It was a cold Sunday morning. The weather was chilly, but it didn't feel like it to Priya. Her insides were red hot, and it burnt like hell. She sat on her bathroom floor surrounded by her own puke. She tried to get up, but failed miserably. She was tired of puking all night now. If she puked once more, her guts would fall out on the stupid floor. She started crying.
Garima heard a voice crying, so she followed it. In the bathroom, she found her roommate surrounded with vomit. She wanted to puke herself, the smell was so bad, but she had to help her friend out. So, she went to her and helped her get up. "Come on, you're going to be okay, Talwar." Garima said.
"I don't... think so." She said between her sobs. Garima didn't say anything.
She washed Priya up, and took her to her room and sat her down on the bed. She spotted a dustbin, and put it near the bed.
"Now tell me what happened. Why were you out late last night? And why did I find you in a pond of vomit this morning?" Garima asked.
"I... I was at Prarthana's place last night. They were drinking.."
Garima stopped her, "And you drank with them, didn't you?"
Priya gave Garima the look that even scared Garima, and Garima wasn't scared so easily. "If you don't want to listen then why do you even bother asking? Just make your own theories!" Priya almost yelled.
"Alright, tell me what happened."
Priya sighed and continued, "So they were drinking, and they offered some to me, too. I told them that I didn't want it. So they insisted on drinking at least something. For their sake, I drank a coke. We had some fun, playing Never Have I Ever, and the next thing I remember is that I am in my bathroom at 3 in the morning, puking like anything." After saying this, Priya grabbed the dustbin and almost puked once more, but nothing came out.
"So, you think that they put something in your drink?" Garima asked.
"I don't think so, I mean the bar tender gave me the drink in the bottle, and he opened it in front of me...I guess." Priya admitted.
"You guess?" Garima inquired.
"I don't remember vividly. I saw her open the bottle, but I am not sure she gave it to me directly." Priya replied.
"Okay, first things first, take your medicine and get some rest okay?" she snaked out a capsule from her pocket and gave it to Priya. Priya swallowed it and lay down on the bed.
"Don't you have to go to the bookstore?" Priya asked. "It's Sunday." Garima replied, "Now get some rest, will you?"
Priya went to sleep, and fortunately didn't wake up to puke again. Garima sat by her bed, in case she needed anything, but she went to the kitchen to get some food for herself while waiting.
*Carry on my wayward, son!*
Priya's phone rang. She woke up with a jolt.
"Hello!" she yelled, and remembered that she hadn't received the call yet. She picked up the phone to see who it was.
It was Harry.
Her heartbeats grew faster. She received the call, "Hello." She said in a sleepy voice.
"Good morning." He greeted from the other end.
She smiled, "Good morning." She said in a sleepy voice.
"How are you now?" he asked.
"I'm.. I'm okay, I guess." She replied.
"Well, why don't I believe you?" he asked again.
"Okay, what's wrong with you?" she asked.
"What's wrong with me?" he said and laughed satirically.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" Priya separated the phone from her ear and looked at it, confused.
"What are you trying to say?" she asked, irritated.
He sighed and said, "Nothing. How are you now? I've just been worried sick about you."
He admitted.
"Wait, you're sick?" she teased, and heard a little chuckle.
"Just answer now, will you?" she smiled.
"I am better now. Wait, how do you know I wasn't okay?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean, only Garima and I know that I was puking the whole night." She paused, "She told you, didn't she? That putz can't keep anything in her stomach." she blabbered.
"Priya, wait. Garima didn't tell me anything."
"Hold on just a second." Priya said as she saw Garima walking into the room.
"Dude, I am sorry, but my boss just called. I need to go. There's some local author coming to the store today and I forgot about it. You think you can handle yourself just for some hours?" Priya smiled and nodded.
"Great. Take care, okay? If you feel like puking again, the medicine is just on your nightstand." She said and ran to her room.
"Yeah, talk." Priya said in the phone.
"Harry?" she noticed the line was cut.
"Couldn't hold even for a second. I can't believe I have a crush on him." She threw her phone on the bed and went to sleep again. Sleep didn't come, only headache did, that too a bad one.
"Aaaagh!" she grunted. She opened her drawer to find a Zintac. "Great! Just great! You had to be finished today!" she yelled on the empty box.
The headache was getting worse by every minute.
"I am going to die today. Mumma!" she yelled at thin air. She stood up and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. She reached the kitchen and kept the vessel on the stove. Just as she was reaching the fridge, she felt a little dizzy.
"Oh, this ain't good." She said as she tried to balance herself.
She opened the fridge and took out some milk. She kept it on the platform and went to take some sugar and coffee. She felt so dizzy this time that she couldn't help herself.
She started to go unconscious as she fell down on the floor. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed was Harry running to her. "Uh oh." Was the last thing she said.
The first thing Harry saw as he entered was Priya falling down on the floor, and saying "Uh oh". What was that supposed to mean? Harry took her in his arms and put her on her bed.
"This girl is going to be the death of me some day." Harry said to himself.
He wasn't able to think straight since she called him the other night.
He was with his sister when she called him. "It's Priya." She said as she gave him the phone.
"Would you look at your smile?" she had also said.
"Shut your mouth, Mili." He said and picked up the phone. Mili made the heart sign with her hands to tease him and he slapped her hands.
"Yoooooooooo!" Priya's voice came from the other end. "Priya, what's up with you?" he asked. "What's up with you?" she asked. "What's wrong with you?" Harry asked, getting serious. On the corner of his eyes, he saw Mili getting a bit worried, too. "What's wrong with you, idgit?" she asked and giggled like a 12 year old fan-girl. "Are you drunk?" he asked. Mili sat up straight. "No! Your face is drunk!" she yelled so loud, even Mili heard it. "Baby, where are you?" he asked. "I am not a baby!" she exclaimed.
"Where are you, woman?" he almost yelled.
"Did you just yell at me?" she sounded like she was going to cry.
"No, no, no, no! I didn't yell at you. Where are you, Priya?" he asked.
"Better. I am at Prarthana's shoe." She said.
"Prathanas shoe? You mean house?" he asked.
"Yes!" Priya exclaimed.
"I'm coming to get you." He said and hung up. "I have to go." He said to Mili and prepared to leave. "Take care!" she yelled when he left.
The things she said to him when he reached were really disturbing.
He now looked at the unconscious Priya snuggled up in her blanket, looking so innocent and peaceful. He sat by her for some time, reading her blogs on his phone. He observed so many things he hadn't before. It was all in front of him. How did he not see this before? He shook his head and laughed on himself.
Priya woke up slowly, taking her surroundings in. Her eyes moved, trying to understand where she was. She was in her room. Phew! Then her eyes caught something strange. It was Harry sitting beside her, on the bed! She rubbed her eyes, and opened them again, hoping his image would go away. It didn't. He was right there, reading something on his phone, with no care of the world.
"Harry?" she whispered. He turned towards her, and smiled.
"Good morning!" he greeted.
"Since when have you been here?" she asked.
"I came right about when you fainted and said 'uh oh'." He replied.
Face, meet palm. She thought.
"Don't be so embarrassed." He said.
"Uh huh..." she replied.
"So, what's up? How did you get so drunk last night? I thought you didn't like to drink. Oh, I get it. Peer pressure, right?" he asked.
Priya rolled her eyes and said, "And you say you know me." to which he replied, "I thought I did," satirically.
"Don't you accuse me, or taunt me! I didn't even know that I was drunk."
"Well, no drunk person knows that, but you did know that you drank, right?"
"Here's where you're wrong. I didn't drink. I asked for a coke. Now how am I supposed to know that there was booze in it?"
"Care to explain?" he asked.
"See, we were playing Never Have I Ever, and it's a drinking game, right? So they tried to convince me to drink. When I declined, they got upset. So, I asked them for a coke. We played the game, and the next thing I remember, I am running to the bathroom, and puking my guts out again and again." She explained.
"I still don't understand why you're friends with her." Priya rolled her eyes.
"I don't know the answer for that." She said.
"Anyway, so get ready." Harry instructed.
"For?" Priya asked.
"We're going out. You need some air." Harry replied.
"No, I just need a coffee and some sleep." Priya argued.
"Well, I'll buy you some coffee." Harry offered.
"Could you please make some for me instead?" she requested.
"Okay, fine." he said and went to the kitchen.
He came back after 1o minutes with 2 cups of coffee in his hands. They talked, argued, fought and made up, and then she went off to sleep. Harry had somewhere to go, so he left after she went to sleep.
Priya woke up to the sound of Garima moving through the house. Could she BE any louder? The first thing she thought of was Harry, which brought a smile on her face. That smile was replaced by a frown when she smelled herself. So, she went to the shower. The effect of booze and the hangover was wearing off. Who thought it would have this consequence? She had to talk to Prarthana for this. It wasn't funny, or cool.
First things first, she had to take a shower. Soon. So, she stood up and went to the bathroom after picking out some good clothes to make herself feel better. Even in the shower, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She banged her head on the wall lightly.
"Get out of my fricking head, ya bastard!" she growled.
She showered for at least two hours, she was that tired and dirty.
She felt very good after the shower. Life was so much better. She sighed and texted Harry.
*Hey! Thanks for stopping by today.*
The reply came in seconds.
*No problem.*
She smiled. Wait, how did he know that she was drunk in the first place? She hadn't asked him yet.
*How did you know I was drunk last night?*
He took a bit to reply this time.
*Can we meet?*
Well, wasn't that strange?
*Sure. You're welcome here anytime.*
*No, you be ready. I am taking you out somewhere.*
*Why?*
*Do you ever count how many questions you ask in a day?*
*I lose the count after 100.*
* Lol. Be ready, will you?*
*Fine!*
He didn't text after that. She got ready in 10 minutes.
"Hey, Garima! I am going out with Harry for a bit." She yelled at the bathroom door.
"Why, Talwar? You're ill!" Garima's voice came from inside the bathroom.
"I feel okay now. I need some fresh air, Gari!" she yelled back.
"Fine. Be back before dark, though. I am making dinner tonight, and you are NOT saying no to khichdi!" Garima ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Priya smiled.
The doorbell rang. Priya opened the door; it was Harry. He smiled brightly when he saw her.
"You look good, you know, compared to before." He greeted.
"I wish I could say the same for you." Priya teased, and Harry tickled her.
"Do not tickle me!" she warned, just as a joke.
"Or?" he challenged.
"Honey, then I won't be responsible for your injuries." She smirked.
"Whatever. Shall we go now?" he asked.
"We shall." She replied.
He escorted her to his car, and sat her down on the passenger seat. The ride was long enough for Priya to be bored as Harry was not speaking at all. He was silent all of a sudden. 'Why do I have a crush on such a strange man?' she asked herself. So, she turned on the music system.
"I'm taking back the crowwwn! I'm all dressed up and naked. See what's mine and take it....Ooooohhh....hey!" she frowned when he stopped the music.
"We're here." He said.
She looked outside. It was beautiful! He took her to the river side.
"What is this place?" she asked.
"Divair." Her eyes grew wider.
"Hey, I've been here!" she exclaimed.
"I know." He stated. They walked a bit long and sat down on a mat he had brought with him.
"So...?" she asked.
"So what?" he asked.
"Why did you bring me here?" she inquired.
"Long drive." He replied.
"It is just me or are you acting weird?" she asked. He rolled his eyes.
"It's just you." He answered.
"Really? I don't think so." She stated.
"So, do you remember anything from last night?" he asked suddenly.
"I remember playing that god forsaken game, and then running to the bathroom. Nothing in between." She replied.
"Nothing in between?" he asked again.
"Yeah, I think I covered that part." she inquired.
"Did you even wonder how you got back to home?" he asked. "I did, but then I thought one of them would've dropped me back. I do wonder how you came to know that I was drunk." She looked at Harry.
"Well, I have an answer for that."
"Well, great! Because I really need an answer."
"You drunk dialed me."
She sat up straight. "I did what?!" she half yelled.
"You called me when you were drunk." He replied.
"I think I know the definition, professor." She said, irritated.
"Yeah, well, you drunk dialed me." he repeated.
"What did I say?" she asked nervously, not looking at him in the eye.
"Well, you called me an idgit." He chuckled.
"What happened last night, Harry?" she asked.
"You sure you want the answer?" he asked.
"You're scaring me now." she informed.
"Well, you didn't say anything special on the phone,"
"But?"
"But when I came to pick you up..."
"What did I say?" she was horrified now.
"Okay, here goes."
Harry reached Prarthana's house. He took Priya, and without saying anything to anyone,and put her in the car.
"Harry, listen to me, please." Prarthana called from behind. Harry turned to her in pure anger and she took a step back.
"Don't even talk to Priya ever again. Ever. You understand?" he ordered.
"I can explain." She requested. He waved her off and sat in the car, and took off.
"Harryyy.." Priya called.
"What?" he snapped. She stared at him, and laughed.
"Why the hell are you laughing?" he asked.
"You look so funny when you're angry." He didn't reply. After some time, she nudged him. He didn't say anything. He nudged him again.
"What, Priya?" he asked.
"Do you know something, Harry?" she asked.
"What?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the road.
"I want to be kissed, you know where?"
"Where?"
"River side."
He smiled a bit.
"I love your smile." She commented.
"Good." He stopped smiling.
"You know by whom I want to be kissed?"
He rolled his eyes and sighed, "Who?"
"You." She said in all seriousness.
He stopped the car.
"What?" he asked, turning to her.
"Why are you such an idgit?" she asked.
"I am not!" he defended.
"You aren't? Then how can you not notice?" she asked.
"Notice what?"
"That cats say meow. That I am in love with you, you ass!" she exclaimed.
"Sarcastic even when drunk. Wait, what? You love me?" he asked.
"Bingo! You cracked the code, genius." She taunted.
"Since when?" he asked.
"Since a year and a half." She replied.
"Are you kidding?"
"Look at my face and tell me if I am kidding." He looked right into his eyes.
He went totally silent, and so did she. Then she started crying.
"Why are you telling me this now?" he asked.
"Because I did not have guts to tell you." She said, more to herself than him. He put his hand on her face, and smiled. He started driving and left her in her room.
"That's how I know you were drunk last night and sick today." He explained. She was silent, so silent that even the crickets were audible. A tear dropped on her cheek, and he wiped it.
"Don't cry." Was all he said before hugging her.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked after pulling back.
"Well, it was your wish to be kissed on the river side, wasn't it?" he smiled. She nodded.
"Wait, what?"
"Don't you want your wish to come true?" he asked.
"But why do you want to make this wish come true?" she asked.
"And you call me an idiot." He taunted.
"Be clear?" she requested.
"Ilikeyou." He said quickly.
"What?"
"I like you, you idgit." He confessed.
"What? Since when?"
"Long enough." He said and kissed her before she could say banana.
It was amazing. They were happy. They were finally happy. They stayed there for a little longer, talking about anything and everything.
After that, they went to her home, and had khichdi together.
THE END!
