I could have killed myself better right? I mean, banging my head against the wall 10 times, suffocating myself with my pillow and strangling my neck with my scarf couldn't possibly kill me. An MBA and 10 years after college, I had finally made a joke out of myself. What was I ..wait, scratch that, Was I thinking?! I just lost my father, just saw a rivalry change into friendship, saw a Jumbo Pseudo weep and I had kissed the Playboy of Boys? Seriously? Like did I even deserve hell? Finally, as I saw the time I sighed. There was no escaping now. I had spent the entire night thinking of 101 ways to commit suicide or kill someone accidently but as usual, I was an epic fail. Just the way that I had rushed back home in a record time to lock myself from any hint of the Hulk I had messed with.
The gang was coming over home today to plan something. I didn't bother to ask what it was because I knew Shanaya well enough. She would hardly reveal a secret till the Bingo! moment came, and apparently it would arrive only in my house. I sighed as I heard the 100th crash downstairs. Naina Di was one of the best housekeepers I knew and yet she was a floozy when it came to one guy. Who else, the BRAT Nanda of course! I dragged myself down the stairs hoping that in her fluster she had not broken anything precious (sentimentally of course. I didn't really have any antique , rare pieces anyway!) "Nini, would you mind not vandalising the house till we finish this 'planning session'? They'll be here any minute and I don't think you would want them to see ..this right?" I sighed in my best resigned voice and the older woman immediately straightened up. She was the reason Dad and I had survived all these years without malnutrition or worse, unsanitary living. Naina di or Nini as I called her, was my 52 year old housekeeper and guide who refused to leave my side after Dad's demise. It is strange seeing that she was in no need of the money or stress, what with her son earning much more than he needed. Still, Nini stayed behind and was here now to welcome the guests who were threatening to take over my peace.
" Of course not Maya! They should be welcomed properly! What would Ro think otherwise?" she had the slightest smile as she said her nickname for my boss. Oh did I forget? Nini happened to be Rohan Nanda's No.1 fan too. See how my luck is showing me her backside?
After exactly 3 minutes I heard a car stop outside our home. Trust Abhimanyu to be punctual. You didn't think that Rohan was the one bringing everyone did you?! (insert the biggest snort ever). Remember the tough part of being his manager? Well, this was one piece of it.
"Mi, we're here!" C Uncle said as he brought the others in. I had comfortably allowed Nini to greet them, knowing that my nerves needed some more time before I got hacked by the ingenious troublemakers. Smiling at most of them I called them inside and went about the formalities. I had to stamp on my inner monster as I calmly acknowledged the Hulk who was being extra awkward today. "Hi Rohan. Nice shirt" I said before mentally kicking my tongue. Ok, I had intended to act normal but seriously, shirt?! Rohan raised an eyebrow ever so slightly but simply nodded before settling down near Abhi and Shanaya. I took a deep breath as I heard the group start talking and saw Nini give them refreshments. This was going to be a long day I knew as I saw Shanaya snuggle up to Abhi and Rohan squirm a little.
"Could you please repeat that? Without sounding crazier than the last time?" I couldn't keep the annoyance out of my voice. If you hear what she said then maybe you would understand why.
"We will have a student of the year tournament again. For the alumni of St. and you will be an addition too of course. Cant ignore you now, with our new friendship!" Shanaya said with her 10000 watt grin and a wild glint in her eyes. The room was filled with something suffocating and I looked at each face, reflecting nothing but normality. Finally I heard Nini clear her throat and my bubble broke. I burst out laughing and half rolled on the floor.
"You..wnaprtpate..studn.." I tried to gasp out words between giggles but the joke was too much. "Erm..We're actually serious.." Tanya said giving me a look. Suddenly my laughter stopped. I saw that she was right. ! "So..so let me get this straight. You want to hold a competition in Dad's honour. A..Alumni of the Year of sorts?" I tried to make it sound as crazy as I knew it was. "All of us will participate. And we want you to take part in it too. As St.T's honourary student!" Zorab said in a sweet voice slowly cringing as he felt my glare. This boy really wants a painful execution doesn't he? Before I had a chance to argue Abhi took over and started to explain the whole thing. And after an hour of protests I had finally stomped the ground and said no. Everybody shook their heads and left promising to get in touch about the progress. All except Rohan. He made an excuse of wanting to talk to Nini.
"You wrong you're know?" I heard him say as soon as they had left. I didn't turn around so he continued "You don't have to be the good one all the time. Dont have to be the perfect one. Letting it go is tough but you can start only by opening one finger at a time. Relax your hold on life. You cant be right all the time."
"What exactly should I do then? Be ruthless, heartless and a victory-fanatic? Be you?" I spat out before I thought. I noticed the slight hurt in his eyes before he shook his head "nope. I would never ask you to be..me. I'm just telling you to be you. The real you. And live a little. Just give in this time Mia" he said using the nickname my Dad always used. Maybe it was his eyes or the voice but I said my final word and ran up to my room.
I knew that he had left after half an hour as I heard his Lamborghini cruise away from our parking. Hitting the bed I hugged my pillow before I thought about the forthcoming month which was looking terrifying. Oh , what did I say? Yes of course. It was time to visit St.T.