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Monday, April 27, 2009

ToTaLLy TaBoO Part-6

PREKSHA & RAJAT :
When Preksha opened the refrigerator to take out the pre-chopped vegetables, she was stunned to see a box of the internationally famous mango drink, exclusive to India, "Frooti" sitting on the very top shelf with a folded note atop it, bearing her name. She hadn't had a "frooti" for nearly a year. She felt her eyes beginning to moisten.

P-
I'm sorry I was such an asshole. I'm sorry. I love you, with all my heart...but I just don't know how to take things forward. I feel helpless. Give me time, to bridge this gap...I will. All my love, your sadu.

Preksha's eyes brimmed over with salty tears and her nose began leaking in earnest too.

The thing you have to know about Preksha and her relationship with "Frooti" is this. She was brought up outside India, and on every trip to India, she would drink frooti till the moment she left. She loved it. She'd never tasted a drink as rich, sweet, flavorful and comforting. Or one that finished so quickly. unfortunately for her, there wasn't a single adult in her life apart from her cousin brother who indulged her. Well him and all the Air India stewards and stewardesses. Or cathay pacific. Whichever was applicable. Everyone claimed "frooti" was made from rotten mangoes. Vivid descriptions were given of the black gangrene like state of the mangoes used for manufacturing Preksha's favorite-est drink in the world but such was her love for it that nothing deterred her. She was 32 years old and till date, no drink made her feel as happy as frooti did. And since the time Rajat came to know of this odd love strengthened by earthly opposition, he made it a point to get her "frootis" everytime he went to the market. She never again had to buy her own. Anytime they fought, this was how he would make up. A Box of Frooti. Then, without even realising it, he'd stopped. And Preksha hadn't bought one herself since.

She ran her fingers along the soft juice box.
She re-read the note.

And wondered what she should do now.

********************************************

Over the next few weeks...Rajat lightened his workload, went home early...way before dinner every night. He kept weekends free. He bought her flowers...bright daisies, gorgeous red roses, cute carnations, orchids...He got them just the way she liked them. No bouquet, no plastic covering, no ribbons...just paper...she loved to split them and rearrange them a few in each room, in beautiful bottles she had glass painted.

He helped her cook dinner. No matter how much she resisted...he'd help. He got her her favorite ice cream, french vanilla with Hershey's chocolate sauce. no nuts, no goddamned cherry. It was amazing, the way she smiled in surprise and pleasure when she saw pre-chopped vegetables or a crockpot of homemade spaghetti and garlic bread or her mother's recipe of chicken manchurian and chinese fried rice freshly cooked and kept ready.

He asked about her days, at work and otherwise. He lit candles and used the special china. He anxiously watched her face for signs of happiness. Occasionally he was rewarded.
He got her gifts and hid them in places he knew she'd find them...sometimes he left clues. The microwave contained a hardbound collector's edition of Calvin and Hobbes. He knew she loved it but didn't want to splurge. Behind the mirror he hid a membership to a Swimming pool nearby. She was a complete water baby.

He'd read that regular exercise would boost the release of endorphins aka happy hormones. He had read up everything he possibly could about Depression. What to do, what not to. How to be patient and never give up.


Tonight he wanted to ask her out on a date. But he was scared. He hadn't been out alone with her in a year almost. He had booked two tickets to the movie "dilli 6". Rave reviews apparently. He didn't want to be rejected.
He steeled himself and entered their bedroom.

"Um...P? I wanted to ask you something..."

"Sure...go ahead. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah...I mean, it will be, um...the thing is, I er...bought two um...tickets for that movie you wanted to see...Gold class tickets...you've wanted to try that out always and I thought maybe this Saturday we could go out...I could take you out and after the movie we could go for dinner to that meditteranean restaurant you so love just the two of us just us it'll be like old times and i've wanted to ask you for so long but I was worried you'd say no...". Rajat stopped at that, realising he was now babbling.


*****************************************************************************

For the past few weeks, Preksha had been consumed with guilt. She couldn't fathom Rajat's unusual behaviour. It was so typical of the fates. The timing was all wrong. This was the way he used to be and the way he should never have stopped being. He was the Rajat she had fallen in love with. The one she had trusted her life with. He seemed to...care...again. He kept trying to make her happy in little ways...kept surprising her and getting her flowers just the way she liked them. He tried to help out with the housework so she wouldn't be too exhausted.

She found herself missing Nimish lesser.

She found herself wondering about what had brought the change and...reminiscing. About the old days. Which were revisiting their lives.
When he asked her out for a date...she was scared...and touched and she felt awful.

Was she being so terrible?

Her own husband was scared of her ?

To ask her out for a simple movie ?


Of course she wanted to go with him. She wanted to say "yes!"...but fear of being alone, outside with him...held her back.


He saw the hesitation in her face...


She saw the eager hope in his eyes...

She felt butterflies in her stomach.


A wave of immense love washed over her heart, for this man, who was trying his damnest.

And they had a movie date for the weekend.

34 lost souls found themselves in my mirror....:

Sweta said...

I chanced upon your blog...found this post interesting.
Wanted to ask.. who was Nimesh... was the girl seeing someone else??

Ashrita said...

Hello hello!

My first visit here. I am so sorry but I have not read any post of yours yet, thanks to my busy schedule these days. But I'm following you NOW, and will be going through all of it part by part!

And hey we have hardly even interacted but we have a very big thing in common which is that we both are coffee lovers ;)

I write publicly on the Memoirs blog. The other one is just a diary full of gibberish so I keep that to myself :P

Thank you so much for dropping by and introducing me to your blog :)

Take care!
Cheers!
Ashrita

Sweta said...

I read Part 6 first and then read the other parts.. that's why the ignorant question.
Enjoyed reading all the parts.. looking forward to see how the story progresses.

Amritorupa Kanjilal said...

awwwwwwwee--- now i feel sorry for nimish. he's going to lose preksha. i wish he hadn't given rajat advice.
and i loved how lovely-ly you described frooti. i find frooti so delicious, its erotic :)

Sam said...

Interesting proceedings!! And frankly, things can still go either way, so am not hazarding any guess. :)

Sharmistha Guha said...

I'm feeling all mushy with rekindled romance between the couple taking centrestage...but poor Nimish!

Crafty Shines said...

coffeeeeeeeeee, when did u put all these up???!!!! i checked in office, in the middle of boring work, and was so so tempted!! :D

nice progression...tho i do feel sorry for Nimish...he's the reason she got happy again, n he's also the reason to have indirectly threatened Rajat of losing his wife, n directly responsible for all that advice!!
and of all three, he seems to be losing..unless a twist is waiting...

keep going..and i'll make sure i check it when i'm FREE to read and comment!! hee! :)

Amit Kumar Das said...

You have a natural flow in your writing....and the plot is also very relevant and interesting which gives glimpses of real life which people can relate....keep walking!!!

coffeeismypoison said...

@Sweta : Hey we share the same name! Spelling too...
this is a series of shortstories involving 2 ppl. subscribe to this blog and u can see the previous 5 parts...read them and then ul understand...ook? n then tell me if u like it~!

@Crafty Shines : U misseed part 5 etc! take ur time....

@Satan's Darling : Yay!! Ur here~! i'm so glad...
I am so glad u love coffee too. nothing beats it does it? Except maybe frooti...lol. I like both ur blogs.
thanks for coming and lets keep interacting!

@LGL: Aw...Maybe things can turn around...? But he did the right thing didn't he...I lurve frooti...the description was the whole truth.

@Anorak : I like ur nickname and ur and ur blog! Thank u for the compliments and keep reading and telling me what u think!!

Aurora said...

I happened across your blog, after seeing a comment from you in The Life and Time of IHM. I loved your header picture, was fascinated by the pretty and sweet smile in your photo and then became hooked with your blogging. I think the first one I read was the blog you wrote on behalf of your BF and it was not only a thought provoking piece, it was well laid out and written.

Then I came across your story...

It's so very good! You should be very proud of your work! I've written so many story's myself and never had the courage to post them!

I'm looking forward to the final installment and then I'll be sure to comment more!

Badz said...

Hey! WoW! You write so well. I wanted to sleep but couldn't until I had read all 6 parts. You had me hooked. You're doing well. Keep it up.

coffeeismypoison said...

@Aurorocoda : Thank u for such sincere compliments. it's been a while since anyone other than my BF has complimented me on my smile.
If you write stories...u shud publish them, at least on ur blog. Every story deserves to be read. besides...u shud be writing for urself right? besides...everyone has their own style [aand u write well BTW.] so please publish...I would have thought u, being in ur somewhat unusual situation would have a lot to say...a lot of experiences...

@Badz : V.cool nickname! And u flatter me...but its almost over buddy...

Crafty Shines said...

no no coffee!! i've read all the parts...only i happened to see like 4, 5 n 6 all published!!!

have read all!! awaiting the last part :)

Aniket Thakkar said...

Okay, I see you have serial fiction goin on here... So I need to spend more time here than I have right now. Sorry, have a meeting to go to. Will be back to read all, at night. :D

Tongue-fu Lady said...

Love the flow..very classy..read part6 first..now m stuck in reading d other parts too... :)

Ruchika said...

Hahaha!
Oh my GOD!!!
FROOTI again!! Woman, that is soooo you!!!

coffeeismypoison said...

@Crafty Shines: Well there r 2 more parts n then i swear, its over!! I'd never intended it to go this far!

@aniket : Take ur time dude :)

@Tongue Fu Lady : Thanks for coming! And for the compliments!! Hope u liked the other parts :)

@Ruchika : I know...its just so hot and ...well frooti hits the spot...

Unknown said...

Hey lovely blog....still need to read all parts!!!

Thanks for commenting on my blog!!! will surely visit your too!!

Unknown said...

By the way r u DokSaab...have read a lot of ur stories and poem at Klash of Konfessioners!!!

coffeeismypoison said...

@chirpy paro : No...I'm not Doksaab ...doksaab is a male :) his blog is on my roll...
I'm coffeeismypoison...i used to klash but left a few weeks ago.
thanks for visiting my blog :)

Imp's Mom said...

am abs loving the stories, cant wait to see how it goes from here... will she dump the husband or the boyfriend!?

Imp's Mom said...

and hey u made some changes in ur template? looks good!

coffeeismypoison said...

@imp's mom: Am glad to read imp is better :o)
Now now...should I tell u who wins? whats the fun in that IM> *Devlish grin*
Just wanted to lighten the mood of my blog so...change of template :) have yet to add, the blog roll...

Aniket Thakkar said...

Damn! Where is the 7th part??

She better stick with Rajat. Handling work and home is tough. People hit rough patches, but he came around... and that's what counts. I am an ardent believer of dreams, hopes and second chances. :D

Bring on the last part, will ya?

coffeeismypoison said...

@Aniket : Thanks for supporting Rajat. I love both guys :)

Unknown said...

25 comments ! WOW!
Dok u r popular now :)

Sam said...

chaukhat pe nazar tikaye baithe hai,
unki aahat na aayi ab tak,
dil tham ke kabse baithe hai,
ab intezaar aur kab tak!!

:P

coffeeismypoison said...

@Dok Saab : Well Now that U've commented, the blog is complete!

@Sumit: Oh c'mon...utna bhi acha story nahi hai...u've heard it before :)
nevertheless...tomorrow.

Sam said...

maana, ke jaani pehchaani hai. par kabhi kabhi kahani sirf uske kisso se khaas nahi hoti. kahanikaar ki khoobi tab hoti ja ek mamuli si, aksar kahi suni baaton ko woh khoobsurati se taraash deti hai...
huzoor, parathe to koi bhi bana le, fir bhi parathewali gali ki khasiyaat kabhi kam hui?? :)

coffeeismypoison said...

@Sumit : Haan yeh baat bhi hai... :o)
Main kabhi Parathewali gali nahi gayi hun...perhaps someday...I wasn't sure if it was realllly famous for parathe or was that just an old name.

Zeba said...

I was thinking of finishing it now so I won't be distracted when I sit down to study!

You are very talented. Very few books and stories keep me hooked for sooo long!!

coffeeismypoison said...

@Zeba : Nice rationalizing! Thank u, for the compliment...I love writing :) and the best characters are those from real life :)

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Anonymous said...

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