"What The F**k! Kaun Thi Woh!! Ladke ke liye toh you won't leave me and go.."
OMG! Rain was animated. She's been my best friend since college started and we have been together for God knows how much time any given day. I helped her dump her previous pakau (but rich) boyfriend, while she gave me all gyaan about why NOT to fall in love (again!). All these years, I have never seen her animated over anything; Hell, She didn't care when her boyfriend, while still in relationship, danced with Janet- the hottest thing that walked in our college... And well, need I say they more than "just danced" while totally sloshed!
I recovered from the shock of her words...still confused...
"Arre..a friend of mine..Was talking about some fest.."
"Oh Really??....." now she had a wicked smile. The expressions on a woman's face can change just like weather in Mumbai.
" Haan baba... She wanted to know about our participation in Sydenham's Brouhaha..So I was .."
"Look, You don't wanna share, fine. Jhooth mat bol yaar!"
I Utterly hate women... :)
We talked about our own Fest- Malhar... Our treks and so on...One subject led to another...But Me and Rain are always this way- we can chat on almost anything under the sky; and fight over every thing we differ on!!!
Two Coffees, A chocolate Avalanche and veg wrap later,we were on my Enfield riding towards Rain's apartment.
"Bolna Ramm, Who was she?"
She didnt forget!!! This is rare! Rain never drags a topic, especially if there is no response from the other person.
"Will tell you later Rain..Right now, I have nothing to say!"
She just opened her eyes wider- Trademark Rain expression... She turned and walked away. As she entered the gates, and walked into her lobby, my eyes inadvertently followed her. Rain is beautiful, but She has always been my friend. So I never entertained any thoughts beyond friendship..till now I guess. I pressed the electric start key and rode of with the image of her beautiful body. Sh**! What was I doing? i knew it sounded gross from a friendship point of view- but I am after all just another guy!
As I entered the gates, I saw a Dad's car parked in the garage. Dad home early??? It's either a great moment..Or I'm screwed big time. As I exited the lift on the 16th floor, my fingers went numb while depressing the bell switch.
Thank God Mom was there! Dad was in the shower.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Your dad has been asked to go to Frankfurt for Six months. He will be leaving tonight. I would be leaving with him as I have a valid visa and he needs my help there. Kanna (Tamil for my dear son), Will you manage all alone?"
"Oh...Ok...No Problem Ma, Will take care of myself." I made a sad face trying to hide my excitement! This was the golden moment I was waiting for. My dad was a Saddam Hussein! Don't do this..Don't go out with them...When will you study...And frequently showered me with 'good for nothing', 'leech on my money' kinda adjectives.
It was soon late night. I accompanied Mom and dad to the airport. The Lufthansa flight was on time, much to my delight. I would miss Ma though! I hugged her tight before they proceeded for immigration, while I just shook hands with Mr Vishwanathan.
It was a long drive back home, but not so often would Dad give me his C- Class to drive. I ordered a Pizza on my way home. I was sitting cozily in my chair watching the movie 'Cocktail'. The movie blended well with the Chivas Regal in my glass.I heard the bell ring- Pizza's here! I tipped and went back to my drink even as I hungrily munched on the Garlic Bread Exotica.
"Har Ghadi badal rahi hai roop zinda.."P.H.O.N.E !!!!!!!
I rushed to pick up the phone when I hurt my foot against the Ottoman stool. In my excitement, I picked up the cool the moment I saw Riya's name flashing on the screen. My Answering coincided with the loud shout I gave out- "O.U.C.H...AAh!!"
"Hello, Riya?"
"Am I disturbing you?" Damn! Even if she would have been, what fool would turn down this mellifluous voice.
"Aah..Noo...I ..I just.." My foot still hurting making it difficult to speak.
"Is some one there with you? I Mean.."
GOD! No! The noises she heard must have led her to paint an entirely different picture!!
"NO No NO! I just hurt my foot yaar.."
"Owww!You tried to put in your foot? LOl"
Zapped yet again!
"anyways, tell me,what's up?"
"Nothing yaar, I just came back from the airport. Had gone to see off mom dad..Was enjoying my whiskey and now you voice is doing the trick"
"Haha..you have your way with words huh? So, where have they gone? Why have they gone? "
"Dad's going for a project from his company to Germany. Mom just thought 6 months is too long, so it would be best if she accompanies him."
"Wow! How cool! Germany!! Big man your father is kya?"
"yeah (I hate this part, cos it makes me feel insignificant)"
"Hmm..Matlab...you are totally alone at home now? (giggles again)"
"Hmm..yeah....But honestly I won't mind company, you know?"
" Im sure...Why should I join you, Duffer!"
"When did I say I wanted you to come"
"Don't be cheeky Ok? ".....Long pause..."I was thinking..Ramm.."
I don't know what the hell made e say this, but talk of being fortuitous! I interrupted her by saying "...We should meet?"
Silence. I wasn't sure now if I went overboard. Somehow, the silence seemed to last till eternity. Like the moments when the girl takes eons of time to respond to a proposal. Finally, and much to my relief, she broke the silence saying:
"YESS! It's almost as if You read my mind sweety!I..I just felt..we have been talking, I don't know much about you and just meeting you is a risk. But something within tells me I can take that risk with you. I don't know how you look and don't care- just wanted to meet this new found strange friend.."
Oh..I so love to hear her speak..Seductively low and sweet..Her voice sounds like the water spouts at the fountain..Bad Simile! Sorry!
"Riya...How about tomorrow? I can bunk the lectures; we can go out for lunch,coffee or dinner...maybe all?" Oh! I know I was sounding a like a weasel!
"Ramm..Let's meet for coffee? I have to meet a friend in the afternoon."
"Sure..No Worries...Ohh..by the way? Where do you live? I can pick you up."
"Umm..No need sweetheart, I will ask my friend to drop me. I would be in Grant Road in the afternoon, where do you think we should go?"
"Mochas? Churchgate?"
"Perfect- See you there dear..Byee.."
"Uhh..Riya..."
"hmm..What?...Tell me...?"
" Nothing..cya! Byee"
I hung up. I was about to ask her about the "friend" she was to meet. Who could that be? I didn't ask lest I'm labeled as possessive- possessive over a female he hasn't even met!
I sat there with the Chivas glass in my hand, thinking about tomorrow's meet...Just then the doorbell rang! I saw my watch- it was 11:00. Who could it be at this hour? Was Mom and dad's flight canceled? Oh..I just walked slowly to the door even as the bell rang twice in the interim.
"SURPRISEEEE!!!!"
I was shocked..Rain, Haneefa and Bridge (aka Brijmohan Sharma) out there with a bottles of whiskey and some 'chakhna'.
Bridge got to know mom dad are leaving because he called up at home and my innocent Mom told him everything. And here they are, spoiling my night. I was enjoying washing my throat down with bourbon whiskey and the thought of Riya.
We must have have been drunk enough that night to give the make of HANGOVER a greater idea. Haneefa was the first to pass out as she lay down on the carpet, as if some warrior princess Xena lay there after a long battle. Bridge was as usual his stupid self..He slept in the bathroom with his head resting on the commode. This time, I didn't move him.Rain could barely walk, but at least she could talk something gibberish.
I don't remember what happened later on. I woke up around 05:00am- three hours after everyone passed out-only to find I was in the same bed as Rain- No, we were clothed and no sign of having played any mischief. But i breathed in her beauty even as my head ached from the night's craziness. She wore a tank top and a printed skirt. God must be proud he created a masterpiece in her. Suddenly realizing what I was doing, I just moved away from her, and tried to sleep on the other side of the bed.
BIG Day tomorrow...
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