Chapter 6: And Rafey Speaks

Who is your confidante? Are you in love with that one person or that one thing where you keep all your secrets? Do you run away from the fact that you don’t love your confidante? Do you give it any other names, like friendship, affection, attachment?

If you think of love as a wider concept, you would realize you are in love with the person or the thing - may be a diary, who knows you in and out.

***

I am Rafey – the same guy who started with nothing, has nothing, and at the end of it all, will have nothing. This is what I always thought. But I seem to have a lot. A lot of memories, a lot of dreams, a lot of courage and so many hopes. I have so much of so many things.

Today I met Raji. I have her too, now. But in what form? I have no clue. She is a successful RJ, and I am just a Pizza Delivery boy.

But 18 years back, we were just two kids, who were best of friends.

Sometimes I wonder whether the friendship we shared back then, was really a friendship? What did we know? Nothing. She would help me with my homework, and I would help her.

She would paint all the time and I would tell her how beautiful the pictures looked, we would go and have sugar candies, and she would always treat me. We went to the temple together, and she learnt what I said in my Namaaz.

She would defend me when I was blamed for anything, and I would support her. She would give me extra Kheer from the refrigerator when I craved for more, and I would climb up the trees to get her tamarinds, her favorite. We would celebrate our birthdays under the Gulmohar tree first, and then at her place with so many guests.

Today, this isn’t really friendship. This isn’t love. Friendship is going around together, watching movies, sharing secrets. Love is giving greeting cards, going for bike rides, hugging and kissing your partner.

It’s really different today.

Today when I saw her, I realized, so much has changed. She looks different. Beautiful, to put it honestly. She has lovely hair. She must have grown them all this while. Her eyes are attractive. Her lips shaped like a bow. The spectacles give her another vision, but they fail in hiding the dazzling pair of eyes.

What am I to her today? Just another delivery boy who provides services when asked to do so? She doesn’t even know me.

When Chachu said I should get a girlfriend, Raji came into my mind immediately. I feel ashamed about it now. Really! What about that crazy Aafsha who keeps telling me that she’ll get married to me one day? When I think about spending my life with someone, all I can think about it Aafsha.

She stays in the same chawl, her family respects Mansoor Chachu, they’ve known us for more than 10 years now and we belong to the same community. It all sounds perfect.

But I have never been in love with Aafsha. She is crazy. Nutcase. I wonder why she loves me so frantically. I really fail to understand. I wonder, have I ever been nice to her? Not really. Am I just good looking? May be.  But just looks, and that’s it? People fall in love that easily?

I am nobody to say anything.

Today I am fighting with my own demons - thinking about my next confrontation with Raji. What if Shekhar doesn’t send me to GK’s office again, because of the complaint? I don’t really know.

I remember once Abba told me, one of the only things I remember of him. He said, “No work is big or small, and no person is rich or poor. Humility makes you rich and your dedication makes successful”

I am still wondering what is my exact feeling today. The day has ended. It was good, bad and surprising, all at the same time.

Am I elated and disgusted at the same time, because I have found a long lost love? Am I mixing work with my personal life?

Isn’t she supposed to be just a friend?

Sure. She is just supposed to be a friend. Nothing else. I cannot fall in love. I will have to get married to Aafsha. That is what will make Chachu happy.

Raji was just a friend. She still is Ahuja Saab’s daughter, Hindu. And I am Shareeq’s son. A driver’s son, Muslim. A Pizza delivery boy.

 I cannot fall for her.

***

Did I ever think about all this when we started playing for the first time together? Did our religions ever pose a difficulty?

Am I thinking like every other person of the society who is scared of being judged?

I think I am. I am scared of the social pressure and acceptance. I am worried about her reputation. I am strong, yet weak. I can confront, but I cannot confess. I can love, but cannot accept. I am scared.

Therefore, I cannot fall for her. I cannot!

.. to be contd..

Onto Chapter 7: To be or not to be

Back to Chapter 5: The Gulmohar tree

Back to Index

Back to Prologue

Chapter 5: The Gulmohar Tree

There are some places which just belong to you. It could be your balcony, a garden near your house, a bench in your apartment compound or your Rest room. You should own one such place which is entirely, dedicatedly yours, where you can cry, laugh, live, dream, feel, express and sit with someone you love the most.

That one place.. you should have…

***

“Chachu, what are you doing here?”, Rafey asked, finding his uncle sitting on the stairs of the chawl they stayed in.

“Waiting for you my son”, Mansoor sounded sardonic.

“Does it make any sense?”, Rafey murmured heading towards the house.

“Crack pot, you Jack ass. You did not realize, you took the entire bunch of keys with you along with the keys of the bike”, Mansoor yelled.

“Why did you give me the entire set then? Didn’t you know that you had your pair of house keys in them?”, Rafey sounded a bit agitated.

“Rafey Miyaa, what’s wrong with you. Temperature seems pretty high. You’ve never yelled like this before”, Mansoor commented again sarcastically.

“Was I offensive, Chachu jaan? I am so sorry.”, Rafey apologized, realizing that he had sounded a bit rude.

“Ya, You idiot. You sure did. Now let me into my house”, Mansoor rushed in pushing Rafey.

“Stop swearing Chachu. Please”, Rafey pleaded sullenly.

“Ok. I won’t love you. I promise” Mansoor said. He added, “Let’s go to Kareem’s today. It was your first day at work and I am so proud of you. Let’s go celebrate”, Mansoor offered, realizing that Rafey was sulking.

“No. I am not hungry. You please go and have your dinner”, Rafey said.

“Who sleeps empty stomach son. Let’s go. And talk to me about it, ok?”, Mansoor said as he walked out, separating the bike keys from the house keys.

“About what?” Rafey looked at him in surprise wondering whether Mansoor knew what had gone wrong during the day.

“About what went wrong”, Mansoor spoke what was going on in Rafey’s mind.

‘’How do you know?”, Rafey asked.

“We may not have a blood relation, my son, but I have seen you grow from a little boy to a strong handsome man. I know you… really well..Asshole”, Mansoor added as he realized he was getting emotional.

Rafey changed his uniform, wore an afghani kurta and went with Mansoor to relish on some Mutton Kebabs.

***

RJ was meandering in her room when Mrs. Ahuja came in.

“Raji, beta, I have told the maid to come early in the morning so that it isn’t a trouble for you”, Mrs. Ahuja said.

“Right mom”, RJ replied nonchalantly.

“Why don’t you come for the wedding too?”, her mother asked.

“Maa, I don’t get offs. Plus this new show is really being received well, so I have to be regular. I cannot record for 10 days and come with you to Meerut”, RJ said.

“Ok. But do take care of yourself. Eat well. Don’t skip meals”, Mrs, Ahuja said, as she wrapped up her stuff and packed her husband’s luggage. She added, “What will you cook? Do you know what is placed where in the kitchen?”

“Mom, Don’t worry”, RJ said, thought for a while and added, “Otherwise I will order Pizza” she said and smiled.

“Ya, whatever. But do take care”, said Mrs. Ahuja as she asked the watchman to call for a taxi.

“Mom”, RJ called.

“Ya, tell me”, asked RJ’s mother still gathering all stuff.

“You remember Shareeq Miya?”, she said.

“Ofcourse beta”, she replied.

“Where is Rafey these days?”, RJ immediately jumped to the question she’d been meaning to ask.

“He stays with Mansoor. You remember Mansoor who used to work in the garage near the park with Shareeq?”, Mrs. Ahuja added.

“Umm. I don’t quite remember him mumma. But do you know how Rafey is?”, she asked.

“No beta. Been a long time. Your papa got busy and did not talk to Mansoor in years. I have no idea about Rafey either”, she replied.

“Ohh.. I see”, RJ said, “Where was I when Rafey left?”, RJ asked.

“You were at Naani’s place, when Mansoor took him to Allahabad. He wanted him to study there. But then they came back here, because, Mansoor couldn’t leave his job. Rafey stayed with him”, Mrs. Ahuja replied.

“Do you know where they stay?”, RJ asked.

“Ok, now I don’t need to answer any of your questions RJ RJ, because Mr. Ahuja is fortunately on time today and I got to go and catch the flight. Ok?”, Mrs. Ahuja kissed RJ, carried her luggage and left.

RJ wondered why all the years she didn’t miss Rafey at all. After all, he was her best friend – Her first ever best friend.

***

After having a sumptuous meal at Kareem bhai’s hotel, Rafey went to his favorite place with his favourite person on the planet.

“Chachu, Let’s go to the park for sometime”, he proposed.

“Yeah, sure, Gul must be wondering, what took you so many days to come to her”, he teased.

“ Chachu, its just a tree. Please. You are talking as if Gul is some girl friend of mine”, Rafey defended himself.

“I pray, stupid, that you have one as soon as possible. Till when will you sit under a tree and share your life with it?”, Mansoor taunted.

“Chacha.. Ssshhh.. Come. Sit”, Rafey signaled Mansoor to sit on the iron chair while he sat on the pavement feeling the whooshing sound the tree made.

“So tell me what went wrong today? Why were you so upset?”, Mansoor asked.

“Chacha, I did not know that they gave the Pizza free if the delivery came after 30 minutes. And the delivery boy has to compensate for the delay”, Rafey informed Mansoor.

“So you mean, you delivered the pizza late at the customers?”, Mansoor guessed.

“Hmm”, Rafey concurred, as he looked up at the gulmohar tree trying to spot the beautiful orange flowers. But it was too dark to make them out.

“They made you pay? On your first day ?” Mansoor asked.

“Not exactly. I am not sad about that”, Rafey said.

“Then..what are you sad about? Was the customer very rude?”, Mansoor asked.

“Mmm…you know Chachu I really don’t care”, Rafey replied.

“Then what is it?”, Mansoor asked giving it up, “Are you in love with the customer. Did sparks fly when you saw her….or him..”, Mansoor wondered the way he was framing sentences and felt foolish for making that statement. He laughed as he ended his statement.

“Chahcu. Enough”, Rafey chuckled.

“Then, tell me”, Mansoor insisted.

“You remember Ahuja Aunty, Raji.. where Abba worked”,Rafey asked.

“Sure beta, I do remember.. why?”, Mansoor asked.

“I met Raji today. Rajshri Ahuja”, Rafey said, and slipped into an imagination, recollecting the days when they were 6 and so much together.

….to be contd…

Onto Chapter 6: And Rafey Speaks

Back to Chapter 4: Lost and Found

Back to Index

Back to Prologue

Chapter 4: Lost and Found

Some people run away from memories. Some run away from dreams, some just run away from everything because they fear that their weaknesses might be exposed.

If we learn to face our past, present and future with the similar audacity, then we have lived well.

***

RJ rushed to the reception, but it was too late. Rafey had already left by then. She wondered; whether he was her childhood friend Rafey, or was it a co-incidence that another guy has the same name?

She went back to the Radio station and continued RJing.

She said, “I remember the time when I was a kid. I had a very good friend – my best friend. I lost him eventually.” She halted.

“No no, I mean he is still alive, and smartly so. He looks really handsome”, she recollected Rafey’s face and sketched his features in her mind.

She continued, “But he left us to shift to the other part of the city. I moved out to pursue my education, made new friends, and I thought I never missed him much”, she went on.

“And today, friends, I realize I truly missed him all this while. I want to see him again. Know how he had been all these days”, she sounded profound.

“Don’t you ever feel the same about your childhood friends? Did you ever have that ONE real close friend, with whom, you’ve grown up?” she stopped again.

“Are you still in touch with them? Do you feel like knowing how they’d been all this while? Do you ever get nostalgic? For all those who say yes, all those who say no, and all those who are still wondering what I am talking about, here’s the last song of the day ‘Seasons in the Sun, by Westlife’.. Enjoy..”, RJ concluded.

RJ speculated how she could get in touch with him. She was a famous RJ and he was just a Pizza delivery boy. She thought about ways to make him come again to deliver Pizza. She then wondered that they usually don’t eat Pizzas everyday at work. How could she see him again and confirm that he was indeed Rafey, Shareeq Miya’s son, her confidante, her long lost best friend.

Her mind knitted thoughts and plans, but none seemed executable.

***

“Rafey, there is a way to handle such people”, Shekhar said.

“How, I don’t know”, Rafey sounded apologetic.

“We always have a timer. Your counter showed a time and the moment you reached there, you stopped it. Always remember one thing, on your way to the customer, give them a call. When you are in the lift, or climbing the stairs, parking your bike, whenever. Just give them a call to confirm where they are ”, Shekhar advised.

“Ok. I would have reached there before time, had I known that the office has shifted to the 17^th floor”, Rafey defended himself.

“Sure, you are very correct. That’s why you should have called them while you were on your way. This gives the customer a feeling that their order is on its way and they don’t mind waiting”, Shekhar added.

“Hmm. I understand”, Rafey learnt the nuances.

“And still if some of them behave that weirdly, we really can’t help it. Just try your best to reach on time, and even if they trouble you, we might have to deal with it differently. But never raise your voice, or fight, Ok?”, Shekhar urged.

“Yes, I get that Shekhar. I would never do that”, Rafey sounded reassuring.

“I trust you Rafey. You are a good boy”, Shekhar boosted his morale.

“Thanks, Shekhar. Now what about the payment?”, Rafey asked.

“This time, we will deduct only half the amount from your salary. Half the outlet shall pay. If you want you can work extra hours on weekends and get away with the deduction too”, Shekhar said.

“Yes, I prefer the latter. I will work on weekends. But don’t cut my pay”, Rafey proposed.

Shekhar looked at him, gauged his dedication and smiled. “All right”, he added.

“That ways I’ll get a chance to practice better”, Rafey innocently appended.

Shekhar patted his back, gave him a semi-hug and left.

***

After a lot of thinking and contemplation, RJ called up the pizza outlet.

“Domino’s?”, RJ asked.

“Yes Ma’am, your order please?”, Manjeet asked.

“I had called sometime ago to enquire about the Pizza delivery boy who delivered the pizza late at GK’s office”, RJ asked.

“Yes Ma’am. We have registered your complaint and we are working on it”, Manjeet said.

“Ok. I want to know where does he stay?”, RJ asked.

“I am sorry ma’am. I don’t understand why you are asking about him? We assure you that we will take care of his carelessness and we shall deliver pizza on time”, Manjeet said.

“Tell me what I ask. I am not gonna sue him or anything. I feel bad about the way I behaved, so I want to know where he stays and whether he can deliver pizza in MEGA locality. That’s where I stay”, RJ sounded completely confused and made up line after line and finally concluded “,So tell me where does he stay?”

“He stays near the railway station. And sure he can deliver Pizza wherever you want”, Manjeet said.

“Ok. I am Rajshri Ahuja from MEGA. Make sure, the next time I place an order, Rafey comes to deliver it. Ok?”, RJ said arrogantly, ordering the customer executive to fulfill her order. “Remember my name. Rajshri Ahuja”, she said.

“Sure Ma’am. We assure you of our best services”, Manjeet said and hung the call.

RJ wondered what was it that was eating her up from within. The anger, the longing, the desperation, or simply the long lost love.

…to be contd..

Onto Chapter 5: The Gulmohar Tree

 Back to Chapter 3: Encounter - Long Due

Back to Index

Back to Prologue

Chapter 3 :Encounter - Long Due

How many times have we avoided an eye contact with a person we knew long back, and now we refuse to recognize? Do we have the guts to sit and have a meal with our servants? Can we meet and pass on the same warmth to one of our lesser privileged school mates? I think it requires a lot of courage to be you, despite the status, achievements and success.

***

Rafey stood there staring at those wonderful pair of eyes. It had a disgusted look but they were way too familiar.

He smiled at her and said, “Madam, your delivery. The bill is Rs. 833”.

“Thank you very much. And please feel obliged to pay the bill”, RJ said and started to leave.

“Madam, but..”, Rafey looked a bit perplexed, but he kept smiling, nonetheless.

“You are 15 minutes late”, she said flaunting her Swiss watch.

“Ma’am, I was here exactly on time, no one was at the reception. So I had to call you”, Rafey defended.

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. The moment I got a call from you, I came out.  Look at the watch. You are late. This pizza is free, that means”, RJ bargained.

“This is not fair Ma’am. I was here on time. There wasn’t anyone, so it really isn’t my fault”, Rafey requested and pleaded humbly.

“You mean I am simply claiming this Pizza for free because I don’t want to give money?”, RJ sounded sarcastic and looked at Rafey, from head to toe, “What’s your name?”, she asked.

Rafey kept looking at her, as she shifted her glance to Rafey’s badge. It said R.Shareeq.

She said, “Mr.Shareeq, leave the boxes here and get going”, and she turned to leave.

Rafey was thoroughly disgusted and wondered how he could make her pay the bill. It was his first day at work, and all he had in mind was “Be on time and be courteous”, which he had genuinely been.

But nothing seemed to pay fruits. He couldn’t have afforded to make a call to Shekhar and clarify what could be done next. He accepted that there are people, who no matter what will always prove you wrong.

He couldn’t even tell the lady that it was his first day at work, and he had to take directions and help from his senior to reach to the destination.

He tried again, “Madam, the pizza is free, if it is not delivered within 30 minutes. My clock showed 11 am when you ordered and now it is 11.40 am. I was here exactly 10 minutes before and we’ve been having this discussion since then”

“Look, delivery boy. Don’t promise things, when you can’t conform. Your company says that the pizza is absolutely free if the delivery takes more than 30 minutes. It took more than that. Therefore, F R E E, free”, RJ mocked and made a point.

“But Madam”, Rafey tried to negotiate.

“End of discussion. I may have to think about other Pizza brands then”, RJ said and left.

Rafey would have had to pay Rs.833 from his pocket, which was almost his 3 day salary. He was very disappointed, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t convince the lady that he was there on time.

Giving up he called up Shekhar.

“Shekhar. I had to deliver the pizza free. They say I was late”, Rafey said.

“Come back to the outlet. We will discuss”, Shekhar sounded comforting.

Before leaving, Rafey peeped inside the office and saw a few people yapping over the interesting Pizza. He had no emotions, because he felt nothing. He wasn’t angry about the way his customer behaved, nor was he scared of the outcome of his job. His mind wove a memory and RJ’s face flashed once again.

He gathered himself and decided to leave immediately without wasting much time. He put his phone in the pocket, tossed his keys. While leaving the office, he stopped by at the reception table and saw an envelope lying there.

It was addressed to Ms. Rajshri Ahuja.

***

“So you got the Pizza for free”, Dexter asked.

“You bet. These delivery boys have no seriousness at all. There are times when you should give them a whack like this”, RJ said, as she took a satiating bite.

“This is unfair yaa”, GK added.

“What unfair? They give 2 pizzas free, and still charge bloody 800 bucks. Money doesn’t grow on trees, GK” , RJ defended.

“Doesn’t mean you torture poor delivery boys”, Dexter said.

“Let me call the outlet and lodge a complaint”, RJ picked up the phone.

“Hello, Domino’s Pizza. Your order please”, answered an employee.

“Let me talk to your Customer Service head”, RJ said.

“Yes, Ma’am. This is Manjeet. How may I help you?”, Manjeet said.

“I am calling from GK’s office. We had ordered for pizza and we got the order late. This is not the first time this is happening. Who was the delivery boy you sent today?”, RJ probed.

“Sorry for the inconvenience Ma’am. Today the Pizza was delivered to you by Rafey Shareeq. It is his first day at work. We’ll make sure it is not repeated again”, Manjeet sounded polite.

“What...? Rafey…R…. Shareeq?”, RJ repeated the name, all of a sudden slipping into a daze.

She hung the phone immediately and rushed towards the reception.

…to be contd…

Onto Chapter 4: Lost and Found

Back to Chapter 2 : The Pizza boy

Back to Index

Back to Prologue

Chapter 2: The Pizza Boy

For some people, humility is their biggest strength, for some it’s their biggest weakness. The one who learns to take censure with dignity and success with modesty usually goes a long way in life.

 ***

"This is RJ RJ for you this morning.  How are the Dahlings doing? The parasitic attack on my cupboard last night rendered all my hand bags useless. I have decided not to carry them anymore. It’s beautiful and oh-so-in to not carry handbags.

Ask me where do I keep my belongings then? I leave them at work, tuck a 500 note in my jeans, I do look like a jerk, when it’s just me with all the sheen.. I have a wrist watch that ticks, I have no more fancy lipsticks, I put my phone around my waist, and I never forget things in haste..”

That’s the joy my dear friends, of carrying less baggage. If you got some!, Let go! You know what I mean?”, RJ looked outside her cabin through the glass pane and signaled for 1 Chicken Mexicana. Her boss nodded in agreement and gave thumbs up.

“So, the first song for the day on Angrezi hits is my favorite retro track by Celine Dion, I am alive. Enjoy”, RJ finished the update, loaded the song and got up from the seat to talk to the staff of her radio station that had just started to come in.

“Agony aunt, what a blissful thought this morning, Wow”, said Dexter.

“Right, dude. One needs something interesting to come up with every morning. You get the script done for me, if you find oblique counseling so boring”, RJ replied.

“RJ’s a hit, guys. The English music section that we introduced early morning is being received really well. She is doing a great job”, said GK, the head.

“See. Collars up!”, RJ said, as she munched a cookie, she’d picked up from the common table.

“Dexter. Keep the time. If the pizza comes even a second late, I am gonna make the delivery boy pay”, RJ said and went off to work again.

***

Rafey parked his vehicle outside the Domino’s Pizza outlet and saw himself in the rear view mirror. He set his hair, mocked a decent smile, tucked his shirt in, and entered the shop.

“Sir, I am joining today as a delivery boy. I was asked to meet Mr. Manjeet”, Rafey said coolly, as he gauged the area and stared at the indigo blue that represented the brand.

“Hi Rafey. Come here. Meet Shekhar. He will be your mentor for this month. He will tell you how to go about the entire process. Incase of any doubts please contact me”, Manjeet said, as he came towards Rafey giving him a warm welcome.

Rafey nodded and took some notes while Shekhar guided him through the entire process. As a practice drill, he was asked to take calls from customers with the support of his seniors. He was already doing a good job, and the seniors found a trusted resource in him.

“We have an order for 4 pizzas, large, to be delivered at GK’s office at Kalyani Nagar. You should go Rafey. I have told you all that you should know, ok?”, Shekhar said.

“You can easily make it to his office in 10 minutes. Remaining 10 minutes are for finding the place, climbing stairs, lift etc, and finding the actual room”, Shekhar guided him, “Make sure you are not late, otherwise you will have to pay the bill”, Shekhar warned.

“And yeah, be courteous. I have told you everything. Any doubt?”, Shekhar looked at Rafey as he started to pick up the order to be delivered.

Rafey nodded and replied, “No Sir. No doubts”.

“Call me Shekhar”, Shekhar said, and smiled.

Rafey left with four large pizzas, placed them in the box which was attached to his new bike and went off to Kalyani nagar for his first delivery. As he rode past the huge buildings, he thought, what it would be like to work in one such office.

While he approached the Sinha Towers, he saw his watch. He had taken about 15 minutes to reach the destination. He had just five minutes to make it to the customers.

He looked for the lift to the B wing of the building. He waited for about a minute or more until it came down. He pressed 12, as looked nervously at his watch. He had just 2 minutes to make it to the floor and deliver the pizza.

He finally reached level 12, and looked for the names of the offices. He spotted, Radio One – Gaurav Khanna, and rushed in the left direction.

He counted the seconds left. 50.. he rushed to see a notice saying, Office shifted to 17^th Floor.

He rushed to the lift, saw the stop watch and saw that he had just 35 seconds in hand. He wouldn’t have been able to make it.

Luckily he got the lift and rushed out on Level 17.

The Radio One office’s entrance was right in front of him. He reached the reception and saw his stop watch go 3..2…1.. He had reached there on time.

He rung the bell at the reception but no one answered. He knocked, but no one came out.

He wondered what to do next. He called Shekhar to ask what he could do. Shekhar asked him to call the customer and update.

He dialed the number which was present in his database.

“Hello. Madam, the Pizza is at your Door”, Rafey sounded casual and he smiled as he spoke.

“Stay where you are. Dare you move”, RJ said.

Rafey, stood there confused, as he tried to understand what the lady on the phone intended to say.

“Hey you”, she called out.

Rafey turned back, surprised.

...to be contd…

Onto Chapter 3: Encounter - Long Due

Back to Chapter 1: Just Another Morning

Back to Index

Back to Prolouge

Chapter 1: Just Another Morning

After 18 years:

There are some people who remain happy, no matter what. For them, the purpose of life is to live each day to the fullest. They count their blessings and thank God for the all things bright and beautiful.

There are some, who have everything, but they find reasons to be unhappy. It’s all about how you live at the end of the day and what you feel in that one moment between consciousness and the instant you slip into the state of sleep.

***

It was a fine day. The sunshine pierced his forehead and kissed him pleasant morning.

Rafey, got up and stared at the sun straight outside the window. He struggled to open his eyes; he winced and decided to continue sleeping. As soon as he pulled the blanket over him, he heard a knock on the door.

“Wake up, asshole. How can you stay in bed for so so long?”, the voice called out.

“Hmmmm”, Rafey hummed and stretched.

“At least let me clean the room. I don’t know how well you keep my house.”,the voice said, yelling in sarcasm.

“It’s already clean, Chacha jaan. Lemme sleep for a while”, Rafey replied, ignoring the repetitive knocks on the door.

“Are you opening the door, or should I break through? This is my last warning”, the voice sounded fierce.

Rafey immediately got up and rushed to the door, opened it, rubbed his eyes and saw Mansoor holding a cup of tea for him.

“Chacha, what’s the problem with you?”, Rafey questioned.

“Nothing. After your father died, I promised to his departed soul, that I would take care of you. And now that you’ve grown young and, Mashallah, strong, I think you should take your life seriously”, Mansoor Chacha commented.

“It’s my duty to tell you all this, isn’t it?”, he added.

“It’s just 6.30. My work begins at 10.30 am. They called me half an before. Which means 10. T E N, Chacha!! Get that?”, Rafey sounded sleepy.

“You scoundrel. Get the fuck going, right now. Gulp this tea and get lost”, Mansoor screamed.

“Stop swearing all the time, Chachu. It’s early morning and you are already uttering dirt”, Rafey preached.

“Ya allah. You ask me not to love you anymore? How is that possible?”, Mansoor counter questioned.

“This is how you love? Lucky me”, Rafey shrugged in disgust.

“Take this tea, get dressed. …..And you can take my bike today”, Mansoor sounded a little soft this time as he offered his prized asset to Rafey.

“Thanks Chachu”, Rafey hugged Mansoor and went straight to the common bath to get ready for his first day at work.

…to be contd…

Onto Chapter 2: The Pizza Boy



Back to PrologueBack to Index

Serial Fiction : The Gulmohar Tree and Rafey

Prologue:

From one of the archives of The Obscure Optimist, I help myself revisit the characters that I created which reflected a few of my imaginations and emotions then.

The story was then called, "The Gulmohar Tree and Rafey", which is now the prologue to this new serial fiction.

Bringing it forth, I wish to give it life,again, after 3 long years!

The new serial fiction will be called, The Gulmohar tree and Rafey. (I keep the name as it is, because of my sentiments attached to it. I will write about it once I finish the fiction.)

After a lot of persuasion from readers and friends, here I come back again with a serial fiction.

Stay glued, as the roller coaster begins and it only ends after 15 good chapters.

Your critique is highly appreciated and welcome!

Stay Glued.

Chapter 0:

Where is Rafey?” enquired Mrs.Sheela Ahuja.

Raji candidly replied that she knew where he’d be, but she wouldn’t tell, for reasons unknown. Annoyed and thoroughly disgusted Mrs.Ahuja scolded her daughter and asked where Rafey had been since morning, for she wanted her grocery in place and the fellow was least bothered about the daily chores. Raji played the confidante’s part and refused to reveal the whereabouts of Rafey.

Rafey and Raji were born on the same day. They shared the same initials, same birth place, and same maternity home, but different destinies. Rafey was Shareeq’s son. Shareeq was the driver and housekeeper to the Ahuja family.

They say, fate rules the life. Rafey was born with a luck which caused a death and misfortune to his family. His father remained a widower, after his mother took the abode’s path after Rafey was born. Rafey was devoid of a mother’s love all his life. For 5 years he basked in the glory of his father, until disaster struck again and he was left all alone to write his destiny, and live his share of goodness and ill-luck.

“Raji, for God’s sake, tell me where the hell is Rafey? I will be late for office and you will have to take care of the grocery” yelled Mrs. Ahuja.

Silence reigned and Raji went on with her painting assignment ignoring the questions her mother was throwing at her.

The Gulmohur shades were a mere illusion. Rafey sat under the huge tree staring at the sky, facing west. The sun was yet to change its course, and it shone brightly on Rafey’s back. He felt the heat; he loved taking it all on him. He observed the traffic across the road. The park had only one big tree and this Gulmohur was his best friend, for his father used to make him sit on the biggest branch of this tree while he washed the cars at the garage.

He recollected each and every move of his father, the way he toiled hard to clean the wheels, intricately, making the steel shine. He felt proud of his perfection. Rafey was not sure whether his father’s departure was permanent or temporary. Every time he thought of his father, he smiled, thinking about the good times that will follow once he came back, from where he had gone.

It was a Friday. After offering namaz at the mosque, Shareeq was returning back home, when a truck hit him. There was a delay in rushing him to hospital because of the apparent apprehension of the people. Shareeq was a Muslim, there could have been many consequences of offering help to him. Humanity had diminished somewhere. It meant nothing to many people, but for Rafey, it was the end of parental bliss and he was left an orphan.

The amber coloured flowers on the gulmohur tree fell down on Rafey’s feet. The hot wind shook the branches of the tree and caressed his hair. It was just another day when he wanted to fight the world and do what he always wanted to do. The only person who understood his predicament was Raji. They were best of friends and shared everything.

The 6 years of their lives, they had no one else, but each other. A sincere love, affection ruled the little hearts and they knew there was nothing beyond a relation of heart with heart. For them there was no religion, there was no caste, there were no differences.
That day Rafey sat under his favourite tree which was named after his mother “Gul”, and his thoughts encompassed all that was around him , he lived an eternity, missing what he didn’t have and appreciating what he had –nothing!!

...to be contd..

Onto Chapter 1: Just Another Morning

Back to Index

Have you ever...??

Have you ever seen a dog hang his face out of a moving car, and feel the wind against his face?
Have you realised,that dogs, actually smile when they do that?
Have you done that yourself?

Has any infant stared at you, until you thought you were being ogled at?
Has the infant looked deep into your eyes, over his/her mother's shoulder and stared as if he/she knew you for ages?
Have you ever thought, that probably this little kid, in his last birth was my ...loved one?

Have you ever crossed a busy cross road, by taking your bike/car recklessly without watching either left or right?
Have you felt that mad rush of anger within when you wanted to hit yourself with something on the road and make it seem like  a crazy accident?
Have you ever punished yourself?

Have you ever sung a karaoke in public, when you were obviously aware of your depressing singing abilities?
Have you thought about someone while singing a song?
Have you ever dedicated a song to someone?

Have you ever laughed so hard that your stomach hurt bad?
Has your stomach hurt so bad while laughing that you felt the need to pee?
Have you ever peed while laughing?? Or seen anyone do it?

Have you ever spent time with a friend and said nothing?
Have you ever sat silently and just felt that you've had the best conversation ever, like they say?
Have you ever done this, and missed your friend because it had been a while you experienced it and feel like doing it again?

Have you ever lived, wondering what is the purpose of life?
Have you ever thought whether it is necessary to have a purpose?
Do you have one?

Have you given up something (an activity) you love the most?
Do you miss doing it?
Have you put in efforts to take it up again??


Have you ever...???

Gimme Pain

I happened to watch Rockstar yesterday and I thought how well the description of an artist was portrayed by Imtiaz Ali.

He himself is an artist and sure he wouldn't empathize more than what he has done through such a wonderful piece of screenplay and direction!

I won't talk about the movie here. But let me put a question, how many of us take pain voluntarily?

I found myself doing that a number of times. I would get hurt and then deal with the pain and feel good about it, because unless it hurt, I would never come up with creative pieces to write, or a wouldn't understand the nuances of life.

My writer's instinct (the minimal that I have) are usually triggered when an emotion stirs. Most of the times, it is pain.

Let me classify pain.

Pain is not as miniscule as disappoinment, or frustration or unhappiness. These emotions are borne by choice.You can be disappointed, or you cannot be, you can be frustrated, or you can be cheerful, you can be unhappy by choice, or you can be joyful.

There is no pain induced, as such, when you talk about these emotions or moods.

Pain probably comes when, you lose a loved one, when you realise that you want to do something, and find your self utterly helpless.

Pain is associated with distance, the necessity to see someone to be with someone when you need that person the most.

Not just lovers, but mothers, fathers, children they all face pain in some or the other way, when I talk about distances and urge to be with somebody.

A little boy in boarding school may be overtly happy, but feels the pain of being away from home (Taare Zameen Par), a mother may be helpless because she is not able to see her son while he works for the nation, in the army. Or talk about the pain of separation of two lovers, for that matter!

That's indeed pain!

What Rockstar put forth was that, in order to express effectively, an artist needs to go through that phase of pain, otherwise, he is never able to depict his art to the best of his ability.

And afterall we all are artists, in some way or the other. So if you want to be an artistic liver, just endure the pain that comes your way, instead of running away from it!

It helps us grow. There is really no point in not facing what hurts.

My favorite philosopher has quoted it beautifully

"Much of your pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self"

I feel, we evolve as totally different persons, after we undergo a phase of pain, and the struggle followed by it to lift up our spirits.

That's why Rockstars are called Rockstars!! :)

How many of us can take pain, deal with it and evolve?

I can! Can you?

PS: Rockstar is a must watch!!

I am a philosopher! But then who isn't?

I read this post on Philosophy of Philosophies on The Pensive Bowl and it got me thinking.

Why do some people think that Philosophy is bullshit? Some  hate philosophy, and some say that philosophy doesn't make sense to them.

What is philosophy, afterall?

I wouldn't want to delve on the dictionary meaning, but let's apply some logic here.

Talk about philosophers like Plato or Nietzsche or Mahatma Gandhi or for that matter, me - An Obscure Optimist! :P Kidding!

What did they do?
The former three talked a lot about life, and how?
They saw things, perceived them, analyzed them, came to a conclusion and shared their views about life and situations.

It made sense to the others, and they got written about. The written stuff, and their conclusion about life, got circulated so far and wide, that it became the basis and principle of philosophy. And that happened because people happened to agree and accept what the philosophers said!

How did they perceive the things? By asking questions How, Why, and What.

And how many of us don't do that? I think most of us do it!

For example, say, you appear for one of those interesting entrances for MBA college and flunk.
Haven't you ever questioned, "Why me?"

If you haven't questioned, am sure you must have atleast thought, "Never mind, I believe something better is written for me, destined for me"

If you have put a thought or brooded over anything trying to reach a conclusion, you have philosophised.

It may not be regarded as some great stuff to be published or be discussed. It may be just your take on life. It is entirely your philosophy, your wisdom, your conclusion.
And there is nothing right or wrong about it. They are just your views and opinions!

Now coming to the dictionary meaning of Philosophy. It says, philosophy is a pursuit of wisdom.

And who wouldn't think of himself/herself to be wise? Our philosophies make sense only to us, and when we try to preach it, it becomes bullshit.

So moral of the story is:

1. If you have ever pondered or thought over anything, you are a philosopher.

2. If you have asked questions "Why, What, How", you are a philosopher.

3. If you have tried to preach or advice or impose any of your thoughts and approach on anyone else, you sure are the inventor of your own bullshit and congrats, you are a philosopher!

If there is anybody who doesn't fit in the any of the above mentioned categories, then come, lemme kiss your hand and put you in a retreat centre for brainless and heartless retards! :D

STCUK? WTF!

I see how people are stuck and refuse to move on.

Let's talk about relationships. Some work, some don't. It is not necessary that you keep finding reasons to stay when it is obvious that you should leave.

I read a blog about a girl who talked about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend who used to abuse her physically.
When there is so much trouble and pain, how can one not see a reason to let go that person.

If I empathize, I would try to stick to the relationship only with a hope that he becomes a better person someday, and stops physically abusing me.

On hindsight, I think, if anyone disrespects you, for any thing,any reason, doesn't deserve an iota of love or respect in return. So I would have more reasons to dump him than stay with him.

Why do wives, whose husbands abuse them, still stay? It is only because of the pressure of the society and future of their children. That's another topic altogether to talk about!

How would you see a situation where you can constantly observe your partner moving away from you, convincing you that things won't work, and still you keep clinging with a hope that someday it might!

Aren't you ruining the chances that life is giving you?

And after some time, you start blaming things on relationships or situtaions that did not work.

Don't the Dev D kinda guys say "Had she not come in my life, I would have been better off?"

"Had I not met her, I would have been a successful man, would have chased
my dreams and would have lived more sensibly?"

How many female Dev Ds don't cry thinking about their breakups, wondering "If only..."

I may sound crazy if I say "Move on", because I personally know how difficult it is to "Move on"

But what's the point in being Stuck?

Chetan Bhagat's new novel is a decent input for a bollywood movie, and it speaks about this very concept.

The protaganist is STUCK, he ruins his education and career, finally to make it big in vengeance.

We are not necessarily stuck only in Love. We are stuck in hate too. Hate is absence of love. And as long as you are looking for something you don't want to find, it stays absent in your life. And you are left with Hate!

Eventually a negative emotion ruins you!

Seeing someone you love, settle with someone else seems like a punch on the face, a kick on the balls and a dagger in your heart...

But how does one deal with it?

Stay Stuck, cry and make life miserable? Or simply explore the love within, which was always there, and try some other way to let it out?

I had never heard of a term called "Mutual breakup" until a few days ago!
Towards the end of the post, let me opine what I think of love.

Love is merely a feeling. You can never PROPOSE love, you can only EXPRESS it. You propose a relationship, or marriage!

If the proposal is let down, does it mean the love dies?
It doesn't. Love is always there, the proposal dies eventually!

So, for me, love is always stuck in my heart! I, personally, am stuck nowhere! That is what I would like to believe!

How difficult is it for you, not to stay STCUK?

Time Tames

Time - The most powerful thing ever!!

Yesterday I was having an interesting discussion with my friend and she complained, that things which should be done at the right time, should be done at the right time, otherwise it may be too late!

I agreed, hands down! I have been contemplating it pretty much, how to put things in the best possible way, the fact being, I don't respect time as much as I would now preach.

But I always believe that writing things down is like talking to yourself. If I don't follow it, I might just start, after finishing this post.

People talk about Time Freedom. I have a friend who has been working very hard now, so that after some years, he will have all the time in the world to do all that he ever wanted to.

The efforts that he puts in are indeed commendable. He lets go off his sleep, he eats less, sometimes eats a lot, irregularly and has ended up spoiling his health big time.

Why, if we ask him, he says, 'Give me 3 years, then I will give you all the time you want!'

Who knows what will be the scene after three years. Nothing will be what it is like today.Or it may be exactly the same! Things may be worse, they may be better, fantastic, we may be miserable, or we may be doing awesomely well.

It's all in the hands of Time. All we need to do is, LIVE, do our Karma and wait for the results!

So while I was thinking about all this I realised, I haven't been giving time to the important people in my life. I haven't been giving time to the most important person in my life - ME.

I think sometimes, even I need to sit back, and fall in love with myself all over again. There are times, when I need to check, how much can I tolerate myself, also, I need to make a pact with myself and find out what time can I devote to myself so that I stay happy.

It begins with ME, for sure, but is it where it ends too? Not always!

Family comes next. Post the teenage, parents begin to seem a little less important, their language sounds gibberish, we think our time is different from theirs. We hate wasting it fighting or discussing things with them, so we simply devoid them of their share of time.

I hope many don't. But I do!

Sometimes, friends slowly lose importance, when  new friends come in. If we have a job we love, or one we hate, we work our asses off anyway, and stay 12-13 hours at work and give time to nobody.

It was a while, when I had heard myself sing, laugh, crack jokes, be appreciated. It was a while, when I went for long walks with a friend discussing the progressions in life. It had been a while, when I took out time for Pani Puri with my best buds. Had been a while, when I went to a church to light candles, which I always did.

I hadn't done a lot of things. Because I'd forgotten how to manage my Time.

I was wasting a lot of it, when I thought I was utilising it.

I started blogging less, started expressing less, I started being more with just myself and realised, too much of time with myself, is a pain too :P

Finally I realised, it doesn't hurt bad when everyone gets their share of time.

Because if you give TIME. You give LOVE. To yourself, as well as to others.

I don't want to wait till time teaches me lessons the hard way.

I want to respect Time, as much as it respects us.

Finally, I feel good about everything :)


PS: Hope the MBA Schools teach the students to use time effectively, coz I've seen MBA passouts fail miserably in their family life! Sigh!

Mock, Repeat and it happens

I will fail, I will fail, I will fail. And you fail.

I hate chocolates, I hate chocolates, I hate chocolates. And then you deal with resisting the urge to gorge on a Dark Chocolate shake.

I am on a diet. I am on a diet. I am on a diet. Exaggeration!! So grab a salad in a festive feast!

I love you. I love you. I love you.(Hidden expression : Just kidding!) The other person ends up madly in love with you and you wonder what you got stuck to!.

Make pan cakes for me. Make pan cakes for me. Make pan cakes for me (Just kidding again, no fun!). Even if you swore that you would never bake them, nor eat them apart from the ones your mom made, some one ends up baking them for you, and you give in.

You mock. You Repeat. AND IT COMES TRUE!!!

Therefore, there are somethings, which should be taken seriously, and sincerely!

If you mean it, say it and if you say it, mean it!