“Aunty show me that bag please” said Ragini analyzing all the bags and looking at a particular pink and blue combination hand bag which she saw as soon as they arrived to their shopping destination. “Wow this is what I need” she exclaimed to Shruthi who was watching all the bags in the bundle. “Ya that’s good” Shruthi exclaimed. “How much for this” she asked the seller. She replied “200”. “That’s all”, Ragini jumped with excitement. “Check it properly zips, compartments and quality properly” shot back Shruthi who was amazed with her friend’s unpredictable excitement. “I checked it, it’s cool” said Ragini. She handed over the money to that Aunty and started moving for her bestest friend’s shopping. “This is shopping for you” asked a surprised Shruthi. “Yes jaan my shopping is done, let’s find your shoes” replied Ragini pulling Shruthi’s cheeks as they were walking over the streets. “Really? And what will you do with the remaining 300” asked astonished Shruthi. “Obviously return it back to Dadda” she replied coolly.” Are you serious mahn? Must say you are an Adarsh Daughter” said folding her hands in a namaste. To which Ragini chuckled and replied back “That’s not really, I just like to see the smile on my Dadda’s face when I return him the money”. Ragini held her friend’s hand and dragged her to the next shop
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“Nah this is not good, look Gini” asked Shruthi. Ragini with tired tone asked her ” You could have drawn it and came at least we could have enquired about it as CID finds the criminals. Arrey bellies are bellies, what are you searching for?” Shruthi who was least bothered about her friend’s complain was looking all over the shop to find the thing which actually she needed. “I’m not like you I need time to decide and right now I’m hell confused “she shot back. “OH fish. You and your confusions. Take your time I’m happy to walk. Anyways we are at the end of Malleshwaram, so this is the last shoe shop. If you don’t find it here then we have to go to Shivajinagar next time”. “Yippee, I got it, I got it” jumped shruthi holding a shining belle as if it was Cinderella’s missing shoe. Ragini said “Thank God” and moved towards her who was seeing the fitting. “Is there same thing in the smaller size” asked shruthi who found the shoe little loose. Ragini hit her hand on her forehead and stopped the shopkeeper who was nodding no saying “OH bhayya see na please” as she did not wanted to roam Shivajinagar only for a belle. He went inside and came out with another pair. Ragini just prayed “Let this fit shru”. And god heard her prayers. “Why didn’t you do skipping or played basketball to increase your height in childhood itself” asked Ragini making fun of her short friend. To which Shruthi glared and replied back “HE HE I never knew I will meet a T.V tower like you” Turning to the shopkeeper she asked “How much?” the shopkeeper replied with a tired tone “only 400 rupees.” To which Ragini exclaimed “400 hundred rupees. Loot macha rakhi hai kya? I will not give one rupee more than 200 rupees. If you wanna give, tell otherwise shru lets leave”. After much annoyed discussion he agreed for 200 rupees. Ragini turned to Shruthi with a winning smile to which she bowed her head folding her hands and said “Ragu maatha ki Jai Ho”. And both laughed heart fully.
“Let’s leave shru, if I miss Prashant kaka’s bus I have to walk from the main road. I’m getting late, for you at least Sanju will pick up but for me I have to walk till home”. “Why don’t you people buy a two wheeler for Aniket” asked shruthi. “Because kethu (nick name for aniket) can buy it when he will stand on his own feet” smiled Ragini.
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Shruthi got into her Route bus and waved bye to Ragini and told their usual dialogue whenever they departed. “Careful, will meet you tomorrow. And text me once you reach.” Then Ragini rushed to her bus stop where she saw her Prashant kaka’s bus moving so ran to get into it calling out ” Kaka stop”. But her kaka could not hear her scream which faded among the bus horns. But a pair of eyes noticed it and the person who was standing in the footboard extended his hand to get her inside before the automatic doors close( Just like DDLJ, though I do not like Shahrukh but that’s my favorite scene). Ragini got inside the bus. Panting very badly she looked up to thank the person who helped her, “Oye mental, you?” “You were expecting Shahrukh Khan then?” asked her childhood best friend Varun who she always calls mental or any other funny names but never with his real name unless she is very upset. “No I was expecting a Human being only but not Gorilla”. To which he fumed and turned his face saying “Tu kabhi nahi sudhregi”. To which she replied “Jo badal jaye wo Ragini nahi” and chuckled. Her laugh was kind of a melody and he was bound to that spell.
He smiled unknowingly and lost himself (The bus driver had switched on the Radio just then. In the background RJ “Haa Dosto pyar ki koi vajah nahi hothi, wo bass ho jaatha hai. Hum kyu kab kisse pyar kar bhaite khud khuda bhi nahi jaanta. Issi baat pe agla song aap sab ke liye. And the song start to play “Oh Re Piya” from Aaja nachle movie). Her hair strands were flying over her face disturbing her, he wanted to move them (Udne laga kyon man baawla re. Aaya kahan se yeh hosla re) as he gathered the courage to move his hand she herself moved them. She noticed he was lost somewhere. She waved her hand in front of him because of which he came back to the world from his dreamland (Chalna aahiste ishq naya hai Pehla yeh vada humne kiya hai) He looked down and smiled to himself. Sometimes we wish to move forward from friendship to the next level but fearing of affecting the friendship we just back off always. Yes Varun loved her from the day he understood love but did not want to sacrifice his friendship for something which is less important. Her smile was enough for him to spend his life. He very well knew she did not have the similar feelings, for her he was her childhood friend from whom she cannot hide anything. “Where are you lost khajoor” asked Ragini, to which he replied “apni girlfriend ke khayalo me” She laughed and said “Acha bandar ki bhi girlfriend hothi hai kya”. He fumed and said “Yeha pe tho meri izzat ki parwah Karle”. She just kept laughing and making fun of him. He just wished the time to stop.
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Varun dropped her till her house and waved her bye and headed towards his home which was just 15 to 20 steps away.
They used to tease each other, beat each other and insult each other, but if a third person spoke anything against any of them, then that person has to forget about his life that’s all. Varun was quite possessive about his Ginni as he never wanted anybody to point a finger at her. He used to scold her whenever she did a mistake so that she can rectify it, before anybody else points out at her for it. Their friendship was quite different and one of its kind. Whoever sees them used to always conclude that they are sworn enemies; only their closed one knew that that was their style.
Varun: Vikrant Massey.
I know guys I am slow and annoying but I can’t help it, I need to give equal importance to everybody and their point of views in the story. Sometime you might feel that the chapters are scattered but it all will make sense when you continue reading. Hope I am not torturing you people with my extra-long detailed versions. Thank you again for your lovely comments.
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