THE PROM EXPERIENCE

By Rohit (May 15th, 2004)

I thought I would never go...

Prom was nearing and I really wanted to go. But then again there was this date dilemma. Who was I to ask? Neha P. suggested Bansi, but I didn't really know her that well and it would be awkward going with someone I really didn't know. I even tried going to eat out with her and a bunch of friends so we got to know each other better. It sort of failed. I was left date-less. Then I heard Sakthi wouldn't mind going. But, asking Sakthi?? That was an impossible feat. From the time I learned that to the time I learned that she didn't want to ask her parents and she didn't want to go, etc, I was vacillating between going to and not going to prom.

After a dance practice, I learned (from the sinister Iago a.k.a. Neha P.) that she didn't want to go. I was depressed. I made up my mind and I was not going to prom. Besides, it was just a regular stupid dance (only that it was my last here or whatever). I came home depressed and I chatted online depressed. But the next day, I thought...why should this be my fault? Why am I taking it out on myself? It's wasn't like she didn't want to go because of me.

How I asked (btw, this does not go anywhere!)

I finally made up my mind that I was going to ask Sakthi. The day after the ISA show, we all wanted to see a video recording of the show. This was my opportune moment...I quickly bought a flower (thanks to Anubhav for picking a good color) and my plans proceeded. That night, I went to Neha's house at 7PM, and quickly planned what was going to happen. The doorbell rang at around 8:15PM, and Sakthi came in. We quickly started the hour or so of recorded footage of the ISA Show. I checked the time and it was getting closer. My heart was beating faster now, and I was taking more breaths. When Arpan's 15 minute speech started, I took Anubhav in the hallway behind the living room.

It was time. Sakthi was sitting there when Krishna first held up a sign that said "Will you", then Neha stood up holding a sign saying "go to", and finally Neel stood up holding a sign that said "Prom with". Right then, Anubhav jumped in from the back and said, "Me!?" But...that as we all know too well was a diversion. I jumped in after that. Right as she saw me, she knew I was going to ask her, but the time was ripe for my act and I played it cooly (even though my body was sending all sorts of nervous signals everywhere). Anyway, so I come in the picture from the back, and Sakthi laughs while covering her mouth (as in, she knows it's me, but she's surprised). Well, I take a swing at Anubhav's face and he goes down immediately (as he was instructed to do so). I quickly, but artistically take my shirt off and inside, I'm wearing another shirt that completes the question by saying "Me?!" (so as in Will you go to prom with Me?!). Well, once my act is over and Sakthi is well isolated (and embarassed - I know, I'm very nice), I go to the back, fetch my flower and an Indian microphone that echoes my voice. I ask her in the microphone (shut up, it was funny).

Even though she said yes...I failed to hear her! I go to Anubhav, and I ask him, "She did answer my question, did she?" I was so happy I kept giggling and I had a big grin on my face. Well in any case, we just sat around after that around Neha's kitchen counters and made jokes and laughed.

Prom...a few days and many dollars later...(oh yeah, this does not go anywhere either!)

So, this was finally the evening I had been waiting for and questioning earlier. An hour ahead of schedule, I arrived at Neha's house and my date as well as Krishna was still getting ready. Adnaan and Suju were there as well. We were all waiting at the bottom of the stairs waiting for our dates to come down (Adnaan's date, Sharon, wasn't there yet). Right before they came downstairs, there was this entourage of photographing uncles, aunties, and other friends. Our dates were stunning as they came down the flight of stairs. The picture-taking wouldn't stop. Adnaan's date arrived shortly and after a couple hundred more pictures, we left. Adnaan drove his Volkswagen and Suju took his Oldsmobile or something. We all went in Suju's car (besides Adnaan and his date of course).

The dinner they served was pretty good. Sitting at my table were myself, Sakthi, Krishna, Suju, Anubhav, Robin, Vicky, Dave, Adnaan, and Sharon (in that order!). The cake was fantastic. Before dancing, I had no clue what I was expecting, but then as the music started and I got my groove on...it all became clear. The time ticked and we took breaks in between for water and taking pictures and etc. Dancing was really fun! I have never had fun dancing like that before. Well anyway, the dance was over in what seemed like only a short amount of time. They could really have done the music and DJ-ing better.

The After Party

As planned, the after party was held at Ankit's house and it was fun because a lot of people were there (including Neha V., Meha, Surbhi, Ankit, Mital, and the 6 Prom-goers). We played hide-and-seek in the dark and watched a Hindi movie for a while and then while the gils went to sleep somewhere, the guys watched The Ring (which was horrible). Well the next day, I checked out the after-party at Jason's. They all said the cruise was below-par. So, that made me feel better about not going. In any case, that day we all went to see Troy, and it was really good (action wise).

That's how my weekend turned out to be and it was fantastic. I will remember it for a long time to come.

The Pictures

The Brothers

Our dates (Adnaan's, Suju's, Rohit's from left to right)