June’s Hungry!

 

June’s Hungry!

 

I was at the door. Expecting food that I had ordered over a phone call.

I opened Instagram and signed in with my name, Sara June. While scrolling through memes and promotions, one picture disrupted my flow. It was him. His recent post. It was him who made me hungry all of a sudden. It was him, I ordered Biryani. Memories took over me to the past.

I still remember him fresh the day I saw him first. Checked Shirt, with a blazer over it and neat formal trousers, made him look fancy enough. For a moment, the safety pin in my shoulder disappeared and I felt loose. Maybe, due to a drop in confidence. Well, HE was the odd one out. Who wears a blazer for a puberty function in the family? Yet I felt ashamed for not able to take my eyes from him.

I was damn hungry and was in a dilemma whether I should sit and eat first. Well, what if Ramani Aunty sees me eat before the guests and complain to Amma? Argh! They’ll skin me! But still, I was fasting from 3 in the morning. It seems that people who make-up and dress up the girl of the day, are denied breakfast. I was waiting for the lunch to begin!

I took over the last seat of the hall, so that nobody would notice me. I was anxious that no one should see me. Leaves were distributed. I felt some goodness hitting my nose! A small scoop of Bread Halwa decorated the Upper Left Corner of my leaf. I waited for the serving person to go some distance before I cleaned the last speck of Halwa from my leaf. I could see my face reflect on the clean plantain leaf.

I heard a well-set grand orchestra playing behind, when I saw the side dishes coming towards me. After denying Onion Raitha, I paved way for the Chicken lollipops to seat on my leaf. Hot, Fuming Biriyani was served, with an Egg on the top. I took a moment like ‘Kamal Hassan’ to scan my leaf and mentally heard Kamal Hassan shouting “Vikram” in my head.

I grabbed the rice along with some of the Egg white and a slice of chicken. I took my hand to my mouth and placed the contents properly in my mouth. I was delighted to feel my taste buds celebrate the food. I was expecting to hear my stomach thank me. But all I heard was Brindha Aunty scream. Sometimes, it sucks to be a grown-up.

After hearing all her curses, One could not eat. The unwritten rule is, the first set of people in lunch should not include family people. Even if they are in a situation they will faint in another 10 minutes. But, no other choice. I had to get up. I bid ‘Bye’ to the lollipop and closed the leaf. The thing is, there was no one to support me, as I was sitting along with kids. 20, means, you’re not a kid anymore.

I was in fury and all I could do was to slap the water-tap after washing my hands. I rubbed my hands over my saree, while I had no patience to worry about my fleets. I turned with anger, only to see him looking at me, with a cute smile. By the by, that smile irritated me then.

I blushed with anger which I know, is a weird combination, but still. He just smiled back and asked me whether I would judge him if he holds my hand. I was all worried that my hands weren’t even dry. Before I could realize it, he caught me by my hand and took me straight into the hall. I was surprised, too surprised to realize that anyone from my ‘n’ number of aunties could see this and say to Amma.

The veins bulging from his hands! How strong he looked!

By the time I came back to my reality, I was in the Pantry and no one other than him. Well, biriyani’s smell filled the room. He brought me a plate of biriyani and watched me feast on it. I was reckless and hasty as… you know. The best thing is, he didn’t look at me after some time. I asked him why. He replied that, if he doesn’t turn back, I won’t eat until he moves.

I understood. He was the person who served me Halwa. Smart of him! The smile, it’s so deceiving. He could just make me fall for him, with that smile alone.

“Eat peacefully, Jo! Brindha aunty went back to supervise other parts of the function. She won’t come”, he said.

Even though I was gulping down Biriyani, I noticed him calling me Jo. If it was someone else, I would’ve screamed to pronounce my full name, Sara June. I still don’t know, whether Jo was stand-alone a cute word or was cute as he uttered it.

He waited until I complete my plate and brought water to wash my hands. If all the clips were played at a slower speed, you could’ve caught me smiling and enjoying the moment, like an idiot. Why are boys this sweet sometimes! I’ve never been in love with anyone before. Wait, am I in love with him? I don’t know. I’ve been that nerdy girl with specs and pimples, yes, I’m the girl you can imagine and get disgusted by. But why did he notice me? Was I the only better girl at the function? I won’t agree. Arghhhhh! Just why?

“Why?”

I came to the reality when I heard this and realized my food had arrived. With the most unexpected person. I had to slap my mind to check my eyes for what I was seeing, but it was him. Definitely. In front of me. Couldn’t stop myself blushing, I could’ve atleast stopped that stupid question.

“When did you join Biryani Hut?”

I saw that smile again. Damn him, for being cute.

“From the very second you called me to order Biryani, June!”