CHAPTER- 2

FIRST TEA TOGETHER—

“Hi”, I heard a voice. She was my friend Palak. Palak stayed next to my house.

Our house shared a common boundary. So, I could easily listen her shouting at her mom very often. I & mom had visited her house several numbers of times to attend Pujas organized at least thrice in a month.  So, I was expecting her today again with any such invitations. Of course today I was least bothered about anything but my fascination towards her. Finally, out of my illusory dreams, I found myself ill-fitted. It was now time to run & change to be a handsome hunk  in front of my dream girl.

“Hey, Hi Palak, C’mon get-in, It’s too hot outside”. I'd deliberately used such dialogue to avoid any further abashment Nevertheless its waste mentioning that inside it will be twice with Zero power. Saying this I ran away towards my bedroom leaving them in anteroom. Running straight toward kitchen I informed about Palak's arrival to Mom. Now she had come out to foster them. I was so embarrassed about the thought for first impression I would have left on her. Standing against mirror, merely for 3-4 minutes, Constantly watching myself in the same costume I was trying to rate myself negatively. Thinking that I will lose my chance to meet her in my home for the first time ever, I scattered all the cloths from cup-board.  Took my favorite blue color jeans which unfortunately mom hadn’t ironed due to power cut. I out of my elation wore it along with a transparent orange color Shirt.

I was too bothered about my looks at sudden within my own house.

“Prateek, What’re you doing dear inside, C’mon meet palak & her friend”. She asked softly.

“Yes Mom, I’m there in a minute”, Replied I.

“Hey , Prateek, being so busy haan? Don’t you wanna meet us too after you’re out for engineering. That’s sad”, said Palak in a Sarcastic but soft voice.

Before I could put any silly excuse, She again interrupted but this time it was of my interest.

“Meet Sowmya, She’s my best friend. She too had come for her vacation”. Palak Introduced.

“Hi”, I said with almost 270 degree of fake smile.

“Hi, Prateek”, Was her decent reply towards my fake one.

“How’s life then? How about your two semesters. Hope you did clear them without any carry forwards, isn’t it? Just Kidding”, said Palak making me feel so nervous in front of her.

“Yeah, I did & there’s nothing to kid about. Engineering is all about carrying forwards”, I gave a suspicious smile looking at palak.

My mom prepared the first of my romantic tea ever. It was like as if she's been arranging date of her own Son with an angel he always wanted to be with. However, everyone of us had our tea without any nonsense talks in between.

In the meantime, I didn’t speak anything but constantly kept an eagles eye on her. She too also seemed to be little uncomfortable. Palak & mom were busy in their own discussion about rituals & pujas customary things which I’m least interested in. We were sitting facing each other diagonally opposite & she was on my left.  Times of India was what she was trying to turn over every now & then.

I finally did dare to speak to her.

“So, you too an engineer, Huh ? I Mean a would be engineer ?”, I started with a usual question.

She smiled at me before she could answer.  That was the moment I wanted to capture in my eyes forever. She looked stunning with her all white teeth’s polished properly. I was falling for her every now & then.

“Yes, I too am pursuing B.tech & will be an engineer very soon by the time you’ll be one of course”.  She answered. May be with a Hint that we both belong to same batch.

“Okay, Namaste auntie ji, then we shall go, Prateek, keep in touch. Meet you next time again you’re back. I had to invite some other People too”, Palak told mutually to me & mom.

We hadn't even spoken for two minutes & it’s time for them to go. Palak was least interested in introducing Sowmya to me. And also I didn't had enough information about her to contact again. But this is what I’m good at.

“Palak, Can I've your contact number, I hope you won’t mind. I can forward you some  good SMSs &  May be I need them sometime when I do need to contact my parents urgently”, I blabbed when they almost reached the main gate.

“Yeah sure”, she replied. I was reluctant to bring up my black & white handset which my father had provided me as my first one after looking at their color ones.

“Better we exchange our numbers over pen”, I said avoiding the idea of missed calls which would have led to the monotonous sound of my mobile make noise.

“Sowmya, if you don’t mind we two can be friends”, I said smiling offering her a piece of paper with my mobile number over it. Palak had found nothing unusual in this & as she was my classmate & neighbor for past four & two years respectively.

She smiled & thus had accepted my first proposal.

It was time for them to go while for me it was to go ahead.  So, I finally had her number in my mobile. Couldn't dare to call her of course for at least first 2-3  days.  However, I can never forget the first tea we had together sitting in my own house. I just wanted to go & kiss the Cup with my own lips before my mom puts it for washing. I just wanted to hold the moment forever. I can’t let her go like this anyway.She meant something very special to me. Everything she possessed meant something to me. I just wanted to sit & think about her & only her.  

“Prateek…Prateek, Beta get those Cups & plates here in the kitchen”, said my mom. I kissed the cup gently on the way towards kitchen. It added to my madness when she said, “ We’ll anyway wash it tomorrow morning, so keep them aside”.

Note to readers:-

Many of you may/mayn't  be liking it but having a question of course  whether its all dramatization, scripted, real or imagination. I would answer to that by saying that this may/mayn't be completely real, I won’t reveal it & I leave it to you. This is very near to my heart. I’m working hard to find time out of my daily routine to complete it. Hope I’m able to do so & with consistently improving quality.

When it comes to answer your question, I would say the title of the blog should be sufficient. With this I put my UltraBook back to sleep & I too go inside the bed.