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CHAPTER 2.5

‘So, you guys exchanged numbers?’ Abhilash asked, sipping his beer.

‘Yeah,’ I replied.

‘You guys are starting over?’

‘I don’t know, man. I’m confused. She acted like nothing happened, and I couldn’t bring anything up,’ I said, disappointed.

TING. My phone buzzed. It was her.

She said hi.

‘Hello,’ I replied.

‘You’re still up?’

‘Yeah, having green tea. Will sleep soon,’ I said, sipping my beer.

‘That’s nice. I wanted to talk to you that day at the multiplex, but I didn’t know what to say.’

‘It’s fine. Don’t worry.’

‘I’m really excited to work with you, Krishna. You’ve built something very nice.’

‘Thank you.’

Should I tell her I love her? Should I ask why she didn’t talk to me all these years? Does she still love me?

‘I wanted to ask you something.’

She wants me to be her boyfriend again? YES. I will say yes.

‘What is it?’ I asked, containing my excitement.

‘I saw you limping. What happened?’

‘Just an accident.’ I didn’t want her to know how it actually happened. And honestly, I don’t like recalling the most traumatic experience of my life.

‘Oh,’ she replied.

What do you mean “oh”? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t text back.

‘You know when I first met her?’ I asked Abhilash.

‘Yes, sir. Heard it a thousand times,’ he mocked.

‘And still, you won’t get enough of it.’

‘No, Krishna. I don’t want to listen to this. Not again.’

‘I know you want to listen, stop with the act!’

‘This is going to take the whole night. Fuck me,’ Abhilash groaned.

⸻

Years ago…

It was the fresher’s party. I was performing a song I had composed myself. Our seniors performed a classical dance to welcome us. The whole auditorium was vibrant and bright. Everyone came dressed in their best attire. The laughter, the shutter sounds, it reminded me of my school’s annual fest.

‘Let’s welcome Krishna from CSE for his performance,’ a girl announced.

I climbed onto the stage confidently. I took my position and looked at the crowd.

And then,I lost my confidence like a kindergarten student who loses his parents in a busy market. There were more than 400 people in the auditorium. My legs started to shake.

In the crowd, I saw a girl. She noticed me and clapped. Then, following her, everyone else started clapping.

I closed my eyes, gathered courage, and started singing. Some people began cheering. And for some reason, in all that noise, I could hear only her voice. It was a feeling I had never experienced before.

‘Thank you,’ I said, bowing, and left the stage.

⸻

We were at the cafeteria. I received a few compliments and felt really happy.

I sat with my friends, who were in a circle.

She sat at the table opposite ours. I looked at her, our eyes met. She smiled.

She had dimples.

She’s so cute.

⸻

Even on fresher’s day, hostel food still looked unappetizing. No matter how much money you pay,even a million dollars, hostel food still sucks.

So, I went to a nearby restaurant alone. Normally, I would’ve invited my friends, but sometimes I like being alone.

I was waiting for the waiter to bring the menu.

‘So, you eat alone?’ I heard a voice from behind.

I turned around. It was her.

Damn. She looked even more beautiful than she did in the morning. She was wearing a black kurti. She looked like a model for Biba.

‘Sometimes, yes. What about you?’

‘I’ll be eating alone if you don’t want me here.’

What just happened? She wants to have dinner with me?

And just like that, our first unofficial date night started.

PS : Thank you for reading.