The Visarjan of her Vanity

“Look at you! You look so beautiful!” Prakash exclaimed when he entered his room and saw his wife Amisha. She smiled at him and looked at the mirror again, as she had been doing since the past half-n-hour. Blue jeans, thigh-length white Kurti and a bandani dupatta draped casually on both her shoulders… A long sleek shiny pony tail and copper dangling ear-rings completed the pretty picture.

“Too bad I can’t wear bangles. They would obstruct me from beating the Dhol.” She said and turned towards Prakash. “Do I really look 40 years old?”

Prakash shook his head and laughed. “Who would say that you are 40? You look like you are in your late twenties. But why the sudden consciousness about your age? As far as I know, you have never been sensitive about matters like age or beauty or whatever makes you females emotional.”

Amisha shrugged and didn’t say anything.

“I know.” Prakash said with amusement. “I think it all began when you started attending your Dhol practice classes. The girls with whom you practice…. They started it all isn’t it?”

Amisha gave a frustrated sigh. “I never was conscious about my age. But do you know how depressing it is to be addressed as ‘Aunty’ by those girls? They must be in their early twenties!!! I feel very awkward with them.”

“Do they give you a hard time?” Prakash asked with concern.

“No, on the contrary, they are very respectful and cordial with me. But it only makes me feel more aged. They would be having some conversation and laughing loudly but the moment I enter the hall, they would all become silent and greet me somberly.”

Prakash tried to restrain his smile.

“And you know what really set me off? When they decided the dress-code for today’s Visarjan programme, they actually said that I can wear a saree if that is what I want. Why would anyone assume that just because I am a senior, I would not wear jeans?” Amisha asked with indignation.

“You are not a senior, dear. You are the senior-most in the group.” Prakash said and laughed when he saw Amisha’s eyes flare up. “This is going to be so much fun now. I can’t resist teasing you about your age.”

“Ya, ya… very soon you will start talking about me getting gray hair and a wrinkled forehead.” 

Amisha dismissed the topic with a wave. She looked at the mirror again for what she hoped as the final time before leaving for the Visarjan. “I want to win today’s Dhol competition. I have been training myself for it.”

“Take care. You have to beat the Dhol for, what, two hours at a stretch?”

“Yes. The one who keeps up the beat for two straight hours wins today. I want to show the girls that age doesn’t matter.” Amisha said with determination while Prakash shook his head.

“Listen. Go easy on the girls okay. No need to vent out your personal feelings in the competition.”

Amisha said with a bright smile. “Oh, I will surely go easy on them. Don’t you worry!”

An hour later, she was at the Ganesh Mandal, with her enormous Dhol hanging around her neck. She stood in front of the Ganesh idol and bowed with folded hands. Bappa, help me to win today. It is a question of my self-esteem… She muttered a silent prayer and looked up to the idol’s face. She felt the same pang of emotion that she always felt in every visarjan. She had been a part of the Ganesh Mandal of their area since almost ten years. It always broke her heart when she saw the idol being immersed in the water.

This year was special as one of her dreams had come true. She always had a desire to beat the Dhol in front of her favourite Ganesha, either while welcoming Him or while sending Him off. This year, she had been offered a chance to make her dream come true. As a part of their annual Ganesh celebrations, it was decided that ladies would be beating the Dhol. On top of that, there was to be a competition too for them.

By evening, a crowd had gathered at the street of the Mandal. Amisha stood on a raised dias, in front of the Ganesh idol, along with the other girls. She pressed her lips firmly, trying to ignore the irritation that she had felt when the girls had exclaimed as one after seeing her. “Aunty, you look so good in jeans! You are actually looking younger!” One of the girls had said that and Amisha had barely managed to control her temper. She had gracefully acknowledged their compliments, all the while thinking about how the girls would react when she would win. It was now a do-or-die situation for her and she needed to win at any cost.

While one guy from the Mandal anchored the programme, Amisha scanned the crowd and saw Prakash and Shri, her ten-yr old son waiving to her eagerly.  She smiled and gave a small wave to them. Their presence encouraged her.

The anchor announced the start of the competition. Amisha shifted to the center of the dias with the other girls. After counting upto number three, they all began to beat the Dhol. Soon Amisha lost herself in keeping up the rhythm and beat the Dhol vigorously. The crowd turned crazy and soon started dancing to the beats.

Time lost its meaning as Amisha concentrated on her Dhol. At times, she changed the tempo, while other times, some other girl introduced a new tempo. But they all worked in coordination and synchrony. The crowd continued dancing non-stop.

In between, the anchor announced on the mike that only twenty minutes remained for the competition. It was then that Amisha lifted her face and looked around. Apart from her, there were only three more girls who were continuing. The rest had slowly given up. Amisha started feeling the strain in her hands but she carried on without showing any signs of slowing down.

When the anchor announced ten minutes left, two more girls gave up. Amisha looked at the only girl besides her who was keeping a good tempo with the beat. Vrushali.. She remembered the girl’s name. It was this girl who had commented that Amisha was looking younger in jeans. Amisha renewed her enthusiasm and changed the tempo to a fast one that required continuous use of both the hands.

The anchor announced that only five minutes were left. Amisha lifted her face to look at Vrushali. The latter was now showing all signs of tiredness. She was sweating profusely and had clamped her mouth tightly. Now was the time for Amisha to revert to a faster tempo.

And then she saw Vrushali give her a tired smile, though she didn’t stop beating. Vrushali also looked at all the other girls who had lost and she shook her head, as if she was saying that she couldn’t go on. The girls cheered her, shouted her name and encouraged her to hang on. Amisha saw Vrushali bravely attempt to keep up the beats.

And then Amisha did something that she never had imagined she would do. She slowed down the beats and brought in a very slow tempo that required use of only one hand at a time. She saw surprise register on Vrushali’s face and smiled inwardly. She looked at Prakash who was standing with his arms folded and a tender smile on his face. She kept up the slow beats, allowing Vrushali to regain her strength.

When the anchor announced that only two minutes were left, Amisha and Vrushali looked at each other and smiled. By an unspoken understanding, they both picked up a fast tempo and carried it on till it was announced that the competition was over and they both were winners.

The crowd burst out into applause and gave them a deafening ovation of claps. Amisha slowly placed down her Dhol and went towards Vrushali to congratulate her with her hand held ahead. Vrushali shook her head and came forward to hug her tightly. Pleasantly taken aback, Amisha hugged her back. “Thanks.” She heard Vrushali whisper in her ears and tightened her hug.

“You were awesome…” Prakash told her while he held her shoulder. She had come down to rest for a while before proceeding ahead with the Visarjan.

“Thank you. I did say that I will go easy on the girls.” Amisha said with a tired smile and Prakash laughed.

They stood quietly beside each other for few minutes. Amisha saw Vrushali talking to her parents excitedly.

“Do you think she will look as young as me when she turns 40?” Amisha asked Prakash playfully.

“Not a chance. You are the best.” Prakash said warmly and Amisha leaned onto him, feeling at peace. Before the immersion of the Ganesh idol, she had immersed her vanity and pride. 

From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Continued from The Day Of The Fight…

They both got inside the lift to go home.

“Dad, are you really sure about this?” Satish asked again with a tensed expression.

“How many times do you need assurance? Trust me, this is the best and the only way to get the females to talk to each other again.” Raman replied with confidence.

“But why do we need to sacrifice ourselves for this?”

“Satish, listen to your dad. He knows stuff. Before you go to sleep today, you will be thanking me for this master plan. Another piece of advice – when it comes to ensuring peace at home, every sacrifice is worth it!”

“Ha… you and your quotes…” Satish said with a chuckle but immediately took on a serious expression when the lift reached their floor.

“Come on quick!” Raman eagerly got out from the lift.

“Uh.. Dad? Don’t mind, but can you appear to be less exuberant and enthusiastic? You look way too happy for someone who is going to be executed.”

Raman paused and stared at Satish thoughtfully. “You know what, you are right! That was smart thinking… Now I am sure that you are my son.”

“Dad!” Satish exclaimed in irritation and followed Raman who had now assumed the air of someone feeling great remorse.

“Kusum, please come to the front room. There is something that I and Satish wish to say.” Raman pleaded with his wife who was lying on the bed with her arm folded across her eyes.

“If this is about the fight that we had today, I don’t want to speak about it.” She muttered.

“It is definitely not about the fight. There is something we wish to tell both of you.”

“Oh, all right.” She slowly got up and sat cross-legged on the bed. “Why does she take everything personally?” She exclaimed with anger suddenly.

 You said you don’t want to talk about the fight… Raman almost reminded her, but he wisely refrained from saying anything. He felt that reminding that to her would somehow make matters worse. He opted for the easier path and looked at her very attentively, as if listening to her woes was the only thing that he wished to do.

“It seems that I have to think twice before speaking anything in this home.” She shook her head and muttered angrily.

Ah female, how I wish you would take this statement to heart! Raman thought wistfully but still kept quiet.

“All right, let’s leave. Blurt it out, both of you, whatever you want to say.” She got up from the bed to Raman’s immense relief and they both went to the front room.

Satish also was sailing on troubled waters in his room.

“Why does she have to keep comparing me with those too-perfect-to-be-true Bahus that they show in the tv serials? Why can’t I wear Sari like they wear, why can’t I do Pooja like they do… I am also human, how long can I endure this?” Ritu said tearfully.

Right, you are human. What am I, robot? Satish tried to keep his irritation at bay and said to her calmly. “I know. Just come to the front room. We won’t take much time.” Hopefully, Satish thought. The ordeal should get over within minutes after their confession.

“What exactly do you both wish to say? You are being very secretive today.” Ritu said suspiciously.

Oh my God, the female’s brain is on overdrive now! “Please come out before you start assuming anything!” Satish forgot to plead and urgently took her hand. They both came out of the room.

Satish viewed the scene. His mom was sitting on the sofa with folded hands and staring at the coffee table while Raman was pacing the room from one end to another with his hands held at his back. A little less of enthusiasm and more of remorse, Dad! Satish thought helplessly as he saw his dad bouncing on his heels almost gleefully.

“Ah, Satish and Ritu, you are here! Come Ritu, sit here.” Raman exclaimed while Satish tried to gesture to him to calm down.

“Not there, Beta. Sit on the sofa, here!” Raman gestured to Ritu who had intended to sit on a chair. With a pensive look at Kusum, she sat on the sofa, as far as possible from Kusum who acted as if she had not seen Ritu.

“All right ladies, there is something that I and Satish wish to confess!” Raman said, rubbing his hands together. Satish silently shook his head. Way too happy, dad, way too happy…

“Kusum, I told you that I had to go to see Sharmaji who is sick with fever. Well, firstly, Sharmaji is hale and hearty thankfully! He never had fever, you see!” Raman began earnestly. Kusum slowly released her arms and stared at Raman.

“I went to a hotel to have dinner.” Raman continued as Kusum’s eyes widened.

“After the fight that you and Ritu had, something made me follow you into the kitchen. My biggest fears came true when you went for the container of Moong Dal. I then knew that it would be the dreaded Khichdi today.”

Kusum looked at Raman with wonder and disbelief.

“See the climate, female. It’s so cold and breezy. Do you honestly expect me to eat Khichdi on a day like this?” Raman said with a pleading expression which only made Kusum’s eyes turn into stone.

“And that’s not all!” Raman said happily and gazed at Satish with a proud expression. “Satish will do the honours now.”

Satish looked at Raman with awe. You really killed it this time, Dad. He silently came to stand beside 

Raman and looked at Ritu who had her mouth opened and jaw dropped.

“Ritu, I too lied about having dinner at office. In fact, I had dinner with dad today at the hotel.” He said it all in a single breath as if eager to let it all out.

“What?” Ritu said in disbelief.

“You forgot to say what we ate, boy.” Raman thumped Satish’s shoulder happily.

“A minute, dad, to let it all sink in first?” Satish said in a low voice and looked at Raman with narrowed eyes.

“What is done, is done, Son. Kusum and Ritu, we both ate Butter Naan and Veg Kolhapuri curry. You know, the one which has two chillies designed beside it on the menu card.” Raman said with a smile. Satish couldn’t resist it this time and slapped his forehead.

“You ate spicy and butter – laden food in a hotel and you lied to us about it?” Kusum slowly got up from her seat, anger emanating from her very being.

“Yes.” Raman shrugged, though he appeared to be less exuberant than before.

“You let dad eat that food, knowing fully well that both butter and spice are forbidden for him?” Ritu asked a bit more dramatically than Kusum. Satish had the gals to nod and drop down his head.

There was silence in the room for few minutes.

Kusum and Ritu looked at each other at the same time and shook their heads. “What do we do with these guys, Ritu?” Kusum asked in frustration.

“I really don’t know Mom. We both try to make tasty yet healthy dishes only for their sake and they betray us in this manner!”

“All our efforts are wasted on these guys! Go and eat whatever you both want! Don’t come running to us if you get sick!” Kusum scolded both the men who were now looking really downcast.

“Come Beta, let us take a walk in the lawn garden. At this moment, I can’t stand the presence of these two guys!” Kusum said and with a long and angry look at both the men, Ritu and Kusum left the house.

“What did I say? What did I tell you! Am I the expert or not!” Raman exclaimed loudly with happiness and pride. When Satish didn’t comment or give any reaction, he shook his shoulders and asked, “What’s wrong, boy? Our plan worked! The females have ended their feud! Ah blessed peace, how badly did I long for Thee!” Raman exclaimed dramatically and made Satish smile.

“I have a bad feeling about this, Dad. Let’s not do it again, ok. “Satish said slowly and left for his room while Raman just shrugged and ran towards the tv set. He grabbed the remote and switched on the sports channel which he had been longing to see the whole day.

“I need some grocery items. I have mentioned in this list.” Kusum handed over the list to Raman after they all had breakfast the next morning. Both the females were still mad at the guys but were on speaking terms with each other now.

“All right.” Raman took the list and scanned it. He frowned, and read it again.

“Hey, you seem to have made a mistake. You have written 3 kgs of Moong Dal. We don’t buy that much at a time, isn’t it?” He reminded her cheerfully.

“Oh, but we will, this time.” Kusum smiled sweetly at him and gave a victorious look to Ritu who was tapping her fingers lightly at the kitchen counter and looking at Raman and Satish alternatively with a reserved smile.

“I don’t understand.” Raman said in a confused tone.

“Khichdi, for the next ten days… For lunch and dinner...” Kusum uttered the words with finality.

“No!” Raman gasped and looked at Satish who was looking at Kusum and Ritu with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

“It won’t matter whether any of your friends are ill, Dad. And you Satish, whether you had dinner at office or not, you cannot escape your quota of Khichdi for dinner for the next ten days.” Ritu said with a fierce smile.

Leaving both the guys to accept their fate, the two ladies gave a hi-fi to each other and holding hands, left the kitchen.

The Day of The Fight...

Raman sat at the table of the hotel and kept looking at his watch every two minutes. He was really hungry and couldn't wait to eat a sumptuous dinner. Satish should be here any minute now, he thought.

Ten minutes later, he saw Satish enter the hotel and search for him. Raman eagerly lifted his hand and waved at Satish who approached the table with an amused expression on his face.

“I take it, there was another fight today?” Satish asked while he sat on the chair opposite to Raman.

“Yes. No guesses on how you came to know about it.”

Satish took out his cell and showed the screen to Raman. “Your message – It is Khichdi today – speaks out volumes about the situation at home. I am almost afraid to ask, what prompted the fight today?”

“A silly television serial, can you imagine!” Raman banged his palm on the table and Satish narrowed his eyes at him.

“Please tell me that you didn’t comment on the serial. I have told you many times that commenting on tv serials that women watch, lays down the foundation for war at home.”

Raman kept a straight face as he said. “Will you believe me if I say that I didn’t utter a single word, and that just my presence was enough to set tempers flying?”

Satish thought for a while. “I believe you. Been there, done that, buddy!” He said seriously.

“I am ravenously hungry. I can’t eat khichdi today when the climate is just perfect for something salty, spicy and buttery. Let’s order Butter Naan today and Veg Kolhapuri for curry.” Raman passed on the menu card to Satish.

Satish scanned the card and said. “Besides the curry, there is a sign of two small chillies. That means it is very spicy. Are you sure you are allowed to eat this?”

“No one, absolutely no one can dictate what I should eat and what I shouldn’t! Order it!” Raman said firmly and Satish chuckled. He placed the order.

They looked around at the hotel. They saw a couple sitting in a table adjacent to their table. There was no communication between them. The female was picking at her dish with a fork while the guy was tapping his foot eagerly and looking around everywhere, as if he was eager to go.

“Tell me something. Why does that happen?” Satish asked in a low voice.

“What? The fighting?” Raman asked, totally confused.

“No, for God’s sake, get off your mind from the damn fight. I am asking about that.” He gestured to the couple with a shake of his head and Raman looked at them. He observed the situation.

“There is no communication between them. Both have come out to enjoy but it feels like they have been forced to have dinner here.” Raman commented sadly in a low voice.

“I hope myself and Ritu do not reach that stage.” Satish said with trepidation.

“I am not worried about my wife. She can blow the ears off anyone, anywhere and any time. The female never runs out of topics to speak, shout, argue and cry about.”

While Satish laughed heartily at this comment, the waiter brought their order and served them. Both the guys attacked the dish like they had not eaten anything since many days.

“Tell me one thing.” Satish asked as he chewed his food slowly. “Why do women fight?”

Raman stared at him with wide eyes. “You are asking me? Believe me, when it comes to women, I am the last to comment anything about their behavior.”

“And yet you keep on commenting about your wife’s behavior and make fun of her always.” Satish playfully wagged a finger at Raman who cringed with embarrassment.

“I know. But outside the home, I can talk about the female. At home, she is the boss! I don’t get any chance to talk or make fun of her. How is a man supposed to vent out his feelings?” Raman asked with indignation while Satish roared with laughter.

“Don’t laugh. I can see the same fate for you too. That warrior woman of yours will try your patience some time soon. You better be prepared.” Raman warned Satish seriously as he gulped down the cold drink that they had ordered.

“Yes, I too am dreading it. I hope I am able to handle her in the right way and ensure peace at home.”

Satish’s face took a pensive expression which made Raman laugh for the first time.

“Look at you. It feels like someone pronounced your death sentence. Relax. The way you both are going, I am sure you will be very patient and gentle with your woman. The same way that I am, at home, atleast.”

Half an hour later, they were both sitting inside Satish’s car at the entrance of the building.

“Dad, I really don’t feel like going inside. When the ladies fight with each other, they give really negative vibes.” Satish said miserably.

“Oh come on, man up! Sometimes I wonder what kind of son I have raised!” Raman hit Satish on his shoulder and prompted him to enter the building.

“What excuse did you invent for escaping dinner?” Satish asked.

“Sharmaji. He is unwell, having fever since two days. I just went to see him, but Mrs.Sharma didn’t allow me to leave without having dinner.” Raman said with a deadpan face.

Satish looked at him in wonder and shook his head. “You really have been playing this game since a long time, isn’t it? That ensures your escape. What about me? What if Ritu tells me to eat Khichdi?”

“Your headache, your problem.” Raman shrugged while Satish gave him a traitorous look.

 “Sometimes I wonder whether I am your adopted son.” Satish muttered while Raman smiled sheepishly.

Five minutes later they knocked on the door hesitatingly. Ritu opened the door and surprise registered on her face.

“I was returning from Sharmaji’s home and met Satish at the entrance of our building.” Raman lied with confidence and Satish gave a grateful look to him.

“Eh, Where is Kusum?” Raman asked timidly and watched his daughter-in-law’s eyes turn fiercer.

“In your room, Dad. I apologized and tried to make her eat dinner. She refused.”

“Right. I will go and attend to her.” He left for his room before looking at Satish and shrugging.

“Go and freshen yourself up. I will re-heat the Khichdi in the meanwhile.” Ritu said to Satish who started panicking.

“Uh… listen, I already had dinner at office today. It was a team meet and the manager ordered dinner for everyone.” He said and watched her reaction.

“Oh, all right. Then I would better serve it to Dad. He must be hungry. He left for Sharma uncle’s house a long time ago.”

“Actually, he too had dinner at Sharma Uncle’s house. You know Aunty, she would never let dad leave without eating anything at their home.”

“Right. Mom’s not eating, you and dad already had dinner. So I am the only one to eat that khichdi!” She said in a clipped tone that showed frustration. She went to the kitchen and Satish quickly traipsed to his room with relief.

Father and son were sitting at the bench in the lawn garden of their building, half an hour later.

“The house seems awfully quiet when the females don’t talk, don’t you think so?” Raman said.

“Agree, Dad. It feels really boring. How to bring them both on speaking terms with each other?”

They both sat thinking for a while and suddenly Raman exclaimed. “Aha, I have the perfect plan!”

“What?” Satish asked eagerly.

“We both will tell them the truth that we dined out together. It will bond the females. You know how they function as a team when they fight with us!”

“But Dad, Mom will go ballistic! Are you going to tell her that you ate that spicy Veg Kolhapuri???”

“Of course, that will make both the females madder at us! Ritu will fry your brain for allowing me to eat it and Kusum will just go speechless with anger! And then, both females will look at each other and ask, ‘What do we do with these guys?’ I say, this is the perfect way to unite them.”

Satish swallowed the lump in his throat and asked, “Are you serious about this Dad?”

“Damn serious! Come on, get up, we need to tell our wives that we lied to them!”Raman said eagerly and cheerfully. Satish shook his head and got up. Together both the guys walked towards their home, prepared to get martyred to unite their wives.

A Typical Day in her Life

“HFD cards, this is Isha. How may I help you?” Isha said in her most professional and what she thought as boring voice as she adjusted her head-phones.

“Hi. I want to know the balance available on my card.” The caller said.

“Surely Sir… May I get your card number please?”

“Oh, I don’t have my card with me.”

Isha rolled her eyes. “No problem Sir. Can I have your full name please?”

“Ravi Verma.”

“And your date of birth?”

“17.06.1982”

“Okay. Just give me a minute Sir. I will try to trace out your address.” She typed in the details and found one entry matching both the criteria of name and date of birth.

“Can you please confirm your address?”

She verified that the address stated by the caller matched her records.

“Thank you Sir. Your card balance is Rs.3580.”

“Okay. Thanks. What’s your name?”

“Isha Singh.”

“Isha, you have a very beautiful and sexy voice.”

Isha fidgeted in her seat with a disgusted expression on her face. “Thank you Sir. Do you need any further information about your card?”

“Are you married?”

She cringed as she heard the inevitable question that she seemed to be subjected to always. “Yes Sir, I am happily married.” She uttered the same lie that she said every time she faced this question.

“What a pity… I was wondering how do you look when you sound so sexy over the phone.”

The call is being recorded, the call is being recorded… Isha reminded herself as she tried to reign in her temper.

“I guess that will be all Sir. Thank you for calling us. Have a great day.” Without waiting for his 

answer, she gently cut the call.

She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. She swung her neck from one side to another and felt the pressure leave from her neck. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes, only to find her team leader Sujith standing in front of her cubicle with his usual irritating smile.

“Tough customer ha?” He asked with a wink.

Why do you have to wink for that? She thought and nodded her head trying to return his smile.

“Come for a coffee break with me. You need to relax and enjoy at times.”

How many times do I need to tell this guy that I am not interested????? “No thanks, Sujith. Eh…I need to attend this call. Excuse me, please.” She grabbed her head-phones urgently and attended the call, silently thanking the caller for having saved her from Sujith.

“150 rupees! Are you new here? My home is just four kilometers away and I pay only Rs.60 always!” Isha argued with the auto-driver. She had left the office at 7 in the evening, grateful that the long day was over. It had started raining heavily. She had tried to book a cab for herself but the mobile app showed that no cabs were available. After waiting for several minutes, she had finally found an auto-rickshaw but the driver was charging her exorbitantly.

“Look at the rains, Madam. There will be heavy traffic today. Listen to me and agree for this fare. You are not going to get any other auto.” The driver told her.

She shook her head and got inside, totally irritated, tired and terribly hungry.

After almost an hour, she reached home. As the driver had stated, there indeed was heavy and slow-moving traffic. She paid the fare and rushed to her home.

“I told you to take an umbrella! But who listens to me now-a-days?? Go straight to the bathroom and change your wet clothes!” Her mom scolded her the moment she entered home. Without saying a word, Isha ran to her room and within minutes, she had freshened herself.

“What’s for dinner? I am very hungry.” Putting a clip on her wet hair she came and sat on the dining chair.

“Rice and Dal. Eat without making any fuss.” Her mother said sternly.

“But mom, I don’t like to eat rice at night. How many times do I have to tell this to you?” She said desperately.

“Why do you force her to eat rice if she doesn’t like it?” Her father calmly asked her mother as he came and sat on another dining chair.

“A lot of rice is leftover from today afternoon. If she doesn’t eat it, I will have to throw it away. Why to waste the food? Surely she can eat rice for one night, it won’t harm her.” Her mother stubbornly said as she served her rice and hot Dal and sat beside her.

Shaking her head, Isha silently ate her food. Her hunger was so terrible that she didn’t mind eating second helping of the rice and rasam.

Her mother looked at her thoughtfully. “When are you going to agree for marriage?”

Isha’s hand froze in mid-air as she stopped eating. “Not today, Mom. Please!”

“Not today, not today!! That is all I get to hear from you! You are 26 years old now. It is high time you thought about marriage. All my friends’ daughters and sons are getting married. And they are younger than you!”

“So I should also get married then?” Isha asked in disbelief and shock.

“Don’t act smart with me. Time is running by. With God’s grace, you have everything. You are beautiful, well-educated and have a good job. As time passes, your beauty will start to fade. It will become very difficult to get a good alliance once you cross 27 years of age. We need to start looking now.”

Isha silently finished her dinner and got up from the table. “Not today. I am very tired and I need to sleep early.” She took her plate and washed it at the sink. She heard her father trying to pacify her mother. “You have absolutely no sense of timing. She has just come home after a hard day and you immediately attack her with marriage plans!”

“Yes right. Blame me, it is my mistake. Nobody understands a mother’s feelings. I just want to see her settled in a good home with a good husband. But who cares? Everyone goes for the mother always. She is nagging, she keeps fighting, she has no sense of timing…” Isha slapped her hand to her forehead and silently left for her room.

She made up her bed. It was 9.30. She was tired but it was too early to sleep. But if she stayed awake her mother would return to resume their argument. She switched off the light of her room and put on the night lamp. Taking out a pair of ear-phones, she lay down on her bed and listened to songs.

Irritating customers… clingy team leader… awful time travelling in the congested roads… fight with mom… She closed her eyes and sighed. The day had gone on as usual. Oh, one thing is pending, she realized. She thought of Gaurav, her ex-boyfriend who had broken-up with her about two months back. The tears slowly leaked from her eyes and then she fell asleep thinking, now the day is complete.

“How dare your company charge my card for late payment of bill, you idiot!!!” Isha pulled out her head-phones and kept them an inch away from her ear as she attended her first call of the day, next morning. Another day had begun…

First Day of College

He gave himself one final look in the mirror – stylish t-shirt, awesome jeans, hair styled in spikes in the front and those ultra-cool goggles … perfect. He slung his trendy bag across his shoulder and gave himself a thumbs-up.

“Rounak! Are you going to college or to some party?” His father asked in total amazement.

“Dad! It is the first day of college. If I don’t make an impression today, I would become invisible for the entire five years that I have there. No discouraging comments today, please!”

“Don’t nag him on the first day itself.” His mother’s sharp reprimand silenced both of them.

“Here, take this.” She handed over a tiffin-box to Rounak who stared at it in horror. It was his favorite spider-man box which had served him faithfully in his school days.

“What… take it! I have put parathas… your favorite ones…” His mother said with a smile.

“Oh… Eh, Mom… It is college… I don’t think it is cool to carry tiffin-box there… sorry… I will eat something from the canteen.”

“But what about the parathas? I specially made them for you!” His mother said in a frustrated tone.

“Don’t nag him on the first day!” His father said and stuck out his tongue, much to Rounak’s amusement and his mother’s irritation.

“Dad, I need some money. Just for eating lunch, you know. I assure you, I won't spend much... May be, if I get some new friends, then I may have to treat them. But it is only on the first day... I won’t…”

His father cut off his hesitant and embarrassing speech and handed him a new wallet. It was military-styled and looked really cool. He saw his father had kept some money too inside. It was enough to sustain him for a week.

“Thanks Dad! This is awesome!” He said while eagerly keeping the wallet inside his bag and missed the endearing look that passed between the parents.

“Ok bye! I am leaving now! Will try to come early ok!” He rushed out of his house, eager and excited to start the first day of his new life.

He reached college after half-n-hour. He got down from the auto-rickshaw and paid the fare. At the entrance of the college he saw a group of four boys sitting on bikes. Everything about them spelled BAD NEWS. They were wearing identical red jackets over black jeans and black t-shirt. Every jacket had it written on it – The Red Gang. They were casually smoking cigarettes and looked around at everyone with a disinterested expression.

Oh, oh… Will they rag me? Rounak thought with a little bit of apprehension. He looked around but couldn’t find any familiar face. He kept standing there, thinking about how to get inside.

“Hey, you shouldn’t cross the gang, bro. They will definitely rag you.” The boy slowly whispered to Rounak who turned around to give him a look. He was dressed neatly in formals; his hair parted sideways neatly and was wearing specs. Future professor of this college, Rounak thought with amusement.

“I am Atul. Come this way, we both can get inside from the other end.”

“This college has two entrances?”

“We can get inside through the parking lot. We need to climb some stairs but it will be safer.”

“Oh, Ok.” Rounak shrugged and followed Atul who turned the other way from the entrance.

They both walked around the college and came to its back side which, Rounak observed, was the parking zone.

The parking lot was completely devoid of people and had only vehicles. They both went down into the parking vault. Rounak could see a set of stairs ahead of him.

They came out silently and surprised Rounak. There were about 7 to 8 guys, all dressed neatly. But something about their smiles didn’t feel all right.

“Fresh meat… you brought us fresh meat, Atul! Congratulations, you are now the esteemed member of The Devilz Gang!” The boy who spoke was built up more heavily than the others. His eyes had a mean look and his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“I am Rishabh. What’s your name boy?”

“Rounak.”

“Okay Rounak, you know the rules. Off with your clothes buddy!”

“Hey just chill guys. It’s not a cool way to rag, ok. There are better ways. I will treat you at the canteen, what say?” Rounak put on a brave front and spoke in a clear yet slightly loud voice that almost betrayed his fear.

“Nah… We have enough money to treat ourselves. Remove your clothes bro, else my gang will forcibly remove them.” Rishabh said with a sneer that only intensified Rounak’s fear.

“I will do nothing like that!” He shouted, his voice almost cracking. To his utter ridicule, his parents’ image came into his mind, making him long for them like a child and stinging his eyes. He furiously blinked his eyes and fisted his arms.

“That’s so bad, Rounak. Just when I thought you are my new BFF!” Rishabh advanced towards him and caught the collar of his t-shirt. Click! Rounak heard the sound of the camera snap. They are going to film it! He thought in horror.

Rounak tried to shake himself off Rishabh’s hands but Rishabh was too strongly built. He kept fighting against Rishabh who was trying to take off his t-shirt. The camera in the meanwhile went on clicking.

Suddenly, Rishabh’s hand left Rounak’s t-shirt.

“Why should only you guys have all the fun, ha?” Rounak heard a deep voice say and when he cleared the tears off his eyes, he saw a member of the Red Gang standing in front of him, holding Rishabh’s hand.

Rishabh shook off his hand angrily and asked. “Who are you?”

“Yash, leader of the Red Gang...” The boy said cheerfully. He wasn’t as stocky as Rishabh was, but had a tough and lean frame that seemed to have weathered many fights.

“Just wait for some time, Rishabh. It will be more fun if we do this in front of an audience.” Yash said with a wink.

Rounak visibly paled while Rishabh’s laughter hooted out.

“You called out some people here to witness this?” Rishabh looked at Yash in amazement and wonder.

“Ya, what is the fun if there is no one to watch it?” Yash shrugged and made Rishabh laugh even more.

Rounak was perilously close to breaking down. He looked frantically around, trying to find some means of escape. He looked at the entrance of the parking vault with fear and hope.

“Don’t even think about it, Rounak. You will only end up hurting yourself. Just do what we say. We will let you go in peace all right.” Yash said in a dangerously soft voice.

Rounak stared at everyone in disbelief and fear. He fell down on his knees and put his head on his hands, unable to believe that this was indeed happening to him. “HELP!!!” He shouted at the top of his voice, hoping that someone would hear his cries and rescue him.

Rishabh muttered heavily under his breath and marched hurriedly towards Rounak with his hand raised, as if to slap him. But before he could reach Rounak, Yash stopped him and turned him towards himself.

Slap! The sound resonated in the entire parking vault. Rishabh staggered back with the force of the slap and laid a hand to his burning cheek.

“You want to see what audience we have brought?” Yash said in his bone-chillingly low voice.

He stepped aside to show Rishabh and Rounak. Another member of the Red Gang had brought in two guys who looked like professors and another dark-skinned, curly-haired stocky guy who carried himself with superiority and confidence. This guy came over to Rounak and helped him to stand up.

“Are you okay, boy? Don’t worry, I am Shetty, Vice-principal of this college.”

Relief seeped into Rounak’s very bones as he dropped his head with sheer exhaustion and nodded.

“You never heard the camera clicking, Rishabh? Or did you think that it was one of your own gang members, trying to film your dirty deed?” Yash asked while Rishabh looked at the professors in confusion and fear.

“It was John who was clicking the snaps so that he could show them to the proper authorities and bring in someone to stop this.” Yash gestured towards the boy who had brought in the professors. John shook his mobile at Rishabh and did a little jig.

“Come boys, we need to TALK..” Shetty drew out the last word in a long menacing breath. He looked over at Rounak and asked him gently. “Are you really all right? Should we call someone from your home?”

“No! Not my parents, please!” Rounak pleaded as he thought about his parents’ reactions if they came to know of what he had been through.

“Sir, can we get an hour’s break?” Yash asked Shetty.

“Right on the first day and first hour of the college??” Shetty asked in disbelief and amazement

“We will just go over to the canteen and have something to eat. All the excitement has made us hungry.” Yash said and looked pointedly at Rounak who was still trying to settle down. He was still perspiring and his hands were shivering lightly.

Shetty looked at Rounak and held his shoulder lightly. “Steady now, it is over. Go to the canteen, have something to eat and drink. Go with these guys.”Rishabh and his team were shepherded out of the vault through its entrance by the two professors and some peons who had joined them too.

“Good work guys, and really cool jackets.” Shetty told Yash and his team.

“Thank you Sir.” Yash beamed and with another look at Rounak, Shetty left the vault.

Fifteen minutes later, Yash, his team and Rounak were seated at the canteen. There were very few students there as it was lecture time.

“Thank you guys, thank you so much. I don’t know what would have happened if you had not come at the right time. I tried to put up a fight, but he was much stronger than me. I couldn’t…”

“We understand. Don’t think about it. Have some juice.” Yash slowly passed on a glass of orange juice to Rounak.

“I don’t know your names.” Rounak asked the other two boys besides Yash and John.

“I am Sagar and he is James.” The boys introduced themselves.

“Thank you all so much.” Rounak said in a very low voice and sipped at the juice thoughtfully.

Yash felt a bit of concern for him. He had seen Rounak’s excitement and eagerness when he had got down from the auto-rickshaw. Typical rich lad, He had thought after seeing Rounak. Now the boy looked totally down-hearted and lost.

“How did you come to know?” Rounak asked Yash.

“It was purely by accident. We were the last ones waiting outside the college and the peon shooed us off to park our bikes and get in. We saw you all assembled downstairs and heard Rishabh talking. We were waiting to see what you all were upto. When Rishabh started forcibly removing your shirt, we decided to step in. John took some snaps of Rishabh mishandling you and left for the college to bring in some professors.”

“It was my sheer good luck that Shetty Sir stopped me to ask why I am loitering in the college without attending lectures. I showed him the snaps and he immediately called out two professors and those peons. And that reminds me, I need to delete the snaps. I took them just as a proof against Rishabh and his gang.” John took out his mobile and deleted the snaps in front of Rounak.

“Do you have any friends?” Yash asked Rounak.

“Not yet. Can I be a part of your group?” Rounak asked in a serious voice.

Yash seemed to be taken aback. He recovered himself and said. “Sure, bro. But is it really what you want? I mean, look at you and look at us. Surely you are leagues ahead. We were, are and probably will be, back-benchers always. Would you really like to hang out with us?”

“There is no one else I would trust. You may sit at the back but when it comes to helping someone, you probably are the first ones. Correct me if I am wrong.”

Rounak smiled lightly when he saw all the four tough-looking guys visibly cringe in embarrassment. 

He thought of Atul and shuddered. He knew it would take a long time to forget the episode.

“But we need to lay down some ground rules here for friendship.” Yash spoke in a serious tone.

“Which are?”

“First, no girls in the group. Don’t take us wrong, but we are hopeless when it comes to talking with girls. We respect them from afar and that’s it. Do you agree?”

“Don’t mind Yash. He has spoken to only one girl in his whole life and is crazy about her. They went to the same school and now he has chosen this college because she too is studying here. And yet, our super-hero friend has not disclosed his feelings to her. Can you believe it?” James said while Yash turned red with embarrassment and the other two boys laughed out.

Out of respect for Yash’s feelings, Rounak kept a straight face and said. “No girls, I agree.”

“All right... Second rule is regarding smoking.” Yash said.

“I don’t and I won’t smoke.” Rounak said firmly.

“And no one can force us to quit smoking.” Yash said sternly.

Rounak smiled sweetly at all the four boys and said. “Is that a challenge? We will see about it.”

“Oh Gosh. I knew this boy would be trouble.” Yash exclaimed and all the boys laughed.

“Done with your hourly break?” Shetty approached their table and looked at Rounak. “How are you feeling now, boy?”

“I am fine, Sir.”

“THEN GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND MOVE BACK INTO YOUR CLASS!” Shetty shouted and all the boys scurried out of the canteen. They heard him shout again “WITHOUT YOUR JACKETS!” Everyone burst out laughing as all the four boys hurriedly took out their red jackets.