Missed Call - Home Sweet Home

Story Board - Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5

Series 6

She guessed it to be an early birthday wish from Priya in New York.
He kept watching how she had hold on to the hot burnt maize between her thin lips with a desperate attempt to open her leather bag and pull out her mobile. Her gestures were making his adrenal run faster than ever.

Sharmilee was awestruck. Her mobile display screen showed ‘Anurag Calling’ ….This contact detail was dormant for so long that it took a while to believe. She accepted the call and softly lifted the handset to her ear length. ….

- “Hi” – her greetings was as short as the first day. Anurag lost no time.
- “Can I have the pleasure of having you in my car? I am right here in-fornt of you.” – saying so he opened up the door of the chilled car.

Sharmilee slowly walked down - very unlike her hopping style that Anurag could recall. She peeped in once to see the man in the car. She couldn’t have expected destiny to offer any better a birthday gift. Only eyes can express what one feels to meet a special friend in an alien city.

It was more than marine breeze. They exchanged two years in twenty minutes. Anurag had more to say and unassumingly Sharmilee spoke less. Her belonging-ness with Mumbai was in a semi-baked state and hence she openly let Anurag steer the reunion. The car parked in-front of Apex apartment.

The ambiance was too new for her and so known to him. He wanted to make her feel at ease. It was still evening. Anurag was trying to kick off a communication which would make things easy to out-break. He slowly turned the audio system on. The two bedroom furnished apartment started reverberating the soft melody.

- “How did you like Mumbai?” – Anurag threw a wild card.
- “Lonely”
- “That is because you didn’t meet me.” Arurag sounded very romantic. He paused to reorganize with more vigour . Sharmilee was unprepared but didn't feel unpleasant. Some dark evenings are more promising than bright mornings!

“You must be tired after day long training”, saying so he pulled her to his casually laid bed room. “This is all yours!” - Anurag boldly offered.

Sharmilee’s confidence was building. The city was new but the man seemed the same old one. She gathered courage to be herself the one that Anurag may comprehend better.

With mystic gesture she became vocal - “Two years back you dared to close the door with me in the living room and here you say that your bedroom is mine?” - Sharmilee looked deep into his eyes.
- “I am grown-up!” - Anurag confessed.
- “Really?” - Sharmilee threw catalytic look.

Anurag stepped closer; it was centis, then milis and then nanos and finally it was the cork that busted off the bottle of too hot an emotion to handle. The sun was setting with a relief to have set free two hearts in divine pleasure.

That night she didn’t return to guest house. Even she didn’t return by train the next day. It was a remarkable birthday that Sharmilee celebrated in Mumbai with everything around her too special.

...Mumbai in some years became the best city in the country for her. Today this is the city which she calls her home, where she leaves with Anurag Gupta, Director of “Or Ek Peg” group of companies and Vasundhara - her two years old daughter who keeps busy playing with papa’s laptop and moves lips in faint attempts to whistle like mummum.

Yesterday, she curiously pressed Sharmilee’s mobile buttons and unknowingly made a call to Mr. Agnihotri – Anurag’s business partner. Agnihotri noticed this as a missed call, later in the day. It was only the next day morning when Sharmilee was lazily buttering the bread slice on the breakfast table that the door bell buzzed. She opened the door to see Agnihotri. Greeted him with a smile. In no time, Vasundhara came rushing from the dining room to join her mother.

Agnihotri gave a humorous look and lifted the toddler to say - "I received a missed call from your mother's phone yesterday . I thought you must be looking for me.." saying so he offered a box of chocolates ..and continued with a childish romanticism - "Do you need a mobile to call me ?"
Vasundhara nodded with innocence smudged on her face.

Sharmilee gave an embarrassed look being aware of what must have happened all in mischief. She invited her guest to join Anurag for a cup of tea over breakfast....

Delhi Kolkata Mumbai ..... Many more cities meet courtesy Sharmilees and Anurags of the world , breaking barriers and bias .. Missed Call - an ode to countless such home-makers..

Missed Call - Delhi Meets Kolkata

Story Board - Series 1

Series 2
A Black Honda City just rolled in from Delhi into Vasundhara Apartment. Tall, mid complexion, athletic structured Anurag Gupta - is the only son of Gupta family. He is an Engineer who also acquired a Management Degree from a coveted B’ School in India. He had already been abroad thrice and currently recruited as marketing expert for a multi national branded Liquor company opening outlets all over India. His stay in Kolkata would be a short one.

His father is an old time friend of Mr. Srivastav. Hence it was a two-way plan from both the families that in Mr.Srivastav’s absence Anurag could stay in his furnished apartment. A week back Mr. Srivastav had called up Kapoor’s to intimate the same.

The very first day Anurag met Madhu, she requested him to have lunch, dinner what ever suits him. Anurag promised to join some other day.

Two days later when Sharmilee was hopping up the stairs after having Fuchkas, from the man on the next lane, they met.

In habitual style she said – “Hi” as an interrupt within her whistling tune.

“Hi”

Sharmilee leaned from the stairs in an arch shape and enquired – “Are you Anurag?”

“Yes” - Anurag replied with unfamiliar looks to this informal introduction.

“Sharmilee here” – saying so, hanging from the staircase, she stretched her right arm. Anurag turned back – they shook their hands.

He rolled his car out of Vasundhara apartment, heading for Tolly Club – south direction. Unknown city, unknown faces, unknown culture and unknown spirit. All he knows about this city is “this is the most happening city in the country”. He is on a big mission. This liquor promotion event meant a lot to his career ahead.

Bumping across pothole roads finally Anurag was pleased to see the lush green lawn. This was a site visit. The launch of the new Liquor brand - “Puff” was to attract hard liquor lovers from corporate world. Anurag screened his promotional road shows several times to his upper management. Apart from unmanaged liquor, last promo event at Mumbai was a great success. Anurag is preemptive to take some measures this time.

The week went hectic. Lot of information, suggestions ...it was time to infer.In natural course sun has set for the day and Anurag headed for Gariahat. The people on the road had helped him to retrace his path back home when he hit a road block by some local residents rallying for a neighbourhood agenda. The lane that he opted was unbelieveably thin. He was very carefull steering the Honda. His introduction to city's passion to revolt and hospitality for ignorat new were both astonishing.

It was the first Friday evening in Kolkata. Anurag had a lot of pending work. He had to make his thoughts run tonight. He refreshed with a bath, put on a light T-shirt and a cotton trouser. The room had the standing lamp shade by the long study table, switched on. The rest room was in dark and shadow. He uncapped a Kingfisher bottle and switched on his laptop...

Ding Dong …..

Look Fwd >> Series 3

City friction

To Anurag's dismay it was Sharmilee.
- “Hi” - Sharmilee stood like a time killer.
- “Hi”, Anurag just didn’t know what to do; may be he thought of saying ‘Bye’ as the next word. He was running against time. To him, spending even a minute with this lady was like wasting million dollar propositions and finally slogging his growth path.
- “Don’t you ask friends to step in your house? Is this Delhi style?”

Missed Call - Carefree Kolkata

Why do you love a city ? Infrastructure, amenities of your choice, good job offering, easy life style ... many be many more reasons ...Still when you leave a city, actually then you know why you loved that city. Most cases I feel each one us fall in love with a city not because of the city but because of what happen around you in that city, good experiences , events close to heart ..As life progresses one realizes how this city-love metamorphosis happens.. A Theme-Break in Gyan Series. Enjoy a fiction series with this theme.

Series 1

Carefree Kolkata

On the heart of the city near Gariahat four crossing – “Vasundhara Apartment” stands high to make its presence felt. Altogether there are twelve families. One among them is Kapoor’s, on the second floor. Mr.Paramjeet Kapoor - is an auditor by profession. Perfection is his key word.Mrs.Madhu Kapoor is a perfect Indian wife.

Their elder daughter Priya Kapoor is tall, fair and beautiful in her early twenties – all these are mentioned on three popular matrimony websites. Born on India’s Independence Day, Sharmilee Kapoor is their younger daughter. She is also tall but not as fair as her sibling. Something special in her eyes made her look very unique. Her hobby is whistling. She is nineteen.

The apartment just above theirs is of Mr. Srivastav’s. Two months ago Mrs. Srivastav passed away. The day before Mr. Srivastav left for a long tour at Haridwar he met the Kapoor family.

“Hope your health is well”, Madhu had asked him over a cup of steaming tea.
“Madhu, the last month was better with too many people around me, once the rituals got over and I was left alone to deal this all by myself.

“How long are you going to stay in Haridwar?” man of facts Mr. Kapoor asked to change the mood.

“God’s wish Paramjeet, not sure” – this was not a satisfactory answer to be satisfied with. Yet there was no option.

Priya was feeling very emotional with the imparting departure of an uncle so close for an indefinite span. She didn’t have words to speak.

“Srivastav uncle, tell me your mobile no, Quick Quick.” – Sharmilee pounced in.

Without any scope to think Srivastav said “983……”

Rrinnggg…rrrinng…..

“Don’t pick up – that is a missed call. Save my number. Call me when ever you want... All hot news from the City Of Joy…Bandh to rally… Highway to new Mall…anything...”

Every body had a smile on their face for a change…

“Happyyyyy …...” - Sharmilee asked in rhythmic tone.

Srivastav hugged the brilliant looking lady and didn’t know how to reciprocate back, other than tears in his eyes. Such pride moments Paramjeet always felt that Sharmilee was a great gift. He is fine without a son in the family.

Look Fwd >> Series 2

Delhi Meets Kolkata

A Black Honda City just rolled in from Delhi into Vasundhara Apartment. Tall, mid complexion, athletic structured Anurag Gupta - is the only son of Gupta family. He is an Engineer who also acquired a Management Degree from a coveted B’ School in India.

Back on a Rainy Day

You guessed it correctly! After a long break it is raining today evening. As am typing can see gallons of natural water pouring on the dusty and tired lanes of my neighbourhood. Street lights are all on with occasional bizarres of the lightening followed by lousy thunders. Such evening reminds one of various memories... generally the unusual and the unimportant ones...
Fifteen years ago ( trying to be precise) one such evening in the same city of joy had to walk on the wet road from Park Street to Park Circus to board a shared taxi. This was an experience of it's own! Fear of being alone (I missed the office bus ) to cross the deserted footpath by the closed St.Xavier college.. the notorious Malikbazar crossing.. all perceptions and premonitions crowding and at the same go, joy of being able do the same - all alone, overcoming the deep down fear. Uncertainty off course was natural as getting a shared cab from the five point something ( actually it is geometrically asymmetric) remains a challenge, even today.

If you pick up a shot to check out the stretch on a sunny morning am sure you would get me wrong! It is amazing the vibrant lane could be so haunting on a rainy evening.

The next day in office was little beyond the regular consultancy ( used to work for Engg Consultancy firm) experience. My mentor was a workaholic man and usually spend his lunch hours reading letters to editor of "The Statesman" news daily. Those were my initial professional days - wanted to make the boring ambiance bit energized in my own way. Lunch hour I went gaga about the last evening - while intended to share the experience had a sense of self achievement too. Reactions were of various kind - some of pat , some of caution, some of ignorance..All while my mentor never reacted.Post lunch, my mentor left a note on my table along with the news daily . Note said - "Read the 2nd letter".

As I recall - The author had been to the city a week back. Had to make it to airport from Maniktalla - northern part of the city which was badly drowned in water due to persistent rainfall. Had made a Rs 500/- deal ( this is quantum assuming the decade am in) with a cab-guy. But unfortunately the cab had mechanical issues half way thru, at Ultadanga crossing ( considerable Kms from airport). After a few futile requests to stop plying cars a private car stopped. A gentleman rolled down the window pane. In a brisk exchange, author got to know that the car owner was heading for his home. It was stressful drive, as not much could be seen ahead and hence not much dialogue happened till they reach the airport.

- "Can I have your name and address?"

- "Why?"

-"What to thank you back , even your phone number would do?"

-"You thanked ! That is enough . "

-"Still.." - author had the sense of gratitude and really wanted to do something..

Easing his hesitation the car owner said - " Some other day in some other city render someone the same help..That would be the best return...Have a safe flight!"

I was amazed reading the letter probably more than the what author himself was post the brief communication. He went about saying - his experience as a guest in this city not only made him spellbound but he boarded the flight with an asset beyond business.

Gyan #13 - Accomplishments are more rewarding when it propagates beyond you and more.