[Guys, this is the
second last part of the story which I have described in two earlier instalments.
In the earlier two parts, I had described how my friendship with Mitika got
into jeopardy repeatedly because of the given circumstances and to an extent
because of my mistakes.]
So, after the last incident in 2007, we were drifted little
apart. 4 months after that incident, I was graduated and have become an
engineer now. And soon, in June 2007, I started my first job in Bhubaneshwar,
Orissa. My didi and jiju gifted me a new LG mobile which I
carried with me. As soon as I got a new sim, I updated my new contact no. on Orkut.
One evening, I was coming back to my residence from my office.
Since, my office was pretty close to my home, I was walking with my laptop bag
hanging on my right shoulder, little exhausted and thinking how I had become a
responsible analyst from a carefree student. I was feeling like a douche in that
formal attire.
“God, I will have to put on these formals for at least 10
hours every day for the rest of my life. How ridiculous is that. I totally look
papa-type. Now my enthusiasm will get
buried in these stupid formals.”
With all such thoughts, I was approaching my home. Suddenly,
my phone started ringing which pulled me out of my thoughts I was occupied
with. I checked my phone which showed an unknown number calling.
“What the hell. These stupid Airtel people just keep bugging
me all the time with their crappy offers. How many more such numbers will I
have to put under DND?” I said to myself.
Anyhow, reluctantly, I picked the call.
“Hello. Listen, whoever you are. I don’t need any of your
offers and you may like to know that I am going to discontinue your services as
I am fed up of your calls every now and then,” I said in irritated tone and
didn’t let the person on the otherside say anything.
“Hey, Praveen. It’s me. You remember.” It was a feminine
voice.
“Yeah, I do. You are.....”This voice seemed familiar but I
couldn’t recall at once.
“Oh God. I am Mitika. You forgot me completely, didn’t you?
” said that female. This name ‘Mitika’ took me back to hell lot of memories. I
was thrilled and as well as ashamed on the same time.
“Hey, it’s you. I totally knew it was you. Where have you
been for so many months?” I said whatever came to my mind while opening the
lock of my room using my one hand.
“Liar. You didn’t recognize me at all. I am in Delhi. Joined
a company as an IT professional. I was trying to call you for so many days but
everytime it would say ‘this number is switched off’. But today, I got your new
number from orkut. And for your record this is my new number which I took in
Delhi, you just save it, ” she said.
“Oh really, you are in Delhi. You joined a job.
Congratulations! ” I said while unbuttoning my shirt in order to change.
“Yeah. Congratulations to you as well. You have also joined
a job in Bhubaneswar, I got to know through orkut.” She said happily.
She talked to me about a lot of things that day. It seemed
that Mitika was now over with whatever misunderstandings took place between us
earlier. She wasn’t mad at me anymore. We chatted for long like two friends who
had not met for ages. This was the beginning of the revival of our friendship
and slowly we were back to normal. We started talking to each other as best
buddies. But how can things remain normal between us.
Incident-3
January 2008
This incident took place in the winter of Jan 2008.
My company decided to transfer me to Ahmedabad as I had
completed my training and was all set to handle the live projects. So, I left
Bubaneshwar on Jan 8th. It was Indigo, Bhubaneshwar to Ahmedabad via Delhi.
I left Bhubaneswar on the eve of 8th Jan and
reached delhi by 7 pm. I had around 2-3 hours to catch my connecting flight to
Ahmedabad. I thought to call Mitika and surprise her by informing that I was in
Delhi at that very time. I called but her phone was not reachable. I tried
again several times. Nothing.
Suddenly, it came to my mind to call Mitika’s younger
sister, Shweta. Shweta was also working in Delhi in a company. Mitika
introduced me to her once. I was also friends with Shweta but not so close as I
was to Mitika. Anyhow, I called her.
Shweta picked the phone. I talked her for a while mentioning how I was
in Delhi and blah blah. After talking to her I again tried Mitika but still her
phone was not reachable. My departure time was approaching, so now I had to
move to collect my boarding pass. Therefore, I stopped trying with the thought
that anyways I have informed Shweta, she will tell Mitika later that I was in
Delhi and I talked to her. I headed towards the departure at terminal one.
In the next few hours, I was in Ahmedabad in a beautiful
flat provided by the company. I was little tired and hence slept just after
having my dinner which I got packed from a restaurant on my way from Ahmedabad
airport to this flat. Next morning, I joined my office at Ahmedabad. It was a
great place to work. My company also provided me a new car. So, everything was just
perfect.
Well, it didn’t took me more than a week to get settled. And
during these days, I was so busy that I hadn’t called anybody except my parents
that too once or twice. Though I was little surprised why Mitika hadn’t called me
during those days to atleast know my whereabouts.
One day, I thought I should call Mitika. I called her. Phone
rang. She didn’t pick up. After an hour I called again. Phone rang but she
didn’t pick up. Thinking that she might be busy somewhere, I decided to call
her the next day.
Next day, I called her 3-4 times again but again no response.
When I was about to give up, my phone rang. It was Mitika.
“Where are you, yaar?” I asked impatiently.
“Where are you, Praveen?” She returned the question.
“What do you mean? I am here at Ahmedabad. But where are
you. Not taking my calls?” I asked.
“But how would I know you are in Ahmedabad? You never told
me,” She said and anger in her voice was quite evident.
And then I realised that I had forgotten to tell her that I
was moving to Ahmedabad. I thought this was the main reason of her fury. I was
wrong , the main reason was yet to come.
She continued “Not only that. You came to Delhi but didn’t
tell me.”
“But...” I tried to
explain but she didn’t let me complete.
She further continued, “You were in Delhi for 3 hours but
didn’t try to call me once at least. Yeah, I understand you very well now. You can
talk to Shweta but not to me. I thought you are different but you are also like
other guys. Now, you don’t want my friendship. You have become more interested
in my sister. I cannot believe this.”
Actually I could not believe that she just said that. After
this, I was not in the condition to explain my side. I just kept listening to
her.
She was done. She didn’t ask me my side . Soon our
discussion, which was mostly a monologue, was over. Call disconnected and I was
left stunned.
This incident was a major shock to our friendship. [To be continued.....]
