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he‟s recovered very well. And he does seem very healthy. But they had to perform
surgery on him, and that‟s what worries me the most. Although they said it was just to push
the arm back into the socket properly.”
    “Young people are very resilient.” Mr.
Ghoshremarked. “Neel and Priyanka and
Aryan have had no end of accidents on the terrace over the years. Remember when all three
rolled down the steps all the way from the top? They usually manage torecover well.”
“I suppose.” Mrs. Dervin sighed as Priyanka brought in two large casseroles. “Amo, at
least let me help set the table.”
    “
I told you to relax.” Mrs. Ghoshbustled in carrying plates and crockery. “I know how
tired you are. You‟ve been travelling nonstop from your office to the hospital for days. You
need to rest, too.”
    The phone rang, and Priyanka went to answer. A grin appeared on Neel‟s face when he
heard the caller‟s voice. “Yes, he came back today.” Priyanka spoke on the receiver. “He says
he‟s fine. Yes, hold on.” She looked over her shoulder at Neel. “Aryan‟s on the phone.”
Neel was already walking towards her. He took the receiver and heard his other best
friend shouting to someone on the other end.
     
“Yes, mom,he‟s back, and she says he‟s fine.” Aryan was saying. Then, in a more
serious voice, “Hello, Neel?”
     
“So I had surgery and you just call me up on the phoneto check on me?” Neel said
lightly.
    “Oh, come on, dude. I just wanted to make sure you‟d come back, and then I was going
to come over.” Aryan said defensively. “But mom says I should let you rest for tonight
instead, just in case.”
“Well, I‟ve rested plenty, and as tired as I am, I thinkI‟ll manage to find the strength to
eat the food that Priyanka‟s mom is making.” Neel said. Aryan laughed.
     
“Okay, then. Have fun stuffing your face, and I‟ll come overtomorrow.” Aryan said.
“You‟ll be at school?”
     
“No, not for aweek.” Neel said quickly. “Doctor‟s orders.”
     
“I thought you said you‟d recovered completely?”
“This is just to make sure I don‟t have a relapse or something.” Neel said, trying to be
as vague as possible.
     
“But you‟ll be back in time to see the match against St. Joseph‟s, right?” Aryan asked.
    “Of course, no way I‟ll miss that match.” Neel said enthusiastically. “It‟s going to be
pretty close.It‟s not like it was easy last time. Our team barely made it and the score was
only zero to one.” He stopped suddenly.
“But this timewe‟ve been practicing really hard.” Aryan was saying equally
enthusiastically. Neel tried to pay attention, but his thoughts were on another track.
    He had always been interested in sports, and football was his favorite. Aryan had gotten
into the school team recently, and Neel had been hoping he would be able to get in next year
if he practiced really hard. But now a completely different worry had suddenly appeared in
his mind. With his new strength and speed, could he still play? He could crush iron with his
bare hands. What if he got carried away and kicked the ball at someone really hard?… What
if he crashed into someone by accident?…
It was an unpleasant thought and he pushed it aside, deciding to think about it later.
     
“So you‟re sure you‟re all right?” Aryan was saying.
     
“Oh, yeah. Totally.” Neel said.
    “Okay, I‟ll see you tomo
rrow night, then. Take care of yourself. And mom and dad also
told me to tell you to take care, and not to overexert yourself, and get plenty of rest.” Aryan
said.“Oh, and Prince is looking at me like he wants to tell you to take care too, so a wag from
him.Good night, man.”
    Neel was grinning as he put down the phone and returned to the table. Dinner began,
and soon the plates were piled high with toasty Aloo Paranthey, gajar halua, paneer and other
delicaciesthat Priyanka‟s mother had „managed to throw together‟. The talk shifted