Dazed & Confuzed

If you have missed the previous Chapters, you can read them here: Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 2., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 3., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 4. and Different Phases of Life: Chapter 5.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names, characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

(October 2008)

Once again, Rohit & his loneliness were living together. He was scared of all kind of relationships and he started concentrating on his job and career. But somewhere inside, something was killing him slowly. He just wanted to get rid of that something, as soon as possible. He took a transfer from the job and went to his hometown. His parents were worried about his condition and they started asking him. Rohit was speechless in front of them and he also stopped going out anywhere with his friends or even alone, for that matter.

One Sunday, when he was sitting in his room and watching TV, his mother came to him and asked him about his condition. ‘When you have something inside you, you need someone to talk and to share your feelings.’ So, he told each and everything to his mother and also told them to get him married, otherwise this loneliness would not let him survive. His parents started searching a suitable match for him. They showed him the photographs of some girls, but he told them to find any good girl, which should take care of them in the coming time. Rohit was not having any hope from life and he was living in a depression. His parents fixed a meeting with a girl and her parents. Her parents had already said yes to Rohit, as a match to there daughter. At the meeting, everyone asked Rohit about his decision, without any second thought he said yes, because he just wanted to settle down in life.

Life played many games with him and now he thought to play a game with life, with that decision. He thought if the girl was good, he win the game, otherwise he was already a loser in front of life. Time moved on and he got married to that girl.

(After one year)

Now he was living life of a married man, who had a good job, 9 to 5 office schedule, beautiful wife, but that something inside somewhere was still disturbing him. He was trying his best to adjust himself with the new phase of life, but it was not going through. The understanding between them was not working; there interests were different, there way of living was different. In short, he lost the game he played with life.

If you have missed the previous Chapters, you can read them here: Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 2., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 3. and Different Phases of Life: Chapter 4.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names, characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

We can not judge, what life has in stores for us. If it is our way, we are happy. If it is not, we make every possible effort to make it our way. But we never know, which move life plays; ‘Check’ or ‘Check Mate’. If it is a ‘Check’, we can still defend and move on, but if it is a ‘Check Mate’, the game is over. Same was the case with Rohit. He was trying his best to make Shruti forget the other guy, but he forgot, destiny is much more intelligent and powerful than him.

Life was going fine till now with both of them. They both were enjoying each other’s company. There were times, when Rohit was stuck with some work and Shruti helped him out of that. And Rohit was also helping her in her work most of the times. By now, Pallavi was very much out of his thoughts and dreams. And then the life played its move.

Shruti had some dreams; she had done a course of Air Hostess, from ‘Frank Finn Institute of Air Hostess Training’. Her father spent multi grands in her training and she did not want to be in the dilemma of wasting her father’s money. She told about this to Rohit and also told him that she has got an offer from some company and they were paying her 20 grands per month. Rohit was shattered by listening this. He did not want the history to be repeated. He decided to tell Shruti what was in his mind. One afternoon when they were having lunch, he suddenly told Shruti everything.

“You very well know, what Pallavi did to me. And I can not live with it my whole life. Shruti, can not you just forget the guy and can not we make things better between us?”

Shruti was shocked, after hearing this. “Rohit you are a good friend, infact my best friend. I have not thought about this till now, and you very well know that I can not do that with my guy.”

“Come to the reality Shruti, your relation with him is not working. I am sure you do not want to wait for him, the whole life. I can talk to your mother also, about this.”

“She knows about the guy and she is also aware about my decision.”

“But if you are going to work for the airline company, are not you just running away from the truth?”

“You can say that, but you also know that I want to prove, whatever my father has done for me, it was not worthless.”

“What about me? What I am going to do after you leave? You know that, I will not get a better girl than you, either in my office or in my life.”

“I am sorry Rohit, but you have to deal with it. I can not just be with you. I never promised you anything and neither I have said anything to you till now into this regard. You are my best friend Rohit and you will remain one throughout my life and that is the only truth.”

“You are living in your so called imaginations Shruti, you deal with the truth and I repeat the truth is, you can not just wait for the guy your whole life.”

“Rohit, I do not want to loose you as a friend, so please do not talk to me about this ever again.”

Period.

This was the end of the conversation. In a week Shruti had resigned from the job and she was leaving the town for the airline job. She came to meet Rohit in his office the last day. Rohit once again tried to make things better. “Shruti, please think about it once again.”

“I have to do this Rohit and I have thought about that, its not possible.” And she left.

Rohit was lost in front of the ‘Check Mate’ of the life.

What next? Wait for Chapter 6.

If you have missed the previous Chapters, you can read them here: Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1., Different Phases of Life: Chapter 2. and Different Phases of Life: Chapter 3.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names, characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

Rohit was back to the square one.

He used to go to his job and come back to his room in the evening. This was his daily routine after Pallavi got married. ‘You can’t forget someone, whom you love, so easily. And to move on, you need the support of someone else.’ Rohit was still in contact with Pallavi’s mother and Shruti, because he was the only person whom they knew and could trust. Rohit and Shruti used to chat through Yahoo Messenger. Rohit was already searching for someone to come in his life and help him move on and as of now Shruti was the only person with whom he was in touch, but the guilt of looking for the substitute in his Ex-Girlfriend’s sister was killing him.

Shruti had completed her graduation and was in search of a job. She contacted Rohit for the same and fortunately Rohit was also looking for a girl in his office. Shruti was intelligent, had knowledge of computers and was able to take decisions. These were the qualities Rohit was looking for, to recruit the girl. Rohit was out of town for fifteen days for some training and he promised Shruti that once he will be back, he will do the needful. During the chat he came to know that Shruti was in love with some guy from his college, but it was not going through, because of his parents. Rohit decided to be mean and break there relation by playing mind games. He thought, ‘if the life was not fair with him, then why he would play fair.’

Rohit was back from the training and employed her. Shruti was happy and so was her mother that she was working with him. Rohit was happy because it was going according to what he thought to help him move on from Pallavi. He used to pick and drop Shruti daily. Shruti used to sit by the next cubicle of Rohit and they used to have lunch together. One fine Saturday, they were sitting together in Rohit’s cabin and were discussing some work. Suddenly Rohit asked Shruti, “What do you know about me and Pallavi?”

“Didi use to tell me everything, she told me that you loved each other and how you both separated.”

Rohit was expecting the same reply. “Do you think, what she did with me, was justified?”

“See Rohit, I never said that, she told me how helpful and caring you are and this is the one of the various reasons, I am working with you. But try and understand she was also right at what she did.”

“I do understand that, but my question is just ‘was it justified?’ simple.”

“No it was not, but she did not have any other option. You know our condition very well, after our dad expired. His natives were also not with us. So what was she supposed to do?”

Rohit changed the topic, “Ok, leave it, tell me about your guy? What is the progress?”

“His dad is against us, but we have decided that we will not marry anywhere else, and will wait for him to say yes.”

“Till what time you guys will wait and what if he does not get convinced?”

“Well in that case, we will remain single.”

“That’s stupid; you can’t wait for him for the whole life.”

“I am like that only.” She laughed.

Rohit was silent, the time passed and he was again hooked with the tag of ‘Just Good Friends’, but this time it was Shruti. They used to share every single thing, about themselves, with each other.

Some Questions Unanswered:

1. What is in stores for Rohit now?
2. Will life again play the same games with him?
3. Where the mind games of Rohit will take the couple?

Get the answers of these questions in the next Chapter. You can also answer the questions in comment section.

If you have missed the previous Chapters, you can read them here: Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1. and Different Phases of Life: Chapter 2.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names, characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

(December 2004)

Pallavi was back from her hometown after about one month, she kept her cell off and she didn’t even call Rohit. In the mean time Rohit tried her cell and office landline for ‘N’ number of times. Sunday, she went to Rohit’s PG. As always, his door was not bolted, she opened the door and directly went to his bedroom. She knew, he must be watching TV in his bedroom. Rohit saw her and was shocked, “Hey! Where were you? What happened to you? Why you went to your hometown, without informing? Why your cell is off?” Rohit showered all the questions on her, which were unanswered from last one month.

“Can I have a glass of water please?” Pallavi was sounding very low.

“Oh sorry, please sit down.” Rohit went and brought water for her.

“What happened to you Pallavi? Your face is down, your voice is down. Is everything alright?”

“My Father expired” Rohit was stunned after hearing that. Pallavi started crying and kept on saying, “I got a call from my mom in the first week of November, that he was ill and was admitted to the hospital. I am sorry I didn’t inform you and went to my home. I don’t know what the problem was, he just fell ill and it was getting worse by the time and finally on November 24 he left us.” Pallavi burst into tears. Rohit hugged her and tried to console her, but Pallavi kept on crying.

“My mother and sister are all alone now. I am calling them here and we will shift to a rented accommodation. Can you help me with that?”

“Sure, I have some broker friends; they can be of good help.” Rohit said, he was not out of the state of shock yet. He was not able to understand, how to react, what to do or what to say. Pallavi needed a shoulder to cry and indeed Rohit was the only person in her life as of now, in front of whom she was like an open book. She rested her head in his lap and was a bit normal now.

It was afternoon by now and they were sitting like that only. Pallavi lying in his lap, and was sleeping, like she didn’t sleep from last one month. Rohit looked at her face, she was looking beautiful sleeping, he saw this face after one month, and he knew that for this face he could do anything. But this was not the right time for these things. He slowly rested her head on a pillow & stood up to order something for lunch. He went to the kitchen and made coffee for two. Pallavi woke up by the sound and went to the wash room to wash her face. Door bell rang; it was the pizza delivery guy. Pallavi came out in the dining and they had pizza and coffee together.

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah, Thanxx Rohit, I know only you can help me out of this.”

“I am always there for you, you know that.”

They spent the day together in his PG and he dropped her to the hostel in the evening. Next week her mother and sister (Shruti) shifted with her, in their rented accommodation. Rohit helped her in all this stuff. Pallavi introduced Rohit to her mother & Shruti, as a batch mate and a good friend. Rohit mixed up with her mother very soon; he used to go with her quite often to the super market. Shruti was still doing her graduation; she took admission here in a college.

There life was changed, they still use to talk over phone, but spending the day together and day outs etc. were no more there. A year passed and by the time Pallavi shifted her job, now she was working in a Private Bank, which pays her more than before, as now she had three people to take care of. Rohit was also promoted from Sales Executive to the Sales Manager. One fine Sunday, they met in there favourite corner cafeteria, Rohit asked Pallavi.

“I know you are going through a rough time and you have your mother and Shruti with you here now.” Rohit started the conversation, Pallavi was listening curiously. “Can we both marry?”

“See Rohit, I know you love me, so do I. But you very well know that I am the only person in my family, who earns. Also I have to take care of my mother and Shruti. By the passing time, the priorities in our life change and they are not in our hands.”

“I can very well understand that, but you know me. You know everything about me and my life.”

“Rohit don’t take me otherwise. Shruti is still studying, so I can’t disturb her studies. I want to keep my mother with me and she doesn’t have any other person rather than me, with whom she can live after my marriage. Can you help me out with this?” Rohit was silent. Pallavi continued, “I want to marry a person settled abroad, so that I can take my mother with me.”

Rohit was broken; he didn’t say a word after that. He knew whatever Pallavi was saying, she was right with her point. So he never started that matter with her again. They were back to the tag of “Just Good Friends.”

(December 2005)

Pallavi got married to guy settled in Canada, he was working with a software firm and was earning in multi grands. Rohit got the invitation, but he never went to the wedding. One cannot see the person, whom you love, marrying someone else. Rohit was back to his daily routine and was left all alone.

(P.S.: The Unexpected Twist is yet to be revealed. Wait for the next chapter.)

If you have missed the Chapter 1, you can read it here: Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names, characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

(November 2004.)

“Trring Trring” “Trring Trring.”

“Good Afternoon, Club Mahindra Holidays.”

“Heyllo, Can I talk to Pallavi please?”

“I am sorry sir, she is not here.”

“When she will be back?”

“I don’t know sir; she is on leave and has gone to her hometown. Any message sir?”

“No thanxx, I will contact her.”

‘Hometown?’, Rohit thinks. ‘In last six months, there was not a single day, which could have passed without our meeting each other or having a talk over phone. Then why was she away from last 1 week and that also without informing me. Her cell is also off. The whole 1 week? Is she alright? And now she is in her hometown. I mean what the hell?’ These were the thoughts which were coming to Rohit’s mind after putting down the phone. Without any doubt, now they were a step up than “Just Good Friends”. But Rohit didn’t propose her again in these six months. His only fear was loosing Pallavi.

He was thinking about the good moments spent with Pallavi. Those were endless in the corner cafeteria and that special meeting in Café Coffee Day, after the day out with Siddharth and Meghna. Sid (his nickname) was his only friend from “the limited circle of friends” and Meghna was Sid’s Girl Friend. Rohit introduced Pallavi to Sid as a colleague, because he knew that if he would tell him that he loves Pallavi, he and Meghna will not spare him from there teasing spree. But he forgot that Sid knew him better than he knows himself. He had seen the glow on Rohit’s face in last months and had notice him sending and receiving text messages.

(Day out with Sid and Meghna)

“Dude, who is Pallavi?” Sid asked Rohit.

“I already told you, she is a colleague.”

“Who, do you think, I am? A fool? Come on man; accept it that you love her.”

“And what makes you think so?”

“Boss if you remember I am your friend and a close friend I guess, I know you”

“Ok – ok, yes I love her, but she doesn’t. She believes in ‘Just Good Friends Theory’.”

“Hmm.. then lets do some magic.”

“MAGIC? What magic?”

“This Saturday me and Meghna are going for some work out of town, why don’t you both join us? The girls psychology; a girl can understand other girl well and it can communicate your message to her. The things which you can’t say to her directly, Meghna can do that for you. The Girl Talk ‘you know’, that is the magic and also you can spend the whole day with her.”

“I don’t have any problem going with you both, you know that, but I have to ask Pallavi for that. I can’t assure you without her consent.”

“Take your own sweet time mate, in the mean time I will share ‘The Magic Plan’ with Meghna.”

“But don’t you think, that would be wrong.”

“Sirjee, we are not doing anything, which is not appropriate. Reading someone’s mind and pointing it to the right direction, this is ‘The Magic Plan’.”

“Ok, I am convinced.”

Rohit asked Pallavi about the day out; initially she refused by giving excuses, her parents won’t allow etc., as they use to call her every second hour and how she will manage the call on that day, but when Rohit insisted and told her to tell them in advance that audit team is coming on Saturday and you would be a lot of busy on that day, then she didn’t have any choice rather than saying yes.

So, the early Saturday morning these two couples were on the long drive on Sid’s SUV (Sid was a kin of a business tycoon). Rohit was sitting with Sid on non driving seat, Pallavi and Meghna on back seat. This was the first time Pallavi was meeting Meghna, but two girls sitting together can’t be strangers for long time. They were already discussing there nail polish and outfits (Girl Talk). Drive of 200 kms, time flew like a bird. They had the lunch in a restaurant and the guys left the girls alone for a purpose, which was known to all, but Pallavi. They were back after exact two hours and Pallavi was having an impression that they both went for a meeting.

By the evening the four friends (yeah, by now they all were friends), were returning back to there destination and everything was going according to ‘The Magic Plan’, Meghna indicated Sid by the eye contact. Next day, Sunday, Rohit called Pallavi in the noon.

“Hey, how are you?”

“Doing good and thanxx for such a wonderful day yesterday. I will remember this day in my life.”

“Thank Sid and Meghna; it was there plan to go out. So, what are you doing in the evening?”

“Nothing much, have to clean up my room.”

“Well do that later, come to Café Coffee Day sharp 6pm.”

“And who is throwing the party?”
“No one, just a get together of The Fantastic Four.”

“Ok, I will be there.”

Pallavi was very punctual, she reached Café Coffee Day by 6, but no one from other three was there. She thought of waiting for them sitting inside. Within ten minutes Meghna reached and then Rohit.

“Where is Sid?” Pallavi asked.

“He had to go on an urgent meeting with his dad.” Meghna replied. (This Café Coffee Day meeting was a part of The Magic Plan)

They ordered Coffee and snacks and had the normal chat, till the order arrived. Later Meghna asked Rohit and Pallavi separately about there views on love and having a partner. Sid didn’t tell Rohit, what would be the agenda of the CCD meet, so he was not prepared for this meeting. He told whatever was in his mind and so did Pallavi. The Magic Plan was working as of now and after an hour Sid called Meghna and she left by giving an excuse of her parents calling her home. Now only Rohit and Pallavi were left alone with there views shared with Meghna, which they never shared with each other till now.

The life was not all the same after that weekend. They were much closer to each other, that they used to have lunch together daily and every evening at Rohit’s PG. Rohit knew his limits, so there physical relation was limited to hand shakes and hugs only. Sometimes a kiss on forehead or cheeks was a bliss.

Hey Guys,

Thanxx for the overwhelming response for “Different Phases of Life: Chapter 1.” Now here goes the preview of Chapter 2:

1. How does it feel to be with the person whom you love and that also with a tag of “Just Good Friends.” ?
2. Till how long this JGF tag can be lingered on ?
3. Will Pallavi go with Rohit, Siddharth and Meghna for the day out, without telling her folks ?
4. Who are Siddharth and Meghna ?
5. How will be the meeting of Café Coffee Day ?

For the answer of these questions and many more, stay tuned for Chapter 2.

(Disclaimer: The whole story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.)

It was the summer of 2004. Rohit was in the final year of his graduation. He was studying in an evening college & was working in ICICI Bank as a Credit Card sales executive. His life was simple, but sumwhere & sumhow, it was complicated too. Like every 2nd youngster going through this age group. He had a limited circle of friends & while living in a PG near his college, by the name of outing, he just use to go to the super market for daily groceries & laundry to get his clothes ironed. Everything was going okayish, till one fine day he came across a girl named “Pallavi”.

Rohit was attracted towards Pallavi, she was in the same college pursuing her graduation in different stream. Her way of talking, her attire, her smile, name anything about her & he used to be lost in his own imaginations. He came to know from his sources that, she was working in Club Mahindra Holidays, as a Back Office Executive. She was living in girl’s hostel & was stick to her 9 to 6 schedule. Sumhow, Rohit managed her cell number & started sending her Good Morning & Good Night messages. In the starting 3 – 4 days there was no reply. Then on a Sunday morning his mobile beeped. It was a message of Pallavi.

“who is this ?”.

Rohit was thinking, what to reply. In the mean time day passed & he got a call from her in the evening. He didn’t pick. After dinner he sent a message,

“Hi Pallavi, this is Rohit from final year B.Com. (same college as yours). I am a sales executive in a private bank.”

“Rohit ?!?! Do I know you by any chance ?”

“Well, no, not yet. But I was thinking if we can come to know each other ?”

No reply after that. Next day, they were having there 1st final exam. A week passed without any message & call. After the last exam, there college was finished & Rohit was thinking to call / meet her. But Pallavi was out of town. He forgot that she was in different stream & her exams were finished 2 days before.

Some days passed & one evening Rohit was just checking his phone book & saw Pallavi’s number. He messaged her a simple “Hi!”.

“Heyllo!”

“How are you Pallavi ? I was waiting for your reply that day, but you didn’t reply. I thought to meet you on the last exam, but your exams were over before mine.”

“& I was waiting for your message, how do you expect a girl to reply on such a message ? you could have sent one more message after that, or would have called me instead”

Rohit called, “Heyllo”

“Heyllo”, a very sweet voice responded on the other side.
“Hi Pallavi, how are you ?”

“How many times you will ask the same question ? you asked the same thing in your message too.” She laughed, “by the way, I am fine, hows you ?”

Rohit was on the cloud 9, “you didn’t reply in the message, that’s why I asked again. By the way, I am fine too.”

“So tell me, what do you want ?”

Rohit was not expecting this question, he was confused. “I, I Love You Pallavi”

“WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!”

“Hey listen, please don’t hang the phone, actually I don’t know how to make stories & all. I am just being myself & coming to the point”

“See Rohit, you cannot judge anyone with few text messages & one phone call”

“You have seen me, infact you know me”

“Excuse me ? When ? Where ? How ?”

“I am the person, who use to come to your boss for his Credit Card problems. If you remember, we had a cup of tea together in your office only.”

“umm.. Rohit Malhotra ? from ICICI Bank ?”

“Yes! Its me.”

“ooOOOooooOOo, hey how did you get my number ?”

“Please don’t ask me that, I don’t want anyone to be beaten up by you.”

She laughed, “don’t worry, I wont screw him / her.”

They had a talk for one hour approx on that day.

& the series of calls & messages started. By the starting of winter 2004, they were good friends. Yeah I mean it “JUST GOOD FRIENDS”.

(Disclaimer: Any name, place or event in the story does not have any relation with anyone living or dead. Anything like that is purely coincidental.)