Ita seemed rather flattered by this dramatic welcome. She struck a pose against the mirror. "Shocked you, didn´t I?"[break]
I stared incredulously at Ita – my twin, my best friend, my soul-mate. She had just proven to me how seventeen years of association wasn’t at all enough to know a person. After all this, if I had felt I had seen it all, she had probably saved the best for the last.
I cleared my throat and my voice came out all squeaky, "Yeah, you did kind of surprise me."
A grand farewell was being hosted for us on the eve of our graduation from high school. Since the announcement had been made, our whole batch was buzzing about who would be going out with whom, and whether the buffet would include pizzas. Just three days ago, Mom and I had ransacked the mall till I chanced upon a red and blue gown that had just the correct fall and flare. Ita had assured us that she would like to shop alone, and we had gladly agreed, because my twin can be really choosy with her outfits. So I hadn´t known what she had got.
Now I knew. And I wasn´t sure that I entirely approved of it. Of course, I was aware that she liked matching her accessories, but I hadn´t ever imagined that she would carry it to such lengths. Let me tell you – my Ita is a spunky deal. She recently highlighted her hair in silvery streaks. Dad advised her to plant a few wrinkles and knock away a few teeth as well. But it was said in good humor, and we all agreed: Ita looked chic as only she can.
The same Ita with the silvery mane stood before me. She had on a white lacy band pushing away her locks from the forehead. This was probably to make room for the glittering snake painted on her brow. Then came her eyes. The mascara was white, as was the eyeliner. Plain silver eye shadow sparkled underneath. Her lipstick, needless to add, was Ma´s imported one that she had put away because it glowed so. Now her daughter had painted her mouth white, and had added gloss for good effect.
She had on a fitting white top with a boat neck that looked superb on her. But I wished she hadn’t teamed it with a stretch skirt of the same hue, and net stockings only a shade lighter. On her feet were, obviously, cream ankle socks and tennis shoes scrubbed to a dazzling white. Even her perpetually ruddy cheeks seemed to have been smeared with a ton of talcum powder, and they had paled to the extreme. To complete the picture, she was dragging along a huge woolen bag with threads and loops hanging all over.
As I groped for words, she began clearing up the mess of my smashed cup. "You´d better get going, Vishistha. I’ve ironed your dress. And could I please borrow your silver set?”
I nodded and watched as Ita slipped on the ethnic teardrop earrings, chunky bangles, and ornate necklace. "There," she turned around. “It matches so well."
I licked my lips. "Actually, Ita, don´t you think it´s too well matched? I mean…"
She shook back her locks and gave me that stunning lopsided smile that is her sole property.
"I was wondering when you would come out with that. I want to be flashy, don´t you see? I want to get out there and noticed – not only by our usual bunch – but by the school, the others, by Ishaan…"
I understood. So this was about Ishaan! Ishaan – Ita´s lifelong crush with a smile even more alluring than her own. Well, if this was a matter of the heart, I would leave it alone. I had done a few daring things for Jehan in my own days.
*****
The party was just getting ready to go wild when we both entered, hand in hand. I immediately made a beeline for Jehan, who swore I looked ravishing – and who got an even more ravishing compliment in return. While he was busy blushing, I looked around for Ita, who had drifted away to her gang.
Jehan nudged me gently. "Tia, are you even listening to me?"
I came to myself. "Uh oh… what?"
He sighed gently. "I was telling you about that Ishaan, captain of the basketball team. Do you know him?"
Did I know him! I felt as if there was nothing more I could possibly know about him because Ita insisted on furnishing me with every minute detail of his, right from how he adored fried peas to the color of his wristband.
"Yeah," I nodded. "What, then?"
"Well, we´ve become quite friendly since we began practicing squash together. Yesterday, he confessed to me that he’s had been crazy about this girl for a long time…"
"Who?" I perked up.
"I don´t know. He said he´d reveal it today, that his girl deserved a grand proposal. I’m kind of curious, because he´s so popular and yet so shy. I have to draw him out all the time. He was actually worried that this extraordinary girl wouldn´t notice him. I told him not to be silly. Oh, there he is!"
And there he was, indeed! For the second time that evening, I dropped my tea cup. But at least this time, I had company. A resounding crash told me Jehan had dropped his too, along with the saucer.
Ishaan had probably expected this, for he just gave a noncommittal grin and continued sipping his cola coolly through blackened – yes, blackened – lips. I had heard of men in black, but he was a man of black tonight. He had gelled his jet-black hair until it stood in a kind of spiky halo. His black shirt and jeans were nothing new, and the leather boots suited him quite well. But I seriously felt he was talking it a bit too far with the black beads around his neck, grey bracelet and Alice hair band. What amazed me most, however, were his nails – glistened to a perfect black. And then the fact that he was looking at us through smoky kohl-lined eyes proved too much for me.
I hissed to Jehan, "What’s he doing, for heaven´s sake?"
Jehaan had regained his composure by now.
"He did mention that the girl was one of a kind, very special. I guessed straightaway that it would be Shikha. He´s the only guy she´s shown an interest in till date. Mohan was telling me that Shikha was sure he would approach her today…
I groaned inwardly. Shikha – the undisputed school diva who would never equal my Ita in any other way but for her awesome looks. Shikha – who could afford to turn down and pick any boy of her fancy – except my Jehan, of course! Her haughty ways had bruised more hearts than could be kept count of. If Ishaan went for such a kind of girl, so be it. I rehearsed my consolation to Ita, searching for her in the crowd to warn her before the blow came.
And then I saw her at the far corner, standing besides Shikha. The beauty, of course, looked stunning right up to her pout. But perhaps for the first time in her life, she was overshadowed by someone. Never have I seen my proud, feisty sister glow so radiantly. She was looking across the room directly at Ishaan, her dream of years.
I placated my thudding heart and stole a peek at Ishaan. And then I was nearly knocked out by the look in his eyes. It had adoration and passion and longing splashed all over it. And no one could mistake whom it was intended for.
She took a hesitant step forward, as did Ishaan. Then he just spread his arms far out and she ran through the crowd to fling herself into them. All of us stood still for an instant. Then the applause and cheering resounded through the hall before the inevitable happened. This perfect match was practically buried under a shower of black-and-white confetti.
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