Delightful Deception...1

I entered the big hall decorated with ribbons, balloons & banners. I was with my best college mate Frank. We were surprised to see the arrangement. Our juniors had accomplished an awesome task to embellish such a big hall. I could read at the end of hall a big banner – “FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2099”. Frank said, “Splendid job isn't it”. I nodded

in affirmation. We were quite type guys always involved in extra research work besides our normal classes. At 24, we were still away from most of the worldly affairs. We preferred working on career than on distractions.

There were other batch-mates present there too. Each one had their girlfriend/boyfriend beside him. We were the only ones who were single. Not so funny, but we considered ourselves different. We roamed around the hall watching the dancing people, boys & girls drinking & smoking. I said, “All crazy maniacs, moving straight to hell”. Frank nodded & added,” And after this they will think only of bed, & not of getting settled with one person, what a world we are living in!”  At the end of hall, I saw a group of juniors sitting & watching mad seniors. Taking a cold-drink in my hand, I dragged Frank towards them. I saw a girl smiling & laughing too much. She had some guy beside her. 

I could not stop and commented, “She looks so innocent”, “and cute” added Frank. I reiterated, “Who knows, can we read anyone’s face, she might just like all other girls around.” “Yes buddy, probably”, Frank said. But something had clicked in my mind, I thought I have seen her somewhere, I cannot guess why. Soon the party was over. We both were returning home in Frank’s car. He asked amazed,” You seem to be so quite since you saw that girl. Are you interested? Tell me buddy, we will try to find her & fix a dinner with you.” I replied in exclamation,” Me? No way, never, it cannot happen ever. My type girl, she cannot exist. She is in my dreams & let her be” “So will you remain a bachelor throughout your life?” “Cannot say, yaar” I replied. Frank smiled silently.

These were our last few moments at the University of California. We had just graduated in Industrial & Business Management. Frank was leaving for Michigan, where he had got a fine job. I had decided to move on to Texas for my higher studies. But I had free time of six months in between. I was joining the winter session of MBA at University of Texas. Soon we got our degrees.