Dreamspinner

And Then One Fine Day - The Conditional Ending

2012-02-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

"Sarpanchjee, my Father was a great man. But he was a man of simple beliefs. He believed that our world is made up of good people only. Those whom we consider bad are the ones who have actually been struck by bad times. Otherwise even they are good. My father taught me that all men and women are equal. No two people are different. We are all alike. We may be rich or poor, coloured or white," when she said this Antara looked at William, "but we are all God's children."

She saw the Sarpanch was about to argue and continued, "What wrong have I done Sarpanchjee? What is it that I have done that has turned my entire village against me? Even my friends whom I have played since I was a little girl are standing by your side and want to have me exiled from my own village? For what? Because I fell in love with a white man?"

At that last question, gasps echoed among the crowd gathered.

William did was stunned himself. This was the first time he had heard Antara say this. His dear girl was a feisty young miss. He smiled to himself at that thought.

Antara sighed. Her people did not understand her and they never would. "Yes. I love this white man. I love Lord William Meyberg. And what is wrong with that? Love is the purest emotion. It is what the heart feels most deeply. It is the one emotion which can erase all sorrows and woes from the heart. This white man here has given me so much. He is wonderfully kind and generous. Did you know that he plans to put an end to all forms of taxation for Rasgaon? Did you know that he wants to build schools so that the daughters of our soil can learn about the world?"

The shocked faces of the villagers told her as much. "And Ambajee, you think God saved Rajaram and his family tonight? No. It was William who did. He went into the burning house when you all stood here like cowards. Is this the bad luck I brought to the village? Do you think I would want that for my own home, my own people?"

William could see that Antara was battling her tears now. Her voice had shook at those last words.

Enough! He would not let this continue.

"Sarpanchjee and people of Rasgaon," he began in hindi to the shock of many who had assembled, "as you may all know I am Lord William Meyberg. But today I stand here, not as a Lord. But as a common man. A common man who is in love. I stand here to tell you all that I am in love with a daughter from this soil. You may all balk at me for saying this. For how can I as a white man love Antara? How can I, son of Lord Graham love the village headmaster's daughter? The answer is simple. Because when we fell in love, I was not Lord Graham's son; nor was she the village headmaster's daughter. We were just William and Antara. And to each other that is who we will always be."

Antara pressed her face into William's chest. His last words were her undoing. The tears poured in earnest now.

William continued, "Sarpanchjee, I am here to ask you for Antara's hand in marriage. I cannot let her stay here with continuous barbs and taunts about her bringing bad luck to the village, My Antara is not like that Sarpanchjee. I will take her away from here. I will take her back with me to England. But I will not let her live a cursed life in her own village."

At last the Sarpanch held his hand up.

"My dear sir, I speak for all of Rasgaon present here. We give you our full consent to marry our Antara. However we do have one condition."

William was so happy that he could have agreed to any condition the Sarpanch laid down. Smiling he asked, "And what is that Sarpanchjee?"

"We want you and Antara to stay here. We do not want you to go back to England. This is your home now as much as it is Antara's."

...

And like that village of Rasgaon, welcomed a white man into their fold with open hearts.

William and Antara were married in a small Hindu ceremony in Rasgaon Fort.

Lord Graham happily welcomed his daughter-in-law into his family. However, amidst the celebrations, he wished his story also would have the perfect ending. But that was for another day.

In the years that came, William went onto become the Governor of the State. He opened several schools for girls in Rasgaon and the neighbouring villages. Antara and William had 3 children. Two boys and a girl. And for some strange reason, they learned English from their Mother and Hindi from their Father.

**************THE END***************

And Then One Fine Day - Rescue

2012-02-06T22:28:00.000-08:00

Antara sat in complete darkness, utterly oblivious to her surroundings. Her life had come to a sudden standstill. Her father, her guide, her philosopher had left. Broken and despaired, she felt the lowest ebb of happiness also drain away from her.

She thought about William. She remembered the days she had spent with him and Jim. She knew she would cherish those days for the rest of her life. But she also knew her time with William was up. She couldn't stay in the village without drawing everybody's attention to her and William. And she couldn't do that to him. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if William was questioned for her actions. After all she was the one who had brought this on the village. She was the one who had fallen in love with the imperialist.

But deep down Antara knew that William was unlike any other imperialist. He was kind and generous to a fault. She knew about his plans to save her village from destitution. She knew he wanted to build more schools and educate the little girls who looked forlornly as only their brothers were allowed to study. William was a wonderful man.

It was just that he would never be her man.

The piercing cry of a child shattered Antara's reverie. She looked up and saw the rising fumes. She bolted from her position under the tree to her neighbour Rajaram's house. The entire house was up in flames. She looked around for help but it seemed that no one was willing to brave the fire and enter the house. Antara knew that she would have to go into the burning flames to save Rajaram's family.

She had sent Surijee home for the night after repeated assurances that she would be fine for one night.

The cries became more and more heart-wrenching. Ignoring the gasps of the onlookers who had no doubt gathered around just to see what was going on, she entered Rajaram's house.

No sooner did she set foot into the house, than there was a hand pulling her back.

She turned around to see who it was and a surprised gasp escaped her.

...

"William, what are you doing here?"

With an expression she couldn't quite fathom he said, "Step aside."

"No. I need to save Rajaram's family."

"Antara just listen to me. Let me do this. I'll go inside and get them. You wait here, please."

He sounded so menacing in that tone that would brook no argument that she didn't dare to disobey him. She wondered what had caused him this foul mood.

William waited for Antara to step aside. Only when he was sure she wouldn't follow himself inside did he himself enter.

The mud-house was rife with smoke and rising fumes. The burning heat did nothing to stop the panic from rising. There were lives in here that he needed to save. Quickly gathering his wits about he scanned the room. In the corner, huddled together sat Rajaram and his wife Gomti.

William carefully made his way to them, side-stepping the falling embers. He reached them and held his hand out to help. They quickly grasped his hand and managed to stand up. William knew he had very little time, he needed to get them out of here as soon as possible. He quickly ushered them out to of the house to where Antara stood exactly where he had asked her to wait.

But the rescue wasn't over.

"They have a baby...", Antara said in a feeble voice.

"I know," was all she heard William say before he went back inside.

By now the fire had nearly died out. However, the poisonous fumes refused to let him have a clear view of the room. William was frantic now. The cries of the child had also stopped. He didn't want to think the worst could have happened. He wouldn't be able to bear it. Especially not after what he had overheard the villagers whispering about Antara.

They thought she had brought bad-luck to the entire village and her first victims were Rajaram and his family. They were going to banish her from the village before she could bring them any more bad luck.

"William..." Antara's small voice shook by his side.

He knew better than to think she would do as he said and wait outside.

Together they made quick work of finding the child. She was huddled up below a wicker basket which had somehow miraculously escaped the fire. The child was unconscious, but she would survive. In fact, William was sure she was tired of all the crying and had gone to sleep.

They carried her outside to the waiting arms of her parents.

"I thought I told you to stay outside," William asked of Antara as soon as the family they had rescued were reunited.

"You did. But then I got worried and..."

"So you decided to come in and add to my worries?"

"No. I...I...I'm sorry William. I just couldn't bear to think that something could have happened to you."

"My dear girl, why would you think such a thing?"

"Well...you were taking long to come out."

"Alright. I can see it is pointless to argue with you. Come on. I'll take you home now."

"No William. I cannot come with you. Surijee told me you were planning to take me with you. But I cannot impose myself on you longer. We must go our separate ways."

"No Antara. You don't understand. I am not just taking you with me. I intend to marry you first."

"You...what?" Antara's shock resonated from her expression.

By now the villagers had finally coughed up the courage to gather near Rajaram's family. Not having understood a word of what had transpired between William and Antara, they began whispering (in hindi) again.

"She has to leave Sarpanchjee. She cannot stay in our village any longer."

"Yes. We must think of our children. Luckily Rajaram's family could escape her bad luck. God will not be so kind next time."

"We must act now."

...

William had heard enough and from the look on Antara's face he knew she had heard them too. But before he could say something, she turned around to face them.

The words which the village headmaster's daughter spoke that night, would never be forgotten by the people of Rasgaon.

************to be continued***************

And Then One Fine Day - Revelation

2012-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

Antara didn't want to move. She loved where she was right then. In William's arms. She had no care in the world. She didn't care about the villagers, about society...nothing! She just wanted to be in William's arms forever and as he tightened his hold on her that was all the assurance she needed that she was safe with him. Nothing else in the world mattered to her. She wanted this. She needed this.
She needed William and nothing and nobody could change that ever.
The last three weeks, have been the worst ever. Her father's death had been the biggest shock for her. He was her only support, the only parent she had ever had, for her mother had died at childbirth. Her father had been her hero ever since she was a little girl.
On his deathbed, her father had said, "Be happy my child. Do not shy away from happiness, do not fault it when it comes to you. And do not turn it away."

As Antara stood in William's embrace, her father's words came back to her. William was her happiness. She knew as certainly as she knew that she loved him with all her heart. Nothing would change that for her.

...

William knew that he was putting her in grave peril by doing this. He knew that the villagers would never ever accept her into their fold. She would be discarded as the woman who tried to sell herself to the Governor's son. Her existence would become her bane.
He had to do something!

He told her that he would come back the next morning for her. He told Surijee to be with her for the night and left his beloved in his care.

...

William reached the Fort in time to receive a summons from his Father. He was being called to the carpet for his recent indiscretion, he knew.

Lord Graham was seated in his study, but his eyes automatically moved to William when he entered, which told him that his Father had been waiting for him.
William waited for what was surely going to be the longest evening of his life.

"So," began Lord Graham, "James tells me that the Little Miss has not been coming for lessons for nearly a month. Is anything amiss William?"

"Antara's Father, the village headmaster has passed on. She is grieving."

"I am sorry to hear that," continued the Lord, "but why is it that you are in a sulk, son?"

"I...", William didn't know what to tell his Father without giving his feelings away too blatantly.

"Father I was worried for her."

"As I have been given to understand, you were more than just worried about her weren't you son?"

"Yes Father." William knew it was pointless lying to his Father, the man would obviously see straight through him.

"So what are you going to do about it?

"I...wha...I'm sorry Sir?"

"Do not tell me you are just going to sit here and do nothing about it."

"No Sir. I intend to bring Antara here tomorrow."

"I see. And what becomes of her after she comes here?" William didn't know where his Father was getting at.

"I have not thought about that as yet. I just want her moved out from the village, before the malicious barbs and taunts begin."

"Yes, quite right. Although, if I may say, I am sure they have already begun have they not?"

"You are probably right Father."

"Then why wait until tomorrow son?"

At that William looked straight at his Father. The man was serious. He wanted him to bring Antara here immediately. But what of the villagers? What about the tongues he would soon be setting with his actions? Wouldn't they affect his Father too?

Before he could direct these questions to his father, the Lord himself answered, "People will talk Will. They always have and nor shall they ever stop. It is up to us whether we should let them affect us. I know this could very well be the end of our family's political future, but I will not have my son nursing a broken heart just so that I can further my political aspirations. I know what that feels like."

"What do you mean Father? What happened...?"

"Now is not the time to get into that Will. Leave now. Bring her here, before it is too late."

...

Surijee was nowhere to be found. The house was in absolute darkness. William did not want to panic.
Where was Antara?
And where was Suri?
And why were there no lights?
Was something wrong?

He was about to panic now.

And that's when he saw the smoke rising.

...

*******************to be continued************************

And Then One Fine Day - Change

2011-05-31T21:22:00.001-07:00

In the library, Antara waited for her students. She knew not how she was going to teach William and his brother a language that was so completely alien to them. Starting from scratch with numbers and alphabets would be quite a hardship for them she realized.

Her thoughts wandered to what her father had told her as she'd left for the Rasgarh Fort after school.

"Do not be worried my child. There is nothing wrong in whatever you are about to do. However, it will do you well to remember where you come from."

And she certainly knew where she came from. The high and imposing walls of the fort not doing any good in easing her discomfort. The library in itself was almost museum-like. There were about a million books housed in it.

Yet, despite its grandeur and larger-than-life persona, the walls spoke to her as though welcoming her into their space. The earlier Governor had all but abused the beauty of the ancient structure. But Lord Graham had seen to it that the fort was restored to it deserving beauty. The lawns and gardens were enormous, but the genda and mogra flowers added to its beauty. Colours were strewn all across what she could only assume was a flower garden. It was a beautiful sight. A small meadow.

Her thoughts halted as she heard the library doors creak open. In stepped a little boy with light brown hair and freckles on his pale white skin. He was wearing mini-jodhpurs, a crisp white shirt, a black waist coat and boots to match looking every inch the aristocrat that he was.

Antara smiled softly to him and when James smiled back, she saw William in him. This is how he must have been when he was James' age. Antara smiled to herself as William walked in,

"I hope I am not too late."

"Not at all Sir. Why don't you both sit down."

"Thank you Antara. And please call us William and James."

She only smiled. She seemed to be doing that a lot she thought. She ordered herself to stop but she just couldn't.

----

Three months on and Antara was still smiling in her hindi class. If it was possible, her students were even more charming than before. Jim, as she now called James had taken her heart from day one. She had never met a sweeter child. He was wonderfully eager to learn and had picked up the language beautifully. He now spoke short sentences with amazing fluidity and clarity. Antara loved him dearly.

William, Antara noted was unlike anyone she had ever met. Not only had he mastered the language, but he had also slowly crept in to her heart.

The village headmaster's daughter was in love with the Governor's son.

She knew not when it happened and how it all happened. But it had.

She was irrevocably in love.

----

For William, the last three months had been beautiful. He not only got to see Antara everyday, but he also got to spend plenty of time with her. And in doing so, he was able to know her better. He knew now she loved flowers, so he would have fresh flowers on her table in the library everyday. He knew she loved books, so he would send books over to her house every weekend.

He loved her smile, warm and friendly. He loved the way she cared for James. His little brother was blossoming under her touch. Gone was the shy little lad who used to cling to his brother for every thing. In his place now was a confident and affectionate child, always smiling just like his teacher.

However, William also knew that all this wouldn't last. His father would soon be posted elsewhere. And although he would be staying back in Rasgaon, having just been commissioned; he knew he couldn't be with Antara. It just wouldn't be right for her.

He, William Arthur Graham Meyberg was head over heels in love with Antara, the village headmaster's daughter.

----

Surijee stood at the entrance to the Grand Hall waiting for Willam Sirjee (he no longer referred to him as the white man).

Upon entering the hall, William asked Surijee whether he would like some refreshments since he'd traveled in this heat on foot. Surijee was very happy with Sirjee's warm and generous hospitality.

He drank some cool water and then told William Sirjee that Antarabibi will not be coming to teach in the afternoon because her pitaahji wasn't keeping well.

After informing Sirjee that it was nothing serious, he left. He liked William Sirjee. He was a nice white man. He did not have any airs about himself. He was very nice indeed.

In fact, even though Suri would never admit it to anyone; he liked William Sirjee and Antarabibi together. He knew Sirjee will be able to care for his bibi.

But Suri knew how the village was. Even though he was an old man himself, he was not stuck up with his ideals and principles. He knew that times were changing and changing with times was imperative.

With his thoughts scattered in all directions, Suri arrived at Antarabibi's house to find people gathered outside, whispering about some tragedy.

Suri cleared his way and went in and stopped dead in his tracks. Antarabibi was sitting hunched in a corner, silent tears streaming down her face.

Vasudevjee, the village headmaster had died.

----

"Surijee, humko Antarabibi se milna haaain. Please help karo," William beseeched Surijee for the hundredth time. But Suri was immovable. He told William Sirjee that Antarabibi did not want to meet anybody. She was dealing with pain in her own way according to him.

William felt helpless. It had been almost three weeks since he'd seen Antara. He just wanted one glimpse of her to see for himself that she was okay. But he knew he wasn't going to get anywhere with Suri.

He turned to leave when he heard her voice, soft and almost feeble, "William..."

He turned then to the woman he loved. The woman he'd missed dearly for the last few weeks. The woman who'd become the centre of his world.

----

Antara ran towards him then. She didn't have a care in the world. She didn't care about what the villagers would say. She wanted William. She needed him.

She found what she wanted in his tight embrace. She found...love...

But things were going to change now...

******************to be continued********************

And Then One Fine Day - School

2011-05-31T02:34:00.000-07:00

Surijee rang the bell thrice, signalling the end of school. As he waved goodbye to the last of the children, he saw a white man walking towards the school. His first thought was to shut the gates to the school and run inside. But he knew that would be cowardly and he was definitely not a coward.

As the man came closer he said, "Namaste saheb. Main Suri hoon. Iskool ka chaukidaar. Aapko kisise milna hain saheb?"

He waited in trepidation wondering what the white man was going to say. But he was surprised when the man smiled gently and said something in a weird language. "Hindi" was all he caught in the man's tirade.

He opened the gates for the man and said, "Saheb, andar aa jao. Main kisiko bulaata hoon."

----

Antara was gathering all her books from the table when Surijee came in running.

"Kya hua Surijee? Kuch kaam tha?"

Surijee told her about the white man who had come to school and was waiting near the entrance. Antara knew at once that he was William. A small bubble of excitement began hovering around her head. She didn't know why William had come and even if he had come to learn Hindi, she didn't know how serious he was about it.

She told Surijee to bring the 'white man' into her classroom and by the look on the old man's face she knew he didn't approve.

----

Surijee didn't know what to make of the situation. Who is this white man? And why does Antarabibi want to meet him in her classroom? His questions went unanswered as he ushered the white man to Antarabibi's class.

However, he didn't just leave him there. He waited outside the classroom, keeping an eye on the white man!

----

Antara couldn't stop herself from smiling. William was so big and overbearing in her tiny little make-shift classroom. He wouldn't be able to sit on any of the chairs of her students and the only other chair was hers. When she offered it to him, he waved her off saying, "When do we start Madam?"

Antara's first reaction was to laugh but then she knew Surijee was standing outside, his attempt to eavesdrop failing when he started coughing.

"You cannot be serious Sir. Do you really wish to learn Hindi?"

"Absolutely dear girl. And also, now that we have that cleared up it would be nice to know your name."

Exasperated, but at the same time a little too overjoyed for her own good she said, "My name is Antara."

"Antara...Antara..." he repeated and to her astonishment he said without a tinge of an english accent.

"So when do we start Antara Madam?"

Antara didn't know how to answer that. She knew that if William kept coming to school, tongues would start wagging and sooner or later the entire village would be at her school's doorstep demanding to know what a white man was doing in there.

"Honestly Sir, I don't know how will I teach you. The villagers will..." she trailed off when he put his hand up stopping her.

"Antara, I am only asking you to teach me the language. If the villagers ask you anything, I will answer them."

"No Sir. That will not do at all."

William knew she was right. In a country like India, he knew how women were treated in society. He didn't want Antara to be ostracized because of him. No. He would never have that.

"Okay. How about I arrange for you to come to the Rasgarh Fort to teach Hindi to my younger brother, James? He's only 8 years old. I'm sure the villagers will not have a problem with that."

Antara wondered why he was going through so much trouble just to learn a new language.

"Sir, I really do not know how this will go down with my village. They may not approve," thinking how to phrase what she was about to say she added, "and besides, why are you going through so much trouble to just learn a language? The villagers will think there is something else to this."

"And if there is?" William surprised her with his response.

The silence was so overwhelming in its wake that Antara was surprised that she couldn't hear it buzzing in her ear. She was so glad that Surijee didn't understand a word of English.

Before she could come up with a suitable response William said, "Its settled then. You can come to the fort in the afternoons after school closes. I promise to drop you back to your home before the sun sets."

Antara looked up at him when he said that.

"My dear sweet girl, I know you will need to be home before the sun sets. I will not keep you any longer."

She smiled then, a smile of gratitude and also pleasure. She really wanted to teach this 'white man', to Surijee; her language. But, deep down Antara knew there was something more. She just didn't want to dwell on that just yet.

"Okay Sir. I will come"

"William, " he corrected her. "Okay William."

Happy with that, he turned to leave. When he was at the door, he heard Surijee pull back and chuckled softly to himself.

He turned back then and said, "Oh and I'd like to start with knowing the meaning of your name my dear girl."

And then he was gone...

***********************to be continued****************************

And Then One Fine Day...The Morning

2010-10-29T03:25:00.000-07:00

Clad in a blue and red sari, long black as midnight hair tied into two thick plaits, her only adornment a single thin chain around her neck, almond shaped doe-eyes, the colour of twilight with gilded flecks, a long dainty nose with a small nose-ring, cheeks the colour of pink roses, a pointy chin with hinted at a bit of stubbornness in her nature...who was she?

She seemed to be asking him something but for the life of him he couldn't bring himself to pay attention to whatever it is she was saying.

She finally stomped her foot in anger and thats when William was shaken out of his reverie.

"Who are you," he asked wondering if she knew English because he for one didn't know a word of Hindi.

The girl stared at him pointedly and thats when he realised that he was still lying down on the grass. He quickly got himself together, scrambled into a sitting position, adjusted his clothes and hair and repeated his question, "Who are you?"

"I am the Headmaster's daughter," she said in a sing-song voice with not even a tinge of hindi accent.

"Very well. I am...," before he could his finish his sentence she said,

"I know who you are. You're Sir Graham's son, the one who has come to oust us all from our homes and take away our land if we are unable to pay the tax this year." She finished in a puff of anger.

William was taken aback at the abject animosity evident on her angelic face. He wondered who had fed her such a load of nonsense about his father, a peace-loving man trying his damnedest to bring some amount of respite for the village of Rasgaon. But for some reason he knew that no matter how much ever he tried to clear his image, the headmaster's daughter wasn't going to believe him.

So instead he asked her, "Where did you learn to speak English?"

"Why do you ask? Have I surprised the imperialist in you?"

William was getting a tad angry with the sourness in her voice, he knew there was no reason for her to be this defensive. After all his question was asked in complete innocence.

"Not at all," he replied a little stiffly.

Antara was angry with the imperialists for having destroyed her beautiful village but she wasn't mannerless and inhospitable.

"I am sorry. That was rude of me. My mother was the nanny to Lord Hilton's granddaughter. I used to tag along with her and was allowed to sit for tuitions. Thats where I learnt to speak English."

"Oh well. Thats wonderful. I am glad you can speak English. Perhaps you can teach me your language."

"Certainly. You can join the village school. The fees is nominal enough for you to afford and the hindi lessons are in the afternoon."

William smiled at her cheekiness. But he was in the mood to surprise her it seemed so he said,

"Certainly. Shall I come down to the school tomorrow? Are you the Hindi teacher? Or do you by any chance take classes after school?"

William watched her expression change from mild disbelief to suspicion. He quickly added, "There would be other children in school too right. Its been quite a while since I've spent time with children. My eldest sister has 3 girls. Quite a handful those three. I do miss them dearly."

Antara found herself softening to the young man. She knew that should anybody see her speaking to him the entire village would be in uproar. But she was never one to follow rules.

"Will they be visiting you during their holidays? Have they been to India?"

"No they haven't been to India. I have requested my sister Charlotte to bring the children during their holidays to India. It will be quite an adventure for them."

Antara blurted out, "Why adventure? Is it because they feel that we are a country full of uneducated and backward villagers? We are quite an advanced country Sir. The world thrives on our rice and handloom. Your government survives on our trade."

"Why are you getting so agitated and defensive my dear girl? The children will love India for her culture and unity. The colours of this country are so varied and different. It will most definitely be a learning for them."

"I apologise for speaking like that Sir," she blushed.

"Apology accepted my dear girl. Please do not call me Sir. I feel quite positively old when you call me so. My name is William and my dear one ones call me Will."

"I don't know whether we will meet again. If we do, maybe then I shall. For now, Sir will do just fine," she grinned.

She turned to go, when William stopped her saying, "Wait. What is your name?"

She smiled, her right cheek dimpled and said, "If we meet again, I shall tell you. For now dear girl suits me just fine. I quite like the sound of that."

With that, she turned and scooted away into the woods, leaving William with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

He knew they would meet again. He knew.

After all how difficult would it be to find a girl who was not only the village Headmaster's daughter but also the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

Going back to school never sounded more appealing!

***********************to be continued*************************************

And Then One Fine Day...The Lake

2010-05-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

The lanes of Rasgaon had never been so lifeless. Even the mud and gravel on the surface refused to budge.
It was like the entire village was in silent mutiny of all that was happening around. Everything was in a state of calm - the calm before the storm. For nobody in the village knew that in about 6 months, the village headmaster's daughter would change the destiny of the village.

For them, she was still the naive young girl, who taught in the local gram-school and took dance classes in the evening for the zamindar's children.

----

The smell of wet mud infiltrated his nostrils as he took his morning ride on Mustang. The previous night had been a good one. He'd met with all the important officials in the Parliament. He'd given his silent acquiesce to anything they'd said just to ensure that there was no initial dissension.

They'd finally called it a night, close to midnight.

But sleep seemed to be eluding William. So he decided to go for a midnight stroll.

He decided to explore the woods behind the house. Having lived all his life in London, he'd never really had moments of solitude. The times William would spend in India would always be dear to him, as these would be the moments of self-introspection and self-analysis - something which he seldom did.
So he walked down the cobbled path, interpolated every now and then with a fallen tulip and some errant leaves which the gardener would sweep off the next morning.
His path was aglow with the light from the lonesome moon in the sky that night. The stars seem to have disappeared that night. The solitary moon and the fireflies torched his path.
William walked and walked into the night, forgetting all his woes and troubles. He decided to leave those to ponder over for the next day.

He came to a clearing. The shrubbery and the branches made way for a small lake, literally in the midst of nowhere. The languid reflection of the moon on the still waters was William's undoing. He sat down on the banks, not wanting to stir the water from its apparent restful state, he didn't give into the ever human urge of throwing a pebble into the water.

How long he sat there he knew not. How many hours of the night had gone by he knew not.
He didn't realise when his eyes closed and when sleep finally claimed him.

----

The next morning, Antara went down to the lake. She wanted to be away from the abject mutiny that was now in the veins of Rasgaon. She didn't want to be a part of any war. She didn't want to be a part of any conspiracy. She just wanted to live her life on her own terms, without being answerable to anybody.
As she walked down the familiar path, she picked up the fallen tulips and leaves. She would make a raft with all the leaves and set the tulips on it and send it down the river. She never liked the way the gardener would just stomp on them and sweep them away. So she found a better end for them.

Upon reaching the bank, Antara realised wasn't alone. Thats when she saw him.

----

William had woken up to the sound of the pelican happily sipping water from the lake. He'd woken up in the lap of nature, was his first thought.
He looked around and thats when he saw her.

******to be continued******

And Then One Fine Day...2

2010-05-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

India... He'd heard so much about this country, read so much about its ancient culture and heritage. He knew all the states and its capitals, the union territories. He'd done his homework before coming.

He knew he still had a lot to learn - which is why he was here.
He wanted to explore the length and breath of the country he'd heard so much about. He wanted to experience the cultural shock and awakening that people often talked about.
He knew he'd find his destiny in India.

His father was a top ranking official in the Parliament.
The same Parliament that was responsible for the general dissension groping the country.
The same Parliament that was hated and loathed by the common man - the plebeian.

William was supposed to be a part of this Parliament.
He was one of them. The Imperialist.

----

And then one fine day...

And Then One Fine Day...

2010-04-22T23:55:00.000-07:00

Things weren't going down well. All around, the chaos and general hubbub was deafening to say the least.
In all this, finding peace was like finding water in a dry and arid desert.
Yet, the hope never left her. The misery never shrouded her optimism. She believed that victory would be hers. She believed that happiness would touch her one day.

----

For Antara, love had always remained the transient illusion.
Nonetheless, she didn't let the thought of never having found true love get to her. She knew the day would come. And it would come soon.
But till then, she was content with her life.
The dull monotony that was the way of life for many had never shadowed her even once.

The dark times were forgotten (always) long before they stayed long enough to leave scars.
She never stopped believing. She never stopped hoping.

----

And then one fine day...

The Journey - Final Chapter

2010-04-02T21:40:00.001-07:00

Rishi watched as his son slept blissfully unaware of the tension and panic his premature arrival had brought on.

His right hand was beside his ear and his head was turned slightly towards his left. He was wrapped in a light yellow sheet. A small tuft of brown hair could be seen popping out from under his yellow cap. The light rise and fall of his small little chest, the small little sighs that he made...all made Rishi realise one thing - his son was real. This was his boy. His little guy. He wanted to touch his soft cheeks, play with the slight cleft in his chin, see if his son would hold on to his finger.

But most of all...he wanted to show his son to the world. Every time his mind spelled 'my son', Rishi's chest inflated a little more with that certain fatherly pride. He wanted to run on to the rooftop of the hospital and scream himself hoarse. He wanted the whole world to know about the newest addition to their family.

Soon after, the nurse came. "Sir?"

She had to repeat herself once more, this time in the indulgent voice she reserved especially for all those overwhelmed new daddies, "Sir...if you would come with me now, your wife wishes to speak to you."

That got Rishi to spin back and face the nurse. "My wife!'" he exclaimed.

"My wife wants to speak to me? Did she really say that Sister?" He was stunned and he was thrilled to bits about it.

The nurse just nodded and asked him to follow her.

----

Neha waited for her husband to come to her. She was sore and aching in all places, but she knew that now wasn't the time to focus on the pain. It was just mild after all. What she was going to do now, was bigger than any pain.

She had come to this decision, while she was writhing in agony, in the delivery room. How her mind had found the space to accommodate this decision was beyond her. She knew she was doing the right thing. For her family. For her husband. For their son.

This had to be done.

----

Rishi knocked lightly on the door, before letting himself in to see his wife. On his way over, he imagined this scene a zillion times. He didn't know what his wife was going to say to him. But he knew one thing for sure. He was going to fight for his family. He loved Neha. He loved the little bundle of joy, Neha had brought in to the world.

He was going to save this marriage. He was going to save his family. His wife and his son were everything in this world to him.

He wasn't going to let them go.

----

"Rishi, I have something I need to say to you."

"Neha, I too have something I need to say to you. Could I please say my bit first?"

"Rishi...this is so typical you, you know. Why can't I go first? What I have to say is important to both of us. Please Rishi..."

"Okay sweetheart. You go right ahead." He would do anything for her.

"Rishi, I've come to a decision." She saw that he was about to say something, so she held her hand up and continued, "I need you to hear me out please."

Rishi's anxiety was reaching new levels and he was sure he was going to hit the panic mode very soon.

"While dancing with you this afternoon, I started to hope Rishi. A new hope sprung and I started believing that we do have a chance of making this marriage work. I was going to tell you so. But then my water broke and the moment was utterly destroyed and...and..." she couldn't go on. A soft sob escaped her and she started weeping.

Rishi crossed the distance between in two quick strides, sat on the edge of the bed and took his weeping wife into his arms. He soothed and calmed her. He pressed soft kisses on her temple, smoothed her hair. Finally when she had calmed and was only hiccuping a little, he pushed her back onto her pillow.

"We'll talk later sweetheart. You need to rest."

"No Rishi..." she rebelled and caught hold of his arm. "I need to finish what I had to say."

"Neha...we'll talk later. You need to rest darling."

"Rishi please. Weren't you also wanting to say something? Please Rishi. Tell me what it is. I want to know. Are you going to leave me? Is that what you were going to say?" she burst into tears once again. This time curling up on her side.

Rishi was stunned. Why should she think that?

He lay beside her and gathered his weeping wife into his arms once again.

"Come here you silly girl," he said and just held her.

Finally when she was again on a hiccup spree, he sat her straight. He held by her shoulders and said,

"Neha Nair, if you for even a second thought that I was going to leave you, you are sadly mistaken my darling wife. There isn't a force in this world that can keep me away from you. I never ever want to let you go. I am so sorry for being such a callous prat earlier. I wish I could take it all back, but I cannot sweetheart. I really hope you can forgive me someday. If you cannot I understand. But I will strive to ensure that I will never hurt you ever. Thats a promise babe."

And then, the darnedest thing happened. Neha started crying again.

----

Two months later

Neha and Rishi, stood by the door to their son's nursery watching him sleep in his crib.

Rishi had found that his son did indeed have the softest cheeks. He'd cried a little the first time his son had held his finger tightly in his fist.

Neha found a tender side to her husband she never knew he had. She enjoyed watching father and son together. Sometimes, she would wake up in the middle of the night to feed her son. When she would pad down to the nursery, she would find Rishi holding a bottle to his son. He would be fast asleep, but their son would be busy glugging down his formula.

Rishi had insisted on his son being named Rishi Jr. "Its a father and son thing," he'd said.

Neha didn't object one bit. After all, she'd always wanted to name her son Rishi.

But she would keep that bit of information to herself. Her husband's ego was quite swollen as it is.

**********THE END*******

The Journey VI

2010-03-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

"Oh no! I think my water just broke," Neha exclaimed the same time as water pooled at her feet.

Rishi, jumped a step back quickly in alarm.

"Oh my God! What does this mean? Are you okay? What about our baby?"

Neha looked at her 34year old husband panicking like as if all hell had broken loose. His brow was creased with worry and he appeared genuinely concerned for her. Her resolve of not softening towards him itself was softening at an alarming rate.

She smiled softly at him only to cry out in pain, as the first of the many contractions to come took over her.

She clutched at her abdomen, her face contorted in pain, her body bending over as she waited for the pain to subside.

Rishi was in hell. He was feeling absolutely helpless - his brain had all but scrambled.

Fortunately, Neha's mother came along and helped her daughter settle into a chair at the end of the dance floor. Rishi just followed both women numbly.

The next 15minutes were a blur...ambulance siren and Neha's screams during contractions. The latter wrenched at his heart. His feeling of being helpless and of no use trebled.

They reached the hospital and Neha was immediately wheeled into the Delivery Room.

"No time to lose," the Doctor had muttered.

----

In the waiting room, Rishi was panicking once again. He'd been asked whether he wanted to coach his wife through labour, but he'd declined the offer knowing full well that if he heard one more groan from his wife he would pass out.

So he waited outside. With his mother-in-law, who was looking at him with absolute revulsion in her eyes.

No time to dwell on that Mommy! he thought to himself as he continued to pace the length of the room.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, a nurse came into the room.

"Mr. Nair...the doctor would like to see you. Would you care to come with me please?"

Upon hearing this, Neha's mother ventured, "What is it Sister? Is there something to worry about? Is my daughter alright?"

"Yes...what is it Nurse? Is my wife alright?"

The nurse just stared at the mother-in-law and son-in-law duo, suddenly standing united.

"I...you...would you please come with me Mr. Nair? Ma'am, please stay here. I will come back for you."

Rishi looked at his mother-in-law with worry. She just nodded and gestured him to go ahead with the Nurse.

----

"Is my wife alright Doctor? Can I see her now? Is she asleep? How is the baby?..."

Questions just kept pouring out of Rishi. The doctor waited for him to finish his tirade and then said, "Your wife is absolutely alright and in perfectly good health Mr. Nair. She is asleep now so you can probably see her a while later."

Okay thought Rishi. But then..."What about the baby?"

"Yes...Mr.Nair, you see, premature babies are very common these days. You have a beautiful baby boy. He is under observation for a while just to make sure he is okay."

"Okay...could I see my son?"

Rishi felt a moment of sheer male pride and joy - my son. How wonderful those two words seemed. His world had changed forever!

"Of course you can see him. Nurse...?"

******************to be continued*****************

The Journey V

2010-01-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

Neha felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to look straight into her husband's eyes. The intensity of the moment caught the better of her. She smiled shyly at him before remembering that they were not on talking terms and saying, "What is it?"

Rishi's confidence had grown greatly with his wife's smile. He replied, "May I have this dance with you Neha?"

Totally taken aback by her husband actions, Neha didn't know how to react. She found herself nodding her head in consent to his request.

Next moment, she was pressed up against him on the dance floor. The music in the background rang of "Love you till the end" by The Pogues.

This song held such wonderful memories for both Neha and Rishi. This was the song to which they danced together the first time. This was the song that was playing in the restaurant where Rishi had asked Neha to marry him.

Little did his wife know, that Rishi had gone to the DJ and requested him to play this song.

He knew how much Neha loved this song. He had seen the sparkle in her eyes, the moment it had started playing. He noticed the easy fluid grace with which she moved to the subtle love song.

His wife was always good at whatever she did. She seemed to have the Midas touch.

Rishi looked down to his wife, who was trying very hard to not let the intimacy of the moment carry her away.

But try as she might, she couldn't stop herself from looking up at her husband.

Rishi, dipped his head slowly and was just about to kiss his wife, when the moment was broken.

*******to be continued********

The Journey IV

2010-01-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Neha mulled over the decision she had made, while sipping coffee. Her mother hadn't been very helpful at the time of her distress, obviously assuming that Rishi was right and her own daughter was in the wrong.

Neha had no wish to remain at her mother's the entire weekend, but she had told Rishi that she would be back only the following Monday. So there was really no point in going home.

Besides, with the way she was feeling now, the apartment she had shared with Rishi for the last two years, no longer felt like a home. To her, now, it was just four walls - a claustrophobic mausoleum.

Her heart broke a little bit more every time she replayed that scene in her mind. Somehow, she couldn't shake that look of desperation from Rishi's face.

Was everything okay with him? Why was he so anxious? Hadn't he also wanted a baby? So what had happened in the interim that had made him change his mind?

Neha's mind was moving in vicious concentric circles. She knew there was something amiss. But she had tolerated enough and more. She couldn't do it to herself anymore. Besides, she now had the baby to think about as well.

With that decision firmly in place, she went into her mother's living room where her mother was crying while watching some soap opera.

-----

Present...

Rishi was keenly watching his wife mingling with the people in the party. When the invitation had come he had wanted to decline, but he didn't want to miss out on the chance of meeting his wife - whom he had not seen for the past six months. Contrary to that note she had left for him on the kitchen table, his wife had never returned to their home. She had sent her mother's man-friday to pick up all her things and had moved out entirely.

He watched her as she floated about smiling at those she knew, playing with the little children and cooing at the infants. His wife had always been good with kids. He felt a certain sense of pride and joy knowing that the baby inside her womb right now was his.

She was probably around eight months along if his calculations were right. His Neha was radiant. She was literally the belle of the ball. She looked more radiant than the bride herself.

But what nobody else noticed, Rishi noticed in her. Her eyes had a deep melancholy in them. Sometimes her smile didn't reach her eyes - as if it was all just a facade of happiness.

He knew he was responsible for it. He knew he was responsible for his wife not standing next to him during the ceremony. He knew he was responsible for his wife not dancing - when he knew that there was nothing in the world she loved more than dancing.

It was all his fault.

And he was going to make it right. Every mistake that he had made would be corrected. He was going to win his wife back.

Rishi was going to win Neha back.

*************to be continued**************

The Journey III

2009-12-22T01:26:00.000-08:00

'Rishi...I'm pregnant...' she said, all the while her heart beating a wild tattoo in her chest.

Neha was aware of the slight strain their marriage was suffering from, but she honestly believed that with this news, everything would fall in to place.

The first thing Rishi asked was something Neha would have never wanted to hear from the man she loved and adored. 'How far along are you?' he asked different as though asking in desperation.

The next question shocked Neha to no end.

'Do you want to have this baby now?'

Neha's entire world collapsed with that one question. The pedestal on which she had placed Rishi, came crumbling down and bringing along with it the deafening thud of reality. A reality which showed her how far apart they had grown 'cause of their own individual chase toward success.

Rishi stood there...regarding his wife, watching her. He knew he had hurt her terribly with that ill-phrased question. He knew that they may never go back to being the same again. He knew he was responsible for it. Neha had been wanting a baby for months now.

But the timing was just terrible. And he didn't know how else to break it to her, so he said,

'Neha...a baby at such a time would be liability. We won't be able to manage.' He ended with a look so desperate that it was all Neha could do to not throw anything at him.

'A liability? Is that what you think a baby would be?' She burst out.

'How could you even think like that Rishi? After all the time we've been trying to have a baby and this is what you say!'

'No Neha! Don't put this on me. You were the one who wanted a baby badly.'

Neha couldn't believe what she was hearing.

'Fine Rishi. If thats what you want to believe, you go right ahead. But I'm going to bring this baby into the world. If you want you can be involved, if not, I won't say I understand, but at least I know where you stand so I will not judge you.'

With that Neha turned and walked into his bedroom ('cause she no longer wanted to share it with him), scooped up her stuff and moved into the guest room.

The next morning, she had removed every trace of her presence from Rishi's room.

When Rishi got back home that evening, there was a note for him on the kitchen table:

I 'm going to my mother's for the weekend.

Please don't try and contact me.

I am not moving out. This is my house too.

But yes, I am moving out of your life.

Rishi knew he had lost his wife.

The Journey II

2009-12-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

Eight months ago, Neha's book 'The Marriage' was published and released.

Rishi himself helped his wife in her book-launch and was by her side when she raked in rev reviews the first few months.

Neha became a successful writer, soon an eminent film-maker wanted to adapt her story into a feature film, and he wanted to cast Neha as the lead.

When Neha told Rishi about this development, he didn't seemed very enthused with the idea. She put it down to fatigue and work-pressure and didn't question on him on his lack of emotion.

Things were still normal - until that night.

----

Rishi came back home late. His company was in the financial doldrums. They were literally struggling to stay afloat in the current economic melt-down. At such a time, he knew money would be tight. Therefore, while on his way home a plan had been formulated. He was going to tell Neha to take up the film-producer's offer.

They could use the extra money and there would be no added pressure on Rishi. He knew he was being selfish, but he also knew his wife would be happy with his decision.

The last time when Neha had told him about the film, he wasn't too pleased with the idea of his wife working in a movie. Call it male-pride or ego or whatever you will, but he just didn't want his wife to make spectacle of herself.

He knew that his decision to let Neha work had an ugly ulterior motive, but he had no choice. He loved his wife dearly, there was no doubt about that, but right now, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Neha was waiting with baited breath for her husband to return. She had big news and she knew he would be overjoyed with her news.

When Rishi came back home that evening, their lives changed forever.

The Journey I

2009-11-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

Nobody seemed to notice the indifference in them. It was as though everything was normal and rosy.

But Neha knew it to be a blasphemy - a wicked facade. A farce so as to not let others become privy to the sham of their marriage.

She looked at her husband as he sat at the seat opposite her. To the world, he was her husband, her soulmate.

All around people were raising their glasses in salute to their marriage and blessing the newly-weds saying, 'May you be as wonderfully happy as Neha and Rishi'.

Neha wanted to stop the idiocy of the evening. But somehow she managed to pin a smile on her face and went along with all that was happening. From time to time, she glanced at her husband, who was busy chatting with the bride's sister sitting next to him.

She snorted inwardly, knowing full well how their conversation was going to end.

Eight years in to a marriage entrenched with regret and melancholy had left her feeling dull and hollow. No amount of merry-making would soothe her.

As she watched the bride and groom dancing to a typical Indian wedding number, her mind took her back to the early days of her marriage...

Rishi worked for a multinational company which had just set foot into the Indian markets. Keen on profit maximization and high productivity, he scarce had time to think of anything else.

But when it came to his wife, she just had to enter the room for him to do away with all that was on his mind. They were passionately in love.

The approval and blessings of family had been grudgingly given, yet their love had survived all odds and emerged victorious.

Neha and Rishi were the couple who had everything going for them. Wherever they went, they went together. Hand in hand, love shone for each other in their eyes, they paraded their love to all and sundry.

When Neha would come home from work, she would find a bunch of flowers on her doorstep or a cd of love songs - from her husband.

When Rishi would come home tired and weary from work, his wife would be there to help him unwind, relax. They showered each other with their love.

But this bubble of theirs soon burst, when Neha's first book was published...

****************to be continued*******************

The Journey (intro)

2009-11-23T19:29:00.000-08:00

Theirs was a match made in heaven. Everybody thought that they were the happiest and most in-love couple.

They were...

But then everything fell apart. They grew apart. Work and busy schedules, late-nights and such had reared their ugly heads. Their marriage was failing. But neither of them had the time and patience to change the status quo. They were busy blaming the other for it.

Never did a day go by when they didn't fight, crystal didn't meet the wall, tears didn't stream and shouts and screams didn't ring through the entire neighbourhood.

They had had enough. Both of them wanted out. Would they get it? Or would they find each other in the process?

Join Rishi and Neha as they find out.

First Love... X

2009-11-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

First Love

Abhi had two hours to spare between his shifts. He finished his morning shift an hour early and so was glad that he had enough time at Ananya's.

He reached her place at quarter past twelve. She opened the door for him, looking as nervous as a skittish cat. Her father was in his study and her mother was in the kitchen. Her grandmother was resting in her room upstairs. The only person in the room besides Abhi was Ananya. Wanting to soothe her, Abhi gathered her close in his arms. She sank gratefully, unwilling to think of all the tension that would seen entrench the room.

He kissed her lightly on her forehead and asked her to go and call her parents to the living room.

He sat there, stewing - wondering how he was going to break the news to her parents.

Her father emerged from his study, with a smile on his face, happy to see Abhi. Her mother came in with a tray which had some biscuits and a pot of coffee.

While Ananya poured the coffee, uncle and aunty sat on the couch opposite from him. They both had such happy and genuine smiles on their faces that it almost killed him.

He sat forward, took the offered cup of coffee from Ananya and began,

"Uncle...I have something I wish to tell you. In fact Ananya and I both have."

He looked at her, but her eyes were cast down. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her head bowed in despair.

He began again, this time making direct eye-contact with her father, "Uncle...I...I wish to marry Ananya."

At that, Ananya immediately looked up, "Abhiii...what?"

"No Ananya...let me finish," then turning towards her parents who were beyond shocked, said, "Uncle, aunty..I promise to take very good care of her. Please will you give us your blessing?"

----

What was Abhi playing at? Ananya wanted to ask him, but her parents were ecstatic. They were so happy that she couldn't do anything to hurt them. But they had to be told. She knew she would have to tell them. Thankfully Abhi would be there, if they needed to be calmed.

"Daddy..." she began only to be enveloped in a big hug from her father. Her mother had rushed into the kitchen to bring sweets.

"Daddy..." she tried again, but to no avail.

The mayhem, brought her grandmother down and soon she too became a part of the celebrations.

Ananya looked at Abhi for help. But he was talking to her mother, who was trying to force a ladoo into his mouth.

She had had enough!

"ENOUGH!" She screamed loud enough so that everybody could hear her.

"Daddy...please listen to me." That got them all listen to her. Abhi shook his head at her trying to dissuade her from saying anything. She smiled at him and said, "No Abhi. I cannot let you do this. I cannot ruin your life."

Before her father could speak, she turned toward him and said, "Daddy I have brain tumour. I'm in the final stage and there is very little chance of recovery for me."

Her mother screamed and launched into heart-wrenching sobs. Her grandmother was holding her mother as she wept.

Ananya's father was pale white. He just stood there, still, unmoving. "Daddy..." she tried.

But he turned to Abhi and asked, "Is there no chance Abhishek?"

"Uncle there is a specialist in Germany. I had sent him Ananya's case file and he said that there is a chance that she can recover."

Her father seemed to have regained some of his colour on hearing that. He turned to his daughter and once again enveloped in a bear hug only this time his shudder of fear was evident.

----

Abhi watched in silence as the woman he'd come to love cried her heart out and was also having to calm her family. His 'little one' had grown up. But he was still not finished.

"Uncle...", he said, clearing his throat. Four pairs of tear-drenched eyes stared at him.

"Uncle, I want to marry Ananya. I love her and I will make sure she comes to no harm."

"How can you say that Abhishek?" her father asked.

"Uncle please. I love your daughter from the bottom of my heart. I will take her to Germany. I will be with her throughout her treatment. Uncle please..."

This time Ananya intervened. "Abhi...I cannot let you do this. I don't want to ruin your life Abhi."

"Ananya, I love you sweetheart. And I don't care about any of this treatment. I know you will be alright. I want you in my life forever", he said with conviction.

For her family that was enough. Her father immediately gave his consent.

----

They were married two weeks later in a small ceremony with just family. Maya and Aditya were also there, so much in love with each other. Ananya envied the happiness that was radiating from her sister's face. It was not that she wasn't happy - but her happiness was clouded by fear.

Abhi on the other hand counted this day as the best day of his life. He was marrying the woman he loved.

He whisked his wife off to Germany the very next day, not wanting to delay her treatment any more.

----

Two years later, Ananya Abhishek Krishnan gave birth to twin boys - Abhimanyu and Ansh.

Her doctor husband, unable to bear his wife's agonizing screams, had been told to wait outside by an elderly nurse.

Now though, he was proudly showing off his sons to friends and family.

She smiled when he looked at her - her husband, her first love.

**********************the end*********************

First Love... IX

2009-11-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

Decision

****

Abhi...are you busy?

***

No love.Tell me...why are you up so late?

****

I can't sleep. My head is aching.

***

Did you have your meds? Do you want me to come over?

****

Yeah right. And what will you tell my dad?

***

I'll tell him that I've come to see his lovely daughter, who I'm crazy about.

****

Abhiiii!!! You're mad.

***

I know :)

----

Ananya woke up the next morning, feeling a whole lot better. Somewhere before dawn sleep and exhaustion had finally claimed her.

At about 10.30 she was supposed to meet Abhi at the hospital. His shift was going to end at that time and he had promised to take her for a movie.

She fussed over what to wear and finally settled on the lime-green dress with the yellow bees that had fascinated him the last time.

Ananya smiled as she thought of the man who had come to mean the world to her.

They spent the whole day together. Abhi had cancelled his second shift and had decided to do a double shift the next day just so that he could spend time with his 'little one'.

They went shopping, clicked crazy photographs in the mall, went bowling and to Abhi's surprise and delight even enjoyed a few hours at a video-game parlour. It seemed as if his 'little one' could always surprise him.

When he dropped Ananya back that night, at her doorstep he said, "Ananya...I think we should tell uncle and aunty tomorrow. We shouldn't delay it any further. Baby we need to get you started with further treatment."

"Abhi...I...I just...I know you want to tell them. But can't you just wait a little longer. Daddy will not be able to take it. Maya's wedding..."

"Maya's wedding is over Ananya! I cannot do this anymore. We have to tell them." This time Abhi's voice was stern and brooked no further arguments.

She just meekly nodded. A silent tear chose to escape her eyes.

"Heyyy...baby don't cry. Everything will be alright. I will not let anything happen to you okay. Ananya...do you hear me? I will not let anything happen to you."

"I know Abhi," she sniffed, "but I'm scared. What if I...?"

"Sshhh...don't think like that. Everything will be alright." He closed his arms around her and held her tight. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder, tears wracking her body. Abhi just stood there, holding her, in agony.

Finally, she said, "Okay. We'll tell them tomorrow." With that she turned and went inside.

----

His drive back home was excruciating. He was just not able to get his mind around the facts that were staring at him. Tomorrow they would tell Ananya's parents. Abhi couldn't even begin to imagine how her parents' world was going to crumble.

His own world had crumbled the moment Dr. Singh had told him.

He didn't know how he was going to tell her parents. He didn't know how he was going to bring Ananya out of this. He just knew one thing - he wanted his 'little one'. He wanted Ananya forever.

With that...he came to another decision.

His mind made up, he turned into his driveway, his mind preparing for the next day.

***********************to be continued**************************

First Love... VIII

2009-11-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Acceptance

The wedding was a grand affair. The celebrations began three days prior to the main date. Friends and relatives poured in from all parts of the world. The elders showered the couple with blessings and the younguns surrounded the bride and the groom, in awe of their wedding finery.

But Abhi had eyes only for Ananya. His reason for doing so was apparently to keep an eye on her and make sure she was alright. But in his heart of hearts he knew that it was because he couldn't take his eyes off her.

She looked radiant and absolutely beautiful in her plum and emerald saree. Her smile lit up her green eyes and laughter rang like bells as she played with the smaller children.

He was just so enchanted by his little one.

At that moment, an epiphany chose to hit him. He was in love - head over heels, truly madly and deeply. And this was no kiddy love but the kinds that was pure and absolutely heartfelt.

There was no going back for him now.

----

Ananya's head was throbbing slightly but she didn't want to get in the way of the celebrations so she didn't say anything. In stead she went in search of Abhi, who she was told was in the garden talking to the caterers. When she reached the garden, she saw him in deep conversation with some people. As she waited for him to finish, she studied the man who had stolen her heart.

Yes! She was in love. That night in the hospital when Abhi had been with her, she had finally admitted to herself that she was in love with Dr. Abhishek.

She smiled to herself as she remembered the concern Abhi had shown.

He turned at that moment and their eyes meshed. Ananya 's whole life seemed to have come to a stand still. There was nothing that needed to be said. Their love shone in their eyes.

He came up to her and said, "Are you okay? Are you tired? Do you want to sit down for a while?"

She just smiled. Her headache seemed to have disappeared. She shook her head and said, "I'm fine Abhi. Stop worrying so much."

"Okay love. But the moment you feel any sort of pain, anything, tell me okay."

"Yes Abhi. I promise."

----

After Maya and Aditya left for their honeymoon to Upper Bhavani, everything seemed to have quietened around the house. Ananya's father was sitting in his study, her mother was in their bedroom, looking through some of Maya's things.

Ananya stood in the balcony and thought of the million talks she had had with her sister right there. She went over the last conversation they had had.

"You know Anu, I'm really going to miss you. You have to take care of yourself okay. But don't think that because I don't live here anymore, you can't talk to me whenever you want. Call me whenever you feel the need okay."

"Yes di. I know. I'll miss you too."

Maya smiled and said, "If you want to talk to Abhi that is also fine with me."

"What? Where did that come from?"

"Anu...I know. He's a nice guy."

"Di...we were talking about your wedding okay. Where did Abhi come from?"

"Okay okay...don't tell me now if you don't want to. But I should be the first one you tell even before Abhi okay."

"O God! You're mad di."

***************************to be continued************************************

First Love... VII

2009-11-01T02:19:00.000-08:00

Promise

Abhi watched helplessly as they wheeled Ananya into the Emergency Room. Her parents, her sister and her friends all looked at him, their eyes troubled with worry and fear.

Abhi didn't know how to reassure them. They all assumed that it was yet another bout of hypoglycemia. But he had a feeling that there was something amiss. In his mind, countless times he replayed the wince Ananya had made before collapsing in the balcony. As far as he knew, there was no pain involved during low blood-sugar attacks. There was something else. He could feel it.

But he didn't mention his worries to Ananya's parents. First, he wanted to make sure she was okay.

When Dr. Singh emerged, he literally ran towards him. knowing that his colleague would know how best to help.

Dr. Singh pacified Ananya's parents and told them that they could meet her. He allowed only two people in saying that the episode had sapped her energy.

He then turned towards Abhi and said, "Come in to my office Dr. Abhishek."

Inside, Dr. Singh confirmed Abhi's worst fears.

----

Abhi entered Ananya's room late that same night. She was sleeping soundly but she had a dozen odd machines strapped to her. The IV drips making her look more like a suffering patient than the happy birthday girl she actually should have been. Her family had gone home. The wedding was the day after. Abhi had assured them that he would take care of Ananya and they had left.

He stood there, helpless, restless, at war! He didn't know how he was going to face her. What am I going to tell her? How could this be happening to her?

He turned to leave the room, before making an ass of himself, when he heard a faint voice say, "Abhi...".

His heart flipped when he saw his precious little one awake, her green-blue eyes lacking their usual lustre, her skin pale.

"Yes sweetheart..."

"Abhi...do my parents know that I have.......?" her voice trailed, her unfinished question hanging like a suspended bullet in the air between them.

"No...but I think we should tell..."

"NO!" she cut him short. "You cannot tell them anything now. I don't want to spoil Maya's wedding."

"What? Ananya that comes later. You need to be okay sweetheart."

"Abhi pleeeease," she beseeched. "Just wait until after the wedding, we can tell them then. I don't want to spoil Maya's wedding Abhi. Please understand."

"Baby, we need to get started with treatment. We can't delay the process."

"Abhi please. This morning on the balcony, you promised you would do anything for me. This is my wish. Please Abhi."

"How can you ask this of me Ananya? Do you know how worried I've been? For the first time in my life I felt helpless in spite of being a doctor. No Ananya. We have to tell them."

"Abhiiii...pleeease. I can...oww," she winced, immediately touching her forehead.

He rushed to her bedside, "What is it baby? Wait, I'll get the nurse."

Before he turned to go, she caught his hand and said, "Promise me you won't tell them Abhi? Please...for me?"

"Ananya...I...okay. But we will tell them immediately after the wedding. And till that time you will do exactly as I tell you. Is that clear?"

"Yes doctor", she imped.

Before turning to get the nurse to check on her, he kissed his little one lightly on her forehead.

***********************to be continued******************************

First Love... VI

2009-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

Best Birthday

****

Ananya...I'm sorry. Call me when you wake up ok. I'm still in the hospital. Waiting...

Ananya read Abhi's text in the morning. She was so angry with him for not having called her last night that no amount of texting from him would coax her out of her angry stupor.

Not wanting to start her birthday in a bad mood, she quickly showered and changed into her new clothes which she and Maya had picked up last week. She'd bought the dress - a white knee-length one with small periwinkles on it - keeping Abhi in mind.

Before leaving her room, she promised herself that she wouldn't think about him today and would enjoy her 18th birthday.

----

Ananya opened her bedroom door and just stood still. There stood Abhi, disheveled after a rough night at the hospital. His stubble had now become a dark peppering on his face, somehow lending it more character and making him look even more handsome.

Ananya hardly even noticed Aditya, Maya and the rest of her family and friends standing in the living room. She had eyes only for Abhi.

All of a sudden she remembered that she was supposed to be angry with him. Pulling a face at him (which only he could see), she flounced off to her family and friends.

----

****

I'm sorry Ananya.

***

Whatever. I'm talking to my friends. DO NOT disturb me!

****

Ananya c'mon! How can I make it up to you? I'll do whatever you want?

***

Hmmm...you promise?

****

Absolutely.

***

I'm saving it for later then. Now come here and wish me properly.

****

My pleasure 'my' little one.

----

This was her best birthday hands down. Not only had her parents finally consented to her going to Art school, but she had also met her friends. But above all...it was Abhi who made her 18th birthday her most memorable one.

Before lunch, he'd gone home, showered, shaved and rushed back. Lunch was a wide spread. As always Ananya's mother had prepared her daughter's favourites and before long everybody was raving about it and stuffing themselves as much as they could.

Ananya pulled Abhi to the balcony. The sun shone brightly and everything around them looked like gold. A lush tinge had been cast over the balcony. They were transported.

"Where's my gift doc?"

"Umm...was I supposed to bring one?"

"Abhiiii!!!" she warned.

He smiled and pulled out a small yellow box with a green ribbon from his pocket. "Happy Birthday little one", he said and kissed her lightly on her cheek.

Ananya opened the box in a daze. He kissed me! Ohmygodohmygod! Best birthday best birthday!

Inside the box was a charms bracelet with a peacock, a flower, a little dancer, a crescent moon . Abhi then put his hand into his pocket once again and took out another box. This one was smaller. She opened it and inside was a heart shaped amethyst. On the heart were the words: Little one.

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Her smile radiated her happiness, her cheeks flushed with excitement and joy. She held out her wrist for Abhi to fasten the bracelet. He did so after attaching the heart onto it.

----

Ananya had never been so happy in her life. She wanted to dance around and show everyone her bracelet. Yet at the same time she didn't want to. This was her moment with Abhi. This was his gift to her.

A dull throbbing in her head made her wince slightly.

Abhi noticed her change of expression, "Ananya...An..."

She fainted.

First Love... V

2009-10-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

Birthday surprise

The next few weeks passed off in a blur. A wedding required so many preparations, that most of Ananya's time was utilized in arranging the flower deliveries, the designing of the mandap, the house-calls with her parents and various other small but important details. In all this she hardly had time to think about that night on the terrace with Abhi.

She would be exhausted most nights and sleep would claim her the moment her head hit the pillow.

But tonight was different. She was going to be 18 in about an hour. Her birthdays had always been the best days for her. On every birthday, her father would take her out on a drive to the place where he had grown up. They would walk in the local markets there, drink amazing filter coffee, enjoy hot jalebis. This was one day in the year, when no matter what day of the week it came on, her father would take an off from work and spend time with her. In the evening, her friends would come over and they would invariably go out for dinner.

But something told her that her 18th birthday was going to be a tad different. She couldn't quite put a finger on it. She just knew though.

The chiming of the clock brought her out of her reverie.

"Happy Birthday Anu", her sister sang. She gave Ananya a small blue package.

Ananya quickly unwrapped eager to see her first birthday present. It was beautiful - a small pendant of two doves on a string of small jade beads. The card read: from Maya and Aditya.

Her parents came into their room next. Her father wrapped her in a big bear hug and her mother gave her a big kiss on her forehead. Together they handed her another blue package.

When she opened it, she had tears spring to her eyes.

She had always wanted to go to Art school. But her father had been reluctant saying that it would be too far and they wouldn't be able to see her often. For almost a year there had been arguments at home with neither party yielding.

But it seemed her father had finally relented. Apparently he'd sent her application form and her portfolio to the school and without even an interview Ananya had been granted admission.

In the package was her school kit, her travel documents and a card from her parents saying : we'll miss you baby.

She was so happy that no words could come out of her. She just went into her father's arms again and cried some more. Her mother and her sister joined them both and soon the whole family was joined together in one giant hug.

At this point, Ananya didn't even care that Abhi hadn't called her yet.

Much later, after a thousand phone calls from her friends - even Aditya had called her - Ananya received a text message from Abhi saying:

****

An emergency had come up. Sorry I couldn't call. Happy Birthday 'Little One' :)

Text me if you're awake.

Ananya didn't text him back. She was angry with him. So she didn't want to sour her happy mood by talking to him. She switched off her lamp and closed her eyes.

************************to be continued*******************************

First Love... IV

2009-10-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Dinner

When Abhi and his brother came home, Ananya was mad with excitement. She kept stealing covert glances at Abhi who was talking to her father, chatting with her grandmother and even flirting with her mother. Maya and Aditya though were quite content in not adding anything to the conversational buzz.

Ananya noticed the way Abhi used his hands when he spoke. His gestures were all so funny and endearing. In no time at all, he had her father in splits, her grandmother was listening to him earnestly and her mother was blushing.

She liked this mood in the house. It reminded her of a sunny day, when everything was light and airy, a gentle breeze moved by and everyone around was in a jolly mood. Nothing on earth could shatter their peace on that day.

She learnt that Abhi did enjoy the occasional drink whereas his brother Aditya was a teetotaler. She also learnt that Abhi loved Thai and Italian cuisine but would prefer home-cooked food any day. Apparently their parents had died in a car accident many years ago. They stayed with their uncle for a little while. But then he too passed away a few years ago. Since then, the brothers have been alone.

During dinner, Abhi once again proved to be absolutely charming, even managing to get a smile out of her otherwise shy sister. He complimented her mother on her cooking and also asked whether Ananya had prepared anything!

That got her to blush like crazy as all eyes in the room were trained on her. She blabbered, "I helped with the chicken and mushrooms".

And then Abhi smiled and winked at her. Her face almost went up in flames. She was positive nobody else had seen him winking and for that she would be eternally grateful. She bent her head down and suddenly found her chicken to be interesting.

After a while when she looked up, it was to find Abhi looking at her. This time his eyes rounded big at her and he mouthed 'little one' to her.

Ananya bristled with annoyance. She was irritated that the man could so easily make her want to kill him while at the same make her want to just keep watching him forever. Infuriating man, was all that came to her mind.

After dinner, the party split up one by one. Her father went over to sit with Maya and Aditya. Her mother had gone to help her grandmother prepare for bed.

She was alone with Abhi. They stood at the kitchen table, she clearing away the dishes, he sipping water.

As soon as she finished her chores, he suggested that they go out onto the balcony.

Her heart skipped a beat. Her stomach was doing wicked somersaults, her brain was getting fuzzy.

And for the first time in her life, Ananya was tongue-tied.

*********

Abhi just stood there watching her. Her expressions were absolutely priceless. He could probably write pages on just her expressions. The way her eyes sparkled when he spoke to her, the way she blushed like cherry tomato, the way she bit her lip, like she was doing right now, when in deep thought.

Finally she said, "Oo...o-okay. Lets go."

She led the way to the balcony. It had lovely cane furniture, potted plants of hibiscus, alamandas and small primroses. The night was beautiful. The crescent moon provided just about enough light for Abhi to see Ananya's peacock green-blue eyes. Her hair was left lose around her shoulders, she had put a light green liner which sort of enhanced the beauty of her eyes. She was wearing a lime green dress with what looked like yellow bees on it.

"Are those bees on your dress?"

She looked down at her dress and laughed saying, "yes. My brother gave them to me on my last birthday."

"You have a brother? I didn't know that."

"Umm..no. Not exactly. He's my cousin, but Maya and I have always seen him as our brother."

"O alright. Say, Ananya, when is your birthday?"

She laughed. Her smile like christmas bells. "Didn't you read that in my file?"

"Umm...well no. It only had your year of birth."

"Okay. November 4th."

"Wow. That's like just a few days away. And you'll be 18!"

"Well...yes. Wow Abhi. You do sound excited about my 18th birthday. Any particular reason?"

Abhi just smiled and in his mind said, you'll see.

******************************to be continued***********************************

First Love... III

2009-10-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

Texting

***

Don't you ever call me 'Little one' again.

****

Why not? You are little.

***

You want to come home for dinner right?

****

O I'm scared. What are you going to do?

***

Nothing. I may just tell Ma I'm not hungry and never surface when you and your brother come!

****

Ananya, you will do no such thing. You weren't discharged this morning just so you can start your fad diet again.

***

Yes Doctor.

****

Good. See ya soon 'Little one' :P

***

Ggrrrrr!!!

----

Abhi had a smile on his face throughout the day. Whenever he was a bit free, as though magically sensing it, his 'little' ex-patient would text him. For some reason, he couldn't wait to meet her tonight.

He wondered if he was normal. Here he was, Dr. Abhishek, General Physician, thinking of a seventeen year old when he had tons of other things he needed to take care of!

Just then he got a call from Ananya's father asking him when he and his brother would be coming over.

What came next was quite a shocker, but a pleasant one at that. Apparently the old man wanted Maya and Adi to spend some time together. Abhi had a feeling that this was the reason why the old man had immediately agreed to his younger daughter's suggestion of calling the doctor brothers over for dinner.

Seems this was going to be a fun night after all.

***

Where are you?

****

O my! Someone is getting impatient.

***

More like hungry.

****

Minx.

***

Yeah yeah. Dad is getting impatient you know. He thinks you guys are going to bail out last minute.

****

May be thinks you will scare us away.

***

Haha. You think you're funny do ya? Anyway...I've got to go. Ma needs me in the kitchen. See ya soon. Bye.

****

K. See ya 'little one' ;)

***

Ggrrrrr!!!

----

Yep! Definitely going to be a fun night!

First Love... II

2009-10-03T20:26:00.001-07:00

Little one

Ananya was released the next morning.

As Dr. Abhishek walked her and her father to the exit, his mind took him back to the moment when his little patient had opened her eyes. He relived those moments once again in his mind, failing to respond to the greetings that usually came his way in the morning.

When they reached her father's car, Ananya turned to thank her doctor, properly this time. She looked boldly up at him and said, "Thanks doctor", but in the end she smiled rather coyly.

"Daddy," she said turning to her father, "why don't you invite Dr. Abhishek and his brother over for dinner tonight?"

Her father immediately made the formal request and Abhishek obliged, happily. He gave him his personal mobile number and told him to use it without any hesitation in case of any emergency.

Abhishek shook her father's hand and smiled at Ananya saying, "Take care little one".

That was enough for her. Her smile vanished and she slid into the car and banged the door hard. She gave him a sour look as her father drove away.

----

Abhishek stood there, wondering what had just happened. Was it 'cause he'd called her 'little one'? Well...what else do you call a 17year old?

********************************to be continued***************************************

First Love

2009-10-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Emergency arrival

Dr. Abhishek was tired.

He'd had a bit of a heavy day and then just when he was about to wind up for the day an emergency case had come in. A young girl, completely drained out of body glucose, frantic parents and a sister who looked like as though she would burst into tears any minute.

Abhi had managed to stabilize the girl, who he was told had not had anything since the night before in an attempt to lose weight. While he and his team worked on Ananya and tried to bring her into a stable condition, he studied her.

Starting right from her jet-black hair, to her soft fatigued almond eyes, her pale sallow skin, her soft pale pout. He didn't think of her as beautiful. She was pretty. As for her needing to lose weight he didn't think that was an issue at all.

----

Abhishek noticed the way Ananya's sister was sagging in her chair. He went over to the girls' father and asked him to take the sister home. The father however was adamant on not leaving his daughter's bedside. So Abhi suggested that his older brother could take Ananya's sister home. The father immediately agreed and forced his daughter to go along with Adi.

----

Through his cabin blinds Abhi could see Ananya clearly. She was stirring, but there was nobody by her bedside. Her father was fast asleep on a make-shift bed in her room.

He quickly rushed to her room and was just in time to see her eyes open. A rich shade of peacock green-blue eyes. The colour had come back into her cheeks and she looked much better.

Abhi managed to check her vitals and was happy to know that they were stable. She could go home that evening.

----

As she came out of her sleepy stupor, Ananya saw the man towering over her. She knew he was the doctor who had saved her life. She knew that had he not been there, she wouldn't have lived to see another day. She knew she had to be grateful. Yet not a single word of gratitude could she express.

She was just so engrossed in studying him. Tall and dusky with a light stubble grazing his cheek, eyes a light shade of milk chocolate, a long nose with a few freckles...he was...he...was...wonderful!

****************************to be continued********************************

Maya and Aditya... the final chapter

2009-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Blooms

Their tent was a blue one with pink flowers on it. Maya tried hard to focus on the tent's design and interiors rather than focus on Aditya who was opening their sleeping bag. They had just one! Obviously it was quite natural for honeymooners to use a single sleeping bag. So she shouldn't be feeling that awkward.

The thing was - Maya was not awkward about having to share the sleeping bag with Aditya, she was awkward about how much she was actually looking forward to it. To huddle close to his warmth and have his strong arms enclosing her once again just like when they had stood looking at the lake before the children had intruded on their moment.

Aditya could feel a blush creeping into his cheeks. He was blushing! If Abhishek had been there he was sure to have laughed at his brother's gaucheness.

When Maya's eyes met his, their breathing turned up two notches, hearts beat a rhythmic frantic tattoo. Everything seemed to have come to a standstill.

He closed the distance between them in two short steps. Taking her hands in his, he guided her towards the sleeping bag and helped her into it. Making sure she was comfortable and sufficiently warm, he stood up.

He stripped off his shirt and filched a small black blanket to spread on the ground next to her sleeping bag.

This was when Maya protested. "Adi...", she said and moved inside the bag to make place for him.

"Are you sure Maya?" he asked a little smile playing on his face.

She nodded her agreement and smiled softly.

Apparently their honeymoon had begun.

Love was blooming.

**********************************the end************************************************

Maya and Aditya... IV

2009-09-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

The Lake

The lake was one of the most preciously beautiful sights Maya had ever seen. Nothing on earth could be compared to the serene tranquility and the lush quiet that surrounded the lake. The high mountains gave it a deeply protected look, something so beautiful that it just had to be guarded. There were small touch-me-nots, primroses and small blue-green flowers adding to the aura. The wind blew over the trees and whispered softly. White pigeons adorned the blue sky and swans sat regally in the water. Everything here spelled - happiness and peace. Contentment!

Maya turned to Aditya, who was setting up small tents with the other men. Their guide was showing the children some of the rare plants that were home to Upper Bhavani and some of the women were setting up small picnic baskets. One couple was standing hand-in-hand and looking out towards the lake. Their shared moment of intimacy reminded Maya of the time she and Aditya had spent that morning in the garden. She remembered the way had held hands, silently and seemingly content.

When Aditya had all but finished setting up the tents, he glanced at Maya who was standing quietly by the lake. Off their own volition his feet carried him to her. When he reached her, he quietly held her hand. They stood like that for must have been eons, mesmerized by the beauty in front of them, enthralled by the intimacy of the moment and reluctant to break away from any of it. Aditya moved behind his wife and folded his arms around her. Maya immediately leaned back.

The other couples didn't want to disturb the newly-weds so they went about on their own. However the children didn't think much of disturbing them. They sprinted over to where Maya and Aditya were standing and began pelting small stones into the water.

Their moment of quiet shattered, Maya and Aditya tried to compose themselves. Maya's cheeks were blooming red and Aditya suddenly found his fingers to be very interesting.

The afternoon passes lazily as everybody crowded around the small picnic baskets which surprisingly contained large amounts of food. The aapams and stew were devoured almost instantly. There were pappadums, lime and mango pickles, fruits, small tetra packs of buttermilk and fruit juice.

Post lunch there was a small session of the usual mundane games of antakshari and some truth and dare games. This was followed by an afternoon siesta where all the families retired to their tents.

Maya and Aditya had their tent close to the lake. Aditya had deliberately set theirs up near the lake for Maya.

*******************to be continued****************************

Maya and Aditya... III

2009-09-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

Arranged?

The scenic beauty of Upper Bhavani held Maya and Aditya in its grip, as they made their way to the Lake. A bunch of other honeymooners, a gang of boisterous friends, a few married couples with their children, formed a part of their travel team.

The journey was so satiating that Maya couldn't wait to reach the Lake she had heard so much about. Aditya however was quite content to gaze at his wife's animated expressions. Peals of laughter, loud clapping, the obvious games of antakshari and dumb-charades...and the sometime errant wail of a small baby who couldn't handle the ruckus that was going on.

It was Aditya's turn. He had to enact the movie - Sleepless in Seattle. Maya had to guess the movie. She watched him as though he was preparing for some kind of battle, heaving a deep sigh and looking as nervous as a horse who was out on his first race.

The moment Aditya enacted the word 'sleep', Maya immediately shouted out, "Sleepless in Seattle".

Everybody in the bus started yelling and catcalling, teasing Aditya and Maya about their wonderful chemistry.

And before they knew it, they were sharing stories about how they met. Most of the other couples had had a love-marriage. They were shocked to hear that such wasn't the case with Maya and Aditya.

This is their story-------

Maya's sister Ananya was in the hospital. Just the night before she had suffered a hypoglycemic attack and had been rushed into the ER. The doctor had taken one look at her and had proceeded to admit her as her blood sugar count was very very low.

Dr. Abhishek had been extremely kind and gentle with Ananya. When she was stable, he told Maya to go home as there was no point in spending the whole night in the hospital. Their father said that he would stay behind with Ani.

Dr. Abhishek insisted that his older brother Aditya drop Maya home as he was done for the day.

And so it happened. They were forced to be together, not knowing that it was Abhishek and Maya's father who had planned this forced drive home.

They hardly spoke to each other on their way. Except for giving directions to her house Maya didn't speak much nor did Aditya initiate any kind of conversation with her.

When Maya reached her house, she turned sideways to thank Aditya. He just nodded his acknowledgement and smiled at her. But when she was about to get out of the car, he said, "see you around Maya".

The same thing was repeated the next night. Only this time Maya and Aditya didn't speak a word on their way. She got out of his car and again he uttered, 'see you around Maya" and took off.

The next morning, Ananya was brought home. She insisted on inviting Dr. Abhishek and Dr. Aditya home for a meal. And so the brothers were called for dinner that same night.

Maya again for some reason found it difficult to talk to Aditya. It was not that she felt inhospitable towards him. It was just that she suddenly developed a certain shyness which was uncharacteristic. Aditya however chatted pleasantly with her parents, her grandmother and her sister.

That night after the doctor brothers left, Maya's father called her into his study. There he asked her if she liked Dr. Aditya. Her father took her light blush to be her acquiesce and boomed with happiness and laughter. Soon the entire family was engaged in celebrations.

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

"What do you think of Maya?"

Adi frowned. This was the fifth time his brother was asking him this question. Again he replied, "she's a nice girl."

But Abhi persisted. "No seriously. What do you really think of her?"

"I'm telling you Abhi. She's a really nice girl."

The next question Abhi asked made Adi jam the brake pedal hard. "Do you think you can marry Maya?"

Adi looked at Abhi, but didn't know what to say. For some reason he smiled. He smiled!

And that was all Abhi needed. He immediately called Maya's father and they started making plans!

Dr. Aditya, for the first time in his life, had been rendered speechless.

In the haven of her bedroom, Maya's eyes refused to close as she thought about the days to come.

************************to be continued****************************

Maya and Aditya ...II

2009-09-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

Aditya observed his wife as they walked under the dense foliage. The sunlight filtering through the trees danced on her face. Her animated expression lent a resonance to the growing camaraderie between the two. He watched her as she described in detail the various flowers and insects they found on their nature walk. Her passion for nature was clearly visible - he was enchanted.

The sights, sounds and smells were all a potent part of the heady concoction of intimacy that was brewing between them. Their hands were entwined as they walked together, his steps were slower to match her shorter stride, her thumb gently caressed the inner under-side of his thumb. They were bonding.

Maya on her part was trying very hard not to let embarrassment flood her cheeks. She liked this intimacy that was springing between her and Aditya. Her initial bout of hesitation had given way to warm and happy acceptance.

They stopped when they reached the end of their path. A small wrought-iron bench sat in the corner. Their feet automatically took them to the bench. They sat there, enjoying the silent companionship of each other. Words would somehow have been superfluous.

She looked at him through her lowered lashes. She noticed his dark colouring, the light stubble that was growing - -somehow she had a feeling she would always like him with a stubble... Growing bolder in her exploration, she noticed his long and slightly crooked nose, a small scar under his left eye.

He looked at her then. Dark, almost black eyes, met her lighter brown ones. And just like in her fantasies, Maya's heart skipped a beat. Aditya was mesmerized.

What they both didn't know was that this was just the beginning of the moments they were going to share during the course of their lifetime. Maya's heart was going to skip many a beat. Aditya had a lifetime of mesmerizing ahead of him.

*********************to be continued********************

Maya and Aditya

2009-09-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Moments

They were married. Friends and family had had a gala time at their wedding and reception party. But the newly-weds had not spoken a word to each other. They were strangers to each other in a certain way. An arranged marriage wasn't what either of them had wanted. But even in these modern and cosmopolitan times, the families hadn't budged. They had to marry.

So they did.

They left for their honeymoon the same night. Everybody joked about celebrating their first night and consummating the marriage on the flight. Some joked about cabin pressure and the likes. The bride cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and the groom just smiled shyly.

They were going to a little known place in Tamil Nadu, called Upper Bhavani. A scenic place with marvelous prospects, lovely weather and very warm locals.

From Chennai, they drove down to the small hill-station. Arriving in the early hours of the morning, they checked into their small cottage. Tensed and nervous, neither of them wanted to even look at the wide queen-sized bed that was sprinkled with rose petals and had heart-shaped chocolates on the pillows.

The air inside the cottage was a little chilly and when he noticed her shiver, he quickly went to the heart to start a fire.

As she watched him stoke the fire, she re-lived the journey with this man who was now her husband.

-------

He had been very thoughtful. Throughout the journey he had made sure that she was comfortable and didn't need anything. He had even asked the air-hostess to turn up the temperature just so that she wouldn't feel too cold.

While she had feigned sleep, she knew he had been watching her - she did the same on the way to Bhavani. He had slept, tired after a long day - and she had watched him, awed and a little unnerved by the fact that Aditya was her husband.

------

The fire spitting brought her back to the present. He asked her, "Maya, do you want to take a walk outside for a while? Its very beautiful outside."

She nodded and smiled, happy in the knowledge that he seemed to share her love for nature walks.

Home is where he is... final chapter.

2009-09-23T09:07:00.002-07:00

Home

"Hi honey", she said smiling, as Sebastian came over to her with two cups of coffee and some biscuits. He had insisted upon her bringing all her paintings and clay models to the exhibition. In the week that it had taken for her to get everything together, she and Sebastian had bonded on another level.

They went to the movies together, they star-gazed on her terrace, they even once had a midnight picnic by the lake. At first she was rather uncomfortable by the memories that place held for her. But soon, with Sebastian's infectious laughter and some stimulating conversation, she managed to overcome that hurdle.

----

This was what she had learned from Sebastian. She could now cross the hurdles that had once presented themselves as impassable to her. She realized that that was his gift to her.

When she had accepted his proposal of marriage, she had known that her days of crying were over. She started banking new moments with Sebastian. So far, the one that was most precious to her was when he sang "And I love her" by The Beatles, to her at the diner one night. She was sure that it would be her most loved and cherished memory in the years to come.

She knew that she couldn't hold on to the past forever. Her moving on did have a selfish hue attached to it - but it was more with the intention of having peace and stability of mind rather than attaining the ever-elusive happiness.

The earlier memories, which she had hung on to for so many years, had all but sprung free that night she had cried on Sebastian's shoulder. It had purged her of all those memories. The tears had washed away years of depression, self-doubt, hopelessness...her cloud of darkness had been lifted. She had found a silver lining.

----

As she watched Sebastian put up the last of her paintings, she realized that he was in no way like him. Sebastian was a man of his own. He never kowtowed to anybody and he always had his male-pride (not an egotistical one) which he wore on his sleeve. He was the kind of man she could grow old with.

She knew she had made the right decision. It seemed that happiness had finally come to her.

And that was when she saw him.

But surprisingly, she didn't fidget, nor did she wish that the ground would open up and swallow her. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

No memories assailed her, no tear threatened to escape, her legs didn't want to carry her across to him.

She felt Sebastian's assuring hand at the small of her back and looking at him she said, "Hello. Its been so long hasn't it. This is my husband Sebastian Malory. How have you been?"

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

His expression gave nothing away, but inside his heart was twisting in anguish. He nodded at her husband and smiled just a tad, before turning and walking away from them.

Now he knew why she looked so different. The image with which he had lived with for so many years - the one where she had stood head down and tears rolling as his car had sped down - had been shattered. In its place he now saw her smile - radiant, effervescent, bubbly. She was happy in a way that he had never made her.

He didn't see his first love in her anymore. He now saw Mrs Sebastian Malory.

He didn't care for his uncivil behaviour towards them. He had needed to escape, fast.

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

Inside the gallery, she and Sebastian saw him walk out. Never to return.

She turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes and said, "I love you".

She was home, finally. And he was there too.

**************** the end ******************

Home is where he is... V

2009-09-23T09:07:00.001-07:00

Closure and first sight again

The city with its loud hustle and bustle was a place one could easily get lost in. But she was no longer lost. She had her saviour, who was now holding her hand and pointing out the various sights and spots around them.

As she and Sebastian made their way to the gallery she thought back to that night...

"Will you marry me?"

She was stunned beyond words. The words she had longed to hear, the scene she had replayed in her mind countless times...the tears that should roll down...the silent acquiesce...but it was all wrong.

The words were heard...but not from the same person, the same scene again...but not the same characters, the tears were there...but the acquiesce wasn't coming.

Only when Sebastian touched her tear-stained pale cheeks did she look up to meet his eyes. He knew what he saw there...he knew what her answer was going to be.

He drew her into the warm comforting fold of his arms. And then, she finally fell of the precipice. Jagged, heart-wrenching sobs, wretched longing mingled with the melancholy of no future.

He held her like that while she sobbed in his arms. He didn't utter words of comfort, he didn't stop her from crying.

He knew this was what she needed. This was her closure.

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He saw her! After eight long years, he finally saw her.

She hadn't changed one bit...yet there was something inherent that had changed in her. She had another look to her. But what that look was he knew not.

He slowly gathered up the courage to close the short distance between them. She was busy hanging her work for the exhibition that was beginning tomorrow.

But then he saw him.

She looked at him and smiled. "Hi honey", she said.

And his world shattered once again!

Home is where he is... IV

2009-09-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

The unexpected

When Sebastian called on her a few days later, she was busy preparing her schedule for the week. There were a few things she wanted to do with children before the term ended. So, the ringing of the bell threw her off-balance for a bit.

She never had visitors at this hour. All her friends would be busy with their families and the nightly chores that were involved in a household.

She opened the door and was surprised to find Sebastian on the other side. Judging by the way his blond hair was strewn in disarray, she figured that he'd walked all the way from school. She invited him in, still unaware of the reason behind is visit.

They sat at her kitchen table drinking hot cocoa, when Sebastian finally spelled out why he was there. Apparently there was an exhibit of painters and artists in the city the following weekend and he wanted her to showcase some of her work there.

She immediately declined. She stated that she couldn't abandon her students like that. But Sebastian was quick to the chase and told her that her students wouldn't miss her on a weekend. She would in no way be shirking her duties and responsibilities.

She tried as hard as she could to refuse him, but Sebastian was adamant. He hadn't come for a no. She was going. Period.

With this part of his mission accomplished, Sebastian now had one last question.

He took out a small velvet blue box from his coat-pocket and placed it on the table. She stared at the tiny box, momentarily stunned.

What was he doing? Why was he doing this? These were some of the questions groping at her mind.

Sebastian then took her hand in his and said, "I don't know why the sparkle has gone away from your beautiful eyes. I don't know why your smile never reaches your eyes. But if you let me, I will endeavour to put that sparkle, that twinkle back in them." He took one more deep breath and said, "Will you marry me?"

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His mind was uneasy. It was as though something was not quite right but he wasn't able to label that something.

As he locked the doors to Felicia Gallery, the deluge came. It poured and poured heavily. People were running helter-skelter, some were waiting for the bus to come and whisk them away to drier places.

But he didn't run. He stood there letting the rain fall heavily and thickly on him. He combed his dark hair back and turned his face up to the rain. The raw bite of the water sluiced his skin mixing with the thick tears.

Home is where he is... III

2009-09-23T09:04:00.001-07:00

Bygones and moving on....

They both knew that life had to move on. Yet somehow neither could come to terms with the fact that they would have to move on without the other.

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

She started picking up the smithereens of her life. Slowly she started to gain ground. But then another tragedy hits her. Her father dies of cancer and her mother unable to bear his loss commits suicide.

So now she was back to square one again. She didn't know what to do. She was lost once again.

Time and again she thought she would write to him. She would write letters but never had the courage to post them. Something about the way they parted still stuck in her craw. She still felt that had he pushed harder maybe he could have stayed back. She would keep reminding herself that even he hadn't written to her yet.

Everyday she would wait for the post-man to arrive, thinking that maybe today she would have a letter from him. But there would be nothing. All she got now were bills and bank statements that her father had not paid yet.

He job as an art teacher in the local school, somehow managed to keep her afloat. But she still had the heavy mortgage to pay. She thought of applying to some schools in the city, but here again she would chicken out thinking that she would run into him some time.

But the mortgage and the bills were getting heavier. No way would she be able to manage for long. She had to do something and she had to do it now.

Help came for her when Sebastian came to her village. He was the new Principal of her school. One of the first changes Sebastian made in the school was to increase the wages of the school's over-worked staff and teachers.

She was getting a substantially better amount and would now be able to pay the mortgages and clear other immediate bills as well.

Sebastian always had an eye out for the Art teacher. He had heard from the local gossips in the village that she had had a great deal of suffering in her life. Many a time he had tried to get her to talk to him during the staff meets in school, but apart from the occasional nods and smiles and the perfunctory greetings, she didn't open up. He knew she was brilliant in her work. He had seen her working with the children in the gallery and the studio of the school. She was very good with the children too.

But he wanted her to open up, to brighten up. And he knew just the thing that would do it.

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

The city life was not all that bad. His father had retired from his position as the Vice President of a bank and was now actively involved in charities with his mother.

He owned a flourishing gallery in the city. It was a matter of prestige for one's work to be displayed or showcased in the 'Felicia Gallery'.

In all these years, not one moment had gone by when he hadn't thought of her. He was angry with her. She hadn't replied to any of his letters. Not even one of them. It was as though she had completely forgotten everything about him. He didn't want to believe that could happen, but that was how he felt.

But he still couldn't bring himself to stop loving her. He could never do that. She was in every core, every fibre of his being. Even though so many years had passed, he couldn't bring himself to forget her.

But he now had something grand in his life to look forward to. Felicia Gallery was organizing and hosting an exhibition for painters, artists, sculptors and potters. People from all over the world were coming to this exhibition. Connoisseurs, aficionados and enthusiasts were putting big money into this exhibition.

He had a feeling this exhibition was going to change his life forever.

Home is where he is... II

2009-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Anger...Agony

When she reached home that night, it was to find that both her parents had gone off to bed. Even the animals and birds on her father's farm were fast asleep. Apparently none of them were even remotely affected by his going away. She seemed to be the one only who had a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in her heart.

She went in to her bedroom. She didn't even bother to turn on the lights as went in. Her world had been plunged into darkness, so a small lamp would make no difference. As she lay down on her bed, thinking of the days and years to come (for she knew that there were years to come), a strange sort of anger was fuzzing around. She couldn't pinpoint as to why she felt so angry and so betrayed at this moment because she knew that he hadn't done anything wrong by her. But her misplaced and errant anger refused to be shaken away.

She knew the real reason why his parents had moved. Even he had never discussed with her, nor had she wilfully broached the subject, she knew that the difference in their family backgrounds and bank balance is ultimately the reason why his parents had grabbed the first opportunity to move to the city - keep their son away from her.

Her anger now had a direction, a recipient. Even though the recipients were unavailable at this point to bear the wrath of her anger, she still couldn't shake it away. She wanted to yell and scream profanities, she wanted to shut herself completely from the outside world and stew in her indignation.

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

As he entered his new home, he couldn't even look around to take in the new surroundings. His mind kept conjuring images of her and everywhere he looked, he could see her. But the image that didn't sit well with him at all was of the last time he had seen her. Shoulders slumped, eyes glistening, face pale and completely devoid of any emotion - they didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

While in their school years he had known that his parents would never accept their relationship. But for the life of him he couldn't stay away from her. Everything about her was so intricately related to his living, that he knew he couldn't stay away from her. Due to this very reason, there were fights at his home nearly every day. During dinner, plates and glasses would be smashed against the wall, his mother would go into fits of hysteria, while his father would ominously warn him of dire consequences.

But none of that would matter to him, because while all this would be happening his mind would be happily wandering and thinking about what she would be doing at that point. He would be plotting ways to escape from school and their parents and go swimming in the lake.

But now, as he looked back all that seem to be erased. What remained was her pale and ashen face when he was leaving. He told his parents that he had a slight headache and went in to the room that was said to be his. He didn't bother with turning on the lights. His world had been cruelly plunged in to a darkness that no amount of light could mitigate.

His agony and misery was so intense that he didn't even turn down the bed but just lay atop. He closed his eyes and there he saw her face again.

He thought of all the good times they had shared, all the moments they had been together - of the time when they had stolen firecrackers from the local shop and gone down to the lake to celebrate their anniversary...of the time when they had gone to the diner to find it all but empty and they were the only two, how they had slow-danced in each other's arms...of the time when they had wreathed several blades of grass together to form rings and with that pledged their eternal love for each other...he thought of her face, smiling and radiant and pink in the glow of the setting sun, her hair whispering along with the wind, her eyes glowing with love for him.

It was this image firmly secured in his mind that exhaustion and sleep finally took over him.

Home is where he is...

2009-09-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Not even a goodbye...

They were childhood sweethearts. They grew up together - went to the same school, ate at the same diner, had the same set of friends, went to the same church, climbed the same trees, swam in the same lake...everything they did, they did together.

While growing up they would hear their parents quibble about their friendship. Neither family was too happy with their friendship. He belonged to a rich, flourishing family, while she was a simple village belle. This perhaps was the only uncommon thing between the two. As much as they tried, their parents could never keep them away from each other.

Both knew the reason for their family's objections, but neither paid any heed to their warnings of dire consequences.

They lived happily. Its not as if that they didn't fight. Of course they did! They had arguments, sometimes their fights were on trivial matters. But never did it happen that they fought one day and didn't make up for it the very same day. Such was their friendship, their bond...their love.

But then one day, their dreams shattered. Their hearts broke into smithereens.

His family had to move to the city. His father had landed himself a much better job at one of the largest banks in the country. So the entire family was relocating. He begged and begged to stay back with his aunt. But his parents wouldn't hear any bit of it. The real reason for this was because they wanted to keep their son away from that girl, who according to them was nothing but 'quicksand'.

When she got to know of his moving, she wept and wept. She couldn't come to terms with the fact that he wouldn't be with her anymore. Her life would come to a standstill. She didn't even know how to live without him. With whom would she climb trees and swim in the lake now? With whom would she walk to school? Whom would she run to every time her mother scolded her? Who would comfort her and hold her tight? Who would she star-gaze with?

She was lost and she knew it.

The day came for him to leave. Never before had there been parting so melancholic and so pain-stricken. They both just stood there, watching his trunks being loaded into the car. Their hands were intertwined.

When his mother turned to tell him to get into the car, he squeezed her hand, signalling her that it was time to go.

But she couldn't move. It was as though she was frozen in time. Somehow he managed to bring her back to the present and extricated his hand from hers. Their fingers brushed past, their eyes misted with tears just waiting to break free.

....... and it was then that she came out of her reverie. Only to find him gone. She didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

Another beginning...

2009-09-23T08:47:00.001-07:00

In Dreamland: La Push, I write about my day-to-day (and sometimes not so frequent) experiences.

Dreamspinner however is a completely different deal. Here, I would write short-stories and all other kinds of prose which I hold especially dear to me.

If Dreamland is where I dream, then Dreamspinner is where I put them into words (a reality of sorts).

So welcome once again... :)