PART 8:
One thing I have learnt in my 28 years of life is that life is unpredictable and that surprises come from most unexpected places. I had no idea that our little rendezvous at the Rockefeller center would become a headline in the metro section of the Sunday newspaper.
'INDIAN ICE SKATER MESMERIZES THE RINK'
A photograph of me gliding across the skating rink, a carefree expression, and arms in the air like an eagle in the sky became the talk of the high school on Monday morning. None of my other friends were there in the picture- it was just me on the spread! Perhaps, for the photographer, an Indian kid so skillful on skates was a novelty, or maybe I did really have a tremendous 'rink presence'. I have no idea, but I was an instant celebrity amongst my parent's desi friends and my school friends.
"ARMAAN! MY MAN!"
"DUDE! YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR!"
"I NEVER KNEW YOU WERE SO GOOD!"
"NEXT TIME WE ALL WANT TO ACCOMPANY YOU TO THE RINK"
"HEY SWEETIE! I HEARD YOU EVEN HAD A GIRL IN YOUR ARMS!" Anjie Bose, a recent immigrant from Peru gave me a luscious smile. Born to an Indian father and Peruvian mother, she was the hottest thing that had landed in Rockbrook High that year. Her long legs, golden complexion and thick black hair had seniors and juniors lusting after her. She had never shown any interest in me, as the senior boys had bestowed their exclusive attention to this thick accented half Latino diva.
"Hey Anjie!" I couldn't believe my luck that morning. Fame and femme fatale had both landed in my arms unexpectedly. "Wish it were you," I winked at her, trying my best to appear unfazed by her oomph and aura.
"You little devil!" She leaned against my shoulder and moaned, "so does that mean we have a date this weekend?"
I was blown away. Ms Hoity-toity had just asked me out? A 17 year old boy with raging hormones couldn't decline that offer, could he? I had just won the Nobel Prize for the catch-of-the-year, and there was no way, I could say no, especially with envious seniors, in the hallway, scowling at my luck.
"Let me check my date diary," I chuckled, trying my best to act pricey.
"See you at 7 at my place," she winked and walked off with an air of haughtiness. I got the message- cancel everything else on your diary dude- no one rejects Anjie!
"Armaan!" Nikki elbowed me with a frown, "you are really going to go out with Anjie?"
"She asked me out," I grinned pompously.
"Did you forget what happened on the rink the other night?"
"Of course not! I am a star Nikki! I love Rockefeller! No wonder people worship him for his generosity."
"You have always been a star Armaan," Nikki rolled her eyes, "I mean what happened between you and Ridz the other night."
"What happened between us? I don't think we had a sleepover together." I chuckled, still giddy after Anjie's proposal.
"You are crazy Armaan! Don't you think there is something special between you and Ridz? You guys were just so….just so… ethereal…..so….out of this world."
"Babe….I can look ethereal with any XX chromosome….it's not my fault if I am that good looking and charming….so don't get any ideas sweetheart!"
"You are crazy Armaan! Babe? Sweetheart?" She just shook her head and walked away, while I whistled and danced my way to the classroom, euphoric from all the adulation (so I thought as my dense brain refused to acknowledge the truth-I had been in a euphoric state ever since our 'ride' on the rink.)
Later, when I bumped into you, I couldn't hold my excitement, "Hey Riddhima….did you see my picture in the paper?"
"Really?" You sounded a bit distant and turned your gaze towards your locker.
What's up with XX chromosome and their mood swings? Was my response; I never bothered to find the real reason behind your aloofness.
"You should check it out. By the way, Anjie asked me out on a date. Can you believe it? That picture has done wonders for me," I gloated and waited for your response.
"Good for you Armaan," you replied curtly and slammed your locker door, "make sure you stock up on some personal protective devices before you go out with her. You will need them."
"Personal protective devices?" I was clueless.
"They are easily available with the school nurse. Lay people call them CONDOMS!" You snapped.
"WHAT?" I was taken by surprise and a little ticked off too, "Well, don't worry Riddhima, I know how to 'protect' myself. I don't need a sermon from you. Don't try to be my mom." I was upset that instead of congratulating me on my recently acquired fame, you were lecturing me like a parent.
"GOOD LUCK THEN!" You walked away, without looking at me, "If you die of Syphilis or HIV, I'll make sure I don't attend your funeral."
"Are you really my friend or what?" I grabbed you by your elbow.
"Whatever Armaan! I am getting late for my class. See you later!"
"What's your problem Riddhima? Why can't you ever be happy for me?"
"Armaan…you like to play Maverick, don't you? So, be it. You love to live on the edge…but I don't, so please stay out of my way."
"I will!" I pulled my arm away, "at least I am willing to take risks….have you heard the phrase no risk, no gain?"
"I guess not," you gave me a soul look, "at least not the kind of risks you love to take."
"Fine! Do what you want. I don't care!" I turned around and left, angry at you. Not only were you ungrateful about the wonderful time we had in the city, you were showing me attitude as if I had committed a crime with no acknowledgment of my picture in the paper and indirectly criticizing my date with Anjie.
"No wonder she has such few friends!" I clenched my teeth in fury and walked away, "any other girl would be on the moon after that evening…ethereal my foot!" I recalled Nikki's words and let out some gibberish as I walked into my class.
My date with Anjie turned out as unpredictable as girl's mood swings.
"Hey Armaan….thanks for taking me out hun."
"My pleasure Anjie. So, should we go to the city or do you want to catch a movie and dinner?"
"Well, let's have dinner. I know this really nice Thai place around the corner."
"Sure…I love Thai," I smiled at her as we drove to the nearby restaurant. I was surprised that Anjie had picked a very modest restaurant, definitely within the budget of a high school student. I was prepared for bankruptcy with Ms. Rockbrook.
AT THE RESTAURANT:
We had a great dinner and to my surprise Anjie was a great conversationalist. We talked about sports, movies, school, teachers, friends etc just like normal high school students. She never came on to me or tried to lure me sexually. As I took out my wallet to pay, she insisted on paying her half of the bill.
"Hey Anjie..I can do it. Chivalry hasn't died completely."
"I know but I wanted to meet you for a selfish reason."
"Selfish reason?" I stumbled and as I removed a $20.00 bill, two packets of my 'personal protective devices' fell on the table.
Anjie burst out into laughter as I turned red from embarrassment.
"So, my reputation precedes me everywhere." She chuckled.
"Hey…I..I am sorry," I felt foolish.
"It's not your fault Armaan. You know they call me Ms STD in school? So, you are definitely prepared for the worst."
"Well..Anjie..I..I had no idea."
"That nick name was given to me by Laura."
"Laura? Why?"
"She was the queen bee till I walked in. You know how guys are crazy about her….after all she is tall, blonde and well endowed..ehem..ehem….in the feminine department."
"Ehem..ehem indeed," I chuckled back, as Anjie put me to ease.
"When she saw the guys drooling after me, she spread rumors about me…now the whole high school thinks I am a slut…boys love to give me all their attention….unfortunately, a slut is always more desirable than an angel…I have played along as it has helped me mingle into the senior class. It's hard being an outsider, that too a foreigner with an accent. High school is a rough place and I was forced to tread this path to make a place for myself." Anjie lowered her eyes.
"Hey, I am sorry…I didn't realize….sorry Anjie….I have to admit even I was kind of blown away when you asked me out. My friends even warned me about you…that's why I have these in my wallet…I am sorry if I hurt you." I felt ashamed of myself for being so judgmental.
"Don't worry Armaan…I told you I asked you out for a selfish reason.
"That's right," I relaxed a bit, "what is it?"
"Do you remember Atul Joshi?"
"Oh sure…he is at NYU (New York University) now…we were in the chess club together. I love that guy."
"Exactly! I met him at a debate tournament at NYU a few weeks ago."
"O-kay," I was still puzzled.
"I have a crush on him now," Anjie smiled mischievously.
"Wow! You do? He is so..so…so."
"Different from me? Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Well….that's why I like him. He was the only gentleman on their debate team. Brains and manners….that's a deadly combination Armaan."
"Really?"
"Of course…girls like boys with attitude but women..real women prefer gentlemen," Anjie smiled.
I pondered at her statement and thought about you. A light bulb suddenly lit in my brain- is that why you always gave me a cold shoulder whenever I flaunted my attitude?
"Anjie…how old are you? I guess real women wouldn't get upset by that question."
"Of course not! I just turned 18 last summer…I am older than most in the senior class. That's because I have studied in a lot of countries and changed many schools. My dad is a diplomat."
"Age doesn't differentiate girls from women."
"You are right. I have always been mature for my age."
"Just like Riddhima."
"Riddhima Gupta? Isn't she a sophomore?"
"Yeah…she is a good friend of mine." I stressed on the good, "you remind me of her."
"Is she also called Ms STD?" Anjie laughed.
"NO WAY!" I laughed back, "far from that. She has probably never even kissed a guy."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I know her very well Anjie."
"How well?" Anjie gave me a sly look.
"Don't get ideas Anjie," I chuckled shyly, "I just know her well…in fact I know everything about her."
"You think you know everything about her, but trust me you don't."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because if she is like me, no one can ever know everything about her."
"Even she says that," I recalled our conversation from the subway and smiled, "you girls are alike in some ways…not all though."
"I would love to be friends with her one day."
"Sure…but first you want me to introduce you to Atul Joshi? Right?"
"Right on! You are smarter than you look."
"Looks can be deceptive."
"They usually are," Anjie paid the tip as we walked out of the restaurant.
"By the way, why did you pick me to introduce you to Atul?"
"Someone told me that you keep in touch with everyone…you have quite a reputation for being a social magnet."
"Really?" I chuckled, "I'd rather just be known as a girl magnet." I pouted, pretending disappointment at her platonic date.
"Sorry dude!" She chortled back, "you are not my types…you are a boy at heart…I love men!" She winked at me and we both started laughing.
"Ok Anjie…I will call you once I get in touch with Atul- the MAN!"
"Thanks sweety," she gave me a friendly hug as we departed for our respective houses. I am glad I went out with Anjie that evening. After you had chastised me about my choices, I had almost cancelled on her, but the XY chromosomes in me couldn't turn down the offer to date the hottest girl in school. No risk, no gain- yeah Riddhima? I was dying to tell you about my date with Anjie and how wrong you were- this was the first time you had been wrong. One thing I learnt about you that day- you could be judgmental about people, perhaps a trait inherited from your hypercritical dad!
"Where is Riddhima today?" I asked Nikki on Monday morning.
"She has the Flu."
"Oh.. really?"I was disheartened as I wanted to tell you all about my date with Anjie, "ok..thanks Nikki."
"Why? Are you worried about her?"
"Just had to tell her something….no biggie," I shrugged my shoulders.
"By the way, how was your date with Anjie? All the junior boys are envious."
"Is Abhimanyu jealous too?" I teased Nikki.
"He better not!" Nikki laughed.
"It was a fantastic, super fantabulous, rocking, awesome date!"
Nikki scrunched her nose in disgust, "better be careful Armaan….hope you…played it safe…you know what I mean."
"Of course Nikki! I carry my personal protective devices everywhere I go…a guy like me has to be prepared 24/7, isn't it?"
"Oh God Armaan! I am so glad I never fell for a guy like you….you are disgusting," Nikki rolled her eyes and walked off while I enjoyed tormenting her.
That afternoon, I couldn't resist calling your house, "Hi auntie…I heard Riddhima has the Flu. Is she okay?"
"Thanks for calling beta. She is really worn out. Can't even get out of bed." Padma auntie lamented.
"Can I help in anyway auntie?"
"Actually you can…Riddhima needs her History binder from her locker. Can you drop it off after school?"
"Sure! What's her locker combination?"My heart was pounding at the thought of accessing your locker. I had heard, girls always hide some secrets in them. Your claim that I did not know everything about you had been nagging me for days- this was my opportunity to prove you wrong again.
After a lot of hesitation, at Padma auntie's insistence (love you Padma auntie), you relented and gave me your combination.
As I searched the immaculate (why was I not surprised-duh!) insides of your locker, a newspaper cutting of my picture on the skating rink landed in my hands.
"Liar!" I said to myself, "why were you acting all ignorant about my picture that day?" I stared at the picture and was surprised to see the words RIDE IT inscribed on the picture. "Hmm…she really liked my singing then…liar liar!" I was in seventh heaven. Why? I had just discovered in a span of 3 days that you were human too- you could be wrong, you could be judgmental, you could lie! Strangely, just like your B grade in math years ago had connected me to you, your fallibility created a stronger bond between us.
Armed with your history binder and your secret, I landed at your place after school.
Padma auntie, always so gracious, led me to your room where you were tucked in a comforter, tissues spread all over your bed, a red nose, ruffled hair and glassy eyes made you look so vulnerable and sickly. My heart melted at the sight. Your spotless bedroom was no longer spotless and had a 'lived in' look for a change.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Terrible," you tried to get up with a raspy voice.
"Hey…just stay there," I tried to push you back, but you pulled away.
"Stay away from me! I have Swine Flu!"
"Poor virus!" I chuckled and sat at the foot of your bed.
"How mean!" You growled, "poor me!" You sneezed loudly.
"Well, the virus just lost it's chance of propagating once he entered your body. I think Swine Flu is soon going to be extinct. I feel for that strain….WHO should thank you."
"Armaan! What crap are you talking about?"
"Well, you won't anyone near you, so how can that poor strain jump from person to person. Isn't that essential for survival of the virus? I might as well write an obituary for the Swine Flu strain." I sighed.
You threw the box of tissues at me, "shut up Armaan! Thanks for bringing my history folder home. I have tons of homework."
"Why do you want to do homework when you are sick? I love being sick…no homework, even mom pampers me then."
"I am not you Armaan. This assignment carries a lot of weight. I can't afford to bring my GPA down just because I have the Flu."
"You have a perfect GPA. Don't stress Riddhima! I can sing for you if you want. I know you love my voice."
"I don't! You are so besura!"
"Liar!" I glared at you.
"I am not a liar."
"Ok then…watch some movies, listen to Jay Sean or something, or just chat with your friends. I am all ears…shoot." I cupped my ears with my hand.
"Armaan! I will blame you if I don't get into an Ivy League college."
"Riddhima! One late assignment is not going to cost you a college admission! For heaven sakes….chill!"
"Armaan, please leave. I am not interested in talking to you."
I moved forward and whispered, "so, you don't want to know how may date with Anjie was?"
You sat up with a frown, and put your history binder aside, "I know you had fun! Nikki told me. "
"Wow! You girls talked about my date?"
"She..she just mentioned it matter-of-fact." You fumbled.
"Hmm…girls…girls….so you are just like all of them…love to gossip, yeah?"
"Shut up Armaan! Just leave. I don't want to know anything about your date…I don't care!"
"Of course you don't," I leaned back with my arms folded, "Anjie is quite a chick!" I teased you, and watched your expression change from pale to red and then pale again- anger to disgust to anger again. What I failed to notice were the shades of green in the rainbow of your facial expressions.
"I don't need to know anything Armaan…no one asked you for details."
"So, you really don't want to know that Anjie loves to talk?"
"I really don't care."
"She wants me to set her up with Atul."
"Really?" Did I see a faint smile on your face?
"Yup! That's why she wanted to meet me," I watched your expression turn from pale to pink this time.
"She likes Atul?"
"Yeah…she has a major crush on him….I think he would need these," I pulled my wallet and shocked you with the sight of the two packets of my personal protective device, "more than me."
"ARMAAN!" You threw a CD jacket at me this time, "you are so disgusting!"
"Taylor Swift?" I stared at the jacket, "sissy music once again."
"I LOVE HER!" You smiled this time, the frown gone and the expression of disgust and anger all vanished, "have you heard you belong with me?"
"Sounds like another girly song to me." I grimaced.
"Listen to it in your car…now leave before I kill you." You chuckled, looking healthier and less pale than I had found you when I had walked in.
"Don't kill me yet Riddhima. I don't want to die a virgin!" I winked at you and walked out with the CD in hand.
"Eeww!" Is all I heard as I descended the stairs.
I slid the CD in my car CD player and played the song you had suggested.
'YOU BELONG WITH ME'
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNIsY6JdUw[/YOUTUBE]
You're on the phone with your girlfriend, She's upset
She's going off about something that you said
She doesnt get your humour like I do
I'm in the room, its a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesnt like
And she'll never know your story like I do
But she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're lookin for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Walkin the streets with you in your worn out jeans
I cant help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on the park bench thinkin to myself
Hey isnt this easy?
And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I havent seen it in awhile, since she brought you down
You say you find I know you better than that
Hey, Whatcha doing with a girl like that?
She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standin by, waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Oh I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're about to cry
I know your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams
I think I know where you belong. I think I know it's with me.
Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along so why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standing by or waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know that
You belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me
Now, when I look back, was that a clue for me? At 17, I just whistled away with the song, not making much of it's lyrics or meaning, but now I wonder…..was that song meant for me? All I know is you belong with me, do I belong with you too?
…to be contd….Armaan tries to impress Shashank, a new guy at Rockbrook High and a jealous Armaan…..and then the prom.
I will update after March 22 nd as I will be away for spring break…TC everyone and leave your comments as always. I would like to thank all my readers from the bottom of my heart for nominating my ffs in the nomination thread. That means a lot to me and inspires me to write more for all of you and myself…
Cricket
Anupamaa
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