A night with the fallen star - Part 3

He looked at her with irritation. "What had happened now?", he wondered. She was staring at the tiny tea stall that was located two minute walk away from his car. "Can you buy me cup of tea?", she asked sweetly. He glared at her. He had agreed to take her for long ride. He had agreed to give her company. Now this was getting too much. "Pretty please. You agreed to make my night memorable one.", she said. "Oh! That silly agreement", he thought.

He bent towards her. He almost startled her. She was unsure about what was going to happen next. She felt uncomfortable. But then he took out a shawl from the glove compartment box. He covered his upper body except the eyes with the shawl. He didn't want any attention at this hour. He knew the media too well. They were like the spy and would do anything to get a story on him. He opened the door and stood up. He was cautious. He looked around for anyone or anything suspicious.

When he found that there was no danger, he walked towards the stall. She watched him while he was doing all this. Then she burst out laughing. He turned around and cautioned her to stop. The stall was run by a short thin man. He had wrinkled skin and his head had tiny strands of grey hair. His eyes spoke of experience. However they were cold. There were two- three people standing next to the stall. They were drinking tea quietly. The owner was preparing tea. His weak hands struggled to pour milk into the vessel. "Bhaiyya, make one tea.", Vikram said.

The old man stared at me blankly. He continued to prepare tea. Vikram felt embarrassed. He didn't understand whether the old man heard what he said. After two minutes, when Vikram reminded him of tea.The old man offered him tea and said warmly which contradicted with his cold eyes, "Here is your tea. Are you new here?". Vikram was startled. "Why did he ask me this question?", he wondered. He nodded his head. He looked at the people standing next to the stall. They seemed different. They gave him vacant stares like the old man. He felt threatened and something eerie about the place.

He took the tea and gave the old man his due. The old man took and offered him a small plastic plate with maggi. He refused. But the old man insisted. "Take it. You are my new customer. I always offer free maggi to new people I meet.", the old man said. Vikram couldn't say no and took it. He whispered thanks to the old man. He looked one last time at the people. They were still staring at him. He was scared and immediately rushed towards the car.

He knocked the window and asked Maya to open the door. She quickly opened it. She took the tea and maggi from his hand. Later he immediately started the engine as soon as he got inside the car. He drove quickly until he felt he was safe and far away. "What happened to you? You didn't take your shawl out.", she asked. She took out tissue from the tissue box on the front shelf of the car. He took out his shawl. She wiped his sweat and giggled. "What!", he said. "You look as if you have seen a ghost.", she replied. The word 'ghost' gave him goosebumps.

(To be continued)

A night with the fallen star - Part 2

He didn't know what to do. He never hung out with people unless it was business purpose. He always spent the midnight hours alone, driving long vacant roads to clear his mind. But he was in a fix. He couldn't leave her. "Okay! Just few hours. After that you will leave me alone.", he agreed her condition. She was excited. "Hmmm.. You never know you may like my company.",she said with smile.

He sulked. He helped her sit inside the car and started the engine to drive. They didn't speak for few minutes. She looked around, gazing the outside world through the window. He was focused on driving. She played around with the in built stereo. She was enjoying the sound of pressing randomly the buttons of the radio. He didn't mind initially. But he got irritated and grabbed her hand firmly from the stereo. She looked at him, shocked and pulled her hand from his hold.

 "Sorry. I am not used to people touching my stuffs.", he said apologetically. " It's okay. I understand.", she said, looking outside the window. After few minutes, he spoke, " I am Vikram. And you are ?" "I know you are Vikram.", she said, turning towards him for a minute. "I know. I was trying to make a conversation. We just met. I am not used to driving with a stranger at this hour. ", he said. "I am Maya.", she said while she smiled.


"What else you are not used to?", she joked. "What?", he asked bewildered. She laughed. "I was joking. You are not used to people playing with your stuff. You are not used to driving with people at this hour. So I thought you might have a list of things that you are not used to. It would be easy for me to hang out with you tonight.", she said, laughing at her own sarcasm.

He smirked. "Well! I don't have any of such 'not used to thing' habit. I am used to everything.", she said. He didn't smile. He held the steering wheel firmly. He felt like throwing her out of the car. But he didn't. He simply rode the car. "Oh my gosh! You are angry ? Don't take any of my jokes seriously. I am used to pulling people's leg. It's one of my hobby. I cannot sit without talking nonsense. Bear with me for few hours.", she said.

He didn't say anything. He was waiting for the time to get over. He cursed the time he got out of the car to help her. Suddenly she shouted, "Stop the car. Stop the car." He stopped. His heart had almost reached his mouth. "Now what happened!", he wondered.

(To be continued)

A night with the fallen star - Part 1

It was midnight. The streets were empty. The roads were perfect for a long drive except for few humps. Vikram drove his car at top speed. He ignored the speed indicators. He enjoyed the speed and the music that played in the background. It helped him to be at ease and be someone who actually he was.

World adored him. Everyone wanted to be part of his life. To the world, he was the scion of legendary  movie star. For the media, he was rich spoilt kid who loved controversies. For his fan, he was God, they worshiped. But no one knew his real side. He hated that world. He wished for a simple normal life. A life without Page 3 controversies, fans waiting for hours outside his house to catch his glimpse or his over demanding father. He wished he get away from this. Unfortunately acting was the only thing he knew. He was good actor in reel and real life.

He was driving on a vacant street with tiny rays of light flickering from the street lights. He felt there was someone in middle of the road. He pushed the brakes hard that it made huge noise to stop. However he almost hit the person. "Not again", he thought. He was involved in many hit and run cases. Due to his father's name and his popularity, he always managed to get bail. He got out of the car instantly to check on the person.

The person was her. Fortunately she wasn't hit. She had fallen on the ground due to fear of getting hit. "Are you okay?", he asked. "Yes! I am fine.", she got up with limping leg. He stared at her with surprised expression. She was very young, barely out of her teens. "You look injured. Please come. Let me take you to hospital.", he said politely, assisting her towards the car. "No, it's fine. I..", she said but he interrupted, "Please let me help you. It's midnight. It is not safe."

She stared at him and asked, "How do you think I would be safe with you? You are drunk." "I am not that kind of person. I only had two drinks. I can drive. Don't you know me.", he said. "I know you very well. You are the star who thinks the roads are your father's property.", she mocked.  He was upset. "Ah! Let me guess, you want to bribe me for not filing a case against you for this accident.", she said. 

"No.. Ok! Yes if you think so. I don't want you to file a case against me for this minor accident. By the way, this is not an accident. I barely hit you.", he said. "You did. I am limping.", she said. "What do you want?", he asked. "Hmm! I will not file a case against you. But you have to take out for night out. I have five hours before sun rises. You have already wasted fifteen minutes. Now it is up to you to make my night the most memorable night ever.", she said.  He was shocked and wondered the intentions of the young girl standing before him.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 13

Tia and Suhail were searching for the mistake they had made. They did as they were told. There were no fights. Mikha smiled. "Why are you tensed? Nothing is wrong. It is just that you guys are too worked up. You need break. Tell me when was last time you took off.", Mikha said.

They thought for long time. Later Mikha said, "Maybe you should take it now. Go out and have fun." Tia laughed. "How can we take off just like that? ", she said. "Haven't you heard of sick leaves. Take one. Make instant plans to get together. You used to have spontaneous dates more often. What happened after marriage? Why did you stop?", Mikha said.

Suhail remembered the times when they would go out unplanned, leaving work and spending quality times together. He wondered how things change drastically after marriage. Love loses its worth after marriage. Maybe priorities get changed. They had become more responsible towards work than on their relationship. "What are you thinking? Go and have fun.  You never used to think too much on unplanned dates before marriage. Why now?", Mikha said, forcing them to their rooms to get changed to casuals.

After lot of coaxing, they informed their respective bosses and got dressed for the date. Mikha chose the attire for them to wear. They wore the same dress that they wore during their first date.As soon as Mikha sent them out, she got ready to leave. She was happy with whatever she did and hoped everything went well. She prayed that she would come back here to happy couple.

Suhail and Tia wandered at the park they had visited during their first date. They didn't speak or looked at each other. They were like two strangers in the park. They would smile occasionally thinking about what had happened during their first date. Their first kiss, loud laughter and gleaming eyes pouring only love reminded them of how much they had missed. The memories of them discussing their future, sharing their fears and dreams reminded them of how much they had forgotten the past. When they came back to the reality, it would pinch their heart.

Tears welled up in Tia's eyes. It was first time since the cracks occurred in their relationship, she held his hand. He turned towards her. "What happened to us? We were in love. We couldn't stay a minute without each other. We admired the qualities each other. When did we become so critical?",they wondered as he wiped her tears. She hugged me as she couldn't control her sudden outburst of emotions. "I feel lonely. Can we get back together? I don't want to lose you. I promise I won't be rude to you.", Tia cried. "I was never away from you. I will always be with you, Tia. I love you. I promise I won't be mean to you.", he consoled her. Within minutes, they were smiling and happy. They spent their time leisurely by getting back the moments they had lost.

*****  The End ***** 

The Marital Conditions - Part 12

Mikha waited for few minutes. She understood that it would take minutes for the iceberg called as ego to melt. She waited until they settled in and relaxed. She waited for the moment when one of them would began to share their day with the other. They stared at each other and then got busy with their cellphones.

After an hour, she only initiated the talk between them. "Come on guys, we don't have whole day. It's strange. You know each other for about six to seven years. You love each other. Then why this cold behaviour? Tia, Let's start with you. How did your day go?",she asked. As usual Tia ( known for her complaining attitude) grumbled about her boss, work and colleagues. Suhail was annoyed. He had advised her many times that if she was not very happy with work then she could change job. He had also advised that he would help her in finding and cracking the right job. But she never listened.

He could take no longer. He blurted out, " Why don't you change your job if you don't like the work? I have advised you many times. But you don't seem to follow my words." Tia snapped, "I don't want to change. I am very close to my promotion. Why should I change now?" Mikha interrupted, "Okay ! If you don't want to change and are positive that you will get the promotion, then don't get upset with these trivial issues. Get used to it. Tia, you need to stop reacting like that. You can say that in calm and composed way. Suhail will surely understand." Tia nodded and sighed in wonderment, "Why do I always get  rebuked?"

It seemed like as if Mikha got read Tia's mind. She said, "It is because you complain a lot. Stop complaining. I know life is hard but it is we who make it hard." Next Suhail started sharing about his activities at work. Tia was amazed at how hard he worked. She had never found time to ask him about his work because of fights. She hugged him once he was done.

Mikha was happy at this development. She wanted them to know the hardship of each other and help to reduce them together. Later they got back to work and day passed the way Mikha had scheduled it. The fights were reducing. They were learning to have fun together while doing house chores or watching the movie,

It was already Friday. The week had passed so quickly. Mikha had one last task to complete. She wanted them to spend quality time together. Both of them were getting ready when Mikha asked them to stop what they were doing. They were started. They wondered, " Did we miss something? Did we go somewhere wrong?"

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 11

What was that?  He wished the kiss was for long time. It was too quick and spontaneous for him to react. Whatever, it left him numb. His mind was blank. It took him back to time when they had shared their first kiss. It was out of blue moon.  She was looking stunningly beautiful and he had lost his heart one more time to her. He couldn't control himself and kissed her passionately. It was their first date. It hadn't gone as planned but the kiss made that night the most memorable night they shared. Unfortunately, he couldn't remember the last time he had kissed her with passion.

The day passed by monotonously. They came home tired. Tia lied on the couch with her shoes thrown recklessly on the floor. As Suhail arrived, he tripped on one of her shoes. He got up angry. Before things could go worse, Mikha arrived at right time. "Tia, you are grown up now. Take your shoes and keep them on shoe rack. It doesn't take a minute or ounce of your energy will not be wasted if you keep them properly.", Mikha said firmly.

Tia got up lazily and sulked on her way towards the shoe rack with her shoes. As soon as she kept them, Mikha ordered, "Please apologize to him and get back to work."  "Why? I didn't do anything wrong. What work? I have just come back from work.", Tia protested. "You had thrown your shoes. Suhail tripped on that. And work! Who will start preparing dinner? I am not here to do maid services. I am here to guide you. Suhail, please help her.", Mikha said.

Suhail and Tia got changed. They arranged the house and prepared the dinner. Mikha only supervised their work. There would be fight sometimes. Sometimes there would be tiny spark of love between them. Mikha ensured there was nothing big.  After the dinner, they were getting ready for bedtime when Mikha called them, "Your day isn't over. What about entertainment? Come, lets watch a nice movie."

Mikha continued the drill for two days. Tia and Suhail automatically got used to the schedule made by Mikha. They wouldn't venture out for work without goodbye kiss. As soon as they arrived from office, they would get started with usual chores and finish the day with a nice romantic movie. There were tiny fights. But love was re-entering their life again. Mikha was satisfied but not happy. There was still something missing.

Suhail and Tia arrived from work. They got back to their usual housework when Mikha stopped them, "You are acting like robots. You don't have to do housework as soon as you come back home. Why don't you talk to each other? Like ask each other about your day. How will you build the bond with each other when you don't discuss your day. Maybe one of you can solve other's problem at work. Come and sit. Discuss what happened." They sat on the couch, staring at each other. Both of them had one question, "Will he/she listen to me without passing any judgements?"

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 10

The food was relished by all. Later Mikha started with her gyaan session to the newly married," What did you learn from this lesson? When you are together, even biggest problem may seem tiny and solvable. But when you pit against each other, there will be only chaos and war."

Suhail and Tia stared at each other. They wondered, "Where did that love go?" When they were dating, they understood the essence of love and wanted to be together to feel that essence. Now someone was teaching them the importance of love and togetherness when they were married. Does marriage change a person beyond recognition.

It was time for Mikha and Manav. But Mikha stayed. She wanted to stay for a week to reconcile differences of  the newly married. She wanted to remind them the conditions they had agreed on before marriage.

Her first day mission was successful. She hoped that they learnt something on their first task. But she wasn't convinced. She prayed that at least they learnt what was going wrong between them. They were making their lives complicated. She had to teach them simple lessons which she had learnt on her own. She wondered, " Maybe this generation isn't well equipped for the life. Maybe they were focused on scoring marks than learning the underlying lessons of life."

The next day brought new hope. Mikha woke up with fresh plan to regenerate the lost spark in her sister's life. She saw them hurriedly getting ready for work. They seemed busy with life. Unfortunately they had forgotten the love- essence of life. They were near the doorstep when Mikha reminded them, " You forgot something!" They stopped and looked confused.

"Tia, won't you give your husband goodbye kiss.",Mikha said. Tia was startled. It was long time since she shared anything passionate with Suhail. She nervously kissed him on his cheeks. "You are boring, Tia. Not there! Ok! I will turn my back. Give him the real kiss. Kiss him on his lips." Suhail was nervous. Tia waited for few minutes to gather courage to kiss him. She felt like a teenager experimenting her first kiss. She gave him quick kiss on his lips and left as soon as Mikha could ask her anything. Suhail was shocked. He was numb.

(To be continued)