The Day The State Split Asunder - 43

Karthik reached the 'Metro Paradise' roof-top restaurant which had decadent leather sofas and dim lighting. He sat at one corner of the table from where he can take in the better view of people walking in from the entrance. He checked his cell and happened to see three messages, two from the banks and one from Sanjana.

Sanjana: Hi Karthik. I am extremely sorry to keep you waiting. By the time I started it was already six and I may reach around 07:30. I am so sorry for that. Bye. Sorry again. 

One message from Sanjana and he couldn't control his excitement. He typed in 'K' as a reply and waited for the clock to strike 07:30. 

It was around 07:15 p.m. and he thought of calling her up. But he again dropped the plan and decided to wait for another fifteen minutes. Those fifteen minutes seemed never-ending. He didn't want to show how desperately he wanted to talk to her. 

'Sir, your order please!' The waiter came and asked him.

'Just give me five minutes. I am waiting for my friend to join,' Karthik replied.

The waiter nodded and left the spot. Karthik then sipped a glass of water. 

Better I will use this time to rehearse what to talk to her. He thought and began recollecting all the things he had to say to her as he couldn't compose a love letter. He noted down a few things on the tissue paper so that he wouldn't forget.

If anyone had seen how anxious he was at that time they would have rolled on the floor laughing. Who notes down things to be said to one's beloved? Karthik did. He was repeating the lines in his mind over and over again as if he had a competitive exam to sit for.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. He had gathered all the courage to propose to her finally today. He took out the mobile from his pocket and glanced at the time on his mobile. It was 07:30 and she still didn't turn up. He dialled her number and she cut it.

Why did she cut the call? Did she get to know about my fight with Adarsh in between the time? 

'Karthik!' Sanjana came to the table and sat straight in front of him. 'I am so sorry for making you wait. I couldn't catch the bus on time.' She released her handbag from the shoulder and placed it on the table. 

He sighed in relief as he looked at her smiling face. She looked as fresh as she looked in the morning, carrying the same alluring smile. 

'You should have purchased a scooty,' Karthik said. 'We cannot trust this public transport as they never come on time.'

'I am planning to purchase one but only after three months. I have a lot of bills to cater. Anyways let's place the order soon. I am feeling so hungry.'

'Well, I would like to start directly with the main course. I am not interested in these appetizers and starters.'

'It's all right. Shall we order Butter Naan and Paneer Butter Masala?'

'No Problemo! That's my favorite. Whenever I come out, I always order that.'

The waiter arrived at their table and asked Karthik. 'Order Sir?'

'Three ButterNaan's and one paneer butter masala,' Sanjana said to the waiter. 

'Sanjana, did you go to the office before coming here?' Karthik asked after the waiter left. 

'No! I came here directly.'

Thank God! Then she might not be aware of my fight with Adarsh. No matter whatever the circumstances maybe, Arnold always remains true to his words. He will never reveal the secret to Sanjana. But I cannot forgive him for whatever he spoke. And wait… why am I thinking about him? I am here to propose to her. But I feel it's better to tell her at the end once after the dinner is done. Moreover she is hungry. She can get angry easily.

'So Karthik, what else? What are your plans for this new year?'

'Nothing! Nothing much,' He said, shrugging his shoulders. 

Sanjana smiled at him and started gazing around the restaurant, trying to synchronize herself with the fascinating ambience flourished with plants, hanging lights and decorative wall paintings. 

'This place is amazing! These plants, this cold breeze,' she then looked up at the sky, 'the full moon over there and it's silvery light. What else do we need to enjoy and savor this moment!'

'The way in which you describe the things, transports the other person with delight,' Karthik said in a mesmerizing tone. 'You are a wonderful conversationalist and just by looking at you I can tell you one thing?'

'Don't just limit to one thing, tell me as many things as you want. There's no shortage of time,' Sanjana said, smirking a little. 

He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, shooting a mischievous smirk on her face staring at her face. 'The dimples on your face and the twinkle in your eyes clearly tells me that you have had a fantastic day today. If Vinci had been alive today he would have made one more masterpiece 'Sanjana Lisa'. If there is any time machine I will certainly take you to the time of Vinci and Shakespeare and establish you in history.'

'Karthik! Please… Please… Please… stop it...' she said folding his hands in namaste with a coy smile.

'Okay! Jokes apart. Tell me how was your day?'

'As you said but it's not only fantastic but also fabulous as the central government has decided to give away Telangana and secondly we have got another big client.'

'Cool! I know you will make it.' 

'So, did you start reading any new book?' She asked. 

'Nothing much and Sanjana can you tell me one thing, apart from reading books do you have any special interest in arts like music, dance, etcetera... etcetera...'

'Hmm… I am interested in paintings.'

'Paintings! It involves lots of hardwork and patience. Can you make my painting?'

'I said I like paintings. I don't know how to paint,' she chuckled.

'Sanjana, for suppose If you were an artist, how would you paint me? Would you paint me the way I look or would you paint me in your own way brushing off the imperfections with colours?'

'I would simply paint as the world sees you, but in addition I will try to put a moustache on your face.'

'What?! A moustache?'

'Ya Karthik! I like men with a moustache. To tell you frankly you look handsome in moustache. Nowadays, a vast majority of men, especially younger, are not very good at pulling off a moustache. And at the same time I don't like a beard.'

'I always maintain a clean shave. Will the moustache look good upon me?'

'In my imagination it is looking good...' 

Both of them laughed.

The waiter arrived with their food. He placed two naan's on Sanjana's and two on Karthik's plate. 

'Thank God!' Sanjana sighed. 'I am really starving!'

'Once again, thank you so much for the party,' Karthik said. 

She nodded and grinned, and began stuffing her mouth with the morsel.

I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow? If I don't tell her today, I will lose her forever. He was struggling to eat as anxiousness started assailing him.

'Great choice of restaurant, Sanjana,' Karthik said. 'First, I thought this place too fancy, but look at the food. Wow.'

She just gave him a gentle nod without speaking any word. They sat in silence for about a minute and later Karthik began executing his plan. The time has finally come to open his heart. 

'Sanjana, I have a secret to tell you?' Karthik said.

'If you're telling me, then it's not much of a secret.' said Sanjana.

'Perhaps, I shouldn't. But I decided I should.'

'Now that you've brought it up, you have to.'

'Well, it's not a secret but a confession.'

'Karthik,' she lifted her head up from the plate, 'Stop beating around the bush! This is not a church, and I am not a father.'

'But you must hear my prayer. I have hidden a few facts and lied a few things about me. After listening ' he paused, 'Actually, after listening to this you might get angry upon me.' 

'Will you tell me or not? Please don't put me in suspense.' she said with a giggle. ' You can start your confession my child!' 

'Sanjana, I hail from Andhra. I don't belong to Telangana.'

'I know that.'

'You already know that? How?'

'Once I asked you what you have brought for lunch. You said you bought Gongura pickle. Only Andhra people call it Gongura while we Telanganites call it Puntikoora.'

'Lady Sherlock! I think from today, I need to call you by the name 'Sherlock'. But despite knowing the fact that I am from Andhra, why did you still continue your friendship with me?'

'I already told you before, our fight was only against the Andhra politicians and businessmen who have exploited the resources and opportunities of the people of Telangana. I accept that our leaders have used harsh and foul language on people of Andhra region. Once after the state is divided, everything is going to be normal. After all, Andhra people are also humans like everyone.' 

'Thank God! I thought you would be angry upon me,' Karthik said.

'Friendship knows no boundaries,' Sanjana said as she placed the last cube of paneer in her mouth. 'So this is what the secret that you wanted to reveal?'

'Actually, there are still many more Miss Sherlock. I have a long list to say. But...' he stopped.

'What again?'

'Well, I once said to you before that I was a voracious reader. To tell you the truth, if there's hardly any book that I have read in my entire lifetime. It's only "The Alchemist".'

'Hmm… Okay!' She didn't seem to care about it.

I think the time has at last come! God please do help me! He prayed to his beloved God in his mind and then looked at her plate. She finished eating everything. 

'Sanjana!' he exhaled the breath out with a loud sigh. 'I am going to reveal the actual secret now. After listening to this, maybe you will start hating me. I have been suppressing it for a long time. Now, I cannot tarry it any longer.'

Sanjana frowned at him. 'Karthik, I still don't understand what you are trying to say?'

'I will make it clear,' he said, gulping the entire glass of water in a single stroke and looking straight into her bluish eyes, he started, 

'Sanjana, for many days I have been hiding a lot of feelings deep in the vault of my heart and currently they have stretched out to a certain point that my little heart is no longer in a position to bear it. Everyday I am locking horns with myself to prevent them from coming out of my heart's closet and today I have lost the battle. I was defeated and left with no other option except to liberate them. I have no clue whether I am doing the right thing or wrong, but I need to tell you because the feelings that I imprisoned in the depths of my heart are not allowing me to live life like I used to live it before. But, before I tell you, I have a small request.'

'Karthik, I am unable to grasp what you are referring to?' she said. 'What is the request that you have for me?'

'First, listen completely to what I am going to say and don't interrupt me while I am speaking.'

Sanjana smiled and shook her head. 'Access Granted!'

Karthik gazed at her blue eyes for one more time. The time had atlast come to open his heart. 'Sanjana, if my life could be split into two halves, it's going to be before you and after you. Before you came, my life was gray and colorless. Once my eyes landed on you for the first time, I felt as if an angel had landed on earth and opened the gates of heaven shipping me into a bright colorful world. The transformation was instant and I could still relive that moment. There are two important persons in my life for which I am grateful for, one is Adarsh and another is none other than you. My journey with Adarsh taught me 'what life is' and you taught me 'who I am'.'

'Me! How? In what way?' Sanjana asked in astonishment. 'Sorry! Sorry!Continue!'

'In the voyage of my life, I've seen many girls even before you. But my life has gone crazy ever since the day you arrived. I still remember the day I saw you for the first time, my heart started beating faster like never before. At that moment, I felt as if I acquired superpowers and my life was never the same as it used to be before. There was a complete shift in the way I used to work, live, sleep, talk and whatnot? And that change was propelled by looking at the enormity of dedication that you bestowed upon your job. I swear, you disturbed me to such an extent that you became the first thing on my mind when I wake up and you are the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep. 

'In my journey with you, you taught me that one should carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward. This one random act that I performed brought me close to the purpose of my life and I can't tell you that purpose as of now. When you are near, even I don't have any control on my breath. The first time you gave me that hug, it made me realize that I don't even belong to myself, because my soul has surrendered to you. If I had all the time in the world, the only thing I want is to keep talking with you. I don't know what has changed me, everytime I tried my best to find the answer and everytime I had lost. It is then I realized my soul has decided to become the slave of yours.'

Karthik took a glass of water and gulped it in an instant. His pulse began racing faster. 'Sanjana! I am saying this from the bottom of my heart. I love you.. Yes! I love you... because you are yourself and I love you a lot because you made me be myself and you have shown me the purpose of my life. I don't know whether you will accept me or not, if I didn't tell you today I will not only be cheating on myself but also I will be cheating on you as it is a crime to hide your feelings that you have on someone whom you love. Once again, I love you Sanjana! Even before I decided to open up my heart to you, I once again questioned myself why you are so special to me? My mind once again drifted into oblivion and the only way I could get the answer is from you.'  

The waiter came and placed the bill on the table. This time he had come at the perfect time.

Karthik's confession landed Sanjana in a deep state of shock. She felt as if a nuclear explosion happened in her heart and her blue eyes reflected the chaos churning in her heart. The excitement she had towards the state separation has faded out completely.

'Karthik! I never expected this kind of conduct from you. I thought you are a broadminded person and treated me as your best friend. You-You really are...' she sighed,'I am not even understanding what to say? I didn't expect this from you.'

'Friendship and Love are two different worlds. In a world of friendship we can have many friends, there's no limit to the number. But whereas in a world of love, we can have only one person and it doesn't accept anyone.'

'I-I… literally don't understand what to say as of now?'

'Sanjana, I am not forcing you to love me. It's up to your discretion and you are free to choose. And whatever you decide will be your right decision and I respect it.'

'I don't have any feelings on you. We can't make it-'

'I tried to put in picture my feelings for you to you. Because spending day by day day by day with you I am losing myself. So I confessed my feelings in front of you Sanjana and I respect your decision whatever it may be... I will take it on my positive note. But take some time. It took twenty six years to find my soul. By the same token it might take some time for you to understand me. If still in case you don't get any feelings for me I don't feel bad about it. I will never show my face to you again and worry you anymore.'

'Karthik, why are you talking like this? We are good friends right?'

'Friendship is only about heart, bearing goodwill to each other and wishing good things for each other. Loving someone includes heart and soul. When you have loved someone your soul feels as if it has fulfilled its purpose and that realization will be instant. So, be calm and think about it. Take your time. There's no hurry.'

There's a lump in Sanjana's throat as hard as a pebble and difficult to swallow. 'I don't know whether this will workout. I cannot speak.'

'It will work out for sure. Time decides and heals everything. So, please take fifteen days of time to think about it. I will not disturb you for fifteen days. But, please let me know your decision after fifteen days.'

A grave silence filled up that premises. They could hear their own breath and the waiter came to their table to collect the bill. Karthik placed two five hundred notes inside the pouch and said - 'Keep the change as a tip!'

'Sanjana, before I leave, I want to make one thing clear. If the lord of death came to me tonight to take me off this earth, my last wish would be to see your face first. I know there is no angel that could ever match your beauty and style. Nobody on heaven or earth can come close to your beautiful smile,' Karthik stood up, 'I love you once again!'

After saying that he walked out of the restaurant without turning back. Today he felt as if the weight of the world had been released from his shoulders. He has now put the ball in Sanjana's court and it is her responsibility to take the next action or decision on his proposal. 

He started on his bike to his home. On the way he stopped at a Mobile shop where he purchased a new sim. By the time he reached home it was eleven. 

'Karthik, nowadays you are getting late,' his mother asked him as soon as he stepped in.

'Amma! Tomorrow morning I am leaving for Mumbai,' Karthik said.

'Mumbai, why?'

'On an official visit.'

'Ok! Change your dress and come for dinner.'

'No need, I already had it.'

'You already had it then you should have said it to me in the evening. We should not waste food.'

'Sorry Amma! I will not do this again. I am feeling so tired. I am going to sleep. Will you pack my bag tomorrow?'

'Are you going by train?'

'No! flight.'

'Morning at eleven. And I won't be back until fifteen days.'

'Fifteen days? What kind of work do you have in Mumbai?'

'A short settlement with my clients, Amma. If it is successful we will be having a new member in our family soon.'

'Which new member?'

Oops! What am I talking about?

'Not member Amma its number. I was trying to say that if those dealings were successful the number of digits in our bank balance will increase.'

'Is it? Then work hard for it. You must be happy always without any difficulties.'

'I will Amma! At any cost I will accomplish it.'

To be continued...