Forever: The phone call | Part 2 | Complete

Chapter 8

He stood near me and offered the glass. He was about to say something when I interrupted him.

“Mr. Nihav Sabnis, isn't it? Nice to meet you.” I greeted him with a smile on my face as I took the other glass of juice from his hands.
“So you already know about me?” He asked. When mom said that he's a nice guy to be friends with, did she mean that he was a guy that could really challenge my wit? However, I have to admit that it's great to meet someone I can talk smart and expect similar reciprocated.

“I know enough to realise that you are an important person in this party. Nice to meet you, this is Aha-”
“Ahana Kulkarni. Nice to meet you too.” He cut me in my sentence and then, instead of shaking my hand, he placed his empty hand in his pockets. Aha! Smart and irritating, a perfect combo for competition.

“ Courtesy died a painful death.” I said rather softly.
“ Did you just say something?” Nihav asked.
“ Just stating the facts. Don't bother much.”
Wait a second, did I just notice a crack in his confident mask? Oh boy, this lad didn't expect me to bite like Nagini, slow and painful.

He straightened himself, hands out of pocket and then spoke to me with utter professionalism.
“ As it is our dads have entered this deal, I thought it will be a good idea for us to know each other well. I'm currently pursuing Bachlors in Business Administration and look forward to taking over my father's estate in the future.”

So he was what, two to three years elder to me. That justifies his mature stance and challenging nature.
“I'm currently in my first year of junior college, gearing up for board exams. I'll be pursuing languages in the future and I have profound interest in being sarcastically witty.”
“Pretty vague isn't it?”
He replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I just couldn't hold back and laughed a little. He followed me and we both laughed to our heart's content. I didn't notice the juice in my hands shaking. I spilled some of it on his shirt.
“Oh I'm so sorry, I just didn't realize- excuse me, can you get us few tissues please?” I asked the staff there.
“Well, it happens so don't bother.”
He was being a polite gentleman. I guess first impression isn't always the last impression.

The waiter got us a box of tissues and I helped Nihav to clean the yellow stains of juice.
“God this is embarrassing. I should be more careful. Your coat looks like-like..”
“Like someone puked on me?” I looked at him with utter disgust and humour.
“Eww, no silly.” I laughed again.

We managed to dry his shirt.
“This looks better than before but do you have a shirt to change into?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, no. But we can always have a change of environment.” His face was calm and do I say, twitchy?
“You can be more specific.” I replied.
“The balcony view is beautiful from here, let's go there for a while.”
“Yeah I agree, but what about the party?”

“We've met the important people and I don't think any business deals here require our presence, so…”

I gave a thought to this idea. Nihav appeared as a good guy, well behaved after a while and certainly not a flirt. If he tries something funny I have my pointed heals to carve his face with and if he's all friendly and respectful, I'll be having a new friend.

“Sure.” I replied with a smile.
The balcony attached to party hall was spacious and gave a stunning view of Mumbai from above. The street lights were glimmering and the cars appeared tiny. The sky was dark with a plane travelling it's lengths. The balcony had elegantly designed railing and a wide seat in the middle with two golden lamps shimmering as it's tiny glass pieces were dancing on the rhythm of warm February breeze.

He sat on the seat and I followed.
“If you promise to not laugh at me, I will tell you something.” He looked jittery now.
“Yeah yeah, go ahead.” I assured him I'll listen everything he says.
“My dad is all into business and stuff an I like that but these formal meetings, they just make me a little nervous.”
“Is that why you try to look intimidating? Like scaring the cat away so that she doesn't know there's a scared mouse in your heart!”
“Whoa I didn't expect you to put it like that. But yes, it's the same.”

I found that cute. He was being genuine with his views and this is quite rare in this world full of masks. Mom was right, he was a nice guy and could make a really good friend.

“I assure you, you can feel free around me. It is completely normal to be scared of such things, they creep me out sometimes. Like for example, uh turn on the other side.”
I gestured him and we both sat with our back to the balcony railing.

“Now look at that lady in the red saree with golden work, she's swanking it as if that's the Kohinoor she's wearing. Now see the couple approaching her, the one with lady in green saree. Now the green saree lass will be scrutinized by the lady in red, as her eyes scan her from head to toe. Then she will move her hand to show off the heavily worked saree drape on her hand and then give a fake smile to start the conversation. You see, the person doesn't matter. The narrow mindset that these people are brought up into, makes them judge others by their looks. What's the point in wearing lakhs of rupees on your body if all you do is smoke back home?”

I found Nihav looking at me with an astonished face. I raised my brow at him and he took it as a cue to explain.
“You are too mature for your age. How do you manage to do that?”
I found it amusing to see him all shocked. I placed my right hand hanging loose on his left shoulder and said,
“ That, my boy, is called talent.”

He smiled at me and we turned back towards the balcony. As we gazed upon the Mumabi city, a comfortable silence surrounded us. I eased my feet out of my golden stilettos and he loosened his neck tie.

“I'm in desperate need of a good friend. Will you be one for me?” His question was as genuine as the first cry of a newborn. There was a spark of uneasiness and a glint of hope in his eyes. Crushed under the tag of perfect son and a rich happy guy, he was ought to be surrounded by fake people.

“ I'd love to be your friend. Just promise me that you'll be honest in this friendship.”
“I promise.” His reply was instant.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

We returned to the party. It was getting late and I knew my parents will soon start looking for me. I found them amidst a big group and greeted everyone. Similar praises were showered about how I resemble my mom and dad and how they make a great couple. The happiness I saw in my parents’ eyes was overwhelming and I just wished I could witness more of this.

We were about to leave the venue, the party was almost over. That's when I saw a familiar face in the crowd, it was Ulka. Yes that was Ulka. She looked pale and weak. I guess she saw me but she refused to recognize my face. She just left with her parents. I had never seen her like this, her face didn't show the confidence that she was known for. Her eyes looked defeated and her stance was disturbing to me. I tried waving at her but to no avail.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around. It was Nihav.
“This is my number. Message me.” He handed me a piece of paper.
“The next time I need some advise, I'll ping you. It was great meeting you Ahana, people like you are rare.” He started walking backwards, waved a hand at me and turned to leave.

“Ahana, shall we leave.” Mom asked me from behind.
“Yep sure.” I replied.

With a new friendship in my hand an a new mystery about an old friend, I descended the steps of hotel room. This party will remain in my memory, forever.

*****

What do you think? Something new is coming up.....