First Impressions

Chapter Seven

''How long have you been playing Badminton?" Aryan asks me.

We are walking towards what he said a food joint to have something to eat for I felt so famished right now after the tiring match with him. Both of us were still sweating after the long match.He didn't even tell me exactly where we were going. Initially I was about to refuse to have food with him because you know right how weird it would seem? I didn't even know him that well.
And What if people considered us as a couple?
That would be so wrong.
Just then my Dad's wise words began to resound in my ears 'Don't care what people think about you. What you think of yourself is much more important than what people think of you. So do whatever you want but think once about what you are about to do.'

So to hell with what other people thought. All I cared about was that Right now I was just hungry and had to be treated with some really good food to fulfil my appetite.
I turn towards the tall, lanky figure walking beside me.
"I, uh Well, Since just a few years I guess. How about you?" I ask him.

"Have been playing since I was seven. I even used to play at the state level." he says.
No wonder why it wasn't that piece of a cake to win against him. I should be basking in my own reflected glory of having won against an ex-state player right? I suddenly feel happy and accomplished.
Meanwhile my stomach started growling; I don't think it was that loud enough to be heard by him who was walking right beside me or else it would have been very embarrassing.
Wouldn't it?

"Why did you discontinue?" I ask him and I really want to know that.

"College. Studies weren't going that easy on me. It had started to become quite difficult to manage between my interstate championships and college academics. Though I still do play badminton, I fail to understand how you managed to beat me. Do You play for the nationals or something.?"

"Nope. Nothing as such. Not even a district level player or something. Its just that I love this game and I play it just as a leisure activity. That's it"

"That's it? That's unbelievable " he mumbles staring at me, the amusement in his face almost tangible as we take a turn at the end of the road. As soon as we took the turn, I saw 'Mc Donalds' with the most inviting and appealing yellow bright letters in front of me.

"Oh I didn't knew we were going here" I say, my eyes widening a bit.
"Now you know" he says and we continue walking towards the building in front of us.

He opens the door for me and I enter with him following suit. As soon as I enter inside I feel a wave of chillness touch the sweaty skins on my body. That instantly gives me a feel of soothing effect due to the air conditioning here. The feeling when you enter a really chilly room after sweating for so long is just amazingly blissful and tranquilizing.

Aryan, who entered beside me, runs a hand through his already ruffled hair as we pace ahead to order our food.
Luckily I had brought cash with me as I came out of the house.I was looking at the menu, everything seeming so tempting to my empty stomach. What do I buy?

"Will you go up and catch a seat while I am ordering for us?" he says turning to me while we are standing in a not much lengthy line as such.

"Um...Okay. But I haven't yet decided what I shall eat"

"Don't need to. I will order." he says.

"I like to order my food myself" I state. I can't rely on his choice of foods. I am hungry and I would like to eat something really tasty.

Just then it's his turn in the line and the lady at the counter is already smiling coyly at him. "What would you like to have sir?" She asks in an almost sing-song manner.