Vikram, Zara, Vevek and Shalini always came together for one thing...a game of cards. Whenever they would get together for their fortnightly meetings, a round of cards was well...always on the 'cards'. The meetings were quite typical. They began over lunch/dinner, (oddly the boys always arrived later) a brief catching up on each other’s work and personal life, followed by more food and of course the usual crackers from the boys. Men always seem to have a natural flair for humor. And so while the men were best being witty, the girls blushed and sat pretty! But the meetings had to invariably end in a game of cards. While every game had a new winner, one thing never changed...how Zara and Vikaram sat. They always took the seat opposite to each other and while everyone played for their individual gain, Zara and Vikram had a game of their own. They invented gestures and signs which they used while playing.
Their friends of course were oblivious to this secret arrangement. A tug on the leg meant the person next to Zara was ready to pack. And a raised eyebrow from Vikram was a sign that the road was clear for Zara to claim a higher stake. So while others exchanged cards and conversations, Zara and Vikram relished a rather silent exchange of their own.
Soon this camouflage extended into something more than just the game. Vikram purposely lingered back after the game. Zara always pretended to have some work nearby, so she won't have to leave with the rest. And so their secret rendezvous became more intimate. Zara started looking forward to every meeting and took particular care in dressing up. She loved the secret messages Vikram would send her, telling her how pretty she looked. Slyly she would read them and blush. Zara's world revolved around these meetings. She thought these moments would never end and she clung to Vikram even more. But just like a child who tightly holds on to her chocolate so that it doesn't finish, only to open her hand and see that it’s all melted. Zara too woke up to a reality she never expected. It started much like the usual meetings. She spent an hour deciding what to wear, till she finally zeroed on a red dress. It was Vikram's favourite colour. She even straightened her unruly hair (Vikram liked that too!).
But that day she got a little late. It was cloudy and all the autowallas were eager to head home. She finally arrived at the venue and stood at the door. She looked around the crowded room and spotted Vikram. He was wearing the grey shirt she really liked. "Perfect", she said to herself. Today was going to be special. She walked across the room, looking only at Vikram. She reached the table and pulled the chair opposite his. Just then a girl walked past her and took her seat. She smiled politely at Zara and said thank you. Zara looked at Vikram, her eyes brimming with questions. And that's when she saw it, the big diamond glistening on his finger.
A fresh deck of cards lay dealt on the table. But Zara turned and slowly walked away.
She knew that the game was finally over.
