The Summer of Absolutely Nothing

13.

I can’t say I’m superstitious, but it’s an appropriate coincidence that this chapter is numbered the unlucky 13.

(On this note, I would like to clarify that I do not know exactly how the literary fourth wall works, and I apologize for all the times I have toyed with it without breaking it).

Asmita and Advaith’s popularity had returned to haunt them.

Or, to be more accurate, their expansive social circles had returned to haunt me.

Owing to some excuse like postponed final exams, these large groups had been safely out of the way so far. However, all that now behind them, they had returned with hugs and high pitched shrieks, in the case of the girls, and awkward back thumping and ‘Macha!’s in a the case of the boys.

I awkwardly sat on the side and picked my nails, a fake smile plastered on my face in readiness should anyone happen to look in my direction. Stress always made me attempt to fulfill social niceties.

As their first big get-together, the plan was to visit Broken Bridge. I was invited too, thankfully. How much ever I did not appreciate these new additions to my world, it would have hurt much more to have been left out.

So here we all were, trooping down Elliot's beach one cloudy afternoon; the low tide had ensured that we could walk along the shore, the shorter route as opposed to taking the inner road.

There were twelve of us - five girls and six boys, excluding me. Group walking was, as it is often liable to be, slow; feeling awkward and out of place already, I walked by myself in the front, taking in the beauty of the walk.

While one can’t deny that the beach was dirty - strewn with washed up waste and driftwood (the low tide didn’t help) - the fisherman's part of the coast, I had long since learned to block out trash(a useful trait in India).

This stretch of sand was completely deserted, as far as an eye could see, to where the coastline curved in behind some trees; the murky water gently lapped at my feet, as the horizon opened up - a wide sandy beach ending at the old stone wall of the Theosophical Society, green trees lining it from the other side.

Then, there it was, straight ahead. The Adyar river meeting the sea.

The silvery stream cut across the open plain, wild despite the distant line of apartments, passing under the narrow bridge which broke off in half midway through - hence the name - meeting the stormy gray sea in a number of shimmering, rippled pools, and dry green bushes, under the pale sky.

It was incredibly beautiful.

I tried to take a few photos on my phone, but somehow, they didn’t capture the place. Possibly because the freedom that comes from finding great wide open spaces in the choking city can't be captured within four borders.

‘Wow’ said Advaith softly, as he came to my side, and gently took my hand and squeezed it. ‘It’s really something.’

The intimacy and warmth of that inexplicable gesture fit perfectly with that moment. I felt a burst of happiness wash over me.

Asmita caught up to us, and said ‘Coming here was a great idea! I can't believe I haven't ever heard of this place. Good job, you.’

She bestowed me with a wide smile.

The Broken Bridge, conjured up from a half-remember childhood memory of going there, along with a fairytale I built for myself regarding a small gate in the stone wall, had made me curious. Hence, my suggestion that we could come here.

While Advaith and Asmita congratulated me on my choice, not everyone shared the sentiment, unfortunately. Some of other girls of the group, dressed in a variety of dresses, skirts and tops typically suited to societal gathering, were mud-and-sea-salt-splattered, and visibly discomposed.

Dressing like a fairly well-off and coordinated tramp does have its advantages.

We settled on the large sand mounds, near the mouth of the river, as opposed to on the bridge, since Advaith matter-of-factly declared that he saw ‘a bong accompanied by its people’ presiding on the bridge. ‘No place for the ladyfolk’, he said gravely, inclining his head in my direction. I rolled my eyes very visibly, but acquiesced.

The guys moved some way off,  while us girls spread, settled down and started talking.

And for some reason, eventually the topic shifted to sex lives.