That night, after the movie, I was lying in bed trying to catch up on some reading. No matter how hard I tried, I always ended up thinking about Navya. The way she caressed my hair in the dark, the time we had spent together these past few days...
“PING”
My train of thought was interrupted by a message on my phone. It was from Akshay.
‘U cmng rite’ it said.
‘Nope. Mom didn’t allow. You guys enjoy,’ I replied.
It was about going on a trip to Goa for one big bash before college reopened. They would leave the next morning and be back a week later. My mom wouldn’t let me go because I had already spent the last 4 years in boarding school and she wanted me to stay at home now.
Early next morning, I made my way to Akshay’s place to bid them goodbye. They were all set with their bags packed and strapped to their bikes.
‘Hey!’ Monty hugged me. ‘So you finally decided to come, huh?’
‘No,’ I replied. ‘Just came to say goodbye.’ I picked up a chips packet that was lying nearby.
Akshay snatched the chips packet from me.
‘That’s for the road trip,’ he said.
‘Fuck you!’ I said casually, took the pack back, and settled myself on the couch.
‘Fucker. It’s 1 week in Goa. There’s gonna be parties, bikini-clad babes, and hot chicks on the dance floor!’ Monty said. ‘You’re gonna miss a lot of good stuff, man.’
‘Do I fuckin’ look like I give a fuck?’ I said, eating the chips and looking away from him.
‘Why would you?’ Monty mocked me. ‘You have a girlfriend now,’ he said, and the others laughed.
‘Don’t get Navya into this,’ I said, quite angrily.
‘Wow, wow, wow,’ Monty said in all seriousness. ‘I never said anything about her. Why do you assume it’s her? Do you like her?’ he said, coming closer to me.
‘Fuck you assholes.’ I got off the couch. ‘I’m going home,’ I said and walked to the door.
‘You don’t really need this, do you?’ I asked them, holding up the chips packet.
‘Keep it,’ Monty said, smiling at me. ‘I thought you came here to say goodbye.’
‘Oh yeah,’ I said. ‘Wait, I’ve got a goodbye present for you… it’s here somewhere.’ I pretended to search my pockets. After a few seconds, I pulled out my hand and gave them the finger with a smile.
‘Yea yea… Fuck you too,’ Akshay said, showing me his middle finger on both hands.
This was how we spoke to each other — always. There was no courtesy or politeness in our speech. But the harshness existed only in our words, not in our actions. We were close, almost like blood brothers.
I met Navya on my way home.
‘Hey! Wait up!’ I called out to her. ‘Chips?’ I asked, holding up the chips packet.
‘No thanks,’ she said, shaking her head. It looked like she had just gotten out of bed. Her hair was messed up, which she was trying to tidy with her hands. She was wearing a loose pink t-shirt and a pair of light blue track pants.
‘Nice pants,’ I commented.
She looked up at me, then down at my legs. I was only wearing shorts that came down to my knees, exposing my bare legs. ‘Nice legs,’ she said and smiled.
‘Where are you going this early?’ I asked, walking with her.
‘To buy milk.’
We walked in silence, except for the sound of me munching on chips.
‘So, you’re not going to Goa?’ she asked after a moment.
‘No,’ I said, turning to her. ‘My mom wants me to stay home…’ She brushed her hair over her ears, and I lost my words.
‘No. You can’t kiss me now,’ she said, not even looking at me.
What?! I didn’t even say anything!’ I protested.
‘But you were thinking of it.’
‘No. I wasn’t,’ I lied.
‘Give me that!’ She took away my chips packet, threw it away, and continued walking.
‘Hey!’ I said angrily. ‘I’m hungry!’
‘Why do you eat that stuff so early in the morning? Come home for breakfast. I’m making idlis today,’ she said lovingly.
She stopped when we neared the shop.
‘You’re not doing anything today, right?’ she asked me.
‘No. I’m free. Why?’
‘Good. Take me out today.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You know… movies, shopping, somewhere. I just want to spend the day with you,’ she said, looking down shyly.
‘Fine,’ I replied happily. ‘But let’s go to a real movie today, none of that crap we watched the other day.’
After having breakfast at her place, we set off to roam the streets on my bike. Our parents knew about our outing, so we didn’t worry much about being spotted. First, we went to a morning show. It was a pretty good movie and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had lunch at a nearby restaurant and roamed around a mall until late in the evening. We flirted with each other the whole day, not going beyond holding hands occasionally. Our parents had already returned from work by the time we reached home. We politely said goodbye and started chatting on Facebook until late into the night once we got into our respective rooms.
Next morning, I woke up to the sound of my mobile ringing. I found myself lying on my bed with my laptop sitting next to me.
The mobile continued to ring. I rubbed my eyes and answered the phone.
‘Hello,’ I said, still dazed.
‘Finally woke up, huh?’ It was Navya. ‘I’ve called you five times in the last hour.’
I immediately picked up my watch. It read 09:56 am. I always slept in, but never this late.
‘Why don’t you come by my house after your breakfast?’ she sounded excited. ‘I found something I want to show you.’
‘Umm…’ I murmured. ‘When did you wake up?’ I asked her, placing my laptop aside and getting off the bed.
‘At 8,’ she dismissed. ‘Don’t take too long. I’ll be waiting,’ she said and cut the call.
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