Lies

Rita, Mita, Raka and Nina were friends. They had lived in the same
locality since childhood. They had gone to kindergarten together. Later
they attended the same school and college. They were naturally of the
same age. Rita and Mita were school-teachers. Raka was unemployed and
Nina worked in a private firm. The four girls were really close and
seemed to keep no secrets from each other. They met on Sunday mornings
and discussed their lives over many cups of coffee. Curiously all of
them were from single-child families except Raka. Raka had an younger
sister who was a budding actress. This girl, Roma would join the party
of four once in a while. In fact Raka would sometime be absent and Roma
would fill up for her.
Today was a Sunday too. The weather was bright and warm. The gang was
at Rita's house. The ladies were all dressed in bright colours and
everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Rita initiated the conversation,
'I have found the man of my dreams! In fact Roma introduced me to him.
He is tall, handsome and is a pilot in the airforce. When he speaks
it's as if a distant thunder is tearing the sky apart. Ever since I met
him I have not been able to sleep.' The other girls smiled at each
other. 'Let's have some lemonade,', Mita said, 'I have made some great
lemonade. Also taste my cottage cheese fries. They are just out of the
world.'. Nina suddenly got up and went to the biggest window in the
room. She stood there gazing at the bright day. Suddenly she came back
to her seat and started talking, 'You know girls, I met this ravishing
guy the other day at the gym. Raka, your sister was there too. He was
of average height and was red-haired. He had a great physique. What do
you know he was reciting Shakespeare and Milton. He is a flying
instructor.' By now a lot of lemonade had been consumed. The girls
wanted more. So Mita went to the kitchen and made some. She also made
some fish fingers and French fries. She came back to find the others
waiting eagerly for her. She kept the food on the table and spoke, 'I
met this guy the other day at the music concert. He had this
sweet-looking goatee. His knowledge of music seemed to be infinite. He
seemed to know everything about music, occidental or oriental. If I
ever marry, I would surely choose a man like that.'. All this while
Raka had kept absolutely quiet. It seemed at times that she was not
listening at all. In anticipation of what she might have to say
everyone looked at her. But for quite some time she kept on looking
vacantly into the distance. Then she let out a long, audible sigh.
Thereafter she started, 'Girls, I met the man I can die for two years
back. He had all the qualities I was looking for. He used to wear
gold-rimmed glasses. But he wanted to be a free bird. Considering the
circumstances I let him be one. Ask my sister Roma ,she was present
during the whole affair.' By now it was apparent that all four girls
had fallen in love without each other's knowledge. They were a little
sad for that.
The meeting was taking place in Raka's spacious house. By now it was
around lunchtime. Raka looked at her friends and said somewhat
sheepishly, 'I am expecting someone at lunch. Roma will be joining us
too.' As she spoke the doorbell rang. The maid opened the door. Two
people walked in. One of course was Raka's younger sister Roma. The
other was tall, red-haired with a goatee. He also sported gold-rimmed
glasses. Roma introduced him to the others as her fianc?. The man in
question told the gathering that he was a flying instructor and that he
had met the ladies individually on previous occasions.