The Anklet's Lost Rhythm #Wattys2017

CHAPTER 6

SIDDHARTHA

They say, nobody is perfect until you are in love with them! I loved this line. I still remember how I found my last girlfriend perfect in every single way. I used to love every taunt she threw at me, every slang she used! Ecstatic! For some reason, I was feeling the same again. For another girl. Those were the days my life actually took a fresh start. I hardly got an explanation as to what exactly was it that drew me towards her. Neutrally speaking, she was beautiful, learned, intelligent, dignified. But what else? Now I do know the answer. She is different from all and I know why. No matter what went around, I had found my best friend, over samosas and Bengali poems. 

"Siddhartho!" Rupsha called to me a week after our second meeting. I looked back. "Hey!" I waved. She ran upto me. "Look! Samosas and green chutney there." she smiled. She was talking about the sweets and snacks shop in the footpath. "Yes!" I smiled. "Let us go and have some?" she offered. "Sure." I agreed. We walked out of the university and went to the shop.
"Charte shingara ar chutney beshi kore deben." she said. (Four samosas, and give us more chutney) It had been long since I had samosas. As we waited for the samosas I observed her. She had her long jhumkas on this time too. There were bells in the ends of her dupatta which made the tinkling sound as she moved. The shopkeeper served us two samosas each. "
So, who all are there at home?" she asked. The typical ghar mein kaun kaun hai question. Were relationships a count of population or table booking for a dinner plan! Nevertheless, I answered.

"Mom, Dad and brother." I said. 

"I live only with my parents. No siblings." Rupsha answered.

"Oh." I bit onto my samosa. 

"By the way, why did you take up literature?" 

"I love English. It is my favourite since school."

"Oh! Which school?"

"St Xaviers' Collegiate School."

"I am from Loreto House." she smiled.

You know you just needed her to ask you a few questions. She would answer her own questions as you answer. Such was her urge to talk. 

"So, why did you take up Literature?" I asked.

"Anything, but the reason of girls can do nothing but arts and should be married when they are twenty five." she answered. 

"Absolutely. I too believe in the same. They even told me if I am a boy I must only study science or commerce. Arts is for girls." 

"The standard of women in our country is as low as the amount of chutney in your plate." she smirked. 

I quickly refilled my plate with chutney. "Arey Rupsha, I am not one of them you see!" 

"Firstly no arey for me. There is no such word in English. Secondly, I will decide for myself who you are!" she giggled!

"But how can YOU decide who I am?" I asked, confused. 

"See Mr Arey, I get to form an opinion, and my opinion is always correct." she winked.

"How can you say that for sure?" I asked. 

"Because I know! Now come on don't ask so many questions! I don't like boring questions." she complained.

"Then what kind of questions do you like?" 

"I like intelligent questions. I believe in questions which have a purpose." she smiled. 

I liked that answer. She had beautiful thoughts. I could see that from the few conversations I had with her. 

Days passed beautifully and I grew more fond of Rupsha day by day. She told me more about her family and her interests. We both had many similar interests. We sat in Princep Ghat as she would read out Tagore's beautiful stories to me. I sat next to her and listened to her voice. We almost finished the whole of Galpo Guchha by end of the Pujas.