Episode 2: Birthday blues

The Resurrection

(Time will reveal everything)

(Mini web series)

Before proceeding, have you read Episode 1 yet? If not, Read it here to enjoy this episode.

Episode 2: Birthday Blues 

You don’t need to know, what my name is, or who am I actually! All you need to know is the story I am about to share with you all. The story that matters and the story that needs to be told! We know that sometimes, some things happen with some people that are actually unbelievable, strange and eccentric and this story is no different. These things or the series of events, change us for the better or worse, and decide who we become. So, assuming that you are ready to believe whatever I say and believe the not so obvious, I present to you the story of the unbelievable!!

‘Uh, what is it?’ Abhay said, half asleep as he was being licked by Vodka- his pet dog, a Golden Retriever.

Vodka, the name was given to him out of love and his own crush at alcohol by Ronit, when he first saw him. Vodka was the first birthday gift that Ritika presented Abhay with 6 years ago. And yep, like his precious 3 members family (Sharmaji, Ritika and Ronit), Vodka was also an integral part of Abhay’s life. Much more like a normal dog, Vodka was more of a human family member to Abhay and was his only confidant after Ritika.

Well, as Abhay finally woke up, he realized that Vodka had indeed bought a chocolate for Abhay and he dropped it near Abhay and started licking him playfully, wishing him the happiest birthday ever. Yep, it was Abhay’s birthday. And the night before had already been made special by Ritika who visited Abhay at midnight with a gift wrapped present. But god knows why, she didn’t allow Abhay to open it somehow and instead asked him to open it whenever he was stuck in a complicated situation- a weird wish by a weird sister, we all agree. Well, Abhay too complied readily for he could never have refused her, we know that, right? So, he kept it with him.

Anyways, Abhay woke up, ruffled Vodka’s mane playfully and hugged him tight. Vodka too reciprocated with more licking and wagging his tail playfully. Then Abhay got readied for his work or as his fans might have called him- RJ AB got readied and yeah, he missed Ronit, who was out of station for a week due to some family issue. Now not everyone seemed to have any official family like Abhay, at least.

‘Many many happy returns of the day my son,’ Shramaji said, hugging Abhay tightly. ‘May the almighty always guide you to the right path.’

‘Thanks a lot Sharmaji,’ Abhay said. ‘I am really touched.’

            And then, Abhay got inside the car as usual with Sharmaji, and he drove him off to the radio station for Abhay’s car had broken down a week ago.

‘How did you enjoy with Ritika last night?’ Sharmaji asked, as he took a left turn. ‘I am sure she was the first one to wish you today like every time.’

            ‘Best time of my life as always Sharmaji,’ Abhay answered casually.

            ‘That’s great,’ Sharmaji said with his unique smile. ‘But tell me one thing son. Don’t you think it is wise for both of you to start accustoming yourselves to live without each other now? I mean for how long can you both remain so close? One day she will be married, have her own separate life and responsibilities too. Don’t you think your bonding might affect her in-laws? I hope you understand what I am trying to say. ’ 

            Now that, was a stark reality that Abhay always ran from. We try to run from the inevitable and same was the case with him. He tried to dodge the topic every now and then just to evade the ineludible.

            ‘I… I don’t know,’ Abhay tried to reach hard for perfect words at the sudden outburst of questions that he had been trying to evade for long. Now before he could say anything else, the car came to a sudden halt with a jolt.

            ‘Fuck this bitch,’ Sharmaji cursed aloud, banging the steering wheel. ‘I am sick of this metal crap now. Bitch stops every now and then.’

            Abhay was startled for a moment and looked around and was hell lot surprised to see the Golden Bakeries nearby. His head startled as he thought he had been to this particular moment before. The same location near the Golden Bakery, the same sudden halt of car and the same curse speech of Sharmaji! It seemed like a repeat telecast of the already lived moments to him and was something really more than just a mere déjà vu, his instincts told him.

            And just when he was hoping to not hear those words, Sharmaji said them.

            ‘I am sorry dear,’ he said. ‘Looks like I’ll have to get this fixed. You’ll have to hire a taxi now, I fear.’

            Holly shit! Those were the same words that he had just played inside his head out of his past memory of the moment. Abhay couldn’t believe himself but then he just let go of it, taking all of it for a very strong déjà vu. He hugged Sharmaji, hired a taxi and went to the radio station. A warm welcome awaited him at the radio station. With all of the bouquets, flowers, chocolates and other gifts dipped with warm wishes, Abhay entered his studio to begin the day.

            ‘Hello, namaste, good morning to all the lovely people of Sandakzu city,’ he said aloud on the mike as he went on air. ‘Today is a special day and you, all the lovely sweethearts have made it more special by all your gifts and warm wishes. I am really grateful to you all and so THANKS everyone! Well, I am not known for my emotional notch, so here is the morning dose of electrifying music for you all, RJ AB style, so bang on!’   

      Abhay then tuned in the bollywood chartbusters of the month and then after a few hours, it was time for his daily show on air, where people could interact with him over the FM radio and dedicated their favorite tracks to their beloved ones and that particular moment used to be really fun, but that day turned out to be different.

            ‘Hello AB,’ a female voice called in. ‘I want you to play ‘Marjwaan’ from the movie Fashion!’

            Abhay was terribly astounded for a moment as if the song brought out some old memories for him.

‘Hold on sweetheart,’ he said cheerfully yet, composing himself. ‘First at least tell us something about yourself and whom you want to dedicate the song to.’

            ‘Oh well, my name is Sanjana,’ the girl jumped in cheerfully again. ‘I want to dedicate this song to you as the love of my life had proposed me with this song today, 7 years back. And I am your big fan AB!!’

            Abhay felt a terrible shock and his heartbeats increased terribly. The same sort of stress paranoia occupied him as was with the stranger’s call. He couldn’t compose himself anymore. Maybe it was due to the name Sanjana, maybe the song had something to with it, may be the reason behind the dedication troubled him or maybe all that had something to relate with what the stranger knew about.

            He somehow played the song, composed himself and played for another half an hour. Then he took an early leave and went straight to his home. Clearly he wasn’t well after the incident and this actually had something in common with the stranger’s call: both made Abhay as paranoid as hell, almost killing him of a heart attack or maybe there was something else in common too. Who knows, maybe the time will tell.

What else could have happened that day? The evening ended with a small dinner hosted by Abhay for Ritika, Sharmaji and some other office colleagues. Well, everyone else then went home, Sharmaji too went home and Ritika and Abhay decided to take a long walk from the hotel to their apartment along with Vodka. Who knew a small session with Ritika was all that Abhay needed to pull him out of his birthday blues that he had encountered throughout the day? 

            ‘So, your day was certainly not good and you are obviously troubled with something,’ Ritika asked, as they started walking. ‘When do you plan to shoot all that to me? C’mon speak up.’

            ‘Na, nothing like that,’ Abhay said reluctantly, hiding his secret within himself as ever. ‘It’s just that I’ve not been sleeping much lately so maybe it’s the aftereffects.’

            ‘Oh yeah right, as if I don’t know it,’ Ritika said with a scoff. ‘OK leave this, tell me how your migraine sessions now are? Still the same?’

            ‘Yep, intact as ever,’ Abhay said, giggling. ‘But yeah, one thing is eating me for sure.’

            ‘And that is?’ she asked, as if she already knew what was coming.

            ‘I’ve been thinking lately and today Sharmaji also mentioned the same thing to me,’ Abhay said, with a heavy breath. ‘What if we are not together forever? What if something comes up between us? And certainly your in-laws would actually be pissed at me if I keep troubling you after your marriage. What would I do then?’

            ‘Yeah, so again the most idiotic set of questions by the duffer of the year,’ Ritika said in her regular cheerful tone. ‘First of all nothing can ever come between us idiot, for you were made to pester me till my grave. Secondly, my in-laws would be as human as both of us and not some typical bollywood type evil family. Third, don’t worry I’ll take you with myself as dowry gift to my in-laws. And lastly, stop whining about the future brother, enjoy the present!’

            Both of them shared a healthy laugh after Ritika’s eccentric assurance.

            ‘By the way,’ Abhay asked, relieved finally. ‘What happened to your ardent follower, the one who had a terrible crush on you since your college days?’

            ‘Be specific my dear,’ Ritika said, laughing. ‘I’ve a lot of followers and lot of them has terrible crush on me. I don’t know why god made me so desirable!’

            She herself laughed aloud with her last sentence and Abhay couldn’t stop laughing either. This was the real Ritika, full of exuberance, charming and wanting to live each moment of life to the fullest. However, she herself never shared any of her problems with anyone not even with Abhay for weirdest of reasons. And yeah, it always irked him, but he was helpless and she was stubborn. Both idiots were combined in one pack by the purest relation on earth: the relation between a brother and a sister.

            ‘And hallo,’ she said, making a complaining face. ‘That guy from your radio station, what’s his problem? He keeps staring at me like nuts. So hard it is for innocent girls to survive in this cruel world these days!’

            ‘Oh miss drama queen!’ Abhay exclaimed, chuckling. ‘Did you just bestow yourself with the title of ‘innocent girl’?? If not anyone at least fear the almighty! Calling yourself innocent is a big insult to all those who actually are innocent and are very much girls.’

            Ritika hit Abhay with her handbag after that and both shared laughed again.

            ‘Haww,’ Ritika said, acting insane again. ‘What kind of brother are you stupid? You should teach that guy a lesson and instead you are blaming me? Very bad.’

            ‘Of course I am blaming you,’ Abhay said playfully again. ‘The guy you mentioned is the same guy that you slapped recklessly a few months ago for no obvious reasons. Poor guy freaks out every time he sees you again. And as far as staring is concerned than madam Ritika would you please care to mention how many guys have you stalked and ogled at? Anyhow I would be grateful if someone dares to stare at you and actually wins your heart.’

            ‘Umm that’s pretty tough I guess,’ she said, laughing as usual. ‘And what’s your problem with me stalking guys and ogling at them? One should appreciate the beautiful creation of the almighty and I just do that. You don’t ogle at girls, it’s your fault dear don’t expect the same from me.’

            Ritika winked at Abhay with her last sentence, both had a great laugh and Abhay completely seemed relieved.

            ‘Thanks yaar Ritika,’ Abhay said, hugging her tightly. ‘You again made my day. I seriously don’t know what I would do without you. Love you with all my heart.’

            ‘Yeah love you too numbskull,’ she said, patting his head. ‘Don’t worry you won’t have to live without me. Happy birthday again! Now I don’t know about you but I am a human requiring at least 8 hours of sleep so good night and take care!’

            They didn’t realize but time flew when they both were together and so was the case even that day. They had already reached their apartment. And yep did I tell you they both lived in same society but different blocks? Forgive me if I didn’t, but they did.

            ‘Yeah, good night madam,’ Abhay said. ‘Thanks again for making the day so special again. Vodka, go with her and escort her safely.’

            So, she left with Vodka for her apartment while Abhay decide to take another stroll around the society campus. He was grateful to have her in his life and prayed she lived happily ever. He was into his deep thoughts when he saw Vodka sniffing at something at the basement garden. Apparently Vodka had returned by escorting her to her home and had found something on his return.

            Abhay reached the sight and saw an envelope covered in dirt. And unlike his usual nature, he opened the envelope out of a strong urge, even if it had nothing to with him. He was shocked and almost fell to the ground when he opened it. He couldn’t take it anymore, so he thumped on the ground sweating and breathing heavily.

            The envelope had a really old pamphlet or sort of invitation card that was really worn out and tattered. The card apparently was an invitation for a New Year party and it said:

New Heavens Club invites you for the New Year celebration 2009! Come spread love and enjoy! Let the party begin…!!

Venue: The Royal Plaza

Date: December, 31^st, 2008

Timing: 8:00pm – 2:00 am

Happy New year everyone!

Along with the invitation card was a small hand written letter.

‘Happy Birthday Mr. Abhay! Hope you enjoyed the day and liked the gift. Well I guess this works as a strong reminiscent for you to remember: The Royal Plaza and that beautiful night. Have a wonderful night ahead, Happy New Year!

Lovingly yours,

- The Stranger’

Now god knows who the hell this stranger was, that pushed Abhay into strong paranoia every time that he encountered him. But he surely had something that Abhay could die for other than Ritika and his apparent family. Whatever it was and why it was so crucial to Abhay, is the question best answerable by either Abhay or our stranger. But for now, we can only wait for the future to unleash what it beholds for Abhay and his closed ones. Whatever it is, time or the future episodes will tell for sure!  

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Liked it? Read the Episode 3 here.