AneStory

Hera reached home, it was a long drive back, and though he was tired, he called up Monc and Duds to calm their nerves down.  It was very late though, he was surprised they were even awake, it was next day's morning already. All that riding had made one thing sure, Hera slept like never before.

Next time Hera woke up, it was already the day of Kaveri’s Party, 2 days straight! And Hera had to buy a gift! And for lack of a working head; Hera still suspected his mind for time being, after what rocking time he was having, he called Monc, but he was not free, Sam had his time booked with her. However before Hera could cut the line, Monc demanded some explanation.

Monc: “Why did you do, whatever you did that day?”

Hera: “Oh! That prof was going to fail me anyway, just gave her what she wanted, at least now she will be off my case!”

Monc: “She might not have done that!”

Hera: “Well! First thing she said in front of external examiner was, “Why are you here? Why are you even considering trying? You will fail anyway!” So just gave her what she wanted!”

Monc: “She must have been just intimidating you! She was the one who was searching for you, for; you did not sign the papers.”

Hera: “She does play her part well, convinced you, well let it be! I am not exactly her fan.”

And Hera cut the line.

The day was like a bad hangover, except head was not the only thing that was splitting, every other bone was cursing Hera too! And still Hera got his lazy ass to move to shopping area of city checking out all the gift shops in city and coming up with nil. All of them were either filled with Father, Mother or Girlfriend gifts, and Kaveri was none, she was a saviour, and a sister, but nothing for that kind of a relation.

After giving up on the gift, Hera went over to college garden, and sat on his tread mark bench under the Almond tree and was soon joined by his long time missing companion, the smelly black dog called Majnu! And for a moment Hera felt nothing has changed since he first came here. Here he was, all alone, none of his old friends around, except for a strange dog who seemed to visit him, only when he was alone, and look on, listening to whatever crap he blurted out. Sometimes it was about home sickness, sometimes bad grades, missing friends or even a boring subject. Today he was listening to Hera’s heart break and quest for gift.

Like some magical cue from somewhere, Majnu got up, barked once at Hera and moved on, as if saying “Get going mate, or you will be late!” and moved on behind a girl going to hostel, his only hobby! Hera looked at him, and smiled, saw watch and got moving.

Hera made it to venue just in time, and as he parked, in front, across the road was his gift, a jewellery shop. Hera went in, saw around, and two thing just held his mind, he could not move out of that shop without taking those two things a Silver bracelet for Kaveri and a Silver engagement ring for someone, no not Monsoon, she would never accept, yes he did  imagine her finger but then she won’t.

Hera went into the party, happy with his gift, that he gave Kaveri, she thought it was too expensive but Hera did not think so. And Monsoon was here. Hera’s heart missed a beat as she approached him but he just looked on.

Monsoon: “Hi! Where have you been? Have been calling you, but my call is not getting through.”

Hera had blocked her calls after his outburst, did not want to hear from her.

Hera: “Bad Network!”

Monsoon: “Ok! So you are coming with me, I have booked tickets for you too?”

Hera: “Not sure!”

Monsoon: “Why? Did you cancel going to your uncles place?”

Hera: “I am just not sure!” Little strain in his voice, and Monsoon noticed it, sensing that “When are you going? I have some work to finish before I go.” in calmer voice, still tense.

Monsoon: “Next week! Exactly 7 days.”

Hera: This will be difficult to avoid, so much for it is *my problem theory*. “Ok! Don’t cancel the ticket, I will pay for it whether I come or not.” Shits! There I go firing bullet in my own leg!

Hera could not take any more of Monsoon’s company, and so he went close to Kaveri, who got ready to cut the cake, and everyone sang……Happy Birthday to you…….Kaveri….

Hera had cake, asked Kaveri for permission to leave and did not say a word to Monsoon and left, just a detour to a friends place on way home, but home did not come till next day. When Hera reached his friend’s place there was a party on! As Hera was not known to drink, he never did, so he was not invited. However; he sat through the party, having cold drink, learning secrets of everyone and realising he was not the only one in love with Monsoon.

This party just made his life worse, he got a competitor, self proclaimed one at that, when Hera had already lost the battle. Next morning the question was put forward formally.

Smoky: “Is Monsoon your girlfriend?”

Hera: Thinking what to answer, can not say yes, and can not afford to say no. Could not say anything, but looked quizzically at Rocky and finally said “Why?”

Smoky: “I know you love Monsoon, but does she?”

Hera: Grabbing the opportunity “Yes, she loves my face.”

Rocky: “Ok!”

Smoky: “See, if a girl is taken she is taken, if not it is an open field, and Rocky here also loves her.”

Hera: “That is okay buddy!”

Hera got out of there, with Monc. And he knew in his heart, he had lost a friend or two with that half a lie, if they ever learned about the truth they would not forgive him, but anything is fare in Love and War and this is now a War, no longer about Love alone. War between Monsoon’s old Love and his current Love.