‘Oh God! Angad! What you doing?’ Disha elbowed him.
‘Angry Birds!’ He snubbed her.
‘This is funny, we are at Wankhede stadium for an IPL match, Sachin is batting and you’re finding Angry Birds more interesting.’
‘What’s interesting actually to watch there, I mean from here everyone looks like Sachin. Anyway, tell him to retire. He’s is making T20 boring too.’ He let a long yawn.
‘Dude! You’re so disgusting!’ Disha bawled at him.
‘Fuck! What do you expect from a guy who was in the office since 8 in the morning, had back to back presentations, skipped lunch and then drove all the way from one end of the city to other in the heavy traffic and then you expect me to be cool. And this stupid wig and paint on face, Disha! Please spare me.’ He blurted out in disgust.
‘Dude! You lost the bet right!’ She said with a mean smile on her face.
‘But why Malinga?’
‘Because last time you made me wear a pajama at my boyfriend’s birthday when I lost one.’ She justified.
‘You call this ugly dumb corporate slave your boy friend?’ He pointed at Mahesh who was sitting next to her. But he remained blank as always.
‘Of course! At least he is more sensible than you.’
‘Really? If I were your team lead then you were to saying that for me.’
‘Fuck off!’ She showed her the middle finger.
Angad let a long yawn as Praveen Kumar ran to the stumps and bowled to Sachin. He was quick to read the slower ball and rode on his front foot for a superb cover drive, the ball raced to the boundary like bullet. There was loud roar and a Mexican wave floated which disturbed his aim and he missed three stars on level 15 again. Anyway, his battery was already screaming for power and he thought to give in and watch the match instead. They were still showing that Sachin’s boundary over and over again followed by his records, as if anybody doesn’t know about them!
And then there was actually something which hit Angad. There was a big poster being shown on screen which read- Sachin, Marry Me!! But he wasn’t actually interested in the banner but the girl who was holding it. She was breathtaking beauty and he felt enchanted as he kept gawking at the screen. His jaw dropped, eyeballs bulged and his heart was sprinting at Bret Lee’s speed. He was completely blown by the malicious beauty.
‘Oye Muuh band kar!’ Disha taunted but nothing fell in his ears. She shook him out but he seemed frozen and finally a Pepsi ad brought him back to the real world.
‘Oh God! Who she is?’
‘How would I know?’ Disha shrugged off.
‘Stupid! Why the hell you bought ticket in Gavaskar stand? You should have bought in Sachin stand.’
‘When I bought this tickets, I never knew that you will fall in love once again with some girl in Sachin stand.’ Mahesh said.
‘Hello!! What do you mean by once again? Others were just flings but this one is true love.’
‘True love?? Angad! That’s the joke of the century.’ Disha smirked.
‘It’s love at first sight! It has never happened before!’
‘Now don’t tell me that! You fall in love with every sexy pair of legs you come across.’
‘They didn’t show her legs ok! I just fell in love with her awesomeness.’
‘Awesomeness??? Whatever! I don’t care. It’s just last over remaining, let me watch.’
However, Angad was not to give up. He’s always known for his quick thinking and out of box ideas especially when it came to girls. He was that born Casanova. And he soon got his first move in mind to woo this girl too. He arranged one big paper from the bugger shop down stairs, scribbled something and put up for the cameramen to notice. But then, they don’t show you on TV until you’re sexy or pathetically dressed and yes! He fell in the second category.
‘Sachin is married and old. I’m single and young. Marry me instead.’ It read.
Whoa! There was a loud cheer as it flashed on all the screens. He waved his hands for the ovation even Sachin couldn’t stop himself from smiling. They showed the girl and she looked visibly disgusted while Angad had a broad smile.
‘Shameless!’ She said.
Soon the match ended and he was able to slip in through the security to get into Sachin stand to search her but then he couldn’t find her in the chaos. He was disappointed, may be this was the last time he saw her. He trudged unwillingly towards his friends.
‘Oye! Angad what happened? Why so sad?’ Disha asked.
‘Missed her! Couldn’t find!’ He frowned.
‘So? You will get another tomorrow.’ Mahesh said.
‘Shut up yaar! It’s true love now.’
‘You will get your true love tomorrow also, trust me!’ Disha smirked.
He shook his head as there was no point in arguing also it was getting more crowdie, people pushed each other to get out of the stadium. They too joined others as they made their way towards the gate. Angad walked silently ahead of his friends which actually pricked his friends. Though, they always fought, cursed and abused each other but they were just inseparable. It’s been sometime, Disha wanted Angad to hook up with someone so that they could complete their group but Angad had been care free always about all this but that day he genuinely seemed upset but Disha and Mahesh thought to leave that matter to him itself.
He still had hope as he continuously kept searching for the girl but it seemed all in vain when he saw the gate. He stopped to check for his friends so he didn’t lose them. Though he stood aside but there was no space as other pushed him to make their way, ignored them but then someone ruthlessly stamped on feet.
‘Fuck! Watch it.’ He yelled.
‘Excuse me! Mr. Loud Mouth, don’t you have manners to talk to a lady?’ The lady hailed at him.
‘You…’ Angad’s eyes just fell on the lady as she turned and moved her hair back. She was the same girl he was looking for. He froze.
‘You were saying something?’ She demanded.
Even though she was scolding him, he just glared at her completely smitten. He had a tinge of smile on his face which further infuriated the girl. She too on her side had recognized Angad for his make-up and realized there was no point in arguing. She moved on. Angad followed.
As they came outside the gate and walking down the stairs, the friend of the girl noticed Angad’s intuitions and whispered in the girl’s ear. She asked her friend to ignore as they need to hurry to catch the last train. They searched for an auto or cab to drop them but then couldn’t get anything vacant. Angad just watched them from a distance, as they tried to stop every vehicle passing them.
Soon, Disha and Mahesh went mad when they didn’t find Angad around. They called him but the calls went unanswered, they were now worried. However, Angad was in his own world seeing her antics to get something to reach station. Mean while, a policeman had to intervene Angad’s weird activities out there and soon, he was asked to leave instantly. He was now in the parking where Disha and Mahesh were waiting.
‘Where the hell were you?’ Disha inquired.
‘I found my girl.’
‘Which one?’ Mahesh smirked.
‘Disha! If you want to save your boyfriend’s teeth then ask him shut his loud mouth.’
‘Angad! Let’s move.’
Angad brought in the car and was in hurry to move out but traffic was just not helping. He honked madly for way; he would ruthlessly dodge in through the narrowest space giving shiver to both Disha and Mahesh.
‘What you’re doing?’ Disha hailed at him.
‘She is waiting.’
‘Who?’ Mahesh asked but one angry glare from Angad and he was all set to piss in his pants.
And finally after much of struggle and his keen skill with steering, he was able to put across his car by her side, though it was no entry, it didn’t care.
‘Excuse me! You wanna lift?’
She looked at him and felt disgusted for him being so chep. She simply ignored him and continued searching for a cab or auto but it all seemed in vain.
‘Akansha! I think we better walk. We just have twenty minutes for the train.’ Her friend checked the watch.
‘Shruty! You think we gonna make it?’
‘Of course not! I am here to help.’ Angad interrupted.
Now she was getting angry but then she had other things to worry. She twitched her lips and just walked off towards CST. Angad too followed her in his car.
Whoa! She walks so sexy, Angad thought as he watched her walk away. He honked and dipped the head lights but she didn’t turn once but his antics only attracted the policeman. However, nothing seemed to come his way that night. He smilingly passed a 500 rupees note and the Policeman winked at him. He hit the accelerator as she was gone out of view. A few minutes of rigorous search along the streets and he could again see those lean legs, bouncing curly hair moving ahead again.
‘Akansha! He’s back.’ Shruty told her.
‘I know.’ She frowned.
‘I am getting scared now. See, the road ahead is all empty and dark.’ Shruty said.
‘Is it?’ Akansha sighed. ‘Time for formula 23.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Just watch me!’ She stopped and turned at the car. She had a smile on her face. Angad got curious since she didn’t seem that easy girl and she wasn’t actually.
‘Help!!!!!’ She screamed at the top of voice. Angad couldn’t understand what was happening, he almost stepped out of his car but then she gazed at him and shouted even louder. ‘Bacchao! Bacchao!’
‘Angad! This is a trap. Logon se pitvaega kya? Turn the car.’ Mahesh freaked out.
It just happened so spontaneously that Angad couldn’t even think anything, his quick response to that was to turn away the car and run for life.
‘Where are you going moron? Kaha gayi teri herogiri?’ She yelled hard.
‘Enough now! Akansha, they are gone now. Its 12:40 already, we just have five more minutes.’
‘Is it?’ She checked her watch. ‘Run!’
They might have won a gold medal if they had done the feat in Olympics yet they missed the train by a brisk of a second. They waved at the Motorman to stop for them as the train picked up speed but he just waved a green flag and it disappeared in the darkness outside the station.
‘We missed.’ Shruty sobbed. ‘We will have to wait for 4.23 train now.’
‘Don’t worry we will take a cab.’ Akansha checked her bag. ‘I am bankrupt. Do you have money?’
‘Nopes.’ Shruty shook her head.
‘I have ATM card.’ She smiled.
Both of them went to withdraw money but somehow money refused to come out. It was CST, so there were lot of options but nothing actually worked. Each and every ATM gave them error instead of notes.
‘Fuck! What now?’ Shruty asked.
‘I don’t know. Let’s see outside if we could find any.’ Akansha suggested.
Shruty nodded and walked outside the station premises with Akansha searching for an ATM.
‘It seems someone missed the last Panvel local.’ He chuckled.
‘What the hell! You again?’ She was baffled.
‘Yes! Me again.’
‘You want me to shout again?’
‘Relax girlie! I just want to help you out.’
‘Did I ask for any help?’
‘You need not to. I can read your mind.’
‘Oh! Really? Then didn’t you read how much I am cursing you?’
‘Oh c’mon! I have a big heart. Now tell me where you want to go, I will drop you.’
‘I don’t go in stranger’s car.’
‘What the F? You think we are rapist? Can’t you see the girl sitting inside?’ Angad pointed at Disha while she sheepishly waved her hand.
But Akansha was firm on her side; she narrowed her eyes in fury.
‘Hey! Take it easy. We just want to help. You can trust me at least.’ Disha piped in.
‘But we don’t need your help. We are fine.’ Akansha shrugged off.
‘C’mon, Akansha don’t be a snob. Actually, we do need help. We missed the train and now don’t have money to go back home in cab.’ Shruty said.
‘Where you stay? We will drop.’ Disha suggested.
‘Sanpada.’
‘No thanks. We will manage.’ Akansha refused.
‘What manage? I am not going to spend whole night in the station.’ Shruty protested.
‘Fine. Drop us to nearest ATM.’ Akansha said coldly.
Finally there was some peace in the atmosphere. Angad was so overwhelmed for Disha’s effort that he almost gave her a high five. But those fury big eyes of Akansha gave him chills down his body. Anyway, it was a victory considering the fact how much Akansha hated him.
‘Mahesh! You drive.’ He threw the keys at the Mahesh. ‘You see, I kinda have vision problem at night.’ He swiftly moved and sat on the back seat that also in the middle so that he gets to sit with Akansha in any case.
Of course Akansha sensed his intentions. ‘What?’ She grunted.
‘I am scared of sitting near windows. Anyway, it’s cold outside.’ He faked a sneeze even.
‘Huh! Such a chep you’re!’ She sighed and both the girls sat on his sides.
Mahesh started the car and they moved on.
‘By the way, I am Angad. This is Disha and Mahesh.’
‘I am Shruty.’ She smiled and Angad turned to Akansha.
‘I don’t tell my name to strangers.’
‘Ok! Don’t tell me your name, Akansha!’ He smirked and that statement made everyone laugh.
‘You are so funny. What you do?’ Shruty said.
‘Well, when I am not saving girls in distress. I’m often seen scaling walls, crushing ice with bare hands, building large suspension of bridges in my yard and reading Ravinder Singh’s latest book.’
‘You mean to say you’re Rajnikanth.’ Shruty was now enjoying this.
‘You can say that.’
‘But our Rajnikanth can’t drive at night and is scared of sitting at windows.’ Disha teased.
‘I don’t want this car to fly so I am not driving and me sitting in the middle seat is all about centre of gravity. You won’t understand that after all you’re MCA and not BE.’
‘Superb! Dude! I like you.’ Shruty cheered.
‘Not just you, I guess your friend also likes me since she is listening to her I-pod in mute.’ He winked at Shruty.
‘Dude! Shut the fuck up! Stop at an ATM.’ Akansha was simply pissed off.
‘Well, we don’t know any ATM nearby. We need directions.’ He said.
‘What the hell?’
‘Ok! You tell us if you know any nearby.’ Angad said.
Of course, she didn’t know any and even if Shruty did, she wouldn’t tell.
‘What else have you done?’ Shruty asked in amusement.
‘How do you think the Americans killed Osama?’ He said.
He went on with his stories as Mahesh drove through the 1 hour route to Navi Mumbai. It seemed Shruty almost believed his each and every word as she enjoyed his stories to core even Akansha couldn’t stop smiling sometimes but pretended to ignore all while.
‘Just take next left and straight, the last building we stay.’ Akansha
‘What??? There is no ATM. You tricked us to your home. What are your intentions?’ Angad said.
‘Shut up at least now.’ Akansha hailed at him.
They reached at her building.
‘Thanks for the lift.’ Shruty giggled.
‘My pleasure, I wish your friend was as sweet as you.’ Angad taunted. ‘By the way, we are not Rapist. We belong to that category who will drop a girl home safely with a hope that she will fall in love next day.’
‘I still hate you.’
‘Never mind, here’s my card. Next time you miss a train, you can call me.’ He said sheepishly.
‘I told you, I don’t like strangers.’
‘What strangers? I told you so much about me.’
‘I wish anything was true from that.’
‘Whatever. Take the card for the lift and I will be happy with the hope that you will call someday.’
‘You’re wasting time.’
‘You’re worth wasting a lifetime.’
‘Wow! Dude! That’s awesome. Why don’t you try on me? I am not heartless like her.’ Shruty said.
‘Shruty! Shut up. Let’s go.’ She pulled her away.
‘Gadhi pe dil aa gaya toh Pari kya cheez hai!’ He said at her back but she didn’t care to even turn.
They waited as Shruty and Akansha went inside the building and then finally after a minute, they saw a window in the second floor lit up.
‘Ok good night Akansha! Sweet dreams!’ He shouted at top his voice as few more lights lit up and down came the watchman running. But Mahesh just hit accelerator and they were off.
‘This guy I tell you.’ Akansha was disgusted.
‘He’s so cute.’ Shruty said.
‘C’mon Shruty! I know these kinds of loafers.’
‘He wasn’t like that. He was so nice.’
‘He was pathetic. You just met him two hours before don’t tell me you fell in love with him.’
‘I wish I could but he loves you.’
‘Love??? He knows nothing about me.’
‘May be but I think you were destined to meet. I mean how all the ATMs in CST stopped working, why couldn’t we find a single auto to station.’ Shruty explained.
‘Coincidence.’
‘I think you should call him tomorrow.’
‘Well, my dear friend if we are actually destined to meet then we will meet for sure. I don’t need his number.’ Akansha threw the card outside window.
‘You are so cruel!’
‘Thank you very much.’
*****************************************
‘Akansha! Akansha!’
‘Did you hear that?’ Akansha asked Shruty.
‘What??’
‘Somebody calling my name?’
‘Yeah! And I think you won’t be happy to see that somebody.’ Shruty pointed down the lobby.
‘Gosh! Angad! Not again.’ Akansha was baffled to see him. He was yelling her name and everyone was looking at him. Embarrassment at his best.
‘Run Shruty Run.’ She hurried towards the lift.
‘But…’ Shruty tried to talk but she was pushed Shruty inside the lift and it was switched to parking.
In 10 seconds the button panel flashed P, they reached and the door opened. But their nemesis was already there waiting for them.
‘Whoa! How did you come here?’ Shruty was shocked.
‘Told you, I am Rajnikant.’ Angad laughed.
‘Dude! Marry me!’ Shruty said.
‘Sorry, Baby! I’m already committed to your gorgeous friend.’
‘Let’s go Shruty!’ Akansha walked off.
‘Humne jo ki thi mohabbat, aaj bhi hai
Teri zulfo ke saaye ki chahat aaj bhi hai
Raat kat ti hai aaj bhi khayalo me tere
Deewano si woh meri halat aaj bhi hai
Kisi aur ke tasawwur ko uthati nai
Beimaan aankho me thodi si sharafat aaj bhi hai
Chah ke ek baar chahe fir chod dena tu
Chah ke ek baar chahe fir chod dena tu
Dil tod tujhe jaane ki ijaazat, aaj bhi hai.....’
Those lines actually touched her heart and she couldn’t stop herself to turn back. He was already in his knees with a beautiful flower on his hand and before she could even react, he held her hand and said.
‘Akansha! May be I lied always. I irritated you a lot. But then, the bigger truth is that I love you very much.’
‘See Angad! I appreciate that you love me but then I love some other guy. I am sorry.’
That crushed Angad from inside. There were traces of tears in his eyes but he was strong enough to fake a smile.
‘My bad luck! How could I think that a girl as pretty as you would be single? It’s ok. I wish you luck with your guy. Take care.’ He said with a heavy voice and walked off.
‘Akansha, why did you lie? You don’t have a boyfriend. How could you break his heart so ruthlessly?’ Shruty yelled at her.
‘But I don’t know him much.’
‘Then take your time. I am not asking you to have sex with him. I hate you for this.’
‘Ok! I will see.’ She followed him outside the parking. She almost jogged her way fearing losing him but once outside she searched for him carefully and there he was standing on the other side of the road. She called his name but her voice couldn’t reach him. She was about to cross the road when she saw a girl coming to him. He gave her the same flower, he had brought for Akansha and the other girl hugged him hight.
‘God!’ Akansha was shocked. ‘Men will be men. It didn’t take a minute to move from his so called true love and hug another girl.’
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She could feel a lump in her throat. She felt cheated. However, she denied but she too liked Angad if not loved but he too was a pervert. She cried.
*****************************************
Months passed by since then, both moved on with their lives and completely forgot about each other. Actually, they never wanted to remember each other because it gave pain.
‘Angad! We have got this match for you from Pune. We may visit them tomorrow.’ His Dad said.
‘Yeah! Dad I will come too.’
‘Why you wanna come?’
‘C’mon dad! It’s for my wedding. I need to go.’ He smiled.
‘I was kidding son. We leave tomorrow in the morning.’
Pune is just couple of hours from Mumbai and Angad didn’t mind that long drive but then he was now getting bored by these arranged marriage stuff. Every weekend his parents would drag him to meet some or other girl but nothing worked yet. Somehow, he couldn’t see his Angel in them or might be he still missed Akansha.
‘Beta! What you do?’ Girl’s father asked him.
‘I work in TCS as a Business Analyst.’
‘That’s nice! Akansha please come. We are waiting for you here.’
Akansha?? Did he hear that right? He quickly searched for the girl and his lips just spread for a big beam. Whoa! They were destined to meet.
‘You? Angad?’ She was surprised too.
‘Akansha!’ He smiled.
‘You know each other.’ Her father inquired.
‘Yeah! I told you about that night I went to watch that match and missed train. He gave me lift.’
‘The guy who was harrasing you?’
‘What?’ His mother intervened. ‘You give lifts to girls and then harass them.’
‘Mom stop! Excuse me; I guess there is a misunderstanding. I guess I need to talk to Akansha once.’ He blabbered and everyone looked at him stunned.
‘Hmm… I agree to him. If you don’t mind, Akansha!’ His dad suggested.
She didn’t say but walked towards her room and Angad didn’t wait for anyone’s consent either as he quickly followed her. There was an awkward silence after that in the hall.
‘Oh God! You came here too.’ She blasted.
‘Excuse me! Your dad contacted us.’ Angad defended.
‘Whatever.’
‘Anyway, you still think I’m a rapist?’
‘Not sure but you’re cheat.’
‘Cheat?’
‘I saw you hugging another girl outside the mall.’
‘Why do you care? You have your boyfriend to hug even.’
‘I don’t have a boyfriend, I lied.’
‘How can you be so insensitive?’
‘Insensitive? At least I came to know what you were up to. It didn’t take a minute for you to hug another girl. Bloody pervert!’
‘Do you even know who she was?’
‘I don’t care even if she was Katrina Kaif.’
‘She was Anusha, my younger sister.’
‘Stop lying!’
‘I am not lying. Go outside and see, she is sitting there too.’
She peeped outside and there she was, the same girl from last night and then they burst into laughter. They couldn’t believe that fate could be that cruel to them.
‘So?’ Angad asked.
‘I’m sorry for everything.’
‘That’s fine.’
‘Well, Angad! I now really think we were destined to meet and more importantly, I am like crazy about you especially that funny part of yours.’ She picked a rose from the vase. ‘Will you marry me?’
He didn’t reply to her rather hugged her tight in his arms and shocked her with a long smooch but all this while when they were deeply indulged in their romance, they forgot that the door was open and their parents were outside.
Anyway they lived happily thereafter.
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