FOOL !   FOOL !!

By:- Surya

"When are you going to tell her, Annaa*??" Vahini demanded angrily..

As usual, when confronted by an angry question from his sister, Shankar managed a weak smile and looked pleadingly..

"Don't try to fool me by giving that stupid smile again..!! When are you going to tell her?? I want an answer now.."

"uh.. I'll tell her ammu*.. uh.."

"When??"

"uh.. sometime.."

"Oh Annaa, when will you learn to do first things first?? It's been almost a year since they moved into the next house.. And you fell in love with her on the very first day.. When will this sometime come??? You're so stupid annaa.."

"Ammu!! I'm your elder brother.. Please remember that, even when you have enough reasons to scold me.."

Vahini looked at her brother.. He looked like a whining puppy to her.. She relented a bit and showed some care in her voice..

"Annaa, try to understand what I'm telling.. Today's girls are not like what you think.. You have to speak out.. Otherwise it is very difficult.. OK tell me, why do you love her?? Because she is beautiful??"

"uh.. Not just because she is beautiful.. Because she is lovely.. wonderful.. cute.. understanding.. and every other adjective you can think of.. Because she is the kind of girl every man loves to love.."

"Ok.. In the same way, she is gonna love you only if you are bold.. bold enough to tell her that you love her..!!"

"So, what do you want me to do??"

"Go and tell her that you love her.. NOW !!"

"uh.. now?? No ammu.. not now.. uh.. later.."

"Ofo.. You're back at it again.. But why??"

"uh.. ammu.. She is so nice to me.. She likes me a lot.. She laughs with me, she understands me all the time.. But I don't know if she loves me.. Suppose I go and propose to her and if she thinks 'You naughty schmuck ! So this is why you came behind me..' then I'll be so unhappy.. She will not even talk to me again.. uh.. Even if I don't get her as my wife, I at least want her as a good friend.. That's why I'm not able to make up my mind.. I don't want to lose her friendship by asking for too much.. I don't know what to do.."

Vahini ruminated over Shankar's  valid point-of-view for some time, walking all over the room... The she triumphantly turned towards him and said, "OK.. Don't worry.. I've got a way in which you can really find out if she loves you without compromising your position.. What do you say??

"How is that possible..???" Shankar was eagerness personified..

"Tomorrow is April first.. As soon as she returns from college, you go to their house and propose to her.. If she accepts, no bother.. Hold her hands and do some romancing.. Suppose she gets angry and starts shouting at you, give one of your dumbest looks and say 'April Fool' without smiling and run back to our house.. That way, you can be safe.. She'll be angry for a few days and then forget the whole thing.."

Prospects looked up for Shankar.. He smiled a little and said, "Ok.. I'll do as you say.. Looks like this might work..!!"

"Dont worry Annaa, this will work.. Tomorrow, after I come from the computer classes, you should be there to tell the happy news to me."

"The happy news?? uh.. Only if she decides to accept..."

"Stop worrying annaa, She will definitely like you.. Who can say NO to my lovely brother..??"

Shankar felt a little reassured. He smiled weakly at her and said, "How am I going to repay all your love for me, ammu..?"

"Don't talk stupid things annaa.." Vahini chided him gently and walked away..

***********************

The next evening.. Vahini did not even park her Scooty properly. She ran into the house. She entered Shankar's room with a pant.. She found him sitting on the floor, uncharacteristically looking at the ceiling with an indefinable expression..

Vahini felt a tinge of pain in her heart as she kneeled in front of him..

"Annaa, what happened?? Did you go??"

Shankar brought his pathetic look to her.. But did not reply.. He proceeded to hang his head downwards, avoiding her expectant stare.

"Annaa, what happened?? Did you tell her?? What did she say??"

Shankar looked up.. "uh.. Ammu.. I went there.. She was alone in the house.. I sttod at the doorsteps.. Suddenly I felt a surge of boldness.. I took her hand gently and proposed..."

The tension was unbearable for Vahini.. She demanded, "Then, Then??"

"She suddenly looked very pleased.. She smiled shyly, looked at me passionately and said she loved me... She even scolded me for taking so long to tell what was in both of our hearts.. She took my hands and led me into the house.. She offered me some payasam* to celebrate.. All along she never let go my hand.. I was so happy.. I was clearly on heaven feeling so very happy.. "

"Then why are you sitting like you had a nasty fall from heaven??"

Shankar took some time before he replied.. "When I decided to return, she came all the way to the door.. I let go her hand very slowly.. And turned back and took a few steps forward when she called me.. I looked back.. She gave one of her dumbest looks and said 'APRIL FOOL' without smiling and went into the house..!!!"

*Glossary:

Annaa      - Tamil for elder brother

Ammu     - Affectionate way of addressing a girl

Payasam  - A sweet syrupy dish