The Bumpy Ride...

College life gives a number of unforgettable moments to all. The food in canteen, boring lectures, crushes, heartbreaks and finding love again... College made us realize how colorful life can be and before we all head into the cycle of life aka jobs, it gives us lot of our FIRSTS. This Ride is one of those collection of "firsts". And so it begins...

9:01 am

Swathi: Hello Raj, you sound like still sleeping? Please get up and get ready. We are all supposed to meet in front foyer in 1 hr. I am not your mom and certainly will not give you another wake up call.

Raj: Oh! You sound mad at me. This is only the 4th time you called. And you require at least 3 hrs to get ready which includes trying at least 10 dresses. We are just going on a 1 day hiking trip. All are college buddies; does it even matter what are you wear? And thanks Mom for waking me up. You are gem. Promise I will be on time. See you @ 10.

9:50am

Anindho: Deepti, I am totally against today's plan. Why do we need to go with so many people and waste quality time? Why can't we just hang out in college or some mall? Let us just bunk the trip. Anyway it looks like everyone is late. It is almost ten. We can go to compu lab and work for sometime till they leave. How is it?

Deepti: No! I told you that we are part of this gang. And Raj has worked so hard to arrange a car, made sure all parents agree and everyone is coming. The food is on him and so is the spot. All he ask is you to come and this is what you give him in return. Shame on you. I am not moving from the foyer. And the outing to waterfall is not important; it is the journey and chit-chat which will be so much fun.

Anindho: Ah Crap! I know why Raj is putting all the damn efforts in this. After all Swathi is coming. Look here comes Mahitha; atleast now my plan is officially trashed.

Mahitha: Hi Deepti, Hi Anindho. you guys are already here? Look, I got the food basket. I know Raj said no food required, but you know my mom, she needs to be sure that all of us are well fed. Typical mom.

Deepti: Yeah. We had to pick something from labs, so we came early. Good. At least now I don't have to worry if Raj forgets food.

10:10am

Raj: Hello everyone! Sorry I am late; oh but it is only 10mins late. The car is out in the parking lot along with food which before any of you girls say is purely veg, neatly packed in foil and in plastic boxes with labels. Oops, I mean Tupperware with labels!

And yeah, we pick Shivendu on our way. He carries stuff like cricket bat, football, his swimming trunk and hence can't walk till foyer.

Deepti, Mahitha, Swathi: We are waiting for so long and you have no shame to be on time. After all it is your plan. You are the host.

Raj: Chill ladies! I am at your service now! So if your wrath has ended, shall we move. And hey Anindho, you are first up on the wheels. I couldn't manage driver so all three of us have to switch & drive.

Deepti: What? No driver? Isn't it wrong? We should have at least a driver? You guys will get tired. It is almost 3 hrs drive.

Anindho: It is because I asked him to get a couple of beers. No driver means no alcohol. That is the only way he can restrict me drinking.

Raj: Okay no more conversation, let us head now to water, dirt and lot of food.

10:30am

Mahitha: SHIVENDU, COME OUT. WE ARE GETTING LATE. IF YOU DON'T COME OUT SOON, ALL GIRLS WILL COME IN.

Shivendu: Yeah coming, coming. No need to shout. And yeah no need to threat me with you stepping in my room. Just watch your head as my undies are drying right out of the entrance.

***

All friends were finally together. Took them sometime but finally the journey began. Raj, the funny guy planned and executed the plan. Anindho & Deepti or the love birds, were planning their own timeout, but they finally joined. The so called sisters - Mahitha & Swathi made the gang complete.

Oh! I forgot Shivendu. Umm! It doesn't matter. He hardly ever had his head out of Rock music. Wouldn't care much.

***

11:00am

Mahitha, Deepti, Swathi: "..Those were the best of my life... Standing of mama's proch, you told me to wait for ever...Those were the best of my life..."

Raj: Ladies, ladies...Hault. Stop... Thank you all for entertaining us with Mr. Adams' song. But as we see this activity is killing the purpose of our drive. Anindho is busy driving and watching Deepti in the mirror; all you girls have decided to test vocal chords without our involvement; shivendu has got lost in his air-guitar and rock music on his iPod, leaving me to sit and admire you all. On any other day in college it could have been charming so please let us do some in-motion activity involving all.

Anindho: What you have in mind buddy?

Mahitha: And yeah it should not be related to college studies. I know Raj, somehow you and Shivendu will get into either details of Microprocessor program or Java program.

Raj: Dont worry, it won't be studies. I have something like Truth & Dare, but as we are restricted to car, lets keep it Truth Only. The last time I played, it turned out to be real fun. But only if all say the right thing.

Shivendu: Oh! I am not sure this is a better option than my music. Can we stick to what ever we were doing and just reach the waterfall? Raj, please continue observing us. You might find a pattern in our behaviour.

Swathi: Hey Shivendu! Be a sport. I think Truth only is a great idea. And it looks like everyone is interested. So better take that plug out your ear. So we can play.

Deepti: To end the doubt of whom to start, any of you can ask me the first question and then I get to pick whom to ask the second. Deal?

ALL: Yes.

***

11:12am

Raj: Clearly asking something Deepti is not so wonderful as even if she says something not fully truthful, Mr.Anindho will support her. I feel in this case, we can make Anindho as something to her, which he has in his mind and want to know from Deepti? How about this.

Shivendu: Great idea man! Yes, Anindho ask her something, you always wanted to know from the time you guys been together. Every guy wants to know trade secret of women's heart. Though they seldom get to know it & when they do, they do feel sad.

Anindho: Okay. Now that you guys have put me in the hot seat. Deepti, how did you feel when I kissed you for the first time?

Raj, Swathi, Mahitha, Shivendu: WoooooW!

Shivendu: Man, someone has serious issues, knowing how good he is for his women. Dude you know you will get crucify later.

Anindho: Yeah, I know. But she chose to be here by offering this option. I am just adding salt to an already spiced up curry.

Deepti: I know I shouldn't have allowed this. But I am a sport and I will give an honest answer. As per shivendu, he will be sad in knowing the results. It wasn't the best place to kiss - the movie theater - watching a thriller. It was cold and dark inside but all I felt there was wet lips. Yup, just wetness & nothing else. It was the strangest of feeling for me. I guess I was too cold in the theater.

Anindho: Oh My God! Hmm... I can't say whether our choice was right or wrong, but surely can make upto you.

Raj: Oye! You are really asking for trouble man! I think you should stop here and now we all should ask you some question.

Deepti: Yup! Mr.Ray, you will really get some from me. Wait & watch.

Mahitha: Before anyone jump to ask Anindho, I have a question for him. Hope everyone is fine with me asking.

Raj, Swathi, Deepti: Yeah yeah. Go ahead.

Mahitha: So we all know you and Deepti being going around for quite sometime. Whom do you think is the architect of your love story? Upto you now to tell us all truthfully.

Anindho: Oh! This even Deepti knows. I will give some credit to Raj here. He helped a lot & I used to update him on it.

Deepti: Yeah, I know it too Raj. Thanks for being so kind.

Raj: Wow! So senti-mental dialogues from you two. I am touched. But the most funny part here is, Mr. Ray actually asked me how I find Deepti? And how I like her. I was totally confused when he asked me. I said she is nice and a really good friend. I share great chemistry with her. Turns out, he wanted to know whether I like her and is looking forward to approach her. My initial thought was to tease him. But he looked like a kid and I clarified it. Best of luck you too.

Mahitha: Ah! Such a nice thing to do Raj. I always thought, you liked Deepti and backout for Anindho.

Shivendu: Now wait a min, Raj you never told me about this. I thought you always liked Deepti. I am supposed to be your closed friend and I don't even get to know your crushes. I am hurt dude. On this note, I want to feel better. The only way I think it is possible right now, if I get to ask Mahitha the next question.

Mahitha: NO! YOU ARE NOT ASKING ME ANYTHING.

Swathi: Huh! What happened to you Mahitha? Why is there a problem in Shivendu asking you any question? I smell a rat here? Comeon Shivendu spill the beans now!

Shivendu: I will be plain simple straight. Okay Mahitha.

Mahitha: Shivendu stop. Please no. This is not right!

Shivendu: Hee Hee. So here is it guys. I asked Mahitha for her notes and just after giving the note book, she got shocked and started asking me back. I was like, why, did u forget anything in the notebook. And then she pounced on me and started snatching the note book. Finally she got hold of it and took a loose paper out of the book. Now, I have my doubts but I guess it was a very important letter.

Deepti: Wooooow! So who is the guy? You never took our update or advice. Is this guy not in our dept. Tell tell to all of us.

Mahitha: Shivendu, I should kill you for that. Okay. Yes, Rahul wrote me that letter but it was just solution of a problem I gave to him.

Raj: Rahul? Rahul? You like that nerd. OMG!

Shivendu: Nooooooo... That was not a solution, it was luuuvvvv... Love letter. Mahitha is in love. And tell us Mahitha, if you say that it was not love then why you didn't ask any in the group about the problem? Deepti, Anindho, Raj, all have brains.

Mahitha: I am supposed to answer ONLY one question. And I have done that. Period.

Shivendu: Fine! If you dont want to answer, we will take that as yes.

Anindho: Hey Raj, take over the driving buddy. I want to stretch my legs. Is it okay?

Raj: Okay. We can take a break from game and stop over to have lunch. We can finally show mercy to the food and relieve then from the bonds of Tupperware and foil.

***

From the game of relieving dark secrets, we all shifted our attention to food. And when it comes to food, the discussion has to be how worst is the hostel food? Which girl can cook? Do Deepti plans to do all the cooking eventually for Anindho? The disgusting jokes guys can crack while girls eat are too good. Food for thought - Any yellow dal resembles...? Yup, guys are as disgusting as their jokes! :)

***

12:30pm

Deepti: Hurry up guys. Half the day is over and we haven't even reach our destination. Raj, please drag everyone in and let us drive a little faster speed.

Raj: When Raj is here, have no fear. Lets rumble.

Mahitha: Should we also resume the game? Who all are left to answer? Shivendu & Swathi.

Deepti: No no, Raj is also left to answer.

Raj: Before any one asks me, let me ask shivendu if no one has any for him?

Shivendu: Please. I mind you asking me question. We spend so much time in college, hostel, my room that you even know the color of my chaddi. You will not ask a question but unravel some of my trade secrets.

Anindho: Comeon, shivendu. We all promise that if Raj asks any question remotely related to what color of briefs you are wearing or not wearing, we will disqualify it.

Raj: I heard some rumors from my flatmates that there has been increased activity on you mobile bill? There has been lot of long distance calls to your school friends! Is it true? If yes, spill the beans. You can also take Mahitha's way out answering one question, but I am sure no one here will be satisfied.

Shivendu: FYI, My flatmate Abhinav is a dead-man. I will organize his cremation ceremony and you all are invited. Yes, it is true that I am pursuing my school time crush & now sweetheart Neha. To add oohs & aahs, the latest update is, I have opened this at home. They like her already.

Deepti: One ooh and one aah for you :) This is even bigger than Mahitha's crush on Rahul.

Anindho: Man! You are on a faster track buddy. We both are finding it hard to tell our parents. Especially when Deepti parents want a nice American return South Indian lad for her and my parents want a homely-bengali bahu.

Deepti: Everyone has been asked to say something they wouldn't have otherwise but Swathi & the architect of this wonderful trip. Now I want to ask Raj, the same question his buddy asked me, with a little questions hanging here & there. Raj, tell about your first kiss, crush and location.

Shivendu: What? You almost choked me on water girl. Raj & these details. Never! He is such a casanova, I doubt he will remember that moment.

Anindho: Na, na. He is bounded by the rules of the land; in this case rules of the car. Speak up Raj. You should not hide this from your friends.

Raj: I doubt anyone of you will believe the truth and it is very easy for me to make up to tell you what you all want to hear. So should be truth or a well-dressed up lie.

Swathi: No Raj. We all will believe what you will say. Please let it be the truth.

Raj: To start, I will have to deny the alligation of being a casanova. Now most of you know that I am from a small town and studied in boy's school. Till date, I have no girlfriend. Believe me, first time I talked to a girl who was not related or a family friend was in 9th standard. Before that, I used to like girls somewhat similar to how Calvin likes Susie - sarcasm associated if someone doesn't understand. Coming to college, first year was crutial for studies so I hardly every interacted with any of the feminine gender and we been friends ever since. So having kiss, crush or location is still in my future.

Mahitha: Whoaaa! Hmmm... Raj, the way you have been with anyone for the past year, we never knew. So basically you are covering lost ground. For first part of your life aka school, you were denied the company or made to believe we are not the kinds to interact and now second phase of life aka college, all you do is flirt.

Raj: Mahitha, I am hurt. You girls would have booted me with sandles if I would have ever flirt with either of you. And trust me on this, flirting is not even in my dictionary. Anyways, this is the sad story of your lovely, charming & handsome friend. You can either show pity on me or next time any of your school visit our college, do introduce me.

Shivendu: Please don't forget me.

Anindho: Me too.

Deepti: What? #$*@&#

Swathi, Raj, Mahitha, Shivendu: ha ha ha!

***

We ask our friends lot of questions whose answer we already know. This was another of those astonishing FIRST which left friends shocked. After all, Raj is much more than just a charming chocolate boy.

***

1:18pm

Raj: Hey we have finally reached the place. Lets get out and rock the place.

Mahitha: But no one asked the one question to Swathi? We all got so engaged in Deepti-Anindho's fight, we didn't ask her.

Anindho: Please get it quick. I need to run for Almighty's call.

Raj: Lets me make it short - Swathi, excluding Shivendu, do you have crush on anyone in this travel group. Please say it in Yes or No, rather if's and but.

Swathi: Hee hee! YES.

*****

Lot of first and the real fun began with the first proposal. Guys really don't know how to make it special. But they do make the girl smile. And of the many qualities girls have, they will never forget when & how you made them smile. Just keep adding away these when & how timestamps.

Thinking of the song, girls were singing; it holds so true... Indeed college days are the best days of our life.