Si, Per Favore

4. Date #2

"Damn, you look really happy. Did you find a new pistachio chocolate?" Elisa teased the moment I sat down next to her in class. People were still walking in and settling down, and I was buzzing with excitement for the class today and the day in general.

"No, I'm just my usual delightful self," I shrugged nonchalantly, taking out my laptop.

"No, that's not it. Spill the beans, Kimaya. Come on."

I could feel my smile creeping onto my face. "Oh, you're blushing! I see it. It's about a boy, isn't it?"

"What? Pfft! No," I protested, but my face betrayed me."So what's the excitement about? Come on. I know something is up. Is it a date? You have a new date tonight, don't you?"

"Wow, it is hard to keep things from you. Truly."

"Ha! I knew it. So what's up? Who's the lucky guy?" She wiggled her brows. I stayed mum. "OH COME ON SPILL."

"His name is Carlo. He works in marketing at a leasing firm. He's 25 and looks absolutely adorable. So far, the conversation has been super flirty and interesting." My words tumbled out in a rush. I was so excited. I felt nice texting him. He was so sweet, polite, and smooth. "We've been texting for the past 2-3 days."

"Hmm... Good for you, Keya... Where are you guys planning to meet?"

"He suggested we meet near Duomo and decide what to do from there."

"Ohh... he's a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. I like that." She looked at me one last time and opened her notebook for the class.

We shifted our focus back to the class. It was an interesting lecture, but my mind kept wandering back to Carlo and our date tonight.

After class, I headed home and had an early dinner with my roommate, Shriya.

"The honey chicken you make is to die for!! Your recipe has been getting better and better," Shriya gushed.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it."

"I've seen how you've made it. I promise I'll make it next time."

This was the third time Shriya had said this. Every time I cooked something new, she'd claim she was writing the recipe down and would make it next time. I'm still waiting for that next time, but it doesn't seem like it'll be happening any time soon. Not that I mind; I love to cook. Ever since I came to Milan, I've been cooking almost every day. The fresh ingredients we get here make the whole process so much more enjoyable.

"So, I'm planning to go for a walk after dinner. Rishi is free this evening, so we're getting on a call. It's been a while."

"That's good. Finally, y'all can discuss how you want to break the news to your family." I smiled at Shriya.

Rishi was Shriya's boyfriend. They started dating just before coming to Milan, and things have gotten serious between them. It's the classic case of absence making the heart grow fonder. I'm happy for them. He seems like such a sweet and doting guy.

Shriya is a few years older than me and is of the "marriageable age" according to Indian standards. She's 28. Having her have these discussions makes me wonder how my life will be a few years from now. I'm 23, never really been in a proper relationship (the situationship I had with the guy before coming here that had absolutely shattered me because I was just blind to see that he was the definition of a red flag, and a love bomber and made me feel delusional for thinking that we had something serious while he wasted 6 months of my life, does not count)

For the longest time, I've been in love with the idea of love but never really experienced it. Romantic love. The kind that makes your heart swell with happiness, makes you feel so satisfied and at peace. There is no anxiety, no apprehension, just pure, unconditional affection. My biggest criterion has always been that the person I end up with should be my best friend. But it's honestly just been hard to find someone like that.