Be a MAN

           Born and brought up in a middle class family his values and principles never deceived him, Sushil was aware of his responsibilities towards his family. After the sad demise of his father due to heart attack, he was the only breadwinner. His family consisted solely of his Mother and his twin sister, Supriya. Working in an IT firm as engineer in Pune, he was also supporting Supriya who was studying medicine in Mumbai.           

Empty beer bottles, wafer packets, chakhna, cigarette butts were scattered all around. It was Ravi's apartment, always meant to be that way, always available on weekends for partying with friends. Ravi raised his last peg and Vishal, Saurav, Subodh, Vivek joined. Sushil was sitting aloof.

 "Come on dude, its the last peg, join us," Said the red eyed Ravi.
          
 "No,Ravi,Thanks, you know I dont drink" said Sushil thinking of his Mother who would recognise the smell instantly.

 "Oooh, Mumma's boy doesn't drink" Subodh said in a funny mode.

" Mumma's boy avoids girlsss" Ridiculed Vivek.

"No re,He can satisfy himself." Chuckled Saurav

And they all started laughing uncontrollably, being completely drunk. Talking about girls after drinking was a ritual which they all followed. Sometimes, they would narrate the stories of their "first time". And again they started comparing with each other how many girls they had "scored". Vivek said that his score was highest since he had hooked up with five different girls.

This was not the first time his friends were teasing him. He ignored them every time they were drunk. Being 24 yrs old his virginity was a topic of fun for all his friends who considered themselves masters. But this was too much.He grabbed his bike keys and went off.

He stopped at the nearby tapri to have tea. Roadside Tea was his favorite "drink". In his busy schedule from office he would take time everyday to take a brisk walk to the nearby tapri and have tea. This would give him a little bit of time to think about himself and freshen him up. 

He saw a man having a cigarette and He started thinking....

Remembering how he had a cigarette for the first time in 10th, how his father had caught him and given a lecture, "Do what is right for you"

I have experienced everything. 
Tried everything and then decided what I want
Why not THIS. Why not SEX
Just as an experience? 
Just ONCE?
Just to know how it FEELS like?

Other mind said, No, ITS WRONG

His deep thoughts were disturbed suddenly as his phone vibrated.
It was a text message from Jessica saying "Hiiii". Jessica was his colleague. She had once openly admitted her crush on Sushil in an office party. Since then Sushil had avoiding her. Jessica was attractive, smart and talented. But not someone who would be in Sushil's life so he was keeping a distance from her.

He smiled seeing at their conversation in messenger. She had previously sent him around ten "Hiii"s one after another. He hadn't replied to a single "Hiiii"

This time he did, Heyy Jessica, whatsup
And the story began.............

At home during dinner, Sushil was engrossed in his own thoughts, smiling to himself he was texting Jessica.

"Have your dinner peacefully, keep that phone away" Scowled mother.

"OK, OK" he said. 

Thoughts of Jessica were still haunting his mind.He couldn't sleep whole night.

Next Morning he was getting ready for office, he wore a nice blue shirt, one of his favorites,paired with black trousers, took more time to get ready and made sure he smelled awesome. He was singing some song he didn't even know.

In the office, he was bumping into Jessica every now and then, knowingly or unknowingly, he had started noticing her too much.

When they were leaving,
"Looking awesome" he said looking at her from top to bottom.

She was wearing a perfect white blouse and black pencil skirt paired with high heels. The length of her skirt was a subject of controversy, oh well.

"You too," She winked at him,"Would you like to join me for dinner at my apartment tonight, my room mate is away so I am all alone." She added.

"Sure" He said, he was quite surprised, but didn't show it at all. Things were moving too quick, he thought. But that's what I wanted right? He reminded himself.

"Be there at nine then, byee" She said smiling.

"Okay,I'll be there, byee" He said smiling back.

He came home with a joy. Quickly took shower. If things go just as planned tonight, He would no longer be a virgin, the more he thought about it, more excited he would get, more he would think of Jessica. He got ready quickly.

He looked at the wall clock,Shit, It's almost 8.30. Move quickly

"Aai, i'll be late tonight, don't wait" he shouted o his mother while wearing his shoes.

 ****************************************************************

 Sushil remembered Jessica's apartment very well. He had once gone there to drop her. She had insisted him to come upstairs for coffee, but he had refused.But today he was having dinner with her. Her apartment was indeed well kept. Not a trace of dust anywhere. The walls were painted sky blue and the interior was complete with bright coloured curtains. 

"The Chicken is awesome. I didn't know about your culinary skills," Said Sushil.

" You don't know a lot about me. Here, have more chicken" She served.

"NO,NO I am full" He burped.

After dinner they both settled on the couch, sitting next to each other watching television. Talking casually. She was randomly surfing the channels and stopped on mtv, her favorite song was playing
"
Pehli nazar mein
Kaisa jaado kar diya
Tera ban baitha hai
Mera jiya
Jaane kya hoga
Kya hoga kya pata
Is pal ko milke
Aa jee le zara

Mein hoon yahan
Tu hai yahan
Meri bahon mein aa
Aa bhi ja
O jaan-e-jaan
Dono jahan
Meri bahon mein aa
Bhool Ja aa


  It was indeed the song of the mood. They were now holding hands,looking into each others eyes, they came closer to each other. Only eyes were speaking their feelings. A strong force was driving them together. 
"Let's dance, its a nice song" She said

She took his left hand and guided it to her waist while holding his right hand.
They were now moving with the rhythm, beautifully. They could not stop gawking at each other.
 The song was about to finish, she tilted her head a little to the right, closed her eyes waiting to be kissed. He was right there, looking at her. And suddenly he felt something, something wrong. What was he doing? He was about to kiss someone whom he was not committed to. At that instant he felt guilt rushing through his body. He pushed Jessica and ran at full speed towards the door.

" Wha.. what happened.." She asked being confused

But he had already reached the door. He ran away with full speed down the stairs. His heart was beating so fast, he could hardly breathe. He was grateful to God several times for enlightening him at the right moment. He rushed to his bike and went back home.

*****************************************************************

At home, as soon as Sushil entered, he saw his mother who looked worried.

"What happened Aai?" He asked.

"I was about to call you. I just got a call from Supriya's hostel warden. She is not back to hostel yet. Its 11.30 now and her phone is switched off " She said thinking of her daughter..