REM blasted through the house when I opened the door to Aldrin’s room. He was lying prone on the bed, singing along with Michael Stipe, “That’s me in the corner, that’s me...” then he saw me and shut up.
I grinned, “Hey, big brother, you know you sing damn good.” I tried out my own voice “That was just a dream, just a dream.” Aldrin switched off Michael Stipe’s voice and left me carolling "Losing my Religion”. Since I was no Michael Stipe. And not even near Aldrin, the lead vocalist of his college band, I stopped singing.
“What’s wrong?” Aldrin asked.
“Nothing,” I said, “Does something always have to be wrong when I feel like talking?”.
“You always feel like talking and something’s always ring.” Aldrin retorted sardonically, going into the bathroom and splashing water on his face.
“As usual you’re right, Aldrin,” I said reluctantly, “But did you have to be a brainy, good looking, Six-foot Mizo counterpart to Bryan Adams?” Aldrin silently pointed out to the mirror, “Okay, Okay, like you I’ve inherited a not so bad physique and average looks, but God forget the brains and the voice. I got the soft heart - or rather, the permanently broken one.”
Aldrin took out a clean shirt from his wardrobe, “Aicha dumped you?”.
“Right again, O brainy elder brother,” I said. “But do you realize that behind this cool exterior lurks inner turmoil and a broken heart? Aicha tells me she prefers you”.
Aldrin didn’t bat an eyelid. This was nothing new for him. Girls, including my girlfriends, fell at his feet the second he stepped out of the house, he was least bothered, his own girlfriend, Mazami, was studying at AIIMS and he was apparently keeping a vow of celibacy till her return. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe but he is my brother. Actually, it wasn’t that I was really upset about Aicha, but I considered it my brotherly duty to give Aldrin a hard time. “My own brother stealing my girlfriend! There’s a limit to everything!”. Just then, the phone rang. It was my good pal, George, inviting me for a gig at Vanapa Hall. I told him I’d meet him in 15 minutes and hung up. Aldrin was lacing up his sneakers. “Hey, are you going towards Vanapa Hall, Al?” I asked.
“Don’t call me Al” he snapped. “I’m going to the airport.” “That’s towards Vanapa Hall, you can give me a lift, can’t you?” “No way,” said Aldrin hard heartedly, “Do your own travelling”. I shrugged and zoomed out.
George was waiting for me in front of the hall. “Hurry up, Ahruai, they’ve started the show just now.” We raced into the dark auditorium. Luckily, our seats were close to the entrance. We were seated by the time the opening act ran out, though only after George and I had tripped over whoever was sitting on my left. The real show started before I had time to apologise. But when the lights came up brighter for a short speech, I round and saw this dazzlingly beautiful girl sitting next to me. Luckily, she wasn’t looking my way, since all I could do for the next 90 seconds was stare. George brought me back to earth with a sharp nudge and a gesture towards the other side of the balcony. “Look, there’s Aicha. Can I make faces now that you two have broken up?” I nodded. Then I shook my head, “ No... Yes..Uuhhh!”
George looked at me and diagnosed, “Shock or sunstroke. Doctor’s orders - the Coke treatment.” He went off in search of sustenance. That’s what friends are for! As soon as he was out of the hall, I turned to look at her. This time, she glanced at me. I hastily looked away and gave myself a mental pep-talk. Lalhruaitluanga, king of hearts, conquered by a single glance - this couldn’t be happening. I looked up and saw Aicha walking towards me. Help! Police! Fire! I turned to my left again. “Hi! I finally managed to place you. So how were your exams?”
“Fine. What about yours?” Thank heaven, she was playing along. I gave her a dazzling smile. She smiled back. Beautiful. Out of the comer of my eye, I saw Aicha standing a little way off, talking to another girl and staring at us.
“I’m really sorry, but I just can’t remember where we met. Do I really know you, or is this just a hopeful pass?”
Yiipes! She’s turning away! My brain worked at the speed of light. “You mean you’re not Vanlalhruaii?” I said, with nicely stimulated surprise. Aldrin did have some brains for me after all. Bingo! She smiled again, “No, I’m not.”
My face was the picture of embarrassment. “Gosh! I’m sorry - really, I mean... I never... Hell! What a moron you must think I am?” “Not at all,” she replied cordially. “At least let me introduce myself,” I said hurriedly before she could turn away again, “I’m Ahruaia, Lalhruaitluanga.”
“Any relation of Aldrin Lalthazuala?” she asked immediately. I mentally cursed my elder brother as I nodded, “My brother. But I didn’t get your name.”
“I’m Adinmawii,” she said, giving me another of those smiles before turning away. I was still reeling when George dropped into the seat beside me and handed me a brimming plastic bottle of Coke. “Why’s Aicha looking like she’s just about to explode? Did you two, like, have a conversation?”
I gave him a beatific grin. “No, of course not.” Needless to say, I sat through the rest of the show in a blissful daze. When the lights went up at the end, the first thing I did was turn to the left. She wasn’t there! Disasters! George noticed me looking wildly around and raised a questioning eyebrow. “Adinmawii, I said distractedly, craning my neck to see over the crowd near the exit. “Who?” was George's incredulous response. I knew what he was thinking - leave him alone for five seconds in the middle of the Sahara and he’ll conjure up a crowd of females.
“The girl sitting next to me,” I clarified, and launched on an explanation that lasted till we were back in my room....” And she’s the serious type, I guess, since she never goes to parties. She knows Aldrin too, worse luck” I ended morosely. “How many girls have seen Aldrin and not fallen for him?” “Too few, pal, too few,” George agreed. Aldrin came in just then, “Hey, Ahruai, Mazami’s downstairs. You two go say, ‘hi’.”
“Mazami maw? Where did she come from?” I asked, surprised. “She’s in AIIMS.”
“She flew.” Aldrin threw a laconic reply over his shoulder as he disappeared into the bathroom.
‘Oh, no wonder he didn’t want me with him on the way to the airport.’ I thought as George and I went out, and down the stairs. Barely had I reached the bottom step when I saw Her!. Yes, Adinmawii the Incomparable, sitting on a suitcase, in our hall! ‘Omigosh!’ I thought wildly. It must be the real thing if I’m having delusion as wild as this. The delusion showed me and smiled. Wowww! My head started spinning. George was giving funny looks. “Don’t worry,” I told him. “It’s only a delusion.”
At that moment, the delusion said “Hi! I hope this is a pleasant surprise.” “More like a rude shock,” murmured George, catching my expression when I realised that this was a concrete reality. Like a pal, he smoothly moved into the conversation, since all I could do was make soft bubbling sounds. “I’ve seen you around at the party. You hang-out with Mami and all, didn’t you?” Adinmawii nodded, as Mazami appeared in the doorway. “Hey guys, long time no see,” she said cheerily. Adinmawi, why are you sitting outside on my suitcase? Aldrin has provided chairs for us you know.”
“Sisters!” Adinmawii gave us a rueful grin and followed Mazami into the living room.
George and I looked at each other. “How? What? When?” I managed to stutter - Not up to my usual brilliant standard, I agree, but there were extenuating circumstances. George, mind reader that he was, managed to read mine.
“She’s Mazami’s sis, Ahruai,” he explained kindly. “Obviously, she must have been killing time watching the gig till Mazami’s plane came in... That’s why she left before the end. They must have met Aldrin at the airport.”
Aldrin came down the stairs and looked surprised when he saw us sitting on the bottom step. Actually, my knees had given out the moment Adinmawii left, and George was just keeping me company. “I do provide chairs, you know,” Aldrin commented, and George honked his peculiar laugh. “Don’t let Mazami go, Aldrin,” he said. “You two made for each other.”
Aldrin lighted an amused eyebrow but went into the living room without saying anything. I looked at George. “Are you thinking what I am thinking?”.
George glanced up at his own personal god [who looks remarkably like John Travolta (though a phat one)] and said sarcastically, “Wow! He thinks! Awright!” I punch him on the shoulder and said, “Adinmawii has not fallen for Aldrin. Do you read me?” “How can she?” He’s her sister’s boyfriend,” shrugged George.
“My point exactly!” I said, getting up and dusting off the seat on my jeans. “So, Adinmawi, here I come!” With George beside me, I headed for the living room. The King of Hearts was back.
BUT THAT WAS JUST A DREAM, JUST A DREAM. “Wake up, you phatman!”
PS: The names appearing in the above dreamiest dream are not necessarily of those belonging to HBC
