Just like that

The day started with a knock on the door. She went to the door thinking it was the society helper staff who had come to collect garbage. She had just fallen into a slumber since sleep refused to come to her that night as it was happening since the past few nights. It was one month since he went on his trip to Delhi and then due to COVID 19 it was difficult for him to come back to the city. Since the past few days she was missing him a lot and all night she was just tossing and turning in her sleep. She remembered how he would wake up if she used to stir even slightly in her sleep.In his half sleepy voice he used to say “Kya hua baby?Neend nahi aa rahi?Come in my arms and sleep everything will be okay” and she used to snuggle in his arms and fall asleep like a baby on his chest, her safe haven believing that all will be okay “Her Pillow” she used to call him.Now since her pillow was not here she was not getting any sleep.In her half sleepy state she opened the door only to find him standing in front of her grinning sheepishly and shouting “Surprise”.She was not able o believe her eyes and pinched herself to see whether he was really there or she was just dreaming.He came forward,kissed her on the cheeks and whispered “Come sleep peacefully now.Your pillow is home again”.

01:00am: The car was racing on the highway.It was a friday night and Mumbai Pune highway was jampacked with cabs and trucks.One of the first six-lane access controlled toll expresswayin India, the Mumbai Pune expressway is around 100km long that connects Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Shital was travelling to Mumbai. She had an early morning flight to Haridwarfrom Mumbai. Her childhood best friend,Pari was getting married.How could she miss this. Shital was working in a reputed MNC firm in Pune since the past 6years.Driving through the expressway she got lost in her past.

It was the year 2011,Shital was just out of engineering collegeand was at her home. After 4 years of engineering she was fairly sure that she was not meant to be one and so she didn’teven appeared for any Campus placements.Her interest was finance and she wanted to do MBA.Convincing her parents for the same was not an easy task.But first she had too find out whether she was able to get into a good MBA college or not.

That day Shital was nervous since morning,her CAT results were supposed to be out at 10:00am and it was already 10:05am.Her phone rang.It was Pari.She had also given CAT.

“Hey,Congratulations!!You got 98.7 percentile.”Hearing this Shital was on cloudnine.But she had a new problem now.Her father was an honest Government employee and earned just enough to takecare of the family.Plus the fees of engineering college was a hefty one and after that he was not able to pay for her MBA too.

She went to give the happy news to her parents.Being a holiday,her father was also at home.

“That all is great but we told you we can’t afford to pay for your MBA.We have already spent enough on your education.But that was only because good boys also want an educated girl for marriage.My retirement is also nearand I want you getmarried.Stop thinking about further studies and focus on your future.Tomorrow boy’s family is coming to see you.Go and get prepared for that.” She was devastated.She tried convincing her father but he was adamant.

“Studying MBA is also formy future dad.Please try and understand and as for the fees we can always take loan from any bank.Since the percentile is good I am fairly sure I will get admission in a good college.As for marriage I can get married after three years too,that too with the boy of your choice.Please” “I don’t want any arguments here just go.I have lots of preparation to do.” Shital’s mother took her inside.Her father always had the final say in all the decisions related to the family.Her mother also convinced her to listen to her father and not to create an issue.

Next day the boy whom her father had chosen for her came to their house.After initial discussion they were given some time alone to get to know each other.The boy’s name was Nikhil.He was smart,handsome and in a good job.Shital had her mind still stuck on MBA when Nikhil asked her something.

“Uhh I am sorry….What were u saying??asked Shital.

“Nothing…..I just want to know are you happy with this marriage or are you being forced into this?”

“Ummmm...No no it’s nothing like that.It’s just that I want to study further and my parents are not so happy with the idea.”She told him the whole story.Sometimes you are able to share things with a stranger without being judged.Plus she sensed a good vibe from Nikhil.

“That’s great.Listen I have a plan to get you out of this situation but only if you are up for it.” That time Shital was only thinking about MBA plus there was no harm in listening to his plan.

“See if you like me we can get engaged now and married later and as a demand I would ask your father to permit you to pursue higher studies.It’s really sad that girls in our country still have to take permission for studying.Even if after 2years you think you don’twant to get married with me I will be fine by it.”Shital was not able to believe her ears.Little did she know that Nikhil had already fallen in love with her after seeing her and talking with her.He wanted to help her.

Soon they came out to the living space and told their parents about their decision.It was a yes from both of them.Shital’s parents were not able to believe their ears.

“I have a demand uncle.Me and Shital will get married but only after three years.She wants to do MBA and I think that she has made the right decision.Plus I would love to have a MBA wife”Nikhilsaid.Shital’s parents agreed to his demands.After all this was a very good rishta in their eyes and they can’t afford to lose it. After 3 months Shital got admission in IIM Indore and she couldn’t be happier,Plus Nikhil was also a great guy.After spending time with him she had realised what a gem of a person he was and she was really glad to have him in his life.

Two years later Shital got placed in one of the top firms of the country.At her convocation there were her parents,beaming with pride and Nikhil,her support system,the person who had been with her at each and every step of her life since the past two years and was now the love of her life,although she hadn’t told him this.

After convocation,she and Nikhil went for a quite dinner and Shital confessed her feelings for him.They celebrated and soon in a span of 6months they were married happily.It had been 3years to that and she couldn’t had been more happier.In the past few months,like many married couples,she had also started feeling that she and Nikhil were not able to spend enough time together with each other and that’s why she wanted him to be with her on this trip.It was as if her happiness didn’t mattered to him now so much as it used to before.He had cited some important office meeting and so was not able to join her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realised she had reached her destination.As she was standing for the security checkin on the airport her phone rang.

“Hey beautiful.Look behind”.And there he was,with all his luggage,smiling his boyish smile and with that all the anger melted away from her heart.Giving her surprises was one of the great things abount Nikhil and she absolutely loved it when he did that.

Triiinnnggggg .The doorbell rang. Who could it be at this time of the night and in such weather??thought Nimisha. There was a huge storm outside and it was raining heavily .She lived in a secluded area,away from the hustle bustle of the city,in the valley,close to the mountains as she had always wanted to.The owner of a popular coffee place in the city she was doing quite good for herself. She had just sat down on the recliner with a drink in her hand by the cozy fireplace of her large mansion,her favourite place,after a long and tiring day at work.As soon as she opened the door she couldn’t believe her eyes.It was Amit,her ex.All the old memories came flashing by. He too was surprised to see her.

“Nimisha….you...”he stammered.One can see the guilt in his eyes.Nimisha and Amit were college sweethearts.Everyone thought they will always be together and so did they.But destiny had other plans.Amit parents never agreed to their relationship citing caste issues and they parted their aways.Nimisha tried a lot to convince his parents but when she saw no efforts from Amit’s side she also stopped.Last she heard that Amit got married to some girl chosen by his parents.Seeing him unexpectedly after so many years she was not sure what to do.

She invited him inside.”Actually I was going to Dehradun for a business meeting but my car broke down.I just saw the lights here and thought may be I can get help.”

“You won’t get any mechanic at this time of the night but you can stay here if you want”Nimisha said.”Won’t it be awkward for u?”asked Amit.I mean your husband…….or family….”

“Husband...hahahaha” Nimisha chuckled.

“I never got married Amit.You get freshen up.Guestroom is over there.”

Silence.

Amit was at a loss of words.Only a sorry uttered from his mouth.

“Oh no please don’t blame yourself.It wasn’t meant to be.Let bygones be bygones.And may be if we would have been married I won’t be a successful enterpreneur today.I am really happy in my life right now.Would you like to have a drink?”Nimisha asked.

“Yeah sure”Amit said eyeing her beauty.She was still as beautiful as she was when he had seen her on first day of college.A girl with a dusky complexion having long wavy hairs and a smile that can kill anyone.Lots of guys proposed to her but Nimisha was not the one to date any guy.It was Amit who took her heart away.

“So what do you do?Still in the family business?”asked Nimisha breaking his train of thoughts.

“Yeah Dad has conveniently handed over the whole construction business to me now and it’s going good.”

“You say what about you??Enterpreneur and all haan.That’s nice”

“Yes after we broke up I had no clue what to do with my life.I used to spent days curled up in my room doing nothing,talking with no one.Delhi was not the same for me without you.So my cousin who owns a boutique here asked me to come and help her out as she was setting it up.One thing led to another and here I am today owning my own coffee house cum bookshop as I had always wanted to.You say how are your wife and parents?”

“All are good.Puniti,my wife is a really very nice girl and is a homemaker.I have a son now too.It’s a small happy family”Amit replied sipping his drink quitely.Suddenly the lights went out and lightning struck.

“It’s okay.It’s a small town.In weather like this electricity generally goes.”There was nothing to talk about more.It’s weird when you don’t have words to share with the person with whom you used to share everything.In the light of fire both were eying each other after being a little tipsy.One thing led to another and soon they were kissing each other passionately.Amit took Nimisha in his arms,laid her down on the dining table and started kissing her neck,his hands running on her thighs.Nimisha was moaning.She felt like this after many years. Amit said I made a mistake by not marrying you.I still love you Nimisha.”

Suddenly a piercing shriek ran through the valley.

NEXT DAY NEWSPAPER:Business tycoon Amit Singh car crashed in the valley yesterday night amidst heavy storm and lightning.The whereabouts of the body are still unknown.According to Police the body might have been drowned in the river or some wild beast might have taken it.

As easy as it sounds being happy and by that I mean being truly happy is a very very difficult task especially in today’s times.We all have some problems, some issues in our lives that make us sad and we all do find ways or try to find ways to solve our problems.But sometimes the solution is not directly in our hands or the problem is a time taking one and we are continuously sad.So here I am listing a few things that make me happy and even temporarily make me forget my worries.

1.Meeting and talking with friends and family.If u can meet your friends then that is the best and if not then too technology has given us the benefit of video calling our loved ones.Literally talk about anything and everything with them and feel good.

2.Coffee and a good book-Always pleases me.Just a good coffee and a book I love takes me in a totally different world and makes me forget every worry.

3.Dancing-Doesn’t matter if you know dancing or not.Just put on some music and groove your body on that.Apart from various health benefits it makes u really happy.So Dance away your worries guys.

4.Yoga/Running/Exercising-I need not put in words the benefits of physical exercise and apart from that it makes me feel happy about myself that I have done something today.

5.Travelling/Being in nature-Just take your car out and go on a long drive in the outskirts of the city.Being in the nature, inhaling that fresh oxygen is a bliss.

5.Helping others-A small help to your colleagues, friends or even a stranger on road.Trust me you feel good the whole day.

6.Hug-After a hectic day at work just a hug from the right person makes your day worth it.

7.Talking with children-Sometimes they give u a whole new perspective of a matter and even if they don't they are too cute to talk with.

8.Writing-A hobby I had when I was in Class 11th/12th but then I stopped it altogether.Now I have started it again after many years and I would urge that everyone should write something each day.Not necessarily it should be prose or poetry but even writing about how your day was is good and takes away the stress.

Hurrah!!!! It’s Sunday.The most loved, most awaited day of the week.As a kid I used to love Sundays more than any other day of the week.Not just because of holiday.We used to have Saturdays off too.But Sunday gives u a sense of relaxation, a sense of laziness and who doesn’t love a lazy day.You can sleep till whatever time you want, eat and then sleep again.Moreover for me Sunday was a day when Dad used to be at home and Dad at home means a totally fun day.Being an only child I was not having much company to play but on Sunday my Dad used to play with me, tell me stories and even bring samosas and jalebi for breakfast.Afternoon was spent enjoying mumma’s cooked delicious mutton/chicken alongwith ice cream or anyother sweets.Evening was spent with family friends and having pool dinner parties.Sunday meant happiness and it still is the best day of the week for me.

I WOKE UP TO A BEAUTIFUL MORNING TODAY BUT STILL I WAS NOT HAPPY.LATELY I HAVE BEEN FEELING SAD AND DEPRESSED ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES IN MY LIFE.BUT JUST ONE PHONE CALL WITH A CHILDHOOD FRIEND MADE MY MOOD ALL UPBEAT.

FRIENDS,THE PEOPLE WITHOUT WHOM YOUR LIFE IS NO FUN AT ALL.BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDHOOD/SCHOOL FRIENDSHIPS NO OTHER RELATION CAN TAKE IT’S PLACE.YOU CAN STILL LAUGH AT ALL THE SILLY JOKES U USED TO CRACK AS A KID.YOU CAN STILL GOSSIP ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING .YOU CAN BE YOUR OLD SELF AND STILL NOT BE JUDGED BECAUSE THEY VERY WELL KNOW WHO YOU ARE.