"What the hell were you doing? We expected so much from you...All you bloody did was sit there like one dead person, not even a word. Is that what you were there for?!!" Murali was pissed
"But she...."
"What she...Don't you have the nerve to be a normal person? why the hell were you like a dumb ass out there? Roshan had so many expectations from you. I have been in constant touch with him. He kept on asking what you were doing, whether you were leading the team or not...You failed miserably!!!"
"You know when she is around I get star stuck.."
"Bull Shit. I told you I would help you out with getting in touch with her. You weren't there on a love mission. Your job was to make sure the team won. Your energy and experience was required. Not your filthy Romeo Attitude!!!"
Backlog- Me & Murali
Ever since I and Murali had been friends, we were a rocking pair. We started talking on a range of things. We sat together, bunked classes together and had lunch together. Somesh and Mohan invariably felt left out, but I was moving ahead in life. Or so I thought.
Murali saw a talented, energetic and a know it all and a Hardworker in me. He thought I worked hard towards everything I wanted to, and I achieved it through dedication. I saw Murali as a mature and smart dude, very confident and peaceful guy, who loved to do fun things and who never had a problem with talking to anyone under the sun.
We both were wrong about each other. Very Wrong
However the initial days we were caught up in the josh of doing everything we could. In the process I introduced him to Roshan.
Backlog- Me and Roshan
Roshan was a senior in college who was considered the master when it came to Being in the know about latest happenings in the field of marketing, college fests and events. Absolutely brilliant. Especially after he won a south India level event single handedly for the college.
I met Roshan by accident. He was talking to someone in the Bus stop, when the topic he was discussing caught my fancy and I butted in. Surprisingly he didn't mind and instead we had a great conversation. Ever since I had looked up to him as the guru, and something I wanted to become.
Anyway's, Roshan and Murali were of the same age group, in the sense Murali was far older than me, by 2-3 years. So Murali and Roshan became thick friends. And in the process Murali also took the place of a guide and mentor to me. I believed that being with this guy, I could turn out better than the usual college duffer.
I had told Murali about Pw, and he immediately promised T help me out. He of course had better experience than me and was in a more advantageous situation than I was, love struck that I was.
The conversation we were currently having was regarding the same. We had decided to go to a fests, and in consultation with Roshan, we had "Arranged" for Pw to be in the team. I and Murali had to drop out, in order to accommodate the others. This was however a strategy, to pacify the wannabe's and so that we two could join the senior team in going to the major events of the year.
But we two were to go along with the team, to support them.
Needless to say the entire team screwed up big time, and I was strangely getting the stick for it. Perhaps it was because all I did whole day was get water for PW, sit next to her, get her stuff, roam behind her from hall to room to hall. And encourage her. The rest of the team was absolutely invisible to me at that point of time.
"You screwed up big time, dude. Absolutely a looser's attitude.Roshan will be absolutely disappointed in you..."
I somehow began to have a feeling that things were more deeper than what Murali was accusing me of. Somehow, I dint feel all that wrong as I was "told" I was. It was becoming an irritating state of affairs...
Over the days I had got into the "follow her" fever. I used to invariably turn up where ever Pw would be, the library, the canteen, the staff room. I would even linger around the water cooler. It looked like there were only two people in the whole college and it was me and Pw. I would have probably in competition with her shadow, and we were really having a fight.
It was just one of those days, I was following her all the way to the bus stand, just enjoying the moments. It wasn't that she didn't know, or then again I wasn't sure. Every time she'd turn I'd duck into some alley or some shop, acting as if I wasn't there. It was a lame attempt, and I had a strange feeling that somehow this whole thing made me look like some psycho maniac or a stalker. But then what the hell, Nothing was working anyway.
On one treasure hunt, she stopped to talk to one guy on the road. I wasn't sure who the guy was. I conveniently jumped into a book store, all the while keeping an eye on the talking duo. My attention was turned more to the guy. He was of medium height, wheatish complexion and seemed to be smiling all the way.
However the meeting ended soon, and she went on her way, and he took a right. In the process of observing all this I had already bought 2 pens and a notebook, which I never needed. It would only add up to the stuff I had bought in my "follow-her-she-might-sympathize" campaigns, which included some rice, a something used for cutting, a coconut scrapper and some more learn cooking books.
Anyway, I thought I'd follow the guy anyway. I went up, kept pace with him. He seemed to be moving towards the guys hostel near the temples. I was feeling brave so I thought I'd just ask him directions or something. I went up to him and said hi.
As he turned around I realized this guy was from my class!!! He was a new guy in the class. So my plans changed from directions asking to friend making.
Me- Hi!!!
guy- Hi, I know you. You play basketball with the seniors right?
Me- ya, am sorry I dint catch your name.
guy- Murali. Am staying in the hostels down there. wanna come ?
me- Ya sure. (I had no idea why I said yes)
Murali- Your so active, how do you manage all the things together?
me- Oh I don't really do anything. (At that point, I wasn't doing anything as my attention was directed to someone else) How are you liking the college an stuff.
Murali- Its kind off boring here.. In Mumbai, Commerce classes are so full of excitement and fun. This place hardly does anything.
me- (I was beginning to like this guy. he thought like me)
Hmmmm..I can feel what you say, There's got to be more activity if we want to end up doing something useful. There are some fests and stuff coming up in the next month. That's about everything what happens here.
Murali- Hey that's great. How do we get to participate and all in the fests and all...
me- well there are some seniors who are into this and all, they select the team. I know some of them so I can introduce you to them...
Murali- That be kind of you. You know in Mumbai.....
And so went our discussion for almost 2 hours. In the end I returned home feeling I met a long last friend. It was great knowing that I wasn't the only guy who thought like I did.
But Murali was only the beginning. It was going to be a long journey we undertook today, and wasn't going to be easy nor end easy for both of us. It was the beginning of the most painful turn of events ever to happen in my life...
(This posts marks the completion of 100 posts on Daily Mirror. Thank you so much for coming here and giving us the encouragement to go on. If you get the hang of daily mirror, help us spread the word. Thanks again, keep blogging!!!)
Now that I had a double whammy in missing and messing both my plans, I was in a state of Despair. But not in a mood to give up. I mean who ever heard of a guy leaving in two attempts to catch the attention of a girl.
But I was finding it more and more difficult to come with ideas to have a decent conversation with Pw. And the more time I took, the more the competition was getting. Apart from the majority of the guys, in my college, now it was outsiders too. And it wasn't helping that I wasn't on the popularity charts either.
Most of the so called locals were up to there heroics in trying to get her attention, with all the wisecracks in class and singing and dancing. And of course the active participation in college politics. My tiny group kept giving me ideas but I dint actually have the courage to try anything more.
I did have some advantages though. Being a CBSE schooler, did give me the advantage of having better verbal skills, and my NRI background made me slightly better at general awareness than others. I could hold a decent conversation over a range of topics. I loved the stage and did quite a number of presentations as part of academics, and somewhere along the way I might have made a mark. I was never the arrogant type, so I did manage to make friends amongst most of the guys in class. I wasn't MR. Popular but then again no one hated me.
One day it so happened that we had a free class and we were just loitering in class, me, Mohan, and Somesh. Some of the girls and PW. Mohan went on and was chatting to Seema,and I was checking the design of the pen in my hand. Somesh was jumping around cracking jokes and amusing some of the girls. Suddenly Pw comes and sits next to Seema, Right opposite me. She continued chatting with Mohan, and Pw joined in. And I was getting as irate and jittery as a cat in a room full of rockers.
Suddenly Mohan just moved out, and Seema started talking to me. Just like that.
Seema- ...so as I was saying, this accountancy is killing me. I just cant get the basics right..
Me- Hey not to worry, its not that tough ( With the confidence that I developed the subject of Accounts)
Seema- Easy for you to say, You topped in the Pre university college right?
Me- (completely embarrassed and taken by surprise) Well, that was just a lucky shot
Seema- YA right, and the remaining subjects too then??!!
Me- (almost blushing) Something like that...
Seema- Hey just a sec... (she jumps off to say something to Rochelle)
Awkard silence
Me- So how you finding class? (DUMB question)
Pw- Fine
Me- Ok
Pw- I dint know you were so studious...
Me- Am not, its just an impression. ( I realised I was ACTUALLY talking to her, pinched my self just to make sure)
Me- OUCH!!!
Pw- what?
ME- UH nothing...Pretty boring huh
Pw- I know, its so boring, nothing to do and all. At least you guys can play basketball and stuff//
ME- You like playing basketball? I play quite a lot
Pw- Ya I know, saw you couple of times.
(She saw me playing?!! Damn, I should have stuck to my Basketball uniform, than those lousy yellow football shorts!!!)
Me- Perhaps you can join and learn too...
Pw- Ya, I guess I should.
Me- You would of course be a distracting factor!
(WHAT???!! Did I just say that!!!)
Stare. Stare. (Guess I did say that!)
ME- Kidding, you gotta laugh some times, It wont hurt
Pw- (Giggles. Tosses her hair around and re ties them in a pony.) You dont talk much do you?
Me- Nothing like that, I dont get much of an opportunity to.
Pw-(Laughing) You were trying to talk to me the other day when returning the book weren't you?
Me- YA kind off ( I was feeling kind off silly now)
Silence.
And we both burst out laughing!!! and laughing and laughing...
And all I could do was to etch that scene in my memory for a long time to come. I just watched, as the girl I have been trying to talk too for so long was just laughing with me. I resisted just touching her arm, to make sure it was real. I wanted that moment to last forever.
The guys started streaming in, and she got up to leave.
Pw- Hey catch you later
Me- Ya, will do.
IT was a beautiful moment for me. I realized that it was undoubtedly a hook up made be Mohan and Seema, It seemed tooooo staged to be otherwise. But I was grateful. It was going to be the few rare moments that Pw and I shared together.
MEanwhile, I was thinking what next? what was I going to do next?
My plan was to walk up to her when the class ended for the day, say a quick hi, ask for help and then get the book. That would give me an opportunity to talk to her again when I returned the book and perhaps build on the same. But right now my single minded determination was on getting that book.
The hours ticked away like a sand clock during the Inca period; or was it the Egyptians? Whatever. Anyway, the time was nearing and I hadn't shared the idea with anyone so the chances of messing this up was less. Unless some nitwit interfered. The best part was that the plan was so trouble proof I was getting over confident.
As the last bell for the day rang, I stood up with casio-watch precision. I had to ensure that it looked casual, not a plan straight out from a Mission Impossible movie. She packed up and made her way to the front entrance. I moved out of my row and started walking to the front door.
She stopped.
I stopped.
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
I never knew a heart beat could hurt so much. I almost thought somebody heard it.
She then gracefully turned around, to move out through the back entrance. The Back Entrance? Why ? Who ? I was already sweating now. The back entrance lead directly into the corridor. The corridor had three exit points. One was to the staircase to the first floor, the second out on to the grounds and to the ladies room, and the third to the games room.
I could have handled the games room. The ladies room was out of bounds and I'd rather be dead than being caught prancing around the ladies room, not to mention the profs room nearby. The first floor was an enigma. PW walked on with her trusted aide towards the ladies room. I just followed, not knowing what to do.
She walked on and on and it was almost eternity when She a took a right into the block which led to the ladies room. I was about 10 ft from the turn, so I hurried up. I took a quick jog towards the turn, and then...
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
She appeared back in the turn, and I could only break my jog by dragging my shoes, which created a horrible screech. I stopped.She turned. We were face to face.
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
PW- " Do you know which Staff room Prof Ramesh sits in ?" matter of factly. No HI hello. nothing.
Me- Uh, no, I mean no, Uh yeah, I know which staff room he uses.
Pw- which?
Me- The one down the main office.
Pw- ok.
And she turns around and walks back towards the main office building. I almost forgot for a second what I had come for. I took a quick step up behind her
Me- Hey, excuse me
Pw turns around and looks at me. Not a word. She must have known something about what that moron Somesh had said.
Me- I missed Prof. Naresh's class. Could you lend me your note book for a day?
Pw- I missed his class too.
What? How did that happen. Now what what what. Think quick. I need any book now. I need a book. It could be a paint it yourself book for all I cared.
Me- Oh, I dint know that. Did you miss BS too? I missed it so that would....
Before I could complete my sentence she was already digging her bag. She took the book out.
Held it in her hand for a good 10 seconds .she gave me a look bordering on a stare.
Pw- Here.
She gave the BS book to me. IT was as if she'd seen so many guys trying to ask her out over a notebook. Not only was I already lost to the scores of losers, I was now another of those notebook trial guys.
Pw- Be CAREFUL with it.(Right, she just handed me the MonaLisa)Get it back tomorrow.
With that she promptly scooted off to to her original Destination, leaving me staring at her, and wondering what just happened. Apparently I had a talent for messing up. I dint know she had missed the first class, I had completely changed my plan, and I was know left with a book for which I had little use. The conversation was more of a teacher admonishing a kindergarten kid.
I went back home, drowning my sorrows in a tender coconut. I reached home in 20 min, got refreshed and picked up the tea my Paying Guest "Aunty" had made and sat down with PW's book on the sit out. "Bittoo", our PG dog gave me a quick bark of recognition and went back to sleep. Lucky dog, he dint have to worry about all these...
I opened the book, went right to the last page. Nothing much there. As Expected, BS was a fun class. No restrictions. I hadn't expected much on this book either. I contemplated my next move, turning the pages rapidly,to catch something interesting, hoping to find my name etched in red or something similar atleast.
"Woof!!" Bittoo's bark was loud enough to startle me. The cup in my hand wobbled and before I could grip myself, Two rogue drops of Tea were on their way, moving towards the notebook, with precision on the center page.
I never had wished for the theory of Gravity to be wrong in my entire life as I did on that moment. I let off the glass of tea and used all my strength and agility to push the notebook away...But No. The drops of dark Tea were in the mood of vengeance as they hit the center page, blotting everything. I stared at the dark spot. Apart from swearing, and cursing that I would never touch Tea again, I dint know what to do...
My roomies were concerned about me that day. Not that I was in a state of depression or something, but they had this weird feeling something was up, I was smiling to myself. I wasn't chattering away, and I wasn't reading anything. More surprisingly,I even went out with them for a evening walk.
They knew there was this girl in class, but never knew I would actually try something to talk to her. Pretty Woman(PW henceforth) was popular by then and they had heard of her and knew I had a chance of maybe 1 in a million. But roomies as they were ,they humored me by giving me advice.
In those days "dating" was unheard of, and liking someone was limited to 5 min chats, and maybe a lunch at the end of a 3 year degree, all peppered with similar 5 min chats. There were no Coffee Days and Baristas; so lets go for coffee sounded more like "lets run away together". There were the more bolder type, who used to hang out and all but that wasn't in my end of the city. Anyway, my roomies decided that if I was ever to have talk to PW, I'd need to have an excuse. Obviously I couldn't just walk up and say hi, because it would make me look needy (as if I wasn't!) So they decided I need to ask her for something which she could give happily, apart from a whack on the face.
As we decided on the variables, it began getting late. Thought of asking for a pen, but asking a pen from someone on the other side of the class looked lame, apart from the fact that there were around 30 people in between from whom I could have got a pen and never have to return it. OR ask for directions to the library, but everyone knew that I was the most frequent visitor to the Library.
On the other hand she could have asked a hundred things from me, and I would have offered it with life long free service and 24*7 customer support. But then again she wasn't on the needy side, and at most might ask me If I was in her class or not. I did not know her friends so they couldn't help me. And my dear friends had got me into more than I could handle.
But I had already planned for this moment. I had my excuse, and I had been thinking of nothing else but that the whole evening. A notebook. All I had to do was muster the courage to ask for her notebook. I had see Mohan already do it, and she had given him the blessed book without much trouble, so why not me? So as I shared my idea with my roomies, they nodded in approval. And warned me against anything stupid, like putting a note, or doing some "Accidental" Graffiti on the back page.
Have you ever checked the last page of a girls notebook? If you have you will know what I mean when I say, that last page is the most vital "current class news " source there could ever be. Notes , names and phone numbers. That's the best page you could ever get your hands on. And there was a science in deciding which book would have that page. Observant that I was I had my theory. The more strict the professor, the more a girl would communicate through notes. Find the most stuckuppish prof and you've got your book!!! And in my case Mr. Naresh, the Burly Accounts prof was my man.
Next Day morning Dressed in my best I was in my place at 11, conveniently missing Prof Ramesh's class, the first in the hour. PW was in her seat as well, so things were so fa so good....
