INTIMACY CLINIC - The Conversations we AVOID

WEEK ONE: Sunday - Part 01

Everyone came in time.

Charlie took his place. Smiled and asked, "Where were we?"

"Asking questions to Antara about her sexual preferences." Mayank grinned, looking at Antara.

Antara smiled at him. It made his day.

"May I ask a question?" Mayank asked her.

"Sure."

"Where do you stand on the friends-with-benefits concept?"

"Why, because you think she would never really date you?" Himani teased Mayank.

"I am just curious," Mayank glared at Himani.

Himani smirked.

Antara smiled, "Honestly, I have no problem with having some benefits in friendship." She winked. Mayank grinned. She continued, "But it will not happen with just any friend. With someone special who has become so close that we together rose above friendship, emotionally. But he is not good enough to become my date."

"Means someone like Mayank." Himani prompted.

Mayank shot lasers at her through his eyes. She grinned.

"No offense, but we are not even friends yet." Antara said to Mayank.

"None taken," Mayank said nervously.

"Thank you," She said, ignoring his nervous face, and continued, "Also, I need to trust him enough to know he would not share the details of our benefits with anyone else. In such a case, I would prefer to go with friends with benefits instead of casual dating because I would feel more comfortable with a friend than with a stranger. Also, before accepting his proposal, I would consider that it could affect our friendship; if it doesn't go well. So I would make sure the friend I am choosing for benefits is practical enough not to mix relationship with friendship."

"I am practical. I know you can't date me. I would love to be your friend. You can trust me. And I would be glad to have the perk of benefits." Mayank said almost instantly.

Antara smirked.

"This is not a dating site," Charlie smirked. Everyone joined him.

"One more rule." Charlie said, smiling, and continued, "Do not get involved with each other until all the sessions are done."

"Why?" Mayank widened his eyes.

"I take the fifth," Charlie smirked.

Mayank made a long face. Antara looked at Charlie and gave him a coded smile. Charlie smiled back.

"It is safe to assume that Meet, Vinay, Darsh, and Lovereet are never going to raise their hands in support of any such answers. And their reason for all of them will be the same." Charlie said.

All three of them nodded. Charlie continued, "Is there anyone in support of Antara?"

Aanchal, Himani, and Mayank raised their hands. One hand was still down. Charlie looked at her. Till now, he had avoided talking to her. But now, finally, the time had come when he had to ask her to speak. His face turned serious when his eyes caught her sight.

She smiled, unaware of what was in his head, and said, "Hello everyone."

Everybody responded. "Hello."

She continued, "I am Maira. I am 19. I am studying Bachelor of Science at CHM College."

Aanchal didn't believe her ears. "What the fuck is a 19-year-old girl doing at such a place?"

"How old you said?" She wanted to be sure.

"19," Maira said.

She widened her eyes.