INTRIGUING ROMANCE
ASHA
Romance
Story
By
VIKRAM
KARVE
_________
PART
1
Pune
_______
Her
name was Asha.
“Asha”
means “hope”.
I
hoped that she would fall in love with me.
So –
I tried my best to “woo” her.
I found
out what time she caught the PMT bus to her college – and – I contrived the “coincidence”
– and – I landed up at the bus stop on my motorcycle.
Asha
was standing at the bus stop – waiting for the bus.
“Come…”
I said to Asha, “I will drop you to college…”
“No…”
she said.
“Don’t
be so formal…” I said to her, “I am going that side – come – sit behind – I will
drop you…”
“No…”
she said with irritation on her face, “I will go by bus – you please go from
here…”
So –
I started my bike – and went away – disappointed.
I
felt snubbed – but – I didn’t give up hope.
A
few days later – I contrived another coincidence – and I accosted her on Main
Street.
(I
had overheard Asha telling her mother that after college she would be going to
Main Street to a famous ladies’ garments shop – so – I was patiently waiting
nearby – unseen – like a hunter lays in wait for his prey)
The
moment Asha came out of the shop – I smiled at her – and I said to her feigning
surprise: “What a delightful coincidence meeting you here – come – let’s go and
eat ice cream…”
“No…”
she said.
“Come
– don’t feel shy – you get the best ice cream here…” I said.
“No…”
she said.
“Okay
– if you don’t want ice cream – we can have something else…” I said.
“No…”
she said, “I am not interested in having ice cream or anything…”
“Okay
– at least let me drop you home – you are my neighbour – and I am going home – come – let’s go to my bike – it is parked across the road…” I said.
“No…”
Asha said curtly, “I will go by bus – you can go ahead on your bike…”
With
these words – Asha turned – and she walked away.
I
felt terribly humiliated by her rebuff.
So –
I gave up all hope – and – I stopped pursuing her.
________
PART
2
One
Year Later
Curzon
Road Apartments, New Delhi
_______
I
returned home one evening from work – and I was surprised to see Asha sitting
with my wife on the sofa.
“Hello,
Vikram…” Asha said.
“Hello…”
I said.
“You
look so smart in your Naval Uniform…” she said.
My
wife interrupted and said to me: “Why don’t you go inside and change – and freshen
up – I’ll make some tea for you…”
We
sat sipping tea in the balcony.
“It’s
so nice to see you…” Asha said to me – with a sweet smile.
I
was perplexed by her behaviour.
Earlier
– she had been so curt and unfriendly to me – and now – she was being so
gracious and friendly towards me.
“How
did you find my house…?” I asked Asha.
“Come
on, Vikram – you are my neighbour in Pune – I asked your mother…” she said.
“Asha
has told me all about you…” my wife said.
I
wondered what Asha had told my wife – so – I decided to change the topic.
“What
brings you to Delhi…?” I asked Asha.
“I
have got admission in a Post Graduate Course here…” she said.
She
told me the name of the institute – a most prestigious and premier institution.
“I
am staying in the hostel…” Asha said, “you are going to be my local guardian…”
“Local
Guardian…?” I said – taken aback.
“Yes…”
Asha said, “I have given your name…”
“Why
me…? I am so young…” I said.
“Come
on, Vikram – you are a Naval Officer…” she said.
My
wife changed the topic – and she talked about Delhi – what a lovely place it
was.
It
was getting dark – so I said to Asha: “How have you come…?”
“I
came by DTC Bus – there is a direct bus from our hostel gate to your place –
the bus stop is just outside Curzon Road Apartments…” Asha said.
“That’s
good…” I said to Asha, “it’s getting dark – come – we will walk you down to the
bus stop…”
“I
thought you will offer to drop me on your bike…” Asha said.
“Of
course…” my wife said, “Vikram will drop you to your hostel on his bike…”
Soon
– we – Asha and Me – we were driving on my bike towards her hostel – with Asha
sitting behind me – legs astride – and holding me tight.
On
the way – Asha said to me: “Let’s stop for some ice cream – there is a nice ice
cream parlour near our hostel…”
While
having ice cream – I asked her: “I don’t understand one thing – in Pune – you refused
to come with me on my bike – you refused to have ice cream with me – and now –
you asked me to drop you on my bike – and – you asked me to have ice cream with
you…”
“Now
– you are married…” Asha said to me with a sweet smile.
_________
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