3. ND
When I stepped out of the door, I saw ND. Niraj Dev Ojha. His abbreviation made him a NO. Not so fond of being called a NO, he called himself ND. And I am still not aware of who called him ND because we always called him Niraj.
Niraj had bought a new bicycle, and he had come to show off his new purchase to his cousins. But little did he know that his cousins were more devils than angels. Rishi, Akki and Jay started taking turns for riding the bicycle. All enjoyed the ride and without any concern for ND or his bike, they returned indoors to have some breakfast.
Poor ND (as if caring for his newly wedded wife) cleaned his bike, put it in the parking place and joined others for breakfast. Six of us sat in a circle and 'Mami' (Sheelu and Jay's mom) started serving us. I wondered if Rishi had even brushed his teeth because when I had entered the house, he was just awake. Anyways, I concentrated on the moong and khakhra on my dish. During the breakfast the boys announced the cricket teams for the afternoon match where I was glad to be in the same team as Akki. Sheelu was kept with Jay in the opposite team for which both were unhappy. Rishi and Akki obviously were the captains every time we played any team games. Nothing exciting happened over the day. I just kept adoring Akki from distance wondering why God would make a boy so charming!!!!
Later in the evening we played cricket, and I was a dumb-head player for the game. My interest just lied in being with my favorite person. I was least bothered about winning the game, but Akki seemed to be engrossed in the match, and it was evident from his face that he disliked my play. At the end he just mentioned to Rishi that next time he'll never let me in his team, to which Rishi happily agreed to keep me in his team. I was disappointed. I didn't like the idea. Akki realized that I heard their talk and saw my sad face. I could see a little hurt expression on his face too but not much deeper.
At that point, for the first time, I thought about the uncertainty. I was not sure if he even liked me, or I was just a neighbour for him? It was then that I realized that it was a one sided love and I was walking on a path without knowing the destination. We separated for a couple of hours and again the entire family assembled in the evening in the compound outside the house. It was like a ritual for all to get together in the evening, during summer, talk and munch on till midnight. We, kids, either played cards or went out for a stroll and have ice-cream or cold drinks.
Whenever we went out, Sheelu and I would walk in between the boys. Akki used to walk near me and with some or the other excuse he would touch my hand or hair. Every time he did so, I would get goosebumps. For him, it might just be fun with friend but hardly did he know what effects it had on me!
Then, one day we all decided to go to nearby places on our two-wheelers. There is a lake in our town and my favorite place AksharWadi Mandir. We decided to visit Mandir and then the lake. We took some snacks with us. Those days it was not easy to find packaged food just anywhere and the street food wasn't healthy enough. I thought I would be paired with Sheelu but to my surprise, when I came out on my vehicle, I saw the Greek God waiting for me. I melted like Tom in Tom and Jerry. I had never in my wildest dream thought of two of us on the same vehicle moving in the city! 'Uparwala jab bhi deta hai Chhapar faad ked deta hai' I signalled him to sit to which he ran and sat. He kept his hands on his knees when he sat. I don't know from where I got the courage to say this, but I said, "Hold me if you're scared. I don't drive rought though." Then I narrated Juhi Chawla's dialogue from Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi movie, Apni seat ka patta bandh lo, ab ye hawai jahaj udne wala hai. I adjusted my rear mirror to see the Greek God to which the God requested me to keep an eye on the road. I was ashamed of my typical 'nibbi' act and started driving without giving him a glance.
After a while, he asked about the places we were passing through and then suddenly he asked if I was comfortable driving him through the traffic since he's much heavier than my little frame can handle! I replied, "I feel lucky that Akshay Kumar is sitting behind me on my two-wheeler." The witty guy immediately said, "I am lucky that Madhuri Dixit is driving me." That was something I heard for the first time. I resembled Juhi Chawla, but no one ever compared me to Madhuri Dixit!
We reached AksharWadi Mandir and after giving them the tour of my favourite place in the city, we headed toward the lake. The boys did some adventures while me and Sheelu kept sitting near the water. After some time, we all started eating the snacks we had and then back we went to house. On the way back, the boys planned to play cards.
Usually, I win playing cards in most of the games, except that someone elder played or Akki distracted me! That day, I didn't go to play. I had to go with my mom outside somewhere. The next day my mom ordered me to pack my bag. I asked her where were we going to which I got the reply that we were visiting a pilgrim place about 100 km from our home town. I always liked to go there but this time my heart was somewhere else. I didn't want to go away from Akki. I didn't know when he would leave. I wanted to spend the maximum time I could with him. But I knew mom wouldn't let me stay here alone. I had to go.