Dreams carried scents along with them! Aunty's Cafe had become a part of my daily to-do list; of course Sheilah and Salini came with me always. As I passed prince charming on the way to my favorite chair, he used to lift his bold eyebrows and respond to me with a smile. That used to make my entire day, as there was something so calming about him that I couldn't help but wonder. Honest God, every day I waited to receive a caressing 'Hi sweets' from him—but he won't! Should get to do with his moral fiber. But by some means, I could discern in his eyes the elite attention for me than to the girls, ensue it when he is calling for us to come over café, making plans with us, asking me about my homewards social class. My leaning towards him was tastefully furnished. Whoa, I did live my dream. We were aligning for morning raga inside the auditorium. As no one had showed up, we three were nipping gossip in the bud. "Prince's favorite sweet is -- ooh forgot what it's called. Dam't" Salini publicized like it added the hottest crush messages to our wall. “What is it? Hey try to bring it out" I set her in motion. "It ends with ‘Pak". Pak? I thought she got it wrong. "Are you sure?" I was more apprehensive. "Certain!" She walked out for girl's room and ahead of leaving added more information-- "Prince's chosen band is Dire Strait and his birthday is on October 19th" I was delighted to know that. Sheila scoffed at” Haaye haaye haaye>>chahat ka silsila!" October 19th was the following week and I knew Dire Strait but what on earth was sweet ending with 'pak'. I was nail-biting about it the whole night. Around 1:00 AM, I tiptoed to the next room with Salini's cell phone cautiously (though we were not allowed to have cell phone: going against rules had become part of our stay there. What if we got caught? Don't know!) "Mamoo" I mumbled. "Nanu, Everything is good enough? Its mid-night, I was having dire dream" I quickly asked her if she was clued-up of any sweets like that. She was indisposed to think about it but I urged her to let slip the name. "Gundpaak!"(I recalled this sweet from New Road). "Mamoo can you send me two large packets by next week" selfishly I insisted her. She almost asked me like if I wasn't behaving little strange there. I was always clever at nagging mamoo and get what I wanted. It worked this time too. Flying on my seventh heaven, I sucked up saying "Wow, mamoo !!! you're kind of cool."
(Contd.)