Shiv A Kapoor - Lockdown Love Stories: India Version

Story 1

Rahul adjusted the webcam on his laptop, as he waited for Shreya to respond. As Shreyas screen turned on, Rahul smiled. Hey!

Hi there. Shreya smirked as she looked at the matching t-shirt he was wearing. She was wearing the I love Mumbai top too.

Yeah, I saw that top of yours in the video message you sent me in the morning. Took a chance and you are still wearing it. Nice.

Yeah.

So, how was your day?

Good. What about you?

Nothing much. The call with you is probably the best thing for me today.

Flattering.

Im serious. I love working from home but this is boring and monotonous. I literally feel like quitting my job, but you know the situation can turn bad. So, I dont want to quit my job.

Really?

Yeah.

I guess today is 25 th . Yesterday was the first day of the lockdown.

See? Its just been a day and Im already hating it.

Why? Its just work or you dont like to live with your parents? She winked.

Oh thats so funny. Ha ha. He faked laughter.

Sorry.

You were to come to Mumbai and the Government cancelled your flights. Couldnt they shut flights after you landed in Mumbai?

The Government does not want us to be together.

Now Ill have to hate the Government as well. I mean come on! Its been almost a year. I was so looking forward to meet you.

I know. Me too. But its okay. The flights will resume soon. Dont worry. Ill be there with you. She gave him a flying kiss.

Yeah, come to Mumbai soon. Meet my parents, then Ill meet your parents, and lets get married before the lockdown ends.

Woah! Slow down.

Slow down? Really? Ive waited more than Neil Armstrong waited to get to the moon.

Shreya raised her right eyebrow.

Exaggeration. But Ive really waited long enough. I dont want to waste time now.

Youll have to at least wait till the lockdown ends.

Come to Mumbai and Ill make sure we get married before the lockdown ends.

Thats not an option.

Looking for a grand wedding?

Not at all.

Then?

Shreya narrowed her eyes. Do one thing. Come to Delhi and well get married here right away.

Promise?

Yep.

Ill book a private jet to Delhi.

Shreya chuckled. Try.

Im serious. Come to Mumbai and well get married right away.

Keep hoping.

Frankly, you wont have to waste enough time meeting my parents. They practically know everything about you.

Everything?

Yeah!

Smoke?

No.

Alcohol?

Nope.

That we have already had sex?

Not at all.

And

They know every relevant detail about you. So, its okay.

Shreya smiled.

What about you? Have you told your parents about me?

Shreyas smile started fading. Ill tell them soon.

Really? Nothing?

Well, as you said you are in a hurry, we can even skip the part where my parents come in.

What? You dont want your parents to be at the wedding?

I wouldnt mind, but they might have a problem with it.

Rahul narrowed his eyes. Excuse me?

Long story. Ill tell you some other day.

Oh okay. So, what are your plans for the day?

Nothing much. Will have food while we chat.

Good. Then you can tell me the issue with your parents too.

Really? I thought you were missing me.

Im really confused. You dont want to talk about your parents?

Naah! Im not interested in spoiling my mood tonight.

Hey! You are my responsibility. If your moods down, Ill fly over to Delhi right now and make your mood good. He winked.

Lockdown. Remember?

Yeah, but that friend of mine, who has a private jet. Remember? His number is on my speed dial. He smirked as his eyebrows bounced.

No thanks.

Come on! If you want, I can drop by at your parents house and talk.

What? No. Dont be silly. Dont go anywhere near my parents.

Then tell me whats the issue.

But

Im sensing its a serious issue. So, I promise Ill make no silly jokes or interrupt.

Shreya shook her head. Fine. I dont share a good relationship with my parents.

Why so?

I dont feel you should know about it.

I know your favorite Victoria lingerie. Is this

Shreya narrowed her eyes.

Sorry. I agreed no silly jokes. Apologies. What I meant was, you know everything about me and I have no idea about your most important relation in life. It makes me feel weird. If tomorrow my parents want to talk to your parents, what will I say? I dont know the reason Shreya is avoiding them?

Thats why I dont want to tell you anything. You like to dig in.

Dig out too. He winked.

Shreya looked at him with a poker face. Im not talking about this now.

Okay sorry. Ill not make any silly references now. Promise.

See, my relation with my parents is not good. I hope you understand. Ill feel ridiculed if I talk about it while you are joking. Now, Im not in a mood to talk about it. In fact, I dont want to talk about it now. As it is, I have a bad headache. Bye.

Even before Rahul could react, the screen went blank.

Rahul found it annoying, but he knew he had made a mistake. However, he made it a point to make up for it. He sat up all night and made a collage. Next day, he tried calling Shreya, but there was no response. Late evening, Shreya messaged Video chat? Same time?

Rahul smiled as he typed yes.

At 8 pm, he switched on his laptop and adjusted the webcam on his laptop, while waiting for Shreya to respond.

Hey! Shreya waved her hand with a smile on her face.

Hey!

Whats up?

Nothing much. I just want to start by saying sorry for yesterday.

Its okay. Im sorry too. I overreacted. Actually I wasnt feeling well. Had fever. Maybe because of it I didnt want to chat for too long.

Nope. I was acting silly yesterday.

Lets not talk about it anymore please.

Okay. So, how was your day?

As usual. What about you?

I waited all day to chat with you.

Okay, what did you actually do during the day?

Well, I printed a collage of our pics. Rahul showed her a board with their pictures on it.

Wow. Thats nice.

Kind of.

Do click a pic of it and send it to me. I want to print it out as well.

Sure.

So, how was your day?

Well, I dont want to bring back unnecessary old memories, but I couldnt sleep all night. What really happened between you and your parents that makes you feel your parents wouldnt want to be at the wedding?

Shreya smiled. Its complicated.

Still, I want to know, if you are okay with it.

Okay so the thing is, my parents see me as a disgrace to the family.

Disgrace? You are a self-made entrepreneur. What are you saying?

It isnt about my work, about my life.

What about it?

How should I say it? Well, when I was young, my uncle molested me. We lived off his money and in his house. I wasnt allowed to talk about it. When I couldnt take it anymore, I exposed him out loud at a family function. Thats it. Since then, we have not met. Dad talks to me occasionally, but my mother doesnt. She chuckled. She still thinks her brother is innocent.

Rahul kept looking at the screen. Oh

Yeah. Oh! She smiled.

I didnt know what you had gone through. Im sorry.

Its okay. As I said, my mother still thinks I didnt go through the horror.

Rahul kept looked at the screen. I just want to hug you tight now.

Shreya wrapped herself in her arms. It feels good. She nodded her head.

That night, Rahul kept thinking of what he could do to get her rid of the pain that made her feel terrible. Every evening they had a video chat and Rahul would come up with a unique gift for her. Sometimes it would be a hand drawn painting of her, sometimes a collection of quotes from her favorite Rumi, and sometimes hed just listen to her talk nonstop. This went on for days, even after the second lockdown began.