UBC Day 8 - Coping up - 7

This post is part my story for UBC. Continued from UBC Day 7 - Accident - Part 6

Next ten days went by in trying to cope up with the sudden tragedy. They bought her dad home after five days and hired a nurse to take care. Priya managed to speak to Nitin and he promised to come down at the end of her trip.

Priya had extended her holidays by another ten days. One evening her mother came down to her room to talk to her. She was of opinion that Priya shouldn’t go back. Priya understood that it was coming from a lot of pain nd she just didn’t want any distance. After consoling her, Priya continued with her schedule.

Finally the days of blues were over. Nitin was supposed to arrive. Priya and Deepti decided to meet up for a drink and then go to the airport to pick up.

Thus, they met earlier than usual. Taking a sip of her wine, Priya sighed. Last few days had taken a toll. She couldn't believe it was just two weeks ago, when two girls sat and discussed their lives. Recalling her conversation from the last time, Priya nudged Deepti out of her thoughts.

“What happened to the proposal?” Priya asked.

Coming out of her thoughts, she took a deep breath. “I have said yes”

“Priya jumped out of her seat. “Are you serious? Wow. This is great news.” Sobering down at visibly lack of excitement on Deepti’s part, she continued in a smaller voice, “But are you happy?”

“I don’t know Priya. I think you were right. I am just stuck. I don’t know him yet, but I guess it will be okay.” Deepti replied.

“Don’t worry.” Priya consoled, sounding surer than she felt.

After a few minutes of silence that had spread between them, Deepti slowly spoke “I’ll miss you. I wish you stayed back. You know your parents get so lonely in absence of both of you. Your brother at his ship, he doesn’t even know about all that happened here.” Priya didn’t reply. She knew that Deepti’s words had some reality. She thought of her mother’s words.

Concluding their evening at the pub, the girls left for the airport to pick up Nitin.

                              -------------------------------------

What will be next? Will Priya ever fully cope up? Read more on part 8.

UBC Day 7 - Accident - 6

This story is continued from UBC Day 5 - Catching up - 5

------------------------

Deepti and Priya rushed to the Sadar Bazar government hospital. The world had dazed in front of Priya’s eyes.

The hospital was a mess. Crying, wailing men, women and children were everywhere. The reception counter was full of people with questions. There were journalists, camera and police.

Priya and Deepti searched for Mr. Khan who had called her to police station. “I found his phone and wallet in this bag. We want you to go and meet him at room number 125 on first floor.” Mr. Khan said handing over her dad’s belonging to Priya.

Priya let out a cry. Consoling her he said, “You should be relieved. He is still alive.”

In room number 125 there were doctors consulting over a serious matter. One of them looked up from the board and looked at Priya. “I am his daughter.” Priya replied.

“Ok. Well, he has some internal injuries and he has lost a leg but mainly his body is paralyzed due to shock. We have spoken to Trauma Centre at AIIMS. We will transfer him there in morning” Doctor gave a full account of her father’s health.

“Let him sleep now, you can come back in morning. Be here before eight.” A junior doctor continued.

Priya walked up to the bed. There lied her dad. Still under sedation, he slept as if nothing had happened. Doctors had cleaned his smaller wounds and had already operated on his leg which lay perfectly hidden under the sheet.

Once home Priya switched on the television. She sat there listening to the news and consoling her mother. In serial bomb blasts in Chandni Chowk, there were over 20 dead and more than 80 injured. Death toll could go up, it said.

It seemed so unfair, so rude. She called up Nitin. It must be early morning in Singapore, phone went unanswered.

Tired and deeply hurt, Priya put her mother to her bed and went to sleep. She had to be at the hospital in morning.

In her dream, everything was perfect. She was back in Singapore. Nitin and Priya were married. Her parents had come to visit them and she was lovingly taking them to Singapore flyer.

Shrill voice of her alarm woke her up out of her dream. She switched it off and stretched. Reality dawned upon her. She was home. Her father was at hospital. There was still no news from Nitin.

She sent a text to Nitin to call her back as soon as possible and got up to get ready.

                                           -------------------------------

How is this going to change Priya's life? Will everything will be normal for her once again? Stay tuned for more on Day 7.

UBC Day 5 - Catching up - 5

Continuing from Acquaintances - 4

------------------------

One and half year ago – “Where are you lost? And will you tell something more about your smile?” Deepti prompted, shaking Priya out of her trance.

Priya sighed. She had completely forgotten about Deepti. She politely denied.

But Deepti had now sensed something and she insisted. How could Priya deny her best friend?

She gave her a full account of her relationship. She told how she met Nitin at a party through a common friend. They were dating for about a year now and she had recently moved in with him. He was coming to India at the end of her twenty days breaks to speak to her parents.

“So will you permanently live in Singapore now?” Deepti sadly said, forgetting her own problems.

Priya solemnly nodded. Deepti continued, “But what about Sushant? I thought you guys had something? Why didn’t you tell me anything about Nitin?”

“Sushant is just a friend! Deepti. I am sorry dear but I didn’t tell anyone about it till I wasn’t sure.” Priya explained back.

Suddenly guilty, Priya changed the topic. She continued, “We are here to discuss Harsh and not my boyfriend. Will you please tell me more or shall I finish my mojito and call for check?”

“There is nothing much to discuss about Harsh. My aunt told my mother about him and she met his parents. She liked him and wants me to marry him. I have told her that I am not interested but she just doesn’t understand.” Deepti explained it all in one go.

“Why aren’t you interested Deepti? Is it Harsh or you are still stuck upon your ex?” Priya asked.

“Harsh is somewhat different. He has some ego it seems. I might be somewhat stuck but I am not discounting Harsh for nothing. I know how to put my past behind but Harsh just doesn’t seem the right choice.”

“Who does then?” Priya asked. “You haven’t met or gone out with anyone in last six months. Aunty was telling that Harsh is the third proposal. Deepti let me tell you, you might be just looking for excuse.” She continued.

“Let it be. I don’t want to talk about” Deepti said and got up.

They paid the bill and left. Somewhere on the way back, they agreed that it was a good evening and they should do it next week too.

They were just blocks away from their homes when Priya’s phone started ringing.

“Hello Dad! Yes. Yes. What? I will be right there…”Priya answered to the voice in the phone, tears rolling down her cheeks.”

------------------------

What happened? What was the reason behind Priya's tears? Want to know more about girls? Coming up on Day 6.

UBC Day 4 - Acquaintances - 4

This story is continued from Friendship beyond boundaries - 3

-------------------------



Two years ago - It was a usual Saturday morning. Priya had woken up later than usual. The night before, her office had thrown a party for someone’s accomplishments and she had had too many cocktails. Half past two she had managed to get in her bed and had slept like a log.

She stumbled out of her bed and went in search of her phone and a water bottle. She found latter first, next to her bed and then found her phone in her purse near her main door.

There were seven missed calls, two from the cleaning lady whom she called twice a month, one from her dad and four from an unknown number. Before she could respond to any, the phone rang again and this time it was the same unknown number.

“Hello!” she answered as she yawned.

“Hi Priya, this is Sushant this side.” The voice replied back leaving Priya to scan the hard disk of her brain and search for the keywords. However, no matches were found.

Realizing that she still didn’t know, the voice continued, “Your parents gave me your number. Our fathers are colleagues. Two days ago, I had gone to your house for dinner, there your mother told me that you have been living in Singapore for over an year and I could ask your help in order to find my accommodation.”

“Mmmm…” Priya tried to register all that he had just said. First, she needed to deal with her parents. “Oh God! These acquaintances, why do they shift if they can’t manage?” Priya thought to herself and found her temper rising.

Composing herself she asked him for some time to call back and proceeded to get a coffee for her throbbing head while she dialled her home and put it on speaker.

After 10 minutes of shouting and shouting back, Priya had finally reluctantly agreed to help this man. A cup of strong coffee and she had composed herself enough to call him back. On a quick call, she agreed to meet him over lunch and give him some leads.

Sushant turned out to be a better man than she expected. They had a long lunch and she was surprised at his mannerism and knowledge. Bought up at convent, graduated from a top college in the nation, Sushant had even managed to get a post-graduation from Yale. Working with an American bank, he had recently re-located from his last base, New Jersey. He was much older than she expected.

Next day she showed him around the town, and agreed to come with him to help him finalize and set a house. Three weeks later, they managed to move him into an apartment close to his office.

------------------

Does Sushant live up to Priya's renewed expectation? Get to know more of Priya's life on Day 5.

UBC Day 3 - Friendship beyond boundaries - 3

This story is continued from Exams, Work and Relationship.

-------------------------------

One and half year ago - Priya had come back for a holiday from Singapore. And as usual, as soon as she freshened up, she went to meet Deepti’s mother. It was then she learned of Deepti’s breakup, emotional withdrawal and proposal for Deepti’s marriage.

She realized with guilt that she was so caught up in her own problems that she never thought about Deepti ever since she had once told her about her relationship with her office colleague. She resolved to sit with her as soon as she could and catch up for the year when she had not seen her best friend. Of course she also had so much to tell on her account too...

That was the first Wednesday when Priya went out for drinks with Deepti. They had caught up on life, work, family and relationships.

On that evening Deepti gave her a full account of her brief affair, little time that she spent mourning, her results and her new marriage proposal from Harsh.

“So what’s the problem with this proposal?” Priya quipped while munching nachos. That is the best thing about best friends, no matter how much time; they bounce back to normality as soon as they meet.

“Problem is my dear, as you like to say it, that most often the hottest ones are jerks” Deepti said with a sigh.

Priya thought about her own life and thought how that saying had proven wrong. She fondly thought of someone who was waiting for her to finish her holidays and return back to the condo that they both shared.

----------------------------



Waiting for more stories and gossips from the girls? Coming up tomorrow...

UBC Day 2 - Exams, work and relationships - Part 2

Here comes the Day 2 of UBC. Continuing my story from Cocktails and Gossips - 1

------------------------

Three years ago – On exceptionally late Morning, or so Deepti liked to think she rushed out of her house after shouting goodbye to her mother. Only to return back in two minutes, to fetch her forgotten folder for the meeting.

Deepti had finished her graduation last year and no matter how much she wanted to study further, she loved the idea of being independent. So she had taken up a job during her campus placement, much against her mother’s wishes and started to work as financial analyst. Meanwhile, she decided to study CFA exams.

With Priya in Singapore, Deepti didn’t really have any friends whom she could call close. However, she didn’t even have time for that. Between a nasty boss, a demanding job and never ending course of her CFA exams, her life was more than full.

It was third week of April, a day when her results were supposed to be out. Thinking about her results, as soon as she stepped into office, her boss pointed out that she was late yet again.

Apart from a little squinty look from her boss, her day went exceptionally well until Four PM. She was busy with her file, eyes half popped out in concentration when phone beeped. There it was. Her CFA result. Mustering up guts, she opened the mail. And before she knew it, a tear rolled down her cheek.

She had not made it through the level two for the second time.

Before she had time to stop those tears or wipe them out, he walked by and asking for her result. He cut himself short, when he saw her teary cheeks.

“I cleared mine” his enthusiasm died by now. However, it couldn’t stop another tear rolling down her cheek.

“Hey, please don’t cry. Please, it’s ok! You gave your best shot, didn’t you” he tried to console her in the softest possible voice.

Deepti was more annoyed than depressed. She was annoyed at herself, at her result, at her mother who insisted that she had studied enough, at this guy trying to console her and at his goddamn good looks.

“Let’s go for a coffee” he said. “Why? To celebrate my failure?” she retorted. “No, just so that you feel a little better” he nudged, taking her out for coffee.

Next morning, Deepti gave a full account of his looks, manners and coffee to Priya on phone.

Deepti soon found herself in love with the man she had begun to date after a coffee. However, three months later he suddenly found rekindled love for his long gone girl-friend and it was over.

Deepti thought of Priya’s expression and wondered “Why these crazy ones have to be the hottest ones in the crowd?”

She vowed herself to not get emotional ever again and continued with her daily affair. All went smooth (even her fight with her exams, which she managed to clear at third attempt) till her mother one day bought up the topic of marriage.

------------------

Did Deepti get married to someone her mother wanted? Was she really over her short term relationship? What is in store for her? Read more at Day 3 of UBC.

UBC Day 1 - Cocktails and Gossips - Part 1

“Why these crazy ones have to be the hottest ones in the crowd?” Priya wondered out loud while taking a sip of her extra-large Mojito.

It was Wednesday, and like every Wednesday the pub offered free cocktails for women. These drinks had less alcohol and more ice, which exactly suited Priya and her gang.

Four of them, no matter how busy, if they were in Delhi, took out time every Wednesday to drink free cocktails and consume some expensive gossip.

Today however, only three of them were there. They sat there and mulled over Deepti’s struggle with her relationship due to which she couldn’t make it to her Wednesday outing today.

Before anyone could respond, Priya kept her glass back while announcing, “I think Deepti should move out, after all she has a life, doesn’t she?”

“Priya, it is easy to say it when one knows where to go after moving out. We all know Deepti has nowhere.”Shriya responded in almost same tone.

“What do you mean, nowhere? She has us, she has her mother and she has her own old house damn!”

“Girls calm down, it’s her choice.” Ritika tried to calm both of them down before they started off again.

“Hmm…” backed of Priya, suddenly thinking of her good old days before her best friend got into this relationship.

Deepti and Priya were neighbors and friends for as long as she remembered. They went to the same school and same college. Only separating when Priya decided to move abroad to pursue her post-graduation.

It was during this time when Deepti called her and told her about this new guy in her office. At early hours of a Sunday Morning she had woken up to excited voice of Deepti on phone while she went on and on about the guy who was so handsome and had asked her out for coffee, obviously forgetting the time difference between the two countries, which had annoyed the man next to her.

“No Priya, you are not supposed to think about it” she mentally scolded herself and gulped down the rest of the drink to drown the painful memories.

-----------------------

What will happen of Deepti? What are the memories that Priya is trying to shut herself to? Want to know more, stay tuned. Next part of this story will be up tomorrow as Day 2 of the UBC.

Little (long) note of goals, achievements and awards

A new Ultimate Blogging Challenge begins today. 31 days, 31 post, one post each day… it took me quite a self-motivation to sign up for it. I remembered July and the nightmare of searching through topics, words and many times time and battery in my phone to do so. However, a round of conversation with my blogger friend Richa and I managed to sign up.

For last couple of days of September, I have been thinking about writing little achievements and goals.

For starters, somewhere in August I challenged myself to write 30 book reviews in 30 days. Though, the 30 days turned out to be 50 but with help of many fellow bloggers, I completed my last post yesterday.

September also bought me two little awards from my blogger friends.

First was Liebster Award shared by Meera of A Rat’s nibble. While sharing her award she asked certain questions…the answers to which go here –

1. What is the best word to describe you?

Talkative

2. Tell me your wildest fantasy.

To sit at northpole

3. What scares you the most?

Lizards

4. What is the best trick you think you have done to impress your crush but turned the other way?

I tried to draw attention by dropping the pen, but the teacher caught thinking I was cheating. It was a mess.

5. One ingredient for happiness.

Smile and let go.

Second award came from Ashish of My umpteen thoughts which was a Creative Blogger Award. I am frankly humbled to be sharing this, because if I ever have to describe my blog, creative will be the last word out of my vocab.

However, I’d love to share these awards with a few blogger friends.

Liebster Award – Preethi of A bit of this and that

Creative blogger Award – Richa Vikas Agrawal of The philospher’s stone and Nabanita of Random Thoughts

Moving on… I am sort of happy that I achieved my target of writing 30 post a month in September and reaching out to a target number of audience. Also, my first ever attempt on poem was appreciated, which made me really happy. Moreover, I resolved to start blogging for cause and encouraging others to do so. I hope I will get to read more posts on the same soon.

I am taking a little more pledge and moving on to explore the fiction writer in me. Starting today, I will write a story (how long I still don’t know) as part of UBC. I will need all the support for this story, and I hope you like it.

For my friends who share my awards… please take out time to answer my little questionnaire.

1. Describe why you blog in one sentence?

2. One place that you want to visit the most?

3. Which color defines you the best?

4. What is one thing that can cheer you up on a blue day?

P.S. This isn't my UBC post. It is just a mark of another begining. More like talking to myself and my friends here. Do come back to read the first post of UBC later today.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… and I could no longer hear the crowd that was cheering. I wanted to believe that I was fine, but the sound of people wishing New Year to their loved ones was fading. I felt as if I was drowning. Slowly, slowly everything seemed distant.

I was alone, really alone. I was no longer excited. I was scared. I began to cry. I wanted to scream but no words came out. Instead came out a muffling sound. I finally heard an ambulance before I drifted off to a deep sleep.

                                                ----------------------------------------

It was New Year’s 2010. It was my first new years away from my family. I had managed to convince my parents and left for Goa with my buddies on 28th morning. Next four days were going to be the best holiday ever of my life.

Next two days were full of unlimited drinks, music and dance. Goa was amazing. Beaches, great weather, amazing crowd, larger than life parties, all that a small town guy like me had seen for the first time.

Finally it was the New Year’s Eve. We all wanted to do something bigger, something better, something different than the parties that we were attending for last two nights. My friend found out that the best party in entire Goa is at a private beach of a business tycoon, but the entry is strictly by invites.

Driven by the adrenaline rush, we vowed to gate crash. We dressed up well, and reached the venue. After twenty minutes my friend managed to get us an entry by convincing one of the bouncers.

Inside was a party that we had never ever imagined. Everything was on house. The “Who’s who” of the Bollywood and corporate world were there. Page three media representatives, photographers, skilled bartenders, five star caterers… think and they were there.

We were having a great time. It was 15 minutes left to New Year’s when someone offered us a smoke. I took a drag and realized it was not a cigarette. I thought of returning it back but yeah! It was New Years. My friends encouraged and tried a drag each. I smoked off rest of the joint in style.

Soon after that someone took me to a corner where several people were bent on a table. It was exciting. I was handed a roll and encouraged to bend down and inhale. As the DJ began the countdown 10, 9…. I bent down. 8, 7, 6… I inhaled and got up. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!!

                                                         -----------------------------

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

This post is written to highlight increasing availability and usage of party drugs. (Photo source - Google)

100 word fictions - coloured stories

When I saw her she was going red with heat and rage. Shouting in the support of labor union she stood with in front of a crowd of 1000 grey uniformed workers.

I feared the next step as they burnt down the blue flag of the company.

Being the head of white collar employees as I stepped in front of them, the crowd rushed ahead. I tried to duck behind my black SUV but one wave of her hand hushed the crowd.

I stood there mesmerized, for my daughter at such young age stood against her own father’s ill deeds.

************************************

He was blue with cold. Gritting his teeth, he knocked against the glass. In his hand was small pink doll. My daughter shrieked as soon as she saw it. She wanted it in no time. Looking at tears in her pretty green eyes I couldn’t say no to buy.

As soon as I stepped in front out, she shouted from behind, “dad, my doll has a red button”

“What is with you shouting all the time?” I turned while shouting back to look at her as she pressed the button.

A blast sound and everything turned into black smoke.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

---

Food for Soul

I had been desperate. Over three weeks in village and my book finished long ago. The remote villages had the highest rate of illiteracy in the country, thus let alone a book story, there wasn’t a stationary in about 8 km radius. Last week I spoke to my mother for hours. It is surprising that the mobile phone networks have reached where schools couldn’t.

Yesterday I rode to the post office to check for my office mails and parcels. There was one from my mother. It contained three hard bound books. I got my food for soul. Love you Mom.

****************

She had been working in my house for over a year. A little over 15, her main job was to hang around and take care of my niece. Each time I went home I saw her looking at me with her inquisitive eyes. I often wondered if they had some request.

Late one night, I was thirsty and I stepped into kitchen for water. The lights were on already, and there she was, sitting with an open book, reading out loud as she tried to pronounce each English word, slowly rocking as she read, feeding herself on food for soul.

The two short posts are written for 100 words on Saturday by Write Tribe and the prompt was "Food for Soul".

P.S. Have you dropped by at my ongoing project 30 days 30 books?

Midnight phone call

At the stroke of Midnight my phone rang. The voice on the phone sang, “Happy Birthday to you…” the voice was so sweet that I couldn’t bring myself to say that it was a wrong number.

It was only when I replied after her song got over she realized that she had got the wrong number.

She was the girl in my class who was wanted to wish birthday to her best friend and accidently dialed my number.