A Bridge across two cities-Part 4

The following month just flipped by just like days fly by you.

One day, Gargi was just sitting in her lab when she received an email saying her abstract was accepted in what was considered to be one of the biggest meetings.

Her eyes flashed as she saw that email and rushed to tell her boss about it.

"So you get an opportunity to attend your first international conference" said her boss

"Yep..I am darn excited. A place like Hawaii. With people from all corners of the world. New faces. Networking. Whoa!" a gushing Gargi said

"Although, I would have been happy if you would have got a travel award" winked her boss

"Aagh! one needs to be really outstanding to get that. Hopefully, some day I will get there", said Gargi

"So you need to put together all the stuff in less than 3 weeks"

"Yeah..wish there was more than 24 hours, the tickets need to be finalized, the hotels" said Gargi
"Also the poster" said her boss rolling his eyes

"Get to work now"

"So who all is travelling along with you" her boss asked

"Its Me, Vinay and Xiaobao" quipped Gargi

"So you get to spend 4 days with me at Hawaii" mentioned Gargi to Vinay that evening

"Haan re..poor me! U wont leave me alone even there. Not to mention your constant threats of revealing all my secrets to Smriti, if you catch me getting 'friendly' with all the hot chicks that fly to that place" sighed Vinay

"You think am gonna waste my time with you in Hawaii..No wayyyyyyyyyy! With all the hot dudes around, I wont be close to you within 4 ft distance" Gargi said

"Conferences is all about networking and ogling and less about science and research anyways", Vinay said

"Sunny beaches, warm weather, clean air and miles away from the University and Alok. Whoa..life is suddenly exciting" Gargi said

"I hope you find someone 'interesting' over there" Vinay said

So the day of departure came and all the junta came to drop them off at the airport.

"Get some momentos for us", said Freya

"WOW..I thought California weather rocked..but 80F in Hawaii rocks real good", chirped Gargi as she, Vinay and Xiaobao got to the baggage claim and see who were there to escort them to the hotel

"I see some big number of lost faces at the airport", chipped Xiaobao

"Yeay..I think all are pretty excited for being here at the same time wondering about transport", Vinay smiled

"It feels great to be a part of such an diverse crowd. We sure are going to learn a lot", said Gargi

Meanwhile, they saw a person walking towards them, as they were all led to a mini bus that was arranged to transport the conference attendees to the hotel.

The entire bus looked like an assortment of people travelling from all corners of the country and elsewhere.

It was all a new experience for Gargi.

"So where are you from"? one curious looking Korean guy asked her in the bus

"I am a Grad student at Ferdinand University in California. Majoring in Bioengineering", an excited Gargi mentioned

"I am majoring in Biophysical Chemistry at Seoul National University. I am called Henry. Nice to meet you"

"All these junta looks ay too serious yaar. All into science and all that. Look at that Korean guy.He looks like he is spent his entire life neck deep into oceans of scientific discovery. We look way too vella yaar"..chirped Gargi to Vinay

"Presenting my findings in front of these guys sounds too intimidating yaar"..she continued

"Atleast you are doing a poster. Think about me. A podium in front of all the big shots" Vinay said

"Hehehe..I really envy all those guys who speak well in public. I can be a chatterbox, but in a room full of people, the cat steals my tongue", mentioned Gargi

"Let's see who steals the limelight this year"..Vinay saida

A Bridge across two cities-Part 3

It was a lazy sunday morning.

The neighborhood looked calm n quiet. Everyone must be busy in Sunday prayers, Gargi thought to herself.

She got up freshened up and made herself a steaming cup of ginger tea and left some for Freya in the microwave.

Sipping warm cup of tea fragrant with aroma of ginger was her practise since childhood. One habit that she would never give up for as long as she lives. Everyone was full of praises for the tea that she made.

As she stared through the fourt floor balcony towards the swimming pool, Freya walked in.

"Good morning, janeman', chirped Freya
'Ja chai rakhee hai pee le'

"So whats for breakfast"..teased Freya

"Hey, you to know, I can never have breakfast. Go make something for yourself and leave some for me for lunch", said Gargi

"Oh man..so you all set to go to the lab on SUNDAY"..howled Freya

"Haan yaar..will go n come back in couple of hours, so I can have sunday evening to chillax"..smiled Gargi

"Sounds good. Come back soon. We can make some alu parathas for dinner and catch up on last evening's gossip"..winked Freya

"Thats a good enuf motivation for me to come back soon" , Gargi said

"That Alok just drives me nuts, you know", Freya said as she munched Alu parathas with some yogurt

"Yeah, I know..but we can't change some people. Why drain yourself in that pretext" , Gargi said as a matter of fact.

"He just treats you like whatever. Why dont you just answer him back? Dont know how you stand him in the lab", questioned Freya

"Thats exactly why I do not want to mess around with the dude. Its hard to be friends in personal as well as professional life. If I behave rudely with him on a personal basis, it would reflect on my behavior when I am in the lab with him around me. Dont wanna mess up the work decorum, you see", Gargi mentioned

"Ya..its just a matter of 2 more years. Then you dont need to see the ass for the rest of your life" smiled Freya

"Hmm..its not JUST two years.Its TWO long years! That invloves being pally for atleast 12 hrs a day. Thats becoming increasingly difficult these days. With both of us being peers and the 'competition'. Even if you cannot be that way, you HAVE to be that way", sighed Gargi

"That we all face. Some more than the others. Plus, it also depends on how much you let yourself get affected by it" Freya said

"Plus, I have a wonderful roomie like you. A royal pain in the ass, that I need not be bothered by anymore pain", giggled Gargi

"Ya ya, dil mein kuch hai zubaan pe kuch hai. When I am gone to Atlanta, to meet didi, that time you miss me like anything' teased Freya

"Woh kya hai..I am scared of spending the night alone, thats why bug you. Otherwise, who in the right sense would miss you", Gargi said

"Why don't you get married? That way you need not spend the night alone", teased Freya

"Hahahahhaa...marriage..ya right"..Gargi said rolling her eyes

"Whats there to hahaha about it, huh?? You are 24 already", Freya said

"Huh..once an Indian always an Indian:P I am 24 ONLY. For heavens sake. Still have 2 more years left for me to walk down the aisle", said Gargi

"U know its not surprising for girls your age to have kids too. 24 is the right age of what my parents tell me. I am 23 and they have already starte looking around for me", Freya said

"Well, I am not opposed to marriage as such. But, its different about girls getting married in India and in US", said Gargi

"Ya, girls in US get more confused", teased Freya

"No..not that way. The whole long distance funda. First of all, its hard to find someone in the place where you live. By someone, I mean, one with whom you could "connect"to. And not many guys would be willing to start off with a long distance relationship", Gargi said

"Ya thats true. But, these things could always be worked on, you see. Plus, how hard is it, to find a desi guy in California yaar. Agar tujhe yahan koi nahi mila to, saree US mein nahi milega", teased Freya

"Agreed, these things could be worked on, but for that basic "liking" should be there. One will not readily agree to change the course of his/her life unless they like each other to that extent. And that liking is hard to come by"..said Gargi

"And as far as guys in California are concerned. Well, sometimes one person likes you and sometimes you like someone. I have to still encounter a situation, where I like the person and the same person likes me too"..Gargi continued......

A Bridge across two cities-Part 2

Freya and Gargi heard a car screeching in front of the driveway.

"Damn! Kate's here already. Now she is going to create a hooplah how we Indians are always late for any event", growled Freya.

"Ohhh..U look hot in that halter top", Gargi remarked loooking at Freya!

"Well, thank you. In Rome dress like the Roman. Mark has some real good looking hot guy friends. Heard there's a new Spanish guy whos joined him at the University. Of what I have heard, the guy plays good piano and is also single', giggled Freya

"Ya, jaise ki woh tere liye hi kunwara baitha hai (As if he is single only for you)" quipped Gargi

Meanwhile, Kate entered the room "So whats up girls? and I overheard you guys talking about some Spanish guy. Come on, fill me in"

"Freya has some hots for a guy whom she has never met. Apparently, a single-good-looking-piano-playing guy", said Gargi

"Hey did you make sure he is not a gay", Kate exclaimed

"Man! you guys will never change. Can't a guy be genuinely single?? Is it necessary to find flaws with someone like that?? And how do you suspect a guy to be gay???", Freya was clearly irritated

Realizing this, Gargi quickly attempted to do some damage control.

"OK! honey..tu uske saath shaadi karle and nice spanish bacchon ki ma bann ja"[You marry him and bear good looking spanish children"..Gargi said.

They all started laughing and Kate volunteered to drive them to Mark's house.

At the party, people were dressed in as minimal attire as possible.

It was a great day, rather evening, with gentle breeze blowing across and clear sky. The place was lighted with dim but tastefully decorated. It was a pleasant romantic evening.

Mark had arranged for some pool side games along with pizza and beer.
People were happy. He had invited some few guests without making the place look too crowded.

For starters there were fruits, salads, dips.

"Guys, there is some soda and tea too" Mark announced.

"Ya, its nice to avoid alcohol especially if you are swimming'

Mark was one gentleman. Extravagant taste and a pleasing personality.

Alok and Vinay joined them.

"So, did you manage all this by yourself, Mark?" Vinay asked

"Hell no! Emily is in town. She is an absolute darling. She took care of the whole lighting and decoration." Mark said looking fondly at his girlfriend

"Am sure, the dumbass is going to say something caustic"..Kate mumbled into Gargis' ears

"Women, I tell you. Who cares for lights n decoration when you have beer" smirked Alok

'Oh nevermind, Alok. You cannot hammer things into someone's brains. You go feed your brain cells with ethanol (scientific term for alcohol)" ..Gargi said strongly

"Oh..here she goes again. Some people eat, drink and breathe science" Alok retorted

"So, Gargi..did you finally submit that abstract that you were working on??" Vinay asked Gargi

"Yeah, I did. Finished it off last night. Wanted to take the two days off for the weekend you see"

"Oh..you ever hardworker. Absolutely charming"

"Oh no way. I can be the biggest procrastinator you see. The deadline is sunday and I needed my boss to look at it before I submitted it. See, I am exactly on 24 hours notice'Plus if it gets accepted, I get to go to Hawaii", Gargi said

"Don't you think you miss having a life, Gargi"?

"Yep..I think so. But there is hardly I can do anything about it. This is the life I have chosen. Not that I am miserable doing it" said Gargi

"Ya, we all are in similar fields. But we do take time off. We fly out to different destinations. I go out and meet Smriti whenever I get a long weekend. Thats life, Garg"

"I used to have a life too, Vinay. But for the past year or so, I have been involved in my work that my personal life has taken a backseat. I have you guys in the town. I don't really need to go meet people whom I am not really interested in meeting, only coz I want to get away from the town'..,said Gargi

"Garg, you do have a life. Dont resonate between your past n present. Meet new people. You will surely have a great time"..Vinay said

"Vinay, we always have this discussion, but you know I maintain that I believe in serendipity. Things sometimes do not happen as you plan. Right now, I am not inclined on meeting someone new for a romantic relationship. Not coz am not interested, but coz I just do not have the time and dedication towards working for a realtionship"--Gargi said

" I hope this faith in Serendipity works for you. Aisa na ho janambhar kunwari rah jaoo. Be realistic."Vinay was trying his level best

" You are absolutely adorable, Vinay. Sad you are taken", Gargi said.

"Dekhte hain, Hawaii mein koi milta hai kya", Gargi winked

'Lol..California mein koi nahi mila to Hawaii mein kya koi milega".

"OK..chalo lets go.The junta might think there's something cooking here between us..hahahhaha" Gargi said

"Tere jaisee plain jane ke saath. No way.I will go mad' ,Vinay said and Gargi went behind him to hit him

"They both are sometimes kids"Freya said, looking in awe in their direction.

" We all are, at some point" Mark said

A Bridge across two cities-Part 1

[An attempt at fiction.
All characters are fictional. Any resembelance to anyone is strictly coincidental.
Although, I have closely related this to my life, as will be evident in the write up! Can't live without science, you see;) reflects everywhere!!!. I havent planned the entire write-up, but here is the series]

Gargi was just busy with her usual experiments in the lab. A third year PhD student happily burried in the confines of the laboratory. Where there were sounds of all sorts of equipments and an inner voice that never let the lab feel 'empty' despite the conspicous absence of people.
It was one of the days of Spring, amidst a heavy work schedule that involved waking up and running around to work. Followed by an evening with friends and getting home tired and finishing up household chores before departing to bed.
She seemed to have made a life away from home away in shores of California. Enjoying the warm sunny and happening lifestyle of the city. Studying in one of the well known university amongst a bunch of other people who enjoyed or rather lived in a similar lifestyle.
Everything seemed to be the way she always wanted it to be. To live away from home. To live life on her own terms, where none would question her, whom she met, who her friends were. What time she returned home. Driving on fast highways. Zoom zoom zoom!
Her life was full. Full of activities. But deep down inside she was lonely. Although, her loneliness never got the better of her. Being a headstrong girl, she never indulged into falling for men. She always knew she would be with someone with whom she can get married to. Flings were just not for her.
Although, she kept getting attracted to different guys but many times, those crushes got 'crushed' the moment she came to know the guys a little too well.
As she got all dewy eyed thinking of the transition, her labmate, Freya said "hey girlie, what you thinking, as usual senti kya"
Gargi just gave her a mischevious smile. They both knew what she might be thinking.
"Ok you in for some tennis" Freya asked
"Naah! boss has asked me to finish up this abstract before the weekend", Gargi said.
"Ohh...its friday honey! Take it easy", Freya said giving her a weary look.
"Alrighty, I will work on it at night"
They both were quite contrast in terms of personality. They knew each other pretty well. After all they spent atleast 12-14 hours of the day together. They were aware of each other' likes n dislikes. Although, Freya was pretty agressive and smart. Gargi was little mellow and pretty hardworking and had a bunch of friends who totally adored her.
At the gym, both the girls met a bunch of guys who had already occupied the tennis court.
"Hola guys!" both of them waved at Kate, Alok and Vinay
"So here come the two lab mice" retorted Alok. Alok was one of those guys, who pretty much was concerned of what others did than what he did.
"Yeah, the mice are out already. Like they say "When the cat is away, the mice play" Gargi said.
Gargi knew how to exactly shut his mouth of. Thats why he did not try being a smart ass in front of her atleast.
"Guys, we are planning to have a Pool party saturday night at mark's house", Kate said.
"Wow, that sounds too cool" Vinay exclaimed. "We haven't had a party in a long long time now. Damn the semester"
Kate said "Yeah, I agree to that. I have been having a spate of misfortunes. I indeed need to chill out on beer"
To which, Alok said "Oh yeah right! Kate can guzzle down as much beer like one drinks water straight out of tap"
"Stop being so sarcastic, Alok", chided Freya
"Oh! relax Freya, Aloks knows that his words need not be taken seriously"
"Oh am in, guys! Hope Mark has some non alcoholic margaritas too", Gargi said
"Aah! Girl, beer is heaven. Damn..its not even an alcohol. How can one not drink beer when in America"--Kate said
"Naah..nothing of that sort. Its just that my esophagus (food pipe) burns coz of alcohol", Gargi said.
All of them roared into a laughter!
"OK! lets kick their ass in tennis now, a reason to celebrate at Mark's"..Kate winked at Alok
"Oh! whatever! You know, none can beat me in that"
"Saturdat night's gonna be fun"--Chirpy Freya remarked!!!!!