A wary glance and an “Oh!” is what I’m generally regarded with when I mention that a majority of my close friends are boys. Then it leads to an unnecessary squeeze of my mother’s hand and a sympathetic glance towards her, followed by me running for the nearest exit, doubling with laughter, or me staring daggers at the intruder.
This scene takes place every time someone drops by to “see” me (as if Ito check whether I’ve grown horns, or sprouted a tail!); but the intrinsic (and sic) purpose being to hand me a list of things they want me to bring back on my next visit. People who don’t recognize us across the street turn up the moment I come home!
Yes, almost all my close friends happen to be boys, and contrary to that thought buzzing around in your head, I’ve never had a single “boyfriend”. I find it easy to get along with most people, but what really turns me off is narrow mindedness. Some people find it hard to grasp the fact that “boy” +”friend” ≠”boyfriend”. Back in my school days, after my board exams, I had a get together at my place, which was attended by around 11 boys, as the girls were too busy shopping, and holidaying (or worrying!); and had to endure the entire neighborhood peeking through their curtains… my mom had to grin and bear their “looks” for quite some time. The last time I visited my parents, our (suddenly-) friendly neighbor came to “see” me. My friend called up to ask when he could visit us, and I was blasé enough to tell my mom about it in front of her. Immediately, the neighbor exclaimed “How nice dear, I assume your parents will be there when you meet him?” That was the end of my patience – I glared daggers at her, wishing looks could kill, and retorted, “yes, they will, but only because he wants to meet them. My parents know me very well, and I’m glad to say that they trust me.”
In spite of such incidents, my parents and I have not lost faith – we still believe that one day our society shall wake up. But until then, people are just lucky that looks can’t kill!
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