"I have always loved Sidney sheldon" said the girl with a smile "He leans towards the empowerment of women in his novels"
"I don't know... I read quite a few of them but at times felt them a bit too sleazy for my taste. And it usually is the same old routine story, there was a girl, faced difficult times, became a a hot shot, then fell in love,was betrayed or gets widowed and against all odds emerges victorious" he said
"Hmm... that's true though. It does sometimes get predictable sometimes. What books do u prefer? Chetan Bhagat?" she asked
"Sometimes..." He said with a smile, wondering in what sense she asked it "But mostly I love books with intellect. Ayn rand and Rabindra nath tagore... and Kushwanth singh" he added for a safe measure
"Thats good.. I always envied people who read philosophy. There is a good friend of mine who reads such books"
"Friend?" He asked, with a twinge of an unknown curiosity
"Yeah. My school buddy. Lots of brains and wit... He's like a walking encyclopedia! :-D"
"Oh...I was called that during my +2 days" said the guy, not to be undone
"And you are proud of it" the girl observed it, and being cautious at the same time, not to offend him
"Ha ha...nothing like that re... It just feels good to be dependable for friends whenever they want to know something.. I'm not the know-it-all bossy types, mind you!" he guffawed
"So what plans for the future?"
"Not much," she answered "Just appearing for MBBS. I am our University's topper"
"Oh?" said the guy, impressed "none of our cousins told me that there's a gem in our family?"
"Wasim? Did you have your medicine? And what are you doing out at this time? It is cold out there" came his mother's voice from the terrace
"It's Ok ammi! Its not so cold..." he hollered obediently, a little irritated
"Hello Nazia beti.. how are you? How are your parents?"
"They are doing good aunty" she replied "Are you too coming to brother's house warming party?"
"I dont know dear.. I cant stay away from Wasim for long" and hastily added "He is preparing hard for his IAS exams, and just in case he gets hungry. Chalo, I shall come and meet you later, I have some chores to attend" and disappeared with a laden tub of freshly laundered clothes
"Ok aunty" "Ok ammi" they answered in unison
"So IAS huh?" said Nazia clearly impressed "And I thought you were impressed that I was some brianiac he he he"
"Its nothing like that re... I just cleared my prelims. An I HAVE to make it through this time, no matter what" he said with a steely glint in his eye
"I'm sure you'll make it.. I can see it in you", she said admiringly
"Chalo then, I have to get preparing... It was nice catching up with you. Enjoy the function" he said warmly
"Oh? you are not going to come?" she said, slightly disappointed.
She wanted to urge him into coming to the function. But she stopped at it, thinking it would be inappropriate to ask a guy such a thing.It was quite a lovely time they were having and he was such a nice guy. She was actually surprised that he put her at such ease and impressed her with her own intellect, by telling her she was a brianiac, when he himself was on the verge of clearing India's most privileged exam.
"No, I cant... The exam is in a few days... Maybe we can catch up some other time" he answered evasively.
"Yeah sure" she said, smiling "I'll be here for the coming summer holidays at chacha's place"
"Yeah." he said, unsure for the first time that evening "That would be nice," he resumed, gaining composure and made his departure
The next summer
Wasim had cleared his IAS exams and was jubilant.. It was a lovely evening, and the universe too seemed to sync with his mood. It reminded of the pleasant conversation he had on a similar evening the previous year..He suddenly wanted to talk to Nazia and know how her MBBS was going.
"Ammi? How is Nazia? Any news about her?" he enquired her mother
"OH her? yeah, I remember her... The last I heard, she's sick.. some viral fever I think.."
"Really?" he asked, slightly distressed. It worried him that it might keep her away in her home town itself. He was looking forward for a good time with the bright girl and get to know her better
"Its ok, she will be visiting her Chacha's home... like she does every year" his mother said, with a knowing smile
His heart leapt with joy but maintained a non-commital expression and gave his mom a 'what-do-you-mean' look. "I know, I know... I'm your mom..." she said and left waving her hand into the air and chortling silently
He was not disappointed.
Nazia came the next week. With a box of sweets and a news paper
"Congratulations on clearing your IAS exams" she said
The sound of her voice, the sight of her - hale and hearty- with the box of sweets and happy for him. The picture was complete.
He was one happy guy.
The evening too decided to approve.
The golden sunset seemed was back in place :-)
