The Pact
Kripa has always been a look before you walk and think before you talk type of person. In the twenty four years she had been on this earth, she had never strayed to the dark side. She believed in straight living.
Her friend Naina was the exact opposite of her. Where Kripa liked living in shadows, Naina thrived in limelight. Kripa loved food while Naina has made avoiding anything which has fat in it her life mission. It was a mystery how they became friends let alone how their friendship sustained all these years through high school to engineering and now finally in MBA.
They had a pact; they will do anything the other desired on their birthdays. Luckily for Naina it was Kripa's birthday today. Unluckily for Kripa, Naina have decided to mark this day in history as Kripa's initiation to clubbing.
When Kripa's mother called asking about their plans for the evening, Naina took the phone from her and mentioned the new Chinese restaurant which she wanted to visit and where she was taking Kripa. Kripa gave her a look but didn't interrupt as she continued talking with her mother. Their parents knew about their pact and Naina was better at lying than Kripa could ever be. When finally Naina handed her the phone her mother asked her to go early and return soon, Delhi was not safe. After the recent increase in crime rates their parents were not too keen when they went out.
Prithvi, one of their few friends here in Delhi was also coming with us. Naina was impulsive but not stupid. Kripa has also invited Yuvraj; the guy Naina had a crush on, also one of their friends. But first there was going to be a cake cutting ceremony organized by the whole class. This was also one of the traditions. The cake cutting and a little party is organized by the class for each of their birthdays. They figured this was the last of their academic years, so fun should be amped to maximum. Naina took Kripa to the canteen where their classmates were waiting for them. It was supposed to be surprise which everybody knew about.
Naina put her hands on Kripa's eyes before they reached the canteen. There was a popping sound and then Kripa was covered with ruffles and sparkles, everybody was singing happy birthday especially emphasizing on happy 24th birthday. When they made to the line many boyfriends to you, Kripa countered them and sang, "Many jobs for me, for the next century," and everybody laughed.
After Kripa was bathed in cold drink, Maggie and Sambhar, finally eggs were broken on her head by none other than Naina. Then she was allowed to approach the cake and blow the candles. The cake cutting ceremony was taken over by the class rep because everybody loved cake and nobody wanted Kripa's messy hands on it.
But Naina had one more trick up her sleeve. She produced another cake and promptly smeared it on Kripa's face. Everybody took two steps back fearing Kripa would try to hug them. Naina was among them. Kripa picked up the remains of the cake the candles on which she had blown and ran towards Naina. When she finally caught up with her, Naina smiled the smile which could melt ice bergs and Kripa was left standing there. Naina finally took pity on her and smeared some of the crme on her nose making everybody laugh. She cut another piece and shared it with Kripa.
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When finally Kripa had taken a bath and pampered herself as every girl should on her birthday, she looked at the dress Naina had put on her bed. It was a simple sleeveless copper dress which would reach just above her knees. Naina knew that this color looked fabulous on her that is why she had taken out this dress; otherwise Kripa would have happily partied in a pair of jeans and a hoodie.
Naina put on the dress, applied kajal and lip gloss and looked at herself in the mirror. She doesn't normally dress for any occasion. Jeans and t-shirt were her to go outfit. But it is rightfully said; clothes make a man or in this case a woman.
While Naina was still in the bathroom, she twirled this way and that and enjoyed how the dress looked from every angle. When Naina entered the room, Kripa was sitting on her bed reading a novel like she always does. Naina quirked an eyebrow, she knew Kripa inside out. She may pretend to be a tomboy, but she was a girl at heart and with little effort she looked gorgeous.
When Naina was finally ready about an hour later, they ventured down the stairs towards the back gate where the guys waited. Naina didn't know the surprise Kripa had in store for her. After the cake trick, Kripa felt she deserved not knowing.
Prithvi and Yuvraj were waiting for them. Prithvi was twirling the keys in his hand, a habit which he didn't try to change even when all of them repeatedly asked him. When he finally noticed Kripa he let out a wolf whistle and Kripa rolled her eyes at his obvious flattery. Naina was talking on her phone with a friend of hers who had called from the US. She was oblivious to Yuvi's presence. When she finally looked up and met his eyes, she dropped her cell phone and had to bend to the floor to pick it up while she glared at Kripa.
After the greetings we headed out to Prithvi's car. Naina had not disclosed the place saying it was a surprise. But Kripa had lived in Delhi for close to two years now, and knew they were going to Nehru Place. When finally Prithvi broke down under Kripa's constant questions and told her they were going to Jinx. It was one of the places where elite of Delhi spent their nights. But couples entry was free on Wednesdays and lucky for them today was Wednesday. Naina ordered vodka with cranberry juice, while the guys settled on bear. When they looked questioningly towards Kripa she gestured towards her glass of sparkling water. She had never had a drink and she didn't plan to start today. The place was nearly empty because it was nine. Naina mentioned people started trickling in by ten and the place was full by eleven, it started emptying around two and closed at five. This implied that they will spend their night here. After about an hour when the guys were convinced that she would not drink and she can drive, they stopped holding back and started guzzling bear like two people who have found a well after a week in desert without water. Kripa ignored them and looked around the place. The entry way looked straight out of the movie with red and gold light spread throughout the corridor to the bar. There was a special section probably for people who can afford to pay for the membership. A membership at this place probably would cost more than a year's salary. Someone was tapping her shoulder, she looked around to find Prithvi gesturing to come with them, Yuvi and Naina were already moving towards the exit with someone she didn't know. She was happy to be leaving; this has come as a pleasant surprise.
When they finally reached the exit, her balloon of happiness was deflated. The person she didn't know was talking to the guard, and Yuvi's and Naina's regular bands which were put on their wrist when they entered were replaced by special bands which she had noticed on the wrists of the people who were sitting in the special zone. Naina dragged Kripa forward and her band was replaced too along with Prithvi's. Prithvi shouted, "Let the party begin" and they once again went inside but this time to the special before entering which the guard checked their bands. Naina told Kripa that the stranger had been Yuvi's and a long time member of this club.
Drinks were free in the special zone, the three of them urged Kripa to at least taste the drink but she declined. Instead she gazed at the people on the dance floor and wondered can a few drinks make people that inhibited that they clung to strangers. Kripa had never felt as such and she wondered would it be pleasant while the feeling lasted. While she was still looking at the dance floor she felt as if somebody was watching her. She ignored it, and continued sipping her orange juice. After fifteen minutes when the sensation had still not diminished she looked around and found herself gazing at the most riveting black eyes she had ever seen.
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