“If my memory is quite good. If I am not wrong than this way is straight to Momo's farmhouse. Right?”, Anu said.
MOMO!!!#Manan. Another ninja, due to his fluffy appearance, he was awarded the crown Momo. He is a very cute, round face with a pointing nose. In sum up of all, he is glancing stout with a sturdy look. He belongs to a typical Gujju family. His father is a great businessman. At present, Manan is looking after his dad’s new land project at Bangalore.
He was quite attracted to businesses. Her big fate dream is to have his own startup. But, as a typical nature of Gujjus, he can’t squabble his father’s words. His father selects science stream for him when he scored forty-two percentage in 10th SSC board exams – The highest score in his family.
Anyway, he manages to complete his higher education with science stream. He decided to request his father after HSC, for joining the business course. Unfortunately, as a bonus his father sand him to Bangalore to join KES science college, far from his home town, Ahmedabad.
Apart from this, he is a very caring and volatile person. His hands are used to prepare delicious dishes. He is the only cook for ninjas. Ninjas love dishes prepared by him. His dishes make every other lick his fingers. It’s a hidden mystery behind his cooking. Even bitter gourd test sweets, when it’s prepared by him.
Birthdays, anniversary, upcoming events, memorable days are at the tip of the tongue of him. In short, he is a living alarm, a reminder for ninjas.
As Manan’s upbringing is done in Gujarati civilization, rituals and customs are in his blood. He follows some daily practice, that followed by his family like – wake up in the early morning, refuses to oil, and shaving on Saturday; shoes are not allowed inside the cottage.
“Ya, I was thinking same”, Dev supported her doubt.
“Wait a moment”, Anu said. Is that reunion is organized by him?.
..
.
“No, ….uhhh… I don’t think so”, she doubted herself.
“Hmm, I too, Momo can’t do this. He is even not able to think for this”, Dev said.
“yes, maybe you are right. But then who?”, Anu murmured.
Anu and Dev are discussing the person behind such a pleasant reunion. They doubted Manan, but both of them is not ready to agree.
When the relation between friends is too deep, we know everything about them, his like -dislike, his acts, his choice, everything. But when you confused about his acts after a long time, it’s a most terrific experience ever.
“A person is the best-revised version of his friend”.
“I think it’s Momo only”, both said at the same time.
Hahaha .what a timing. Still, I say that you..and…I… the best match ever”, Dev preach Anu and put a naughty smile on his face.
“You shut up”, Anu whacks on his shoulder.
The car turned right side. The road is covered with trees. Now they reached far from the city. In the lap of nature. The place just looks like a dream world. They were mesmerizing about their college days. An unexpected jerk brings them to the real world.
Mann is busy welcoming Roy when Dev comes out from the car.
“See, Momo changes a lot, no one even can expect this from him. Now sure na!! It’s him only.”, Dev look at Anu and questioned.
“Hmmmm, I think it’s illusion”, Both crack to laughter on Anu’s joke.
Roy!!!A damn dashing, cool, and charming man. Every single girl dies for him. He was always surrounded by a bunch of girls. Till the date, he didn’t reveal anything about his background. But who cares? When such dashing men throw a party for them on an alternate day. Who spends money like water. His background is still a mystery for each. Unfortunately, he also doesn’t want to disclose. He doesn’t want to let anyone let know about his parents fighting, his separation. He doesn’t want to expose himself as a ‘bouncing ball' for their parents. He doesn’t know anything about parent’s love, as he was raised by a caretaker. He belongs from a well settled, rich family. His father and his mother is a great business tycoon of society. Every youngster admires them, even Momo is a great fan of them. Unfortunately, Manan doesn’t know that they were Roy’s parents. Roy is the one who hates him the most. Even he didn’t remember when last, he talks with his parents.
Trim build, not overly muscular appearance, jet black hair adds up to his personality. Bright blue eyes- filled with a lot of misery but always shower prosperity. Strong jaw gives him a handsome impression with Romanesque nose. Everyone commented on his vivacious character and his gentle nature. His gap year cloths always made him appear younger than his years.
“Welcome man!! Welcome to our world. What a great arrangement dude.”, Manan screamed when he saw Dev and Anu. He runs towards them to welcome.
Anu is shocked, her eyes are stuck at the beauty of the farmhouse. It changes a lot, but harmony is still as usual. More on that she stunned to watch decoration. It’s the same as they planned during their college days. A big frame photo of Ninja 9, at the front yard, is adding up to the emotional touch to gathering. The photo clicks at their last meet - #Akrush wedding.
“I fall for you, again, dude”, Manan continued as he is staring at Dev. That brings Anu to reality. You are such a great surprise giver.
“Wait, what I did?”, Dev amazed.
“Don’t tell me that you didn’t plan the reunion.”, Manan enquired.
“No, man! He didn’t do. In fact, we think it’s planned by you”, Anu corrected.
“No, I didn’t”, Manan said. Whatever it may be. Leave it na. We are here, let’s enjoy it.
“Dev….. darling….” Manan gives him a naughty smile.
“You chippo, f**k you, man. Don’t come to me, you still same yarr”, Dev yelled and run as he figures out his intention.
“Anu told him na, just for once. It’s so long yarr.”, Manan said Anu to allowed him to kiss him.
“No, dude. I will never allow you to kiss me. I don’t want to cover my face with your saliva…..uhhhhhh...”, Dev disgusted.
Anu is still standing at the entrance, holding her handbag.
“yeh, finally it seems like everything will be alright.”, she vowed.
Finally, he catches him and kisses him on his cheek.
“You bastard!! How can you enjoy without me”, Roy said.
“yes, I too”. Anu joined Roy.
They four hugs each other and celebrate their togetherness.
“ So, let’s get in and refreshed. Meanwhile, I will arrange some snacks for you.”, Manan welcomed three of them.
“Anu, is everything alright? Where you lost?”, Roy questioned.
“Oh…hhh… Ya…, alright”, Anu replied. Roy’s voice put a full stop to her thoughts.
“Don’t worry, all will join us. Have patience”, Dev mumbled so, only she can hear.
“I hope so”, She puts a fake smile on her face.
देखी जो नब्ज मेरी,
हंस कर बोला वो हकीम,
a जा जमा ले महफ़िल पुराने दोस्तों के साथ,
तेरे हर मर्ज की दवा वही है।।।।।
A soft voice strikes to their ear, and within a second it’s reached to the heart.
“I guess, ….Rishi”, Roy said.
“Yes, exactly. It’s Rishi”, Anu exclaimed.
Mann directly runs towards the entrance to welcome him. Anu feels relaxed as one more Ninja is added for gathering. It gives a ray of hope to her. But, still, she is anxious about Aksha and Ahana.
“Rishi!!! A shayar, a poet of their group. Six feet tall, broad shoulder, dark brown eyes, which is too deep to understand. Brown hair makes a match to his eyes and gives him a typical poet portrayal as he always ties his hair in a ponytail. Long kurta gives him a professional touch, but by profession, he is a scientist and works as a researcher. He is always ready with a shayri to describe any situation.
Apart from this, he is very humorous and a writer for lovers. He writes many matters for lovebirds, at his college time. Even he also wrote for Arush when he is struggling to propose Aksha.
“Welcome dude, welcome”, Dev greeted him and give hi-fi.
“Yo bro!!! Eagerly waiting for you buddy”, Manan catches him up and hugs him.
“Shit man!! you still same”, Rishi crackled and say to Manan.
After a while
Mann is preparing coffee and snacks, Anu is helping him. Dev is busy to finish his incomplete tasks. And, Roy is busy chatting as usual.
“How do you do men? Alright?”, Anu questioned to Manan.
“Ya, alright. What about you?”, Manan said.
“ Same here!”, Anu replied and put a fake smile on her face.
“I hope so”, Manan vowed.
“Snack is ready”, Anu said as she enters the hall, followed by Manan.
They all adjusted to the dining table with a snack plate.
“What about Aakrush, when they will arrive?”, Roy questioned.
“Tonight maybe”, Dev replied.
“Great, what about Aahana?”, Rishi picked a cup of coffee and joined the discussion.
“Excuse me, I have an important call to attend”, Dev said and leave the place.
“I too have some work”, Roy said and get busy with his mobile.
Afterward, They finished snacks without saying a word and again get busy with their work.
It’s 8 o’clock in the night. Rishi is seating at the window of his room. He is holding a pen in his hand, which is tested by his tongue. A diary is kept open in his front. His other hand’s fingers are gripping on a cup of coffee.
His eyes pop out, his jaw dropped, and his pen stops to flow with her hand when he saw a lady coming out from a car. His heart skips a beat when his eyes catch a glimpse of Maher.
“She was a striking figure in her canary yellow Kurti, which contrasted with her maroon pants. She wore pale pink lipstick. Her eyelids were lined with eyeliner, accentuating the almond shape of her eyes. She looked glamorous. She is looked fabulous with her soberness and simplicity”, Rishi didn’t realize when his heart and his hand make a team, and when a pen in his hand supported them, and start to flow on his diary.
Abruptly he realized that it’s too late now, his love for her remains unrequited forever.
“Even if we can’t be together in end. I am glad that you were a part of my life”, he muttered
बस युहीं मेरे मुस्कुराने की वजह तुम बने रहना,
मेरी ज़िंदगी मे न सही मगर, मेरी ज़िंदगी बने रहना।।
His inner poet pops out.
Maher!! A simple, sober, and straightforward ninja. She is popular for her unsophisticated nature. She is living in a Coimbatore with her two-year-old daughter. She is pursuing her dream job – a professor. Along with this, currently, she is engaged in her doctorate in zoology.
Rishi had a secret crush on her. But, he never expresses his feelings. He didn’t want to lose her friend, best friend, at any cost. More on that, he didn’t regret his decision not to express his feelings.
“Speak of the devil, Aarush! We are just talking about you”, Roy jumped when he saw him.
“Ooooyhooo, buddy, To late man. You need to come earlier, you missed Chippos hug”, Dev pulls her leg and gives high- fi.
“Don’t worry men, I am still here”, Manan said and hug him.
Wuhhhh…., Maher is also here, welcome dude”, Roy said.
Dev steps towards Anu and said, “ Now happy na, all are here”.
“Hmmm”, She said. Welcome Aarush, where is Aksha?
‘Hmm.., uhhh…., well, she will join us afterward.”, Aarush said.
“But, why not with you?” Dev questioned.
“Is everything alright men?”, Roy asked.
“ya…, Don’t worry na baba!! Let me enjoy some time without my wife”, Aarush forced smile. He stepped in and settle himself on the sofa.
“Aarush, seriously men, where is she?” Anu tries to hide her tears.
“She is stuck in a conference. So, she will join us afterward.”, He tries to convince others. But deeply he knows that maybe she will not come.
“When?”, Manan asked.
“I don’t know man, I need some rest, he tries not to express his frustration.
“will you please, beating around the bush! And say what’s the matter”, Maher ordered.
“She will not come”, he said and stepped into his room.
Everyone is sad, they didn’t expect this on the very first day of their gathering. How will this Reunion be complete without their friend? How can Aarush manage without her? How will she manage without Aarush? Their dream of perfect Ninjas will remain a dream forever, maybe.
Dev knows that Aksha’s absence will affect Anu most. She was very excited about their meet. But for now, he decided to give some space to Anu. Actually, he didn’t know how to console her. He ignored questions about Aahana because he knows that she will not join them. Even other Ninja’s also knows that they can never meet Aahana again. But they have hope for Aksha.
