Part 9: A new friendship blooms…..with it a new angle too!

He opened his eyes with a startle......."Wasnt it the same girl whom he saw at the station, Abhilasha??"  

He felt like running behind the train or follow her to wherever she went……trace her, woo her……make her fall for him……but he did neither of it……His logical side tied him up…this was not a film where hero does all that to win his love…….It was life and there were better ways to do it………he smiled to himself……He knew that a phone call to her telling her that he was the singer whom she adored would do the trick in one go………

But again, he didn’t want to do it…….He wished to make her fall in love with him for the person he was and not because she fancied the singer in him……that wouldn’t be fair….that wouldn’t be real love….it would only be an illusion which seemed like love!! And he didn’t want that……He closed his diary and walked back to his place……

Days passed by swiftly but her face didn’t erase away……The guy who ran miles away from love was thinking about love and also about the girl who had swept him off his feet in the most unexpected way!……But he wasn’t yet the die -hard romantic type of guy who could go to any extent to trace her and tell her what he felt about her…….So as decided, he just let it rest………

Moreover, he had come there for work and letting it suffer was never an option……The project was very important for him and his company…..his career was pinned to it……..So like any dutiful employee, he concentrated on the project! She was still there in his mind but was given a back seat for now…….Like all his songs, she remained a melodious rendition in his heart, his lips……and all over……But he didn’t let that distract him from his project!

The work was progressing in a fast pace….Working in Abhay’s office had a lot of benefits…….the interaction between the teams happened without any delays….both teams were at unison and there were no major deviations from the requirements…..and Chaitanya’s presence only made it all the more smoother……

Abhay was getting highly impressed by Chaitanya……his sincere efforts were being duly acknowledged by Abhay!

Initially, brief discussions about the project were the only interactions between the two but gradually, it deepened and general professional level talks happened…….

Abhay was slowly opening up as a person……..Previously, he always preferred to be a closed person mainly due to his social and financial status……He never had close friends of his age group….and whatever little he had were very shallow relations…….Slowly, Abhay was finding a friend in Chaitanya……Abhay, himself wasn’t aware of this growing friendship……..Many a times, he realized that he was telling personal affairs and stopped conversations abruptly………He was adamant that he didn’t want such a close friend…….He wanted to be a private person…he always felt that such a close friendship didn’t suit his aura…….but slowly, oblivious to his own self, he started knowing that it was just his misconception…..A great friend is always an asset and no doubt Chaitanya was a great friend, a great person at heart.…gradually, he enjoyed Chaitanya’s company…..

Though he forced himself and tried to be secretive, Chaitanya’s personality was such that it made the most difficult person to speak up……He charmed people…..and Abhay was no exception…….

Occasionally, Chaitanya also spoke about his band…....though Abhay wasnt a keep music lover, he loved listening to Chaitanya's encounters in the field! 

During one of such random conversations....the topic went deeper down and made them open the deepest secrets....

Abhay: all your songs seem to be revolving over the subject of love!

Chaitanya: [suddenly Abhilasha's face flashes in his mind and he smiles at it] hmmmm [just nods to him]

Abhay:  why are you smiling?? did something funny spring up in your head or what??

Chaitanya: not really! love is something which automatically brings a smile on your lips.....its magical.....its special Mr Abhay! only when you fall in love, do you realize it! And when you are in love, life becomes most beautiful.....everything around us becomes beautiful.....And guess what, all my songs, all my music....i have to attribute everything to love.....

Abhay: [slightly confused with the entire thought] oh oh.....somebody seems to be crazily in love! some girl seems to have swept you off your feet!!! WOW.....sounds as if you are enjoying every bit of it!

Chaitanya: [suddenly conscious of what he is talking about] hmmm sort of....

Abhay: [getting more interested in his love story] come on Chaitanya....out with it...i would love to hear it.....Who is the lucky girl who seem to have installed herself in you??? [winks]

Chaitanya: as a matter of fact, its not yet a love affair.......I love her and i am sure about it......but i dont know about her.......i know she likes me but......[abhay snaps in at that "but"....]

Abhay: WOW unspoken love!!....hey like or love, everything is the same.....

Chaitanya: no no no.......its not all the same.....you could like, adore or admire anybody......but love, its a different feeling altogether......you will know it when it happens to you.....It can neither be forced on yourself nor on someone else....[appears lost in her thoughts]

Abhay: [snapping him from his trance] anyways, why wouldnt she love you? you are a great guy and every girl would die to get you......[Abhay tries to comfort him] Whats her name?? 

Chaitanya: mmmmmm......Aa[stumbles and thinks to himself]
Chaitanya's mind voice: I shouldnt be divulging any of her details to a third person before talking to her and knowing her opinion on this......She might not like it....its not fair too....So i better shut this out now........

Abhay: hey what are you thinking?? dont tell me that you dont know her name also!!

Chaitanya: [coming out of his thoughts with a firm face] her name is Asha......I have met her just once and that too at the most unexpected manner......i cant say if its a love at first sight.......but somehow she matched the dream girl I had in my heart! [pausing for a moment] She is still like a unfulfilled wish in my heart........She is my Asha!

Abhay: [simply blown away and awestruck at his reply] that by itself sounded poetic!!! no wonder she is your inspiration dude........[Smiles at him......Chaitanya responds with a smile too and he decides to turn tables]

Chaitanya: so now tell me about your love......have you ever been in love???

Abhay: [confused what to say......but reluctantly briefs about Abhilasha and his proposal with her]  hmmm......I am getting engaged soon.....My mom is the master mind! its an arranged affair, you see.....[smiles]

Chaitanya: cool...so what if its arranged?? you love each other and thats why its progressing towards the engagement, na???  You must be going through the same feelings as mine.......in fact, you are better off than me......atleast you have your girl in your hands....[grinning widely]...its a season of romance!!!...I am sure that the days to come would be magical and special to you and your special girl!!

[They part for the long day but that small chat had set Abhay thinking]

Abhay's POV:
Why dont i feel anything special or magical like he mentioned??? in a few days, i am getting hitched to her but still......[stops his thoughts and ponders the possible reasons] is it because all this is rushed up or because  its arranged??? but even then, why do i feel distant?? we met just once and our families met.....we gave our nod and everything got fixed in a couple of days........but so far, we didnt make any attempt to meet each other again......we didnt even speak to each other.......neither she called nor i did.........why is the urge to meet or talk missing???.......[puts a sudden brake on his deviating thoughts] hold on.....what am i thinking??? why the hell am i getting carried away like this??? he is a guy crazily in love with a random girl.......He spoke about his thoughts on love and life....why is my ideology getting disturbed by that?? wasnt i expecting this sort of a marriage?? why am i rethinking now?? [again his thoughts ran amok] but still, as they say in films, that spark or what do they call, aaah....the chemistry is missing in our relationship......It sounded exciting when he said all about it.....I definitely need to bring it in........wait, i have her number.....let me talk to her and find out what she thinks......[He starts searching for her number]

[Abhay was a novice in all this....He didnt know what to do or how to proceed......How will he go about it?? will he ever succeed?? will Chaitanya and Abhay ever get to know the common girl in their life?? How will they get over this??]

[TO BE CONTINUED]