GAME OF GOD - Chapter IV

"It was during the days of final semester of my post graduation, I was employed with a call center. With my bank balance showing Nil and my dad not prepared anymore to shell from his pocket, I was compelled to look out for opportunities. One of my friends had given bad show at the interview of a reputed call center and as usual I argued to exclude the HR of the call center from causes of his failure as I knew well about his super brain. As a consequence I was seated opposite to the HR the next day facing the questions that my friend had taken a day before. Of course the result was in favor of me.

I began my first day at the call center within a week from the day of my interview. We had an evaluation on the first day to judge the level of our soft skills and only two we were considered good. One was I and the other was she." 

"You mean Vidhya?" Nisha interrupted

"Yeah. You are right. That was when I met her for the first time. She always used to be in her own world. Never used to mingle with us.  At times she used to talk to her Priya - her only friend in the whole team. But once during an activity during our training we were clubbed together as a team. That’s when I spoke to her for the first time. My batch mates were making fun of me for being teamed up with 'dumb girl' ( that’s how she was named by others in the team').I got annoyed at one point of time and argued in favor of her. This is where the game took a turn. The bet between us was this: if I make her fall in love with me I get paid Three thousand"

"So it was all a game is it?”  Nisha was too quick in asking this 

"True. This was how it all started but as days went I realized a true love for her. I tried speaking to her and miserably failed in all my attempts. One day both of us had to leave the office little late. I still remember that day when we were waiting in the Bus stop for more than thirty minutes but in vain. It was half past ten at night. 

"Hey, any idea when is the last bus to my place? " she asked me

"Well, if you can tell where you are from then I might help you with the info you require" 

"Oh, sorry.... I live at Great lakes" she said

“Is it? One of my friends lives there... I used to visit that place very often in fact I know...”

"Sorry can you please tell me if in case you know the timings of last bus to my place" she interrupted sharply

Though I felt bad, I still continued”I guess there is one bus at eleven"

"Thanks" she ended the conversation bluntly.

I felt her disinterest to continue this talk. But not sure of the reason behind it. Normally nine out of ten girls I have met normally respond when you initiate the conversation. But she was different. Probably she is that 'tenth girl' I suppose. Her bus was there when these thoughts were running in my mind. The bus was neither destined to my place nor it passes through it, yet I got into it. She was not surprised may be because she had not known my locality.

"One ticket to great lakes" she presented a 500 rupee note to the conductor.

He stared at her for a minute and said “Please give me 7 rupees if you have or else you may get down in the nearest stopping" 

"Am sorry I don't have any other currency except for this note." she said in a tired note

"Two tickets to great lakes” I interrupted presenting the exact change of 14 rupees to him

Needless to say we sat in a seat and remained silent for next 10 minutes. Surprisingly she broke the silence,

"You too live in Great lakes? I have never seen you in that Area?"

"Yeah I have recently shifted, just a week back” I lied with least expressions to prove it

"Oh. Where exactly is your apartment?" she continued... In a way I was happy that the conversation is getting built up

"I live just near to that temple, just the roan next to the ATM point". Going by the logic that all areas have a temple and of course an ATM in the same road, but not sure if there is any road next to it. But before allowing me to think of more landmarks she spoke

"Oh is it the one next to the Indian bank ATM, I know there are few apartments there."

I thanked god and the GM of Indian bank for having set up an ATM there."Yeah the same lane, 4th house"

The bus stopped in great lakes after fifteen minutes. It was half past eleven by now. I was thinking of catching a taxi to my place which is around 10 km in exact opposite direction.

"Why are you walking along with me, I thought you are supposed take a right from that signal “she questioned. 

before I replied to her I stopped a taxi that passed my way ( as I was not sure of when I would get another ) .I told him the destination ,bargained and finally settled the fare and then came back to answer her question

"Vidhya, to be frank I don't live here. I reside at 'Gold nest' Colony. I just came along with you to ensure that you reach safely. I know you had traveled to this place alone, may be even at late nights. Still today you seemed very upset, dull confused.... am not getting the exact word. So I just felt that I can accompany you just to help in case you need..."I left a pause 

She stared at me silently. I continued "Vidhya can I tell you something? Your lips are smiling but there is sadness hidden under it. Your eyes show your mind which is right now confused and in search of something. I really don't want you to share it with me as am not your close friend .But do speak someone you know for a long time. I really feel bad to see you like this. Fine, let me take leave now...Bye" 

Without waiting for her response I jumped into the taxi and asked the driver to start it. I never failed to turn back and see. She was there standing in the same place, looking at the trails of my Taxi. Just five more minutes left for the arms of the clock to hug each other at twelve.