An Unusual Love Story
Arundhati
Arundhati is living alone in Mumbai for the last 6 years. She is now 28 years old and left her home in Shillong after completing her masters and have been working here in Mumbai in an Event Management Company for the last 5 years.
Life has not been a smooth ride for Arundhati. After losing both her parents in a car crash 15 years ago, life has shown all its true colors to her. She has faced it all, the hardships, the loneliness, the rejections, the criticisms from relatives, everything. It was only her uncle who took her in and got her admitted in a reputed girl's hostel in Shillong. She spent her entire teenage life there and made friends and acquaintances that she would cherish for her lifetime. She still remembers the words of her head mistress in her hostel who told her that "you are not alone my child, God is always with you". So she has been quite a girl since then. She was good in academics and it was not so difficult for her to get a decent job in Mumbai. She thanked her uncle who chose that life for her.
The new life of Arundhati
Arundhati lives in a small rented apartment in a housing complex near Andheri West. It is a cosy single-room flat with a small kitchen. The balcony especially is the highlight of the flat from where one can get a glimpse of the entire Mumbai city. So Arundhati loved her flat. It was a recluse with small occasional house parties with some selected friends once in a while. She once got the invitation to share her apartment but she refused. She in a way loved to be lonely once in a while.
Arundhati loved her job. This is where she met Akash 2 years ago when he joined as a senior executive in sales. Arundhati and Akash were working in a project together. Gradually they developed a liking and more than that a bond. It was as if they understood each other completely. Both Akash and Arundhati were not flamboyant. In fact they were more comfortable with each other and gave each other space. They were not demanding in their relationship and also matured enough to understand their limitations. Akash often invited Arundhati to his family get-togethers, but Arundhati always refused or rather found some excuse to avoid such obligations. Akash understood that and never asked for any explanations. It was this comfort that Arundhati was asking for so many years so she was quite happy.
Arundhati's new neighbor: Mr. Jha
One day while Arundhati was back from office she found that the lift was out of order so she was climbing up the stairs. There she met Mr. Jha unpacking his luggage. The door was open. There were piles of rolled-up art papers on the doorstep. Arundhati was curious and glimpsed inside the flat. Mr. Jha saw her and spontaneously said "hello my new neighbor". Arundhati was slightly embarrassed for peeping inside an unknown person's room and being so curious. Mr. Jha came forward and extended his arm to shake hands, "hello you can call me Mr. Jha, I just moved in". Mr. Jha invited Arundhati inside and asked her to sit on the couch. Arundhati nodded and said "some other time Mr. Jha", but Mr. Jha was not to listen a no for an answer. Soon Arundhati to her surprise found herself sitting on the couch. Mr. Jha was talking now about his paintings. Arundhati was amazed to see him unroll the paintings. They were beautiful. She was now watching Mr. Jha. He is a middle aged man around 50 to 54 with quite a good physique and somewhat grey hair. He was talking relentlessly about his paintings and work in exhibitions. Arundhati was tired. She got up from the couch and told him that she is going to leave now as she is tired from her work and needs rest. She also offered some help to Mr. Jha for unpacking but he refused. He instead invited her to a dinner party he is having in his apartment with his friends that very evening. Arundhati refused instantly and instead asked about his family. The man was silent. He smiled and instead insisted her to come to his dinner party and assured her that she won't be disappointed. Arundhati was now back to her apartment. She freshened up and went to the kitchen to make something for herself. She started cutting the veggies and the doorbell rang. Arundhati went to the door and opened to find only Mr. Jha. She was surprised, but more than that annoyed. She was now a bit irritated by the friendliness of this new neighbor. Mr. Jha was there standing and smiling. He told her to join him in his dinner party and that he will wait outside for her to get ready. Arundhati was now really angry. She answered with a sharp voice that she is really busy and that she won't make it to the party. She also added that she is rather a very private person and does not like strangers knocking at her door at odd hours. Mr. Jha was now quiet and his eyes were now a little disappointed. He said sorry and went away. The next day Arundhati was ready for her office. She has to take the stairs because the lift was still out of order. She was now passing by her new neighbor's door. The door was open as usual. She speed-ed up her pace to avoid Mr. Jha, but Mr. Jha saw her but to her surprise said nothing. Arundhati felt bad for her behavior last night. She stopped by to say hello to Mr. Jha and said that she was sorry for her behavior last night. Mr. Jha smiled and told her that she should not miss his next party.
Days went by, but there were no news of Mr. Jha. Arundhati now sometimes takes the stairs, but always finds the door of Mr. Jha's apartment closed. She even asked the Manager of the building about Mr. Jha, but even he knows nothing.
Arundhati is now really busy with a new project in office. She has to travel to Delhi quite often. Akash is working with her too in this project so she is enjoying his company a lot. Her relationship is now growing. One day while she is opening the keys of her apartment there she could see Mr. Jha standing at the end of the corridor with that smile on his face. Arundhati was suddenly very happy. She was relieved. She went to him and asked him, "where were you Mr. Jha?" Mr. Jha smiled and said that he needs to sit down a bit. Arundhati invited him in her apartment. Mr. Jha instantly went to the small insignificant potrait that Arundhati once bought from the local market and hanged on the wall next to her dining table. Nobody ever took any interest in artifacts that Arundhati ever had in her room, but Mr. Jha seemed to like it. He loved the mermaid photo and congratulated on her choice. Arundhati offered some tea but Mr. Jha refused. Instead he again invited her, but this time to a school. Arundhati agreed as she could not say no to this man again. As he left Arundhati was not happy to see Mr. Jha looking so frail. The next day Arundhati went with Mr. Jha to a small school. She was amazed to see that the children of this school were all special children. Arundhati was overwhelmed by the pain that she could see in the eyes of the parents of these children, but more than that she was amazed by the pride that these parents had for their children. That day Mr. Jha only talked about these kids and how talented they are. Today was the day Arundhati asked him about his family. He again avoided the question and told her that her next invitation is a flower exhibition.
Arundhati: A new person
Arundhati has changed now. Her life has colors. She is now a frequent visitor of the school for special children. She now finds Mr. Jha quite interesting even though there is a huge age difference between her and Mr. Jha there were never any communication gap. Instead Arundhati found very easy to relate to Mr. Jha. She enjoyed his company. They now frequently visit places and spends hours together talking about paintings, art, music, nature, destinations and so on. The time once which was fully occupied by Akash is now gradually been taken over by Mr. Jha. Arundhati now looks forward to meet him and listen to him and go to places with him. It is always so interesting to be with him.
Their relationship is now suffering. Akash often complains about Arundhati not giving proper attention to her work. Their relationship is now stiffened. Arundhati knows the reason and she blames herself. What is that Mr. Jha has done to her life that she is neglecting Akash like that. She felt sorry for Akash and asked him to join in with Mr. Jha once while they were going to visit a painting exhibition. Akash agreed. At their meeting, Akash was not comfortable and he asked for an early retirement that day. Later that night Akash called and said that he found Mr. Jha as rather a very uninteresting and weird person who has no fascination for the real world, but only paintings and music. Arundhati felt bad for both Akash and Mr. Jha.
Relationship with Akash
Arundhati's relationship with Akash is now strained. They hardly speak together. They try to avoid each other most of the time. Arundhati knows that it is because of Mr. Jha, but why is it so? What is that Akash does not like? Is it that Arundhati is now spending less time with Akash or is it that she is spending more time with Mr. Jha. She knows the answer, but what can she do. After years now Arundhati feels more alive. She is more vibrant. She is now enjoying her life. She has started to see the world through the eyes of Mr. Jha. There are so many things which are untapped and Arundhati needs to know them all. They are more than relationships and politics. They are the beauties of nature. Arundhati now acknowledges painting and is thinking of taking painting lessons, but still she does not know much about Mr. Jha. He is still an unknown person in many ways.
Mr. Jha disappears
Arundhati now has stopped calling Mr. Jha. He never answers the phone nor does he answer his door bell. Again nobody in the building can say anything about him. Arundhati seems to be the only person who was close to Mr. Jha. None of the other persons in the building seem to know much about him.
A call from Akash
It was Sunday afternoon and Arundhati was asleep. Her mobile phone was ringing continuously now. She got up and took the call. It was Akash. Arundhati was happy to find Akash on the other side of the phone. At last everything would be fine between them. But Akash's voice was rather tense. He told " Arundhati hurry up, I am calling from the hospital. Mr. Jha is dying". The last words echoed in her ears. She was numb for a moment. Akash was calling her from the other side of the phone, "Arundhati! Arundhati!" Arundhati now gathered herself and asked " which hospital?". Arundhati saw Akash standing in front of Mr. Jha's cabin. He looked anxious. The moment he saw her he came forward and hold Arundhati with both his hands on the shoulder and said, "he is dying Arundhati and nobody knew". Arundhati was shocked and asked him what happened. Akash told her that Mr. Jha has called him up this afternoon and asked him to tell Arundhati to come to the hospital as he has a lot to say to her and that there is no time. Arundhati now sat down. She did not know how to react. Akash sat beside her holding her hands and said that she has to wait. He is unconscious. Today again Arundhati found his friend Akash whom she thought she had lost. "He is suffering from cancer, last stage" said Akash. Arundhati was shocked, "cancer?But how could it be? He was just fine".
After waiting for 3 long hours the nurse called out Arundhati's name and told her that Mr. Jha wants to talk to her. Arundhati went inside. There lies Mr. Jha tired and pale. She has never seen him like this before, so frail and weak. She sat beside her with her usual smile. Mr. Jha smiled back and said "I am sorry Arundhati I lied to you". Arundhati stroked his forehead and said "don't worry my old friend you will be just fine, we all are here for you". Mr. Jha smiled back and said that he has something to say to her. She smiled back and said "ok". Mr. Jha now told about his family. He told that he lost his wife while giving birth to their only son who was autistic. He told her about her life-long struggle with his son. He also told about the paintings, which were all drawn by his son who was only 13 years when he died suddenly. He told her that his wish was to do an art exhibition about his son's paintings, but that he had no money as all were lost in his treatment. Mr. Jha knew that he won't live much long with cancer, but he did not want to tell anybody about his disease because he did not want anybody to worry about him. After listening to all this, Arundhati was now crying. Mr. Jha wiped her tears gently and told her "you are the most precious gift God has given me Arundhati..........you are my friend". After saying so Mr. Jha again became unconscious. The nurses and doctors were now trying their best to revive him. Arundhati and Akash were now waiting outside.
Mr. Jha dies
A week after the death of Mr. Jha, a lawyer came to visit Arundhati at her apartment. He gave her some papers and told her that she was the sole owner of Mr. Jha's apartment and all his belongings including the paintings. Arundhati was now sitting quietly in her couch and thinking what has she done right to be bestowed with such love and kindness from this dying man.
Mr. Jha's apartment
Arundhati is now living in Mr. Jha's apartment for the past two days assembling and organizing his belongings. Akash is also helping her. As the two were arranging the paintings, suddenly Arundhati felt like a sudden burst of tears rolling down her cheeks. She could not control her emotions. She knew this person so well, but still it was only a little that she knew about his life. Akash hold her hands and made her sit on the couch. Arundhati knew it was only Akash who could understand her.
The Exhibition
It was Akash who has advised Arundhati to arrange an exhibition at Mr. Jha's apartment in the honor of his son. Arundhati has made all arrangements. She has decorated the apartment with all the paintings and flowers that Mr. Jha liked. Akash has invited everyone from their office and also some elite people. The exhibition was a success. Everyone loved the paintings. Some even offered donations for the school for special children. Arundhati was happy and so was Akash.
A new chapter begins
Arundhati and Akash are getting married at the end of the year. They are now happy and cherish every moment they have with themselves. Arundhati knows that it was because of Mr. Jha that today they are together. She knows now that she shared a special bond with Mr. Jha that is the bond of love and trust for a friend. Arundhati never had a true friend, but today she can tell everyone that she had a friend who loved her unconditionally and because of whom she has got back the love of her life. Mr. Jha inspired Arundhati. The man who has lost everything, but still was an inspiration to her life. He has taught Arundhati to take life as it is. Arundhati is happy now and she is content. She is looking towards a new chapter in her life with Akash and with the memories of her dear friend Mr. Jha.
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