She Has Gone (Met her Part 5)

Have you ever felt that someone's absence in your life makes you so uncomfortable.... the absence of a person you know goes away suddenly without informing you that I am going... Something like that happened to me and its killing me... Till yesterday i was normal but somehow now I am asking again and again to me "that why did she act like this?"

Yes! She has gone, yeah Radhika went back to India this friday and I came to know about it yesterday evening. I don't know why din't she tell me or did she tried.... It had been couple of days that she had called me. On friday i had seen her missed call after I came back to home after the cricket match I went. I called her back but her cell was switched off. She generally switches off her cell when she goes to bed so I assumed that it was already 9 and she might have gone to bed early that day. But i was surprised and worried when i called her cell and found it switched off next day. Yesterday I tracked down her office number from where I came to know that she had taken an emergecy leave and gone back home. What happened, i don't know... Why didn't she tell me... i don't know? i think she called me on friday to inform me that only... but to tell me what, i don't know? I hope something wrong has not happened because she was sad couple of days before also... Remember when i had invited her to my place.... I din't know whom to tell all this so I thought to write here...

I hope everything is fine.... But somehow i am missing her... even though we didn't talk daily or we know each other for long but she became a very good part of my life... and now when she has gone without saying a word, i think that was it.... Waise I am fine... Don't worry.... I know she will call me when she gets time.... I was not such a bad friend.... :)

9/11

Yesterday I watched MY Name is Khan.... Again one bollywood attempt to highlight the trauma of people, especially Muslims post 9/11 attack in U.S.A. It was a nice attempt but guys! its high time we stop this. So many movies still being made on the topic and taking the cover that you are passing the message of humanity to the world.

Its not that I am heartless guy who just don't realise what happened was very painful. But making money out of the story is more painful in my eyes. I mean guys, it happened in 2001 and now its 2010. Even US citizen have moved on and are working towards future but here we are still repeating the same old story. One muslim guy who is nice and showing the path of humanity... Some people who were ill treated because of the religion they believed, turn to the path of terror. Yes, we know it happenned and there were thousands of such cases. But that does not mean you take up every single story and make a movie on it. It is high time when we make movies which are for entertainment as well as have a message which people can carry back with them. Next time when something practically happens in their life they relate to the movie and work accordingly. We seriously need directors who are thoughtful.

I also want to add that all religion be it Hinduism, Islamism, Christianity or any other, everyone teaches us to love and stay together. It is natural that you never distinguish people based on religion.

Lets do a practical test, look around the people you know. Or take your own example, do you distinguish people based on the religion. I never did and i don't think people around me ever did that to me, that too when I am working in a country which an Islamic Nation. Its the situations which leads people to think on that level that he was a muslim and he did it. We always hear India & Pakistan rivalry but in Pakistan they drink water from Sutlej which flows in from India. Have someone ever said i won't drink water from that river as it flows from India. When nature didn't divide us who are we to divide and discriminate.

I hear people saying that Islam teaches people to capture other religions. I am very astonished because I don't think, they have ever read Holy Quran. "Jehad" a word being used by people to cover terrorism never meant to destroy all religion. Jehad means freedom, Freedom from evil thoughts, freedom from bad company, freedom from all ill activities, it never meant that Islam is tied and they need to make Islam free. Same is taught to us in vedas that your soul should be pure and free from ill thoughts. Holy Bible teaches to be happy, and make people happy. I go to church, and I have never heard any priest saying that don't help people who are not Christians. Sikhism is another religion which has a history of fighting for Hindus.

In the end I pray for all the souls that have been lost due to the terror activities around the world. And atleast we all should not change a point of view for a person if something happens around us.

The Unplanned Date (Met Her Part 4)

I had avoided to meet Radhika on the V-Day just to avoid that she doesn't feel i am trying to be romantic...... Well it seems God had something planned for me..... Yeah! something happenned.... Arey!!! I am writing... If you won't be told whom i will tell....

It had been couple of days now that i din't call her. So yesterday evening I gave her a ring. "Haylo, Wass up?" I asked.

And the reply did not sound the way i expected... It came in a very low tone... "Oh! Hi... I am fine... How r u?" (she sounded very sad)

"I am fine but you don't sound very fine... What happened?" i enquired.

She denied "No, Nothing. i am fine. So wass up?"

I replied "Nothing special here, See you really seem very low. If you dunno wanna share its fine. lets go out somewhere. It will change your mood."

"No.. Thank you. I think i will stay back at home."

I thought its better to end the conversation as she din't seem to be in mood at all.

So I answered "Okay Then, you take rest. but if you really feel lonely, gimme a call."

She said "thanks. i will defenitely call."

I went back home and cleaned my room when Avinash came and knocked my door. He had got a copy of My Name is Khan and the print was super. Then he went to his room. I was also pretty excited to get the copy so i connected the portable projecter to my PC. (I have got one small projecter for me as it combines very best with my 5.1 speakers and gives me the theatre effect. That means i have personal theatre in my room.)

As i sat on my bean bag my phone rang. It was radhika calling.

I answered the call "hi!" She still sounded low "Are you free? Can we go out? I hope you are not doing anything?"

I replied "Hey! No problem. Where do you wanna go?"

She said "I don't know. Just wanna change my mood. Maybe some movie.."

I don't know what i was thinking when I asked her "Would you like to see a private screening of MNIK at my place?"

"What? you got a copy of that. But we planned it to watch in theatre?? how can u watch it at home?" She questioned

"I promise you won't feel that you r not in theatre...." i answered.

There was a silence for few momment. "OKay! Where should I come?" she enquired.

I gave her the directions to the nearest landmark to my place. And then i got up to clear the mess in my room. Went to nearby grocerry and got some juice and chips. Now only thing i was thinking was how to get her in to my room. I didn't tell you that we live in bacheors accomadation. Secondly the caretaker of all our accomadation stays in room just above mine. So if by any chance he sees a girl with me coming to my room, that news will be directly hitting the notice boards of our office. Then i remembered the proverb, a friend in need is the friend indeed. Took my cell and called Avi. Told him the matter and told him the whole story. And he was supportive. Somehow friends are always supportive when you are doing things which are very risky. I told him that I will give him a call and he should check if the area is clear an no one is in hallway so that we can rush directly towards the room. So the stage was set. All I had to do was to pick her from the location i told her to arrive, give a call to Avi when we reach near the villa and enter when we get green signal from avi.

Second problem was how she will react when she knows so much of drama was going to happen. Anyways the second problem was handled very well by me. I didn't tell what was going to happen.

She arrived and i waived her telling her to follow my car. Then when we were near the villa i called Avi. As i reached outside the villa avi called and informed the way was clear. I didn't lose a second anymore and before she could realise what was happening, i held her hand and hurried towards our villa. As i entered the gate she opened her mouth to enquire what was happpening when i signed her to keep her mouth shut. Half of the hallway was crossed we were on stairs. Avinash was standing outside his room at the end of stairways which is opposite to my room. As we both reached near his room, i heard voice from behind. Voice of Francis Uncle asking "Prasanth! you just reached from office?"

Next thing what happenned was a disaster. I pushed her into avinash's room and we both closed the door from outside and turned back. Uncle was standing below at the start of stairs. We replied "Yes Sir, just arrived. How r u?"

"I am fine. Chalo fir to take rest. Carry on." saying this he went to kitchen.

Phew! that was a close call. I opened my room and then directed Avi to open his so that she can walk in to mine. I could see her smiling with little embarrasment. As soon as i closed the door i heard her asking "What was dis all happening?"

I replied with a naughty smile "Yaar, i din't remembered that we live in bachelors accomadation when i invited you. Anyways now we are in. So shall we start the movie."

She looked around and said "Nice room. Yeah we can play it."

I dimmed the light and switched on the projector. She was impressed as she said this "So you have a private theatre. Hmmm.. Am impressed."

I smiled and played the movie. Then for next 2 hours 45 mins we din't speak at all. The movie was really nice. I could see her crying when Shah rukh's son died. Well she looked much more better than what she sounded when we spoke in evening. By the end of the movie we had eaten 1 big pkt of cheetos, 2 Veg sandwiches and I litre of orange juice and it was 10 PM now.

She got up from the bean bag and turned towards me saying "Thaaaaank You for the wonderful evening. So much of panga you took for me. You really are nice person. "

I replied smiling "why are friends for? So you are happy na. Mood changed..?"

She answered "Yeah!... had a bad day at work but now all is fine. Thanks to you"

"Hey! In friendship No thank You, No sorry. Okay?" I said.

"Okay! So i will leave. Its late already." she said looking at her watch.

"Yeah!...just a sec, lemme check outside." sying this I came out of my room. The field was clear, so we both silently came out and reached near her car. As she was sitting in her car she said that she will remember this evening. I smiled and waived her bye as she drove back to her home.

I turned around started walking to my room as the unplanned date came to an end.

Met her (Part 3)

Yaar i never knew that going out with a girl will create so much hulla in my life.... I mean yaar, instead of me getting excited to meet a girl the people around me are more excited..... How do you feel as you are passing in corridor and your colleagues look towards you with a sly smile and say "Aaye boss!!! Coffee shoffee haan.... Sahi hai sahi hai.... Mithai Kab khilwa rha hai?"Matlab if you meet a girl, can't she just be a friend...? In my case to everyone thinks its direct marriage....

All thanks to Avinash, my friend, villie (roomie for roommate so i made villie for villamate) who publicised this like the Tehelka Tape..... And seriously, friends on one side my cousins also.... Day before yesterday, i called Jithu and first things he asks "How is Radhika chechi?" I thought "saaley mera haal to koi poocho..." I replied ''OH! she is fine..... How about you?He said " I am fine... So how was the coffee....?"I was like "it was not me who made the coffee.. it was a coffee shop, it will be obviously nice...." And this is how everywhere it is going..... In chandigarh, rekha (my sister) has already purchased a dress to wear on my wedding.... And when she told me this, I was like ki ye ho kya rha hai yaar.... Abhi tak to maine kuch socha bhi nahi.....and yahan mera band baj gaya hai....

Neways leaving all this shor behind, I had given Radhika a ring.... We talked for around 15 minutes.... And it was GENERAL talk....
OKAY.... Please CIA agents mat bano.... She asked me if there is any plan for this weekend so i told her that I was going to see my 50th movie in Qatar if My Name is Khan releases this thursday..... And it was a CO-INCIDENCE that she is a fan of Shahrukh Khan and was pretty excited to accompany me to that movie.... I have agreed but I have not told Avinash till now.... GOD knows how will react on this.... Then also thought to inform you that IF the movie releases this thursday WE are going out again..... Till then you people take care.... details bataonga....

Met Her Again at the Coffee Table.... (Part 2)

Oh God!!!! What a day... What a day it was....

Yeah Yeah.. My date this weekend.... Can't be called a date but just a meeting..... That's better... Even I prefer remebering it that way... Ok... lemme share happened...

I Hope you remember the girl I met... First of all lemme tell you people who are doubting me that I am dreaming again.... This is a fact and a very surprising one that I really met a girl whose name is Radhika.... And that the the first thing which pulled me into talking to her... Maybe God had something planned and those were the signals..... And except the name nothing is common between the dream girl and the real radhika...

Ok... I will tell you what happenned last thursday.... It was 4 PM and I was still stuck in office... I knew that i will be in dat situation as I am always, So I had taken a T-Shirt with me to change and directly go to citycentre which was like 10 minutes drive from my office.... Well I made it a point that i should be a Gentleman and reach on time... And i reached at TCBY 10 minutes early itself....

Then I took out my cell phone and typed her a msg..."Hey... I am at TCBY... Waiting for you... :)"

Beep... Beep... I checked the sms which said "So am I... :)"

I started looking around to see if I can see her, when someone patted me on my shoulder from behind.... I turned around to find her standing behind me...

''Wow! You look great" was my first reaction. And really she looked great. Wearing a light blue coloured full sleeves kurta, her long black hair flowing from one side in a tidy way... Pakka indian girl.....

She smiled and replied "Thank You... How are you....?"

"I am fine.... Lets go in..... What will you have...?" I asked her as we entered the coffee house...

"Hmmm... We came to have coffee.... Right?" she replied with a naughty smile as we sat on couch.

"Yeah, but TCBY has around 36 kinds of Coffee... Which one will you like....?" saying this i handed over the menu card.

"Well, I will like a cappucino..." she replied.

I waived the waiter to come and take our order. As he arrived I ordered "One Cappucino for the lady and One black coffee." As i ordered i looked towards her and asked if she would like to eat something. She nodded saying No.

However I turned to the waiter and said "And two cookies. That will be all"

Waiter turned around and walked towards the counter. And i looked towards her saying "Have you tasted cookies from here? they are too good...''

She smiled and replied "I haven't but will taste them today. But how could you drink Black Coffee... Yuck."

I didn't expect that... But now I was in a fix... What should I say... "OH! Its Just like that... Nothing special. So... how did you reach here....?" saying this I tried to take conversation to another track.

"I drove... I have a car." she replied.

"Thats nice. You got a license here. Hats off yaar. Its really a tough job to get a drivers license here." said I.

"Yeah... I got lucky..." she said proudly.

In came the waiter with our order. I thought Why do they serve so fast...

"So here is our order. Taste a cookie." i offerred her the cookie.

She took a bite and chewing saying "Hmmm... they are tasty. You have a good taste in food."

"Thank you... Thank you... So you know whom to contact when you want to eat out." said I doing ground work for our next meeting.

She started laughing and said "Hahaha... You are making platform so we can meet again...."

"Arey.. Why would I do that? Do friends need to find reasons to meet?" I asked

"Friends... when did that happen?" she smiled naughtily as she sipped her coffee.

"Well... aren't we? OH! ok.. so lets begin it here from here onwards..." i said.

"hmmm... thats interesting. we can work on this." saying this she smiled.

"So that means Yes....? We are friends now?" I asked.

"hmmm... i din't say that" she replied with her usual naughty smile.

"So.. dat means No...? we are not?" i pushed again...

Now she blushed..."I didn't mean that.."

"Ok... leave it... for me you are a friend... and will be. You can decide later. Lets enjoy coffee...." saying this i took a bite of cookie....

She didn't reply and smiled which meant she liked it..... Then we started general talks like what she liked and what i like. We finished our coffee and i checked time in my watch. It said 7. We had not realised we were talking over 2 hours.

She said looking at her watch "Well I have to leave. Thanks for the coffee."

I replied "You are welcome. So when will we meet again?"

The answer was least expected by me which was "Probably next week. Call me in between. We can talk and decide." I paid the bill and then we walked out of the shop. We said goodbye and walked away.

As i reached my car, my phone rung.... the message beep. Message said "Thank you for the evening and I think I have found one good friend in this country."

I smiled and wrote back " You are welcome" and then I drove back to room. Thats all happened.

What were you thinking, we sang a song and ran around some trees.

LOL.... Anyways I will tell whatever happens ahead in our friendship.
And one more thing... She is just a FRIEND.... Please don't use too much of brains...

Met Her.... Part 1

Beep... Beep... My phone gave the message tone.... ",

"Ab kaun hai" saying this I picked up my phone.

It had been a busy day for me and i wanted to just sit back and relax. With all the day of running around, i swore to god that i won't even get out of my room.

I read the message ", Hi, How are you?" the number was new. I didn't know it was, but I was surprised to get a message from a local number, because i can't think of any person in this place who will be asking me that how am i?

Curious to know who will be that I replied ", I am fine, but sorry i don't have your number saved in my phonebook. who's dat side?"

Beep... Bee... the phone was in my hand and i didn't allow the beep to complete. I opened the message which as i read brought smile on face.",You won't b havin ma num, becoz i din't give. I tld u dat i vil contact myself."

I knew who it was. It was the same girl whom I met at the Doha Souq meeting. She as the event manager for a event organised by Doha Souq and my company was the sponsor. I had gone there on behalf of my company and there we met. I was impressed to find a mallu girl in such a profile and was really impressed the way she had planned the things for the event. We had struck a good conversation and we found our intrests and ideas very similar. When I was leaving, I casually asked if I can get her cell number as I had her office Landline number only. She smiled and replied that she has my and will contact me.

I replied ", Hey.. How r u? So can I save this number?"

Beep... ",I am fine... Yeah... Dats why I msgd... :)"

I replied ",Ok... So you finlly decided to gimme ur num.... Thanks..."

Beep... beep.... ", Its not like dat, I wanted to giv it in morning itself but jst njoiid ur expression wen i din't giv u d num. but u wer sweet. din't get annoyed."

"Oh! dats a compliment... So would u like to hav a coffee with a sweet person." i typed it and thought for a sec before pressing Send button.

No reply.... i looked at the clock.... it is 5 min more.... I thought ", I should not have asked her out... Messed up all the things....." Cursing me i switched off the lights and lied down on the bed thinking dat now I won't be messaging her again.

Beep... Beeep.... ",Kool, 2maro at TCBY, citycentre at 5 PM... :) Gudnite... See ya" said the message.

I cudn't stop smiling as I replied ",Ok. See ya...." So I have a date this weekend.... I had forgotten all the stress i had for the day....

About the date I will tell you the detail when i get back. Till then... Its me signin offf.... Byeee....

(Psst: OH! by the way, I din't mention her name. Her name is Radhika )