Sanjana

It was the end of first year, we all had been excited about going home and meeting our family, so was I. After a year I would be meeting my family , I was excited to show them of my my achievements and experiences. Dad had come down to pick me and was staying in guest lodge. I gave one final look to my luggage and made my way to meet Pooja. I was going to miss her for next two weeks. 

''Pooja, pls message me when you reach your home.'' I said entering her room but found her siting next to the window with her earphones on. Smiling I removed them as she gave me a startled look. ''Are you not going home?'' I asked. Her face fell but she masked it, ''No one is waiting for me. I would be here when you come back. There are few girls who are staying back. You go and enjoy.''

That hurt, I often wondered why no one came in from her home or called but it wasn't my place to ask. I wouldn't do it, not even today. So, I decided something else. Pulling a small bag out, I dumped few of her clothes as my dear friend kept asking what was I doing. ''You are coming with me.''

''No!''

''Yes, and no discussion. Take it as a vacation. I will show you around.'' 

''I don't want to impose.''

''You are not.'' She still seemed a little uncomfortable but I was able to convince her with little drama. ''I will be back in a 10 mins.''

''You are going to see Rishi.'' She asked and my heart flipped at his name. I just nodded running out leaving a giggling Pooja behind. I made to his dorm in half time. Pulling my phone out, I was about to call him and just then he walked out, dressed in denims , his hair combed back and eyes hidden behind the aviators. I took in all of him and yes I felt the music and wind around me. It was a magical experience to define in words. No wonder half the population of this campus swooned on him, but he liked me. That mere thought gave me a sudden pleasure, I smiled to self a little proud of the achievement to did nothing for.

''Swooning over me.'' He asked as he smiled down at me pulling me out of my dream world. U gave him by best bored look but he could see through my facade. ''I am going home and thought of meeting all my friends before leaving for my vacation.''

He smiled pushing his hands into his pocket, ''Okay, I believe you.'' And then silence. I cursed myself for being loss of words and them him for making me feel like that.

''Miss me.'' That came inaudible 

Rishi leaned further to my level, locked his eyes with mine and said. ''I will.'' I blinked. I thought I said that in my head , but he heard that. We stood their for sometime in silence watching each other , he did't touch me nor I did but felt like we touched one another in the most intimate way. I felt adored and I wanted to to breathe all of this moment. What I did next was bold for me to do. Taking a step, I gave him a small hug. ''Bye Rishi.'' I whispered taking in his scent, I felt him smile. He took a step back, cupped my cheeks and said, ''Take care and I will miss you.'' If I could, I would pen down the feelings I had in that moment. Rishi, had been an amazing friend to me. He had been there when I needed, he said he had a crush on me but he never pushed me  or made me uncomfortable. He was the bad boy I have started liking.

''I will drop you to your dorm.'' He said and we walked along to my dorm, silence stretching between us  . He took his leave smiling at me just like imaginary Rahul waved at Simran right out of her house. 

I shook my head , slapped my cheeks. I was going mad. May be break and distance will help in clearing my head. 

As expected, my family greeted me as if I had been on dangerous expedition, from which my chances of survival were null. I greeted all the females has they dabbed their eyes while all males blessed me. Pooja watched in awe and then fear as my family started feeding her . She requested for help but I refused. My eyes were looking for my favorite person , my Karan bhai.

''Where is Karan bhai?'' I asked and there was a silence. After a moment, mom caressed my head. He is out on a tour, he will be back soon. It wasn't something new, bhai traveled a lot since he joined business, but what surprised me were the glances between my mom and my aunt , Karan Bhai's mom. I decided to call him later .

After dinner, Pooja lay on bed half dead, her over filled tummy protruding out of her t-shirt. I just giggled while she just lay there unable to move. ''Yaar, I m not eating for a week.''

''Sure, if my family let you do that.'' She groaned and my thoughts went back to Rishi, when we drove out of the premises , I had noticed Rishi sanding outside the main door with few of his friends . He smiled once and waved , all I could do was return the smile.

''Sanjana, pls switch off the light. I need to forget about my belly.''

''Do you think its easy to forget?'' I asked

''yes, sleep might help''

''will it happen in one night?''

''I guess so by night  it might settle a bit.'' She replied a little annoyed. My face fell, ''Rishi will forgive me in a night?'' I asked shocked

Pooja glared at me angrily. ''Where did Rishi come from?''

''What do you mean?'' She scrunched and made a face. ''Now , I get it. I was talking about forgetting my over filled belly and you are talking about Rishi?'' I felt being caught and Pooja laughed and then groaned. ''Oh God, even laughing hurts. Listen, we will discuss when I empty stomach in the morning.'' With that she slept off and I stayed awake for few more hours reliving the small moments with Rishi.

****

Rishi 

I tiptoed inside Merha mansion  with an intention to surprise my parents but to my luck, our pets decided to blow up my surprise. They surrounded me  wagging their tails and jumping all around me. Our beagle zoro, suddenly turned into a missile, he would run in circle , jump on me, and then again run in circle. After a moment , I heard my favourite  voice , Rishi!'' Mom called out as she descended the stairs. My mother Roma Mehra had been super model of yester years and now owns a make up brand. She has always been a woman of substance and taught me that we have one life and if means allow, we should try all once we desire. Life was about experiences and humans learn from them, good or bad , experiences always have something to teach. Taking a step I hugged her.

''I thought you were coming tomorrow.''

''Yes, I wanted to surprise you guys, but these silly dogs spoiled all.'' My mom patted all pets once before admonishing me lovingly. ''Your dad is in the garden.'' With a smiled I made my way to the garden and found dad engrossed in his newspaper. He owns a big construction company and few smaller business. My mom and dad went against the world to marry and have set up a bar too high for me. I want the kind of love they share or nothing. My mom fought the world for my dad and I want the same from Sanajna.   I Shook my head, I was thinking too much. Sanjana considered my just a friend, above all, she wasn't the one to go against her family but I still want it to be her.

***

Mom got elaborate dinner done for me while both my parents enquired about my studies and how my year went about. 

''Is everything okay?'' Mom asked

''Yes, why?''

''Son, you are constantly lost in someone or something. Is there a girl?''

''NO! Why would you say so?'' I asked dad

''Well , I used to be just lost as you after I saw your mom walking on the ramp.'' My dad looked at my mom as she blushed as he squeezed her hand gently.''

''Mom , Dad...there is no one. I am jus tired. From tomorrow, I will just spend time having fun.''  I declared trying to look normal but I wasn't . My ears still echoed with Sanjna's whisper , 'Miss me'

***

Jai picked me up for a party with few of our old friends. The party was in a local club cum restaurant. The place was the terrace of a high rise building with an open dance floor and restaurant.  Our group cheered the DJ who mixed western and Indian numbers bringing the floor alive. 

A girl asked me and I joined her on the floor, she was an amazing dancer , but more than that she was a confident person. She hell cared of who thought what, her moves were hot, sexy and attractive. She was exactly the type of girl I would get attracted to until Sanjana. I smiled rolling my partner out, she spinning like a Top released out of he thread and then spinned back in wrapping her arms around my neck. She dipped her back and I moved lifted her up  he earth spinning once around the floor. We moved in sync before I rolled her out. The floor erupted in applause and we bowed. She gave me a friendly punch. ''You are good.'' 

''So are you.''

''I am a choreographer.'' She said. She then sipped her drink staring at me. ''Dance like this with the one you are so lost in, trust me, she will never be able to think about anyone else.'' I gaped at her. ''You don't know me.''

''Yes, I don't but I know a man in love. You haven't taken a sip of that drink and now the drink has turned into water.'' I gaped at her ans she smiled. ''I have been there, experienced it but I was the coward one. You don't do it.'' She patted my head , she was about to leave when Jai asked. ''Are you single.''

She stared at him head to toe and replied. ''I don't date kids.'' I scoffed while Jai kept glaring at me. I am not a coward but if required, will Sanjana do that for me.

''She is not in love with you.'' My mind reminded and all I could do was huff. I was thinking of something which is now a just a dream in my head.

"What for tomorrow?'' Jai asked. ''We have two weeks, we have all the fun in the world before we head back. We cheered gulped our glasses and went back to dance floor. The night was still young

***

''These tabloids are cruel. How is partying , having fun being responsible a sign of bad parenting.'' Mom vented agitated. The front page of page 3 displayed my picture with Choreographer in a very bold move. Yes, our dance was bold but it was a dance. 

''Mom, why should we care.'' Dad rubbed her back, ''We are not answerable to anyone.''

Mom huffed, ''I been trying 20 years to win back our parents love but every time I am close, something happens.'' That annoyed me. Mom has been doing all to make my grandparents from both side forgive them but my parents crime seem to have been bigger than the love they ever had.

''Son, you go and enjoy your vacation. But remember, Breakfast and Dinner with us.'' I nodded, hugged my dad, pecked my mom's forehead before walking away. I need to clear my head and I just knew how to. It had been long since Mumbai bike tracks met a star.

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