I was driving back home with Ganesh and all through the way
Ganesh was talking talking and talking. However, till date I have no idea what
he was talking. My thoughts were full of Nandini; my consciousness was so well
taken over by Nandini. These seven days happens to be a very difficult task for
me. For the past 4 months there has not been much days without seeing Nandini.
Nandini was part of my daily activity. It was difficult for me without watching
her smile, watching her talk, talking to her. The only good consolation price
for me during this vacation was my parents’ wedding anniversary.
However, things back home was a little different. Some how,
I had a feeling that lot of things were happening. There were regular phone
calls. Mom was looking worried quite often; dad is always wearing his tension
look these days. They were always discussing things in private and making sure
that I was not aware of anything. Dad was awake late nights, I could hear mom
dad talking even late at night. Sometime, heard them arguing about stuffs. Once
I heard Dad saying to Mom, “We have no choice, It will not be easy but have to
move on”. I happened to ask mom one day about these panicky situations. She
said, “It’s all going to be fine, you just work on your academics”. These days
Dad seldom spoke to me and mom. Files, documents and Certificates were his only
world while he was at home.
It was a pleasant morning and 2 out of 7 days has passed by.
Tomorrow is the anniversary day and Ganesh and my self have planned for shopping
so that I can pick up something for my folks and my good friend can pick up
something for himself for Diwali. Who knew that this outing would have been a
pleasant one with Ganesh.
“Lets Shop” is a biggest and first of its kind shopping mall
in our vicinity. As we stepped in Ganesh said “Dude!! It’s a shopping temple
bud”. That was the first time I realized the world I would be entering after
education is going to be huge. There were so many brands and shops for all
purpose. 70-80% foreign brands and this gave me a feeling that we are still
being ruled by the foreignersJ.
We got our freedom fighting against foreign clothes just to make way for this
day and we call this day progress.
As we were surfing through windows and checking out stuffs,
Ganesh was just thrilled to be a part of this day. He had no clue to where to
start and where to end. We were on the ground floor and I noticed a florist
making bouquets with most elegant and beautiful creation of nature. He had one
of the best collections I have ever seen. Few of the flowers I never saw and
many I have never known their names, they were expensive but worth a buy. I
went closer and asked him if he could deliver a custom made bouquet. He
instantly agreed and we discussed the charges etc. As I was having a
conversation I noticed on the first floor, a girl wearing a pink salwar suit
and disappear into one of those apparel showrooms. I was pretty sure it was the
one that I saw Nandini wearing the first time I met her. It was not necessary
that it had to be her, but what can you do when a small little voice inside
your heart says “I guess it’s her”. You can ignore anything but not what your
heart whispers. I have always believed that we have to make our own choice.
Choices are not about right or wrong its all about what you can stand up for.
This time I made up my choice, “I am going to the first floor”.
Malls are confusing for sure and that too a huge mall like
this it’s difficult to find out which way to go and which way to come back. I
reached the first floor, it was crowded with people who have come for diwali
purchase, but I convinced myself that I am going to find her, no matter what. “What
if, it wasn’t she? Who cares give it a short”, I motivated myself. As I was
standing clueless, I noticed five gentlemen carrying bunch of flower walking
towards me. One of the guy tripped over and whole bunch of flower was there
attending the call of gravity, right from the first floor to the ground floor.
I was looking at those flowers dropping down and noticed the pink salwar exit
out. I couldn’t stop myself but rush as fast as possible. There was a running staircase
that was taking me downstairs but I was so impatient that I raced against them
and reached the exit in no time. The moment I stepped out of the mall, I noticed
the black Scorpio disappear. Helpless!! I stood there watching the vehicle
disappear and was thinking how funny this life is. You have things so near and
yet so far. “Eathen!”, she called. That was Nandini I turned around and saw her
standing like I am seeing her for the first time. “Hi”, I said. “What are you
doing here?”, she asked. “Shopping”, I answered. “At the exit”?, she questioned
again.” "I, Ah, saw aaahh!!! Big huh!! Balloon guy outside!! Wondered if I can
buy for my niece”, I replied. “Ohhh ok”!!! , she replied raising her eyebrow,
as I noticed the girl next to her giggling. “Who is this”? I questioned for the
first time. “Hi, I am Gauri, her younger sister, you must be Eathen, the
umberella guy”? Gauri giggled. “Ohh ya, sort of”, I replied. “So done with
shopping”?, I asked Nandini. “Yes”! She replied, my folks just left, we are
going to the parlour, she answered. “Ohhh make up huh?”, I questioned
sarcastic. “No, Ice cream parlour close by”, answered Gauri giggling. “Oh, what
a day making a fool of myself can never get better”, I said to myself. “Hey!!! You
found her dude”, said Ganesh.
