“….And then what hppnd…?? …..ya, I kno u are eager to kno that……but may be I m not the right person to tell u that….!!... how wud u like to hear it frm Adi himself…?? ….”….

“…Hi frnds…I m Aditya….I know that u all know me well by now….coz this stupid lill bird of mine has been troubling u a lot for quite a while….!!! Its her big time habit to stretch the things like a rubber band actually………..

stop frowning at me rishita…...c, she is getting angry now… ;-)..

ok ok….no, but jokes apart, I know that her only purpose for being overwhelmingly explicit all this while was to make ‘you’ feel what ‘she’ actually felt in those moments….she jus wanted to relive every bit of it by sharing with u….!!

no rini..??....ya, c…she’s smiling now….!!!

Well, at the time when she was leaving I suddenly felt that ….like I was being parted away from my own life, my own breath…..her each n every step away frm me started suffocating me….!!!..... n that moment of past flashed in my mind … ‘u wont forget me na’…..I wasn’t mature enuff at that time to realize what I actually meant by those words…..

...I feared loosing her then n I was about to loose her again...!!

but thankfully this time I realized my feelings well in time…wasn’t too late….or was I rini…??”

"....no u weren't....J….”….

“hmm…So….no more stretching….to cut the long story short…

I love her n we have been happily married for 1 yr 4 months now..!!”

“AAAddii……man, u jus pray that that was a teaser... coz it was 1 yr 4 months 2 months back…..its 6 months now….”

“4 months…”

“how dare u forget……???????????.....its 6 …..oh god …..aayiiiiiii ……and u …..u come with me….!!!”

“hey hey hey…..I’m comin, I’m comin…..stop pulling me…..ohh….ohhkkk….guys….well I guess I'm dead…..really gotta go…….it was nice meeting u all…..hope to catch u smtime ltr soon……bbyyye…….rishitaaaa…..awrite awrite watever u say……now let go off my hand girl…..!!!!!”

(finish)…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

Some queer glances arnd brought us back to the platform from an almost ecstatic world…!!! …though a few, but people were staring at us…..both of us felt a sudden gush of uneasiness n I balanced myself back….

“…..sorry…that …was… I…..I just….slipped….”

“its ….ok..”

Slightly conscious, slightly embarrassed I reached for my bag again, took my mobile n spoke home..!!

as I put the phone down he said, “rini…..I………I….”…………

jus then a whistle cut him short…..the train..!! …..it had arrived….!!!!!

I was lookin at him, there was surely smthing he wanted to say very earnestly, I cud sense that restlessness in his manner…..

“what is it Adi….??  ….u ok…??”…

n I cud see clear enuff that words came restrictedly frm his mouth,

“y…ya…m fine…nothing….!!...”…

I wondered what was wrong with him....for there sure was something wrong with him….!!!!....

He called a porter……n we stood there watching him get my luggage on the train….

It was time to go….. “so....time to go I guess….it was really nice meeting u aftr so long….”

“ya…..same here….hope to c u arnd…!!”…

“hmm…..”…..I smiled….we shook hands n I set off to leave….

But as I started walking towards the train I felt as if I was leaving a part of me behind….I was terribly missing smthing….jus cudn’t make out what…..but I was….something was burning inside me…..it was being so difficult to take each n every step towards the train…. or……may be….rather….. 

‘away from him’….

… “yes, it was being so difficult to take each n every step away from him….!!!” ...

to be cont…(c u soon for the last part)

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

“train is on time…”….he was back….

“gud…”

He sat beside me on the bench silently…..but this time arnd, Silence was speaking, it was actually speaking volumes..….!!!!!!

After a few centuries (moments actually which seemed like centuries) he said,

“when wud u be back..??”

“y…??”

“no….jus like that…”

I was trying to read his mind…. “well, cant say….may be in a week or so…!!”

“all right…”

why did he ask that…?? does he wanna meet me again…?? …may be…… smthing is…………..

I dint have any answers…..there was nothing on his face….or voice….n eyes….well, he wasn’t looking at me..!!

“I’ll jus make a call to nanny….” ….as I began to stand to reach my bag, I lost my balance n stumbled….I sure wud have fallen if it hadn’t been him….n….that was probably the first time I saw that ‘look’ in his eyes…

 …he…..he….jus cudn’t take his gaze off me, nor cud I…..felt like that time had come to a halt n I wished that it wud remain like that forever…!! …there I was in his arms, all senses n yet lost…!!!....

to be cont…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

adding some ssspice to ur dezzzert...!!!

Hey all u girls out there …..how're u…??

aaahh, wat else than the best…!!! ....

n especially with our gang goin gr8 guns….. No..??.....It's been long we guess, so …we are back again with this fav section of urs….!!!

Well, u see our daily hectic work schedules leave us with neither the energy nor the time for those 'cozy' moments which we so much 'desire' to spend with our partners…but u kno wat even 'small' things can make 'BIG' difference to ur n his lyfe…

…..wanna kno how….alrite here we go…!!!!!!

Imagine a family gathering…..all ur relatives around…..in-laws, kids, dehradun wale uncle aunty, America wale bhaiya bhabhi n wat max, may be Mrs. n Mr. Boss…..dining together…..

n oh u so very wanted to be alone with him tonight but, of course, had only ur mother and sister-in-law granted...!!!

Never mind, u can hv ur own ways…..like..??

Like,

No, its not good old 'winking' at him wen he’s least expecting it...its “Passe” dear..(though u can try if u haven’t till now..)

Infact, how about takin a bite on a strawberry with that naughty look in ur eyes or …..

while passing by him a touch or a pat at the right places…u see, run ur imagination wild girl… ;-)

or call him in the kitchen or the bedroom on some pretext or the other like..

hmmm hey listen where did u keep that blue box…?..(though u know u haven’t got anything in blue since ages….) or whatever….

…and as soon as he comes in give him a kiss…. n tell him he’s looking handsome….. 

…..So girls we have shown u the ramp, the more catty u walk, the more promising ur evening becums….!!!!!

I dared not to rise hastily lest I awoke him…..jus slightly raised my head from his shoulder n looked towards him….his eyes were closed and there was a somber touch on his face….!!

Believe me, I wont ever be able to put in words the eternity which I felt in my heart at that moment…..it was intoxicating…..felt like giving a peck on his cheek n whisper a good morning wish in his ear…..!!

I softly removed his hand from my waist and treaded out of the bed…..went to the window, stood there for a moment, turned arnd to look towards him, smiled n murmured,

“I still love him…”……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…………………..    …… ….   ………… … ……………………  …… ………… ..!!!!!

Train was due in next 1 hour…..I was getting ready to leave and aayi was packing me smthing in the kitchen……

“all set….???”……Adi was standing at the door…

“ya…” I smiled….

“I’ll come along, I’m expecting someone…”…..

‘hmm…..”….I dint know wat more to say…..!!

I gave aayi a tight hug and promised to come over again once I wud be back from home…..I waved to her as we crossed the gate…..we reached the station well in time, in fact early…..

Adi went to the enquiry n I sat on the bench……

my mind was all memories…..jus a few hours back I was sitting on the same bench having no idea wat was in store for me that night…..n now, here I am, again, but my lyfe isn’t the same for me nymore…!!....n don kno y but ….smhow his manner seemed different too….!!!

 to be cont…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

Though much to his discomfort, I was looking straight into his eyes…so as not to escape even the slightest ex-pression, be it of surprise or confusion or hesitation…!!

“I don kno…” he said in a clear voice…..

Had he said ‘yes’ I wud sure have been disappointed…..as natural n honest as ever, I thought smilingly…!!!.....we turned towards the window again…

“such a lovely weather….isn’t it…??” I said as I saw some water collect in my stretched palm…

“yeah, it is...”

Suddenly, mischievously, I splashed it on his face n a moment later he was after my lyfe as I vainly tried to escape his tight grip on my wrist…..

“rini ki bacchi…”

“aah…aah...ok…ok…I’m sorry…I’m sorry….leave me no Adi….” I wailed…!! but he wont n I knew how he wud….. 

"aayiiiiii….” I screamed playfully n he let go off my wrist immediately….!!

n then we were in riots of laughter…that was like reliving those college days again…pure delight…!! We settled ourselves on the bed…talking abt the past, college, old frnds, studies, our jobs, families, future plans n wat not…..I have no account of where n how the time flew by….I never wanted that night to end….

“journey was probably more beautiful than destination”…!!

When I opened my eyes, it was near to dawn, I cud hear chirping of the birds, n feel the sweet smell of wet earth thru the window, ‘the rain had stopped’…..that was when I realized that smtime while talkin during the night we had fallen asleep…..my head rested on his shoulder n his arm held me around my waist……!!!

“My hhheart skipped ahh beat”….!!!!!!!!!!

to be cont…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

Don tell us…are u seriously in a mood to rob a bank..???

Yes, we mean, of course this cud be one idea to ensure that u continue celebrating ur shopping sprees…..but we have some other ways out as well…..

Well, ur zodiac signs have a lot to say about finance and can definitely spare u the troubles of a robbery…..!!!

………..“Money Matters”….!!   and so do the “Money Habits”….!!

Check it out………………………………………………………………..

Aries………

Arians are hot headed, adventurous n risk loving in the matters related to money....yaaa, quite consistent, but only when it comes to spending ….n by the way, do u even know someone is eyeing ur bank account..?? so wat if its empty, u still gotta be watchful…!!

Taurus………

U kno wat, u are like magnets for money, it jus comes to u naturally…. how we wish we all were born Taurus, no more poverty issues in the country….no…?? …..very organized in finances as u are, so…. hats off sweety, keep it up…!!  J

Gemini………

Bad Bad Bad….un unn….we kno u like big things in lyfe but wat abt those ‘small tits n bits’ honey…?? ….lest u r not adamant on goin bankrupt, start takin care of those minor savings NOW…..!!  L

Cancer………..

Cancerians are happy in their own rich n safe cocoons with all their bank accounts in gud shape n order….. ….but ….wat was that..??  ummm…..oh ya, did u remember to clear that phone bill which mommie reminded u to yesterday…? No…??.....gosh…!!!.... its pending for ages u forgetful lass…!!

Leo……….

Royal, with Attitude…... ‘want it all n want it now’ …..n guess wats more..?...yes, born spendthrifts, that too generously…!!!....n we bet u don remember that pin no. of ur account either…!!!  Do u..?? ….ooops…can alrdy see a frown on the face, u think we are exaggerating….no..??...

Virgo…………

Well, u are a blend of +ive n –ive……gud at remembering history, geography, pol science of ur economics….but bad in being over modest when it comes to that pay hike interview with ur team leader…..buck up girl, have some confidence….u are worth it…!!!

Libra…………

Who doesn’t like ‘no work, all play’ sweety…but unfortunately that’s not how lyfe can go on…!!!....so pull up ur socks n get ready to work hard to keep ur bank account green enuff to be able to sponsor ur style n comfort..!!!

Scorpio……..

Plastic money is their favorite……at least a momentary relief from parting away with that precious cash u see..!!... they got a lot of hidden treasures we are sure….hmmm…..but damn, they are jus not stupid enuff to write ‘there’s not a 100 rupee note behind this wall’ where they jus hid one…!!! … though we wish they were…!!

Sagittarius………

Wow, u got an eye for money girl….with all those cards in ur favor, fortune is alwys gonna be ur nxt door neighbor…but still keep ur senses alert..!! ...also if any1 can relax abt her financial security, its u…..may u remain happy-go-lucky alwys…!! God bless…!!  J

Capricorn………

Responsible n Calculated personalities…..but we jus hope u were careful enuff this time to save a bit while parlouring to pay off that credit card statement of urs….? ..wat…??...u dint…!!...careless at the last moment as usual….huh…!!!

Aquarius……..

Quick n Acute ….not too much into money which is gud……but we jus wish u wud behave a lill better when it comes to investments…!! Those sweet lill piggy banks r no use these days u see…!!

Pisces……….

And the award goes to our very own impeccable Ms. Starfish…!!! ….no, don swell wid happiness…..wat we mean is ‘easy earned, easier spent’……right…??.......well, gud for u if the next matrimonial add says ‘preferably CAs n accountants’…..!!!

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

I dint say nything, dint move at all…..after a few seconds he opened the door n came in….treaded softly towards the window where I was standing…..n there we were, together, quiet, at complete loss of words, at complete loss of actions….!!!...I was still looking out of the window n so was he..!!

“y dint u say nything…??”  it was he who broke the silence….

“I dint say wat…??”

“u kno wat….u very well kno…..all that while I kept talking to u n u dint say even a single word…!!!”

“wat shud I hv said Adi…??  that hey, Adi, don’t u remember me…..I m rini….ur best frnd…dint u recognize me…??.....there was a time when u said, u wont forget me na rini…..so, may be, I expected better than this from u….!!”

He sighed n finally turned towards me, “I’m…..I’m sorry….!!”

I took a deep breath, turned towards him n said smiling, “ u needn’t be….Its ok..I understand…!! ”

The air relaxed a bit n so did we….!!

.....there was a lot to say, a lot to ask, but we jus dint kno where to start from…!!......

“so….basketball coach haan…??.....nice”

“yeah……n congratulations, I always knew u wud mk smthing big…!!”

that was a futile attempt on my part to start a talk…..!!.....we were blank again….

After a long pause he said, “u have changed a lot..!!”

“so have you…”

I cud sense a restlessness arnd…!! Yes, I knew he wantd to say smthin more or may be confess, but I also knew that he wudn’t….!! men will be men u see…!!!!!

“did u ever miss me Adi….??”…….that was ‘me’ at last….!!

to be cont…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

 Hey beautiful, so how’s ur skin doin…??  …We hope better…!!!! J

Well, many of our frnds were anxious to hv sm ‘hair tips’ last time.....

watever u say darlings, here we go….

wanna kno whether u hv beautiful hair or not…….well, touch them…and if u feel like touching them again n once more n never stop, then they are….!!

wat did u say, u tried..? so how was it..? ……not gud no…???............we knew……!!

the pollution, chemicals (all those hair colors n sprays), n of course, our own negligence make our hair sooooooo rough n unhealthy that, forget abt ‘again n never stop’…we regret touching them even once….!!!

So its high time now that u do something abt it, lest u wanna loose the power to differentiate between ur ‘ponytail’ n ur ‘broom’ with close eyes sooner n open eyes later…..!!!!   ….  Duh….!!!

WATER…..yes, ur hair too need this elixir of lyfe as much as u do…..

Conditioning darling…..once in a blue moon (may be monthly), besides those garniers n loreals, go for smthing more natural….!!

like ‘curd’ or ‘egg white’ …….n even ‘beer’, let ur hair also party for a while……

CHEERS….!! J

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)

and Adi…….oh god, u should have looked at him….completely haywire….almost bewildered…!!!!!!

“ma, yeh….???????????????????”

“are…. Its rini….!!! y r u behaving as if u don kno her…!!”……she said as we separated…

“no, he knows, jus doesn’t remember….!! Right Adi..??” I said as I drifted my glance towards him from aayi…..he was still in shock….!!!

We moved in, but he stood there at the door, astounded, perplexed, surprised….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I changed, aayi made my favorite ginger tea….meanwhile I made a call home n explained everything……then we sat in the living room, chatting…..aayi was very happy n so was I…..n all this while Adi sat there silently, watching us…..or may be…..watching “me”…!!......I cud feel his gaze…..an urge, an earnestness which wantd to say smthing to me, but jus cudn’t…..!!!.....aayi wudn’t let me go off, as if she wantd to talk abt all those 8 yrs in one go….!!!

After arnd 2-3 hrs I retired to the guest room, tired n exhausted…!! It was arnd 2 o’ clock now…..I opened the window n rain drizzled on my face….clouds were still playing in the sky, showing no intentions to take rest…..I cud feel the cold breeze n that slight shiver in my body…..smthing was on my mind…..wat..??  I don kno…..or may be….I don want to ‘admit’….!!!!!

Jus then a ‘knock’ on the door…..I dint turn, and I wasn’t surprised at all, just excited….may be I had already anticipated that ‘knock’….!!!

to be cont…

(photo courtesy: photobucket.com)