Being Tough

“Avani, let’s go it’s getting late; I don’t want to miss the start, how much time you are taking to get ready?” called out Tanvi, as she put on her earrings.

“Yes Ma’am I’m done, let’s go, I’m so excited. Chalo chalo lets move else we will get late”, rushed Avani, picking up the keys. Both of them locked the flat and ran through the stairs not wanting to waste time for lift.

Tanvi took scooty keys from Avani and they started for Adlabs.

Avani was a shy, homely, reserved - typical Maharashtrian girl, she was so much dependent on her parents, when she was in school that her parents were much tensed to send her to Pune for education, where she was supposed to live in hostel and continue her studies. But their tension was a

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matter of few days as here she found Tanvi who was from Kerala, an independent girl determined to leave her footprints in this world by her work even after she was gone, Avani mirrored her thoughts and they both never left a chance to enjoy life. After meeting Tanvi, Avani’s parents were relaxed that their daughter has found a good friend who was independent and could take care of herself. Avani got attached to Tanvi emotionally very soon as Tanvi had replaced her parents in those years, Avani would consult her for everything. They slowly started depending on each other. Live for today that was the mantra that they followed and they both were there for each other at time of need. They had been roommates since 1st year of engineering and they both were thankful for the college hostel for gifting them such a wonderful friend. Since then they had been together always. Avani being very much attached and dependent on her family often felt home sick in the beginning, but later Tanvi’s company made her hostel sick. After completing engineering, both moved in Avani’s flat in Kalyaninagar; one of the luxurious areas of Pune. Though their streams were different they were able to get placed through campus in the same company and now they were working for a MNC in Pune. Both had a lot common interests. Their daily routine was very busy, every morning they had to get up at 6 am and get ready for the office bus which would be at the door step sharp at 7:00 am, they would relax in the bus, once they would reach office the only thing that concerned them was their first cup of

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coffee, Avani was addicted to coffee if she would not have that cup of coffee for whole day she would have headache, Tanvi never skipped coffee with her, that would give her chance to start the day with smiles. There were couple of more friends who would join them for coffee; the topic of discussion would vary from current affairs to home affairs to leg pulling of someone in the group. After that they would go back to their desk and start work. Avani and Tanvi were in different projects and buildings, so the only time they used to be together was at tea and lunch break apart from the continuous chat on office communicator. Avani still had innocence alive in her, Tanvi would treat her like her younger sister and guide her in every step. Tanvi was matured enough to take her own decisions and she fought with her parents to come to Pune for education, they wanted her to get married, but today she was happy with her decision. In the evening when they would come back home, they would be so tired that Maggiee was their favorite meal many times not because of its taste but that was the simplest and easiest meal they could afford after a tiring day. Listening to news, watching their favorite show they would have Maggiee and in the end retire to their rooms. On weekends they would take full advantage to enjoy life, they had a plan for every weekend and this weekend was very special. Today, they were very much excited; not only because this was their first movie in the newly

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opened Adlabs multiplex but also because it was a comeback movie of their favorite hero. Tanvi had brought the tickets for the movie 3 days in advance to avoid the last minute curiosity. Tanvi and Avani were busy anticipating how the movie would be, unaware of what destiny had in store for them, they kept chatting all the way. Since they had just shifted to their new flat they were not very familiar with the route. Tanvi droved as per Avani’s instruction which she gave her after querying people around for the route, mean time Avani told the live radio commentary to Tanvi.

“Hey Tannu, listen to this… your favorite track is being played on the radio!” and she unplugged one of her earphone and plugged it to Tanvi’s ear.

“WOW! Sonu Nigam he is so sweet na... Chaha hai tuzhko…. Tera milna paal do paal ka meri dhadkane..… la.. laa… la…” Tanvi sang shaking her head on the rhythm of the song, just then they reached the multiplex.

There was rich crowd at multiplex, Tanvi dropped Avani at the entrance and moved to the parking area. She parked the scooty and hurried to the entrance. Avani was waiting for her there and desperately searching something in her purse. Tanvi went near her and said in desperation don’t tell me you forgot to bring the tickets?

“Huh?” Avani gave a blank look to her and again continued with her search. After some time, when Tanvi

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felt the mood getting spoilt, she dragged Avani with her and gave the tickets to the door keeper. Avani was shocked and happy at same time.

“I knew u would forget to get them along, so I had already put them in my purse. Now come on don’t search for explanations... you won’t get any”, said Tanvi smiling.

“But Tanuuu, I didn’t forget the tickets. I didn’t find them in the drawer when I went to get them so I was sure you picked it.”

“Ohh yes you knew the tickets were with me and that is why you were looking for them in your purse, haa?

Right?” Tanvi said raising her eyebrows and pinching Avani slightly.

ummm… hmmm… Avani was bewildered and she cried in pain rubbing her arm where Tanvi pinched

“Let it be dear... it happens you don’t need to explain. I know you are also so excited about all this”, blinked Tanvi.

Avani felt relaxed and she too let it go. Again the air got excited. There was an escalator; Avani had never been on an escalator before. She was scarred to board it. Tanvi tried to distract her attention and drag her but she was reluctant.

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“There is no other way to reach there? No, wait no, leave me I will fall. I can’t come yaar ….Tanuuu it’s not that easy don’t, don’t you laugh dear.” Avani was behaving like a small kid, not ready to listen to his mamma. Tanvi tried very hard to tell her it’s not very difficult, “Avani.. come on, it’s not that dangerous, ok.. see, think as if this is a steady staircase and you have to climb only one step and then stay there for a while? What say? Let’s try? ”

“No…” Avani replied depicting horror on her face, nervous she looked around for some other way and was dazed to see because of her, all people had crowded behind them which only added to her embarrassment. Someone suggested stopping the escalator for a moment. She agreed to it and the escalator was stopped for the time she boarded it and then it again started. Now she felt good. She enjoyed the short ride but then again at the top she was scared to disembark; but Tanvi managed to distract her attention and make her get off the escalator at right time.

“Hush… thank God I’m safe!” Avani sighed as soon as she was off the escalator.

“As if you would have not reached the top, huh? You are such a cartoon you know. You were everyone’s attraction there.” Tanvi said teasing her and waving her hands at her.

“Yes. I know people were staring at me with wide eyes.

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But what can I do Tanuu if my leg would have got caught in between those STAIRS?” And she rolled her eyes in terror. As she scanned the surroundings she exclaimed in excitement, “Hey look there are so many nice stalls out there. Come we will do some window shopping.” Avani called out Tanvi, who was laughing uncontrollably. There were different stalls. They both went to each one of them examining the material.

“Do you think these will go with my blue Salwar kameez?” Tanvi said showing a pair of earring to Avani.

“Which one the one you stitched yesterday? “ “Yes won’t they look pretty?”

“Umm yes they seem to be ok, but I liked these I think these will be better? What do you say?” Avani said showing her another pair of earring

“Ohh my; they are so beautiful and it’s a complete set of bracelet, earring, necklace, anklet and it’s so cute, I liked it. I will buy this.” Tanvi was happy to find the set.

The next shop was a shoe shop; they both sat there and were trying pair of sandals. Asking each other which was good and which suited more, latest design and all analysis was going on. They moved on to the other shop once the shopping there was done.

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After a while they could see a guy coming towards them who was breathless, he came near to them and bowed down gasping some air, Tanvi and Avani looked at him puzzled. He was holding his stomach and then after a while he raised his hands towards Avani which had a wallet. Avani was surprised, she took it from him and thanked him, Tanvi gave her puzzled look with questions in her eyes like, “where did you forget it?”

“I found it at the door, saw your photo in it and by coincidence I saw you shopping at the first floor.. so… ”he stopped to gasp air.

“Ahh... you might have dropped it there when you were creating scene for the escalator… ” Tanvi rolled her eyes.

“No, no… it was at the entrance door.” clarified the guy.

“May be when I was searching for keys in my handbag I dropped it.” Avani provided explanation with innocence.

“hmm right”, said Tanvi and turning towards him she thanked him.

“Hi my name is Atharva…. ” he gave his hand to her in anticipation of a handshake. Tanvi shook her head and said, “Hi, I’m Tanvi… ” he seemed disappointed so Avani took his hand and did a shake hand and said, “Hi, I’m Avani and Thank you so much... for chasing me from ground floor just to return this wallet to me… ” He was pleased and said, “welcome!!” greeting each other

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a bye they parted their ways.

“Avani, please be careful next time, it was your luck that you got your wallet back, thanks to that good fellow.

And I have said so many times to you don’t carry everything in your wallet, you have all your credit card, debit card, pan card and what not cards in your wallet, do you understand how much it could have cost you?” Tanvi roared at Avani warning her to be careful and signaled her to move, they kept on showing each other the minutest detail that excited them about the multiplex and which they found was something unique. After admiring the multiplex’s architecture and the various stalls there (As by now you know, they left no stone unturn, Girls you know), they had shopped enough for themselves and they thought so because it was now time for the movie, meanwhile they had some sandwiches and sat on the chairs to make their feet relax a bit after that long shopping session.

“I think we did a good thing by coming early we got to see around and also shop I’m feeling so nice I got so many nice things. The purse I bought is so unique.” Avani’s face showed satisfaction.

“Yes. I also liked it but the lady had only one piece.” Tanvi was disappointed.

“It’s ok you can also use it sometime”, grinned Avani.

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“Ohh I don’t need your permission for that; Anyways I’m taking it to office tomorrow. Hehehe” Avani too joined her in the laugh. Both started giggling as the doors opened and they were guided to their seat by the door keeper and then the most awaited moment came... The movie started. The first scene was a murder. Tanvi could not see that scene. She closed her eyes and tried to get a glimpse through gap in her fingers, then there was a song... where the titles rolled and they saw name of their favorite hero appearing and so on the movie continued they both got engrossed in the movie. In the interval Tanvi took out her phone and saw there were 4 missed calls, she looked for the number but it was an unknown number. She checked the profile, her phone was on silent, she changed her phone profile to ringing. If her parents would call and she would not pick the call they would unnecessarily get tensed, she thought to herself. She again checked the number, someone called her 4 times, but since her cell was on vibrator she did not realize, who it might be, she thought, then she thought whoever it is will call her again if needed, and since it is unknown number why should she bother, not paying much attention to it she took the popcorn from Avani, they chatted about the movie, how different it was from what they had seen in the trailers and all. Just then Tanvi received a call from the same unknown number. With hesitation she said “Hello.”

“Is Ritu there?” said an unknown voice on the other side.

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“Sorry?? Whom do u want to speak? There is no Ritu here, wrong number!” Tanvi disconnected the phone.

Avani was about to ask her about the call but then the movie started. So they both forgot about the call and they got engrossed in the movie. Sometime later again Tanvi’s mobile started ringing in a high tone, feeling embarrassed she went out of the hall to get the call. She looked at the number it was the same unknown number, she answered it “Hello…”

“Hello, Is Ritu there I need to talk to her please I know she is there please connect me to her”, said the desperate voice on the other side.

“I’m so sorry but this is not Ritu’s number can you please check the number again. Probably you have dialed the Wrong Number”, Tanvi answered politely and she rushed back to her seat, cursing the unknown fellow for making her miss the movie partly.

This happened for 2-3 times again. Tanvi really got frustrated now. She decided to be rude now. After all why should she every time leave her seat to attend a wrong number and miss shots, action scene of her favorite hero. Tanvi again changed her cell profile to silent and making it a point to scold this man she came back to her seat. Avani was already feeling uncomfortable.

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“What’s going on?” She signaled her.

“Aree, I don’t know who this fellow is it’s a wrong number, he is asking for some Ritu, I have told him so many times its not Ritu’s number but he still keeps calling me.. ”

“Are you sure he is not any of your friend? May be someone playing prank?” Avani whispered.

“No… I don’t remember listening to his voice.” Tanvi said confused.. “But you know what… ”, Avani signaled her to stop and pay attention to the movie now and tell her details later. As Tanvi had expected, the unknown number again flashed on her mobile screen. The movie was at its climax and getting very interesting she was determined to cut the call, but she thought maybe he has some urgent work with that girl. So reluctantly she answered the call, before the person said anything she started,

“Look Mr., I don’t know who you are. I’m trying to be polite to you but let me tell you this isn’t Ritu’s number and I don’t know any Ritu. Please check the number you have dialed. Please don’t bother me again. I can’t do anything if Ritu gave you this as her number. But in reality it’s not Ritu’s number it’s my number so please excuse me.” Tanvi said in one breath and was happy that she finally rudely told this fellow that she doesn’t bother who Ritu he wants to talk to satisfied she was about to

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press the end call button when the voice on other end said, “Hi, this is Madhav and actually I wanted to talk to you.” Tanvi was shocked but digesting her shock she said, “Me? why? Do I know you? Who Madhav?” Tanvi stressed her grey cells to recall, “Ammm ahhh I can’t recollect if I know any Madhav.”

“Can you spare 5 min I will let you know all details… ” the voice on other side pleaded.

“ahh.. what?? 5 min… ohh any ways ok... we can talk but not now please call me after 15 – 20 min.” saying this she turned to go to her seat but on the screen in bold letters she could only see written

The Beginning!!

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