Twogether

By Sanjana Chhatlani

Emotions run high all through when the estranged couple, disaster-magnate Gautam and Miss Oh-So-Right Gunjan are forced to take a family vacation to the US for the sake of their two kids, Akash and Shrutika. Needless to say, there are fireworks all along, what with barbed attacks from Gunjan, unwanted attention from the others in the tour group and pressure from the kids. The entire journey becomes one hell of a roller-coaster ride, with a captivating, mesmerising new world unfurling before them every day, while they deal with each other’s inconsistencies and a troubled past. The journey manifests into a bouquet of ridiculously funny, sparky situations making you laugh, cry and cringe in equal measure. Will the journey bring the two together? Will the cute-to-goodness Shrutika have both Mom and Dad live happily-ever after, just like in her fairy tales?

The journey covers five states from coast to coast and numerous tourist destinations therein. At every juncture, there are crazy but hilarious occurrences which keep bringing the two unwilling protagonists together, much to their chagrin. All through the trip, Gunjan fiercely and rebelliously defends her to-be-separated status. She even makes a futile attempt to break off from the tour mid-way and return back to India with the kids. Gautam on the other hand is in a state of constant dilemma, oscillating between holding on and letting go. There is also the entry of the ex to spice up the journey and make it obnoxiously funny.

The unique highlight of the book is its format. It is presented by both the protagonists alternatingly, giving a peek into both points of view while still carrying the story forward. It becomes a memoir with a fresh, feisty approach that resonates with the reader at various levels. It’s one book where relatable and ridiculous, both go hand-in-hand making it an engaging and enjoyable read!

It also handles the fragility, complexities and deep-rooted nature of family relationships with delicacy and at the same time, with a dose of sharp wit and tongue-in-cheek humour.

It’s a visual tour of America through the eyes of tourists, serving as a warm refresher for people who have seen the sights and a vivid description serving as a calling for those who haven’t. Travel tends to have its own potential for transformational experiences, which is exquisitely woven in the story.

So welcome aboard the thrilling joy-ride and have a fantastically fun time ahead!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sanjana Chhatlani
• Release date: Aug 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005287481

Sanjana Chhatlani

Sanjana Chhatlani, is born & brought up in Mumbai & is a Finance Professional. Writing this book has actually been her journey in discovering herself as an Author. There is another one in the pipeline too!She has also created 40 short English stories & penned a few poems both in English & Hindi.She is learning music & has also composed a few Hindi songs and Bhajans. Her first, Krishna – A Musical Odyssey, a peppy fusion number is out on You-tube, Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, Apple music, etc. The YouTube link is:https://youtu.be/VWVGTD_-tP8She looks forward to recording more of her creations soon.She is also extremely interested in sketching & painting with different mediums like oils, inks, graphite & acrylics. She is married to Rajesh & is blessed with a son, Yash who will soon step into the world of Music.She also serves in an NGO by extending teaching to school children. She loves to travel all across India & the world with her family & friends.

Book preview

Sanjana Chhatlani, is born & brought up in Mumbai & is a Finance Professional. Writing this book has actually been her journey in discovering herself as an Author. There is another one in the pipeline too!

She has also created 40 short English stories & penned a few poems both in English & Hindi.

She is learning music & has also composed a few Hindi songs and Bhajans. Her first, Krishna – A Musical Odyssey, a peppy fusion number is out on You-tube, Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, Apple music, etc. The YouTube link is:

https://youtu.be/VWVGTD_-tP8

She looks forward to recording more of her creations soon.

She is also extremely interested in sketching & painting with different mediums like oils, inks, graphite & acrylics. She is married to Rajesh & is blessed with a son, Yash who will soon step into the world of Music.She also serves in an NGO by extending teaching to school children. She loves to travel all across India & the world with her family & friends.

Acknowledgements

Immense gratitude to the Divine for His infinite grace.

Gratitude to my dear husband, Rajesh Chhatlani for giving wings to my dreams. He was the one to put that seed into my head that I could and should write. It was his vision for me and hopefully, I have given him reason to be happy and proud. Though he now reveals it served multiple purposes like buying himself some peace, quiet and temporary freedom from my nagging while I was at it. So now I know why even before I've finished publishing this one, he is encouraging me to take up my next venture!

My parents Smt. Mayarani and Shri. Kishanlal Kapoor. I am the person I am today because of their upbringing.

My sister, Mrs. Bhavna Narula, my friend, philosopher, guide and counsellor and my cushion.

My brother, Jayesh Kapoor and my sister-in-law, Malvika, who worked extremely hard to correct my writing. They have selflessly enriched the book with their ideas and opinions from time to time. The book would definitely not have been what it is today without their valuable inputs.

My dearest son, Yash for just being part of my life and giving me the most treasured experience of parenthood.

My friends who have been my buffers at all times. Their sheer surprise and happiness in finding me turn from rogue to writer is uplifting and I just cherish their loving swears after they read the book.

My friend, Kalpesh Thakkar for doing a fabulous job with the designing of my book cover.

My teachers in school and college, who helped enhance and mould my power of expression in my formative years. Special thanks to Mrs. Ranjana Guha, my English teacher from school for her invaluable guidance.

My music teacher, Smt. Chaya Mukherjee, whose class and teaching has a huge bearing in shaping my interests and also my inclination towards spirituality.

Late Smt. Chaya Upadhyay, for being my pillar of strength. Her own goodness and faith have been hugely inspiring.

Suresh Giani, owner of Gianis atwork, whom I lovingly address as Suri Bhau, for being my fun partner way back in 2009-10 when we shared a crazy camaraderie on Facebook and his motivation for penning my tongue-in-cheek wit and humor. Your words always stayed with me.

All my near and dear ones, who make my life complete with their presence.

Other than reading, I have also been a movie buff. Hollywood and Bollywood films have had a huge impact on my life too, so apart from genes, its also films, that have nurtured the love of story-telling in me. This is why everyone who has read the book so far finds their own visual interpretation run before their eyes while reading.

Also, a trip to the USA with a tour group had immensely inspired me to pen my memoirs of the places I visited, but weaving it all into a fictional story was the most delightful part of it all.

I truly and thoroughly enjoyed the entire process as I wrote, and I hope you all, as readers; feel the joy I felt. If I am able to spread some laughter and happiness through my endeavor, my purpose will be served. Thankyou!

Dedication

TO THE WORLD, WITH LOVE!

A hot cuppa chai,

A twinkle in your eye,

Your beloved by your side,

Cosy, cuddly, swinging, sigh!

TWOGETHER, you read, by and by,

With giggles and laughter, my my!

Imagination soars high, oh boy!

What more can I ask but, Do spread the joy!

Prologue

‘I said No. No means No. BIG NO!’, Gautam argued defiantly.

‘Arre, what No? But what’s the reason?’ his Dad asked, irked.

‘Seriously, Dad? Reason? It’s not going to happen’, Gautam concluded.

‘But why?’ Dad persisted.

‘What Why? Don’t you know Gunjan? She’s never going to agree’, Gautam shrugged.

‘And what if she has?’ Dad said, with a twinkle in his eye.

‘Impossible!’ Gautam said, waving his hand and writing it off.

‘Come on. For the kids’ sake! Say yes. It’s only 13 nights and 14 days. That too US. It’s really going to be worth it!’ Dad pleaded. But Gautam was clear.

‘Kids, ok. Gunjan, No way!’

******

‘Are you out of your mind? No. Never!’, Gunjan said, nodding vigorously.

‘Don’t be silly. Even if you both are headed for divorce, doesn’t mean you have the license to make the kids suffer. It’s for them’, her Dad cajoled.

‘With that Gautam? Not in this lifetime! Now say something else. Change the topic’, Gunjan snapped.

‘I’m not listening to you. I have already booked the tickets. I also told Gautam and the kids. The kids are ecstatic’, Dad announced.

‘What? Without asking me? How could you, Dad? I’m not going. Do what you want’, Gunjan concluded.

‘Come on. For the kids’ sake! Say yes. It’s only 13 nights and 14 days. That too US. It’s really going to be worth it!’ Dad pleaded. But Gunjan was clear.

‘Kids, ok. Gautam, No way!’

1. Gautam Khanna.

My taxi driver had decided he would do full justice to the term snail's pace. Only, the time he chose to prove the phrase right seemed really wrong. I kept patting the driver's shoulders, urging him to move faster lest we miss the flight. He looked back disapprovingly and said,

'Sir, this is a taxi, not a horse cart. It won't move any faster if you jibe your fingers into my shoulder every now and then. What can I do if there is traffic?’

My nine-year-old daughter, Shrutika gestured to me, conveying she would handle the driver. It had almost become customary for her to start behaving like my grandmother every time I lost it. In fact, so much like her mother... wanting to boss me and take over all the time.

'Taxi Uncle, please hurry na, if we miss the flight, we will have to travel all the way to USA by your taxi only’, she said ever so cutely, convincingly and pleadingly, the driver almost gave his seat to her.

'Ok child, I shall try ', he said, smiling at her innocence.

Vacation was happening after a long time and reaching late would only ensure the trip began on a wrong note. We finally reached the airport just seconds before the stipulated time and found the entire group of nearly 40, already assembled under the banner of Travelbug, our tour operator.

As I hurried, fumbling over my bags, rolling them towards the group, I saw her... I saw Gunjan. She stood there, dressed gorgeously and looking stunning, but making every attempt to make all that gorgeousness look so casual and routine, one would think she was born with that dress... and hat... and earrings and bag and just about everything else. Her hair looked like she had commanded each strand to fall in attention and not one dared disobey. And that's how she had always been, carrying herself beautifully and flawlessly.

Akash, our eleven-year old, stood next to her, lost in his mobile. He was impeccably dressed too, looking casually smart in his casuals, just like her.

Watching them immediately made me conscious of my crumpled, carelessly tugged-in shirt, my untied shoelace and ruffled hair. But more than that, I suddenly noticed Shrutika's loosely pleated ponytail, with the ribbons almost ready to fall off and socks of different pairs in her feet. Shit! How come I didn't check on any of this before? And before I could do any damage control, the situation went even more out-of-control, with me tripping over my own shoelace, bringing my two suitcases crashing down with me, instantly catching everyone's attention. Well, I guess I started with a bang, literally, giving everyone reason to smile! Everyone except Gunjan, of course! She looked at me like I was absolutely, undeniably eligible to be booked under Section 302, for murder of her dignity, definitely amounting to culpable homicide.

I chided myself for thinking she'd rush to my rescue. What was I expecting from Ms Snob? She never had her heart in the right place first of all. I gathered myself, smiling sheepishly.

Our tour operator, Aditya came to my assistance instead. Shrutika ran to hug her Mom. Akash looked terribly excited to see his sister and hugged her. I walked up to them, and Akash almost jumped over me. We hi-fived in our own special way. I looked at Gunjan and said,

'Hi.’

She looked at me and replied with a Hi that sounded more like a favour than a greeting. I had thought that I would compliment her; tell her she was looking good; but forget it. I took a deep breath and looked away and so did she. Maybe she was travelling to the North Pole and I, to the South Pole... On the same plane!

Aditya started a roll-call.

Mr. and Mrs. Parekh and their kids Avni and Bharat.

The family stepped forward, looking excited and the kids hopped to collect their goodie-bag. They looked vibrant, happy, complete and content among themselves, smiling, chatting, digging into the bag, joking and pulling each other's legs. The father looked like a pukka businessman. He drew out all the goodies and began to calculate the worth of the bag. The mother began to ration and plan consumption according to expiry date, suggesting they were super stingy and counted every penny, leaving me wondering to what best use they would put the empty wrappers, once all the goodies were stomached.

Mr. and Mrs. Gupta.

They seemed to be in their late fifties, quiet and grounded, but again content in the quiet of each other's company. They received their bag of goodies but quietly put it away, almost as if the bag was only a means to satiate their hunger during the trip. Either they were spiritually advanced or they were plain disinterested. They looked like they were on the trip because that is what is supposed to be done... like an unnecessary ritual that may carry no meaning, but is followed anyway.

Mr. and Mrs. Chatterjee and their two daughters, Belu and Mouni.

The teenaged daughters were super-smart and Mr. Chatterjee looked like those typically rundown and helpless fathers who have a tough time containing their daughters within the acceptable norms of decently civilised society, while Mrs. Chatterjee looked only too happy to be existing on planet earth, soaking in every breath like the world was made for her. She seemed least bothered and together the three ladies formed quite a gang, making Mr. Chatterjee look even more rundown and helpless because he apparently had no support or say in the house.

Dr. Mr. and Dr. Mrs. Deshpande and their son Dhruv.

Mr. doctor looked happy to be out on vacation while Mrs. doctor looked like she was carrying the whole clinic along. She remained glued to her mobile, taking calls, giving last minute prescriptions to patients and instructions to her staff. Their son looked like he was carrying the My parents are docs and so I too will have to become one label on his forehead. Fat glasses and a fatter book in hand, he looked so engrossed in it, I wondered if he realised that he was going on a vacation and not to attempt any Medical Entrance Exam.

Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra.

Awww... They were the newly married couple on the group and they looked so much in love and inseparable. The goodie-bag just didn't matter. They were lost in each other, talking, holding hands and laughing. He kept pushing her hair back and almost playing with them and she seemed to love his touch every time. They were almost oblivious to the presence of the rest of the group. The wifey had quite a collection of those dazzling red and white bangles on her wrist (chuda) that announced her recent marriage to the world and made everyone doubly interested in the couple and their body language. Especially Mrs. Chatterjee. She refused to blink lest she might miss a just-about-to-happen beautiful kissing scene. I looked at Gunjan to see her reaction but she seemed to be giving them the Wait-for-five-years-and-we'll-see-how-much-of-it-lasts look. Damn!

Mr. and Mrs. Hanchinal.

Omg! They were both so huge that I thought I would have to look side-to-side both ways as I could never cover them in one frame. But Mr. Hanchinal was pretty jovial, making a dig at his own weight while picking his goodie-bag,

'Hey, gaining all that weight is a lot of hard work, you know. And industrious that I am, I'm going to make sure I continue all that hard work throughout the vacation.' Then before Aditya could do anything, he helped himself to two more goodie packs. Everyone laughed. I guess that's how most obese people are! Behind all that weight they carry a very light heart. They are gregarious and will tickle your funny bone, but will seldom show their true self to anyone, keeping it safely tugged behind all those layers of fat.

Mr. and Mrs. Iyengar, their daughter Nilakshi and twins Rudra and Dhruv

That makes two Dhruvs in the group. They were a typical Tamilian family, complete with chandan tika on the forehead, bright radiant eyes and equally bright smiles that looked extra bright against dusky complexions. They collected their goodie-bag and began to divide it so meticulously, I thought they were solving a Math problem; the kind we used to solve in school… When 23 cookies are to be divided among 5 people, how many does each one get? Logical thinking speaks everywhere!

Mr. Manka.

Lone traveller. Probably a bachelor. Around 35 years of age. What a sensible guy! Steered clear of marriage and looked like he was living life to the fullest. No undue pressure of relationships, no responsibility and no answerability. Wow! I sighed! At a time when I couldn't think beyond Gunjan, and followed her everywhere like a lamb, wearing my heart on my sleeves, happily waiting to be slaughtered, the man here had probably been learning a new skill or planning his next trip. Well, one realises the value of freedom only when one has lost it… I mean, lost the freedom... Ah! One and the same thing!

Mr. and Mrs. Bijlani and their eight-month old baby girl, Shalu.

The wife struggled with the little baby in one arm and a handbag in the other, as also the passport and other documents that would soon be required. The husband collected his goodie-bag, but began to argue with Aditya.

'When you guys know there is a baby traveling, the pack should be customised to include baby food and baby cereal. How insensitive!’ Aditya smiled but said calmly,

'Sir, this is from the company and I will be pleased to forward any suggestions or grievances at the end of the trip. Though I assume they don't provide baby food because mothers are generally very particular about the specific brand of cereal that they may want to feed their child.' The husband sulked and went back.

Mr. and Mrs. Buddhadeb.

They were a senior couple, maybe around 65. They were the kind who feel that life after 60 is a bonus and should be lived, experienced and enjoyed to the fullest. They just didn't seem to worry about tomorrow. Something about them seemed very uncannily interesting. I watched them observe everyone through wise, experienced eyes, but strangely, they didn't seem the opinion-forming kind.

'I hope there is no diet food in this pack', Mr. Buddhadeb said, winking at his wife.

'Oh, and I hope it's full of diet food! Good to keep his cholesterol and my weight in check', she retorted sweetly. He walked back laughing and put his arm around her and she gave him a mock pat on his shoulder, reprimanding. Their enthusiasm and optimism made them instantly likeable.

‘How the hell am I going to remember so many people and their names…’, I thought aloud. But Gunjan heard me and snapped,

‘As long as you remember the names of both your kids, nothing else matters!’

God!

Mr. and Mrs. Gautam Khanna and their two kids Shrutika and Akash. Finally!

I stepped forward but so did Gunjan. She took me by surprise and said loud enough for all to hear,

'Please address me as Ms. Gunjan Basra. I am not Mrs. Khanna.' I rolled my eyes. What ego! Couldn't she just shut-up for the trip? What was the need to announce stuff like this? But then that's Gunjan. You could never expect her to shut-up. Aditya seemed amused. He looked at me and I avoided meeting his eye. He said,

'Oh wow! So, you guys are like how Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were, initially. Living-in and having adopted kids? Great! So, marriage on the cards soon?' And I knew he was making a dig at her but I could do just nothing to help except keep quiet. He hit bang on target and ever so innocently. She fumed.

'No, we have separated. I wish to be addressed by my maiden name', she said with such vanity, she seemed to suggest she had some royal blood running in her veins.

'Separated? But you are together', Aditya played along.

'No, we are just together for this trip for the sake of our kids. But otherwise we have separated.'

'Oh, so you guys are divorced.' Aditya didn't seem to stop, thoroughly enjoying himself.

'No, we haven't, but soon we will be’, she said, irritated that the discussion was stretching.

'Oh, so just like we have engaged-to-be-married, you guys are separated-to-be-divorced.' I thought I needed to step in before Gunjan flung the goodie-bag on Aditya's head. But he already obviously knew better and before any of us could react, he said,

'That makes it 33 of us including me. Great! Let's get going. We can't hop into a running plane unlike Mumbai trains. We will have to be quick with all the formalities.'

But everyone seemed to suddenly have lost interest in the trip or even in the newly married couple. The newlyweds also momentarily lost interest in each other. Mrs. Chatterjee looked at us with amusement. She surely had found the source of the gossip of her lifetime. Everyone eyed us like we were some extra-terrestrials from Mars, who needed a lot of studying. People typically will start searching for the reasons for separation, the story behind it etc. It just kindles curiosity.

GUNJAN, YOU IDIOT!

And that's how our trip began...

2 - Gunjan Khanna... er... Basra... er... not-yet-Basra... to-be-Basra-again...

What a mess! How am I going to sustain this vacation? Why'd they have to book my ticket in the name of Mrs. Khanna? Couldn't they have booked it as Ms Basra? But then they couldn't have booked it in my maiden name. We aren't divorced yet. My passport still says my name is Gunjan Khanna... Yikes! How I hate being associated with that surname anymore!

At the entrance, the security checked my passport and then directed me,

'This way, Mrs. Khanna.' I wished I could give him a piece of my mind, but couldn't. Aditya, who was right behind us, corrected him.

'Ms. Basra, not Mrs. Khanna.'

I turned to glare at him while the guard looked nonplussed, re-checking the passport.

'Oh... to be... to be Ms. Basra', he told the guard, but obviously the guard didn't understand. It's easy to understand to be Mrs. but difficult to understand to be Ms. in this country. He looked even more confused and checked the passport a third time while Aditya looked at me and nodding vigorously, eyes dancing, smiled as innocently as` possible and said,

'Juuuuust helping.'

'I can see that. Thanks, but I don't need it.' I said, mentally slapping him. Everyone had stopped doing whatever they were doing and were staring at me, standing still. It seemed like the entire scene had paused! I stared back at all of them and they shifted gaze, staring into vacuum as if they were preparing some in-depth report on nothing. Mrs. Chatterjee, standing behind us in the queue, burst into giggles. I ignored her, whisked the passport out of the guard's hand and stormed inside the airport. Akash followed, rolling the trolley that carried our bags, feeling very proud to manoeuvre it. Give boys anything to do with wheels and that's it... at least until a certain age... which is… until they are alive. But then, do they ever grow up?

Gautam must have been so happy to see me in trouble. The clumsy fool, but as always, he chose to do nothing about it. I was greeted with Mrs. Khanna again at the baggage counter, then with Mrs. Khanna at the security check-in and finally with Mrs. Khanna, welcome aboard, again while boarding the plane.

Araaaggghhhh!! Someday... Someday soon I'd get rid of it forever!

We were allotted four center seats in the plane, with aisles on both sides. Gautam's seat was on the extreme left, then the kids between us and then me. Couldn't we have got separate seats? I already wanted the trip to end. I struggled to raise my bag to the storage above. Gautam was busy storing his bags. One bag slipped and almost fell over me. Mr. Buddhadeb, who was standing next to me, held my falling bag in reflex, saving me. I looked at Gautam helplessly, but also angrily. Where was his chivalry? Shouldn't he be helping me with my bags first? He understood my look and immediately tried to come to the other side. But with both kids standing in between, it was impossible and he fumbled. Again! I slapped my forehead.

'Don't worry Mrs. Khanna, I will put it up for you', Mr. Buddhadeb said, very earnestly trying to help me and took the bag from me. But as soon as he said it, he probably realised he addressed me to my dislike and froze. He had the look of a scared bunny rabbit on his face. Everyone else was also busy loading their bag, but the minute he mentioned my name, everyone froze again, waiting to see my reaction. I shrugged helplessly, and decided not to open my mouth because I was not sure whether I wanted to say 'Thankyou' or 'Get lost!' I sat in my seat, frowning. Maybe I could still make that one last attempt; one excuse, and alight from the plane. Mr. Buddhadeb dumped my bag on top, smiled graciously as he relaxed and then settled into his own seat. Mrs. Buddhadeb had her seat adjacent to mine on the plane, with the aisle between us. She gently placed her hand on my shoulder and said,

'Gunjan... Gunjan is such a beautiful name. I think we both are going to call you Gunjan.' Mr. Buddhadeb nodded vigorously, more to cover up for the blunder earlier, than to agree. I nodded gratefully. Somehow, she seemed very understanding and docile, like a motherly figure, who wouldn't want