CHAPTER 9 : MAYBE THAT’S ROMA

Advik

TRANSITION OF A WEEK

Could even a turtle be any slower than the two!! It's been a week for heaven's sake. Nikhil still thinks that his feelings for Roma are platonic. Roma is a damn cool girl but she would be the most imperfectly perfect for Nikhil. Tanya and I have deliberately given them space alone to figure out their feelings. But every time I ask how did it go with Roma, his reply would be, ya we went to library, she clarified some of my doubts or I helped her with the assignment or she rambled about the new book she is reading recently. Hell ya, they still haven't exchanged phone numbers. I am genuinely afraid that she is going to friend zone him or worse, bro-zone him. By the end of the first week of being friends with Tanya, we had even started hitting on each other, by this speed their ritual rites would be celebrated when they are 70.

NIKHIL : Dude! you have been dating Tanya for two years now. She isn't gonna break up with you just because you didn't dress up to college one day. What's taking you so long, we aren't heading to any ceremony.

I : If you are saying this under the context of your marital ceremony, you have never been more correct in your whole life mate.

NIKHIL : What is that suppose to mean?

I : Mate, are you still going to act dumb about your feelings for Roma?

NIKHIL : Not this conversation again. (He said rolling his eyes)

I : Should I make out from that sentence that you don't have any romanticising feelings for her?

NIKHIL : I told you Advik, I don't think of Roma like that. She is a great girl. I mean I like spending time with her, talking to her, inhaling the scent of the perfume she always use, ask her about her day, tell her about mine, her innocent ramblings and actions reduce my stress, I have started opening up to her, I care for her. But I don't know if I am ready to be in relationship with her.

I : My dear lover boy, you are already doing everything a guy does in a relationship. What else do you need as a hint to realise that you like her?

NIKHIL : Well, then shouldn't I be jealous when she is with other blokes.

I : Have you seen her with any? (He shushed himself and I knew I pressed the right button)

I : Mate, you don't even know how many blokes stalk her in a day or flirt with her or are practically whine to be with her.

NIKHIL : How do you know about all this shit? (I could feel the anger boiling up in him and was glad to be in the right track)

I : Maybe you are forgetting that my girlfriend lives with Roma.

NIKHIL : Even if I give a thought to it. What if she doesn't like me? She hasn't given me any hint. That was not the case with you and Tanya.

I : Firstly, if she hasn't made a move, then have you? You don't even have her number. Secondly, not all couples are Tanya and Advik, mate. You always say, that Roma is different. Have you made any gesture that will make her know what you think about her? (He got silent).

NIKHIL : You know how things are right now. I am busy with the whole Vicky's plan. You know about my insecurities. I am not sure if I trust her enough to reveal about Sanah to her. (He tried to defend)

I : Life is full of opportunities mate. But somethings in life show up themselves only once. Miss the opportunity and regret for life. In your case, maybe that's Roma. I don't need to spoon feed you. You are smart enough for making further decisions.

[FOUR HOURS LATER IN CLASSROOM]

Nikhil

Why am I giving so much thought to the conversation Advik and I had this morning. I can't possibly like Roma. We are on truce for like a week. Ok I admit I might have a little attraction but, it would fade away with time. No need to let our friendship on fire for that. The absolute crap he said was missing the opportunity. Where will Roma go if I don't talk to her about this? She is with us for five years in the same college anyways. I should be focusing more on class.

ROMA : Don't think so hard. I can literally hear the traffic caused in your head due to thinking. (She whispered in my ear. Yes since we were "friends" now, we were sitting together during the classes)

I chuckled at that. She surely knew how to lighten my mood.

For the rest of the class, I don't know why was I admiring her. The way she pushed her strands behind her ears, the way she slightly chews her pen cap while penning down the notes (For any other girl I would have said gross, but she looks rather cute doing so). She even asked me a couple of times if there is something on her face. I don't know what to do now. If I think back now, earlier this week when mom and dad called, I told them about Roma and how things started and how now it's going between us.

I don't know whether they were teasing me or were serious about it but dad said something like this, "She seems totally your equal son. Do you like her?" Suddenly mom asked "How does she look like? Where is she from? Doesn't matter if you like her but she better be a cultured one, young man".

Their voice sounded disappointing when I said she is just a friend. Mom and dad are aware what happened all those years ago. They tried to change my mind about women but…

(BELL BUZZES AND CLASSES COME TO AN END)

ROMA : Guys, can we please go to the cafeteria. I am starving. (All of us chose a table and were waiting for food).

TANYA : Roma, I have been wondering to ask you something. (Tanya seemed pretty tense)

ROMA : Go ahead

TANYA : While you handed me your phone this morning when my phone was plugged in, I went through your gallery pictures. (My eyes got widen hearing that. Isn't that invasion of privacy?)

ROMA : Oh my god, Did you found out my screenshots of chats with my boyfriend? (She giggled at her own sarcasm. I knew that she was kidding but, the statement itself made my blood boil. No one dares to be with my Roma…I mean my friend Roma. Tanya gave her dull eyes)

ROMA : OK sorry, so what's the problem if you went through them.

I : You don't mind that she invaded your privacy?

ROMA : They are just pictures. Besides Tanya is one of the most trustworthy friends. I hardly keep anything from her. What did you want to ask Tanya? (I was surprised by that)

TANYA : Ya, I noticed you have clicked a lot of pictures with two particular girls. Also in many of them you have highlighted the same date with year which is when the pics were taken. Does the date carry a special meaning?

ROMA : Oh yes, they are Ruby and Veronica. My best friends for life from my hometown. The date thing is pretty silly actually. We celebrated friendship day every year with a cake and a bunch of games. You can say I was the event organiser of it. As, the venue used to be my place, the games to be played were decided by me, the hours were decided by me. Every year along with partying and dancing we used to play at least 3 games. Truth or Dare was one of them and was our favourite.

ROMA : As for the date, it's not any random date. It's actually the date all three of us met in school in grade 1, we are bffs since then.

TANYA : That's awesome, it never got disturbed?

ROMA : No, we always managed it. We never really used truth, since we knew everything about one another, the dares were tough though. I always used to win in it.

I : Every time? Common don't brag.

ROMA : Am serious. I am pretty good at it. One time my friends got so fed up of losing that they chose dares from Internet to use on me. Alas, they were too immature to understand that the mistress always wins. (She gave a wink at last)

Something in that wink provoked me. I suddenly wished to challenge her but secretly I wanted to know more about her. Not by research but from her mouth. Playing this game with her was one of the biggest opportunity.

I : Alright Ms. Roy, may you please prove what you said.

ROMA : And how should I do that Mr. Dixit ? (She said it challenging me, crossing her arms at her chest)

I : Let's play truth or dare (I said it seductively to which her eyes got widen and she started stammering)

ROMA : Nnow? (Jesus, she is cute)

I : Yes my girl. Why, are you scared? (Calling her my girl felt really nice and appropriate but she probably didn't notice)

ROMA : I am scared of nothing Mr. Nikhil Dixit, but soon after this, you would be scared of a game named truth or dare. (She turned her head towards the direction of Advik and Tanya who were enjoying the scenario) You guys are free to play now or have something to do?

ADVIK : Are we involved? (He asked looking at me but before I could answer…)

ROMA : Of course, it's not fun with just two players. So are you two in? (Advik and Tanya both looked at me and I pleaded them with my eyes.)

TANYA : Sure as hell, we are.

I had a sense of relief when they agreed. Oh this is going to be so exciting!! Before losing your heart to me Ms. Roma Roy, beware to lose the game to me in which you claim to be best at.