A busy Monday office was full of buzz about the Saturday morning adventure of Chaits & Jeetesh. Everyone was thrilled at the story they heard and everyone wanted to know what actually happened – right from the horse’s mouth… All eligible ladies in the office were dreaming of Chaits on a date with them. Chaits had to answer and relate the happening to almost everyone.
Whenever Chaits got a breather from work and his colleagues, he was wondering what should his next step… A small melee of fisticuffs had shown him that he was not as agile as he used to be when he was in college and a boxing champ. The hard work he put in his job was a good exercise to his brain. However, sitting in a chair or attending meetings or teleconferences with his clients abroad still meant sitting and working. That was taking toll on his agility and his reflexes.
By the end of day, he had a plan in his mind. He was determined to be body fit again. As soon as his bus dropped him at Vasant Vihar where he had rented an apartment he looked around the area, but, he was unable to find what he wanted – a good gym.
Regular exercise at home & a morning jog was not all that helpful. Then he remembered Alisha mention a gym she visited regularly. He reached out to his mobile and called her. She was at some political rally covering the rally for her channel. She gave him the directions. It was a good 5 km away from his place and travelling this distance was going to eat up his time.
So, the first thing he did was to call Jeetesh over. Then they went together to the gym to get his membership. On the way back Chaits made arrangements to purchase a bike. Next Monday onward, Chaits stopped travelling by company bus. He used to ride his bike to office. As far as gym was concerned, he used to jog back & forth to retain his stamina
In about a month or so, Chaits had regained his stamina, his strength & his agility. He also had joined a football club nearby.
Alisha tried and finally got her schedule to match with Chaits for the gym… Chaits used to jog over to gym and Alisha joined him there. On the way back Alisha used to drop him off in her car. They were close friends now. ‘Finally… I’ve met a man of some character now’ thus thought Alisha. Chaits & his friends had just finalized a picnic to Missouri for the weekend, Monday being a holiday due to some festival. Chaits had been to Himalayas in one of his bike rallies during college. He was very excited at the thought of visiting Himalayas again.
Sukhwinder’s uncle worked with Ministry of Tourism for India and arranged their stay in one of the Government guest house there. They had planned to drive immediately after work on Friday so as to enjoy more time there…
Chaits packed his bag the night before so that he could save some time at the evening before they left. He met his excited friends in the morning & ran over the plan once again to verify that there was no loophole left. They were all set and ready to go…
Around noon, Chaits’ mobile rang…
Chaits looked at his mobile – a bit quizzed – why is Alisha calling him at this hour? He answered the call…
After Alisha’s call, he called his friends to the cafeteria.
“I’m sorry guyz – I can’t go along with you today…” said Chaits,” I guess. I’ll have to re-plan this trip.”
“Hey! Chaits! Please don’t be a spoil sport – we planned so much for this trip” Rohit was complaining now.
“Listen you guys – I really was looking forward to this trip – however I just got a call from Alisha. I’ll have to be with her tonight… she’s asked me to join her for her birthday bash tonight at her place… and you know me… I don’t disappoint my friends on their birthday.” explained Chaits…
“How about a revised plan?” Sukhwinder asked enthusiastically. Everyone looked at him curiously “Instead of tonight, we leave tomorrow early morning and skip few plans of roaming around?”
There was a smile of approval on everyone’s face, “For a change Sukhi – you thought wisely…” said Jeetesh teasing him.
“It’s done then we leave tomorrow morning…” was the echo…
Chaits only knew Alisha’s colleagues who were introduced to him He didn’t know how many people & how elite were the people who had been invited by Alisha. He knew that Alisha had high connections, be it media, politics, games or industries. He was aware that if Alisha had to invite elite people there’d be many who’d turn up.
He was confused as to what should be dress cup for this occasion – Alisha had given him no clue whatsoever. Finally, he called Alisha for more details.
“It’s an informal party at my flat… It’s just gonna be you & my friends – nothing big about it – be sure to be there by 8pm”
“Okay” said & Chaits. He thought for a while and finally decided on a similar dress-up that he wore when he’d been to Jungle Homes for the first time with Priti…
Alisha’s friends had gathered. Soft music was being played. One could hear sounds of laughter and enjoyment outside her door. Alisha was busy entertaining her friends & taking care of their needs by serving them drinks & snacks. She was adorned in a beautiful evening gown that flowed along gracefully. She had treated her hair and it gracefully fluffed and flowed – their shine making her look like a blossomed tree full of flowers & fruits. She wore a simple long necklace to contrast her elegant evening gown. She looked like a princess straight out of fairy tales.
The doorbell to her apartment rang and she opened the door. She saw a huge bouquet of flowers standing at the door. She smiled at the huge bouquet of flowers wondering who could have sent this bouquet of lovely flowers…
The bouquet suddenly moved, whistling “Happy Birthday to you…” and entered her apartment. There was a huge sigh of appreciation from her female friends who loved the style the huge bouquet of flowers was presented to her. They were still unable to see the face behind the bouquet of flowers…
She accepted the bouquet with a huge smile & kept it aside. As soon as the bouquet moved aside – she saw Chaits smiling wide at her. Now it was her turn to look at him – mouth wide open… he looked absolutely handsome with dark coloured tight T-shirt on a dark trouser with a light blazer on him.
She hugged him with joy “Chaits – you made it… I thought you’d be late” then paused for a moment and then added, “You were supposed to go to some place in Himalayas. I’m sorry if you had to cancel that for me…”
Chaits just smiled & looked up at the ceiling & then at her with twinkle in his eyes, “We’re leaving tomorrow morning so that I could be here…”
“Cho Chweeet of you” Alisha said in a sweet voice unknown or one could say yet unheard by Chaits, “Welcome & join the party…”
Some time passed by as a round of introduction was underway. Alisha formally introduced Chaits to all her friends who had gathered…
Then the cake was cut. As first piece was cut the honour of feeding it first to Alisha was given to Chaits. Alisha’s friends then got crates of beer out of nowhere and the party began.
The party soon ended just about past midnight – everyone waived a smiling bye before stepping out. Alisha’s female friends made it a point to say bye to Chaits who had them batting eyelids for the entire party to grab his attention.
Chaits was the last one to say ‘bye’ and as he turned around to say ‘bye’ again – he thought for a moment and said “I’ve changed my mind – I leave after sometime…”
Alisha looked at him quizzed and opened the door wide to welcome him back again… “Hey! What happened?”
Chaits removed his shoes and sat on the chair next to the door, then looked up at Alisha & pointed, “It was a very nice party Alisha… however I think it’s wrong to make a birthday girl to work after the party. Let me help you clean up your place.”
Alisha was moved by thoughtful and caring nature of Chaits yet again, “Oh! It’s alright… I’ll manage that tomorrow – hey! Chaits – don’t…” even as she was saying all these modest words Chaits had already started cleaning the hall of the party leftovers. Alisha knew how boring that chore was and joined in…
“Alisha – even I stay alone and my friends do visit my place & we do party – I know how painful is cleaning up the mess later on – alone” Chaits smiled at her.
“Thanks a lot, Chaits” Alisha was now cleaning kitchen as Chaits helped clean the hall, “that’s why I like you – you’re a good friend to everyone… however, such small deeds make you special…” Alisha said in gratitude.
Within minutes the apartment looked spic-n-span the way it always did “Please gimme few minutes to freshen up – Whew! I’m tired” and Alisha disappeared her bedroom.
“Why don’t you freshen up too…” Alisha shouted a question from bedroom, “There’s a bath & wash basin there…”
“I’m okay & fresh” said Chaits and Alisha stepped out her bedroom again dressed up in her comfortable Punjabi suit…
“Chaits…” Alisha asked him in a soft tone, “Would you like me to make a drink for us?”
Chaits thought & nodded…
Chaits had a wait in the hall as Alisha disappeared into her bedroom again.
“Chaits! Can you help me?” Alisha called him from within – Chaits got up and walked over to her bedroom. He saw Alisha dangerously standing on a small stool which was unsteady because of the foam base of her bed and Alisha was stretched out to her toes trying to get something off the loft.
Chaits looked at her for a moment and burst out laughing.
Alisha was annoyed that instead of helping her, Chaits was laughing at her predicament. She turned around to show her disapproval of Chaits’ laughter. However, this caused imbalance and the stool wobbled and started shaking side to side – and with it Alisha tried a marvellous balancing act. Finally the hilarious apple-cart toppled.
Chaits realising this quickly stepped forward and grabbed Alisha before she hit the wall & both of them collapsed on the bed. A stunned Alisha looked at Chaits who was lying with her on top of him… still laughing…
Alisha looked at Chaits who stopped laughing and smiled a smile of relief that Alisha was unhurt. She was on top of him and her, silk and smooth hair fell over his face & shoulders made him feel the sweet desire – her feminine perfume’s stifled his nose – arousing his manly instincts more and between the thick curtain of Alisha’s hair – he could see her beautiful face which was very close to his and he could feel the warmth of her breath…
Alisha looked at the smiling face of Chaits and found her going weak in her knees. She could sense the rising beats of her heart. It seemed to her that of sudden, thousands of butterflies flew hither & thither – in every corner of her heart. She felt like bending further and kissing Chaits – over & over… She had this feeling for the first time in her life… till date all men she encountered were filled with lust than any other feeling. But, Chaits was different – though his eyes did show a glimpse of lust for a moment (which should be natural for any man) – his eyes showed genuine care – he was honest to his feelings & to his relationship. He seemed to be a man with some strong & good character…
Alisha suddenly realised the posture they were entangled and quickly composed self “Oops! Sorry for my clumsiness”… She got off Chaits and sat on the corner of her bed and allowed Chaits to get up and compose himself.
‘Had Chaits been able to read her thoughts and feel her feelings for him?’ thus wondered Alisha and slowly peeked a glance at Chaits.
Chaits was intently looking at her and when their eyes met their sights got locked for a moment – butterflies all over again for Alisha then Chaits burst out in another fit of laughter.
“I said I’m sorry for my clumsiness why are you laughing away like this?” asked Alisha irritated at her own clumsiness.
Chaits still laughed away trying to control his fit and gasped, “I’m sorry – I’m not laughing at you Alisha…” still continuing with his laughter, “It was the sight in total that I found funny.”
“What was funny about it?” Alisha still had an irate tone.
“Just look at this way – a cosy bed – that has a very thick & cosy mat … on it on it is perched a stool – over the stool I see you standing & stretched to your limit on your toes… the stool doesn’t have a firm base and wobbles – with it you wobble and in an extraordinary way of dance you try to keep your balance and wobble more – your exclusive Punjabi suit does an opposite wobbly dance with you” and Chaits burst out in another fit of laughter which he tried to control seeing Alisha go red with embarrassment “and – have you ever seen a three-storeyed jelly ? It keeps on wobbling the way it looked…” he could control it no more & laughed his heart out.
Alisha thought & imagined the scene for a moment and found it funny – she joined Chaits in uncontrollable fit of laughter. The fit subsided they were gasping for breath. “You do have a weird sense of humour Chaits – seriously – I wouldn’t have seen it this way” Alisha said stifling a smile.
“By the way – what were you up to – getting yourself in the jelly act?”
“Last month, my parents visited me and I kept the bottle of my most treasured scotch that was gifted to me by my office at the success of my show – I wonder how I managed to keep it in the loft then…”
“I wonder too.” said Chaits.
Chaits got up & held the stool firmly Alisha stepped on the stool first taking support of Chaits strong shoulder and then the door of her loft… she had a box in her hand as she climbed down the stool.
“Here we are -” said Alisha proudly displaying the label on the box.
Chaits couldn’t believe his eyes… it was the same brand of scotch that Pinky had offered when he proposed her.
“Hey! That’s a fantastic brand” Chaits cheerfully noted, “let us go for it”.
“We’ll sit here, in the bedroom, lest we disturb the neighbours please make yourself comfortable by the time I prepare our toast” said Alisha and went into kitchen to get the soft drinks & something to bite along with…
Chaits looked around the cosy bedroom & his sight was arrested by a guitar that hung in a corner. He got up and checked the strings by strumming – they seemed to be tuned alright. Alisha entered the bedroom with all the required stuff.
“I didn’t know you play guitar, Alisha”
“Well, actually I tried & I still try to, however I seem to strum it the wrong way~” Alisha confessed.
Chaits smiled at her honesty and her modesty, “Would you like me to teach you some?” asked innocently.
“Wow! Chaits! Do you know to play guitar? I’d love if you can teach me – some of it” said a happy Alisha – she was awed by multi-talent of Chaits,
“By the way Chaits, don’t tell me you can sing as well…”
Chaits got up and bowed to an imaginary crowd around, “Ladies and Gentlemen, you’ve heard me sing many songs,” Chaits announced to the mock crowd “however, we have a very beautiful lady here who’s my friend & it’s her birthday today – and… I’m going to sing a song or two of her choice” he smiled widely at her and then hastily added, “provided – I know the song!”
Alisha applauded his act & looked at him thinking hard for a nice song she’d love to hear him sing and then said “I’d love a 1970’s hit Tera Muzse Hai Pehle Ka Nataa Koi”
Chaits bowed chivalrously and strummed as soon as his voice boomed out the song Alisha let out a big sigh… ‘Wow! Chaits really has a golden voice’
Then followed one song after the other on demand and Alisha was lost in wonderland where she got transported by the golden voice of Chaits.
She made another drink for them still lost in her wonderland which Chaits accepted gratefully – his throat was dry with all that non-stop singing. He kept the guitar aside and sipped his drink. Alisha came and sat right next to him one could say almost on his lap.
“You know something, Chaits…” she started abruptly unsure of what to say or how to speak out what she wanted and what she felt…. “I feel good that I’ve got a real good friend like you however, I would like you to be my best friend…”
“I’m honoured” said Chaits gracefully.
“Well – to be best friends – one ought to know the person – in & out his/her background, the family & culture you come from – I know enough off you since the day we met at that Dhaba – we’ve come a long way since then – however – I don’t seem to know that very much about you to call you my best friend – and I’m sure – even the same goes with me well – let’s have a heart-to-heart chat today – only if you’re comfortable, Chaits…” Alisha looked at him, her eyes almost pleading for him to say ‘Yes’…
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