DECEMBER 2009

My days at the college were not going well. I only attended college for the minimum number of days that were strictly required to sit my exams. I had not made many friends, just two. We were more like weekend friends, actually, as we never met during the week at the college. In fact, that was the main reason we had become friends in the first place. As neither of us felt inclined to attend college every day, we had made a pact. I went to college on Monday, Priya, the second girl in the group, went to college on Wednesday; and Tina, the third, did the same on Friday. We proxied each other's attendance and made three copies of the notes for the days we attended college. On weekends, we met at a coffee shop and exchanged notes. On the days when I was free, which were many of course, I preferred to go hang around with other friends. They too had no interest in attending their classes at their college, which made things very easy.

My Saturday afternoon, as well as Sundays, were spent at Nani's House, helping the old lady with the household chores. Piyush was a regular student at college. For the first few days after making an arrangement with my college friends, I strolled around his college hoping to get a glimpse of his. Yes, I know this sounds very filmy and stereotyped, but when you are in love, you do not care about anything------ especially if the desire is still one sided and you only get to see the boy as you would watch a weekly Opera star. But he never stepped out during his college hours, which is why I soon gave up that practice and went back to enjoying my days in city instead.

When I was at Nani's house on the weekends, I had so far exchanged only a few hellos with Piyush. He had my number, and I had his but we never texted each other. I used to take a screenshot of each of his new Pictures he uploaded on his social media. From social media I got one useful information about Piyush-----his birthday. It was on 16 December.

'It is today,' I told Zarah excitedly as we headed towards Nani's house.

'Why are you getting so excited then? Has he invited you to his party?' she asked sarcastically. I chose to ignore her comment.

'I did not even know that there is a party until you told me,' I responded in an different tone.

'Then why are you so excited?' she poked my arm.

How could I tell her that I had finally found the most fantastic present for the most amazing man I knew --not only expensive but amazing! In fact, it was so expensive I could not afford it, and I intended to borrow some money from Zarah. We were just a few steps away from Nani's house when I decided to stop beating around the bush and hit the nail directly on the head. 'I need some money,' I said.

Zarah halted.

'Let me guess. You want to buy a gift for Piyush and have no money, is that it?' Zarah knew my family's financial circumstances, and I expected her to be a little nice to me when it came to money. My parents gave me only few bucks a week to manage my expenses, which included my transport to college, lunch etc. I never complained about the money as I were very well aware that it was the best that they could manage. Zarah was only hope. Then again, she might not lend me the money---this scary thought immediately crossed my mind. I had not pictured this situation and was not ready with a backup plan. Zarah had been my saviour when it came to money ever since I could recall.

Adira, you have been singing non-stop for the past two months about confessing your stupid feelings to him on his birthday. How could you have not thought of saving enough money to buy him a present for his birthday!' Zarah asked irritably.

I have no answer to this question, but I was happy as we were still discussing the matter. It is not a straight 'no' then----- I shamelessly thought. I wondered if I was supposed to answer her but decided to skip it then. Not the right time. I looked back at her with sad, imploring eyes-----on purpose. They always worked with Zarah.

'Now, do not make such a sad face. I will give you the money ,as I'm the only one in your life you shared all your problems with. She handed her debit card over to me.

'I want you to accompany me to the shop so that we can buy him present. Would you like to come?' I asked her, and she readily agreed. I loved her for being the nicest friend that she was.

We reached to the Market on Zarah new scooty. I had never got a gift for someone in my life till that day, not even for my own brother.

As soon as we entire the watch shop ,we were welcomed by an elderly gentleman sitting at the counter. 'I want to buy something that I saw in the store this morning,' I told him, and watched his expression turn from indifferent to eager in a matter of seconds.

I walked further into the store, and he followed me to the section that had branded and expensive men's watches on display. About twenty minutes later, we left the place with a black leather box.

'When and how are you going to give it to him?' Zarah asked me for the umpteenth time, turning her head a little as we drove back to Nani's house.

'I do not know yet,' I replied from the back seat, and started thinking of a plan.

On reaching Nani's house, we hurried into the study room on the ground floor. I had not seen Piyush since the morning, and I hoped to not bump into him before I was ready with my present and a plan.

I sank into the black leather chair next to the wooden study table and started looking through the drawers trying to find a decently operational pen and some paper.

'Do you need something?' Zarah asked me just when I managed to find both things in the last drawer on the table.

'Nah,' I replied, and started recalling the words I had thought up during the ride back home to write on the note.

'I will be outside,' Zarah said, and walked out, closing the doors behind her. I knew she was giving me space and time to think.

All by myself in the study, I started to write.

Thirty minutes later, I was done writing the most beautiful thing I had written, read or heard in my entire life, until then. I hoped that the message was good enough for Piyush to understand my feelings for him. As I folded the paper neatly and pasted it on top of the gift box with a strip of sticky tape, Zarah walked back in with a stupid smile on her face, indicating that she was up to something. 'I have some good news for you,' she said, rubbing her hands together and grinning mischievously.

'What are you excited about?' I asked, placing the box carefully in the uppermost drawer.

'We are going to Piyush's birthday party!' she replied excitedly.

I stared back at her in suprise, my eyes wide open.

'How on earth did you manage that?' I asked.

'Rohit was chattily inviting Zarah to Piyush's birthday party at his friends house. As I was with her, he had to extend the invite to me as well. I am sure you know how shameless I can be when the situation demands. I hugged her hard before she could say any more. This was just what I needed.