The mountains will always be there; you can see them on every flight to Delhi from Kathmandu. Let's have a conversation,” a middle aged man says to Sagar as he is enjoying the view of the Range. “Thank you. May be later,” replies Sagar.
Sagar loves talking to people. He has always been good at making acquaintances. But right now, he cannot get his eyes off the majestic mountains. ‘Opportunities do not knock on your door twice. If you do not open your door, someone else will,’ Sagar thought after a while, glancing at the man who had tried to hold a conversation with him. Dressed in blue khaki, a Monte Carlo sweater and shiny shoes, the man had a pleasing countenance. Sagar thought that this might be the opportunity.
“Looks like I’ve finally got good company on this journey,” the man says as Sagar takes a seat next to him with a smile. “What’s your name?” the man asks. “Sagar,” he replies. “First time to Delhi?” “No. I have been there before but it was a short stay,” says Sagar. “So what brings you to Delhi this time?” the man asks. “I am joining Mumbai University. My train to Mumbai leaves from Delhi.” More out of politeness than interest, Sagar asks the man’s name. “You will laugh if I tell you my name,” the man says with a smile. “My name is Shah Rukh Khan.” Sagar tries his best not to laugh, and looks away from the man. The man hands Sagar his business card; he was indeed named Shah Rukh Khan.
“What time is your train?” Shah Rukh asks as they step outside the airport at Delhi. “It’s at 4:50 P.M., from the Nizamuddin Station,” replies Sagar. “You have a long wait; it’s only 12:20 now. How will you get to the station?” He seems to have a Masters in asking questions, Sagar thinks. “I’ll take either a bus or a cab.” Shah Rukh tells him that cabs are expensive and that the food at the railway station wasn’t hygienic. “Why don’t you come over to my place for lunch?” Shah Rukh proposes. Sagar was confused; he didn’t know whether to accept or decline his new friend’s offer. To persuade Sagar, Shah Rukh tells him that the
station is only a 10-minute-drive from his place and that he’d drop him off after lunch. “If you want to take a bus in this heat, I have nothing to say,” says Shah Rukh, a little irritated by Sagar’s reluctance. “Alright, let’s go to your place,” says Sagar.
Shah Rukh and Sagar ride the over-head bridges of Delhi to Sharukh’s house. Shah Rukh shows Sagar his drawing room and his study, which are adorned with beautiful paintings and wall hangings. Sagar learns that Shah Rukh stays alone in his magnificent house: he is unmarried and his parents have died. Shah Rukh shows Sagar his bedroom and allows him to use his bathroom. “I don’t let many people use my bathroom but I see you are a gentleman, so I wouldn’t mind. But please keep the floor dry,” says Shah Rukh as he opens the bathroom door to Sagar.
“Now you can give me a hug,” Shah Rukh says to Sagar when he comes out of the bathroom and kisses him on the cheek. Sagar had seen this kind of greetings in movies, parties, and award functions, so he did not mind. Lunch was served. Shah Rukh and Sagar exchange their contact addresses as a spicy Indian meal is served. After lunch, Shah Rukh calls numerous people he had met during his week-long stay in Nepal. Curiously, all of them were male. Sagar reasons that it’s easier for a tourist to make male friends in a foreign country than female friends. Then, he suddenly remembers how during the flight Shah Rukh had shown him pictures that he had taken in Nepal and that all of them were either of landscape or of men. There hadn’t been a single woman in his pictures. Sagar felt a little uneasy as he put these two pieces together.
After lunch Sagar was reading a poem written in one corner of a black and white picture of a newly-wed couple in the lobby. “My father wrote it for my mum when they were on their honeymoon in Shimla,” says Shah Rukh, wrapping his arms round Sagar’s waist. Although it was gentle, Sagar did not feel comfortable about Shah Rukh’s touch. “How romantic of him to do that!” says Sagar, slipping away from Shah Rukh’s embrace, and escaping to the living room. Sagar looks at his watch, which shows 3:30 P.M. He tells Shah Rukh that he has to leave. Shah Rukh tells him that he would get him to the station in a matter of minutes. Sagar’s uneasiness increases with time in Shah Rukh’s company. He begins to wish he hadn’t come to Shah Rukh’s house at all.
At 4 o’clock Sagar starts lifting his luggage. Shah Rukh asks Sagar to come to Delhi for Holi. He tells him that he would drive him around Delhi in his car. Sagar tells him he would try to come. Before they leave the living room, Shah Rukh expresses his joy at having met Sagar and gives him another hug. He tries to kiss Sagar on the lips, which Sagar manages to avoid. Hastily grabbing his luggage, Sagar goes outside to the car.
Shah Rukh leaves Sagar at the metro station, telling him that Nizamuddin Railway Station is only 10 minutes away. Sagar thanks Shah Rukh for his kindness, and leaps towards the metro. Instead of anxiety in riding the Metro for the first time, Sagar feels relieved; he feels safe amidst the crowd. He makes it to the station just five minutes before the train’s departure. “It looks as if all of India had gathered at this train station”, mumbles Sagar and once again feels nauseous. Drenched in sweat and panting like a dog, he steps into his compartment. The train moves, as if it had been Sagar’s stepping on it that had set it into motion. Sagar’s mobile rings. ‘Shah Rukh calling’ is flashing on the screen. Sagar answers it. “Hello Sagar. I am missing you, yaar,” begins Shah Rukh. “Please do come for Holi....”
- Sanjeev Dahal
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