FF: Geet-The Song of Life (note pg 35) - Page 22

Slowly edging out of her seat Aman stood up and looked down towards the podium. The professor glared at her, "So you're new, huh?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're not from around here, your accent is different."

"I'm an exchange student from Australia."

"Do they not teach you any manners over there?"

"Sorry sir," Vicky blurt out, pushing himself off his chair. Shooting a glance at Aman, he looked back at the professor and repeated, "Sorry sir, it was entirely my fault. I was the one making conversation."

"Of course, Mister Vikram Khurana, sitting next a pretty girl, how could you not?" the professor snickered back. "Sit back down, both of you."

***

A week later.

Seated in the cafeteria, the four girls shared a hearty lunch as their laughter rung throughout.

"Thanks for everything Sakhi," Jen said, "you've really made us feel at home here."

"Stop flattering her, her head's bigger than Jupiter already," Vicky replied, walking towards their table.

"Ugh, he's here again," Aman muttered under her breath, causing Geet to glance at her. "What'd you say?" Geet giggled. "Nothing."

"How's it going ladies?" Vicky asked, now standing at the table directly across from Aman.

"Great, until you showed up," Sakhi replied.

"Aaw come on now, don't be a spoil-sport."

"Hey Vicky, how's it going?" Geet asked.

"Good, but it could be great?"

"Why what happened?"

"Well, I don't really get to see you guys as much as I'd like."

"I wonder why?" Aman muttered.

"Did you say something Aman?" Vicky asked, looking directly at her. Aman looked up from her plate and smiled and shook her head.

"Vicky, you're the one who doesn't have time for us. Busy with all your other friends," Geet complained.

"Well, why don't you all come over for dinner?" Vicky shrugged.

"For once in your life you've said something worthwhile!" Sakhi exclaimed. "You guys definitely have to come over for dinner this weekend!"

"This weekend?!" Aman squeaked, "We can't come."

"Why not?" Vicky asked.

"We've got that thing..." Aman stammered.

"What thing?"

"We have to go to dinner at my aunt and uncle's," she finished.

"Well we're free Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Vicky replied, "You don't have a thing on all those days, do you?"

"Umm...no," Aman stammered, as the others watched this queer exchange between the two.

"Well than it's settled. You guys are coming over for dinner. Now all you have to do is pick a day."

"Let's do Saturday night," Geet announced, "that way we won't have to worry about getting up early."

"Cya Saturday then," Vicky replied, raising his eyebrows at Aman and walking out of the cafeteria.

Saturday Night

"Woah!" This place is massive!" Geet exclaimed walking through insanely high gates into an enormous, yet beautifully crafted, front garden. "I feel under dressed to be visiting a place like this. Really is divine, aye?"

"Uhuh," Jen and Aman both replied, dumbfounded and mouths agape.

Slowly making their way down the gravel pathway towards what appeared to be the front door, their chatter ceased.

"Here goes," Geet said, raising her hand to knock the door, as their entry into the gardens had already alerted the Khurana's to their arrival.

"I still can't believe you wore a salwar suit Geet," Aman said, "We're just here for a casual dinner."

"Exactly, casual, that's why I'm wearing a casual salwar suit," Geet replied, looking at Aman and continuing her knocking movement. As her hand met with the door a sudden shriek made her abruptly look up.

"Oye!!!"

Saturday Morning

"Maan veerji, what are your plans for today?" Sakhi questioned, as the three siblings had breakfast on the dining table.

"Nothing much, just got a meeting scheduled at lunch. Why do you ask?" Maan replied, reading the morning paper.

"So you're free in the evening?" Sakhi questioned further.

"Yeah," Maan replied, distractedly.

"Good, you're having dinner with the family and a few of our friends from uni then."

"Sure," Maan replied as Sakhi and Vicky exchanged sly smiles. "Wait, what?! I'm not having dinner with your friends."

"Why not?" Vicky asked.

"You really want to hear it?" Maan asked, folding his newspaper and placing it on the table.

"Yes Maan veerji," Sakhi replied.

"Your friends, Sakhi, are the most ass-numbingly boring people on earth. Yeah they're bright but seriously someone needs to give them a good shake and explain that not every issue need to be rallied about . Dinner with them is more tiresome than watching paint dry..."

"Veerji.."

"...and your friends Vicky," Maan kept going, "where do I even start? They are the most hopeless and pathetic group of guys the university has ever seen! When was the last time they stepped into a lecture?"

"Hmm, I think it was last Thursday," Vicky replied, causing Maan and Sakhi to roll their eyes.

"Veerji," Sakhi started, "They're just three girls and they're here on exchange from Sydney for this term. I was assigned Geet and Jen's buddy to show them around and their other friend, Aman, was assigned to Vicky."

"Vicky volunteered to do something for uni?" Maan asked, bemused.

"Well, it was his punishment for talking back to one of the new casual tutors in the Architecture department."

"How do you even know that," Vicky questioned.

"It gets around," Sakhi replied offhandedly, "The point is, they're coming home for dinner and I want you to be here with us to make them feel welcome."

"Don't worry Sakhi," Daadi replied, walking into the dining room and having already been informed of the dinner, "Maan will definitely be there."

"But Daadi..." Maan stammered.

"No buts Maan, we have guests coming all the way from Sydney to have dinner with us. You better be home when the arrive!"

"Well technically they're not coming all the way from Sydney..."

"Maaaann," Daadi replied staring him down.

Saturday Night

"Oye!!!" Maan shouted as he felt someone knock on his forehead. Geet jumped on the spot and spun to stare at the position the door was once in. Opening his eyes and registering the miniature being in front of him he bellowed, "YOU!!!"

"YOU!!!" Geet shouted back, with just as much ferocity. "What the hell are you doing here?! You're a security guard here as well?"

"Security guard?" Maan said, confused. "What the hell are you blabbering on about?!"

"Blabber? And me? Who do you think you are?"

"I know perfectly well who I am but I don't think you do."

"What's going on Geet?" Jen questioned, confused at the exchange between the two. "You know this guy?"