C U 2MROW @ 9 (October 30, 2016)

One place where Mannu always longed to go with Pia was the Juhu Beach. It was Pia’s dream that he was dreaming today. Coming so far to Mumbai he wanted to live it.

“How far is Juhu?” He asked Pia.

“Not as far as the distance you have covered to see me.” Her words touched him from within.

“Since you’ve told me about Juhu and your....uuhhh strange connection with it...uuhhh...I want to go there...” After a moment of silence Mannu spoke again, “Shall we leave?”

She nodded her head in confirmation. He felt very embarrassed to know that the bill had already been paid.

“Why did you pay? It is my birthday...I am giving the treat naaaa...”

“It was a little gift from my side...Don’t worry...Come let’s leave...there is nothing mera tera between us... ”

What next? They stepped out for Juhu. Mannu still couldn’t believe he had found so much love in a city where people get lost. Her every step and gesture strengthened their bond. She took Mannu’s cell phone and gave him hers and straightaway ordered him to take it from her when he would leave for Jaipur. She didn’t say, but it was clear that she was very insecure about Mannu leaving her side.  

The auto-rickshaws were lined up at the front street.

“Ask him if he’ll go to Juhu.” Pia said to Mannu. Like her good baby, Mannu went ahead to enquire.

“Juhu beach challenge kya? Would you go to Juhu Beach?” Mannu questioned. The driver said nothing, shaked his head, signifying a ‘No’.

“Don’t talk much... just say Juhu. They’ll understand.” Pia said as they moved towards the second auto.

“Hmmm...” Again Mannu agreed with her words.

“Juhu?” He questioned.

The driver agreed at once. Amused, Mannu called Pia near.

They started their first journey together. She sat in the right corner, Mannu in the left and his bag sat between them. The only sounds audible were the engine and horn sounds. Mannu looked outside to feel the zephyr, memorized again what all he had to ask her to keep the talk going. It gave him a little confidence. Being a boy, he had to show courage. They were still silent and he feared that they’d reach Juhu soon and miss this golden moment where Mannu could only see Pia and she could only see Mannu. Deliberately shifting more towards the end and looking outside the auto he forwarded his right hand towards her. No, he couldn’t do it by looking at her. A few seconds had passed and Mannu had still not felt her touch. It worried him.He thought he had done it too early. But when a beautiful girl sits near you, you’re sure to forget when and how the time drifts away. Now he couldn’t pull it back even. He had to wait.