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4th February :

She had already reached Vadodara by now. I was still in Bangalore. We had exchanged a lot of text messages expressing how much we missed each other. Frequent Long duration phone calls had become a usual thing. I still remember, during one such phone call, she had asked me to come back as soon as possible. I wanted to leave at that very moment. But my project work kept me Bangalore-bound. I promised her, I'd come back as soon as I was done.

My cell phone buzzed. I checked it. Sister Calling. She wanted me to leave for Vadodara as soon as possible. The great man upstairs was waving his magic wand. My elder sibling is married and lives a happy blessed life in Mumbai. My mumma's birthday (6th February) was coming up. We planned for a surprise. I asked her to book a flight for me as that was the only way I could reach on time. She agreed and the phone call ended.

I opened the Indian Railway site to check out for any available trains. Everything was already booked. I called up Suraj Jiju. I asked him if I could get a ticket from Mumbai. Possible. I got back to work and tried to finish it quickly. The thoughts of mumma's joy, on seeing me there on her birthday, were circling in my mind. Beep. Text Message : Appy. She wished me good morning and I responded the same.

My sis called me up again to inform that she couldn't find a flight for me that urgently and in our budget. If I wanted to reach back home in time, I had to leave now. I checked the time. 19:00. I left the apartment for a walk around the neighborhood. I looked at people rushing to reach home on a Saturday evening to spend time with their family and loved ones. And on the other hand, I was all alone. The one person I would've wished to spend the eve was two states and a fourty hours drive away. But one thing that satisfied me was that, I was done with my work in the project (for the time being).

As I walked some more, I noticed a travel agent's office. Just out of curiosity, I decided to try my luck. I went up and asked if he could book a train ticket. Destination : Vadodara or Ahmedabad. But to my expected disappointment, it wasn't available. I left the place and walked further ahead, to try my luck somewhere else. Everywhere I went, I got the same answer. "Sorry Sir, Not Available." It had been fifteen minutes that I was walking now and no luck getting a way back home. I reached a bus stop. VRL Travels. I went up to the booking counter and asked for a ticket. The answer was the same. But I desperately wanted to go. The route didn't matter, nor did the time of the journey. I just wanted to be there. I asked if any bus to Mumbai was available. It was. I asked about the timing. "Boarding will be at 20:15." I checked the time. Less than an hour was left. I paid for the ticket and sprinted back to the apartment.

Apartment was deserted. I stuffed my things in the bag. I called up Hardik and Uzair to inform them that I was leaving. They were surprised. I explained them the situation. They understood. I just loved those guys. I left the apartment leaving a goodbye note for my friends, saying how sorry I was to leave in that manner.

I reached as fast as I could. I got the bus in time. I called up my sis and Darshna Didi to tell them about my plan. I asked them to keep it a secret. I couldn't wait to reach Vadodara and spend time with my family and Arpita. The bus started and I bid adieu to the best city in India, Bengaluru. I dozed off as soon as the bus took the highway. I hadn't told Arpita about my plans. I wanted to surprise her as well. I just wanted to look at her face when I show up, unannounced. I woke up with the loud cries of Chester Bennington. My Ringtone. I checked it out. It was her. I cut the phone and dialed her number. The phone call lasted an hour. She felt sleepy. I could hear her yawning.  I just couldn't wait to break her the news.

"Appy, I have a good news." I said.
"What ? Your project got over ?" She asked out of curiosity.
"No. I mean, Yes. It got over. But that's not the news." I replied.
"Then ?" She asked.
"Mumma's birthday on sixth." I wanted to build up suspense.
"Nice. You got a surprise planned for her ?" She asked.
"Yes." I kept it brief.
"What is it ? Tell me, please." She was excited.
"Its Me." I winked, failing to realize that she couldn't see me.
"What ? I didn't get you." She was confused.
"I have left for Vadodara." I said with a wide smile on my face.
"Seriously ? You're joking, right !" She didn't believe me.
"No, seriously. I am in the bus right now. Remember you asked me to come as soon as possible?"
"Yes. But you are coming to surprise your mom. Not for me." She said in a disappointed tone. It was fake. She was excited. I could feel it in her voice.
"Yes. But I'll meet you first and then go home." I  explained her what I had planned.
"You shouldn't. It's your mom's birthday. You should spend time with her." She said. I just love this quality in girls. They always know the right thing to say.
"I know. But I can't go empty handed for a surprise. I will order a cake. So we can meet up for some time."
"Okay. Chintu, I am so excited." She was indeed.
"Me too. So you'll pick me up from the railway station ?" I asked her.
"Will try. Keep me updated about your train timings."
"Okay. Now you get some sleep. I'll text you in the morning." I wished her good night and ended the phone call.

I reached Mumbai next day at 10:00 in the morning. I reached Mira Road - Darshna Didi and Suraj Jiju's place. I booked the train for the next day i.e. 6th February. I was scheduled to reach Vadodara around 13:30. I informed Arpita about my train details. She promised me to show up at the railway station to receive me. I texted her as soon as my train arrived on the platform. Vadodara Junction. These two words lightened up my eyes. I was super excited. The train slowed down. I searched for the cutest girl on the platform. But she was nowhere to be seen. I asked another friend of mine to get my luggage to his place till I was out with her. He was on time. I stuffed my luggage in his car and waited for her.

I searched for her some more. I saw her. She was walking in a hurry, almost running. Her face was tensed, probably because she was late. I just stood there adoring her. She didn't see me. Eventually our eyes met. She smiled. Her smile. It was so welcoming. It opened the door to my heart. It was the key to my future. I knew, the moment I saw her smile, that it would tempt me to do more than just smile back. "Oh no, don't smile. You'll kill me. I stop breathing when you smile." I wanted to say, instead I just smiled back.