Finding Love: After a few swipes

‘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.