4th October, 2002// (2/2)

We hire a cab, and reach my place in next 20 minutes. I ring my doorbell. My mom opens the door, and is stunned to see a woman besides me. Never in my life I had any girl friend, not even in my school. She opens the safety door, and is still in amazement. We go in and I narrate the entire tale to my mom, to which she replies, ''It's good you got your friend home for dinner, you freshen up, dinner is ready!'' I go inside, and my dad is sitting there, I tell him, ''Dad, my friend is here for dinner, it was quite late, so I didn't leave her midway.'' He doesn't react much, as he is busy viewing emails on his computer.

Dinner is served on the wooden dining table, we four sit for the dinner. Mom has made, rotis (Indian bread) paneer stuffed vegetable (cottage cheese) pickle, papad, daal (concoction of lentils) and jeera rice.(rice with cumin). Riya, just utters after savouring, "The food is real good, aunty, reminds me of my home. Hostel food isn't very appreciable, plus not very hygienic" To which my mom adds, "Riya, you can join us for lunch or dinner anytime you wish, do come home with Rahul!"
Riya finishes her food aptly, gulps down the remaining water from the glass, and offers Mom a helping hand for cleaning the dishes, but Mom doesn't ever let any guest to work at our place. After sometime, mom gets freshly cooked gulabjamuns for Riya. Riya is contended, her childlike face says it all. Till we finish everything, it is 11.30 pm and it is time for Riya to leave.
Mom & dad , direct me,"Rahul leave Riya safely at her hostel!" As a kind and respectful gesture, Riya touches my Mom's Dad feet for seeking blessings. (Indian way of seeking blessings from elders). I start my bike, and Riya sits behind me for the first time. We ride along, the dark streets, with street lights. I am feeling the breeze on my face. We come across potholes and I swiftly apply the brakes, Riya suddenly grips me tightly, and here her nails dig into my flesh. That hurts. She gets conscious, after it happens. We reach the hostel, and parking is not allowed there. I park the bike elsewhere, and we walk towards the hostel, the hostel windows some lighted still,nerds awake, others dark. We are speechless, never we were so silent, and we felt the sound of breeze. I leave her till the gate, and she heads towards her room. I wait there till she is no longer visible. And I go back home. As I reach home, I sleep in my room, but I am deviated by Riya's thoughts.

"Her luscious locks slap me,
as she turns hurriedly.

The fragrance and the wetness,
from the wet shower
on my cheek
drive my demons high.

She looks back, ruffling her
front locks, and her lips curve
in an apology

I stare the face full
of enthusiasm uninterruptedly
which just made me go haywire

I am awestruck like a kid
on seeing a miracle

Magic, isn't it??"

Don't know, how beautiful that dream was! Reality was my dream that night!