Story - A Summer Romance

Molly was in love. Not the deep, undying love of a martyr. Nor even the bold, brash love of a die-hard flirt. But simple, romantic 'summer' love - 'Puppy Love' with its eternally effervescent, out-of-reach quality. Molly was in love with the Boy-Next-Door. Fair, handsome, tall and twenty-five years old. And he did not even appear to hold a hint of her teenage-state-of-the-jelly heart each time she gazed at him over the fence across their garden.

So, with a sigh, Molly turned her attention to Adventure. This summer, her diary must record 'The Experiences of Miss Adventure' if not of 'Miss Romance'. Truly, life would otherwise be a total drab, she mused, leafing through the day's newspaper.

'When your phone rings today, don't say 'Hello', say "Royal Reserve"… she read. The hair stood on the nape of her neck, the blood raced through her veins and her heart beat faster - in excitement for the promised suspense.

Scenes from 'Dial M for Murder' flashed through her mind. The threat, "I'm from the Syndicate and I'm gonna kill you" instilled its own fearful caution. 'Kaun? Kaisey?' a murder movie poster she'd seen just yesterday, and the graphics were still imprinted in her memory.

Molly started back to reality from the train of thoughts coursing through her brain. Just a simple, eye-catching advertisement in the newspaper and she was making an ado about it!

"I couldn't be blamed," she excused her wild imagination. It was time for some excitement to perk up this dull, drab city's summer. After all - it was Vacation and all you could work up for action was a fuming temper at the electricity department for its power-rationing stints, the newspapers for their perpetual announcements that Chennai had no drinking water, then Kolkatta and now Hyderabad. And of course, there was the intense, sweltering heat that threatened to melt any fat around the place - including her.

And now… there was this advertisement! A thoroughly exciting package to avidly anticipate. What was the surprise it held? What could you expect from the stately, aristocratic label "Royal Reserve"? An intoxicating gift hamper indeed! A whole big bottle of good cheer perhaps with a set of glasses for good measure? Or would it be a basket of tidbits off a 'royal' table kept in 'reserve' for foolish adventurous romantics like her waiting at the end of a line? Or was it after all an idle miscreant's practical joke for the start of summer.

O well!, she thought - caution to the winds, let's give it a try. 'Ring, Ring". Molly raced over to the telephone. "Royal Reserve", "Royal Reserve", she said boldly into the receiver.

She heard a cackle at the other end of the line. "Hi silly! It's me, Rita. Whatever's got into you?" said her friend's familiar voice. Molly flushed, but retorted, "Oh! I was just play acting for a change."

"I'll never say it again", Molly decided. Yet, one hour of bored comic flicking later, when the telephone jingled, her adventurous spirit buoyed.

"Royal Reserve!" she said carefully into the mouthpiece.

"Good morning, Madam! And congratulations from Royal Reserve. I am Ashish Nair," said a young husky male voice. You've just won yourself a fabulous surprise package from 'Royal Reserve', continued the magical tone…"Hello? Are you still there?" came a puzzled note.

"Yes, yes, Hello," Molly responded, suddenly struck off balance.

"Well then, if you'll give me your address, I'll be over with your GIFT at 5 pm sharp…"

Was it real or imagined? How she ever completed the conversation, Molly never knew. She sailed on a dream cloud all day, until the evening.

Came the bewitching hour, the door opened to the chiming clock and Molly gazed with bewilderment into the eyes of The Deliverer, Mr Ashish Nair. No more a stranger than The Boy Next Door.

"Do come in," she whispered at his brilliant smile. Now all thumbs and toes, she stumbled, her precious gifts hamper flying.

Cinderella never reached the floor, but Prince Charming's welcome arms.

At last, here was the start of a hit summer romance with a touch of (Mis) adventure!