My entry for Romantic Friday Writers.
This month's challenge is a FanFiction, writing a poetry or prose of upto 1,000 words.
My fiction is inspired from the famous Hindi movie of the 80's - Ek Duuje Ke Liye (Made for each other).
MADE FOR EACH OTHER.
“Hello! Anybody home?” shouts Naina.
“In the shower, Naina…give me 10 minutes”. It is Matt answering from the bathroom.
Naina stands outside the bathroom door. “It is not safe to leave it open, you know that!”
“I left it open for you…what’s the big deal? No one ever comes to my place anyway and there’s nothing to steal. The thief will take pity on me and leave something behind” replies Matt.
“How come you have locked the bathroom door then? Didn’t feel like leaving it open for me?” asked Naina naughtily.
“Hahaaha…” That’s all she got as an answer.
20 minutes later, Matt walks out of the bathroom to find his house empty. He calls Naina on her mobile. “What’s wrong?” Naina cuts him off, “Matt, don’t get irritated. I left a message and posted-it on your bathroom door. Go get it.”
“Hmmmm...What was so urgent that you had to leave? I could have come with you,” says Matt.
“Got a call from the printer, the proof of the invitation card is ready. He will start printing immediately, once I approve. So, I rushed over…excited, you know. Two months to our wedding and so much to do. So, rushed off…hey, I will make it up for you,” says Naina.
“Ok…call me when you are done,” says Matt.
******************
Sapna opens the door as the bells rings.
“Hi, I am Naina, Matt’s friend. I have come from Mumbai,” Naina introduces herself to Sapna.
Sapna flings herself at Naina and hugs her tight. She leads Naina to her room. Closing the door behind them, she hugs Naina again.
“How do you know about me? Did Matt ask you to meet me? How is he? Looking himself after well?” Sapna rattled off.
“Hey, slow down…not so fast. Matt is fine. He and my brother are colleagues. He comes home often. He does talk about you. And, I came to find out myself, hear your love story.”
Sapna’s face lights up.
“Two years back, Matt’s parents shifted next to our house from Cochin. Matt joined them after completing his MBA. We did not interact much as we are from North India, Uttar Pradesh and they, from Kerala. We had the language barrier between us. Every morning, I used to encounter Matt while going to college. He would be coming back home after his morning jog. I was not fluent in speaking English and communicating with him was a huge problem. Something sparked off between us and we used to find reasons to meet. I would find him loitering around my bus stop and some times near my college. He would be in the same bus as mine, though he had nowhere to go. We started meeting. I tried improving my English speaking skills and he tried to learn Hindi for me. In about a month’s time we were inseparable. One day, my dad saw us together and all hell broke loose. The same old parental pressure and reasoning…religion and caste! We tried a lot to convince them. The adults then reached an understanding. They extracted a promise from both of us - we had to live separately for a year, and, this without contacting, seeing or communicating. If we survived this one-year, then they would get us married to each other. An agreement was drawn and we both signed the document. Well, it’s almost a year now…. 22 days left. I am so excited. We have proved them wrong and our love has triumphed.”
******************
Matt storms into Naina’s house. “Naina…Naina…here you are! What has come over you? You had gone to Mangalore without telling me. You could have informed me at least. Your mobile has been switched off since 5 days…no messages? What’s the secrecy, Naina? What’s going on Naina?
Naina looks up. She has been crying. “I met Sapna,” she manages to say between sobs. Matt blanches. He face is ashen and Naina can see his pain. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.
He paces around the living room. He sits on the couch…makes an effort to say something…gives up and throws up his hands in despair.
“Why didn’t you tell me? How could you deceive me?” Naina confronts Matt.
“How?” asks Matt.
Naina replies, “In your apartment, I was looking around waiting for you to finish your bath. I saw some papers sticking out of your study drawer. Wanting to straighten them up, I opened the drawer to find all those unposted letters you had written to Sapna…the letters you had written to her every single day.” She goes into her room and brings back a bag and hands it over to Matt. “You have stopped writing to her some 4 months back, why?”
“Remember I had gone to Goa for the conference? Sapna was there…in that very hotel where I was staying…. on the same floor. Can you believe that? A few rooms separating us! I learnt that she was there on an educational tour. That evening, I slipped a slip under her door with my name and room number. Was waiting for her the whole evening. The lady at the reception desk told me that the college girls had gone on a field trip and will be back late in the night. Morning, I knocked on her door. A guy opened the door. He said he was with Sapna. She had left for Mangalore early that morning in a hurry. He was packing her stuff. His name was Bikram and he was her fiancé. They were getting married the following month. I felt defeated Naina. Sapna must have surely succumbed to the pressure from her parents. Later, when Sid brought up your proposal, I accepted.”
Naina sits in front of him. “You are such a fool! Do you realize what you were going to do? An irreparable damage! Was your trust in Sapna so fickle that you could believe something without validating that? You have no idea what Sapna has gone through. She worships the land you have walked on. Once I told her that I was your friend, she hugged me tight. When I told her that we always shake hands when we meet, she kissed my hands. I even said that you have kissed my forehead and she kissed my forehead too. It was as if she was seeing you in me. For three days she took me around the city, to the places you both had been to. She showed me every nook and corner that had your memory. You know what? Every inch of her bedroom wall and celling is covered with your name! What more testimony you want of her unshakable faith in you?”
Matt was openly crying now. “Go Matt.…. do not disappoint her and fuck up your life along with mine. You both are made for each other.”
Word count - 1187.
Hi Janu,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting story, even though I don't know the Hindi movies that it is based upon. Complicated plots.
Nice read!
Best wishes,
Anna
Hi Janu
ReplyDeleteI don't know this particular storyline, but i got the Bollywood atmosphere. I could visualise the scenes.
As Anna says...complicated plots.
Thanks for posting again Janu.
Denise
smiles...nicely done....i am not familiar with the movie but that def doesnt keep me from appreciating your story...
ReplyDeleteWow, complex themes. Loved the hint of betrayal, and all the secrecy for the sake of romance. Classic. Great voice and characterization.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your excerpt this month's RFW challenge. You really know how to add the angsty romance point.
.........dhole
That was an interesting story, although I am not familiar with the fiction it is based on. I get it. Good dialog. I would have liked a little more sensual description of the characters and surroundings.
ReplyDeleteHe moved on so fast, Naina is the lucky one here. I almost wish that she'd been truthful with Sapna, and both had escaped Matt's treachery, but I'm not familiar with the story, so maybe my assessment is off.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece!
Enjoyed that, and I know the film, but the story can actually stand on its own. Liked the way you recapped the film within it, too. Good dialogue.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I remember the movie. I always felt bad for Madhavi's character and fell that the hero didn't quite deserve either.
ReplyDeleteYou story stands on its own and is beautiful to read.
Great read. Don't know the movie of course, but I loved it. the Nuances of betrayal, the deepest love, heartbreak and compassion, wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Janu
ReplyDeleteEveryone is saying they aren't familiar with the story and that is my case too. I found this telling of men and their reactions to a hint of betrayal. I'm not so sure there is much difference from your characters in India and the men I know here in America. I hope that they both find true happiness together and become stronger over the years. You should try writing in first person from one characters point of view next time and challenge yourself. I think you can pull it off. If you need advice I'd be happy to help.
Nancy
Read the story in a single stretch...I enjoyed reading it...but as Nina said I only wished the guy had more confidence in Sapna's trust..:)
ReplyDelete