Vikram
I got a call from Ajay
Ajay: hey bro do you remember me?
Me: of course, Ajay.. I just don't remember the You after Karan part..
Ajay: Good, so you and your wife are invited to lunch, this Saturday at my house
Me: Ajay, I'm not sure...
Ajay: you have to come, no excuses,.. I'll speak to Veena aunty then
I laughed.
Me : So much of blackmailing I'm facing
Ajay: Come on bro, it would be a good get together,
Me : I'll see will tell you..
I cut the call... I didn't want to go,.. But I got call at night from Ma too..
This Ajay!!
*****
Saturday
I was ready, where was she? Didn't she get ready yet, I had sent her a message to be ready by 11am.
I went to her room... The door was open..
I saw her, applying mascara, looking at the mirror..
She was wearing a long, kurti...her brown eyes.. Were serious, looking into the mirror..
She looked really good strikingly beautiful and alluring,.... That I stood frozen.. I was going to say something.. I forgot.
Stop this Vikram! You are not some teenager!
"Come out in 2 minutes, or else you have to find your own transport", I said
She turned around, realizing that I was there..
" I have a scooty , I can manage", she said looking at me coldly..
My hands fisted... Why did I even bother, I should have left without her..
I turned around..
"Wait Vikram", she said and came near me..
" I'll come with you", she said
"Didn't you say you had a scooty, don't you want to go in it? ", I asked
" Well I'm saving us the awkwardness of what to answer, when we reach there alone.. Don't do too much, let's go.. ", she said and held my hand to pull me forward..
I froze again, seeing her hand on mine..
She looked at my awkward expression and removed her hands..
We moved to my car.. She switched on the radio..
" Please switch it off, I get headaches ", I said
" Oh...not a fan of music now huh", she said.. Lowering the volume..
I didn't say anything..
She opened the glove box..
"Do you still have a gun here? ", she asked... Putting her hand into it..
I took one of my hand from the steering wheel and held her hand and pushed it out..
" Don't! Didn't I tell you not to interfere, and please stop talking to me as if you know me", I said
"I know you", she said
" I don't, so don't tell things.. Which I don't.. Know", I said
I didn't know if she understood or cared, each time she told something that I didn't remember, like about this gun now, I felt a blank space in my mind, it annoyed me and pained me..
Sree
Well today was better, I thought he would ask me to come alone.. And got ready to go in my scooty, I was surprised when he sent the message for me to get ready by 11am.
I didn't think he would agree to come too.
We reached the house and Vikram parked the car..
Ajay welcomed us at the door..
"Welcome , Mr and Mrs Vikram ", he said looking at me and him
" Long time bro", he said and hugged him..
Ajay didn't have his family in Bangalore, so it was just us..
His house was neat... I saw Akshara running over and she hugged me..
"Uh.. This is my girlfriend", Ajay announced to Vikram
" My best friend ", I said
" And my other best friend, where is she? ", I asked..
Raya came out then..
" Ya she, Raya and Akshara ", I said
They smiled awkwardly at him, not knowing what to say
Thankfully Vikram smiled at them.
" You made it Devi", it was Gautham..
I saw Vikram's face change, as soon as he saw him..
Gautham came and put his hand on my shoulder..
"On time Devs", he said
I rolled my eyes
" Stop calling me that, or I'll call you cow", I said
He chuckled...
Vikram didn't seem amused..
"You two... No one will believe Gautham was my friend once, won't they", he said bitterly..
Gautham looked up at him and moved to him..
" Vik... What man.. I'm always your best friend ", he said
Vikram didn't say anything..
"Hey guys, let's eat first", Ajay said
The food was great, and he made lots...
We smiled and laughed when eating..
Only Vikram seemed serious and awkward, of course he wasn't used to our banter.. These guys were my everything during my 3 years of pain..
He was silently eating food and I realized that I was talking to the others only..
" Hey , do you like the food? ', I asked him silently glancing at him, hoping to break the ice..
"Ya.. ", he said and continued eating..
We had our own things to talk about, and people were unsure on what to talk to Vikram, which topic would be ok for him..
" So.. How is your business going? " I asked
He looked up at me,. . Coldly,..
" It's manners to not speak while eating", he said
I glared at him, I was trying to make him comfortable and he was rude to me..
Why did I even try! After eating, I helped Ajay and Akshara with the dishes..
Vikram
I was sitting on the couch with Gautham..
Raya was sitting on the side chair.
" So,.. Vik.. How are things going? ", Gautham asked
" Fine.. ", I said
" So.. I know, you may not like this, but I have to... Devi is a really good person, so I hope you take care of her well, in case you hurt her anyway, you have to face me ", he said
How dare he,..what was his problem
" Gautham, what is between me and her is none of your business, so do stay out", I said, ..
"Well she is my friend, so it is", he said..
" I'm not scared of you buddy", I said and walked away to make a call.
******
Gautham sighed. It was like talking with a stranger, his friend wasn't the same.
He looked at Raya, she was looking at him keenly. ..
"Hey, I'm sure jiju will come along.. He loves her and he will realize that one day.. ", she said
" Yes, I hope so.. Though I'm really worried", Gautham said..
He was wondering, if Devi was fine, she wouldn't tell him because she knows he makes things a big issue..
He looked at Raya speculatively
Raya's heart beat fast when Gautham looked at her suddenly.. She was thinking about him, on how much he cared for Sree..
"Raya, did Sree tell you anything about her life, after her marriage? ", he asked her
Raya hesitated. She knew what happened, but she couldn't tell him.. Should she lie..
" I don't know anything ", she said
" Tell me if you know something, ", he said
She shook her head.. Gautham.. Worried a lot,.. She was worried too but she had a strong belief of her friend's love.
Gautham.. Speaking to Vikram like that wouldn't have made any difference, it would have just made him angry,.. She hoped jiju doesn't show that anger on Sree..
She was worried on what Gautham would do, if Vikram did anything ..
Gautham removed his black rimmed specs and put in on the table,..
He looked good. .. Raya liked his character too, but she wondered often, did he ever move on,.. From his love..
It wasn't because, he was her best friend,.. She wondered how he suddenly lost his love ...
Best friend plus attraction,.. Wasn't that enough.
*****
Sree
Vikram was on a call for long.. I was enjoying chatting with my friends, but I do this every time.. I had thought maybe this would help Vikram loosen up..
I went to him, while he was speaking, with a cup of gulab jamun.
"Yes, exactly.. Please check with the auditors and come back", he spoke over the phone..
I moved the gulab jamun cup to him..
He raised his hand signaling me to wait while he continued speaking.
" How can you say that, I do recollect we didn't spend on that,.. Our aim was to minimize costs and it was me who informed you to try ", he said
I looked at his stern and impassive expression..
He looked exactly like my Vikram.. But.. We were so apart..
I took some gulab jamun in my spoon and moved it towards his lips..
He looked at me, unfocused, then his eyes slightly widened,
" Be... "
"Woooff!!! Woof", there was a big dog behind me,... On seeing it suddenly, I got frightened and tried running forwards
, when I collided on his shoulder and was going to trip..
When he brought out his arms.. And held my waist.. And pulled me up,.. Near him..
My heart beat fast as I inhaled his cologne scent..
" Woofff! ",
I clenched his shirt... On seeing the big dog.. Near us, it was looking at me..
" I'll call you back", Vikram finally said.
"What the hell! You spoilt my shirt", he said..
And I noticed that the gulab jamun had dropped on his shirt causing a stain..
I let go of his shirt and moved back..
" Ajay! Your dog! ", I shouted
I wondered how Akshara allowed him to have his dog still, she was so frightened of dogs and this was a big one, a German Shepherd
Ajay came there... And spotted the dog staring at us with its tongue out..
" Ohh... Sheela... How did you come out", Ajay said.. Going near the dog.. And holding it.
I guess she wanted the gulab jamun, you can't eat that girl", he said.
"You named a dog Sheela?", I said
" Yes, pretty girl ", Ajay said
He took the dog away..
Vikram looked irritated , he went to the washroom to wash the stain off..
I rushed to get some tissues and went to him.
I saw a stained spot and brought the wet tissue and wiped over his shirt...
Vikram
I was looking at her small expressions as she wiped the stain off my shirt..
I could feel the pressure of her hand on my chest.. And I let her do it... For some time..
Then I held her hand.. " What are you doing? ", I asked..
" I.. Oh.. I'm sorry, I didn't realize, .. "She fluttered..
Her expression was cute...
" You.. Continue" She said and looked into my eyes.. her beautifully innocent gaze..
"What? ", I asked.
" My hand" She said..
I realized that I was still holding her hand..
I let it go.. She left and I turned to the mirror.. I shook my head..
Sree
Ajay apologized to me and Vikram for Sheela..
"It's ok.. I am not afraid of dogs, she was", Vikram said.. raising his eyebrow.. And looking at me..
" Well you would be too... If a dog suddenly crept up behind you", I said
He shook his head, "so clumsy", he said
" You wouldn't stop talking... You have work today also? ", I asked.
He stared at me.. " Excuse me, .. "He said and moved to the kitchen to drink water..
I sheepishly smiled at Ajay and moved to the kitchen..
" Do you want gulab jamun, there is extra on that jar", I said
"No thanks, I don't eat much sweets and this is enough for today', he said pointing at his shirt..
"Listen, I have to leave.. I have work.. You come home whenever you want to ", he said
Was he going to leave me here and go..
" You are going home? "I asked
" Yes", he said
"I'll come with you", I said
He looked irritated.
" Don't you want to be with your friends "he asked
Of course, I wanted to be with them, but I was with them everyday.. Vikram needed to get used to me around..
" No.. I can meet them later, I'm tired ", I said..
Raya and Gautham went to play with Sheela, they liked dogs.. I smiled,.. A similarity..
*******
Raya was petting Sheela slowly, while Gautham looked at her amused..
" She likes you" he said
"Really? ", she asked, excited
" Ya, she is wagging her tail so fast ", he said and chucked and came near Sheela and patted on her back..
Raya looked at Gautham, contemplatively
" So.. You had pets? " She asked
"Yes, when I was in college, I had a retriever,... He was my best friend, shady,.. I still miss him at times", he said
" Oh.. So why don't you have any now? ", she asked
" No.. I live alone in Bangalore, no one to look after, you see ", he said..
" Look at this "he said and whistled at the dog..
Sheela turned to him, looking inquisitively.. He whistled again..
" Woof", barked Sheela and went to Gautham..
Gautham.. Patted her,.. And hugged her..
Raya was impressed that he was so good with the dog..
"She likes you a lot", she said looking at him and his smile dreamily ..
She was referring to herself.. This time.. Gautham.. Didn't notice her expression..
" Ya all animals love me", he said.. Kissing Sheela on her nose..
Lucky sheela! , Raya wondered..
She went near him to play with the dog..
She could smell his musky Cologne..
If only he could look at her the way she did,.. Well he didn't even look at her, he seemed nonchalant,..to her.. It seemed futile..
Sree
Me and Vikram entered the room to say Goodbye to Raya and Gautham..
I smiled seeing them sitting close playing with the dog..
"Hey Devs , meet Sheela", Gautham said
" No... Don't bring it next to me.. ", I said
He chuckled.. " She is a sweet dog Devs", he said
"Ok, Gautham, me and Vikram are leaving", I said
He looked up, " Why so soon? ", he asked
" He has some work, and I want to head home too", I said
"Ohh.. Ok", Gautham said.. And stood up.
All of them, came till the door to bid us farewell..
We sat in the car.. And Vikram drove forward.... It started raining heavily..
" I don't like your friends ", he said
How rude! They were so nice to him..
" Why? ", I asked
" One because they are your friends, and the other... Same thing", he said
I felt hurt,
"You don't like Gautham, Raya and Akshara, Ajay too? ", I asked
" Who else were there" He said
"You hardly talked with them, .. You seriously saying you don't like them because they are my friends? ", I asked surprised he would say something like this
" Yes, how many times do you need to ask the same thing", he said
"Well Gautham and Ajay are basically your friends first", I said
" Gautham, don't even speak about him... "He said
" So.. You go tell him everything? ", he asked
" What? ", I asked
" What is between us, you tell him? ", he asked
" What no! I don't, I told him everything is fine", I said
"Then how is he threatening me,.. to not hurt you", he asked
What! Did Gautham ask that to Vikram!
" I don't know.. Vikram.. He knows about you and he is overprotective ", I said
" Tell your friend not to interfere in my business", he said
"He is your friend too ", I said
" Really? Doesn't seem so nowadays.. I used to be so close with him,.. But since I woke up, he was gone... ", he said
I realized it now.. Gautham was distant from Vikram.. But.. It was because..
" No.. After your incident, for one year Manoj didn't allow him too... ", I started
He put his hand out..
" Stop! I know... Look.. I don't care... What about after that.. He was... Omg shit!!! ", he shouted as the car screeched and stopped midway... The engine had stopped
He turned the keys and tried to ignite the engine... But it didn't get on... Thankfully, we were in the corner of some empty lane..
But it was raining cats and dogs..
" What the! ", He hit the steering wheel..
with his palm.. In frustration.