My friends and I often used to dine out on Wednesdays. As a routine habit, we went out that Wednesday too. There we were…the 3 of us seated on a cycle-rickshaw. A discussion was going on about the 2 dazzling sisters from Kashmir. They had recently joined Thapar and were pursuing BCA. And around a hundred boys were pursuing them. Both of them had striking features and it was hard to say who was more beautiful. But the best thing was that they were like ‘Cadbury Dairy Milk Shots’. Whenever one was seen, the other could be spotted right at her side.

“Yaar…samajh ni aata kisko dekhun. Dimaag khraab kar deti hain dono hi! ” said Mohit, for the umpteenth time this week. He was sure that God had answered his prays and sent his lady-luck at the right place, at the right time. It was our final year. We had all the time for wooing girls. Both of us were placed and trying our luck in the wee days left in college. Unlike us, our third companion was well-behaved and never talked about girls. So, I won’t talk about him too.

We had reached close to Heavens restaurant. I asked the rickshaw puller to halt to one side to get my mobile recharged.

I entered the recharge shop and recited my mobile number. I asked him to make the recharge before 9 p.m. and he winked an approval. I gave him a toothy grin and made my way out of his shop. As soon as I pulled the glazed door open a set of beautiful eyes met mine. Her face was fully veiled in her black dupatta. We looked at each other for full 1 second and then I left mesmerized. I overheard her, reciting her number to the shopkeeper and made a mental note.

“Kya dekh rha tha bhai aakhen faad faad ke? ” shouted Mohit.

“Uss ladki ko…abey aankhen bahut sundar hain uski, ” I said turning red.

“Bhai chitkabri hai…haath ni dekhe tune, ” he continued nonchalantly.

I hopped back on the rickshaw without responding. I had noticed the girl’s mother waiting right behind us on her scooter. Besides this, something told me that both the girl and her mother had heard Mohit’s comment. I wanted to disappear out of sight and asked the rickshaw puller to paddle fast.

“Preety…chaliye, ” suggested her mom.

“Hanji Mumma aaii, ” Preety answered respectfully.

***

It was 12 o’clock and I still couldn’t sleep. It was not the cream chicken which was keeping me awake. It was something else. I can’t sleep with a troubled mind. I felt guilty of making Preety and her mom feel horrible that evening. 9888****** the number was still fresh in my memory. Without giving a second thought I touched my keypad multiple times and dialled a message.

I tapped on the ‘Send’ option and hid in my blanket. I was afraid, I don’t know why. After 1 long minute, I heard a buzz on my mobile.

‘Thanks a lot. No one has ever appreciated me before!’ was her reply. I scrolled up to read my message.

‘Preety you have the darkest and prettiest pair of eyes I have ever seen (boy at the recharge shop, our eyes met at the shop entrance…8 p.m.).’

Excited at the quick response, I decided to send another message.

“No buddy…it is wrong.” said my inner voice. I had no option but to listen. I always listen to what my heart says. Rolling up my blanket once again, I closed my eyes. There was a serene smile on my face and I dreamed and slept in contentment.