Chapter 8: Real Raghu

Written: Kaalan

          Be like snow, silent and cold. This would be the best definition for Raghu. Friends aren’t supposed to be not judged but at times their act makes us feel like they are total strangers.

Bhuvana, Divya, Pradap and Raghu met at Pradap’s apartment to make up a treaty since the first meeting in the hotel at vadapalani failed because of Durga’s phone call.

“I know we all have our secrets, let secret stay secret” Raghu said.

“Okay” Pradap said.

“I want you guys to know something before I confess to police” Raghu said.

“Interesting” Bhuvana exclaimed.

“Let me tell you why I lost my job and why I went to Erode often” Raghu said.

All moved closer to Raghu, Raghu took a sip of water which indicates he is going to narrate a big story.

I have been allocated to a hectic project which is escalated to vice presidents level. Actual project management and team members were not aware about next steps and action items so the office management team created a new rescue team. I have been informed that the project has to be completed in three months. As part of the rescue team we had two more resources Tharun and Sangeetha. Both are from different districts and they are staying in hostels here.

Everything was fine until the day the greedy manager showed off his real face. I was on leave that day, meanwhile the manager used this situation to show off to higher officials so we were walking through the code and we had a few uncleansed source code which he presented without our knowledge. Higher officials got upset and they started to be more abusive in the call. They pressurized the team to complete cleanup work on the same day. Manager became a pure form of traitor and joined with them to pressurize Sangeetha and Tharun.

Tharun and Sangeetha tried their best but the fixes they had done in hurry to bury caused more trouble in the code. I was unable to attend the phone call for the entire day so they got screwed for big time.

          Next day when I went there both of them were breaking their heads. After I came to know about the incident, I had a meeting with Manager. Manager wasn’t sure what mess he had done and totally spoiled the rescue plan. I had to make another urgent plan and we sat for three days stretching to get back on track.

Manager showed off to higher officials as if he brought the project back to track and proved he is a bitch. This made Sangeetha more upset as a result of it she fought with the manager but as usual he managed to point out negatives of her and threatened to delay her promotion. She was super pissed off so I took both Tharun and Sangeetha to a nearby hotel since both didn’t have proper food for the last three days. Before I dropped her off at home, she asked me to take to the beach and I did so.

Another beach episode was thought in Pradap’s mind as it recollected beach memories of him with Durga. Raghu continued with the story.

I was trying to convince her and we had a moment in the breezy beach, then I came to know she has been interested in me.

“Awwwww” All said in chorus which made Raghu blush. That is an unseen moment for his friends.

Slowly I started to fall for her, we roamed around the city every night and we had a good time. I felt I would be happy if I marry her so I have proposed and she accepted. All these happened in a few months just like a dream.

Later in the few days we had almost completed the project and promotion cycle came. Sangeetha was not nominated for promotion, when she inquired with the manager. As usual he did play a game of promotions. Sangeetha became a scapegoat for manager’s favoritism. We had a huge fight with that manager. Quite wondered, that none of higher officials involved solving the problem so my hands did the honor.

Karma has no menu; he just got what he deserved. I lost my job for hitting him. To add more pepper on chicken, her parents came to know about our love and abducted her to their native on the next day.

I have her address alone which I took from her old resume but they have recently changed their home. None of them knows the new address, but I got a hint about a new address from one of their old neighbors since they are enemies of Sangeetha’s parents. I go to Erode every week to check that area as much as possible to find her. I miss her very much and I want to see her and live with her. I have been going crazy in recent days. Raghu finished the story.

“Crazy in recent days, funny” Bhuvana said and laughed.

“Shut up” Divya said and laughed after a long time as she couldn’t control it.

“What is the problem, why are they being against” Divya asked.

“What else, caste” Raghu said.

“These people never change” Divya said and her eyes started to well up.

“Guys, don’t be serious” Pradap said.

“We are going to Sangeetha’s native with Raghu and we’re gonna find her at any cost” Bhuvana said and waited to hi fi with Raghu.

“Okay” Raghu said and joined hands for hi fi.

July 1, 2008

Dhana has already shared the details to the Erode police man Govi about the machete man who is a psycho rapist and murderer.

Durga was so happy that Pradap and friends were out of the serial killer case. Now she can easily interact with Pradap as a common girl and not as a cop.

“Hello” Durga said over the phone.

“Hey, how are you” Pradap said in a josh.

“Fine, how are you and what’s up with your posse” Durga asked.

“We are going to Erode” Pradap said.

“Oh, is it? going on a trip?” Durga asked.

“No, we are in operation of finding Sangeetha” Pradap said.

“Raghu’s girlfriend” Durga exclaimed as she knew Sangeetha from Raghu’s confession at the police station.

“You guys need some help” Durga asked.

“If you come with us, it would be great” Pradap said and of course he is flirting with her.

“I wish to, but these Chennai homicides are mysteries still so couldn’t come” Durga said.

“That’s unfortunate, we are missing a cop in team” Pradap said.

“Hey, we know a cop in Erode, I will give his contact number, reach out to him for the cop’s mind” Durga asked and laughed.

“Sure” Pradap said.

“I will send via sms, bye then” Durga said.

“Hey hold on!” Pradap said.

“What” Durga questioned.

“Thanks and sorry for many things, you cared about me.” Pradap said.

“Okaaaaaayyyyyyy” Durga dragged the word to sustain for ten seconds.

“When I come back to Chennai, can we go out” Pradap said and Durga felt the excitement in his voice.

“Return to Chennai safe, will see” Durga said as if not interested and disconnected.

This is usual stuff with girls. Once they know a boy is interested, the girl goes from friend zone to girlfriend zone. Every action has a reaction, when boy goes into boyfriend zone, its different level of torture for girls.