The Cosmic Conspiracy - Day 5 - The Blog

Be sure to read part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 before this.

Pooja's Blog

Title: Confused
Posted: Thu 11-Feb-2010 09:22 PM CST
Category: Private

I don't know what made me do that yesterday night. His invitation was out of the blue. He may know things about me but what do I know about him? Hardly anything! Wouldn't that mean flying all the way from Chicago to New York to meet someone who is nothing but a stranger?

The last few days have unraveled a story where I played a part without my knowledge or consent. When I try to mentally put together the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle, some don't seem to fit in correctly: Did Malu withhold the knowledge about our oath in college so as not to discourage him? Did Malu pique my curiosity by divulging only the required details so that I talk to him directly? Did Malu know more than what she has told me? Why did my parents keep his phone call and visit a secret? Did Rahul deliberately make me take a guilt trip so that I speak about him to Malu? Or to top it all, was it my name that Rahul heard in his sleep talk but never mentioned in his email? Was all this, then, a conspiracy?

But something deep inside me is telling me to look at the whole picture rather than the individual parts. And I see that the conspiracy is by the universe. Those questions that were lingering to my mind all this time seem to be loosing its importance now. Because I've started believing that the universe does conspire to help achieve one's dream if one craves for it with a true heart. Though not my dream, the universe comprising of my family and friends did try to conspire for somebody else's.

In spite of all this, I don't know what made me still book the flight tickets yesterday night. I know it isn't too late for cancelling the reservation now...if only I could make up my mind...Am I in love? I don't know. Is it just a coincidence that this Sunday happens to be Valentine's Day too? Considering what has happened so far, I'd want to believe it to be another conspiracy - a conspiracy that I now wish to be a part of with my knowledge and consent; a cosmic conspiracy that started in college many years ago on a rainy day in October when I first received this note:

"i've a crush on you and don't know what to do...its not a small one and has been there for a fairly long time now...i thought of telling you now as i may be gone before long and might regret later in life for having never revealed it..."

That's it folks! My maiden attempt at story writing; a simple and perhaps a little crazy one experimenting with an unconventional narration style. Thanks for reading and hope you liked it!

Wish you a Happy Valentines Day!!! :)

The Cosmic Conspiracy - Day 4 - The Phone Call

Be sure to read part 1, part 2 and part 3 before this.

Pooja: Hello...Am I speaking to Abhishek?

Abhishek: Yes.

Pooja: Hi. This is Pooja. I was your junior in college...

Abhishek: Yeah...I remember...How are you?

Pooja: Am good....How about you?

Abhishek: Fine.

Pooja: If you're busy now, I can call some other time.

Abhishek: No, it's ok. I'm free now. May I know how u get this number?

Pooja: From a friend of mine who works in your co. She got it from the telephone directory.

Abhishek: I see.

Pooja: ...It's been so long.. 4 years.....

Abhishek: Actually 5 years...since I passed out.

Pooja: Yeah right...Listen, am sorry for the way I ignored you in college. It's just that I considered you to be like any other guy trying to flirt for fun.

Abhishek: Don't worry. It's OK. I too didn't know that you liked to be pursued so never tried to bother you again after that.

Pooja: You read my blog???

Abhishek: The least I could do.

Pooja: No, you did more than that. Something quite unexpected - You talked to my parents! Why did you do that?

Abhishek: Who told you??

Pooja: Never mind who told, just tell me how did you manage to get my home contact no?

Abhishek: Well...It was after I wrote to you. Your reply never came. No matter whatever I tried, I couldn't get you out of my head. Thoughts about you haunted me day and night. I craved to know more about you and so tried to befriend your best friend Malini. She lend a sympathetic ear to my feelings and helped me know more about you. It made me feel better for sometime. Then a few weeks later, I requested something which I expected her to decline outrightly but to my surprise without even a moment's hesitation she agreed. In another few days, she got me your home contact no.

Pooja: Hmm...Surely you would've known that I stayed in hostel and had a mobile phone. So your idea was to talk to my parents?

Abhishek: Yes.

Pooja: When did you call them? And what did you talk to them?

Abhishek: A month later. On a Sunday morning I called up and your mom answered. I introduced myself as her daughter's college mate and began by telling that I liked her daughter and even tried to tell her but her daughter totally ignored the whole thing. Your mom was shocked at my audacity and started scolding me and warned me to stay away from you. Before I could speak further, she hung up .

Pooja: Inspite of her warning, you called up again and spoke to my dad also? Am I right?

Abhishek: Correct except for this – It was your dad who called me up. And on his invitation only I visited your home.

Pooja: What??!! You visited my home???? And dad invited you? Why should, I mean, why did he invite you?

Abhishek: The following Sunday at around the same time, I got a call from your home phone. Expecting it to be your mom wanting to give me another round of dose, I nervously answered the phone but the voice on the other side was that of your dad's. He started by advising me not to waste my time in such things especially now that I was in my final year and that I should let my parents find a girl for myself. I patiently listened to his long speech and finally when he was done, I requested him to hear me out: "Uncle, I have a crush on your daughter and tried telling her but she never responded. When I told about it to you, both of you reacted in your own distinct ways but with the same intent - to suppress it. Why do I need to suppress my feelings when I'm not expecting anything from you, uncle and aunty??? Can't a person love another person unconditionally? If you're thinking that I'm trying to impress you to reach to your daugher, then you're mistaken. All I wanted was to share my feelings with two other people who also love the same person; two very important persons who matter the most to the person I love. By doing so, I thought I would get a chance to do something for her in a way that would make me feel satisfied at having played a small role in her life, even if anonymously....I know your daughter is a well brought up person who minds her own business. I promise you I won't bother her again." And I hung up. A few days later your dad called me and spoke "Abhishek, you must visit us one day before you graduate from college." I agreed on two conditions. Firstly, uncle and aunt should never talk about me to you. Secondly, that would be our last meeting. They agreed to both and that's how on my way back home after the final year exams, I dropped by at your home.

Pooja: You didn't want anyone to speak to me on your behalf. Is that why you made those conditions?

Abhishek: Hmm....If love is real, it will speak for itself. Love should come out naturally. Only then will it be true and long lasting...............Uncle and aunty shouldn't have told you about me.

Pooja: They didn't.

Abhishek: Then it must've been Malini.

Pooja: It would be more correct to say I extracted it from her while sorting out a small misunderstanding.

Abhishek: Misunderstanding?...Whatever it is, hope it's over now. After all, the four of you were very close to each other in college...

Pooja: Abhishek...

Abhishek: Yes...

Pooja: I'm really sorry. I didn't feel anything at that time.

Abhishek: Don't be. Not your fault. Feelings are not something that can be forced upon.

Pooja: But I ignored you. Everytime. I know how much it would've hurt you – you went to the extent of taking a risk and talking to my parents without even caring about the consequences. At least I should've replied to you...

Abhishek: I just did what I thought would make me feel better then. Talking to your parents really helped. Your mom didn't scold me after that. She showed me your childhood photos and every painting that you drew. She narrated many incidents to depict how naughty you were as a kid keeping everybody on their toes with your little tricks. Your dad showed me your poster decorated room; your mini library of books and your big teddy bear that he said has been with you since you were a kid. That day I left yout home with mixed emotions – sad because I knew I'd never be seeing you again; happy because I now had some good memories of you to carry forward in life. .

Pooja: I don't know what to say. I feel so stupid.

Abhishek: Hey, don't consider this as stupidity. You did what you believed in at that time and that's it. Now that it's all over, just relax. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to talk after 8 years. I really appreciate it.

Pooja: It's all over?...um...Has to be...8 years is a fairly long time to expect someone to be still interested.

Abhishek: Well, what I meant was that the confusion is all over now.

Pooja: Ohh....I thought...

Abhishek: What did you think?

Pooja: I thought..er..nothing...leave it....
.......
Pooja: Guess there's nothing else then...So, I'll hang up.

Pooja: Are you still there? Hello...

Abhishek: I was wondering if you still have them and if they show up all the time.

Pooja: Still have what?

Abhishek: Dimples.

Pooja: Yes, I do have them. They only show up when I smile and they're showing up now.

Abhishek: Keep smiling. They look good on you.

Pooja: Thanks. If you say so.

Abhishek: Well...If you've nothing better to do this Sunday, would you like to fly down to New York for a cup of coffee? After that I could probably show you around NYC.

***Phone disconnected***

The Cosmic Conspiracy - Day 3 - The IMs

Be sure to read part 1 and part 2 before this.

Malini is online.
Pooja: hey malu, finally i get u ol...congrats!

Malini: oh...thx poo :)..got held up wid work at off so cudn't come ol yest..

Pooja: u guys nevr told me..kept it under wraps all dis tym...infact i was shockd 2 see abhi's message on twitter!!

Malini: hmm..our parents hadn't approved till recently...

Pooja: at least u cud've given a small hint...neither of u cared to tell me...i get to knw only 4m a social networking site lyk everybody else...:(

Malini: sorry poo..didn't expect abhi's tweet to reach u bfore me...he did dat in his excitement when his parents finally gave da approval

Pooja: wateva..anyways this is da most pleasant surprise i've got in recent times....
congrats again malu!!

Malini: thank u poo...
rahul too told da same thing...even he cudn't contain his excitement...:)

Sent at 8:41 AM on Wednesday

Malini: u getting ready 4 office? catch u l8r then...

Sent at 8:52 AM on Wednesday

Pooja: sorry, got a call 4m office...no office 2day..
i mean am working 4m home 2day...

Malini: good 4 u..so u into some serious blogging dese days...

Pooja: actually i was a little skeptical about how you'd react to my post...
rahul almost made me feel guilty for ur turning down 1 of our senior's proposal.
but now i undersand dat da real reason was abhi...

Malini: senior's proposal? which senior?

Pooja: abhishek. he was rahul's roomie.

Malini: oh him! do u know him?

Pooja: not really...well, he once sent me a note telling that he had a crush on me. i didn't bother to reply. i guess later he came after u.

Malini: hmm..so u think that i declined him coz of abhi?

Pooja: yeah..isn't it so?

Malini: nopes! n 4 ur info, he was nevr after me in da first place.
he was interested in u poo! only u..

Pooja: wat???....den why did he come to u? 4 recommendation?

Malini: if dat was his intention, he cud've easily asked rahul. why approach me?

Pooja: then?

Malini: he just wanted to share his feelings wid sumone close to u...
i listened to him and he said he felt better...after that i didn't see much of him...

Pooja: hmm..he cud've directly approached me if he was really serious...

Malini: not when u had da habit of completely ignoring ppl who didn't matter to u.

Pooja: but how was i supposed 2 knw?

Malini: anyways, i got to knw dis also dat he spoke to ur parents over da phone...

Pooja: wat????? my parents??? why did he do that??
and u never told me??

Malini: u mean i never recommended? why wud u need 2 knw abt sumone whom u had no interest in?
and wat abt ur parents? didn't they evr tell u?

Pooja: no...they nevr told abt such an incident

Malini: hmm...i had thot of telling u but he requestd me nevr to...besides, wat difference cud it've made whn u were least interestd..now dat u urself hav brot up dis topic, am telling u all dis....

Sent at 9:15 AM on Wednesday

Malini: poo, am off 2 sleep nw...hav 2 get up early tomm

Pooja: malu, do u knw wat he talkd wid my parents?

Malini: no idea..i nevr askd him....
r u still thinkng abt it? it's been ages since we left collg.
ok poo, gtg nw....have a nice day! tk care...

Pooja: u2...sweet dreams...gnite!

Sent at 9:21 AM on Wednesday

The Cosmic Conspiracy - Day 2 - The Tweets at Twitter.com

Be sure to read part 1 before this.

Public Messages:

Abhilash:
For those who know me and Malini, we've decided to share our lives...:)
2:05 AM CST Feb 8th from web

Pooja:
@Abhilash Congrats Abhi!! Finally Mr Fit decides to give his dumbells a rest..:P
10:13 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Direct Messages:

Pooja:
So wat does ur Malini do? And wen r u throwing us all a party??
10:20 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Abhilash:
Thx Poo! Seems u r yet 2 figure out who Malini is....:)
10:28 AM CST Feb 8th from web

Pooja:
Is it sum1 i knw?..hey...w8 a min...is it Malu??!!!
10:28 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Abhilash:
Abs correct!...Too bad i can't see da shock on ur face siting here in India..:(
10:29 AM CST Feb 8th from web

Pooja:
OMG...r u really serious??...since wen hav u 2 been thinking abt each othr?
10:35 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Abhilash:
To be frank, 4m 3rd year onwards in college.
10:38 AM CST Feb 8th from web

Pooja:
Can't believe u 2 had a thing going on 4m collg itself...not even in my wildest dreams...u cud've told me or Rahul..atleast given a hint...
10:38 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Abhilash:
We didn't want our grp to break-up at any cost..at least we feared so...u do remember abt our oath rite? also, we were not committed then...
10:40 AM CST Feb 8th from API

Pooja:
Yeah...bt now am really happy 4 u both...and more relieved dat Malu will not be angry at me...
10:41 AM CST Feb 8th from API

The Cosmic Conspiracy - Day 1 - The Email

Publishing below a 5 part short story The Cosmic Conspiracy that I penned a few weeks back. I hope you like it as you start reading the first part and the subsequent parts in the coming days. So, here's part 1 - an email from Rahul to Pooja...

From: Rahul
To: Pooja
Date: Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 08:13 AM CST
Subject: Hi....!!!

Hey Poo,

What's going on? How's life? Recently got to know from Abhi that you are in US. Wow!! Isn't that cool??!! From the kind of travel freak that I know you are, am sure you'd be making maximum possible use of this opportunity. So, tell me about your adventures - I'm all ears. Or better still, why don't you blog it? Well I happened to read your recent one and infact, that's what has prompted me to write to you after such a long gap.

The last I remember seeing you was in college. Once out of college, I hardly kept in touch with any of our batchmates, you as well, as I was trying to keep a low profile. Confused and upset over not being able to choose whether to search for a job, enroll for higher education, or pursue my passion for photography, I took an awfully long time to finally nail down on MBA and to convince dad for financial support. So, after 4 years of passing out from an engineering college when all you software engineers are going strong in your careers and earning handsomely, here's one bewildered engineer still stuck in his student life, patiently waiting to complete his internship and kick-start a career of his own.

Speaking of still being in college, I must admit there is no place like it anywhere on earth. Particularly our good old engineering college in the city outskirts surrounded by exotic acacia trees on whose shades many a love stories blossomed and faded - an epitome of the Law of Diminishing Returns. The fate of us new folks eventually would've been the same had it not been for you. You convinced us – Me, Abhi and Malu - that for our group to be infrangible, falling in love should be the last thing in our minds. We never broke that promise and the next four years became the most memorable part of our lives!!

Right from bunking boring professor's lectures, exploring every spot in the city, going on our bi-weekly treks, venturing on eating competitions (which you never won even though you might still want to argue) at a new restaurant every week where the winner's prize was free food, siting for combined studies on the night before every semester exam and finally stapling currency notes with the answer paper as a last resort 'SOS'; to the countless pranks that we played on our classmates - we were always together, fully involved and completely united. Those moments may be gone forever but their memories still stay.

Amidst all this fun and enjoyment that we had, you stuck to your promise and dutifully rejected every proposal that came by - from your seniors as well as from our batchmates. All of us and particularly myself – we felt extremely proud of your conviction towards our group. You easily became our role model and would've continued to do so but for your revelation in the blog.

You've written that there was no guy in college worthy to go on a date because you like to be pursued but none of the guys went beyond the first expression of crush or proposal - obviously you turned down all of them or never responded to any. And it's in your professional life that you finally found Mr. Right who persistently tried to woo and win your heart exactly the way you wanted - although it didn't last long and eventually ended up in a bitter break-up following which you pushed for a onsite assignment. I'm sorry for you but had you ever attempted to know who really pursued you the in the true sense, things would not have got so nasty.

I don't know if you remember but back in college there was a guy called Abhishek who was our senior and my roomie in hostel. One night I chanced to hear him sleep talking and amidst his mumblings, very vaguely I caught a name. On enquiring, he admitted that the name was that of a girl on whom he had a crush. I volunteered to help him out but he responded that the only help he needed was to be introduced to Malu. I gladly did that but am sure he didn't succeed as Malu never reciprocated any feelings for him. And I believe the reason to a larger extent was the no-love-in-college oath. She would certainly be feeling betrayed after reading your blog. You do owe an apology to her if not rest of us!

Well, that's all for now. Hope to catch up with you when you visit India.

Take care!

It's me,
Rahul