What is the curfew time for you to reach home at night? And
what should be the limit for girls? And why am I even asking these questions?!
Last Saturday, after writing a cruel test and having lugged
the whole week for submitting the final draft of an assignment, my friends and
I were desperate for a break. So, after churning our minds and considering the
lack of time with me (the dark side of traveling through public transport: YOU
HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE DARK!!), we decided to go to the Hauz Khaz village.
But it is a given fact that in a group of friends with diverse interests, ALL
cannot enjoy ALL of the outing completely. So, after a part-boring, part-crazy
exploration of Hauz Khaz Killa, we decided to compromise a little and accompany
a shopaholic friend to Sarojini market, which proved a torture for the rest of
us.
It’s funny how, after a while, propriety takes leave and we
are unable to hide our thoughts. The more amicably we accept what our friends
prefer, the better. After coming to our senses, that going out for a movie was
one thing that would drown the buzz of mismatched preferences, we three took
leave from Sarojini and our fourth friend, say X, (I can’t bring myself to risk
my life by mentioning her name on the World Wide Web!) we reached Saket, further
down. All that we could arrange three seats for In Time, starring Justin
Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried (sigh). About the movie, well, read the
newspaper reviews! We somehow managed to stay alive by bringing our English
Hons analysis to life, critiquing (or criticising, really!) every cliché’
dialogue and every unnecessary smooch. And yes, the time on hands! But worse
was yet to come.
By the time the PVR attendants gave us our college bags back
after the formalities, it was already 7;15 in the evening, and I was still at Saket! Catching the bus back to Sonepat would take me forever! Well, I called my
dad and explained. Then I called up a wonderful guy friend of mine, who I knew would
leave for Sonepat soon, and explained. Then I called my mother and explained,
again! With the auto journey , the disrupted metro rides and candid secrets
spilling out, it took me an hour to reach Kashmere Gate. And another 30 minutes
for my friend to find me here! I could actually hear the blood running through its streams.
The bus moved from its spot at 9. We arranged for my
friend’s parents to pick us up from the deserted bus-stop of Bahlgarh, since we
could not find a direct bus. Though his parents were very accommodating, I was
dying inside, thinking about my now-marred image in their minds.
My dad wasn’t yet home when I reached home, I thank Almighty. And my mother,
after 5 minutes of venting out all the anger, hugged me and sobbed about the
immense tension I had given her. And reiterated what (let us call him Y) Y’s
parents would think of me. "LADKI 10 BAJE GHAR AA RAHI HAI. D.U. KI HAWA LAG
GAYI HAI ISSE!!"
As I talked it over with my best friend, he just asked
me if I would like to look back at my college life sans any crazy move or a rash
evening. No, of course not! And it was fine, really! It was a wise move to wait and
come home with my friend. And he proudly told me about his ‘lift’ riding
adventures – how he pillion rode a random bicycle rider, and then a
cart-puller! You see, you have to cover the distance, somehow or the other.
So, what I concluded in an agreement with myself is that, may
be, I should step out of the cozy cocoon of my home and explore the world a
little bit on my own. Or with my friends. I should laugh like crazies in the
metro, with us pulling the most foolish of jokes. We should discuss the
assignments, as well as our opinions about the fashion on streets. AND try to
reach home at time, so I can have fun without the countless stares in the bus,
and without pissing off my mother!
