Jab We Met

JAB WE MET
By
Pranay (consultant:-Rudrangshu)


Date:-01-Jan-2008.
I am 22 and she is 22(I think), the only similarity between us. She is in my office. Moreover in same project. Today I saw her first time. I used not to believe in ‘Love at first sight’ but after seeing her or Gazing at her (more appropriate) I do.

She looks cute and bewitching. She sits on same floor where I do, few meters off me. Today is my first day in this office and wow ‘not a bad start ‘I think.
But I don’t know her. From appearance she looks like a south Indian (I saw a brownish ‘Tika’ on her forehead).'No problem' I thought as I had muckle of experience of south Indians in ILP(Initial training at TCS).

But how I ‘ll commence talking to her. I have talked to many girls but they all were well acknowledged to me. How to talk to a totally new girl, I don’t know. ’I‘ll ask my flocks’ I thought.


Date:-10-Jan-2008.
For last 10 days I am staring at her perpetually but couldn’t talk to her. It’s not a film where few ‘gundas’‘ll tease her and I ‘ll rescue her. I thought about many flicks (mostly of ‘SRK’) how hero starts talking to heroin, like ’In DDLJ in a train, In K3G in a shop, In OSO on a film shoot…..but never in an office’. May be in next Karan johar’s movie he‘ll show.

I asked some of my friends but none of them suggested anything fruitful. Some said go and talk to her directly. Some said go and propose to her. I thought firstly I should know her name at least.

I went to one of my confrere who was in her team. I asked him about her. He said her name is 'Manavi' and she is from 'Karnataka'.
I said ‘thanks’, I came back to my seat but still don’t know how to start.


Date:-11-Jan-2008.
Now I know her name, ‘Manavi’ jolly name I thought.
Today one of my friends suggested that as I am a Fun co-coordinator, of this project as well. So I can talk to her regarding it with some excuse. I said-‘Today first time you said something prolific. ’I thanked him. I decided, I ‘ll go and talk to her.
Till afternoon I was thinking how I ‘ll go and barge in??What I ‘ll reply, if she says this or that.
Finally in afternoon I went. Before it I headed to washroom, gave myself confidence...’Come on Raj, you have to go(I had seen few times Srisanth doing this during IPL matches).I wasn’t this much nervous while going for TCS interview.

She was doing her work earnestly.
I said ‘hi’. She replied softly “hi’.
I said-‘I am the fun arranger of this project and we are going to have some activity this weekend so I need to communicate all regarding this. Who is your PL.’ (I said in single breath)

Firstly she surprised then said ok. She gave me her PL mail id. I wanted to say more but I couldn’t. I thanked her and said Bye.
I came back but actually there was no such activity.


Date:-12-Jan-2008.
So now I had encountered her once. ’But what next??How to go ahead. I knew her name so I explored her on sametime (TCS internal Messenger). I got it. Should I ping her? But what to say??’ll she respond??This all was going in my conscience. ’I Prayed to Hanuman ji and pinged her. She replied well.

Raj:-Hi
Manavi:-Hi
Manavio I know you??
Raj:-yaa, I came to you yesterday….I am the fun coordinator.
Raj:-I asked about your PL id. `
Manavi:-yaa, I remember.
Raj:-I got a problem. That id is not working, I sent a mail but it didn’t reach.
Manavik...I‘ll give you emp id.
Rajk…Thanx
Manavi:-its 229273.
Rajk.

I thought it’s the time to start conversation.
Raj:-so , are you from ILP Bhubaneswar.
Manavi:-Yaa, but how do you know?
Raj:-just guess...I am also from there...as there were many south Indians…. so I thought you may be from there only.

We chatted for half an hour. I asked many things about her and she replied well. I was very happy.

In the last she said-hey...no need to send mail to my PL.
Raj:-Why?
Manavi:-I have some work with him….so we can go there ….come to my seat.
Rajk.

I was scared. What I ‘ll say to that PL as there is no such activity. But I was more sublimed with the notion of going with her.

We went to her PL. He was a busy man, gave us 5 mins.
I said-‘I am the fun co-coordinator of this project and we are planning to orchestrate some activity this weekend so please send me the list of all your teammates who are interested.’
He said ok.
We came back. Through the way back to our desk I talked to her a little more. I wanted to know about her nature but I couldn’t ask much as we had to walk only 200m or so.



Date:-16-Jan-2008.
For last few days I am talking to her on sametime. Mostly about her hometown and culture over there.
Meanwhile her PL sent me the list of his teammates. He asked what is the Fun activity. I said sorry we had some ‘Antakhari’ but it’s been prorogued. He said ok. I knew that PL and all don’t have much time to think about all this.
But the problem was that we were not able to come out of Karnataka. Our talking was starting from MP my state and was ending on Karnataka.

But I knew how to impress a girl. In ‘KAL HO NA HO’ Shahrukh had the technique of ‘6 din ladki in’(6 days and girl in)…but my proficiency was ‘6 steps’ rather than 6 days.

I always believe in long term relations. My 6 strides were-
1.Look for a good girl.
2. Become friend of her.
3. Become good friend of her.
4. Come to know whether she has a boyfriend or not.

If yes go to step 1.If no go further.
5. Become her best friend.
6. Tell her about your feelings.
That’s it. This was Raj idea. So now I m done with two steps. I had become her friend. But the road ahead was toilsome.


Date:-20-Jan-2008
Today for the first time I called her for canteen. I was amazed when she said yes very easily. We went there and sat on last bench. Being a South Indian she was a non veggie. She offered me omlate. I thought of ‘RHTDM’ in which hero was a Brahmin but still he ate non-veg to delight his girlfriend. But I was not a hero and she wasn’t my girlfriend yet. So I said no for it. She asked and I explicated about my impression of being vegetarian.
We talked there about our family and college. What my experience was with south Indian girls says most of them have boyfriends and they easily talk about this unlike north Indian girls who always try to concede it. But I was feeling timid of asking this. How can you ask a girl about her boyfriend? I can’t ask a boy even. But it was the biggest question between us.

I came to know that she was always at home, in school and college.ILP was her first experience out of home. That really supercharged my sureness as generally day scholars don’t have boyfriends.
We spent 20 mins together and came back. It was like a first date for me.



Date:-31-Jan-2008
last week I met her in canteen few times but wasn’t able to know about her boyfriend. I decided today anyhow I‘ll come to know. I called her again.

When we were in canteen having something. I asked –‘do you like Mumbai?’ she said’ its ok…but I want to go to Bangalore.’

Suddenly my unconscious mind worked and I said ‘why Bangalore any specific reason…I mean generally people want transfer for family or some other reason like boyfriend and all’. I tried to interpret her face.
She said ‘yes’.
I scared.
’Actually my home is very near to it’ she said.
‘Ohhhhhh…..I thought…’ I said.
‘What’ she asked.
‘Nothing that may be you have a boy friend there. ‘I tried to be very usual.
‘No That’s not the reason...my home is near to it’ she said.
‘o.k.’ tried to regain my confidence and said…’ don’t you have a boyfriend’??

She surprised with the question and said ‘yes’
‘what’ I said.
‘Yes I don’t have’ she said.(smarter than me I thought).
‘Actually generally south Indian girls have that’s why I asked’.
‘You are quite pretty as well so I think you might have’ I said…tried not to react on her answer.

She shot me back, this question about my girlfriends and I said no , the first truth that I told her. She wasn’t surprised a lot with this. May be she knows my worth. I was happy that I cleared next step successfully. She has no boyfriend means no rivalry at all. At least finally I got some challenge where my competition was with me only.
We came back after 20 mins, our usual time.


Date:-5-Feb-2008
Today I asked her phone number. I thought we have become quite good friends and now I can ask. She gave very jubilantly. I decided to call her tonight. Her birthday was on 4th April.
Manavi is a totally different girl. She was more like a child who was till then at home only and now has come out of it.

Till now we had become good friends. The biggest problem between us was language. She doesn’t know Hindi and I don’t know her regional language. Our English wasn’t too good. I always hate English as I believe that its not a slushy language and we can’t evince our feeling in it. But after meeting Manavi I am very thankful to English. I found ‘feelings are above the words’.

When I talked to some of my close buddies about her and my luv they all mock about it. ’A south Indian…are you loony? They are totally different...You can’t manage…or go for it but only time pass’ this all they said.

I thought how you can judge somebody on the basis of region. My own experience was most of good in ILP.

I called her that night. We talked for a while. It was more difficult to talk over phone in English. But anyhow we managed.
I said good night …and went in to her dreams.


Date:-05-Feb-2008
Today first time I called her to go out with me. I asked her to go in a mall. Initially she was not ready but when I insisted she concord but to come with her roommate. I said ok as that’s what I wanted.

It was sunny Saturday when we met .she was bit late. She came with her room-mate. Her room-mate was an ordinary looking girl, a south Indian from Tamil nadu and was in some other office of TCS. I had seen in few films that if you want to impress a girl then you should never make her feel that you like her or crazy about her at least initially.

So I decided to give more importance to her roommate. I started to talk to her. About her hometown, college and all. I deliberately try to avoid conversation with Manavi.
Her friend was also amazed with what has happened to me. Why is he talking this much to me?
I knew Manavi felt covetous. ‘Two girls never like each other’ I thought.
She didn’t say anything and tried to show as she doesn’t care. I grinned in my mind.
We spent two hours there. She bought something and I too. I had to buy a shirt and I asked Manavi’s roommate to help me to select one.
We ate in a restaurant there. There also I asked her roommate to select from menu. You all should have been there to see Manavi’s face.
As it’s a custom I paid the bill with half hearted. We came back by 5.



Before going ahead let me tell you about these two people Raj and Manavi.
Raj:-A big buff of Chatan Bhagat’s five point someone was not from IIT or NIT but from and ordinary private college of Bhopal. He loves to talk to girls but never took anybody seriously. After coming to TCS he realized the importance of having a girlfriend. Manavi was the first girl whom he took gravely.
He was from a traditional Hindu family. His parents were in service but had great believe in their religion and custom. Raj was bit different. He used to believe more in God’s way rather in THE itself.
He did his ILP from Bhubaneswar and had a good experience there. He made many friends there. He never had any interaction with south Indian before. But during ILP he came to know much about them.


Manavi:- Manavi was from entirely different background. She was from a typical south Indian family. She was like a frog in a well; never go out of her hometown.

In college, she was a shy girl. Never had much interaction with boys. Her world was around her family only. Few of her friends had boyfriends but she never paid attention to this as she used to live at home. So never had much time for it. Her ILP was also at Bhuv but in a batch different from Raj.
Her time with north Indians wasn’t too bad there.
Her Hindi was very poor though her second language was Hindi in school. She feared a lot when she got Mumbai as posting. She wants a transfer from beginning. Raj was her first and only north Indian friend.

Date:-05-Feb-2008
Now I was thinking seriously about Manavi. I thought of proposing her. To propose somebody was a fresh word for Me. I had no such experience. I thought about it but couldn’t get it. I should use my old filmy method. I thought about ‘Shahrukh’ movie. In DDLJ at station...No, In K3G in a marriage…No, in others he proposed in last…I can’t do this all. I ‘ll have to do it in my way only’ I thought.

Meanwhile I called her to go for a movie called ‘JAB WE MET’ (not this one).We went there and relished (at least I).she couldn’t understand much. I explained as much as was possible. I thought it’s a good day to propose her. ’Firstly I should check her mood’ I thought.
‘Do you like it’ I asked.’ Not much …I can’t understand this all...I am not feeling well’ she replied.
‘Better if I keep my mouth shut today …her mood is not good…moreover its first time I am proposing a girl so I should be careful’ I thought.
We came back taciturnly. Today I am not able to sleep. ’I lost the opportunity’ I thought. ’How much I geared up for it today…it was more like a speech for me…fully prepared…’Manavi...we were friends for a longtime…and I think we should not be friends now…I mean no I think no...no I know…I like you not only like you but I think love you…’
Finally I kipped.


Date:-20-Feb-2008.
Failure is the best teacher. ’I failed at one juncture no matter I ‘ll try again. For past few days I am thinking about this only. I can call her and can tell her but I think It’s not good to say something so important on phone. Moreover I should see her reaction on it. I ‘ll try today again ‘I decided.
Today in afternoon I pinged her on sametime but she was very busy today hardly replied. I asked her to come to canteen and she said- she‘ll try in the evening.
I didn’t like this. But it wasn’t her fault.

Finally in the evening we met in canteen. We sat on a table and started to talk. She talked about her work and schedule. But my whole attention was on my proposal speech.

‘Now it’s the right time for it’ I thought. As I gathered my courage to tell her suddenly one of her friend arrived and sat with her. I shout No in my mind, not again.
We sat for 20 mins as be always do and came back. I couldn’t say it again.
I called her in night and said ‘you are very bad…you were so much occupied today naa…you didn’t listen what I said’.
‘What can I do...I was busy a lot but I still come. ’She said with anger.
‘Sorry yar, yaa you were busy’ I said.
We talked for a while then hung up.



Date:-27-Feb-2008.
For last few days I am dejected a lot, not liking anything. I couldn’t propose her. Actually there are many ways for it, like I can call her or mail her or can send a message but I want to do it in a different way, but how??

Today I saw a movie starring 'Emaran Hashmi' 'His style is good, kiss the girl direct no need to say anything'
I thought.' Yaa it’s a good and different style'.
In the evening I called her and asked to go for a movie with me.

She asked to bring her friend but then herself thought of my demeanor on earlier meet. So she said she 'll come alone.
In night I thought about buss only. 'Should I kiss her before interval or after it??Should I close my eyes or not??'I was excited but spooky.

Next day we met outside a theatre. It was a ho-hum English movie but we had no other option. I asked to sit on back seat but she asked for front sheet. Anyhow I managed to bring her on back sheet.
She was taking interest in film but my mind was somewhere else. I decided I 'll do it after interval.
During interval I said 'you know yesterday I saw a movie of 'Emaran hashmi. Do you know him?'
'Who doesn’t? I hate him and don’t like him' she replied.
'Why what happened??' I said with some worry.
'What is shown in his films, only vulgarity, osculation and all nothing else, I don’t think anybody 'll like him' she said.

'Yaa (with depression), totally gross. I too don’t like, him or his way' I said.
'Son Raj..Nothing‘ll happen of you, better if you forget about it' I thought.
We came back after a boring film of 2 hrs. I thought ‘for The Sake of a Kiss…I spent 400 bucks…great.


Date:-05-Mar-2008.
Now it was stretching too long. What I 'll say to my fellas that I was not able to propose a girl for 1 month. What is this?
Today I 'll say anyhow…Forget about films and Shahrukh ...this is not a film...I have to tell her. But how??’

‘I can ask Rehan he is a good friend moreover he is very voguish who can help me to figure out this puzzle…but ‘ll it be ok to tell him about Manavi…okk..I won’t tell him, her name’ I thought.

I went to Rehan…And said-‘Yar I need your help…actually I love one girl…but I don’t know how to propose her…I never did that…& I want to do it in a different way’.
‘Who is she…firstly tell me...from our office…Sana (another girl of office)?? He asked.

‘No yar…actually she is in 'Accenture' and works in Mumbai only. She is from my college. You don’t know her. Her name is ‘Priya’ I said with thinking (it ‘ll be fine to say any fictitious girls name).

‘Ok...’ he said .He didn’t ask further. I felt bit ease. Once I 'll propose her, I 'll tell Rehan...I thought.
He suggested something in my ear and I liked it.
I came back to my seat.

I pinged her on sametime and asked to come to canteen. She said in evening she 'll come.
I said ok. I was not able to concentrate on my work. I was waiting for evening. In evening she came in canteen. I was wearing my favorite Red shirt. She was looking very happy today.

I thought’ it’s a better time to say. She is in a pleasant mood.’
She said 'Today I am very happy'.
'Why what happened but' I asked.
('God is Great...never gives solution without another problem.')

'Actually today one of my class mates called me. You know I used to like him a lot in college. But he used not to talk to me. But today he was very nice to me and even I felt he likes me now. He said he missed me a lot and 'll come to Mumbai after 1 week for some work and 'll meet me up.'

'You know ...I was bit dotty about him...my friends used to think that I love him but I never thought about it as he never talked much.'
'May be now he loves me…What you think??' she said.
'Yaa, but you should not take any decision so soon...may be...you are right...but first meet him then decide' I said with thinking 'Why these people come to Mumbai'??’
'But you said you don’t have boyfriend earlier' I asked with concealing my ferment.
'Actually I liked him a lot...I was not sure about him' she said.
'Ohhh I see' I said.

We came after 20 mins from canteen.
In night I was thinking what should I do. I called her and she asked ‘what happened are you not well??’
'Nothing, just weary today(of this all)' I said.



Date:-15-Mar-2008.
Today Manavi's friend arrived in Mumbai. He came to meet her in office. She called me too.
Hey Raj meet my friend 'Manava'.
'Hi' I said. 'Manava's Manavi' I thought.
He was a nice and elegant guy and moreover well behaved and most importantly he was a south Indian.
'Why all south Indian have a tache’ I thought.
We talked for a while.
Then they talked in south Indian language something that I couldn’t translate from their expressions.
I hate when people talk in regional language while somebody else who doesn’t know it , is with them.

I asked where they plan to go.
Manavi said 'Marine drive.'
'Marine drive....'I said with crushing my teeth.
I came back to my seat. I had to work a lot but I was not able to concentrate, the only thing that was coming in my mind was Marine drive. I had been there few times. Generally only couples (not just friends) go there.
'Relax Raj....keep faith in God' I thought.
She called me in night. I was waiting for it. She said 'can I adjust 'Manava' in my flat for night stay.'
I said ok with thinking now this was only left.
He came around at 10 to my flat. I took care of him as well as I could. Before sleeping we talked for a while.
'So you r done with your work, for what you came here ' I asked.
'No, tomorrow I 'll go to CST(a place in Mumbai) with Manavi. There I have some work' he replied.
'Ok, with Manavi...hmmmmmm' I said.
'Actually I used not to talk to her much in college…But when I was coming here my girlfriend told me about her a lot. She was also in our class. So I decided to meet her' he said.
'God never gives problems without solution' I thought.
'What girlfriend...So you have a girlfriend...' I tried not to reveal my pleasure and to be normal.
'Yaa, she is a good friend of Manavi...But nobody knows about our relationship' he replied.
Suddenly that biggest foe transformed in to a friend.
'Ok...Does Manavi know this??' I asked.
'No…but I 'll tell her tomorrow' he said.
'The only certainty in life is that there is nothing certain' I thought and slept.


Date:-21-Mar-2008
Two days ago Manava went back. He had become my good friend now after that night.
I went to see off him at station.
Manavi was in a bit daze. I called her to come in canteen and she said she 'll come in evening.
I was relaxed now there was no competition. The hurdle had gone and only I was with her now.
We met in canteen in evening. I asked her what happened. I pretended as I don’t know anything about it.
'Nothing ...I am just not feeling well' she replied.
'Ok...hey I forgot to ask about Manava ...What happened finally...did you propose him.' I asked with zeal.
'No...He has a girlfriend...and you know...she was my classmate and good friend' she said. Last line was full of wrath.
'Ohhhhhh no ' I tried to be shocked.
'Really!!! I mean how come’??
‘Come on but....forget about him....he just came and go....leave him...I think you deserve a better one'.
'You are really my best friend here, Raj....how much you care about me...' she said.
The best way to win a girl's heart is to admire her most when you know it was her fault.
I tried to console her. I knew this is the best time to impress her and make her realized that I am a true pal.
But In all those days you may feel I tried to be smart but now I feel I really love her, more than anybody.
We came back from canteen after 20 mins.
That night I called her and said 'Manavi I think you should bury him....if your love goes let it go ...if it comes back then it’s yours' I said.
'You are right' she said. I tried to grab every opportunity of soothing her.


Date:-31-Mar-2008.
I decided to tell her the truth and truth means truth only. Why I went to her, Why I made her my friend, Why I care for her, everything.
‘A friendship that has root of lies can’t stand long’, better if I tell her the truth.
What’ll be her reaction? May be she’ll not talk again or 'll not meet but I should tell.

So I called her in canteen again. We always sit on same seat there. Some of my friends had seen me with her.
I said- 'Manavi, I want to say something, something very important. You know I lied to you many times. When I met you first time before that I had seen you many a times. From the first instance I like you. I wanted to make you my friend. But there was no way to interact with you. So I came with some excuse. There was no fun activity. I didn’t have to meet your PL. The email id you gave was correct but I didn’t send the mail and I lied again. I fabricated everything.


I was trying to read her face. Suddenly she laughed and said 'what ?? you did this all...wow good technique of making a girl your friend...good I am impressed'
I surprised I was anticipating something else. 'So you are not furious naa' I asked.
'No I am not' she said.

'But I did this all because I love you....love you from first sight....from beginning...love you more than anybody...I don’t know about you...what you think about me...but you like me ....this I know...for all these days I was thinking about 'us' only....when I came to know that you like Manava I decided to go away from your way...but when I came to know that he has a girlfriend already ...I started to think about it again...all What I want to say is that...my way may b wrong but my intention wasn’t' I said.

Her facial expression changed suddenly...From laughing to serious...she said 'why didn’t you say this till now'??
'I wanted but I couldn’t ' I said.
'Don’t worry just say What you like...we are friends ...and we 'll be...regardless of your answer..I like you and I 'll ' I said gravely.
I couldn’t believe that I.... said all this to a girl.

'Why you boys think that only you are smart? I knew this all...why a boy suddenly comes to a girl and starts talking this much....why he cares for her this much...I knew that you love me....you know when Manava told me about his girlfriend...he said about you as well that he felt you love me...and I said I too feel this' she said.

'I love you too...From the day Manava told me. I started to think about this seriously and I found you care for me, understand me, and make me laugh and smile ‘she added.

I was amazed ...couldn’t believe...she loves me too... loves me too....all her words were echoing in my ears again and again.
I was on sky. I said 'I am very happy.....very happy....very happ...y.

Beep...beep...beep....beep...my alarm rang.' What?????it was a dream....no way...Ohhhhhh God why you play with my life'.
I woke up and went for getting ready for office.

Hi Friends!!Hope you enjoyed the story till now. But it was one sided only. Till now you heard the story from Raj. But Manavi is an integral part of this story. So now lets go ahead with Her. What she thinks?

‘Being a south Indian girl it’s quite difficult to stay in Mumbai which is totally different from my place. I never thought of being with north or West Indians. Here everything... language, food, culture, traditions are different. But anyhow till now I managed.’

‘ In all these days Raj, my best friend here underpinned me a lot.I like him as a person. He was with me in all situations but I don’t know why he is doing all this. Am I just a friend for him or something more??I don’t know.’

‘He is bit bewildered. Sometimes I think he loves me but sometimes he behaves like a normal friend only. He cares for me but never say anything. Many times I felt that he wanted to say but he never did.’

‘He helps me always, wished me on birthday firstly, treat me like close friend. Even when Manava came I saw some worry on his face but he never express anything.’
‘What should I do? I think I love him but I don’t know what he thinks about this. May be he ‘ll not like a south Indian girl as his girlfriend.’

‘His entry in my life was also cryptic. I didn’t know him earlier in ILP.
Suddenly he came and soon became my best friend. What should I do? Should I tell him that I love him? What if he says no? If he laughs at me .Moreover how a girl can propose??Its mostly the boy who takes initiatives.’
‘How long should I wait for him? May be he considers me a friend only. I am not too sure about him’.
‘I should tell him before it gets too late. I don’t know what he ‘ll reply but whatever I ‘ll accept it happily. I ‘ll b happy if he is happy whether I am with him or not.’


Date:-23-Apr-2008.
How should I tell him this? I don’t know. I can’t tell him directly. Okk I ‘ll write a mail and I ‘ll write each and everything in it. Now it ‘ll be on him how he responds.

I had lot of work in office today. But finally I got time after lunch for composing first love mail of my life.
Dear Raj…no…My dear Raj….no…Dearest Raj…no….raj. That’s it.

I wrote a mail after much confusion. I wrote everything in it ‘now no need to fear. I have written about my love, my liking and what I think and all.’ I thought.
Now I send it. That’s it.
‘After some time I ‘ll call him for canteen’ I thought.

Around 6,I called him for canteen. Generally he calls but today I called him. He came. He was bit dejected. I feared, maybe he didn’t like that mail.

He said-‘I can’t believe this yar at least from one of my best friend. It’s like some dear one stabbed me in the back. I was never expecting this’.
I shacked and said-‘ see Raj..What to say yar….I mean….ohhhhh….sorry…I thought that you ….
He said-‘Why you are saying sorry…that Aaman is like this only….I know him….earlier too…When I had to go home …he jumped in front of PL and said he too wants to go. This time too he did the same. I considered him as a good friend.’
‘Ohhh….you were talking about that Aaman…yaa you are right…I mean he is so mean… I said (with trying to be normal).
He said-‘Yaa I was talking about him only…What you think…??
‘No …nothing..I thought you are angry with me for something’ I said.
‘No yar…Why I ‘ll be…no reason…He said.

We came from canteen after 20 mins.
I came on my desk and checked my mail box. ’Ohhh...shit…my mail to Raj was not delivered due to error of disk quota exceeding.
‘So this was the problem…thank God I didn’t say anything in canteen.
Mail is not a good option I should try something else. ’I thought.


Date:-30-Apr-2008
Ohhh…..God….Guide me…How should I tell him. I ‘ll write an SMS and ‘ll send him.
I typed full message in mobile. It took around half an hour as it was a long message. While I was finishing it my room-mate came to me and asked what I am doing. I said nothing, just typing SMS.
‘Such a long SMS…there must be something’ she said.
‘No nothing like this’ I said.

As she was coming close to me I finished it nimbly and send it fast. I opened an old SMS and started to edit it. When she came to me I showed her that old SMS and said ‘ I was just editing it.’
She went away again saying ok.
I was already late for office so I did fast and went to office.
I was busy in meetings today...so I couldn’t meet Raj today.
I came in night to home. At around 9 I got a call from one of my old friend called Madhu.
She Said-‘Hi’
I replied-‘hi’
‘Who is Raj’ she asked.
‘What…who Raj’ I said with surprise.
‘Who you love ‘she said.
‘What are you talking…who told you this’? I said.
‘Nobody but by mistake you sent an SMS to me that you had to send him’ she said.
‘What…how is it possible’ I said.
‘1 min’.
I checked my mobile sent message list. Raj…raj..raj…nowhere…it was sent to Raje instead of Raj. Actually Madhu full name was Madhu Raje and it was saved in my mobile as Raje only. I remembered when my roommate was coming to me I sent it to Raje in lieu of Raj as I was in haste.
‘Ohhh…What a mistake….no yar….no.
I called Madhu again…and said everything including sorry.
She was nice and said its Okk.
I took an oath not to send any SMS again.



Date:-06-May-2008.
My luck is not favoring me. But I know it favors the brave. So I should try once more. Rehan is a good friend of Raj. He surely can help me to sort out this problem. I should tell him and he can impart it to Raj but‘ll it be nice to say this to another man. What if Raj says no and then Rehan diffuses it across office. It ‘ll b shameful for me. People ‘ll laugh at me but....... something I ‘ll have to do.
Finally I have decided that I ‘ll go to Rehan and ‘ll tell him to help me.
I went to him during lunch. I said-‘Rehan ...you are my good friend here. Can you do me a favor? Please….’
‘Yaa why not ,tell me’ he said with bit surprise(‘why suddenly she is saying so’ he thought)
‘How to say yar….actually….I like 1 person…I love him..but I couldn’t tell him….you know him very well..so…if you…don’t mind…can you tell him What I want to say him??’ I said with making innocent face.

Again he surprised..he was a naive but a smart guy…said ‘yaa..I can..you are my friend(I think he thought)…I ‘ll like to help you.’
‘Thanx a lot...actually he is none other than Raj’ I said with shying.
‘Who??Our Raj’ he said surprisingly.
‘Yaa’ I said.
‘So you love him…but…’ he said with some worried face.
‘What but’ I asked.
‘Actually I think he loves somebody outside this office…actually he told me few times about this…but I don’t know exactly…actually he asked me ...how to propose her…but never told me exactly who she is….actually…’ he said.
I shocked suddenly..Somebody from outside…who she can be….he never told me …..may be…some north Indian girl…whatever…but…What about my love… ‘ I thought.


‘but please don’t tell Raj about this….now there is no meaning of telling him…if he is happy with somebody else then it’s my pleasure'.
He tried to console me a lot I said Thanx to him again with hope that he won’t say this to anyone including Raj.



Date:-16-May-2008
‘So Raj and Manavi love each other. All of us know but they don’t know. Now both are working in office together, meeting in canteen for 20 mins. Enjoyed together, laughed together in all these days. Now some twist comes. Today Manavi was called by her PL and was proposed to go to Chennai, in a different project but she can reject it as well. She asked for transfer to Bangalore but was told that from Chennai she can go to Bangalore after few months.


Manavi:-Today I got a call from PL and was offered to go to Chennai. I swallowed. Finally I got a chance to leave Mumbai. Should I go... but? I always wanted to go back. If I go to Chennai then I can move to Bangalore as well. Mumbai was nice but very different. Had Raj not been here with me it would have been more difficult for me. Yaa…Raj…My love. Does he really love somebody? Should I ask? But why didn’t he tell me. Had he been loved me I would have declined to go. But he doesn’t ….may be. What should I do. I will call him.’ I thought.

I called him. He was in a meeting. I said-‘hi..Yar a good news..I got transfer to Chennai(I said with a soft voice).I have to go in two days only. So today is my last day here.’
‘Great…good…congrates…best of luck’ he said. (in a peasant way)
I called him to meet in canteen but he said he is busy.
I thought ‘so he doesn’t want to meet me…ok’.
I put the phone.’ May be I am not so lucky to get my love’ I thought.

Raj:- Today I got the worst news of my love life. She is going to Chennai. Without thinking about me, she said yes. How she can do this. But this is more of my fault. I should have told her earlier. I used many ways but I couldn’t. I deserve this. I merit to be alone .Its my fault only. But what can I do? I don’t know whether she loves me or not ? But I should have told her.now I can’t do anything. She has said yes for it. She called me today and said--‘hi...Yar a good news...I got transfer to Chennai. I have to go in two days only. So today is my last day here. ’She said.

‘Great…good…congrates…best of luck’ I said (I was in shock suddenly but I didn’t show and tried to be happy with the news).
She called me to meet in canteen but I said I am busy.
I thought ‘Now I shouldn’t meet her…because I can’t see her going away’…tears came on my cheeks.
She put the phone. ’May be I am not so lucky to get my love’ I thought.


Date:-17-May-2008.
Time-5 pm.
Today Manavi is going. Her train to Chennai is at 6.She came to office today for some work but went early in afternoon. She wanted to see Raj once but he was consumed in a client meeting.

Manavi:-I have to go now. ’After all these days in Mumbai I don’t like to go. But why should I wait here? For whom? I wanted to meet him but he is not interested I think. I am going Raj...Away from your world…but I ‘ll love you forever….Be happy…with whomever’ I thought. I met Rehan today and said thanks for his help throughout.

Raj:-Manavi is going today. I was busy in client meeting since morning. Just now I finished it. So I couldn’t get time for anything. Should I meet her now? Her train is in the evening. But she won’t be in office now. She would have left for station now. Ohhhhhh…god I lost her…..my first love... You are going Manavi...Away from my world…but I ‘ll love you forever….Be glad…with whomever’ I thought.

Time-5.15 pm.
Raj came out of meeting room and caught Rehan.
Raj-‘ Hi..How are you?’
Rehan-‘Alive...how was the meeting’.
Raj-As usual yar. I forgot, Manavi train is at what time?’
Rehan-‘At 6 I think.’
Raj-‘Ok...she would have gone to station. She was a good girl yar. One of my best friend here.’
Rehan:-‘Yaa yar…but she was very distressed while going.’
Raj:- ‘Why what happened?’
Rehan:-‘Actually I think now I should tell you now...now there is no mean to keeping it from you …She loves you very much…She told me one day to convey this to you…but I told her that you love somebody else (Priya)…She asked me not to share this with you ’.

Raj:-‘Whattttt…Why didn’t you tell me yar…there is no such girl called Priya..I love Manavi only…I thought I should not share her name with anyone till she says yes…so I said just this name Priya….Ohhhhhh my god...What I did…I..I…cant believe..She loves me all these days…and I was thinking…Ohhhhhh...no’
Rehan:-‘Call her…now.’
Raj:-‘Yaa…I should’
Raj:-‘Ohhhhhh…shit...her cell is unreachable. What can I do now…Should I go to station now...but I wont able to reach before 6.’
Rehan:-‘Go...yar…try’.
Raj:-‘Yaa..I won’t forget myself….if I loose her.’
Raj went fast to station.



Time-5.35 pm.
Raj:-‘Jeez!!!…Please help God…Please…How it can be possible…How fool I was…no ..I am…I have to reach
Any how...Before the train arrives.


Time-6.15 pm.
Raj reached station…but by 6.15 only..THEN???????


Date:-17-May-2008.
Time-6.15 pm.
Raj reached station…but by 6.15 only…he went straight to platform no 2 where the train to Chennai arrives…but there was no rush there. It didn’t look like a platform waiting for the train. Raj was depressed.

Suddenly his phone rang. Raj saw the no. It was Manavi. He Thrilled.
Raj:-‘hello’.
Manavi:-‘Hello…Raj...have you finished your meeting’.
Raj:-‘Yaa…are you in train?’
Manavi:-‘No...My train is 5 hrs late...so I am at home now..I wanted to meet you…but you were busy in meeting…where are you now’?
Raj:-‘At railway station’.
Manavi:-‘Why…What happened’?
Raj:-‘nothing…Why didn’t you tell me Manavi?’(His cry was in his voice now)
Manavi:-‘What??Why are you so sad?’
Raj:-‘That you love me…for all these days.. I love you too... From first day I saw you….I wanted to say many times…but I couldn’t.
Manavi:-‘What??Rehan told me…you love somebody else from your college not to me. So I thought better if I keep it up to me only.’
Raj:-‘Actually that was a misunderstanding. It was only you whom I love all these days. I am coming to you.’
Raj went to her flat. When he saw her...he didn’t say anything…just go and hugged her and kissed her. That day Manavi didn’t say anything about Emaran hashmi.

Next day Raj and Manavi went to Office and told everything to the PL who had asked Manavi to go to Chennai. They told her the full story of JAB THEY MET.
She was impressed and talked to other higher authority and arranged for Manavi to stay in Mumbai…with Raj...With her love.

Date:-17-June-2008.

Today after many days of that incidence Raj and Manavi are in canteen, on the last seat where they used to sit together. Looking each other, giggling, basking the golden moment’s together. After 20 mins they came back to work.

'IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, JUST LET THEM KNOW BEFORE THEY SAY YES TO SOMETHING LIKE TRANSFER OR TO SOMEBODY ELSE.'