2010, New Delhi.
I am a 70 year old woman trying to console myself after 13 days long funeral of my husband. In the whole chaos I haven't find time to miss him for once. Holding the rose preserved in an old book I can still feel the freshness of the petals when I held it for the first time.
1960, Delhi.
In contrast to the society, female education was no bugbear in my family. I was completing my graduation in those days. Being a vibrant student I aced both academics and co-curriculars. Devika Shah was a popular name with a beautiful face. Long black hairs complimented my fair skin with sharp nose and an athletic body shape. With a large diameter of friends my axis revolved around Gita Sharma(Gitu). She knew me so well that instead of mirror I had to hide from her. Everything was just fine until one day when in the times of shirt and trousers a boy showed up in college in a black t-shirt, a sky blue denim jeans and big sun glasses. He entered on the coolest motorcycle of our times. The loud noise of the two wheeler was echoing many heart beats. All the windows and corridors remained occupied by heart shaped eyeballs. I always made fun of this bizarreness and denied to be a part of this ever. With an extreme desperation to see the new guy Gitu one day whispered in the middle of a lecture
"Oye, I reserved a front slot in corridor, let's go just once."
"Are you mad, I am not bunking my classes for that new clown in our town”
"Listen if you don't want to come it's fine but please don't call him a clown." Gita warned me
"Oh! So you are jealous. As he is grabbing all the attention." Adding further Gita pinched me by her words.
"Please spare me and chill Gitu whoever he maybe he is no DEV ANAND" I said dreaming about my Prince.
"You are right. This reminds me about a bunch of girls who were saying that he mimics Dev Sahab very well" She informed me.
"WHAT?? How dare he? Everything in black can't be DEV ANAND." I screamed (referring to the 'ban black for Dev Anand' orders passed by Supreme Court)
"Let's go and check this self proclaimed Dev Anand" I almost pulled Gita from her seat.
We reached near the canteen where he was busy entertaining his fans. Surrounded by girls, he was busy in boasting about his life back in London and how his fashion sense is way ahead from India. 'A rich spoilt brat' was his first impression on me.
I interfered him
"Excuse me,"
"Yes, please" he turned towards me.
I froze. The gravity was working so well that it pulled my heart too. With that hat and black attire he actually resembled Dev Anand.
"Sorry, do I know you ma’am?" he asked me very gently.
Gita elbowed me to come back from dreamy lanes I was wandering in.
"A new fan maybe" someone joked.
Everything else vanished for me. I stood dumbstruck. Seeing me in that condition Gita dragged me from there.
"What happened to you? Isn't he just a clown?"
She Jibed.
"Gita he is my Dev” all I could manage to say without even blinking or thinking for once.
"No, he is not. But he can be." Gita smirked and winked.
"How?" I asked.
"We will plan something. Though it will begin with me sacrificing my love which will be remembered as a symbol of true friendship for decades!” She exclaimed and we burst in laughter till our stomach ached
Waiting for me in the college next day Gitu gushed as she saw me.
"Oh! My GOD. Somebody is looking...