part 2

I was very astonished to see Mrinmayi’s sms on my mobile looking like the direct invitation of next meeting. When Tadya came with the bike, I could not tell him the good news as I myself was not sure of my senses. I was also suspecting that this might not be true. This was the first experience of my life that any girl, the girl of my dreams, has called me for any meeting. It was like a jackpot for a boy next door like me. It was hard to believe for first instance that this could happen. I tried to gain my senses back and forget about the sms. But love at first sight is such a damn thing that patience is washed away from your directory of brain.

“Wait,” I said to myself. “Is this a love at first sight? Or just infatuation?” my mind was warning me of the future which was looking like lethal with this approaching tornado. Till that date I was considering myself as the man of virtue and tough for any emotion to climb aboard me. But I think everybody has to be bowled over by a bouncer like this any time in his life. I thought that umpire had raised his finger, but I was not sure, whether to stay or walk away like a looser. I was confused with this rather than being happy.

“What happened dude? Still hypnotized? It looks like you are lost in her thoughts.” Tadya spat in between when I was playing with my mind like this, while having tea in our usual hotel.

“How come you know about this?” I asked him in a blink of an eye.

“See, you cannot hide whatever is there in your mind pal, tell me what she told you in private? Is that some kind of really private stuff? It’s ok then. I won’t insist, but one thing is for sure; this is not a good sign. You are slipping off your mind. Take care of yourself.”

I was already speechless due to the first blow by Mrinmayi and this speech nerd was hitting me hard with his nonsense statements, which were diverting my mind from sweet feelings of the incident, just happened.

“What do you want, Tadya?” I sort of reluctantly asked him.

“Nothing, I was trying to help, nothing else,” he was taken aback with my attitude and his face reflected the disappointment.

“Ok sorry, it did not mean anything, forget about it. Let’s talk about something else.” I tried to seek truce with him with these worthless consoling words and the subject paused there for while.

I was really in trouble when I was alone at my place with these thoughts to torture me after greeting Tadya good night. I was too restless and was not able to sleep. I remembered me laughing on the movie hero when he could not sleep because of actress. I pitied myself and that gave me some relief that I was not alone and it was not worth feeling guilty to be in that position. My thoughts were oscillating to and fro and I was terribly angry also on me for bringing myself in that awkward position. I looked at the wall clock. It was close to 11’o clock. I thought, Mrinmayi must not have slept this early. I took my cell phone in hand started playing with its options hopelessly. Involuntarily my thumb brought her mobile number on screen and I pressed on call button. I was doing it without using my brain and so was not sure about it. Suddenly the bell started ringing and alarmingly I cut the call. “Shit” I said to myself. I was scared ‘what would she think of this useless act’. After few seconds my cell started ringing. I got wave of fear and joy running all over my body simultaneously. It was her call. With shaking hands I picked it up.

“Hi there,” I could hear her cheerful voice.

“Hello Mrinmayi, haven’t you slept?” I was not sure what should be my reply but I tried hard not to be shabby this time. “I was thinking that I disturbed you this late night, but you responded so quickly. I just thought of you and called. Then cut it because of second thought.”

“No clever boy, don’t ever hesitate to call me, got it? In fact, I am honored to have a friend like you. So what’s new? Why were you thinking of me?” I could notice the naughty tone in her sweet voice. So I tried to be naughty in my reply.

“See, I called you this late in the night and you are asking me this question. I have an intuition that you already know the answer of this question. Obviously it would not be like a debate over a coffee. It would be something special, and what is that special thought, you might know in the first place. I am just completing the formality.”

“Oh, smart reply. Really challenging task for me! The answer to your question would be given in this way. See you gave me a missed call this late and I called you instantly without fail. Doesn’t this complement your thought? I think this has answered your question partially.”

I was left shocked with this smartness and originality. I thought of trying to confuse her with throwing multiple meaning statements, so that I could find time to find another such talks to continue the discussion without interruption. But now I was the prey and she had me in her net. I was spellbound then to give any reply to her and I was finding it very difficult to continue the conversation and sort of impress her. I felt like I had lost the battle of words within few seconds. But suddenly from nowhere I gathered courage and said,

“Yes, you are absolutely right. This has answered my question, but not fully. I ask you now, with the ball in your court, that what exactly I was thinking, because you answered me with this confidence. As far as I know you, you are known to knock the person in front of you out with intelligent use of words. This would not work if a direct battle is involved in the discussion. You should be specific with your expression not to confuse the listener. I like people who are transparent in their thoughts.”

For some time I thought that I played a masterpiece by inviting her for a dual. This would be interesting as I might come to know what was there in her mind about me, and that would help me to build the relationship. I did not know that I would be a looser again. She hit,

“I clearly see that you have different attitudes in two consecutive statements you made. You were indirect in first reply and then you are hiding behind the wall of so called ‘transparency’ in the subsequent sentence. This indicates you need to improve the endurance of continuity of thoughts. As far as the part of being transparent is concerned it will be made a part of my words, and you will see the effect from the same moment.”

If I would have to utter these words, I would have done it with bit arrogance. But I could sense that there was hardly any sign of arrogance in her narration of my faults. The debate was still heavy over me and there was no way in the world I could silence this girl with my words. Her presence of mind was mind blowing. As I decided to be straight forward I replied sharply,

“Your presence of mind and shrewdness are magnificent. I liked you using your words so carefully. Your each word weighs a lot. It’s like I am learning lessons of philosophy and communication skills. Truly I am speechless for your ability to silence loud talkers.”

There was a long silence from other side that I did not understand why. After sometime she answered,

“That was too direct. I did not expect this at this speed. You are a good learner. I know it of course. You have proved it from time to time.”

“Why was the long silence?”

“I can’t tell you that”

“Why?”

“Girl stuff, forget about it.”

“Did you blush?”

“Again you are being too direct. But I would answer this. You are right. I blushed a bit. But this was new to me, so it took me some time to recover.”

I felt proud of myself then that I can make a sharp girl blush to lose her senses for some time. Then I took charge again,

“Sorry for being too direct. Sometimes I become intrusive. I forget I am talking to a girl. I should obey the limits. But I tell you from bottom of my heart that I actually don’t know how to talk to any girl, so in pardon me for any rash statements I made or will make.”

“Oh, don’t be so modest. You did not do anything. You are what you are and don’t change yourself for anybody, be it. Do you understand? Honestly speaking I am impressed that you can speak directly too.”

Again a wave of ecstasy passed through my spines. She? Impressed on me? What’s going on man!!! Bravo. Good job. I patted myself.

“Thanks for your appreciation. It would be useful for me whenever I talk to you. Meanwhile you will teach me how to talk to any girl preserving her sentiments. Right?”

“Oh, yeah, why not? It would be my pleasure to teach something like this to you. Anyways you are too clever for my brain to resolve your difficulties in this area. You must have known all the facts about how to talk to any girl but you mustn’t have implemented it. I think in this way. Basically we all are grown up, so it’s the issue of attitude only not illiteracy about these social aspects.”

“Wonderful Mrinmayi, you are too good at judging people. Your point of attitude was right on its target. But you said about our age. See in this age our attitude and our frame of reference of thinking, our way of living life, and our ways of enjoying it are almost fixed. It’s easy to learn things, but it’s not easy to change our attitude. That’s where the home our all problems lie in. I think you will have a very less probability of teaching the task to me without fail. What do you think?”

“Your argument seems to be right at the first instance. But I will try me level best to get you to that elegant level where girls would find you amusing.”

‘If you are there for me then why would I need other girls?’ I said to myself. Then she continued,

“This is one of the parts of our personality and we should strive hard to achieve it. This aspect is more important for a team work and social interaction. I am not that professional as you would think of me after we finish our little chat, but I have also gone through that phase. You know how our school was. We were not allowed to talk to each other. When we see the real world, we come to know the true nature of social interaction; how people are, how they behave with you, how they use your abilities to excel in their profit. Our……..”

“Wait, wait” I interrupted her.

I was overwhelmed with this thinking capability this extraordinary girl. I had seen many immature girls at this age who are interested in time pass chats like, ‘what happened yesterday’, ‘what are you doing this evening’, ‘this guy is so smart and handsome’, ‘that guy is very stubborn’ and so on. But this was truly exceptional case. I thought this should be the real understanding in any person then only he or she will do well in his life. Her each and every word was increasing my respect for her gradually. My train of thoughts was again obstructed when she asked,

“Why did you stop me? Was I saying something that you got hurt?”

“No, no. In fact I was too amazed with your intense feelings and maturity. I was sort of diverted from listening to you because your powerful presentation of impeccable thoughts. I was thinking that I was honored to hear you personally. Anybody would forget the feelings which you are talking about and would fall in love with your impressive capacities. I am speechless now. This was too heavy subject at this late night. I am not telling this to stop you but I got a lot of lessons today. I am afraid that I should rather call it day to your speech on social interaction and find out any lighter and healthier subject so that I would be able to sleep.”

“Do you mean what you just said? Because you just now said that anybody would fall in love with my capabilities. Was this really appreciation or something else?”

“Oh, sorry. This is actually correct that you have the potential to gather people around you. See you attracted me towards you. Isn’t this a proof or shall I give number of them so that you will feel satisfied. What….”

“Is this true that you are attracted towards me?” she asked in the next second cutting me off.

God damn it. I indirectly proposed her. I realized my move which was rather instantaneous that preplanned. I was now in very delicate situation where moving back would be like a eunuch and moving forward would result in dangerous consequences of hurried decisions. I prayed the Almighty asking him favor to suggest me some good answer so that I would not find myself in a big trouble of emotions. What do I do? What do I do? I was searching for words madly and hopelessly. I was again disturbed.

“You have not answered my question.” She was looking bit impatient from her voice.

I decided I would lie neither to me nor to her. So I tried to be honest. Such moments don’t come daily in our life. This was really breathtaking. After all life is not number of breaths you take in. It’s the number of moments that take your breath away. (Courtesy: Hitch)

“I will not fake you in this regard now. I do mean that I am attracted towards you. Its 100%, crystal clear, fully transparent feeling, which I am telling you.”

She burst out laughing. Her sweet voice was falling on my eardrums and was etching in my head. I was totally confused for what I did just then. She continued to laugh for about half a minute before searching for breath restlessly. I was eager to listen to the reply. I asked,

“What happened? Did I say something funny?”

“You don’t really know how to talk to a girl.” She replied half panting for breath. “You were not saying ‘I love you’ though you were very shy and reluctant to say these simple words. We have met me only once and you say you are attracted towards me. This is really interesting.”

“What do you think is interesting in this? See, whatever I thought I told you. It’s up to you how you take up the issue. I will not interfere in your thoughts. Even if you think that I am like a common boy found easily on streets it’s all right for me. I don’t want any return from you. I just expressed my feelings.”

“Hey hey dear, take it easy, I was just joking. I really appreciate whatever you said about me. I know about my capacities too. It’s just that people get bored with my philosophy and luckily you found it amusing. I took this very seriously that you are really interested to excel in every bit of field you come across. This appealed me a lot. I know that lot of people get attracted towards me because my looks but they are meaningless for me. That’s why I took you in a different way. I think that you were too straight to notice in the first meeting that I was attracted to you as well. You confessed that you are novice in talking to any girl that’s why I let it go. First understand that girls don’t express their feeling so easily. That’s why I was laughing. Now I think you must have got the point that, I like you too”

“My god, that was amazing. Thanks Mrinmayi. I owe you something for this wonderful gift. I am experiencing one of the happiest moments in my life. The reason being you. I…”

I could not speak further. It was really unbelievable whatever had just happened. The God had really given me ‘chhappar phaadke’. She, very simply and convincingly had bowled me out. I was helpless to resist myself to let such thing happen. I tried hard not to lose control over myself and arrest the momentum of my thoughts which were wandering aimlessly around her. She then completed my sentence.

“I can understand your feelings. But stay calm and try to sleep. I know that we cannot speak further today now. It’s already half past 11 and I have to go to my office tomorrow morning. I would like to be offered a gift from you and now it’s your turn to find that one for me. I will be glad if you prefer less costly but meaningful gift. Your time starts now. Oh, Sorry I just told you to go to bed and now I am assigning you some task, shame on me. It’s ok. Can we take a break?”

“No, no.” I said in a childish hesitant voice.

“Just for today, okay?” she replied in parental caring mood.

“As you wish, but I am counting on you.” I gave up.

“We will see. Bye bye. Good night.”

“Bye sweet…” I suddenly stopped my tongue from saying ‘heart’.

“What were you going to say?” she demanded.

“Nothing, I wished to say sweet dreams.” I thought I found an alternate answer and gave sigh of relief. But,

“I know what you were going to say. It was ‘heart’. Isn’t it?” she said in a naughty tone.

“How on earth you are so genius?” I felt like trapped again and exclaimed on her guess.

“I am your friend, right? Your special friend. That’s why I am genius. Got it? Sleep well. Bye”

I could hear the sweet laughing voice and the sound of disconnecting the phone. I looked at the screen and kissed it. I was now desperate for tomorrow, so that I could go to market and find her some truly amazing gift. With the utmost satisfaction I went to sleep keeping my cell phone very near me. In the morning, I woke up with my face lit up with sunrays and cell phone displaying her sms.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”





To be continued…….