Chapter - VI - Susie
[Rizwan’s house. It is his 7th birthday, all his family and friends are gathered there, they are waiting for Rizwan to come and cut the cake. Rizwan’s room, he is in front of the mirror].
Rizwan (to himself; aloud): I look so handsome, all girls will fall over me, what can I do my smile is so flattering that it makes everybody fall in love with me. I love myself.
[Rizwan’s mother comes and knocks the door]
Rizwan’s mother (knocking the door): May I enter?
Rizwan: You may enter.
Rizwan’s mother (while entering): Everyone is waiting for you downstairs, so - (Rizwan interrupts).
Rizwan: Ok, you shall go now and I will come soon.
[Rizwan’s mother leaves and Rizwan again looks himself in the mirror]
Rizwan (to himself; aloud): Everyone waiting for this excellency. Sometimes I think my handsome face will steal not only other’s heart but even mine.
[In the living room]
Rizwan (while coming down): You all can at least applaud while I enter.
[Everyone with a bit of dismay starts clapping]
Rizwan: Thanks guys, you don’t have to do it. But seeing me I know you couldn’t control your hands.
[Rizwan comes and stands in front of the cake and cuts it and eats it]
Rizwan (annoyed): What is this strawberry cake, I don’t like it.
Rizwan’s father: Don’t worry we’ll arrange a new one.
Rizwan: No, leave it, I want my gift now. Bring it now.
[A basket is brought with a cute puppy in it]
Rizwan: He so cute, give me- give me. (now in his hands) He’s so cute!
Rizwan’s mother: She is not he.
Rizwan: I’ll name her Susie.
Random Female Cousins: Show her to us also.
Rizwan: Am I a magnet because girls just come after me (the girls leave).
[Few days later. Susie finds a football and kicks it towards Rizwan]
Rizwan: So, you want to play (he kicks the ball) Come on let’s play (to his mother) I am going out to play in the park. And don’t worry if I am late, probably some girl will be flattering me.
[In the park]
Random Guy: Look it’s that boy who thinks too great of himself.
The Girl: Don’t say like this behind others back, have courage to say it to their face. (The Girl walks to Rizwan; to Rizwan) Before you say anything like that girls come after me you should know one thing, I hate this kind of attitude. (she looks at the football and Susie; on her knees) Oh! So cute puppy, and this little guy even has a little ball with him (she looks carefully) her, I meant her. So, would you like to play football with us but only after you throw away that irritating attitude of yours.
[Rizwan is just amazed seeing her, it’s a birth of young love]
Rizwan (stunned): Ok.
[They start playing, a suave, plump boy with a heart filled with sarcasm and a boy with a smile to steal anybody’s heart also joins them, all have a lot of fun. For about a week this continues to happen, Rizwan comes with Susie and seeing The Girl is again speechless. But one day The Girl didn’t come. In Park].
Rizwan (to Random Guy): Where is that girl, she didn’t come today.
Random Guy: Her parents got divorced and she had to change her house.
Rizwan: Could you tell me her name?
Random Guy: Yea her name is-
[Present time]
Rizwan: I asked him and he told me her name was
Rozee (completing Rizwan’s sentence): Rozee.
Rizwan: You said it, it was you. And ever since we got in the same class I wanted to tell you, (to himself) I like you. (to Rozee speaks fast; blushing) Would you like to play football with me. (to himself) Shit, I screwed it, kill me I don’t want to live anymore.
Rozee (blushing): Yea, why not.
Rizwan: Really! You mean it.
Random Guy (passing by): Why would she have said it if she didn’t mean it.
Rozee: Who is this guy? Excuse me Sir.
Random Guy: Yes?
Rozee: Who are you?
Random Guy (smiles; while walking away): Who me – I am Ankush, your same old Random Guy!
Rozee: He’s a stalker.
Rizwan: Yep.
[Rizwan and Rozee reach their destination].