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.....