That was the time when we did not distinguish between love and infatuation. Young, fresh from school and immature collegians as we were, it was not surprising that a fine evening should find us on my terrace for a small tea party. We, therefore, met and before you misunderstand the meaning of “we”, let me tell you that it comprises Tushar, Sudhir, Vijay and Trupti and myself.

Trupti, my next door neighbor, was busy talking to my sister, so we four boys went up to the terrace. And what should happen but the most casual type of talk or, rather, gossip. Women are blamed for being the biggest gossips in the world. I think they are only a shade better compared to our class of male youngsters.

Before long we found that Vijay was standing away from us gazing at the sky. “What’s wrong, Vijay?” I asked. I noticed a trace of loneliness in his eyes. He regained his posture in a moment and began to look like a tragic film hero, (he is a good actor himself) “All these years you never let us know about your love”. “Oh yeh!” echoed in Tushar and Sudhir who, all of a sudden, realized that all these years they were so busy telling their love secrets to me, they knew nothing about me (or, against me!). I had no alternative but to oblige.

“Well”, I began, “my love story is nothing great. No sorrows, no excitements, as it happens in the movies. Satisfaction is the only word for it. It was a very, very, simple affair.”

“Don’t beat around the bush,” cried impatient Tushar.

“Don’t disturb him”, Vijay cut in. “I am enjoying every word of it.” (“You will not enjoy it for long”. I said to myself).

“Cool down, guys! . . . . and on with the story, Pinakin”. Sudhir ordered.

“I met her in my college”, I answered.

“Do you meet her every day?”, winked Tushar.

“At least three times a day”, I gleefully answered.

“I think I know her. It must be Mrinalini! . . . . Guys, I knew right from the beginning that you were becoming soft on . . . “smiled Tushar Holmes.

“You are a fool”, interrupted Sudhir. “Mrinalini came to the city much recently. He couldn’t have known her during his childhood”.

“Oh yeh ! In that case the girl is either Rekha (Rekha and I studied in the same school) or Renuka. But wait. Renuka is too fat to be . . . “ Tushar opened his feminine Who’s Who.

“You can never make it that way. She must also be his neighbor, and besides, he has not even named her.” Vijay spoke again.

“Your thinking is right but still you are wrong”. I butted in.

“Cut the riddles and name her quick before I go mad suspecting her to be every girl in town”, cried the frightened Sudhir.

“Well, well, her name starts with a T and ends with a similar sound”, I opened my card.

“You mean to say that . . . .”. All of them spoke at the same time. They dare not complete the rest. Vijay was pale and but for his acting, he would have collapsed.

“You will also be happy to know”, I continued reading Vijay’s face, “that I am going to introduce her to you this evening. I hope you will enjoy her company”. “Ah! There she comes!” I exclaimed seeing Trupti bring the refreshments.

Vijay looked sick, the others were stunned.

At last Tushar recovered. “You mean you love . . . .”

“This cup of tea”, I completed the sentence. “Tea is what I meant and Tea is what I love.”

After a split second’s silence a tremendous burst of laughter followed with Trupti wondering whether to ring up the lunatic asylum or not.

“Well just don’t stand there looking surprised. Give me my cup of tea”. Vijay asked of Trupti.

“But you never drink tea”. Trupti appeared even more surprised. “Prepare a double dose for us too!” Tushar and Sudhir chimed in.

I do not know whether it was love or infatuation in Vijay’s case but in my case, I did not care what it was. I was enjoying every sip of my Tea.