This is a blog post from
May 2
Dear Diary,
I have something to tell you. Something BIG. Promise you won’t discuss this with your other Diary friends?
So. It’s about Sandy.
We had an inter-school quiz competition today. Sandy and I were representing our school. We landed at Ravishankar Auditorium an hour ahead. The place was largely empty except for a few organisers here and there. Sandy suggested that we sneak up to the terrace. “It’s a great view, Nila. You can even see the Bay of Bengal from up there,” he said, racing me to the top.
He was right. The view was great. We climbed onto the water tank. It was so lovely – the sea and the skies. Luckily, no sun. Actually, the clouds were quite grey.
Anyway, we sat on the tank. He talked for sometime about Mexican waves. Do you know the origin of the phrase ‘Mexican wave’? Yes, the one in football where the crowd around the stadium raise their hands like a wave. Sandy said it’s because the waves in the Gulf of Mexico are the longest. Typically the waves in most beaches are 400-500 metres tops. But in Mexico each wave extends for kilometres. Amazing, no?
Well, don’t fall for it. It’s just a Sandy theory. The actual reason is because the fans first ‘made the wave’ in the football World Cup at Mexico. Hence, Mexican Wave. But as usual, Sandy’s theory is better. I wonder what it must be like inside Sandy’s head. Constantly making up stories and figuring out ways how to narrate them convincingly. He says that only I don’t fall for his tricks. “That’s why I like you so much, Nila,” he said and winked at me. I turned pink.
“Why are you blushing, Nila?” he asked. I just mumbled something about the Sun (which was invisible, by the way). He smiled at me and I felt something fluttering in my tummy. And then he said, “You do know that I like you even otherwise, don’t you? I like you A LOT.”
I didn’t know what to say so I just smiled and quickly turned away. There was an awkward silence for some time. I figured the awkwardness was just in my head and Sandy was probably concocting some other theory in his head. When I finally turned back towards him, he was looking at me intently. I raised my eyebrow. He smiled, leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek.
My heart stopped. Literally. I know it’s medically impossible but it did stop. And when it began beating again, it was thudding. So loud, I was afraid Sandy could hear it. “Lighten up, Nila. Yours cheeks look like tomatoes,” he said. I smacked his back. He laughed and kissed my other cheek.
Luckily we heard some announcement from downstairs and had to get up to leave. I was partly relieved but mostly sad. The whole experience was strange but also exciting. When we were getting down the stairs, Sandy asked if I was ok. I tried to maintain a straight face but I couldn’t control my smile — it was the widest ever.
Back in the auditorium, we topped the prelims. Our team also got the best team name award ‘Two Idlis One Sambar’. I thought it was silly but the judges seemed to share Sandy’s ridiculous sense of humour. The finals was ok but I was distracted. We came second. The prize included a trip for two to Waterworld. “Our first date,” Sandy said, waving the tickets in my face. I had goosebumps.
When we got home I was bursting with happiness. I wanted to tell someone but didn’t know who. Poo is a loudspeaker. And Rads would have given some stupid lecture about how I am too young to have a boyfriend. So I decided to confide in Poonguzhali Akka. Luckily, she had bunked office that day and was just sitting at home watching TV. “Are you unwell, Akka?” I asked. “Nila darling, it’s important to bunk office for no reason. Just as it’s important to bunk school and college,” she said with a wink.
I told her about the terrace and Sandy and the two kisses. She was even more excited than me. She gave me a tight hug and insisted that I bring him over to her place on Saturday. “Varun Anna will conduct an interview to check if he is worthy of our Nila,” she declared seriously. I was shocked. “Kidding, babe. I’m sure he’s a great guy,” Akka replied when she saw the horror on my face.
When I went back home, Amma told me that Sandy had called. I rushed to the phone and dialled his number. I know it by heart. He picked it up on the first ring. “Were you waiting by the phone?” I asked. “For the last 40 minutes. But you seem to be busy with your other boyfriends,” he replied. I giggled. He asked if I was ok. I didn’t know what to say so there was a long silence. Finally I said, “Sandy, I like you too.” I could almost see him grinning on the other end. “Cool, I just wanted to make sure. So, Waterworld on Sunday. Our first date. Wear something nice. Bye, my dear Nila,” he said. When we hung up, I held onto the phone for a little longer. I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this happy.
Now I know why they make a big fuss about all these romantic movies. This sure is a special feeling.
Yours very-very-very excitedly,
Nila
