APRIL FOOL

Few incidences remain for lifetime. Few incidences make us feel witty and bring a smile on our face whenever we think of it. Such an incident happened with me when I was in college. I never knew; a small kink will turn out into such a whirlpool.

After a short vacation of Holi, I was returning back to Pune from Ahmedabad. To my disappointment, the train was even late by an hour. I had to spend more than an hour at the platform. I went to the Waiting Hall but it was full more than its capacity. I came out of it and went to the stairs of the flyover made to cross the platform. I sat comfortably and took a glance all over the station. Beggars were begging and the hawkers were selling their stuff. Suddenly a noise broke and I looked towards it. A beautiful girl of around 19 or 20 had lost her grip on the suitcase she was holding. Generally what happens, it happened here also. Lot of guys came forward to help her. They lift her suitcase, asked if she is alright and made her sit at a sophisticated place. I looked at her from a distance and somehow she seemed to me very pretty and attractive. When alone, every second girl seems to be attractive. Moreover I was feeling dizzy at the very idea of spending an hour at the platform.

Suddenly they announced”Sarathi Express coming from Bhuj to Pune is delayed by 3 hours. Your Inconvenience regretted.” This wrecked me from the core. I went to the girl and sat just in front of her. I was trying to take a glance at her but I observed she was continuously gazing at me as if I was insane. Suddenly I realized I am sitting on someone else’s luggage that was lying nearby. I got up in a flash but in hurry I tumbled down but somehow managed to hold myself. It was an utter embarrassment. I took out my novel and started reading it. Every when and then my eyes were looking for her. I was scanning all her activities. She was all sport, all alone but still so enthusiastic. She has put earplugs into her ears and was listening to some music; it was hard rock I suppose. Getting enthralled at times she was shaking her body too. She took her magazine out but kept it inside soon. Then took some stuff from her hand bag and started playing with it. It was small toy car I noticed. Even this was not pleasing her anymore; she threw it off in the bag and started singing some song loudly. She had almost forgotten that she is at public place and she was not supposed to do this. An Old man beckoned her to stop it. She started talking to him. I was wondering if what they must be talking; Father –daughter kind of stuff!!! Or some social topic or what! I thought for a minute to take part in the conversation but I saw that old man left in between and I stopped myself halfway. She saw me coming towards her but showed if she has never seen me before. I came back to my place and again looked back at her. For some time nothing happened between us except few eye contacts. Again I saw her playing with a kid. I was feeling jealous of the boy who was playing in her lap. He was playing with her hairs and she was pampering him.

All of a sudden, the announcement came for the arrival of the train. Already it was 10:00 PM; I looked into my watch. Soon the train came; I rushed into Sleeper coach and found my seat. All the ideas of that girl vanished in moment. I slept tightly like a baby.

When I wake up early in the morning, I asked the pantry person who was selling tea”Bhaiya!!! How long it will take to reach Pune??” He smirked “Sir!!! The train is 8 hours late. It will take three more hours to reach Mumbai. Then after that three more for Pune.” I got aghast at this but nothing was in my control.

Suddenly a female voice pinched me from behind” mumbai paachhad toh nai rahi gayu??”. It was she, the same girl. At first I didn’t understand what to say. So I just nodded. The gentleman who was sitting below replied instantly in Gujrati “train moodi che 6 kallak thi ! mumbai jaava 3 kalaak lagse.”. Nobody leaves a chance to show off. He continued “Hi I am Hiren! Are you coming from Bhuj??” She replied negatively “I am coming from Ahmedabad. I have to attend a seminar today in my college but I will be late I suppose.” He nodded in sympathy” Oh that’s bad!!! By the way I am an engineering student infact E&TC one. I stay in Kalyan. ” She replied” I study in Sardar patel College in Andheri.” It was quite evident that she was enjoying his company and I was feeling jealous at it.

“Hey what a coincidence! I am also an E&TC engineering student” I dropped myself in between their conversation from nowhere. They were astonished but smiled. I looked at her and apologized “Sorry!!! I don’t understand Guajarati…That’s why I stood like dumb” Everyone laughed. I started”I am coming from a Project Exhibition in Ahmedabad. I started talking about the companies which visited the college campus to patronize the program. I was giving all my best to impress her.” I saw she was no more interested in all this technical stuff. So I invited them to play cards. They agreed. But I made a mistake here. He was a champ in playing cards.

He very soon swept three four games in a row. I will never suggest any of my friends to give challenge any Gujarati at least for playing cards. She was enjoying every moment of it. I felt him taking an edge over me. But I was consoling myself within that this guy has to get down before both of us. So still I had a chance. They stopped playing card and started playing jokes. I also got involved in that and showed my skills. Both of them praised my sense of humor.



At the next stop he was about to get down. “I will get down at next stop. Hey Sorry I didn’t even ask your name” He giggled at me. “I am Viki and she is…” I beckoned towards her deliberately so that at least now she will reveal her name. She continued”I am prakruti”. I knew that prakruti means nature but still to carry on the conversation I exclaimed “Enviroment. Right ??”. Hiren tried to shine in between “No yaar , It means Earth”. Prakruti screamed “ STOP IT!!! Boys…it means nature”. Oh..such a sweet meaning I complimented her. Hiren shook hands with both of us and got down. I thanked God at the devil’s exit. She put her earplugs again and lost in it completely. I smirked “She has started listening the same Rock song.” It was quite apparent from her movements. I couldn’t resist anymore and asked “Are you listening to Hard Rock!!!” She was amused at this and making irregular faces said “No...It is a Guajarati folk song”. I burst into laughter but realized “Girls will be Girls”. I flattered”you seem to have a very good knowledge of music. Your face expression and body movement reveals so”. Every girl wants to hear her praise and she was no different. I kept on scoring runs on that slow pitch like Virendra sehwag. But it has to come to an end. Her stop came and she was about to get down. I was still staring at her eyes. She left without saying anything not even bye. I was surprised at this but kept mum. Suddenly after a while some unknown thrust from inside forced me out of the train. I screamed from behind “Prakruti wait!!!” She halted instantly and looked back. I reached there and asked for her number. I never knew I can be so bold. She pronounced some number but I asked her to write it on my palm since I had no paper with me. The train was about to leave. She tried to write her number on my palm but since it was wet all in vain. She slide my shirt cuff and wrote her number on my wrist.

I heard the whistle of train and rushed towards my compartment. I was immensely overjoyed. All the way I was thinking how I can build relationship with her. I had even planned to buy a cell phone. How a girl can impact one’s mind, it was quite evident there. The guy who never spends extravagantly was thinking to buy a cell phone. In few hours I reached Pune.

I tried to call her from a PCO but the number was coming unreachable. All my plans went into trash soon I reached the college premises. The Security Guard told me that there was a call for me of my parents. I went back to the PCO and got the news of my younger brother’s accident in Bangalore. I was required there since nobody was there to take care of him. I returned back with a heavy heart. Ved, one of my friends noticed it. I told him about my brother’s accident. In the hurry he arranged for my travel as he knew a travel agent. As a part of gratitude I handed over the cell number of that girl to him. After hearing all that stuff he was enthralled” buddy! Don’t worry I will take care of everything”. Moreover he had a cell phone so he was absolutely a better choice for a distance relationship.

In a fortnight, I was back to my place. I went to my friend’s room but he was not there. I asked his fellow roommate. He grinned “must be talking to his girl. I am fed up with him. He even talks in night and disturbs my sleep.” I would be mean if I will blame him for this, I thought. So I kept mum. From inside, I was curious to know if she is the same girl whose number I had given to him. Somewhere in the corner of my heart I was also feeling bit jealous of him. Soon he returned back to his room and found me. Being overjoyed he hugged me and asked about my brother. “He is alright now. Still needs some rest” I was keen to know about her. He continued “She is a sweetheart! We daily talk for hours and it seems we know each other from ages.” “Are you serious about this?? How you could be?? You have not even seen her. Better come to your flirting routine” I suggested and left for my room. I knew all his love is a crap only time pass nothing more.

I started neglecting that dear friend of mine. Not because I am saint and wanted to leave him with his girl but I always feel uncomfortable whenever he used to talk to her in front of me. One day He came to me and said” Dude! She loves me equally yaar. She wants to meet me. And I have asked her to come to Pune this Sunday. Please come along with me. ” Even I wanted to see Prakruti again but I declined” No Yaar what will I do there? Kabab me Haddi “. But he insisted me to come.

Days passed on and finally the much awaited Sunday arrived.

I was lying on bed. I was in no mood to get up. I put the blanket all over my body and slept again. But someone pulled it off and wakes me up. I saw him dressing up with full zeal. He picked his best shirt from the wardrobe and put it on the bed. He first shaved and went to take a bath. He took almost half an hour for it. Generally he used to take bath once in a week. He put the perfume combed his hair. I was watching all this as if a TV serial was going on in front of me. He was writing something on a piece of paper. When I closely saw it, it was a greetings card for the first love. I wondered how many first loves this guy had. He tucked a rose into it and was now all prepared to go. I apologized for the delay and asked for ten minutes. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and sprayed deo and left with him. Well in College Hostels taking bath is considered as a special occasion. More over this time I was in hurry so no question of taking bath. In an hour or so we reached there at station. Ved was constantly there on phone all his way discussing where she supposed to wait, what kind of get up he has and asking her get up as well. I overheard that she is wearing a blue Capri and white T. He instructed her to come out of gate no 1. He left to receive her towards Gate. I stayed back.

In a flash I saw him running towards me. Run Vikki! Run…He screamed from a distance. I had no clue what he was talking But I ran. I asked him what happened. He sighed “Thank God, I am spared. She is not at all good looking. Oh...How did I put myself into her trap? Anyway let’s get back to hostel.” He was trying to hide his face. Even I was feeling like laughing on his hard luck but suddenly the poor thought of that innocent girl struck. I yelled at him” Are you crazy!!! That girl is coming from Mumbai to meet you and you coward, you are doing this to her. Go and spend some time with her. In the evening send her back to Mumbai. And tell her after some days that you don’t love her. She will understand it. But For now just go to her.” He said” If you are feeling so much about her, why don’t you go and show her the city. Take my cell, contact her and move. I am leaving”. He was shameless as ever and I was helpless as always.

I was standing alone there. I was amused how that beautiful girl whom I met in the train can turn out to be so ugly. With a heavy heart I moved towards Gate No 1. I saw a girl in the same outfit. I went to her greeted” Hi. I am Vikki. I know you are looking for Ved but he has got a very urgent college work now. So he has left for the university in between from the halfway. And he has sent me to receive you. He will be back in few hours.” I was quite hesitant in it but said” I am feeling very sorry about it. If you don’t mind you can come with me. By then he will come back I can take you to some coffee shop.” But she declined gracefully”No thanks! Even I have to go back due to some urgent work”. Needless to say that she understood every bit of what happened there. I saw her moist eyes and cursed Ved for all this. InFact I was the root cause for all this. I took the ticket for the next train to Mumbai. I said Bye to her and came back.

My head was aching. So I took a disprin. After some time I went to PCO to call that girl, just to know If she has reached safe. Soon the call got connected, a female voice came from the other end “Hi , Prakruti speaking…”. I was freezed at this. This was her voice whom I met in the train. I mumbled” Can you guess who is speaking??”

She replied naughtily “Hiren Stop it!!! Now switch back to your original voice. I know today is 1st April and you cannot make me fool. Come home soon. I am waiting for you”. I lost my grip on the phone. I redialed and then realized my mistake. Earlier I had dialed a wrong number. The last digit I pressed zero instead of eight.

I checked the date in my watch. It was 1st April.... April Fool…

I realized she made me fool long before and destiny made me this realize on 1st April.

She.....

She.....

POOoooooooooooo….n…… the whistle of train generally excites those who are outside it. But I was inside lying on my berth waiting desperately for Pune station to come. I had finished two books already and was in no mood to go for the third one. The excitement of coming back to Pune for awhile was enthralling me. In fact it was going to be a very brief visit but still in few next moments I would be at the place where I spent my most of the young life perhaps the advent of my JAWANIHOOD.I had to just get some papers verified and attested from my Last company. My stay was arranged in company campus only. I had decided that I will stay for a night only.
Soon the train reached at Pune Station. It was a pleasant evening. I rushed for a taxi and asked him to go to Hinjewadi. Then I poured myself in whirlpool of old memories of this place. Suddenly when I broke out of it, we were somewhat near Wakad where I stayed for more than two years with two of my best friends. Out of my astonishment I got down at that crossroad where one very life impacting incident of my Life happened few years back.I never knew before this happened that sometimes what just starts with a prank can turn to be so devastating. I couldn’t stop myself from blaming myself for all that what happenend that night. I ruined my dear friend's life...I sighed within myself.
I saw three guys coming from a distance. All the faces seemed to be familiar. I could recognize them.. Hey it was me (Akash) with Siddhartha (Sid) and Samir (Sam).
I could hear what they were discussing.


Sam was prompting something to Sid. “Hey Sid, we want to gift you something on your birthday. If you are ready for that , well and good else don’t ask for any other gift”. I too nodded “This is the time to fulfill your wishes man. Some time down the line, you will get married and lose your freedom. So better enjoy your singlehood.” I grinned. I pointed to the T shirt Sam was wearing. The punch line written on it was “I am still single but this time with experience”. Sam chuckled” If you want I can get one for you tonight”.
Sid didn’t say anything just moved from his place. I knew Sid is a fattoo. It is not his cup of tea. He will never agree on this. But we never know what could be his reaction as we are so unsure about his mood. Suddenly He said “OK!!! I am ready. But now you are trapped. You big ass. Go and arrange a girl for me tonight as my birthday gift. If you cannot, I am going to bump your head”. Saying this he left for home.
I was stunned. So as Sam was. No one expected this from our cool customer Sid. But now this has turned to be a matter of ego. I was clueless about how Sam is going to keep his promise. I just knew that I have to share the half of the expenses whatever it is. I was angry within but couldn’t do much as I was also half responsible for it. I looked at Sam’s face. He was panicked but was trying to hide all his emotions. “I know one medical shop here. I guess the shop keeper can help. He must have some idea I feel. He was talking regarding this to someone last Sunday when I visited him”.
“I am not a part of this. I screamed. I don’t care for your promise or ego whatever. I don’t want to get crushed publicly” I said terrified. But Sam pleaded “Don’t leave me like this man. You simply can’t. Just stay with me. Don’t do anything. I will take care of everything.” OK..I agreed. I was sure Sam has no guts to do this. But I accompanied him.
He went towards the Shop. I was watching him from a distance. But he returned halfway. I smiled at him and said Lets go back and play cards at home. “No yaar few guys are there. Let them move from there”.
He was moving to and fro like a pendulum. I was excited from within just wanted to see the outcome of the whole episode. Moreover deep inside I was frightened. I guess we stayed there looking at shop for more than an hour. I looked at my watch. It was showing 10:00PM. I said “I am leaving. All the best you carry on your expedition”. I rushed towards our home. Sam too followed me.
Very soon he caught me and yelled out “You coward!!! Don’t show your face again”. I was walking steadily. Suddenly a harsh voice asked us to stop from behind. We looked back. A guy of age 27-28 was there. He came closer and muttered “I saw you at the shop discussing something for a long time. Can I help you?” I said “No. Thanks” and moved forward. After some time I realized Sam is not walking along me. I turned back to see what happened. I saw him talking to that guy. Soon he came to me. He was looking relieved. I asked what happened. He laughed loudly “That guy was an agent. My part DONE. Now I will see what guts Sid has”. While we were returning a black cat crossed the road ahead of us. It was a bad omen. I was too afraid to say anything. Still I said “Stop It. Here itself and close the deal.” But Sam was adamant.

We entered the house. Sid was watching the movie “DIL CHAHTA HAI”. Sam ecstatically said “I have arranged a bride for you for tonight. Enjoy your Birthday Gift. She will be coming in few minutes”. Sid got fainted at this but controlled himself and said” You morons move from here. I will tackle everything”. Suddenly the door bell rang. We two rushed to upstairs and seized ourselves in my room.

Next morning when we got up, it was already 11 am. Sid was not there downstairs. We searched the entire house. But we didn’t find him. The day passed and in the evening around 7, I with Sam went to have some tea at the chowk. We saw Sid coming from a distance. He was enthralled even he hugged Sam. I was clueless wondering what happened to this guy.
Sid started “The girl’s name is Shalini. She is very good girl. So enthusiastic and refreshing. I was with her for entire day. We roamed around throughout the city.” Sam interrupted in between “Did anything happen last night you dumb” couldn’t control his excitement. Sid said “No. I took her back home. But I met her today morning and we hanged around together. I don’t know but I guess I have developed some feelings for her.”
“What rubbish feelings!!! Are you sick??” I nearly screamed at him. Sam was equally amused “ Have you gone nuts!!! Think of the girl you are planning to settle with..She is a bloody…I simply can’t accept this”.
But I guess there was no impact of all this on Sid. He was adamant as always. Nevertheless we were much bothered about his parents.
Sid tried to convince us “Look guys!!! I was with her for entire day. I know how tough it is to lead life at her place. She is not doing all this with her will. She is forced to do all this as her younger brother is in Hospital undergoing a treatment for blood cancer. Now I will handle everything. Just do me a favor. You guys please don’t tell my parents about all this. When the right time will come I will tell them myself.” We were astonished by the guts of this chap. I guess sometimes for a man, his reputation is everything. That’s why we stopped talking to Sid for a while. It was a clear indication that he has to either choose her or us. Days followed on and he kept meeting her.
But finally this has to come to an end. Sam called Sid’s parents and bitched everything. Of course I was with him in this holy act of his. They were shocked after hearing this. His Dad showed up next morning. He locked himself in a room with Sid. After few minutes Sid came out crying “ My mom is ill. I have to go back to my place at the earliest.” Both of them left in the afternoon.
Days passed on. We were waiting for Sid to come back. But neither he nor his phone came. I was afraid if he will ever show up. One day his resignation letter came. I was shocked and so was Sam. We had lost our dear friend. I didn’t know whether we should regret or what. But a burden was there in back of my mind. We were missing him. Suddenly one fine day I got opportunity to go Onsite for a project running out of Australia. I restarted my life from there leaving behind all the miseries. Time passed on and then I travelled various places across the globe. Sam also moved to United states for higher education and got settled there. But still no clue of Sid. What happened to him. Where is he? How is he? No idea at all.

“Eiiii…..” suddenly I came out of my dream by this noise. Probably it came out of that car when it applied its brakes. I saw the indicators turning on and off. The car owner was on call as the car was on halt. Still the indicators were on. I was bit surprised at this but neglected it. All of a sudden I saw a lady inching towards that car. Alas it was she..SHALINI…
All of a sudden all the burden on my head went off. I was now much relieved and I sighed “I saved him. I saved my dear friend.” I got up and left for my destination.