WILD SUMMER ECHOES

EPISODE ONE

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." -Lao Tzu

NEW DELHI

An eerie silence descended on the streets of the city of New Delhi. The head of the religious community was murdered. Bundles of old currency notes were placed around his neck by the killers. People gathered around the body seething with fury and vengeance. The perpetrators of the heinous crime were unidentified. Although there was a silent oath of revenge no one voiced it aloud. But the anger was building up in a quiet frenzy. Even the media was cautious expecting a terrible backlash. The Government asked the citizens to keep calm and assured them that it will get hold of the killers very soon. There were secret meetings and closed door discussions. The city was divided and the public anticipated a strike back. But no one predicted that it would take such a disastrous turn…

Another Suburb in New Delhi…

Sahana, Sandip and their families were attending a marriage of their neighbour’s daughter. The Mandap (wedding hall) was getting decorated for the occasion and the elders were waiting for the priest to begin the wedding rituals. In the same venue, the youngsters were having fun in the ball room, dancing to the DJ’s mix of latest popular songs. Sandip was having the time of his life with a group of attractive girls who had surrounded him. The other guys envied him. Sandip was always the centre of attraction in any party or function. The girls were always drawn to him and he flirted like crazy…

Sahana sat in one of the hall and observed the dance. She had danced for a while but took a break now. Her heels were giving her trouble. Moreover, she was bored with the same old dance tunes and steps. She picked a glass of lemonade and enjoyed watching her best friend Sandip grooving in the middle of the group of girls who were trying to gain his attention. Sahana rolled her eyes at his attempts to charm them. She got up and walked back to the venue where the wedding was to take place that night. It was the wedding of her neighbour’s daughter and all the families from her locality had assembled for the wedding. They all knew each other since childhood.

Sandip noticed Sahana leaving the dance venue. He excused himself from the group of dancers and went in search of her. He found her among the ladies who were sitting in a circle and chatting. They were waiting for the bride. When he saw Sahana seated behind the ladies with a bored expression and checking her mobile for messages, he was amused and approached her.

“Hello, what are you doing here? The dance venue is there...” he pointed towards the hall from where he came.

One of the ladies noticed him and gushed “Arrey Sandip, you look so cute…” Sandip closed his eyes in irritation and he felt like strangling the woman…

“Aunty, I am not cute…You are the one who is cute especially in that Sari…” the woman blushed and laughed happily. Sahana’s mother Mallika asked “Sandip, where is uncle?”

“Aunty, they are entertaining everyone with their jokes and drinks upstairs.” he replied winking at Sahana,

“Hmm, if they drink too much, I will not allow them inside the house….”she mumbled angrily,

“Please aunty.…” Sandip folded his hands and pleaded “If you don’t allow, imagine my plight!?”

One of the neighbours who had known Sandip since childhood asked “Why? Why would you take stress?”

“Aunty, if Dinanath uncle is not allowed inside the house, they will ask me to convey messages and I will spend the whole night being a courier and I would hardly get any sleep….” He explained with a naughty grin. The women laughed, murmuring “Poor thing…”

Sahana watched the whole scenario and muttered “Such a dramebaaz….”

Sandip took a seat next to Sahana and asked “Did you say something?”

“Such a dramebaaz you are…..Why don’t you join some theater club? You will become famous….” she taunted him

Sandip flicked his hair back and said “You know you are right. I am thinking of going to Mumbai and become a star like Shah Rukh or Salman. There is a shortage of good actors today. Maybe I will become another Amitabh Bachan..” he explained and enjoyed the annoying frown on Sahana’s face….”You are cute when you frown..” he added looking at her kohl lined dark eyes and red lipstick.. His heart thudded but he looked away. He adjusted the lens in his camera and clicked her photograph.

Sahana’s phone buzzed and she moved away to talk. Sandip frowned wondering about the caller. One of the neighbours asked Mallika “Have you started looking for a boy? Your girl is growing up into a beautiful woman. I know a boy….” She was about to begin when Sandip interrupted her,

“Aunty, if you are looking for a boy for Sahana, there are many stipulations…”

Mallika regarded him with a grimace and asked “What stipulations?”

Sandip signalled Sahana to come back. She ended her call, walking back.

“Aunty, Sahana likes a boy who listens to her, who dances to her tune and cooks for her….Because no one can eat the food she cooks…” he explained with mock sincerity and Sahana pounded on his shoulder with her fists. The ladies laughed and one of them said “Mallika, you should marry your Sahana to Sandip. They are made for each other and Sandip will cook for his bride.”

“Oh please aunty! I don’t want to marry a stupid guy like Sandip.” Sahana muttered in annoyance.

Mallika admonished Sahana “How rude Sahana!”

“Ma, Sandip can talk rudely but when I say anything you scold me.”

She walked away angrily and Sandip followed her “Sahana, I was just teasing…”

**********

The women watched them leave and sighed. Such a cute pair of friends! They looked at Mallika and said “You have been so nice to Sandip since his mother died years ago. You have literally looked after him. Govind Singh should thank you.”

Mallika smiled softly and replied “Dinanath and Govind Singh have been friends for so many years. They are almost like brothers and Sandip’s mother used to help me a lot when I got sick during pregnancy.”

They nodded reminiscing old days when Sandip’s mother was alive. She died of pneumonia when Sandip was three years old and since then, Mallika has taken care of him. They lived next door and Sahana and Sandip grew up together as best friends.

To be continued.....