Arsenal... or Aarti?............ Torn apart!

“Yeah sure, 7 o clock sounds good... We’ll meet then, I’ll pick you up... Alright bye. Love you!” Arjun hung up with a bright smile drawn over his face. He had just locked in the time when he was going to meet his girlfriend Aarti. They had just started dating, and like every new couple, they couldn’t wait to see each other.

Arjun couldn’t wait for 7 o clock, he couldn’t wait to meet Aarti. He was pacing up and down in his room. He was with Rahul, his best friend. He glanced at his watch. And again. And then again. He started doing the arithmetic in his head and calculating the time remaining for him to meet his girlfriend.

“7 o clock, Aarti time!” said Arjun for the umpteenth time, beaming and with a mixture of pride, impatience and restlessness in his voice. ‘Jesus Christ! This is what love does! Do ALL new couples behave this way?’ Rahul asked himself.

Rahul tried to divert Arjun’s mind by a simple ‘I’m hungry bro, is there something at home?’ Arjun replied “I don’t know Rahul,” he glanced at his watch, “ask the maid in the kitchen,” he glanced at it again, “there should be Maggi, ask her to make it.” And again. ‘You helpless Romeo!’ Rahul gave up, shaking his head.

Arjun was finally going to meet Aarti, before leaving, he called out, “I’ll be late Rahul, will tell you how it goes.” As Arjun turned the door knob, Rahul replied “Oh! Arjun its Saturday today, Arsenal versus Manchester United, starting in a while! I completely forgot!”..................................

Okay before I proceed, I need to emphasize the importance of a football match in an ardent football fan’s life. And a big one at that – Arsenal versus Manchester United, for God’s sake! Nothing, and I mean, nothing, comes in the way when a match of this magnitude takes place. Let me repeat myself – NOTHING comes in the way. The capitals and the repeated usage of ‘Nothing’ emphasizes how important these matches are for an Arsenal fan like myself, or rather in this story, for poor lover boy Arjun. Now, coming back...

Arjun stopped mid-way. He turned around. He stood there. Stood there like a zombie. His face expressionless. Silence... Silence.......

Rahul sat on the couch, staring at Arjun. He feared Arjun was standing dead in front of him. Rahul almost had one of those what-have-I-done? moments.

I don’t know if anyone has cared to notice how a toddler reacts after falling off his bicycle, or off the see-saw. They fall, get up, dust themselves off, look around, then look around again, and then after that, they start crying! True story! I’ve seen it! Not with one, but with many of them! I’m not sure if it’s their tender age, but their reactions are very very late.

Something very similar was experienced by our Mr. Arjun. Except crying, he unleashed! Unleashed himself, on himself! He started swearing himself. ‘What the freak! How could I be so freaking stupid? How could I forget today’s match? Freak freak freak! Oh freak!!!’ The last ‘Oh freak!!!’ even shook Rahul up.

Rahul thought to himself, ‘If the earlier restless and impatient reaction is brought about by the girl love, then this violent ‘freak’ reaction is brought about by Arsenal love.’ Rahul actually started enjoying the two extremely opposite reactions brought about by crazy stupid love.

As for poor Arjun, he was facing a dilemma. Dilemma of a life-time! (PS – This isn’t an  exaggeration. We guys are like that only. This is a HUGE (Again, use of capitals) decision.) Which love would Arjun choose?
A – The love which would score and make him happy, OR
B – The love that he would score and make himself happy?

Arjun still stood there, and his brain was divided into ‘Camp Arsenal’ and ‘Camp Aarti’, and a raging debate started - 

Camp Aarti – You have just started dating her! You can’t cancel on her for a football match! That’s ridiculous!
1-0 to Aarti.

Camp Arsenal – YOU are ridiculous! This is Arsenal versus Manchester United!
1-1.

Camp Arsenal -  This doesn’t come every day. It’s a bloody footballing extravaganza!
Well said – 2-1 to Arsenal.

Camp Aarti – What about Aarti? She would be dying to see you!
True, you got a point. Scores tied at 2-2.

Camp Arsenal – Its criminal to miss such a big match! How can you even think of stepping out of that door? Put on your Arsenal jersey and enjoy the match!
You’re right!! Arsenal leads 3-2.

Camp Arsenal – Its Arsenal! Its your love, your life, your blood! Arsenal for life! You love Arsenal!
No arguments there! 4-2.

Camp Aarti – But you love Aarti too!
That argument was true. I did love Aarti. 4-3.

Camp Aarti – Imagine Aarti pissed. Decked up, in tears. Waiting for her boyfriend.
And Aarti is back in it! 4-4!!

This could go on and on and on..... Arjun, the mediator of this mental debate, sat down, hoping for some concluding decision, but he found none. He finally said, in a defeated tone “Arsenal... or Aarti?............ Torn apart!”