Pages From Her Diary

2 months,1 week, 4 days -  Life for Ayan  was busy  juggling work  and his various personal projects with a tunnel vision focus  of “ life ko set karna hai by 40” Somehow Naina featured in his head off & on. There was something angelic about her and no matter how much he tried,  Ayan could not get her off his head. As he lay on  his couch browsing  her cell number thinking how she would react if he called; will she even remember me ? He rolled over the couch  with these thoughts …down to the floor ! He smiled and thought “ Now this must be Falling in love “    Ok enough of this thinking . Off to sleep!! “Hey, today is the meeting with the HR head, have no clue what the new assignment  he’s gonna doll out to us “ said Ayan to his colleagues. “Hi Team, as a part of our Company’s CSR, I want you to please check out a few places with whom we can be associated with.The HR head announced. Omg, such a...

Ayan  paced up and down the long corridor, his hands tucked deep into his pockets. His face was lined with irritation, had a disheveled air about him as if he had dressed up in a hurry, which he had. His mobile phone had low charge as he was impatiently waiting for Rahul at the hall for an event of Make a Wish foundation. Rahul had pinged him around midnight, waking him up “ Saale , waise bhi tu soyega din bhar, chal mere saath , got passes for an event tomorrow “.  Ayan was least interested but Rahul kind of bulldozed him to saying yes in deep sleep. And now he himself has not yet arrived , thought  Ayan. He watched people walking in and some of them occasionally shot him a look without breaking their stride as they walked in. He hated waiting ,nothing to do, so he just gazed across the people walking in to the auditorium – some in deep conversation , some uninterested some excited – till a sweet voice  fell on his ears “ Of course everything will be fine,don’t b...

As she wrapped up her work and hopped into the cab Neha wondered “ why the same CCD“  ? There was a huge smile on her face as she remembered their first meet at the CCD . This time, she had no clue why Adi had called her there, maybe has just bagged another big contract, she thought . As she walked into the CCD towards the table, she saw Adi  in conversation with another guy at the table. Neha had never seen him before with Adi .  “ Hey Neha, wanted you to meet a friend of mine. Adi said as he got up and pulled up a chair for Neha . This is RD , Rahul Dsouza …  Met him thru a common friend at a Concert. As RD shook hands with Neha , he said … “ A writer's hand “ and smiled . Neha was amused at the comment. Adi explained “Neha RD is a big time book publisher. I happened to share  with him some extracts of your dairy and he thinks it's awesome. Neha was kind of stumped at this sudden spotlight on her and her writings. She ...

Mira looked lost as Adi and his friends reached her place. Adi himself was worried on his way thinking about whats up with Neha that Mira was concerned about . Hey Mira, What happened ? Where is Neha ? Is she alright ?   Adi asked all in one breath . Mira was somber as she picked up a Diary and handed it over to Adi  and said .  “ I just found Neha’s writings . Managed to browse thru a few pages and was really choked with emotions . Hence called you to share this with you .  We all were so busy with our lives our dreams that we didn’t even pay attention to Neha’s creative pursuits while she quietly sponged all her emotions into this book .  This has your journey too Adi !! Mira had tears in her eyes . Adi was too stumped to react to this situation as he consoled Mira and took the Diary from her slightly baffled . He anxiously  opened  and flipped pages of her dairy. Sometimes  the pages over filled some days a little less with sh...

The concert day…. for  Adi it was the most important day of his life . A gamut of feelings swept past him – excitement, nervousness – as he geared up for the event.  Too many things at stake,  I can’t let myself down, I can’t let the people close to me who stood by me to see this day, down - Adi’s mind was filled with these thoughts . “ Hey, Rockstar, all set ?  Am waiting to see your performance and that sexy smile of yours on the stage . My Adi is gonna rock “ Neha’s message made him smile .    “Yeah, the smile will be there , only for you, Be there ”  . he replied . It was a star-studded magical evening. This is going to the highlight of Adi’s musical career. All top 5 finalists were there in all their glory. As the performances started one after the other, Neha’s heartbeats went faster as she heard Adi’s name being announced.  She saw Adi walking up to the center stage, spotlights on him. He looked awesome, his silky hair fal...

A Date !!  I never been on date before. Neha mused. She had watched her friends getting excited to go on a date -  parlour visits, silky smooth hair, dash of makeup, shopping for the best attire -  is this some kind of a life changing event ? Neha always used to think :)  Now when she had an invite, she seemed lost -  never been a “lots-a-makeup person “, never tried to smoothen her unruly curls, loved to wear her jean n tee - What do I do now? Neha was brooding. "Look your best beautiful, it’s your first date with Adi .  Be ready to get pampered with roses, chocolates and gifts, dinner by the lake “ . Mira gave her two bit gyan on the looks and the dress to wear before she left . "Hey Neha, I need to go for the jamming rehearsals, will have you picked you up from your place once I am thru .  Adi’s message . "That’s fine Adi . Will wait for you " Neha replied. Neha stood before her wardrobe to choose a perfect dress for t...

"Which US project are you talking about? And Neha turned down that offer, why?" Adi asked as he walked up to Mira. Neha, with bated breath, expected the same outburst from Mira which she was earlier subjected to. She stood there silently as she let Mira speak . “Yes Adi, she deferred her going to US because for her, being with you and being a part of  your struggles, seeing your journey to success is more important at this point of time." Stunned by what he just heard, Adi turned and looked at Neha, "Are you kidding! How could you turn down an offer which you have been waiting for; you have worked so hard for this project?"  As Neha struggled to collect her thoughts to answer Adi's question, she heard Mira speak, "Adi, I think Neha has taken the right decision. She could always get another project overseas, but this time with you is what makes her happy and she chose happiness." Mira’s response was so emphatic that it l...

The next few weeks flew past. She was bowled over by Adi’s natural zest, limitless enthusiasm and for him She was his staunchest ally, anchor, his confidante. They understood each other perfectly even when they disagreed. Together they would plan out strategies to be nearer to the goal. Days of fun, happiness and at times frustration yet the feeling that they were with each other was hugely comforting. Mira stared at her in aghast as Neha smiled & said “I am not taking up this project now.“ Mira had seen Neha brooding and now she knew why. "Why Neha, you guys are not even committed. Has Adi ever spoken about his feelings for you. Fine , he is a nice guy, he cares, he confides in you. Is that all the reason you need to chuck an offer that you have been waiting for ?”  She asked “You are right Mira. He has never spoken about it.  But this decision is not about him, its about me.  I'm happy with him. I feel a deep sense of comfort to be a small part of his s...

How do I say in a word how I feel reading your  text? ........ Neha mused. Speechless, Flattered, Excited It took Neha  24 mins between typing the first letter and the next !! Thank you Adi for sharing your dream with me and making me feel a part of your life. Am sure someday I will pen down the dream and journey of Adi, the famous guitarist. For now, Let me complete your poem, she wrote : Tears in her lovely eyes yet the lips had a beautiful smile … There are some moments in life which words cant define !! U are the reason for my Smile, cutting thru the far away miles …. Loved the fire & passion in you, my heart says it wants to see you shine !! Sent it, and saw that it wasn’t delivered. Probably he must have  waited for a reply and slept off ! Next morning, Neha woke up to an  exciting face of Mira exploding to break some news. Hey whats up Mira ? asked Neha “ I should be asking you that, Neha. Whats up and any surprise planned...

It was the most memorable ride of my life, thought Neha as they rode to the  destination  -  “ It all seems like a movie, too good to be true ! Cars, buses moving alongside, wind leisurely caressing my face, hair blown away by the wind and me blown away by his skilled driving, careful enough not to have me ruffled. Am loving every moment of this ride .” As they were close to the Powai lake stretch, Adi slowed down the bike and said  “This is my favorite place, where I dream with my eyes wide open “ . Neha smiled as he asked  “ Would you mind if we spend some time here before I drop you home ? ”  and he parked his bike. It was indeed a beautiful sight, the gleaming lake, dark sky,  horizons.. as they walked towards the small steps and found a place which gave a wholesome view of the place.  Adi looked as if he was kind of inhaling the moment. Neha laughed and asked, “ Do all musicians love the scenic settings ?  Adi you make amazing mus...

Am I late ?  the performances must have begun, echoed in Neha’s mind as she raced to the auditorium . The hall was packed as she waded her way thru to a comfortable place from where she could catch the nearest view of the performers. she heard the VJ announce the next performance ..Oh !Its Adi’s, Just made it on time . Flashlights , Sound,..as he picked up  his guitar and walked on to the stage. Crowd erupted in to a loud cheer. Neha waved out to him as he took his position to start the show. Their  glances met, and for a moment they just  stared at each other probably getting inspiration or energy of some sort. He caught her attention, her reaction was different from the others ! As Adi belted  out  the favourite numbers, " ALL OF ME ",   " KAL HO NA HO ",  the crowd  screamed with joy. Chants of "once more " echoed  through  the hall. Next song is very close to my heart, I have written this a month ago sip...

He returned the wallet to me and asked “Ms Coffee ? “ Worth the wait ! He remembered me and the CCD, and I could hear myself  grin and say “ Yeah  . Neha, that’s my name “. “Hi, am Adi “  , I heard him say . Before I could react, I heard Mira pulling me away “ Neha, come on , the train is about to leave” . Our glances fixed at each other, found myself on to the train .  A small wave from him as the train moved slowly. “ Who’s this guy ? ”  Mira’s pointed question and I was snapped out my magic world . “ He’s  Adi “  I replied .  “Adi ! Adi who ?”  Mira probed. “ The Coffee shop guy “  I said sheepishly . “ Seriously Neha !  Was it him ?  After a month long wait , some magic that  “  Mira’s reaction was perfect as she knew of  my CCD saga . I was in a different world altogether, still  coming to terms with the fact that I actually met him, and now I know his n...

"Nehaaaaaaaaaa"   ... heard my roomie, Mira, yelling my name early morning .  Half asleep, jumped off the bed only to find her failed attempt to fix  a leaking tap! Damn, cold water touching my feet and I knew we were standing in pool of water spread all over the floor. Rushed to find the mops, cursed the house owner to whom we had complained many a time to fix the leaked tap. His standard response always would be  "don’t worry, kal tak done"  -  Huh ! PG mai rehne k side effects ! Swirling the mop on the floor, thoughts ran freely to the usual idiom " Month hi kharab chal raha hai saala"  - tashan with boss on the appraisals, scrapping with the house owner, and most importantly the visits to that CCD with a hope to catch a glimpse of Him !  Am not a great coffee lover, yet found myself walking up to the shop many a times en route home. Queues sometimes small, at times  took a longer. My eyes wandered to spot him among the crowd. There we...