When Friends become F.R.I.E.N.D.S

2005-06. Summers, perhaps. I was in my second year of graduation- a part of the coolest, fun-nest , group of kids there could be. As a group, we were sincerely into academics, parades, NCC, NSS, idling away, working, doing nothing, and a bit of Everything. We were also into a C-grade version of dramatics; something called as spoofs. Our group had mastered the art of scripting, directing and enacting "Spoofs" - a dramaticized parody of various pieces of literature (and even Social Science!) However, we did do some serious plays as well, one of which was themed around how natural disasters can wreak havoc on human lives. (We tracked a young girl- who, orphaned post an earthquake, gets picked by a lady to work at a brothel. ) See Footnote for some amusing memories

We were all one-year-old friends I guess. Mannat and I were really good friends … but since we spent most of our time inventing ways for drawing sadistic pleasure out of putting each other in trouble, we hadn't really used the word, "friends" a lot. Hardly ever, in fact.

Well, we were at Miranda House - for a Play Competition at their College Fest. With a bit time on our hands , and having checked out the stage layout etc.. I wanted us to run through the dress rehearsal, for good measure. Something you should know about the kind of Director I was: the lunatic, control freak. The Monica-At-Phoebe's-Wedding (who even schedules Pheebs' fiance's time for taking a leak, and rebukes him for deviation ( "Pee on your own time, Mike!" ) Okay, not exactly Monica…but you get the picture. And having a 21st century Dennis The Menace always play one of the lead roles in our plays, didn’t help calm my nerves. Radhika's Dennis-ness had gotten our plays in the "Rukawat Ke Liye Khed Hai" mode a couple of times.. And that day, I was a classic case of Once Bitten, Twice Shy- gone evil.

We got together in one spot … me at my hyper--est-best .. Some kids/teams from other colleges were also around. As we started hunting for Radhika, we found her and Mannat talking to a group of kids, apparently a part of their friend circle from School. They were obviously excited to see each other, and catching up. I cued Mannat..and she looked alive for the play, pronto. Rahdika, however, merrily went on about her trip..and chattered away, like my entreaties were background noise for the play.

After a decent bit of pleading for attention, across the distance, when my Dennis did not budge, I walked right across.. Without caring about the rude interruption I must have caused, said something threatening-enough-loud enough-and pulled her into the ready-mode .. (the only formula that worked )

Their friends, all seemed a bit taken aback by this impudence- on the part of somebody whom they didn’t even know. (I am guessing - the shouting, threatening and Monica-ing in general added to the total effect of "whoa!") I had walked back and into the play, when I faintly heard this conversation (and turned to look, across at the far end of the patch ) … Two of the girls made expressions of *rolling eyes* and menacing.. One of them, grinned at Mannat … in a sly who-does-she-think-she-is tone,

"Is she your friend?"

"No!" Mannat declared, smiling broadly at her Friends-from-an-year-back.

"She is my BEST FRIEND!"

And with that, laughing, she tuned around and walked into the play.

We didn't win the competition, but we sure had a hell lot of fun. I know I did :-)

Footnote

Okay, my fav. Memories: (you have to be inside my head, to spot the amusement :D )

1. Josie - managing to screw up the 3 second role she was supposed to play (that of gesturing to the poor little girl, begging for a blanket to cover her shivering, dying mother - that she didn't have any warm blankets left to give out) Whatever she did (something like half hearted attempts to spread-put wings to float/ Or to conduct an orchestra) - Smitha and I had to stifle laughter everytime (yeah..come on Smitha.. We never quite discussed it, out of politeness..but seriously, I caught your eye everytime :D :D )
2. Reji- The gorgeous Damsel in Distress: The main protagonist.
3. Mannat- Shivering and dying- thanks to Josie. (aaah.. Vengeance is sweet, even if illusory ):P
4. Ankita - in her blue denim shorts, as the well-fed , chubby and smug, supposedly starving boy casually telling her never-there-for-rehearsals Mr. India of a Daddy, " Baba…bhookh lagi hai" .. And lying down again, in style.
5. Radhika - The PERFECT Lady Owner of the "Dance Place" - the paan chewing, inappropriately saaree-clad, and wily business woman.
6. Simi: (The hapless white kurta clad patrakaar, interviewing the couldn't-care-less-but-pretending-to minister, couldn't string 5 words in level II hindi together ( always slipping on "ta-daad" - meaning numbers, in her dialogue, " Hazaaron ki ta-aa--da-da-da-ad mein logo ki jaan ja rahi hai..")
7. Rajita: The better-paid-more-sophisticated-reporter making the final observation on the very dejected girl's plight .. "khabron ki surkhiyan badal jaati hain… aur reh jate hain kuch sawal.. (pause) ..jinka jawab.. (pause, turn- look at Reji), dhoondti reh jaati hain.. (pause) ..inki aankhein." :D: D