HIS LAST NAME

CHAPTER - 1

17th May, 2013

"Krish!! Wake up!! You're going to get late again" I shouted while opening the curtains.

"Wake me up when it's 7:00 Sam" he replied in his sleepy voice.

"No Krish!! You need to wake up now. Also I'm leaving for Hyderabad today, will come back by the end of this weekend." I grabbed his arms and lurched him but failed.

"Okay, Tell me the arrival timing and I'll come to pick you at the airport" 

"We'll see" I didn't looked at him this time while replying.

"I said Sorry na ... Please forget what happened last time. I'll be there I promise." Said Krish while adjusting his eyes to the bright light that was falling on his face after I opened the curtains.

_______

3 days later,

Krish came to the airport to pick me up which was a bit surprising because he never do all these stuff. I know he already said this while I was leaving but he used to make those false promises every now and then. But, today's strange. 

"See!! I told you... And m here" Krish said while holding the car's door open for me.

"And I cannot digest this" I smiled and kissed his cheeks while throwing my luggage inside the car.

"So, how was your work trip? " He asked.

"Umm... It was okay. But, you know what??? I went to that place where we first met and It still hasn't changed a bit. I took Atharv there and he loved your favourite Thai food. I wish if you were there with us too." 

"Nevermind. I'll make thai curry and jasmine rice for us tonight" He took my hands into his and smiled.

This Krish behaviour isn't normal at all. Krish never plans a date. It was my forte. Something's weird. Is he gonna break-up and wanted me to not feel that bad. Or is he going to propose me? Either way I'm not ready for any change. Or else he has been diagnosed with last stage of some chronic ailment. No god!! Don't do this to him.

"What's the matter Krish? You're acting so weird. I know I always scold you for not doing things my way. But everything that you're doing right now feels so surreal. So better you tell me what's the matter?" I clenched his hands to draw his attention.

After hours and hours of inspecting him. He finally said " I know whatever I'm going to tell you is gonna feel overwhelming but please listen to me first and then react. " He parked the car along the road side asked me to get off the car. Benguluru is never this silent but somehow today I can actually listen the whispers of air. " Sam!! When you left that day for Hyderabad; I recieved a call from the States and they wanted me to join their team. I was glad first but then, I thought how hard it would be on us. And the thought of not getting to you see you again felt sacry. And I decided not to take that offer".

I didn't knew how to react; On one side knowing how much he cares about us was overwhelming but on the other side; him not been able to do grasp this opportunity was devastating. And I would not want that to happen. I hugged him and said " I know you Krish since the first day of our college. You were my only friend back then. Believe me no matter where you go or where I go; we cannot be drifted apart. And I don't want you to compromise because of us. Love sets people free ; it's not meant to put us in a cage of worries. I'll be the happiest if you take this offer." 

Krish hugged me tightly; I guess in that moment he knew I was going to cry. And he said nothing. 

_______

5 years later,

We got so busy with our lives that we forget when things started to end gradually. And this time for a change; change didn't felt difficult.

Sometimes, when I think of that day; I wish if I could I stopped him but that would be selfish of me.

He left Benguluru a month later. He's in California now and he's finally where he always wanted to be. And I'm proud of him. He comes to Mumbai once every year; but we never catches up. We only text each other on b'days or when we have something important to tell. Good part is we don't fight anymore but the worst part is we're strangers once again. I exactly don't know why we never meet each other. Probably because it's hurtful. We technically never broke up; neither of us have this courage; we just drifted apart silently.

I think it was that moment probably when we stopped fighting; that we started abandoning each other. In the beginning it was difficult to live without him. My house felt empty without him. I was left with nobody to scold or fight with. But what I missed the most was waking up next to him.

I'm in London rightnow; my dad shifted here after his retirement and so did I. Krish would probably be in Mumbai right now. It's the only time he comes there.

_______

2 days before New Year,

It was midnight when I received a call from my office . I work at "THE GLOBE-TROTTERS"; it's a travel wanderlust kind of tv channel just like Discovery or Animal Planet. We are making a series on the hidden stories of Indian Army. And that call was regarding it. They want me to go to Shimla; where apparently I have to live with Mr. Oberoi's family who is Lt. General Indian Army and get to know him; get to know about stories of his battalion and whatever that sounds good for the show.

I have been working on this project from past 3 months and yes, I wanted to do it. But, working on new year seems a bit bad. I thought of celebrating this new year with my family. But, this wasn't a "can you do this?" kinda call; it was infact "you have to do it" kinda call.

CHAPTER - 2

31st December, 2018

I reached Chandigarh Airport at around 6:30 pm. It will take me next four hours to reach Shimla. Firstly, I thought of staying the night in here only. But, I have already made my commitment to General. He invited me to their New Year Celebration. I have only talked to him over call; and he seems to be a very chill man; who loves to talk a lot; who's is humble and kind and generous enough to invite me at the celebration.

Visiting Shimla at this time of the year wasn't a nice idea though. But, I wasn't really visiting visiting; I had my work to do. It's freezing cold already. Probably the temperature is already in minus. Even the heater in the car is not helping much. I don't feel like going to the Celebration now; I would rather prefer to sleep in my cozy pajamas. 

It took me 5 hours to reach the cantonment area. It was my first time being at an military station and tbh I was excited to work with General. The area was way to vast. One of the soldiers assorted me to General's house. His house was silent and so were all the neighbouring houses. I asked the Soldier and he told me that the party is at one of their halls. Then, he received a call on his vokie-tokie and he left me outside General's place. I called General to tell him that I have reached and I would need his keys to freshen up. He told me that his son is already in the house. But, to me it's seems like the house was actually locked from outside. "Anybody here?" I shouted. But nobody replied. It was dreadful to be standing out there in that freezing cold. 5 mins later I heard a Thar's noice. I was anticipating if It was General's son in that Jeep. And indeed it was him. 

This Charming man right in front of me is Flying Lieutenant Shiva Oberoi. He's General's only son. He is the best flying officer of his squad. 6 feet height with a perfect lean body and those grey eyes. He's nothing less than an epitome of exquisity. I have seen his pictures in his uniform and those aviator sunglasses. Top Gun kinda vibe.

"Hi!! This is Shiva" he sprinted out of the jeep and offered his hand. 

It was so chilly that I couldn't get my hands out of my jacket's pockets to even handshake "Hey!!" I smiled. 

"I'm guessing you're Samantha" his hands were still in handshake gesture n mine were inside my pockets.

"Yup!! Indeed I'm" I brought my hands out of the pocket finally and smiled.

He then went to the main entrance and opened the door. "Hey, Don't tell dad that I wasn't here when you reached". 

I nodded and smiled. He took my luggage inside the house "Everybody's at the party. You want to go there? ".

"No no !! I'm all fine here" I smiled. I was hoping will he stay with me here too. Probably we could talk; probably I was a bit crushing over him; probably I shouldn't crush on him. But, it's for the first time after Krish that I really am crushing over someone in the first go. 

"Okay then!! You want something for dinner?" 

"Well, I would really love to have a good dinner. M so hungry and the flight's food was disgusting tbh".

"Perfect!! That's your room upstairs. You go and freshen up and I'll cook you something nice". He smiled while pointing his finger towards the room.

Did I hear him correctly; he literally said he'll cook for me. Nobody has cooked for me ever except Krish. Why would he cook for a stranger? Why can't he just order some food online? Is he one of those guys who loves to flaunt how good they are in everything or probably m thinking too much and he was just being generous. 

I took a shower; which felt so so so relaxing and as I came downstairs; food was already prepared. But Shiva wasn't there; it was only his Ramen and a sticky note saying "Your Hot Chocolate is in the microwave :⁠-⁠)" that I was all left with for the night. I didn't even completed eating when I felt really dizzy and it wasn't a jetlag kinda dizzy but I think he might have drugged me. 

CHAPTER - 3

 

Next day,

"Good Morning mam!!" I heard somebody's voice greeting me while drawing the curtains. I don't remember how I came to this room. Last thing that I remember was eating Ramen and falling dizzy on the dinner table only.

My head was feeling heavy and I was just looking at him; unable to accumulate and formulate any words to reply. 

"Mam, I'm General's helper. What would you like to have for breakfast? Also, General has already left for an urgent meeting. But, he told me to tell you He'll be back prior to dawn and then you can work on your project with General".  

"Do you know where is Shiva?" I asked. 

"Mam, Sir has already left for Udhampur" he replied.

"Udhampur?" I didn't see that coming; I wanted to ask him why he drugged me last night but he was already gone.

"Yes, mam that's where sir is currently posted at" he explained.

I was baffled with what really happened to me last night. I didn't understand why would he do this to me. I can't find any answers; I don't know anybody here who can help me find my answers too. All this was kinda frustrating tbh. I didn't have his number and asking the helper his number was a bit awkward too. 

Later that same day,

"I'm so honoured to meet you sir finally. I have heard so much about you and now that I'm finally meeting you it really feels great." I greeted General.

"Arey baacha... It's nothing like that. I'm sorry I couldn't meet you in the morning. Did you have your lunch?" He was such a generous person I must say.

"Yes, Yes sir. Lunch was delicious." 

"I'm glad you liked it. So, what exactly is the project that you have made me a part of?" He inquired.

I explained General the whole purpose of our show and how we have thought of executing the whole thing. He listened to me very cautiously. Frequently asked me questions and I can already seen his involvement in making for this show. 

Basically I'm supposed to be here with General for 1 month. I have to interview him for certain things. I have to see how things are done and managed here. How army personnels are trained and anything and everything related to the work of army here. General has won loads of prestigious awards already and he's the right person to interview or to be with. 

10 days later,

It has already been 10 days since I have started working with General. I feel like I'm his shadow already. I go to morning jog with him. I hated walking up that early but now m kinda enjoying it. After our jogging session, General always goes to this one place for tea every single day ; there we would sat for sometime and he tells me some of his stories when he was young and new in army. I follow General almost everywhere except those secret meetings that they had almost twice a week. I wonder what they really talk in there? Is there any threat that's coming? Or is this how any normal day here looks like. 

"Have you ever visited Mussoorie?" General asked while passing me a cup of tea.

"Funny story sir; when I was about 7/8 yrs old; I was a huge Ruskin Bond fan. I used to convince my parents to take me to Mussoorie so that I can meet him. And they always used to give me some excuses. So, I took all my pocket money, packed my bag n secretly slided out of my house. Until my mom caught me and I was under curfew for the next one week. Since then I dropped this whole idea of Mussoorie." I explained.

"Hahaha. Silly things children do. My brother's daughter is getting married there next week. I think you should join us there." 

My First reaction was almost No; until I realised Shiva is also going to be there and this is my chance to ask him what exactly happened that day. So, I said yes. 

CHAPTER - 4

It took us almost 8 hrs to reach Mussoorie from Shimla. It felt a bit nostalgic to me; although I have never been here but reading about this place all throughout my childhood and now being here finally feels surreal. I wonder How funny all of this really is; I was obsessed with this place when I was a kid; then I just forgot about it; I have visited most of the Uttarakhand but never came here and now, god knows whose marriage is this but this whole thing led me to my favourite childhood place.

I heard General speaking on the call with Shiva; he has already reached the place and was waiting for us at the entrance. I won't say I was excited to see him; but I kinda was. It's probably just those butterflies in the stomach thing which is unusual to me but what can I really do about it. But wait did I just forget that this man literally drugged me!! And I can already feel all those Butterflies vanishing in the nick of time.

We reached the place and Shiva was waiting for us outside the resort in that same Thar; he was wearing a white linen Mandarin collar shirt and jeans. Believe me he looks no less than a walking Greek god when he was approaching towards us.

He greeted General then stood besides me "Did you like the dinner?"

I looked at him confused ; I couldn't assemble words to reply. He was looking at me and smiling. I almost scowled at him "I liked that drugging the part most, I guess".

He was still looking at me n smiling "Glad you have forgiven me".

I ignored him; took my luggage and walked past him; He came jogging and asked me to give my luggage to him; but I refused. He didn't insisted much thereafter. But, Secretly I was wishing him to ask me a bit more.

8:00 pm, same night

It was cocktail night as informed to me by Shiva. He was sitting besides me again. I wonder if he wants to talk to me about something or why else he's always besides me somehow or probably he wants to drug me once again. 

"What's the matter with you?" He asked while passing me a glass of rum.

"Seriously? What's the matter with me? What's wrong with you? We barely know each other and the rest you know, I guess" I replied.

"We'll talk about it once this wedding thing is over. I promise." He paused and smiled "Aren't you underdressed for the cocktail tonight?"

"I'm almost an uninvited guest here and still getting free alcohol. I guessed that's enough for me". 

"Tomorrow is Sangeet and I don't have my partner. So, If I'll ask you to be my partner; you won't kick my ass? Right? " He asked with that child like innocence.

His question almost made me laugh "Only if you promise to not drug me ever!!"

"Deal!! " And we laughed.

We dranked a lot that night. We talked a lot too. He is so much like me; doesn't enjoy much public appearances. He hated being a part of the crowd. He loves to be alone; sings his own lyrics and dances to his own rhythms. All this basically sums up as me. Krish was an extremely social animal; and I was always the one cancelling plans to meet in public. He was the one always compromising his parties for me. He was the one who can make me dance along. It feels different to meet someone who's like me; who isn't poles apart. But, this made me miss Krish a bit more today. Sometimes, compromises are like hidden love languages until it chokes the other one.

We went to the terrace all drunked. If we had died that night falling from the edge of the terrace; our souls hardly would have noticed that; our souls would have died in ecstasy. Truly speaking it's been years that I have talked to someone a meaningful and meaningless conversation at the same time. It's felt therapeutic. 

We talked for hours and then sat there silently looking at each other inspite of gazing those wonderful stars in the sky. In that moment I wanted to hug him; I don't know for what exactly. This was the last thing that I remember; I don't infact know if we hugged or continued staring each other's soul that whole night. 

CHAPTER 5

Coming this Friday