Prologue
Trring Tring…….Hello Dev? Pehchana? The voice on the other side of the phone turned my world upside down. How can I forget her sweet voice? It was Mansi, my first love. It’s almost 10 years since I saw her last time. 10 years since I left college and the city Kolkata. God knows from where she might have arranged my number. And what a day to call! Today is my marriage, love marriage! She should have contacted me before. It is too late now. Or is it not?
Main
I lit the cigarette and turned to my right. Salman Khan’s gun was pointing right on my head. The poster of Dabangg2 scared me for a second. I smiled and the poster took me to flashback when Dabangg1 was released few years back. I had recently joined my job in this beautiful city, Chandigarh. I didn’t had any friend circle. Only people I knew here were my office colleagues. And the most helpful and generous among them was Simarpreet, a typical Punjaban Beauty. She was promoted in the organization and I had joined in her previous place. It was obvious that any problem I faced in my job, I shared with her. She was very humble to listen and help me out all the time. In fact, every other guy in my office was jealous of me because of her. I used to enjoy this from my heart even though I knew she was only trying to be helpful and there was nothing as such. It was one Saturday when few of our colleagues planned to go for a movie. Simar told if it is Dabangg than she will also join. Even I echoed with her to watch the same movie. Finally six of us, four guys and two girls went for the evening show. Simar was enjoying the movie like a kid. She was so bubbly and expressive. Frankly, I enjoyed watching her expressions more than the movie.
Simar was full of life. Her liveliness made me to forget everything and live life again. I was coming out of my broken relationship. I would be wrong if I say it a relationship. It was a budding love which didn’t find a way. I don’t even want to recollect those moments. I started believing that first love is something foolish, something immature. One should fall in love only when you are standing on your own feet. I was much mature and independent now. My liking for Simar increased day by day.
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon when I got a call in my mobile. It was Simar.’ Hello, kya kar rahe ho sarkar? Kuch nahi kar rahe ho to kuch kar lo?’ She was like that only. Once starts speaking, she was difficult to stop. I replied ‘ aap hukum karo , hum to free hain’ Simar told ‘ main bhi velli hoon, bore shore ho rahi hoon…..socha ki tumhare saath koi movie hi dekh loon.Isi bahane date bhi ho jayegi’ I smiled and replied ‘ tumhare saath main movie kahan dekh pata hoon.Tumse nazrein hi nahi hat ti, movie kya khaq dekhunga? Waise ye date wali point sahi hai. Is baat pe chal sakta hoon.Kal office me kehne ke liye bhi ho jayegi ki tumhe date pe le gaya tha’. Simar replied ‘ Khabardaar jo office me kuch kaha to…chalo apni khatara bike uthao aur mujhe pick karo bye’ I smiled and got ready in hurry. I wore my favorite shirt and jeans and looked at the mirror. I was looking smart. Arre, how can I forget my perfume? Yes! I was ready for my first official date! I reached her home. She came out. My heart almost skipped a bit. I never saw her in jeans and top. She was looking stunning in her black top and blue tight fit jeans. She sat behind and I was proudly zooming my bike on the streets. We had a wonderful time together. We both started liking each other’s company. Our friendship grew fast. I didn’t take time to propose her. I was actually in hurry because I did not want to lose Simar. I had learned the hard way that if you love someone then say it as fast as possible. The girl will never come and express her feelings first. I had become much wise after losing my first love I guess. Simar also had similar feelings for me and she said yes to me the next day. I was on seventh heaven! I was so happy as if I had won the world! Our relation started growing strong. We were deeply in love with each other. I remember we used to kiss for hours at my house. One day she told me that we should talk to our parents now. Two years was a decent time to know each other well. We talked to our parents. Our parents were supportive enough to agree ignoring the facts that we were from different religion and she was one year elder to me.
************************************
Finally the marriage day arrived. I was waiting for this day impatiently from last one month. All preparations were over. I had just come out in the market to smoke a cigarette. I know these are my last days of smoking. Simar hated smokers and I had promised myself that I will not touch cigarette after marriage. I was enjoying the puff when my mobile rang. Tring…….Hello Dev? Pehchana? The voice on the other side of the phone turned my world upside down. How can I forget her sweet voice? It was Mansi, my first love. Its almost 10 years since I saw her last. 10 years since I left college and the city Kolkata. God knows from where she might have arranged my number. And what a day to call! Today is my marriage,love marriage! She should have contacted me before. It is too late now. Or is it not? I was lost in my thoughts. Mansi spoke out ‘Hello Dev….can u hear me?’ I replied ‘ haan Mansi’ She was happy ‘ arre wah! Tumne mujhe pehchaan liya , wo bhi itne saal baad? Pata hai maine tumko kahan kahan dhunda?’ I wish I could tell her how much I had searched for her. How many times I had called the landline at her home. Everytime her mother or father picked up and I had to cut the phone. ‘Mansi, maine bhi tumhe bahot dhunda par tum ho ki ghar se nikalti hi nahi thi’ Mansi spoke ‘ achha wo sab chhodo ye batao ki tum kahan ho, kya kar rahe ho aaj kal?’ She must not be aware that today is my marriage otherwise she would have congratulated, at least. I replied her that I am working at Chandigarh now. I couldn’t dare to say that today is my marriage! She felt very happy that I am doing well. She told me to save her number and she will keep in touch. The phone disconnected. I took out another cigarette. I was not sure whether I was happy or sad. God is the biggest scriptwriter. What was he writing for me? 'Ye Zindagi jaane kya kya dikhayegi!'
I turned on the music in my mobile. I must confess that whenever I don’t have answer to my questions, I listen to music. It is the best therapy for mind.“ fir le aya dil majboor kya kije, raas na aaya rehna door kya kije, dil keh raha, use mukammal kar hi aao, wo jo adhuri baat baaki hai, wo jo adhuri yaad baaki hai” I was sitting in this place since last one hour and I was not able to decide where do I go from here. I took out another cigarette. The mobile rang again. It was my childhood friend Saurav. He had come to attend my marriage yesterday. I picked up the phone ‘ Kahan hai yaar tu, Main bore ho raha hoon’ I replied’ Arre tu uth gaya? Tu soya hua tha to main akele hi bahar aa gaya. Chal main aa raha hoon’ I walked towards my house. Everybody was busy and running pillar to post at the house. My mind was busy with Mansi’s thoughts now. I need to talk to somebody to feel light. I decided to share this with Saurav. After all, he was the only person who knew about my biggest secret other then me. I asked him to come with me for a stroll. I gathered courage and told him that Mansi had called today. He reacted in a way that I had not expected ‘Abe tu abhi bhi use bhula nahi hai? Tera ab bhi contact hai uske saath? Bhai, sudhar jaa, wo ladki tujhe barbad kar degi ek din…’ He kept on speaking. I went back in flashback. Even In our college days Saurav always warned me not to fall behind her looks. She is not as simple as you think ‘….tere ko nachayegi…. Sab ladko ko line deti hai…….uska to character hi thik nahi lagta.’ Every time he spoke negative about her, my feelings grew even stronger. Perhaps today also he was unknowingly doing the same. We came back and got busy. Nobody was leaving me alone. I forgot Mansi and got involved in the proceedings. Simar was looking no less than a goddess in her bridal wear. Finally we finished all rituals and everybody pushed us in our bedroom and left. Simar was looking very happy. After all we achieved everything that we wanted all the time so badly. We cuddled each other and slept.
Life had become so beautiful with Simar. Everything was like dream for me. She was on leave for a month from the job and I was missing her in office. I was lost in Simar’s thought when my phone rang. It was Mansi. I got up from my seat and came out. We talked for hours on various things and laughed. She told ’ Bahot bolne lage ho aaj kal, college me to ek shabd nahi nikalta tha…’ I remembered that I hardly spoke with her when she was near me. But we use to get lost in each other’s eyes for a long time. Anatomy and Physiology lectures were like a love song to my ears and we never even blinked our eyes. It was really intoxicating. I replied ‘ Haan wo tumhari aankhen itni bolti thi ki main kuch bol hi nahi pata tha’ She giggled ‘ ab aur mat hasao, mere gaal me jo dimple hai unme dard ho raha hai’ We finally disconnected the phone and I came back to my seat. I saw 12 missed calls on my mobile. Simar was trying my number since last 2 hours. I called back ‘ kahan ho tum Dev, itni der se phone busy aa raha hai?’ She seemed worried. I replied ‘ kuch nahi, wo koi client tha’. Mansi’s magic was working now. I was not able to concentrate on my work. I was lying my wife and I wanted to stay alone most of the time.
Simar and I were in deep sleep when my mobile rang. I looked at the watch it was 12.30 midnight. I picked up the phone and it was Mansi. I switched off my mobile and couldn’t sleep entire night. Next morning, I left early .First thing I did was calling Mansi. She replied’ Sorry tumhe itni raat disturb kiya…tum jaroor so rahe hoge….
Trring Tring…….Hello Dev? Pehchana? The voice on the other side of the phone turned my world upside down. How can I forget her sweet voice? It was Mansi, my first love. It’s almost 10 years since I saw her last time. 10 years since I left college and the city Kolkata. God knows from where she might have arranged my number. And what a day to call! Today is my marriage, love marriage! She should have contacted me before. It is too late now. Or is it not?
Main
I lit the cigarette and turned to my right. Salman Khan’s gun was pointing right on my head. The poster of Dabangg2 scared me for a second. I smiled and the poster took me to flashback when Dabangg1 was released few years back. I had recently joined my job in this beautiful city, Chandigarh. I didn’t had any friend circle. Only people I knew here were my office colleagues. And the most helpful and generous among them was Simarpreet, a typical Punjaban Beauty. She was promoted in the organization and I had joined in her previous place. It was obvious that any problem I faced in my job, I shared with her. She was very humble to listen and help me out all the time. In fact, every other guy in my office was jealous of me because of her. I used to enjoy this from my heart even though I knew she was only trying to be helpful and there was nothing as such. It was one Saturday when few of our colleagues planned to go for a movie. Simar told if it is Dabangg than she will also join. Even I echoed with her to watch the same movie. Finally six of us, four guys and two girls went for the evening show. Simar was enjoying the movie like a kid. She was so bubbly and expressive. Frankly, I enjoyed watching her expressions more than the movie.
Simar was full of life. Her liveliness made me to forget everything and live life again. I was coming out of my broken relationship. I would be wrong if I say it a relationship. It was a budding love which didn’t find a way. I don’t even want to recollect those moments. I started believing that first love is something foolish, something immature. One should fall in love only when you are standing on your own feet. I was much mature and independent now. My liking for Simar increased day by day.
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon when I got a call in my mobile. It was Simar.’ Hello, kya kar rahe ho sarkar? Kuch nahi kar rahe ho to kuch kar lo?’ She was like that only. Once starts speaking, she was difficult to stop. I replied ‘ aap hukum karo , hum to free hain’ Simar told ‘ main bhi velli hoon, bore shore ho rahi hoon…..socha ki tumhare saath koi movie hi dekh loon.Isi bahane date bhi ho jayegi’ I smiled and replied ‘ tumhare saath main movie kahan dekh pata hoon.Tumse nazrein hi nahi hat ti, movie kya khaq dekhunga? Waise ye date wali point sahi hai. Is baat pe chal sakta hoon.Kal office me kehne ke liye bhi ho jayegi ki tumhe date pe le gaya tha’. Simar replied ‘ Khabardaar jo office me kuch kaha to…chalo apni khatara bike uthao aur mujhe pick karo bye’ I smiled and got ready in hurry. I wore my favorite shirt and jeans and looked at the mirror. I was looking smart. Arre, how can I forget my perfume? Yes! I was ready for my first official date! I reached her home. She came out. My heart almost skipped a bit. I never saw her in jeans and top. She was looking stunning in her black top and blue tight fit jeans. She sat behind and I was proudly zooming my bike on the streets. We had a wonderful time together. We both started liking each other’s company. Our friendship grew fast. I didn’t take time to propose her. I was actually in hurry because I did not want to lose Simar. I had learned the hard way that if you love someone then say it as fast as possible. The girl will never come and express her feelings first. I had become much wise after losing my first love I guess. Simar also had similar feelings for me and she said yes to me the next day. I was on seventh heaven! I was so happy as if I had won the world! Our relation started growing strong. We were deeply in love with each other. I remember we used to kiss for hours at my house. One day she told me that we should talk to our parents now. Two years was a decent time to know each other well. We talked to our parents. Our parents were supportive enough to agree ignoring the facts that we were from different religion and she was one year elder to me.
************************************
Finally the marriage day arrived. I was waiting for this day impatiently from last one month. All preparations were over. I had just come out in the market to smoke a cigarette. I know these are my last days of smoking. Simar hated smokers and I had promised myself that I will not touch cigarette after marriage. I was enjoying the puff when my mobile rang. Tring…….Hello Dev? Pehchana? The voice on the other side of the phone turned my world upside down. How can I forget her sweet voice? It was Mansi, my first love. Its almost 10 years since I saw her last. 10 years since I left college and the city Kolkata. God knows from where she might have arranged my number. And what a day to call! Today is my marriage,love marriage! She should have contacted me before. It is too late now. Or is it not? I was lost in my thoughts. Mansi spoke out ‘Hello Dev….can u hear me?’ I replied ‘ haan Mansi’ She was happy ‘ arre wah! Tumne mujhe pehchaan liya , wo bhi itne saal baad? Pata hai maine tumko kahan kahan dhunda?’ I wish I could tell her how much I had searched for her. How many times I had called the landline at her home. Everytime her mother or father picked up and I had to cut the phone. ‘Mansi, maine bhi tumhe bahot dhunda par tum ho ki ghar se nikalti hi nahi thi’ Mansi spoke ‘ achha wo sab chhodo ye batao ki tum kahan ho, kya kar rahe ho aaj kal?’ She must not be aware that today is my marriage otherwise she would have congratulated, at least. I replied her that I am working at Chandigarh now. I couldn’t dare to say that today is my marriage! She felt very happy that I am doing well. She told me to save her number and she will keep in touch. The phone disconnected. I took out another cigarette. I was not sure whether I was happy or sad. God is the biggest scriptwriter. What was he writing for me? 'Ye Zindagi jaane kya kya dikhayegi!'
I turned on the music in my mobile. I must confess that whenever I don’t have answer to my questions, I listen to music. It is the best therapy for mind.“ fir le aya dil majboor kya kije, raas na aaya rehna door kya kije, dil keh raha, use mukammal kar hi aao, wo jo adhuri baat baaki hai, wo jo adhuri yaad baaki hai” I was sitting in this place since last one hour and I was not able to decide where do I go from here. I took out another cigarette. The mobile rang again. It was my childhood friend Saurav. He had come to attend my marriage yesterday. I picked up the phone ‘ Kahan hai yaar tu, Main bore ho raha hoon’ I replied’ Arre tu uth gaya? Tu soya hua tha to main akele hi bahar aa gaya. Chal main aa raha hoon’ I walked towards my house. Everybody was busy and running pillar to post at the house. My mind was busy with Mansi’s thoughts now. I need to talk to somebody to feel light. I decided to share this with Saurav. After all, he was the only person who knew about my biggest secret other then me. I asked him to come with me for a stroll. I gathered courage and told him that Mansi had called today. He reacted in a way that I had not expected ‘Abe tu abhi bhi use bhula nahi hai? Tera ab bhi contact hai uske saath? Bhai, sudhar jaa, wo ladki tujhe barbad kar degi ek din…’ He kept on speaking. I went back in flashback. Even In our college days Saurav always warned me not to fall behind her looks. She is not as simple as you think ‘….tere ko nachayegi…. Sab ladko ko line deti hai…….uska to character hi thik nahi lagta.’ Every time he spoke negative about her, my feelings grew even stronger. Perhaps today also he was unknowingly doing the same. We came back and got busy. Nobody was leaving me alone. I forgot Mansi and got involved in the proceedings. Simar was looking no less than a goddess in her bridal wear. Finally we finished all rituals and everybody pushed us in our bedroom and left. Simar was looking very happy. After all we achieved everything that we wanted all the time so badly. We cuddled each other and slept.
Life had become so beautiful with Simar. Everything was like dream for me. She was on leave for a month from the job and I was missing her in office. I was lost in Simar’s thought when my phone rang. It was Mansi. I got up from my seat and came out. We talked for hours on various things and laughed. She told ’ Bahot bolne lage ho aaj kal, college me to ek shabd nahi nikalta tha…’ I remembered that I hardly spoke with her when she was near me. But we use to get lost in each other’s eyes for a long time. Anatomy and Physiology lectures were like a love song to my ears and we never even blinked our eyes. It was really intoxicating. I replied ‘ Haan wo tumhari aankhen itni bolti thi ki main kuch bol hi nahi pata tha’ She giggled ‘ ab aur mat hasao, mere gaal me jo dimple hai unme dard ho raha hai’ We finally disconnected the phone and I came back to my seat. I saw 12 missed calls on my mobile. Simar was trying my number since last 2 hours. I called back ‘ kahan ho tum Dev, itni der se phone busy aa raha hai?’ She seemed worried. I replied ‘ kuch nahi, wo koi client tha’. Mansi’s magic was working now. I was not able to concentrate on my work. I was lying my wife and I wanted to stay alone most of the time.
Simar and I were in deep sleep when my mobile rang. I looked at the watch it was 12.30 midnight. I picked up the phone and it was Mansi. I switched off my mobile and couldn’t sleep entire night. Next morning, I left early .First thing I did was calling Mansi. She replied’ Sorry tumhe itni raat disturb kiya…tum jaroor so rahe hoge….