My Birthday Promise (Editing)

Burger Off!

Two years ago

It was a normal office day just like any other day. There was nothing remarkable about it. But still somehow that day was registered in my memory. It was 22nd April, 2013. Monday to be precise. It was our second year in SpringTech Softwares Pvt Ltd. We were in the office when a lanky young man in his early twenties entered our office. His center-parted neatly combed hair aided his nerdy look. He had this weird habit of adjusting his spectacles every now and then. He was dowdily dressed in white shirt, loose navy blue pants and polished black shoes. I watched him settle down in his newly assigned work station from my seat. His ID was hanging over his waist. I squinted my eyes to catch the name.

D-I-N-E-S-H R-A-S-T-O-G-I. I read his name. "Dinesh Rastogi."

Unlike me Aman had this odd urge to talk to every new face he'll notice around him. He went to him and introduced himself. I watched them from my desk. Aman was tall (just over 6 feet), well-built and had good looks while he was of average-height, and was thin and very fair. He looked more like a school kid. Aman talked to him for few minutes and then he left. I was watching him when his eyes caught mine. He immediately slipped a smiled at me. It was the creepiest smile I had ever seen. I returned my focus back on my screen.

******

Later that night Aman and I went out for beers. To my surprise Aman had also invited Dinesh to Gold Coin. Gold Coin was one of the oldest pubs in the city and was always crowed with pretty people. The starters here were to die for. The manager was friendly and all the staff knew us very well. Well, what to say next, beers started coming and we started talking. After few bottles of beer we all were tipsy and having a good time.

Night was young. We were young. Night was high. We were high. Night was fun. The night was fun only until Dinesh said in an inebriated tone, "Guys, do I look like a loser to you?"

I was shocked. What made him say that? I hated confronting drunk, insecure and depressed people. I looked for Aman. He, the playboy, was busy talking to a group of girls to his right. Disappointedly, I looked back at Dinesh, burped, and said, "No. You don't. What made you think so?"

I acted surprised but he did not seem convinced.

"I know I am not good looking enough; I am only 5'7. I am thin. I look way too younger than my age. I just have nothing to offer to any girl," he said in a dejected tone.

"Alright, don't feel bad, you seem like a pretty amazing guy. I am honestly surprised the girls don't go mad for you," I said exactly opposite of what I thought of him. The alcohol was talking now.

He rejected my words by laughing at me. He then picked up his mug and gulped his sorrow down with the beer.

"You have no idea how I feel because you are good-looking and smart," he said with eyes half shut. "I have never kissed a girl. I am just not noticed by girls at all whatsoever. And why would they?" he raised his voice in frustration, "I couldn't dance, talking to girl scared me, and they made me perspire too much. Furthermore I just knew that they were speaking badly about me behind my back. I had no self confidence, poor communication skills, and to top that I have pimples."

For a short period I thought I was high but his whining brought me back to ground. Dinesh was unstoppable. I cursed myself for coming here tonight.

"Don't become insecure and depress. Don't lose heart. Okay? The right girl will walk into your life. And if you like a girl right now why don't you ask her out on date?" I suggested, cheering him up.

"I don't know any such girl," he said with a dejected face.

"Okay, don't worry. There is someone out there for all of us, and I hope yours meets you very soon," I spoke out whatever my alcohol-ridden mind processed.