Salim and Kayal #Watty's 2016 # YourStoryIndia #ProjectWomanUp

Friends???? We have rules

Kayal's POV

As soon as I reached for our hostel room I left for dinner. Even after eating a hearty meal for lunch and drinking a nice cup of coffee in the evening, I was still starving. I felt very bad for Salim who had to fast for the whole day. I have already decided what to do on Monday. After having my dinner, all of us worked for our presentations. Jaanu and Sara were in the same team.

I was working with my notes when I got a message from John asking me whether he can open a Whatsapp group with us three girls and those three of them. Very funny. John had my number for almost a week and why this sudden interest in a Whatsapp group. Only after few seconds, it hit me. Salim is trying to be over protective. I remembered what he said in the auto that he will come for my help in an emergency. Since I can't call him directly, he has created this channel so that I can reach him in case of emergency. God. I couldn't say no. It might be rude. I spoke with Sara and Jaanu. "Is it okay if John opens a Whatsapp group with all three of us and those three of them?"

Jaanu was the first one to speak, "Why?" I can't tell her that Salim is overprotective of me.

So I replied, "May be to share notes, ask for something etc."

Sara was a little anxious. "It is okay, but let's put few conditions."

To this I replied, "Cool. I will text him 'okay' and when the group is created, you can say your rules."

Both Sara and Jaanu nodded. I immediately texted saying "Okay" along with Jaanu's number. I am sure he must not be having her number. Within few minutes all of us received a group invite. As soon as I accepted it, I saw the contact pictures of the guys. Salim's contact picture was a mosque, John and Harneet had posted their own pictures. Now Sara had sent out the rules.

Dear all,

It is nice to be friends with all three of you out there. On behalf of all three of us let me put down few things out here. We will be very happy if you can follow this.

a) All of us are hardcore feminists. So sexist remarks will not be tolerated.

b) All of us belong to different faiths. I am a Christian, Jaanu is an atheist, Kayal is anti religious. So let's keep religion out of our discussion.

c) We are always busy. If not studying, all three of us read a lot of books or watch movies. So we will not entertain any sort of communication which is meant as time pass for you. So messages like, "What's up? Good morning, Good night, Where are you?" will not be replied.

We don't want to sound rude or snobbish but putting the terms clear will help in healthy communication. Any time if we find that our rules aren't adhered to we will walk out. So please co operate in developing a healthy friendship between all of us. We will be happy to listen to your terms as well.

I was smiling looking at Sara's message. I turned towards her. "Sara, you sound snobbish."

Sara replied, "May be yes. I don't want them to think us as girls who are easy to get."

Jaanu replied, "Very clever."

Within few minutes, we got a message from John.

John: "Girls, we are honored to have your friendship. J. We will follow all the rules to the T. From our side, we just have a small request. Please clear our doubts every now and then. Please share your notes as well".

Salim: "Same here. Thank youJ"

Harneet: "Agreed."

Sara: "Sorry, forgot to mention. We don't like to be referred as girls. We have passed that age. All of us are young women now. If you want to refer us in common, you can choose to call us as SJK, KJS or JSK. Anything is fine with us. We presume all of you are men and not boys. As with notes and doubts, your first choice should be Kayal. She is a great teacher. I and Jaanu are good at learning, but very bad at teaching. Still we will share our notes when Kayal skips classes like today".