Chapter 17: The Final Showdown

       By the time the foursome returned, I had become a workaholic and a bit of a recluse. Senorita kept updating me and Singer about their performance. Not that I was heart broken, but I felt sad how things had soured up. I hated misunderstandings, but now, was in no mood to clear the air. The day they returned, which was a week after their departure, Singer and I were in Senorita's room. I heard sounds of footsteps approaching Senorita's room. Before I could escape, the foursome entered with smiles.

       "We passed," said Athlete.

       "Let's go out for a movie and party," added Chow.

       "Yes, we will have fun," chipped in Brat.

       "Get ready by four. We will set course for the movie hall."

       Mallu spoke as naturally as ever. But I was hurt and wounded inside. I blurted out.

       "It is so nice to hear that all of you have done well, but I will not be able to join in the celebrations. I have to go to office in the evening."

       "Can't you postpone?"

       Mallu could be persistent.

       "Some things cannot and should not be postponed."

       Saying so I excused myself and went to my room. At four in the evening, the whole gang was about to go. Singer came into my room.

       "Sure you don't want to come?"

       "Of course I am sure. You all enjoy."

       I spent the evening in my own company doing what I loved best - reading. At ten in the night, I heard them all return. There were cheers and shouts. I did not get up and go. After a few minutes my phone beeped.

       "Why didn't you come?? You should have come."

       I did not reply. I turned the other side and slept. The next day being Sunday, I again heard sounds of motorbikes leaving Bhairavi. I did not bother to find out. I guessed the others had gone out again this time leaving me out on purpose for having been a spoilsport. My phone beeped.

       "We need to talk. Can we?"

       "I am busy. I am catching up with work."

       "You are working on Sunday?"

       "I have to draft a few articles."

       "They can wait for sometime. We seriously need to talk."

       "I am busy working right now. Other mundane things can wait."

      "The others have all gone to the city. Lets go to the temple and then join them."

       "I have not had a bath and don't intend to till I finish my work. You go ahead."

       I was angry, I was hurt, I was behaving like an Ice Maiden. But that was me.

       "Please let us talk. Can I come?"

       I thought it was better to go to his room, give him a piece of my mind and storm out than him coming to my room and I walking out.

       "I have left my work and come. Lets quickly get over with it....sir."

       "It is about the message you sent me. I was thinking about it."

      "I know, I know. You have a middle class family, you all are simple folks. My views expressed through the message are absolutely a no-no for you."

       He kept quiet. I continued.

       "You know what, I am not a hypocrite like you. I liked you and wanted to marry you, so I messaged. As far as you are concerned, you don't even have the guts to say a yes or no. I had forgotten that you are a mamma's boy who will only marry the girl his mother chooses. I am really sorry for having made the mistake of telling you what I felt."

        "Enough of your non-stop rattling. You think you are a goddess or what that I should play up to your whims and fancies. First you create the mess and then blame it on me!!! People were right, you are a sentimental fool. You truly think too much about yourself. You always want things working your way. I hate manipulating females."

       "I have had enough to last me for a lifetime. I thought you were not what you seemed. I felt you were a thorough gentlemen. What do you think, people have not told me about you too??? People have said that you have no softness in you. But I...I judge a person for what he is and not rely on what other people say. I feel so sad that I grossly misjudged you. You really are not what I felt you were."

       I did storm out but this time more because of sadness than anger. I cried after reaching my room. How could I go wrong in my judgment of people!!!!