The Gift

A short intro to my first english publication...
During my training days (2002-03) at Bombay I had been chosen as one of the Journal Committee members though during the entire tenure, my active participation before bringing out the annual magazine included attending only a single meeting! So when the time came for collecting the contributions the journal chief casually reminded me that it looks nice when every member contributes some literature for the magazine. I immediately took the hint and asked a week's time but was made to understand that only a single day remained before the materials will be sent to the press. So if I wanted to put something with my name on the magazine I might use the day more productively. Without further procrastination, for the whole day I raked my brain and created enough low pressure in my cerebral cortex so as to invite the brainstorm sometime during the night! Here I present the effect of the storm and please feel free to criticise on the result.

THE GIFT

-Anirban De

At the morning………

Can you believe it! How can you? I myself could never have imagined it till now. Rimi, the heartthrob of the class, the queen of all our hearts has asked me to accompany her for her special marketing. Yes! She had specifically mentioned over the phone that it is for a ‘special’ reason.

You might well be wondering what this ‘special’ marketing means. Well, I have an answer to that too though it thrills me to the bone when I think about it. You see, today is the 13th of Feb and tomorrow is the Valentine’s Day. So, maybe… …no no, not maybe, I’m sure that she is going to gift me something of my choice. Oh my! Just think oh it. Me, the CR of the class, already held high in esteem by the other boys, will again be a step ahead of them. I knew it was bound to happen. Who else could have been the chosen one?

The rumours of the past few days about Rimi’s feeling towards Raja now seem to be an utter nonsense. I can now understand why Rimi was seen near Raja for the past couple of weeks. Everybody knows that Raja is the only guy whom I can tolerate a little more than the others. The rest of the bunch is all little short of idiots. I can’t stand them. But Raja seems to possess a little intelligence though it’s not a match to my brilliance. I’m sure, Rimi wished to be better acquainted to me and so wanted to get an introduction through Raja. Actually, she joined our class only a month ago and doesn’t know me at all.

As to my feelings, I too had a little weakness towards her from the very first day when she stepped inside our class. But, as you see, it would have never looked good if I were to approach her. The boys would be making fun over my back then. Instead, thanks to my Providence, things are shaping out rightly for me now.

After a few hours……….

Oh! I’m a little late. No problem, she will certainly wait. But where the hell is she? Oh look, she is doing window-shopping there near the cosmetics shop. I better hurry up or else she might get cross.
-“Hi Rimi, sorry for being so late.”
-“Oh, it’s okay! Actually I thought you might forget. I’m sorry to waste your precious time.”
-“It’s not a problem. Don’t feel embarrassed.”
-“So kind of you.”
-“So, what’s the ‘special’ marketing all about?”
She is turning red in the face while answering, “Actually, you see, I wanted you to choose a tie for my friend.”
See what I’ve been telling you! She will ask me to choose as if I’m choosing for somebody else and then she will surprise me with the same tomorrow. But I pretend not to understand and ask, “Well, is it for someone special?” Again she is going red as she tries to explain.
But I stop her, “Hey, don’t feel so embarrassed, I was just joking. Let’s go to the Raymond’s.”

Again after an hour at the ice-cream parlour………

-“I hope your friend will be happy with my choice”, I’m pretending to be still in the dark.
-“I’m sure he will”, she winked.
Oh just imagine! Tomorrow, in front of the whole class, she will be handing the gift to me. That will be a matter of envy to the others. Yes, they deserve it, those fools!
-“Excuse me”, her remark caused me to return to the present from my dreams.
-“Yeah…”
I can see she is again becoming pink in the face as she asks, “Well, I’m feeling very nervous but I have to tell you something.”
My God, I didn’t expect this much but it now seems that she is going to propose me.
-“What”, suddenly I’m feeling very excited.
-“Well you see, I’ve already wasted much of your time and …”
-“That’s not a problem”, I try to be humble.
-“… and Raja speaks highly of you.”
That guy is a real gem. He had made all the groundwork so that I am not facing any problem. He deserves a treat after all this. Her last remark had made my pulse rate high though I try to appear as calm as possible.
-“He says you are always nice to him”, she continues, “that’s why I know only you are the right person for this.”
I never knew being a little good to others could fetch you such a gift. I’m now trembling with joy as I say, “Don’t embarrass me.”
-“Will you do me a favour?”, she pleads.
-“Certainly”, I’m ready for it.
-“Will you please take this gift…”
See, I knew it! It seems that I’m on the top of the world.
But she continues, “… and give it to Raja tomorrow and say to him that I love him. I know only you can manage it.”
Oh! My head reels. Suddenly the parlour seems to disappear. It seems that from the top of the world I’m being hurled down, far down, with my pride to the dust. Never before I was ready for this kind of gift!