Chapter 5

“There you go. Got the charts you wanted. The meeting has been rescheduled to three. You have time now to do whatever you want with these charts.” It was Ankit in my cabin. I had asked for charts alright but I didn’t understand why he got them and not one of the office boys.

“Thanks and I don’t really have anything to do with these charts atleast not for this presentation. I’ve got all my work all ready. By the way  since you are here can we talk?”

“Okay. I don’t know if I am suppose to be worried or not.” I let out a slight laugh. I think I still liked Ankit. I didn’t want to revert back to the girl who once loved him (and apparently still does).  He continues after grabbing himself a chair, “So what do you want to talk about?”

“Nothing. Nothing in particular. Mum is in town. She asked me about you but then Sid came in between and all that.”

“Sid?”

“Sid. You know him. Works at Ace.”

“the hot shot?” asked Ankit. I couldn’t stop laughing. I can’t really express how really asked me that.  I still am not sure if it was curiosity with an element of jealousy or curiosity with surprise. I just hoped it was the former.

“yes, the very one.” I was still laughing. I couldn’t help it. I was turning all pink and yes Ankit noticed it.

“so…” he asked curiously.

“ah..nothing. just wanted to tell you mum is in town. Maybe you could, you know, meet mum. Ah.. listen I don’t want any tension between us just because we broke up. I’ve moved on. I want to work again with you…”

“exactly.” Interrupted Ankit “I wanted to say the same thing.  It’s weird not having you around my cabin. And God that chick Akansha is bloddy annoying.” Ankit started laughing at his own joke. Was it even a joke? I don’t know. He just laughed and I stared and when I couldn’t stare any longer whilst he was still laughing, I started laughing. I had spent my 30 minutes laughing with Ankit discussing and bitching about Akansha and whoever we found. I never thought he would hate her. Actually he didn’t. He just hated the fact that she was bossy and she was hot. Men.

Akansha was hot but that didn’t matter. For one I was straight and Ankit’s british accent was hotter. Ankit was born and brought up in the United Kingdom. He spent his whole life there except his college years when his family had to abruptly return back to India because of his grandfather’s sudden death. His dad had to take up the business. Ankit was never interested in the gold business his grandfather had started and therefore his uncles and his father spent their retirement age in running the business.

The phone started to ring and I had to answer. I was indebted to Siddarth.

“Hey Sid.”

Ankit started to move towards the door but I stopped him. I had to cut Sid’s call.

“You should have told him that you were busy.”

“nah! It’s ok. He’ll understand.”

“Oohh…” said Ankit in a teasingly gay manner. “I see. Someone’s got the hots for him.”

“No. I do not.” I said defending myself. Somewhere in this conversation I knew I would lose so I just shut up. Guess Ankit got the message that we were through. It was over. It’s better that way.

Yes I think I might me falling for Sid.

chapter : the date

After a long break here's the next part of my untitled story...

“Guess what?”

“guess what? What?” Natasha and Avantika chorused.

“wait. I know. Sid asked you out right?” said the very confident Avantika.

“Noooo….Avantika! It can’t be. And by the way she already told you she didn’t want to hear any of that.”

“Well he didn’t ask me out exactly. I mean it’s just dinner.”

“And you’re going. Right?” asked Avantika half-desperately. I don’t know what it was but I think it was Avantika’s face that convinced me that I should go. Siddarth and me were no strangers. We met at a  number of parties and award functions and we have quite a number of mutual friends. He works at a rival ad agency and that’s it. We never grew fond of each other. In fact we almost never spoke. We didn’t enjoy having alcohol together either and now here I was at a plush Bandra restaurant having wine and Italian food with the one and only Siddarth. Am sure a lot of girls have been through this before and am sure many girls were dreaming to be me right now.

“So..here we are. Could you have ever imagined this?”

“Imagined what Siddarth?” I didn’t know what Siddarth meant or atleast I pretended to.

“..Us. Here. Together. One table sharing alcohol.” Chuckled Siddarth.

“Very funny Sid. Anyway thank you for today. Thanks for helping out. It wasn’t really the best idea but I just wanted mum to be happy.”

“Your welcome and you know you should meet my mum. She would love a daughter – in – law like you.”

“Stop being sarcastic.” I said throwing the half folded napkin I held in my hand. “She would despise me. I would be her worst nightmare and by the way stop flirting.”

“I don’t even try and am flirting? I know you think am one of those flirts who do their homework just to get women, but you know what? I did do my homework before coming to the mall today. Avantika and Natasha filled me in with all that is needed to be known of you. Single. Almost 27. Hate your current job. Mom wants to get you married but you believe in something called independence and your ex works at your office. Must be difficult to see him around ha?”

“you were right you don’t do your homework and by the way I enjoy my job but I wish I could choose my own projects sometimes.  Anyway am going to tell you a story. 4 years back, after college, I managed to score a job at the agency. It was the perfect setup but it would cost me my relationship with my parents. My parents wanted me, I wanted my independence. The agency wanted me in Mumbai and as soon as I wrote my last exam, I left home without telling mum anything about it. Ankit was at the airport…”

“Your ex?”

“Yes”, I sighed, “they sent him to receive me at the airport. At the age of 25 he still seemed like he was a kid. I never thought I would fall for him but I did. In all the anger and all the frustration I had, I had forgotten to tell the managers at the agency that I didn’t have a place to stay. I didn’t want to stay at any of my cousins so I was basically homeless. Ankit told me it was okay to stay at his place. I didn’t have much of a problem or option. I was in Mumbai. No one knew me and no one cared. The buzzling city had adapted me as soon as I stepped out of the airport. I loved the energy. This is where I was going to make my dreams into reality. I spent a whole week at Ankit’s place. His mum adored me. I enjoyed being around her. Aunty still calls me when she can. I mean when Ankit is not around. She calls me home but I can’t go there atleast not now. I met Avantika and Natasha at a party hosted by your agency the very next week of my arrival. We girls met and magic happened. For the next three years we partied together, shopped together and spent time boy friend searching and as you know Natasha married Jay who was my childhood buddy. He ensured I made it to every single party the first year of me moving to Mumbai, then work caught up with me and then I’ve been away from the social scene ever since then and am done. What’s your story?”

“My story? I have no story. Am just yet another guy from Mumbai. Not so ambitious, doing what he loves. I never had a girlfriend…”

I couldn’t stop laughing. ‘Sid never had a girlfriend is like the joke of the century. Wait actually maybe it isn’t. so me is going to guess you’re the womanizer types?” I think I was high. I couldn’t believe what I just said.

“My aren’t you honest? You really think am a womanizer? Am hurt.” He let out a laugh. I gave out a sigh of relief. “see..Dia, I may seem like one of those am going to use women and throw them but am not like that. I flirt. I admit. Am a guy. Can’t help it. but I’ve never found myself anyone special enough. I mean the last time I dated someone you know..”

“I know. I remember. So wait that was the last time. You never found anyone else?”

“yeah. Noone else.”

We kept the evening as casual as it could be. We spoke a bit about work, a bit of personal life. Turns out Sid isn’t much of a believer in Jainism. He just thought it was a name he had to carry till death. I didn’t know if I was to be impressed. This Sid was different from what I last knew him to be.

I must admit this was one Sunday I enjoyed. Tomorrow was not going to be entertaining.

Spare a moment....

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We continue the story

After the two posts on the Giveaways <do take part in those...International giveaway those are!> I present to you the next part in the story :)

“This is it mom. Inorbit Mall.  You remember the last time we were here..”

“The last time we were here..the last time..that was when you were dating Ankit. Ankit came with us shopping and I still remember he was bored to death.” I was relieved to see mum being cool about what had happened between Ankit and me. She didn’t know it but it hurt me sometimes that he wasn’t there. He seemed to complete me.

“And you know aunty that’s because we girls love our shopping and besides he was an ass anyway.” Natasha and Avantika were waving excitedly at us. Natasha already done with shoe shopping  gave mum a quick tight hug and looked at me with a smile and that smile I swear I couldn’t help but hate it.

“Guess Jay gave you his supplementary card ha?” I said teasingly pointing at her 3 shopping bags. You leave Natasha in a mall with a credit card and she would buy the whole damn place.

“Hope am not late!” I turned swiftly at the decipherable voice. It was Siddarth on time looking as hot as ever. Siddarth pulled me close to him and kissed me on my cheek.  I so wanted to kill him. Not because of the kiss but because his arm was around my waist and he was just too hot.  Guess they were right only a few people could pull baby pink and in my story, one was Ankit and the other was Siddarth and maybe Nikhil too.

As soon as Siddarth left me I took Avantika aside and couldn’t help blurt out “one he’s hot. Second he’s hot and third tell him not to ever touch my waist”.

“You must be Dia’s mom right? Hi..am Siddarth, Dia’s boyfriend.”

I think I was going to die. I couldn’t make out if mum was convinced or thought he was an ass. But then the three hours we all spent together shopping, the conversations mum and Siddarth had and then at made me realize that this plan might actually work.

Siddarth had asked for my cell and it kind of disturbed me that I had no choice but to give it to him. He seemed like he was typing something or maybe he was planning to call someone. I wondered if he was messaging someone called his ‘girlfriend’. He didn’t tell me anything and I pretended like I didn’t care. I could always check my log. I wondered if Siddarth had any  girlfriend. I just couldn’t sit there and stare at him. He was too hot and yes maybe just too out of my league. By the way what was my league?

***

“So how long have you two been dating each other?”

We had reached my Andheri flat in time for tea. Natasha and Avantika were invited over by mum. I remained silent. I knew I should have listened to Siddarth talking rather than sitting and making unrealistic plans of marrying him which ofcourse would never happen.

“Two. Two months aunty. He told you today. Remember?” Natasha had covered for me in time.

“I know that hun but don’t you think Dia is moving into another relationship too soon. Maybe it’s a rebound.”

“No. No. I don’t think so mom. I like Sid. Besides I didn’t tell you this but I’ve been in love with Sid for a longer time than you think. I had lost my chemistry with you know Ankit.”

My phone started to ring. I didn’t know who was calling but I picked. It could be my boss.

“Hey.” It was Siddarth. I wondered where he got my number from.

Thank goodness mum moved  to the next room

Hey. How did you get my number? I asked, whispered rather.

“You gave me your cell today. Remember? B.T.W check your drafts. Make yourself available. I know you will. Ahh…you know what I have to go. Some work. Talk to you later. Take care.”

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The Search...just google him..

“We need to find you a husband!”
“whaaattt…..??? No. Mom. No. You don’t need to. Shaadi[dot]com doesn’t need to. The neighbor aunties don’t need to and dad certainly doesn’t need to. Mum I know what to do. Am planning to hangout more with everyone, friends. It will  work out. I know it will. I will meet new people and yes prospective husband is going to be there somewhere. So just Chill ok?”
“Well I can guarantee you one thing you’re dad will never bother moving a muscle to find you a husband. If he has his way, you’d be single all your life and we would be babysitting you while you are still figuring out your life. It’s time. You need to get married. You need to settle down and by the way not every girl meets prospective husband at a party, so we need to do something.”
Mom was at it again. Her ‘I want to find a suitable dhamaad’ was getting on my nerves but I knew couldn’t blame mum. She just wanted the best for me, at least that’s what everyone said but I didn’t want to hear anything of that. I just wanted my life to be normal and as lonely as it was when I first moved to Mumbai.
I don’t want a crowded apartment with kids and all that. Am done thinking that I would one day have a husband and I would have kids playing around in the corridor. I was done thinking that one day I would quit my job and focus on business and kids. I was done with all that. It was just a phase, a phase I regret I thought ‘he’ would be a part of for a very long time to come.
I wanted to be independent. I wanted to achieve so much but mum switched herself from the world whenever I told her I didn’t need a husband and needless to say mum started searching for candidates to fill the so called missing-person in my life the moment I reached the office to find her surprisingly waiting for me at the reception counter.  Was I that late to work?
Anyway, I still can’t believe how miserable life had become. I come home and there were people. I leave home for yet another party at Kara’s and there were still people at home. I was tired of having guests over but I didn’t want to argue. I just didn’t want to upset mom like I did when I left Delhi.
“This is it mom. I know I have upset you in the past but does it mean you have to punish me this way. In these past few months have you even been close to finding someone for me? No. So this is it you will come with me shopping today. I don’t want any guests home.”
You will come shopping with me! What the hell? Have I lost it? What did I just tell mom? I wanted mum to stop looking for boys for me and now am taking mum shopping for what? Not that I hate shopping with mum but am taking mom shopping. Why? What am I going to do?!
“So you’re taking your mum shopping? Big deal. Why are you so worried? It could help you guys get close. Plus she’s come to Mumbai after a year.” It was Natasha on the other line. She was my best friend and like many who become friends in this city she was family and so was Avantika. We had spent our single lives together and now a year after Natasha’s marriage our bond was as great as it always was after all she had married my childhood friend Jay. I didn’t really play cupid. Jay had done all of that himself. Jay had fallen for Natasha the moment he saw her. It was instant love. Natasha took her time but eventually she realized he was the one for her. Jay always took work seriously but he never let it affect Natasha. I was happy for them and they were happy to always help me.
“So this what we are going to do.” Chimed in Avantika, “We will get someone from my workplace as potential husband and…”
“Sorry but I have to interrupt..how many times do I have to tell you I don’t want to get married? By the way Avantika when did you join mumma’s party?”
“I never joined. Am just saying we will get someone at which ever place you guys..I mean we are going shopping. You guys just have to pretend you’re in a relationship. Mum happy. You happy  that you’re still single and don’t you worry the guy will be hot.”
“Whaattt…no. wait.hmm…actually this might just work. Mum will go back to Delhi happy but then you know I broke up with Ankit like 2 months back. My mum would never believe I got over him so soon. We’ve been together for 2 years you know.”
“Point.” Natasha knew I had a point but “but you know it won’t be any harm in trying. She might be impressed. By the way who are you planning to get in for this task Avi?”
“Siddarth Jain.”
“whaat???!!!” Natasha and I couldn’t help screaming. Siddarth Jain was like the bombshell of Ace ads, the company that Natasha and Avantika worked for, and like all hotties he was a flirt. I could never handle being in the same place as Sid but Avantika knew what she was doing and she knew well that this flirt could actually manage to impress my mum in just one meeting.