CHAPTER 1

I'm Vicky, 29 years old man, sitting on the rocker on balcony and watching the vehicles moving to and fro in the street. I had created the wonderful memories ever out of that bending road that lied straight infront of my house . I always recollect the memories and feel the peace in my heart. I long for that moment once again but as its truly said, nothing lasts forever. Things usually happens for once in and just the memories remain. Some times I would just drive in that direction without any particular destination, just to feel her presence there in the wind. She lingers around that place on my only mind and I would feel the smell of her perfume and slowly drive back towards my home longing her presence in that street again. I desperately crave to see her everyday in that spot, but my wishes just remained as wishes, no miracles would happen upon my wishes and that would break me into pieces. Still one should continue to survive, though happy or sad. So only option remained was to watch the bending road and recollect the memories, that helped me feel alive anyway.

The long chain of memories couldn't stop flowing in my head about our encounter. Yes she is my DREAM GIRL. And never ever expected her to come all the way from BHUTAN. This rocker has served me to be here for two years now, and I swim in those memories everyday after the office while I sip my coffee;- sitting like a robot without any live inside.

That particular Monday was actually so wonderful day for me. As I looked out from the window I could see the heavy rainfall. I was feeling bored to go to office . Usually the office day after jolly weekends bored me. But, had no options, though sunny or rainny the life has to be continued. More over the law of nature about eating wouldn't leave upon the weather's change. As I realized, I was chuckling at my own silly thoughts. Dumping out the random silly thoughts, I had to start bathing quick, for I knew how long I had been standing in washroom and thinking all the nonsense.

Soon after I was done with breakfast, I dressed my favourite grey suit. I wore my brown shoes and picked the car key. I piped my head into the kitchen and said bye to mom. I passed through the sitting hall and waved bye to my dad. He said bye in response lifelessly, his eyes focused on morning news and accompained me till the main door to lash it again, as I went out.

I got inside the car and checked on my watch. I knew that I'm ten minutes early that day than the usual time. I usually followed the road from behind my house, but that particular day, my instincts were insisting me to go by the front road. The rain had almost stopped, and only few drops were dripping and hitting on my nose bridge from the window. I drove about half a kilometer from my home, and reached a bending road. There I saw a slim young girl standing and looking for a taxi. she was dressing a black jeans and a white shirt. Her cheeks looked so soft and chubby. She carried an umbrella in one hand and clutch and some files in the another. She got some Indian look, but I really was doubting if she is an Indian or other nationalities . She tried to stop few autos but all came occupied. I was driving in the pace of snail because of traffic jam in the front. The peak office hours usually remained like that and I was eventually habbituated to these kind of scenarios. My eyes haven't left that girl, standing by the bending road. Suddenly a rushing man pushed her elbow, making her loose the balance from the position she stood. She almost fell off, eventually dropping everythingthing from her hands. She looked very tensed and it intinsified. She had no friends and she looked lonely too. I was still observing her and approaching her slowly. She picked her things among the busy crowd. I neared her too close by then, that I could feel the aroma of her perfume.

I thought of going on my direction, like everyone did, but my instinct ordered me to speak to her;- if not for the cause of humanity.

" Excuse me madam, may I help you?" I could see the glow on her face with a sign of relieve, as I talked to her. she gave me a smile out of those thin rosy lips and responded, "Thanks sir, actually I'm looking for a taxi". Her voice sounded alot confused. I continued, "where do you want to go ?" Then she took out a piece of paper from a purse and showed me the address. To my surprise the address she showed me was just the next building from my office . By then I was clear that she wasn't belonging to this particular city. I asked her where she came from and for what purpose she happenend to come here. She told me she came from Bhutan. She was here for the one month training on health issues held among the SAARC countries . She was sent here by the government of Bhutan to represent the country. With theose conversation we reached our respective destinations. I dropped her infront of the building and she walked away with the thanks and broad smile on her face. I felt glad to help her. But I regretted for not asking her name. I would have atleast asked her name before departure. I parked my car and I walked into my office too. I couldn't stop thinking about her. But I tried to ignore everything and tried my best to concentrate on my business. Hmmm...I pulled my file and switched on my laptop. The wall picture on my laptop was of my favourite heroine Rani mukharjee but to my surprise I would see a face of that same girl I gave the lift . I smiled a bit , biting the cap of the pen in my mouth . I felt confused from within. I looked around. No one was there. I went to the washroom and looked into the mirror. I smiled to self. I checked my hair style. Everything remained in position as I had set in the morning. I walked to the door and looked towards the next building. Pheeeewwww ....She as well was standing outside, her hands folded and talking to few people around. I could see the same stunning smile and glowing face. I wished I could go there and ask her name. But I quickly realised it would be too silly to do that right away . I wished she look in my direction. But she wasn't looking.

Finally I made my mind to walk inside office again. I felt a sort of relif on seeing her face once again " Ahhhh, what a huge crush I ever experienced ", I mumbled to self and started to do my work. still I couldn't stop my self from looking at the time every now and then.

The clock ticked to the lunch break and I rushed to my car. I stood nearby my car door, almost leanig and I was checking towards the way she went in the morning from corner of my eyes. To my astonishment she was comming my way, with few more friends of her. This time she saw me and smiled. She waved her hand and I did the same in reply. I wanted to go home to have my lunch. but I made sure to ask her if she is going for the lunch with me in restaurant nearby. She said yes. And I asked her if she needs my companiyon. She nodded her head to reply yes. we drove to the nearby restaurant and enjoyed our lunch together and drove back again. we had a lot more conversation. I didn't fail to ask her name this time. " May I know your good name if you don't mind", "Ofcourse, and my name is Chokey". she replied instantly. " I'm Vicky, and our names makes a wonderful rhymes together", I added and we both laughed over the coincidence of framing the rhyme. We turned to become good friends in no time. I promised to drop her home in the evening that day. she was glad to receive my help in such an unknown and stranger's area. I liked her tone of voice and her mesmerizing smile with head over heel.

The route of my car has changed from that day for ever. I would pick her every day from that bending road. I started to feel like she is part of my life in no time. Even weekends seemed to get too long to kill without seeing her face. One month had passed in the aglimpse of my eyes, but I failed to express what lied deep in my heart. I attempted to say the truth but I stopped in a fear of loosing her. I just loved the way it was happening. To see her smile, to have her companiyon, to exchange conversation about life and about dreams...,to linger around her had became my utmost habbit. But never realised she was only for short period of time . I craved to know what feeling she had been holding for me .But I lacked the confidence to ask her all these things. The questions like "what if she never talk to you again, what if she isn't feeling the same way you are feeling, what if she gets bothered by your questions", these idiotic questions were acting dangerously on my head, blasting like the atom bombs, and always distroying the peace of already agonize heart. Due to those fear I really couldn't express my feelings while she was right infront of my nose. But every in her absence has crumbled. I started getting kinda crazy. She was my first crush, after all.

It was the 2nd year that I had been surviving like that with the heavy heart. The balcony became my all time favourite spot . I stoped going for games and sports, I didn't like going for my regular gym and exercise. I mostly lingered around the bending road and I couldn't stop dreaming for same to happen again. I stoped going for parties , hanging out and meeting friends. I lost the appetite. I lost the interest in my business . I was always lost in her thoughts. Sometimes I even overworked, not realizing the time. But I never knew my mom had been noticing the changes of my behaviours.

One day as I walked out for office as usual, I saw my mom accompanying me. I was wondering what must be the reason for my her to accompanie me. She usually use to call me over the phone if I forgot anything. And she approached very near. I couldn't look straight into her eyes. She looked serious this time. I did my car window down, and tried to apply some fake smiles on my face. I was feeling confused as she was studying my expressions . I placed both of my hands over the wheel, and stayed quite, acting to be an innocent mama's son.

"Are you having any problems Vicky? I could see the drastic changes in everything you do!.You have been doing so, since last one year if I'm not delayed to notice all these". I never knew she was silently observing me from every angles . I wasn't prepared at all to reply her instantly. I decided to keep quiet. She was looking kinda serious and I could see the concern in her eyes. She threw several questions in a minute, making me impossible to reply any of them. " Are you tensed because of the business matters?" " No mummy, it's nothing! I'm alright " I replied trying sound confident, but I was withered from within. I finally managed to make her calm with all my fake laughter. " Hahaha", and finally she smiled. I turned on my car engine and she walked away with the reminder to take care about my health. I did my work as usual in office. I came for lunch and I went back again. Every thing happened as usual. But as I arrived home in the evening I was surprised by the plan my parents had made for me. They had decided to send me for a week long trip to Bhutan. They had always been great parents and I felt blessed to have them as my parents. I finally knew, my mom wasn't less than a dectector. She had chosen the right Country for my trip. It was Bhutan!