Few Things Left Unsaid (12 page)

The question paper was in our hand. It was the worst paper I had ever seen.

I looked at Swapnil’s face. He gave me a smile. That made me nervous. I looked at Sameer.He gave me a smile, for a change this time. Nervous breakdown. I looked at Anup.He was also writing. Heart failure. I looked at Riya.She was also writing. Finally, I was dead.3 hours went in looking at faces of everyone. I had attempted just 50 marks.

“I screwed it up. I will fail. Sure kt. I attempted just 50 marks.” I said.

“Jaan, have you written 50 marks correctly.” Riya seemed to be worried. It was casual though...

“Yes.maybe. Don’t know. But I am sure of kt.”

It made me angry. I taught everyone what programming was and what computer language was. And today I was standing outside the exam hall cursing myself…

My mind said
WELCOME TO ENGINEERING. Be ready for the worst.

The person who taught was about to fail and whoever learnt from that person were smiling and relieved as they had attempted to pass. I still could not believe. This time my heart said…

Enjoy the 1
^st
kt in Engineering.

I looked at Riya.She did not bother. For the first time I was alone. All alone. She was enjoying herself and never saw my dull face. She behaved differently. What was it? I was not in a frame of mind to think. I ignored it. But I was hurt.

                        
COOL BREEZE IN DESERT

                                                      
E
nd of exams. I was worried about Programming. Rest of the papers were fine. All friends including Riya decided to spend the entire day at my home until dinner.

“Bachha are you sure, you want to come home. My Mom will be there in the evening. I hope you will be comfortable.” I asked Riya.

“Ya totally fine. It’s ok.I will leave early. Before your mom comes home.”

“Hmm…ya that would be fine. See you tomorrow then. Come along with Sameer. He knows the address.”

I was nervous, as Riya would be coming home for the first time.Sameer called me the next day.

“Hey Aadi...we are in front of your building. Shall we come up?”

“Sure.”

No one was at home. I was alone.Anup and Riya were coming for the first time. They just took a look at the entire house and we all sat in my bedroom. We had hired a movie cd of Kalyug. We started watching it. I gave them chips to eat.Riya was sitting beside me. Her head on my shoulder. We were teasing each other in between. I was playing with her lips and her eyes.

As the song started…jiya dhadak dhadak… we both lost ourselves in each other’s eyes.Swapnil interrupted us by singing the same song…Riya gave a punch to Swapnil  .A loose punch.

“What’s wrong with you Swapnil  ” Riya asked.

“Nothing, what did I say? I thought you both need privacy. Then we will go out. You both enjoy yourselves in the bedroom.”

“Swapnil I will kill you.” Riya and Swapnil started running all over the house. I was watching them. Their childish behaviour.They were enjoying themselves. I was thankful to Swapnil for introducing me to Riya.

After lunch, we were just relaxing when Riya showed all of them the ring that I had given her. She was showing it to each of them personally with excitement.Swapnil hugged her, as though he was very happy to see both of us happy. Everyone was happy for both of us…they all gave us another
special Moment in my life

They all decided to do give us something that we did not know would happen in the future.

Swapnil was from Riya’s side and Sameer and Anup were from my side.They kept both of us in front of each other.Swapnil was beside Riya, Anup and Sameer were beside me.Swapnil removed the ring from Riya’s hand and gave it to me and he removed a gold ring from my hand that I wear always and gave it to Riya.

“May I know what’s happening?” I asked everyone.

Riya came close to me and gave a small peck on my lips and said,

“Jaan you are dumb. So please be quiet. I understood what they are about to do. You are really dumb.”Everbody laughed. I was able to see a spark in Riya’s eyes. I was still wondering what was happening.

Sameer started shooting with the camera.

“Sameer what is happening. Can anyone tell me please?”

“Your engagement. Now relax.”Swapnil shouted.

It made me speechless…These were the friends of a lifetime. They were giving me something, which I had always dreamt of.

I went close to Riya. They all started clapping and whistling.

I took Riya’s hand in mine and put the ring on her finger. They applauded and bowed to us. It was Riya’s turn. She also put the ring on my finger. I could see happiness in her eyes. I could almost hear her heart beating. I could sense what she wanted to say but she did not. Maybe it was more beautiful than 14 November.

“I love you a lot,” she said.

“Love you too”

We went to our bedroom. I could feel the satisfaction in her eyes. I could sense her heart beats saying that we are engaged now. We will always be together. Some things cannot be said but felt. We didn’t speak a word. But we conveyed out thoughts to each other. We slept in each others arms and looked at the ceiling. It seemed to be a white screen where we were watching our future. Our dreams. She kissed the ring and just looked in my eyes. She saw the tears in my eyes. She gave me a cute smile and wiped off the tears. We went out. Everyone was watching the movie.

We got engrossed so much in these moments that we never realised what time it was. The doorbell rang. I saw the time. It was 6pm. It should be mom.

“Riya.It will be mom. Now what. We will be killed.”

“Now can’t do anything. Go open the door.” Riya backed me.

I went and saw through the keyhole that it was mom. I was afraid.Riya and mom would face each other for the first time. Would they like each other? I  could not go against either of them. I  could not live without either of them. I opened the door.

“Who has come?” Mom asked as she came in and closed the door.

“My friends.Swapnil, Sameer, Anup and Riya.” My nerves stopped.

“Riya? Where is she? Inside? Where are the others?”

So many questions. Riya was the 1
^st
question. Mom came in and looked at all of them. Especially Riya. Riya smiled at her. I could neither smile nor look. Mom did not speak a word and went into the kitchen. She made maggi noodles for all of us. After talking to everyone generally Mom called Riya in the kitchen.

“Riya, be nice. Don’t argue and don’t tell her we are in a relationship. Please.”I told her in a low voice as she went to the kitchen.

I could hear my Mom saying something to Riya. I was trying to hear what they were talking about.

“Aadi...leave it.Riya wont do anything silly. Trust her.” Everyone tried to reassure me.

“I trust Riya, but I also know my mom. She would ask her everything. I hoped she didn’t get into a panic.”

After about 30 minutes or so Riya came back to the bedroom. I was looking at her and about to ask what had happened, when she said.

“Aadi...your mom is so nice. You are lucky to have such a mom. She told me everything about you. I think she knows we are in a relationshp. I will be really happy to marry you and live at your home with your mom.”

“What with my mom? You have to live with me. Not her.” I said jokingly.

“You won’t understand a girl’s feeling Aadi…What it feels to have a good mother in law and a good family after marriage. It means a lot. I will leave my house and come to you. You will have to take care of me.”

“Yes I will.Don’t worry. Now let’s have dinner and think of the results.”

“When will you grow up yaar, Riya is saying such sweet things about your future and you are telling her about results. So unromantic.”Anup said.

“Dude, when the results are declared, romance will evaporate through your ass.” We all laughed and went to have dinner.

Everyone left after dinner. I asked mom what she had to say about my friends. She knew I was asking about Riya.Not everyone. “Sweet, innocent, suits you. But concentrate on studies. If you have a career you can have a good life.” I was glad that my mom liked Riya...
Our relationship went one more step ahead. Was it too fast?

RESULTS DECLARED…

For the first time results of 1
^st
year were declared so early. It was not that early but still…

We called each other and went to the college at 7pm...The result was displayed near the library. There was a lot of rush there. We could not even see the board.Riya was out with her parents. She could not come. We decided to check the result after sometime. We went to tapri. All of us were tensed.

“What do you think your result will be.” I asked both my friends.

Swapnil expected one kt and Anup expected two.Sameer expected three.I was expecting one. It was a tough time. We were worried.

After smoking, we went to the college. Rush was less. We went near the board and started searching for our names.

Swapnil was the first to see his name. 1 kt. As expected.

Sameer was the next to know that he got 4 kt. 1 more than expected. I was still looking for my name. Sameer’s result made me nervous.

Next was Riya… 2 kt….this almost gave me an attack. I looked at the subjects she had kt in… BEE AND MECHANICS.

Next was my turn. I got 1 kt. CP.

Anup got 2 kt.

Everyone cleared in CP.It made me feel low.Riya was also not there. I wanted to tell Riya about the result. But she was with her family.2 kt and how will her family react I did not know. I did not tell her. I called my mom to tell her about my result. She was not happy. But she did not say anything.1 kt was fine when a few months earlier I never wanted to do engineering. Mom asked me about Riya’s result. I did not say anything and I kept the phone.

I called Riya. She was with her family. I did not tell her my result or hers.

I messaged her.

Results out. I got 1 kt.Sameer got 4.Swapnil got 1.Anup got 2.And you got 2.BEE AND MECHANICS.

There was no reply. I was worried. Was she upset? I again messaged her.

What happened?Reply.Are you ok? Did you tell your parents about your result?

This time also no reply. I was tensed. I called her. She did not pick up. That made me more tense.

I went home. Still there was no reply. I went to sleep. When I got up in the morning, I saw her message.

Sorry, I was busy with family. Could not reply to you. Sorry bachha.I  Did not want to hurt you. I know you are angry. Sorry again.Anyways congrats for result. Call me when you get up.

I immediately called her. She picked up the phone. I bursted out.