Network Romeo Series

Chapter-6

I was shocked! Why did she do that? Thinks she is a saint or something?

“Togepi!!! Think you are angel or something?”

“Ha ha no Mafia! It’s because of you I won Face-painting competition so you also deserve a prize”

“You know what? You are..... well...the only girl that I like the most”

“Me too my dear Mafia”

“What? Dear Mafia? No no !”

“Ha ha shut up silly! You know I call everyone with that dear word”

“Hmm yeah! So…… togepi…. Can I ask you something if you don’t mind?”

“Yes sure!”

“Well you call many boys with that dear word….. so….”

“So what? There’s nothing wrong in that”

“Well….. am I like others…huh..I don’t know how to say… can you understand?”

“Hmm so you are thinking that I am treating you the same way I treat others? Yes that’s right!”

“Oh…… I thought….. well never mind!”

As I gave a fake smile, she held my hands! I looked into her eyes. They were bright and….. yes she had the most beautiful eyes. I tried to look at the ground and walk away. I felt a hard grasp on my hands.

“Mara! Look at me…I treat you the same way as I treat others, but there’s more to it!”

“Like?”

“I like you more than other boys in my class. I was attracted to you from the very first day but… you didn’t like me”

“Well you know I’m really sorry for that”

“That’s ok Mafia”

“Hmm yes…. It’s time for Yash’s music performance to start! Let’s go”

I saw a pretty smile on her face. She held my hands tenderly and we both went into the auditorium where the music competition was about to begin.

Fiona was performing with her seniors and I saw that Yash getting nervous. I told Vaishnavi to reserve a place for me and I went near him.

“Dude is everything okay?”

“Mara! They are performing well… I lost to Fiona once so….”

“So what?  You are surely going to win this time! I’ll give you a tip”

“Yeah please tell me… I need it”

“While you perform, look at her eyes and sing”

“But what difference will that make?”

“You like Fiona and you don’t want to hurt her do you?”

“Yes I still love her Mara”

“Then go impress her! Even if you don’t win, you will still win this way”

“Ok thanks Mara”

I gave a hug to him and wished his team members. I saw Vaishnavi waving her hands at the back. I went and sat near her

“What happened Mafia?”

“Nothing togepi! He is just worried over Fiona”

“What? Yash in love with her or what?”

“Yes he knew her already! That’s a big story”

“So are you in love?”

“No…… what kind of question is this? You know that I don’t like girls”

“Well! What will you do if you get married?”

“I won’t get married togepi! Naa Saamiyar aga poren(I’m  going to be a Monk)

“Ha ha I bet that you will be the first one to get married in our batch”

“That’s shit! Now shut your mouth and see how my friend is going to perform”

I saw Yash performing with his band on the stage. I jumped on the chair and started yelling my friends name. It was proud to see my friend performing on stage.

“Your friend really rocked the stage”

“Yes I know Yash! He is the best. I’m going to wish him and give him a treat”

“Hmm for me?”

“Ok! So can we go to canteen? You can eat anything you want! I’ll sponsor”

“Hey I was just kidding Mafia! There will be relatives arriving at my home so I gotta go soon ok”

“Hmm ok Togepi! Will chat on Facebook then..bye!”

“Yeah sure bye Mafia!”

She waved her hands and walked towards the door. As she reached the exit, she turned around, gave a big smile and left.

I kept on looking at the place mesmerized while someone slammed me hard on my back. I turned around and saw my friend smiling at me.

“Yash! You scared the hell out of me”

“We won dude! I won!”

“Wow! Congratulations dude then what about Fiona?”

“She’s the runner-up! You didn’t listen to the winner announcement huh?”

“Sorry! I was busy with something else”

“Is that a trophy in your hand? You won the debate competition huh?”

“Yes it was all because of Togepi”

“Togepi! You mean Vaishnavi? Dey enada nadakudhu (What’s happening) something fishy"

“Onum ila mooditu po”(Nothing! You shut and go)

“Ha ha ok ok…… Dude Fiona agreed to be my friend! We are back together”

“Great….Happy for you! What next?”

“Valentine’s day da Mara! I’m going to propose Fiona”

“Cool…… can I ask you something?”

“Yes sure da!”

“Yash! I think I have feelings for Vaishnavi. I don’t know how to explain it but I’m sure that……”

“Wow Super da! Then we have lots of time to discuss about it! It’s time for my college bus to leave so will call you in the evening okay? Bye”

I saw my friend leave in college bus. Who could have imagined a girl who I used to hate, is now…. well Love is strange.

Days passed quickly and it was almost valentines day! I called Yash to get proposal ideas

“Dude! Please help me. You know that I don’t know how to behave with girls!”

“Well you do one thing…… Give me a treat at KFC then I will say you tips to impress her”

“Fine.. see you tomorrow morning then bye!”