Ten Days

Ten days


“Ten more days to go. Ten more days for a bigger better job. Ten more days to a fresh new lease on life.” Shriya thought with a smile sipping a nice cup of chai in the balcony feeling the drizzle fall gently on her skin. Little did she know how much would change in those ten days.

DAY ONE-Tuesday

She waited outside her apartment building praying that atleast today her bus will be on time. True, she had submitted her resignation but her in-built sense of duty didnt permit her to be late to work.
7:55am
8:00am
8:03am
“God! Where is the damned bus?!” she mutters under her breath and as if on call, the bus screeches on the wet roads to a halt.

She climbs in glaring at the bus driver who grins at her. “Madame, its only 7:55am”
She sheepishly smiles and adds an apologetic “Sorry” before the bus driver continuing his route leaving her to take her seat near the window to the left. It was Shriya's habit to reset the time in her watch atleast once a week to different times so that she can successfully avoid the demons of laziness.Sadly she forgets the time she resets it to. Like today for example. However little faults of hers were overlooked when considering her as the jolly smart petite girl people have grown to relate to her as.One had to say she stood out in a crowd.For a woman who barely touched 5ft 5in,she had an authoritative aura around her. People knew the minute they saw her that she was one to trust and follow. Her personality and the pleasant smile made her many friends. Some of whom wished they were more.

As Shriya watched the rain form the tar beaches of Bangalore while she is stuck in the bus by another of Bangalore's (in)famous traffic jams, her mind drifts off to last night. She had been up late in the night chatting with a friend she had made online. She knows nothing about him except for his IM name and that he was working. She had no clue even where he worked.Yet they had shared their life histories, laughed about the crazy incidents,empathised with one another in some incidents which had left a sore spot in their lives. She was surprised indeed. It was not characteristic of her to chat with strangers especially not till late in the night but last night was a different experience. She had gone online around 8pm waiting for her parents to come online from her sister's place where they were holidaying. While waiting she had stumbled into a forum discussing various issues of society. There, her contact with him had begun. Once they noticed that they were dominating the forum in a heated discussion agreeing on their views of lifestyles, they carried on their conversation into Yahoo Messenger and from there on the conversation breezed through their lives never once either of them asking nor giving any other information of their identity. It seemed appropriate to support their views on people by giving examples from their own lives. The conversation almost seemed never ending untill around 2 am when both realised that the following day was a working day. Today the conversation seemed almost surreal. She couldnt believe that she had indeed chatted with a stranger till so late and that the stranger had actually seemed decent. She knew that she couldnt base her judegement on just one conversation even if it had lasted over 6hours.

By the time she had remiscinced the conversation the bus reached office and she got down with a smile glowing on her face hoping she had some interesting last project. That was the main reason why she quit the job. There was no challenge in the work she was asked to do. Worse still is the fact that she isnt allowed- leave alone appreciated- to do anything more than her meagre job description which she thinks needs a serious update.Sadly, today was no different. Work had become tiring moreso since when she handed in her resignation.Nothing to do at all. She feared that her brain might shut down sometime if she continued in such state.She gets up to go for a walk when her cabin phone rings. After a couple minutes of polite conversation she walks towards her manager's cabin having been summoned there. Fifteen minutes later she walks out of the cabin with the glow of anticipation on her face. She had finally got some proper work to do. Just because everyone else was busy pretending to be busy. A meeting the day after with an outstation client who is coming to town tommorrow evening. Mahesh was supposed to have taken care of the client and the meeting but he had met with an accident and cant make it and tada! I get to do it. Study the entire proposal
overnight and crack a favourable deal.She thought to herself.

Maybe today isnt all that much of an uneventful day afterall Shriya thinks to herself as she packs her bags to catch the earliest bus home to review the file in peace.


DAY TWO-Wednesday

“Hullo” Shriya answers the phone half asleep wondering which idiot is calling her up early in the morning.
“Good morning kanna.” okay. I take back the idiot bit of it she tells herself.
“Good morning amma. Whats the time?”
“Around half past 5” okay thats half an hour earlier than usual.”Leave that, listen we have some news for you. We are coming back tommorrow itself instead of next week”
“Why?”
“Why grouchy? Dont want us to come back early aa?”
“Ma please. Its 5-30 in the morning. Dont bug me.”
“Dont say Im bugging you and all...” Shriya quickly inserts an apology just to keep her mom quiet.
“Anyways we are coming early because a family is coming home on friday to see you.”
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?????!!!!!!!!!!!! Why? Ma!”
“What what and why? You are 22 soon going to complete 23 how long do you think you can dodge marriage. We are also not of good health...” Blah blah blah. Shriya drones out her mom's regular lecture.
“Fine fine. Let them come”
“You better not treat them with disrespect like the last time. That was bad enough. Dont you dare do it again” Shriya smiles to herself as the previous ceremony came to memory. She had come home after a stressful day at work and found the entire lot sitting in her hall sipping coffee and gorging on what seemed like a month's worth of savouries. She was shocked and the minute her mom started introducing the whos who;she had curtly told them that had she known they were coming she would have dressed differently with a smile but they got the message that she had no clue they were going to pounce on her.Not much of a surprise that there was no call from them after that. You can be assured Shriya's parents didnt take lightly to the comment at all. She had more than an earful to hear that night.
“Yeah yeah ma. Since you've told me this time, I wont do anything.I need to keep the phone ma. I'l get late for office otherwise”
“Bye. Have a nice day”
“Yeah thanks.bye”

Nice day?! Hello? Being woken up by your mom throwing a bombshell that some idiot and his family is going to come to her place,rob her of another month's savouries and then walk off is upsetting enough without having to think what to do to convince them that she doesnt want to get married anytime soon. Now she has one more thing to worry about. Though she had long accepted that the minute she turned 22, her parents would publicise her in the matrimonial market but didnt expect them to actually make her commit so young.Every month since the second month of her 22nd birthday she has been rejecting a few photos and the one or two whom she said was fine were absolutely revolting in behaviour. One of whom her parents themselves rejected and ofcourse the one whom she had spoken rudely to. Not regretting it at all. He wasnt worth her anyway. Any fellow who shuts up when his parents talk of dowry is lucky if she doesnt take serious legal action against them. She gets ready for office wondering what to do on friday.

As she stands waiting for the bus,she decides its best if she leaves it to the Lord. He knows whats to happen. Then with a smile as an acknowledgemet of her surrender of her worries,she climbs into the bus.

Later that evening..

She had spent the entire day reviewing the file. She smiles at the mirror in the lift before leaving for the airport to pick up the client talking to herself- What was his name again? Ah right. Balaji.. Yet another one. She smiles to herself.Then readjusts her focus back to the deal.Good Company. If this deal settles our company would have a huge leap. As the airport comes to view, she re-applies her gloss and checks her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Lets do this,she peps herself up.

“Flight delayed. Damn.” She goes and sits at the cafe coffee day after ordering cold coffee. Its the office bill anyway. She watches people walking past. 'Pretty interesting lot' she thinks to herself and smiles when she catches the eye of a man in jeans and a checked white shirt. “Nice”she comments just when her phone rings with a call from her manager. She attends the call and comes to know that the client had taken an earlier flight to Bangalore and was waiting for her for the past half an hour. She takes down Balaji's number and cuts the call assuring her manager she will take care of the situation. She calls the number still eyeing the white checked shirt fellow who had gone towards the counter to refill his cuppa and turns just in time for him to return to his seat.

“Hello”
“Hello? Is this Mr.Balaji?” She asks suddenly feeling a wee bit nervous on hearing the voice.
“Yes, May I know who is speaking?”
“Hi.This is Shriya from Unitech Solutions. I just got the news that you have arrived by an earlier flight”
“Yeah, Thats right. Im at Coffee Day. If you could come there, we could move.”
“Oh! Im there too.”
“Where?”
Both turn their heads searching for one another and smile at each other when their eyes meet. Shriya cuts the call and walks towards him with a nice big smile on her face, her confidence returning to her. He grins back. Little does she know that he too had been eyeing her since the time she had entered the airport. Its one of those incidents where some stranger walks into the room and you suddenly feel the charge in the air and you cant take your eyes off the person even if you want to.

“Hi” They greet other at the same time and laugh at it.
“Shall we move then?” Shriya asks.
“Sure” He says and adds a smile. Shriya felt the butterflies returning but this time she suspects that its not because of nervousness.They walk together towards the exit and climb into the taxi and head towards the hotel. The drive to the hotel seemed like a drive between two friends with nothing personal being shared; yet there was unmistakeably energy in the air.

“Really nice meeting you. Balaji says feeling a sense of warmth rising within him as he gets down at the hotel.

Shriya feels the blush rise up her neck and paint her cheeks a light red. Wait! That is not suppose to happen! He is a business client remember!! She yells mentally at herself while her (not so) nagging voice reminds her that a business acquaintance could always become much more. She smiles back at him as she gets out of the car. They lead themselves inside to the receptionist. Shriya pretty much remained silent while her brain was waging a war with her “voice” arguing that she should leave onspot while she kept half wishing she could stay back, Thats when the alarm bells in herself started ringing loud and clear.

Shriya clears her throat. “Umm.. Balaji?”
He turns around and looks at her with a smile once asking the bell boy to leave his stuff in the room
“Yeah?”
“I guess I better get going.Its getting a little late. It was really nice meeting you”
Shriya would have sworn that she saw disappointment on his face if her brain didnt give her a mental whack. Quietly, almost as if he didnt intend to let her hear him,Balaji asks- “Dinner?”

YIIIIIIKEEESSS!!YAHOOOOOOO! There comes the dispute again. Before Shriya could allow the dispute to grow she quickly replies “Some other time?” It was more of a question than an answer but it seemed to have been the right response as his face broke into a smile.
“Sure” He says and Shriya leaves after bidding him a goodnight.

Balaji walks her out and catches her an auto, all the while smiling. He couldnt stop. He felt it, Something has changed and its only going to get better. It didnt seem like he came for a business trip afterall. He watches the auto till it disappears out of view. He goes up to his room shaking his head of wandering thoughts and day dreams his mind seem to have already cooked up with a smile.

On the other side of town, Shriya sits in front of her comp, all changed and ready for bed and logs online.

“HI” pops the instant message from the stranger she had chatted with the other night.
“Hi! Wasn't expecting you to come online”she replies.
“Wasn't intending to. Had some work”
“Hmm..”

She didnt know what to say. Really.Day before yesterday talking to him was a breeze but today she wasnt able to get the conversation moving.

“Busy?” he typed
“Nope, not at all”
“have you got a mike?”
Ouch she thought. It would be easier to just lie and say no but something prevented her. She went on to reply yes and promptly got a voice chat invitation. Alright. Maybe this is moving too fast she thought. Zapak came her voice into force and questioned her whats the this shes talking about. Good question. No answer. Its nothing. How can something be nothing? Thoughts kept swirling around till his voice cut her thoughts. It was smooth, yet manly. It was caring and polite yet had a rough edge to it. How could it be smooth and rough at the same time she didnt know but that was what struck her. It was a voice which unlocked her tongue. She felt as though the voice envelopes her in a whole new feeling of security while being on the threshold of danger. As their conversation progressed, she felt more and more comfortable with him.She wanted to talk to him Who is this him? She knows not. All she knew at the end of an hour's conversation was that he worked in Hyderabad but was soon getting promoted and transferred to Chennai which was his hometown.The comfort level she gained with this Mr.X was freaking her.Her wish to continue speaking to him was worrying her. How could a stranger have such an effect on her? At the same time it all felt natural;it just had to be.They had chatted about everything from the climate to the economy to traditions and their evolution.All the while, not once did either ask for the other's name or any other personal details.How could she have suddenly become close to a person she hardly met a few days ago-that too online and whom she knew next to nothing about? Then again, she felt close to Balaji though she hardly knew him. It was like there was an instant comfort level and connection between the two of them. That she was glad for. It would make the meeting far more comfortable.Maybe the formality of the meeting would be forgone but who cares as long as the deal is done? The thought that this meeting could be a success and that there were only 8 more days for her to sign off the dreary job for good and start a brand new life made her smile.

She goes to sleep, setting her alarm a little early in order to brief through the file one last time.


DAY THREE-Thursday

Shriya is sitting at her desk, working her way through the minutes of the meeting but found herself thinking more of Balaji than the meeting. There was nothing very professional about the meeting maybe except that it was at their office. It was very uncharacteristic of her. For her, work means serious stuff, no joking about.When shes having fun, its nothing but fun. She rarely lets the two mix.It didnt suit her, or so she thought. With him, it was difficult to be professional.Having a good time seemed to be inevitable. Even the negotiation looked like 2 friends debating as to how much they should contribute to a mutual friend's birthday party, only on a much more serious note. Now, she didnt know how to write the minutes. She had to make it sound as though it was a thoroughly professional meet with proper minutes. Looks like she would have to put down the main points of negotiaition and cook up the rest. After the meeting, they went on to have lunch at Pizza Corner for lack of a better place close to the office. As she recollects the lunch, the way she laughed until her tummy hurt, the way it felt as though she was out with a dear friend she knew for ages; she decides its high time she calls up Roopa and unloads the info and let her brain clear out whats happening. Promptly, she makes her way out of her cubicle, leaves the minutes at the manager's desk and heads out to the Greener Times. Greener Times is suppose to be a miniature park encouraging employees to take a walk to refresh themselves instead of puffing themselves to death.

“Goose! Emergency!”
“Guessed as much” came the voice from the other end, cool and collected.
Shriya tells Roopa everything that had happened in the past few days which seemed like so much yet nothing.She hadnt been able to contact Roopa since her phone was out of order and Shriya didnt want to mail her about it all. Truth be told, Shriya felt she had been pre-occupied. At the end of what seemed like ages Roopa spoke her judgement. Things are confusing. Uncharacteristic-not the confusion, but the behaviour.Go with the flow of things she adviced.Her opinion was that Shriya was falling for both men at the same time.She sensed that sooner or later, one of them would take precedence over the other. Though Roopa didnt voice it to Shriya, she was surprised to hear Shriya speak of two men in such a way,especially when chances of her meeting them again are low. Then again, one never knew what life has in store for them.She hadnt even realised how high her pitch went when she spoke, how excited and happy she sounded when talking of Balaji and how mellow and gentle she sounded when she spoke of Mr.X. It surprised her that Shriya hadnt even bothered to ask for Mr.X's name. Shriya is fond of knowing people's names. Its her belief that a person feels better when you address them with their name.She must have really been wrapped up not to ask for the name. Else, she feared she would have to give her name in return. Something Shriya wasnt used to.She never gave her name to online contacts-not until she became comfortable with them. She seemed comfortable enough with this Mr.X yet they dont know the other's name.What she(Roopa) knew for sure is that both men have caught Shriya's attention. One provides the fun and brains she looks for in a companion, the other the warmth,confidence and security she yearns for in a partner. She reminds Shriya to let things happen as they should.Shriya wasnt one who liked being controlled, especially not by forces of fate.

”Lets meet up and talk about it.” Roopa adds knowing well that Shriya isnt convinced as yet.
“When? Today Iv got to go pick amma appa from the railway station”
“Tommorrow then?”
“Tommorrow is what day?”
“Friday I think. Yeah, its Friday”
“Friday? Oh shit!”
“What happened? Sad you have to leave your work for 2 whole days? What torture?! How could God be so cruel as to not let Shriya work on weekends?” Roopa pulls Shriya's leg about her workaholic tendency
“No idiot. Not that. That fool and his family are going to come tommorrow”
“Which fool?”
“Oh damn! I didnt tell you?'
“hello? If you did, wouldnt I remember?”
“Amma's latest discovery to enable kicking me out.”
“Huray! Congratulations!” Roopa teasingly.
“MA!”
“What?”
“Leave it.”
“Then how about catching some movie on Saturday?”
“Forum?”
“Where else?”
“Fine. When?”
“Come off for lunch”
“I will be at Mc Donald's at half past 11.”
“Okay.”
“You think things will sort themselves out?”
“They better.”Roopa smiles. This one is never going to change. Forever questioning intentions and predicting the possible outcomes.

Shriya headed back to her cubicle feeling a little better now that she had updated her best friend of a 7 years or so about everything.She packed her bags and left to pick her parents from the railway station.


DAY FOUR-Friday

Shriya wakes up with a groan to think its Friday. She would have to leave work early-just like every other day this week. Today she wanted to stay back. She didnt have a plan to dismiss this fellow. She had just came to know yesterday that the guy's name was Lakshmibalaji! YUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! She had the shock of her life last night when her mom told her. EEW! How could her parents be so cruel as to find her a guy with such a name? Waah! When she tried telling her dad to call off the ceremony, bluff that she is out of town or something, her dad calmly tells her that they are coming in the evening and if the guy's name is the problem then she is not to worry as its only the religious name whereas in his records he is called by some other name which they dont know. What?? Since when did her parents start inviting strangers home without even knowing details? Shriya next questioned about the profession hoping it was something way below her standards and she could convince her parents to dismiss him. Unfortunately all that they could remember was that he was just as qualified as she was and was working as a Manager in some private firm. GOD! This is tough Shriya thought. She didnt want to settle so early. She hasnt had any fun yet! Shriya kept pushing herself to think hard and find some excuse and finally she came up with something! She hadnt seen the fellow's photo! Shriya runs upto her mom who was already busy in the kitchen trying to get atleast the savouries ready before the house gets cleaned up for the nth time.
“Now what excuse have you thought of to avoid the ceremony?” Shriya's mother asks with her voice clearly telling Shriya that come what may, the ceremony will be held;there is no avoiding it.
“I havent even seen the photo ma! How could you call in some random fellow?”
“Dont start on the random fellow bellow hello thing with me. They are coming in the evening. You can see him then. No big deal. Stop throwing yourself around the house- you are getting late for work'
EXCUSE ME? Shriya thought. Stop throwing yourself around the house it seems. No problem if I havent seen the photo eh? Argh! I'll think of something to put them off in the evening she tells herself before heading to the showers.

Later that evening..

Work is done. She has to be home in half an hour. What if she calls up and says theres an urgent meeting and she cant turn up? That should put them off. Yikes! No! That would give her parents full authority which could possibly mean fixing of the marriage date itself! Or worse they would show them her baby pics! Damn! She had to be home. She had to have control of the situation. Hmm..

Shriya gets down in front of her apartment and forces herself to smile. Her plan is simple. She will play along and then pull the straw at the last moment.She enters the apartment with her key and walks in to find the guy himself missing! Yahoo! This gives her a new excuse to avoid it. Perhaps she could convince her parents that a guy who couldnt care to come to see his potential partner couldnt possibly be responsible and caring towards family and thus he is the wrong choice! Yes! That should work fine. Soon the family leaves taking one of Shriya's photos for the guy to see which was most generously given by her parents. No guessing that Shriya was fuming that it didnt strike her parents to ask for the guy's photo. He apparently had an “urgent” meeting and couldnt come but was free on Sunday and would meet her then. Hadnt she thought of the same excuse some time back? Maybe she could plot along with the guy to cancel the fiasco. Then it struck her- what if he wasnt lieing? That would put her in a mess.

As usual, she locks herself in her room after wishing her parents a goodnight though they already seemed to be having a blast. It looks like they have taken a liking to the groom's family already. Shriya suspects that maybe her parents know something she doesnt but dismisses the suspicion thinking that its her life at the end of it and they would give her the info whichever was necessary for her to make a sound judgement. She picks up her phone and calls her 911 number and chats with Roopa till they decided it was high time they kept the phone and slept else they wouldnt have much to talk the following day when they meet. That was impossible. The girls always found something to talk about. No matter whether they spoke for 1 hour or 3 hours, they always had something to say. Soon, Shriya was fast asleep,exhausted with tension.

DAY FIVE-Saturday

“Idiot! Had to have a meeting just now. Stupid girl” Shriya kept cursing under her breath as she carries her tray up the steps of McDonald's in Forum. Roopa called up half an hour ago saying she had a meeting and could make it just in time for the movie which meant Shriya was left to eat her lunch by herself. Shriya walks into the top floor of the restaurant and finds only one empty place opposite a pretty young girl. Shriya walks upto the seat and asks the girl “Would you mind if I sit here?” placing her hand on the chair.”Sure,he doesnt seem to be coming anytime soon anyway”she says. Shriya was tempted to ask who the he is but decides its a little too personal for her to question an absolute stranger.

“Hi, I'm Swetha.” The girl introduces herself
“Hi, I'm Shriya” Shriya introduces herself. She seems to be a nice bright cheerful girl Shriya thought to herself.
“Studying?” Shriya asks Swetha.
“Yup! Third year engineering” Exactly what Shriya had guessed. Swetha had a very pleasant face, oval shaped with a dusky complexion and a good figure. Shriya smiled. She felt warm towards this girl. She continues to eat her burger while Swetha launches into an explanation why she is sitting here all alone in a restaurant eating by herself. Shriya inwardly smiles thinking how talkative and innocent this girl was.One of those people whose very presence lights up the place. Apparently her brother was supposed to have met her for lunch and then they were to catch a movie but her brother got caught up in traffic and couldnt make it in time for lunch. Shriya patiently listens and occasionally nodded and added a “Yeah” or “Thats bad” or something along the lines. <>
thought Shriya. Her phone rings and Shriya looks relieved as she takes the call from SGIJG. Quickly, she disconnects and tells Swetha that she had to leave.
”No problem! He is here anyway” she says pointing to someone behind Shriya's back
“ Alright then, nice meeting you! Hope you have fun with your bro.” Shriya smiles and turns to bump into Balaji.
“Sorry sorry” Shriya mumbles before looking up
“Shriya!?”
“Balaji?! Hi!” Shriya exclaims, surprise evident in her voice
“Oh cool! So you guys know each other?” Swetha grins while returning Balaji's hug.
“You are Balaji's sister?” Shriya asked dumbfoundedly while Swetha nods her head enthusiastically and Balaji grins from ear to ear, with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

As if on cue, Roopa calls up. Shriya excuses herself and once out of earshot, tells Roopa to turn up at Mc Donalds as soon as possible saying Balaji is here. That was enough for Roopa to turn up almost immediately.She had wanted to see this Balaji who had her best friend enthralled and luck was on her side and she had to agree, he was typically Shriya's choice. Everything from the height, the build, the way he carried himself,everything. Shriya introduced everyone to each other before hurriedly adding that they were late for their movie and dragged Roopa out of the restaurant and towards PVR.

“I cant believe it!”Shriya exclaims
“Believe what?” asks Roopa
“I never thought I'd be meeting him again.”
“Hadnt you exchanged numbers?”
“Yes, but how many people have called up or how many have I called up?” Shriya argued.
True. Shriya didnt hold much of a fancy for phone conversations except unless if its with Roopa.
“Good choice” Roopa added teasingly.
“Good choice for?”
“As if you dont know”
Shriya only smiled in response. She did know. She didnt want to accept it. Both of them knew that.They were to meet up to decide what was happening, why did she feel the butterflies,why was she so comfortable with a stranger whom she had met online but who couldnt be called a stranger anymore. She had kept thinking about it and when she reached a dead end, she jumped to solutions that Balaji is just a crush and Mr.X makes her comfortable because they are similar yet different. After the movie,they had dinner outside over which Shriya told Roopa of the conclusions she had come to.Roopa knew it was no use telling anything after Shriya had made her mind. She was as headstrong as one could be. Hardly ever changed her mind yet Roopa wasnt one to give up easily. She tried briefing whatever has happened till now but they couldnt come to any conclusion which both of them accepted. The main debate was about the stranger, how could Shriya have risked so much? When things started heating up, Shriya's phone rings with an unknown number. She picks it up and Roopa is shocked to laughter by the look on Shriya's face.
“Hello” Shriya had snapped
“Namaskaram. This is Lakshmibalaji speaking” All colour drained from Shriya's face and she switched the cellphone to speakerphone mode and kept it in the middle of the table.
“Shriya here.”She snapped.
“My parents met you and your family yesterday and think you are suitable to be my wife” Argh?! Sputter! Suitable to be his wife? YUUCK! Roopa was stuck between laughing and helping her friend out.They hear laughter. She didnt know if it was the fellow's laugh or some girls. If its his, he is to be damned.Utterly feminine.
“Hello? Are you there? I have something important to ask” He says in the most gravest of tones while the laughter grows louder from behind him
“ Yes yes Im here. Please do ask”
“Wow, my family has found such a polite wife for me.”At this point, Shriya is just milliseconds away from puking and flushing the phone down the toilet and banging her head against the wall but on Roopa's insistence doesnt do any of the above and instead asks him to ask the important question.
“I need to meet you” Shriya acted punching the phone before calmly asking when and where.
“Tommorrow at Blossoms at half past 6 in the evening?”
“Okay. Bye”
“Bye! I'm really excited to see you” came the response but was difficult to hear over the laughter in the background.

Shriya disconnects the phone and Roopa bursts out laughing at Shriya's sad plight while Shriya not knowing what better to do, laughs along but within her, she had a growing feeling that somethings happening which she doesnt know about.She felt there was some connection she was missing. Good or bad,she doesnt know but something is definitely happening behind her back. If only she knew;if only she knew.

DAY SIX- SUNDAY

Sundays are usually her most favourite days of the week when she completely unwinds. This sunday was no different. She spent the entire day doing her routines slowly hoping evening wouldnt ever come and despite pep up talks from Roopa, Shriya's mood was down in the dumps. How could her parents find such an eew person? She hadnt met him yet, but she spoke to him and which fellow in the 21st century says namaskaram to a prospective bride? For heaven's sake he spoke as though everything is decided and they are getting married next weekend itself! Plus her parents enthusiasm was sickening. She felt like punching her pillows till they are torn to shreds. Finally after lunch she decides its safest for her to go online and unwind. The minute she signs in, she sees both Roopa and Mr.X are online and promptly started chatting with both, her mood considerably improving. Finally at half past five, she leaves her home to meet Mr.Lakshmibalaji and tell him to sod off. She goes to Blossoms and sees Balaji waiting there with a bouquet of her favourite bright flowers and grinning from ear to ear. Shriya is dazed when he walks upto her auto as she gets down and pays for it before turning to her saying “Lakshmibalaji at your service Madame” and offering the bouquet to her.

“You?”Shriya asks in disbelief
“Me” he grins and nods his head before mimicking yesterdays act of Namaskaram, Lakshmibalaji speaking.Shriya laughed more out of relief than at his poor attempt of mimickry. They went in and they were shown their table at the corner of the restaurant, almost secluded yet amongst people. Shriya wondered if he had put in the position as a request. As supper progressed, Shriya started taking in more of Balaji's appearance and was glad that the lighting was dim else the blush which rose on her cheeks when a few naughty thoughts entered her head would be visible. “Nice” She said out loud. Shit! She mentally told herself. That was supposed to be a comment to herself.
“Whats nice?” Balaji asks stopping the spoon mid-way
“The food, the restaurant. Iv never been here before” Shriya quickly responds before any sort of suspicion arised. Poor girl, she had no idea that Balaji was eyeing her the same way and making far more observant remarks in his brain which fortunately remained in his brain. He simply grins in response letting Shriya believe that she was caught noticing him in umm..ways. ;)

After supper they leave, having split the bill on Shriya's insistence.
“Should I drop you home?” he asks as casually as he can without letting Shriya know how hard and fast his heart was thumping.He didnt know why, anytime he looked at her, something he hadnt noticed earlier struck him which instantly appealed to him. It was a new experience for him and he was thoroughly enjoying it.

“Could you?” she asks secretly hoping he would drop. The longer she stayed with him, the longer she wanted to be with him.

“It would be my pleasure” he says and tries to control the laughter of relief building within himself but fails miserably. Thankfully Shriya is unable to contain her excitement and laughs aswell. What she is getting excited about is unknown.Maybe its the whole prospect thats adding to the thrill.Balaji leads her to his car and opens the door for her as she gracefully slides herself into the front seat. Balaji gets into the driver seat, turns and looks at her and grins. When she smiles back, he feels a warmth he hasnt ever felt before. Shriya on the other hand is trying hard not to blush red. Almost anything he does or says seems to make her blush. She guessed it must be the temperature which was inevitable when one felt the energy around them. The drive home was more or less quiet, as though they were trying to absorb each other's company in the silence.Only once did their heart beats soar when Balaji's hand “accidentally” hit her side when he changed the gear. After that, the heart beat didnt come back to normal till long later for it to increase again. It was inexplicable.The windows were open, plenty of fresh cool air accompanied by a light drizzle. They drove in silence each absorbed in their own dreams and feeling alive and aware like never before.

“Thank you so much” Shriya said as she got down once they finally reached her place. It wasnt as if she didnt notice that a much longer route had been taken but didnt mind. She liked the feeling infact.
“Thank you Shriya”Balaji says and adds “for everything” as an afterthought once he gets out of the car.He didnt want to leave her and go.Shriya finally makes a move into her house and promptly messages Roopa to come online to tell her everything that happened. Somehow, she doubted if her voice would hold strong.As soon as Roopa came online, the entire evening unfolded in front of Shriya's eyes again and as immersed in her memories as Shriya was she didnt notice Mr.X coming online;nor did she realise that she typed in that most probably he(Balaji) is the right one for her in the conversation box of Mr.X. It was only much later that she realised her mistake by when it was too late to repair the damage. Mr.X had gone offline.Ouch. What a nasty way to end a beautiful day.

Elsewhere, Mr.X sat confused and hurt.He hadnt expected anything to come off the online acquaintance/friendship or does he?He will have to take the last step and find out.He had no choice.


DAY SEVEN-MONDAY
Shriya woke up relieved its Monday.She could finally go to work and wrap up any business she had left. But the minute she reached office, she knew she had no focus today and fortunately or unfortunately she had no work either.Past afternoon when she was done reading the storybook she had borrowed from a colleague and was left with nothing else to do, Shriya calls home.Wrong move. Her mother wastes no time in telling her that the guy has accepted the proposal and all thats needed was her approval. Shocked, stunned, scared,happy, excited. There were just too many emotions being experienced at once and the mural work of emotions didnt seem all that bright. She loved his company, felt great and alive like never before but it didnt quite strike her that she would have to make the decision so quickly. She tells her mom that she would let her know soon and hangs up. She sat staring at her cubicle wall, still clutching her tea which was now beyond chill. If she says yes, she would be committed which would mean the end of other possibilities.At the same time, she would be with Balaji whose very family seems fun and loving. It would open up an entirely new world. On the other hand she would have to bend down to the new responsibilities which would fall on her.What if its just a crush? What if its an act to woo her into marriage? Is she really ready for settling down,giving up on her independance? She didnt know and wasnt sure if she wanted to know so soon but she knew if she was short of something, it was time.Before she realised it, the day was over with nothing productive happening except for the series of questions which formed in her mind.Shriya checked her inbox one last time before she left office and was shocked to see a lunch invitation from Mr.X for Wednesday at half past one at Ceasars. Shriya didnt know what to do. She wanted to meet this person to whom she had become close as an online contact, one who made her feel smart and wise. At the same time she knew the risk it entailed. Hesitantly she replies that she will see him there. What neither realised was that they havent ever seen each other before nor do they have anyway of knowing who the other person is. For that matter,all they could use for identification was their IM name.Hopefully, they would meet each other outside sharp half past one. Shriya left office for home as soon as the mail had been sent.

She stood at her balcony sipping her warm milk staring at the sky of her mind which seemed to be littered with millions of starry thoughts.Today.her mind was most frightened and wanted that veil of clouds to hide behind. Shriya, being the sensible one knew that no matter how difficult the decision is to make, she would have to make it and quick.

DAY EIGHT-Wednesday

Shriya woke up feeling tired. Too much thinking was taking a toll on her mind. She was being force into taking a decision she didnt want to take. She kept revaluating the situation and each time would think of a new thought that would upset whatever temporary decision she had thought of making. Heading to office was compulsory, it being her third last day at work and her exit interview was due today. By afternoon her exit interview was over satisfactorily. She wasnt at her best but she wasnt in a mood to do better either.If given a chance, she would drag the cover over her head and sleep till everything is sorted out. To bad, being the rational one she knows nothing would be done if she sleeps. She calls in sick by early afternoon and leaves for home by bus. The minute she climbs into the bus she calls Roopa and tells her everything that had happened from the last time she chatted with her. Sure enough, Roopa worried about Shriya agreeing to meet Mr.X. It was in fact Roopa who pointed out that there was no way they could identify each other.At the end of the conversation, Shriya had reached her stop and got down and headed straight to the ice cream parlor. After one Choco-mocca special, Shriya starts walking back to her house half waltzing on the streets with the wind and drizzle as her orchestra.Unknown to her, Mr.X saw her from his car seat and wished that he could be just as carefree and without any worries or second thoughts like her. If only he knew. The childish grin on her face made him smile.

She unlocks the door, changes into her pajamas and barely started on her tea when her parents walk in and ask her whether she approves of Balaji or no. She wished she could talk to her mom about it but she knew that even if she attempted, she would get a severely biased opinion which wouldnt help her cause one bit. Shriya closes her eyes as her parents watch her closely.
“Fine.Tell them I said ok”
Shriya smiles looking at the joy on her parents' faces but cringed inwardly at taking the decision at the spur of the moment. She closes her eyes and lets her head roll back, praying things would work out for the better at the end of it all.
She goes into her room and messages Roopa of her decision and starts to convince herself that Balaji is the right choice for her. The main reason being she didnt have any interest in any other man. Thats when Mr.X's pops into her mind and she is reminded that there is no way of identifying. She logs online to send in a message of a way of recognising each other when she opens her inbox to find a mail from Mr.X saying”I will have the sign of something that has made us who we are” Shriya went to bed wondering what sign could it be.

DAY NINE- Wednesday

How she managed to get past work today was unknown. With it being her second last day, she had no work at all than to call up her colleagues and tell them that she would miss them, if not really atleast for the sake of maintaining her social network. The rest of the time was spent in day dreaming and wondering what could it be which had made them what they were. Shriya analysed that it could be individually or as them together what they were. She kept pondering over it for a while, chatted with Roopa for a pep talk just before leaving to go meet Mr.X. Shriya had made a special effort to look attractive. She wore her jeans and her favourite blue kurti and added the glam quotient with her silver heels and lip gloss. Overall, she thought she looked pretty good.

Shriya reached Ceasar sharp at half past one. As she got down from the auto, her spirits seemed to go down aswell. There, right in front of the restaurant was Balaji with a bouquet of flowers looking pretty handsome.She didnt know if she was upset coz she was jealous that Balaji was waiting with flowers for someone who wasnt her,especially when hes looking downright charmingly sexy or was she disappointed that her meeting with Mr.X would hold cancelled. Balaji too catches sight of Shriya and felt let down. He hadnt known she was coming here. Nor had he known that she could look sexy like this that made him a wee bit uncomfortable in certain places. The first time he had seen her,she was wearing a simple white chudidar looking like the girl next door. The next day, for the meeting she had donned a salwar-kameez which made her look like the authoritative person commanding respect from all those who saw her. Then the other day at Forum he had seen her in jeans and kurti looking like the girl whose out to have fun. But today! Today she looks like shes dressed to make some guy groan till he can stand it no more. He didnt like it one bit. Maybe he was being possessive but it didnt seem right for his girl to look so smashing for anyone who wasnt him. Just then his inner voice called out to him and asked for justice. Hadnt he come here dressed well to meet some other girl whom hes never met before? Guilt takes over and he walks upto Shriya, gives her the flowers and the compliments she so rightly deserved. There was an awkward silence between the 2 while each decided that the only way to erase the guilt they felt was to spend time with the one they are supposed to. Afterall, didnt both of them agree to get married? Didnt they both feel the nervous tingles of excitement rushing through their veins at their dinner the other night at Blossoms? They decided to have lunch together. Its justified they kept telling themselves. They may have come for someone else but they are with the one they are meant to be with. The minute they sat down opposite each other for lunch, all guilt was washed away. Balaji felt tongue tied. He hadnt expected Shriya to be here or to look so damn hot. The only thing which struck him apart from the way she looked was why she was here. It was at the tip of his tongue.In for a pleasant shock he thought to himself. Just as he started to ask what she was doing here;Shriya who was feeling rather hot and uncomfortable herself cut conversation by complimenting him on the way he looked. With the ice broken, Balaji didnt have much of a problem continuing his question-

”Were you waiting for someone?”
Shriya stopped midway and looked up at him.
“Yes”
“For Whom?”he said almost overcome with a multitude of emotions washing over him-anger, frustration, shock, jealousy
“A friend”
“Which friend?How come he hasnt turned up yet? Wouldnt he wait for you?”Balaji could hear his temper rising. He is not going to accept it.
“Did I tell you it was a male friend? Sheesh! I am not asking you any question why you turned up with a bouquet when you had no idea I was coming here.Am I to remind you you were the one who initiated the proposal?”
That silenced Balaji. His guilt rose within him.
“Whom were you waiting for flowers and all?”
Silence.
“Whom?”
Balaji was debating whether to tell her everything or not.Things were not happening as he thought they would. It sparked another train of thought as to what had he expected?
“Listen Balaji” Shriya called out to him as she reached for his hand across the table. “I came here for a friend. I dont know whom you came for but I dont see the point in spoiling our lunch thinking about this now.”
Balaji was stunned. He hadnt expected this kind of a response.By the end of lunch, he wanted to slap himself for having thought of meeting another girl and moreso for not telling Shriya what was going on.

Once she reached home,courtesy Balaji, she logged online to mail Roopa about everything that happened. Just when she clicked the send button, she recieved a mail from Mr.X which claimed that he had been waiting for her and had been stood up and that he understood that she didnt take their relationship-whatever it was-as serious as she did and wasnt willing to continue contact with anyone who didnt take him seriously. It completely puts her off. She replies saying she was there but found no one who bore any sign of anything that had made them what they were and reminded him that they were contacts for less than 2 weeks. She added bitterly that if he didnt think she was worth his contact, he may very well cut contact and it didnt affect her one bit. Sad, another relationship destroyed by miscommunication.Truth was that both waited for each other at Ceasar's only different branches. It being a new restaurant was assumed to have very few if at all any branches.

Disappointed with Mr.X, Shriya goes to sleep feeling glad that she decided to marry Balaji afterall. Even if he had meant to meet someone else, he came to her when he saw her. Who is it that he was waiting for? She didnt know. She wanted to. She didnt know if she should ask again or if he would tell if she asked.Maybe he would call up tommorrow and tell her himself. She deserves to be told the truth.On that note, she drifted off to sleep, her consience clear as it could be.


DAY TEN-Thursday

Shriya wakes up with her head feeling heavy but everything clears up with the thought that its the last day at the dreary office and she is free to start her life afresh,with more challenges and fun.That thought keeps her going good and fast. She reaches office, finishes the left over formalities and attends the farewell party held for her and enjoyed herself. Afterall, you quit your first job only once. Several whom she hadnt even noticed earlier came upto her and wished her all the very best and that they would miss her,so on and so forth. Shriya found it amusing how cliched the entire thing of a farewell party is. Anyways she stayed till the end and caught the first bus home to celebrate her quitting her first job for a better job. On the way, she called Roopa and made arrangements to meet for dinner. Once Shriya reached home, she sticks to her regime and logs online to check her mail. Tada! As expected a mail from Mr.X. What was unexpected was the contents of the mail. It read- “Fine. This shall be the last mail I send.Goodbye“ Shriya's mind felt clear after a long time. She really didnt need these extra fittings. If they drop contact its not going to hurt her.

Her phone rings and she picks it up to hear Balaji's voice on the other end.Any thought of Mr.X which remained in her head disappeared on hearing him sound so upset.
“Are you busy?”
“No. Why?What happened? Why do you sound dull?”
“Could you come to Corner House, Koramangala immediately?”
“Now?”
“Yes”
“Any problem?”
“You come, We will talk.Do you want me to pick you up?”
“ No, I'll come”

She rushes to the Koramangala outlet of Corner House which is less than 2 kms away from her place.After hardly a fifteen minute wait, Balaji saw a worried looking Shriya coming hurriedly. They seat themselves inside before Balaji launches into a monologue explaining what he was doing at Ceasars yesterday and confessed that he wasnt very sure what he had in his mind but he wanted to make things clear between the two of them. Shriya couldn't believe what she was hearing. She listened patiently to his entire speech with a smile growing on her face.
“I'm really sorry Shriya” Balaji apologised. He hadnt slept well entire of last night pondering about it.
“Breathe”Shriya teased him with a smile which made him feel warm and forgiven.
“So you're not upset with me?” he asked to reconfirm that alls fine.
“No, I'm not”Shriya told as sincerely as she could. She had wanted to know what was going on and it felt good to be told voluntarily than having to dig for the details.Balaji grinned from ear to ear feeling relieved.
“Ice cream?”
“Absolutely.”Shriya said giving her characteristic grin which accompanied every ice cream which Balaji returned with his own goofy grin before placing the order kicking off a fun evening.