"Okay, I am listening." Ron was excited as he sat obediently on his bicycle, under a tree. Ron was on his way to Mr. Situn's residence. Karan was giving him a briefing, on how to behave with the girl.
"This is a God-given opportunity for you. So you cannot afford to take chances. First of all, present yourself clean and hygienic. Comb your hair properly. Look decent. Then be genuine. If you read comics, say you do so. Be intelligent, and resourceful, and look confident, but do not over speak and avoid your usual bla bla! Sometimes girls want to prove that they are superior by showing off their intelligence or love for adventure, etc. If she does, let her do so. Do not challenge. Avoid arguments. In fact, appreciate that. And do not criticize her for her bad choice of dress or hairstyle…"
"Anything else." Ron was trying to grasp the various tips.
"Yes, be caring, be spiritual and be positive. Show chivalry whenever required.. Give respect and always appreciate whenever necessary." Karan continued.
"Okay! I got it. In short, I have to be good to her."
"You are still young, but your craving for education, knowledge, and acquiring new skills, will be taken into consideration." Karan added.
"Sounds like I am applying for a job. Where did you learn all this?" Ron was impressed with Karan's bank of knowledge.
Karan had to take a pause. "From the books. Reading helps. That reminds me, yes, you need to be a good communicator also."
Obviously, Karan wanted Ron to be successful in his meeting with the girl, Jo. He knew Ron was a simple innocent boy, from a rural area, and lacked real exposure of the modern world. On the other hand, Jo was from the metropolitan, used to city life. He knew that she, though young, must have been exposed to the modern style of living and its values. For Karan, all that mattered was that his little brother should not fail in this encounter.
As the boys left, Karan reminded Ron, "Don't forget you carry your bug-out bag, wherever you go..." Ron responded with a nod. "..and also the pack of wafers." Karan added.
***
"How long do I have to wait? By now I would have toured the city three times!" Jo was getting impatient.
Her mother frowned at her. "Why are you always complaining? Can't you have some patience?" She scolded. "Your father has tried to see that you make the best from this trip. That you learn and enjoy over here. This boy is going to help us. You will have good company, at least won't feel lost."
Jo remained silent. She knew, from her past experience, that if her mother lost her temper, she would cancel everything.
"…and remember", her mother continued, "behave properly with him. He is a decent simple boy. Don't get smart with him. Don't criticize his English language. He is learning to communicate. And don't do you bla bla."
Just then they heard the small tink-tink sound of a bicycle bell. Ron had arrived. He stood with his bicycle, in front of the compound gate. His backpack on his back and a cap on his head. Jo's mother came out and invited him to come inside. Ron promptly parked his bicycle and walked inside. He removed his cap and tidied his hair, checking his reflection in the window glass.
"Hello! Come, dear." Jo's mother was very welcoming. She took him to the dining table and told him to take the chair. Jo was sitting on the opposite chair. Ron politely said 'hello' to her, hoping she will not remember him as the boy who had sat beside her during the film show.
"Do you remember him?" Her mother asked her, trying to make them talk. This was a moment of testing for Ron. He started framing an explanation in his mind in case if she speaks about the film show incident.
Instead, Jo started giggling. "Yes, he is the same funny fellow who was sitting on the shop counter at the railway station."
Her mother gave her a very stern look. She had not expected such a comment from Jo and thought Ron will get offended.
In contrast to Mrs. Parker's fear, Ron got excited. "Yes, I like to sit on that counter. From there I can pull out any book kept on the higher shelf. I am not tall yet."
Ron's innocence and frank nature instantly made a positive impression on Jo's mother. Jo too was not expecting this reaction from him. She felt she must cover up for her statement. "Even I would like to sit on such counters." She said. "From the height, you can see everything, all over the mall. "
Jo's mother was happy that the two had started interacting. She asked Ron if he had his lunch. Ron told her he had gone home after his school and had had his lunch.
"Okay, you two continue with your talk, I will bring something for you to eat." She left and went to the kitchen.
"Do you read a lot of books?" Jo asked Ron.
"I like books. But I don't like to read comics much." Ron added a lie. "What about you? You like to read?" Ron asked her.
"Books! Not much. But I love to read comics. They are really fun. My best choice is, films." Jo responded.
"Films..!" Ron suddenly had a hiccup. Jo's mother immediately gave him a glass of water. She placed a tray of some refreshments and tea on the table.
"My mother says, people who do a good amount of reading are always more intellect." Ron had no idea if he was speaking this to the right person.
"Why? " Jo looked a bit offended.
"She says when you see a film, everything - the information, the story, everything is given readymade on the screen. You don't have to use your brains. But when you read, the screen appears in your mind. You have to think to see the story, to get the information." Ron raised the stake of his intelligence in one sentence.
Jo was stunned by Ron's logic. But she also felt offended as the logic had proved her to be less intelligent.
"Your mother knows what is right. She is a teacher I heard." Mrs. Parker said as she offered Ron some biscuits with a smile.
Ron nodded, took one, and passed the dish of biscuits to Jo. "I don't like biscuits." Jo thought of registering her discontent.
"You prefer wafers. Right!" Ron's reaction was instant. There was instance silence in the room.
Jo's face went blank. She continued to stare at him. "How….Why…." She was stunned and lost words to compose her question.
Ron felt like biting his tongue for mentioning the wafers. Now he remembered what Karan had said, "don't do your bla bla!"
Luckily, for Ron, Jo's mother asked him where he preferred to go today. Ron gave her information about the places worth watching in the locality. "I will show her the river and the Fort. But the climb to the Fort is quite long." Ron was glad that someone was considering his views seriously.
"Then you should go to the Fort tomorrow. Better leave early. Maybe Monty can accompany you. He loves to see these monuments."
"Then let us go to see the river." Jo said. "Come, lets us go."
***