Harjeet tiptoed to the first floor and peeped into the ground floor of the house next door. Rahul was nowhere in sight. She turned and just then a small stone hit her on the shoulder. She turned back and looked up. Rahul beckoned to her from the terrace – come up!

She climbed the steps and went up to meet her boyfriend. They stood close by, near the cemented wall dividing both the houses. Bubbling with excitement Harjeet said, Bhai is going to help dad at the petrol pump. Today is cleaning day. Rahul smiled and said – great then Balbir (Harjeet’s brother) will be busy for the day. You come over to Tara Apartments at Samir’s house. His mom has gone to her hometown. I will send him away and we can have some time together.

Oh, but Didi won’t allow me to go out alone. Array yaar ask your friend Mita to come along, Samir will be happy as he finds her cute. Harjeete! Didi’s voice called out loudly. Coming Di and she turned to rush down. Reach Samir’s place at 11:30, Rahul called out to her.

Harjeet her brother Balbir, Rahul (next door) and Samir were all studying in the Air Force Public School. Harjeet was in class 11th and all others were in 12th. Balbir, Rahul and Samir were thick friends. However, Balbir was not aware of his sister being close to Rahul or else ……

Didi, Harjeet said, I am going to Mita’s house as I want to go out with her to buy some Mills and Boon and other books. I am getting bored sitting at home. Didi continued to stir the dal on the stove and said, I don’t mind you reading them, but I don’t want too much romance in your head. Next year it will be 12th standard and you must think about your career.
Kya chal raha hai (What is going on) ? Balbir walked in, munching an apple. Harjeet wants to go to South Extension to the book shop with Mita. Oh, I am taking Rahul with me to the Petrol Pump as Dad needs some extra hands to clean up the place. Otherwise I would have dropped both of you on my bike. There was a 2-minute silence.

But Balbir I thought you were going alone, said Harjeet. How do you know? Balbir asked ?I didn’t tell you. Harjeet persisted, has he agreed? Whom are you talking about ,Balbir turned around irritated? Rahul? That is none of your business. Why will he refuse?

Harjeet was terribly confused. Rahul had only five minutes back called her to Samir’s place and now he agrees to go out with Balbir. Disappointed at her date being cancelled, Harjeet said – Di I am having a headache and I won’t go out today. Suits me said Didi happily, I need to do some waxing on myself and you can help me. I am going out with Rajesh tomorrow. Rajesh was Didi’s fiancée and they were soon going to get married.

Harjeet went into her room and sulked. The phone was in the living room where her parents were sitting and having chai so she could not make a call to Rahul without her parents overhearing. No dressing up, no meeting boyfriend, no excitement in life she thought. Moti! Balbir popped into her room, Rahul is not going with me, so I can drop you and Mita. Excitement returned but Harjeet was in a fix as she had refused pretending headache. Also, she had to prepare Mita. They had to go to Tara Apartments and not to South Extension as she had told Didi. Uff ! So much of confusion. No, you go she said, I am not feeling great. Ok said Balbir and went out of the room. Harjeet without waiting for a second ran out from her backdoor to Mita’s house close by.

Mita please yaar , come with me . Didi wont let me go out alone . But what will I do there implored Mita. You will be with Rahul and I cant sit there doing nothing for 3 hours and I have to be back at 3 because I have my dance class and my mother will be furious if I miss it . I promise you we will eb back by 3 and I will steal Didi’s new Mills &Boon and you can read it there. Besides you can chat with Samir , he thinks you are cute . Well I don’t want to chat with him said Mita. If you promise I can be back by 3 then I will come . Harjeet jumped in delight , common reach my house in 10 minutes and remember we are going to South Extension to buy books .

Harjeet wore her new jeans and a pretty white top. She tied her hair into a pony tail, applied some of Didi’s new lip liner and tied her scarf on her bag and waited for Mita . Mita came in a plain yellow dress with no make up or jewellery, and with her long hair open and swaying behind her . She  looked pretty and Harjeet did not want Rahul to think she was prettier than herself. Harjeet said , Mita , why don’t you plait your hair , open hair till waist does not suit you and besides the hair does not looked washed . Oh Ok said Mita and took out a band and made a pony tail out of her hair . She still looked very young and pretty there was no time to think now.

They took an autorikshaw to Tara Aparments and reached the flat . Samir opened the door greeting them and Rahul was standing behind. Harjeet pushed him aside and rushed into Rahul’s arms. Mita felt awkward but Samir took her to the sitting room while Rahul and Harjeet went to the bedroom. Mita was getting very uncomfortable knowing what may be going inside the room and with both she and Samir being aware of this .

Samir made some tea and tried to have a conversation with Mita and even said that she could rest in his bedroom. No thanks I have a book and realised she had forgotten to take it from Harjeet . 2 hours had passed but no sign of Harjeet and Rahul coming outside . Actually I have to reach home by 3 as I have  dance class , she said to Samir . Oh! Why don’t you open your hair , you look beautiful Samir said . Well , no I am good and Harjeet said it does not look good when open and swaying . She must be jealous said Samir and smiled .

Mita wondered if that could be the case . Whenever they were together Harjeet was telling her that she (Mita ) had no style and boys liked trendy girls in jeans and short dresses . Mita was used to wearing Middies (dresses below knees but above ankles) and never wore trousers . Harjeet had also been telling her to stop classical dance and learn western dancing and that she should cut her hair short . She always believed Harjeet as they were good friends . But what was happening today was distasteful for Mita . Or maybe she was boring as her classmates reiterated. Dance and books , were all what she was interested in . While in her 10th standard she had liked one of her neighbours son but he was attracted to Amrita.

Maybe she needs to change a little – contemplated Mita?Samir looked at his watch and said although I don’t want you to leave but it is 2:30 and you did say you have a class at 3. Mita got restless and told Samir to call Harjeet . On knocking at the bedroom door Rahul came out first followed by Harjeet . Their appearance had a tale to tell but Mita had other worries .

Listen Harjeet I need to head home . Rahul pleaded – Oh come, on stay for another hour as we never get a chance to meet even though we are next door neighbors.Samir looked at Mita and said if you don’t mind I can take you back on my bike and you will reach in time . By the time I come back these two can head home and Rahul can drop Harjeet close to your colony. Is that ok ?

Mita hesitated as she had never been on a bike and maybe she will have to tell her mother and brother . Mita stop thinking and go with him coaxed Harjeet and remain indoors till around 7. Tell Aunty (Mita’s mother) that we both came back together but I am in the beauty parlour in our colony. Mita marveled at Harjeet’s ability to quickly make things up. She was wondering how she will face her mother and brother without telling that she had come to a boys house and that too sat with him for almost 3 hours alone .

Finally Mita confused and angry decided to go with Samir. It was an uneventful trip as he dropped her outside the colony gate . Bye said Samir , and keep your hair open. A wave of excitement enveloped Mita as she suddenly felt pretty and attractive . Bye she said and rushed home. Did he like her ?Back home in Samir’s apartment fear gripped Harjeet – just in case Balbir was home before her and saw Mita on her balcony or something like that. Listen Rahul let us go , I want to reach home before Balbir comes back. Ok go and make some tea and we can leave, said Rahul. We can leave the keys of the house with the neighbour in case Samir does not come back while we are here .

Harjeet quickly went into the kitchen and made tea , poured into two cups and put them on to a tray . As she was going to the bedroom she tripped on a wire lying on the ground and fell down with the tea spilled over the carpet , her jeans and white blouse.

Oh no! rushed in Rahul. Listen you can wipe your jeans with water but blouse will have tell tale marks. Hmm Harjeet thought for a minute and said let me just see if I can find a T shirt of Samir’s . If you can wipe the floor till then. Ok said Rahul and went to the balcony to get the broom. Harjeet rummaged through Samir’s cupboard and found an Olive Tshirt which looked a good fit for her . She quickly changed , thinking about an excuse for Didi who had seen her in the white blouse . Well she would say they dropped into a friends house in South Extension and the incident happened there. She then became relaxed.

Rahul and Harjeet drove away and the bike stopped outside the colony. Harjeet rushed to her home and phew ! Balbir had not come in yet. She went inside and relaxed in the sitting room. Just then Balbir’s motorbike stormed in at the front door . Balbir walked in his tall frame filling the sitting room. He looked at her on the sofa and went past by. Within a second he turned around and came to stand next to her. Stand up he commanded her !Harjeet got up scared not knowing what was happening.

Where did you go he asked looking at her from top to bottom. Teksons ! replied Harjeet. And whose clothes are you wearing ? Mine she said in a small voice . He looked straight into her eyes and slapped her across her face . Didi and mom came rushing in , hearing the loud noise. She is wearing the T shirt which I brought as a Gift for Samir when I went to the US. I have the same one in a lighter shade. On the inside of the Shirt , to the left it is printed – Big Boys vintage collection. And Mom, Didi , Samir is alone in the house . His mom is not in town. Did you go to Samir’s house or not roared Balbir? Scared and with tears flowing on her cheeks Harjeet nodded yes.

Without waiting for a second Balbir picked up his keys and roared away on his bike.Didi turned Harjeet’s Shirt from below and saw the etching exactly as Balbir said. Shame on you said Mom and Didi just glared at her saying we trusted you and did Mita go with you? Yes Harjeet nodded .Balbir reached Samir’s apartment and rang the house bell. Samir opened and seeing Balbir he said Hi, come in I wasn’t expecting you. Yes of course you were expecting my sister said Balbir punching Samir on his cheeks . Another blow on the back followed.Samir fell to the ground not knowing what was happening. You are out of my life said Balbir, and don’t you open your mouth.

Balbir continued , my sister came in wearing the T shirt I gave you . And she has admitted she came here . Not knowing what to say Samir confused, fumbled and said I can explain. No we are finished said Balbir and he walked out. Balbir reached home and went straight to Rahul’s house next door , Distraught he said to Rahul- listen that guy Samir , he is a bastard. He is having an affair with my sister and we are supposed to be buddies , are we ? Rahul was confused and caught completely off guard thought it was wiser to keep quiet . Sorry yaar ! he began but Balbir stopped him raising his hand.

The trio were never together again. Balbir and Rahul remained friends. Harjeet and Rahul had a torrid affair for many years till each of them got married. Harjeet married a businessman and Rahul married a teacher.