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              College days are the best days of life. Or so they say. You make friends for life, you live a carefree life, you could give anything to go back to that time. I didn't even want to think about my college. I pushed back those memories to the remotest corner of my mind. Each day I walked further away from those thoughts. So far away that I thought it would never come back to me. Not in this lifetime.
              That afternoon, I sat by the window watching the patterns the rain made on the glass panes. It was that hour of the day that I had to myself. That precious time which I used to ponder over the simple joys of life. To look at the lush green that adorned my garden, to feel the wind in my hair, to smell the roses I nurtured. It was in those moments of simplicity that my mind wove complex tales. Tales which when turned to paper earned me my bread and butter. It was ironic how that professional college churned out a writer.
              "Mummaa, see what I installed!!" my son came running from his room. This gadget freak son of mine! My smart phone had apps that I  had no idea about. I would fidget around with basics of the phone and he would master it in no time.
              "No more games! Did it charge you anything?"
              "It's a free app Mumma. Its WeChat. Didn't you see the advertisement? Now you can chat with anyone, anywhere. You can even leave voice messages." He started explaining how the app worked.
              "You know I don't chat with anyone. Let me delete this." I said
              He looked crestfallen and I had no heart to delete it looking at his face.
         
              I was working on the weekly column when the phone beeped. It was a voice message on WeChat. It was my dear husband sending me a "I love you". So my son had installed it on his phone too. I quickly typed "I love you too" as I didn't have time to figure out how to send a voice message. I saw some notification on that app. I clicked to see what it was. The names made me nervous. They were recommended friends. Friends? No way!
              " I think you should talk to them." My son Daan was peeking over my shoulders
              "What did I tell you about not reading other's messages Daan?" I tried to ignore his remark.
              "Oh come on Mumma, you never talk to any of your old friends. Start now."
              Before I could think of anything, he quickly clicked the "Add" button. There it all started!

               "OMG!!! Is this you Maithili?? Really!!" Manasi pinged the very next second.
              "Hey Hi.." I replied, my hands trembling.
               She started Live Chat.
               "Heloo! Where are you?" She asked in her usual chirpy tone. We used to often tease her about her  voice. I still remembered the way she sang the Vicco turmeric jingle as a part of our first year introduction challenge.
               "Right here. How are you?" I mumbled. It was strange to start a conversation like that. We never really asked anything like that as friends!
               " I m good. You became a writer I heard. Not that you had to "BECOME". You always were. But I was kind of hoping that I would get to know it from you. You know I always thought we were meant to last till the end. Have those girly parties and keep talking for hours and hours and hours" She kept on blabbering.
               "Manasi make sure she hasn't slept." A soft velvety voice intervened. Instantly I knew it was Akshata. The singer in our group. The years hadn't taken away the charm of her vocal chords.
               " Why did you not come to the reunion?" It was one person I could not bear to hear. Nupura. She joined too when Akshata added her.
               "Isn't it clear that she didn't want to keep contact with you guys?" a male spoke. Vihaan..
               "Or maybe she didn't think we would ever forget that night." Karan joined the conversation.
 No matter how much I replayed this scene in my mind, I could not keep from crying. The 5 people I loved so much. The 5 people who took away everything from me. The 5 people from whom I hid for 10 long years.
                "Why are you guys asking me where I was? Did you ever care? Did you all even think about the consequences of your actions?" I shouted in fury. How dare they blame me for evading them?
                 Nupura: Did you care about what you did to me?
                 Me: I have told you a million times that I did not do it purposely. I was drunk! Don't you get it?
                 Nupura: You kissed him right in front of me. What do you expect me to say?
                 Karan: That entire wild night before the farewell was a bad idea. It was my fault that I got her drunk Nupura.
                 Nupura: That guy was a jerk. He wasn't drunk to do that. But you were my friend. It hurt me and you of all people should know that I don't talk until  I have healed.
                Me: Not just you but the entire gang isolated me. Why? Because I confessed, in my drunken boldness, what I thought of him? I fancied him alright. With Manasi and Akshata being so close and Vihaan and Karan being like peas in a pod, I just had no one I could talk to about it. I could not confide in anyone and then you all get me drunk and I spill my heart out. What do you guys do? Leave me all alone.
               Manasi: It was weird. We didn't want to take sides and mess up but we couldn't handle it either.
               Me: You all ignored me on the farewell and I was kept aside. No one even noticed me walking away. My friends just dumped 4 years of friendship for one mistake.
              Vihaan: We could have come around Maithili. We would have. Didn't your walking away make it worse?
              Me: What would anyone do if they were blamed for the suicide attempt of their best friend? There was contempt in your eyes. I felt like a murderer. My friendship was hanged without any trial. I had no chance to justify or defend myself. I endured my punishment in silence but did that help? No! The entire college treated me like I had blood on my hands.
              I could hear her sobbing  as soon as I completed my sentence. There! I was the bad guy again.
           Nupura: I admit I was weak. I shouldn't have taken that extreme step. I could have reacted better but I wasn't the tough one. I broke down emotionally with that heartbreak. I did not have it in me to accept it and move on right then. That relation kept slipping through my fingers. I could see that he was hitting on you. I could see he was no longer into me. I could see his wandering eyes and yet I chose to IGNORE it. You having feelings for him was the last straw. It blew away that secure shack or whatever it was. 
            Me: I m relieved that you at least see now  that I did not steal your guy.
            Nupura: I m glad that I walked tall and didn't go behind him. I m in a much happier place now.
            Manasi: Oh! How could I forget to tell you this? Do you know that I m married?
            Me: Haha I did not hope for any less. Who did you marry huh? (Trust her to ease the tension!)
            Manasi: You know him already. Make a guess.
            Me: I hardly remember anyone other than the 5 of you. Oh wait! Are you telling me he is among us?
            Manasi: Yes!!!
            Vihaan: Its me, Vihaan!
            Me: What??? Vihaan? Seriously? How? Why?
            Manasi: What do you mean why? 
            Me: I mean why did he fall in love with you so late :P
            Vihaan: Correction. I just told her late. I thought I had no chance. What with all her dreamy notions!
            Me: Well this is a huge surprise. What about the rest of  you?
            There was no response and I understood that the idiots were all trying to press the talk button at the same time. Some things never change.
             Akshata: I married Pratz last year. We stay in Mumbai. I work in Andheri now.
             Me: Wow! Why am I not surprised? Its just how you always wanted. Well done and congrats!
             Karan: I m still single and working in US. Pretty chilled life here..So yea going good.
             Me: You know I always thought Vihaan will land up like that and you will become a professor.
             Vihaan: Destiny swapped. Our college has the coolest professor ever. 
             Me: I need to pinch myself now. You and professor! Wow, now this is a shocker.
              Manasi: I almost fainted when he told me he is going to stay with me. We studied together in US and came back to work in academics.
             Me: Aha! Noble deeds!
              I hesitated to ask her. Someone had to break the ice, but who?
             Nupura: I married a chef! His name is Nirav and he works at Trident. We have a daughter. 
              I was thankful that she initiated this conversation. After the havoc that broke out last time we discussed relations, I could not muster the courage.
             Me: That is..that is just mind blowing. Chef's wife.. wow.. What's your daughter's name?
             Nupura: Mili
            There was an awkward silence. Mili was my pet name... within the group... and she kept her daughter's name after me! My emotions choked me to say anything further until Akshata broke the reverie.
             Akshata: What about you? You took every body's interview. Where have you been hiding?
             Me: The hills. Like I always wanted to.
             I knew they would understand what hills meant. It just meant I followed my passion and became a writer.
             Nupura: Married? 
             Me: Umm yes. Right after two  years out of college. I have a son. Daan.
             Manasi: You know this whole thing is great but I would prefer us all siting face to face. You all know how bad I m with technology. I must say this app is much better to use. 
             Me: I m talking to you all sitting in one corner of the world and that is just awesome right now.
             Manasi: Listen, I m carrying twins.
             Me: I just cannot believe this. All those conjoined strawberries you ate! They worked!!!
             Manasi: You can say that they are fruits of our labor. Well jokes apart, next month is the baby shower. Karan is coming home for holidays. The rest HAVE to be there. You better bring yourself and your family here. 
             Me: I will try my best.
             Daan shouted in the background, "We will come!"
             My boy was getting excited to meet the five people I thought I will never miss. I knew I had to make this trip for them and for us...
                                             

            This is my entry for Indiblogger's contest with WeChat. 
           
              

Between friends..

"Hello"
"Hey idiot what's up?"
"hmm the ceiling.. and yeah there is a fan as well"
"Very funny.. you planning to hang yourself or something?"
"Why would I do something stupid?"
"Oh that's great.. anyway I called to inform you that the fan wouldn't be able to bear your weight. Good that you have enough sense." HE chuckled..
"Aye I m not that fat okay?"
"Yep baby.. only a little bit chubby..what you call ?? ohh yeah baby fat! By the way it's baby elephant isn't it?
"Whatever.. I m not in a mood to argue with you.."
"Why what happened to the great debater?"
"Nothing.."
"I think I know.. The girl is in love.."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"You should have thought about it earlier.. "
"That is why I didn't tell you for last 2 years.. I knew you would get pleasure out of teasing me.. You know what ?you are a jerk." Now she was really cursing herself for disclosing the secret to him.
"Wow.. 2 years!! Like when we were in 10th standard??"
"We haven't failed a single class.. So calculate for yourself what class we were in .."
"Hey why the lashing ? People in love don't do that."
"Listen if you can't respect my feelings atleast don't make fun of it." She was now on the verge of tears..
"I m not making fun of your feelings.." He sounded confused..
"Hey come on Misha.. that's how our relation has always been.. "


It was the truth.. They had been together like forever.. Best of friends.. She hated him when he dumped their plan to hangout with the boys and completely forgot about her.. But he had always been a charmer.. Their on and off fights were the laughing stock of their families.. He was her companion and play mate and she never really felt the need of any other friend.. She had other friends but he was the one who always remained constant..
It was only when one of her friends told her about the huge crush she had on Shyam and wanted her to act as the mediator to get to him, she felt the flames of a fuming jealousy.. Then realisation struck.. It was now more than friendship.. She had fallen in love with him..

Out of sheer stupidity and desperation she had smsed him last night.."Shyam I sort of like you"..
He had taken her lightly and replied.."Hey idiot I like you 2.. btw happy realisation."
Call it inexperience in such matters or the restlessness, she smsed him again.. "Not that way Shyam.."
He completely ignored her message and replied late night.. "Go to sleep  idiot.."
Yes.. she was an idiot.. Now it would never be the same again..

"Hey are you there or dozed off lazy bones"
"yeah there.."
"So tell me all about it."
"About what?"
"Your love.. I want to know how deep it is.."
"Listen Shyam I m sorry .. I shouldn't have told you that.. Now please let go off that thing.. You wouldn't know crap about it.."
"Oh why so?" he was asking it as inquisitively as he had once asked her in class 9 ,"Misha what is PMS?"
She didn't know what to reply to that.. She simply said I don't know.. She thought of smart answers to reply to that.. She couldn't find any..until she read in a book where in a similar context the girl replies "Pissed-off-men syndrome".. She burst out laughing.. THis was the perfect answer for him.. When she told him the answer, he simply took it in as genuine answer.. Aww he trusted her!!

"Because you have never been in love..except for your stupid games.."
"And you.."
"YEah I have been in love ."
"I wasn't asking you.. I was telling you... I have been in love with games and you.. you long before the games came.." HE made it sound so simple..
"As a friend..yeah..but.."
"You birdbrain!! I love you ..in whatever way possible!!"
She stopped short of words.. She needed someone to pinch her back to reality..
"Really?"
"Yeah really.. But I can change that if you don't open the door.."
"What?? where are you?"
"Outside your house."
HE was her neighbor..HE had been staying at a hostel near his college.. He had come all the way for her!!
She opened the door.. There he was smiling at her..
She hugged him tight... He held her in his arms for a long time..

"Why did you not reply to me last night then?"
"What you wanted to be the hero or what? I wanted to propose you.. not the other way round"
"Then what were you waiting all along?"
"Your birthday.." he gave a 100 watt smile..
"Since when?"
"Hmm ever since I knew the meaning of PMS :P"
"That was when..."
"one year back"
"See you are always late..!!"
"yeah yeah I know.. now go give me something to eat.. Came so far.. starving!!"
"Oh.. ok"
She turned to go inside when he pulled her back into his arms..
"Before you do it again..let me do it the proper way.. Misha I love you.." He had never looked so serious in his life..
"Someday will you take my surname? I seriously hate yours :)"
"Shyam my surname is very dashing..."
He rolled his eyes.. They often debated on this !!
"Whatever..don't start again.."
"But I wouldn't mind yours too :)" She winked at him .. :)

P.S Had written this sweet, naughty love confession sometime back.. kept it on hold for editing and waited for the right moment to post ;) 
Well Maithili will be away from the blogworld for a week  from tomorrow.. cousin's marriage :) 
Keep writing and I will be back to check and comment on all that you people write ;)
Love
Maithili 

Witnessing a change..

5/8/2010

Dear Diary,

        Haven't been there to write much lately.. You must be thinking I forgot you.. How can I forget my only companion of those lonely nights I spent ..feeling hopeless and dejected..when writing to you was the only comfort I had.. I used to always think if I would ever find someone who can read you.. Reading you is reading my soul..

       Well, I think he is the one.. I have found someone to share my life with.. Yes my life is whirling with the joy of it.. I used to always wonder how falling in love would be.. Now I know its beautiful..  I must be the luckiest  girl in this world to have him..
       Can you guess who it is? You probably cannot fathom how deep my luck is running.. He is Ricky, the heartthrob of college.. Yes, every girl wants him but he is only mine now..forever..
        I don't know when I nurtured feelings for him.. You know I used to think he is a show-off and often avoid him.. My friends used to say he has dated all the beautiful girls in college.. Playboy they used to say.. Well if he could have anyone, then why did he chose me? considering that I don't even figure in the "good looking" criteria.. The only explanation is that he loves me for who I am and that is what matters,isn't it?
        My friends aren't talking to me ever since me and Ricky are a couple.. No it's not like they completely shunned any contact.. But you know, that sudden stopping of conversation when I enter..that low whisperings when I and Ricky are together.. They think I don't notice.. Maybe it's strange for them as they don't have any boyfriend so far.. I  hope someday they accept Ricky too.. They will realise he is a nice guy..
        Ricky says I need to trim down a bit.. I m working hard on it.. Right now I weigh 50 kg.. At the end of this month have to reduce atleast 2 kg.. It's not like I m changing myself for him, he would accept me anyhow.. But I want to do this for myself too.. All his friends have girlfriends with size zero figure.. Laila is always looking for a chance to taunt.. Laila that snobbish, irritating creature who thinks she is the coolest girl in college.. Me going out with Ricky must have hurt her ego..
        If I even start to tell you how Ricky and me fell in love I could be writing all night and still not complete.. To keep it short.. He came to the library (giving the librarian a mini heart attack) one fine day... He was totally at lose.. Finding no book small enough for him to read he came to sit where I was already sitting and started small talks.. ( I have reason to believe he never really came looking for a book anyway).. The result of those small talks is that we got thrown out of the library for making noise..
        It was embarrassing to say the least.. He apologized to me.. We ended up exchanging numbers and what followed was long night calls, daily texting, chatting etc etc..until on 22nd July he proposed to me... :) :) and what else could I say but yes??
         I used to wonder how it would be like to be on a date..bunk lectures.. meet secretly.. It's thrilling but at the same time I feel guilty.. no one knows that while I m actually supposed to be in library, I m in the neighbouring garden with Ricky.. He says its no big deal.. But its first time for me... Well there are a lot of first times...
         It's late now.. got to sleep.. will be back soon... goodnight.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


P.S to be continued ... :D

Lucky boy continues

"But why lucky boy?" asked Mia."Remember that annual day jackpot? He got the prize money in that. That's why Pushy calls him Lucky boy".
"Oh really? But what's his real name?" Mia asked further. Katie replied,"He is Rehan. Ninth grader new admission. No wonder we haven't seen him before."
Katie had found out all she needed.
 Mia was not the one to be left behind. Soon after, she found out that he lived near school and that he was actively involved in sports.
They began to spend their lunch hours hanging close by and never once missing a chance to have a good look at him.
 Katie and Mia were the best of friends in school. A Lucky boy could create ripples but never a rift in their friendship. They never
acknowledged their crush on him. "He is you cup of tea" was what Mia would reply if Katie teased her and Katie would retort back by saying,"No,no he is your cake".
 Crushes are not new to teenage life but sharing of crush might be a rare case. This friendship surpasses all the tales of teenage jealousy.
 "so are you going to talk to him" quizzed Mia one day. "Me? Mad or what? No way" was the same response of Katie.Both equally interested and both equally reluctant.
 Poor guy Rehan! He noticed the girls and often thought one of them would approach him because they happened to be everywhere he was. But his Lucky boy charm didn't work this time.
They both never spoke to him. The year passed and both Mia and Katie got promoted to the eighth grade. It was heard that Rehan left the school following another transfer of his father.
Katie and Mia soon forgot of their common crush and found out new hobby ideas( not involving sharing of crush anymore).
 Years later if Katie and Mia meet up and Rehan's mention crops up then the immediate response is always,"Oh wasn't that your first crush? what were you thinking?" and both would burst into
laughter and go back down the memory lane. This time it's both of them teasing at the same time...

The Lucky Boy

Katie and Mia had both given their names for the general knowledge exam that happened every year in school. They were now regular participants. Though only a certificate was handed at the end of the year, it was always fun to to go to school on this particular day when all the school was deserted and they could have lots of fun roaming in the campus before the exam. Right from the first grade Katie and Mia had a favorite place in the school. It was the wall that faced the playground on one side and the road on the other. This was their place of timepass in the otherwise boring school time.
      Numerous play periods were passed standing there and commenting on the games and the passersby
until some instructor chided them to join the games. Games were one of the few things they never participated in.
      It was 10.45 and they were still standing and giggling about something when the entrance warning bell rang. Exam started at 11.
      Mia said,"Katie do you realise we are now seniors? Lets go to the class and see how many juniors turned up". Katie lazily replied "Yeah,lets go ,there's nothing interesting here." Oh God! Has this exam now started for the ninth graders as well?" Katie shouted out aloud. The fun was all gone. They sank back into their respective seats and looked at the ninth graders. One of them came over to the board and scribbled something. Two more of his friends followed and started doing the same. There was some playful fight going on over what they were scribbling. Then the ninth grader turned around. Though Katie and Mia almost knew everyone atleast by their faces due to their passtime activities ,this one was a new face. Katie was more interested,"Have you seen him?" "nope" was the reply from Mia.
     Miss Pushy entered the class with the question papers. Miss Pushy was a little deaf or maybe acted like one. She had long and thick hair which were always adorned with white flowers. There were rumours in school that she suffered from depression following her mother's demise but then every other person had some disorder according to the rumours in this school.
      She looked at the ninth grader and said,"Lucky boy, get back to your seat."
"Lucky boy?" both Katie and Mia said aloud at and time and giggled. A look from Pushy quitened them but the name stuck around for a long time. Lucky boy then returned to his seat. The exam commenced and ended without more event and Katie and Mia returned home. A new story started that day. Katie and Mia just had a new crush rather a common crush "THE LUCKY BOY".


(the story continues )