HAPPY ACCIDENTS

HAPPY ACCIDENTS

Geet, at the age of 23, successfully landed to Portland, Oregon to join Willamette University in Salem, Oregon to successfully complete her Masters in Management. She had been always a brilliant student and the pride of her family. She was an Indian who grew up in the land of pagoda, Myanmar. Even though she grew up among a variety of people and various nationalities, she always believed in traditional Indian values. She was a quiet and shy personality but at the same time she was a strong girl. She wasn’t afraid of anything in her life; she was always ready to accept challenges.

It was her first day of college. She was excited but a little nervous also as it was her first day of a new life and nobody was there to hold her hand and to support her. She was already missing her family but she knew that she had to make her family proud. She had many talents except one: she took a long time to make friends and didn’t trust easily.  She had a roommate who she found through face book, Pinky. Pinky was the exact opposite of her, bubbly, vivacious and full of life. They didn’t share any classes as Pinky was pursuing her masters in Computer Science. They both had different personalities but their friendship grew over the period of time.

Geet got busy with her studies and homework from the first day itself, all set to break the record of GPA. In her spare time she would read novels or listen to music, etc. She was realistic but at the same time she enjoyed her dreamland.  

Three Months Later

Geet was busy with her assignments, homework, team presentations, normal MBA life. She didn’t have any time to have fun, busy with the hectic school schedule. She had successfully made a few friends with whom she’d occasionally hang out with, watch movies, go shopping or have dinner. She was happy, and quite settled down in her new life.

It was a usual Salem evening. The wind was flowing in the air, scattering colorful leaves around. People were running around her to go home do their grocery or whatever reasons, but she never paid attention to people. She was busy listening to her iPod…she loved Hindi songs. That particular day, she was walking back to house, lost in her music, oblivious to surroundings.  Suddenly she felt a heavy jerk on her shoulder and she fell down. She looked back and realized that a boy walking just beside her had tripped because of a stone in the walkway. She got really annoyed as her iPod had also fallen down with her and ear plugs had come out of her ears and music had stopped.  Geet loved music and her iPod to that extent that she was more worried for her iPod than herself. She started checking her iPod which she found in perfect condition even after bearing the fall. Geet was all involved in taking care of her iPod when suddenly some words flew into her ears, “Are you ok? Do you need help? I am really sorry, please forgive me, I am really sorry.” He extended his hand to help her to stand up but she didn’t take his help. She was clenching her teeth; she got really annoyed and irritated, as he had broken her music trance.

She sensed that he was truly apologetic and he didn’t hurt her on purpose, but she was in her “I don’t care” mood as she was really annoyed. And anyway she never preferred to talk a lot, so she just replied, “I am alright, no worries.”  She stood up without any help and started walking towards her house. Geet reached her house and put bandage on her knees… it was a small scratch.  

Next day again, Geet was walking back to her house when she saw that guy. She didn’t care to talk to him and was busy listening to her music.

He was also quite and an aloof person who kept to himself, only talking when it was necessary but he was helpful and nurturing in nature. He was not the initiator kind of person but he wanted to make sure that the girl wasn’t hurt, hence he asked, “Are you doing ok? How are you feeling today?” This time while clenching her teeth as he again broke her music trance, she spoke, “I am doing fine, thanks for asking. It wasn’t a really big injury, nothing to worry about.” And she started walking away without even caring whether he heard her reply.

He didn’t feel rude about it as he was also silent person. He was actually relieved that he didn’t have to talk much…like she also understood that he wasn’t that kind of person.

When she reached her house that day Geet realized that she was thinking about that guy. She realized that she was kind of rude and she didn’t even care to ask him or make sure he was okay as he also fell down. She felt bad for her behavior. Not that she did that by purpose or she cared about him, but it hurt her ego as she knew that she was a nice hearted person and this behavior was against her morals.

The very next day, they were walking on the same path and they nodded at each other and smiled. This time Geet decided to go ahead and talk with him, just to make sure that he wasn’t injured, so she broke the silence, “Hi I am sorry I forgot to ask you but how are you feeling now?” He got surprised by her behavior as he had thought that she wasn’t the kind of person who talks a lot and who would approach anyone, but he was glad from inside even though he didn’t know why. He replied, “I am doing fine, nothing to worry about, thanks for asking. By the way, I am Rihaan, Rihaan Singh Khurana.” With a natural response to him, she said, “Good to know that you are doing well. I am Geet, Geet Handa.”

As usual they didn’t talk much, but they felt good by just sharing this small talk, but of course they both were really busy to notice the inner side of their heart.

Rihaan had recently completed his Masters in Computer Science and was currently working for Oregon Department of Transportation as a Software Engineer. He had been with this job for last five months. He was a workaholic and specially considering this was his new job, he wanted to prove himself. Hence he always went to office early and even after he came from office, he worked from home. He had successfully established himself at work within a short span of time. His colleagues always respected him. Rihaan had graduated from Penn State University and moved to Salem because of his job hence his all school friends were somewhere in the East Coast. Making friends quickly wasn’t his cup of tea either but still he had made a few friends to hangout. Though whenever his friends asked him to join for something, most of the time he found excuses and he avoided to go out, whenever his friends forced him then only he went out for movies or dinner.

After a month

Rihaan and Geet were regularly noticing each other while walking back to their respective houses but neither cared to talk to one another. Their general nod acknowledging each other’s presence and smile was enough to talk for them. They both kind of liked it that way as it suited their personality, but now they did make sure to nod at each other. It was kind of a general routine which they didn’t want to break; they enjoyed that small moment of joy where both could forget about their work or school, both could just smile without worrying about their life and fear of judging each other. They didn’t know much about each other so there was no point of judging each other and sometimes it felt good that they could actually meet someone who wasn’t going to judge based on preconceived notions about that person.

Of course offices and schools run only during weekdays so they didn’t see each other during weekends. Initially it was ok as they didn’t care but lately they kind of remembered each other during the weekend at the same time in the evening when they generally saw each other. They didn’t pay attention to their mind as they engaged themselves with some work. But regularly they remembered each other during weekends. They never bothered to take each other’s phone number so they never called each other.

One day, Rihaan was walking back to house but Geet was nowhere in sight. He got inadvertently anxious and agitated. He knew that she could be busy or maybe she didn’t have class that day or something else.  There was no reason to get worried as she wasn’t even his friend but that day he wished that he had her number just so that he could just call her to confirm that she was doing ok.  

That day Rihaan wasn’t able to eat or sleep properly. The only concern chewing his mind was if something would have happened to Geet, then what? He didn’t know why he was so worried about her. He wasn’t sure about his emotions. He was never good at dealing with emotions and feelings; that was completely unknown territory to him. His uneasiness was increasing by each minute but eventually he engrossed himself with work.

The next day, Rihaan was eagerly waiting for Geet. In fact he left work early with the hope of getting her one glimpse, but again she didn’t show up. Another no show made him uneasy. He wasn’t able to understand his own actions. One idea ran into his mind that maybe he really liked her, but this idea disappeared as soon as it came into his mind. Disappointed, he went back to his house. He was regretting for not taking her phone number or email id or something, but what’s the point of regretting now as what done was done.

Finally the third day, he saw her. Rihaan was waiting for Geet to show up for the last half an hour. He once again left work early because he didn’t want to miss her if by any chance she would show up today, and yes she did. He freaked out so much out of worry that he grabbed her hand and asked her righteously, “Where were you gone for last two days? How could you miss your school?”  Geet was surprised by his behavior. She gave him an angry glare and he noticed that he was still holding her hand. He let go off her hand slowly and she replied, “Yes I missed my school because I was sick. I had fever so I didn’t have any other choice than missing school. Did you get it?”

Rihaan felt embarrassed for his behavior, but he himself didn’t know what had come over him that he behaved in a way which wasn’t normal for him. He had never done something like this before. Geet was growing on him and he wasn’t even aware about it. He couldn’t utter a single word out of guilt, so he started to walk away. She was also walking back to her house. He looked towards her out of the corner of his and for the first time he noticed her: her style of walking while playing with her scarf, her slender figure, her long silky hair and her almond color cheeks. There was a spark in her style which wasn’t really catchy, yet it was simple and elegant. He realized that he was actually thinking about her beauty. Rihaan had never paid attention to any girl during his college time. He was a simple person, not at all involved with girls, but for the first time, he was thinking about a girl and praising her beauty in his heart. He never talked to himself before but now he did, yes he was talking to himself. God, he was losing control on himself, it couldn’t happen, he wasn’t ready to admit it.

Geet reached her house. She was fuming. Nobody had behaved with her like that before, but at the same time she realized that nobody had also assumed this right on her and she knew one thing:  you assume right on those people only whom you consider as your own people.

Geet wasn’t ready to admit it but she knew that she had missed him too.  During these fever days, she wished that she could go back to school, so that she could follow her normal routine, normal nod and normal smile. Even though they didn’t really share a lot of talk but the presence of each other gave them some kind of satisfaction. She was trying to keep her mind away from him so she tried to engage herself with assignments.

That evening she went to Safeway with Pinky. Rihaan was there also. It was like they were destined to meet twice that day. As soon as Rihaan saw her, he hid something behind his back. He had bought a Get Well Soon Card for her but he didn’t have courage to go up to her.  He wasn’t sure about her reaction.  Geet noticed him as well. Pinky noticed them staring at each other and said, “Hmm Geet, what’s going on? Looks like he really likes you, so who is he?” Geet just gave her a glare and pushed her away and started doing grocery. Geet was not the person who liked or stood for this kind of teasing.

The battle was going on in Rihaan’s mind to give her the card or not. Finally he thought there was no point of over-thinking it. He convinced himself that he wasn’t doing any crime or he wasn’t really going to propose her so it was okay. It was just a card. Finally he went up to her and said, “Geet, nice to see you. Umm, this is for you.”

Geet felt happy inside but as usual she hid her emotions well under the invisible wall, and simply replied, “Thank You”. But Pinky was Pinky after all, who couldn’t shut up at this moment, and as soon Rihaan left, she snatched away the card from  Geet’s hand, and read, “To Geet, hope God will be always with you and hope you will feel better, From Rihaan.”

Pinky to Geet, “Haiiiiiiiii, what a short and simple card. Hmm…the guy is really handsome, with muscular body, must be going to gym regularly,” and Pinky was again lost in her own weight concern. She continued, “Geet, I told you to join gym but you never listen to me. Look at me, I gained four pounds during last one month. At this rate, I will be obese very soon so I need to join gym whether you want to or not.”

Finally Geet spoke to Pinky, “Are you done with your story now? So can I get that card back?” Geet was really annoyed by her lecture and she just took the card from her hand. Pinky responded to her, still not shutting her mouth, “Yes of course how can you share that card with someone else? Hmm being possessive? Hmm got it? So tell me now who is that dashing boy because if you are not interested than I am taking him.” And Geet responded automatically without realizing what she just said, “Pinky, stop it right now, and he is not handsome like Hrithik Roshan, he is alright but why do you want him?”

Pinky to Geet, “hmm, now feeling jealous also…” Geet thought that she could never win with Pinky so she just kept her mouth shut and finished her grocery.

At that day before going to bed, Geet was thinking about Rihaan. Though she didn’t accept in front of Pinky but she also knew that he was handsome, though of course not like her favorite actor, Hrithik Roshan. She was remembering all Pinky’s words and she was blushing. She couldn’t believe it that actually she was blushing. This couldn’t happen, so she turned on her light and she checked that her cheeks became rosy or not and yes they had become rosy. Oh God, it was not believable, she was falling for a guy for the first time in her life.

Geet had always been realistic in her approach. She never believed that all the fairytales could be true; all Bollywood movie style love stories could be true. She always wanted to believe that it was just filmy thing and it couldn’t happen in real life, but whether she would admit it or not, there was a shy hopeful girl residing inside her, who believed that her prince would come one day and take her away.

Day by day both Rihaan and Geet developed feelings for each other but they weren’t sure about each other’s response, so again they decided to hide feelings from each other. As it is, both were not the expressive kind either.

One month after…

They both finally took each other’s number and they talked sometimes on the phone. Though not much, like usual day to day life stuffs, nothing exciting, but both found support in each other. Rihaan wasn’t her best friend but Geet knew in her heart that if she would need him at any time in her life, he would be just a phone call away; he would show up as soon as possible. She knew this without even hearing it from him. She knew that they both shared a common personality, and it was nice that way as they didn’t have to explain if they were walking side by side silently. They both were okay with that silence; it was an unspoken language which they shared.

Today Geet was celebrating her birthday and after a lot of persistence from Pinky, Geet invited Rihaan also for her birthday celebration. Of course he came, with pink roses for her as her birthday gift. It as for the first time Geet got flowers from a guy. She was happy that day as it was her birthday and she wasn’t feeling alone even though she was away from her family, but there was something fulfilling about this moment. She enjoyed her celebration even though she wasn’t a party person.

After the party, before going to sleep, Geet looked at the roses, feeling their softness against her skin. She was smiling out of joy; even though she was alone in the room but she was still not feeling alone. Today something was seeded in her heart and she was happy about it. Instead of running away from emotions, which she usually did in the past, today she was cherishing her happiness. It was a different kind of emotion which she had never felt before.

They continued talking on the phone, through email, through chat. They were exploring different sides of each other which weren’t discovered before but both were happily enjoying it, talking about their daily problems and struggle. Their communication was increasing day by day without them even realizing it.

After 7 months…

Geet’s first year of MBA was already at the end. She had enjoyed it and now she was going for a vacation for three weeks to Myanmar to meet her family. She missed them a lot, but luckily this new friendship and her studies kept her busy and didn’t give her much time to think about them.

Tomorrow she had a flight for Myanmar; today she was meeting Rihaan for the dinner . They were meeting at the Olive Garden restaurant. Rihaan knew that Geet loved Italian food and plus he knew that she loved their Chocolate Lava Cake.

Rihaan was going through a lot of struggle in his heart. He knew that he had strong feelings for her which he never felt for anyone else, but they never talked about romantic stuff. He knew that she liked him but he wasn’t sure if she liked him romantically as well. He was scared of asking her because he didn’t want to lose their friendship. Their friendship was precious to him; he never got such a friend in life or such a relationship in life. He couldn’t let it go for any reason, hence he was skeptical. But he decided that he had to do it, he had to propose to her, especially if she was going to leave tomorrow. It was already difficult on him, but if he didn’t ask her today then probably he would die out of pain in the coming three weeks. After a lot of efforts and convincing himself, he finally made up his mind.

He reached the restaurant early and he prepared his surprise for her. Today is THE DAY, he was going to propose her. Geet arrived at the restaurant in blue jeans, pink top and white scarf, looking very pretty. Rihaan was simply staring at her, lost in her beauty. Finally she waved and spoke his name and for the first time his name in her voice sounded so musical that he just wanted to hear it often and often. Her eyes were mesmerizing and her voice was beautiful just like a perfect piano composition.

They settled down and ordered food. Geet talked about her upcoming trip and Rihaan talked about his upcoming project. At last dessert arrived, her favorite Chocolate Lava Cake, and on the top of it, there was a ring decorated. He instantly bent down on his knees and said, “Geet, I never knew what is love until I met you. You generated those feelings in my heart which I didn’t know existed. I can see only you as my better half. If you are not with me, then there is no purpose of my life. I can’t imagine my life with someone else. It is only YOU. I wasn’t a firm believer of God, but you made me believe in God, today I want to ask to God that please help me to be in a wonderful relationship with you, my soul mate, Please help me heal and release any blocks in my mind, body or emotions that would make me afraid of great love. Please help me hear and follow your divine guidance that leads me to enjoy this soul-mate relationship. I know Geet, that your soul was searching for my soul, and today is the time for soul to soul connection, after many years of search or may be after many reincarnations of search, we found each other, I ask to God for blessings of him on us for our great love, I want to cherish each moment of my life with you, I want to help you with each of your wounds. I want to grow old with you, I want to see you in each form – when you will gain weight because of baby, when you will play with kids, when you will yell at them, when we will go to family picnic, when we will send our kids away to college, when we will fight over trivial issues, when we will be walking with sticks, and when we will lose our last breath together, when we both walk to the steps of heaven, and when we will come to the earth again, You are the only one for whom I want to take births again and again.  Will you marry me?”

Geet didn’t see this coming at all. She was speechless. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t utter a word, but there was only one voice coming from her heart, YES YES YES and she just nodded her head in agreement, her mind was telling her zillions of things, she was thankful to God for having Rihaan in her life, she wanted to extend this moment and made a best of it. Her eyes were moist with all the unsaid emotions. He pushed the ring in her finger. They hugged and kissed each other, it was their first kiss which they could never forget. Her shivering lips, panting body and beautiful eyes made him weak, made him out of control. He knew that he had to stop himself at this moment. He went to her home to drop her, he couldn’t let go off her, all the instincts woke up in his mind, today nobody could stop him not even God, he started kissing her neck, shoulder, arm, back, hands, she was panting heavily, she was enjoying his magical touch like he was rain and she wanted to lose herself in that rain, Eventually they came out of that trance after hearing knock on the door, It was Pinky who was at the door. Geet felt shy and she walked away from him while still holding his gaze.

When she went to Myanmar, she told her parents about Rihaan and everybody accepted their relationship happily. Rihaan also told his parents about her and his parents were also happy about it. Both families decided their wedding date which was after six months, during her semester break.

Wedding happened successfully, they went for honeymoon to Paris.