for a design competition. She was a student of a fashion institute in India and wanted to open her own fashion house. We spent next few hours together. Although, very short time but long enough to befriend someone. In my whole life I always have a strong belief in coincidences. And whenever I have asked god for something desperately, I have got it. Probably that might be the reason; we got our seats next to each other in my journey of lifetime. I was not able to take my eyes out of her. We chatted on sphere of topics started from general, social, political and then personal. She was a chatterbox but whatever she spoke was sensible. She was a nice combination of beauty and brain. I was so happy, when she said she was looking for someone, that I could have jumped out of my seat. I thought I should not waste this opportunity. At the time of landing, I decided to reveal my feelings to her. But there was a fear of rejection. At last, I made up my mind. Our flight reached at 6 AM in the morning. It was cold in Delhi but less than London, off course. No sun light, only fog on the airport and in the backdrop some flying lights. The ambience was not perfect but unique enough for one, not to forget. As soon as the bus dropped us, I took her to the corner of the platform. She asked me “What Kabir?” I said” I don’t know how to sing, dance or play guitar, I don’t know how to play basketball, not a formula 1 maniac” “So what? Are you mad?” I realized that I am doing all that what I am not supposed to. It may be, because of my habit of spoiling things at the right moment. I composed myself to make a point “Hey will you accept me as your lover boy without all those things?” I saw a little smile on her face. We forwarded and hugged each other. She said “I liked the way you proposed me.” I was in Seventh heaven. That’s how a new phase of my life started. Here On I will rewrite
Here on I will rewrite
I reached my apartment at Rohini before the first ray of light. I slept till the afternoon. When I woke up it all looked like a dream? I called her and confirmed it wasn’t a dream. We had our dinner together at Parikrama. I dropped her to home at gurgaon. These meetings continued but meantime I was transferred to Mumbai. Phone was the only medium but I used to go Delhi alternate weekends. I was planning to talk to my parents. But destiny will take such a sharp turn, I never imagined. I called her on that unforgettable evening. Her mother was on the other side. The news from other side was shocking enough for me that my tears started flowing, voice mumbling and hands shaking. “She has got Blood Cancer.” That’s what her mother said. I asked “What? Sanjana. Blood cancer. Does she know”? Her mother started crying on the phone. I tried to console her but of no use. I informed my colleague to take care of my work and to inform the boss. I took next flight to Delhi and was at her home by 9. Whole house was gloomy. She was sleeping on her bad. I saw her face. It was bright like a goddess. Nobody could believe after seeing her that she was a patient of cancer. (To be cont…..)
3 comments:
Shakun a good story and very well written but the cynic that I am cant help making a few points , not in respect of the story's presentation, thats superb, but with respect to the issues in the plot.And its all in a lighter vein so do not take offence. I know you wont but this is for the gentler readers. Actually the ending is so sad , had to spice it up a bit.
But before I start, just correct a few spelling mistakes. They are a dampener on your picture perfect love story.
Hey any ending would be good for this. The body is so coherently written that the end is immaterial. I suggest you leave it incomplete. Thats the perfect completeness in this case.
I know a shayar needs dard , but junta prefers happy endings. Life does not always. But I regress.
So here goes....
1: Why Heathrow? India mein bhi sad love stories start hoti hain ?
2: Whenever a lady (being specific here) says you are a gentleman even before she knows your
name you are by default being approached for some help. And thats the end of it.....no
kudrat ka karishma waiting to take place. Also anybody will listen to a hot babe without being called a gentleman and they know it. So the protagonist should have been on his guard then. Bad mistake at the onset leads to worse results, somebody must have said that...if not here's a new quote.
3: Nice combination of beauty and brain. Very subtle ;-) Oh but the grey matter thing just has to be there to legitimize everything doesnt it ?
4: No time is short time enough to befriend a babe....first principle.
5: Hot babe = any weather seems heavenly. period.
6: Well that proposal thing was perfect I have to admit. Guys who can sing, dance, play guitar, basketball and sacrifice nights for F1 never stood a chance ;-) Too many distractions,to put it succinctly
7:Well hugging so soon on Indian soil ..... that was not a hot babe , she must have been a broad.
8: When in doubt if life is a dream , pinch yourself. Cheaper option, minimal overheads. by
the way life is actually a dream with the world being a massive illusion simulated by sentient beings (as in the matrix). Source : www.kurzweilai.net
9: Destiny rarely takes a sharp turn. Its usually so twisted that sharp turns straighten it.
10: AIDS inspires more heart rending feelings and is a more contemporary disease ;-) The times they are a changing..... Bob Dylan was right.
Shakun do defend me if I receive some flak for this, as I am sure I will. No hard feelings.
Das,
I am clean bowled. But will try to defend a few of points:
1. Kabir here is not a casanova so 3 hours time(max air travel time in any india to india flight) wont be sufficient for him( that's why a foreign location). Though it is sufficient enough to befriend a gal, wont be sufficient for Kabir in making up his mind.
2. He is on guard against this female but somewhere in his heart he is too impressed by that gal to neglect her so he finds out reasons to convince himself ( e.g gentleman thing).
3. I dont think hugging is any problem on Indian soil especially when you are accepting a proposal. Believe me it is not unusual.
Thanks for a good review. I will incorporate few changes.
Wah !! I am impressed :-) Yes I just have to agree with your 3 points. Great explanation. You really seem to have though a lot before penning this story.
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