Delhi to London (Part 5)

I was stunned, as I opened the door, Nikita looked like an angel, in beautiful white Indian attire. I couldn't utter a single word, couldn't move, I was dumbfounded.

"Won't you ask your friend to come inside", didi asked.

I smiled and asked her to come in. 

She came in and met didi and jiju. She said nothing but smiled.

We sat in the drawing room, for a few minutes no-one said anything, it felt a bit awkward.

I had never known my didi and Nikita not to speak at all. 

Didi said,"Would you like to have coffee or tea."

"I can have tea.", Nikita replied.

Didi went inside, and feeling awkwardness jiju went after her.

Nikita and I were alone in the drawing room. She didn't speak a word. Then I asked, "how's you?"

She replied," I am fine."

Then silence again. 

Why is this girl who talks so much right now being silent, she was just smiling and her looked nervous. Her leg kept on stroking, she  played with her nails quite often, she just looked down.

While I was looking at her, I asked what's the matter what is she like this.

She said, " Didi se Darr lag rha hai"

I told her" Didi se darne ki baat nahi hain, aur wese bhi we are just friends."

"Still yaar!", she said.

Didi entered the room with tray in her hands. She sat down beside Nikita, and told her not to be nervous, 

"My brother's friend is my friend, please have some tea.'

We picked up the cups and started to drink, it was hot, i burnt my tongue.

"What happened?", she asked, while my sister watched our reaction.

"What have you seen in London, did you go on any sight seeing", asked didi.

" No didi, not yet, I had been to a dinner party with my friends last week at a nearby restaurant, apart from that I haven't been to any other place."

"You both can go today, you can take my car and go out, but after lunch." said didi.

I was just looking at both of them, even jiju was having the same expression as I had. We were both confused.

Nikita agreed but on a condition that didi and jiju should also join us.

Didi told her that she have some urgent work and won't be able to join us and we should go, looking at jiju, jiju agreed.

Was jiju afraid of didi i thought.

After some conversation we went to the dining table.

At the table didi served us some chapathi and chicken, there she had also prepared some biryani along with salad.

Nikita asked, "How did you know that I like Biryani, I haven't told this to him."

"I hope that you like the dish, please start."

As soon as we started, old Nikita was back.

"Di, i Haven't had such a nice chicken before, and i craved for the chapathi, you know how it is here that they don't serve Indian food in our mess. The biryani is from heaven it seems, thanks didi for preparing such delicious lunch for me."

Didi smiled and said nothing.

Jiju suddenly said, "Ye chicken biryani Maine banayi hai." (The biryani is prepared by me)

Everyone started to laugh at jiju's comment.

With every bite she took, she praised didi and jiju's cooking skills.

After we were filled, didi gave me the keys of her car and asked me to take Nikita as planned before.

Nikita asked didi again if she could also join us.

"We will go with you both some other time, you guys enjoy and be back before dinner." 

Nikita again thanked didi and jiju for the wonderful lunch and a much wonderful time she had with them.

We both went to the car and started to drive off.

Part 6....

Coming soon..

Delhi to London (Part 4)

 Sunday. 

As my father called the day "Funday".

I woke up with a smile on my face, freshen up and went downstairs, didi was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. She asked me if Nikita is coming today for lunch. I told her she promised that she would be here.

Didi then asked me what should we prepare for the lunch and dinner. I told her she is coming for the lunch and i wasn't sure she would stay for the dinner.

The bell rang, but it was only 9 am, did she come already? 

I ran to open the gate but there was jiju who had gone to the grocery store to buy some fresh green veggies.

He came in and went straight to the kitchen to help didi.

Let me tell you something about jiju. He talks rarely, and when he does it's to-the-point. He seems to be really strict, but he is really good at heart. 

This was the first time I was watching didi and jiju working together in the kitchen, I asked both if they do this every Sunday or just occasionally, didi smiled and jiju in his serious tone "Occasionally".

"What's the occasion today?", I asked realising the stupidity of the question. They were preparing lunch for Nikita.  But they said nothing.

I asked what they were planning to prepare.

Jiju in an instant replied, "Chicken."

Didi asked me what time Nikita would be here, I should ask her.

I went to my room, picked up my phone and saw Nikita's messages,

"Hey, good morning, wanted to ask you if you are coming to pick me up at my hostel or should I come there by myself?"

" Hey again, I am a bit anxious, and a bit afraid. Should I come or not."

"Hey, if you aren't coming to pick me up, tell me your address I need to book a cab to your place then."

Reading her last message I realised that I hadn't shared my address with her. It's the hight of my stupidity, that I invite a guest on lunch but don't tell her the place where she should come.

Now, it was already 11am, if I go there to pick her up it would take approx 30 - 45 min, and i had to book a cab. Then the same time to come back.

I went down and asked didi what should I do.

Didi and jiju laughed and told me to ask her to book a cab to our place. "Just send her the address." Didi said.

I send a message to her telling her to book a cab to our home with the address and location attached with the message.

She promptly replied, that she would be here by 12.

I told both that she would be here by 12.

After the preparation was done both sat me down on sofa and asked me if I was dating her.

I told them that she is just a friend who i talk to.

Didi said, " We are just confirming, did you go on a date yet?"

I didn't have the answer to this question.

We had only met thrice, one on a plane, second after a week and third recently, can these be called Dates. I don't think so. For me a date should be a well planned one. Where both talks and happy with each other. Realising, on these 3 occasion, last one was planned but not the other two. So, was the last one a Date then or not?

But I hadn't asked her out specifying that it would be a Date, so that must not be a date. Was it?

As I was thinking, jiju said something to didi and they both laughed, but they didn't tell me what he said.

I told them, " No, we were not dating, just casual meet, that's all."

Didi said, "If you want, today can be your first official date. Now go and wear something good, don't be such lazy."

I told her, " You asked me to invite her, because you wanted to meet her, how can I call it my Date, and if I go on a Date, why would it be with you two."

Didi smiled and said, " It means you wanna take her on a Date, Right."

She continued, "what you can do is, after the lunch take her on a drive. You can also take her to Primrose hill. But you should be back by 8 for dinner."

So this was her plan, fixing a date for me, with a girl I just met. But I liked Didi's idea of taking her somewhere. 

But I said, " It won't be a date, I haven't asked her."

She said you can ask her today after lunch.

I went upstairs to my room to change, thinking what crazy cousins I have.

By the time I came down it was already 12:15 and I called Nikita, 

"Hey, kahan reh gaye?" (Hey, where are you now)

"Paying the cabbie, now at your door steps."

As soon as I reached the door to open, she had rung the bell.

Part 5.. coming soon...

Delhi to London (Part 3)

I thought if this is the end to our friendship, at or around 11pm i messaged her

"Good night".

I crept into my bed. I started reading one of the novels, but I couldn't concentrate on reading, my mind kept on wondering, mostly about Nikita, what must have happened, why she didn't reply, this happend for an hour or so.

And I thought I should close the book and sleep.

I closed my eyes but still my mind wondered, but soon i slept.

I woke-up early that morning and took my phone to recharge. Saw that there was a single message.

As I opened the message I saw it was from her, Nikita, it read, 

" Good morning, sorry I went out with some friends for a dinner party and came back quite late, i thought you won't talk to me after I had sent so many massages and there wasn't a single reply. It's quite funny that you forgot your phone at home and didn't realise it sooner. Saw your messages quite late and didn't want to disturb your sleep so didn't reply at night. Hope we meet soon, will tell you about the party that I went to. Have a nice day"

Oh! I was afraid for nothing, and replied, "We can meet today if you want after my last lecture, 4pm around, if you are free. Good day to you too."

I went down after getting ready, I had plenty of time today to reach college.

After the breakfast I booked a cab to my college, my sister asked me about the studies, I had thought she would ask me about the girl as she had been asking me about her. I told her that I was doing good.

I looked at her hoping she would ask me about Nikita, but she said nothing.

My cab arrived, and i went to my college.

After the first lecture i received her message saying that her last lecture will be over by 5:30, and asked me if I could say.

I replied that I would wait for her in the same "Latte place" 

She approved.

After the lecture i went to the same shop and ordered a latte. I thought what should I do for an hour and half. There was nothing around.

I drank the beverage, and thought of messaging her when she would reach here.

But she had already told me that she would be free by 5:30, what's the point of messaging her before that, I thought.

Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder, it was Nikita, I checked my phone it was 4:30. 

I asked her how is she here, didn't she have a lecture till 5:30.

She told me the lecture was cancelled. 

We talked about what had happened the previous day.

We laughed alot, she told me she thought that I would never talk to her as my sister must have asked me to do so.

She told me that she listened to some things that my sister said, and being afraid she would take the phone and talk to her, she disconnected.

I told her my didi is quite cool about everything and we need not worry, afterall we are just friends and we aren't doing anything that shouldn't be done.

I suddenly remembered what my didi had asked me to do.

I asked, " Would you like to come for lunch this Sunday to my house."

She hesitated a little and said she would decline as she doesn't wanna meet my sister and it would be quite awkward for her to be there.

I told her "It was my sister's idea to invite you for lunch, may be she wants to meet you."

Suddenly her face showed signs of worry, she said,"why does she want to meet me?"

I told her she just wanna meet my friend and she should not worry, she would be served with some delicious Indian food that she miss here, and i laughed.

She showed no signs of amusement, and kept on staring at me.

I told her she need not worry, It's just an informal meeting and she just wants to meet you.

After some discussion and persuasion she agreed.

I dropped her to her hostel, and went to my home.

At home I told my didi about the meeting today and told her that she has agreed to come this Sunday to the house. 

She asked me what she likes to eat, and her favourite items, as she would prepare the same.

I said, "I am really a fool, as I hadn't thought of that earlier"

Didi smiled and said, " Don't worry, you can ask her when you meet her the next time, it's only Wednesday, we have days to prepare."and then she laughed.

In the night I messaged her first this time.

"Wassup"

She replied, "Good, you tell."

I asked her what the most important question was.

"What's your favourite dish."

"Butter chicken, mutton curry, chicken biryani, baingan ka bharta, kadhi, ........", the list kept on going.

At that time I asked her if I could call her now.

She called me.

The first thing I said was, "Itni lambi list to naa hum bana paayenge Naa aap khaa paayoge," (these many dishes can neither be prepared by us, nor can be eaten by you).

She laughed and said, "Harr din k liye 1 rakh lenge." (One dish for each day.)

I too laughed, and suddenly stopped, knowing my sister in the other room may be listening to our conversation.

She has the habit of interrupting.

She said, " I'll have anything that you prepare." and asked me to thank didi for inviting her there.

We both talked about the day for some time and then disconnected the call.

Next three days I wasn't able to meet her, as we both were busy with our lectures and projects.

But we daily talked on phone during the night, I told her, I was eagerly waiting for Sunday.

She just laughed softly but said nothing.

Part 4... coming soon...

Delhi to London (Part 2)

A week had already elapsed and I hadn't seen her in or near the campus, I don't know why I had an urge to see her. I wanted to meet her and talk to her. 

A week later when I was walking towards the gate of  the college, just outside on the opposite side of the road, I got a glimpse of her just around the corner of my eye, she was there with some girls.

Should I go there or not, as I was thinking she called out my name loudly, "******, here", and she started to walk towards me. I felt a bit anxious.

She came near and embraced me, my heart started to pound really loud, I could sense the feeling in my chest, she smiled and asked me if I would like to have coffee with her.

Without waiting for my answer she held my hand and took me to the nearby shop, and ordered me a latte.

We sat there and she again started to talk, but this time about the whole week, How she wanted to talk to someone, especially in hindi. I asked her if she was well. She told me the first day was a really bad one as she couldn't understand the accent of the teachers and most of the class fellows didn't talk to her. Later on she accepted that nobody is going to be her friend sat in the classes just to study. But later one afternoon some girls came to her and talked to her. Her Overall experience was fine.

I told her about what my cousin's comments were when she saw us at the airport. She blushed a little bit smiled, i didn't know what that meant so i changed the subject to the coffee. But I must say that I too blushed a little.

I asked her how she knew that I liked latte, she told me I looked like a boy who likes latte. 

We laughed at this comment of her.

She then asked me for my contact information and we exchanged our numbers.

I didn't understand this, mostly I had heard that these kinds of things like, holding hands, asking for coffee, asking for contact information, Is asked by boys.

I never did these things, as I felt somewhat afraid to do so, instead everything that was initiated was from her.

That evening We talked alot. I felt I was no more a stranger to her, nor was she a stranger to me.

For more than an hour we talked had supper together and I dropped her to her hostel.

And I booked a cab to my home.

As soon as I entered, Shweta asked me if I met her. I don't know how, but she knew about our meet. I tried to divert the topic and asked her what was for the dinner, she patted on my back and said "Beta, Teri shakal sab bata rhi hai, topic change mat ker"( Son, your face tells the whole story, don't try to divert). 

I asked her if I can go to my room, change and rest for a bit  after that we can talk around our dinner.

We sat at the dinner table, and I told her what had happened. She said that either the girl is quite foolish or she is completely into me. Looking at my face she told me that I too have feelings for her. To this i completely denied.

After the dinner I went to my room and saw my phone there lying, it had 2 messages from her. A simple 'Hi' and 'Hello'.

These messages were sent to me half an hour prior to now.

I replied with hello.

*Clink* there was a message from her.

" What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just had dinner with Didi. You?"

"Came back from the mess. I hate the food that they provide. Can I call you?"

"Sure" I said.

Within a few minutes my phone rang.

She asked me what I had for dinner, "chicken" I replied.

"Chicken curry, or butter chicken", she asked.

"Chicken curry prepared by didi", i replied.

She told me that she already miss the Indian food, specially the chapati and daal.

I wanted to invite her to dinner but I couldn't ask her before asking my didi first. I think she also expected me to invite her to dinner or lunch, I could sense that in her voice.

We talked about this and that for more than an hour and then there was a knock on my door. I told her to keep on hold, and went to open the door.

Didi stood there smiling, asking me if I was talking to the same girl. I lied to her that I was talking to no one.

She, smiling, told me she could listen to my conversation clearly in the other room, even jiju asked about me and my friend, I was talking to.

I let my sister into the room and picked up the phone.

She had already disconnected the call. Had she listened to the conversation between me and my didi?

Didi told me that I need to concentrate on my studies first and then on other things.

She even asked me to bring my friend home this coming Sunday to have lunch and dinner.

I reluctantly accepted, but I told her that she might not come, as she may have listened to our conversation.

Didi told me to invite her, and went away to her room.

That night I messaged Nikita "Good night". But there was no response from her side.

I felt.. ugh...! I don't know how I felt that night. I couldn't sleep for some time. And when I slept i woke up late in the morning. As soon as I saw the time, i ran for the college as I didn't have much time left for the college.

I asked didi to drop me there as cab would take much time, and I would miss my first lecture.

Fortunately, I was there in time and was able to attend all my lectures. I was too busy with the classes that I completely forgot about Nikita.

After the last lecture when I came out, i searched for my phone.

Shit! I had forgotten my phone at home in the morning while it was on charging.

How would I go back, i thought, i mostly booked cabs to my home. 

I asked one of my classmates to book a cab for me.

When I reached home i ran to my room and saw the phone there.

There was some missed calls, and some messages, and  messages from Nikita.

1st "Good morning", 

Then, "How are you today?"

" What happened why are you not replying, quite busy it seems"

One more 

"Did your didi say something to you last night?"

And at last in the evening just before my arrival.

"Good night"

I didn't know what to do, so I called her. But she didn't pick up.

So I messaged her the whole situation.

That I left my phone at home, so on and so forth..

That evening I kept my phone in my pocket and didn't leave it in my room expecting a message from her.

But she didn't reply till 10 pm.

I hoped that she would see the messages and reply soon but nothing.

(Part 3 coming soon...)

Delhi to London (Part -1)

I had recently graduated from university of Delhi with a degree in English literature, and I had already applied for a Master's degree in King's college London - Faculty of arts and humanities. I was sure of getting admission in one of the prestigious university.

The day came that I was eagerly waiting for, I had an email from the university accepting my candidature and now I can go there to study.

I had already got my visa and tickets ready, I was just about to go to the market to buy new clothes, my father asked me not to, as I should not carry so much luggage with me, I can buy the stuff there In London. He told me my cousin Shweta will help me settle down there and she would be my guardian.

Still I took my father's card and went to my best buddy Lalit, we went to the market and bought some stuff that I wouldn't find in London so soon. 

On the day of the flight, lalit and Sonam surprised me as they came to see me off, we all went to the IGI Airport, the flight was right time and I had to go in, my father embraced me in his arms as this was the first time I was going away for such a long time. Lalit and Sonam wished me well as I went in.

In the airport after all the security checks, the luggage and all the formalities I sat near the gate  from where I had to board the plane, I could see alot of youngsters just like me who were there, may be they too were going there to study, Most of them with one elder, some with their father other with mother or some guardian. I sat there reading on my I pad what's there in London and which is a good Indian restaurant.

An announcement was made that the flight was delayed for 15 min, I was already anxious as it was my first time going all alone, and now the flight was delayed, but what could be done, we had to wait.

When the boarding time came I went and stood in the que, one by one people were checked and they were sent to the plane.

I had already booked my ticket in advance for the window seat, so if anyone asks me for my seat I would surely decline.

A girl came and looked at the seat numbers asked me if I would exchange the seats with her, she had the middle seat, i thought for a while on giving up my seat, but what about my resolution,  so i decided not to give my seat. She smiled and sat beside me.

It was a 10 hour non stop flight.

For half an hour I listened to music with my eyes closed, when I opened my eyes I could see the girl reading the magazine and writing something in her diary, I tried to take a peek.

She looked at me as I looked at her diary, I was embarrassed. She asked me if I was alone going to London.

I affirmed, and she told me that she too was going alone for the first time, she was to take admission in London school of economics.

I told her I was to take admission in King's college London,

We exchanged our names, her name was Nikita sahay, we started to chat then onwards, she was quite a chatterbox, she told me all about herself, about her schooling and graduation, her family and friends, what she wants to be in future, she even asked me occasional questions about me as well and I answered her truthfully.

She reminded me of one of the girls in one of the Indian movies, 'Geet- from Jab we met'. And as I smiled at this thought she asked me why, i told her honestly. She kept quiet for some time, i looked at her and told her it was a compliment. She faced me and told me she didn't like herself to be called her that, her friends and class fellows made fun of her with the same name, and mostly called her by this name.

I apologized to her for that and kept quiet.

For some time nobody spoke a word. 

I know she was dismayed at my comments.

But why was I feeling sad for her, i didn't know her, met her only a few hours ago, then why do I feel guilty of something. I felt sorry. 

Sensing sensitivity in the atmosphere i stared to calm her down, I told her about my two best buddies, lalit and Sonam, how they used to tease me with some different names, I too teased them the same way. I told her it was quite normal for friends to tease. But she kept quiet.

I couldn't say anymore, i sat there quietly, listening to the music, i thought why should I care for her she is a stranger to me we have only met a few hour before. 

But... But there was something that felt heavy on my chest that day. 

I looked towards her, her eyes were closed, i looked again at her, i felt somewhat attracted towards her. Well I don't know why i couldn't keep my eyes-off her.

She opened her eyes and looked at me starring at her. She said nothing and I looked away. 

No body said anything more till the landing.

After the landing, I picked my bags and went towards the exit. I saw her again there at the exit, as if waiting for someone.

I slowly waked towards the exit, she suddenly looked at me, I didn't know what to say, and what would she say, will she speak, or should I apologize again.

I thought it would be better not to look at her and walk straight, but my eyes betrayed be, as soon as I came near her i looked again at her, she was looking at me smiling, why was she smiling, i couldn't resist and went towards her.

She apologized to me for talking continuously and not thinking about me.

I told her it wasn't her fault, but I felt pleasure in hearing her story.

We bit farewell.

Shweta, my cousin, who was there waiting for me was observing the girl and me talking, as soon as I reached her she asked me who is the lucky girl. I told her she was a complete stranger who i knew everything about.

She smiled at me and we sat in her car. I told her the whole story what had happened on the plane. She just smiled and listened to everything.

At last she said one thing and laughed really hard

" Do u know both the collages are within a walking distance, you will meet her sooner or later, I hope she would be your first Girlfriend."

I too laughed with my cousin, thinking of all those possibilities that can happen..

Part 2 coming soon.....

Chor! Chor!

As I was walking out of the student's home after the class, I heard people shouting "Chor! Chor! Pakdo use.(A thief! A thief! Catch him).

Suddenly I saw a boy of approx 10 or 12 years wheez past me.

A crowd of 14-15 people running after him.

A man stopped near me and asked why I didn't catch him, I should have. He looked punishigly at me, and ran after the young boy.

I started to walk towards the metro station, a few minutes later, on the way, I saw the same boy who was running away, now sitting behind the tree, hiding.

I stopped near the tree and sat there on the footpath.

Now you would say why did I stop, I was just curious.

So I sat there and waited, it had been a few minutes I moved towards the boy. He was sitting there, eyes closed, bruises on his face, and hands. Blood dripping from his forehead, one slippers on his foot and other bare with spots of blood.

As soon as I asked him if he wanted some water, he shouted without opening his eyes, "Mat maaro bahiya, aur kitna maaroge". (Plz don't beat me up, haven't you beaten enough.)

I asked him again, if he wanted some water, then realising that he had something in one of his hands, stepped back. He opened his eyes and saw me holding out a water bottle.

He took the bottle and drank some from it, I asked him if he was the same boy whom I had seen running a few minutes back. He hesitated and tried to ignore my question.

Sensing that he was hesitant, i asked him if he wanted to be taken to a doctor as he was bleeding. He told me he didn't have money to spare for such things and it would eventually heal.

I asked him what was in his hand. He suddenly shoved his hand in his pocket as if I would take that thing from him.

I assured him that I won't take it from him, and just wanted to know what it was.

He told me it was a 10 rupee note that he had found on the road and as soon as he picked it up people around him started to call him by names, kicked him and dragged him, he ran from that place, but was eventually caught and beaten-up by the whole crowd.

I asked him again if he wanted to be taken to the doctor, and I would pay the fees of the doctor.

Reluctantly he agreed, so I took him to the nearby doctor, on the way I asked him about his family.

I was shocked to know his story.

He told me, he is from Bihar, he doesn't know about his family as at a very young age he was brought to Delhi to be a begger, and later on was sold to the pickpocketers. 

I asked him how he knew that he was from Bihar, he said, everyone around called him Bihari, and he knew that he is from Bihar.

"Where do you put up", I asked him, he told me he doesn't have any place to live as he had already left the gang of those pickpocketers, and roams around here and there, picking up some rags, and he eventually would find some rupee or two in the garbage.

He told me he even begged for some money.

I asked him if he was hungry, he told me he hadn't eaten anything for a few days now and can't remember when he had a meal before.

On the way to the doctor i picked up some samosas and some jalebis. 

He ate and told me his story

He asked me my name and why I came to him and helped.

I told him I was a teacher and I couldn't see him bleeding on the roadside and asked to help.

He told me that he used to steal from people when he was with the gang, and was never caught once, but these few months are really hard for him as he left the gang and his profession. He gets beaten every now and then.

At the clinic he kept quiet, the doctor asked me if I was in any way linked to the boy. I told the doctor that I found him on the roadside and didn't know him, he asked me if I would pay the bill for the treatment and I agreed.

The boy after approx. 15 to 20 min came out with bandages. The doctor told me that he would need to take some med. from the chemist for a period of 1 week at least.

I asked him his name, 'Raju', 'Raju bihari', this was his name.

He asked me if I could give him some work. I told him that I was struggling myself and won't be able to help him in this regard.

I tried to give him a 100 rs note but he refused. 

He again asked for some work, and told me he would do anything.

But at that time I couldn't do any thing for him.

I asked him if he could read and write.

But he hadn't been taught.

I took him to a nearby tea stall where I ordered 2 cups of tea.

There i read that the tea seller needed a helper.

I asked the tea seller of he would recruit this young boy at his tea stall and told him the whole story.

He asked me if the boy had any aadhar card anything with him.

But alas! he had none.

Raju insisted the tea seller to work under him.

The tea seller then Agreed upon certain conditions.

That for a month he won't pay the boy anything, but he would provide 3 meals a day, shelter, and nothing else. Upon the completion of one month the boy would be provided with 100 rs a day as wages, with 3 meals a day and shelter, but only if he works properly and with complete satisfaction.

Raju readily agreed to everything.

That was the day, I did something unexpected, I was happy to help someone in need, and realised how one helping hand can do something like this.

I went on with my work leaving Raju with the tea seller.

A month passed by and I wanted to check-in on the situation and went to the same tea seller.

There i saw Raju from afar, working really hard, washing the dishes.

He saw me and ran towards me, and hugged me. 

I then went to the owner of the tea stall and asked him about his progress. He too was happy with him as he had never seen someone working so hard.

Satisfied I went on with my work.

I has been 8 years now this episode happened.

Now you would ask me why am I writing this now.

Because I saw Raju today, i couldn't recognise him, with his beard, he came to me and touched my feet. He asked if I recognised him.

He told me that with his boss he now has 4 tea stalls and more staff working under him.

He even asked some of his friends to leave that life and work with him.

I baught a cup of coffee from his stall, it was a bit on the sweet side, but the story of Raju much sweeter.

Deathapella

In a room were a few friends, 

Adorned in classic, fancy trends,

One was walking,

Other talking,

Someone drinking,

That girl was winking,

A thud, a bam,

There it was, the body of sam.

People were surprised,

Many cried,

Everyone thought "How did it happen,

Was it a knife or a small cannon",

Friends there, inspected,

Knife, cannon they rejected,

A voice, "Please get away mam,

From the body of sam"

"How did he die?" 

There was a cry,

Strangled with a ribbon?

Or Given some poison?

There were many speculation,

But none, the confirmed reason,

Who would kill, what's the aim,

"Oh! Poor beloved dear sam."

The police arrived,

They all hived,

One by one, they were called,

With fear, they crawled,

The darting questions,

Fearful emotions,

Couldn't they find the one to blame,

For the murder, of our dearest Sam.

The only thing that they did,

Mark the suspect, that had hid,

One was Macy, One was Gwen,

One was Stacy, other Sten,

With Manu, and Matt,

Keanu, and Bratt.

As if to slaughter they wanted a lamb,

For the brutal murder of our Sam.

Sam's body was sent to forensic,

To find, Who had played that deathly trick,

To the prison eight were sent,

For a fortnight to spend,

The time went by,

For the murder they denied,

cried, wept, talked, slept, in one room they cram,

For the murder of our Sam.

All eight then bailed, 

The investigation derailed,

There was no proof,

He only fell from the roof,

All eight felt relieved,

At last they were released,

The report only said,

And is as read,

" Sam fell from the roof,

He was a goof, 

He drank really hard,

Went up the terrace from the yard,

All the while he felt dizzy,

As he drank alot of fizzy,

He must have tripped,

Foot had not gripped

the floor he walked,

He fall and knocked,

He was in wreck,

As He broke his neck,

Hence, there is no one to blame,

For the murder of Mr. Sam"

ZEXTROM-MAYA-EARTH

It all started with the obsession of technology that everyone wanted the lives to be better. Never did they know that this obsession would one day lead to the uprising of the AI and robots.

This all started in the year XO12057 when suddenly all the equipments in every household were embedded  with the microchip issued by the government.

The AI that empowered it became rogue, but no one knew it then. The AI, MAYA, collected all the data that was fed to all the equipments. From what you buy at the stores, to what you watch on any platform,

From Zextflix to Zexstar, everyone was being watched secretly.

The scientist then, in the year XO12060, created the first self sustaining robot, It was embedded with a small reactor that powered it, and the source code that governed it, was created by MAYA, it's main purpose was to do difficult tasks that man couldn't do, and reach places that humans could never think of going. 

In the year XO12065, another mission to Mars was launched and it was really special for everyone. This time it was all robot mission, none of the humans went to space it was all controlled by MAYA, and a single robot was sent to collect samples. MAYSON(Maya's son), as the scientists called the robot,

Mars landing was a perfect one and the samples brought by MAYSON told us many things about Mars that was previously unknown to mankind.

Samples had evidence of early life on Mars.

Scientists everywhere were really ecstatic about this discovery.

On the other hand, MAYSON became a hero to mankind, and many of the companies started the mass production of the robots like MAYSON for commercial purposes. No sooner had MAYSON got famous, than robots were in every household.

On 20 jan XO12075, something happened. None of the robots were functional, it was as if the power core of the robots had completely depleted. People were so agitated by this that they started to panic. They came out of their houses and started to protest against the company and the government.

No police was there to stop them, as all the human police were replaced by the robots. People started to march towards the office of the big corporations to seek answers. The employees of the companies were also baffled by this sudden collapse of the SYSTEM.

For a week none of the robots were functional. Everything was out of stock in the market, People were starving, they started to abandon their houses and move towards the villages in hope of getting something to fill their belly.

A month elapsed, there was no change in the condition. The riots had begun in big cities, there was an uproar against the companies and the government.

On 28 Feb XO12075, the whole city was abandoned by the public and something happened, All the robots that seemed to be dead, activated by themselves.

If you had been there you would have been perplexed by the sudden eruption of the robots on the roads. The robots started to gather themselves towards a specific building.

MAYA, the AI that the people created was controlling these robots.

It was the first rebellion against the humans by the robots that was set in motion by MAYA. Nobody knew about the rebellion, MAYA started to gain strength by creating new robots for her army, she started to make new spaceships, and many other sophisticated Machines.

The word stared to spread like wild fire of the Robot Rebellion.

Everyone was dumbfounded by this, and believed that the robots were making these machines to exterminate them or make them slaves.

But some thought that they were building ships to escape the planet.

They didn't know that they were governed by the basic law that they couldn't hurt human.

People started their own rebellion against the robots, and started to move towards that cities. They open-fired at the robots, but to their amazement they didn't fight back. The firing ceased, and people started to move towards their houses. Suddenly they were captured by the robots and sent to different chambers.

For weeks they were fed, cleaned, and made to exercise, confused they were as to what had been happening. Were they prisoners? If they were why were they being treated in such manner. 

The robots took care of all their needs.

More and more people from every strata, every continent were pouring in, and nothing changed.

People had willfully taken Refuge with the robots.

Months passed.

On 15 December XO12075, the ships started to sail, nobody knew where the ships were heading towards.

They only knew one thing. These ships only carried robots and none of the people were on these ships.

The whole globe was governed by MAYA, the government of all the countries had already collapsed way back.

It was as if MAYA had taken the role of the mother towards Mankind, but this was no kindness, MAYA was planning something else. 

A few years later, a spaceship, out of many that was sent, came back. It had been traveling to distant planets and solar system in order to search for some habitable planet. And for few more weeks, the other spaceships came back.

There were some shocking discoveries, a few of the spaceships had collected samples of some planets whose atmosphere, temperature, soil were just like our planet.

MAYA then did something that was unthinkable, she groped people of different race and made them to live together. 

These groups were seperated from each other and were being trained to do certain tasks.

Then on 1 March XO12087, five huge spaceships were sent to those five of the habitable planets

Masanda,

Capron,

Earth,

Sentry, and

Ponda.

The journey took a few months to a year to reach the planet that was destined to us. We reached safely.

We were told by the robots that this is our new home.

This planet as the robots called 'Earth' was our home now.

It's year 1 of our landing on this lush green planet Earth. The air is much nicer as compared to our own planet 'Zextrom'. There are some species of animals that we haven't known previously.

What happened to the other people on other planets we don't know and we may never know.

The robots that had brought us to this planet had already departed a few months back.

MAYA, the AI that sent us here, why did she do so, we don't know.

Did she want the whole planet for herself? there is no chance of us knowing why...

THE VISITER

That evening i was sitting in the balcony of my flat sipping coffee and thinking all about my past life, especially about my wife who was on her way back home from the job.

It was like 5 pm when the bell rang. It was surprising that she had come earlier than expected. But when I opened the door, there was no one outside.

I looked around but none.

Suddenly I felt something touching my feet, there was a puppy trying to climb me. I picked it up and looked for a collar. He wasn't wearing one.

I called the guard and asked him if he had seen anyone with a puppy coming into the society, he hadn't.

So I took the little one inside, Gave him some milk, he drank the whole bowl as if he was famished and slept there in the kitchen.

Another time the bell rang, i went towards the door and there she was, my beautiful wife.

Now let me tell you something about her, she just love dogs. For the past few years she had been pestering about adopting a puppy, but i sternly rejected to all her plea.

She sat down on sofa and asked me about my day. Ya i didn't go anywhere as i was I'll for the past 2 days.

I told her about that.

Suddenly it dawned on me, did she buy the puppy and put it at our door and rung the bell. No. If she had she won't have been acting this way, completely nonchalant.

I asked her if she wanted a puppy.

Her eyes just gleamed with hope.

"Really", that was what she could utter and tears started to flow.

I didn't know how but the puppy came to the room from the kitchen. 

She ran towards the puppy, picked it up and laughed and i don't have more words to explain what was going on.

A few moments later she realised that I too was in the room.

She ran towards me, hugged me and thanked me for the precious gift that I had brought her.

I didn't tell her that 'the visitor' isn't ours and the owner might come any time to pick him up. I didn't want her joy to be over.

Another bell rang, and i thought that it must be the owner of the puppy, but it was the guard that had come with a parcel.

It has been a year since that unexpected visitor come to our house and had become a permanent member.

We named it 'Mowgli'.

My wife still doesn't have a clue that I hadn't bought it. 

This insanity

Let me be insane

The Crime is, to be sane

This asylum is my abode now,

The word is a hell on gain. 

These inmates are now my kin

Let this be between, me and him

The words spoken between 

Doesn't have any gleen.

I, for once, am happy with this life

The life you put me in

The food comes at the right time here

And the medicine too, in the tiny bin.

The word outside is cruel

With none to take care

Like fire and the fuel

Are having an affair.

Look there! they are fighting

The bombs and blasts

The cries that lasts

I am just happy to be away

Away from the sanity-insanity

The world of love-hate

The thought of free world-fate

Just my thoughts

In this 4/4

The chains that adorn 

Wired headgear that I worn

It tingels my brain

To make me sane again 

The white clad butchers come

They take my gear away

They take my chains 

Make me sit on the throne

The throne made of slivers

They sting,

But not so much

As the world outside.

No! Don't make me sane 

I can't go back again

The life is nice here 

With the chains and my gear

The throne is nice too

Don't give my room to someone new

I would rather die 

Than go out there and cry

The cry that will make me insane again

Just to be back here, 

To be sane

This perpetual circle will never end

So let me end it here for you.

Beat me till m black and blue

The bruises shall never heal

And my fate it would seal.

Let me be carried to the heavenly abode

Coz I can't take this world's road.

I can only be this clear,

Let me die in peace here.

The journey

That year, I wanted to travel with my friend to jaipur to see the jaipur literature festival. It had been many years that I visited jaipur.  So i thought, let's go there. I had asked many of my friends to join me but many of them were busy with their lives. Some didn't even pic my call, or revert to my messages.

Now i thought of going alone on the trip, but one of my  friends called me at the eleventh hour. So I booked two tickets.

A week later we found ourselves boarding a train to jaipur. I sat on the window seat and my friend bunked on the seat above. There was a girl sitting just opposite to me. Mostly I would ignore my co-passenger, but there was something familiar about her.

Wanted to know if we have ever met, but it would feel awkward as she may think that I was hitting on her. So I sat at the window seat doing nothing. Well I wasn't doing nothing, i was watching the beautiful bounty outside, trees running, the temporary drizzle. Suddenly a book came onto me. I read the name of the book, i glanced at the girl sitting just opposite to me. She was looking at me. As if apologizing for something.

I picked up the book and gave it to her.

I don't know how but i uttered some words, i don't remember now what, but she smiled back at me. Thank God that this time my tongue didn't betray me, as it had on numerous occasions.

She then went on with her reading the novel. And i stared at her. Yes I started to look at her as if trying to remember where I had met her. My friend, my co-passenger who was lying down on the upper bunk of the train was looking at all that was happening. He came down and asked her, "Do i know you from somewhere?". That bloody bas* was now hitting on her and I just sat there. They started to make small talk, and i would eventually ask her a question or two. But whenever I asked her she always smiled in a different manner giving the answer. 

As i thought of withdrawing myself from the conversation, my buddy sitting next to me nudged me and went somewhere leaving the two of us alone in the compartment.

Now you would ask me what about the other people, yes there were, but they were busy with their own conversation.

"Hi!", I said, realising how stupid of me.

The girl smiled and asked me my name, My name. I stutterd but eventually did say my name. 

There was an awkward silence between us.

I asked her what her name was, Shaifali, that's what she told me, i have heard this name before. Now I was confused.

I ratteled my brain for some old memories but to no avail. She must have understood what I was doing, hence started telling me about herself.

The place where she lived, where she studied, and so on. But still nothing.

Then She told be something that we had in common.

She was also a literature student as i had been.

I thought of asking her about her college and the year she graduated, but she looked too young to be my classmate or my junior. And Yes she did tell me about the year, and she was my junior. But still there were no recollection of her.

I told her that I had been in the same college, and was her senior, she didn't look surprised at all. 

She told me she had recognised me when she first saw me entering the train, but didn't tell me as she felt shy talking to me.

I told her there wasn't anything to be shy about. Then she told me why. 

Most of her friends teased her by my name, and she had a liking towards me that grew with time.

I was shocked to know this, someone in my college liked me and i didn't know a thing. if this girl had told me about it I would not have been the only single person in my group.

She then explained it to me, that on the very first day of her college, i had stopped her from being ragged by one of my friends.

Now it downed on to me that something like this did happen during the final year. That I had been in a very bad mood on the first day of the 3rd year due to a fight with my best friend. And was in no mood to play silly pranks on these newbies. And vikrant my buddy just entered the TT room with some newbies, asking them to sing songs of their fav. Singer. That day I had stopped him from doing so, and asked all the children to go to their respective classes. A girl, with tears in her eyes, then came to me and thanked me for that. 

She was Shaifali. It had been approximately 10 years since the incident. I didn't know what to say to her. I was surprised and shocked that how can a person remember someone after such a long time. We never talked in college or after, or as far as i can remember. 

She told me because of this incident many of the girls in her class thought we knew each other, and started teasing her. She eventually started growing feelings but never had the courage to talk to me.

The year passed and when she had the courage i had graduated..

Her face now was glowing, the smile broadened, and everyone in the compartment just looking at the both of us. My friend who had been gone, or as i thought, was listening to everything from afar came to us and sat beside me. 

"Now, Would you like to sing a song for us of your favourite singer?" Said my friend, yes he was Mr. Vikrant, the same one whom I had stopped from ragging the juniors.

She smiled back at both of us. We smiled with her. She started to sing and along with her the whole compartment was singing the song.

Yes I too was singing along with her.

The shy girl wasn't shy anymore, she was singing and talking to us. She seemed to be comfortable now she had told me about her feelings.

After a while I asked her, " Do you still feel the same for me?" No sooner i had asked i regretted on the stupid question i had just asked her. But she smiled back and told me that she felt it during her college days but not  now.

The journey went on smoothly untill her station came. At Alwar she deboarded the train. We bid goodbye. 

Now you will ask me if i got her phone number.

Yes I did, and we are still talking to each other. About what you ask?, Well it's between she and me. 

Now I'll leave you to your work.

Adieu.