‘What on earth has happened to you?’ Sherry asked vociferously looking straight
into my eyes.
‘Nothing as such, why do you seem surprised?’ I replied with
a calm voice and a composed mind.
‘You have changed a lot Rhea. All your jovial self, your
happy face, your enthusiastic voice, where has all that disappeared?’
‘I don’t know. I hardly think about myself nowadays. I am
more than keen on making my work take up all the time of my day.’
‘What about the nights? Don’t you think you should find
someone to love? I know Danny gave you a lesson for life but that does not mean
you won’t find love again.’
‘I have been using dating apps for quite some time now. You can
check my phone if you want to. ‘
‘I know that darling. But what are you doing about it?’
‘About what?’ I replied confused.
‘About your desires.’ Sherry replied with a smile.
‘I don’t have any. I feel like a monk. I hardly find time to
think about anything apart from work, food and sleeping.’
‘I think you are still thinking that using these dating apps
is a taboo considering the society we live in.’
‘No, I don’t believe in that. I am ready to meet someone who
I can connect with. I am even willing to get married to someone from these
apps. It’s just that someone special hasn’t come along.’
‘What about the guys at work?’
‘There is hardly any. Plus I would like to keep my
professional and personal lives separate.’ Sherry was beginning to sound
intrusive and I was getting a little irritated at the barrage of questions.
Okay, if you say so.
‘So what’s happening in your love life?’ I asked with
curiosity.
‘Same old story with me, I like people who never end up
liking me and vice versa.’
‘Ouch, that’s not good for health. I have been through such
a period myself.’ I replied empathetically
Yes, I know. It hurts.
You should use these dating apps and maybe find someone who
has same interests as you. It might help in forging a connection.
I don’t think I am made up for filtering through so many
options. I would better stick to the old school thing. Let’s see if I get
lucky. I still have age at my side, I guess.
Oh wow. So you are trying to make me feel old? I replied.
Shut up sweetheart, I meant nothing of that sort.
‘No, no. Say it on my face. I want to know how you feel of
me.’ I tried to pull her leg by faking anger even though I knew she could see
through me.
‘Fuck off you fool. I love you and you know it.’ She said
with a puppy face and those glittery eyes that always attracted me towards her.
I know baby. Let’s go out and have a smoke. I am craving.
She went towards the door and held it open. ‘After you, my
highness.’ She said playfully.
Sherry and me had been living in adjacent rooms at the
hostel for more than a year now. We had forged a bond of sister love and made
many good memories together. Most of my girl night outs happened with her and I
had her by my side whenever I used to get drunk. She had been my go to girl all
through this one year of hell and back. Over this year of trying to remove
Danny from my thoughts and my heart, I had tried the so called dating apps. I
had met a few men but none came close to touching any chords in my heart. Maybe
I always compared them to Danny for he seemed to be the perfect man till
destiny had other thoughts for us.
‘You should ask your parents to find a suitable man for you
and get married.’ Sherry said teasingly, while we were standing outside puffing
on our respective cancer sticks.
‘I don’t think so. I would rather find my man myself instead
of testing the waters of the arranged marriage scenario.’
‘Going by this rate, you will remain single all your life. Plus
you won’t be getting any sex as well. I can’t even imagine such a situation for
anyone.’
‘It’s okay. One shouldn’t care too much about being asexual. And
why are you all of a sudden interested in my sex life. Yours is also non-existent.’
I replied cheekily.
‘I have age on my side honey. Your case is a little
different.’ She didn’t want to let go off this banter.
‘Oh God, the age jibes again. I am going to burn you now. And
instead of me it is you who needs to make love.’ I said with a grin.
My phone
in my hand vibrated a few times signalling some texts. I refrained from
checking it till we finished our humorous banter and cigarettes. On our way
back to the hostel, I unlocked the phone to check.
Do you want to meet up for coffee tomorrow? A text with a
smiling emoticon flashed through the notifications on my phone bringing an
instant smile on my face.
Sherry standing right next to me read the contact name on
the phone and exclaimed, ‘Guy Next Door, Looks like there is a chance of
bringing some color in this monotonous life.’
The blush and the smile forgot to leave me for the next few
minutes making me wonder if love had found its way back to my heart through just
one sweet text.
Will the monk finally get to kiss? I thought to myself and
went to my room. I had to be ready for a date tomorrow.
