happy belated birthday to my dearest thena. i know i am not a writer like you, you are classic. but accept this late birthday gift , as its your fault. lol...see i am complaining here too. any way once again happy belated birthday, sweetest friend, thena. i wish you all the happiness always.

warning: use of few hindi words .

*****

" if I did anything right in my life, that's when I lost my heart to you. If I know what's love and what is to be feel loved, that's because of you . I didn't plan to accept anyone, rather its you who accepted me. I can't even express how much lucky I am next to be with you. You taught me to love imperfections as flawless is imaginary. I love you more than the word 'love' itself."

The first ever time I met her, more appropriately I saw her at Japan. I was furious before visit to Japan because I was forced, that was true. I was not much of extroverted or happy-go-lucky type of person neither even a introvert. I was settled well at Zurich in a Automobile company.

'Arjun, we have to leave for Japan in two days.' My colleague friend Edward said to me literally throwing a bomb on me. I was allergic to travelling during holidays.

' And I know you have your hand on this. Stop dragging me with you everywhere.' I grasped him when he was about to escape. In other time I would have annoyed, but I was angry on him that time. He had a habit of poking his nose in my matters and dragging me unnecessarily to any meeting where he went.

' Don't glare at me. Its just a meeting. But my purpose to take you with me, so that you can let yourself free for sometimes. You always close yourself within.' He explained innocently as if I would leave him alive.

After a good session of our Tom n Jerry fighting and a lot of argument, in the next day I found myself sitting on business class seat in flight to Tokyo. What a punk he was? Although I cursed him, fought with him ;he was my one gifted friend who tried to make me happy and relieve. We justified the friendship motto, that it's not important to know someone long time rather how well you know each other in short span. I would definitely be grateful to him for that trip, always. He indirectly gave me what I craved for long.

It was a week trip. After three days of our business conferences and contracts, we headed toward Sapporo. Edward got that the snow festival was going on and he was an ardent worshipper of any festival in any country. Like always I was dragged with him unwillingly. We already booked our hotels, so there was no worries about timing to reach or run like jet. In midway we parked our rented car and went for food. God knew from where that idiotic head got the sudden idea of snowboarding. This guy had surely some guts to got on my nerve every time. Whenever I scolded him or fought with him, he only answered me one thing 'happiness lies in little things, Arjun. Try to get in. Don't push away yourself too much that happiness leaves you forever.' This man, aargh...

We played and threw ice on each other. Well he was right, I felt relieved, though a little. But I did. While playing for last round, Edward crossed me. I was following him fast when fell down , obviously after banged by someone. Before I could say anything , I heard in Japanese might be 'Gomen'nasai'. What that person said? I was looking at that direction incredulously.

Next moment few more people came forward and gathered around her. Yes, her. As her face disclosed after her friends got rid of her goggles and ear cap. I clearly see , she was neither a Caucasian nor a Mongolian. Her complexion and texture told she was a middle east or west Asian people. Though I got little distraction by her contradictory talking and appearance, I was irked with her absurd behavior. No sorry , nothing and went away. Girls and their manner.Well at that time I didn't know she just said 'sorry' in Japanese.

' why are you sulking now?' Edward asked once he approached. I only glared and yelled, ' because of you. Now let's move.' He ran away at once and next in an hour we reached at Sapporo.

The Sapporo snow festival on next day was a big one. Almost 400 varieties of snow statues were made. Some reflected their culture, some their ancient glory and some showed the life style etc. While grasping all the content behind the festival, I heard some known voice. It sounded like her, but that was not case, as it was Hindi , my country language. Ignoring the thought I continued what I was doing.

' chasini, careful. Gir jaegi. Phir teri Bhaiyon ne hume nahi chhodege.' I heard a girl's voice and turned to see three girls were talking in Hindi as their back facing me. Really trust me, it's a homely feeling in abroad when you heard your own land people. I was moving toward them to talk with them, a Japanese girl interrupted in between. She was blabbering something in her language , I stood like robot , 'yeh kyabol rahi hai?'

'Tumhari tarif.' One of those three Indian girls said, as other two moved a little away. I smiled in return as we continued in our own language. Her name was Samaira and they lived in Japan from years. She was equally happy seeing me, another Indian and even invited me. I politely declined her. After few more chit chat we parted in our ways. But why I felt that weird contradictory girl was with Samaira. I decided if I found her once , I would surely took out a apologyfrom her. Looked like she forgot manners.

We were returning from Sapporo to our hotel , outskirt of city 5km away, all thanks to Edward and his nature love. It was getting darker and the weather was looking not so pleasant. After crossing few good distance, he stopped the vehicle abruptly as looking at me terrified.

' what happened now?' I asked irritated for stopping vehicle I'm midway. I badly wanted to reach hotel and let my tiredness gone. But this man had always his dramas.

' I....I...I think I hit someone.' He finally said shocking me.

' what ? Now get out and check. What are you doing, be hurry.' I almost yelled losing my temper and we both got out.

' Daijobudesu'ka' we heard as a person approached covered up from head to toe, god knew in how many layers clothes that person put on. Wait this voice sounds familiar. I tried to look over but could not see anything as Edward was standing in front of me.

' uhm..I didn't understand you. Sorry , if you got any injury?' Edward asked finally.

' oh. Not at all. I was asking if you are alright or not? Actually it was my fruit basket slipped out of my hand and hit by your car.' The explanation came as Edward sighed breathe of relief. But me , I was fuming because I knew it was her.

' Log paise ke liye kitne niche gir jatein hain.' I mumbled and said Edward to give her double amount of money for the fruit she lost.

'Hann..wahi Jo aapki tarah itna ghatiya soch rakhtein hain.' She replied with equal rage. I was in shock that how many languages this girl had known?

' what did you say?' I asked enraged.

' that you heard.' She replied uncaring.

' is she gone crazy? She should apologize me for previous incident and now showing temper on me.' I thought and glared her.

' I said you sorry that day. You surely did not understand because I said in Japanese. And Its you who is crazy not me.' She replied almost giving me a heart attack.

'How could she heard my thoughts. Was I that loud?' I thought again and looked at her suspiciously.

' yes , you are loud and shrewd too.' I was beyond my limits to think further. I was overwhelmed, out of zone for her replies.

' what are you doing here at this time , alone in midway?' Edward asked her politely to stop us from fighting.

' ooh...its nothing. My home is near.' She showed one direction, truly after few meter it's a big house seen.

' okay, we should take our leave as weather is getting worse.' Edward reasoned and I was backing glaring her.

' you can't. Didn't you hear the road ahead is already blocked due to heavy snow fall.' She explained calmly when we both were stood rooted.

' do you know when weather will be good?'

' No guarantee.' She said. ' if you don't mind you can come with me. To our home.' That girl was more bold and blunt than I thought. After a lot of thought Edward made me understand the situation and we followed her. She dialed someone and told about us. I hoped she was not planning to loot us.

' we are not thieves. Get a grip on your thought , man.' That time shock was an understatement for me. That was embarrassing, she could hear my every thought.

When we reached near her home, before we rang bell, door opened and two men came forward. One welcomed us who seemed familiar to me and other one, dimple guy took her in his embrace protectively. Does she even need protection? She was an atom bomb by herself. I smiled at my thought. Suddenly the man who welcomed us yelled , ' Arjun Mehera, is that you? Remember, Geneva conference. I am Ankush Mishra.' I remembered I helped him there and he got excited , kept blabbering about our previous meeting.

'So it's you. See what my invite couldn't do, chasini did.' A girl said while we entered home. I recognized her, Samaira. So they all were one family. Chasini, her! she was more like bitter gourd. I immediately turned to look at her, she was explaining something to that dimple guy cutely and making faces.

' why are you so stubborn dear. You know if I can't see you around how tensed I would become.' That guy said ever so soft tone while wiping snow flakes from her face and dresses.

' stop pampering her so much, Neil. You are spoiling her.' Ankush complained.

' shut up, Ankush. No words against my chasini. Else you know.' Neil replied still arranging chasini's disheveled hair and rubbing her palm. I guess chasini , was her name.

' I know better.' Ankush mocked back causing a laughter round from Samaira and Ankush. Even Chasini giggled, so as Neil. For the first time I found her smile was attractive , in means it was not pretense but full of life.

Neil and Ankush talked with us. How we ended up here and bla bla. Chasini was writing something seriously while Samaira was making some strong coffee for us. Neil was practically with chasini always while Ankush was pulling her legs. I was literally in shock seeing their care for each other. They were behaving like close buddies and having immense care for each other. My mood went off seeing those cares which I craved but never got. Edward held my hands in knowing manner.

Until the dinner time we all talked like a family. For the first time I felt I was in my family, who was interested in my regular things other than my professional things. They even didn't hesitate to ask us to help them in cooking, just like a true family. We ate altogether. That was a moment to remember. I was shocked when Chasini fed Neil by hand and it seemed he was extremely happy. I was perplexed at my thought that girl even know how to show care and affection? Quite strange for me!

Samaira told me that those brother and sister had most special bond beyond anyone's imagination. I automatically looked at their direction and their happiness just gleamed like pearl falling off from their smiles. They talked with their father by skype and competed who was favorite kid to him. No outsiders couldn't even guess Samaira was daughter-in-law of the family. Neil dismissed all saying Chasini was favorite to all. I didn't know why, but my eyes got fixed on chasini. She was really something having so many shades to her characters.

Till then I held myself well; but their talk with their father got me my worst. Edward already slept off, leaving me restless. Idiot. I was suffocated seeing that family, where as my fatherf never even asked if I am good or not. I was going to outside when someone held me. It was her.

' Are you really lost your mind? See outside, snow Strom.' She raised her brows as if she was thinking I was really mad or something.

' oh! What are you doing till now? Awake wide.' I asked as I didn't want an argument that time.

' Preparing a presentation. I am not too good in R&D. So I need to make sure that I did my best.' She replied little worried.

' can I help you?'

' is that even a question to ask? I wonder why you didn't ask, why I am doing such presentation if it was not my area.'

' obviously you were forced ; but with your own choice.'

' you are not as dumb I thought to be.'

' what?' I asked perplexed with high pitch and she laughed as I again become fool.

' you are so easy to rile up, you know.' She again started laughing and I lost again unknown to me. Its truly had some magic, her laughter. It was so real and from heart , every time I felt contented myself. If I could be this much happy?

My revere broke when she pinched me. ' Ouch...why you did that?' I asked rubbing the place where she pinched.

' where did you zone out? I called you nth time. Thinking about your girlfriend? Awww...so sweet.' She went on again teasing me.

' why did you call me?' ignoring her cue I asked.

' changing the topic. Are we? Okay I am not stealing your girlfriend. You know I am not lesbian.' She winked. Instead of getting angry, I smiled on her choice of words.

I was helping her when she got up suddenly in between and asked if I needed any warm drink as it was cold too much. She was even considerate.

' Yes! A strong coffee will do. Thank you.' I said with a smile and I was really thankful that she asked. I desperately needed some and I was shy to ask for it in an known unknown place suddenly.

' yes sir.' She replied teasingly saluting me as I was doing her presentation. ' you don't need to hesitate for anything. Think it as your own home. Ankush Bhai told us how you helped him.' With that she went away leaving me dazed. Well anyone would be happy if he gets a home like that. A true home.

We have two more days for leaving Japan. Ankush was not in a mood to leave us like that easily, so as their family. Even we didn't protest much as we too liked their company. If you found such good people around you, why the hell anyone would want to stay in that lifeless hotel. I got to know about chasini more in those two days. In fact if I say I would stopped those days because of her ; not for Ankush it would be justified. That girl was really something with wonders. She was intelligent, acquired knowledge about most of the languages and the thing which attracted me most was her super caring nature. She loved everyone equally. I could not figure out if Samaira was her sister-in-law or best buddy. She gotta habit to shock me with her newly ideas and pranks which finally ended of roar of laughter and joyful conversations. I never felt that much special in my whole life like I did in those three days. I knew that I would surely gonna miss those days and those people, especially her. I so badly wanted to be a part of that family, but? Finally our time came to leave.

Finally after we were in Zurich , busy in our own hectic robotic schedule. Is that even called a life? I didn't think so.  i missed japan trip, Ankush family and CHasini terribly. But to avoid my so called family I did stay away from my land and did overtime works to forget that even I had a family who barely care for me. Ankush kept talking with me in between. I wanted to ask him about chasini; but my tongue wouldn't let me speak. Ankush once told me she left for India, as there was no one with their father and soon they all would move too. Sometimes I did miss her and sometimes I ignored that thinking as illusion of my mind. Might be I was attracted to her for her caring nature. Might be it was my infatuation what would lost with due time or I kept myself sane by thinking that.

After few days it was one weekends. Like usual I was resting on my room, lying on couch and kept looking at my Japan trip photos which was my favorite pass time those days. Edward teased me countless times that I must lost myself; but not ready to accept the fact. Suddenly my phone buzzed and I saw the unexpected call in my life, from my family. Oh, how could they remember they had other son to care for? Strange.

' hello.' I received after much hesitation.

' you are coming to home, next week. Get that clear. Your ticket is ready , so as your permission from higher authority.' My father said immediately without wasting time. What the hell? No, It's my bad to expect greet and care from him. But isn't it too much, that he didn't care for me , that's known; but he was talking with me after few months and he even ordered me around. He even interfered in my professional matter without known to me. I was not talking about permission thing, but at least he could have asked me. Well whom I was kidding. Heartless person. That's why I was attracted toward Ankush family. That's why I was smitten with chasini's care for Neil , might be. I just need one thing in my life, someone to care for me.

' I am not going.' Even I answered carefree.

' I am not asking you. So just be on here right time.' And in next moment call disconnected even before listening my side. Damn if only he wasn't my so called father.

After a battle inside me and good argument with Edward, I left for India next week. No matter whatever it was I still respected my father, plus he had heart problems and I didn't want to be reason to give him attack. But the bomb which was thrown on me after reaching home was blown away all my senses. We mean me, my elder brother, my bhabiji and Dad was sitting like as if round table conference was going on. Dad threw one sealed envelope toward me, ' see this clearly. You are going to marry this girl in next 15 days. One of my business mate's daughter.'

' what?' shock was evident in my voice. ' you don't care for me, I know. I never complained for that, but don't you think it's too much you forced on me.'

' I know whats good for you.' He replied stubbornly.

' you never force on big bro. then why me?' my anger was at its peak.

' you are going to meet the girl tomorrow, that's final. If the girl will be ready to marry you then you have to marry her in next 15 days. No further discussion on this matter.'

' and if she won't agree?' I asked with hope.

' do whatever you want.' With that all went away not caring in which situation I would be. Suddenly I was getting angry on that girl, why she came in view of my father. They might have some business deal through me, otherwise my selfish shrewd father wouldn't agree easily. Another human business trade like my brother. I decided I would make sure the girl to deny for that marriage by herself. I smiled myself cunningly as a crude idea came to my mind. I didn't even bother to open the envelope to know more about girl. If only I knew I was going to do biggest mistake of my life, cutting down my own branch by my hand; I would have stopped. But alas! Happened.

Next day I called my friend Aryan who stayed in India, and made me out of such blunders before. He was a Casanova and had his charming ways especially with ladies. When I handed over him the envelope containing girls detail and photo, he immediately got my reason of annoyance. He read the name 'Radhika Mishra'. Wait was that the girl's name? oooh...why should I get marry Radhika, old fashioned girl. I should get Draupadi , the beauty queen or chasini. Chasini, did I really think her? Oooh she was not leaving my thoughts in any time. If I would have to marry, why not her?

Well I had to come out of my thought when Aryan snapped his fingers in front of me. He told me about the girl which I was least interested to listen. I told him to make the girl break the marriage by hook or crook anyhow. He nodded and went to play his role of Arjun Mehera in front of that Radhika Mishra. If only I knew what I was going to do , would shatter my whole fantasy, I would never do such things. If only I saw the photo once, if only I listened my dad once; I spoiled what I wished for myself. If only I knew 'Chasini' was Radhika Mishra.

                                                                                                                                                        ....... To be contd

It is already almost 4k words. So I decided to divide this OS in two parts. I have no power to write 10k at once. I know its lengthy of description, but I felt that was needed.