CHAPTER 7
SURPRISE TO RIA
It was second week of December. The pre-board exams were
in the past tense now. The results were due in the future – early January. We
were left with a pleasant month on our hands that had Christmas, the New Year’s
Day and a week of winter vacation in between these two holidays.
But what made December special for me were the seasonal
games and dishes that I loved to play and eat in this particular season. That’s
why I loved this season over others.
Moreover, this season had something more surprising for
us.
In the morning assembly of our school, our sports teacher
brought an announcement,
“Two students from our school has been selected for the
National Level Basketball Tournament.
The students are AARTI BHATIA from class 10th
and RIA from class 12th. These students please come out and I want
everyone to give them a huge round of applause.”
I was shocked and happy at the same time when I listened
the name RIA! My beloved friend! My love!
The better sound words to describe that feeling would
have been ‘infatuation’ or ‘crush’, but they had not made in to my dictionary
by then.
She hadn’t come to the class for the first three lectures
of the day.
Just a few minutes before our lunch break she entered the
class.
In our lunch break we all congratulate her for this
achievement.
She told us that the tournament is going to be in Jaipur
(Pink City).
The dates are 29th,30th and 31st
of this month.
So, “You will be not here with us to celebrate the New
Year celebrations.” I asked.
“It will be difficult, naaaaaa.” She said stretching the
last word.
I love the way she answer to me by stretching the last
words.
She also told us that she will leave on 28th
morning. So she will be here with us for the Christmas celebration.
She said, “You all can join me if you want because our
school and coaching classes are off too.”
Vishal and Sanjana shook their head.
I wanted to say yes but I also refuse to go as I have a
great idea in my destructive mind.
I took the complete detail of her tournament.
She then left the place as she have to complete all the
formalities for the tournament.
I asked Vishal and Sanjana to meet me at my place in the
evening at 7:00 p.m..
They asked me why.
I told them that I got an important work to do and I need
their help. So, please be there on time.
They nodded.
In the evening I told them about my plan. ‘we should give
Ria a
surprise yaar. She has achieved a great thing in her life
and without her our New Year party will be incomplete.’
Sanjana took a few minutes to think but agreed on my
point.
She never misses any opportunity to be with me.
It was very exacting to persuade Vishal as he was
demanding me to booze with him on this trip. I said I will but according to my
capacity.
We just fixed the time and date for the mission,
“SURPRISE .”
And I also mentioned that not to tell about our mission
to Ria.
They warned me rather than agreeing with me as they know
that we do late night chats.
Next day Sharda aunty, mother of Varun, called me and said there’s an urgent work at home. I immediately left my place and went to meet her on her place.
There I was felt like I was on cloud nine.
I saw him after a long time. Yes, I saw Varun.
Any combination of 26 alphabets can’t explain my
happiness at that time. It was the best Christmas gift for me ever. I slapped
him, punched him because beating your best friend for no reason is the best
feeling ever. Then I hugged him tightly.
We had lunch together after a long time. I have so many
things to tell him and he too had. We talked till 7:00 in the evening. After
that I made him to meet my new friends. Firstly, we went to meet Kaali. Then
Ria, as I called her to meet me at our coaching center. At last, Sanjana. I was
shocked to know that she and Varun knew each other for the past one year as
they were facebook friends.
We then went to our favourite snacks corner. We ate a lot
that we can’t have any more space for the dinner.
He asked me to stay with him for the whole night.
I nodded as my parents don’t have any objection in that.
That night we didn’t sleep. We talked too much, enjoy the
moments we used to do in our school life, judging teachers, giving them their
nick names and many more.
I don’t know when we fall asleep but when I saw the time
next morning it was 12:00 noon. I can clearly see many missed calls on my
phone. I woke up, washed my face and checked my phone. I got some calls from my
boss and some from Vishal.
I called my boss first. He just wanted to know whether he
have any meeting or not later on that day. I said, ‘You don’t have any meeting
till 8th January.’
Then I called Vishal. He just wanted to confirm about the
mission SURPRISE as Varun was there and maybe I can cancel out plan at the very
moment.
I said, ‘Of course we will go for the mission.’
Later that day I told Varun about the mission SURPRISE.
He said he will also accompany us in this mission.
I was glad to listen that because I was expecting that
too from his side.
On the day of mission SURPRISE, i.e., 30th
December
We left for Jaipur on Vishal’s car, early in the morning
at around 4:00 a.m.. We had taken some
of our warm clothes with us as there was much cold in the city we were going. I
knew that because Ria told me that last night as she had forgot to take some of
her warm clothes.
We were in Jaipur at exact 3:43 p.m., I remembered the
time well.
We were stopped at the refreshment as we all were
starving.
I got several messages from her to give me updates about
her matches.
I was happy after reading the last message.
“Yipeee!!! We
qualified for the Semi’s.
Hoping
if you all were here.”
I replied her back,
“When the Semi’s
is going to be?”
“Within 30
minutes.” She replied in the next moment.
I told this to them. Guys we have 25 minutes to be at Ria
place.
‘Location.??’ Varun asked.
I showed him the address that I took from Ria.
He said, ‘Don’t worry. The place is just a mile away from
our position.’
All I said was OK.
After our refreshment, we continue our mission.
We were on time as the match was just about to start. She
was stunned to saw us there as the stadium was not so much crowded.
She waved her hand to say us HELLO!
We too waved our hand in response.
We then watched the match with full energy. Every time
she has ball in her hand we shout her name. She never expect this surprise from
us.
It was a great day for her as she gota surprise from us
and her team won the semi’s too. It was all with the help of last point that
Aarti gained for the team.
The game was over till 6:40 p.m. but still there was some
formalities and celebration left for her team. She was with us at 7:00 p.m..
We then went to a restaurant for the celebration.
There kaali order beer for us as per condition I have to
drink that with him. Varun too joined us in drinks.
Girls also wanted to booze but I succeed in persuading
Ria only because she has the match tomorrow and her body needs to be fit and
feel energetic while beer does the opposite for her. So, she agreed with me.
But I failed in persuading Sanjana and I didn’t force her
too much because I don’t care for her too much because of her strange
behaviour.
Since
the time Vishal and Varun had ordered the drinks, I had this anxiety and
excitement to have the first sip. All could see that excitement in the
mischievous glint in my eyes.
The
waiter served the drinks along with the snacks we had ordered. I was moments away
from taking the first sip of Vishal most loved alcoholic drink. That’s how I
wanted to remember it. He gave me a little tip on how to say cheers and to keep
the glass back
on the
table after the first sip. I went ahead and followed his instructions completely,
barely containing my excitement.
But as
soon as I tasted it, my euphoria drooped. Acting brave, I didn’t say much—
but the
way my eyes shut tightly the moment I sipped the beer revealed the reality. It hadn’t
tasted as per my expectations. On my lips was a white moustache of froth.
‘So, how
is it?’ Vishal asked, smiling, and wondered what I would say.
‘I knew
it was going to taste bad. But I had been told by my boss that this is how
alcohol is supposed to be,’ I answered.
They
liked my spirit.
‘Go
slow and complement every sip with some snacks. It will help you,’ Sanjana
answered protectively.
In the
initial few sips, I did struggle with the taste. It seemed it was an effort for
me to swallow the spirit down my throat. But as the evening moved on, I did
give my best shot to understand, accept and adapt to the taste of booze.
We kept
talking about ourselves and the people in the restaurant. We talked about the
taste
of the
snacks and beer. Most of the time, Vishal kept giving her my share of gyaan on
alcohol.
Even
though he wasn’t much of a drinker, he still had the experience of drinking.
Then Ria told us that she now wants to leave because she
was feeling tired and wants to take rest.
I asked her for a lift.
She nooded.
I took keys from Vishal and ordered him not to drink too
much because till then I just had only two sips of beer.
I left them for a while and took her to her place.
I gave her my jacket because it was much cold and she had
forgot to brought her warm clothes.
On our way back to her place she asked, “ Whether we will
be there to see her match?”
I nooded and left the place.
As soon as I joined my friends back in the restaurant I
saw
alcohol took effect on Vishal and Sanjana.
It had tickled the pleasure cells
in her brain. That’s when taste didn’t matter any more. I continued to eat
while they drink more, and we
talked a lot. We talked crazy.
Actually, it was Sanjana who was talking crazy. I was just acknowledging her
chatter in the same tone. It was the first time when I was enjoying being with
her. I was enjoying
seeing this totally different
side to her. She was enjoying making the best out of the bittertasting beer.
They
was completely drunk by now and I realized the change in their body language.
I signaled the waiter to bring the bill. I asked him, “Where
I can get a room for one night as they are out of control to be handle.”
He said,’ Yes, there is a guest house on this road about
10 kms ahead.”
I thanked him and took my drunken friends to the car.
It was good to see that Varun was not drunk much. He
helped me in moving the two to the car.
We went to look for a guest house. We got a room for us
in the same guest house mentioned by the waiter in the restaurant.
We took Sanjana to the room while Vishal remained inside
the car.
I then made lemonade for both Vishal and Sanjana as
Vishal told me once that it helps in reducing hangover. After 10 to 15 minutes
Vishal starts vomiting which means the
hangover is reducing. Now Vishal was in his control while Sanjana didn’t vomit.
I made another glass of lemonade for her as per instruction of Varun. This time
it works. Soon Sanjana was out of hangover and can control herself but they
were having a serve headache. I gave pain killer to both and told Sanjana to
took rest in the room and if she needs anything just call me. I am just outside
in the car with Varun and Vishal.
We all were talking about our past incident how we enjoy
our school life till 10th grade. After that life took a turn.
I didn’t know when we all fall asleep inside the car. The
moment I turned myself I saw a message in my cell phone. It was from Sanjana.
“Not feeling
well. Want to have a head massage.J”
I didn’t feel comfortable to go to her at that time
because I had received the message 45 minutes ago.
But I replied to her in order to check whether she was
still awake.
“Coming within
two minutes.”
The next moment I got a replied from her side.
“Okkkk.... J. I’m waiting.”
I wanted to take Varun with me but I was afraid to wake
him. So I decided to go alone.
She was there lying on bed and massaging her head in
order to get some relief.
I said sorry for the late reply as I fall asleep.
It’s ok. All that she said.
I then asked what she wants.
She said, “I am having a severe headache. All I want
someone who can give compress to me.”
Her intention was clear to me. She wants me to compress
her head.
I said, “If you want I can.” because she was one of my
friends though I don’t treat her as my friend but still she was a good human
being.
She nodded.
She was lying next to me. A pillow under her head. And
interestingly the pillow was on my lap. I was compressing her head lightly. She
likes that she said breaking the silence of the room.
Thank you.
After half an hour when she was having a good control
over her headache I choose to go back to the car and took a nap.
I again told her that I were sitting outside with Varun
and was about to leave the room when she shuts the door and locked me between
her arms. I felt restless as she saw few vapors of sweat on my forehead.
She ran her forefinger on my hairs then coming down on my
ears, on my face and finally on my lips.
She was about to touch my lips with her but before that I
pushed her so hard that she falls on the bed very badly. It seems like she got
hurt but at that time nothing matters to me.
“What the f*ck it is?” I said.
“ I...... I...... I like....... you....” She stammered
after watching me in my angry tone.
“So what!”
“ I have feelings for you baby.. and I want to become a
part of your body.” She said.
I remain quiet for a while. Then I spoke,
“Bloody bastard. I don’t want you to become a part of my
body. I already have an assh*le.” Neglecting that I was talking to a girl in
this tone.
I can’t control my anger at that time. I punched the wall
several times until it starts bleeding.
“Just get ready within 5 minutes. We are waiting for you
downside. We will leave for our house right now.” All that I said and left the
room shutting the door as hard as possible.
When I reached towards car I saw that Varun was awake and
looking for me here and there.
“ Kya hua.Kithar gya tha?”
(What happened. Where were you?) He asked from me.
Nothing just an important call from my boss informing me
that I have to accompany him for the tomorrow’s meeting at 3:00 p.m..
“So, we have to leave now, if you wanna attend the
meeting with your boss.” Varun replied staring towards his watch.
It showed 4:00 a.m..
As we were adjusting Vishal to the backseat Sanjana
appeared.
I asked Varun whether he will drove the car or I will.
He replied in a sleepy tone, “ You have to drive it
brother.”
He took the front seat while I occupied the driving seat
and Sanjana on the back seat adjacent to Vishal.
I was full of anger at that time. I drove the car at a
speed of 150+kmph and made everybody to reach home till 11:30 a.m..
Indeed, I want to tell everyone about this but I didn’t feel it right about
doing this as a thought she was a girl come every time to my mind when I put
myself in a condition to tell everyone about this.
After coming home, I looked for a nap but to me sleep was miles away from
me.
Suddenly I received a message from Sanjana displays a text,
“Someone wants to taste you but you
didn’t allow.”
