little things matter (short stories)

Movie date

"hahahhahahhahahahhahahhahahahha", we laughed in unison at one of his never-ending dark humor. 
"I'm gonna go and get ready, okay?"
"Yeah, I can't wait to see you after so long!", he blew a kiss and I did too. I was smiling and blushing as I ended the video call. 

It has been 3 months and 21 days since we last met. Sometimes, I question myself how did I come to fall for him? He moved to another city just when we started talking. Of course, college life makes you do that. Now, he was in Kolkata for a week of holidays and we planned for a movie date. I'm so excited!!!!! uh- I want to ruffle his hair with my fingers and squish his cheeks then take his specs and wear them, posing to him and always saying like before, "Your specs are so big!", I thought as I go through my wardrobe.


I finally picked a pair of jeans, the lighter shade, and a cute white crop top. I combed my hair and let them loose. A light shade of lip tint and mascara and I was done. 

I checked my phone as I was putting on my socks.

"I'm omw... see you there, pretty!!!", he left a text and I replied to him,
"Yeah, I'm comingggg yayayyaayya!!" 

I tied the shoelaces to my white sneakers and took my purse and phone and went out. 

We decided to meet at the theatres which were just a stop away from my hostel.
I borrowed scooter keys from one of my sweet seniors and headed out to the theatre. 

I could see him standing in a far distance at the ticket counter line of the theatre. 
I parked the scooter outside and ran towards him like a little lost kid who found her mother in the crowd. 
My body collapsed with his and he hugged me tightly. I missed it. I missed him so freaking much. Much much much. 
We broke the hug and I noticed him carrying a backpack. Like, MAN!? At the movies? I thought of mentioning it later. 
He brought the tickets and held my hand, smiling. We walked over to the waiting seats and I looked at him. My happiness was radiating off of me. His eyes were piercing my soul. I was on the brink of crying at how cute and calm he is. 
"How have you been, Ashu?", he asked breaking the silence between us.
"I feel kinda better now.", I said softly resting my head on his shoulder. "Tell me about you?"
"I feel...like home right now.", a hint of moisture in his voice. I diverted our talk by taking my phone out to click some pictures and I held my hand out for a selfie. 
He shifted close to me and I clicked. 
The bag- uh. 
"Why did you take a backpack to a movie date? I mean-", he cut me off.
"I needed it to carry something necessary.."
"Well, okay..."  

After some time, we went inside the hall and the movie started. Freaking awesome hah! 
The Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse!!! Fuck hell yeah! The animations and plot everything were so on-point and wholesome to watch. 

I don't even know how quickly it was already an hour past. The ac in the hall was becoming cooler and cooler. I rubbed my palms and then arms to keep myself warm. I snuggled close to Anirban and he placed his arm along my shoulder. 
Just a few minutes later, Anirban took hold of his bag and pulled the chain revealing his jacket. I was dumbfounded. Why was he carrying a jacket in August? 

Well, until he handed it over to ME! I looked at him in disbelief and confusion.
"I knew you would be cold inside the movie hall...so...take it."
".....", I- I-...OH MY FUCKING GOODNESS HELL OF LORD!
How is he real? I was so flustered and blushed hard at this that I couldn't say anything for like, a minute. I just stared at his face before stuttering,
"T-thank you...lol... hehe...", I took the jacket and wore it. He smiled at me knowing he just flustered his little dramatic girlfriend.

Seriously, saying yes to this calm cute guy has positively changed my life. 

We watched the rest of the movie but my mind had thoughts of him.
I couldn't stop thinking about how he just carried it all the way for me! 
I love this guy, peacefully and comfortably. Three years seven months and counting.
 
I knew I found the right one because if this ain't love, I don't know what is!