"Hello! Kaise ho tum?" greeted Sanika Ma'am when she answered the call.
"I met someone," I exclaimed with overwhelming excitement, barely able to contain my joy.
"Oh, so you are happy. Wait, what?" Ma'am was taken aback.
"Yeah, I met someone, and I really like her. I mean, I like her so much," I responded, portraying my enthusiasm like a child eager to share a prized achievement with their favourite teacher.
"Okay, that's an anomaly." Sanika Ma'am was still processing this sudden shift in her usually gloomy student. Clearly, she was thrilled by the news. "It's quite unusual for you to meet someone and actually like her."
"Yeah," I confirmed, beaming with happiness.
"Where are you now?" she inquired.
"On my way back to Mumbai. Thought I’d give you a call you..."
"And informing me of two things: meeting a girl and leaving Pune."
"Yeah."
"Sorry, I couldn't talk much when you had come to the college," she expressed regret.
"That's fine... I've accepted that, with your new role as Deputy Director, I won't have the luxury of long conversations with you, which I once enjoyed," I said with a tinge of disappointment in my voice. I missed her, and it was evident. She was one of those rare people who truly understood me, and of course, I would miss her. Knowing she was there made me feel okay, that things would be okay. I feel assured and safe in life because of her.
"I know, I miss the time when I could spend more time with my students. Now, it's just responsibilities," she sighed.
"Yeah...students, not this particular student of yours. You must have probably relieved yourself from worrying about me, as you saw other people can look after me," I teased, attempting to get a reaction from her.
"Yeah, something like that. Now that you've got someone, hopefully, she would be worried about you, and then other people would be relieved too. Poor girl, she will have to endure you," she replied, turning my teasing attempt back on me. I chuckled in response.
"I must say that it's nothing like that yet. We've just met twice, and..." I stopped suddenly, choosing my words carefully.
"It's in the budding phase," said Sanika Ma'am.
"Something like that," I replied, the ambiguity in my words easily discerned by her, unlike everyone else who often failed to understand me.
"When it comes to fruition, then we can have a detailed conversation about this girl. Who she is, what her name is."
"You might get to know some part about her even before that," I hinted at something brewing on my end.
"Please don't tell me that you are planning to write something about it." She knew me so well.
"When I have her consent for it, I'll have it published on my blogs."
"Just don't end up writing a whole story about her."
"Who knows, I might end up writing something great," we both laughed. "Until next time, ma'am."
"Have a safe journey, Parth." I hung up the call, and thoughts of Chubby Cheeks crossed my mind. I opened WhatsApp and texted her, "Bye-bye Chubby Cheeks, until next time." I smiled and pocketed the phone. Her face appeared in my mind, and memories of last night were still fresh.
I put on the helmet, hit the ignition button, closed the visor, and squeezed the accelerator, accelerating quickly on my way to Mumbai.
[Monday, 5th September]
Back in the rhythm of my work routine, the expansive glass-walled office of Starlight Corporation in Vashi, Navi Mumbai buzzed with activity on this Monday afternoon. While most faces seemed weighed down by Monday blues, an unusual surge of enthusiasm pulsed through my veins.
Nearly half a year had passed since I returned from my hometown, and today, as my team leader, Risha, graced the office, I intended to discuss my leave plans for October.
Taking my usual spot in the corner of our team's wing, a spot I favoured for no particular reason, I settled in. While seating arrangements were flexible for others, my attachment to this spot often became the subject of playful banter from my team leader and senior team members.
Today, my focus was on finishing work early, and I immersed myself in my tasks. The UK shift allowed me the luxury of late mornings, but it also meant working late into the night. Despite this, the satisfaction derived from my work shielded me from the typical Monday blues. I couldn't fathom anything ruining this seemingly smooth Monday.
"Parth, I need to discuss something," Risha, my team leader, interrupted my thoughts.
"Hey, Risha," I greeted her cheerfully. "I need to discuss something with you too," I added, hoping to plan my holidays and apply for leaves under her guidance.
"It can wait. You and Abhishek need to join us in the 401 meeting room."
"Us?" I was perplexed. "Have I done something wrong?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Risha teased, a mischievous smile on her face. Assuring me not to worry, she instructed us to join the meeting room in 10 minutes.
The sudden summon left me anxious, and my mind spiralled into overthinking. I even entertained the thought of being fired, a job I had earned after numerous failures and hard work.
My throat felt dry, and I took a sip of water to quench it. Before I could process it all, Abhishek, my colleague, nudged me on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Kya soch raha hai bro?" Abhishek asked in his usual nonchalant tone. "Tension mat le, dekhte hai kya hai scene to," he added, unfazed by the impromptu meeting with our team leader.
Heading toward the meeting room, we awaited Risha's arrival.
Soon, she entered with another colleague, and Abhishek seemed delighted to see him.
"Hey Pravin, how are you, man?" Abhishek greeted him.
"I'm good bro. Nice to see you," Pravin responded, walking proudly. Abhishek's camaraderie with Pravin suggested a connection I wasn't entirely familiar with, despite seeing him often on the office floor.
"Hello, guys," greeted Risha. While her greeting sounded routine before team announcements, this time it was only Abhishek and me. "I have an announcement for both of you."
“Are we getting fired?” I asked meekly.
"Are we getting promoted?" Abhishek quipped. While he remained casual about the matter, I was silent, my nerves on edge. The vibes I received weren't promising.
"No," Risha responded in her usual sarcastic manner. Pravin found Abhishek's excitement amusing. "Effective tomorrow, Parth and Abhishek, both of you will be transferred to the Data Support Team, headed by Pravin, the Associate Team Leader of DST."
Abhishek jumped with excitement, shaking Pravin's hand. Risha noticed his elation, realizing he had always wanted this transfer.
Risha turned to me, and my silence conveyed my displeasure with the news. She smiled and nodded, confirming its inevitability. Over six months, I had built a rapport with my team leader, understanding the nuances of that smile. It was evident that this decision wasn't her choice.
"Pravin, you'll need to make an effort with Parth. Adjusting to new people takes time for him, so look out for him. But you don't have to worry about his work; he'll handle his tasks well. You can count on that," I continued to fixate on my team leader.
"Hello, Parth," greeted Pravin. "Don't worry; I'll help you adjust to this new team. Settling into a new team can be challenging, but as your new TL, it falls under my responsibility to assist my teammates in growing in their workplace. And as Risha said, I have confidence in you. I've seen your track record."
No words escaped my lips. I forced a smile to conceal my disagreement. Pravin and I shook hands.
"You don't need to help Abhishek; he already seems pleased with this change."
"Haha. It's evident with his excitement," Abhishek struggled to contain himself.
"So, guys, today is officially your last day in the Data Expansion Team. Thank you for all the contributions you both have made."
In a blink, the four of us exited the meeting room. Abhishek engaged in lively conversation with Pravin, while I remained seated in my team's wing, numb.
After some time, Risha approached, noting my discontent. "Are you okay?"
"This isn't the conversation I expected to have with you today."
She nodded. "Don't worry; you'll be fine there."
"I doubt it, captain," I said to Risha, walking away from the wing, feeling disheartened. My work momentum was lost, and I just wanted time alone to process it all.
In the pantry, I brewed a mug of coffee and settled into a corner, alone with my thoughts. Few people occupied the pantry at that moment, offering a comforting solitude. Amidst the quiet, I found solace to process the shock of the unexpected change.
Six months in my current team had established a sense of stability and order. The prospect of starting anew in a different team was akin to beginning from scratch, and that kind of change terrified me.
The world around me seemed to dissolve as I plunged deep into introspection. After all this time, what had I achieved? Where was I in life? Why were there adverse changes, and why couldn't I simply live peacefully? These questions haunted my mind, rendering it numb. An unsettling discomfort gripped me, leaving me uncertain about how to proceed. Although I still had work to complete, I had lost all motivation for it.
"What good is happening in my life anyway?" I questioned myself, feeling the weight of life's challenges in Mumbai, where moments of true peace were elusive. Days passed like a dry, scratchy summer wind. Life had offered little comfort; the only solace was having a job to shoulder family responsibilities while quietly withering inside.
Anguished, I took a long sip of my filtered coffee. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my face and sighed deeply, as if releasing suffocation. Breathing deeply with closed eyes, I felt a couple of moments pass before a vision flashed in my mind—a pair of sparkling eyes, rosy lips, silky dark hair, a pretty face, and a smile that resembled paradise.
Opening my eyes, I sensed something strange. The thought of her in difficult times felt like a cold breeze in a hot summer. Checking my surroundings, I discreetly took out my phone and opened Instagram to browse her profile and photos.
Seeing her face erased the desolation from my mind. Even the recent upset feelings disappeared, replaced by a smile. I reminisced about our first meeting, sitting next to her, being close to her. Suddenly, all the gloominess vanished, and I found myself beaming for an inexplicable reason.
"Seeing you makes me happy," I uttered, smiling at her picture. It was intriguing how she had the power to transform my bad mood into a good one. "Well, at least I have you," I remarked, gazing at my favourite picture of her. "You are the good thing that happened to me recently, so I don't think adversities can bring me down."
Infused with confidence and self-belief, I took a deep breath. "Yeah, I can thrive on this new change too," I affirmed to myself, finishing the last sip of coffee and walking out of the pantry with newfound enthusiasm.
The place that felt dull half an hour ago was now infused with new zeal. As I passed by the News team wing, a small, sweet, and impish voice called my name, "Parth."
It took a moment for me to react to the calling. I stopped and looked in the direction of the voice.
"Seems like you've forgotten your former teammate," Trupti remarked. She now works in the News team.
I approached her, pulled a chair next to her, and greeted her with our customary fist bumps. "Hello."
"You were walking without even noticing your surroundings," she observed.
I chuckled. "Yeah, my mind was occupied with thoughts."
"When is it not?" she teased in her usual playful voice. "But was it something so important that you'd forget a former DET member?"
"We both are former DET members, Trupti."
She looked at me as if lightning had just struck her. Locking her laptop screen, she shifted her complete attention to me. "What are you saying? You're no longer in the DET team?"
"I don't want you to talk about it to anyone until tomorrow. This is my last day in the team, and tomorrow I'll be shifted to the DST team."
She thought for a moment, then looked at me and asked, "That's how it goes, doesn't it? Even I was transferred to the News team, but you were ramped there, so I was under the impression that you'd still be there."
"So was I, but I guess we can't predict what might happen to us in life," I said without sounding overly sad about it.
"Are you upset?" she asked with genuine concern. It felt good to see her concerned for her batchmate and former teammate. We both joined Starlight Corporation in the same batch in January this year. The usual bubbly Trupti, who, despite her small stature, wielded influence with her will. The talkative one who, despite looking tiny compared to me, always seemed to tease me at every opportunity, was now listening carefully to this sudden change in my life.
"Yeah... a little bit."
"Just a little bit?" she inquired to make sure. "That's not plausible; you're not known to like such sudden changes."
"I know, but I am changing as per the requirements of my role here in the corporate world. Besides, I am looking at it as a new phase, a new challenge, and I guess I can do well in this new challenge."
She looked at me with a fair amount of surprise in her curiosity. "Something is different in you. A change."
"Thank you. I have been working on..."
"No, not that kind. It's different... you look..." She observed me for a moment. "You look... You look happy, Parth." Like she was doubtfully surprised about it.
I was a bit confused. Didn't I look happy before? She was speaking to me as if this were the first time she had seen this in me. "What do you mean?" I asked, curious about what change she had noticed.
"You always looked like a guy who is quiet and serious, someone deeply saddened by something in life. You were always so reserved, Parth, kept your head in your work and socialized enough to convince others you can be social too. Am I getting it right?"
I narrowed my eyes. "You are a little devil, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. Sweet little devil," she said proudly and laughed at her own joke. There was something about Trupti that I admired; she knew how to keep herself happy. Unlike me, she didn't need anyone else to cheer her mood; she would talk to herself. I believe she was eccentric in that way. Abhishek, another colleague of mine, was always scared of Trupti. She would shut him up with her nags and little threats. I found it amusing seeing Abhishek being scared of her. With me, I believe mutual professional respect was something we both shared for each other, and we also had a friendly rapport.
"Well, yes." I was still reconsidering whether I should share this with a colleague. It is an ideal principle to keep professional and personal life separate. But something in me made me feel that I can disclose only general things that should not be harmful.
"Yes, what?" she asked.
"I am happy. Something is making me happy." Seeing me blushing while saying it, Trupti got some ideas.
"Something or someone?" she had that mischievous smile on her face.
I chuckled. "Yup." I confirmed.
She was taken aback. "What?" She was just teasing me for fun, but the upfront confirmation of the truth had surprised her.
"I met someone," and I stood up, feeling proud about it.
"Wait a minute, what is this you are leaving?" she was annoyed due to excessive curiosity.
I sat again on the chair. "Tell me about her. Who is she? Someone from the office?" Trupti was dying out of her curiosity.
I was so amused to see her struggling with curiosity to know who the girl is and when it all happened. "I won't tell you her name, but I can at least tell you that she is not from the office. I hate office romance," I said, sounding like I was genuinely disgusted with the concept of office romance. That's not even romantic for me.
"So someone from the college?" she wasn't the one to easily give up.
I took a long moment before responding to her question. "You know, if I am to entertain this question hypothetically, that if she were from college and if anyone from college gets some hint about it, it could become a great topic of gossip, which could be quite distressful."
"Oh, you overestimate yourself."
"I don't actually. It is quite understandable that you would react this way; you haven't witnessed my glory days in college."
"Glory days?"
"Well, being a writer does bring some amount of recognition in college. My books were published when I was in college. So think for a moment that this writer's friend who would figure out that I finally liked someone, how tasteful that curiosity would be to know who the girl is."
"Well, I can't deny that. I am quite curious myself, so I guess your college friends could get curious too. But is she really from your college?"
"Normally I'd respond to this kind of question with my usual response that 'I neither confirm nor deny it.'"
"So diplomatic, Parth," complained Trupti.
"I know. But it helps to answer people." I went quiet for a moment and was battling my own thoughts; I know there are some people who like to keep an eye on me, so I have to be watchful.
"At least show me her picture, what she looks like," she was still not done with it.
"I shall when you read the blogs."
"Blogs?"
"I have written something for her... I mean about the first meeting... and then, after her consent, I published my write-up on the blog." I was trying so hard not to blush, and Trupti, the impish one, was having fun teasing me with her mischievous expressions. "Will you read them?" I asked.
"I would love to," she said like she really meant it. That felt good, to find someone to read your content with utter interest.
"I'll share the link on MS Teams."
"Don't. Share it on WhatsApp."
That made me speechless. "Um... would you text me on WhatsApp as a reminder?"
"Yeah, sure... right away," and she picked up her phone, opened WhatsApp, and texted me. While doing that, she noticed she couldn't see my profile picture on WhatsApp. She looked up at me with an intimidating stare. "You haven't saved my number, have you?"
I felt like I was totally trapped there. Seeing my pale face, she got the confirmation.
"How rude, Parth! You don't even have my number. What kind of office buddy are you?" she felt vexed and insulted.
It was so awkward for me. "Please don't mind."
"I will." This little devil knew how to rebuke even those who were twice as tall as her.
"To be honest, I don't have the numbers of most people here. Just my TL, that too because I have to."
"You are a jerk," Trupti tried to look intimidating, but if I had looked at her for even a few extra seconds, I'd have laughed so hard that it would have gathered the attention of the whole floor.
"Yes, I am. I won't deny that," I said while trying to save her number. "There. I saved it."
"Aren't you grateful?" nagged Trupti.
"Ha-ha." I shared the blog as I laughed over her nag. "There, shared it with you." I stood up. "Let me know your review once you are done reading."
"Sure," she still looked at me like she was so mad at me.
"Bye, chatterbox," and then I walked towards my wing. While I was walking at my wing, another former teammate, Kirti, and I exchanged polite nods and waved our hands to each other.
After a few steps, I stopped and walked back to her table.
"Hi."
"Hey," she greeted with her usual calm voice. Kirti wasn't as talkative as Trupti; she was the quietest one. Even though she was in the DET team, she didn't talk much and always kept her calm. That's the impression I had of her.
"How's your work going?" I inquired.
"Well, I guess it's good. I mean, to be honest, I miss the time in DET." The way she said it made me feel like she hadn't built a good rapport here with these new people as she had in DET.
"So will I," I said, almost mumbling.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing." I didn't tell her that it was my last day in DET. I changed the topic. "I have written something new on my blogs; I was wondering if you would like to read it?"
She smiled. "Is it your new story?"
"Um...not a full-fledged story. It's just a blog; hopefully, I'd be able to write a trilogy. Currently, I've just written the first part."
"Sure. I would read it."
"Great. I have shared the blog with some of my colleagues, and just now shared it with Trupti too. Hoping to hear their reviews soon."
"You will have my review too. Don't worry," she spoke with confidence.
I smiled, feeling convinced. I nodded to her and took my leave, heading back to my spot, my favourite spot, where I would be sitting for the last time. I looked at Sheldon's wallpaper on my lock screen, then typed in my password and started working, thinking about the prettiest face I had seen recently: The Chubby Cheeks.
As I completed today's work, I logged out and turned off my laptop. The team bid me a final goodbye. Glancing at the wing, my arena where I had thrived and my favourite spot, I paused for a moment, tapping twice on the table. I recalled Søren Kierkegaard's quote, "Life can only be understood by looking backwards; but it must be lived forward."
A week unfolded with training in the new team and acquainting myself with the new teammates. It was reassuring to find that the team was small, and the work, albeit monotonous, required me to get acclimated to this new process.
By the end of the first week, I was already achieving the targets slated for the fourth week. Now, the next challenge loomed—to meet the required quality target.
The weekend arrived, bringing some peaceful moments. Alone in my flat, weekends often stretched out slowly and lonely. Engaging in chores like cleaning and washing kept me occupied for a while, but soon I found myself grappling with haunting loneliness.
I attempted to read, but my mind refused to focus. Thoughts of the Chubby Cheeks, who had captivated me, dominated my consciousness. Many times, I contemplated calling her. I'd pick up the phone, open the contact list, but hesitation would paralyze me before hitting the call button. Fear gripped me—fear of bothering her needlessly or, worse, appearing weak and subject to her dominance.
Choosing to refrain from talking to the person whose voice brought joy into my life was a form of self-inflicted torture. My heart grew resolute with the distance and deprivation. The fragility of my emotions disturbed me, affecting my concentration on routine activities. Whatever I did, no matter how mundane, my thoughts revolved around the girl I had come to like. A peculiar struggle had enveloped me—I couldn't bear to be without her, yet I had to resist the urge to reach out, to hear her sweet voice.
On a Sunday evening, a brief yet engaging conversation unfolded between me and Ishani, my hometown friend currently working in Mumbai. Ishani had responded to my Instagram story, prompting her curiosity about the content of my blogs.
"Well, I recently met someone special in Pune, and the blogs are inspired by my experiences with that person," I explained.
"Special person. What a drag. How many girls fall for your writer's persona?" Ishani teased, her sharp wit evident.
I chuckled. "Not a single one, I presume."
"Don't you try to show off your writings to impress girls?" Ishani continued her playful banter.
I laughed gently. Such teasing was a regular occurrence among my friends, who formed assumptions about me based on their perspectives.
"I write novels in the era of reels, Ishani. Finding someone with a genuine interest in reading books is a rare occurrence. On one of those rare occasions, I found you."
"You have some ways to seduce the minds of women, don't you?" Ishani teased further.
"Women with shrewd intelligence are sexy."
"And alone. Weak men are intimidated by intelligent women," Ishani stated, her disappointment evident.
"Something tells me that there are certain things upsetting you," I teased, steering the conversation toward her life.
"Tell me, if I read your blogs, would they put me in a good mood?" she cleverly diverted the topic.
"That depends on what the reader is going through. Some might find it annoying, especially those who have experienced unrequited love."
"You writers are jerks, never giving straight answers. Always keeping it mysterious," she remarked.
I responded with a smiling emoji.
"Fine, I'll read it now," and she went offline.
Expecting a response in an hour, I was surprised to receive her quick text.
"Zhoot. Pahili he line zhoot hai blog me. First time went to dinner. Seriously?" Ishani typed.
I instantly recollected my dinner with Ishani, realizing she was questioning my claim of having dinner with the Chubby Cheeks was a unique experience.
"Going out to dinner with friends is one thing, Ishani. Going out with this girl was a different thing."
"Save it," she retorted.
I chuckled. "Alright, when things are a bit settled with me, I'll take you to dinner."
After a brief silence, she remained contemplative, perhaps considering her response or formulating a witty comeback.
"Okay, fine. We would."
Her unexpected agreement surprised me, and I responded with enthusiasm, "Brilliant! We'll meet. I sense that I might be in need of some smart advice."
"Smart advice? Since when do you need smart advice, Parth?" she playfully questioned.
"Infatuations blind even the smartest minds," I subtly responded.
She took a moment before replying, "I can sense from that what you might be seeking advice for."
"That's why I appreciate women who love to read books."
"You read books too," Ishani texted, catching onto her implication. I replied, acknowledging her understanding.
"Yes, and I'd be there to listen to your concerns as well. I believe occasional deep, intellectual, and meaningful conversations about life and the distress weighing on our hearts are beneficial, especially with a friend who can truly understand and empathize."
"Couldn't agree more. Let me know when we're going to meet over dinner."
"Soon. But before that, I need you to read my blogs. It would help a lot in our conversation."
"Oh, sod off, you buffoon."
I laughed heartily. "Bye, Ishani."
And then Monday arrived, marking the beginning of a new week as I delved into my tasks with my new team. Adjusting to new colleagues proved challenging, especially after being well-acquainted with my former team. During moments of low morale, I found solace in gazing at her picture. While I cherished my life in Mumbai, lately, a tinge of regret crept in, being miles away from the girl I was growing fond of. If I were in Pune, I thought, during moments of despondency, I could have simply gone to her, observed her unadorned, makeup-free face, and playfully squeezed those Chubby Cheeks, bringing an instant uplift to my spirits. In her presence, she would remain the most beautiful girl, and the world would fade away.
Contemplating her had become a constant in my routine, surpassing even the consistency of my reading habits. Then, on Thursday, the 15th of September, as I worked from home, her thoughts became such a distraction that it significantly impacted my productivity.
Typically, I would swiftly complete my work, utilizing the remaining time for either a nap, reading, or sharing memes with my Instagram friends. I speculated that my Instagram friends might be irritated by my incessant meme-sharing, perhaps wondering, "Doesn't he have a job? How does he keep sharing memes all day?" Yet, little do they know that amid the hustle and bustle of life, I haven't forgotten them. Maybe, in my own way, I attempt to bring a smile to their faces during stressful days. After all, life is dull without some memes.
Yet, I don't pester Chubby Cheeks in the same playful manner as I do with my friends. Instead, I share quotes from the Instagram page we both adore, sprinkling in movie suggestions. However, on this particular Thursday afternoon, an inexplicable feeling engulfed me. It was as if she was near, closer than I had ever imagined. My routine of browsing books on the Amazon app took an unusual turn, shifting to the exploration of clothing on various e-commerce sites. Uncharacteristically, I found myself taking more breaks from work, a departure from my usual focused and efficient approach.
A vision of her lingered in my mind, almost as if she were right beside me. Strangely, I felt an urge to buy her a gift, something special. The idea of seeking advice from my college friends crossed my mind, but I could already anticipate their reactions, "Bsdk, humko kabhi diya nahi gift aur ladki ke liye shopping karra tu?" It was undeniably intimidating. So, I decided to consult a female friend for a more nuanced perspective, opting to text my college friend Meghana, who shares my penchant for meme-sharing.
"Hey Meghana, tell me, would it be a good idea to buy some clothing pieces for the girl as a gift?" Placing my phone on the table, I dove back into my work, hoping for a swift response. I managed to make good progress before her reply arrived.
"Oh my god! Author Sahab is buying gifts for a girl. Who is that lucky girl?" Meghana's teasing tone was exactly what I had anticipated. Despite my college mates being involved in relationships, I remained committed to my books. Now, however, someone else had piqued my interest, and it felt like I was betraying my literary companions.
"Come on, I can also like someone."
"Yes, you may. But it's not like you...do you like her more than your books?" she teased in her unique style.
Contemplating the girl who had captured my attention—beautiful eyes, a pretty face, a cute and alluring creature—I sighed deeply. Who could resist such a captivating woman? I then responded to Meghana.
"Nope. I don't like her more than my books. Naah. I admit that she's super hot, but I prefer the thickness of my books over the thickness of her thighs. I can imagine how her legs would look in the shorts that I'm thinking of buying for her."
"😂😂😂😂 You would never change, would you?"
"Nope. I don't think there's any cure for me."
"Well, let me tell you something, buying clothes is one of the most special gifts for us girls. But more likely, as time goes by, we end up stealing our boy's hoodies."
"Ha-ha. I hope to experience that too."
"What are you planning to get her?"
"Shorts, denim jeans, and a hoodie."
"Shorts...um...are you sure that she wears them?"
I gave it a thought. "Well, I haven't seen her in shorts, but I think she wears them."
"What if she doesn't?"
"Well, then she would start wearing one after I gift her."
"😂😂 Bold of you to assume that."
"Don't underestimate your writer friend; he can be so persuasive."
"A man whose profession is to play with words, persuasion isn't something one should be surprised of."
"Precisely. That's why I wrote 50 A4 size content for her."
"What? You wrote 50 pages?"
"Yup. Based on my meeting with her."
"Awww! Aise ladke kaha milte hai?"
"😂😂 I don't know. I was one but that Chubby Cheeks has taken me."
"😢. Well, I am happy for you."
"I know."
"My advice is to think well about how those clothes look on her before buying."
"That's the problem with me this whole day, I can't even stop thinking about her. It has been a hell of a distraction."
"Seems like my author friend is in love. 😂😂"
"Wish me that I am not, otherwise she would destroy me."
"Oh, just shut up and buy her cute gifts. I am sure she would look cute in those clothes."
"Cute and sexy."
"😂 wow!"
"Yup, that's the combination I like in girls. Cute and Sexy, and to my luck, she is both."
"I wish you the best then. Did you call her?"
"Not yet, would gather some courage first, and then will definitely call her. Always so nervous before calling her, you know."
"Oh boi, you are totally gone. What's her name?"
"Um, bye-bye Meghana. 😂"
"😒😒 Jao tum."
I closed the chat and opened up the e-commerce apps, delving into the search for clothes for her. In a mere 20 minutes, I had selected the items I wanted to purchase. The only lingering question was about size. What size would truly fit her? This query hit me hard, and it was something I couldn't rely on others to gather information about. However, buying clothes directly came with the risk of them not fitting, leading to a potential fiasco.
In contemplation, I dialled her number, each ring echoing with the rhythm of deep breaths I took.
"Hello," she sounded exhausted.
"What's the size of your waist?" I asked directly.
She went quiet for a moment and asked, "What?"
"Your waist. What's the size of your waist?"
"And why are you asking me that?" she sounded unsure, thrown off by this unusual question from the writer guy she had met just two weeks ago.
I had no idea how to fabricate a lie or come up with a plausible reason, so I decided to reveal my surprise, "Well, I'm actually thinking of buying some clothes for you."
"Ohhhkaay!" that was an extended okay.
"So, I was not sure what size fits you." I closed my eyes for a moment, recalling Night 1 when we were both climbing stairwells to reach her flat. As she walked next to me, I accidentally had a glimpse of her...um...shape...of her body.
"Is it 30?" I asked, estimating the size of her waist from the short memory.
"Um, yeah... it is 30," she sounded perplexed. What the hell was happening here?
"Perfect, then send me your address details, and you shall have it in a few days."
"Well, I won't be able to get them."
"Why?"
"Because I won't be in Pune at that time."
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked, feeling insecure.
She laughed. "Yes. So guess where am I?"
"Where?"
"Mumbai."
"What???" I was paralyzed with happiness. Is that why I was feeling those vibes of her being so close to me today?
"Yup."
"Great. I'd order them here and then will hand them over myself."
"Actually, I am not staying here. I am in the cab right now, trying to catch my flight to Udupi."
"Okaaayyy!"
"I'm going on holiday with my friends for a week. From there, I'd be directly heading to Pune."
"Oh." I sounded disappointed. It seemed like my plan was about to fail.
"It's okay. You don't have to buy me that stuff."
"I know I don't have to, but I want to. That's the difference."
"Okay." she seemed a bit flattered. "But, why do you want to buy me those gifts?"
"Because I like you. And I really wish to experience buying some gifts for someone I like. I couldn't help but think about buying you these clothes the whole day. I've got a job now; I can buy stuff for the people I care about."
"And I am one of those people for you?"
"Yeah." and I couldn't stop from blushing.
"Okay." I could sense a thrill of joy from that mere okay. She often said to me that she would be speechless after I said something to her.
"Okay then, enjoy your holidays. The package will be delivered to you when you return."
"How would you arrange that?" she asked.
"You don't have to worry about that. I have a good amount of friends in Pune."
"I had seen that," she laughed. "I am close to the airport. I'd have to hang up."
"And I have to complete my today's work. Bye-bye, Chubby Cheeks, have fun."
"Bye-bye Mr. Writer."
We both hung up. I promptly dialled Apoo, the friend I could count on, who had been blissfully unaware of the whole situation for quite some time.
"Apoo, there's something I need you to do for me."
- The End of Night 4 -
