Keeping the Promises (7 page)

“M? What’s she doing here?” Angie blurted.

“Who’s she?” Ansh asked.

“M*****. Our immediate junior, she is my friend, but what’s she doing here?”

“Another blonde without a brain, crying on the road. How dumb!” Dhruv said casually, and Angie snapped at him with anger, stepping out and walking towards her.

“Hey M, what’s the matter? Why are you sitting here alone? And why are you crying?” Angie asked tapping her back.

“Hi Angel! Don’t you know our hostel gate closes at ten? It’s already ten now! I’m trying to find an auto since an hour, but can’t find any, because of the strike,” she said in sobs.

Ansh and Dhruv were standing as rocks, letting Angie handle her. This was the first time when Dhruv saw M. Appearing as another blonde without brain, but there was something different about her, which was persistent in catching Dhruv’s attention – her natural blue eyes. Dhruv could not keep himself away from looking at them.

“I know dear, but we do not have any other choice, do we?” Angie stood beside her and they heard her sobs too.

‘Oh c’mon Angie, what’s this? You were having fun a few minutes back. Remember?’
The thoughts echoed inside of Ansh’s mind.

For a minute or two, no one spoke. M was weeping on Angie’s arms and Angie too was trying hard to match her tears, like they were competing with each other for who can shed more tears?

“There is one option. Why don’t you stay at my house?” Dhruv uttered.

Ansh glanced at him with a big question mark. There was a deep silence. Both girls were looking at them with disarray.

“Are you sure there won’t be any problem?” Angie asked. There was a bit of affirmation in her voice, which amused them, especially Ansh.

“I think so, because tomorrow is Sunday so no one will notice your absence tonight as most Ahmedabadi students will be out too,” Dhruv said.

‘Great going dude!’
mumbled Ansh.

They both looked at each other. M already had stopped crying and by taking a note of their body language, guys knew that they were almost ready.

“M, if you don’t have any problem…” Angie didn’t finish her words and left the final call to M.

“It’s okay if you are with me,” M said and gave her affirmation.

“Okay, then let’s go!” Dhruv swiftly moved, by giving them no further chance to rethink.

They reached Dhruv’s house. Dhruv signalled Ansh about the mess they had to clean before they could take the girls inside.

“You two just wait here in the car, Ansh and I are going inside to sweep up a little,” Dhruv said.

“Stop! It’s okay dear. I know how you guys are and I actually want to see boys’ room. How bad can you guys make it!” Angie smirked.

“But…” Ansh was saying when Dhruv interrupted.

“It’s okay Ansh, she wants to see guys’ room, so let’s show it to her,” Dhruv smiled back.

They went inside, and the boys led them to their room. Their dirty boxers and undergarments were flooded on the floor, smelling like rotten fruits.

“Anything more you want to see my dear?” Dhruv simpered.

“Very funny, want any help in cleaning this mess?” Angie offered.

“That’s really sweet of you, but not needed. You girls go downstairs and sit in the dining room. We will join you in a while.” They went downstairs and the boys joined them after mopping the floor and making their room less terrible.

“What will we do now?” Angie asked.

“Let’s play a game. Spin the bottle.”

Girls agreed in an instant; they always reserve a soft corner for these types of games.

“M, if you don’t have any problem,” Dhruv asked for assurance.

“No, it’s okay. You guys have done so much for me that I can’t find enough words to thank you. So I’m fine with whatever you decide,” she meekly replied.

“No need to be formal dear. You know we would never let you sit there alone,” Angie consoled her.

“If you want to play this, then only participate. Otherwise, it’s fine. No one is pushing you,” Dhruv firmly said.

‘Why is this fucker being so polite today?’
Ansh wondered.

“No, I’m fine with it. Let’s play,” M said, giving her assurance with a smile. Boys wondered, who would say that these girls were weeping just an hour ago?

Gajju went upstairs and brought an empty bottle of vodka. Angie snapped at Ansh with anger.

“This doesn’t belong to me, take a troll at him,” Ansh gave his rational explanation.

“I found this one only, hope you two are fine with it,” Dhruv said.

“It’s okay. We don’t have any problem,” Girls said unanimously.

“But you guys better stay away from these. I don’t need to remind you how good you are with them,” Angie chuckled.

“Objection sustained,” Dhruv retorted with a wink.

‘That’s my girl you motherfucker!’
Ansh echoed in his mind.

Then M spun the bottle, and the cap pointed towards Dhruv.

“Who was the first girl in your life?” She asked.

“Nirali…” Dhruv said and paused, “Nirali Shah.”

“Tell us more about her,” Angie demanded.

“Sorry, one question at a time,” Dhruv muzzled and spun the bottle, and the cap then pointed at M.

“What is your checklist when you find a guy to date?” Dhruv asked.

“Ahmm, none actually; who will touch the chords of my heart, will be my special one,” she answered politely.

“And how many special ones have touched those strings till now?” Dhruv asked without reservation.

“Sorry…one question at a time,” she retorted with a smirk and spun the bottle. Cap pointed at Angie and bottom at Dhruv.

“Tell us the biggest lie of your life which you don’t regret,” he asked.

She clenched her teeth and showed him a punch. Dhruv responded with a wink and threw a kiss. Ansh realised it had to do something with him.

She turned to Ansh, “Remember, I asked you about the way to examination hall?” He nodded. “I lied, I knew the way.”

“Why?” Ansh blurted.

“Rules are rules, my friend! One question at a time,” Dhruv came to her rescue. Ansh saw Angie giving Gajju a shot of gratitude and spun the bottle. It pointed at M again with the bottom towards Ansh.

“Tell me how many guys have touched those strings?” Dhruv desperately asked before Ansh could say something, she too noticed it and smiled generously.

“None, really none! They are fully untouched, reserved for someone special,” she answered with a certain pride in her voice.

“There is nothing in that to be proud of,” Dhruv chortled.

“I know. Don’t worry, I’m not one of those stereotypes. It’s just that I never found someone who could really touch them. To be honest, I really wanted to, but I never got one,” she explained and spun the bottle. Cap pointed at Dhruv again. Ansh was enjoying everyone’s confessions and was completely fine by not getting that cap pointed towards him.

“Tell us more about her,” M demanded. Her extra attention towards Dhruv got Ansh and Angie’s eyes suspicious.

“We used to sit together in class and were best of friends. I had interacted with many girls in my life but no one got my attention as much as she did,” Dhruv said.

“Really? No one?” Angie chuckled, with her eyes arched at M.

“And? You guys were dating?” M asked, paying no attention to Angie.

“No no, never! But I liked her – as a friend, and as a great companion. Apart from Ansh, she was the only one with whom I could share anything…and I mean anything!”

“And there was a time when she was even more important than me,” Ansh shrugged.

“She was your friend too?” Angie asked.

“No, she wasn’t. Ansh didn’t like her. He was very possessive about me then.” He chuckled.

“Ya right, but that was childhood. You know how much effort I put for your patch up when she was gone,” Ansh retorted with a grin.

“Where did she go?” Asked M.

“She went into designing and I was sent here. So after that, I never heard from her,” Dhruv answered and everyone saw a smile on M’s face.

They kept spinning the bottle for about an hour till they started getting bored.

“What do we do now? Should we go to sleep?” Angie asked.

“Sure, if you want to. You are the owner of your time,” Dhruv said, who was at his most polite mood.

“You got any better idea?” M’s eye lit up.

“Let me advise you one thing M, never ever ask or consider Gajju’s ideas,” Ansh chuckled. Angie too nodded her head, how could she forget that he almost got them rusticated?

“He is right M, because I have an idea in my mind, which may seem crazy to you all,” Dhruv exploited.

“We are all ears,” quipped Angie.

“Why don’t we go out for a coffee or something?”

“For the first time, I’m not finding your suggestion crazy,” Angie smirked.

“Because I’m not finished yet,” Dhruv paused.

“Then?”

“At my favourite restaurant – Cafe piano!” Dhruv unveiled his yet another crazy desire.

“What? Dude, are you mad? You want to travel 120 km for just a coffee and that too with girls at night?” Ansh grumbled.

“I told you that you will find it crazy, but tell me guys, do you want to?” Dhruv tossed his coin again. Both the girls looked at each other, waiting for the other person to say something.

“Of course, I don’t want to,” Ansh growled, hoping that girls would join him soon, but to his surprise, they didn’t respond.

“I want to,” blasted Angie.

She then looked at M, who was still pale.

“I don’t mind!” To Ansh’s surprise, she responded positively too. Then Dhruv – along with both girls – snapped at Ansh.

“Whyyyyyy…would I mind then?” A sudden change in his opinion made everyone laugh.

“Okay then, let’s ride.” Dhruv said enthusiastically. Within the next five minutes they were in the car and on their way to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad-Baroda expressway never seemed better for them – less traffic, smoother roads and their favourite music. Hardly anyone spoke a word throughout the journey and yet, it was blissful. Dhruv – always a faithful lover of road trips – had his own collection of old and new songs prepared. Most of them were soft, enchanting and romantic songs which Dhruv considered best for the road trips. He – from all the experiences of both night drives and long drives – believed that loud music bores you within one hour and will turn your blissful ride into a lousy and exhausting one. Knowing that there were girls on their backseats, Dhruv had taken care that no matter how much the smooth roads of the expressway would seduce him to over speed, he never would. As soon as they reached Ahmedabad, they recognised that it was Saturday night and patrolling on Saturday nights is always high. But Dhruv, less concerned about the police, knew another way
where there would be no patrolling even if they impose curfew. To everyone’s surprise, he was true to his words. He led them to TGB-Cafe Piano in no time, without any interruptions. As they both were loyal customers there and since for the first time they had girls with them, everyone from the gatekeepers to the waiters was treating them with more enthusiasm. More so, they were expecting less trouble. Three hours passed like a couple of minutes, with espresso shots, Pasta arrabiata and Devils on horseback. It was already five in the morning when they left TGB. This was Ansh’s longest night-out and that too with the girl he loved. M, whom they had met just hours ago, was now a significant part of them, more secured, more expressive, moreover happy. Ansh thanked his God for gifting him with a night like that, with Angie and that too with an amazing lie which successfully occupied a part of his mind throughout. Everyone was quiet as they sat in the car, Dhruv was yet to clutch the key and ignite the engine.

“How was it?” Dhruv gently asked the girls in the backseat.

“Is there any better world than wonderful?” Angie smiled, flaunting her happiness.

“Marvellous…” said Dhruv, who always claimed to have an answer to everything and was always ready to show off.

“Why are you not starting the engine, Gajju? I think we should go back now,” Ansh suggested, showing him his wrist watch.

“I have a request before we go,” Dhruv said, whose demands had no end. No one responded, no one opposed too, by knowing that he was the reason behind this night which they considered one of the best nights of their life. But the best was yet to come.

“I want to see the sunrise, at my secret place,” Ansh was shocked as he heard this. His secret place, no one except Ansh had seen it before.

“Are you sure Gajju, you want to take the girls to that place?” Ansh said with a concern, knowing that there was no way on earth he would lead them there without any check-post.

“Yes, I need to see that now.”

“What’s that secret place?” Angie asked in confusion.

“Let me tell you something girls, you are going to witness the most exciting moment of your life, but try to ignore Dhruv Gajjar you meet there because he’s beyond anyone’s understanding,” Ansh simpered. Yes, every time they go there, he was a completely different person – an immature, crazy, irresponsible gym freak would turn himself into a philosopher with some of the weirdest theories of this world.

“Let’s go there.” M was the first one to agree, Ansh and Angie – reading the affection in each other’s eyes – were in no condition to oppose. Surprisingly, there were no policemen to stop them in the way, indicating that the omens were on their side. That secret place was near the Sabarmati river, which was rich in water after merging with Narmada. Dhruv, who was excited than ever was now swift in changing gears to reach. That was a construction site, with a guard outside. It frightened girls and as Dhruv knew this was coming, he told them that there was nothing to worry. When the guard saw Dhruv’s car, he waved at him, but not after he realised they were not two, but four this time. He parked the car at his usual place and turned towards the rest.

“You guys sit here until I signal you to come out.” He stepped out of the car.

He was chatting with that guard when M asked, “Is there any problem?”

“No, he is just giving him the entrance fee,” Ansh answered with a smirk.

“To be precise, he is bribing him.” She chortled.

“In a manner, but consider this an entrance fee.”