Monday, September 8, 2014

Were we in the same relationship? A Short Story

A love story in a woman's Facebook updates and a man's thoughts.

Spoiler alert: This is a love story between Raj and Simran but it's completely unlike the original. With the exception of the character names, nothing is as it should be.

Simran- 10 July: Were we in the same relationship???

Raj- 10 July: she did mean it. I don't get it? Thought we both wanted similar things. It was so good, why did she want to break up? I miss her...

Raj- 30 June: she has announced that we have 'officially broken up'. That does not mean its permanent right? Am sure she will come around....

Simran- 30 June: is heartbroken...

Raj- 29 June: we were clearly not on the same page when about 'taking it slow'. Why can't this be simple? We meet occasionally, have fun, go on with our lives...why these expectations of an ideal relationship? It's frustrating

Simran- 29 June: feeling stupid! Nothing changes...pattern continues...

Raj- 23 June: good talk. Explained to her that we should take it slow...feeling positive...

Simran- 22 June: had a good 'moving forward' talk...feeling positive...

Simran- 21 June: why do men come back when you pull away? And stay away when you come forward? Men are complicated creatures! 

Raj- 21 June: wow! She was serious about the goodbye. This does suck! I don't want her to leave. I want her. Now. 

Raj- 19 June: why do girls need closure for every situation? What's with farewells and good byes? Why can't we just take this easy and chill a bit? Why so serious? 

Simran- 19 June: it's goodbye time....tearing up...

Simran- 12 June: trying to reclaim my old life

Raj- 8 June: communication actually works. Why haven't I thought of this before? She has backed off and now I can finally breathe

Simran- 6 June: if you love someone you would give them the time and space they need, right? 

Raj- 5 June: damn! She wants to 'talk'. Why delay the inevitable? Will tell her what I think.

Simran- 5 June: gearing up for the dreaded 'talk'

Raj- 4 June: May be I should tell her I am feeling stifled...but she would have got my hints right?

Simran- 30 May: watching 'He's just not that into you'...again...story of my life! Without the happy ending...

Raj- 29 May: why can't she understand that I need some space? Am trying to back off and have given enough hints

Simran- 29 May: AWOL for a week...getting tired of this...

Raj- 22 May: that should buy me at least a week of peace

Simran- 22 May: whisking me off from office in middle of the day to a wine bar. Soft kisses and long embraces. What a lovely surprise date!

Raj- 18 May: and here we go again. The needy tone. Gets rather annoying.

Simran- 18 May: he's behaving like old landline phones that always have a busy signal

Simran- 15 May: is learning to be at peace with herself

Raj- 11 May: how could she think I would not call? I missed her! She ought go know that I would miss her?

Simran- 11 May: he had called! Dad forgot to me the message. Twice. But who cares?? He called...and was miffed that I didn't call back. Likes this feeling of being missed ;)

Raj- 9 May: how long was she going to be away? Seems rather long. And she has not even bothered to call. May be I will call. Am missing her.

Simran- 3 May: being teased by sisters about new bf (who has not called). Sad beyond words :(

Raj- 2 May: no one expecting me to be anywhere. This is good. Am going to sleep all day and drink all night. Let's hope Karan's wife is out of town. A weekend with mates is long overdue.

Simran- 30 April: off for ten days holiday to see my family! Super excited! 

Simran- 26 April: hard to get. A game I never learned to play. Too late for an old dog to learn new tricks?

Raj- 26 April: she acts like she does not care, but if I choose to spend the weekend with my mates she gets all passive aggressive. Jeez...don't have time for this. 

Simran- 24 April: came across this book 'Why men love bitches'. So have to read it! And apply its teachings...

Raj- 22 April- did she notice when I eyed the girl in the figure hugging dress?  

Simran- 22 April: one can't be on the roller coaster forever right? Every relationship moves to the merry-go-round stage no?

Simran- 21 April: thinks she melts too easily

Raj- 21 April: she is giving me such a cold shoulder. A guy can forget can't he? Flowers? Nah. Flowers means admitting to a mistake. Will give her a surprise visit after work and take her for a quiet dinner. That should do the trick. 

Simran- 20 April: a day out with my girlfriends....just what I need...cheered up immensely

Simran- 19 April: is shocked at being stood up!

Raj- 19 April: forgot about Adam's farewell. She will understand. Shit! Did I tell her I can't go over tonight? Rather late now. She should be cool.

Simran- 16 April: first weekend apart...missing him sorely...heartache :(

Raj- 11 April: looking forward to Phuket conference. Need some time apart.

Simran- 10 April: impromptu lunch date. Feeling lightheaded. Blame the Prosecco. 

Raj- 10 April: can't focus on work. Just want to see her. I actually miss her. WTF is wrong with me? 

Simran- 6 April: is feeling invincible! four glorious days! A lovely, romantic n passionate holiday. Silly princess, nonsense curse, stupid legend! 

Raj- 5 April: great holiday. The Booze, the company, the sex, the food, the sex, the sex...

Simran- 3 April: kyon ki tum hi ho...haan tum hi ho...

Raj- 31 March: she's obsessing over some silly curse. It's going to take a lot more for us to be apart. Must reassure her.

Simran- 31 March: Ok so who all have heard about the legend of Bali being break-up island for unmarried couples???? And why I am the only one who has never hears of this?? Will be stupid to cancel an all expense paid holiday...but should we tempt fate??

Raj- 30 March- she does jump onto to things very quickly. Now she has gone ahead and booked tickets to Bali. She is refusing to let me pay them. Have never really had such a generous and rather fuss-free girlfriend before.

Simran- 30 March: booked a holiday to Bali. First vacation together! Excited beyond words...

Simran- 28 March: what does "I am so into you" really mean?? Obsessing again....

Raj- 28 March- have this urge to whisk her off to an island. Just the two of us. Lots of sex. May be on the beach...but it's not just that. Kinda in love with her. Kinda only. 

Simran- 27 March: in his arms, by the ocean, with a bottle of champagne and bags of chips. Bliss!

Raj- 27 March- she is rather easy to please. Did not even have to buy her an expensive dinner. She is so content with simple things. It's kinda simplistic, but adorable. 

Simran- 26 March: "You are a homely girl" errrrr is that a compliment or a brush off??

Simran- 25 March: surreptitiously holding hands under the table when with a bunch of friends and quietly mouthing 'are you ok?'...it feels tons better than a banal sorry

Raj- 25 March: she is really hurt. I don't like leaving things like that with her. She's simply too sweet and I can't bear to see her sad.

Simran- 24 March: and there it is! Our first fight. Wonder if we will survive it??

Raj- 24 March: F@!? Have no patience for tantrums! She is getting too demanding. I don't have to spend every weekend with her do I? What's with these expectations?

Simran- 24 March: he got a doze of my temper! Bet he is still reeling from it! 

Simran- 22 March: a homing device that gets him back to me no matter the time...is that a good thing? Or am I being taken for granted??

Raj- 22 March: I want to see her. It's past midnight. Too late to call? Will she think its a booty call? It is partly that. But it's also that I want sleep with her in my arms. WTH! Will just ring the doorbell. Something tells me she will open the door

Simran- 20 March: is super pissed!!

Raj- 20 March: has been great hanging out with the guys. I missed this. Why haven't I done it for so long? Simran is taking up a bit too much of my time. 

Simran- 19 March: how do you relate to someone who does not get your TV show references? 

Simran- 18 March: ...all your perfect imperfections...

Simran- 16 March: meat was not enough...wine as more than..everyone got along splendidly...I call it a successful BBQ 

Raj- 15 March- her friends are pretty cool. And they all seem to adore her. Why does the tall guy look at me menacingly? I will put my arms around her waist to piss him off. There! His scowl just deepened. Where are the chicken tikkas? 

Simran- 15 March: is feeling a nervous teenager. Will my friends like him? 

Raj- 12 March: if once more she reminds me about her friends BBQ... I will have to ask her to take it easy. I don't know why it's all such a big deal? 

Simran- 11 March: when day dreams are like floating on a cloud....and night dreams are like falling from a cliff...

Simran- 8 March: do the words 'I love you' count when said in a drunken state? Obsessing big time on the authenticity of the three little words...

Raj- 7 March: Simran I love you. Did I say that aloud or just think that? Think it's the latter. But who the hell remembers after the umpteenth tequila shot? 

Simran- 6 March: thinks she has received the seal of approval. Gloating smile! :)

Raj- 5 March: it was cute to see her nervous. And even a little guarded. Didi was so sweet to her. Think she wanted to jump up and down as this is the first time I had got a girl home to meet her. 

Simran- 5 March: invited for dinner at his sister's...should be afraid at things moving so fast....instead stressing over what to wear

Simran- 4 March: kebabs and whiskey?! Gawd! How 'dalhi' can anyone be!

Raj- 4 March: you can take a girl out of Bombay...but...she will still prefer pau bhaji to dal makhani. Sigh! 

Simran- 4 March: loves long soft kisses....especially when they are in the embrace of long, strong arms

Raj- 3 March: introduced her to my friend. He was rather baffled. First chic I have ever introduced him to in awhile. They seemed to take to each other. Perhaps a little too much. Must talk with him. She is my girlfriend after all. Damn! Don't think I have ever thought of her like that before.

Simran- 1 March: Shaadi ke side-effects as the first movie watched together. What a crap film! Will he ever call back? 

Simran- 28 Feb: 3 stars of the chicken curry, 5 stars for the effort. A man who cooks....sexy beyond words...

Raj 27 Feb: Friday night and I wanted to have a night in. Seldom happens. Ended up watching old hindi film with her head nested in my lap. It strangely felt very nice. 

Simran- 26 Feb: so this is what a whirlwind romance feels....it's just like in the rom-coms :)))

Raj- 22 Feb: can't believe we are meeting almost everyday. I am not usually like this with other girls. What's so special about her? I love the fact that I can talk to her about anything. And how she nods when she listens. And how she strokes my arm when I am not in a good mood. And when she cooks my favourite food even without me asking. And just how she makes me feel..not had this feeling for a long time. It might just be what others call happiness

Simran- 21 Feb: Me- wearing a long white dress
He- "Why are you dressed like a character from a Bronte?"
Me (in my head)- He quotes Bronte! Shoot! He was probably making fun of me...but who cares? He quotes Bronte!

Raj- 19 Feb: loves how she calls me 'aap' and when she says my name in soft tones when I am kissing her neck

Simran- 18 Feb: wonders if you can you downgrade someone from an 'aap' to a 'tum'?

Raj 14 Feb: am I forgetting something today? 

Simran- 14 Feb: is trying not to read too much into not receiving flowers at work

Raj 12 Feb: four times in one night. This is freaking awesome. She is freaking awesome. And so so so sexy. Especially in the black lace lingerie...well...here we go again 

Simran- 12 Feb: yes it's better in the morning!

Raj- 10 Feb: Tumko dekha toh yeh khayal aaya

Simran- 8 Feb: and he has the most appropriate Hindi movie dialogues for the right moments. Have I hit the jackpot this time?

Raj- 6 Feb: I can always make her laugh. And when she doesn't, I just want to try harder. Her face lights up when she smiles. Her eyes twinkle. And when she throws her head back, I can catch a glimpse of her cleavage...and then I forget about the laughter

Simran- 6 Feb: always knew the anti-establishment guy is the one for her

Simran- 3 Feb: an Indian man who does the dishes. Have I stumbled upon a unicorn??

Raj- 3 Feb: think she is suitably impressed. I was a true gentleman. She makes me want to be one. I can't possibly be falling for someone this soon. Let me go out for beer with friends to shake this feeling off.

Simran- 2 Feb: is seriously considering breaking the third date rule...

Raj- 2 Feb: hates Cosmo and their stupid rules!!

Simran- 2 Feb: a stay at home second date? Don't diss it till you try it...

Raj- 2 Feb: so excited to see her again...to kiss her again...to hold her again...and who knows...may be a lot more?

Simran- 31 Jan: Gong Xi Fa Cai. The year of the horse is off to a galloping start!

Raj- 29 Jan: can't believe I had to go home alone. But only makes me want her more. Have not had such a great time in the longest time

Simran- 29 Jan: what do you call a first date that starts at 7 pm, ends at 2 am and then both individuals go to their own homes? MAGIC that's what!

Raj- 28 Jan: she has expensive taste in wine, but she is exquisite! And so so sexy...I want her so bad...

Simran- 28 Jan: checked in at Level 33, MBFC Tower 1. Wonders if the view was always this good? Or is it the charming company? 

Raj- 27 Jan: why is she being so elusive?  Damn! I really want to see her

Simran- 26 Jan: discovered she likes being pursued...butterflies in the tummy...there goes the empowered woman notion...

Raj- 25 Jan: she is busy again today? WTF! May be she is not interested? Nah! Just need to chase harder...

Raj- 24 Jan: she is playing hard to get. Need to turn on the charm

Simran- 24 Jan: is confused when a man calls as he said he would. Is he not from this earth?

Raj- 22 Jan: it's been six hours...is it too soon to call? Who cares? I can't wait to see her again.

Raj- 22 Jan: she has a nice ass and pretty face. Fun to talk to. Feeling something...

Simran- 22 Jan: shared cab with an exciting stranger. This so never happens to me!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Tears from the heart

A wounded heart that cries no more
Doe-like eyes that tear up daily
A silent spectator, the astute mind
Entreats the value of forgetting

But forgetting is something the heart can't
And eyes, even when closed have your picture trapped
The fingers grope the empty bed every night
The feet has so much more space under the duvet

Even my shadow feels so lonely
When it sees it's hand not holding yours
Tears fall and the heart aches
Or sometimes the tears ache and the heart falls
From a cliff...in slow motion....

The mind intervenes yet again
Stop...stop..stop... it implores
'There will be others. Love is not lost'

But the eyes look baffled
And the heart is confounded
What does 'others' mean?
And love IS truly gone
It may exist in the world outside
But it's missing from the heart
A hollow ache remains
Where you once resided

'You are being silly' scolds the mind
'End of one relationship is not end of the world
There are friendly ties and family bonds
There are movies and books and parties galore'

But my eyes just crave your sight
My skin simply desires your touch
My ears ache for your sweet nothing's
And the mouth longs for your lips
Even my nose is bereft without your scent

No one else can fill this void
Not for awhile at least
May be someday
But that day is not today