Santa-Banta ki Behna

Sometimes in life smart, intelligent, charismatic people say stupid things which make you laugh and wonder are they really smart or is it a play-acting on their part? But believe me you, its not always play-acting. You gotta give everyone a slack sometimes. Its the goof-balls in life, who make you feel light and put a smile on your face after all.

One such person in my life is Sandy. She is smart. She is sexy. She is intelligent. She is beautiful. She has a charming personality. But more often than not, she says somethings which makes everyone around burst into laughter aimed at her. She takes it in her stride. Don't get me wrong, I love her. I may not always say it, or show it, (definitely not to her face), but I do. She is my best friend...

When I first met Sandy in grade Eleven, she used to sit one or two seats ahead of me. She got labelled "Beauty With Brains", courtesy: Rajesh Pawar (will tell you about him some other time!). Her dusky complexion and round, big black eyes, a tribute to her South Indian heritage gave her that label as also did her seeming intelligence.

Often I have heard a teacher or a guide say, 'Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask! no question is silly'.

Sandy had taken this edict to heart. She often asked questions in class, silly or not.

One such day was when we were going to have our Maths Term exam soon. Our Maths Teacher, DK asked us if we would like to ask anything for the exam.

So of course, Sandy raised her hand and here comes the question:

Sandy: Sir, will we get Theorems in exam?
DK: Yes, you will. (Class sniggering. DK giving smile)
Sandy: Sir, how will they appear?
DK: You will get statements (With a straight face still. Class sniggering some more.)
Sandy: Will we have to prove them?

And now the class burst into a full blown laughter. Sandy was a little embarrassed, though not much. And while the laughter was dying down, Rajesh sitting in the next row adjacent to my seat in this row leaned towards Sandy and said,

"Sandy, ek baat bata. Tu Santa Singh ki bahen hai ya Banta Singh Ki?"

We all burst into more laughter and Sandy was wild with Rajesh for the entire day.

Today they are the best of friends. But we often remember those days gone by with fond remembrance. However, this Santa-Banta real-life joke is my favorite!