Her first love…

(Fiction)

She hugs him. He kisses her on her forehead and says he always liked her but could not sum up the courage to tell her his feelings. They both hold each other’s hand and sit on a rock at Bandstand. They admire the setting sun and share a spicy, tangy bhutta. The corn seeds are as fresh as the love blooming in their hearts. And the chat masala as hot as their blossoming passionate relationship.

“Tanya, get up, will you? It’s eight o’clock. Your brother’s friends will be here by 12. Cleaning, dusting, cooking and decorating there is a lot to do,” says Tanya’s mom, Sushila.
Tanya rolls on the bed, moves lazily like a drugged man. Looks at the fan rotate and smiles at the silliness of her dream.

“Tanya you have not moved an inch. At this rate we would be able to serve your brother’s friends tomorrow’s breakfast,” shouts Sushila.

Tanya gets up with a start and rushes to the bathroom. As she applies paste to her favourite pink toothbrush, all she could think of is her dream. Her dream date with Tarun, her elder brother’s best friend, who is expected to visit them for lunch today. She smiles and is happy with the memories of her dream. For her the dream is more real than reality itself.

She then washes her mouth and slaps water on her face. As she wipes her face and forehead, she remembers the kiss – her first kiss. The kiss that made her feel close to him. The kiss that helped her feel his breath.

“Tanya are you still in the bathroom. When will you get ready?,” yells her mom from the kitchen.

She just decides to hurry and goes to her room to fetch her towel. She dresses up in her newest jeans and finest top. For her this day was no less than an occasion. A day not less than her birthday. After all, Tarun was coming home.

Unlike any other day, Tanya helped her mom with all the household chores. She cooked. Helped her make spinach pasta, as Tarun relished any spinach preparation.

The clock struck 11. She could not wait any longer. If she could have her way, she would manually adjust the clock to 12. But she knew that would not help. In midst of helping her mother, she did not miss any chance of looking at herself in the mirror. She wanted to look her best.

And the doorbell rang. She just did not have the courage to open the door. The bell rang again. “Tanya, why do not you open the door. I am in the kitchen,” says her mom, as she was taking out some hot spring rolls from the frying pan.

She then musters all her courage and opens the door. Her brother says, “All my other friends are here. Tarun would not be joining us. He was unwell and so he did not come to school today.”

A shattered Tanya smiled. All she could do is be happy with the dream where Tarun loved her as much as she did!