A rainy day... (part 1)

“Wake uppp b’day girl!! Its already 10.15…we are getting late for college! Seems the hangover hasn’t gone!! Hehe..” Priya kicked me hard. We had a great party last night with almost the entire hostel there to celebrate my birthday. It was amazing. I had never been out of home but graduation brought me to Delhi University. I still remembered the day when I was to leave home…all in tears with dad and mom assuring me that they would come every week to see me. Oh..and how time passed. Hostel life had given me such good friends. I had never thought life out of home would be so much fun.

I was still half asleep…but was woken up in an instant when I realised that my bed was shaking! “Hahaha…its meee…Ashuquake!!” It was Ashu. “You idots!! Won’t you guys spare me even on my b’day!! I am another year old…haven’t you guys got any lessons on respecting elders! Hehe… and Priya…what hangover dear?? I didn’t drink!! Huh!” I got up finally. “Ok ok.. you didn’t..now will you get ready for college? I know you are going to take too long with it…your special b’day suit is ready there…No no…don’t thank me for ironing it.. I know how to make you repay!” Priya laughed. “Ohho…so our Barbie is going to wear a suit today!! Man..i have never seen you in one….and let me guess..the colour must be pink…right?” Ashu joked. He always made fun of my obsession with pink and hence called me Barbie! “Yesss it is! And you won’t believe the amount of effort and time Neha spent on getting it made for this day. Chalo..we guys are going down. Get ready quickly!” Priya said. Priya and Ashu…my best buddies at college. And how much I loved them!

I picked up the newspaper…straight to page 4 of HT City. “You are happy and contented with life. Small problems might occur but you can overcome them with ease. Your career and love life will go smoothly. You might meet someone special today. Your lucky colour is green and lucky number 5” my horoscope for the day read. “What the crap! Where are these damn astrologers when earthquakes and bombs rock the world! Absolute shit!” I said. But still, reading this crap had somehow become a ritual for me. I got ready for college. Though I had no plans to attend any classes but I had assured my bookworm friend Priya that I would.

It was a lovely day…light drizzle and cool winds. I had always loved rain. It had an amazing effect on me. An effect that could rub off all tensions and could cheer me up in a moment. Today, I was already so happy and excited. Rain just made my day. I thanked god for the sweet little gift. “Imagine…what would you like to do in this lovely weather…connect the transistors, resistors and capacitors in that crappy electronics lab with that mad professor hanging over our heads with a multimeter…or…have a walk in the ground in this awesome weather with this awesome friend of yours!!” I tried to convince Priya for yet another bunk. “This will be our 4th bunk from lab…attendance??” she countered. “Ashu will do that…chill…he has become an ace in proxies. And he just has to thank me for this special training!” I laughed as I saw her smile. I meant yes. We reached the ground. Our college football team was practising there for the upcoming inter college tournament. We were walking behind the net area and were busy in our gossips and my b’day plans when I was hit by the football. “Shit!!” I shouted. “Ohh…It hurt sweetie??” Priya asked. “No, but look at my dupatta…shit shit…its all muddy!! This damn ball spoiled it all…nooo!!” I yelled.

“Heyyy…I am so sorry!!” the goalkeeper came running. “I missed that one…and oops…it spoiled your dress…sorry for that!” he said. “Sorry! Your sorry would correct this?! Its her birthday and here you are! And Neha..why are you quiet now?” Priya was fighting for me. I didn’t say a word.
He had mud all over his clothes. His college jersey and shorts were almost brown, though I could still make out the original light blue colour at some places. I could easily make out he was above 6 feet. His wet dishevelled hair was covering parts of his forehead…innocent looks yet shining naughty eyes…extremely fair complexion…with slight mud over his cheeks. “Oops..so sorry b’day girl…I spoiled your day! Anyway Neha…a very happy b’day! I am Nick…actually Nikhil.” He smiled. And then I saw them…his cuteeee dimples….which made his smile the best in the world! Man…I was busy staring or what…I didn’t even notice when he extended his hand to wish me!
“Umm…thanks…Nick…and its okay...really.” I said. He smiled. I could see Priya giving me those killer looks. “But what you guys doing out here in the rain?” he asked. “Because this crazy girl loves rain!!” Priya snapped back. “Oh wow..i love that too!” He looked towards me and smiled.
“Nickkk” we could hear his team mates calling. “Gotta go..will catch you later Neha!” He smiled and rushed back towards the field…leaving me there…lost. All of sudden, I was reminded of my horoscope. “Man! Have the astrologers finally got it right this time!!” I was left wondering.

To be continued..

By Priyanka