Forbidden Desire, Ritesh Prasad [chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT] 📗

and had all sorts of conversation right from family to college days to life in Kolkata etc. and finally I got ready and we headed towards aunt’s place. The family was expecting me; Sakshi as usual, was confined to her room. But she came out to the hall, once she heard Raju getting very excited and shouting my name. We had our lunch together and then we all sat in the drawing hall. Sakshi was sitting by the side of her Mom just opposite to me. Aunty enquired me about how my life was at the new place. I for the first time exchanged a few words with Sakshi in front of everyone. I noticed there was a change in her behaviour by now. In the last few weeks she never spoke to me in such length, except for the day when I was leaving. She looked more beautiful than before in her white top and denim. In the evening we all went for a movie and had our dinner in the restaurant as planned. It was around 11:00 pm when I came back to the hostel and directly went to Nikhil’s room, he was there with Ujjwal, we had a bit conversation and finally I came to my room and fall asleep.

 

The days were passing in similar fashion and soon month was over. Yes, my Sunday obligation was still continuing without fail, I liked being with their family every Sunday, besides there was other reason too, Sakshi!!!! She had a charm in her appearance that instantly brought a smile to my face, though we didn’t use to talk much during my visit to their house on Sunday. By now I was sure she had started liking me and I loved being around her, why???? I didn’t know. Few days later I got the job of assistant account in one of the offices of Kaushik’s boss, but we were not working in the same office. His boss had many companies and I was aligned to a different office in Ballygunge. My life changed and soon I was busy in my own world. I was content that I was earning enough to meet my expenses here, though I could hardly save anything, but now I was no more depended on my family for finance. My life a got a new momentum and slowly I got accustomed to this city.

 

My day started from 9:00 am when I left for office and ended when I reached hostel around 10:00 pm at night, earlier each single day used to pass like a month and now it was just the reversal. Soon it was 31st Dec the last day of the year 2005 and a beginning of a new era was just a few hours later. There was a New Year party in our office today and we had an off tomorrow. I reached hostel around 10:00 pm and went directly to Nikhil’s room. I hardly got time to chat with them. After spending half an hour there, I came back to my room, there was a party planned in the hostel as well and it was the only day when alcohol and cigarettes were allowed openly. Otherwise, we used to have these things stealthily in our respective rooms.

 

An hour later we all gathered in the TV room, I have been so confined with my job for all these month and didn’t ever notice there were around 25-30 boys in our hostel. The mood was all set for the party, some guys were busy in arranging things, the music was loud some peppy hindi songs was playing , some were busy in cooking, I knew a few of those guys rest I was introduced for the first time. Nikhil bought three glasses and bottle of whiskey for me him and Ujjwal. We all sat in one corner of the room and started enjoying our drink. Slowly the party gained its momentum by this time we were done with the first bottle of whiskey and our mood was all set for the party. Nikhil got up to bring another bottle and we joined the dance floor with other guys, I was having a blast of this kind after many days. We were dancing to the peppy hindi songs in full mood. Suddenly the mu stopped and the lights were put off, all the guys gathered at the centre of the room and a guy among them started counting loudly “ 3… 2… 1” and here we go.

 

“Happpppppyyyyyyyy New Year 2006………….”

 

Wish you all a very “Happy Happy New Year,” We all shouted in chorus. We all clapped and started hugging and wishing each other Happy New Year. The lights were on once again and once again the music was on and louder this time. Each one us of were lost in the party mood. After some time we all had our dinner together and then the guys were busy calling their near and dear ones. I too called my family & friends and wished them a very Happy New Year. Kaushik and Aunty Family too called and wished me, but one person that was not in the list from her family was Sakshi, I was a bit down why didn’t she wish me, but was in no mood to be upset, so I ignored the thought and joined Nikhil & Co on the dance floor again. Around 1:00 am we all returned to our respective room, I was feeling very sleep so I closed the door and directly banged on my bed.

 

While I was lying on my bed and trying to sleep, my mobile had a beep sound, there was an SMS from an unknown number. I opened the SMS.

 

“Happy New Year

May this year bring a lot of happiness and joy

In your life”

Sakshi.

 

I couldn’t believe this, to make sure it was real; I was reading the same SMS again and again and was smiling every time I did that.

 

I typed back to her…

 

“Thanks and same to you.

How did you get my number?”

 

Within minutes there was another beep. I opened the SMS

 

“Idiot!!!!! I secretly copied that from Kaushik Da’s mobile

Now don’t be dumb and save my number right now, ok”

 

I did exactly as she said and saved her number. I typed back again.

 

“Shall I call to wish you”, if that’s okay with you?”

 

Within seconds there was another beep.

 

“No”

.

.

.

.

.

 

Seeing the first word “No” I got little upset but as I scrolled down my frown face turned to smile.

.

.

.

You are such a fool, do you need permission from your friend

to wish them a Happy New Year…. Call me right now.”

 

“Oh Girls, Girls!!!!!” I said to myself... They are blessed with such talent, and Sakshi was superb with this kind of tactics. I loved every time she called dumb, idiot, fool and was on cloud nine when she called me friend.

 

I dialed her number immediately, I don’t know how, May be the alcohol was boosting my courage. The phone was ringing on the other side and I was getting nervous with each ring, this was for the first time I was talking to her over the phone. After 3-4 rings there was a female voice from the other end.

 

“Happy New Year Rohit.” She said with a sweet voice.

 

“Same to you Sakshi,” I replied back.

 

“You are awake till this hour.” I enquired.

 

That was really a foolish question to ask on New Year’s night. She proved me right that I was a fool by replying. “Ohh don’t you know that I have been hired as the new Chowkidar of our area and it’s my duty to guard this whole place while everyone is asleep.” She said and laughed. I was just simply lost in her sweet voice.

 

“Ohh come-on Yaar, today is New Year night, who do you think in this whole world is going to sleep so early.” She said proving my thought correct that I was a fool.

 

“Ohh Yes.” I said and smile to avoid my nervousness.

 

I don’t know what was happening to me, why the hell was I blushing, words were not coming from my mouth, yet I loved every moment of this.

 

“So tell me how your party was?” Did I disturb you guys?

 

“Ohh no, not at all, the party is over. Yeah, it was really good. I am in my room right now.” I said hastily.

 

“That’s great, you are really lucky Rohit, here we just watched TV and cut cake when it was past 12:00 am and came to our respective room to sleep. You know how strict my Papa is? He doesn’t allow us to party, not even at home. How borrrinnggggg, I wish I was also staying outside in hostel like you. That would be so much of fun.” she said in excitement.

 

“Yeah,” I replied in a single word, not knowing how to react on her excitement. I mean there wasn’t any fun in staying away from family; the real fun is when you are with you near and dear ones.

 

“Are you feeling sleepy?” She enquired.

 

“No.”

 

“Then why you are not talking much.” She said.

 

“No, I am fine.”.

 

“Hmmmm, then you must be drunk… right?” She enquired.

 

Her question was like a blow in my face. I started stammering, “No, no… it’s nothing like that, just had a few glasses of beer to give company to our friends here. Otherwise, I don’t drink.” I lied to her to save my good boy image.

 

“Okay, Okay……chilled, why are you getting so scared? I am not your Mom. You don’t need to hide anything, I know it’s party time, guys love boozing. Kaushik Da is also in the same condition, he is so drunk that could not even speak properly.” She said and laughed.

 

“Ohh, I see.” I said nervously.

 

I was wondering is she the same girl???? A few months back she used to treat me like an alien and hardly spoke more than a word to me, but right now was talking with such ease, laughing, making fun of me, as if I am her very close friend and that also in the middle of the night. I found a new Sakshi in her today.

 

“Ohhhh hello…….. What happened? Lost somewhere or what?” She said interrupting my thought.

 

“Ohh sorry… yeah Sakshi, tell me!!!!!” I replied trying to be poised.

 

“Dreaming or what?”

 

“No, nothing of that sort.” I replied in crisp.

 

“Okay, I forgot to tell you one important thing, Dad has an evening shift tomorrow on the eve of New Year party’s and would only be returning the next morning. So we are organizing a party tomorrow at our home, everyone will be there, including a few of my friends. You would be coming na?? You have an off tomorrow, right??” She said.

 

“Yesss!!!!!!But I will be there only if you really want me to come?” I replied with confidence. Now I was talking sensibly, the way one should speak to a girl. The alcohol in me was working as a catalyst.

 

“Of course, I want you to be here, that’s why I told you about the plan in advance”.

 

“Okay sure… I will be there in time.”

 

“Great!!!! The party will start around 7:00 in the evening, but I will be more than happy if could you come around 4:00 pm and help us with the arrangements.” She said in a diplomatic tone, to which I had to agree anyhow.

 

“Yes, I will be there in the afternoon, anything else?” I enquired.

 

“No, only one thing, do not tell Kaushik Da that I phoned you. I took your number from his mobile phone without seeking his permission, everyone might get suspicious, hope you understand, what I mean?” She said.

 

“Yes, I do understand.” I replied

 

“In anyways he will be calling you tomorrow to confirm this. But hey…… do not tell him anything about our today’s conversation and do save my number.” She reminded.

 

“Yes, I will take care of that.” I said

 

“Hope you understand, how everyone will react if they come to know about this. So keep it only to yourself, okay?” she confirmed once again.

 

“Yes, you don’t