Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai

Haan bhai kya socha? Kab chalna hai?

(Have you decided something? When you are planning to go?)

I asked stepping inside his room. He was lying on his bed with face towards ceiling and chuckling continuously by thinking something. As usual, his tape recorder was playing songs of RHTDM. He seemed totally lost in his thoughts and didn't look to pay attention to anything in this world.

Are you ok? I asked again sensing his focus of attention.

Arey Dadri! When did you come? He said pretending he didn't notice me earlier.

When you were thinking about that dusky damsel! I said winking at him.

He winked back and said

Nothing like that yaar. I was thinking about my supplementary paper of Mathematics. I hate this subject.

Your favourite songs are playing and you are smiling by thinking of it and still you say you hate mathematics. Come on! i expected a smart answer from you. I said understanding he was trying to avoid my question.

Chhotu... Chhoti Chhoti baatein pakdne lag gaya. Yaar! This literature written by "B S Grewal" will bother me for another two semesters. Anyways! What were you saying? He giggled first and then said bringing fake expressions of seriousness on his face.

I was asking about your plans of going to GH (Girls Hostel). I think you should not wait for so long. There are many Black & White (KPs) people out there to woo these handful girls of our batch. And grapevine in hostel is that our batch's Rajinikanth is trying to woo your would be sweetheart. I said pretending serious and concerned for him.

U r right but i should be well prepared when i meet her. I should have smart arguments to convince her. He said looking serious this time.

Hmmmmm.. That’s true but don’t waste so much time. I sighed.

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We developed a very good friendship from starting of the Ist semester. My room partner introduced us and we got instant connect. We starting spending ample time with each other as we were putting up on the same third floor of "Chakradhar Bhawan". Earlier the discussions were rarely about girls and soon it were entirely concentrated on opposite sex. Me, him and perhaps entire batch was constantly engaged in these chats. Perhaps lower middle class's young boys from small towns find this concept of having a girl friend very fascinating. During one of these conversations, our another batch-mate and good friend told us about this girl from his home town.

You have a friend in GH and you didn’t tell us for so long. This is not fair. I said to Jhabbu.

Arey! She WAS my friend not IS. I don’t interact with her any more. I had a fight with her during school time. Jhabbu replied pretending not to be bothered.

You are “fuddu” (moron). When it is the real time to have a contact, you are not in touch with her. Leave your ego, at least for your friends. I said with a mixed baggage of emotions.

And he laughed sensing my frustration.

Till then Hero was busy making diagrams for workshop practical. He was giving very dull reactions on our conversation.

Accha... Whats her name? I asked.

Her name is Pooja (name changed). Jhabbu replied

Pooja what? Full name please. I again asked (Casteism crops up every now and then in various forms and can never get out of the mind of middle class people).

Her full name, i think is, Pooja Verma. Jhabbu replied pretending disinterested in a conversation about her.

What? What did u just say? Verma? Right? Hero, leaving aside everything, shot questions at speed of light.

Yes! i think so! but i never tried to know what exactly her full name is. Jhabbu replied irritatingly.

Thanks my brother! Said a visibly happy Hero.

for what! Asked Jhabbu.

for telling her full name! Hero said smilingly.

And you think I deserve a thanks for that. R u sure? Asked a surprised Jhabbu.

Yes! U won't understand that... Said Hero throwing a cunning smile at me.

I interrupted and explained Jhabbu. After hearing my explanation, he laughed atleast for a minute and then said

"Yaar what a logic! because our Hero and she are from same community so he think they both may become couple"

Yaar... I told you won't understand. Dadri! what do u think. Said Hero.

As I was used to this kind of behaviour/gestures from school time, i confirmed his conviction (by Smiling back).

Ok! have to leave now. Tomorrow is sessional exam for Physics. I don't want to get just 60 percent again like first semester. Said Jhabbu.

You won't go anywhere till u give each and every detail about her. Fuck the sessionals. Best of three will be counted and don’t forget Dadri also lies in Sixty percent bracket and i even didn't clear the semester. Said Hero with a fake emotion of angriness on his face.

I have no deep informations about her. She is oversmart and belongs to a middle class family. Anddddddddddddddddddd... Nothing else... Thats it.. Said Jhabbu.

Dadri is right. You are a certified moron. You studied with her for years and you know only two things about her. Come on! i never expected this from you. Said irritated Hero.

I never felt the need to know so many things about her... Leaving now... Need to cram those big equations of "Theory of Relativity". Said Jhabbu pretending to be exhausted by this conversation.

You are a useless fellow. Atleast tell how she looks like! Said a visibly irritating and curious Hero.

Then came a wicked smile on Jhabbu's face which soon converted into a small laughter.

I am talking you on some serious matter and you are laughing. comeon! Don't irritate me further. Said Hero in angry voice.

See yourself and decide. i don’t even want to think about her. Said Jhabbu and left for the room.

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Me and Hero were sitting at 'Khoka' and discussing on various topics. Khoka was the biggest time pass for RECKERS. One can spend hours there by drinking "Patti" and eating stale "Matthis" and "Samosas". Hero was somewhat puzzled that day. He was continuously engaged in some thought.

What happened! u looking confused. If there is something i can help you with? I asked him.

"Jagat! two more pattis” Hero came out of his deep thoughts.

"La raha hai. La raha hai" Said Jagat in his trademark style.

You want to share something. I again asked.

U remember that day Jhabbu was talking of a girl... His schooltime classmate.... Said Hero pointing to our earlier conversation.

Haan! but what is connection of your confusion with that girl. I asked trying to decode source of his confusion.

Yaar! i am thinking in that direction. Hero hinted.

Come on! you can't be serious. I thought you were just kidding that time. I said surprisingly though i didn't gave this reaction during that day's conversation. Perhaps that day i thought he was just killing the time.

Nahi yaar! but i actually have given it a thought and feel i should give it a try. Said Hero on a serious note.

have u seen her? I asked him.

Haan! Once at Apolli. She is bit dusky but I will manage. Replied Hero without changing his face expressions.

Yaar! you have seen that girl only once, you don’t know anything about her and yet dreaming of a relationship. Bhai! before making any move, you first enquire about her. I said passing words of caution to him.

Whom should i ask. Jhabbu don't know more than two things. I can not ask anybody else because that may advertise this thing everywhere and i will be linked to her till we get passed out. She belongs to my community. Right now, i think, that is enough. Said Hero reflecting typical small town and Middle class mentality.

Hmmmmmmmm... but r u 100% sure? I again asked as i was not convinced.

Yes! Also I have discussed this with one of my senior "Vinod". Said Hero.

Vinod! Ohh that guy too belongs to your Verma community (unintentionally invoking casteism once again). What did he say then? I asked.

He jokingly said "Abe tu jaativaad faila raha hai RECK mein (you are promoting casteism in college)". Said Hero with a little smile on his face.

But i explained him pros of doing this. He too wasn't convinced fully and initially threw so many doubts like you are doing right now. But, in last, he didn't discourage me. And i think there is nothing wrong with my thought either. Hero sounded very confident while saying last line.

Perhaps Hero's thought (Middle class's boys thought) was that if she becomes his GF then they may get married in future and he would have a rare distinction of having a professional working wife which he can boast of in his community.

Chal koi nahi! I m not sure how u gonna do this but wont discourage you either. I have no experience in this field but still u can seek my advise. I said half heartedly.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............

********************************************************************

Dadriiiii.. Hero smilingly entered in my room.

What happened! u are looking very happy. I asked.

One should always remain happy. Its good for health. Hero said trying to hide the real reason.

Don't be a philosopher. Tell me actual reason. I asked him though his smile and face expressions gave enough hints.

Yaar! I have decided. I am going to GH to meet her. Said Hero.

Bhai! See. If you haven't done this kind of adventure earlier in your life, it might prove disastrous for you. She is not a girl from your town whom you can impress with some crammed hard words of English. You need to be cautious with your words. Jhabbu too told that she is oversmart. She might outplay you in this episode.

Although few days back i was trying to push him to go to GH, but considering his seriousness over the subject, i passed him words of cautions too.

Bhai! i have planned everything. I have prepared answers for every question and counter question of hers. I will convince her anyhow to enter into a relationship with me. i just need to rehearse the entire scenario once before i proceed. Said Hero brimming with (over) confidence.

Tell me! what exactly you have planned. You can rehearse before me so that i also can suggest/add in your script. I told him.

Hmmmm.. that would be good. Look.... I will go to her and would start by saying blah blah blah.................................. and Hero played his entire speech before me. I couldn't stop myself chuckling all the time. I wasn't convinced at all with what Hero has planned.

Bhai! I have serious doubts over your script. This is not gonna work as your arguments are not convincing. I told him.

But Hero remained adamant and said there are no problems with this. That day, i understood that a girl can make a boy crazy that too without talking to him for a moment.

Though mostly straightforward, Haryanvi people are very unpredictable at moments. Even a fellow Haryanvi can't judge their moods by their way of reacting. I thought he is just passing the time and won't do anything.

Rehen de! u won't go. I said throwing doubts on his intentions.

Bhai! i will go! why u don't believe. He raised a question on my conviction.

Don't know but this is what i m feeling right now. I said with suspicion.

Accha! laga bet! if i go there, u will give me a party in University market and vice versa. Hero said to confirm his conviction.

I calculated the cost (in my mind) of giving a party in university market and it didn't come out more than 60-70 rupees. It wasn't a bad deal. In both the cases, I wasn't at loss. Perhaps I wanted to gain some experience too via his proposal, May be a good learning from his mistakes. If he is not succeeding in his proposal, I just have to shell 60-70 rupees out of my pocket. or if he succeeds in his plans then I too can get indirect access to GH via his contacts.

Ok! done. I showed him right thumb.

Day after tomorrow is Saturday and I wish she doesn't go to her hometown. I will come to you at 3:30 PM and then we will be proceeding to GH. Said Hero.

Done. I said.

********************************************************************

I reached at Hero's room at 3:15 PM on D-Day. Don't know why, I was feeling much excited on that day. He was wearing formal pant with shirt tucked-in and a pair of sandles.

So! all set to be in a relationship? I excitedly asked him.

Bhai bera ne (don't know), lets see what happens. He said throwing first sign of nervousness.

“Chal lets go” said hero sprinkling Deodorant in armpits. We came out of the main gate of hostel number - 3 and turned towards Apollo. Hero chose correct time for rendezvous. There wasn't anybody seen around the hostel area and on the way to GH at Omi's fruit place, STD booth and Examination hall. Hero wasn't looking comfortable at all. He was continuously thinking something in his mind and wasn't talking to me. Passing through the BOK (Bridge of Knowledge), as we turned towards Apolli, I observed Hero talking to himself. Perhaps he was revising his script. As we reached Apolli, I more or less was sure that he has developed cold feet.

Are you sure. I asked him

Hero stopped and thought something in his mind but didn't utter a single word.

We may choose to go later, if you are nervous. I told him.

No! today and now only. You may choose to stay here at Apolli only as your presence may not give good impression to her and might raise doubts over my intentions. said Hero wiping a drop of sweat on his forehead.

Ok! I will accompany you till GH and then will move towards Frustoo chowk. I told him.

Hmm! that would be ok! Said Hero.

We turned towards GH along Auditorium side. As we were moving towards GH, I observed him sweating profusely. His entire body was showing nervousness. Although I wanted to but there was no point stopping him then. As we reached the spot of UTT (Under Tree Talk), we observed a tempo of gas cylinders by the road side towards Frustoo chowk. He asked me to go behind tempo to hide myself and see the proceeding from there only without getting noticed by her.

Hero asked one of the girl going inside the hostel to send Pooja Verma from first year. Hero's nervousness was increasing with each passing moment. He put his both hands on his face for a second and then started looking upwards at sky. Standing at same place, he started turning backwards again and again. I wasn't sure and couldn't decide if that moment was funny or serious.

Then a dusky girl came out of the GH wearing cream colour half sleeved shirt and Black jeans. I wasn't sure if she was the same girl. Hero gazed at her and then at me to give the signal. He folded his hands in a hurry perhaps to hide his nervousness. I too felt the nervousness at that time. Perhaps friends shares difficult moments too. But the lady was looking so confident. She came and enquired Hero if he called her. Hero nodded in yes.

She too folded her hands and asked Hero the purpose. By that time Hero's cold feet had turned frozen.

He said something to her but she chose to remain silent and continued gazing at him. Hero was trying to say something but words didn't come out. He was moving his hands here and there perhaps trying to explain something to her. I couldn't hear anything but understood that nothing was going according to the script. She also started saying some thing to Hero and he again tried to communicate himself partly through words and rest by his highly nervous body parts.

Suddenly Hero's face turned frightened. She started saying something and went on and on for a while. Hero was just looking at her and didn't react as he was left with zero confidence. Then she turned back and went inside GH.

Hero was frozen at his place and didn't move a single inch till she disappeared to inside of GH. Then Hero started moving towards Frustoo CHowk. He forgot that I was standing behind the tempo. When he moved ahead of my position, I called him from behind. He didn't give instant reaction, moved a few yards forward and then turned back (did a Major Saab). He saw me and slapped his forehead with palm of his right hand and stopped till I reached him.

Kya hua (what happened)! did everything go fine? I asked although I had some idea of end result.

Chal university market chalte hai (Lets go to university market). He sounded very low while saying.

In next 10 minutes, we were sitting inside a small fast food shop in uni market. I asked Hero to order something but he passed the onus to me. I ordered two pastries and samosas.

I again asked him " Tell me what happened". I was too excited to know the details.

He looked at me and smiled. The smile was clearly filled with embarrassment. He then thought something and smiled again and put his face between palms of his hands.

He relaxed after a while and said "You were right. She outplayed me completely."

What happened. Tell whole episode. I excitedly asked hiding my laughter.

She came to me and asked the purpose. I told him my name and asked her as well. Said Hero.

Fuck! You know her name. You called her from GH by her name. then why did you ask. I asked.

Yaar! don't know.. i forgot everything when she stared me. Said Hero.

Then she again signalled me to tell the purpose. I then remembered the script and told her "Aapke baare mein pata chala (came to know about you)" Continued Hero with his story.

How come. She asked developing some suspicion over my (Hero) intentions.

From List. I (Hero) told.

Which list. She asked.

List of result of Ist semester. I (Hero) said.

She made a strange face as she didn't understand what the matter was. She again signalled me to explain further.

I came to know about your full name from there". As I am also from same community, you know you and me. I (Hero) told her.

So? She asked confirming her doubts over my intentions.

And then I (Hero) did the blunder. I (Hero) said "Main aap se friendship karna chahta hoon". That was the last line I (Hero) told her before she overtook the conversation.

Though I was sympathetic for him to some extent but couldn’t stop myself bursting into a big laughter.

He said "Yaar honestly. didn’t understand why I said this."

By hearing this, she clearly got my (Hero) intentions and said "What do u think of your self". I (Hero) was already nervous and "Wo mere upar raashan paani le ke chadh gayi".

Yaar! I even don't remember, what and what she said to me. But yaar! she screwed me completely with her tongue. Jhabbu was bit wrong about her! she is not just over smart, but a 10th degree of over-smartness. Said embarrassed Hero.

In last! she said "In future, never try to come in my zone" and went back to GH.

Yaar! I never felt so embarrassed, out-of-confidence and frightened in my life. Said Hero.

I couldn't control myself bursting into a big laughter. Didn't care that many people were sitting there and everybody was staring me with a big question mark over my civic sense. I went on for a while and laughing gave me stomach cramps. I wiped my tears after a minute. Hero asked me to stop many times but I couldn't. By then we were served our pastries.

Hero took first bite of pastries, and said "Yaar Chhori ke nayan-naksh to theek thak hai waise" (Bro! By the way she has got sharp features).

And we both burst into a big laughter.