Kalindi, I Love You...

CHAPTER 1

I feel a mix of emotions as I step out of PVR Cinemas, happy, sad, awestruck and what not. 'October' is nothing less than a masterpiece. If I would use just one word to describe the movie it would be melancholy. The characters Dan and Shuili seem to have woven themselves onto my heart. It hurts but I kinda like it. I'm broken out of my silent monologue by the voice of my friends.

"You could have given us three sleeping pills instead", say Kamal.

"Nirav buddy, please don't do it with us again. Your choice of film sucks," Akhil follows.

I'm beginning to regret dragging them with me to watch something they could never understand. The same reason I'm staying silent now. There is no use explaining the beauty of 'October' to these guys. You don't explain such things, those emotions need to be felt. And they clearly didn't.

Akhil, Kamal and Dev go to the washroom. I decide to wait outside infront of the Crossword bookstore. Accompanying them to the washroom would mean hearing more criticism of one of the best movies I have seen recently. Left alone, my thoughts drift back to Dan and Shuili and how Varun Dhawan is so underrated as an actor.

Someone catches my eye then. It's a girl, wandering among the books inside the Crossword Store. Maybe because I just finished watching 'October' but I feel like she resembles Banita Sandhu, the actor who played Shuili. She is dressed plainly in a white shirt paired with black jeans. She looks beautiful though with long straight hair that sways when she moves. Hey, I'm not ogling her or anything. There is no harm in looking right? We are taught to appreciate beautiful things.

It was just then that the girl had to turn and she catches my eye. Uh, oh. Will she think I'm a stalker or something? Before I could think of making a good escape the girl is waving her hand and coming over. I try to appear as nonchalant as she approaches me.

"Nirav Krishnan... right?"

What the? I nod even though I'm highly confused on where she could have gotten my name from.

"Kalindi Iyer", she say. "I'm a member of Film Companion Film Club in Facebook.

"Oh I see"

"You once wrote an article titled '32 years of Mounaragam, right?" she asks.

I write a lot of analytical articles on films in my blog 'The Third Eye Cinema' and also share them in different movie related groups in Facebook. Film Companion is one among those groups.

"Yeah I remember," I say.

"Mounaragam is my favourite. That's the reason why your post caught my attention. I felt so excited reading it," Kalindisays, her lips curling into a smile at the memory. "The depth you saw in Divya's character, even Mani Ratnam wouldn't have seen it, I guess. I was so impressed by your writing that I checked out your blog. More than the list of exceptional movies there,I was fascinated by the way you saw them. Your blog really deserves to be known more and appreciated. To be honest, whenever I feel like watching a movie I always go to your blog for recommendations."

Someone give me a pinch because I feel like I'm dreaming. Where was this girl when everyone was scoffing over my blog and blaming me for wasting time on films? You are finally getting the appreciation you never got from this beautiful girl whom you were eyeing just minutes prior. I honestly used to think people skimmed over my articles or just skipped them. I'm so happy that there are a few like Kalindi.

"Thanks very much," I say. "Your words really mean a lot. You watch a lot of movies too?"

"I like watching movies but not as deep into it as you are. This is my world," she tells, pointing to half a dozen books purchased from Crossword. "I come here twice a month."

"So a bibliophile you are"

"That I am." She replies with a smile. "You read a lot?"

"Not much I'm afraid, I've always been into films. I would spend all day watching films if I could"

"Mr.Cinephile," saysKalindi.

I laugh.

Suddenly her phone rings and she attends the call.

"Nirav I should go. Friends are waiting. Catch you later," A small wave and a smile. She is gone as fast as she came.

I suddenly remember my 3 idiots will be searching for me too. I walk towards washroom thinking about Dan, Shuili, October, Mounaragam and Kalindi. And strangely among them, the girl I just met is the strongest thought.