The Thing Called: Balancing Act

Chapter 3

The Thing Called: Balancing Act

The second day of Sensation '13 was christened Denim Day. Everyone, including faculty members wore denim. My girlfriend, a badminton player, was busy with a match. I reached the court just as she wound up her match and entered the quarter-finals.

Her: Just made it into the quarters! Wow! That outfit looks good on you.

Me: Thank you, and congratulations. Who is your next opponent?

Her: That girl in the red t–shirt, she is a strong player.

Me: Don’t worry, you can easily defeat her, I will be right here to cheer for you.

Her: Thank you, but that’s not necessary. Enjoy the other events, besides I feel pressurized when you are around.

Me: Ok. Promise me you will text me as soon as you finish. We will have lunch.

Her: Ok, now go.

As I left the court, I called Mourya but he didn't answer. I saw Monika – she looked fabulous. I asked her “Have you seen Mourya?” She said she had seen Mourya in the tug-of-war event at the ground.

Everybody was cheering him and why not? He was tall, muscular and handsome – a hunk. I also cheered for him, and then went into the shadow where I could sit and enjoy the match. As I saw everyone was looking different. The boys were in their best outfits, but the girls looked more attractive and sexy.

Everybody was either busy with their own thing or trying to grab someone's attention. I shoved my glasses in my jacket, and put my goggles on. A quick looked around later, I was engrossed in the match.

As I turned my head towards the ground, I heard the voice of a girl.

Girl: Excuse me, Samrat. Would you take one photo of our group?.

it was Yosha, the beauty with money, lots of money as we used to call her behind her back.

Me: Sure.

Yosha gave me her camera, a Canon 550 D. I took a photograph but, she asked for one more. I clicked again.

She came towards me,

Y: Show me, hmm, not good enough. Would you click one more?

I had used a Canon in the past and I tinkered with the functions, and then tried again.

Me: Now, it’s better.

I heard her friends giggling and knew what was happening as she stood next to me.

Y: Show me. Yes, it's really cool.

She stood very close to me, I could hear little giggling sounds from Yosha’s friends. I knew what was happening, but I pretended like I could not hear them.

Y: Are you a photographer or something?

Me: Yes, in a way you can say that.

Y: Would you take some close-ups?

Me: Yes.

Y: Where should I stand?

Me: Under that tree.

I clicked away while she posed and then suggested some poses. Some of her friends had left, while others requested me to take their photographs too.

I showed her the photographs. She liked them a lot, her and of course her friends' too. It was almost 1 pm, and everyone was hungry. She asked for my phone number before leaving, I gave it to her. And we said good bye.

Now there was nothing on the ground, the tug of war had ended. So I dialled my girlfriend’s number, her friend Kumud answered and said she was playing at the moment.

Me: What’s her status?

K: I guess, she is going to win the game, and will enter the semifinal.

Me: That’s nice. Ask her to call me when she is done with the game.

K: Ok.

As I disconnected the call, another one flashed, from an unknown number.

Me: Hello.

Caller: Hi, Samrat. Yosha here.

Me: Oh, hi. What's up?

Y: Where are you?

Me: Still at the ground where you left me.

Y: Would you come to the parking lot?

Me: Yes, what happened?

Y: Just start walking, I will tell you.

Me: Ok.

The parking lot wasn’t far from the ground.

Y: You really are a good photographer.

Me: Thank you.

Y: Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would have saved a lot of money on photo shoots. My friends also agree with me on that.  It would be very rude if I didn’t invite you for a bite to say thank you. I am sure you must be hungry.

Me: Well, that’s not necessary.

As I was saying this, she drove up and opened the passenger door. Her two friends were in the back seat, she opened the door and signalled to me to hop in, I smiled a bit and hopped in.

Y: What happened? Why you are smiling?

Me: It’s nothing. Where are we going?

Y: Café Coffee Day.

We reached CCD in 10 minutes.

So, what else do you do, that I don’t know of?

Me: Just photography, that’s it.

As we were talking, Rupa, Yosha’s friend, got a call, and she immediately asked Yosha for the keys and took off with her friend.

Me: Is everything alright?

Y: Yes, she was expecting that call, it’s from her boyfriend. Uhh leave it, it’s her personal matter. So what do you want to eat?

Me: Sorry, but my tummy is full right now.

Y: This is not fair, you are embarrassing me. At least have some coffee.

Me: Sorry Yosha.

Y: I am letting you go this time, but that doesn’t mean you're free. You are definitely going to have lunch with me sometime.

Me: Sure.

While Yosha was at the counter for the order, I asked my girlfriend about her match. She had made the final.

Y: Are you sure you don’t want anything?

Me: Just a glass of water will be fine.

On her return, silence filled the space between us before I spoke up.

Me: Nice dress. You know, it's said it's more difficult for a girl to find the right pair of jeans than to find the right kind of boyfriend. I think you have found one.

Y: What?

Me: The jeans, they suit you.

Y: Thank you.

Y: How do you happen to have this information?.

Me: Well, let’s say it’s a simple observation.

Y: Hmm, so Mr. Observer what do your observations say?

Me: Hmm, what do you want to hear?

Y: Anything …

Me: Do you see that couple over there?

She nodded.

Me: They are going to break up with each other, in a few minutes.

Y: How can you say that?

Me: Just wait and watch.

She pointed at another couple.

Y: What about them?

Me: Well, that case is a little complicated. The boy is not in love with the girl, but the girl is completely in love with him. Look at his relaxed posture and compare it with the way she is leaning towards him. There is also a hint of a smile on her face, also her pupils are dilated.

Y: Are you some kind of Sherlock Holmes or something?

Me: Oh, you watch Sherlock Holmes?

Y: Yes. I'm a big fan of the serial and the movie.

Me: Hmm, what else do you watch?

Y: The L Word, GCB and Shameless.

I instantly understood why everybody in our college considered her to be different. I decided to dig deeper.

Me: Do you watch other genres too?

Y: Don’t judge me. I do watch other stuff too.

Me: No no, I am not. In fact, I am glad that I found someone who likes what I like.

She idly sipped her coffee.

Y: What do you watch?

Me: Friends, Entourage, The Good Wife, GCB and so on.

She was amused to hear that I watch GCB. She put the straw of her cappucino in her mouth, and took a sip playfully.

Me: Are you trying to seduce me?

Y: Am I? No!! Wait, are you being seduced by this?

Me: No, I'm not. But that is what I feel is happening.

Y: Well, here is the thing with seduction. Never ask a girl if she is trying to seduce you. Just feel it.

Me: Hmm. So what is your favourite movie?

Y: The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover.

As she spoke, she put her toe between my feet, and dragged it upwards.

Me: That’s a nice movie. I have seen it.

Y: Oh really? You are interesting Mr Samrat Shirke. We should catch up more often.

I received a text message from my girlfriend. She had lost the final. I congratulated her for being the runner-up, and requested her to hurry as I was very hungry.

Me: Yes, we should. But right now something important has come up.

Y: Oh alright. Let me call Rupa.

Rupa arrived in a few minutes. I realised that it had been set up. She dropped me near college. While walking to college, I sent her a text message which read, “Whatever it was, it was good”.

I ran towards my girlfriend and congratulated her first.

Me: Congratulations on making the finals. Shall we eat? I am hungry.

Her: Why didn’t you eat?

Me: I didn’t get time.

Her: Ok, let’s go. Have you called Mourya?

Me: Just a second.

I dialled Mourya's number.

M: Yup bro. What’s up?

Me: Come to the coffee shop.

M: Will be there in no time.

We ordered two subjis, vegetable dishes, and six rotis.

As we started discussing each other’s experiences of the day, I touched her foot with mine. She noticed it immediately and removed her footwear, and caressed my foot with her toe as we smiled at each other.

M: Sammy, where have you been the whole day? And what was Yosha doing with you?

Me: She asked me to take her photographs, so I gave her a few suggestions for poses.

She pinched me with her toes.

Her: Hmm, how come we never got any ideas for poses. People change in a day, don’t they Mourya?

Me: (creasing her leg with my foot, which was saying I am sorry) Well, some people never asked for a pose. Sometimes, they don’t even care to join in for photographs with their friends. Am I right Mourya?

M: You guys, eat first. The subji is getting cold.

He waved  to the waiter.

M: Bhaiyya ek roti, Do you want any rotis?

Her: I am done.

Me: I will have one more.

M: Ok, make it three.

The waiter noted the order and walked off.

Her: I am not going to eat one more roti.

M: Who said it’s for you? Just order what you want. I am here to finish it.

Mourya and I laughed, as she made a face, despite which she looked beautiful. And in between our sweet conversations my phone rang, it was on the table, so she saw the name Yosha. They hummed in comprehension.

As I ended the conversation, she stared at me.

Her: Somebody is getting busy now-a-days.

Me: Yup with badminton, I guess?

M: Hey, I forgot. How was the match? Who won?

Her: Well, not me. I finished as the runner-up.

M: Congratulations. Bhaiyya today’s lunch is on her. Sammy, order what you want and don’t worry about the bill. We got the financer for today.

Me: No, this roti is enough for me.

M: Ok. Bhaiyya one more roti for me please.

Her: You are so greedy. I feel sympathy for that poor stomach of yours, which has to accommodate all that.

The Thing Called: Growing Up

January rolled in. We decided to enter an intercollege drama competition called Sethi Karandak. It is a prestigious drama competition and has given Bollywood many of its finest actors. Even participating in this competition requires one to crack two rounds of auditions, which are judged by television actors and directors.

The idea of entering this competition was seeded when we performed a small, well-received skit on August 15, 2012. From the students to our director, the feedback was very positive. The director had called us to her cabin when she chanced upon the information that I had written the script. She motivated us to team up and participate in competitions. I got a message the next day that the director had asked me to lunch.

D: Do you know anything about Sethi Karandak?

Me: Not much. During my graduation days though, I had been a back-stage artist for our drama team, which hardly made it through the auditions.

D: Why don't we try this time?. I think you guys have the potential. If you need any help, ask me. But remember, this should not hamper your academics.

Me: Ok, I will ask the others. if they are ready, we will definitely compete.

The first task had been to form an artists' circle. Mourya was the perfect person for this as he was way more interested in these activities as compared to the college routine. It took us close to four months to gather talented people from across streams and motivate them to participate.

We formed the artists' circle and finalised our decision to participate in the competition in the first week of January. Now the main task for us was to find a good script and a good director who could direct us. We started our search for a script writer and a director. Luckily, a group member had some experience in these things – it was better to have someone with little experience than everyone with none. We asked him to hunt for a person who could provide an original script and direct the play.

Within a week, he managed to rope in Prasoon Pawar, who was then writing dialogues for two popular television commercials. We sat with him and told him of our intentions. He informed us of the rules for participating in Sethi Karandak.

He brought two scripts with him the next day; one new, the other old. We began rehearsing the new script. We had a singer, actors, a director, dancers, even the artists, but we were missing a musician. This was necessary, because it was among the main criteria for Sethi Karandak. The rule book stated that the more art forms one performed, the easier it would be to make the final. Two members from the dance crew knew gymnastics. My school friend Harsh, a musician, also joined in.

Rehearsals began in earnest, but I was still unhappy with the overall scenario. because my girlfriend had not been rehearsing as a performer. After the first day's rehearsals, we went to CCD. it was so I could help her make up her mind. She was shy, but I wanted to convince her to participate on stage.

Me: So how was practice?

Her: So far, so good.

Me: Why didn’t you join us?

Her: I like being back-stage. Besides, my voice is not too loud.

Me: Ok, but do you know that being back-stage requires a lot of lifting and running? I personally think you should come on-stage and act. This may be your last chance because next year by this time, we will be placed and you may regret not being on-stage.

Her: You may be right, but I have never felt any regret till now.

Me: Does that mean you will not come on-stage? If you're doing it because your voice is not very loud, you're making a big mistake. Your voice can be trained, don’t worry about that.

Her: Hmm, ok.

Me: What is ok? It’s not ok at all. I want you by my side, on-stage. I am sure you will love it. besides you can also work back-stage, when you are not performing. Now, are you ready to work on-stage as an actor?

Her: Yes.

Me: Hmm, that’s like a good girl. So what will you have, a cappuccino?

Her: Yes, my sweet angel.

Me: Two cappuccinos, please.

Her: By the way, you have quite a fan following in college.

Me: Is that so? Well, you know popular people are like this only. (I smiled) May I know who my fan is?

She laughed.

Her: Actually, those who are popular don’t bother about fans.

Me: You are unbeatable when it comes to words.

Her: I know that. Tell me something I don’t know.

Me: Well, we need to spend some time together for that.

Her: I guess. I am very busy nowadays. You, though, are always free, is it?

Me: Ok, I get what you are saying. Stop being sarcastic.

Her: Be normal with me and I will be normal with you.

Me: What does normal mean? I am being normal right now.

Her: Normal means stop flirting. You do it all the time. It is all right at times, but not all the time.

Me: Ok, my apple pie. Will you now tell me who you were talking about?

Her: Ahh, that person was Pyaari.

Me: Pyaari? Not again. I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl.

Her: What happened?

Me: She said she likes me, but I don’t like her back. Ever since then, she has been on my back. She even asked Monika about my likes, dislikes and asked her how she could get in touch with me.

Her: Why you are getting so hyper? Just tell her that you don’t have any feelings for her.

Me: I have done so twice, but she has not been ready to listen. I don’t want to create a scene. I don’t want anybody to suffer because of me. I twice explained that a relationship was not a possibility. She tried to go through Monika, now she is trying through you to get to me.

Her: Hmm. Now what can I say? You and your fans.

Me: Hey don’t worry, I am taking care of it.

I was happy that time, because she had agreed to work on-stage. We breezed through the auditions at Sethi Karandak, even reached the second round of the competition, but could not enter the final round.

The Thing Called: Fork In The Road.

Samrat was shaking! he had no control over his body. He switched off his phone and tried to relax, but amidst the stillness, he could still hear his heavy breathing. Something was happening to him, an intense warmth rushed through Samrat’s body. It was a weird feeling, but his brain was telling him that this has already happened before; it was a powerful experience of déjà vu. Then it all came back to him.

Flash Back

It was December 23, 2012, exactly one year ago. Everything has changed since then, but this feeling continues to haunt him. It was the first time he asked someone to become part of his life. He remember that day vividly. It was a college reunion night and Samrat was on a happy high, two pegs down with his friends. They all were busy pulling each other’s legs about their girlfriends. Suddenly, Samrat found himself outside. It was 11:30 at night and bitter cold, around 4 degrees Celsius – Samrat was shivering.

He dialled her number but didn’t know how to start. Initially he stumbled a lot. After a lot of gibberish, he finally gathered his scattered courage and asked her.

That magical question, the question whose answer if would have given the other way, the situation would have been different today. And the question was, “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Samrat was waiting with bated breath, he was praying to god, "Please let her say yes".

After a long pause, she asked, “What should I say?” Samrat was now bit confused as what to say, so he replied “Say yes,” Because that’s what people do.

She did exactly the same what Samrat asked her to say, “Yes.”

That was the first time Samrat had felt that same intense warmth rush through his body. He was sweating though, even in that freezing cold. When Samrat think about it now, he still wonder if he made a mistake? he was impulsive; maybe he wasn’t thinking right. But it made him very happy at that time.

That night, the boys stayed up until 4 am, drinking like fish. They all pushed their 22-year-old stomachs as far as possible without any food before deciding to eat something. They all walked approximately 2 km from their hostel to Dange Chowk to eat the famous poha.

Samrat still remember six of them made such a racket that morning, they were lucky not to have earned the ire of snoozing neighbours. The combination of alcohol and weed had turned them into cacophonous blabbermouths. The same mouths were now busy chomping down delicious poha, when five minutes later, a patrolling police van stopped  by. They put on their college-student faces, pretending to having just finished studying before venturing out to have a rejuvenating, early-morning snack.

Samrat’s friends went to sleep as soon as they came back to the hostel, but  Samrat impatiently waited for the sun to come up.

At 6 am, he left his sleeping friends to return home. he was eager to freshen up and get ready for his post graduate college. This would be his first encounter as two people in a relationship. Since they studied in different departments, the only times he could meet her were during lunch break and after college.

As they were lounging in the canteen during lunch, it was 15 of them at the table in the canteen, she came and sat with them. Samrat immediately grabbed the chair opposite hers, they were having  a normal chat within the group, and as he looked at her, she gave Samrat a smile; a smile that said she is in love with Samrat, a smile that made her more beautiful, a smile that said now I am yours and you are mine.

While Samrat was trying to decipher more about the smile, he was suddenly hit on the back. it was so intense, it shook him so strongly, that he came out of his deciphering mode. Samrat looked back to see who is it? he turned, and there he stood. Six-feet tall, rippling muscles, Mafia like slicked back hair – much like a don – and a goatee. Mourya, Samrat’s best friend and business partner. Now the group felt complete. It was a wonderful and memorable day.

That day in the night around 12:30 am, Monika, a college friend, called Samrat. Monika the Beauty, with a sweet voice – Monika was the dream girl of many in the class.

M: Hi, what are you doing? I hope I am not disturbing you, am I?

S: Nah, I was just watching a movie. What’s up?

M: Samrat, I wanted to tell you something since we joined college.

Samrat in his mind, was begging her not to tell him that she was in love with him.

M: Samrat, I love you.

Samrat in his mind why you are destroying our friendship? Please don’t do this.

S: ……

Sensing that Samrat was not going to talk any time soon, she began.

M: I know this may sound stupid to you, but I always felt something different when you were around. I have been dying to tell you my feelings, but I never got the chance to talk to you. Do you feel the same or is it just me?

S: ……

M: Please say something.

S: ……

M: Hello? Are you there? Please say something. I am feeling weird. Are you angry with me?

Samrat had been gathering his thoughts on how to deal with the situation as gently as possible. And in all this thinking he didn’t realize how time flew by. To link the conversation he has to say something now, so Samrat opened his mouth. “Are you okay? I mean, you are not high or something, are you?”

It is said that person speaks truth after three pegs, but with first timer the quantity may decrease to even 2 pegs. So Monika replied “Honestly speaking, I am a little drunk, but give me an answer.”

“No.”

“No????” she said this in bit of a depressed mode. But her tone revealed the entire emotion behind that two letter word ‘No’. This made Samrat feel awkward, so to make things better he continued, “I mean, we will talk about this when you are sober.”

Why not now? I am okay right now!

Monika stop acting like a child! it’s not the right time to talk. You won’t even remember a word tomorrow, so it’s better that we talk when you are sober.

Sammy, please say something. I am feeling that you are angry with me.

No dear, it’s just not the right time to talk about this.

You know, sometimes…,(she took a sip) you act so weird that I don’t understand you. Sometimes you…, (she again took another sip) become so comple.. complexxx, (her tongue was getting heavy, which was the indicator that she was pretty drunk)  You should always talk with your friendsss. It will lighten your burden. Love you Samrat!

It was almost 2 am when Samrat somehow managed to end the conversation, after convincing her that they would speak about it later.

Was Samrat who handled the conversation or the alcohol which was showing its effects, don’t know otherwise she would not have stopped till she got her answers.

Monika and Samrat had another conversation the very nest day, when they met in college. She came to Samrat’s table and asked to come outside class, and she asked.

“Yesterday I was sloshed and I think I did something very stupid. Did I call you last night? Because I saw your name in my call log. Please answer me honestly.”

“Yup, you did call me yesterday.”

“And what did I talk to you about?” she asked Samrat with her eyes closed forcefully. In a lower tone.

“That I am not going to tell  you or anyone for that matter.” Said Samrat, and gave a smile.

“Please Sammy, tell me na! Did I do something terrible?”

“No, I have heard worse than this.”

“That means I definitely did something terrible. Please tell me.”

“NO.”

“Ok, but whatever I said to you, please don’t take it seriously. I didn’t mean any of that.”

“It’s fine with me, I can understand, don’t worry”

                                                                                                

                                                                                                 ...to be continued