11
CPT was not all that bad. But it would have been easier had I studied for it. I had hoped to hang with my friends more after the exam. Much to my disappointment, Patti didn’t allow me. I hated it. I shouted at Mom over the phone. She wouldn’t listen to it either.
Jay anna called me several times promising to take me around after his semester exams. I rang up Gautham thrice. Once we chatted for an hour. The other two times, he was busy. I, with a lot of difficulty resisted the urge to call him up again. But it seemed to me he was not interested.
My college friends were in a better mood as Shailaja had taken a medical leave and she wouldn’t be back for months. Some friends suggested bunking college and chilling out and exploring Chennai inch by inch. It sounded like fun and perilous yet I risked it more than once.
One thing I hate, detest, dislike, loathe , can’t bear and can’t stand is to see men urinating on the streets. I am shocked that they aren’t embarrassed in the first place. Secondly, don’t they think it’s unhygienic. Thirdly, don’t they realize that there are other people, especially women who’ll be watching ( of course by accident, unintentionally). I can’t even look outside the window of my car as I travel ‘cause every now and then some guy is pissing on the streets.
I have a habit of day dreaming. Sometimes I don’t even realize I am smiling. Once I was looking outside the window of my salon car and dreaming, as usual. I don’t remember if I was smiling. It was at the signal. Out of the blue , Patti shot a question at me, “What are you staring at?”. I was still in my hallucinations and didn’t get what she was saying. I was in for a thwarting alarm when I turned to see a man squatting. Thanks to the CCTP, (Chennai city traffic police), the traffic lights showed green and we sped away.
Without Shailaja in College, college life seemed to be such a bliss. I was still teased as the big B. ( or Big baby). I bet with Yogita, that I’d go home alone , without any one to accompany me. She bet to differ. Well, well, it’s not that I can’t travel alone. Just that I am not allowed to. More than winning the bet, I had really wanted to do it myself. Of course not a bus ride!! I had the experience for a lifetime! I’ll try Auto-rickshaws this time.
Sometimes, when both our cars were not around , we used the Auto. I’ve seen Thatha doing the bargaining, never taken the pain to try it myself. So, I’d do the bargaining and travel alone. What’s the big deal ? I did it as simply as I said it. Right in front of Yogita. Of course, I had called up Patti earlier in the day to tell her my friend will drop me.
“No coming by two wheelers!!”, she almost screamed. “ I’ll send your car…”
“No…. Patti … My friend has a car only. She’ll be coming over today. I’ll come….”, I told her. It took a while to convince her.
I got down from the Auto even before I’d reached home. What If Patti was standing in the doorway ? While walking down the street towards home, I was tempted. I had enjoyed my little lie and the independence that I derived through it. Why end the happiness so soon? I checked my watch. Not even two p.m.
I dialed a ten digit number, waited for the ring and waited till the other person picked up.
“Hey. Lalita here, how about meeting at the JavaGreen Café on Usman Road near Panagal Park?”
It took a few minutes to convince my prey for the day. Especially since my victim was quite disinterested. But I get what I want! I begged, pleaded, beseeched, implored, urged and persuaded. Finally received the answer “Sure, I’d love to but I hope it won’t get you in trouble”. Whatever! The answer is a “yes”. Well, who’ll say no to this mistress of deception, baffling queen of charisma? Or will I allow them to ?
I choose to be happy and no one can stop me from being so.
Though it isn’t one, just to amuse myself, I shall consider it as this :-
I had fixed my first date.
With Gautham.
[to be continued]
