The FourYAAR Series

It was 31st December evening. World was about to welcome New Year. We four friends, i.e. Bash, Chands, Dickens and me, were also out to enjoy the evening. But, in reality, none of us was in a mood to enjoy. We were just enjoying being with each other. We were watching couples in romantic mood, people around us totally in western and fashionable outfits. Somewhere on the road side of a well-known street of our city, we parked our vehicles and settled there. It was a trend in our city, to gather on this street to welcome New Year. Before meeting the other 3 idiots, I purchased a packet of cigarettes, with the commitment to myself that to complete the same before returning back to home. I opened up the packet, and we four started puffing. All were quite, seems we were all not in a mood to chat. I looked around; the entire street was decorated with bright lights. The sky was full of bursting crackers. 

I got bored of just puffing cigarettes and being silent all this while, so I started speaking, “My name is Atharva Nanavati, also known as Arth. I have done my graduation in Mechanical Engineering and I am currently working as a Production Assistant in Sharp Productions Pvt. Ltd. (an Automobile Parts Supply Company).” Hearing this, Dickens said, “Hey Arth, why you are introducing yourself? We all know who you are and where you work. You are not facing any interview panel here?”

“Oh sorry! I didn’t know. I was wondering what have we gathered here for? So I thought let me start with my introduction. But I guess, you guys are not interested in that also.” I said.

“We are not interested in your formal introduction, Arth. Please stop this.” Bash said.

“Then, my dear friend, say something that you're interested in. And this is also applicable to you two (looking at Dickens and Chands) as well. We are here to enjoy the evening, and not look to at romancing couples or fireworks or the lighting...alright...so spit it you all....” I tried to get something out of them..

“That stupid a**h*le Yadav! He was teaching me what the business is. What the f*ck! He is nothing in front of me. I have been in this business for almost 8 years and I know what the market trend is. He forgets that I am his boss and it’s not the other way round.” Bash told in anger.

Holding back for few seconds, he started to speak again, “I am tired of this business. I can’t stretch it now. It's not working at all. I will close this business, for sure.”

He was Bash, i.e., Bashar Mirza, Diploma in Computer Engineering. After working as a Hardware Engineer at the initial stages of his career, he started his own Computer Hardware & Peripherals sales and services business. Initially, he had set up the business and created contacts by handling everything on his own. Then, once he had successfully set up the business, he started recruiting people and created staff of around 6 people. But, with the increasing competition and changing trends in computer hardware market, his business was down. He is now left with only one employee, named Rajkumar Yadav. Yadav was the most loyal employee of Bash, but I don’t know why Bash was angry on him, may be due to frustration of failure of his well-set business. He is the eldest person in our group, around of 30 years old. He had sold me my first computer while I was in college, and slowly we became friends. 

“Hmm...Bash, you seem exhausted. Let’s leave this matter as of now. We will talk about this later. But, why are you both so silent?” I pointed to Chands and Dickens.

Chands took a deep breath and replied, “Oye, Rabbji (God) is not with me, yaar. In the morning, I went to Gurudwara and literally cried there, but still… “

“Still what?” somebody asked in between.

“Still, that publisher was not convinced to publish my book. This was the 10th publisher I met today. Everyday, I visit a different publisher having synopsis in my hand. But, some publishers are not even ready to take a look to synopsis, just because I am a young writer and have no experience in writing compared to those established writers, huh” he stopped for couple of seconds and then continued, “I left my clerk job, just to make a career as a writer. It was my dream and passion. But, without support, how will I move forward? I don't understand, what should I do now. I feel lost.”

Chands, is also known as Chandradeep Singh Bhalla. He was not very good in studies. He somehow finished his graduation in Commerce, but he had his interest in art and literature. He was creative man. He started his career as a Clerk in a small Pvt. Ltd. Company. Along with doing a full-time job, he also started writing a novel. Then he left his job, and to become a full-time novel writer. Now, he is struggling to get his first novel published.

“Hmm....it’s your turn Dickens. You look disturbed yaar, are you fine? What happened?” I said.

“I am disturbed because of Lucy. I don’t know why she is behaving so strange, since last 2 months. She has started lying to me, showing no interest in talking with me, showing no interest when we go out...the list just goes on. And obviously romance has just evaporated from our relation. In last two months, we fight more than we talk. I doubt that she is having an affair with some other guy and she just wants to get rid of me.” He said almost screaming. 

“You can be wrong also....” Bash said.

“May be, but when she is behaving like this...what else should I think? Our relationship is 4 years old, and such a thing has never happened before. She is not talking about her problems with me, directly or clearly. Seriously, I don’t want this to continue like this, but despite of my best efforts I am unable to solve this mess. Guys, I am really missing those beautiful days of our relationship - those late night phone chats, those dating etc., and yes, I am also missing her sexy bum, which I usually used to touch while loving her.”

Hearing this, suddenly Chands smiled and asked immediately, “So, have you ever had sex with her?”

“Naah.. Not exactly, but I tried dry humping couple of times though.” Dickens said.

“Ultimately, you will not be at a full loss, even if you will break up, right?” Bash joked and everybody laughed. For a moment, the atmosphere became little lighter.

“That was not a point to crack joke on, Bash. I really love her a lot and I don't want a break up. But, I am also tired of her behavior. I am not sure whether I can't carry on this relationship further like this, and even if I want to, I don't know how to?” Dickens said in disappointment.

Dickens Gomes is a MBA and currently working as a Relationship Manager with a well-known private sector Bank. His relationship with Lucy started in his MBA days.

If I talk about 3 guys, i.e. Chands, Dickens and me, we used to be classmates in school. We were good friends since our school days. Through me, Chands and Dickens came in contact with Bash, and slowly we all became best buddies. 

It was around 11.25 o’clock. The New Year was just around the corner. While people were preparing for welcoming new year with smiley faces, on the other end we four were just sitting aside of road with sad faces. I took out the packet of cigarette and offered each one another round. All accepted which showed the level of frustration we all were passing through. Taking a first puff, I said to other 3, “Guys, we cannot entertain this kind of life full of problems. A year back, we were totally different. Nothing like problems and frustrations could affect us, but now I don't understand what has suddenly happened to us."

"You are right, Arth. But, we cannot change the situation we are in and neither can we change it." Dickens said.

"But the point is at least we can do something for ourselves. Or we can help each other also." Chands said.

"Yes, you are right. I have an idea. Let’s make a resolution this new year.” I said.

“What kind of resolution?” Bash asked.

“Individually we will make any wish and it would be the responsibility of other 3 to fulfill that wish.” I added.

“Good idea though but what if the wish will be irrational or can’t be completed?” Chands raised unnecessary question.

“I am talking seriously and we are not playing any game, so one should assume that the wish should be rational only.” I answered.

“But, when will we declare our respective wishes?” Bash questioned again.

“Let us declare our wishes right now and we will complete those wishes within next new year. Next year, on 31st eve, we will meet again and we would happier.” Dickens said this time.

“Yes, I agree. Let’s start with you then.” Bash said to Dickens. Starting with Dickens, the other 2 also declared their wishes. Their wishes were common, and that was to solve their individual problems due to which they were disturbed. When my turn came, I just said,

“I am happy as such. I will declare my wish on my birthday.”

“Dude, why so? And also, your birthday is 10th November. You will leave us with very little time to fulfill your wish.” Chands said.

“But, I said I am happy. I don't have any problems in my life right now. Let me think upon what wish I would to make. Rest assured, I will not make any irrational wish that you cannot fulfill within time.” I declared.

“Then, it’s your choice.” Said this Dickens stood up from bike and started walking towards road. On reaching the road, he raised his hands, looked at the sky, and shouted “Happy New Year…”. It was 12 o’clock now and we all welcomed New Year with the hope that new year will be really prove to be happy for us. 

In the beginning of New Year itself, we planned how we will move ahead solve Bash's problem. First of all, we thought about “Mirza Peripherals” which was Bash’s company. I preferred to meet Yadav, without telling Bash. Yadav told me that “Competition is too high, but Sir is not ready to reduce prices. He is also not upgrading the products range as per the market trends. I am here since last 5 years and nothing has changed in this company.” We three, (except Bash) gathered to discuss about “Mirza Peripherals”. Dickens suggested to register the company with different business directories and to get inquiries from there. We registered the company with our own mobile numbers. We started representing ourselves as the Salesmen for the company, and handled the inquiries. We intentionally confirmed the orders for the products in which “Mirza Peripherals” had never dealt before like projectors, video conferencing equipments, photocopiers etc., so that the product line of company gets upgraded. Also initially we confirmed the order at very low rates. Bash was shouting but we didn’t care. Initially, he was not ready to execute the orders at such low rates, but we forced him to execute them. But those low rate orders started to convert into repeat orders, and that’s how Company started getting more regular clients. Slowly, Bash realized his mistakes and he also adopted the strategy of doing business, which we applied. Though, all three of us were working on Sales but major sales conversions were made by Chands. 

As for Chands problem, Dickens played a major role. His aunty named Maria, was a proof reader in a well known publishing house. But, problem was that this publisher had already rejected Chands’ proposal after reading the synopsis. When we met Maria aunty, she also declared that she was unsure about successfully convincing the publisher again, because he was too choosy. Still, Maria aunty preferred to read synopsis once. Chands left a copy of synopsis at Maria aunty's place. One day I got a call from Dickens. He said, "Yaar Arth, Maria aunty said synopsis is not upto the mark. With this synopsis, no publisher will ever be ready to get this novel printed."

"Then what should we do now?" I asked Dickens.

"Actually, we don't know anything about his book. Two things are possible, either synopsis is not upto the mark or book itself is not upto the mark. But, as we don't know anything about the book how can we know where the exact problem is." Dickens said.

"You are right. Let us read his book then. After that, we will decide what is wrong." I said.

"I think, there is no other way left with us. Let's do that then." Dickens finally decided.

We asked Chands to share his story with us. He handed over the soft copy of his story to us. Dickens read the bestselling novel of that publishing house and tried to get an idea as to what they expect from their writers. Once Dickens completed reading that book, we three, except Chands, sat together to read Chands’ story and make necessary changes to the story and try to meet the expectations of publisher. We found no problem with storyline and climax so didn’t change anything with that, but made some changes in presentation. Then, we revised synopsis with the help of Maria aunty. Now, Maria aunty became optimistic about success. She presented revised synopsis and she brought good news from the publisher.

Now, it was turn of Dickens. In this matter, Bash decided to help Dickens. Bash was fond of girls during his college life. He used to have more than one girlfriend at a time and so he was very well experienced as to how to tackle girls. But, after his marriage, he said good bye to all his past girlfriends and now he is happy with his wife and son. I preferred Bash to talk to Lucy once, but due to his age of 30, he thought Lucy would not feel comfortable talking with him. So, he asked me to meet Lucy. I agreed, but it was necessary to take permission of Dickens, so I did that first. I contacted Lucy. She was not ready to meet me but somehow I convinced her. We met and I talked with her to know the root cause of the problem. She was talking very diplomatic with me, like she did with Dickens. She was not giving fair answers of any of my questions. But, still at the end of conversation, I concluded that Lucy’s behavior is the result of Dickens’s increased contacts with Tina. I did not know who the Tina is. I discussed my conversation with Lucy, with Bash. We tried to know about Tina from Dickens. He said, “Tina was in contact with me due to her problems with her boyfriend, Ethen. Ethen was a very good friend of mine and also Tina was my friend. So, for a period of time, I was an intermediary between them.” But, we didn’t tell Dickens that, but by not communicating with Lucy he himself had made things hard for himself. Then Bash started knowing more and more about Dickens's relation with Lucy, obviously from Dickens. He asked so many things to Dickens and Dickens answered all without any hesitation. Then, he said Dickens to follow what he would say. Dickens agreed. Bash started guiding Dickens and instructed him like how to talk, what to say, what not to do etc. It was like a “6 din, ladki in” kind of concept, from the movie “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, which he adopted. As a result, Bash’s guidance worked. Dickens and Lucy's relation started to get back on tracks.

It was 10th November and that was my birthday. We gathered at Dickens's flat to celebrate my birthday. Dickens was alone in his flat that day, and that was the reason to choose his flat. We arranged a bottle of vodka, and many packets for biting. We had two reasons to celebrate today: One was that we had almost completed 3 wishes by then, and second was my birthday. The situation was totally different that day, as compared to what was on 31st eve. Now, it was my turn to declare my wish. All 3 were very curious to know my wish and they seemed too confident and eager to fulfill my wish.

“Yes friends, I finally declare that my wish has already been fulfilled.” I said.

They were surprised and gave a vague look to me. “You bastard, what was your wish then? Without any efforts, how was that fulfilled?” Bash asked and other 2 nodded in harmony with Bash.

“My wish was, all your problems get resolved and you all become happy again. I made this wish in my mind on 31st eve itself, but didn’t declare. And why I have preferred to declare this on my birthday because I wanted to have something on hand, to avoid failure of my resolution.” I said.

Chands got confused again and asked, “What do you mean?”

“In case, if we have failed to fulfill any wish due to any reason, then today I would have declared my wish as ‘I want my friends to be happy’ and you would have been bound to forget your problems and be happy by year end to fulfill my wish. So, that’s how our resolution also doesn’t get failed.” I clarified.

Hearing this, all turned silent. Dickens pet on my back and tried to make mood lighter by picking up the glass of vodka and saying, “Cheers to success of our resolution”. We also picked up our glasses, stroke them and said in a loud voice together, “Cheers !!”

“OK. Now tell us how is Zarana? We haven’t met her since your engagement last year.” Bash asked me, while I was having a sip of vodka. Before I could reply anything, I started coughing. Within a minute, I rushed to bathroom and started vomiting. I remember that I vomited too much and after vomiting, my head turned heavy and I suddenly fell on the ground. The other three rushed into the bathroom and took me out. They gave me light slaps on my face and I managed to open my eyes soon. "Are you alright now?" the 3 asked me at the same time. "Yes, almost." I said. “You bloody f*ck*r!! Why are you drinking so much if you can’t bear?” Dickens screamed.

After around 15 minutes, Bash asked the same question again. I didn't say anything. People got an idea something had gone wrong. Thus, Bash screamed, “Arth, can you please say something?”

As a reply, I also shouted, “Till long, I have kept this as a secret from you guys. But let me tell you today, I am no longer engaged now.”

“F*ck….” Bash murmured.

Dickens put his hand on shoulder and asked, “When did this happen?”

“25th December, last year. Just within 2 months of my engagement!! ‘Merry Christmas’, these were my last two words to her.” I said with little smiley face.

“And you are saying this to us right now. You haven’t mentioned about this on 31st December, when we all were sharing problems. What you wanted to prove by hiding this?” Chands said.

“Nothing! I didn't want to prove anything. I was about to share this on that day, but when I met you people, I found you were already disturbed due to your respective problems. As there was no solution to my problem, I preferred not to add one more problem. But it’s OK, friends. It’s now almost 11 months since break-up and I already forgot her. I am alright now.” I said in relaxed tone, but Bash was in angry mood. He shouted, “Arth, we know you. Sometimes you become so childish. I already had a doubt and I am sure you used to do childish behavior in front of Zarana also. I don’t know the reason for your break-up, but at least you have informed us that time, we could have helped you out."

"It's OK, Bash. I am taking this as positive. Because later I got to know she had two unsuccessful love affairs during her college life and she was not serious about relationship with me. And obviously she hadn't shared about her past with me. I also got to know through third-party." I said.

"That seems OK then. I agree you should take this positively. But, I am sure you are not happy with what has happened." Dickens said to me.

“Yes, I am not. I am not happy because my parents are much worried about me now. We had very bad experiences with Zarana and her family. My parents think about me too much like when I will get engaged again; what is the surety that my new fiancé will not be like Zarana & her parents will be good natured people etc. As I had engagement break up once, they are facing difficulty to find next partner for me. I cannot see them stressed due to me and spending sleepless nights.”

I stopped for a moment and had a glass of vodka, even after vomiting once. I lighted up a cigarette and continued, “I am also mentally disturbed now. After break-up, whenever I go to meet any girl, the first thing comes in my mind that, how can I trust the person in front of me, as I don’t know anything about her?”

“So, what’s in your mind about your next relationship?” Chands asked.

“Now, it’s useless to hide anything from you guys. I want to marry a girl which I know very well. But, I know that is only possible with love marriage not arranged." I said,

"As far as I know, you didn't have any affair. Have you found any?" Bash asked.

"Not exactly but I like a girl. She is my neighbor. I don’t say here that I love her and as such, there is nothing in between us. We are not even friends; just you can say we are society-mates only. She is a good girl and I know her very well since childhood. We have a very good chemistry between us as well, though we don’t talk much with each other. But, I can’t propose to her nor talk with my parents to propose her parents about our relations just because we are not of same caste and as you all know, this society does not accept the inter-caste relations for arranged marriage. My point is, neither Geeta, Quran, Bible nor Guru Granth says that you can’t marry a partner from another religion or caste; then what the hell this society is to restrict us. This has been defined by the society itself. This society really sucks.” I slowly started being aggressive.

Chands offered me a glass of water instead of vodka. I threw my half completed cigarette and had a glass of water. After having that, I chilled down.

"What's her name?" Dickens asked.

"She is Mitali, just 2 homes away from my home." I said.

“So, your wish would now be to get engaged with Mitali.” Bash said.

“I haven’t mentioned that as my wish. I just shared what was there in my mind.” I said.

“Yes, we know. But, there is nothing wrong if you want to marry Mitali.” Dickens told.

“But, also I haven’t said I want to marry Mitali.”

“We understand your intention, dear. We got to know that you like Mitali and you also love her, but you cannot express because you do not interact with her. Same case may also be from Mitali side. She may love you, but she cannot express because you are not interacting with her.” Chands tried to make me understand. “Yes, Arth. Chands is right. You leave this on us. We have 1 month and 20 days; and I am sure we will fulfill this.” Bash said. As a reply to this, I didn’t say anything, just kept quiet, may be because I really loved Mitali and wanted to marry her.

Finally, my friends succeeded. Even I didn't propose Mitali. It was like a arranged marriage only, but I married my long-time crush. I got engaged with Mitali on 14th December. Now, what they did to convince my parents, Mitali and her parents, I have no idea. They are yet to share that with me. On 31st December, we again gathered to celebrate success of our last year’s resolution and to welcome New Year. That year was very special to us, because the way we helped each other, we had set up an example of friendship. It was the story of Four Yaars and sequence of events we did in unity that year. Thus, we call this as “The FourYAAR Series”.