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 different."
In a body hugging pink churidar, a high bun, a long line of kajal and a natural blush of love defined my heart's condition.
"Come on Gitu. Stop teasing me now" I shyly said.
"Ok, so the plan is ready. First of all, you need to grab his attention"
I kept looking at her face for her to add something further.
"Is this all?” I asked after silently waiting for a minute.
"How will this happen?"
“That's work in progress dear"
she foolishly replied
"You are impossible Gitu" I started moving ahead in disappointment.
"Don't be upset Devil(she used to call me)I will find a way. Lend me sometime." She followed me and pleaded.
After a few days of disappearance suddenly one day Gitu joined me in the library
"Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai"she crooned
"What's the matter, found a magic lamp? I sarcastically asked.
"Almost" She answered passing me a piece of paper
"Not again Gitu."
"Trust me this time and open it" she insisted.
"Alright,let's see what have you got” I acceded rolling my eyes.
It was a paper with Dev Anand's small photo (the real one) below were the details
Name-Ishwar Sahani
M.A 1st year student.
Taking part in the main play for our college fest.
Gitu closed my mouth with her hands. Hugging me from behind "You can thank me later" She chuckled.
"Oh! my God this is too much information. I LOVE YOU girl" I chirped. 
"I know you don't. Liar" she said squeezing my cheeks.
"So the plan is to participate in the annual play and...
"I will take care of the rest" I completed her sentence.
In those days girls performing on stage wasn't common. Thus, I was selected very easily without any audition hassle. Holding the script in my hands I was facing him. He was introducing himself whereas I just kept gazing with a racing heart ready to jump out of chest and get coupled with his. To take the situation under control Gitu shook me slightly and murmured in my ears" He is asking your name stupid".
"Oh! yeah. Hey, I am Devika Shah" I introduced myself fumbling.
"Nice name. Will see you around during the rehearsals then." He excused himself.
"Are you crazy, what was this weird behaviour?
You missed the golden chance? Make use of the opportunities coming your way silly girl." Gitu was blabbering while I kept wondering the way he smiled, his charm was infectious. In the days to come we got to know a lot about each other's personal lives and interests. He informed me about he being here in India for the sake of his grandparents who wanted him to learn about Indian culture and also get acquainted about their assets here. He also expressed how much he missed his parents who are back there in London for their respective jobs. He loved reading good literature and he himself wrote so well. He loved Indian spicy meals. He was crazy for Bollywood films and DEV ANAND. He also informed me that he is pursuing his Masters in History.
"Wow that's amazing I am doing my graduation with the same, I too love history and DEV ANAND" I mentioned in order to build a bridge to cross the river.
"Great, it is very interesting. I haven't found anybody so far who smiles for History." He said and both of us giggled. As he mimicked in typical DEV ANAND style.
Both of us were getting comfortable. We used to take small tea breaks in between the rehearsals leaving the entire lobby of girls jealous. Days were short and nights were long I used to curse moon every night for being there so long. Whereas sun was welcomed with a broad smile. My family was noticing these changes in me. The new spark in my eyes was reflecting more than my words.
"Anything I should know Devi" My mom sat beside me one night and enquired
"No mom nothing as such what made you feel like this" I stammered avoiding eye contact with her.
"Ok. I trust you. Always remember never take advantage of the liberty provided to you." My wise and intelligent mom preached me as she sensed the essence of new fragrance in me.
"Will never do that mom. Actually it's the play I told you about. It zoned me out in a different world." I completed somehow with erupting lava of guilt and kissed my mom a goodnight.
As usual I was awake that whole night too. But the reason wasn't Ishwar.
Next day I discussed the same with Gitu
"Mom is right. This is not what for I am here and the feelings are too one sided. I don't know how does he feel. "
"Listen to me carefully only 5 days are left for the play. Maybe you will find your answers but if you don't get any signs then it means this DEV is too not yours." She advised.
I nervously nodded.
One day before the final play while we were rehearsing our lines.
"Your beautiful eyes speaks more than your petal soft lips JULIET" Ishwar said handing me a rose.
"OH! ROMEO You make me feel so good." I said accepting the rose from ISHWAR.
and ROMEO JULIET hugs to end the scene.
"Cut" the director instructed and in between the claps Ishwar whispered in my ears while the curtains were closing.
"My best time of the day is when I am with you"
I tightened my grip on his back and confessed   "same here."
As nobody could see us we were lost in each other for long and got off the stage holding hands. He too liked me. It was mixed feeling of contentment and disbelief. I always imagined romance to be the only ingredient of happiness. I was happy to find my spices. As our relationship geared up we started bunking lectures but never compromised studies. We used to discuss history, we read books in library, we kept dipping in each other's eyes. He contradicted all the pre notions I had. I found him to be very wise, mature, calm, patient and a composed person. He was very ambitious. Apart from his looks now there were more reasons to like him. I was flying high with him in my denial bubble.
Few days before our final exams Gita asked me
"Have you discussed anything about the future? He lives in London. What will happen once he will return?"
"I was too thinking about this. It's his birthday tomorrow, let it pass. Then surely I will talk to him." I firmly replied.
Sensing my dilemma Gitu said " Ooo, so what are the plans for Dev sahab's birthday madam."
"Will tell you tomorrow only, now you leave and let me take my beauty sleep." I almost pushed her out. She left singing"Dost dost na raha..."
It was his birthday. I planned a few surprises for him. I left a note in the parking space of his bike "This is where I fell for you. Next spot is where we connected"
The note said with a gift wrapped book of poetries he was in search of. He rushed in the auditorium and found another note “That was quick. Next spot is our favourite place." A Vintage Pen and a wooden carved diary with his name on it. Which he once mentioned he wanted. He reached the cafeteria on our table a note accompanied by two tickets of a play he was struggling to get since a week below a cup of tea read "Next and the last spot is where you and me became us".
He came and sat beside me on the stage where we first confessed our feelings.
"You made my day so special Devi. This is all so thoughtful. I admit. I truly loved each and every effort made by you. You exactly knew what will make me happy".
I was loving the way he was appreciating. I was absorbing each and every word.
"How could you even manage these tickets"
"Contacts dear" I boasted
"Really, Amazing" he gushed.
"It's not over yet Ishwar" I dramatically said handing him a bunch of Sunflowers. His eyes were ready to pop out as sunflowers were a rare sight in those days and he loved them. He considered them to symbolise motivation to rise and shine. He used to say "Confidence gives courage to face the sun."
He added a few roses he bought for me in the same bunch and wrote a note
"If ROSES are loved for beautification SUNFLOWERS are symbol of determination."
"Now this bouquet looks perfect. Isn't it?"
Tears rolled down on my cheeks as I could see me in his eyes so clearly.
"I will never forget this day in my life.
This spirit of yours is commendable and unmatchable. I Love You Devi with all my heart and that is the only truth I know." He confessed
"But you will have to go back to London, and my life is here. In this soil." I said sobbing.
"I will stay here forever. Our destiny is spinning the wheel of circumstances turn in such a way that my parents are returning back to settle in India to take care of the our ancestral properties as my grandparents are ageing. Meanwhile, I will take a job and you can finish your studies." He announced.
"When have you planned all this Ishwar? I was so scared to even think about it. But now this sounds so sorted. Still we need consent of our families" I asked him in a state of shock and surprise.
"My parents are aware and your family is my responsibility." He assured.
"I feel connected to you. You are the only one whom I can talk. You are a friend to me first. With no barriers in between we will stay together till death separates us." He promised me and wiped my tears.
As per the plan we got married after my post graduation. I took a job as a professor in the same college and Ishwar became a full time writer. He named several books but never forget his role as my ROMEO. He always gave me pleasant surprises and a lot of reasons to smile.
When we were expecting our first child he said "if I loved you more it's going to be a boy and vice versa" and we had twins a beautiful girl and a handsome boy. There were many such signs that always kept us gripped together.
Present day.
"Finally, he kept his promise. Only death separated you both love birds" Gitu patted my back
I hugged and cried to burst the pain.
"Control yourself Devil.You are among those lucky ones who remained in love whole your life. I am grateful to God if in tiniest way I helped you. How many are there who get to marry their love at first sight and that too with the skin of Dev Sahab." Gitu consoled me.
As he always said" 'Love for a reason so that even if the love fades away that reason keeps you bound together.' And you have many of those." She quoted him handing me his book "ROSES & SUNFLOWERS."
 
 
 
    

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