touche...



This is a story about Siddharth and Mansi.
Siddharth and Mansi met each other for the first time during their industrial training. But then,….. it was more of an official introduction.

Trinnnnnnnnnn
Unlike the usual days, Mansi put off the alarm and got up on her feet at the very first sound. Sleep had deceived her this night.
Sid was coming to Pune today from Jaipur, along with his group of friends: Deepa, Jai and Manu. She hadn’t met them ever before, but felt a kinship to them of long. Sid had shared his close friends along with his own heart to her during the phone calls.

Deepa and Jai were his college mates. While Deepa was the dominating type (and also the topper of their batch), Jai was a daydreamer, who loved to laze around the whole day, fighting imaginary battleships and defeating the unbeatable at chess…. On his Intel. Manu, the most relaxed dude after fido dido was more his pal than his cousin, since school and now job too.

Sid and Mansi.
Having known each other for over a year now, they were yet to meet face to face, ever since their voices turned to ambrosia to the others’ soul.

Acquainted at their six weeks training, neither able to recognize the other ,from amongst so many colleagues; who would have imagined that a casual exchange of email ids at their farewell would be the first step towards their destiny.

What started off initially as forwards, proceeded to sharing of thoughts, ideas and emotions. Soon, a message from Sid was enough to brighten up Mansi’s day.

Gradually casual calls to keep themselves updated of the latest happenings in the others’ life, made a permanent entry in their routines.
They would talk for hours discussing topics ranging from the current job scenario to existence of God; from impact of global warming to Aishwarya’s marriage.
How and when they became each others raison d'être of existence was still unknown to them.

It was 7 am, Ö so long, the train wasn’t to arrive till ten at Kirkee station and off they would be ,to Goa, at noon.

Checking on her sleeping roommate, she picked up the morning paper ready for her soduko.
But, she couldn’t concentrate; her heart was making its presence felt in anticipation of what was to come……

At last, she got ready, picked up her bag, and took an auto for the station.
As she waited for the train, she ebbed into her past, recalling the conversations they had had. The thought, that she would actually be seeing him after so long still seemed like a wishful dream. She had lost count of the innumerable conversations she had had with him…but without him... fighting... making up…. recounting her day : Often smiling to herself…. as she was this very moment..

The moment the train was announced, her heartbeat took flight..
“Oh God! Why am I getting nervous, as if I am going for an interview”
‘Chill Mansi!! Just chill,’ she tried to calm herself , as she moved forward. The train slowed and then screeched to halt. Her heart missed a beat.

Blue jeans, white T shirt ……. She recollected the description, Sid had given. But this is so common…. Oh!

Meanwhile in the compartment,
“Hey Sid”, Manu shouted as he got down his bag from the upper berth “ How will you identify her ?”
“Look for Beige cargos, and pink top, that’s what she told me”

“Is she beautiful” enquired Jai teasingly.
‘Why don’t you see that for yourself when you meet her?’ Sid shot back.

Her eyes suddenly rested on a guy, getting down from the train, as she was searching among the crowd. It’s him. She tried to reaffirm her past memories she had of Sid. How could I miss those dimples?
She moved forward making way amidst the humanity which had just got down from the train.
The long awaited group managed to catch their breath after assembling near the wheeler.
“Hi people!” She waved to all of them, clearing her throat.
For a split second, Sid stood rooted to the spot allowing her voice to sink in. Its true!! Gathering himself back to the present, “Hey !!.... Hi Mansi!! ”
“You’ve been waiting long?!”, Deepa remarked.
“Not really, I guess just about ten minutes, the train is surprisingly on time today.
Want some water ? ”
‘”Oh! No thanks…, we still have some left with us” replied Manu.
“Ahh… Mansi!.. yes… meet my friends”, began Sid. “This is ………’
“Deepa, you are Manu, and you must be Jai … right ….,”. Mansi completed.
“Oh wow !!!“exclaimed Jai,”…..too good!.”
They made their way to the Pune station, while making small talk about the journey, Pune, Jaipur, Goa,……
The journey from Pune to Goa takes 8 hours.
As the night drew closer, they all got ready to get down from the train. There was still an hour left to reach Goa.

Mansi got up to wash her face, but then decided to stand for sometime at the door.
She leaned against one side of the door, facing the cool, moist wind, her hands holding on to the handle tightly.
Scores of palm and coconut trees went past her eyes. The moon shined brightly on her face, as if trying to get a clearer & closer look.
A wisp of hair played with the wind on her cheeks. She was just ready to curl back in her thoughts when Sid joined her. He stood opposite to her, so that he could see her. Then on an impulse he stepped forward and pulled the strand behind her ears. For a second she lost her breath, as her body stiffened.
For some moments they stood there, without saying a word, looking out of the train.
Finally after sometime, Sid broke the silence. “You have been to Goa before, right ?, how is the place like?”
Goa !! she exclaimed…… well...she thought for a few moments…”in short, no matter what I tell you, it’s a place which every person discovers in his or her own way. It has something for everyone. ”
Last time I came with my parents, so we saw this place like any typical Indian tourist. Everything planned beforehand, and everyone following the plan religiously. Even if you felt like staying there for some more time, you couldn’t. she finished saying.

“well that was a bit heady description! ” remarked Sid.

I guess January is pretty good a month to visit it….he continued.. Am really looking forward to this trip ”

Me too, …..she smiled. .. a smile of all the smiles, which were to remain in his memories forever.

In sometime they arrived. Since they already had their bookings done, they reached their hotel and checked in at around midnight.

Tired, they hit the bed, without unpacking. Deepa woke up first, followed soon by Mansi. Neither of them expected the guys to to get up by themselves.
Hey Mansi, why don’t you wake them up, while I get ready.
Yeah sure !!
Their room was on the first floor. Mansi went down, and knocked a few times, her hands trembling slightly. She was surprised to find Sid answer the door in no time.
“Good morning !! Are you all awake ? We need to leave early”. She blurted out.
Yeah don’t worry !! I’ll make sure that they get ready on time. Replied Sid
Good, chalo I leave then, I have to get ready,” she turned around hurriedly.

Hey Mansi …. He called back suddenly realizing something.
Yes !!
Good morning to you too !!
Oh !!
I am sure we have enough time to have a cup of coffee ?

Yeah! She replied, realizing what a fool she had made of herself.
I hate you!! stupid girl !!why are you behaving like this she muttered to herself.
You came here all the way for him and now you are …….. ok !! admit it!! Shy or rather scared. He loves you, you know that !! then what is it that is making you behave this way !!

Her self admonition was broken by Sid “you ok ?, it won’t Take much time, I swear.”

Yeah m fine, lets go.

There were not many people in the dining hall, she noticed, as they took their place by the window overlooking the sea.
Sid, somehow realizing her reluctance, tried to talk her out of it. He talked about paragliding and banana ride, which he knew she was excited about.
And as they finished their coffee, Mansi was actually thankful to him, for it.

Uptil now, a part of her mind was constantly trying to compare him with the image she had formed about him over the year.
This too ended with the coffee. Sometimes small things/gestures help you out of your dilemma.

They all hit the road by eleven, and after hiring three bikes, set off for Aguada Fort.

It seems as if we are still in college, remarked Mansi, with the unmistakable excitement in her voice.
But its hardly been a year out of college, I am still a student at heart… added Sid.
Well that is evident from the way you are driving ...
Hey !! is there something wrong in it !!
No !! in fact nothing except for the speed, which as I can see has crossed 80.

Well, then ….changing his tone ….. passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts, as the plane is about to cross the 100 kmph speed barrier …

You think you can scare me …...This passenger is all set for it , as she brought her arms around his waist and held him…tight.

Sid, thoroughly amused by her gesture, remarked in low voice“ I wonder if I’ll ever understand you completely”
Did you say something?
Hmmm….oh no…nothing,… Here we gooooo……..

They sped past the other two bikes, as Mansi called out to them “ See you all at the fort”
Scores of palm and mangroves, and local settlements went past them in a flash.
When finally they reached the foot of the hill Sid slowed down and turned off the ignition, even as Mansi heaved a sigh. She loosened her hold and rested her head on his back. Then surprising even herself, she pulled herself back kissed him on his back gently and almost whispered “love you” before sinking her face again. As he heard it, he took one of her palms in his and held it softly, tracing circles at the back of it with his thumb.

Then for a few minutes of what seemed like an eternity, they stayed like that, with the silence reaffirming their desire to be one another’s throughout life.

The sound of bikes, from far broke the stillness. As Mansi pulled herself back, Sid caught a glimpse of her, with an assured smile, in the mirror. They all spent around two hours at the fort, taking pics in different poses and frames, trying to relive the Dil Chahta Hai moments.
While coming back they had nimbu paani on the way. Before hitting the beach, the group had their lunch, on Deepa advice. That done they drove towards the beach.

Hey Manu look up, shouted Jai…… pointing towards a parachute which had just taken off…
oh wow amazing…..We’ll do that for sure !!!
I just can’t wait to be up there, Mansi chipped in earnestly.
They spent the afternoon swimming, going for banana rides, driving sea scooter …….. and ParaGliding.

As Sid and Mansi left ground, the scenery around transformed …… the higher they went, the more they found themselves enchanted ……. Below them was the vast expanse of the sea and before them was the horizon with the sun pondering to set in.
Just then they turned their heads back to see what they hadn’t even imagined or thought of. The view of the state painted in green brown and blue, bordering the sea seemed to complete A DREAM.
When the sun bid goodbye, they changed to dry clothes and relaxed with hot chocolate, beer and French fries near the beach till sky was dotted with stars.

After a lazy yet sumptous dinner which lasted for more than an hour, Manu suggested to go to some pub where they could party till morning …….
Not wishing to spoil their mood by saying no, Mansi wished, a wish straight form the heart……. “Oh God !....... you know well ….. Do something na !!”
Then she looked at Sid who was smiling.

Without euphemizing, he looked at Deepa and winked “Hey, don’t you people think, its high time you must leave us alone ?We’ve got only a day left with us.”
Ah ha !! exclaimed Jai and Manu together.
Mansi stood there transfixed “Huh !! Do I really know him …… ?’

Ok guys leave them,…….said Deepa, then turning to Sid, hope to see you both at breakfast.
But what about the party ……. Manu tried”….


For some time they walked along the beach with the waves just giving up at their feet.

Hey but where are we going? asked Mansi
‘dunno…………lets see’ said Sid; then looking at her ‘……… are you scared ?’
‘mmmmm……. Yes and ……….no !!’ her eyes meeting his for a moment.

As they teased each other, they kept on walking along the beach for sometime before deciding to sit.
The waves lapped at their feet, while the cool breeze tried to get a few words of their sweet nothings.
Up above, the moon was playing hide and seek with the clouds (almost set to moisten the sense and spirit).

Not fair Sid, just another day and we won’t be together any more …….
Hmmm ………I know ……. Hey don’t use that word any more, just few months may be and I’ll be taking up a job here.
I hope it happens soon.
Oh ho! we have so little time with us, now don’t spoil your mood with such thoughts.
Hmmm ……. Mansi tried to say further but couldn’t.

There was so much to talk about, so much to confess; so many things to share………. But now, it was only silence which spoke

Mansi, ….. what is this …??.. taking away the pearl which just left her eyes, then in a bid to cheer her up……… well I just remembered, we had planned to put our salsa classes to practice here.
Come Mansi, get up, it will be fun!! prodded Sid while straightening the creases of his T-Shirt as he stood up.
Hey wait, but where is the music ??
He bent and whispered in her ears “In your heart, sweetheart, listen !!”.
As she stood up, he offered his hand and asked
“May I have the pleasure of dancing with the love of my life ”
“Sure you do” she replied coyly, as he held her hand in a firm yet gentle way

Starting with forward and backward basics, they moved onto different side basics, and then the turns and twirls. It was just a matter of minutes and their bodies it seemed to be moving to a divine rhythm.
While moving front and back, Sid swung open his hands, as Mansi rolled out stretching her unlocked arm in the air. They stood still for a moment, and then he pulled her gently. Mansi took two turns, stood before Sid, both facing the sea. Sid locked his palms before her, and as she pressed hers against them, he lifted her above the ground slowly taking one full turn. By the time he brought her down, a light drizzle had already begun, forcing quite a few to move indoors.

Look what you brought with you from above. He chuckled.
“Seems as if, even the heaven has conspired to make this moment the most cherished one of our lives.” Completed Mansi.

Then with a slight jerk he pushed her back, and then pulled her towards himself. Even as he did so, their eyes met and Mansi knew.
The moment he left her hand and held her by her waist, she complemented it by folding her legs and allowing herself to be lifted up by pressing her hands against his shoulders.
When he finally lifted her up, she threw back her head, with a spontaneous smile.
Drops of rain fell on her face, but she was as oblivious to it as to the
After a moment she bent her head towards him, and as she did, their gazes locked.
A shiver ran down her spine, as she took the first step steeling her fate forever.
Moving her hand she traced the back of his neck upwards; her fingers fumbled before digging into his hair.

He slowly lowered her, still holding the eye contact. His breathing increased,
she smiled on that, closed her eyes calmly and kissed him on his forehead.
As she lifted her hand to brush the stray lock off his forehead while progressing with her maiden kiss trail to his eyes, his nose, his cheek and finally…… he snapped.. taking her lips hard and soft at the same time. She gave up in his arms, he tightened them even more, as they both lost themselves …………