GRANDPA'S GIRLFRIEND

"You never told us about your first love, grandpa," said Atharva.

"I haven't? That's weird. Are you sure?" asked Grandpa.

Atharva nodded in a positive and the old man knew that the adolescent would pester him till he got a reply.

"We were neighbours. She stayed on the ground floor and me on the top. For years I had observed her quietly as she was friends with my sister-in-law and often visited our house. She was unlike the other girls around with fire in her eyes. But I had never spoken to her," said Grandpa.

"Never! Why? This is so sad, Grandpa," said Atharva.

"I liked her, so the moment she came in front of me, I would start blushing and would run away to my room".

"Wow. Those times were sure special, Grandpa," said Atharva.

"I know Athu. At 16, you already have a girlfriend, while at 21 I was in love and couldn't confess it to her," said Grandpa.

"So, when did Grandma come into the picture?" asked Atharva.

"Let's go chronologically, shall we?" asked Grandpa.

Atharva nodded, so the old man continued, "My sister-in-law was very clever. She realised my weird behaviour around our neighbour, so she asked me about it. When I told her the truth, she informed me that talks were already going on for her marriage, so I needed to do something immediately".

"This is getting worse, Grandpa".

"I know. And I felt worse. But I didn't do a thing at all. Just moved about like a tragic hero".

"Then what happened?" asked Atharva, but the old man had stopped the story as he saw his wife walking towards them. The old lady sat on the sofa next to her husband.

"So what are you two talking about?" Grandma asked.

"Grandpa was telling me about his first love," said Atharva.

The old woman looked at her husband and said, "It's been years since I heard this myself. Go on".

"You know about this Grandma?" Atharva asked.

"Yes," smiled Grandma and lovingly looked at her husband.

"Well, on a certain day, we just stumbled into each other on the steps," said Grandpa, then paused as he could see his grandson listening intendly. 

"Come on, Grandpa. Continue," said Atharva.

"I was looking like shit because for the first time ever, she spoke to me and asked - Are you OK?" said Grandpa.

"It was the long beard and the blood shot eyes. The poor girl was scared to hell," joked Grandma.

"Thats so not true," said Grandpa frowning at his wife. Then he continued, "I looked at her beautiful face and as of by magic words poured out of me for the first time. I said - I  am not OK. You are getting married to someone else and I cannot digest that. I love you".

"Wow. This was epic, Grandpa. What did she say?" questioned Atharva.

"Are you ready to marry me?" stated Grandma.

"And I said - Any day," said Grandpa and smiled.

"Then what happened, Grandpa?" asked Atharva.

"Lots of drama. We both spoke to our respective families. In the end, everything was sorted and the same year we got married," said Grandpa holding his wife's hand.

"I had always liked him. In fact, going to meet his sister-in-law was always an excuse to see him," said Grandma.

"What? So all this while you were talking about Grandma! Why didn't you say so earlier?" asked Atharva.

"More fun this way," said Grandpa, laughing loudly.

Atharva got up from his chair and went across to give his grandparents a hug, "Happy 50th Anniversary you two".

THE LOSER - A SHORT STORY

"Oye, why are you still here? Has your office dress code changed to boxers and T-Shirt?" asked Nana.

"Nana!" exclaimed TJ.

"Wait. Don't tell me you have quit once again?" questioned mom.

TJ who is sleeping on the sofa, just turns on his back without answering.

"This is what, your 6th or 7th job's," stated Dad.

TJ opened one eye to see his granny, mom and dad standing  around him staring. He gets up.

"They didn't understand my creativity, my ideas, my words," said TJ.

"Always the same story, isn't it?" asked dad.

"My poor child! When will he find his kind of people?" said mom.

"His kind of people! I am telling you Jenny, your son is a woof, runs away at the slightest sound. In my times, you never quit. Today's generation is just too sad," said Nana.

"If you are trying to push my buttons Nana, then it is not going to work," said TJ.

"How will it work? You have heard these words too many times, haven't you ?" quipped dad.

"If you guys are done with me, could you please continue with your work. You know I am a lost cause, don't you?" joked TJ.

"Don't say that," said mom.

"Lost cause, my foot. You just know how to mentally blackmail us," remarked dad.

"And torture us, don't you forget that," added Nana.

Realising the ineffectualness of their comments on TJ, all three left him on the coach and got back to their works.

*

"Oye, why are you still sleeping like this? Don't you have to get ready. Or are T-Shirt and boxers their dress code as well?" asked Nana.

"There is still time, Nana," answered TJ and rolled over on his stomach and continued sleeping on the couch.

"I can't believe him," said dad and shouted at him, "Come on, you fool".

"Stop pulling his leg now," said mom.

TJ was the last one to get out of the house. He was formally dressed, a change from his obvious get up. He drove the car slowly. When his name was announced, he gave his family  a kiss each, then catching his mom's hand took her on the stage.

Looking at her grandson, Nana told her son, "If anyone had told me that in the near future, TJ would win an award for his novel, I would have laughed. And yet, I am sitting here, watching him accepting one".

A MIND OF HER OWN

“Congratulations Shilpa!” said Leela to her sister.

“I know! We were a bit worried and all, but things are finally looking bright,” said Shilpa.

“Worried for what? Is there any problem?” asked Leela.

“Na, nothing from the boy’s side. He works in London and the family has some good amount of ancestral money as well,” said Shilpa.

“Then?” asked Leela.

“It’s your niece I am worried about. Maneka is over qualified na, add to that her age,” confessed Shilpa.

“Don't worry, everything will be al right,” said Leela reassuring her sister.

“Chalo, will talk to you later. Have to inform others from the family as well,” said Shilpa

“Congratulations, once again,” said Leela and cut the call.

Shilpa dialed her father-in-law’s number and gave him the happy news.

“So, he finally said yes. I am glad. I liked the guy the moment I met him. He seemed very disciplined and obedient,” said Sr. Tripathi.

“I agree, daddyji. Now, I just need to tell Maneka this,” said Shilpa.

“You haven't told her as yet?” the older man asked.

“Daddyji, she is still at work na. She will be so happy. For once, she liked the guy,” said Shilpa.

“This calls for a big celebration for our entire family,” said Sr. Tripathi.

“Yes daddyji. Finally a marriage in this house after 20 years,” said Shilpa.

“Let’s just hope this sets the onset for the others as well. Maneka may be the youngest, but hopefully she will bring luck for her elder cousins as well,” said Sr. Tripathi.

“I am praying for the same,” agreed Shilpa. She heard the doorbell ring and then said, “Daddyji, I think Maneka is home. Let’s meet at dinner tonight and celebrate”.

When Maneka entered the house, she headed straight to the kitchen. Shilpa, by now had finished her call and had kept the mobile down. Carrying a bottle and a glass in her hand, Maneka returned to the hall, where her mother was waiting patiently to tell her that the boy had agreed to marry her.

“Mom,” said Maneka.

“Yes, my darling,” said Shilpa.

Maneka opened the cap of the bottle and poured the water into her glass. Picking it up, she said, “I know I said that I like that guy, but I have given it a lot of thought in the last 3 days. I don't think we will work together.”

STUCK TOGETHER

Liam and Melissa had been neighbours for as long as they could remember. It had started with little things early, which grew bigger as years passed. They just couldn’t stand each other! Parties, celebrations, music, laughter were enough reasons for one to go to the other’s house to have a fight!

“I curse the day I set foot in this building,” she said.

WHAT IS THIS LIFE IF FULL OF CARE?

“Ritesh damn it, open the door quickly!”  shouted Trinity from outside.

“Coming, coming. What’s the hurry, my love?” said Ritesh to his dear friend. He opened the door to find Trinity sweating profusely.

THE PATIENT

“Tell me about your friends.”

“What’s to talk about them, doc?”

PSYCHO ALERT

“I am not much fond of this place. The trains are always crowded and the crowd is claustrophobic.”

“Let me guess, you got married here.”

FEMINISM AND WHY THE WORLD NEEDS IT

“Nice talk you gave there, Rebecca on the Role of Women in the Corporate Culture. Sheryl Sandberg is one of the best examples you could talk about.”