I saw her first in 2004. Her sleek appearance captivated me. Her purring voice was music to my ears. The minute I saw her, I knew she was the one.
The first ones to know were Kaushik and Keshav. Kaushik was initially apprehensive, but gave the thumbs up based on the family from which she hailed.
Keshav was unusually enthusiastic (for his usually slothy/teddy bear self). He even came with me to see her in person. He smiled and said “great choice da”.
Now , I had to tell this to ABC and XYZ (my close friends).
I thought “Boy would they be excited !!”.
ABC was amazed.
ABC : “yenna da solre ? nijamava ?”
Me : “aamam da..yenakku avala romba puduchirukku”
ABC : “Dei, u are telling me that she is Japanese. Will it not be a problem ?”
Me : “Dei, her mother is Indian da, and her father is Japanese. But now, they have separated.”
ABC : “What a mixed up family ! Well, If she is Japanese, what all does she eat ? nadakkardhu, parakardhu etc ?
Me : “Dei ava oil items mattum thaan saapuduva. She kinda likes them.”
XYZ : “
Me : “Are you kidding me ? She gets a kick out of me everytime we are together."
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kesh chuckling to himself. Afterall, he had see her.
ABC was understandably eager to see her. He was insistent that I bring her to college one day and introduce her to the gang. He had conveyed the news to a couple of his friends and his excitement was palpable. But I knew that the time was not right.
So I waited….
A few days later , I called ABC in the morning at about 7 AM.
Me : “Dei machan, I am gonna make her mine. Register panna poren da”
ABC : “dei !! yenna da sudden-a ?? U gotta be kidding. Unnaala mudiyaadhu.”
Me : “Of course I can…wanna bet ?
ABC : “Come on da. Nee poi solrae. What will your parents say ? “
Me : “I have already conveyed my decision to them”
ABC : “dei..U sound like u are serious ! naanga yaaravadhu varanuma ?”
Me : “Vaendaam..I will ensure that there are no hassles in the procedure”.
It was 8:30 AM. Everything was set. I messaged Kesh informing him that I would be arriving at college in a few minutes and that I would be meeting him at the vacant parking lot in our college . Kesh brought ABC and XYZ down to the parking lot and covered their eyes.
When they opened their eyes, they saw me with my BRAND NEW HONDA UNICORN
ABC : “Dei $#@^&* (unutterable expletives) , Yenna da idhellam ????!! “
XYZ : “Yenna da !! ippudi deceive pannitiye !!”
Me : “ Guys, idhu thaan yen first love. Ava amma Indian (Hero) and ava Appa Japanese (Honda) . Naan sonna maadhiri , ava oil items mattum thaan saapuduva (petrol)
Of course, she gets a kick out of me everytime (no electric start, only kick start)
Innikku morning thaan vandiya register pannen.”
ABC chased me around the college building desperate to lay his hands on me, but thankfully, I gave him the slip. Of course, XYZ gave me her customary angry glare for the rest of the day.
Too bad I sold my Unicorn a months ago :(((
But even today, when bikes race past me, I am reminded of my beloved Unicorn.
Aahhh..those were the days …. (sigh….)
