The Bald Love Story

“That, yes! I want that that red rose. How much is it?” asked Ram a 20 year old who looked more like 30 thanks to the early balding phenomenon he had inherited from his uncles on both the sides. He was doing B.Sc Computer Science from the most prestigious university that made into the top university list according to the surveys conducted by different leading magazines of the country every year. “15 Rupees, Sir. Do you want anything else ?” asked the florist giving a I know you will come back again tomorrow look . Ram was buying a rose for the nth time but never dared to give it to his Juliet (at least he thought her to be his). Walking straight to the bus  stop which looked already packed like sardines he made way into the bus shelter to see his sweet heart Divya. 

Divya was a 19 year old average normal girl who did look geeky but scored okay in her examinations and was fine to be a girl friend. With the 15 bucks rose in his hands Ram made his way to Divya. As usual he saw her listening to songs from her iPod and glancing at every random guy and girl passing by. 

As he managed to go near Divya he saw a portly man going toward the coming bus and he accidently knocked Ram and before he could react the jelly belly man walked over the 15 bucks rose. “Hmm... there goes my rose again down into the dump" thought Ram and made his way to the vacant seat next to Divya. “Hi Ram you don’t look cheerful toady. What’s up?” questioned Divya. ‘She is so caring’ said his heart and the word "Hi" just came out of his mouth. “ The jerk of the bus brought him into this world and he immediately said "Hi Divya, nothing much it’s just that I don’t want to go to college today” said Ram trying to sound normal. “ Then let’s go to a movie today you know there is a new one releasing today I really want to see it let’s go then” Divya said eagerly.  He heard some violins play at the back ground as they happen in films but actually some guy was playing it in the violin institute beside the bus stop “Okay then let’s go” Ram said trying to move through the packed bus stop.  “Triva Cine Complex 30 Rupees” Ram and Divya got into the auto before the autowaala could say anything. As the auto started Divya began her talk “So what’s up? , prepared to face the campuses? I am really scared.

You know I had taken a supplementary exam in the first year do you think that will affect the my chances of being selected?, I am really scare Ram and why do you put on a cap whenever you travel you know it’s bad for your hair you better avoid it see it already has some damage on your hair dude. So take it out.” Seeing that her topic changed to his hair Ram changed the topic “Ahh! Divya what was your new year resolution?” “Mine... Ohh atlast you asked.... well..........” she began her non ending talk everybody used to get enough of Divya’s talk but it wasn’t the one who would get effected by her talked he liked everything Divya spoke and did he liked the way she dressed he liked the way she blushed he liked everything. A big screech made him get distracted and he saw the big name board ‘TRIVA CINE COMPLEX’ they got down, paid the auto waala and both of them proceeded to the ticket counter and brought two tickets and walked towards the screen. Divya was busy looking here and there, Ram was about to ask why she was looking around but before he could ask her she ran towards the pop corn stall to buy cheese pop corn.

“You are the only girl I know who likes cheese popcorn” Ram said snatching the popcorn from her with a wink. “Hmm... you are not that bad dude do you know that..?” said Divya snatching back the popcorn from him. They moved to their respective seats which were waiting to be occupied.  The lights went off and the trailers began to start Ram lost all the interest he had on the film and he started observing Divya.  Divya who was aware about her surrounding tried to concentrate on the film but she could not all she thought was only about Ram.

‘He is balding very early’ she thought. As soon as she thought this she heard the hero of the film say “Every man get bald some time in his life” to the heroine. ‘DUDE! you rock, you even know what I am thinking about’ she thanked the hero in her head. It, was the interval and Ram was going out to buy a coke and some potato chips for her. As a practice he was putting his cap while going out, a very concentered Divya said “Ram do not keep this cap it will damage your hair a lot”, Ram hated when she spoke about his hair.

“Ya sure.” And kept his cap in his seat and disappeared into the crowd rushing for the chips.

‘Why does she have to speak about my hair all the time, I hate her for this!’  he was trying to say this to his hear and bought the eatables and came to his seat and gave them to Divya with a faking smile. It was time for the movie to start again and Ram was again staring at Divya but this time Divya was seeing him from the corner of her eye. Divya didn't understand why Ram was looking at her. But, she wasn't that naïve either. Ram was blushing and so was Divya, she never saw a man look at her with so much love in his eyes. Was he in love with her? Was she in love with him? There were many questions unanswered and which needed immediate consideration but was it the time?

The film ended and they both left the theater. "Look a subway point... Let's go there to eat Ram I want to eat a sandwich", "From when did you get interested in eating sandwiches Divya?" asked Ram teasingly but he had to say yes because it was his Divya who was asking.

They both crossed the road and entered the subway point. "Two veg sandwiches with a lot of onions and cheese, nothing extra please... and yes we would be eating here" said Divya just to avoid the flow of questions from the subway guy. The guy smiled and said "Okay Madam" and went into the kitchen.

"From when did you start eating veg sandwiches?" asked Ram... “You’re the only guy I know who is a vegetarian dude..! and I respect my friends eating habits and try to be like them when I am with them” she said with a wink. “You are incredible Divya” he said with a big smile and the next hour went on some casual talk about college and the campus recruitments which would start soon. They ate fast and got up to leave the restaurant as they went outside to move to their next destination Ram said “I will be back in a minute. Get, an auto ready by then I will come” he headed towards the direction of a mall. ‘He’s wired sometimes.’ She thought and headed towards the auto stand. He came back as he promised and the auto went towards the Public Library. “Where did you go Rama?” questioned Divya. He just gave a quick smile.

After a 15 minute drive they both got down before the public library literally deserted except a sleeping librarian in his sweet 60’s. They both headed towards the fiction section and in no time they were inside lost in the racks of books untouched for years. Suddenly, Ram caught Divya’s hand “Divya, you are a wonderful women. Your big eyes are like magnets which attract me, your smile I can do anything for it." Divya couldn't believe her ears. Was this really Ram? Is he proposing her? This is what she was thinking about since morning but she never expected it to happen this fast. Ram was looking straight into her eyes and he continued to say ' Divya I Love You... Do you love me without this cap on?” he said without a breath.

‘OMG he just said it’ her eye’s glittered. Her eye’s had become moist and she took a long breath. All this happening did have some effect on Ram. Did he just say something wrong or maybe it was a big mistake proposing her or was it because he was balding at a very fast rate may be she thought he was ugly. All these thoughts made him woebegone.  Suddenly at a fraction of a second “Yes dude! I love you too and I will take you without this stupid cap forever.” She said mirthfully looking into his eyes.