by Anuj Tiwari
‘Okay, my cellphone’s been acting weird lately,’ Arjun says. ‘So what’s going on with you these days?’ he asks, trying to lighten up the mood.
Ved is about to say something, but he suddenly stops.
‘Nothing. I need to take a shower.’ Ved searches through his notes from the heap of books. He continues, ‘Arjun, call Anushka. She told me to inform you to call her.’
‘Okay,’ Arjun says and walks away.
Ved answers his ringing cellphone. ‘Hello!’
‘Hey, how are you?’ Angira asks, while Ved is still struggling to wrap his head around the concept of Demand and Supply, and its elasticity factor ‘e’.
He says cheerfully, ‘I am good, how’s your college going? You must have gotten used to the morning schedule by now.’ Ved keeps the pencil in between the book and closes it.
‘Yes, it’s alright, so many new things to learn. I’m quite busy actually. One of my aunties has even asked me to tailor things for her,’ says Angira.
She continues, ‘Well, you say, how are your exams going? Today must be your last one, right? I didn’t call you all this while because I figured you’d be busy studying.’
‘So far, I’ll be able to pass the exams. Your advice is definitely working. It has helped me like a straw helps a drowning man. By the way these aren’t exams, they are sessional tests and tomorrow there is one more surprise test.’ Ved gets up and goes to the corner of the room where he keeps his football and other stuff.
He looks out of the window. He takes the football in his hand and spins it on one finger.
‘Are you serious?’ she is surprised. ‘I can’t believe you are using those tricks. I was joking.’
Without wavering, Ved answers, ‘Yes, I need to pass these exams, otherwise I won’t be able to go for team selection in Kolkata next month. I have to pass them anyhow.’
‘Okay, you’ll pass don’t worry,’ Angira assures him. ‘Ved, I have a question for you.’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Why are you doing an MBA when football means the world to you?’ She asks something that Ved has never discussed with anyone.
‘Everybody wants to be an employed citizen in this country of unemployment,’ he answers, hoping to change the topic.
‘No, I mean seriously, why?’ Angira asks again, her voice reflecting her determination.
‘I’ll tell you everything someday. It is a long story.’
‘I don’t understand one thing. We have a population of 1.3 billion and it’s still increasing. Then why don’t we have a good national football team?’ she asks the million dollar question.
‘That is something only our Prime Minister can answer. Games like cricket get all the exposure, though I like cricket too. I am hoping one day we’ll be representing India in the FIFA World Cup.’
He believes that success comes to those who start from the scratch and before he closes his eyes forever, he wants to play for India at an international level.
‘Well, after my exams I have to go shopping for some shirts and other football stuff. So if you are free next weekend, I’d like to tell you more about my fabulous life as a footballer,’ he says, clearly wanting to meet her.
He is not looking for romance but wants to meet someone he can share his feelings with. He is attracted to her and gets a positive vibe from her.
‘Not sure. I’d like to meet but I need to check if my roommate Charu can join us,’ Angira says.
‘You ask your roommate for everything?’ Ved jeers.
Suddenly he hears a second phone call from Angira’s side.
‘Mom is calling, will catch you later. Bye. See you,’ she says and disconnects the call.
Ved takes a deep breath and awaits Angira’s reply about meeting with him.
Not an Official Date
Finally, the day Ved and Angira are to meet arrives. He plans on asking her to meet him at Bandstand. With the raging sea on one side and the glamorous Bandra on the other, it is the ideal place for a romance like theirs to bloom. But he must first consider if she would like to meet at such a place. Would she prefer a coffee shop by the sea or is there another place which is perhaps more convenient for her? Having taken his time to consider everything, he asks her to come to Juhu beach where they could enjoy a walk on the beach, take in the sea breeze and really get to know each other. Perhaps later she could help him shop for clothes in Bandra.
The next morning Ved shoots a text to Angira, inviting her to the beach. While he is excited at the prospect of meeting her, a part of him is also on the edge. He has not been on a date since college and though he understands this is not a date, he knows there is a possibility of things moving beyond the phase of being just friends.
Ved chooses his clothes meticulously. He wears his favourite white cotton shirt. It fits his sculpted sporty physique well. He wears this shirt at events which are important, teaming it up with a blue blazer. Today, however, knowing it will be a fairly hot and humid evening, he chooses to ditch the blazer. He opens the top button of his shirt—an effect which gives a little peek at his well-built, muscular chest.
He has a light stubble which gives him a rugged look. Ved is a little conscious knowing that Angira is from the northern part of India and perhaps expects a little more from the boys she chooses to meet. He is not sure he wants to impress her, but he surely wants to look as good as he does in his Whatsapp photo.
He calls Angira. ‘Are you coming?’
‘Hey, I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. I am stuck with some work and it will take some time. Can we meet next weekend? I was just about to call you, but I completely forgot. I am with Charu. I’ll call you once I reach home,’ she says looking at Charu, who is buying some household items. Charu stares at her, curious to know who she was talking to.
Ved walks out of his room sluggishly and replies, ‘No worries. Have fun.’
He does not express any anger towards her for not telling him about her plans earlier.
Rather sad, Ved walks into his room, hoping to avoid unnecessary questions from Arjun.
‘Hey, are you going somewhere?’ Arjun asks while entering his room.
‘No, was just going for shopping with friends. Do you want to come?’ Ved asks him.
‘No, carry on. Wait, I’ve got something for you,’ Arjun says, handing him an envelope. Ved absentmindedly takes the envelope from his hand but doesn’t open it.
‘What is this?’ Ved assumes it’s a letter regarding his team selection process for Kolkata.
‘Don’t know. Open it. I just received it from the guard downstairs,’ Arjun says. Ved tears the envelope evenly from one side, excited to read the contents of the letter.
To,
Mr Ved Gulati,
Date: 22 June 2015
Subject: Letter for property transfer
Dear Mr Ved Gulati,
I am hereby writing this letter in continuation to our discussion regarding the property of Late Shri Devdatta Gulati. On completion of the formalities pertaining to the transfer of rights, the court hereby transfers the rights to the property on your name in all respects.
A tear drops on the letter. Ved wipes his eyes. Arjun gets worried and takes the letter from his hand.
‘What happened? What is this, Ved?’ he asks handing back the letter to him.
‘Now I can find a good guy for my sister,’ he says.
His priority is getting his little sister married and he is happy that he can finally make it happen.
‘There was some property issue since the past few years that I had told you about. My uncle took everything when my grandmother passed away. But finally the court has resolved the issue and we got our rightful part of the property. Now everything will be fine.’
‘That’s such great news!’ Arjun pats Ved on his back and they hug each other.
‘Dude, don’t cry, it’s good news. I am happy for you,’ says Arjun.
Ved’s phone rings.
‘Your phone. It’s ringing,’ Arjun s
ays.
He takes his cellphone from his pocket and comes out in the hall to answer the call. Once the call ends, he rushes back to the room. He sprays some perfume, sets his hair again and dashes back to the hall.
‘Arjun, see you in the evening. We can party once I am back!’
Arjun reads the letter that Ved left on his bed. That reminds him of the days when he and his family had to face the worst after his grandfather gave nothing to his family and both his uncles took everything. He wouldn’t wish the same on anyone else and is glad that Ved and his family got out of that situation.
There are no words to express Ved’s happiness today. He calls her while taking an autorickshaw to Juhu.
‘I knew you were coming.’
‘No, I wasn’t. Charu and I had to buy some stuff,’ Angira says.
‘Okay, you could have bought them with me,’ he replies.
‘It was some personal stuff.’
‘Okay,’ Ved does not probe further.
‘Actually we had to get some groceries from the supermarket. Now I am reaching home and will leave for Juhu beach in a bit. At what time will you be reaching?’
‘I will reach in about fifty to fifty-five minutes,’ he says.
Ved knows girls take some time even if they are ready. So he adds fifteen minutes to give her that extra breathing space.
‘Are you coming from Mars?’
‘No, that takes more time than what is expected here,’ he answers.
‘Shut up.’
‘So are you excited?’ he asks.
‘Excited for what? Dude, I am not coming for a date, I am coming to help you. Who knows, when you become a famous player someday, I can tell people that I helped you shop,’ Angira says.
Ved is happy that she dropped a hint of a long-term friendship blossoming between them.
‘So are you being selfish?’ he asks her.
‘Of course,’ she mocks him.
‘This is going to be a good day,’ he says. ‘Okay, so leave soon and give me a call once you reach.’
‘Sure.’
‘Okay, bye.’
Once the call ends, he texts her on WhatsApp.
This is going to sound very filmy, but I must say you are lucky for me.
Glad to hear that.
But what’s the reason for this compliment?
Will tell you once we meet.
Come soon.
‘Why do we text someone when we have just finished talking to them? Is this a sign of affection? Or is it just infatuation which will vanish in a few weeks?’ Ved’s mind is full of questions to which he can never find the answers.
And so It Begins
Angira is waiting for the metro at the D. N. Nagar metro station. She softly pinches her cheeks to make them blush. She boards the train and takes a seat. On hearing the announcement for the desired station, she walks out of the metro exit to take an auto to Juhu Beach. As July is here, monsoons have begun full-swing in Mumbai. The sky is cloudy and dark. While she is concerned about the impending illness if she were to get wet, for once she chooses to enjoy the weather instead of cursing herself for not bringing an umbrella.
It being a weekend, the beach is crowded. People are enjoying the weather, relaxing and spending time with their loved ones. Usually, Angira comes to this place for a walk whenever she feels like spending some time alone. She shares a special bond with nature and feels elated when the waves touch her feet. She loves getting wet in the rain, so part of her is glad that she forgot to carry an umbrella today. The simple joys of life. When she gets to the beach she doesn’t even care if Ved is coming to meet her. She walks on the promenade along the sea from one end to the other. The air is so refreshing and pleasant.
Her phone rings. It’s Ved.
‘Hey, I reached fifteen minutes ago. Where are you?’
‘I am just reaching in five minutes, in an auto right now,’ Ved says. Angira can easily hear the roadside noise.
Ved has already brought chocolates for Angira. This is something he has learnt from Arjun. If one is late, chocolates always seem to pacify them, especially girls because they generally hate to be kept waiting.
‘Does this always happen or are you intentionally late today?’ Angira sneers at him.
‘I’d like to ask you this question someday when you’re stuck in traffic,’ he says.
‘Okay, I rest my case. Sometimes you get so serious,’ she says.
Ved was not stuck anywhere in traffic. He got late while buying chocolates for her.
‘Sometimes it’s good to lie as long as you don’t get caught,’ Ved thinks as the autorickshaw reaches Juhu beach.
After sundown, everyone seems to head for the beach to get some fresh air. The sea inadvertently becomes a passive listener to people walking along the beach. A long walk along the beach helps one reflect on all that life has thrown at them. Many people just sit along the way and relax. Kids are enjoying playing in the sand.
Angira comes here to observe people. It inspires her work in fashion. She watches their expressions, how they interact with each other, their response to the endless sea before them; it helps her derive some creative ideas which eventually translate into her designs.
Ved reaches and pays the autorickshaw driver.
He pauses to thinks about some significant moments he has spent at this very spot. In an otherwise hectic life, this place provides him some much-needed solace. He looks far into the sea, and then in a split second, it starts to rain. He runs towards the famous Pav Bhaji counters near the promenade.
Once under the shop’s roof, he calls Angira. ‘Hey, it’s raining…’
Before he can say anything else, she says, ‘Yeah, it’s raining. Have you reached or still on the way?’
Her voice indicates that she is rushing to find some shelter from the rain.
‘I have reached. I am standing here at the first pav bhaji counter when you enter the beach. Can you come here? We can wait here till it stops raining. I don’t have an umbrella.’
‘Sure, even I forgot to carry one. I think I see your stall. See you,’ Angira says and disconnects the call.
The aroma of pav bhaji mingles with the smell of icecream in the air. Ved enjoys this brief moment of anticipation. It is worth waiting out here. He is a little nervous now. He looks at himself in the cellphone’s screen and tries his best to set his hair, which seems impossible to do with the strong wind that’s blowing in his direction. He looks for Angira in the crowd.
Angira reaches the counter and spots a guy standing outside, drinking water. He is wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, has a well built figure, and black intense eyes. A few raindrops from his hair are trickling down his neck. She wasn’t expecting Ved to look like this. He is not just handsome and cool, but also stunning and hot. Her heart says this is Ved, but she just can’t believe that she can be so lucky.
‘Lucky for what?’ she thinks.
‘Nothing,’ she answers her own question.
She tries not to stare at him, but the truth is, Angira is completely attracted to him from the get-go. Suddenly she starts to wonder if he finds her attractive. Ved turns around and spots Angira, immediately recognising her, but pretends that he hasn’t seen her yet and walks to the other side. She isn’t able to walk towards him easily because it’s crowded.
She cranes her neck and shouts, ‘Hey, Ved!’
She walks towards him.
‘Hi, how are you?’ says Ved, trying to sound a little louder than the chaos around them.
‘I am good. How are you?’ she asks.
Angira, always confident, never felt nervous meeting new people. However, today she is a little jumpy meeting Ved for the first time.
‘I am good too. How long have you been waiting,’ Ved asks.
‘Twenty minutes. Yeah, you are late by twenty minutes,’ she says, obviously miffed.
‘Sorry to keep you waiting. So how’s it going?’ Ved steps aside to let a few people pass.
They both are
standing next to each other, facing the sea. It is still raining out there.
‘All is going well,’ she gives a straight answer.
‘Do you want some water?’ he asks her.
‘Yeah,’ she takes a few sips.
‘What’s going on with you? And when are you going to Kolkata?’ asks Angira and starts with some small talk to initiate the conversation.
The rain has slowed down. They walk towards a corner as people have started moving around.
‘Maybe in two weeks, but I am still not sure. I am waiting for the confirmation letter.’
Ved wants to know more about her and there couldn’t be a better topic than football to start that process.
‘By the way, what do you like about football? Because in India nobody encourages football over cricket. Cricket is a religion in India.’
‘Actually, I like the game because my cousin plays football and my family is a big fan of Messi. Now, what my mom likes in Messi that only my mom knows. However, I can say one thing for sure that we are one of the craziest Punjabi families in Delhi, who like to watch football with parathas and butter.’
‘Do you want to eat pav bhaji?’ Ved asks her, smiling.
He watched the cook chopping onions and lemons at the counter.
‘Do you want to eat?’ Angira asks him.
‘Come, we’ll eat some. This place is famous for its pav bhaji,’ Ved approaches the pav bhaji counter.
‘We have the best golgappe in Delhi that you can’t beat at all,’ she says, throwing her hair back.
‘Golgappe?’ Ved has never heard of it before.
‘Oh, I mean pani puri. We call it golgappe in Delhi,’ she says. She is reminded of the conversation Charu and she had at the golgappe counter on the day when they both went to watch Ved’s football match.
Ved orders two plates of pav bhaji.
‘Just take one plate. I won’t have much,’ Angira says. ‘Bhaiya, one plate.’
‘So tell me something about your family? Do they support you? They must be happy having a qualified, intelligent and smart football player in the family.’ She realizes that she used one too many adjectives.