Episode 9 : DOES SHE OR DOES SHE NOT? - CRUSH STORY Contd.....

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.

“Ohh boy, what timing, screw you idiot”, I said to myself. “Found who”?, questioned Nandini. “You”, answered Ganesh. “Ohh the balloon guy”, she said looking at me. Standing there clueless, I noticed Nandini smile at me as her sister had a patented right to giggle. “Ok gotto go, bye”, she waved. “Enjoy your ice cream”, I replied. “You don’t get ice creams for Pedicure and Manicure Eathen”, said Gauri giggling as usual. Dude! Popat hogaya kya?, whispered Ganesh. “Ya man totally”, I replied smiling as I watched her turnaround and look at me.