PART 6: An early update thanks to a snow day here…..
"Check!"
"AHAA! Not that easy Riddhima! Check!"
"No way!"
"Yes way (chuckling)"
"Phew…my king is safe now."
"Oh darn! I forgot that bishop!"
Our first game after our truce lasted two hours, with many checks and almost one check mate, but ended in a stalemate- a draw.
"Hey guys! Didn't I say you were a perfect match?" Atul slapped my back as he walked into the chess club.
"I wouldn't go that far," you stood up hurriedly, "it's just a game. I am sure I will win the next time."
"Well, I will take that as a challenge then. I am sure you are impressed how much better I have become," I grinned pompously.
"Of course you have….but don't forget, so have I," you smiled back and picked your bag, "got to go now. Mom must be waiting for me."
"Hey wait a minute! So, we are on tomorrow then?" I touched your elbow.
"Maybe," you shrugged your shoulders, "if I have time."
"What if I make a sweet deal?"
"Deal?"
"A frozen, sweet, yummy, mouth watering deal? The winner treats the loser to ice cream."
"Ice cream?" You gave me a quizzical look.
"Yeah, I love to win but I love ice cream even more…so is that a deal?" I extended my palm.
"Alright," you just waved back and left the club with your backpack, "I am in."
"Not bad dude! That's a win-win situation for you," Atul chuckled and slapped my back again, "an ice cream date?"
"Don't have any ideas Atul…it's just a game." I punched him back and left.
Isn't it interesting that an ancient, intellectual game of war and strategy became a truce builder for us? I remember how you won the game the next day and as per our deal, we had our 'first ice cream date' as Atul had put it.
"Where can we get ice cream though?" You asked innocently, "the school cafeteria must be closed."
"Oh there is an ice cream shop right across the street." I knew all my whereabouts within and outside the school premises.
"But I need to tell mom," you panicked, "I am not allowed to leave the school campus."
"It's just a few feet away Riddhima! We just have to cross a street for heaven sakes. It's not across town or something."
"But I can't lie to mom."
"Oh come on Riddhima! You are not lying. Why do you even have to tell her? I don't tell my parents everything I do."
"I am not you," you gave me a sharp look and took your cell phone out from your bag, "Hi mom..yeah, can you come pick me after half and hour….yeah, I have some w-work here….ok..bye mom." The discomfort and awkwardness in your voice and expression were obvious.
"Work?" I raised my eyebrow, "Ms. Truth and honesty?" I chided you.
"You are right," you dialed her number again, "mom..actually I am going for ice cream across the street…is that ok? Thanks mom….uh….yeah," you looked up at me, "w-with a friend." You hung up again.
"A friend?" I chuckled, "another lie? why not Armaan? Your mom adores me, you know that, right?"
"I didn't lie this time. Let's go now." I had managed to fluster your conscience. Without replying, you marched off towards the school gate as I tried to keep up with you.
"Hey Riddhima! It's okay," I finally caught up with you, "chill….as long as you don't hurt anyone, these kinds of lies are okay."
"Mom! I am going to have ice cream with Armaan!" You dialed your cell again and heaved a sigh of relief, "thanks mom….no it was just a deal after our chess game…bye mom."
"Man!" I rolled my eyes, "you are so skinny Riddhima but you do carry an awful amount of weight on your shoulders."
"What do you mean?"
"Weight of morals, ideals, truthfulness, honesty blah blah blah….learn to relax…so wasn't I right? Your mom would have no problem with you going out with me for ice cream. It's not as if it's a date or something."
"I know, but I do what makes me comfortable. Lying and deceiving are out of my comfort zone."
"Okay whatever!" At that moment, I couldn't fathom your way of thinking, but now when I look back, that was my clue- you despised people who deceived others, even if it was for their happiness.
You remained silent and just kept walking. Wonder what was going in that overactive brain of yours. Probably cursing the deal that we had made the day before- well, you kept your word, and we were at the ice cream shop at last.
"So what flavor do you want Armaan?"
"Hmm…let me check…what are you having?"
"Vanilla!"
"Just vanilla?"
"Yeah….I hate mixing up flavors. That way you really don't know what you are eating."
"Well, I love to make a big mess of my ice cream….the more flavors, the merrier," I laughed and ordered, "I will have a scoop of chocolate, one scoop of butterscotch, one scoop of almond crunch, then mix the nuts, hot chocolate syrup, pecans, M&Ms and oreo cookies on top!"
"Just like your harem of girlfriends?" You mocked at me, "a big mushy mess!"
"Ha…ha…funny! Are you jealous?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Are you crazy? Who wants to be one of those girls?"
"Why, what's wrong with them?"
"Everything! Do you think you can ever have an intelligent conversation with any of them?"
"I am sure they are intelligent in their own way, but guys don't care about those things."
"Exactly! That's why boys make me sick!"
"He…he," I grinned impishly, "so why are you here with me?"
"I keep my promises……one kiddie scoop of vanilla please!"
"Kiddie scoop?" I almost fell on the floor, "no wonder you don't have any meat on you."
My huge, extra large sundae of multiple flavors was ready. I grabbed my bowl and sat on a table.
You gave me an incredulous look, "how can you eat so much? This is not dinner Armaan!"
"I know," I grinned, "but I have great metabolism," and like a show off, pumped up my chest and biceps, "these rippling muscles burn fat faster than anything else." Then I dug into my scoops and gobbled my ice cream as if there was no tomorrow, making loud slurpy noises as the ice cream melted down my chin.
"You are so full of yourself Armaan," you shook your head and sat across from me and then stunned me by the way you ate your ice cream- napkin carefully laid out on your lap, a small spoon to scoop out even tinier bites from the kiddie scoop!
"Is that how you always eat your ice cream?" I asked curiously, "it's not caviar for heaven sakes, it's just vanilla ice cream."
"I'd rather enjoy my ice cream rather than devour it like a cave man like you."
"Cave man?" I roared aloud like one. I knew I was irritating you with my loud, boisterous and messy ways, but the truth is that I was just so excited to be out with you, that I couldn't control my impulses.
Purposely, just to tease you even more, I dipped my finger in my ice cream and pulled out an ice cream glazed finger, "taste this Riddhima. Ice cream on a finger tastes even better."
"Eewww," you pushed your chair away, "that's nasty Armaan."
"Mmmm," I licked my finger with a loud pop, "heavenly! Now let's try the same with your scoop." Before you could react, I sunk my much licked finger into your vanilla scoop.
"ARMAAAN!"
"You hate me?" I licked the vanilla ice cream off my finger.
"Oh God!" You pushed the ice cream away, "yes, I hate your stupid antics. When will you grow up Armaan?"
"I don't want to," I laughed, "sorry for messing up with your ice cream. Can I buy you another one?"
"No, I am fine," you took a deep breath and wiped your lips with the napkin, "we can leave if you are done."
"Seriously, let me buy you an ice cream," I apologized.
"No, Armaan, I am fine. Any ways, I don't want to kill my appetite before dinner."
"Well, if that's the case," shamelessly, I gulped down your Armaan-tainted, vanilla ice cream, "it's too plain." I smacked my lips as I finished your ice cream; a part of me excited that I had 'tasted you' through your left over ice cream.
"You really love ice cream, don't you?" You chuckled as we left the shop.
"I'll make sure you fall in love with ice cream one day Riddhima. You just don't know how to eat it," I followed you after leaving an extra tip for the mess I had created on the table.
…………………………………………………………………..
That evening, as if to make up for my ice cream fiasco, I decided to visit your house with the album of photographs from your party- basically I needed an excuse to see you again.
"Hello auntie! How are you?" I showed up at your doorstep.
"Arre Armaan beta, tum? What a surprise? Kaise aana hua?" Padma auntie, in my opinion, the most gracious lady in the world, welcomed me with open arms.
"Oh..nothing much. I just wanted to give this album to R-idh-I-mean…..you guys."
She gave me that mysterious smile again, which at that moment, I was clueless but still curious about, "why don't you give it to her beta? She is upstairs in her room."
"Oh..sure auntie. Would you like to see the album?" I asked politely, although I was dying to dash towards the stairs. I am sure your mom sensed my impatience, "why don't you show it to her first. I will see it with Shashank later….jao beta."
"Thanks auntie!" Within minutes, I was upstairs.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Come in! Armaan? What are you doing here?" You got up from your desk and walked towards the door.
I was dumbfounded and dumbstruck the moment I entered your room. Your room was just like you- neat, tidy, precise, organized and down to earth. There were no Jonas Brothers posters, no blaring music, no iPod docks and accessories, no TV, no hunks adorning the walls- why was I not surprised? There were many bookshelves- rows of them with rows of books, your laptop on your desk, homework folder, a few pens and basic stationery. The cute stuffed animals, tucked neatly next to your pillow at least made it look like a young girl's room and not an executive office. You had come a long way from your Princess Disney days!
"Why are you here?" You snapped your fingers.
"Oh…here you go….I just came to drop this album off. I-I was on my way to a friend's house, so thought I would leave this here." Liar! I whispered to myself. You know she hates lies. Just tell her I came to drop this off. Why do you have to bring a fictional friend into the picture?
"Oh..thanks. How sweet! Can I have a look?"
"Sure."
You flipped through the pictures and commended my photography skills, "wow, you even included the newspaper cutting of my essay….and my picture from the video in D.C…thanks Armaan. It's good."
"Just good?" I was hoping for stupendous, mind blowing, excellent!
"Yeah, because all my friends are there in the album except you."
I couldn't believe what I had just heard, "how could I be there silly? I was taking the pictures…duh!" I tried to act nonchalant but my heart did somersaults at the thought that you missed my picture in the album. My absence made the album less than perfect for you!
"Oh yeah….that's right. Well, next time, make sure someone takes your photograph too."
"I have an idea," I was so excited that I pulled out my camera phone and clicked a photograph of myself.
CLICK!
"Here you go…I will print this out," I flipped the phone and had a shock when I saw my distorted photograph with a Pinocchio-ish nose and monkey-ish face, "oh no…not this one…I look like a dork!"
"I love it!" You laughed, "I want to keep it."
"Are you crazy? This is an insult to my handsome face."
"I don't care. I want this one Armaan…please print this one for me."
I relented. Since that incident, I have always wondered what you meant by I don't care.
If that were a question on a multiple choice test: 'What did Riddhima mean when she said I don't care?'
1. I don't care because you don't really matter to me- it was a mere formality in exchange for your hard work.
2. I don't care because I want to complete my homework and stop wasting any more of my precious time.
3. I don't care because I am just being nice to you because you let me go to D.C.
4. I don't care because it's you who matters, not your looks.
I have always been bad at multiple choice questions and therefore, have yet to find the answer to that one.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ahaa. Love the New York winters when it snows so much that one cannot see the cars on the roads, when you wake up early in the morning and your backyard is so well lit even with no street lights on, when the TV reporter announces that your school is one of the schools on the closed list and when your younger sister forces you out of bed as she wants to make the first snowman on the bloc!
"Muskaan! Can we go later? Take dad with you," I peered through my comforter, "I want one day I can sleep in."
"No bhaiyya! Dad is out of town and mom wants to get groceries before all the roads shut down. Please bhaiyya…please…that's the least you can do for your cutie pie sister!"
"Okay Muskaan!" I stretched my arms and then had a brilliant idea, "why don't you ask if the kiddie bunch wants to join us?"
"Okay….I will call….you go get ready!"
Snow Gods were really benevolent on me that morning. Abhimanyu, Rahul and Nikita couldn't come that early, but both Muskaan and I were surprised, when you agreed to join us.
"Riddhima is coming!" Muskaan jumped excitedly.
"Really? I though Shashank uncle does not let her stay out in the cold weather because she can get seeeek!" I imitated his accent, making fun of him.
"May be he is not there."
"Yeah, you are probably right…let's go kiddo!" I pulled my gloves over my hands, put my thick snow jacket on and headed to our front yard in my snow shoes.
A few minutes later, you tread your way through the snow covered side walk, in your jeans, a sweat shirt, sneakers and woolen mittens.
"Hi guys!" Your smile glowed on the red, chapped face.
"Don't you have a water proof jacket?" I asked worriedly.
"I do, but I was too excited to come here. Dad has not woken up yet. He wouldn't let me play outside in the snow. I have always wanted to; I am glad you called me Muskaan."
"So you deceived your dad?" I taunted you.
"Of course not! Mom gave me permission to come. I would never disturb dad."
"He he…convenient," I just chuckled and started digging through the snow bed that covered the grass.
We had a great time playing and frolicking in the snow that morning. The three of us were like kindergartners again. We laughed, giggled, rolled around, threw snow balls at each other and made the tallest snowman on the block! Time goes by in a jiffy when one is having fun, but little did we realize that the nail biting cold had started settling inside your inadequately clad body.
"Riddhima, your lips are blue," I was worried like hell, "your teeth are chattering too….let's go inside."
"I am okay Armaan. I am really enjoying this. I will go home soon. Dad would be up by now."
"No, you can't walk home like this," I felt your sweat shirt, gloves and jeans, "they are soaked….come inside."
"Yeah, Riddhima, let's go inside. Your gloves are wet." Muskaan led you back to the house.
I tried to call mom but she was stuck at the grocery store. Quickly, I placed some logs into the fire place, "Riddhima, come sit near the fire."
"Muskaan….get some dry clothes for Riddhima."
"Bhaiyya, they won't fit her."
"Okay, let me check," I ran to my room and pulled out an old Knicks sweat shirt (my favorite), dry socks and pajamas from my dresser, "here wear these."
"Your clothes? They are big."
"I know, but they are dry. Come on Riddhima….no one else is looking. I will call Padma aunty in the meantime. She can bring some of your clothes."
The fire was raging by the time you came out of the bathroom wearing my baggy clothes.
Muskaan and I couldn't control our laughter, but tried to make you as comfortable as possible. You were visibly embarrassed, "sorry guys….I made such a fool of myself. I should have worn better clothing."
"That's what happens when you are scared of your dad," I chuckled.
"I love my dad Armaan!" Even as you shivered and rubbed your hands against the warmth of the fire, you were as usual in defend-daddy mode.
"I love my dad too, but I am not scared of him the way you are….I guess he must roar like a lion whenever he is upset……rrrrrrr," I sat down next to you with a cup of hot chocolate, "here you go…drink this….it always helps."
"My dad is special and I would appreciate if you don't talk about him like that."
"Oops sorry daddy's girl….here hold this cup between your palms. Your finger nails are still blue." Like a fool, I started humming the song from Lion King—in the jungle, the mighty jungle….the lion sleeps tonight….ha ha..
"Armaan! Cut it out, will you? Why do you hate my dad?" You didn't touch the cup; instead you were obviously upset with me for making fun of your dad.
"Your fingers are still blue," I diverted your attention, "darn it! Hold that cup."
"No, I won't! I don't care if I get frost bite! You can't insult my dad like that." You were about to stand up, but I pulled you down to the floor again and grabbed your hand between my palms, "Muskaan, you massage Riddhima's other hand…come on quick. If she loses a few fingers from frost bite, Shashank uncle will never spare us."
As you stared at me with a startled expression, I rubbed your hand vigorously till your circulation and color had been restored. Something inexplicable happened between us as we sat holding hands even after your fingers were warm and pink. 1000 volts of currents and sparks whooshed through my body like never before. I don't know what you felt, but your expressive eyes, were lit up like two luminous light bulbs that had been turned on by a mysterious switch. All I can say is that in all my 16 years on the planet, never before had I experienced something so surreal and enthralling.
"Hi beta…..kya hua?" Mom and Padma aunty walked in. Awkwardly but reluctantly, our hands parted.
"Mom…Riddhima, bhaiyya and I saved Riddhima from getting a frost bite!" Muskaan hopped towards them proudly.
"Frost bite? Beta are you fine?" Padma aunty ran towards the fireplace, where you sat still with your palms in the air.
"Mom, I am fine. I was not dressed appropriately."
"Tujhey aadat nahin hai na aisi cheezon ki…chalo ghar chalte hain. Thanks Muskaan and Armaan beta….we will return your clothes later."
"That's okay auntie," I waved back as you walked out with your mom. I hid my palm in my pocket, in an adolescent, innocent way to keep that sensation intact within me. To my surprise, at the door, you turned your head and waved back at me, "see you in school tomorrow Armaan."
"Sure..bye."
Why do I remember that day so vividly- almost like a movie that I love to watch again and again?
That day, I kept my right hand in my pocket, never washed it, used my left hand to eat (beta, what happened to your right hand? Mom was bewildered at my odd behavior at dinner time.)
"Mom, I read in a science book that the best way to prevent Alzheimer's is to use your non dominant hand from time to time. I am just practicing." I lied.
"Science book?" Dad chuckled, "you and science?"
"Yes, dad…sc-science is my favorite subject….I love science…..in fact I think I will become a scientist when I grow up." I gulped down my glass of water as I felt my bile acids burn my throat from my concocted stories.
"Lagta hai Riddhima ki sangat ka asar hai," Mom kissed my forehead lovingly, "now you are coming on track beta. Scientist kya, rocket scientist banega mera beta!"
"Yeah…I think you are right mom," I just smiled and enjoyed the rare of display of affection from mom.
………………………………………………………………………….
The next day, I kept my distance from you. I had still not recovered from the aftershocks of my electrocution at your 'hands.'
"Hi Armaan…what's up? Ready for a chess game after school?" You walked towards with me with a big smile.
"Oh…nothing…I..I have just been busy….catching up on school work you see."
"Thanks for everything yesterday. I really feel stupid for what happened."
"Me too," I replied softly, lost in my own thoughts.
"Why do you feel stupid?"
"I..I mean…because of that electric shock thingie. I am sure you felt it too."
"Electric shock?"
"You know I read in a science book that when your skin is dry and cold, a build up of electric charge happens on the surface of your skin. The static charges remain on an object until they either bleed off to ground or are quickly neutralized by a discharge. Although charge exchange can happen whenever any two surfaces come into contact and separate, a static charge will only remain when at least one of the surfaces has a high resistance to electrical flow. The effects of static electricity are familiar to most people because we can see, feel and even hear the spark as the excess charge is neutralized when brought close to a large electrical conductor, or a region with an excess charge of the opposite polarity. The familiar phenomenon of a static 'shock' is caused by the neutralization of charge. (courtesy Wikipedia)
I hope you understand….it was just physics."
"Armaan….I am a better science student than you. I think I can tell the difference." You had a mysterious smile, kind of like Padma auntie's on your face, "bye….see you at the chess club this afternoon."
I stood still, stupefied once again, "what did she mean by I can tell the difference?
Difference between what?
1. Different types of electric currents?"
2. Different electric conductors?
3. Difference between negative and positive charge?
4. Difference between physics and chemistry?
"Hey dude! Come listen to our rock band at lunch time," Matt, my old friend from middle school punched my arm.
"Sure! What are you guys playing?"
"Some old Beatles songs….those are a craze these days. Girls love them."
"Sure…I will be there," I sighed, trying my best to decipher your cryptic language.
As I sat with my lunch in front of Matt's band, as if on cue, they played a famous song that reflected my feelings so well….
'I want to hold your hand.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKHFUKZ-IXE&feature=related
Oh yeah, Ill tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
Oh, please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
and please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Now let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
And when I touch you i feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide
Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
And when I touch you I feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide
Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your ha-a-a-a-a-a-and
Yes, I did…and still do…wanna hold your hand and this time for good, till the end of time….
…to be contd….
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