This chapter is for Sweety! Happy Birthday Sweety! Wishing you health, wealth and happiness in your life to come! 🤗
And for Sheen! Congratulations Sizzling Sheen! Please accept my humble gift even if it has come more than 1200 posts late. 😆
Chapter Twenty
I shut the book in frustration. It's almost evening now and I have been trying to concentrate since morning when I came back to the hostel after dropping Raya off at the airport. I feel lonely, and even though it shouldn't, but it still surprises me to feel that way. I have always been the one to find peace in solitude but after a week of staying amidst the hustle and bustle of a wedding in the Khurana house, I feel the room I have been living in for the past three years to be frighteningly silent though I know it's just a passing feeling and everything will be back to normal the next day when I'll be rejoining college. I sigh and open the book again, trying to convince myself to actually study this time. It's only a few more minutes of futile attempts of distracting myself when my phone rings. I check the caller ID and answer the call in as normal a voice as I can manage. 'Hello?'
'Hi Geet! How are you?' His voice reaches my ears and I cock an eyebrow at his question. Just like I was in the morning. I don't say that out loud and answer him casually, asking the same from him. 'So what've you been up to?' He sounds a bit more relaxed. 'I was... studying.' I tell myself it isn't a lie. I was trying to study, wasn't I? When he doesn't answer for a few beats, I wonder if the line has dropped. 'Maan? Are you there?' He clears his throat. 'Yeah. I was thinking that maybe we could meet up...' He trails off and I ask him why he wants to meet. 'I... uhh... I... oh yeah! I need help in algebra.' I half smile. I know why he suddenly needs help from me. And that too in algebra. 'You don't have to do this, Maan.' He fumbles a bit. 'I'm fine, really.' I try to reassure him in a calm voice.
'Alright.' He sounds dismissing so I panic that he's offended. 'Maan, I didn't mean to offend you. I just -' He interrupts me. 'Who said I'm offended? I understand you don't want to talk about it with me and that's alright.' Yes, he sounds offended. 'Let's just drop it. If I feel like talking about it, you'll be the first person to know.' I shut up realising what I've said. There's silence from his end too but it is only for a few seconds and then he smoothly diffuses the tension. 'Did you talk to Raya? Has she reached?' Grateful about him changing the topic, I fall into a casual conversation with him, telling him I've talked to Raya and that she has reached safely. 'She loved the picture you gifted her.' He seems pleased. 'I'm glad.' I can almost hear his smile and that brings an answering smile to my face.
His next question is unexpected. I blurt out a negative answer when he asks if I have had my lunch yet. He sighs and tells me to eat something. I try to wave it off by saying I'm not hungry but he doesn't relent and instructs me to oblige or he will tell Aunty about it. I grudgingly consent. He sure knows what ways to use to get me to do things! I'm reminded of the time when he got me to agree for the trip. He'd tried to instigate me and challenge me back then and now he's threatened me. As he cuts the call after telling me to text him after I've had something to eat, I can't help but smile at his subtle ways of caring for the people he holds close to his heart. Without letting myself dwell too much on that thought, I make my way to the cafeteria, grab a pack of biscuits and go back to my room, settling on the bed with a course book and eating the biscuits slowly. My phone beeps with a text message.
Had something yet?
I smile before replying.
Just finished. :)
The answering text comes within seconds.
Good girl! :D
I laugh slightly and put my phone aside to actually succeed in some satisfactory studying this time.
-------------------------------------
I wake up early the next morning, eager to go to college after a week. The whole week, our group had submitted a leave so we wouldn't have to juggle between Ranbir's functions and the college; and since it was the second last week before exams, there wasn't much happening except for revisions. This week the students have been granted a preparatory leave but those who wish to attend the classes for the last minute revisions are allowed and so the four of us have decided to do so. I reach the campus to see very little strength of students roaming around. It is expected because most of the students prefer to stay at home and study rather than attending classes this close to the exams.
Maan, Ayush and Anaya arrive a little later with a gap of a few minutes and we have just enough time to exchange greetings before heading to the classroom. There are only a handful of students occupying random seats in the classroom and our group sits together in our usual places. It doesn't matter that more than half of the room is empty or the college campus isn't buzzing with as much activity as it usually does as long as the four of us are together. I gaze at them with a soft smile as the thought crosses my mind, and then turn to pay attention to the professor before either of them notices me looking their way.
-------------------------------------
I enter the scarcely filled cafeteria to find Geet missing. Anaya and Ayush have come a few minutes before me so I walk over to them and ask about Geet. Neither of them knows. 'She had the previous class free, right? She should be here.' Both of them shrug so I tell them I'll look for Geet and turn around to see her entering the cafeteria. She makes her way to us, straightening up the few books she has in her hands. 'I'm sorry. I lost track of time.' Anaya waves it off and all of us sit down to relax for a while in the otherwise stressful day as Anaya and Geet talk about something related to dresses. Anaya speaks and Geet listens, that is. Ayush indulges me in a discussion of the basketball match which was playing on the television last evening and I had missed it. Not even half the break time passes before an administrator comes in the cafeteria and makes an announcement, the peon handing over some flyers to the students at the same time. The graduation ceremony has been confirmed a week after our exams and the same night, a farewell for the seniors has been arranged.
Excited cheers echo across the cafeteria as the administrator leaves. I study the brightly coloured flyer I have in my hand which has all the details printed on it in fine black ink with contrast to the yellow and blue background. A thought occurs to me and I look up at Geet. She is reading the flyer with a thoughtful look on her face. Anaya and Ayush have their heads joined over a single flyer. As I clear my throat slightly, the three of them look at me. 'So when do you plan to leave, Geet?' I look at her. 'I mean, you'll be staying for the graduation, right?' She shrugs. I hold my breath, resisting the urge to pull my hands under the table and tightly cross my fingers just the way I did when we were designated as a team to organise the spring bash. Who knows that if I cross my fingers and pray just as hard as I did that day, she might even say what I want to hear.
'I don't know. I thought I would leave a day or two after the exams end but now...' She trails off in thought so Anaya finishes her sentence. 'But now you will stay for one more week.' She smiles widely as Geet looks at her. 'I'm not sure about that, Anaya.' I frown. 'But you haven't booked your tickets yet, have you?' Ayush snorts. 'Come on! It wouldn't be hard to push her ticket to a later date if she has it booked.' Anaya leans forward. 'Guys, the question isn't if she has reserved her ticket or not. The question is if she wants to attend the graduation ceremony.' I contradict Anaya. 'That is a silly question, Anaya. I don't think anyone would not want to attend their own graduation.' Suddenly unsure if what I have just said holds true for Geet as well, I turn to look at her. 'Would you, Geet?' She sighs. 'The most chances are that I will be here for graduation. I can only be sure of it once I talk to my parents.'
'Well, we're betting on you staying here.' Anaya looks at me and adds a 'forever' in a low voice. My eyes dart to Geet in anticipation of her reaction for what Anaya has said but her normal expression tells me she hasn't heard the last word. I look down at my hands, silence stretching around our table when suddenly Ayush bangs his hand on the table and startles the rest of us. His face has a grin as he looks at Geet. 'If you do stay for the ceremony, we can even meet Raya again. She'll come for your graduation, right?' Geet shrugs with a small smile playing on her lips. 'Maybe.' The smile disappears. 'Or maybe not. She went back just yesterday so it will be difficult to come again so soon.' A lull falls over the table again as I realise Geet is again feeling a little low, just like she was feeling yesterday. 'Hey, anybody thought that if Geet stays for another week, we are getting more time with her?' It's Anaya, trying to show the better side of the picture. I don't suppress my grin at that. One more week means more time with her.
Ayush cheers a little and raises his bottle of coke to the centre of the table, signalling us to raise a celebratory toast. We all clink our bottles and silently sip our drinks when after a pause, Anaya asks a question. 'By the way, you both haven't been to your planned date yet, have you?' I take my own time to gulp the soda in my mouth as I enjoy seeing Geet turn a little pink. 'Not yet.' She narrows her eyes at me. 'So when is the "yet" going to come?' I think about it for a moment. As Geet had said earlier, we were to go for the date after Ranbir's wedding, but now with the final exams looming over our heads, neither I nor Geet would enjoy the time if we go before exams. Maybe we should go when we're done. And now Geet will probably be here for one more week so it should buy me enough time to carefully plan everything. Lost in my own musings, I don't realise Anaya is still waiting for her answer when she speaks again, snapping me out of my moment. 'I'll tell you what. Fix the date for a day after the exams. Even if Geet doesn't stay for the graduation, she'll be here for a day or two.' She looks at the girl in question. 'Right Geet?' At her semi-nod of approval, Anaya continues. 'And, we can make it all the more fun by making it a double date. Ayush and I will join you too.' She seems like she wants to add something else but I don't bother as an instant and surprisingly loud 'no' tumbles out of my mouth before I can stop it.
Anaya stares at me with wide eyes and an open mouth. Ayush's face holds the kind of smirk which lets me know I have committed an uncharacteristic act and Geet's eyes are tracing patterns on the table, the pink shade becoming deeper. In the few seconds of an awkward silence, I make up my mind to play cool so I relax the stiff stance and sag a little, twirling the bottle in my hand slightly. 'You guys have already had first date alone. I'm not letting you rob me and Geet of our time.' I shrug and sneak a glance at Geet. She appears fidgety as her eyes roam over the table. Anaya nods exaggeratedly and Ayush laughs loudly, clapping his hands, which makes Geet turn an even darker shade. The bell rings just then and before the three of us can move, Geet jumps up. I suppose she is relieved to escape the discussion as we head to our respective classes.
-------------------------------------
Successfully evading any further talks about the impending date, and the consequential embarrassment I would surely have to go through - just like during lunch when Maan was being so open and cool about it all - I enter my room in the hostel and relax for a little while before I get back to studying. I haven't been able to dodge Maan's plea to drop me here. Maybe it's the sincerity with which he asks. Or perhaps I never feel like refusing him something. Before I can let myself be engulfed in the whirlpool of questions swirling in my mind, I decide to freshen up and give Chhoti a call. I'll talk to Mamma too and tell her about the ceremony.
Calling Chhoti's number, I talk to Mamma first. She asks about my day, about my studies and then about my return. That's when I tell her about the ceremony. She reflects on it for a few moments, considering the chances of her, Baba and Chhoti attending the ceremony but then declares it won't be possible. Baba has a series of conferences going on, which is why they couldn't come for the wedding as well. Mamma can't leave Baba alone and Chhoti signed up for a summer semester just before she came here for the wedding. 'Geet, won't it be better if you come back home just the way it was planned. You can just skip the ceremony and ask for your certificate to be sent here.' I understand her motherly concerns of wanting to have her daughter back sooner rather than later but her suggestion of not attending the ceremony doesn't sound appealing to me. 'I don't know Mamma. I think attending the ceremony would be appropriate.' She stays silent for a second before slowly asking a question. 'Do you want to stay for one more week?' I try to sidestep her query. 'I want you and Baba and Chhoti to be there when I graduate.'
'I will talk to your father about it but it is highly unlikely that we'll make it there.' I sigh. 'Okay.' A few moments of silence pass when I hear her speak in a serene voice. 'Geet...' She pauses so I prompt her. 'Yes Mamma?' Another moment passes by before she continues. 'Always remember what the heart wants might not always be what the mind agrees on. But you will eventually find your destiny. You just need to hold on a bit longer...' I absorb her words. It's amazing how a mother can realise her child is in a fix, in a push and pull between the heart and the mind without the child even voicing it out. Mamma and I are pulled out of the silent moment of understanding as I hear Raya's relatively loud voice. 'Now I know why Di is always so philosophical! Let me talk to Di or else she's going to write all philosophy in her exams.' I laugh softly as Mamma reprimands her before handing the phone over to her.
I hear a soft thud which indicates Mamma has left the room and then Chhoti speaks. 'So.' I shift my position slightly, pulling my feet up. 'So what?' She snorts. 'What so what?!' She senses I am going to ask her again so she quickly continues. 'I meant, what's troubling you that Mamma was giving a lecture?' I frown slightly. 'Raya, she wasn't -' She interrupts before I can complete the sentence. 'I know, I know. "Raya she wasn't lecturing, she was saying something useful and we will only benefit from what she says". I've done your quota of talking. Now tell me what it is.' I twist my lips. She has always been like this, feeling like anything said vaguely or philosophically is a lecture and I have always scolded her for it so she knows the exact words I use most of the times. When I don't say anything, she becomes a little sober. 'Di, are you alright?' I clear my throat, knowing that I'm making her worry without reason. 'Yes Chhoti, I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired.'
'That isn't it and we both know it.' I sigh. 'Raya I don't know. I just feel so torn.' 'Between what?' My shoulders sag a bit. 'I want to stay for another week but Mamma says you all won't be able to make it for my graduation and I really want to be with you. Maybe I should come back just like Mamma says...' My voice turns smaller with every word I utter. I stop speaking to hold the tears back. 'Di, as much as we all want you to come back sooner, we want you to enjoy every bit of your time over there rather than tearing up at the thought of just one more week without us.' I sniff silently as she continues. 'You are coming back anyway so why not stay for a few more days and spend some memorable time with your friends?' I know she is right. 'If I was in your place, Di, I would have made an excuse to stay for another two weeks.' She jokes trying to lighten my mood. 'So I'll say, take my valuable advise and stay for the ceremony. Who knows how many more bracelets or even better gifts he will present to you?' I gape, trying to formulate an answer. I haven't told Chhoti about the bracelet Maan has gifted me so I wonder how she knows about it. 'Oh, if you're thinking how I know of it, just remember that even though you two were in a corner of that hall, you were still in the same hall where everyone else was. Anyone who was attentive to their surroundings must have noticed the handsome guy in black and the beautiful girl in red being a little romantic.' I gasp, blushing inevitably.
All I can mumble is a 'shut up, Raya!' She doesn't pay heed as she continues in a dreamy voice. 'I was thinking that if he can be bold enough to gift you something and make you accept it and then hold hands with you without caring about what anyone will say if they see it, perhaps he'll be quite romantic on your actual date.' With the mention of Maan and romantic and date in a single sentence, my stomach lurches but I ignore it and decide to stop Raya. 'Enough Raya! I need to go and study.' She laughs. 'Okay okay! Don't act shy, now!' I want to quieten her but she speaks before I can say anything. 'Alright, go study. I won't say anything now.' I can still hear laughter in her voice so I quickly bid her goodbye and cut the call. Sufficiently distracted from my earlier gloom, I prepare for an evening of study.
-------------------------------------
The week passes by faster than I could imagine. It's probably the exam effect that the time seems to fly by making it appear like insufficient time for preparation. On top of it, I have two things to prepare for. Of course, one of them is unavoidable and the other is something I'm happily waiting for. I devote most of my time to preparing for the exams. I don't want to let my studies suffer because of my interests. The time that I spent away from books is divided into two things: one, I think and plan and note the ideas I want to use for our date to make it special, and two, I give company to Mom as much as I can. Since Ranbir isn't here, I take care of not letting Mom feel too lonely because of my exams. A few instances occur when she watches television and I sit by her side jotting down ideas for the date. I know only writing the ideas down won't work, I'll have to go around the city to actually do something but I can't do that before my exams. I don't get time enough to spend with Geet or with Anaya and Ayush. All of us are neck-deep buried in books so we only meet during college hours.
-------------------------------------
Since exams are scheduled for the next week, that too, without any gaps between any two exams, I rid myself of every other thought and focus on the matter at hand. Meetings with my friends are limited and the conversations with them during that time only surround this book and that chapter. I don't give myself a lot of free time to think about anything other than the books and the finals but at regular intervals, thoughts of the coming date do worm their way into my mind making me feel jittery and hazed. Mamma confirms them not coming to graduation and even though that does curtail my hopes, it does not stop me from feeling a sense of exhilaration at the prospect of a few extra days here, among the friends I might not see again.
-------------------------------------
'Maan.' I turn as I hear Anaya call me. She catches up with me as I walk to class after lunch. Geet has already gone to her class and Ayush has stopped to talk to some girls. As she falls in step with me, she beams. 'So how do you want Geet to look like for the special day?' Her question catches me off guard as I pause mid-stride and stare at her. 'What? Don't you wish she'd dress some particular way?' I shake my head slightly. 'Where in the world is that coming from, Anaya?' She taps her temple with her index finger as she grins quirkily. 'I don't understand.' She rolls her eyes. 'You're such a dumbo, Maan! Just tell me how you want Geet to dress and you'll see she'll be looking just the way you want her to.' She crosses her arms smugly and I raise my eyebrows at her. 'How? Will you walk up to her and say "Maan wants to you dress this way so you should do exactly what he wants", huh Anaya?' My tone is mimicking hers and she unfolds her arms, her lips pressed together and the smile washed off, she stomps her foot and starts walking away. 'Fine! I was only offering a favour since Geet has promised to let me dress her up for your date. You don't want it? Your loss!'
I realise my mistake and follow her. 'Anaya, Anaya, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.' She stops and turns to look at me with a stern expression. I try to put up an innocent smile which eventually melts her and she smiles too. She fans herself with her hand in an arrogant manner. 'Realised how precious I am?' Now I roll my eyes. 'You always are.' She waves her hand dismissively. 'Yeah yeah! Don't try to butter me now that you know I have a few things in my hands.' I open my mouth to protest and tell her I wasn't buttering her but she speaks before I can. 'Forget that.' She grins eagerly with twinkling eyes. 'Tell me now. What colour would you like to see her in? And what style of dressing? And makeup? And shoes? Oh, there are so many things I could ask!' She blabbers on without waiting for me to respond for even a single question. 'You already are asking so many things.' I point out to her as we continue walking to class at a slow pace as she asks more questions. I try not to get involved in the girly stuff and tell her Geet would look beautiful in anything but she doesn't let me back out and orders me to answer every single question she asks. I can't help but smile at the eagerness she shows for my date with Geet.
-------------------------------------
I bound down the stairs after hours of being locked up in my room to find Mom lying on the two-seater, watching some show on television disinterestedly. I walk over to the side where her feet are resting and stop her from sitting up when she tries to after seeing me. I pick her feet, sit down on the place and put her feet in my lap as I see her smile warmly. I make myself comfortable in a lazy position as I lightly run my hands on her calves, massaging her when she begins talking about how there are no interesting shows going on. She doesn't watch a lot of daily soaps and the ones she does are not telecasted at this time of the evening. She switches the channel to a football game which she knows I'll be interested to watch as she shifts to lay on her back with her arm resting over her eyes. A few moments pass in silence as I keep on massaging her when I hear her sigh contentedly. 'Ahh! That feels so good Maan!' I smile looking at her closed eyes.
After a few more minutes, she opens her eyes, holds my hands to stop me and sits up. She kisses my hands, thanking me and then tells me she is going to set the table for an early dinner. I follow her into the kitchen for help as she asks how my preparation is. 'Which one?' My answering question is spontaneous and she turns to look at me with a raised eyebrow. 'How many things have you got to prepare for?' I avert my eyes and lie. 'Just one. The exams.' She gives me a level stare before turning around and going about warming the food and taking the dishes out. I tell her about my exam preparation after a few seconds of silence and then we converse about various things from the college to Ranbir and Zara's return which is scheduled at the end of the next week, to my friends, to the story of her favourite daily soap. Somehow, Geet comes into conversation and then Mom asks the obvious question. 'Oh, I forgot all about it during the wedding! When's the date?' I feel my cheeks turning a shade darker. Now who's mother would be so interested in her son's romantic life? Mine! She looks at me in so much excitement that I can't let her down by not sharing all my plans with her. As we sit down for dinner, she keeps on talking about it, sharing some stories of the dates she's been to with Dad. Talking to her is beneficial, especially when she's not in the mood to tease me to her heart's content.
-------------------------------------
The day arrives and we all find ourselves outside the examination halls, waiting for the final bell to ring and the exam to begin. I feel extremely anxious which I try not show to the three friends I stand with. Maan is quieter than the usual, probably mentally revising something just like me, whereas Ayush is perfectly cool, trying to talk to a very busy Anaya who has her head bent over the course book as she goes through it one last time. The bell rings and the knots in my stomach get tighter when the superintendent announces for the students to head to their respective halls. Ayush and I have been placed in the same hall but Maan and Anaya will be sitting in two separate halls. With the final wishes to each other, we all make way to our seats and wait for the question papers to be distributed.
-------------------------------------
I pace the hallway after the exam. I'm the first among my friends to come out so I wait for the rest to join me. About five minutes pass when I see Geet step out of the door with her shoulders stiff and face ashen. Anaya appears from behind me just the same time and Ayush too skips out of the hall. 'Well?' I ask all of them. 'It was fine.' Anaya shrugs. 'I'll pass.' Ayush happily states. 'I don't know.' Geet is still anxious. 'And yours?' Anaya asks. 'Good.' She turns to Geet. 'What's wrong? Was it too difficult? Have you attempted all the questions?' She raises her eyes to look at Anaya. 'Yes, I attempted the required questions.' I smile as I realise she's just experiencing the fear of exams and nothing else. Anaya too realises this and puts her arm around Geet as they start walking towards the gates. 'I'm sure you did well. Don't worry about it.' Anaya's encouraging voice works and I notice Geet relaxing a bit as Ayush and I follow the girls. As I drop Geet to her hostel this time, I offer for a joint study session the next day since the day after that is the algebra exam. She agrees to meet me in the college library after tomorrow's exam as she gets off the car and I wait for her to enter the premises of the hostel before driving myself back home.
-------------------------------------
The next day, I'm unable to meet my friends before the exam. My exam is of a different subject than theirs so our timings differ too. The exam goes by fine and the anxiousness and the nervousness I felt yesterday has lessened a bit. Even though I have almost reached the completion of my studies, I can never help being fearful of exams and how I will perform in them. Yesterday was one of those instances and I now feel a little silly to have behaved that way in front of my friends. My exam finishes in a lesser time than that of Maan, Anaya and Ayush so I go to the library and wait for them. As I sit there and relax for a while, I ponder on how supportive these friends are. While Anaya is the jolly friend who lifts my spirits and doesn't let me corner myself, Ayush is the life of this group. He changes the mood surrounding us just with that infectious grin of his. Maan, on the other hand, is the strength of this group. He is someone who we can lean on for unrelenting support. Who I can lean on. It is my ill luck that I found these treasured friends for such a short time.
All the pondering brings a lump to my throat and I blink rapidly to stop my eyes from watering as I look around the library to change the track of my thoughts. I notice the three of them entering the library talking to each other with smiling faces. The corner of my lips turn upwards too as I try to engrave the picture in my mind for the days to come. They come to the table I'm sitting at and join me as they ask about how my exam went, telling me about them. After almost half an hour, we decide to study and Maan pulls out a past paper from his bag which he says we will attempt to solve for practice. Smiling a little at Maan, I begin with the paper, solving the questions I can and skipping the questions I have doubts about to be retried at the end. Maan notices when I get stuck in one of the problems so he gets up from the chair he is sitting on and walks around the table. My eyes follow him as he makes his way to the seat right beside mine. He smiles warmly at me and I notice the slight dimple appearing on his cheek. Strange! I have never noticed the dimple earlier. I snap out of my thoughts when he sits beside me and pulls my answer sheet to him, explaining where I have gone wrong. The rest of the time passes very quickly as Maan and I solve the paper together.
-------------------------------------
When she comes out of the hall, her face has a content look and she says her algebra exam went well, thanking me for the help I provided. I'm happy for her and I tell her that as we walk to my car, bidding Ayush and Anaya goodbye. On our way to the hostel, we only talk about the exam and the questions she attempted and the mistakes she thinks she has made. She is satisfied with the way she has done in this exam and this thought has me smiling.
-------------------------------------
For the rest of the four exams, we have minimal interaction and we meet only during the time that we are in college. The bonus time I get with Maan is only when he drops me to the hostel. That is the only time when I feel the stress of the ongoing exams leaving my body. Talking with him, hearing him speak a little excitedly about the extra week I've gotten to stay here, him making plans for that time, all of this makes me like him even more than I already do. Liking him, caring for him and adoring him is something out of my hands now, I have accepted this fact to myself.
The day that our exams end, Anaya and Ayush insist we go out and party for a bit so all of us get into Maan's car and drive to the bowling alley, enjoying the game, eating the brownies available in the small cafe in one side of the building, drinking cold coffee and generally having a lot of fun until we are all spent and ready to crash in our beds to sleep the stress free sleep we have been missing for a while now. Maan does offer the three of us to go to his house but since we're all tired by the time we come out of the arena, we prefer undoing ourselves in our own places. Since my hostel is the first building on the way so I'm the first to get off and Maan says he'll pick me up tomorrow as we have to go to the college and place orders of the graduation gowns and caps.
-------------------------------------
At home, Mom and I celebrate a little with the music playing and her dancingly moving around the room with her chores. She even pulls me up from the couch and makes me dance with her a bit as I laugh along. We call Ranbir as well and talk to him over the speakerphone, all three of us in conversation at the same time. Hearing his happy voice, Mom and I are even more jubilant and decide to dine out tonight. As we sit in the brightly lit food street - the place where she loves to eat - our conversation mainly revolves around Ranbir and Zara, who are to return the day after tomorrow.
-------------------------------------
I decide to gather all my things today once I return from the college. Even though I still have some days before I leave, I don't want to leave anything here so I will begin the task today. Maan picks me up and we meet Anaya and Ayush at the college entrance. We head to the administration block to get ourselves listed and to inform the authorities of the number of guests we are inviting. I only have G who is going to attend the ceremony, Maan's mother, Ranbir and Zara will be attending as his guests while Ayush and Anaya's parents will be here. Once we get done with this, we are shown the way to another desk where we have to place the order for our gowns and caps. As we wait in line, I look at the sample gown and cap hanging behind the desk. The gown is black with a red band resting on the shoulders and falling to the front. The cap is black too with a red tassel hanging down. There is nothing unusual about the colour or the design but looking at it and knowing its significance and thinking that I'm going to be wearing it soon, it gives me a sense of pride, of satisfaction.
Finally finishing the task at hand, we walk to the parking lot at a leisurely pace with Ayush and Anaya walking a little ahead of me and Maan, their joint hands swinging between them. Maan and I walk close too but neither I nor Maan reach out for each other's hand. 'How is tomorrow?' I look up to see him leaning towards me. I know he is talking about the overdue date so I smile and nod. He grins. 'So it's done. Tomorrow evening at 6. I'll text you the venue.' I only nod again, fearful of the butterflies in my stomach becoming apparent to him if I speak. 'Finally!' We both turn at Anaya's loud voice. 'Finally you two made an effort!' Maan was speaking in a low voice but seems like Anaya had her ears on us as she has a mock relief on her face. Maan only snorts in answer to her. She looks at me and grins. 'You remember your promise, don't you?' I rack my brain to recall and realise she's talking about dressing me up. 'Anaya -' I try to drop out of the deal but she stops me. 'Don't even think on those lines. I'm not listening to anything.' She looks at Maan and smirks, winking a bit. Perplexed at the gesture, I look from her to Maan but neither says anything and Ayush butts in, asking of the day's plan.
I inform them I have some work so I will not join them today. Maan too has some errands to run so we both part ways with them. The drive to the hostel is almost silent with the stereo in his car playing tuned to a station which plays old songs. I hear him hum a bit so ask if he likes old songs but he laughs and tells me he isn't into songs much but he knows this one because this particular radio station plays it a lot. As he stops in front of the hostel, I put my hand on the handle and hesitate for a bit, torn between needing to go and wanting to stay. Steeling myself, I thank him and begin to get out when he holds my hand to stop me. I look at him questioningly, neither of us pulling our hands apart. He holds my gaze for a few seconds before breaking into a smile. 'Tomorrow at 6. Be ready.' I smile. 'I will.' I slowly pull my hand away and get out of the car wishing him goodbye. I walk into the building and wait in the shadows until he drives away, the smile on his face mirroring the one on mine. Pulling myself together, I go to the room and spend the rest of the day either talking to Chhoti on phone, hearing her squeal in excitement talking about my date, or pulling my bags out from under my bed and cleaning them to start putting my things back. Anaya calls too, telling me she'll come to pick me up after breakfast and then we both will go to her place where she will play dress up on me. I sigh as I give in and agree on it. There really isn't anything I can do about it. On the flip side, I get to spend some time with Anaya and that is what I try to tell myself to look forward to.
-------------------------------------
I reach home after dropping Geet, freshen up and tell Mom I'll be out. She guesses what I am up to and the only question she asks is when has Geet agreed for. I grin and tell her it's tomorrow and she laughs, getting into her teasing mode and calling me a snail for taking so long. She almost pushes me out of the door when I tell her I'm going to get a few things ready for tomorrow. As I walk to my car, I hear her call out after me. 'Don't forget to get a nice gift for her!' I turn to look at her still walking towards the car and blow a flying kiss before turning around, getting into the car and driving away.
As I put my days of planning into action, I feel even more energised and lighter on my feet, happily driving to places to get the tasks done. The only thing which brings an uncertainty in me and falters my steps is the thought of Geet not liking something. I don't know what expectations she has from this date and I fear she might not want things to be done the way I'm planning them. Finishing the tasks for the day, I drive home with a mixture of zeal and jumpiness. I am excited yet nervous and that is what Mom notices as we sit down for dinner. We have a casual chat about Ranbir and Zara coming back tomorrow early morning as Mom tells that she has the room tidied up for them and she is thinking about getting their room redone if they agree for it. After helping Mom clean up the table and bidding her goodnight, I enter my room and think for a while. How am I going to get Geet to the venue? She wouldn't know the directions and Anaya or Ayush don't even know the place. I pace my room as I think and then come to the conclusion of picking her up myself.
I call up Anaya with this thought in mind and she says it's a good idea if I pick Geet up myself. She also informs that Geet will be at her house so I'll have to pick her up from there. I thank her as I hang up with a lift in my spirits and an excited tingling in my stomach. I decide to call Geet and inform her so I punch in the number which I have memorised by heart even though I need not memorise it when the facility of caller IDs is available. My thumb pauses just before I can press the button and make the call as a thought occurs to me. What if she thinks I'm being desperate? Not wanting myself to appear as such, I dump the idea of calling her and settle for a text message.
Will pick you up from Anaya's place at 6. Is that fine with you?
I expect the reply to come in a minute but it doesn't come. The thought of being considered a hopeless person enters my mind but I quickly shake it off. Geet won't think about me like that. Resolutely not letting my over active mind wander, I walk into the washroom to change into my night suit as I wait for Geet's reply. Maybe she's busy or something. When I come out of the washroom, I notice a single unread message and quickly open it to read.
Yes, it's perfectly fine with me. :)
I sigh in relief as I lay down in bed.
Busy?
Her reply comes quicker this time.
Yes. On video-call with Raya...
Oh that's great! Give her my regards. You talk to her. I'll see you tomorrow. Take care! :)
Since the reply doesn't come instantly, I figure she must have gotten back to talking to her sister so I put my phone aside and close my eyes with a sigh. A beep makes me aware of a received text message and I check to find it from Geet.
She says hi to you too.
Good night! :)
With this message, I turn to lay on my stomach, close my eyes with a smile on my lips as I hope for everything to go well tomorrow.
-------------------------------------
I look around for one final time to make sure everything is in place and ready. My eyes graze over the walls lined with round tables covered with white silk tablecloths and bunches of red roses placed on all of them. Flowers, check. I look at the floor which has a whole carpet of red heart shaped balloons covering it. Balloons, check. I turn around to see the band of musicians in a corner of the room, the leader giving me a thumbs up. Music, check. I put my hand in my pants' pocket and feel the velvety material of the box. Gift, check. I look at my reflection in the decorative mirror hanging on the wall and straighten the collar of my tuxedo in satisfaction. Done! I turn to the door when a waiter informs she is here and on her way inside. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes to the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. Clad in a one-shoulder full-length orange dress, the smooth expanse of her shoulders and arms bare, the broad bronze belt of beads and sequins fitting her form just below the bust and accentuating her slim figure, her hair curled and tied in a low ponytail over a right shoulder, she looks absolutely mesmerising as she stands at the entrance of the hall I've booked.
She looks at me and smiles shyly, her kohl-lined eyes twinkling and lowering on their own accord as she takes a step forward. I stand and watch her entranced as she makes her way through the balloons as they caress her pretty feet. As she comes closer, I hold my hand out for her and she puts her soft one in it, a beautiful blush covering her cheeks. I pull her towards myself gently making her collide with me, her hands finding the lapel of my coat and mine holding her around her waist. She looks up at me from under her lashes and I decide not to get carried away so I move a step back, with one hand still on her waist, I lead her to the seat, holding it out for her in a gentlemanly fashion as she smiles and sits down gracefully.
Making sure she is comfortable, I walk to my own seat across her and sit down, all the while keeping my eyes on her face. With a gesture of my hand under the table which is only visible to the musicians, I signal them to start playing and they begin to strike chords of soft, romantic music as a background. I notice Geet looking around with a smile on her face and reach out for her hand resting on the table. When my hand touches her, she turns her attention towards me and a hue of pink floods her cheeks again. 'Like it?' I whisper, not taking my hand away from hers, instead holding it firmly in mine. She smiles affectionately, her hazels melting with the twinkle as she grips my hand back and nods. I smile in satisfaction just as a well-dressed waiter makes an appearance, bows genially and asks for our order after handing the menu cards. Geet pulls her hand from mine and I grimace at it. Her choice of food is simple and I order the same for myself plus a plate of her favourite gol gappe. Her eyes widen in excitement when she hears me order that and I smile at her expression. I only tell her about the gol gappe in this restaurant being one of the best around town when our order arrives. The waiter sets the plates in front of us and after asking for the dessert, he leaves us on our own.
I notice Geet taking the napkin and placing it on her lap before looking up to see me staring intently at her. Colour starts to fill her cheeks even as she raises her eyebrows at me questioningly. I'm amazed by her sensitivity to blush so easily under my gaze as I continue to look at her wordlessly. I can feel her nervousness increase as the time passes and I don't look away or make a move to pay attention to my meal. She doesn't eat too and a few moments later, I chuckle as I hear her whine. 'Maan!' She relaxes hearing my slight laughter and I urge her to begin eating. The romantic music plays in the background as we eat but what I enjoy even more are the mms and the slight ahhs she utters as she relishes the food and the gol gappe, commenting it is very tasty. I just look at her indulgently, wanting to keep looking at her face like this forever. She offers me one of her gol gappe and when I refuse, she insists, holding it up in front of my mouth. Unable to resist the opportunity of eating something from her hands, I open my mouth and she stuffs the round edible without hesitation. As I close my mouth, my lips touch her fingers and only then she raises her eyes to look at me, an electrifying buzz passing between us and our movements halt.
The moment breaks when the waiter shows up again and I quickly chew the tangy thing in my mouth while Geet wipes her fingers with the napkin. The waiter asks if we are done and picks up the plates when we answer in positive. As he clears the table, another waiter comes with a tray and places the desserts in front of us; hers is a chocolate ice cream sundae topped with cream and two lush strawberries, two sticks of wafers standing in one corner of the bowl, and mine is a brownie with chocolate syrup lavishly poured over it with coloured rice sprinkled all over it and a cherry popped at the top. As we begin, we share our desserts as I encourage her to taste mine and boldly reach forward to taste her ice cream. She doesn't object or even flinch and this pleases me. After finishing, she wipes her mouth off and looks at me with a smile. 'That was yummy!' I agree and signal the waiter to clear the table.
All through the time, the soft music playing in the background maintains a romantic air around us so after the table is cleared, I get up from my seat and walk over to her side, bowing a little and holding my hand out. 'May I have this dance with you?' She blushes with the question and lightly places her hand in mine, letting me pull her up from her chair. I lead her to the centre of the hall and as we stand face to face with her hand still in mine, the lights fade and a spotlight shines on us, making the rest of the world disappear, leaving just us, in each other's company, without a care of the world. I hold her right hand in my left and guide her left hand to my shoulder, placing it there and holding her waist from my right hand. We just sway slightly as I ask her if she liked it all. 'I loved it, Maan! It was all so amazing!' I twirl her and bring her back in position as I smile at her and then think of joking. 'That's good, because it cost me a fortune and it would've been a waste if you didn't like it.'
She smiles slightly. 'Oh Maan! You shouldn't have! It must have -' I hold my hand to her mouth and stop her from speaking, my own voice dropping an octave as I speak. 'Shh! It all means nothing in front of how much you mean to me.' She blushes again and lowers her eyes just as the music gets slower. I tip her chin up to make her look at me and when she does, she shyly breaks free of my hold, turns around and starts to move away when I grip her hand and stop her. She doesn't turn to look at me and neither does she make a move to come back in my arms so I take two slow steps towards her. I can feel her breathing increase as her back touches my chest, my hand going around her waist from behind, and my face sliding across the side of hers. I close my eyes and inhale her intoxicating fragrance as I feel her arms slowly gripping mine as they rest on her waist.
I slowly turn her around to face me. Her eyes are closed and I see a small smile playing on her plump lips. I lean down and touch my lips to her forehead gently, feeling her soft skin. I hear her sigh and I smile as I kiss her closed eyes ever so softly and then gaze at her face. She opens her eyes and I can see she is dazed just like I am. The drunken look in her eyes compels me to pour my heart out to her in a husky whisper. 'Geet... Ever since I first saw you, I have dreamed of being close to you, of knowing you. When we became friends, I dreamed of holding your hands, walking paths with you. When that wish was fulfilled, I wanted to hold you close to me, treasure you and shield you from everything, hide you from this world and love you till my last breath.' She blinks her eyes as she continues looking at me with eyes holding emotion in them. 'Geet... From the day you came to my life, I have been head over heels for you, not just for your outer beauty but for the beauty you hold within you. I am a very selfish person Geet, and I want you for myself and only for myself.' I pull the box out of my pocket, open it and take the locket out of it.
Her eyes move towards the piece of jewellery I hold out and I move to place it around her neck as she closes her eyes in submission. I lock the chain in its rightful place and let my hands glide over her smooth nape before pulling back to look at her. She touches the delicate locket and brings it forward to look at the gold-coloured heart which encloses two letters, M and G intertwined with each other to an extent that it's hard to find out where M ends and G begins. She looks at it in wonder as I take my fill of lovingly gazing at my object of fascination as I cup her face between my palms and make her raise her eyes to meet mine. 'I love you, Geet! I love you more than I can ever tell. I love you.' Her eyes are transfixed on mine and I see a myriad of emotions in her eyes as she drops the locket and brings her own hands to my face, caressing my cheeks slightly. I don't expect her to say it back to me but I feel victorious after having spoken the one secret my heart has been holding on to for so long. Her hands on my face move down towards my neck and I'm surprised to find them encircling it even as my own hands find their way around her waist. She rises on her toes and rest her chin on my shoulder, completely hugging me as I tighten my own grip around her. Her breath lands near my ears and I close my eyes with a smile on my face as I hear her speak. 'I love you too, Maan!'
Suddenly feeling roughness grazing my cheek, I pull out of the hug and open my eyes a little disoriented. Instead of the hazel-eyed beauty I was hugging a moment ago, I find a set of charcoal black eyes staring at me and my hand resting on the stubble on his cheek. Shocked to the core, I spring out of my place with a small yelp. 'What are you doing here?' I notice two figures standing a little to the side and turn my head to see Mom and Zara laughing as they watch me. Ranbir, who is lying in my bed gets up and comes around to my side. 'I was trying to wake the sleepyhead the way I used to when we were younger.' When we were younger and I slept later than usual, Ranbir often came to my room and laid beside me before shaking me awake. He was doing the same today with the added difference that I was hugging him. I stay silent in perplexity so he steps forward with his arms open for an embrace. 'Maan, I have come back after two weeks. Won't you give me a hug?' In the same state of confusion, I hug my brother as he exclaims he missed me and Mom, and I greet Zara too. When they leave the room to let me get ready for the day, I turn to look at the bed, scratching my head to get my bearings back and to realise with a sharp pang of disappointment that I was dreaming.
Note: I need a little help. If any one of you knows how to post a video clip here which is not from YT, please PM me.
Edited by mayyo13 - 12 years ago
Ishaani
1.1k