Part 3
After the western movie finished Karen and Avi wanted to go home. Priya decided to leave with Karen and Avi. I can’t deal with westerns. Harry was happy though.
Harry and we all said byes, Harry decided to drop Priya, Karen and Avi at their home. I was fixing up the living room and Kanwal di was packing up her sketchbook, pencils and stuff. I asked Kanwal di could I see Priya’s sketch. Kanwal di smiled and teased me why? I said I am curious. She said in our Delhi lingo “ Oye Kuke Pra (younger bro) ki hoya tainu kudi di sketch dekhan wa hor shuak laga, oye set rahe tu kuke(Oye bro Kuka be cool, now you are very fond of looking at girls sketch)“
I persisted and she showed me the sketch, she said she would still highlight and then leave it for us to give it to Priya. I asked Kanwal di if I could get a copy of that sketch. She said it would cost me. I pleaded with Kanwal di, “ Kanwal di sade naal paise to haan nahi (Kanwal sister I am broke)” She said she is not looking for money. She will need my help to laminate some of her work. I readily agreed. She went upstairs to finish and create a copy of the sketch for me.
Harry was back and I had nothing better to do so I stayed at their place. Harry asked me what happened, he eagerly wanted some details. I told him what happened in kitchen earlier when Priya asked me for drinks and how my interaction went with her there and later on withher and Kanwal di.
Harry again yelled at me some friendly cuss words and went upstairs to talk to Kanwal di. Harry and Kanwal di came down. Harry teased me “Oye balle balle sade yaar nu Ishaq hoya (Oh gee my friend is in love)”
They both laughed at my expense for few minutes. Kanwal di gave me two sketches of Priya. She signed them both. My copy she signed ‘with love for brother Kuka’. She signed Priya’s copy ‘for the sweetest girl’. Kanwal di asked us to deliver the sketch at Priya’s place.
In India your wingman could be a friend, an elder sister, a neighbor or the maid. So be nice to them all and keep them happy, you never know who might be your wingman.
I was dead scared of going to Chawla Residence aka Black hole again. I thanked Kanwal di again. Harry got two sets of envelope and he put the sketches in them. He handed one to me and he decided to go to Chawla residence. Harry bonded so well with Karen and Avi that he already planned to visit them in Bombay with or without me. Later on I found out Harry had no issue with Chawla Sr. either, they got along just fine.
I was excited and quickly went to my home just in time before my mother comes back from work. My mother was little tired and was a victim of Delhi April heat. I got her something to drink. She asked me what I have been up to all day long. I told her I was at Harry’s place and she was ok with that. I decided to get to my room and she rested for a bit before she plans for supper.
I was little nervous when I opened the envelope, which had my copy of Priya’s sketch. To my surprise it was the one meant for Priya. I stared at the bottom of the sketch it said “for the sweetest girl” signed Kanwaljeet Dhinsa. Oh man
I felt like killing Harry. So Priya had the sketch which is signed by Kanwal di as ‘with for love brother Kuka” This can’t be good. This mistake of Harry will get us in trouble including Kanwal di.
I started dialing Harry. He was back. I explained him what he has done. He said ,” Veere Kuka ! Koi nahi, kuch nahi honda oye set rahe tu(bro kuka no worries, it’s no big deal). I was furious I told him it is a big deal and we will all get in trouble. Harry said he would call Priya and exchange the sketches. I said he is in trouble and if Priya or Chawla Sr yells at him then he will be doing it at his own risk. He was still cool about it. He came to my home picked my sketch and tried to call Priya. They talked for few minutes. I was pacing up and down and was nervous. Harry hung up the phone smiling. I asked him what happened, he laughed and doubled up on my study table. He said Priya doesn’t want to exchange the sketch. Oh man I am in some trouble now for sure.
He calmed down few minutes later and he said Priya wants to keep the sketch, which is signed for me. Harry started calling Kanwal di. I was thinking now Kanwal di will be mad too because Harry and I dragged her into this mess for no fault of hers. Harry assured me he would handle it.
After talking to Kanwal di for few minutes he gave the phone to me. Kanwal di was not mad. She cautioned me though, if she didn’t sense Priya was not falling for me then this mistake could have gone horribly wrong. Kanwal di wished me luck and joked about it hanged up the phone.
I looked at Harry he was busy putting that sketch on my wall. He removed Stallone’s Poster of Cobra to make room for this sketch. I asked him what he is doing? He said he is putting the Priya’s sketch up on the wall. I yelled at him I can see that. He plans to get me in more trouble with my mom? What I will answer my Mom if she wants’ to know whose sketch is that?
He laughed some more and after he finished that sketch up. He looked at me and said he got to go home. I was practically gawking at the sketch and the smile which was on Priya’s sketch. Kanwal di is a great artist, god bless her.
I came down with Harry into our living room. My mom was busy cutting some vegetables for supper. Harry wished my mom and left. I sat down to flip TV channels. The phone rang. My mom looked at me puzzled. She picked up the phone I was watching some cricket news. She called me to take the phone. I thought gee this Harry got home so quick and now what he wants to talk? To my surprise it was Priya who sounded little nervous. She said she has no intention of exchanging the sketch. She said this one looks good to her. I said I am sorry and tried to put it on Harry. She said she likes the sketch and will keep it. She wanted to know what I wanted to do with my sketch of hers and why I asked Kanwal di to make a copy for me in the first place. I was struggling for words here. I can hear Priya’s teasing laugh on the other end. She said I can call her and let her know what I plan to do with that sketch later. She hung up.
I was clueless what just happened.
My mom had a puzzled look when the phone call ended with Priya. She asked me who is this new friend of mine “Priya”, is Priya in my class or at my school. I struggled for words to explain. I flat out lied that she is a friend of Harry and now she is my friend too. She thought for a minute looked at me and then she went to kitchen to prepare the supper.
My mom I love her. It’s hard to figure her emotions ever since my Dad died. She is more stoic now, ever since she got diagnosed with cancer. The only thing you can sense on her face if she is tired or not.