Iccchha shakti

Freaky stuff happening to me....whatever I think comes true!!! -Well, except the lotto ticket numbers :( Darn if only - Sigh!!!
The other day, just came to mind that abc hasn't called for a while (7 months to be precise) and lo and behold, abc calls in an hour! Then I am thinking about defg (sorry for the bad names folks :)...I don't know defg too well but my intution tells me a couple of things and I am dead on...defg admitted/told me so! Then I am sleeping and I get this feeling that there is an email that i need to read...i check the messenger...that cute little envelope is there! (I need to get a life!)
Looking at someone's pic for the first time and a sense of deja vu....Freaky!

vi is open for business as a psychic....$100 per question :)

P.S. Talked to dad...and feel much better!

Love you people...you are the best! vi getting senti....

It's ok dad!

Last night talked to my parents...Friday nights are call home nights!
Like every week dad would say three lines...Kaise hai beta..Saab theek hai na? Kuch chahiye? Paise Behjon? My answer is always...Theek hoon Dad, nahi kuch nahi chahiye.
(I have been working for quite sometime now...but to my dad I am still his little girl! And he still gives me money when he comes to visit Toronto...what with my ziid of not going to India until one of the two things happen)

But yesterday there was something in his voice...something that kept me awake all night...he was telling me about this aquaintance of mine she had a baby yesterday...and I could sense the guilt in his voice, and his first attempt to tell me to do something about myself! I know he thinks too much about me...my mom is very vocal about things, she will tell me how worried she is for me, and does all the emotional drama (sometimes even emotional blackmail) but Dad never said anything and never showed any signs but yesterday when his voice cracked...my heart just broke...I wish I could re-assure him that its Ok daddy...I will be fine!

Grrrr!

#1
Finally found a quite spot to write "The next best seller" (Yeah Right!) so this last week spent most of my lunch hour (almost everyday) there. Today this jerk of a guy comes and sits on the bench... there are two more...go sit there grrr!

"Nice day!"
I nod and try to smile (You see it doesn't come naturally to me! :))
"Do you have the time"
Me "No" (Tone said: Leave me alone!)
"Whats your name"
Me to myself As if!!! @#$... and had decided to leave.
Next question just made me get up and leave
"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Why are (some) guys such jerks?
Seriously...whats with these guys??? As if that line is going to work for any girl!


#2
Earlier this week
After the initial line..."Excuse me...can you tell me how to go to the via rail station"? I told him the directions.
"Thank you"
"Where are you from?"
Shoooot!!! But something wicked in me made me answer him.
"Here. Canada"
"I mean your ethnicity"
I just smiled.
Apparently he likes "Indian girls"!

Question: Do guys seriouly think talking to girls on the road, on the train, in the mall, or in a bookstore is going to get them anywhere...someone please enlighten me!

One idea, many stories, vi's version.

Continued from Here

She didn't expect him to call while on his business trip but there was still some sort of wait. May be its not that bad an idea to meet him. She had yet to see him in person or in pictures. But it didn't really matter. She knew how superficial looks were. But still she wondered, what would he be like, tall dark and handsome, or someone like Shekar Kapoor, intellectual, bearded and cute!

She received an almost affectionate email from him from Vienna.

Hi Mita,

I arrived here two days ago, most of the time I was busy with the work but today I had some time and I went sight seeing. Vienna is such a beautiful city...I wish there was someone to share all this beauty with (may be next time).

How are you doing? I will call you Thursday...say 9.PM your time!

Haven't even met you but somehow missed you today.

Vivek

The call:

V: "Hi Mita"
M:"Hi Vivek"
V: "Just got back"
"Great. How was it?"
V: "It was good...just a little lonely. In your own city its different but outside feels alienated"
"I know what you mean"
V: "So what else!"
"Nothing much"
V: "How is Nidhi?"
"She is good. Talked to her just a couple of days ago"
V: "I have a Didi...well we are not related but very close family friends in your city"
"Really? Interesting"
V: "Yes, in fact still sends me Rakhis"
"Nice"
V: "She has invited me to your city...may be this time I will take her up on it"
"Anything special this time?"
V: "Yes" (Laughs)
"Interesting"
V: "It is. May be I would get to meet you"
"Yes, that would be good!"
V: "You haven't even seen me have you?"
"No, not yet"
V: "I mean in pictures"
"No, not even in pictures"
V: "Aren't you curious?"
"I am"
V: "Let me send you one from the ones I took in Vienna"
"Great"

That was 3 months ago. 100 calls, 57 emails dozens of e-cards and regular chats later, she was absolutely in love with him. He seemed to be very fond of her too. Mita couldn't wait for him to come to Vancouver. He lived in Atlanta. He was planing to come to Vancouver for 4 days.

His flight would arrive in half an hour- she was waiting for him at the airport. She checked herself in the mirror. She didn't want to look too anxious or too eager to meet him but she was both.

Finally his flight landed. She recognized him instantly. After a bit of hesitation, they were talking like they always did on the phone.

He had made reservations at one of the downtown hotels. After dinner she dropped him off.

He called her late at night hoping to leave a message but she picked up the phone.

"Still up?"
"About to sleep", she lied. "Everything ok?"
"Yes, just wanted to tell you I had a wonderful time."
"Me too"
"I will visit my Di tomorrow morning and evening is all yours"
"Great! Look forward to it"
“When are we visiting Nidhi?”
“Up to you.”
"Whenever you want is fine with me"
"It’s a 3 hours drive, how about Sunday?”
“Sunday sounds good”

She met him at the Chinese garden at 4 the next day. They walked hand in hand in the garden...but he was quieter today.

"Is something bothering you?"
"No"
"Sure?"
He smiled.
"It’s my Di, she is such a strong woman, and an extremely nice one too!"
"Everything ok with her"
"Yes. She has gone through a lot", he managed a smile.
"You seem to be very close to her"
"I am. As a child, she pampered me a lot. They were our neighbors for about 8 years."

He got a call from her on his phone.

"Di, I promised her I will spend the evening with her...Ok will try"
He put his hand on the phone.
"She is calling us for dinner. Would you like to?", he asked Mita
"If you would like to go then sure"
"Awesome"
He continued on the phone. "Yes, Di we will be there at 8.00"

They spent the rest enjoying each others company. Went to Mita's place so that she could change into something more traditional...a sari perhaps. She wanted to make the right impression on anyone who was important to Vivek.

They drove to this new part of Vancouver. She was a bit nervous. He assured her, "They will love you...just like I do"
She smiled.
He knocked on the door.
His Di opened the door, standing behind her was Shalesh.
Mita still felt the sting of the slap, which she had received from her the last time she met her.

Second Last Part

[A few notes,
-authors comment are bold
-Part 3 does not add much to the story-and hence you can safely skip it
latest part *flashing*
If you are in the mood of a better story click here
]

"Talk to him once if you don't like him then just reject him!"
Mita was uncomfortable with this...she hated this concept...of being looked at or looking at someone in that way. It is so much better to know people for who they are without having to see them through the prospective angle/lens.
It’s pretty stressful to talk to someone with that little piece of information at the back of your head.
It came as a relief that Nidhi had already done the ground work for her. She had already told the guy "everything" -all the things that had stopped others in their track! After all it was Nidhi's cousin she was talking about.
"I can't reject anyone! It’s so cruel!"
"Fine, do whatever you want" she could sense the anger in Nidhi's voice.
And we all know when a woman uses the word "fine" that means trouble.
"To be honest with you Nidhi...I am ok the way I am...I don't want any of this"
"Fine. All I am asking is to talk to him"
"I am more comfortable emailing"
"Okie will let him know"
"Thanks hon! And don't you get angry with me...you are all I got here!"
"That’s what I am saying let me help you...you deserve so much better...and would I pick someone bad for you?"
"Okie my head is going to swell up now...so I will talk to you later"

She kept the phone down.
She received an email from him the next day. He told her that Nidhi had told him everything about her. He was fine with it, after all no one in this world is perfect and everyone has a history. And that he had heard so many good things from Nidhi about her. He wanted to know more about her from her.... At the end of the email, he asked for a picture.
Mita thought about it. Her heart and head both said "No" but for Nidhi's sake she will send him a picture. She wasn't a beauty just average looking...so she took a really bad picture of herself and sent it to him. Hoping he wouldn't be interested after that...after all how much can a guy take! But surprise of surprise he found her cute! And said how beautiful she looked.
And the emails began to flow in...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part -2
He seemed eager to know about her. He had said all the right things. But there was something that Mita could not put a finger on it but something in her being advised her against it...some sort of sixth sense. It had warned her before, but she had suppressed it then and the consequence she will have to live with for the rest of her life. She was utterly confused. On one hand was the pressure from everyone around her to get married...she was fast approaching the dreaded age. She didn't have anything special about her...average looks, average finances...and then at the top of it the stigma of...she shook her head to not even start thinking about that....
Nidhi had promised her she told him "everything"...he never mentioned any of it in his emails...only in the first he had mentioned none of us being perfect....
She didn't have it in her to find love again. And everyone else had given up on her...through it all Nidhi had stood by her like a rock...She still instilled hope in her...and after her(Mita's) last attempt had failed...Nidhi decided to step in and take some action and that’s how Vivek came in the picture.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 3

"Good Night!"
"Good night, Kev" she looked at the time it was already 7.30 and she was still at work trying to meet the unrealistic schedules that managers promise to the executive team!
She hated taking her work home but she didn't have much of a choice, she shoved the notebook in the bag and headed home, there were still people working...but she was exhausted.
"Good night guys"
"Good night Mita"
"Have a good one"
"See you tomorrow"

By the time she reached home it was already 8.30.
She rebooted her computer, logged into messenger, switched on the TV. Picked up the phone to check her messages.
You have 2 new messages. To listen to your messages press 11...
The automated voice response continued.
First Message
"Mita, its me (It was Nidhi) its 8 o clock where are you? Nothing particular will call you later. Bye"
To reply to the message press...Second message
"Haan meetu beta, call home...you didn't even call last week (It was mom)"
She calculated the time must be around 7 in the morning in India. It was too early to call mom and dad.

She called Nidhi
Her husband picked up the phone
"Hi Nidhant"
"Hi Mita, how are you?"
"I am good and you?"
"I am good too. You sound tired though"
"Kinda, long day at work..."
"Tell me about it! Let me call Nidhi"
"Thanks"
"Heeey!!!"
"Hi Nidhi, got your message"
"Yes, so how is it going?"
Mita knew what she was asking!
"katt rahi hai"
"Kaat maat...so how is it going with Vivek "
"I donno...he seems like a nice guy"
"He is"

"Leave her alone Nidhi...she just came back from work let her rest". She could overhear Nidant.

"You just got home? From work you mean?"
"Where else?”
"You know what Nidant is right will call you on the weekend"
"It’s ok. You tell me, how are you"
"Same old same old. I was talking to my aunt last night and it occurred to me you haven't told me how is it going with Vivek?"
"He emails me now and then and I reply to him. Last week he asked me if I have messenger".
Nidhi detected no emotions in the way she said that.
"You know what, take a few days off...lets go to Montreal..."
"I wish...release hai...and I have to fend for myself", she laughed.
"Hmm...we will have to do something about that"
They both laughed.
"Mita, call me on the weekend"
"Alrighty"
"Bye."
"Bye"

She worked on the project for a few hours.
What a life she thought. It occurred to her no wonder she did not have anyone in her life...where was the time for it? An online relationship was all she had time for!

----------------------------------------
*Sorry folks totally went of track here...will get back on track soon! This sounds more like vi's life then mita's ;)*


Part 4
She checked her mail. There was one from Vivek. She opened it almost excitedly.
It read:
Hi Mita,
I am going out of town for a week. Just letting you know (not that it matters…we are not in the same town or even country for that matter!)…might not get a chance to reply to your mail fast enough! I am going to Vienna on a business trip. I will be back in a week’s time.

Take care.
Vivek

It seemed so matter of fact. She was almost disappointed. But she was partly to blame for it. He had given her his number in the first email itself. She still hadn’t called him or given him her number. It was not that she was playing hard to get, she just wasn’t sure of herself anymore. Shal(esh) had completely shattered her belief in people as well as her self-esteem. Although, if he(Vivek) really wanted he could have got it from Nidhi-he had asked her instead. She thought.

She clicked the reply button but decided against it. It was about time she called him.They had been exchanging emails for over a month now. She needed to get past Shal at any cost; it was enough that he had driven her to insanity-the breakdown and all the trips to the shrink flashed before her eyes. And the slap that Shal’s wife registered across her face, the slap that finally brought her out of the lie she was living..everything came back to haunt her.

It was almost evening; she was still contemplating whether she should call him. She finally dialed the number.
“Vivek Speaking” an awesome voice answered.
“Hi Vivek”
“Hi” (confused)
“Guess who is calling!” This was more to know about all the women he knew (wicked!)
“Hmmm…Mita?”
She laughed.
“How did you know…must be the caller ID?”
“aa-oo- busted!”
Now they both laughed.
“So finally, I thought you would never call!”
“I wanted to…”
“It’s ok. So how are you?”
“I am good and you?”
“Couldn’t be better”
“So Vienna and that too for a business trip?”
“(Laughs) Yes, unfortunately. Nidhi tells me you are quite a traveler yourself”
“That would be an exaggeration. I have been to a few places that’s about it”
“Have you been to Vienna?”
“No, never been there”
There was a beep for an incoming call.
“Vivek, I have an incoming call…sorry will have to take it”
“Sure. Can I call you?”
“Sure you can! Bye”
“Bye”

one story idea many stories...Punds version...a must read!

"Talk to him once if you don't like him then just reject him!"

Mita was uncomfortable with this...she hated this concept...of being looked at or looking at someone in that way. It is so much better to know people for who they are without having to see them through the prospective angle/lens.

Its pretty stressful to talk to someone with that little piece of information at the back of your head.
It came as a relief that Nidhi had already done the ground work for her. She had already told the guy "everything" -all the things that had stopped others in their track! All the details. After all it was Nidhi's cousin she was talking about.

"I can't reject anyone! Its so cruel to do that"

“Fine, do whatever you want" she could sense the anger in Nidhi's voice
And we all know when a woman uses the word "fine" that means trouble.

"To be honest with you Nidhi...I am ok the way I am...I don't want any of this"

Fine. All I am asking you is talk to him"

"I am more comfortable emailing"

"Okie will let him know"

"Thanks hon! And don't you get angry with me...you are all i got here!"

"Thats what i am saying let me help you...you deserve so much better...and would I pick someone bad for you?"

"Okie my head is going to swell up now...so i will talk to you later"

She kept the phone down.

She recieved an email from him the next day. He told her that Nidhi had told him everything about her. He was fine with it, after all no one in this world is perfect and everyone has a history. And that he had heard so many good things from Nidhi about her. He wanted to know more about her from her.... At the end of the email. He asked for a picture.

Mita thought about it. Her heart and head both said "No" but for Nidhi's sake she will send him a picture. She wasn't a beauty just average looking...so she took a really bad picture of herself and sent it to him. Hoping he wouldn't be interested after that...after all how much can a guy take! But surprise of surprise he fould her cute! And said how beatiful she looked.

And the email began to flow in...

He seemed eager to know about her. He had said all the right things. But there was something that Mita could not put a finger on it but something in her being advised her against it...some sort of sixth sense. It had warned her before, but she had supressed it then and the consequence she will have to live with for the rest of her life. She was utterly confused. On one hand was the pressure from everyone around her to get married...she was fast approaching the dreaded age. She didn't have anything special about her...average looks, average finances...and then at the top of it the stigma of...she shook her head to not even start thinking about that....

Nidhi had promised her she told him "everything"...he never mentioned any of it in his emails...only in the first he had mentioned none of us being perfect....

She didn't have it in her to find love again. And everyone else had given up on her...through it all Nidhi had stood by her like a rock...She still instilled hope in her...and after her(Mita's) last attempt had failed...Nidhi decided to step in and take some action and thats how Vivek came in the picture.


Mita was warming up to Vivek but then she had her doubts. Men are always like that. They come up as caring and loving at first but turn out the opposite, a complete monster. There were times when she was at the receiving end, emotionally and physically. Right from her teen ages, she did not have much luck with men. They have been arrogant, abusive, self-centered and violent. She did not want to go through it again. Not after all these years. She just wanted to be her. Was there not one person who could stand by her? She had given so much to every relationship but what she has got back in return?

As she sat one night thinking of where life had taken her, she switched on her computer to find one more mail from Vivek. Her heart skipped a beat. She was surprised at her own anticipation. Two months ago, when Nidhi had given her email id to Vivek, she replied back just because Nidhi wanted it. Now she waited for his mails, replied the same hour and sometimes just checked to see if he sent anything, even a stupid forward.

She opened the mail. As always, the words were warm and kind. He was describing his day and then was asking about her day, the usual stuff. Even that made Mita like him more. She continued reading till she came to the last line

P. S.: I know you may still not like it, but can we meet?

Mita froze, not by the request but on the thought of meeting him. Communicating through mail was easy but meeting personally was something she was not prepared for. For the first time, she did not reply back immediately. Mita spent the whole night thinking. In the morning she called Nidhi. Nidhi was overjoyed.

“You should go”
“But….”
“Listen, no buts, just go! I know Vivek, he is very shy. He asking to meet is certainly a good sign and if you afraid to go alone, take Shweta”
“But….”
“Fine! Do whatever you want”

Mita sighed helplessly. This was sheer blackmail. She agreed reluctantly. She replied back to the mail agreeing to meet him. The reply from him was instant and rather enthusiastic. The date and time was fixed.


From morning Mita was feeling a little nervous. She had to meet Vivek in the evening. She decided to take Nidhi’s advice and take Shweta along. Convincing her was not a problem. But her dance class in the evening was a big hurdle. She talked to Nidhi who agreed to drop Shweta at the restaurant itself which meant she was going to face him alone. She dreaded that.

By evening she was getting jittery. She fussed over her dress and her make-up and her jewelry. Nidhi who had volunteered to help her get ready was surprised at her enthusiasm.

They laughed like teenagers getting ready and fighting over the dress. Mita felt like a teenager again. She looked at herself in the mirror. Not bad, not bad at all!


Mita sat on the corner table. No sign of him yet. Had she been stood up, again? She was made to look stupid, again. He last few days, she had felt a renewed interest in life, a will to live life at its fullest. She was willing to live again, dream again. As she waited for him, she was seeing her dreams crashing one by one. She smiled at herself. Atleast, they did not have to go through the break phase.

“Hi, Mita?” A sweet firm voice woke her from her thoughts.
“huh? Yes! Yes! Ohh Hi” She fumbled with her words
“Its Vivek, Sorry I am late. Had to do some errand and the traffic, you know how it is?”
She smiled back. Her mind was screaming. “Say something! Stupid!”

“Oh! Don’t worry! I have just been waiting for the last 2 hours….only” She could have bitten her tongue when she said that. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” her mind screamed.

He laughed at that joke. “I am very sorry. I will make up to it! I promise!”

“Please sit! I hope you are comfortable. This is odd for me too. I don’t meet females in restaurants, you know. But since Nidhi thought we should meet and she said you wanted to meet too.”

Nidhi! So this was Nidhi’s idea. She was cursing Nidhi in her head. What a show of anger that girl can put.

“I am sorry. But Nidhi told me that you wanted to meet” Mita corrected him
“Oh! Is it? The devil she is!” The waiter came to their table and they ordered giving her the choice to order for herself and for him too. She was impressed. No man had asked for her choices.

They started talking over food. A bit shy at first, they started opening up slowly. After some time, they were cracking jokes.

“This is different” Mita thought and smiled at herself.

She noticed that, he was glancing at the door from time to time. She had been doing so too. Shweta should be here by now.

“Are you expecting someone?” She asked
“Yes! She should have been here long time ago!” He replied without looking at her.

Mita looked at him, shocked. She? Did he say She? This was not what she had expected. Maybe he had met someone else. This was just a bye-bye dinner. As she was Nidhi’s friend, he felt an obligation to tell her in person. Her dreams started crashing again. He was going to introduce her to his new girl-friend? She felt like a loser already. Why the hell did she agree to Nidhi?

“There is something I wanted to tell you” he said taking another helping of the pulav.
“Here it comes” Mita thought

Without actually waiting for a reply, he continued “We have been talking on the email a lot. Nidhi has told everything about you and I feel that everyone makes mistakes”

“Mistake?” She thought, Even He agreed, it was a mistake. All this crap about starting a new life and everything, all this was a mistake. He was referring to his mistake of talking to her in the first place. She was feeling humiliated there. She just wanted to get it over with. She wanted to cry her heart out.

“Since the last few days, I feel that I have found the perfect person to spend my life with for the rest of my life” He continued looking into her eyes. She looked at him, shocked

Yes! She was right. He had come here to tell that everything was over. What kind of happiness did he get by telling her on her face? She had come all the way here to see who he was going to marry?

“There she is” he said looking at the door.

Mita was just trying to get out of the shock of him telling her about his “Life partner” and now the ‘other’ woman in her life was at the door. She turned toward the door, expecting to see a beautiful woman smiling, but saw a small 5-year old girl running up to him.

“Daddy” She jumped on him. He caught her lightly.

Standing behind was Nidhi, still holding Shweta’s hand. Shweta’s other hand was holding a dripping ice-cream. Shweta looked at Mita and walked to her.

“Mummy! Nidhi aunty is nice she gave me two ice-creams but Ashi only wanted one” Shweta smiled pointing to the little girl sitting on Vivek’s lap.

Mita was confused. Vivek was smiling and Nidhi was smiling and happy.

“Sorry! I did not tell you.” Nidhi started “It was just that you would freak out when you know Vivek was already married once, just like you. His wife died two years back. He saw you, when you came to drop Shweta in the dance classes. Ashi is his daughter. He saw you there with me and then when we talked about you and then I told him everything. Everything from your first marriage, your drunk husband, the abuses and the divorce.” Nidhi completed in one breath as she sat next to them.

Mita was still shocked to say anything.

“She didn’t know about Ashi?” Vivek asked “I told you Nidhi. She has to know everything”

“You don’t know she is paranoid. She has let a number of good men pass and always made some bad choices. Have you asked her?” Nidhi asked. Vivek nodded affirmatively.

“Look Mita! I always thought you had made some bad choices but then you always believed them. Even when you married, you thought he would change. He didn’t. If I would have introduced Vivek with all the truth, you would have backed out. For you he would be a married man with a child. You would have never known him.” Nidhi was trying to reason out with Mita. “I think you both make a wonderful couple. He wanted someone who had a child of her own so that Ashi gets the same love her real mother would give her.”

Mita looked at Ashi. She was a sweet child. Ashi and Shweta were playing at the other table totally oblivious of the drama happening there. Mita looked at Vivek and then at Nidhi. There were some decision to be made. It was of no use waiting and thinking it over. She was tired of putting her decision on hold and then regretting over it.

She looked at Vivek “Vivek, call me in the evening. We need to talk” She called out to Shweta to go home.

Vivek was silent “Listen! I am sorry. I thought Nidhi…”His voice trailed of looking at her face. Nidhi stood there silent. She shook her hands in despair.

Mita took Shweta’s hand and started walking toward the exit. Nidhi wanted to call her from behind but decided otherwise.

Mita stopped, looked back at Vivek and Nidhi. She kneeled down in front of Shweta and looked her in her eyes

“Do you know, who Ashi is?” Mita asked Shweta. Nidhi shook her head in despair expecting her anger to come out then and there. Shweta nodded a big “No”

‘Well! Beta! She is your sister” Mita smiled looking at Vivek and Nidhi. Shweta jumped with joy. Vivek was smiling sheepishly. Nidhi was too happy to say anything.

Mita got up, looked at Vivek again, smiling this time “Vivek, call me, I need to discuss a lot of things with you. A lot of things need to be planned out for the wedding” Vivek and Nidhi smiled back in agreement.

Compromises...

I know that I am(was?) strong (emotionally speaking) I can live life on my own terms, I know conformity is for the "ordinary" people. And it is possible to have a fulfilled life without following the "bhed chal"! Yet, I feel weak sometimes, despite knowing everything I am willing to turn a blind eye? Why? Its just easier that way and who wants a struggle all the time!

It's difficult to explain. Lets say, there are certain things that are discomfortable - for example some cloths or shoes whatever - but you wear them because everyone does, its the thing to do. Its the same with life you do certain things because everyone does it...go to school, go to college, find a job, find a husband/wife (even a lousy one would do just so that everyone would get off your case).

But again its a mind game - if you want to give it importance it is important if you don't, no big deal...another girly example? Like a women who wears makeup every single day would hesitate to go to say a mall (where she doesn't know anyone) without make up thinking she wouldn't look attractive enough (as if anyone really gives a damn!). Its all in the mind! Ok I am confused here...I use to be good at this stuff when I was in school...seems like I have lost my touch...

One shouldn't have to make Compromises! But I still see myself making them at every step of the way...reminds me of a song from a film a friend and I recently discussed...

Yeh Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka
Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai Rang-roop
Thode Ghum Hain, Thodi Khushiyan
Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai Chaon Dhoop
Yeh Jeevan Hai...
Yeh Na Socho Isme Apni Haar Hai Ke Jeet Hai
Ise Apna Lo Jo Bhi Jeevan Ki Reet Hai
Yeh Zid Chodo, Bandhan Yuh Na Todo
Har Pal Ek Darpan Hai
Yeh Jeevan Hai...

Part 3 posted

Okie people...want story ideas...read this and give ideas on what mita should do...best suggestion gets...whatever you want...

"Talk to him once if you don't like him then just reject him!"
Mita was uncomfortable with this...she hated this concept...of being looked at or looking at someone in that way. It is so much better to know people for who they are without having to see them through the prospective angle/lens.
Its pretty stressful to talk to someone with that little piece of information at the back of your head.
It came as a relief that Nidhi had already done the ground work for her. She had already told the guy "everything" -all the things that had stopped others in their track! All the details. After all it was Nidhi's cousin she was talking about.
"I can't reject anyone! Its so cruel to do that"
"Fine, do whatever you want" she could sense the anger in Nidhi's voice
And we all know when a woman uses the word "fine" that means trouble.
"To be honest with you Nidhi...I am ok the way I am...I don't want any of this"
"Fine. All I am asking you is talk to him"
"I am more comfortable emailing"
"Okie will let him know"
"Thanks hon! And don't you get angry with me...you are all i got here!"
"Thats what i am saying let me help you...you deserve so much better...and would I pick someone bad for you?"
"Okie my head is going to swell up now...so i will talk to you later"

She kept the phone down.
She recieved an email from him the next day. He told her that Nidhi had told him everything about her. He was fine with it, after all no one in this world is perfect and everyone has a history. And that he had heard so many good things from Nidhi about her. He wanted to know more about her from her.... At the end of the email. He asked for a picture.
Mita thought about it. Her heart and head both said "No" but for Nidhi's sake she will send him a picture. She wasn't a beauty just average looking...so she took a really bad picture of herself and sent it to him. Hoping he wouldn't be interested after that...after all how much can a guy take! But surprise of surprise he fould her cute! And said how beatiful she looked.
And the email began to flow in...

Now...don't know what to do with Mita...suggestions on what she should do are welcome...and keep in mind this is fiction ;)
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Part -2
He seemed eager to know about her. He had said all the right things. But there was something that Mita could not put a finger on it but something in her being advised her against it...some sort of sixth sense. It had warned her before, but she had supressed it then and the consequence she will have to live with for the rest of her life. She was utterly confused. On one hand was the pressure from everyone around her to get married...she was fast approaching the dreaded age. She didn't have anything special about her...average looks, average finances...and then at the top of it the stigma of...she shook her head to not even start thinking about that....
Nidhi had promised her she told him "everything"...he never mentioned any of it in his emails...only in the first he had mentioned none of us being perfect....
She didn't have it in her to find love again. And everyone else had given up on her...through it all Nidhi had stood by her like a rock...She still instilled hope in her...and after her(Mita's) last attempt had failed...Nidhi decided to step in and take some action and thats how Vivek came in the picture.

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Part 3

"Good Night!"
"Good night, Kev" she looked at the time it was already 7.30 and she was still at work trying to meet the unrealistic schedules that managers promise to the executive team!
She hated taking her work home but she didn't have much of a choice, she shoved the notebook in the bag and headed home, there were still people working...but she was exhausted.
"Good night guys"
"Good night Mita"
"Have a good one"
"See you tomarrow"

By the time she reached home it was already 8.30.
She rebooted her computer, logged into messenger, switched on the t.v. Picked up the phone to check her messages.
You have 2 new messages. To listen to your messages press 11...
The automated voice response continued.
First Message
"Mita, its me (It was Nidhi) its 8 o clock where are you? Nothing particular will call you later. Bye"
To reply to the message press...Second message
"Haan meetu beta, call home...you didn't even call last week (It was mom)"
She calculated the time must be around 7 in the morning in India. Too early to call mom and dad.

She called Nidhi
Her husband picked up the phone
"Hi Nidhant"
"Hi Mita, how are you?"
"I am good and you?"
"I am good too. You sound tired though"
"Kinda, long day at work..."
"Tell me about it! Let me call Nidhi"
"Thanks"
"Heeey!!!"
"Hi Nidhi, got your message"
"Yes, so how is it going?"
Mita knew what she was asking!
"katt rahi hai"
"Kaat maat..so hows it going with Vivek "
"I donno...he seems like a nice guy"
"He is"

Leave her alone Nidhi...she just came back from work let her rest. She could overhear Nidant.

"You just got home? from work you mean?"
"Where else?"
"ok..you know what nidant is right will call you on the weekend"
"Its ok. You tell me, how are you"
"Same old same old. I was talking to my aunt last night and it occured to me you haven't told me how its going with Vivek"
"He emails me now and then and I reply to him. Last week he asked me if i have messenger".
Nidhi detected no emotions in the way she said that.
"You know what, take a few days off...lets go to Montreal..."
"I wish...release hai...and I have to fend for myself", she laughed.
"hmm..we will have to do something about that"
They both laughed.
"Mita, call me on the weekend"
"Alrighty"
"Bye."
"Bye"

She searched for some kind of a quick meal...baggett-tomatoes- she decided to make do bruchetta with cranberry juice.
She longed for a well cooked meal...like mom made.

She worked on the project for a few hours.
What a life she thought. It occured to her no wonder she did not have anyone in her life...where was the time for it? Online relationships was all she had time for!

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Sorry folks totally went of track here...will get back on track soon! This sounds more like vi's life then mita's ;)

Farewell

So march 31...my last day at --. It was also xyz last day at --.
He has worked there for 5 years...and he is very popular.... There was a cake cutting ceremony esp. for him. I forgot the time so by the time i heard the cheers it was already crowded. So i stood at the back listening to him talk about his time there...etc etc and the simultaneous going of at least 40 camra clicks when he cut the cake...he thanked everyone...through it all he saw me...standing at the back...and gestured to come to him. I nodded and he put his arms out...so i walked passed the crowd and went to him...and very naturally a hug followed. In front of everyone...And before I realised everyone's eyes were on me...or at least thats the feeling i got...
People hung around for about 20 minutes xyz opened his present and thanked everyone...then he started to cry...and got really emotional...told everyone thanks...please go back to work now...everyone dispersed some with tears in their eyes...I went back and told him, I want a pic with you...he said sure. So A took our pic, then P called everyone and we took a pic with everyone. Then I went back to my cubicle...thought about how nice xyz had been to me....went to shops downstair and got him something I know he is fond of...I was going to his office and he was on his way out...so i said "My thank you note"
"For what hon?"
"For everything you've done for me"
"What is it?"
Its nothing just a note of thanks
He began to open it and I protested
"Don't open it here"
"Why not...whats in it?"
"Nothing"
"Ok lets go to the meeting room...you and me"
"No xyz"
He was opening the envelop again
"Please!"
"Ok but if it has something I am going to track you down at your new work place" he joked.

After work we went to this resturant. We went in the subway...it was fun.
I asked him are you sad?
"A little"
I didn't want to be clinging to him to much.
At resturant people busied themselves with beer and food...both of which I could not participate in...so in an hour or so decided to go home. I didn't want to say bye so decided to slip out but it didn't work with y and xyz. They came down to see me off...with a promise to keep in touch and hugs to last a life time we bid farewell....