'Nisharsh' - A lot can happen over chicken!

           Nishirika Khanna. A 15 year old, smart yet humble, sweet and intelligent girl. Her father worked as a Central Government employee, and was recently posted in Kolkata. Nishirika was originally from Hyderabad. It had been some two weeks since she had come to Kolkata. Her father's company quarter was in Kasba, a locality in Kolkata. Just like any other girl of her age, leaving behind her hometown, her loving friends, her beloved teachers, her home, her school was too painful for her. She was a good student at her school, and she feared that she would find it very hard to cope up with the other students in her new school and thus, fair badly in her studies. She yearned to go back to her city. She missed the Charminar, the Moti Masjid, the bangles of Hyderabad, and above all- the delicacies of Hyderabad. Yes, just like us, even our girl was a huge fan of Biryani, and the biryani of Hyderabad, was, according to her, the best Biryani across the world! She also missed the tamarind flavour in Kolkata. She wondered how did people manage to eat such foods without tamarind all the time? Thankfully, she found one thing in common, which she loved in Hyderabad too- KFC! Yes, she frequented the local KFC closest to her home almost every weekend- the only extravaganza which she demanded from her parents. And luckily, our girl found one in her locality in Kolkata too!

          "One Chicken Rice bowl and One ChocoLash Krusher," ordered Nishirika. It was a Friday afternoon and on her way back home from school, she stopped by her favourite food destination- something which made her feel at home. Thankfully, she had planned her order before stepping into the fast food outlet. This is because, she couldn't have been able to look at the menu displayed behind the food counter to order her food there and then. Her gaze was fixed on the assistant, to whom she gave her order. "Harsh Malhotra", was the name printed on the badge pinned onto his shirt.He wore the uniform that every KFC assistant wore, his head covered in a plastic wrap. However, what had set him apart in the eyes of Nishirika, was his eyes and his smile. The guy had such gentle blue eyes, and such a sweet and warm smile, that our girl felt that any girl would fall for him. Thus Nishirika was not doubtful of her choice- she had a crush on the Mr. Right, she thought in her mind.

           While she was lost in thought, she was called some three to four times. It was only when the middle-aged pot-bellied man at the back yelled at her for blocking the line, that she came back to reality.

          "Yes...yes yes.. I'm so sorry, I was lost..I'm sorry," she said repeatedly, both to the man behind her and to the assistant giving her the tray and the bill. She quickly paid the amount, grabbed her tray and rushed off to her seat. Sadly, this assistant wasn't her crush this time- he was engaged in preparing the tray for another customer.

           Helpless, she continued watching him from her seat. Quite tall, some 5'9"and approximately 20 years old, not more than that- said her scientific brain. And ah! What a charismatic attitude he possessed! Her Rice Bowl seemed tastier and her Krusher seemed sweeter because she kept watching her crush while munching on her food. KFC never felt this interesting before, she thought. Before she left, she stole one last glance at him, and left hurriedly, lest anyone saw her blushing.

          These feelings were very new to our girl. She had always studied in a co-ed school, yet, never felt such a strong liking for any guy like this, ever before. Ranbir Kapoor was her favourite actor, yet, she seemed to like this guy, more than her Ranbir Kapoor! Her first experience of a real-life crush..ah! she loved this feeling. Everything seemed so wonderful in Kolkata after that day. The tamarind-less food items, the new friends, the new school, the new house, the new locality, everything seemed so homely, so great, like never before! Now, she wanted to stay in Kolkata forever, just for this one guy.

         She couldn't wait for the next weekend. She had put on her favourite white chikan kurti, teamed up with blue jeans. She winded up her make-up session with a stroke of kajal, a touch-up of lip gloss, and brushed her hair and left it open. She was never a make-up freak, and never needed to be one- because her cuteness and her simplicity was her best make-up. Her mother however, was puzzled.

"Nishi, are you meeting your friends there?"

"Nope Ma, I don't know my new friends enough. Lemme know them well first, then I shall increase my intimacy with them."

"That's a wise decision dear. But then, what are you going for? In Hyderabad, you went out either with your friends or us!"

"Well, wanna relive the past, the times spent with my friends in Hyderabad," said Nishirika, and left hurriedly before her mother shot any further questions at her. Her reason given to her mother was too convincing to prevent any further questions though, yet, somehow, she was too poor in lying to her Ma, and was easily caught every time she attempted to lie.

        It was 6pm, when she reached KFC. The lights were switched on immediately after she entered the fast food outlet- a coincidence no doubt, but our girl felt as if it was a warm welcome for her from her boyfriend, a wonderful prelude to a romantic date. OK, she realized that she'd gone too far in her imagination.

        She searched for her man. Ah! There he was..attending a very pretty girl, wearing a nice black dress, with large earrings, bright red lipstick and high heeled shoes- a character just opposite to our Nishirika. He smiled to this girl every time she said something- be it asking for the change or complaining that a medium sized coke should be a little more than the quantity being given. She started envying that girl. She thought, what if he has started liking that girl? But then, she had a little bit of sense left in her even after being head-over-heels in love. She realized that, being an a diligent assistant, he had to do this- attend every customer with a smile. She waited for her turn now, after reassuring herself that she still had a lot of chance left!

 "Yes Ma'am?" said his magical voice.

"Umm..yes..umm..actually..I..well...," started stammering Nishirika. The voice, those eyes, that smile, had made her skip a heartbeat this time.

"Well, you had ordered for a rice bowl and a Krusher last time, right?"

Thankfully, there was no other customer at that time, to interfere in their conversation. Thank The Lord, said our girl in her mind, and continued with the flow.

"Yes....thank you..but how come you managed to remember it?"

He smiled back, and ignoring her question, asked further. "Do you want to place that order again?"

"Nope, something new this time. Wanna suggest anything to me?"

"Try our new wraps then. Or the burgers. Wanna take a burger?"

"OK, one Chicken Snacker burger then," she ordered from the displayed menu list. "And one.."

"ChocoLash Krusher, right?" said he, even before she could complete her sentence.

"Yes..absolutely!"

"Seat yourself, your order shall be sent to you."

"Its OK, I'm waiting here, like the rule."

"Its good to break rules at times. The outlet is pretty empty now, I can serve you," he said with that breathtakingly beautiful smile.

         What? She couldn't believe that was a reality. She pinched herself a dozen times to realize that it was not a dream. Her guy was actually hitting upon her! It seemed no less than a Bollywood movie! She wanted to stay in that shop forever, with her man.

The guy came back within five minutes, with her order.

"Thank you so much..you needn't do this at all, Sir," said the over modest Nishirika.

"Sir? I'm not your boss.."

"Mr.Harsh, then?" pointing to his nameplate.

"Harsh..that will suffice..Ma'am..and smiled back at her."

         OK, so was this flirting or love? Nope, this can't be love. Or maybe, he just wanted to extend a hand of friendship towards her. Or maybe he understood her weakness towards her, and was playing with her feelings? Maybe, the next time when she'll come, she would not receive such a behaviour from him? Maybe, he did this with almost every girl whom he liked. But wait, that black-dressed girl was prettier than her. Yet, he didn't do this with her? Oh no! She was spoiling the moment with her thoughts. Just move with the flow Nishi, she thought and calmed herself. She thought it was too early to tell her name to him.

          She finished her meal, and before she left, she looked back at the counter. Nope, he didn't look back at her this time-he kept on cleaning the counter shelf. Disheartened, she left. But while she was crossing KFC, she caught a glimpse of Harsh, his blue eyes searching for her outside the outlet through the glass panes. If he was so keen to see me, then why didn't he look at her while she left? Was he testing her feelings for him?

         Because of her friendly and sweet behaviour, Nishirika had made a good number of friends in her new school- three girls and two boys. Among them, Vartika, was the closest to her. Her birthday was approaching, and Nishirika wanted to make it a little special for her. It would be a sign of gratitude towards Vartika- for helping her adjust in a new school and for making her a part of Vartika's friend circle.

"I have a plan," she told the other friends of her group.

"And you shall take us to some Science exhibition on her birthday, given that you love Science so much," said Suruchi and chuckled.

"Nope, we'll meet at my house in the evening. My dad's car shall pick up all of you, so that you guys have no problem."

"OK, so a treat from Aunty?" said Raghav, a little surprised.

"Nope, we'll go to a KFC at my locality. All of us will contribute and give her a treat."

"KFC!" shouted everyone in unison.

"OMG! KFC! Oh how much I miss going to KFC..you're so damn good Nishi darling....," continued the melodramatic Aishi.

"OK, this is all for Vartu," said the Mr.Sensible of their group, Vaibhav.

Yes, no doubt for Vartika, but someone among them had other intentions too- to meet her crush, no wait, Harsh. Our girl's happiness knew no bounds. Another three days to go, she thought.

         Vartika's birthday was on a Saturday, so no school thankfully! Nishirika was too tensed. She hoped everything went well- she wanted her friends to be happy and content, and at the same time, wanted Harsh's company too. In the evening, her friends came to her house. Nishirika introduced them to her parents. Then, after each had a glass of Mazaa, they left for the much awaited destination- KFC!

         It was 5.30pm. The outlet would supposedly be a little empty than usual, remembered Nishirika, and smiled in her mind. She entered KFC. To her surprise, Harsh was already looking at her, wearing that same smile. Ah! And that splendid smile! However, he stopped smiling suddenly. Worried, she looked in the direction where he was looking at. OK, so Harsh didn't expect her to come with so many others. Alright Mr.Malhotra, I won't be that available to you every time, she thought and chuckled in her mind. She thought of ignoring him a little, to see if it made him a little jealous. Let me see, if he tries to seek my attention, thought Nishirika.

       She started her game. She went up to him, and in the most formal voice possible, said, "Six Chicken Snackers, six Chicken Rice bowls, three ChocoLash and three Strawberry Storm Krushers."

"Friends?" asked Harsh, while preparing her tray.

"Hmm."

"You won't be able to carry so many stuffs, I'll take them for you."

"Doesn't matter, my friends shall help me."

Harsh didn't reply anymore. Nishirika realized that she had won the game. Harsh was hurt by her indifference towards him, she thought.

      At the table, they were having a wonderful time together. Nishirika was extremely happy to see that her plans were successful. Firstly, Vartika and all the other friends were happy with the party. Secondly, she realized that even Harsh might have some feelings for her. When she was leaving, she pretended to not notice what she noticed through the corner of her eye- Harsh staring at her, anticipating a goodbye from our girl. That night, when she went to sleep, she didn't dream about Ranbir Kapoor as she did every night, but instead, Harsh Malhotra.

       The next week, she made her routine visit to KFC. This time she wore a red t-shirt and blue jeans. Yes, the pair of blue jeans were her favourite, she could team them up with any thing, kurti or t-shirts, thus loved them. She noticed Harsh. He didn't look up to her anymore this time. Nevertheless, she went up to him. Harsh's colleagues seemed to know all this, she thought. This is because, the moment she entered, the other assistants pretended to become busy, such that, only Harsh was available. She had noticed it the last time too.

Nishirika went up to him straight, and said, "Hi Harsh!"

"Hi, your order Ma'am?" came the reply, indifference clearly etched to the voice. Hurt, Nishirika continued.

"You know my favourites, don't you?"

"Nope, I forgot Ma'am. There are thousands of customers everyday and...."

"And yet you managed to remember it the last to last time I came. Firstly, I'm Nishirika. Secondly, what's wrong with you?"

"Just following your ways, Nishirika Ma'am."

"Just Nishirika. Look, I didn't get what you said just now....," said Nishirika, realizing that the indifference shown by her the last week was a little more than required, maybe.

"Wanna eat a Chicken Rice Bowl?"

"OK," said Nishirika, and made her way to the seat.

"Please wait to collect your order from the counter."

"What?" said Nishirika, in utter surprise and sorrow. Was Harsh so hurt? Why? Should she say sorry to him?

"I'm sorry. I didn't allow you to carry the tray last time."

Harsh didn't reply. He made her tray, and gave it to her. Tears swelled up in Nishirika's eyes. She paid the bill, and headed towards the exit.

"Wait Nishirika!"

Ah! That voice, calling out her name. The voice was scared,scared to lose her. The voice was now requesting, no wait, pleading actually, so that she came back.

"What? I won't complain about you to anyone. Don't worry."

Harsh came up to her. His colleagues didn't know how to react in such a situation. Two kept working, and the remaining three kept watching. Thankfully, KFC was empty now. Nishirika prayed that no customer entered then.

"OK, my bad..too harsh behaviour. Come, sit."

Harsh pulled the chair for her, and made her sit. He brought her her tray, and sat with her. OMG! This was a dream come true experience for our girl- she never expected this to happen.

"I expected a goodbye from you the last day," said Harsh.

"I didn't notice actually."

"Wrong, you pretended not to notice. You wanted to test my reaction."

Nishirika blushed. She couldn't hold back a smile. "OK, yeah that's true. But how did you realize this?"

"Because I'm a little older than you, maybe that's why," said Harsh, and winked.

"That's the exact reason what my Granny gives me every time I ask her that how could she read my mind!"

"Yeah, and also, because your Granny cares for you, a lot."

Nishirika choked a little. OK, so he might propose me now, she thought.

"Its already 6.30pm. Your parents' must be anxious."

      Oh yes, Nishirika had lost the track of time. Her mother would call her up in no time. And what would she tell her Mom? What if her mother came searching for her? She saw customers coming in now. Yes, the rush hour had started. And with the onset of the rush hour, Harsh left his seat. Nishirika finished her meal too, and left hurriedly. But before she left, she waved at Harsh- who, in spite of two customers in front of him, managed to nod his head and smiled back at her.

     The next weekend, Nishirika didn't find Harsh in the outlet. She decided to wait for him till he came. However, another assistant came up to her with a tray of food. The tray had a Chicken Snacker burger, a Chicken Rice Bowl, a ChocoLash Krusher, and a note. She left the food at one corner of the table, and started reading the note. The note said:

Nishirika,

          I left this note for you, because I couldn't bring up myself to you in person, to say the truth. I realized your feelings for me from the first day we met. I thought it was nothing special, a temporary feeling of a school-going girl. Honestly, I felt nothing for you that day. But then, I did notice something- you were very innocent. I liked your simplicity, your humbleness and your innocence. After I went home, I forgot about you.

          The next day when you came, I thought to flirt with you a little. I studied your character well. I realized that you were too good to be flirted with. Girls like you deserved honest love. That night, I thought about you a lot. I realized that if I moved a step ahead, you would come forward too. The more I remembered that evening spent with you, your behaviour towards me- with no arrogance at all, no tinge of flirting in your attitude towards me, your ignorance of the fact that I was actually flirting with you- increased my respect towards you. Your beauty is skin deep- your innocent smile is the best jewelry you have- and the more I recollected it, the weaker it made me towards you. I tried to distract myself from your thoughts, but couldn't. I realized that I'd started liking you too!

              I eagerly waited for you, hoping to see you one more time. You did come the next week, but with your friends. You ignored me, and honestly, even though I knew that you were trying to make me feel jealous with your acting of ignorance, trust me you were successful. I didn't like the fact that you would give importance to someone else in MY presence! I also started thinking that maybe, I was wrong in judging your character- maybe I was actually a time-pass for you, and you were a terrific actress! I thought that yes, who would actually love an assistant at KFC seriously? How dumb I was, to develop genuine feelings for you!

            But, things turned just the opposite when you came up to me, to talk to me the next day. I saw love in your eyes for me. I cursed myself for making you cry- I couldn't bear that look of yours- your pale cheeks, your eyes red and tears brimming up in them, eventually rolling down your cheeks. I cursed my foolishness- how could I doubt YOU? You're one of a kind, Nishirika.

            But then, that night, I came back to reality. Look, think logically- we are from completely different backgrounds. Our lines don't meet at all! You are from an affluent family- where your parents can support you and provide you with everything you want. You have seen a lavish lifestyle. But I?  I am not even half as affluent as you are. A lavish lifestyle is beyond my imagination! I know true love overcomes all obstacles, but Nishirika, I know you are a very good girl. Do you want to hurt your parents? I'm sure they won't accept such a relationship ever, which is pretty obvious for any parent on earth. I can't even promise to give you a good lifestyle in future. You'll find it hard to adjust yourself in my world. And I don't want to hurt anyone- neither you, nor your parents, by making you watch false dreams of a wonderful future with me. And I'm sure, you're not a selfish daughter. Yes, its my fault- I had encouraged you to think ahead about such a relationship. I got carried away. But I'm sorry Nishirika. Its me now, who is requesting you, to please step out of such a dream. It can never be a reality. Or rather, it shouldn't be a reality. It shall be an injustice hurled at you and your parents by me. You deserve a far better life-partner.

         Now, I have a solution to help you come out of this. Firstly, I can stop working here, so that you don't have to see my face, ever- the face of that person who has hurt you so much. Secondly, we can become friends. Yes, I assure you that I'll be by your side all the time, whenever you need me. I'll be like your guide- your candle in a dark night. Will you be my friend? I really want to have such a nice person as a friend in my life. The choice is yours- your decision shall be the order for me.

                                                                                                                         Harsh.

PS: Do eat the food before you leave. And its for free.. actually, I paid itfor you.

       Our girl sat there, dumbfounded. She ate the food- it seemed tasteless that day. She wrote this at the back of the note, and handed it over to Harsh's colleague:

Don't leave till we meet again. See you in the next week. Nishirika.

             That night, she cried herself to sleep. She had school the next day. She spoke to Vartika about it.

"Vartu, I realized that what he said was true, but then, is there no other way to make it happen?"

"Nishi, I'm glad that you had a crush on the right guy. He is a really nice guy. Because, if he wanted, he could have selfishly continued loving you, and make you love him too. But he didn't. He really cares for you. And I'm glad that you were sensible enough to realize his point too."

"So what should I do now?"

"Be his friend, Nishi. Trust me, such people are becoming rare in today's world- a world full of jealousy, selfishness and hatred. He really cares for you. Don't lose him. You need real friends in life as well. And he shall be a really good friend of yours."

"You are a good friend too, Vartu. Thanks for coming into my life." They hugged each other.

The next day, Nishirika went to KFC as usual. She wore the same clothes which she had worn the day when they both spoke for the first time- white chikan kurti and blue jeans. Harsh looked up to her, his eyes asking her a thousand questions.

"Harsh, will you be my friend? I really need a good friend, a guide, a candle in the dark night."

Harsh smiled, tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. "Thanks Nishirika. I knew you would choose this option. Yes, sure. Even I need a good companion like you."

"So, lets celebrate the beginning of the best friendship in this world. Make a tray for two."

"I can't do it for free anymore.. my mother's ill and.."

"Chillax dude, I'll be treating you this time."

While eating (they ate the same stuffs, chicken snackers and ChocoLash Krusher), Harsh said, "Lets make it more special."

"How?" asked Nishirika.

"Lets name our friendship."

"OK, sounds interesting. So suggest a name?"

" 'Nisharsh' .. Nishirika and Harsh ..  what say?"

"I wonder if all KFC assistants are as smart as you are!"

They laughed together, the entire outlet echoing with their laughter.