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e "Incomplete Story"



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e "Incomplete Story"

Gaurav Narayan



Notion Press5 Muthu Kalathy Street, Triplicane,Chennai - 600005

Published by Notion Press, 2013

Copyright © Gaurav Narayan 2013

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9789383416103

This book is sold subject to condition that it shall not by way of tradeor otherwise, be lent, resold or hired out, circulated and no reproductionin any form, in whole or in part (except for brief quotations in criticalarticles or reviews) may be made without written permission of the author.

This book has been published in good faith that the work of the authoris original. All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free.However, the author and the publisher disclaim the responsibility for any inadvertent errors.







Chapter - 1

‘Have you ever seen his performance? He is so incredible, he isawesome!’

‘Yes Hasini! Everyone knows him. Why are you asking thisquestion?’Kartik asked.

‘ e Superstar! e Singing Sensation! I am his fan after hearinghis heartbreaking voice and I am saying all this because he is our newassignment,’ Hasini said with excitement.

‘Ok, I got it, that’s good! So have you tracked him? Got anythingabout him? Look, I am his fan also and I know that he is so marvelous

on the stage. Tell me, have you done anything about meeting withhim?’Kartik asked again.‘Ok ok, cool down! Let me answer you. Yes, I have been doing

research on him for the past two days! He did his engineering, got a job and after that suddenly he quit his job! Something happened withhim, it might be his destiny to be a singing star. You know what? Heis in India, at his home. is is the right time for us to meet him andtake his interview.’

‘But you know him. He never comes up in the media. He nevertalks to any journalist, and it’s tough to meet him.’

‘Let’s see. Next week we are going to his home. Be ready.’‘Okay! But I am not sure that he will meet us!’Kartik said.‘Ohk! Mister Negative inker! But I believe that I’ll be having a

great story next week!’* * *

Hasini was a young and energetic journalist of the famousmagazine Mumbai Beats. She was so excited about her newassignment that day. Her next week was be going to be the mostamazing week.

At night around 10:00 p.m. while lying in bed she opened herlaptop, took her specs, and opened the Google page.

‘Kumar, the Indian Singing Sensation of Youth! ‘She typed.She left the bed, put her laptop on the table and pulled the chair.

Her eyes were so focused on the laptop screen.‘Okay. He did engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture

and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand!’She opened a new page and searched Pantnagar in Google maps.

She had a pen and paper on the right side of the table.‘Uttarakhand…Pantnagar… Haldwani… Nainital… Okay, Nainital!

Pantnagar is around 60kms from Nainital!’She clicked the mouse three or four times.‘G.B. Pant University! e 2 nd largest Agricultural University of

Asia!’



She noted down the addresses, took her phone from the bed andmade a call to Kartik.

‘Hello Kartik, book two tickets to Delhi. Tomorrow we are going toDelhi and after that, to Pantnagar.’‘What? Tomorrow… Mumbai to Delhi? What happened?’‘Kartik!’ Hasini exclaimed.‘Ok I’ll arrange the tickets. Is it about Kumar?’ Kartik asked.‘Yes, it is! Ok I’ll talk to you tomorrow morning. Pack your bags.

We have to do a lot of work,’ she said.‘Okay tigress! Let’s meet tomorrow.’Hasini again went to the table and sat on the chair. Her ngers

danced on the keyboard very fast.‘Did so many shows, four albums, all hits. Sung around 100 hit

tracks. 29 years old… not married… Born in Haldwani… What kind of information is that?’

She shut down the laptop and went to the window holding a co eemug. Outside, there was a big banner of the new album of Kumar inwhich he was standing, looking up and wearing a light purple tunicwith a red half jacket. She looked at the banner and watched it forthe next fteen minutes. She looked into his eyes and thought of something. en she looked to the sky, to the twinkling stars. Co eewas nished now. She went to sleep, waiting for the new morning.

* * *

Next day Kartik came at the right time. Hasini was ready and they both start their journey to Delhi. It was 6:00 a.m. During the month

of March, it was not so much hot during the morning time.‘Ok Miss Hasini, tell me now. We are going to Delhi, then Delhi to

Pantnager, for Kumar?’ Kartik asked.‘Yes! Before meeting him, let’s get some details about him. You

know Kartik! I was looking at his banner yesterday night. His eyeshave something! Something he hides from others. Some kind of sorrow and pain! I can’t explain it right now, but there is somethingand we have to reveal it.’

ey reached the airport. Kartik had managed the work soperfectly.

‘We will be at Delhi in around one hour.’ Kartik said after thetakeo .

He opened up the seat belt and turned to Hasini and said, ‘Sowhere were we? Yes, about his pain. You know I should tell yousomething. For being a rockstar your heart must be broken. When the

heart is broken, the music comes out.’‘I would like to modulate it, I don’t believe in this. It’s not abroken heart or something. It’s ego. When your ego gets hurt, you dosomething which others can’t imagine,’ she said.

2 e "Incomplete Story"



‘Okay, maybe you are right. Whatever we say it. Whateverhappened to him, the result is, we got a rockstar because of that!

Right?’‘Right, and now we have to collect information about him, from hisbirthplace, hometown, from his college and we shall try to know thesituations he has gone through. About his struggle, how he became asinging sensation? Why he is so di erent from others and why has henever showed himself to the media?’

‘We’ll nd out that! Ok, take some rest! We have to go for asix hour journey from Delhi,’ Kartik said, looking at his phone’snavigation.

Hasini was not feeling like sleeping at that time. She had alwaysbeen so dedicated to her work. ere were so many things goingon inside her mind at that time. She took her ear plug and startedlistening to songs.

ey reached Delhi at 8:00 a.m. Kartik had booked a cab.‘Hasini, if you want to take some rest, you can, because from here

it will take like six-seven hours to reach Pantnagar,’ Kartik said.‘It’s okay. We should depart now.’ She looked at the cab driver and

said, ‘What’s your name?’‘My name is Sonu ma’am,’ he said.‘SonuBhaiya, now you are also a part of our journey, it could take

two-three days,’ Hasini said.‘Don’t worry ma’am. Please be seated,’ Sonu said while opening the

door of the car.While travelling, the conversation got started again.‘I think we should go to his hometown rst! We should start from

there,’ Hasini said.‘Okay. As you wish. Sonu take us to Haldwani and turn on the

music also,’ Kartik said.Sonu turned on the music in which Kumar was singing his famous

track,‘Kyubhulanapaau’.‘I love this song. His voice… it’s like holding everyone in his trap,’

Hasini said.‘Yes ma’am. He is amazing, but he was as simple as other people.

When I met him, he was just… simple,’ Sonu said.‘You met him? I don’t understand, when?’ Hasini asked and turned

on the recorder in her phone.‘He was not a famous person that time. I met him once. He was

with a girl. He took my cab from the Delhi airport and went to thehospital with the girl. I can’t forget him because he asked my name as

you asked.’‘A girl? SonuBhayia, tell me more about that day,’ Hasini askedwith curiosity.

‘It was night, around 1:00 a.m. He came up from terminal three,International ights with that girl and took my cab. I heard hisconversation with that girl, but not clearly. She was showing him some

Gaurav Narayan 3



gifts and yes, the girl was sometimes speaking some German words.It’s about six years ago. He was young that time and he was tense.

en I dropped them at the hospital, the girl was sick I think. Butone thing I must say was that I found him a true person. His way of treating me and his way of talking was so nice.’

‘Okay, thank you Sonu Bhaiya. Kartik! See! God is with us, we juststarted our journey and we have something about him. A girl! Mightbe his friend or might be his love,’ Hasini said.

‘Sonu, do you remember the girl, I mean how she looked?’ Kartikasked.

‘Sir, she was looking ill, like she hadn’t slept for so many days andKumar was also looking tensed. e girl had curly hair. at’s it! Idon’t remember her face now.’

‘Six years ago! He must be like 23 years old at that time. atmeans after his graduation. He was doing a job at that time, Ithink!’Hasini said while thinking.

Hasini was writing all the things in her diary. During the whole journey they were discussing Kumar. When they reached Rudrapur,Kartik told Sonu to stop.

‘Hasini this is Rudrapur! I have booked two rooms here. Pantnagaris 15kms now and Haldwani around 25kms. We should take some restnow. It’s 2:00p.m. we should eat something!’

‘Okay, I am also hungry,’ Hasini nodded.* * *

ey went to the hotel. While eating, Kartik asked Hasini, ‘Youknow, one thing about Kumar, he is a mysterious guy. If he had any story, people would have known it. You are new in journalism. ereare so many journalists, who have written about Kumar. Are you surethat we are going to get something new about him?’

‘Kartik have you ever read the book, e Secret?’‘No! Does it have any relation to my question?’‘Yes! It says that every human being is like a magnet. We can

attract the things we want,’ Hasini said.‘And you are trying to attract a story about Kumar?’ Kartik sco ed.‘Stop laughing. Listen, I am sure about this, because I felt that he

has something to tell but he is not sharing it, maybe he is burninginside. His eyes are so pensive and yes, I will attract the story also.’

‘I have read somewhere that you attract what you are, not whatyou want. So I suggest that if you want to attract something, you haveto be like that, so that you could deserve that,’ Kartik said.

‘I don’t understand, please elaborate.’‘Okay, see, if you have to pass your exam, you have to study,without study you can’t attract the positive result. When you do study and gain knowledge, you make yourself capable of attracting the bestresult. Without having any music sense and knowledge, you can’t be




a singer. We always wish for many things, but we get only those thatwe deserve.’

‘Ohk! You are so expressive. So what should I do to attract hisstory?’ Hasini asked.‘Be a story for him. I mean when he meets you, you should have a

story to tell him.’Hasini starts thinking. How can I be a story? Kartik is mad! Like by

being a story, I could attract a story.‘What happened? Should we go to Haldwani now?’‘What?’ Hasini turned to Kartik.‘Hey, forget what I said. Focus on what we are doing now,’ Kartik

said.‘Yes! Let’s go to Haldwani,’ Hasini said.

ey went to Haldwani, Kumar’s home city, where he took birth!When they reached there, Kartik asked a person about his home.

‘Kusumkhera,’ the person said.‘Kusumkhera? Where is it?’ Kartik asked. e person told him the

way.It was not tough to nd the place in Haldwani so they reached

Kusumkhera easily. ey reached Kumar’s home. Hasini rang the bell. After some seconds a person came out with wet, oil dipped hair. Hewas about 30-35 years old. He came to the gate and stood there. Hestarted staring at them. Hasini chuckled with a strange expression andsighed.

‘Hello sir! I am Hasini. I am a friend of Kumar. It’s his home,right?’ she asked.

e guy stared at them. He folds his arms.‘I am just living here on rent, ‘he said.‘And his family?’‘I don’t know. I give the rent to Mannu.’‘Okay! Where does Mannu live?’ Hasini asked.He showed them the way. ey went to Mannu’s home. When they

reached there, Hasini saw a fat guy, wearing a blue & white shirt, blue jeans and wearing a Rayben. He was standing outside talking withsomeone on the phone. When he saw them he disconnected the call.

‘Can we meet Mannu?’ Hasini asked.‘Yes, I am Mannu,’ he said.‘Hello Mannu, I am a friend of Kumar,’ Kartik said.Mannu’s eyes bulged with happiness and surprise.‘Please come in. I am also his friend, his childhood friend! So you

must be from Mumbai? You must know about him. How is he?’

Kartik and Hasini were shocked. Mannu was asking about Kumar,which meant he couldn’t have seen him for some time.. Hasini took adeep breath and said, ‘You are his childhood friend! Actually, Mannu,I am sorry to lie to you. I am a journalist. We are not his friends andI want to know about him, his journey to being a star,’ she said.

Gaurav Narayan 5





to cover the journey. After so much struggle through the tra c, nally they reached there. It was 5:30p.m. now. ere was a huge tree on the

premises of the Vidyalaya. ere were two doors at right angle to eachother. One door was partially open. ere were some people practicingwith a harmonium. Hasini went to the door and knocked it. A girlcame outside.

‘Can I help you? ‘she asked.‘Hi, my name is Hasini, I am from Mumbai, is there any senior

person here? I want to know about something.’‘Let me call Tiwari Sir to meet you. You can wait here.’ She

indicated to the chairs on the premises.Hasini and Kartik sat on the chairs. After two minutes an old

person came out. He was around 60 or more. But in spite of hisage he looked energetic. He was wearing a white tunic and trousers,wearing specs and his face was glowing. He came and greeted Hasiniand Kartik. e girl followed and pulled a chair for him.

‘He is Tiwari Sir! ‘she said.‘Hello Sir. We are from Mumbai. We are here to know about

Kumar. He has taken classes from here. You must know him,’ Hasinisaid.

e old person saw the trees. He might have thought of something, that was why he smiled and said. ‘I can’t forget him. Hewas the most irregular guy here. He used to come here occasionally.When he came here the rst time, I thought that he was anengineering student and singing was just his hobby. But he was sopassionate about singing. He surprised me when he won the singingcompetition held here. He won against the students who were learninghere for years. He came here after his graduation and after three orfour months, he told me that he was going to Noida as he had theacceptance letter for a job. He is blessed. Now he gets what he wantsto be.’

‘Sir, was there any girl also? I mean that time, who used to comehere to learn music?’ Hasini asked.

‘Yes there was a girl. Her name was Sandhiya.’‘She had curly hair?’‘No. Why are you asking this?’‘I am sorry Sir for asking this. Actually I am a journalist. I am

going to write the hidden story of Kumar. e curly haired girl is thebiggest piece of information we have. She seems to be an importantperson in his life but who is she? Sir, do you know anything about it?’Hasini asked.

‘He used to come here intermittently. He doesn’t practice anymore.He used to listen to others. I don’t know the girl about whom you areasking.’

‘Okay Sir. anks for your precious time.’Hasini took out his camera and clicked some pictures of the

Vidyalaya. e environment there was so peaceful. Inside, some

Gaurav Narayan 7



students were singing some classical stu . Hasini was feeling so calmuntil Kartik interrupted.

‘Hasini, Let’s go! We have to go to the hotel now.’ey sat inside the car, on the way Hasini was envisaging sodeeply. She ignited another cigarette and took her recorder, putearplugs in her ears and started hearing the voice of Sonu again. Shethen turned to Kartik.

‘Kartik, I am feeling very strongly that the girl with curly hair isso important. We have to nd her at any cost.’

‘ ere are so many people related to him. His family, his friends! You are thinking too much about that girl. We’ll go to his collegetomorrow. I am sure that you will learn more about him,’ Kartik said.

‘What we have is not su cient. is is nothing! He was sopassionate about singing and was blessed with talent. He appreciateseveryone. He had a girlfriend and they broke up. Okay, so who is thatgirl?’

Kartik pulled the cigarette from her mouth, threw it outside andsaid, ‘We’ll come to know. We are on right track now.’

Hasini took her camera and started clicking pictures; Kartik wasnow tired, so he went to sleep.

ey reached the hotel around 9:00p.m. Kartik woke up andordered food and they went to their rooms. After 15 minutes, Kartikwent to Hasini’s room and knocked the door.

‘Come in Kartik, Let’s eat. What have you ordered?’‘Food is coming in two-three minutes. I have ordered Malai Kofta

and Lady nger,’ Kartik said.‘It’s his favorite. Kumar likes it, and I like it also.’‘It’s the favorite of most people, don’t overreact. I think you are in

love with Kumar!’ Kartik said.‘Oh God, Kartik you are too much! I am just his fan,’ Hasini said.

e food came and they started eating. Hasini was againenvisaging. Kartik looked at her. He took an ice cube and put it onher hand. Hasini suddenly came out from her thoughts.

‘Ow!’ she exclaimed.‘Hello Miss, Where are you? You are changed. I know you from

last year. You used to be so fun loving, but now it’s Kumar on yourmind…always. Dear, have patience. Let’s nish your food.’

After having their dinner, Hasini took her camera and startedstudying the images she clicked.

‘Hey Kartik, see this.’ She showed him a picture of a temple.It was a white temple, huge enough to occupy many people. ere

was a huge entrance and then a vast space. Some stairs and then thetemple! e whole surroundings were shining.‘Wow, nice temple. Where was it? ’ Kartik asked.‘It was when we are coming from Haldwani. You were sleeping at

that time.’




‘ at’s nice! Hey! I am going now. Tomorrow we have to go toPantnagar. I should sleep now. Ok goodnight!’ Kartik said.

‘Goodnight!’ * * *

Next morning they went to Pantnagar, to his college. ere was somuch greenery and the environment of the university was so peacefuland loving. Hasini got busy with clicking the pictures.

‘So natural! at’s why this is the 2 nd largest agricultural university in the world,’ Hasini said while clicking.

ey went to the College of Technology, from where Kumar didhis graduation. ere was a huge aquarium at some distance from theentrance. ere was a hall-like architecture and two stairs on bothsides of the hall. On the right side it was the Mechanical Department.

ey went to the o ce of the Mechanical Department. ere was only one guy sitting there. He was fat and wearing glasses.

‘Hello Sir, I am Kartik. We are from Mumbai. We are journalistsand want to know about Kumar.’

e guy looked at them. He smiled and left his table. He took acomb from his pocket, combed his hair and said, ‘Hello! My name isSanjay. I have been working here for two years.’

‘Two years? Mr. Sanjay, Is there anyone who has been working herefor at least six years?’ Hasini asked.

Sanjay gave them an awkward expression. He went to his table andtook his pen and said while looking to his register, ‘ e guard, you cantalk to him!’

Hasini felt awkward, but then she jumped because somehow Sanjay had told them about the right person to ask.

‘Yes, the guard! ank you Sanjay,’ Hasini exclaimed and went tothe gate. ere was a guard sitting there.

‘What’s your name?’ Hasini asked.

‘My name is Govind,’ he said.‘Govind you must have been here for more than six years. Youmust know about Kumar.’

Govind jumped from his chair.‘I will tell you about him. He was my friend and the nicest person

at the college. Ma’am, come with me to the canteen. I need to have atea rst.’

Govind took them to the canteen known as the Brijwasi Canteen.ere were so many trees around the canteen. ere was an open area

outside the canteen. ey sat on the chairs and Govind ordered three

teas. Hasini clicked pictures of that place.‘Okay Ma’am! is is BC!’‘What?’ Hasini and Kartik exclaimed together.‘I mean Brijwasi canteen. Kumar used to come here also, of course,

when he was a student here.’

Gaurav Narayan 9



A boy came with some tea. Govind took the cup and took a hugesip. Hasini and Kartik gazed at him. Govind then took out his mobile.

‘ is was Kumar’s phone. When he was in his 2 nd year, I wason duty at their hostel that time. It was my night duty when I methim rst. He came late, I mean after 9:00 p.m. He asked me to openthe gate. He said that he had come from a singing competition andshowed me his trophy. I opened the gate. He thanked me and did ahandshake with me.’

‘ at’s great, but what about this mobile?’ Hasini asked.‘Yes! After that whenever I had my duty at their hostel and he

showed up, he always used to greet me. I needed a mobile that timeand one day I told him that I needed to buy a mobile phone so hegave me his mobile.’

‘For free?’ Kartik asked.‘No, not for free! I bought it from him. He took just Rs.1200for

this,’ Govind said.‘So he was your friend? Did he ever tell you about his girlfriend or

some special friend?’‘Hmm…No! He never told me anything about his girlfriend or any

friend.’Hasini understood that Govind was not the person who could give

enough information about Kumar. She told Kartik to pay and stoodup from the chair.

‘ anks Govind. Now we would like to go and meet some morepeople.’

‘One minute ma’am! I remembered one thing. I saw Kumar with agirl one day. When he saw me, he smiled and said hi,’ he said.

Hasini took the seat again.‘Do you know that girl?’‘No, but she might be his girlfriend or whatever you are asking

about.’

‘Tell me about her looks. Does she have curly hair?’‘Hmm… She was a little bit fat, little bit not very much. She waslaughing a lot. Even Kumar laughed a lot with her.’

‘What about her hair Govind?’‘I think she had silky hair, not curly. Yes, she had silky hair,’

Govind said.Hasini took out a cigarette from the packet.‘Ma’am can I have one?’ Govind asked.Hasini forwarded the packet to Govind. He took two cigarettes,

ignited one and put another in his ear.

‘I remember one more thing. When he was in his nal year, heused to go to learn music to Ragini ma’am. Actually one day he metme at the market. He told me that he was going to his music classes.’

‘ at’s great. anks again Govind. Kartik! Let’s go to the marketnow.’






was not talkative. I liked to hear his voice, he used to sing and play guitar and I used to play tabla. ose two months were so memorable

for me because I met three sweet and talented people.’Mrs Ragini wiped her eyes, she might get emotional.‘I am sorry! I didn’t ask you for tea or anything,’ she said.‘It’s ne ma’am. We didn’t need anything. Tell us about Shikha,’

Hasini asked.‘Shikha lived at Pantnagar. She was also a very nice singer, a

brilliant girl. She got placed after her graduation. After that I don’tknow where she is.’

‘Kumar was one year senior. She must have been in college whenhe was doing the job. Ma’am does Shikha have curly hair?’Hasiniasked.

‘Yes, she has curly hair. She was such an energetic person.’‘Okay! ank you ma’am, we will meet Kumar soon and tell him

about you,’ Hasini said.‘I wanted to give him a gift I had for him. Give it to him when you

meet him.’She went inside and when she came back, she had a little sculpture

of Devi Saraswati. She gave that to Hasini.‘I’ll surely give this to him ma’am. anks for your time. Now we

would like to leave.’* * *

at night at the hotel, Hasini was studying the pictures on herlaptop she clicked that day. Kartik came to her room.

‘So Miss Hasini, Finally you nd the curly haired girl.’‘Yes, but I don’t know why my instinct is saying that she is not the

person Sonu told us about. Look Shikha was his junior. Maybe she wasthe girl. But she was in the 3 rd year. Sonu told us that it was March.So what was she doing in Delhi? She came to receive Kumar? But

the girl was showing him gifts, and she was speaking German words.Kumar de nitely was doing a job at that time. at means he went toreceive the girl at the airport. So my mind concludes that Shikha isnot the girl we are looking for.’

‘Might be you are right. But it might be that she was the same girl.Look! Might be she went to some place for training or something.’

‘Might be! So tomorrow we are going to Noida, the place where heworked!’

‘It’s been six years now and he worked there for just four months.Do you think that we could get something from there?’ Kartik asked.

‘Maybe! Or maybe not! But at least we should check out that once.What was the name of the company where he worked?’Hasini asked.‘GSM Technology, he worked there!’‘Ok! Tomorrow! Noida!’Kartik went to his room. Hasini turned to her laptop and opened

notepad. She took a deep breath and start writing.




Kumar… Kumar… Kumar… Whenever he comes to the stage, people go mad! Whenever he takes the guitar and plays it with so much passion,

people worship him. His heartbreaking voice makes everyone his admirer.Everyone sees a rockstar in him, but I see a normal, sweet and loving person in him who makes everyone feel the calmness. Kumar, the singing sensation! is 29 year old guy has made me so curious. He was so passionate for music, was so good to treat people and used to appreciatehis friends. Kartik said that for being a star, your heart must be broken. Sois that true? Did Kumar’s heart also get broken? e cab driver Sonu told us about a girl. Who was with Kumar six years before! At the airport! Whowas she? Why did Kumar take the step of quitting his comfortable job? And more importantly why did he do the job if he was so much passionate aboutsinging? I will ask him when I meet him. e Singing Sensation might havea painful past. I met his friend Mannu, his two teachers Mr. Tiwari and Mrs. Ragini and both said that he is blessed with talent. His college’s guard told about a girl also. Yes! Also about the mobile Kumar sold him! at wasfunny. So, tomorrow we are going to Noida, hoping we should get somemore about him.

Hasini turned o her laptop. She was tired now. She went to sleepas she lay on the bed

* * *

Next morning she woke up late. It was 11:00 a.m. She took hermobile and saw 11 missed calls from Kartik. She called him.

‘Hey! I am sorry. I was so tired yesterday so was not able to wakeup on time. What are you doing?’

‘I went to visit the market here and had breakfast. You take yourtime and let’s get ready; we have to go to Noida today,’ Kartik said.

‘Give me 20 minutes.’‘Your 20 minutes means one hour. Okay we will depart from here

at 12:00 noon.’‘Hey! My 20 minutes means 20 minutes,’ Hasini shouted. At 11:30 a.m. she went outside. Sonu took her bag and put it in

the car.‘For you!’ Kartik gave her a burger.‘ ank you! Let’s go!’

ey went to Noida. It took ve hours to reach there. As they enter Noida Hasini said,

‘We don’t need to go to the GSM Technology’s o ce. A friend of mine works there. I just have to call her.’

‘Who?’ Kartik asked.

‘Her name is Disha. We did our graduation together,’ Hasini saidwhile dialing her number.‘Hello!’‘Hey Disha! It’s Hasini. I am at Noida!’‘Hasini! Hey sweety! You are here! Tell me your location. I am

coming to pick you.’

Gaurav Narayan 13



‘No need. We are coming to your home. I have my friend Kartikwith me.’

‘No problem. Mom and Dad are also not here. Just me and my brother! Okay I am waiting,’ Disha said.Hasini and Kartik went to Disha’s home. When they reached there,

Disha came outside scurrying. She hugged Hasini.‘Oh God, it’s been two years! You are looking as sweet as you were

before.’‘You too dear! Actually you are looking more beautiful than before.

Ok! He is my colleague and friend Kartik,’ Hasini said.‘Hello Kartik! Welcome.’

ey went inside. After some casual talks and some nostalgicconversation, Hasini said,

‘Disha, we are here to know about Kumar’s past. I have to writeabout him. But not the usual story! I want to write something thatpeople don’t know about him.’

‘Kumar! e “singing sensation of youth”?’‘Yes, and you know what, you can help us. Kumar worked for about

four months in the same company you are working.’‘Ya, I have heard that. But it was six years before,’ Disha said.‘I know. You just have to nd someone who knows him or was

together with him during that time.’‘My seniors! It’s tough because many of them would have switched

jobs. Let me think…Yes there is a person! Her name is Arshi. I haveheard that she knows him. I don’t know clearly, but I can give you hercontacts so that you could meet her.’

‘ at’s good. It will be great.’Disha opened her laptop and after two minutes of sur ng she

gave them Arshi’s phone number. It was 6:30 p.m. now. Hasini dialed Arshi’s number.

‘Hello! Is that Arshi?’‘Hello, yes. Who is this?’‘Arshi, my name is Hasini. I am a journalist from Mumbai. I want

to meet you. It’s about Kumar. Can we meet?’‘About Kumar? Sure! I am at sector-18 right now. Can you come

here?’‘Great!’ Hasini put her palm on her mobile’s microphone to cover

it and asked Disha, ‘How much time will it take to reach sector-18?’‘Ten minutes from here,’ Disha said.Hasini put the mobile on her ear and said, ‘Arshi, I will be there in

ten minutes.’

Hasini disconnected the call.‘Disha, thanks a lot. We are going to meet her. Would you like tocome with us?’

‘Sure,’ Disha said.




ey went to sector-18, the main market of Noida. So much rush!But Sonu was a skilled driver, he took them there in ten minutes as

she said. Sonu parked the car and Hasini called Arshi again.‘Arshi. I am here. Where are you?’‘I am near the metro station,’ she said.‘Ohk! Is there any place where we could sit and talk?’‘Let’s go to Star Co ee Cafe. It’s near the metro station. Are you

new here?’‘Not actually. Don’t worry I am with my friend. We are coming to

Star Co ee Cafe.’Disha took them to Star Co ee Cafe. A beautiful girl was standing

there. She was looking at her watch. Hasini went to her.‘Arshi! You are Arshi right!’‘Yes, and you must be Hasini. How did you recognize me so easily?

We are meeting for the rst time!’‘I saw your picture. She is my friend Disha. She also works in the

same company and he is my colleague Kartik.’Disha and Kartik waved their hands. Arshi replied to them with a

smile.‘Let’s sit.’ ey went inside.‘So what do you do actually?’ Arshi asked while sitting.’‘I work for the magazine Mumbai Beats. We are here for Kumar, to

know about his past. You knew him when he was working here. Couldyou tell us about that?’ Hasini asked.

‘Well… He was the most unique guy I have ever seen in my life.I have seen his di erent behaviors during that time. We joined thecompany together. It was our training time. We had a group of vewhich included Kumar, Harshit, Abhilasha, Supriya and me! We usedto hang out together. First we didn’t know that he sang but one day during some event, he sang and we were amazed. At that time IndianIdol’s Audition was going on but he was su ering from a cold then sohe was not able to give the audition. I knew that someday he would bea star. He had that quality, the attitude. He was so caring for us andhis other friends. He was the only guy in our company who made themaximum number of friends in just one month of his job. Everythinghas been just ne but after two months his behavior changed. Hehad a breakup with his girlfriend and he got tensed because of that. Actually she went to Germany, and did break up with him. His heartgot broken and after that he quit the job and vanished and now he isa star,’ Arshi nished chuckling.

‘His heart got broken. Hasini I told you that. Finally you found

your curly haired girl. His girlfriend!’ Kartik said.‘Yes, you were right. Arshi, do you know about his girlfriend?’Hasini asked.

‘He just told us that he had a girlfriend. He was so proud to tellus that she was in Germany. I don’t remember her name now. I haveseen her picture once. He showed us on his cell.’

Gaurav Narayan 15



Kartik had ordered co ee for everyone. While taking a sip of co ee Arshi thought of something and said, ‘One more thing about Kumar,

he used to make sketches also. He showed us some of his sketchesand you know what, he has three sisters, and one of his sisters hasthe same name as mine. I mean Arshi. He told me once. We missedhim when he left the company, but I know from inside that someday,he will do something big.’

‘Do you remember the face of his girlfriend?’‘Yes! But not clearly! She was an average looking girl, not so

beautiful and yes, as you said, she had curly hair,’ Arshi said.‘Okay. Are you sure that she was his girlfriend?’‘Yes. He told us about her.’ Arshi’s phone rang. It was her husband.‘Hasini, I have to go now,’ Arshi said.‘Arshi thanks a lot for giving your time,’ Hasini said. Arshi stood up and took her bag. She was going but suddenly she

turned and came back to Hasini.‘You remind me of something! I don’t know why but when you

called me and said your name is Hasini…’ Arshi said.‘My name? What’s wrong with my name? It must remind you of

something,’ Hasini said. Arshi took some seconds to memorize. She was blinking her eyes

and looking upside. en suddenly, something clicked in her mind andshe exclaimed, ‘Yes. Now I remember! e girl’s name was Hasini.’

‘Who? Which girl?’Hasini was astonished.‘Kumar’s girlfriend! Her name was also Hasini.’Hasini and Kartik gazed at each other with amazement.‘Are you sure?’ Hasini asked.‘Yes Hasini, her name was the same as yours. I am sure! Hey, I

have to go now. My husband is here. It was nice meeting you all.’ Arshi went. Hasini, Kartik and Disha were still sitting there. Hasini

took the cup of co ee and drank it all and went outside. Disha andKartik followed her.

‘So now, we have her name also. Hasini! What a coincidence!’Kartik said. Hasini took out a cigarette.

‘Now I can’t hold my curiosity, I have to meet this guy. I want toknow what happened with him,’ she said.

‘Hey! ey just broke up. It’s normal. Many people break upHasini,’ Kartik said.

‘Hmm… Kartik we are going back to Mumbai tomorrow,’ Hasinisaid.

‘Okay! I’ll book tickets.’ey went back to Disha’s home. Hasini stepped out from the car.She was in deep thought. She turned to Sonu who was checking theair pressure of the car.

‘Sonu Bhaiya. anks a lot for the trip and also thanks for tellingus about Kumar,’ Hasini said.




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