The summer did not disappoint us this year. It was hot. It was dry. The wind was hot and the wind was dry.
The roads were empty and the shades were occupied, mostly by dogs with their tongues sticking out as if to lick moisture off the air.
The birds had long disappeared and I don't believe the heat was that bad wherever they were now.
Mostly, everyone who had any say in the matter, did something about it...everyone except that little potted plant which my roommate, Ashok, kept on his window sill.
I have no idea what it was or why he kept it. I mean, no guy living in a boy's hostel kept a plant.
Picture of deities- agreed.
Some toy car - OK.
Gifts from girlfriends - SOB but ... fine.
Playboy cutouts - hallelujah!!
But ....a potted plant?
Yet, there it was. And the rest of us had learnt to ignore it. Heck, it did not even grow anything we could smoke - a completely useless thing!
And so it remained.
Ashok would pour a mug of water on it everyday before leaving for college and it became a part of our morning ritual. We just never gave it a thought. I put gel on my hair, Ashok poured water on his plant. He didn't enquire about my gel and I didn't spend my hours wondering about his plant.
We lived a completely contended life and never intruded upon each others matters.
Last night Ashok got a call from his home and he took the first train to his village. Apparently his parents had dug up a girl and wanted him to check her out.
Never was there a more compelling reason for a guy to take the first train to anywhere than this. And he did take the first train home, without even a bye.
Which was fine.
If I was given a parental clearance to check out girls, bidding adieu to Ashok and his potted plants would have taken a back seat. And I would have taken the first train home, like he did.
So I forgave his lack of etiquettes and started to get ready for college. In fact I was putting gel on my hair when someone knocked at our door.
"Bhaiyya..."
It was Poltu, the mess boy. He was carrying a tea cup and stood there in a faded t-shirt and ill fitting Bermuda shorts.
"Yes Poltu... I didn't ask for tea"
"Bhaiyya ... I saw Ashok bhaiyya leave in the morning.... Is he gone?
"Yes.... To see your Bhabi. Ask him for sweets when he comes back" I advised without taking my eyes off the mirror.
"Oh okay.... Bhaiyaa...."
"Yea Poltu... what do you want?
"I have brought some water for the plant "
