The day we met again

14-Jealousy

I never stressed this much for a date in my life. Probably because I never went on one. Knowing Shankar, he wouldn't mind if I appeared in my pyjamas, but, it's rare that a boy asks me out on a date and I really want to put effort into it. Amit does not count and it certainly was not a date what we had.

"You've been standing in front of your closet for 15 minutes now. It's depressing." Danny's voice brings me back to earth.

"It's just that, I uhm, I-" I stutter not being able to voice out what I want to say. 

"I'll help you get ready." She laughs before pushing me aside and rummaging through my clothes. My phone starts to ring again.

"Hello?"

"Isha?"

"Shae, what's up?"

"A date girl. A date. Open your door." Her voice sings on the phone. I go open the door. ­

"Don't you have work?" I ask her as she pushes past me and joins Danny. 

"I'm on vacation remember?" She shrugs over her shoulder before coming back to me with a black dress in her hand. The top is lacy with the bottom spreading out in many layers. I hold back a laugh remembering having worn that dress the first time I went to a club. It was 6 years ago when I had moved out of my parents' home and the first weekend in our apartment, we went clubbing. 

"I like that dress." I voice out before she throws it in my direction. I chuckle while going to the bathroom to get changed. It reaches mid thigh and I cringe at the thought that a splinter wound scar on my calf will be visible. I come out trying to bring the dress down.

"Come sit," Shae orders me. I plop myself on the chair just as she starts to brush my hair. 

"You need a haircut but at the same time, you look so cute!" Danny chimes.

"I second that, maybe you should add some layers or something." Shae starts to curl my hair.

"Layers are impractical, they get in the way and I can't keep them in my helmet. I was actually considering going bald. It's so easy and simple." I fiddle with the makeup brushes in front of me until I catch their expressions in the mirror. "What?"

"You used to be so reluctant about cutting your hair." Shae sighs.

"I guess I got attached to my life more than my hair." I try to laugh it off. The atmosphere indeed turns tense. "What time is it?" I try to change the subject.

"It's 3:40!" Danny gasps just as the calling bell rings out and my phone buzzes in my hand. I'm at the door. A text from Shankar was on top of my notifications. "Wow, he's punctual." Danny's eyes are fixated on my phone screen before she snaps out of it and quickly goes towards the door. Shae takes over my makeup and applies eyeliner to my upper lash line.

 "Hey, Shan curry, I'm not ready yet though, I haven't packed my bag and also this dress is too short." I get up trying to bring down the dress a bit more just as he comes in with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He looks at me with wide eyes. "Is something wrong?" I say slowly looking down at my self.

"No it's just that it gets me every time I see you dressed up." He laughs nervously which is absolutely out of character for him.

"Oh, I see." Now it's my turn to laugh nervously. 

"Let's go?" Shankar asks.

"Yes, let me just grab my bag." I hastly put my necessities in the bag and head towards the door waving at my friends.

"Wait you forgot this." Danny puts a lipstick in my bag and kisses my cheek. I mouth a thank you despite knowing I will not be using it. I slide into my combat boots and head down trailing after Shankar who has gone ahead. I look back to see her and Shae waving goodbye to me. I wonder if they think I'm here to stay, one day or another, I'll be called back to deploy. After all, when you are in war with the TU, you can only escape death once. When that happens I'm sure they won't be waving goodbye with a smile plastered on their faces. Well, that's depressing. He opens up the door for me and we head towards the airport in a comfortable silence.