CHAPTER 2: The Date

‘How was the paper?’ Aryan called out when both of us came strolling towards his parked jeep.

‘As usual great!’ Neha said pulling up her collars.

‘Mine was so-so.’ I said not unhappily. Psychology was Neha’s forte, not mine.

Aryan opened his door and sat in and waited for us.

‘Now you girls have around three months of vacation before college starts. How are you planning to spend the holidays?’ he asked.

‘We just slogged ourselves out for these exams! I am going to spend my well deserved vacation relaxing.’ Neha said stretching herself luxuriously on the seat. ‘And anyway I don’t plan my holidays I just go with the flow.’

‘I didn’t see you do anything for these exams which deserves a heavy word like “slogging”.’ He said.

‘You are never satisfied Aryan. Even when we had fun the thought of exams was constantly in the mind, making even our fun time miserable.’ Neha frowned.

‘So you’re planning to while away these holidays just like every other holidays?’ he asked.

‘No, not me.’ I said happily. ‘For one thing Chechi is getting married so we can start off with a little shopping.’

‘That’ll be a great idea.’ Neha said turning in her seat to look at me. ‘We’ll buy saris for ourselves and a sherwani for him.’

‘Yeah and we could even plan a song and dance programme during the wedding reception.’ I said my eyes shining. ‘I do have so many plans for these holidays. I’ve been thinking of it all the time during the study leave. I’ve just been waiting for these exams to get over to put my plans into action. Firstly I want to learn how to play the guitar and then I also want to go for karate classes. Aryan do you know when is the new batch starting for karate? I just have to go this time.’

I couldn’t mistake the look which Neha and Aryan exchanged.

‘Well I am going to do it in these holidays. I’ve decided.’ I said pursing my lips defiantly.

‘You say it every holidays, Naina but you never do it. You while it away just like I do.’ Neha said voicing what seemed like the eternal truth.

‘But this time I’ve decided and…and you’ll watch me.’

‘Have you decided to go on the date?’ Aryan asked quietly.

‘Yes I’ve decided to go.’ I replied more forcefully than necessary.

‘Hey that’s superb news!’ Neha clapped her hands. Aryan sighed.

When he pulled into the parking space in Sweet Tooth, I was beginning to wonder whether I did the right thing in agreeing to go. Could I go back on my word now? I thought hopelessly.

‘I’ll do your make up.’ Neha said wrenching me out of the car.

 

Half an hour later I was in a blue jeans with black embroidered flowers at the ends and a blood red T-shirt. I had kajal in my eyes and a strawberry coloured and flavoured jell on my lips. Neha was tying my hair up with a funny looking oval clip so that the major part of my hair was bunched on my head while the rest was hanging loose around my shoulders.

‘You’re looking gorgeous Cinderella.’ Neha whistled.

‘Thank you Fairy God mother.’ I said.

‘Hmm you really do look good.’ Aryan nodded approvingly. ‘He won’t be able to take his eyes off you.’

I blushed.

‘Wow! Naina you look gorgeous!’ Tarun sauntered in. ‘Were you waiting for me to come and ask you out?’

‘No Tarun she is fortunate that you are late. She is going out with someone else.’ Neha said tartly.

Both Tarun and Neha couldn’t stand each other. If he was aggravating then she was acerbic.

‘If not Naina then you. You know the two of us should get together. We would make such a lovely pair.’

‘Even if you were the last guy on Earth I wouldn’t choose you. I’d rather stay unmarried than be with you.’

He laughed loudly. ‘Your tongue! I guess most of the food you eat digests in your mouth itself with all that acid your tongue holds.’

I couldn’t help giggling. They both really made a fascinating pair. I used to imagine them being together but whenever I mention that to Neha she screams at me.

 

Tarun and Aryan were so unlike each other that nobody would imagine them to be brothers. He was a year older than Aryan and was taller and heftier and had a darker complexion. He was a flirt. Everyone but his father knew about that. It was a sight to see his swagger disappear when his father was around.

‘You are talking so freely now. I want to see you when your father is around.’ Neha sneered.

He grinned. ‘I wonder what would my father say when he sees Naina dressed up like this. You’ll all have a lot of explanation to do. Better come up with something quickly because he might enter any moment now.’

‘What!’ Three voices chorused.

 Sure enough we could hear Vinod uncle’s voice outside the café.

‘Quick out of the back door.’ Aryan yelled. ‘I am your brother Tarun. Can’t you be a little considerate?’

‘What? And miss this?’ he laughed. ‘I wouldn’t want to miss this commotion for anything in the world.’

We bolted through the back door.

Aryan joined us. ‘I told Tarun to tell Appa that we are out for lunch so no problem.’

Neha was grinding her feet.

‘What are you doing?’ I asked her.

‘I am imagining Tarun to be under my foot. One day I’ll wring his neck.’

‘We’ll walk you up till the post office.’ Aryan said to me.

‘I am getting scared.’ I said. ‘I hope nobody sees me. I don’t want your father to see me at all.’

‘Don’t worry he won’t.’ Neha said. ‘He is inside the café now. By the way what is Sanjay’s mobile number?’

I had problems remembering phone numbers and mobile numbers with their ten digits were the bane of my life.

‘I have it in my phone book.’ I said flipping through the pages. ‘I know that it begins with 9 though.’

‘That’s a big help!’ She rolled her eyes.

I showed her the number and she copied it down.

‘We can always call you if there’s any problem.’ Aryan said glancing at the number, ‘Not that we are expecting one.’ He said hurriedly quailing under the murderous look, which Neha shot him.

She gripped my shoulders tightly. ‘Naina you’re going for your first ever date!’ she was sounding so excited as though she was the one going and not I.

‘Don’t keep saying that, I am already nervous.’

‘Oh don’t be silly. Just remember what I told you and you’ll be fine. Do tell me if you both kiss.’

‘There’s no need for that!’ Aryan cut in instantly. ‘This is your first meeting. Don’t do anything that you’ll regret later.’

‘Spoil sport.’ Neha griped. She turned to me, ‘tell me everything okay.’

‘I’ll tell you both everything that happens.’ I promised.

 

I hadn’t dwelt much on the thought of kissing Sanjay but now that Neha mentioned it, it did seem appealing. I couldn’t help glancing at his lips when we reached the place where he was waiting.

He smiled warmly at me and I immediately felt most of my tensions disappearing. It wouldn’t be so bad with him I thought. He was dressed in a pale yellow T-shirt with dark blue jeans and a black jacket. He did look really hot!

Aryan and Neha spoke with him for few minutes till I started looking impatient. Now that I was with Sanjay I wanted him all for myself.

They left but only after Neha gave few pointed expressions resembling kissing. Luckily for me Sanjay didn’t see it.

I tied a dupatta around my head and we were off.

‘Did you get the tickets?’

‘No I didn’t get it. All were sold out.’

My heart sank. ‘Nothing in black?’

‘Are you crazy? You want me to buy tickets in black? Do you know how much they cost? It’s really not worth it.’

Neha’s voice echoed in my ears:

He’s stinking rich!

Even if it’s sold out he’ll buy you one in black. He’ll do anything for you.

I exhaled noisily.

‘What? Did you say something?’

‘No I didn’t.’ I said. ‘So where are we going?’

‘We are too early for lunch so we’ll just drive around. Enjoy the ride.’

 

He was talking so much that I had to bend continuously to listen to him. In the end I rested my chin on his shoulders so that I don’t break my neck with the strain. This was the closest I had ever been with a guy.

 

Neha and I met Sanjay accidentally. It happened during our recent study leave. We were walking aimlessly on the main road after a hard day at the books when we passed the local gym.

We saw him come out sweaty after a good workout. When he caught our eye both of us as though just out of rehearsal mouthed ‘Ooh’ and fanned ourselves. It was our fixed act whenever we came across anybody who qualified as being hot. For a minute he looked stunned with his mouth open. Both of us overcome by adrenaline giggled loudly. It was a reasonably innocent act we both agreed and that’s why we were terrified when he started following us. It is horrible to be followed by somebody.

We were quite desperate to let him off our back. In the end we managed it somehow and took refuge in Aryan’s house, which is our perpetual haven. Our Superman was livid when we recounted the incident and yelled at us for inviting trouble all the time. We were ashamed and almost promised never to play the fool again when we stopped ourselves at the right time. Instead we decided to forget this incident as an aberration and move on with our lives.

We reckoned that we would never meet him again but were proved wrong when he caught us enjoying a game of carom in Sweet Tooth. We hoped desperately that he wouldn’t recognise us and prayed fervently that he would leave. But our hopes were dashed and our prayers went unanswered when he approached us.

‘Were you the same girls…’ he began.

‘Yes we were.’ Neha said abruptly. ‘We are sorry about that day. It won’t happen again.’

‘No issues.’ He said. ‘I was really surprised that day…by the way I am Sanjay.’ He smiled.

She smiled back but didn’t say anything.

He looked at me. ‘Is it okay if I join you guys for a game?’

I didn’t say anything but he sat down nevertheless. Both Aryan and Neha looked scandalised but they still gave him place.

Soon the four of us were locked in a deadly game. He was a competitive player and it seemed like both my friends were bent upon defeating him. He sat opposite me and kept staring in my direction. I wondered how he could stare at me continuously and still win the game hands down.

Later over a plate of veg puffs he told us his secret. He was a carom and chess champion at school. He was a Maharashtrian staying in Mumbai now studying in Bangalore. He was studying engineering -Electronics engineering. He had three older sisters who were all married. He missed his family and his dog, a Lhasa Apso, called Buffy, named after his favourite programme “Buffy the vampire slayer”. His favourite actor was Sharukh Khan and his favourite colour was blue and we were sure that his favourite pastime was talking because he didn’t stop at all once he started. By the time it was evening we knew all about his achievements in school and college.

We did meet him a few more times in the café when we could spare time out of studies to meet with Aryan. The other times he would wait for us there hoping to meet us by chance.

 

By now it was no secret that he favoured me, that’s why it didn’t come as a surprise when he asked me out on a date. Luckily I had my exams as an excuse because I needed time to think. I didn’t mind going because he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, but there were so many other factors to be considered that I was quite confused.

I always had this thought that the first guy I go on a date with would be “The Guy”. I couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted Sanjay to be that guy in my life. When I told this to Neha she brushed me off saying: “Don’t put rules in relationships. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself. Who knows what’ll happen.”

He didn’t press me but he did say that he would ask me again once my exams were coming to a close. I thought he would forget. I was hoping he would.

But sure enough he called Aryan to remind me before my history paper. I said a temporary yes. All my decisions were subject to change, I made that clear to him but he was thrilled nevertheless. I planned the date for the last day of the exam, so here I was on his bike, driving through the roads of Bangalore.

 

‘Do you want to have ice cream?’ he asked me.

‘I would love to.’ I said brightening up.

He stopped the bike at the kerb opposite a small ice cream parlour.

‘Wait here. I’ll get it for you.’

I wanted to go with him but I stayed. He came few minutes later carrying two cones with him.

‘Pista flavour. I hope you like it.’

‘I have no choice do I?’ I said taking one from his hand.

‘What flavour do you like?’

‘I like chocolate.’

‘Oh everybody likes chocolate. It’s good to try something new and pista is really good. It’s my favourite.’

I nodded and had the ice cream.

 

‘Which Noshery joint do you want to go to? The one in The Arcade?’

‘Yeah that’s my favourite place.’ I replied.

It was. The Arcade was our favourite hangout, after Sweet Tooth that is. It was a three storied shopping mall situated in the heart of the city.

Neha and I used to go there just to laze around and eye the college guys coming there. That place had almost everything we desired: a bookstore, a parlour, a café, an Internet centre and lots of shopping places. We spent many happy hours there.

 

We stopped at a signal. The Arcade was a kilometre away. I was recounting a funny incident that happened there involving Neha and I when somebody banged into our vehicle from behind.

I hit my head hard on Sanjay’s helmet.

‘Oww,’ I moaned, seeing stars before my eyes.

Sanjay put the stand on his bike and got out before even I could step down.

Oh no, I thought when I saw his face. He was livid as he faced the occupants of the bike that hit us.

‘What the…’ and there flowed a string of foul words.

I was aghast.

Each party was having a battle on whose words were the foulest.

The damage was a shattered taillight on Sanjay’s vehicle and a shattered headlight on theirs.

I tried intervening because this was creating a traffic snag and I didn’t want to draw any attention on us lest there might be someone there who recognised me.

But it was in vain.

I then covered myself well with the dupatta thinking that could be my only saviour.

But that was in vain too.

‘Naina?’

I was startled. Could anyone have recognised me here? I didn’t want to turn my head hoping that whoever it was would think he was mistaken and go away.

‘Naina! Can’t you hear me?’

I turned around unwillingly and then wished immediately that I were anywhere but there.

The speaker was a guy named Chetan. He was a huge, overweight guy who played Billiards in the same club that we frequented. Initially he tried his luck on my sister but when he got to know that she was getting married he shifted his attention on to me.

I had only made the mistake of asking him to teach me to play Billiards and he decided to use that as the stepping-stone.

He wanted to teach me in the filmy way, that is, with his arm over my shoulders. I didn’t take very kindly to his methods of teaching and so “accidentally” jabbed the end of the cue to a spot that hurt him enough not to try it again.

But that certainly wasn’t enough to keep him away from me. He wanted to take me out on a date. He was desperate. He asked me numerous times. I refused every time.

Now seeing me all dressed up, on a bike with a guy wasn’t a very good thing. Chetan had direct access with my father and a spurned male isn’t a happy male.

‘What are you doing here? And who is that guy?’ Chetan asked frowning a little.

‘I…uh…I am…’

‘Are you out with a guy? I thought you never go out on dates because your parents are strict and won’t let you.’

‘I am…I am not on a date.’ I smiled at him. ‘I am with…Aryan.’

‘Aryan?’ He looked thoughtful. ‘Oh Aryan! Is that Aryan?’

‘Yes that’s Aryan.’ I replied quickly. ‘We are…uh…going…shopping for my sister’s wedding. It’s the last day of my board exams…and my parents know that I am with him.’

‘Oh,’ he visibly relaxed. He pointed at the commotion. ‘Looks like there is a problem. I think I should help.’

‘No it’s fine. It’s nothing. It’ll be over soon.’ I brushed it off, giving a glance over my shoulder. The two parties were being held by people to prevent them from raining blows on each other.

Chetan shook his head and got out from his bike to intervene. My stomach clenched and unclenched in fear. Last thing I wanted was more complications. I was beginning to think that this date was a bad idea.

Even Chetan’s interference didn’t help solve matters. It was only after the traffic policeman entered the scene and after money exchanged hands that calm was restored.

Now that the show was over all the people went back to their vehicles and traffic was smooth again.

I prepared to mount the bike behind Sanjay when Chetan came to interfere again.

‘Hi I am Chetan.’ He grinned at Sanjay’s still dark look. ‘That was quite a spot to be in.’

‘You bet!’ Sanjay said with a snarl. ‘That bloody…’

‘Chill man!’ Chetan laughed. ‘Anyway I don’t want to keep you guys waiting. I’ll see you again sometime hopefully in different settings. See you Aryan. See you Naina.’

And he walked off leaving a very relieved me and a very puzzled Sanjay.

‘Did he just call me Aryan?’

‘Who knows and who cares!’ I snapped. ‘Let’s just go from here. I’ve already had enough excitement for the day.’

 

By the time we sat in the restaurant I had the beginnings of a headache.

Sheena, a waitress in Noshery who I knew well came to me.

‘Oh that’s a bad bump you have on your forehead. How did it happen?’

‘An accident.’ I said and massaged my head. ‘Can I get some ice, please?’

She nodded and went.

‘I am sorry I didn’t even ask you about it.’ Sanjay looked apologetic.

‘That’s okay.’

‘It’s all because of that jerk…that…that…’

‘Let us not talk about that incident now.’ I frowned, feeling a sharp pain in my head.

‘Okay we’ll not spoil our moods with that.’

Sheena came with the ice. I wrapped it in my hanky and pressed it on my head. The cold ice on my forehead helped relieve the pain.

‘What would you like to have?’ Sanjay asked me.

‘Anything.’ I replied. ‘You place the order.’

He gave the order and Sheena went again.

After a few moments of silence he spoke.

‘I hope you aren’t upset with me because of what happened today?’

He said this and covered his hand on mine. I was startled and could feel my heart thudding nervously.

‘No I…I am not.’ I spluttered. ‘It’s okay.’

I wanted to free my hand but he was holding on as if it was his lifeline. I was nervous that someone might see me there with him, though nobody in the restaurant had a familiar face. But every time the door opened, my eyes would turn towards it, expecting someone I knew to pop in.

He sensed the tension in me and held my hand tighter. That certainly helped to remove every bit of reserve calm I had in me. I was thinking of a good excuse to tell him without hurting his feelings, when I suddenly felt very strongly that I was being watched. It was a curious feeling. I looked around but nobody had their gaze on me.

I shook my head. I am getting paranoid I thought. This date was certainly not a good idea.

‘Sanjay,’ I said. ‘My palms are feeling quite sweaty. I think I’ll wash up before the food arrives.’

That was the worst possible excuse I could come up with. Sanjay let go of me and I rushed to the washroom.

My bruise was a small one but it was turning green. I could camouflage it with my hair if the need arose. I washed my face and hands and then joined the table.

The food had arrived. I was relieved. Sanjay apparently wanted to lighten the mood and he felt the best way was to talk and so he kept an almost uninterrupted flow of conversation. It was better that way because I didn’t have to think much then. 

 

After lunch we window shopped in the mall. Again I had that eerie feeling that I was being watched. I freaked a little. Was someone really watching me or was it a prelude to something worse that might happen. What else could happen worse?

Nothing else will happen I told myself firmly and brushed all the scary thoughts from my head.

 

We left from there by six. He had to drop me off at Aryan’s place and then my friends would drop me home.

I mounted the bike after Sanjay finished swearing yet again on seeing the damages. I rolled my eyes, relieved to be going home.

Bike rides were always fun. I loved the wind in my face.

I was so busy enjoying the ride that I didn’t realise where we were going.

‘Oh shoot!’ I exclaimed, clapping my hand over my mouth in horror.

‘What happened?’ he said alarmed. The bike wobbled slightly under us.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.’ I said gripping his shoulders tightly. ‘It’s just that my uncle works in the library here and I don’t want to be seen by him at any cost.’

‘Oh…should I take another route?’

‘Yeah please. Just drive me out of here as fast as possible.’

I adjusted my dupatta to cover my face except for the eyes. I looked around furtively as we sped through the by lanes. Thankfully I didn’t see him anywhere. I breathed a silent thank you prayer to the heavens.

‘Thank God we are out of that area.’ I said, my breath coming out in a whoosh.

He slowed down his bike and I loosened the cloth around my face.

‘What would you introduce me as if your uncle caught us together?’

Rakhi brother!

‘I would say that you were kidnapping me.’

‘That’s a good one.’ He laughed and then added in a softer tone. ‘I wish I could kidnap you and keep you with me.’

I sucked in breath. I just didn’t know how to react to his statement. He was expecting a reaction from me. I pretended that I didn’t hear it and instead stared ahead.

In the distance was a car. My eyes widened in shock and my mouth opened in a scream.

Coming right towards us in his red car was my uncle. I felt as though my throat had constricted because I couldn’t draw any breath.

‘What happened?’ Sanjay asked.

‘My uncle!’ I choked.

Just when I was about to pull up my dupatta to cover my face he passed by glancing in my direction. I instinctively clasped Sanjay from behind and tucked my face in his shoulder. Words seemed to have stuck in my throat but Sanjay understood before I had to tell him. He pressed the accelerator and we were zipping. It was only after we put a lot of distance between the red car and us that I could finally manage to speak.

‘Oh no…oh no…’ I moaned.

‘Are you all right?’ he asked concerned.

‘No I am not.’ I said hardly daring to lift my head as though expecting Dodh appa to still be around. ‘My uncle just saw me! This really had to be my worst nightmare! I don’t know whether he recognised me. I just hope not! Oh God please let him not have recognised me…’

‘He did turn back for a second look.’ Sanjay said grimly. ‘I saw through the rear view mirror.’

‘What!’

I was so scared now that I felt goose bumps forming all over me. Suddenly I wished I were back in time by eight hours. I wished I was in my bathroom again and that I had not given in to Neha’s talk. This date was such a big mistake! I took a deep breath. Calm down I told myself. Think clearly Naina.

‘Sanjay can you stop the vehicle? I need to put a call to my friends.’

He hurriedly pulled up by the side of the road. It was a quiet road. I immediately got down from the bike and he handed his mobile phone to me.

‘I don’t know how to use it, could you dial the number for me?’ I said.

He pressed few keys and gave it to me. It looked like a cordless phone because of its size and the antenna. I pressed it to my ear and heard Aryan’s voice on the other end. Somehow his voice had a calming effect on me, prompting me to unburden myself.

‘Aryan,’ I began in a stricken voice, ‘my uncle saw me!’

‘What…how…when?’ he was shocked.

I could hear Neha asking him what had happened and he repeated to her what I just said. There was a short gasp and a hurried scrambling.

‘What happened?’ Neha said.

I told what just happened, how I was sure he had seen and recognised me and how utterly miserable I felt. She listened patiently.

After I finished she spoke.

‘Now be calm. He may not even be sure that it’s you because there would have been hardly any time for him to register, and by then you had already covered your face.’

‘Yeah…but he turned back to check.’

There was a silence at the other end.

‘Say something Neha…’ I pleaded.

‘Don’t worry about anything as yet. Just get here as soon as possible. We’ll handle everything else. It’ll be fine.’

That meant it was really bad.

‘Hmm…okay. Bye.’

I gave the phone back to Sanjay and he clicked the end call button.

‘Are you okay?’ He asked.

I shook my head feeling that I might start to cry.

‘Let’s just go.’

 

We completed the rest of the journey in silence. I got down near Aryan’s house. Sanjay thanked me for coming. He looked as if he was going to hug me but I put out my hand in time to allow him to shake my hand good bye.

He drove away seemingly dejected and I hurried into my friend’s house.

Once at Aryan’s place I changed back into my uniform. I washed my face to remove every trace of kajal and unclipped my hair and let it remain the way it was before and during the exam. The thought that my uncle had seen me stuck in my head. It was like a pain in the neck, which refused to leave.

 

When I entered his room they were busy arranging the coins on the carom board.

‘I am not in any mood to play.’ I announced, sitting on his bed.

‘You have no say in that matter.’ Aryan said nonchalantly.

‘You’ll feel better when you’re engaged with something.’ Neha said beckoning me to play. ‘Your mind won’t wander around depressing thoughts and you’ll be in a better frame of mind when you see your uncle face to face.’

‘I am dead meat today. What should I tell him if he asks me about it?’

‘The best thing to do will be to deny it.’ Aryan said. ‘You were with us the whole day. As simple as that.’

I sunk my head in my hands. ‘What a day it was! Everything that could go wrong went wrong.’

And I recounted the day’s incidents to them.

The phone rang shrilly when I finished. I almost jumped at the sound. Aryan got up to pick up the landline.

‘Hello…yeah hi…she’s fine…yeah she’s here.’ He closed the phone and mouthed ‘Sanjay’ soundlessly.

I got up reluctantly and took the phone.

‘Hi,’ I said.

‘Hi Naina,’ Sanjay’s voice said on the other end. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Okay,’ I said.

‘I do hope things will be fine at your place.’ He paused and spoke hesitantly, ‘will you come out with me again sometime?’

For a second I was too aghast to reply. ‘We’ll decide that later Sanjay.’ I replied as calmly as I could. ‘Let me first face my parents today and judge the situation at home.’

‘Yeah…okay,’ he said, ‘let me know how it goes.’

‘Sure,’

‘Bye then,’

‘Bye.’

I kept the phone and walked back to them still looking aghast.

‘What happened?’ Aryan asked.

‘He wants to take me out again!’

‘And you want to go?’ Neha asked.

‘No!’ I blurted looking incredulous.

‘You don’t like him.’ Aryan said. It was not a question.

I sat down. ‘He is unchivalrous, he brags a lot and he is clingy.’

‘People in love are always clingy. When you’re in love you will always want to spend as much time as possible with that person.’ Neha said while positioning the striker between her thumb and her index finger.

‘I know that but I am not in love with him to actually encourage it.’ I said amid the sound of the striker hitting the corner of the board without producing any result.

‘Alas! The plight of a lover!’ Neha exclaimed raising her hands heavenward. ‘It is understood only when you’re also in love.’

‘Uh huh.’ Aryan said. ‘You seem to know a lot about lovers and what they do. Tell us about your experiences.’ He positioned the striker in his turn, misjudged and sent it straight into the pocket.

‘I observe people unlike you.’ Neha smiled at Aryan’s scowling face, while picking up one of his coins as penalty and placing it on the board.

I took the striker next.

‘Anyway Sanjay is not my type of guy. Period.’ I struck Aryan’s penalty coin and watched with surprise as it slid smoothly into the pocket.

‘Hmm,’ Neha picked up the coin and gave it to me, ‘he’s not even my type of guy.’

‘You know,’ Aryan said rubbing his lower lip in contemplation, ‘now that you both mention it, I realise that Sanjay is not my type of guy either!’

All three of us looked at each other for a second and then burst out laughing.

 

‘Come inside with me.’

‘Don’t worry we’ll be there with you.’ Aryan said ushering Neha and me up the steps to my house.

Now that I was home I was very scared. I could feel butterflies in my stomach. I nervously opened the door.

‘Home at last?’ Appa said smiling at us. He put down the book he was reading. His smile seemed genuine. I tried to smile but it wouldn’t come so I gave up.

‘Yes uncle.’ Aryan said returning the smile.

‘How was your paper?’ Amma said coming from the kitchen. She was also smiling genuinely. Didn’t my uncle say anything?

‘It was fine,’ I said and then hoping to divert them from questions other than relating to my exam I continued, ‘there was the question on Ego defence mechanisms, I don’t know how I did it.’

‘I had difficulty only in that question on Rorschach ink blot test.’ Neha said taking the cue, giving a pained expression.

Amma waved her arms. ‘Let bygones be bygones. Your 12th exams are over. Case closed. Now enjoy your holidays.’

Just then uncle stepped in from his room. ‘You three are back! How was your day?’

I clutched Neha’s hand tightly on the sofa. Did I imagine it or was it that his eyes were fixed on me. He was looking at me intently.

‘The day was good. We had lunch out and then spent the remaining time at my home.’ Aryan said.

‘Hmm.’ He said looking thoughtful. ‘What is that bruise on your head?’

‘I hit my head.’ I said quickly.

‘On the table.’ Neha joined.

‘In my room.’ Aryan completed.

Dodh appa didn’t say anything more.

‘Aren’t you both getting late?’ Appa said to Aryan and Neha. ‘Neha your mother will be worried.’

‘Oh yes.’ She said almost thankfully. ‘We’ll leave now.’

I had the impression that she was also nervous of my uncle and was desperate to leave as quickly as possible. Both my friends wished my family good night.

I went to leave them till the car.

‘Call me if there’s any problem, otherwise don’t. I just hope you won’t have to.’ Neha said breathlessly.

‘Yeah,’ I said crossing my fingers, ‘pray for me.’

‘Will do.’ She said before both waved a bye and went.

I felt alone. Maybe uncle would say something now that my friends had gone. I felt my legs shaking with every step I took back to the house. I opened the door, dreading what would happen next. My uncle and my father were reading and Amma was in the kitchen. Nobody looked remotely perturbed. I jumped when my mother addressed me.

‘Go have bath and then come for dinner.’

I gulped. ‘I am not hungry Amma.’

‘Why?’

‘I had a heavy lunch.’ I rubbed my stomach to emphasise that.

‘Hmm okay.’ She said walking back to the kitchen.

I stole a glance again at my father and my uncle but both seemed engrossed in their reading so I thankfully picked up my bag and ran up the stairs. I walked into my room and shut the door.

Before switching on the light or even removing the bag from my shoulder I fell prostrate on the floor and worshipped God.