I Have You - Episode 28: He took a box from his bag. I was curious and I opened it.

I spoke to Teja, "These aren't a computer program! You write some code and hurray everything's connected! It is my feeling! How can you change it?".

He smiled and said nothing. What can he say? He is still digesting the words I spoke to him. I should leave him alone. I was about to leave and I saw Vennela arriving. I remembered an unread message from Vennela. I took my mobile and saw it. It was, "Ash! Do you still want freedom from me?". I replied back, "Yes! 😜". She was walking inside, stopped and saw my message. She looked at me, smiled and came to me, "Ash! Ash!". We were just smiling at each other like mad people.

"Vennela, please help me vacate the other bedroom. Teja wants to get some renovations done in that room. It's better if we get that done today!". Vennela and I went back to the penthouse and started vacating the other room. I was remembering the words Teja spoke before Vennela arrived.

"Ash! You had an option to like Anvesh! Now you have an option to accept me! I think you can rule out Anvesh! When I proposed to you, he was always behind me encouraging. He never stood up saying, "Stay away Teja! She is my girl!" So.. ruled out! There would be one more option for you, to marry some person your parents will choose for you. I heard someone say a known devil is better than an unknown angel. I am that known devil. I am the best option in any case.".
"Stop boasting Teja!", I told him.
He spoke out immediately, "I said I am a devil! In what case it can be considered as boasting!".
I clarified to him, "You said you are the best option! That is called boasting! Anyway, You are not a devil! No need to feel bad about yourself!".
He was happy to hear that, "If I am not a devil! I am an angel! Isn't it? Still the best option for you!". He called Anvesh and was telling him that I called him an angel. I denied it.
Teja asked me, "But I am Mr. Arrrogant! Why did you say that I am not a devil?".
I replied to him, "Because you are not a devil! I know that!".
I should just ask him to stop and spoke to Teja, "Teja! These aren't a computer program! You write some code and hurray everything's connected! It is my feeling! How can you change it? It would be better if you forget all about this!". He smiled, sighed a 'No' to my words, stood up and went to the juice counter.

Now when I remember his words, they feel good. There was nothing wrong with his words.

Next-Day! I cooked breakfast for me and Vennela. She was getting late and she wasn't even taking her call. I went to her home. It was locked and I was going back. I met Vennela and Teja near the stairs.
"Ash! Please wait for a few minutes! I will get ready! We can start soon!", Vennela was requesting me.
I smiled back and said, "I will pack breakfast for you!".
She was happy and was going inside.
Teja asked Vennela, "What about my breakfast?".
She answered him saying, "You can just eat anything! I will eat at Ashs' place!".
Teja was thinking while he spoke these words, "I think I heard this somewhere!".
Vennela smiled. She was happy to say this to Teja, "You always say these words to me when you are planning to visit Anvesh's place.".
She went inside. Teja was standing in front of me. We were silent.
I need to speak something, "Where are you people coming from?".
"We went to drop Padma at Anshu's place.", He told me.
"I heard this name somewhere!", I was speaking to myself.
"My grandmother! She is here!", Teja spoke to me and he continued, "We went to drop her at Anshu's place! Uncle and Aunty were also here. Vennela was getting late so, I brought her here. I should have had my breakfast when Anshu asked me. Uh-uh".
We smiled at each other and dispersed.


After work, I was relaxing and watching some songs on TV. I heard someone ring my doorbell. It must be Vennela but I kept the door open for her. Why is she ringing the bell? I opened the door. It was Anvesh! I was surprised! He never visited us at the penthouse even when Anshu was living here. He looked at me and started laughing.
"What?", I asked him curiously.
He said, "I have never seen you dressed so funny!".
I realized that I was in my pajamas and I didn't even brush my hair yet. I made Anvesh sit on the sofa. I went inside, brushed my hair and sat with him. I lowered the TV volume.
"Anvesh! What bring's you here?", I asked him.
He was speaking with hesitation, "I have to hand this over to you!".

He took a box from his bag. I was curious and I opened it. It was a purple watch. It was similar to the one I have.
"What is this Anvesh?", I shouted at him.
He was speechless. He was showing weird kind of expressions on his face. He was scared to hand this over to me. Yet! he is here to do that. It looks like he won't be speaking anymore. I would have to ask him some questions to understand the situation.



-(to be continued)





Authored by Shabbu White

I Have You - Episode 27: If I make you feel connected! Would you accept me?

Vennela was standing in front of me! She was about to cry because I was ignoring her.
"I am not mad at youVennela!", I told her.
She asked me, "Then why are you behaving like this?".
"Your brother!" I answered her.
She was silent and she started looking into her phone. She showed me her credit card statement, "See! I am the one who bought that watch!".
I countered her back saying, "Even if you pay! I am very sure it is your brother who selected it! I also know why he selected that watch in particular!".
"What you said is true! I won't deny it!" she spoke those words and was still standing inform of me.
"Vennela! I am really not mad you! I want to be alone! Please leave for now!" She listened to my words, agreed with me and left me alone.

Next day! I was at home all day. I rejected to meet anyone. I rejected to speak to anyone. I cooked my dinner and finished it all. I was getting bored, so I looked at my mobile. I saw missed calls from my mom and a few other messages. I intentionally muted my phone. I don't want anyone to disturb me. I ignored the messages and called my mom back. She asked me if I ate. I told her that I ate. She asked me if I cooked at home. She is like that. I assured her that I cooked at home. She felt that I was not in a good mood. She asked me what's happening. I told her that it was nothing. She was inquiring me, "Ash darling! Are you mad? Is it because I told you that I cannot come and live with you? Why don't you leave that job there? Or get a transfer? Or find a new job here? Are you speaking to Anshu? How is she? Don't you want to come back home? At least plan a vacation? This! That! Blah! Blah!". I listened to her and disconnected her call. There were messages from Anshu, Anvesh, Vennela and Teja.
I looked at Teja's first! "Ash! We should speak! I will wait at the juice bar near our home!"
Anvesh's message was "Sorry Ash!". Anshu's message was "Ash! You call me back, else I will kick you hard!". I smiled after reading Anshu's message and called her back. I didn't speak much. She could read my bad mood from my words. She told me that I should speak to Teja. She told me that Teja and Anvesh are the juice bar. I listened to her words and disconnected her call. I thought for a few minutes, I was avoiding to speak about Teja's feelings from the time he proposed to me. I decided it is time to speak to him. I washed my face. Changed into casual wear. I walked to the juice bar.

I entered the juice bar. Teja and Anvesh were seated at a table. I went to them and sat opposite Anvesh ignoring Teja. Anvesh smiled at me, he said sorry, stood up and went to order something for me. Teja changed his seat and sat opposite me. He was using a convincing tone.
"Ash! Why are you like this? Be yourself!".
"Who is the reason for my bad mood?", I made it clear to him that it was him.
"Ash! I am sorry! I lied to Shree! But I felt great lying to her!", he was smiling.
At that moment, I felt better. Is it because I helped him feel great in front of his ex-girlfriend? The person who is an indirect reason for Anvesh's suffering back in those days. I wasn't speaking a word and was into my thoughts.
"Ash! Please speak up! I said I am sorry!", he was requesting and Anvesh was back with the juice. He handed it over to me, took his mobile phone and went to call someone. I was concentrating on my juice. Ignore T E J A!
"Ash! Let's speak! Speak about us!", he said. I stopped him saying, "There is no "US" !".
He smiled and asked me, "Why did you say no when I proposed you?".
I said, "A No is a No!".
He spoke, "Yes! I heard it! I asked why? what's the reason?".
I asked him back, "Did I ever behave like I will say yes if you propose me?".
"No! But you were so much into Anvesh, I had to hurry up! This was the only way I could make you think about me! I don't want you to think about him!", he was pointing to Anvesh. I wasn't speaking.
He started speaking again, "Ash! I want to know the reason? Is it because I am arrogant!"
"Is it because you don't like me?" "Is it because you like Anvesh more?"
"Is it because of the college days?" "Is it because of the penthouse?"
My answer was no for all his questions. He asked me, "Then what's the reason for the rejection Ash!". I could feel the pain in his words. He spoke out again, "And you are not yourself from few days. That doesn't feel good!". I have to give him a proper answer. He was looking at me waiting for me to speak.
"Teja! I don't hate you! That doesn't mean I love you! I like you as a friend! You are a good guy! There is no need to hurt you!", I was speaking and he was listening carefully. I continued, "I wasn't interested in you. You come to me and you propose to me. I had no reason to dance, say yes to you and jump into a relationship! I don't feel a connection between us!". I was done speaking. He was into his thoughts. A smile came onto his face. I smiled back at him.
He was so confident speaking, "If I make you feel connected! Would you accept me?".
I answered him right away, "Yes!". Why did I say yes?  I was curious and I asked him, "But? What can anyone do about that?". He answered me, "I don't know but I will have to find a way!". His confidence made me smile. I wished him all the best!
He asked me, "Did you eat anything?".
I answered, "The only thing I am doing from yesterday is eating!".
We both smiled at each other!

-(to be continued)






Authored  by Shabbu White