The Preparation.

 Aanshi 

 “Aanshi Beti, this is unreal”

“Aanshi Beti, this is unbelievable”

My subconscious mind was constantly pushing these unwanted notifications into my conscious brain. “Heart” Ohh!! That organ just started fluttering at a petrifying rate. I doubt, had Guinness-book authority recorded my heartbeat then, I could have definitely kissed a victory over “Pygmy Shrew”.  I was vacillating initially to join my parents for Mumbai Trip. The moment I heard “I am traveling to Mumbai next month” from Dev, I was into the game.

This just cannot be a mere coincidence, I mean C’mon!! you dial the wrong number, that’s fine. One rarely develops friendship or any relationship for that matter ahead of a wrong number call and let’s say you build the relationship, then this whole cosmos doesn’t just simply pave the path of glory for anyone with such expedition. Maybe this happens with some blessed souls as the Legend Shahrukh khan said in Om Shanti Om “Agar kisi cheez ko dill se chaho to puri kayanat usey tumse milane ki kosish mai lag jaati hai”. (“When you really desire something from the heart and soul, all the universe conspires you to achieve it”) “Was my desire such strong?” “Was his desire such strong?” “Or it was our strong desire?”

“Ohh! Poor Girl. Come out of your dream!! You know nothing about his emotions yet” my inner-sense cuffed me hard to bring me back to reality.

Without even speaking with my manager for leave I just texted Dev, “Yayyy!!! And the Khadoos Maan Gaya” (Yes! he approved!). I was confident about the leaves. In fact, I was among those employees who had never taken an entire week off till then. To be honest, I was in no mood to speak with him after the call with Dev. That is the last thing I would do in my life to call that Khadoos in an evening. Had he not accepted me a week off on the next day, I could have resigned on the very same day.

That night I went to the bed carrying enormous thoughts. My artistic brain was visualizing some of them and these cheeks were stretching statically, I had no control over any of my own body parts. After an hour of feigning to sleep my restless mind came with an obvious question, “What am I going to wear on that day?”

“Saree? No way!!”

“Churidar? C’mon I am not going to meet his mother”

“Denim jeans with a pair of short kurti? Hmm… Probably yes!! this may look good”

“How about a skater skirt? Ohhh!! Just shut up!! That’ll definitely not be professional for the very first meet”

“Then a mustard yellow Bardot top with a pair of blue denim? Hmm!! This may look good”

That was the second time ever in my life I was going through such a chaotic decision-making process about dresses, the first time was for my college final day function.

“I’ve to go shopping” for a moment it felt the wardrobe I have already full of dresses has nothing pleasing at all. Maybe I’m a misanthropist about dresses or maybe this is how we girls are made up.

Keeping thoughts for dresses aside, I had to choose my earrings, sandal, nail polish and God knows whatnot. I barely knew when I slept amidst such flashing visuals.

Next week I had to travel my native, ecstasy of meeting my Rapunzel after months had got me to dance on my toe.

Week later:

Dev

“Dev, Managements have decided to promote you with a handsome hike in salary from next month, if you are revoking your resignation decision then. You’ll receive an official confirmation letter in a week of time. The team has just started to leap and we can’t lose you now. We need you Dev” My manager exhibited his best bargaining skills on an official call trying to reduce attrition rates under his span. 

“I don’t understand why is he offering me pearls now? Was he slumbering all these days?” The Mini-Me was humming inside.

This is preposterous how some of them, well for that matter majority of the managements realize the true worth of an employee only during their notice periods. Had this offer come to me a month before, I would not have thought of resignation. Now, that life has given me much more reasons, there is no way I am stepping back.

One thing this time has taught me is, “The days of Notice Periods are very similar to the days of a man on a death bed. Your inheritors whom you’ve helped to grow feel sad for losing you, your companions feel jealous for you being lucky to be free from the cage and your seniors feel anger knowing you’ll no longer suffer along with them”. These days my heart is on an endless battle with a pack of hunting memories, they are no less than a pack of hunting wolves. Sometimes I feel being wounded and at other moments I stand up to fight against every odd. This never quitting zeal has always been my knight in shining armor. “Look, brighter days are ahead. All you got few more distances of darkness to run through” the Mini-Me is feeding me spontaneously to keep me alive internally.

Saturday Evening 7:00 O'Clock

“Hey!! Are you free for a call?” first time ever, I texted Aanshi asking for permission to call.

5 minutes later a message arrived “Mr. Dev if you are asking for permission, better speak to my PA first”

“Nope!! Wondering if you’re free?” I replied in a jiffy.

“Give me 5 mins, shall call you. Came home today” her next reply read as.

“Look, and this is why I asked for your permission Ma’am😊” I replied with a smile.

“Ohh!!  A gentleman’s identity 😍” she responded in no time.

“So am I😊” with an inflated chest I reverted.

“😍” her last text flashed as.

This emoji with piercing hearts on eyes feels better than a normal smiley face emoji on every occasion.

30 Minutes later

“Hi… Good evening” picking up her call I greeted.

Aanshi: “Very good evening, very good evening” she uttered twice with great elation.

“Is this the definition of 5 minutes?  mocked her bad time sagacity.

Aanshi: “C’mon!! Brace yourself I did not take much longer. Normally a girl’s 5 minutes goes beyond 50” 

“Hmm. Either this planet earth rotates at a much slower speed for girls or you live on a different planet like Jupiter” I retorted with a hasty smile.

Aanshi: “Who knows!! After all, we are God’s best creation”

“And the God who created girls is a Man” I reacted.

Aanshi: “No, comment! But who knows again?”

“You see, this is what we men are good at doing. We barely think about ourselves. You know, the gender who sacrifices” I reverberated with pride.

Aanshi: “If it’s about sacrifice, we win the battle unanimously” 

“I’m reluctant to buy this statement” I retorted with a deep throat.

Aanshi: “Dev, have I called for this gender-based argument?”

“Sorry!! But you started.”  I added.

Aanshi: “Sometimes you just need to buy it without a bargain, that’s what makes the seller happy”

“Hmmm Okay!! I wish I was into sales business like you” I whispered.

Aanshi: “Dev, two seconds please”

“Sure!” with no grief I accepted.

“Eight Eights are 64, Eight Nines are 72 and Eight Tens are … Eight tens are …”  I heard her dictating 8’s table with a very gentle voice, over the next ten seconds.

“Eight Tens are 80” a novice voice articulated after her.

“Good Boy! Now you practice once again” Aanshi ordered with a very miniature voice.

Aanshi: “Sorry Dev! Hann Kahan thi mai?” (Where was I?)

“Nothing! If you are busy, we can catch any time later.”  I comforted her.

Aanshi: “No! My neighbor aunty sends her child for tuition every time I come here”

“Well, that’s fascinating. What else profession do you possess more?” I asked with a freaking tone.

Aanshi: “Don’t pull my Leg. I love to teach Akash, he is a cute little obedient kid”

“Akash?” I asked.

Aanshi: “Aunt’s baby boy. His voice you might have heard now”

“Ohhh!! Yes! I heard.” I added.

Aanshi: “He is learning 8’s table today and you know at what cost?”

“At what cost? What do you mean?” I questioned.

Aanshi (with a whispering voice): “I have bribed him a Kit-Kat, it is because of Kit-Kat he is showing great interest for study today.”

I laughed and she joined.

“How is your preparation going on for vacation?” I asked halting my laugh.

Aanshi: “I am confused. A lot many things to do and I barely have time for that”

“Lot many? Do you have a list for them?” I inquired.

Aanshi: “Like, shopping and many other”

“Many other?” I questioned again.

Aanshi: “Some things are personal Dev, and some are secret”

“Secrets!!! Huhh!!” I hissed.

Aanshi: “They are typically a Gils’s preparation process, probably you don’t know”

“Might be true! I will leave it here” I agreed with her.

Aanshi: “How is your preparation going on?”

“Well, I am going to settle there. A bit tougher than a normal vacation preparation would have been” I said.

Aanshi: “Did you find a stay there?”

“Searching. Have spoken to a couple of brokers. Yet to decide.” I frowned. 

Aanshi: “Do you need any help? I can certainly ask my brother, after all, he stays there”

“I wouldn’t go for any hostel at all. Probably if an individual apartment, then I am up for it”

Aanshi: “What’s wrong with a hostel? Look at me, I’ve been staying in a hostel all these days”

“I feel more sorted with a bit privacy around” I conveyed my longing.

Aanshi: “That’s true! Don’t worry we’ll search for your stay together”

“Together?”

Aanshi: “I mean, I can help you out with anything possible if I can”

“Pleasure knowing!” I said with a big smile on my face.

Aanshi: “Mom and Dad here are just counting the days”

“Are not you?” I questioned.

Aanshi: “Well! I was not so excited but yes! as you will be there, I am now damm! excited too”

“I hope we can at least see each other once there” I added with a pause.

Aanshi: “We’ll make it out”

“Have you thought of any ideas of how to meet?”  I asked deliberately.

Aanshi: “Do you remember Payal?”

“Your very first call.” I said with a smile.

Aanshi: “Yes, she is”

“What’s with her” I questioned with a deferral.

Aanshi: “Well, I am planning to tell her about you and our calls”

“Have you not shared yet? I thought you are besties” I asked appallingly.

Aanshi: “No! I’ve not yet. You are my little secret so far”

I certainly loved “You are my little secret”, I mean who doesn’t?

“What’s after sharing? Is she going to give you some ideas about our meeting?” Pausing my elation, I questioned to discover further.

Aanshi: “Well! I am going to ask her if she can join me to Mumbai for a week”

“Really!!” I shrugged.

Aanshi: “And if she joins then rest will be a piece of cake. we both can come to meet you and no one would even ask a question”

“You Devil! How are you even going to convince her to do this?”  Jumping from my seat I rushed to the balcony.          

Aanshi (with a smile): “I know her from childhood. This is the least I can ask her”

“And when are you planning to speak with her?” I asked.

Aanshi: “Hmm..Maybe, day after tomorrow, once I am back at Bhopal”

“Ohhh!! I am now more excited. Do you think she will understand you?” I asked again.

Aanshi: “She always does! Nothing I have hidden from her. I just can’t wait to see her reaction when I reveal this treasure”

“Didi, Ho Gaya”(Didi, completed) from a bit far a thin voice distracted. That was Akash, who called her to show his 8’s table.

Aanshi: “Dhikhao”(show me)

Aanshi: “Wow! Akash very good! Promise ki, app ne copy nahi kiya” (Promise me, you haven’t copied)

“No Didi, promise” with a very innocent voice he replied.

Aanshi: “Then tell me, Eight Nines are ..?”

“Eight Nines are, Eight Nines are …. Hmmm 72 Didi” he answered in a while with a tiny voice, probably after counting his minuscule fingers.

Aanshi: “very good Beta. Akash is a great boy”

“Didi, My kit-kat?” finally he asked for what he was bearing this burden on the head so far.

Aanshi: “What Kit-Kat?”

“Didi, app bhool gaye? Muje app bole the 8’s table ho jaye ga too app Kit-Kat doge” (Didi, did you forget? You promised me for a kit-kat if I complete 8’s table) he was defending his urge for a kit-kat.

Aanshi: “Mai too Bhulgayi” (I forgot) with a gloomy voice she said to him.

“App aoo na dukan yahin pass hai, app mujhe wahan se lake de dena” (You please come, the shop is near, you can buy me a kit-kat from there) with his utmost innocence he exposed his unbending desire for a Kit-Kat

Gluing my ears to the phone speaker, I was listening to the communication between teacher and student of this generation.

Aanshi: “Are you listening Dev, how smart he is speaking”

“These generations are born with Google GPS; you just can’t cheat them. You owe that Kit-Kat to him. Better find a way” with a glee I replied.

Aanshi: “I have his Kit-Kat with me. Just playing with him”

A laugh echoed.

“Here is your kit-kat” offering a packet, Aanshi said to Akash with a startling tone.

“I love you Didi” Akash resonated with happiness.

Aanshi: “I love you Beta” (She responded to Akash with a mimicking voice)

“Where was I again?” bidding adieu to Akash she said.

“We were speaking about Payal” I prompted.

Aanshi: “Yes! I hope she will agree to come with me. I am sure she will”

“Fingers crossed!” with an optimistic voice I said.

Aanshi: “By the way, on what day are you travelling?”

“31^st of this month. I am joining on the 2^nd of next month” I replied.

Aanshi: “Ohh… 31^st, So you will be there one week before I land”

“What day are you traveling?” I questioned.

Aanshi: “On 9^th. Just after one week from your joining date”

“Hope these days end soon” I added.

She smiled.

Aanshi: “Dev, if you don’t mind, I have to disconnect the call now. My Rapunzel is screaming my name”

“If I mind, would you stay longer?” with a flirting tone I said.

Aanshi: “I may! I’ve to search for some excuses for my Rapunzel otherwise”

“Please, join her. She doesn’t get all of you often” I said.

Aanshi: “Thank you, and talk to you soon. In fact, will meet soon”

“Let me know how things go with Payal” I said before hanging up.

“Sure” and she smiled and we hung up.

Some indomitable smiles occupied my face for the rest of that evening. Tens may be dozens of unanswerable questions invaded my restless brain. “What Payal is going to think?” “What if she does not accept Aanshi’s request” the Mini-Me started gathering all possible questions considering the fact as “Future is always Unpredictable”. After all, there has to be a “Plan B” for everything.  “Let’s just wait for the Day-After-Tomorrow, time will either make or break the dream” finally I calmed my twitchy mind down.