19 Dates

Chapter 32 (part 2)

Dev, "sounds to be a common story of most boys in college."

Rajat, "yes I agree but this is the beginning of how my life changed. After this for five years I never thought of dating, relationship or love. I put in all my efforts & energy in becoming successful. Made a lot of money, got independent. I made myself a fortune by associating with a few partners to start an export trade in China. Life was good Dev & there was nothing missing, I had no need."

Dev, "well I can relate to this."

Rajat, "See I told you how much of me I have always been seeing in you."

Dev, "so from no love to falling in love, how did this happen?"

Rajat, "I had come home after a long time, dad wanted me to accompany the family for a close relatives wedding in Goa. I was reluctant to go for the wedding but dad's word was final, so I had no choice. As usual & as expected the wedding turned out to be boring, however I made a friend there who help me manage an escape to a private beach. Well he had his connects in Goa so we were allowed to step on the beach, there was this very cool group of hippies lead by a man named Boris Petrov. The group was so cool, it turned out to be the most perfect escape for me. I tried a lot of things that night (laughing), they all enjoyed my company. Boris was very impressed & happy to meet me, so he told me that I was welcome to party with them anytime I wanted to. I was so glad that I met these amazing people but then when I returned back to the hotel, I was in such a bad shape that dad refused to allow me in. I had no other option but to return back to the group, to spend the night at their camp. When I told Boris about this, he found it amusing that I was thrown out as an adult but of course I could have never expected him to understand how Indian parents react to such things (laughing)."

Dev, "great story man but look we reached your place. I wish we had more time."

Rajat, "let's buy more time then. You come up & stay."

Dev, "no, bad idea. Dad is all alone at home & I am sure he is worried. See I already have text messages & missed calls from him. Some other time."

Rajat, "hey come on man Dev, I will talk to your dad."

Rajat took the phone from Dev's hand & called up Mr. Sinha. Dev was trying to take the phone away from him but Rajat had already dialed & Mr. Sinha answered quickly

Mr. Sinha (worried), "Dev, where are you? It is late son, you never let my call & messages go unanswered."

Rajat, "'hello Bharat, it is me Rajat. Don't worry Dev is with me."

Mr. Sinha, "yes I know that, he had told me that he was meeting you. Hope everything is OK. You sound different."

Rajat (laughing), "yes yes, that is because I am drunk. Bharat you have a great son."

Mr. Sinha, "haha yes, can you please give the phone to Dev?"

Rajat, "yes here you go Dev. Hey Bharat just one request, the reason I called was to take your permission to let Dev be at my place today. It is too late for him to travel all the way to that part of the city."

Mr. Sinha, "that depends on his will. Now can I talk to him?"

Dev, "yeah dad, don't worry, everything is under control, except Rajat (laughing). I think it will be better if I stay here tonight, I think after a very long time he's got drunk beyond his capacity."

Mr. Sinha, "OK, but you take care."

Dev, "don't you worry dad, I will be there before you wake up in the morning."