She Loves Me – She Loves Me Not : A Love Story

SHE LOVES ME – SHE LOVES ME NOT

Short Fiction – A Love Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

SHE LOVES ME

“Are you crazy…? You are refusing a prestigious foreign assignment just because of her…?”

“Yes. I always want to be near her. I can’t bear to go away so far away from her.”

“So – if we send her along with you on the foreign assignment – then you are ready to go.”

“Yes.”

“Sorry – but we cannot do that – there is only one vacancy – only one person can go on that foreign assignment – and it is you. So – you have to go alone.”

“Then – I will refuse to go on the foreign assignment – I told you that I cannot bear to be so far away from her – and that too for so many days.”

“You seem to be crazily in love with her.”

“Yes. I love her so much. Do you know that I hate weekends – because I have to be without her...? I desperately wait for Monday – when I can be with her in the office.”

“You don’t see her on weekends…? Are you telling me that you haven’t even taken her out on a date…?”

“No. We meet only in office.”

“I hope you have told her that you love her.”

“No. There is no need to for me to tell her that I love her.”

“What do you mean by “there is no need to tell her that you love her”…? How will she come to know that you love her…?”

“She knows that I love her.”

“But – does she love you…?”

“Yes. She loves me.”

“How do you know…? Did she tell you that she loves you…?”

“There is no need for her to tell me that she loves me – I know that she loves me.”

“Well – that I am going to find out – whether – She Loves You – or – She Loves You Not...”

30 MINUTES LATER

SHE LOVES ME NOT

“Well – I have found out about her. You will be shocked to know that she does not love you. Yes – she does not love you.”

“Of course she loves me.”

“No – she does not love you.”

“How do you know...?”

“You refused to go on the foreign assignment – because you are so much in love with her – that you could not bear to be separated from her.”

“Yes.”

“Well – I offered her the same foreign assignment – and – she accepted.”

“What…?”

“Yes. I told her that she would have to go overseas all alone – that – she would have to stay abroad for at least one year...” 

“And she accepted your offer to go overseas…? All alone...? Without me...?”

“Yes. I thought she would refuse to go alone – just like you did – because she is in love with you and cannot bear to be separated from you. But – she jumped at the opportunity. She said she was ready to fly abroad even today – if required.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. We offered her the foreign assignment – and she accepted. So now – she will be going abroad on that prestigious foreign assignment – instead of you. She has grabbed the opportunity meant for you – just because you refused to go – because you love her so much that you could not bear to be separated from her.”

“Oh, No…!!!”

“Meanwhile – you can fall in love with someone else in the office – and to find out – whether she loves you too – you can take a rose flower – and start plucking its petals – and – play the game: “She Loves Me – She Loves Me Not”...”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This fiction short story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised repost of my story SHE LOVES ME SHE LOVES ME NOT which was written by me Vikram Karve one year ago in the February 2006 and earlier posted on my creative writing blog on Feb 18, 2016 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/02/she-loves-me-she-loves-me-not.html

Room 406 – a Geek, a Nerd, a Dork, and Flirty Banter

ROOM 406

a GEEK a NERD a DORK and and FLIRTY BANTER 

Fiction Short Story – A Romance 

By 

VIKRAM KARVE

It is late and the bar at the Savoy in Mussoorie is almost empty.

There are just three people in the bar.

A couple, a man and a woman – probably in their thirties – sit together on a sofa. 

And on the couch just behind them sits a solitary man – unseen – in the shadows – drinking quietly. 

It is quite dark as the lights are dim.

In fact the lights are so dim that the man and the woman can hardly see each other’s face.

They have been drinking for quite some time.

The woman appears pleasantly drunk as she engages the man in some light-hearted banter.

She slurs loudly as she speaks. 

“She dumped you, isn’t it?” the woman says to the man, her drinking companion.  

“No. That’s not true. Leena did not dump me. It was I who left her...” the man says emphatically. 

“Come on, Anil. Do you think I don’t know everything about you two?” 

“You don’t. You know nothing. It was I who left her. I told you once – and I am telling you again! Leena did not dump me. I dumped her. I did not want to live with Leena – so I left her. Yes – it was I who dumped Leena.”  

“Don’t fib...!”  

“Fib...? Why should I fib...?”  

“Masculine pride...!”  

“Masculine pride...? What nonsense...!” 

“When a man ditches a woman she gains sympathy – but when a woman dumps a man he becomes a laughing stock, a subject of ridicule.”  

“So?”  

“That’s why you ran away from Bangalore after spreading false stories all around that you were the one who had split up with her – when actually it was Leena who had dumped you unceremoniously,” the woman jeers loudly. 

“Talk softly,” the man says.  

“Why? You are afraid of the truth, is it?”  

“I told you it is not true. We had our differences. And I wanted a change of job.” 

“Anil – do you know why Leena dumped you? Because you are a bloody ‘loser’. A born loser!”  

“Who told you that?”  

“She did. I will never forget what Leena told me about you. Anil – do you want to hear Leena’s exact words? Listen carefully to what she said about you: ‘Anil is a born loser who is content to wallow in the gutter and see others climb mountains’. That’s why she left you. Leena was very ambitious. She wanted to go places – she wanted to have the best things in life. She did not want to ruin her life with you – she thought you are a man with no future – a namby-pamby who has no ambition, no drive. Leena told me that you were a namby-pamby good-for-nothing geek.”  

“Namby-pamby? Good-for-nothing geek? She called me that?”  

“That’s what she told me.”  

“She told you? When? Where?”  

“Last year. In Pune. During this same annual IT Seminar. She had flown down to Pune from the America. She even presented a paper – I’m sure it was plagiarized from something you had written – or from the notes you kept giving her about your work and research.” 

“I am not interested!”  

“Leena is real smart – a real scheming bitch. She mesmerizes you with her wily charms – uses you to get ahead – and then jettisons you – just throws you away when she’s got what she’s wanted. Like toilet paper!”

“You are calling me ‘Toilet Paper’?”

“Shall I use a better metaphor than toilet paper?” the woman starts giggling, and says, “She treated you like a bloody pad – a sanitary napkin! Use and throw – straight into the dustbin.” 

“Shut up, will you?” the man shouts angrily, “Let’s go now. You are drunk.”

“I still remember our Bangalore days when you used to grovel at her feet – your tongue drooling like a lapdog. And now look where she’s reached – she is the hot shot CEO of a top IT company while you wallow in your self-made misery as a ‘Nobody’ in some nondescript place.”  

“Please, Nanda! Let’s go,” the man says, exasperated.  

But the woman is in no mood to go – so she ignores him – and she continues talking loudly, “Leena is smart! She told me she’d managed to hook some NRI Head Honcho. He’s an American citizen too. Her life is made!”  

“Maybe, she’ll use him and dump him too!” the man says sardonically.  

“Hey! You have accepted it! You have accepted that she dumped you. I was right! That calls for a drink.”  

“No. You have already had three big bottles of beer.”  

“Who’s counting?” the woman says happily, lurching from her seat, “Okay. If I have had too much beer – now I’ll have whisky!” 

The woman picks up the man’s whisky glass – drinks the whisky ‘bottoms up’ in one go – and she exclaims at the top of her voice: “Cheers! Down the hatch!”  

“What’s wrong with you?” the man scolds her, “Don’t you know – Beer and Whisky – it’s risky.”  

“Risky! And frisky! I want to feel frisky.”  

“You shouldn't drink so much.”  

“Why?”  

“Someone may take advantage of you!”  

“Ha! Maybe I want to be taken advantage of – yes – it’s been a long time since anyone took ‘advantage’ of me – come – take advantage of me,” the woman says loudly.

Then the woman snuggles up to the man, and she says to him, “Come on, Lovey-dovey. Cuddle me. Do something naughty to me – like you used to do to Leena. Remember…”  

“Shut up. Someone will hear!”  

“Come on sweetie-pie, don't be such a killjoy,” the woman says snuggling even closer, “No one will see, no one will hear. We are all alone. There is no one here!”  

“We are not alone,” the man whispers gravely, noticing the solitary figure in the shadows for the first time.

He moves close to the woman and says softly into her ear, “Don’t look behind you.”  

“Where?” the woman shouts in surprise – and she turns around.

The drunk woman sees the silhouette of the man – and she brazenly calls out to him, “Hey Mr. Eavesdropper! What are you doing sitting all alone? Come, why don’t you join us?”  

“Thanks. But it’s okay. I’m fine here,” the stranger says.  

“No! No! Come on. Have a drink with us. Don’t be a snob!” the woman shouts drunkenly.

Then the woman tries to get up and reels towards the stranger.

Seeing her swaying and lurching in an inebriated manner, the stranger quickly joins them, pulling up a chair opposite the sofa.

“I hope we have not been disturbing you,” the man says to the stranger, “We’re sorry. We thought we were all alone in the bar.”  

“Not at all!” the stranger says, “in fact, I have been enjoying your flirty banter.” 

“Flirty banter? Wow! That calls for a drink!” the woman says.  

“Certainly. My pleasure! The drinks are on me,” the stranger says.  

“That’s the spirit,” the woman roars.  

“Nanda – please – I think you have had enough to drink,” the man pleads with his woman companion.  

“I insist,” the stranger says, “just one last drink.”  

“Just one last drink!” the woman repeats drunkenly, “I’ll have whisky!”

The stranger orders a round of drinks.

The drinks arrive.

Then the stranger silently sips his drink – he seems to be quite drunk – his eyes closed – as if in stupor.

Meanwhile the flirty couple – the man and woman – Anil and Nanda – continue their flirty banter.

The woman takes a gulp of whisky, and then she says to her companion, “Anil – I am going to give you a real surprise!”  

“Surprise?”  

“We’ll all go and wake up Leena!”

“Leena? She’s here? In Mussoorie?”  

“Yes, my dear. Leena is coming for the seminar too. She must have arrived in the evening when we had gone out for our romantic walk to Lal Tibba.”

“How do you know?”

“I was the one who called her for this seminar,” the woman says.

“What? You did not tell me!” the man says, totally surprised. 

“Of course not! And by the way – I have not told Leena that you would be here for the seminar. I am just waiting to see the fireworks when you two meet.” 

“I’m going back!” the man says.  

“You still desperately love her, don’t you? After all that she has done to you – Leena destroyed your life, your career – and you still love her.”

“No. I am not in love with Leena.”  

“You’re still scared of her, aren’t you? Tell me Anil – you are still scared of Leena, aren’t you?”  

“No. I am not scared of Leena.”  

“Then why are you afraid of facing her? Come on, Anil, be a man! Ask her why she dumped you so unceremoniously. Leena owes you a bloody explanation, doesn’t she?” 

The woman pulls the man’s hand and she lurches, “Come. We’ll go to the reception and find out in which room Leena is staying.” 

The stranger – who has been sitting silent all this while – suddenly speaks. 

“Leena is in Room 406...” the stranger says wryly.  

“Room 406...? How do you know?” the woman asks – wide-eyed – trying to focus on the stranger.  

“I am Leena’s husband,” the stranger says, matter-of-factly. 

Then the stranger keeps his glass on the table – and he silently walks out of the bar.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This story was written by me Vikram Karve 12 years ago in the year 2006 and earlier posted online in my creative writing blog on Feb 10, 2006 at url: http://creative.sulekha.com/banter_29171_blog  and subsequently I have posted this story a number of times in my various blogs at urls: https://vikramwkarve.wordpress.com/2007/05/18/tete-a-tete/  and http://vikramwamankarve.blogspot.in/2006_04_01_archive.html?m=0  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/01/geek-nerd-dork-and-some-flirty-banter.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/02/banter-flirty-romance.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/02/why-did-she-dump-me.html etc

National Science Day Musings

Today – February 28 – is observed as “NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY” in India.

On the 28^th of February 1928 – celebrated Indian Scientist Sir CV Raman discovered a phenomenon of scattering of photons – which was later known as “Raman Effect” after his name. 

After two years – in 1930 – Sir CV Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for this remarkable discovery and this was the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of Science. 

To mark the discovery his famous phenomenon – “National Science Day” is celebrated in India on the 28^th of February every year.

Do you know the meaning of the term “SCIENCE”...?

Do you know the difference between “Science”, “Technology” and “Engineering”...?

Can you tell me:

What is the difference between a Scientist – a Technologist – and – an Engineer...? 

I remember that I had been asked a similar question about the definition of Science, Engineering and Technology many years ago when I used to conduct an induction training program – and – in response – in addition to answering the question – I had written a blog post on the subject.

Let me delve into my academic writing journal archives and pull out this article which I had written long back – around 9 years ago – in the year 2008 – during my “Professorship” days...

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING
Meaning and Definition
By 
VIKRAM KARVE

From my Academic Writing Archives:

Here is an article I wrote during my teaching days, while conducting an induction training program, around 9 years ago, in the year 2008...

SCIENCE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY –  SCIENTIST, ENGINEER, TECHNOLOGIST  –  What is the Difference...?

Long back – during my teaching days – when I was talking to some youngsters undergoing an induction training program – I realized that they did not know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology. 

Some of the trainees had degrees in Technology (B.Tech. / M.Tech.), some had degrees in Engineering (B.E. / M.E.) and a few had degrees in Science (B.Sc., B.S., M.Sc., M.S). 

I called two trainees.

One had a B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) degree in Electrical Engineering.

The other had a B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) degree in the same discipline.

I asked then what was the difference between a B. Tech. degree and a B.E. degree...?

They were clueless. 

By the way – in addition to BE and B. Tech. – in earlier times – some Universities awarded the B.Sc. (Engineering) and B.Sc (Technology) degrees to Engineering/Technology Graduates too.

I asked all the trainees if they knew the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology...?

No one seemed to know. 

Tell me – do you know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology...?

In many research organizations – like DRDO – even Engineers and Technologists are designated as “Scientists”. 

Do you know what is the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering...?

Can you tell me what is the difference between a Scientist – a Technologist – and – an Engineer...? 

Let me try to elaborate – in as simple a way as possible.

SCIENCE and the SCIENTIST

Science is the reasoned investigation or study of natural phenomena with the objective of discovering new principles and knowledge of natural phenomena.

The principal goal of a Scientist is to publish a research paper. 

Nowadays, the sheer manner in which so many papers are churned out it seems that many research papers are seen to be written and not written to be seen.

Of course, a genuine Scientist will try and ensure that a research paper must be written to be seen and not seen to be written. 

TECHNOLOGY and the TECHNOLOGIST

Technology is the practical application of science.

Technology includes the skill, technique and knowledge of the manipulation of nature for human purposes, using scientific results and knowledge.

The principal goal of a Technologist is to produce some physical change in the world. 

ENGINEERING and the ENGINEER 

Engineering is the professional art of using technology (the practical application of science) for achieving the optimum conversion of the resources of nature for the benefit of humankind.

In order to exploit technology, the engineer applies scientific principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes and systems. 

The principal goal of an Engineer is to design, create and produce new tools, machines and systems for practical human means by exploiting technology.

 

WHO IS MOST USEFUL TO SOCIETY – SCIENTIST TECHNOLOGIST or ENGINEER...?

In a nutshell:

a Scientist studies nature

a Technologist manipulates nature 

an Engineer exploits technology for human purposes.

While Scientists may, at times, may conduct scientific studies for the sake of discovery, Engineers and Technologists always try to have in mind the ultimate benefit of humankind and results of their work are invariably beneficial for human purposes.

Engineering is the art of optimally using technology and is primarily concerned with how to direct to useful and economical ends the natural phenomena which scientists discover and formulate into acceptable. 

Engineering therefore requires the creative imagination to innovatively apply technology in order to obtain useful applications of natural phenomena. 

It seeks newer, cheaper, better technologies of using natural sources of energy and materials. 

Science pertains more to Academic Education – whereas Engineering is related to Skill Development.

It will primarily be Engineers who can make the recent “Make in India” campaign a success – of course – with support from Scientists and Technologists.

 

So we can infer that the Engineer is the one who is most useful to society and humankind – isn’t it?

Dear Reader – do you agree? 

Or – do you feel that the Scientist is more important that the Engineer...? 

Or – do you think there is no difference between Science, Technology and Engineering...? 

Please do give your views and comments.

ENGINEERING – Definition

A Gobbledygook Definition of ENGINEERING

Now I have tried to tell you in as simple a way as possible, but if you prefer Gobbledygook read on:

The American Engineers’ Council for Professional Development  has defined Engineering as follows: 

 

Engineering is:

“The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property”

WHY INDIA IS STILL TECHNOLOGICALLY BACKWARD DESPITE INVESTING SO MUCH MONEY AND HUMAN RESOURCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

India could not capitalize on its Scientific Developments since our Engineering and Technology were weak. 

There is no use pursuing scientific research without strong engineering capability and robust technological base. 

There is no use inventing and discovering new things if you cannot utilize your inventions and discoveries for the benefit of mankind.

CONCLUSION

I think I will end with a quote:

“A good Scientist is a person with original ideas. 
A good Engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. 
There are no ‘Prima Donnas’ in Engineering”

                                                                     ~ Freeman Dyson 

Now – Dear Reader – you tell me – who do you think is most useful to society – a Scientist – a Technologist – or – an Engineer...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)