GLASS WALL

It had been almost a year since I moved to this new city away from family and friends. Every day used to be pretty much the same, spending half of my day watching computer screen and an empty seat beside me on other side of glass wall which used to separate my workplace in different block.

The seat opposite to me was empty, like the year went for me. I was so indulged in my work I didn’t make any friends at my workplace and now I only had that stupid empty chair to talk with.

My work place was filled up with all sincere people, no one used to whisper also. There was pin drop silence, so while talking to my friend chair, whom I used to address as Mr. C, I had to use my sketch pen. I was writing him messages on the Glass wall.

Mr. C and I had my things in common or say he always agreed on my opinion. We used to discuss cricket, politics and off course girls. My friendship with Mr. C was going good.

Diwali was coming in sometime, the block were Mr. C was placed was getting painted. Few paint drops fell on Mr. C. so before leaving office I wrote a message,

Looking Handsome Mr. C, you surely are an eye candy :D :P

And left for the weekend.

I came back on Monday with the feeling of ohh! Fuck its Monday again, only to get surprised. In so many days Mr. C had replied for the first time. And my message was little tampered too.

Looking Beautiful Miss. C, you surely are an eye candy :D :P and below that

Thank you. J

I know a stupid chair won’t answer, who’s She?  Many possibilities started crawling in my mind.

It may be a girl or someone is just playing with me.. OMG!! It may be some ghost also.

I quickly searched for an image of Lord HANUMAN, took a color printout and pinned the same to my desk. But still I wanted to know who the girl was. So I wrote a message to that mystery girl.

Are you seriously a girl or someone playing some stupid prank? Or Ghost because I can see the reply but no one on this chair.

I was eagerly waiting for someone to show up but no one came.

Next morning went I came in, as expected I had a reply.

Hahaha… I am surely a girl.. I just checked myself in mirror this morning ;)

Well my timing is different than yours that’s why you can’t see anyone there.

oh wow!A girl. It seems like it’s over between Mr.C and me. By the way Mr. C means the chair on which you are sitting. I replied back,

Next day she replied,

What? You were talking to the chair. You seriously need someone.

“For the time being it’s you.” I replied the next day.

“Trying to flirt Mr”. she commented back.

“How can I flirt with you on a glass wall? Just need someone to talk. It seems you also don’t have anyone to talk with”.I wrote back to her.

There was no reply from her side for past two days; I was getting restless thinking why she didn’t reply?  I finally had someone to talk with now that person is also gone.

Third day when I came to office I saw a message for me on the glass wall,

Sorry! I was sick.  But how can you say that I am alone. You don’t know me.

“If you were not alone then we would be not having this conversation till now. You also want someone to talk with.” I quickly went upto the wall and replied her.

Next day she replied with just a smile  J.

We stated talking a lot on our wall, though it was totally insane and crazy but I liked talking to her.

Soon days turned into week, week into months but still I didn’t knew her name. I never asked was she married or single? Was she Hindu or Muslim? Or can we ever meet? May be I was scared of my past which brought me many pains on knowing the truth or maybe I was not so gutsy.One thing for sure I was interested in her.

But that doesn’t mean I didn’t know her. I was aware of her likes and dislikes which was somewhat similar to mine. We were good friends though we met on a wall rather a glass wall.

“What are your favorite places except Glass Wall? “One day she asked.

“Wow!! What this?” I said to myself on reading her message.

Like earthworm crawls out in rainy season thought stated crawling in my mind.

Wow!! She’s only asking me out. Maybe she’s attracted to me. When a female asks you something your mind gets over every law what Newton or Einstein made. You just think, think what you want to think. That same thing was happening to me.

“yes !! I have.. Perk point.. But why??” I replied behaving like I didn’t understand.

But I had to wait for a day to know what she replied, I waited full in anxiety and excitement. Next day I woke up early, took bath even offered prayers. I wanted the coin to toss as per my wish on any condition.  I did whatever I could. Toady cow was for me “Gaau mata” not an animal, I gave her some chapattis also.

I rushed to office before time, I didn’t even waited for my bus just to she her reply, reply which could turn my life.  And it surely did.

“Hey I want you to meet my fiancé. He doesn’t believe my glass wall friend is real.” She replied back.

I sat on my chair laughing, hitting my head with my hand.

“What a dust bag I am? I am so idiot” I said keeping my emotions inside my head hitting my desk with my fist. I cleared my face with my hand.

“It’s over though it never began” I said to myself seeing her message once again. I stretched my wet hand to rub her message on glass wall.

“something’s are better to be virtual than real”  I replied her back and left.

I resumed my office after a week. Within this span I mailed Admin team to allocate me a new seat.

I went up to my old seat to collect my belongings; tried looking at glass wall but my view was hazy. I turned around, cleared my face. Collected my stuffs and moved to my new seat. As I saw it, a smile came on my face.

It was beside another GLASS WALL. 

Seven Nights 4

Night 6:

It’s so hard to even take a breath when your fate with someone you love more than anything depends on one answer and it’s even harder when the same person has to answer. Sometimes you think it’s going to be yes but just another moment you think what If she says NO.

Your mind and thoughts oscillate like a pendulum, same thing was happening to me. It was so hard to think, my mind was fully occupied with all may be questions. I was getting restless, with every clock tick. Finally the sun came down to decide my fate with Shruti.

I went to spice garden, sat on a chair near bar. I looked around, the place was less crowded.

“Sir, what would you like to have” the bar tender asked me.

“Beer” I said searching Shruti.

“Shruti madam is not here” he said passing me a beer bottle.

“How do you know I am looking for Shruti?” I was curious.

“We know everything about each other.” he replied carelessly cleaning glass.

“So at what time generally she comes?” I asked him.

“She would be coming in an hour, abhi tho raat baaki ha” he said smiling.

I had one hour to kill before Shruti comes, I grabbed my beer and started looking around. There were few people; I was looking at them casually. When I saw a familiar face, he must be around 50-52 in age. I started thinking hard where I have seen him. I was looking at him constantly. He saw me and I think he also felt the same. He took his drink and walked up to my seat me.

“I think I know you” he said,” Ravi’s son right” he said pointing his fingers towards me.

“Yes but you” I asked him.

“beta Verma uncle, I was working with your dad, remember.” He said.

“Oh yes, how are you uncle?” I said recognizing him.

“So it seems you have grown up, beer.” He said looking at me with a smile patting my back.

“No it’s just, sometimes. Please don’t tell dad.” I was little embarrassed.

“No. no it’s fine, you are grown up now. Come join me.” He said inviting me to his table.

I took my beer and moved to his table. He told he was here to see her daughter and son-in-law; they went out today so he sneaked in for some drink. He started telling stories when I was young, I was busy listing him when I got a message. I checked it was from Shruti. I almost forgot I came for her.

“Looks you got better company than me, come up to stage I want to talk.” She messaged me.

“It’s my dad’s friend, he already caught me drinking so let him go, I’ll come.” I replied her back.

“So what?” She asked me.

“I can’t, it’s just this is not a good place and you dancing.... leave it, I’ll explain you after he goes” I messaged her.

 I was scared, what will he think if he see me dating a bar girl, what will happen if he tells my parents.

“Go to hell, you coward” she replied me back.

I looked at her, she moved from her seat.

“Sorry” I messaged her apologizing.

But she didn’t replied, soon the crowd started coming in. uncle also left, he asked me to come but I said I am waiting for a friend. Now I was there alone waiting for Shruti’s reply.

Almost two hours passed, I was waiting for her but she was not even looking towards me. I realized how cowardly I behaved. I didn’t want to waste any more time, I went up to her. As she saw me coming she went to dance floor and started dancing. I stood there watching her dancing.

Crowd started cheering as Shruti came to dance, she seemed quite famous. Drunken guys started throwing money on her, I was getting freaked out.

 “Shruti meri jaan” a drunken man shouted.

“F#@#” I said,” how can anyone address her so cheaply. I love her; I can’t let her be here.”

I decide this is it I can't let her dance anymore in such a place. I went up the stage to get her down, but before I could tell her or do anything, the same drunk guy came held her hand and started dancing. She tried to get free from his hold but again he grabbed her by her waist, I could not see that anymore. I went and slapped that guy and got Shruti free.

“Chaataaakk” the whole place went silent, music stopped and everyone was looking at me. The drunk guy fell on the floor, Shruti saw me for a moment. She held my hand and took me outside.

“What the hell you were doing” she shouted.

“That guy was misbehaving with you. I stopped him” I replied to her in same tone.

“And why?” she question me.

“You don’t know why?” I questioned her back.

“Yes I know but I want to hear from you” she said.

“Ok, I stopped him because I love you, I can’t see you anymore in this creepy place.” I answered.

“So you love me, and what was that when your uncle was there” she questioned me again.

 I was silent.

“I know what was that, you were ashamed of me” as she said tears started rolling from her eyes.

“I was scared then but I am not anymore, I will take you out of this and we can live happily”, I moved closer, held her face and said.

We hugged each other for some time.

“We can’t be together” Shruti said getting away from me.

“Why?” I asked her.

“Listen I came today to say you yes, that I love you. But what just happened today made me realize that it will happen again. You got scared today, what is the guarantee you won’t be again.” She said.

“No, It won’t happen” I said crying.

“Please don’t be like that, it’s better to end our friendship today than to make our life hell” she said caressing my cheek.

“I would have also not agreed if I would have been at your parents place.” She again said,” I love you, I can’t she you being ashamed whole life.”

“No” I said again crying.

“Please, if you love me then forget, we can’t be together. I am moving back to my parents. We won’t meet again.” She said and started walking away.

I watching her again going away from me, but this time we were going far from each other. She looked back seeing me standing there helplessly. She rushed towards me kissed my lips and said BYE.

Night 7:

I came out of my room, as I walked down the gallery I could see colorful lights covering the adjacent building, lights blinking making different shapes. The reflection was falling on my face as it used to fell in spice garden.

This very same day a year ago Shruti moved to her hometown leaving me heartbroken. I still remember our last kiss, her last touch. I closed my eyes thinking of her. The surrounding went silent for that moment; it could visualize Shruti and me kissing. I touched my lips, felt like Shruti was there standing right beside me kissing. I opened my eyes again to see lights blinking.

She went away from my life but still some traces of her were left in my heart. Sometimes I miss her a lot. But time taught me we were never meant for each other. Yes I loved her but there were many others life related to me which could have been affected. She was right I would have got scared again. Now I remember her in a good way, I think I moved on.

“Hey come on get ready quickly, it’s my wedding tonight.” Tushar shouted.

“I am ready; it’s you who’s not?” I replied him.

“Shit, it’s my wedding and I am roaming in vest.” Tushar looked at himself and said.

“Its fine, be cool. It’s your big day.” I said to him patting his shoulders.

“Why I am freaking out? I am getting married to Garima only.” He said wiping sweat from his forehead.

“It happens. Come on first lets have your bachelor party drink.” I put my hand around his neck and pulled him.

After having a couple of drinks Tushar was little stable. He got dressed, and the big moment arrived.

The ambience was festive, shehnai being played, the priest sitting there chanting the mantras and the bride and bridegroom sitting on mandap getting blessed. Soon they got up to take phere, everyone staring throwing flower petals on them.

I was feeling very happy; two of my best friends were getting married. I stood there on one side of mandap throwing flowers on both of them but as the avalanche of flower came down a little, as I could see a familiar face on opposite side of mandap. It was Shruti, what is she doing here?  I rushed towards her, but Tushar looked towards me raising his eyebrows and shoulders like asking where you are going? I nodded my heading saying nothing and stood there.

I was eagerly waiting for the pheres to end so that I could talk to Shruti what’s she doing here a, why she came back? I was totally confused.

Finally the marriage got over, everyone moved to the reception area. My eyes were searching for Shruti. I looked for her everywhere, finally I found her in a corner standing with some ladies. She saw me coming towards her, so moved a little away from other ladies.

“Hi” she said

“What you doing here?” I was not able to control myself,” you left a year ago saying you won’t see me again then why you came back and that also on the same day when you broke up.”

“Listen” she tried to talk,

“No you listen, I was just getting over you and I am talking stupid because I think I still love you” I surrendered myself.

Feelings which were creeping inside me from a year erupted.

“Any problem Shruti” before Shruti could speak, a good looking guy came put his hands on her shoulders and said.

“No Rahul, just an old friend.”Shruti smiled and said

“Hi, Rahul. Shruti’s better half.” Rahul said.

“What?” I was shocked, was he the same rahul who left her.

“Hi.. Shruti’s friend” I looked into shruti’s eyes while replying to rahul.

I could see pain and guilt in her eyes. There were many questions like when? How? Why? Creeping inside me but sometimes it’s better to not have answers. I would have never given her a life what she can get from rahul, so it’s better to move on and be happy for her

.

“I also want to meet you someone” I said to Shruti and started looking for someone.

“Priyanka.. priyanka..” I shouted on seeing who I was looking for.

“Shruti meet priyanka , most important person in my life.” I said.

“Aww.. so sweet” priyanka hugged me.

They both greeted each other. I could clearly see expressions on Shruti face like she lost something forever. Maybe she understood it’s over from my side also.

“Happy for you” Shruti said to me with smile unable to hide her pain.

“See you.. enjoy yourself.” I said waiving my hand to rahul and went near Shruti.

“Nice to have you in my life. BYE” I said in her ears while hugging.

I held priyanka’s hand and walked out from that place. I wanted to turn back and see her again but didn’t, I just walked away.

“Bahiya who was she?” priyanka asked me.

“Just a friend, she wanted to see you.” I said smiling.

Memories are best framed in moonlight. Some are good and some are bad. Some you make and some just happen.

Seven Nights 3

Night 4:

I couldn’t get my mind away from her, her touch was amazing. My hand was still on my cheek. I slept thinking about her. I woke up, as usual searched my mobile but today also It was not under my pillow, checked on the adjacent table, not there also. Again started thinking where could I have left,

“Yes! Jacket…. Shit! I left it with Shruti.” I remembered. I called her.

 “Hey…Good morning.” I said as she picked up the called.

“Hi.. Good morning.” She wished me too.,” listen thank you for last night. I am so glad that I found a nice friend.”

“Me too” I replied back,” Listen I think I again left my mobile with you.”

“Come and get then, wait come to bar tonight, after my shift we can catch up, if you want” she asked me.

“Sounds good” I said, because that could be another night with her.

“Great… see you in the evening.” She said and hung up the phone.

My day went thinking about Shruti, the way she blackmailed to go disc with her, it was cute. The way she danced, the way her hairs fell on her face, the way she held my hand in auto rickshaw. The way she kissed on my cheeks. The way she looked at me closing her door.

My other phone rang, it was my cab driver. I went home, on the way I picked a bouquet. I looked at my watch, one more hour before she comes. I pressed my door bell. Tushar didn’t opened the gate. I tried calling him. He didn’t pick the call.  I became little suspicious. I called my land lord. We broke in, Started searching for Tushar.

“He’s here” my landlord shouted. I rushed towards the bathroom.

“Shit!” I saw Tushar lying on bathroom floor, covered in blood. There was some blood on tap also, maybe he slipped and hurt his head.

“Thank god” I said after checking his nerves, it was working fine.

We rushed to hospital. Tushar had lost lots of blood. Doctor said he need to be operated immediately and asked me arrange some money quickly.

I checked my bank account; I was not having sufficient money for operation. I called Garima, Tushar’s girlfriend. I told Garima what all happened and I need some money. She agreed I went to her place to collect money.

Garima invited me in, and told me to wait as she also wants to come with me. She arranged some cash, asked me count and properly bundle them till then she gets ready.

I was busy arranging the cash, just then my phone rang. I cut the call without looking, again it rang, I again cut the call and pressed power button to switch it off.

Once I was done I switched on my phone, I looked 5 missed calls from shruti’s

“Crap!” I has plans to meet shruti but now I can’t. I called her back.

 “Where the hell are you? My shift got over an hour ago.” She shouted as she picked up the call.

“Look there have been a problem, I can’t come today. I will explain you later..”, I replied her.

“Hey I am ready, let’s go” Garima called me from behind.

“Just coming...” I replied back to Garima.

“Who was she?” Shruti enquired.

“A friend, I told you na had some problem..”. I replied her back.

“At this time you don’t be with just friend, who he is?” she was getting curious.

“Look I don’t have time for all this.. I have to go.. I’ll call you later.” I said in an irritated tone.

“This is was all men say to me. I thought you were different, but no all men are same. Nobody wants to be with a bar girl.” She said in a upset tone.

“Hey listen.. “ before I could complete she hung up.

I wanted to call her back and explain but had no time. I need to rush to hospital.

“Who was on the phone” Garima asked,

“Not important..” I replied her, but from inside I only knew how important she became for me, she being upset with me was making me uneasy. When my friend is in hospital? I should think about him but my mind was occupied with Shruti’s thoughts. Why? I asked myself… because you started loving her.. My heart replied.

Night 5:

I looked at my phone, still no message from Shruti, I have been messaging her whole day apologizing for last night. I tried calling her but her phone was switched off. Again I dropped a message saying sorry, and asked her to at least give me a chance to explain.

I was constantly looking at my phone, waiting for her reply. This all was building up frustration inside me. My phone vibrated, a message came, and I was so sure it was from Shruti. I happily unlocked my phone to read the message.

The message I received was not from Shruti, it was some service message. All my happiness turned into anger, I threw my phone on the wall. It shattered into pieces. It was still angry; I didn’t know what to do. I smashed the glass window with my fist. Blood started coming out.

I brushed back hair with my hand sitting on the adjacent stairs trying to relax. After taking a deep breath, I looked at my phone. It was broken into pieces; I realized Shruti may call me back. I desperately went near my phone, tried fixing it. I gathered all pieces, put them together. But it was not working.  I never felt so helpless, I wanted to fix everything with Shruti but like this phone, how much I try it was not working.

I sadly sat on the floor putting my back against the wall. I covered my eyes with my hand, my eyes were wet. I didn’t want to cry, it just came out. I wiped away my tears.

“Hey” Garima called me from the other end of corridor. She came towards me.

“What happened with your eyes” Garima asked me.

“Something fell in my eyes” I lied to her.

“And OMG what happened to your hand. Why it’s bleeding and your phone.” Garima was shocked seeing all this.

“Oh it’s bleeding, don’t know.”  I looked at my hand, but I was too busy in Shruti’s thought that I forget I punched a window pane.

“Are you insane, your hand is bleeding like anything and you don’t know? Come with me.” Garima scolded and took me for first aid.

After getting first aid, Garima and I went to the cabin were Tushar was. I sat on a chair in corner of the room and didn’t knew when fell asleep.

Garima phone broke my sleep; I opened my eyes saw it was ringing.

“Hey Garima your phone is ringing, pick it up” I said to Garima who was sitting beside Tushar.

“It’s not for me” Garima replied smiling.

“What?” I was confused.

“Yes it’s not for me, it’s for you. Pick it up” she again said.

I was totally confused; anyhow I picked up the call. Someone was crying at another end.

“Hello… Shruti” I tried guessing.

“Sorry” a cute voice came from another end which was strong enough to melt my heart.

“Shruti you” I again asked.

“Yes. I am so sorry what I said.” She again apologized.

“No its fine, it was my mistake. I didn’t come” I said her.

“But you had your reasons, you had friend to look. That was more important and I without hearing you said all rubbish and stupid things to you.” She said weeping

.

“Hey its fine, first stop crying.” I replied.

“Acha.. Why you hurt your hand and broke your phone? Because of me na.” she asked.

“No.. I don’t know.” I said in a confused tone.

“Why are making yourself miserable because of me.” She questioned me.

“I don’t know. its just..” I could not complete the sentence.

“What just? Don’t say you love me.” She shouted.

“Yes. I am in love with you” I too replied her in a high pitch.

“Hello.. Hello” I said, she hung up the phone. I tried calling her back, but the phone was off. I again left her message,

Hey I love you, I don’t know how, but I fell in love with you. I know it’s insane to fell in love with a person whom you know from just four nights. But it’s just happened and I can’t help it. And somewhere deep down in my heart I feel you also love me. Please reply me.

After messaging her I was waiting for her reply, but she didn’t reply. May be she was taking this too hard on her. Like that I went to sleep holding Garima’s phone in my hand.

Next morning Garima woke me up giving me my phone which I left with Shruti’s. she said Shruti came to return your phone, and left a message to check your inbox. I quickly checked my inbox. There was message from Shruti’s number.

“Meet me tonight at SPICE GARDEN; you’ll get all your answers”

story continues... wait for the next part...