This has been a storyline developed by Iyakkunar Selvam Chappli and Script Shreyas. We are extremely thankful to the huge list of friends who were extremely encouraging in helping us with the storyline and screenplay. We thank our parents, also the LastBenchers and the Meeters for have extended their unwarranted support to this venture.
Above all, we thank life's experiences and the various inspirations we derived from the people around us, from our friends, and their traits from which plenty of the character sketches here were developed. We thank CCD, IIT Madras, Chennai Citi Centre Food Court, Cafe Carnival, CPR Road and Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Anna Nagar for providing us with some experiences extremely handy in this storyline.
Thanking all of you, we wish you will make the English version of the story The Road not Taken and the Tam version Thozhiya Kadhaliya, both huge hits.
Thanking you, and taking your leave,
Ever yours,
I.S G.Chappli and S.Shreyas
Thursday 30 October 2008
Chapter 9
Rahul rushes to Vinay and gives him a punch. A drunk Vinay then says he is sorry, and goes to give him an embrace. As Rahul embraces him, Vinay takes a blade out of his pocket. Shreyas who sees this, gives him a nasty blow on his face, and Rahul gets out unscathed without much injury. Then Rahul inflicts some blows on Vinay.
In the meanwhile, Anjali who is crying, tells Maria all that happened. Maria tries consoling her, while Rahul fights on Vinay. In a moment of shrewdness, Shreyas calls the police. They rush to the spot and arrest Vinay. This is a very difficult juncture for both Rahul and Anjali considering Vinay had been a very good friend of one for a long time, and the soulmate of the other for an equally long time. So, both shed tears for him, but do not find a better way to put an end to all his nonsense.
Its at the Bangalore Cantonment Railway station. Anjali is leaving for Delhi. The friends had just admitted Vinay in an asylum for the mentally retarded, and left the place hoping he would get alright at the earliest.
The Bangalore sun lazily shined on their faces as the people around them went about their business cheerfully. But as they strode into the station, the look on Anjali's face said it all; to outsiders it was one of perplexion but rahul knew that it was one of disappointment. But he was happy that she had not gotten depressed or anything like that but then again, he knew that she was not that type of a girl.......she was mentally very strong!
Then, he made a call to room 73A, HarishChandra hostel, IISc Bangalore and said, "I entered her life as a friend, and went out of it the same way da, I'm sorry..."
In the meanwhile, Anjali who is crying, tells Maria all that happened. Maria tries consoling her, while Rahul fights on Vinay. In a moment of shrewdness, Shreyas calls the police. They rush to the spot and arrest Vinay. This is a very difficult juncture for both Rahul and Anjali considering Vinay had been a very good friend of one for a long time, and the soulmate of the other for an equally long time. So, both shed tears for him, but do not find a better way to put an end to all his nonsense.
Its at the Bangalore Cantonment Railway station. Anjali is leaving for Delhi. The friends had just admitted Vinay in an asylum for the mentally retarded, and left the place hoping he would get alright at the earliest.
The Bangalore sun lazily shined on their faces as the people around them went about their business cheerfully. But as they strode into the station, the look on Anjali's face said it all; to outsiders it was one of perplexion but rahul knew that it was one of disappointment. But he was happy that she had not gotten depressed or anything like that but then again, he knew that she was not that type of a girl.......she was mentally very strong!
But now a complete different question occupied his mind. To do or not to do??? Buoyed by Shreyas's advice that she needed some affection/attention at this stage, he had brought himself to revealing his true feelings for her but now when he looked into her eyes he found himself in an all familiar situation - the words just refused to come out!
'Man I should have done this on the phone!, he murmered as Anjali as if woken out of a slumber asked, "what??".. "Nothing, nothing at all" he smiled as he changed the topic, something Vinay was very good at. Oblivious to anjali who had now started yapping about the boring train journey, 2 personas were fighting it out inside him.
Anjali: And so as I was saying
Rahul:
Anjali:I some times, wonder why I took Archi
Rahul:
Anjali:The profs there are like.....
Rahul:
Anjali: And OMG they are like
It was then Rahul decided that he would do it. He did not know where the courage came from but he knew that it was now or Never. the last words echoed in his mind as he said
Rahul:I have something important to say to you!
Anjali: Me too!
Rahul: As usual, you first!
Anjali: You know what you are the best friend I could have ever had. I am so lucky. I know that our FRIENDSHIP will last forever and ever.
Anjali: You know what you are the best friend I could have ever had. I am so lucky. I know that our FRIENDSHIP will last forever and ever.
And then Rahul knew it was all over, the words FRIENDSHIP come out with such passion, such fervour that he realized that she had never thought of him as anything more than a friend.. He could not do it, he knew he would break her heart.
And as she sat on her seat, she looked at Rahul and smiled. He smiled back, he was happy to see her beautiful smile after a long time. She suddenly exclaimed
"Oh, I'd almost forgot! What was it that you wanted to say?"
He only smiled at her as suddenly the train came to life. As the train slowly chugged awayher look changed to one of perplexion, but the smile remained on his face as he shouted, "The same! Believe me, the very same!!", and he kept on repeating these words till the train was no more than a dot, far, far away!!
Then, he made a call to room 73A, HarishChandra hostel, IISc Bangalore and said, "I entered her life as a friend, and went out of it the same way da, I'm sorry..."
Chapter 8
It is never easy to take decisions when you are introduced to a happening fight. But it wasn't that difficult for Rahul in this case, because he knew what to do. Just go with Anjali. Vinay had never been an innocent kid, and the little innocence he had was also lost in his first semester stint at Udaipur. Anjali still believed Vinay, in full, even after everything that had happened to her friendship with Rahul thanks to Vinay's influence. She had invited Rahul to celebrate her birthday with them, but Vinay didn't expect Rahul here. Vinay was furious at seeing Rahul come in.
Vinay:What the fuck are you doing here?
Rahul: Did I disturb the two of you.
Anjali (now crying): This guy is mad. Send him out of here.
Rahul: Vinay, please leave the place now. She does not want you here.
Vinay: You will have to pay for this, you bastard!
Saying this , he leaves the place. Anjali is heartbroken. She didn't expect Vinay to misbehave with her. Rahul consoles her, and tells her that the best way to get her back to her cheerful best will be for her to come to Shreyas' place for a small get-together. She agrees to come, and gives Rahul a weak smile. Rahul leaves the place with the huge satisfaction that smile gives him.
Its at Shreyas' place. The friends have all gathered. There is Maria who enquires Anjali about stuff regarding Delhi and the so. Shreyas and Rahul are busy playing video games for a while, as the girls are cheering them up. At this juncture, in comes Vinay. He is evidently drunk, and this gives Anjali convulsions. Vinay has been invited by Rahul, for getting him back with Anjali. But Vinay is no mood to reconcile with Rahul. The tiff between Anjali and Vinay had not been told to both Shreyas and Maria by Rahul, so they don't understand what's happening.
Anjali: Why are you here? Who called you here?
Rahul: I only called him here. I want the two of you to be together.
Shreyas: What's happening? I don't understand.
Maria: Neither do I. Did you fight with Vinay, Anjali?
Vinay: I don't want your help, you bastard Rahul. Will you just shut up and clear the place, with these two little nerds. I need some time alone with Anjali, NOW..
Rahul: Wait, wait. What I'm trying to do is get you back with Anjali. Please understand.
Vinay: I know about you. YOU ACTUALLY LIKE...
Rahul senses what Vinay was going to say, and rushes forward, without seeing what was happening forward...
Vinay:What the fuck are you doing here?
Rahul: Did I disturb the two of you.
Anjali (now crying): This guy is mad. Send him out of here.
Rahul: Vinay, please leave the place now. She does not want you here.
Vinay: You will have to pay for this, you bastard!
Saying this , he leaves the place. Anjali is heartbroken. She didn't expect Vinay to misbehave with her. Rahul consoles her, and tells her that the best way to get her back to her cheerful best will be for her to come to Shreyas' place for a small get-together. She agrees to come, and gives Rahul a weak smile. Rahul leaves the place with the huge satisfaction that smile gives him.
Its at Shreyas' place. The friends have all gathered. There is Maria who enquires Anjali about stuff regarding Delhi and the so. Shreyas and Rahul are busy playing video games for a while, as the girls are cheering them up. At this juncture, in comes Vinay. He is evidently drunk, and this gives Anjali convulsions. Vinay has been invited by Rahul, for getting him back with Anjali. But Vinay is no mood to reconcile with Rahul. The tiff between Anjali and Vinay had not been told to both Shreyas and Maria by Rahul, so they don't understand what's happening.
Anjali: Why are you here? Who called you here?
Rahul: I only called him here. I want the two of you to be together.
Shreyas: What's happening? I don't understand.
Maria: Neither do I. Did you fight with Vinay, Anjali?
Vinay: I don't want your help, you bastard Rahul. Will you just shut up and clear the place, with these two little nerds. I need some time alone with Anjali, NOW..
Rahul: Wait, wait. What I'm trying to do is get you back with Anjali. Please understand.
Vinay: I know about you. YOU ACTUALLY LIKE...
Rahul senses what Vinay was going to say, and rushes forward, without seeing what was happening forward...
Chapter 7
Vinay had been in Anjali's place for around half an hour now, and it had been only normal chatting so far. All of a sudden, he made a move. He moved close to her, and kissed her on the lips. He stayed there for a couple of seconds, experiencing the ecstasy that arose from her hair. Smelt like she'd had oil bath that morning. Suddenly Anjali pushed him away saying, "Your drunk." Vinay then said," No, I'm not drunk. My friend Rajesh offered me a small cup of scotch before I left. 100 ml is all I had. Udaipur is a place of great discipline when it comes to all this. You hardly have any time and chance to fall for other girls, to drink or smoke, do drugs or anything of that sort."
All the while, Vinay knew he was lying. He had gotten into all this, and even more in Udaipur. He had started off with cigarettes, just to try them, for the fun of it. Then, he got into drinking. It was the thing which made him unstable. He earned memos in his insti for have been found drunk in class! He did heroin once a week, and also started trading with hashish. He almost had a police case filed on him for that, but was left because he was still a minor. It was his luck, he became a major the next day, his birth had saved him.
Now, Vinay was getting more and more restless. These days, women had merely become an object of desire to him. The ugly side of college life had taken to him too. He started off a conversation arbitrarily with Anjali.
Vinay: The climate here is horrible now.
Anjali: I know, I've never seen Bangalore in as much spate as this ever.
Vinay: I know. By the way, did you realize your 18 now? You can do anything now.
Anjali: Yea, I know..
Vinay: I mean, we can do anything now..
Anjali: What do you mean?
Vinay: How is the climate outside?
Anjali: Very cold right now.
Vinay (stroking Anjali's hand): The whole house is ours. The climate is cold too. Why don't we do something and get hot!
Anjali looks at Vinay's face and understands his feeling of hunger, not love. At this moment, Vinay puts a leg of his on her. With a cry, she pushes him away, and rushes out shouting, " You bastard, move off. What do you think your going to do?" Vinay catches up with her and says," See. what we are doing is not wrong. We are old enough, and are doing it because its our age. There's no wrong in this. " But Anjali screams, not relenting to his wishes. Then opens the door, and steps in Rahul from outside...
All the while, Vinay knew he was lying. He had gotten into all this, and even more in Udaipur. He had started off with cigarettes, just to try them, for the fun of it. Then, he got into drinking. It was the thing which made him unstable. He earned memos in his insti for have been found drunk in class! He did heroin once a week, and also started trading with hashish. He almost had a police case filed on him for that, but was left because he was still a minor. It was his luck, he became a major the next day, his birth had saved him.
Now, Vinay was getting more and more restless. These days, women had merely become an object of desire to him. The ugly side of college life had taken to him too. He started off a conversation arbitrarily with Anjali.
Vinay: The climate here is horrible now.
Anjali: I know, I've never seen Bangalore in as much spate as this ever.
Vinay: I know. By the way, did you realize your 18 now? You can do anything now.
Anjali: Yea, I know..
Vinay: I mean, we can do anything now..
Anjali: What do you mean?
Vinay: How is the climate outside?
Anjali: Very cold right now.
Vinay (stroking Anjali's hand): The whole house is ours. The climate is cold too. Why don't we do something and get hot!
Anjali looks at Vinay's face and understands his feeling of hunger, not love. At this moment, Vinay puts a leg of his on her. With a cry, she pushes him away, and rushes out shouting, " You bastard, move off. What do you think your going to do?" Vinay catches up with her and says," See. what we are doing is not wrong. We are old enough, and are doing it because its our age. There's no wrong in this. " But Anjali screams, not relenting to his wishes. Then opens the door, and steps in Rahul from outside...
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Chapter 6
It was class 11, and there were a spate of new admissions in school. The relationship between Vinay and Rahul had soured, thanks to a lot of Vinay's dominating character and that trying to affect Rahul's personal decisions in life. Rahul needed company at this juncture, and there was where Shreyas came into his life. Shreyas and Maria were among the new admissions in class 11. Maria was known to Anjali earlier, and also became good friends with the rest of the people.
Shreyas had this knack to make people roll with laughter at the most depressed of moods, a champ at sports, this guy was great at everything. He was the guy who was the most desirable among friends, just for his level-headedness and sense of humour.
Rahul and he struck a fine chord in a few months, and the bitterness with Vinay was left behind. Due to Anjali being there, they did kind of recoup, but everything was not the same anymore. Maria was this girl who took over from the trio as school topper. Her english was unmatched and she was easily the pet of Blossom's English teacher and principal. The treats are still on, but now with the five of them together in whatever they did. They obviously did give Anjali and Vinay some space, something which gave Rahul a lot of pain, because he still loved Anjali dearly, but he did manage to live with.
Slowly class 12 also got over. Maria tops the city and the country in the board exams. Shreyas, Maria and Rahul managed to secure seats in Bangalore, while Anjali was sent to Delhi and Vinay to Udaipur. Anjali and Vinay has been going out all the while, but Anjali had posed restrictions because she didn't want to lose focus. Rahul studies hard as he knows its the only thing that'll keep him away from feeling he's a loser.
Now, after the exams are all over, Anjali and Vinay take more liberty, start kissing each other, and become very passionate about their relationship. Rahul is told all this by Anjali herself, and he yearns for love, with desire, but keeps it all to himself. Then, they left Bangalore to do B.Arch, while Shreyas does a B.Tech, while Maria and Rahul do B.Math's.
Rahul is buoyed to the present. Its only now that Vinay and Anjali are coming back to Chennai. He comes outside Anjali's flat and thinks if he should move further.
Shreyas had this knack to make people roll with laughter at the most depressed of moods, a champ at sports, this guy was great at everything. He was the guy who was the most desirable among friends, just for his level-headedness and sense of humour.
Rahul and he struck a fine chord in a few months, and the bitterness with Vinay was left behind. Due to Anjali being there, they did kind of recoup, but everything was not the same anymore. Maria was this girl who took over from the trio as school topper. Her english was unmatched and she was easily the pet of Blossom's English teacher and principal. The treats are still on, but now with the five of them together in whatever they did. They obviously did give Anjali and Vinay some space, something which gave Rahul a lot of pain, because he still loved Anjali dearly, but he did manage to live with.
Slowly class 12 also got over. Maria tops the city and the country in the board exams. Shreyas, Maria and Rahul managed to secure seats in Bangalore, while Anjali was sent to Delhi and Vinay to Udaipur. Anjali and Vinay has been going out all the while, but Anjali had posed restrictions because she didn't want to lose focus. Rahul studies hard as he knows its the only thing that'll keep him away from feeling he's a loser.
Now, after the exams are all over, Anjali and Vinay take more liberty, start kissing each other, and become very passionate about their relationship. Rahul is told all this by Anjali herself, and he yearns for love, with desire, but keeps it all to himself. Then, they left Bangalore to do B.Arch, while Shreyas does a B.Tech, while Maria and Rahul do B.Math's.
Rahul is buoyed to the present. Its only now that Vinay and Anjali are coming back to Chennai. He comes outside Anjali's flat and thinks if he should move further.
Chapter 5
It was in the CCD campus of Malleswaram, one of the hot stop spots of Bangalore youth. Rahul and Anjali were there, both fifteen minutes ahead of their scheduled meeting time, indicating both were eagerly looking forward to this meeting. When they came, they were all blushes. Rahul had dressed in his best, a Rajnikant like jacket, over a white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Anjali was looking drop dead gorgeous in her pink skirt.
Rahul: I got something to tell you.
Anjali: Even I have something to tell you.
Rahul: You tell what you want to tell first.
Anjali: I don't know how to tell you. I don't know how it happened. But it has happened.
Rahul: Yeah, tell me.
Anjali: I have been normal all my life, but never have I felt a thousand worlds merging into one, the flower bloom has never given me more happiness. I think I'm, no, actually, I am in love.
Rahul gave a beaming smile. After all, he had achieved something in life. The love of a girl.
Anjali: I'm in love with Vinay. I had gone to his house the other day to borrow his copy of Morrison and Boyd, when he proposed to me. I had liked him, but when he asked me out, I didn't know what to say, so I just left the place. Now, I just wanted to ask you, if I should go on with this, because it could affect my studies.
Rahul (controlling his tears) : Go on di. It won't harm you unless you distract yourself on purpose. Besides, Vinay is a very nice and worthy guy too.
Anjali: Your the best friend I ever had. Im glad I consulted you. You were the person who introduced me to him, and now its because of you that I'm getting close to him as well.
Saying this, she hugs him, and Rahul lets his tears flow in full. Recalling this memory, he is moved to tears as he sits and types a piece of code in his library computing facility. He leaves for Anjali's birthday for which she has called him. He makes a move from the library, and again dives into a stream of memories..
Rahul: I got something to tell you.
Anjali: Even I have something to tell you.
Rahul: You tell what you want to tell first.
Anjali: I don't know how to tell you. I don't know how it happened. But it has happened.
Rahul: Yeah, tell me.
Anjali: I have been normal all my life, but never have I felt a thousand worlds merging into one, the flower bloom has never given me more happiness. I think I'm, no, actually, I am in love.
Rahul gave a beaming smile. After all, he had achieved something in life. The love of a girl.
Anjali: I'm in love with Vinay. I had gone to his house the other day to borrow his copy of Morrison and Boyd, when he proposed to me. I had liked him, but when he asked me out, I didn't know what to say, so I just left the place. Now, I just wanted to ask you, if I should go on with this, because it could affect my studies.
Rahul (controlling his tears) : Go on di. It won't harm you unless you distract yourself on purpose. Besides, Vinay is a very nice and worthy guy too.
Anjali: Your the best friend I ever had. Im glad I consulted you. You were the person who introduced me to him, and now its because of you that I'm getting close to him as well.
Saying this, she hugs him, and Rahul lets his tears flow in full. Recalling this memory, he is moved to tears as he sits and types a piece of code in his library computing facility. He leaves for Anjali's birthday for which she has called him. He makes a move from the library, and again dives into a stream of memories..
Chapter 4
Rahul enters the CCD and sits down in a chair right opposite Shreyas, after giving him a warm hug. Shreyas and Rahul had made a friendship through the depressions Rahul suffered all his life. Shreyas was more than anyone else in Rahul's life simply for the role he had played in his life. And he was here again, to play another innings in his life.
Shreyas: What's up da? Anything important?
Rahul: Yea.
Shreyas: What's the matter?
Rahul:She called.
Shreyas: Who?
Rahul: Anjali
Shreyas: Nice Mani Ratnam movie type discussion da. Will you please tell me what the actual matter is?
Rahul: She's coming to Bangalore in November da. Diwali falls on November 3rd, and her birthday is on November 4th. I wanted to avoid meeting her, but it doesn't seem possible.
Shreyas: We'll get some way out.
They moved to Shreyas' home, and were having a pack of Maggi Noodles, when Shreyas recieved a call. It was from Anjali. She was proudly announcing her return to Bangalore in November for a holiday, and to celebrate her birthday with her, Vinay was also coming back. Now, Shreyas understood why Rahul was all the more gloomy. It was a tough task cheering him up for the night, but then, it did finally happen. Rahul spent the night at Shreyas' place and left for his insti the next morning.
A couple of days later, Anjali and Vinay arrived in Bangalore, in full pomp and splendour as that of a couple rejoicing their reunion. They were too busy for the rest of the city, too busily spending all the time possible with each other. Anjali went home and looked at the photo of Vinay kept beside her bed. She was reminded of that evening with Rahul at CCD, Malleswaram..
Shreyas: What's up da? Anything important?
Rahul: Yea.
Shreyas: What's the matter?
Rahul:She called.
Shreyas: Who?
Rahul: Anjali
Shreyas: Nice Mani Ratnam movie type discussion da. Will you please tell me what the actual matter is?
Rahul: She's coming to Bangalore in November da. Diwali falls on November 3rd, and her birthday is on November 4th. I wanted to avoid meeting her, but it doesn't seem possible.
Shreyas: We'll get some way out.
They moved to Shreyas' home, and were having a pack of Maggi Noodles, when Shreyas recieved a call. It was from Anjali. She was proudly announcing her return to Bangalore in November for a holiday, and to celebrate her birthday with her, Vinay was also coming back. Now, Shreyas understood why Rahul was all the more gloomy. It was a tough task cheering him up for the night, but then, it did finally happen. Rahul spent the night at Shreyas' place and left for his insti the next morning.
A couple of days later, Anjali and Vinay arrived in Bangalore, in full pomp and splendour as that of a couple rejoicing their reunion. They were too busy for the rest of the city, too busily spending all the time possible with each other. Anjali went home and looked at the photo of Vinay kept beside her bed. She was reminded of that evening with Rahul at CCD, Malleswaram..
Chapter 3
It was that part of the year when the various competitions and exams were on in full swing. The trio of Rahul, Anjali and Vinay were sureshot victors in anything and everything. They had the cultural fest of their school in July, and in spite of being in class 10, they won the most prestigious quiz in city, the Landmark Quiz, something which is held in the Bangalore city every November 14. Befitting the occasion of Children's day, it was won by children for the first ever time.
The trio were making a huge wave in the city newspapers. It was their world, and they were doing anything and everything they could, big! These days, Vinay was getting more stylish, enchanting. He started going by the everyday trends, he was the dude of the school, and of course, Rahul and Anjali were proud of him. The appeal he generated among the females was huge, and only he knew how he was suddenly generating all this.
At around this point of time, the three of them went for a small treat. It was to celebrate the second year of them having become friends. Here, Rahul and Anjali went in first and were chatting for a while. Rahul tried to tell what he wanted to but again he got nervous and even more nervous with passing time.
Vinay entered to give Rahul some peace. He came in a Bachnaa Ae Haseeno Ranbir Kapoor like costume and wowed Anjali with it. Rahul felt a pang of jealousy through him, but was sure that what was happening was for his good. Vinay would never do something wrong for him. The treat was over in a while. Rahul hogged some Tandoori Panneer dishes, while Anjali settled for Hakka Noodles. Vinay decided to give Anjali some company and had Hakka noodles.
After the food session was over, the trio got ready to leave. Rahul went home on his Kinetic Honda. He offered Anjali a lift, but she refused saying Rahul was still an amateur rider and would not be able to drop her safely. Then she accompanied Vinay in his car, as he offered her a drop.
Next morning, Rahul got a call from Anjali saying she had something very important to tell him, and she wanted to meet him at the CCD, Malleswaram. Rahul was full of expectations to listen to what she had to say.
As these thoughts drifted, he was pushed back into the present. The bus had reached Malleswaram, and he was opposite CCD,Malleswaram, the same CCD where what Anjali told him two and a half years ago had changed his life forever.
The trio were making a huge wave in the city newspapers. It was their world, and they were doing anything and everything they could, big! These days, Vinay was getting more stylish, enchanting. He started going by the everyday trends, he was the dude of the school, and of course, Rahul and Anjali were proud of him. The appeal he generated among the females was huge, and only he knew how he was suddenly generating all this.
At around this point of time, the three of them went for a small treat. It was to celebrate the second year of them having become friends. Here, Rahul and Anjali went in first and were chatting for a while. Rahul tried to tell what he wanted to but again he got nervous and even more nervous with passing time.
Vinay entered to give Rahul some peace. He came in a Bachnaa Ae Haseeno Ranbir Kapoor like costume and wowed Anjali with it. Rahul felt a pang of jealousy through him, but was sure that what was happening was for his good. Vinay would never do something wrong for him. The treat was over in a while. Rahul hogged some Tandoori Panneer dishes, while Anjali settled for Hakka Noodles. Vinay decided to give Anjali some company and had Hakka noodles.
After the food session was over, the trio got ready to leave. Rahul went home on his Kinetic Honda. He offered Anjali a lift, but she refused saying Rahul was still an amateur rider and would not be able to drop her safely. Then she accompanied Vinay in his car, as he offered her a drop.
Next morning, Rahul got a call from Anjali saying she had something very important to tell him, and she wanted to meet him at the CCD, Malleswaram. Rahul was full of expectations to listen to what she had to say.
As these thoughts drifted, he was pushed back into the present. The bus had reached Malleswaram, and he was opposite CCD,Malleswaram, the same CCD where what Anjali told him two and a half years ago had changed his life forever.
Chapter 2
They had come to the end of Class 9. Their's was the friendship of the school. The whole school envied their unity, and in the process started enjoying it as they brought about plenty of laurels for the school. But, Rahul had certain things in mind, and so did Vinay.
All along class 10, Rahul tried to express his feelings to Anjali, but alas, he never was able to. They often went out on treats, especially birthday treats. Rahul and Anjali gave their treats generally at CCD, while Vinay gave his at Wang's. Vinay's treats were generally lavish and the most enjoyable, and the three had fun big time then. Amidst all this, Rahul had a huge burden to let down, and he did not do it, sometimes out of fear, sometimes afraid of what it would result in, but everytime the reason was fear!
One fine day, Rahul and Vinay walked back home after school. Rahul has at this point of time been driven to a point of desperation. He chats casually with Vinay about many things, about school, home, family, and many other things. They finally come to discuss Anjali.
They keep chatting about the memorable days they spent in the couple of years together, and how these days would seem priceless in a couple of years hence. Then, Rahul, in a moment of despair tells Vinay he likes somebody. Vinay isn't the kind of friend who would have left him on his own till he got full information about whatever was happening. So, he pressurised Rahul to tell him who he liked. Rahul, who did not want to divulge into details, tried to keep shut, but it wouldn't work. Then, trusting Vinay as the friend of his life he told him his interest was Anjali.
He told him how he'd fallen for Anjali the very first time he'd met her, and how much he loved her and that he was sure it wasn't just infatuation. He told him how desperate he was to let her know this, but how he miffed up every time he got the opportunity.
He told him that he wanted her to know this at any cost, and that he would let her know whenever it would be possible for him. At this juncture, Vinay gave him a hug, and told him, my 'My dear friend, you've grown up finally. I'll be there to provide you with every possible help required, don't worry!!'
And with his, he smiled slyly to himself..
All along class 10, Rahul tried to express his feelings to Anjali, but alas, he never was able to. They often went out on treats, especially birthday treats. Rahul and Anjali gave their treats generally at CCD, while Vinay gave his at Wang's. Vinay's treats were generally lavish and the most enjoyable, and the three had fun big time then. Amidst all this, Rahul had a huge burden to let down, and he did not do it, sometimes out of fear, sometimes afraid of what it would result in, but everytime the reason was fear!
One fine day, Rahul and Vinay walked back home after school. Rahul has at this point of time been driven to a point of desperation. He chats casually with Vinay about many things, about school, home, family, and many other things. They finally come to discuss Anjali.
They keep chatting about the memorable days they spent in the couple of years together, and how these days would seem priceless in a couple of years hence. Then, Rahul, in a moment of despair tells Vinay he likes somebody. Vinay isn't the kind of friend who would have left him on his own till he got full information about whatever was happening. So, he pressurised Rahul to tell him who he liked. Rahul, who did not want to divulge into details, tried to keep shut, but it wouldn't work. Then, trusting Vinay as the friend of his life he told him his interest was Anjali.
He told him how he'd fallen for Anjali the very first time he'd met her, and how much he loved her and that he was sure it wasn't just infatuation. He told him how desperate he was to let her know this, but how he miffed up every time he got the opportunity.
He told him that he wanted her to know this at any cost, and that he would let her know whenever it would be possible for him. At this juncture, Vinay gave him a hug, and told him, my 'My dear friend, you've grown up finally. I'll be there to provide you with every possible help required, don't worry!!'
And with his, he smiled slyly to himself..
Chapter 1
Its raining cats and dogs. College is off for sure. When the rains take over, even the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore can't actually do much. But, Shreyas knows for sure, that he can travel about in the city, for two reasons, one, he's been here for two long years, long enough to know the city in full, and another, the strength of friendship could take him across huge distances with considerable ease. He picked his cell phone and made a call sitting in Nessara, the official restaurant in IISc Bangalore campus.
A phone rang in another part of the city, around 50 kms away, at the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore. Rahul picked the phone, with a sober 'Hi!'. He said he wanted to meet Shreyas at the Malleswaram CCD at 12. Shreyas agreed to come, and the line dropped dead. What had gone wrong with him today? Had the ghost of his past come back to haunt him??
Rahul, who was typing on a computer in the digital computing facility of his institute, shut the computer down, walked down to the library entrance, swapped his ID card at the identification portal, and the library gates opened with a beep. 'ISI Bang is all pseud', he thought!!
He went up to the bus stop to catch the 73N bus to Malleswaram. Getting into the bus, he messaged Ravi, a friend in institute to put proxy for him as he would not be coming to class in spite to institute working full day. Then, he sat next to the window. He had recieved a call from Anjali that morning, which had put him off. He saw through the window as they crossed Blossom school. Memories flooded him, like in a watershed!!
It was class 9. Rahul's father, after so many years out of the country, had finally settled in Bangalore, and so had brought his family, living in Neyveli, the lignite capital of the country, to Bangalore. All Rahul had known all his life were coal mines, charcoal fields, the power plants, power cuts, and fun. Fun, in the streets with other kids, playing cricket, hitting balls into the power plant area, sneaking into the restricted areas there to find out what actually was restricted there. He had lived a life of fun and frolic all along. Rahul was extremely scared of studying in Blossoms, a CBSE school, that too one in Bangalore. All he'd heard of Bangalore was huge IT parks, huge malls, pseud mini-skirt clad girls, and pubs, a lot of them. He had heard of a certain dirty culture prevalant in Bangalore, and so was extremely anxious about how he'll adapt to this environment.
Rahul didn't make too many friends at school because of his scared fellow attitude. Everyone thought he had a serious attitude problem. There was this guy called Vinay Rai, who was seated next to him, but not because they were great friends, but because he wasn't too popular in class. Vinay, a student from Presidency School, of ICSE board, was this ultra modern, guy with a cool type image, who looked down on the CBSE system as he would on a pariah! None of the guys liked him, and so he was isolated from the class, sent to the last desk, where the other unwanted kid of the class Rahul was seated. The duo made instant friendship, due to absence of any other friends, and due to their friendship complementing each other in various talents, they went places. But, the pivot of the the friendship was Anjali.
Anjali was a girl from Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram, Delhi. She was another of those Delhi kids who thought there was nothing in this world better than Delhi. She made friends with this duo during a quiz competition the three had attended together. They slowly became a very good quizzing team, and in the process, great friends. But little did Anjali realise that Rahul had developed feelings for her!!!
A phone rang in another part of the city, around 50 kms away, at the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore. Rahul picked the phone, with a sober 'Hi!'. He said he wanted to meet Shreyas at the Malleswaram CCD at 12. Shreyas agreed to come, and the line dropped dead. What had gone wrong with him today? Had the ghost of his past come back to haunt him??
Rahul, who was typing on a computer in the digital computing facility of his institute, shut the computer down, walked down to the library entrance, swapped his ID card at the identification portal, and the library gates opened with a beep. 'ISI Bang is all pseud', he thought!!
He went up to the bus stop to catch the 73N bus to Malleswaram. Getting into the bus, he messaged Ravi, a friend in institute to put proxy for him as he would not be coming to class in spite to institute working full day. Then, he sat next to the window. He had recieved a call from Anjali that morning, which had put him off. He saw through the window as they crossed Blossom school. Memories flooded him, like in a watershed!!
It was class 9. Rahul's father, after so many years out of the country, had finally settled in Bangalore, and so had brought his family, living in Neyveli, the lignite capital of the country, to Bangalore. All Rahul had known all his life were coal mines, charcoal fields, the power plants, power cuts, and fun. Fun, in the streets with other kids, playing cricket, hitting balls into the power plant area, sneaking into the restricted areas there to find out what actually was restricted there. He had lived a life of fun and frolic all along. Rahul was extremely scared of studying in Blossoms, a CBSE school, that too one in Bangalore. All he'd heard of Bangalore was huge IT parks, huge malls, pseud mini-skirt clad girls, and pubs, a lot of them. He had heard of a certain dirty culture prevalant in Bangalore, and so was extremely anxious about how he'll adapt to this environment.
Rahul didn't make too many friends at school because of his scared fellow attitude. Everyone thought he had a serious attitude problem. There was this guy called Vinay Rai, who was seated next to him, but not because they were great friends, but because he wasn't too popular in class. Vinay, a student from Presidency School, of ICSE board, was this ultra modern, guy with a cool type image, who looked down on the CBSE system as he would on a pariah! None of the guys liked him, and so he was isolated from the class, sent to the last desk, where the other unwanted kid of the class Rahul was seated. The duo made instant friendship, due to absence of any other friends, and due to their friendship complementing each other in various talents, they went places. But, the pivot of the the friendship was Anjali.
Anjali was a girl from Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram, Delhi. She was another of those Delhi kids who thought there was nothing in this world better than Delhi. She made friends with this duo during a quiz competition the three had attended together. They slowly became a very good quizzing team, and in the process, great friends. But little did Anjali realise that Rahul had developed feelings for her!!!
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