3 Acts of Love

Act 1 | Nikhil goes to Chennai


7 PM, Friday,21st November,2010.
International Tech Park, Bangalore was hustling and bustling as it always used to be. Baffled Software Engineers on one side and Selfish Managers on the other side, there was no shortage for events and happenings. Nikhil was glued to his seat in the 6th floor at Pioneer building. He knew the clock was ticking and it might get late for his bus. He has to reach Madivala by 8 PM to catch his bus to Chennai.
He was assigned the task of resolving a high priority issue. He tried all possible solutions but nothing worked. With loads of frustration, he decided to go out for a smoke. An idea struck him when he was smoking, not on how to solve it but how to get rid of it. In the software industry, you might not know how to solve but you should always know how to get rid of it and make it as “OTHERS BABY”. He convinced his poor fellow colleague and outsourced the work to him. With a sigh of relief, Nikhil took his bag, came outta his office and started towards Madivala.
Nikhil reached in time and boarded the Chennai bus. He got a window seat. He always loved window seats .It was a cool and pleasant night. The white lady in the dark sky, peeping through the window, gentle cool breeze caressing his face and with soothing melodies turned on in the head phones, Nikhil always loved such journeys. It’s a seven hours travel. The bus was sailing through the busy roads. Nikhil was sailing through his thoughts. He was very excited about the next three days. He is going for his sister’s wedding. He thought, next three days would be promisingly great fun for him. His sister Prarthana is getting married this Sunday. He sensed that his phone was ringing. He took the phone from his pocket to see that it’s his sister who was calling. He attended the phone.”
“Hi Nikhil where are you?” she questioned.
“The bus started, will be reaching by tomorrow morning” He replied.
“OK, come safe, I would wake up soon to receive my sweet brother” she smiled.
“Who is that stupid fellow??” Nikhil questioned with a corner smile.
“A stupid fellow who is travelling from Bangalore to Chennai for attend his sister wedding”. She said and cut the phone.
Nikhil laughed inside and put the blanket over his head and started sleeping.
Next day Morning.
The bus reached Koyambedu in its scheduled time. Nikhil got a bus to adyar and reached his home.
Two huge banana trees were affixed at both ends of the gate. Its customary to do that as it signals to others that a family function is coming up shortly .Main door of the house was decorated with the continuous streak of mango leaves tied along a rope. Nikhil got excited to see all such decorations and entered the house. Their house was flooded with relatives. He greeted everyone and went to kitchen to kiss his Mom. As Nikhil expected, his mother assigned him high priority works and this time he cannot dodge. He patiently listened to his mother and gave her an affirmation that he would complete the work. He asked for his father and sister. His mother replied that father has gone to the Mandapam(Marriage Hall) and sister is in the bedroom. He rushed to the bedroom to see his sister.
She is the hero for the near future. Prarthana was surrounded by old age buddies of the family.
Prarthanas face blossomed on seeing Nikhil. He acknowledged it with a smile.
“Yesterday, I forgot to ask a question. Who was sitting nearby you in the bus Nikhil?” she exclaimed.
“You know right, that I am an unlucky person in such things. An old man prarthana”. He frowned.
“Don’t worry , you will get a girl in this wedding occasion.” Prarthana assured.
“If such a thing happens then I will give you…… sorry WE will give you a grand treat in Le Meridian….Deal”
“Sure??” prarthana asked for a confirmation.
“Sure, by the way what’s the plan for the day?” he asked.
We will be shifting to the Mandapam shortly, then at 10 am there is a ritual.
Whats that?
“A small ritual in which our family will invite the bridegroom and his family to the Mandapam”.
“Tell it straight that it’s to welcome your sweet heart” Nikhil laughed.
Prarthana blushed.
A Wedding Occasion is always distinctly special to everyone. For the parents, it’s an occasion filled with responsibilities and a deep inner joy. For the old people, it’s the time they can see their thick and thin and speak about the black and white times. For the children, it’s the time they would be set free for endless fun and shuttling themselves through the Mandapam.
What this occasion is gonna bring for Nikhil….???
With such thoughts, Nikhil sat in a window seat in the Tempo Traveller, and started towards the mandapam. Amidst the busy streets of T.Nagar, they managed to reach the mandapam in time.
His parents were arranging for the upcoming Himalayan Task of receiving their In-Laws.
We can even have a debate on which is more stressful- Launching a rocket or Receiving the In-Laws. There is nothing to wonder even if the latter wins in the debate.
The function stared. Mridangam and Nadhaswaram alarmed the people that the functioned has started.
Nikhil’s parents where in highly tensed mood as if India -Pakistan match was running high.
Nikhil’s sister ‘s in-laws arrived to the Mandapam at the right time.
A grand “Arati” was performed to the bride by Nikhil’s parents. A warm welcome was given to the in-laws.
Prathana received his would-be Akash with a gentle smile.
A black Chevrolet sedan stormed the Mandapam. Nikhil was standing at the entrance of the mandapam.
A middle aged couple got down from the car followed by a young, charming ( include all possible positive adjectives in English ) GIRL. He intentionally received her with a bigger version of smile. She acknowledged with a gentle nod. His heart and mind were perfectly in sync with each other in playing all hit love songs. It took some time for Nikhil to come to ground state from excited state. He liked the feeling and cherished every second.
She crossed him and went inside the Mandapam with her parents.
Now the million dollar question is how to approach her and how to move close with her????.
“Mapillai alzhaipu” and Betrothal function were scheduled for the evening and there were Six hours more for the function.
While his parents and sister were occupied with the marriage tension, Nikhil was completely in a different world. He got to know that her name is Aradhana. He kept followed her like a Hutch Dog. This graceful work occasionally disturbed by Nikhil’s parents and relatives as they assigned some work to him.
It was when half an hour to go for the start of the function; Nikhil was told by his maternal uncle that “Raju mama” was asking for him. Nikhil , very reluctantly snailed through the steps and reached first floor to meet “Raju mama”.
Mr.Raju, a man of forties, tall and an active gentleman. Nikhil greeted “Raju mama”. “You have to do me a favour Nikhil, Will you do??” questioned Raju mama. Nikhil told a half hearted “yes” to him and asked for what he should do. “A person from In-law side wants to buy a gift and the person is new to Chennai , so can you assist ??” thus raju finished.
He did not want to miss her sister’s betrothal and “Mapillai azhaipu”.
“Prarthana’s function would begin shortly and I don1’t want to miss that .I should be here mama” told Nikhil.
“Oh.. is it.. ok.. I will tell her” said Raju mama.
The key word for Nikhil in the last sentence was “ HER“.
His heart was pounding inside and he portrayed himself to be very casual and asked
“WWWho is that mama??”
“You might not be knowing her. She is Aradhana”. Replied Raju mama.
As soon as he heard the word “Aradhana” ,Nikhil was reacting like how a hard core rock music lover would react when Linkin Park does a live performance with this high voltage bass guitar.
Raju was wonderstuck to see Nkhil’s reaction and he thought Nikhil was suffering from any serious disorder.
“Are you OK” resounded Raju.
Nikhil controlled his emotions and replied “yes am alright and I won’t mind in assisting her , I will make sure I would be back before the function.”
“That’s cool Nikhil, I was very much worried about how I would say a no to the in-laws, wait I will introduce her to you” said Raju Mama


Act 2 | Hyderabad becomes Dearer.


“Raju Mama”, The God for Nikhil now. It would never be an astonishing thing even if Nikhil raises a Big temple for the one and only “Raju Mama”.
He went inside the in-laws room and took Aradhana along with him.
“Hi Aradhana, he is Nikhil, Prarthana’s brother”
“Nikhil , she is Aradhana, Akash’s maternal uncle’s daughter” Raju introduced .
Nikhil controlled all his emotions and spoke in a very formal way to Aradhana.
“But how would I take her out” questioned Nikhil to Raju Mama.
“Don’t worry Nikhil, take my bike.Its parked before the Mandapam office room and the number is
TN 45 A 6349 ” said the one and only “Raju Mama”, the God for Nikhil.
“ Hi Aradhana.Its already four ‘o’ clock. we wil leave right now , is that ok??” questioned Nikhil to Aradhana.
“That’s perfectly fine with me. We will leave now” said Aradhana.
Nikhil imagined it would be a great ride in the bike and he personified himself to be Vettayadu Vilayadu Kamal Hassan and Aradhana to be Kamalini Mukherjee.
With all such “ROMANTIC” imaginations they came near the Mandapam office room .Nikhil got a big blow when he found ”Raju mama”’’s bike.
It was a rusty old
%%%%%%%%%% TVS 50 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%.

Aradhana could not control his laughter. Nikhil was terribly embarrassed . He mumbled and managed the situation.
He asked her to wait there and he promised her he would return in another five minutes.
He managed to get a good REAL-bike from one of his relative and returned the TVS 50 key to Raju Mama.
Hopes of “Partha Mudal naley …..” was restored.
He ignited the bike’s engine and asked her to sit.
They hit the T.Nagar road and Aradhana started the conversation.
“Where are we going??”
“City Centre Landmark. You could find good gifts at landmark” said Nikhil.
“Landmark!! That’s cool” smiled Aradhana.
Nikhil enjoyed her smile through the rear view mirror.
Aradhana noticed when Nikhil was watching her through the rear view mirror.
She sensed he was bit restless. When a guy is restless, when a guy is ready to take a girl for a long ride even when his sister’s betrothal function is gonna occur in another half a hour, when he is watching her smile through the rear view mirror… what else can it be other than the beautiful four letter word.
Aradhana is not a dumb girl, not to notice all these things. She knew he is interested in her.
They reached City Centre. Parked the vehicle and walked towards Landmark.
“Raju mama told you are new to Chennai?? Is it” asked Nikhil.
“yeah, This is the first time I have come to Chennai. I was born and brought up at Hyderabad” said Aradhana.
“Oh, good, you are studying??”
“No, finished my engineering two years back and currently working at Deloitte, Hyderabad. And you??” questioned Aradhana.
“Finished my engineering three years back and currently working at IBM,Bangalore”.
“Bangalore!! Cool. I just love Bangalore” she exclaimed.
“You are most welcome to Bangalore. Come down once, I will be your official Travel Guide.” Knotted Nikhil.
“I have been to Bangalore many times” she retorted.
“Oh, that’s cool” managed Nikhil.
They entered Landmark.
“So,what are you gonna buy and for whom” asked Nikhil.
“ Gonna buy for Akash, you give me some suggestions” said Aradhana.
“How about a marble statue of a wedding couple??” questioned Nikhil.
Aradhana was pleased with Nikhil’s idea and credited him saying he has a good taste.
They started searching for such statues. After half an hour of intense search, they got a beautiful marble statue of a wedding couple. Aradhana billed and they climbed down to reach parking area .
“This is the first time you are coming to Chennai right. Merina Beach is near by only.Shall we go there” questioned Nikhil.
Aradhana was 200 percent sure about her guess. She was expecting he would propose to her at any time and she anticipated the probability of he proposing in a beach is very high.
“How far is it?” she questioned.
“Just a five minutes’ walk, we can return in an hour to the Mandapam”
“That must be fine ” said aradhana.
They started walking towards the Merina beach.
Road traffic was on its peak. For the first time Nikhik touched Aradhana. He held her hands and guided her while crossing the busy roads. Nikhil for the first time in his life appreciated Chennai Road Traffic as it helped him to touch her . He felt as if he had 10 continuous Takila’s. The feeling was immeasurable. Priceless. Beyond imagination and Divine. Nikhil enjoyed every moment.
They reached Merina. They sat in a least inhabited place. A beautiful evening in the beach and Aradhana besides him… what else he needs in his life. Nikhil was thoroughly enjoying every minute.
Ardhana started the converstion.
“Shall we leave…”
Nikhil was shocked as if she told the four letter bad word.
“Why so soon, just now we reached right” convinced Nikhil.
“Then It would be late for Mapillai Azhaipu” said Aradhana in a feather soft voice.
“That’s ok.. Never mind about that” said Nikhil without minding the consequences . He said an internal sorry to Prarthana for missing her Mapillai Azhaipu.
“You usually come here?” questioned Aradhana.
“Not frequently, If I come I prefer coming alone. It’s a beautiful feeling , relaxing before the busy waves and gazing the sky.”
“Oh… then now I must be disturbing your privacy ” said aradhana.
“Not really, I thought it would be good if we go to Merina” explained Nikhil.
“Am honored” said Aradhana.
“The pleasure is mine” reciprocated Nikhil.
There was a dead silence between them.
This time Nikhil started the second innings.
“When I first saw you at the mandapam entrance, I thought you would be a nerd, full of attitude and a bit rude but now you seem to be very calm, polite and adorable”
“thanks for the compliment and when I first saw you at the mandapam I thought you were working for that Happy Dent advertisement” giggled Aradhana.
“You noticed me when you entered the mandapam” questioned Nikhil.
“Ya ya…by the way anyone would have noticed you. I don’t now why but you were all smiles” exclaimed Aradhana.
Nikhil could imagine how he would have looked like when he was all smiles.
Nikhil thought this is the right time to tell her the “ALL SMILES” were just for you and he thought to propose to her.
When he was about to start, Nikhil discovered his phone was ringing aloud. He hastily took the phone from his jean pocket. Finally, Nikhil received that “Terrific ” call .
……… to be continued..