Chapter 23

Archie bounced back to his room

“Man who was the chic?” Suman asked

“She is my cousin.” Archie did not want to publicize this at this point

“Oh. What a let-down!” Suman replied

Archie walked in to his room, closed the door and shouted Hurray. He walked over to the mirror, looked at his reflection and said to himself. “Archie you scored” He mused to himself.

By evening, Arjun, Sudhi and Luxi were back in the campus. They decided not to share this story to many. But of course they had to tell this to some.

When they all finished the dinner and walked over to the garden for a smoke Sudhi narrated this story to the gang with a  stiff warning to keep quiet about this.

“Man we need to see the fun fully before we publish” Luxi exhorted.

Suman was part of the gang. Being a friend of Archie he wanted to warn him. But he was also bugged at Archie for having made up this story of his cousin.

“If Archie tells me the truth about his so called date, I will warn him. Else let his walk the full length in the fool’s paradise.”  Suman mused to himself

But Archie decided to keep quiet about it. On Wednesday afternoon he was all excited. He had a bath, shaved put perfume, and got ready in this best outfit.

When he came out of his room, he was looking dapper

“Hi Suman, can I borrow your bike?” Archie asked suman

“Oh where are you going?” Suman asked

“I am going to my uncle’s house. He is celebrating his daughter’s birthday.” Archie replied nonchalantly

“Oh  I See” Suman replied

“Archie, I am going to the city. I can give you a drop” Sudhi offered.

“No ya. No need to trouble. I will take a rick and go” Archie did not want anybody to know where he was going.

As Archie walked out they all had a great laugh.

“Let him have some coffee from Casa Picola” Luxie commented

“Guys, let us all go to Casa Picola”  Sudhi suggested

They all got up. Got a taxi and proceeded towards Casa Picola.

When they reached the restaurant they saw Archie sitting by a corner table. He has a small bunch of red roses on the table

Archie looked up and saw the gang walking in.

“Oh shit” He swore to himself

“Hello Archie How come you are here?” Sudhi asked

“We thought you had gone to your uncle’s house” Suman asked earnestly

“Oh ya” Archie was stuttering and stammering

“I am going. I came a bit early because I wanted to get a present for my niece” Archie blurted out

“Did you not buy one till now” Arjun asked

“I searched the gift shop and did not know what to buy. So I just bought some flowers”

“But you don’t give red roses to your cousin. You give that to your girlfriend” Sudhi butted in.

“Oh he just converted to our cast. You know we marry our cousin’s” Arjun butted in

“Nothing like that idiots. You can give flowers to anybody.” Archie replied irritably

“Let us have a coffee with Archie.” Luxi commented. They pulled in chairs and sat down.

Archie was getting frustrated.

His gaze was on the road.

Luxie ordered for coffee for everybody. They sat sipping their coffee and making general conversation.

And then there appeared a girl, just outside Casa Picola. She glanced towards where they were seated, walked to the magazine stand nearby and started browsing through the magazines. She was wearing a bright yellow skirt and a blue top as if to catch attention. She was stunningly beautiful.

“OH MY GOD.” Archie groaned silently.

“She is standing out there because of these morons sitting with me. What do I do?”  Archie thought to himself

“Guys. What are you going to do? Are you going to sit here for ever?” Archie asked around.

“Why hurry. Let this is a nice place to hang out. Plus there are many good looking girls around. For example look at the one outside wearing the yellow skirt. I like her. I am going to sit here enjoying her beauty” Udhi said

“I am going to go.” Archie replied

“OK You are going to your uncle’s place anyway” Sudhi replied. He was having fun. The rest of the guys were enjoying the whole situation. They could read the anger and irritation emanating from Archie

The girl in yellow skirt moved away. She started walking along the side road towards Elegance apartments. Archie was disheartened. He got up and walked out.

He got into a cab.

“Sir where do you want to go?” The driver asked

“Oh take me to nearest book shop” Archie replied.

“Shall I take you to Higgin Botham?” The driver asked

“Ok Get going” he replied

“May be she will call me again. This time I will suggest a less conspicuous place” Archie thought

The rest of the guys got up and returned to the hostel.

“Sudhi you rascal. Did you arrange for that babe to come there?” Luxie asked

“No man. I know no babes here”

“Oh I believe you.” Luxie said sarcastically

After half an hour Archie returned to Casa Picola. After checking that his classmates have left, he walked along the side lane to Elegance Apt. He stood outside the apartment for some time. He walked around for some time. Then he decided to return.

All through his return journey he was dreaming about the girl in yellow skirt

He reached back to his room. Then he decided to have a coffee at the mess. He changed his nice clothes and walked to the mess.

“Sudhi, Archie is back in the hostel. He is on his way to the canteen” Suman came running to where the ‘gang’ was and gossiping in the garden

“Great let us give him a welcome treat” Luxie suggested.

Archie went to the mess. He walked over to the vending machine, picked up a coffee and moved to a corner. He sat there still dreaming about the chance that he missed.

Suddenly there was a  commotion. He looked up. He could not believe what he saw. Ten of his classmates were coming towards him.  They were all wearing some kind of yellow skirts. They had a banner in their hand. It read “Archie Choose the best” There was a huge gang behind

He realised that he had been taken for a ride. He turned red. He swore under his breath and walked back to his room