A World Without Fire

E. LOL, not funny

I thought, what does that even mean? She doesn't want to be my friend? Such quick hate. I was the one who spoke to her in a bad mood. I left from there.

I cleaned the room properly and fell asleep tired. I woke up at 3 a.m., went downstairs, heated some food, and ate. I was sitting in my room, thinking about her paintings. There was one green painting I liked so much that I wanted to touch it to feel the colors, even smell it. I was still thinking about it when I decided to search for this girl online, but I didn't even know her full name. What does she do for living?

I couldn't find anything. From my dating app, there was a person who always talked to me, named Weed. I don't know why he chose such a weird name. He had never shown me his picture, and I hadn't seen him either. His message read, 'I'm going on a date tomorrow, I won't have time, what will you do?' 

I would tell him what I was doing every day, and he would tell me too. It was a way to pass time, and we are friends, but I used the name 'Frida Kahlo' because I thought it sounded cool—just the name of a painter.

I was looking through old chats, unable to sleep.

He asked on Insta chat:

Weed: "Hi" 

Frida Kahlo: "Who?" 

Weed: "Weed, you know, 'nasha'?" 

Frida Kahlo: "Funny? Not funny." 

Weed: "Come on! You post about Vincent van Gogh, it's so good, I love your views." 

Frida Kahlo: "It wasn't that good, no need for buttering up."

I started laughing at reading this chat. I always spoke rudely.

 Some other day's chat:

Weed: "Hi, Butter is here." 

Frida Kahlo: "LOL, not funny." 

Weed: "Do you like the sky or the sea?" 

Frida Kahlo: "What should I do? Should I drown in the sea?"

Weed: "I like the sky. Many times, I feel like jumping off a building to see what it feels like to fly."

Frida Kahlo: "You're crazy! Go check your brain!" 

Weed: "I did, but the doctor said it's empty—how else should I check?"

It was such a terrible joke, but I laughed. "Haha."

The next day, I kept scrolling through our chats. We had such random talks, I thought maybe I was crazy too. That guy was weird, I wish I could meet him and ask him, "Are you crazier or funnier?"

While reading the chats, I got up and realized it was morning. I got ready, and when I went outside, Shraddha was locking her door. She wasn't ready for her date. I asked, "Aren't you going for the date, Shraddha? I told Vishwash, he's waiting."

"I haven't gone out for a year. I need someone," she said, and I looked at her face. It seemed like she really had some kind of room-bound illness. she was probably feeling anxiety. She had the option to say no for dates, but when she said yes, it meant she wanted to go out and gather the courage to do so, but couldn't.

"What's on your mind? Let's go." We took an auto and reached the café, where Vishwash saw me and his eyes lit up.

"Are you here for the date? Finally accepted my love?"

"Shut up! She's here. I'm just here to keep her company," I said, making a face.

Vishwash said, "Double date, wow, this feels fancy."

We all sat down. Shraddha quietly whispered in my ear, "Is this your old lover?"

I whispered back, "He's a bit clingy, but he's good! Husband material." Her anxiety seemed to disappear. She was no longer scared and seemed completely normal.

Vishwash asked, "What do you like? What's your name?"

"Shraddha! I'm a painter."

I said, "You two talk, I'll be back." I stood up to leave, but she grabbed my hand. "Sit down! Stay here." It wasn't a request, it was an order. I was angry, but seeing his anxious face, I sat back down.

"Shraddha, these are the gifts you ordered!"

"Thank you." Shraddha took the colors 's bag, put them aside, and asked, "What do you do?"

"I'm in love, and my dad has a business."

I was getting bored with them, so I said, "I'm getting bored between you two."

Shraddha replied, "Fine, go!" She said it with such anger, like 'go do what you want, I don't care.' But her face said it all. Then Vishwash asked, "Shraddha, how do you know Divya?" I was sitting there, wondering what kind of pressure she was under.

Shraddha said, "She's my neighbor." I finally got up and left, but I had to ask:

"Shraddha! How does Divya look?"

She looked at Divya and said, "why?"

 "I love her, but Divya hasn't said yes to me. Whatever you want, I'll get it for you, but help me get back together with Divya."

Shraddha looked at the bag with the colors. "But Divya isn't an easy person who would fall in love with you just like that. But I'll try."

"Now that's the spirit. Give me your number," Shraddha laughed.

I looked at Shraddha laughing, and Vishwash seemed to have easily trapped her in his web. Why do I feel so alone? Why do I care about anyone? I came back and said, "How long will you two take?"

"Alright, Vishwash, see you later." she said. They both smiled and looked at each other. I didn't even know that Vishwash was so good in all these matters. What a jerk!