The Cricketer's Jockey (#MyStoryIndia) (#MissionDesi)

Chapter 8 (Part 2)

Once upon a time, three teenage boys met at their lives' most oddest hour. They all had come to Chandigarh to play in Ranji for the first time; two of them representing same team- Bombay (at that time. Now Mumbai) and the other one - Punjab. Both team had decided to have a dinner together and left for the hotel. As the two boys were roaming around in the city, they told their team-mates to meet at the hotel directly. The other was on the phone with his mother as it was her birthday and it seemed to take a lot time. So, he signalled to join them later.

One of the boys, who is eccentric in nature and is mischievous to extent, was goofing around, even when his friend told him to control. But as always he ignored it. They were about to reach the hotel, when he did a stupid thing and accidently it created a blunder. They were standing near a 'Gol-gappay wala', when he said, "Aaja mere yaar." and went to hug his friend. But his friend who was annoyed with his silliness, moved before any contact made. The guy stumbled and hugged the girl, standing behind his friend, instead. Now, you can imagine, what would have happened next. The guys with the girl went furious. They were four and our poor boys were out numbered. So, what choice they had left? Exactly, running before their faces were 'improvised' without any surgery. They ran for their dear life and the gundas were following them. That was when the Punjabi boy came to their rescue. He called them.

"Ooji. Ithe aa jao."

Desperate for any help. They hid with the punjabi in the bush until the coast was clear and in that hiding time, they became friends.

"One second." I interrupted, "Why were you hiding Lakhi?"

Lakhi blushed a little and looked at Aniruddha who smirked and replied.

"My dear friend was so busy in talking that he didn't realise, walking over a sleeping security guard, waking him up and then lecturing about responsibilities. The guard came behind him with khuli pistol after that."

The laughter rolled in again.

Now, you all must be confused what was going on? Why was I in 'Once upon a time' mode?

Well, we, i.e Lakhi, Nuts, Anirude and I, were taking dinner together and Lakhi was telling us the story how they met. By they, I mean Lakhi - the Punjabi boy, Aniruddha - the little intense boy and Vivaan - the eerie boy. I was told that Vivaan was none other than the Captain of Indian team and was on his way. Nuts whispered to me that he was big time flirt and think of him superior to take all decision. But he was a damn good player and excellent captain. So, no one said a word against him. They called him 'Shakuni'.

"He was the one who sent you flowers and note." Aniruddha commented.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah. He found you interesting. A sleeping girl at such an important match. He said that you were not into patriotism much." Lakhi said as he took bite of his butter chicken.

"How a stupid match can portray a heavy and responsible word like patriotism?" I was surprised.

"Try to tell this in front of him. You will thoroughly understand it. And Bulbul, it's not a stupid game." Aniruddha said without looking at me.

It was strange to set opposite to this guy. He talked with me but never glanced up when I replied. I had feeling that he watched me when I talked with others. Plus, what he did near the pond, was completely confusing. He acted like a caring person and then said the most rude thing. And because of that 'Langur' episode, I was eating like a maniac just to annoy him. Nuts eyes me with suspicion when I took my fourth butter roti. She elbowed when the other two were discussing game.

"What are you doing?"

"Umm. Eating.'

"Do you know, you can hardly go beyond two butter rotis. Think about your tummy, Bul. You will fall ill." Nuts said in a concerned voice.