THE MIDDLE OF LIFE

..... Continued

Couple of days passed & I was on my toes again. I went to college in auto . I talked to everyone but never saw nilu anywhere

‘’Koji did you see nilu anywhere’’

‘’ nilu who acha acha nilima , no macha she has’nt come to college for the past 2 days. okay man what’s the chakar all about’’

‘’ nothing man , look divya is ...........’’

Even before I could complete the sentence koji was talking to her. I walked back & sat in the class.

After the class I walked up to shruthi & asked her nilu’s phone no.

‘’ what’s this man , the other day she took your phone no from me & today you are taking hers. whats the matter . who is seeing who’’

‘’nothing ya , just give me phone number & i’ll tell you later’’

Koji dropped me home & as soon as I reached home I dashed to the telephone.It kept on ringing ,but there was no one attending it.

‘’Maybe no one’s there in the house . maybe they would have gone to delhi or so ‘’ I thought to my self. After about some 2 to 3 hours I called her up again . this time the very first ring someone lifted the phone

‘’ Hello’’

‘’ Aunty may I speak to nilima’’

‘’ nilu, what’s your name child’’

‘’vicky’’

‘’ vicky my boy nilu isn’t feeling well. she has become very weak . why don’t you call her after about a week or so ‘’

‘’okay aunty. thanks’’

It was her mom . But she sounded different . maybe that the way they are.

I was thinking how a week could be spent & what was so wrong with her that she needed 1 week’s time to recover. In less than a week nilu came to college .

‘’Hi, there what was wrong with you ‘’

‘’ nothing it was that I was not feeling well. ‘’

‘’ are you sure . your mom sounded pretty serious’’

‘’ did she . it was nothing ‘’

‘’any way howare feeling now’’

‘’ much better’’

‘’ did I miss any thing important in class’’

‘’ nothing at all the portions are easy & by the way the next week we have our internals’’

‘’ okay seeya later after class’’

she seemed a bit different. there was a slight change in her voice. The internals week was quick approaching . all my friends were studying hard for it .

‘’I heard that you are very intelligent ‘’ nilu said

‘’ ya, often I am referred to as info in a nut shell’’

‘’ but you need to prove it to me’’

‘’ Okay , look 1 + 1 = 2 . am I not intelligent’’

‘’very funny . what I mean is why don’t you top our college ? & prove it’’

‘’ Hey , I am not intrested in such silly , cheap bets’’

‘’ya girl ‘’ Koji interupted ‘’ He’ll top in the boards , right man’’

‘’You just f*** *** from here’’ It was not that I was angry at koji but it was that I had’nt started studying yet for the internals.

‘’ so it means that you can’t do it . And listen say that you can’t do it & I shall show you how to do it.’’ the gang jeered me & I was compelled to accept the challenge

‘’ But wait a sec ,what do I get if I win this bet ‘’ I asked confidentally

‘’ I’ll just bet friendly I am not a gambler’’

‘’ There is no fun without bets , lets have one even if it is small ‘’

‘’ Okay why don’t you suggest’’

‘’ Okay , i’ll tell you by the end of the day . that’ll give me enough time to think’’

‘’ fine’’ The bell sounded & everyone backed to the class.

‘’Hey koji help me out wise guy . tell something’’

‘’ Do like this macha , haven’t you seen hindi movies. It’s as simple as that you win the bet you smooch her. She win’s the bet she smooch’s you . Isn’t that great you get to smooch her even if you loose the bet ‘’

‘’ Very funny . Think logically man . Give me a proper reason’’

‘’ Okay , Macha how about this . you win the bet she remains your slave for a week & you loose the bet you become her slave’’

‘’ Idea is not that bad but it’s okay only if I win the bet but not if I loose it. Surely I can’t be her slave for a week’’

The teacher was starring at us as though she had heard every bit of what we were talking. So we had to shut ourselves up atleast for that period The class had just ended & koji & myself were drinking water

‘’ Hey guy’s what did you decide ‘’ the gang almost zeroed into us

‘’ Well it’s like this the winner treats the loser for one whole day ‘’ I sounded confidentally

‘’ Done, but it’s the loser who decides the day ‘’ nilu sounded far more confident than me The whole gang jeered and each one was placing bets with each other. By the time the commotion came down most of them had left

‘’ Vicky I’ll tell you what I know a guy he’ll get you a part time job you better take that in that way you will be ensured cash because you sure’ly are going to loose the bet & she’s going to shave you properly in maybe Taj- westend, Oberois or Windsor Manor. Any way let me know & best of luck’’ That was very rude of koji I thought but maybe he was right I should have thiught about this before taking the bet . Well it was a question of my pride & I had to salvage some of it . I reached home with a heavy thought of how to tackle this . Dad was alreadry at home. Suddenly it srtuck to me that today was Saturday & dad had office holiday. Saturdays & Sundays were the days I used to hate, this is because dad always used to be at home . This meaning more trouble for me. I quitely backed myself into my room . Within about 10 mts dad called me

‘’ When are your internals starting’’

‘’ Three days from tommorrow’’

‘’ Have you started studying for it ‘’

I fell silent. He understood it

‘’ I’ve been watching you from the time you have joined college . You have’nt touched the book a single time I presume. How will you pass. I’ve heard people fail in 12 th class. But it looks like as if you are going to fail in 11 th class itself. I’ll do one thing i’ll put you in some tutions. That’ll be fine atleast you will study something atleast.’’ Dad was really angry I guess. Maybe he was angry with mom & was taking the anger out on me

‘’ But dad, I would’nt possibly fail’’ I was confident

‘’ But what ‘s the use of just passing . It’ll get you no where. Understand your responsibilities & study well & don’t make me repeat this again.’’

‘’ But dad I don’t want to join the tutions’’

‘’ No , way you are not goining to miss apon this. you are going from tommorow’’

‘’ But dad I do deserve a chance don’t I ‘’ I argued

He looked apon me sternly & thought for some time’’ Okay I ‘ll give you only one chance . Remember the first & the last chance to proove yourself. Get in & study now’’ Walking into my room I had several thoughts running into my mind.

‘’ How do I do it now. If I win in one bet it’s as good as winning in both the bets. It’s like killing 2 birds with one stone. But it’s easier said than done.But I have to do it’’ I went back to my books . It was boring in the begining as everything was going above my head, but I was determined & I began studying seriously. I knew I could do it The internals week started & so did the internals. After every internals nilima & her friends would come top me

‘’ How , was it . heard you have done away ?’’

All I could tell them was to wait till the results were announced. At some stage I used to think I am going to be the loser. but I left the thoughts there itself & completed the internals. Luckily once the internals week got over , none of the gang asked any thing about the bet. I was a bit upset over some matter which had cropped up in my house & I was definitely not in the mood to attend the classes. When I entered the college I saw that everyone was happy & everthing seemed ,to go their way. It was getting late & I quickly hurried myself into the college . In the break nilu came up to me.

‘’ Are you free this Saturday ?’’ she asked

‘’ Well for you I could try & be free ‘’ I retorted

‘’ Why don’t you join me for coffee & snacks this Saturday at my place’’

‘’ Your place, sure , why not ‘’

Man was I happy , I was already in heaven. She had invited me for coffee to her house. Isn’t it great . I was really very happy. Koji sat next to me . He obviously wanted to know the reason which had made me very happy.

‘’ What’s the matter macha , You look very happy . lottery laga hai kya ‘’

‘’ No yaar ,It’s that nilu has invited me to her house this Saturday’’

‘’ That’s all Eh !, She has invited half of the class. & you probably belong to the lucky half & congrats i’am also comming with you’’

Now I did’nt like this. Half of the class in her house . What do we do . Sit, Eat & get out.

‘’ What do you think koji the reason may be ‘’

‘’ Well maybe it could be her B’day or maybe she’ll introduce you to her boyfriend’’

‘’ Very funny, can’t you ever answer anything straight;’’ I was a bit upset now

The next day Koji came running ‘’ Hey man tomorrow is the result , Maybe they’ll announce today evening itself’’

Everyone in the gang became a bit tense including me . ‘’ ......And I heard princi say to the teachers that he was not happy with te performance of some students. But he said overall he was not satisfied with the results. Maybe there are couple of guys who have flunked. ‘’

We sat in the class ,but I was sure none of them were interested in knowing what the teacher was trying to say.. Everyone was thinking about the result. Obviously butterflies were in our stomach.In the break we enquired in the office

‘’ When will our results be announced sir’’ Looking above his glasses he kind of gave us one of his famous jeering looks ‘’ Maybe we’ll put up today evening’’ That was enough for us . One girl said she had stomach problem & she went home. Another girl escorted her. Slowly one or the other dissapeared from the hall with some reason or the other. Definitely we were also not in the mood to attend the classes.

‘’ Let’s bunk the remainig classes , it’s so boring ‘’ koji suggested

‘’ Not a bad idea, lets get back for the result’’

We bunked the class & went to the popcorn centre . That was the place we frequented when ever we bunked the classes. We ate & ate not because we were hungry but to wail away the time. We waited for the deadline impatiently. & when that hour came we went into the college . There was a huge rush there . The result had been already put up. There was no way I could reach the notice board

‘’ Lets sit there for a while till the crowd clears’’ koji said We found a empty bench & sat there.Shruthi came yelling

‘’ Do you know guys that 540 is the highest score & who got it ‘’ There it was we were a bit tense at that moment .’’ No we don’t ‘’

‘’ It’s nilima guys , man she must have really studied hard for it . There she is is’nt she happy . ‘’ saying so shruthi had already left

‘’Yeah she deserved it , I suppose I lost the bet koji’’ I was a bit depressed

‘’ It’s okay macha I understand you didd’nt have enough time .but I know that you could have easily done that’’ koji was my only hope

‘’ Any way you have lost the bet so there’s no point in seeing the result let’s go home & see it tommorow , atleast ther will be no crowd.’’ koji said

I felt crest fallen . I had lost. lost to a girl. no it can’t be . Maybe they made a mistake . But it was all over now. I just lifted my head & I saw nilu in front of me

‘’ OH.. congrats for your score’’ I just managed to say

‘’ Thanks, but I should be saying that to you also’’

‘’ What for ?’’

‘’ Have’nt you seen your score’’

‘’ No ‘’

‘’ well you have also scored 540 , same as I & I guess we are the joint toppers of the college ‘’

I couldn’t beleive my ears . Koji ran past to check it out & within a flash he was there confirming it.

‘’ I guess we have to rethink our bet conditions now’’

‘’ We’ll think about that & then decide ‘’

I was really happy now ,not because I equalled her but this score would silence my father.I could not contain myself for long . just as I reached home I told my father the great deed I had performed. Dad was little less than happy as he always was

‘’ Well I knew you could do it . so I was just testing you, congrats’’ thanks dad. I went of to meet my gang to get some suggestions about the Saturday coffee party

The gang was waiting for me in the adda. it had been quite a few days we had met .

‘’ Let’s go to a movie . it’s been a long time ‘’ Anil suggested

‘’ If you guys want to go you guys carry on I have some important work ‘’ GC said

‘’ Well I don’t think I can make it either ‘’ I said I had to save money in either case.

Still we talked about various things which happened or which will happen in the week. we talked so much untill everyone decided that atleast we should have coke together . We just did that went & had coke . After which we returned home It was Saturday already & I was not yet prepared for this day.I somehow managed to get a pair of pant & shirt ironed . I knew I had to be in my best , atleast for the evening Koji came 4.30 dot in his new bike ‘’ Not yet ready man , I thought you you would be ready & be waiting for me’’

‘’ Just a sec man i’am tying my lace, i’ll be right there’’

‘’ How’s this macha’’

‘’ Looks good now hop on, I want to be there before divya comes’’ Sitting behind koji on his bike was a really a nightmare . I realised this very soon. At one place I thought I saw my death .

‘’ Go slow man there is nothing to hurry ‘’ I told koji

‘’ Macha this is just 60 ,see i’am not going any faster & believe me it won’t do you any harm...’’even before he could complete what he actually wanted to say we were thrown on the ground . Koji had not seen the hump & this had thrown us on the road. All our dress had become smudgy with mud we ourselves were bruised a bit . We somehow dusted ourselves & sat back on the bike

‘’ It was all your fault , why do you make me talk when I am driving’’

‘’ You shut up , look ahead & drive’’ We were the last one’s to reach nilu’s house & that too in this condition.

‘’ What happened to you guys why so late; ‘’ nilu asked

‘’ What else , this stupid fool dosen’t even know how to drive the bike , we just had a small accident’’

‘’ It was’nt actually my fault .... you see ....’’

‘’ Are you sure you are not hurt much. ‘’ Divya looked a bit concerned.

‘’ Here i’ll first aid you . that will do you much better’’ Both the girls first aided us & we thought lucky we had a fall. There was some small games played while nilu introduced us to her parents. Nice people they were. We had a good round of eaties & coffee. . we stayed there until we were famished . Then we thanked nilu & her parents & went home . Koji dropped me home & this time slowly. I was too tired to think of anything & I fell into deep sleep as soon I touched bed. The next day I called up nilu to find out what she had decided on the bed . her mother answered the call & told me that she was not feeling well & she was taking rest & weak to speak to any one else. I guessed she must’ve been tired after yesterday’s party. I decided to ask her in college itself. Nilu was no were to be seen in college the next day & I thought maybe she had not recovered properly . After about a week nilu came to college . She didn’t seemed weak at all to me .

‘’ What happened to you all these days’’

‘’oh I was not feeling well , the climate you see it takes time to get adjusted to this ‘’

‘’ Well there is absolutely no wrong with this climate , it’s the best’’

‘’ May be but i’l take my time to get adjusted to this’’

‘’ What did you think about the bet ‘’

‘’ Ya , okay we’ll decide on a place . you treat me from morning to afternoon & i’ll treat you from afternoon to evening’’

‘’ so when is the day ‘’

‘’ Sunday ‘’

‘’ Sunday ......, Okay no problem for me , this Sunday ‘’

‘’ Not this the comming one’’

‘’ Okay done ‘’ ‘’ Hey where do we meet’’

‘’ Right here in front of the college’’

‘’ you mean to say I have to come here on Sunday also ‘’

‘’ No man , it’s just the meeting place. we’’ll go some where else from here, Okay’

‘’Done’’

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