AneStory

                        The next morning, it was a perfect day for a picnic, thought Hera and Monsoon agreed that discussion with Duds could wait for another day. So Picnic it was. After lot of discussions with all present members over venue and it was decided that none would go, except for Monsoon and Hera, everyone else wanted to study.

                       After little though, Monsoon decided on a nearby fort and Hera and she took off. As they were riding their way to fort on highway, Monsoon started singing some songs and Hera started humming. After a while, Monsoon realized that Hera was humming and stopped singing, Hera continued for a minute or so and then felt lost so asked her to start singing again.

                           Monsoon: "Why do you only hum the song and not sing it along?"

                           Hera: "Because I do not know the lyrics, and I tend to invent my own!"

                           Monsoon: "You might know at least one song!"  

                           Hera: "Actually, only 2 songs."

                           Monsoon: "Then sing anyone!"

                           Hera: "My voice is also not good, and certainly I do not understand rhythm!"

                           Monsoon: "Stop making excuses and sing!"

                     And eventually Hera gave in and choose the most romantic of the two songs he knew, and started singing. The song that he did not chose was song from Dus movie (the shelved Salman starrer), the patriotic one, and good choice!

                           And Hera in wayward way sang......... 

Lakdi ki Kathi

kathi pe ghoda

ghode ke dhum pe jo mara

dora godha dhum uthake dhoda...........

                                                                            ...............and he sang whole song! This one is from old Masoom!

                          And they went on, Monsoon laughing her way up the winding road, listening to Hera! Monsoon knew one thing; with Hera it was going to be fun, to be friends with him. Singing childhood songs to girl whom he has already proposed love, this guy needs some serious training in department of heart.

                                   Once on the top of fort, Monsoon got engrossed in looking at scenery and Hera in her than anything else! They took pictures, here and there, walked all around, feeling cool breeze through the hair. Monsoon chose the cosiest place to have lunch at, surrounded by bushes, such that wind would not tease them while eating, and they were almost alone among other tourists at the spot. The local restaurant laid out a carpet for them at requested spot and in another 30 minutes lunch was served!

                                  For the first time in his life, Hera did not care "What was the menu?" and did not even curse, that there was no non-veg! And it was local delicacy, "Zhunka Bhakar and Onion pakoras along with chaas!" And he had full meal, as Monsoon feed him with her lovely hands. Hera momentarily played with the idea of biting her finger, but then avoided it, for she would stop!

                                   After lunch it was some lazing around under the mild sun and some more sightseeing, in all a day long date had gone to perfection, only she was not Hera's girlfriend. The only thing that Hera was wondering about, when it was time to go back in evening, as they were getting back onto bike, for ride home, but Monsoon had other ideas.

                                   On way down, she proposed to make a stop near the lake, and Hera agreed happily. The lake was lively market now, a la Mumbai Juhu chopati, vendors selling all sorts of snaks, Indian- chats, corns, pakoras, to western- chips, biscuits, cakes and off-course drinks- tea, coffee, cold drinks, chaas and Ice-Cream.

                                   Monsoon chose corn and so did Hera, and then both sat looking at sunset, on the bank of manmade lake, till late in evening, till it really became cold. And it was time to return, Monsoon was feeling really cold and so Hera gave her his jacket, a foresight for which he had taken it from room at last minute, and still she sat hunched, hiding behind Hera's body! Hera felt the chill too, but was warmth in his heart for her warm hands were on is back, first time in day, he felt her touch! To longer the time with her, Hera drove as slowly as possible.

                                          Still, they were going to reach the destination, and Monsoon was happy that he drove slowly for her, as she was feeling cold, and as she said her byes she asked "Why do you care so much?" and Hera kept quiet.