" Divya akka... Amma has sent sweets for you..."

I ran to my neighbour , grabbing the floor length skirt .. My enthusiastic face turned down , the moment I entered Divya akka' s house...

Divya akka was sitting on the wooden swing that massively hung in their living room.. She was gently humming a lullaby where a little boy , probably of my age was sleeping quietly on her lap...

She gestured me not to talk ... Slowly transferring his head to the pillow ,she came to me.. !

" Suman beta... He's Shravan ...he is going to stay here...we have to take care of him.. "

That was the moment I had developed so much of hatred to him ..soon, to the name - Shravan too...

" Hello... Madam Sam... Are you here ?"

I blink to his loud call as it takes time to come back from reverie...

Yes...! Now , I am at Paris talking with a stranger...! Or , should I say a new friend.. ?

" Hello..."

He calls me again...

Breathing in deep , I smile...

" Nice meeting you...bye..."

I step to the side walk not minding his shock .. Because , I don't want to come across with the name - Shravan again and God only knows what if I undergo the same incidents which I want to forget..

Without turning back , I quickened my steps..

" Hello... Is it , that's all ? Aren't we getting along with each other...? We are friends ... You said it just now!!"

He demands right at the back of me which I completely ignore focusing the path...

Puffing , he walks fast to reach my side...

" Aren't we friends ?"

His voice was soft .. Almost he mumbles that seems a mere request...

I stop to look at him...

Adjusting the over coat , I criss cross my arms at the chest.. I look at him quizzical...

" You know what..?! I have never seen such an annoying person.. you are clingy at the first meeting itself and it doesn't mean that compulsorily I have to be your friend only because we are Desi... "

I speak in one go where his face turns blanch...

God !! What I have done!?!

His downturn face does something in me where I feel bad and I am about to say sorry for being rude...

To my surprise he doesn't give up... His look lights up instant..

" Yaar... Of course we have to be friends.. we are in a foreign country.. we have to help eachother as we are from same country..."

He repeats the same dialogue where I literally shut my ears with my palms..

When I don't react ,he repeats with dramatic expressions...

I laugh to his perseverance..

" Shut up Mr. Shravan... I will be a friend of you .But on one condition.. "

He raises his brows inquisitive...

" Never ever repeat that dialogue again.. if you start ...our friendship...!"

I run my palm across my neck to sound - finish...

He places his hand over his head to promise...

Typical Indian practice!!!

We began to walk alongside...

" Seriously... You're so annoying and why don't I feel much irritated...?"

I ask him because I am wondering how he has become a friend of me so easily.. I always follow the Indian mother's rules when it comes to boys..

Rule no# 1

Don't talk with a stranger more than five minutes..

Rule no # 2

If at all you speak for some reasons , don't share your personal details..

Rule no # 3

Don't have even an idea of a boy to be your friend...that too in a foreign country..

Now , in one go I have broken all the laws and I am still wondering how it has happened...

He nods negative , accusing me ..

" No ...I can't answer your question.. just now you told that I shouldn't repeat the dialogue.. "

I roll my eyes at his puppy face...

Wish your name isn't Shravan... !!!

To my reaction , he grins cozier ...

" Let me guess why we became friends easily.. "

He scratches his forehead to exhibit his - thinking serious mode

I am keen to his guesses now...

" Perhaps I am a good boy?"

I clucks...

" Mmmm... I am handsome...?!"

" Not at all..." I denies...

" Then, you like my smile..." He's confident with his answer then...

I mumbles.. " never think that.. "

He drops his hands in surrender...

" you like me for who I am ...?" He is sure enough to get a nod from me...

Actually... You're right.. !

" Quirky!!!" I state rather accepting...

He shakes his head in disbelief...

" What do you mean that.. ?"

" I mean it .. but , we are friends ... Bye now..."

I tell in a hurry , showing the tram that approaches...

" Hello madam Sam... I am not an actor or public figure to find so easily..get my number ...or , Give me your number , atleast the Twitter account...to be on touch..."

I get into the tram and sit at the window side ...

" Mr. Quirky... If the destiny meant us to meet again , we will meet... "

He walks with the tram as it begins to move...

" Remember , I am good Fortune's child... We will definitely meet.. "

Reemphasizing , he raffles his hair...I throw a - let's see smile at him...

He stands there until the tram takes turn at the corner... I don't know why I am so much attached with him... Perhaps his approach , good looking personality or else because of his usual dialogue - we are Desi ..

I smile to recall his dialogue...

Really he's such a quirky!!!

I lean at the window , reminiscing - Shravan...

I was nine years old I think.... I was at fourth grade... My neighbour was from Kerala which is a near by state of Tamil Nadu... I was fond of their daughter - Divya akka...

She was so pretty at her teenage... Her wheatish fair skin glowed every time ... Her long curly hair always swayed with her moves... The way she carried herself with traditional Kerala mundu was just irresistible to see.. I was so much attracted to her appearance ...

She was like a role model to me ... I was dreaming how I would be in future with reference to her personality.. I loved to roam at her back , calling her name every now and then...

She was so sweet to me that I preferred to be at her house most of the time...I enjoyed sitting with her in the wooden swing that almost occupied half of the living room... our time went well in exchanging stories and tales...

It was the Diwali of that year...

My amma has brought me a silk skirt and blouse ... After attending the Diwali rituals half minded in an urge to meet Divya akka , I appreciated my perfect look in Diwali attire.. literally I was waiting to showcase my new skirt to her...

" Suman... Come here... Take these sweets to Divya akka.. "

Amma' s order brought me a smile as I was waiting for that moment..

I happily grabbed the box and ran...

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