The Perfect Photo

Chapter 3

The juice stall was not so far away from the center of the campus. We reached there in about a minute. During that, what seemed to be a very long minute, I realized how bad I was in initiating a conversation. I did not have a single interesting thing to say when I was with a new person. He held the door for me as I entered the juice shop. I have never met a guy in college holding doors for others. I was feeling positive that this guy will not turn out to be a dumb ass like the others. I still hoped hard for my fortunes to change.

We ordered for two orange juices at the counter and came and sat down. I waited for him to start the conversation after giving up on myself to be able to say something clever.

"So, you should have a lot of patience.", he began. "Being able to organize this entire event, handle all kinds of people who might get on your nerves."

"Not really. I wasn't the only one. I had help. My friends take a lot of burden off my shoulders", I replied.

"But still, that's quite some weight on your shoulder. Your shoulders might need a massage after today I'd guess", he said. I was taken aback a little. Why did he mention about my shoulders now? I became conscious of my looks. I had not checked if I looked okay before coming here. Maybe I should have excused myself on the way. But it is too late now.

"Well, I don't like to be touched by unknown people. I have never really gotten a massage till now.", I said looking around to find a reflective surface to check myself out.

"I get it.", he said. "For some, it's just not their thing. You know what, I can teach you a couple of things about pressure points, and you can probably do it yourself. Or maybe ask your friend or someone to do it. At least you'd be touched by someone you know", he said with a cheeky expression on his face.

"What do you know about giving massages?", I asked,

"Well, I spent a couple of months in Germany learning rock climbing. During those two months, I stayed at an Airbnb which was owned by a masseuse. I learned a few things during my stay."

"Germany?", He has made an impression already. "International Traveler, are you? I've heard it's hard to survive in Germany if didn't know German.", I said trying to stay on the topic.

"True story that. If you are staying in some of the bigger cities like Frankfurt, Berlin or Munich you can still manage speaking English. But I stayed in a place called Frankenjura."

"So how did you manage?"

"Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch."

I raised my eyebrows.

"It means I speak a little German. I took some basic German speaking classes while I was here. Then I picked up a bit more when I stayed there. I think I can confidently say that I know enough German to survive in a German-speaking city."

"That's quite some effort you have put in to learn rock climbing", I said feeling more dazzled by this new guy.

"And not to forget about the masseuse training.", he laughed. "That one was on the side, though."

A guy who travels for adventure. I realized why I liked his grip, must be the combination of rock climbing and masseuse training. I couldn't possibly rationalize that Pritam was my type. Just because he loves to climb rocks doesn't mean he has gotten the smarts for everything else. He could be as dumb as a rock and still climb them.

"But you are a student, right?", I asked.

"Yeah, I am an economics student. Don't tell me that I look like a professional rock climber."

"I am an economics student too", I said. I was excited. People who discover that they have the same taste formed a sudden instant connection. I felt I was developing a strong connection with Pritam now. An economics student, who travels and likes adventure? Where have you been hiding all this while, I thought to myself. He is real hot to me now. I thanked heavens for taking the curse off of me. I did not want to come out as a nerd to him talking about commerce, so I decided to stay off that topic.

Our juices arrived at the table. The sun was going down, and the golden rays were entering through the window filling the room entirely. I felt dreamy as I slowly sipped the juice.

"So what do you like doing? In you free time", He asked.

That was one tough question to answer. What did I do in my spare time? I was very studious in my class. I tried my best to get a perfect score on all exams. So what did I end up doing in my free time? I studied more. During my vacations, I would travel back home to visit my parents and end up reading fiction. I had no life outside my school. Whatever little life I had was through Neha. She would get invited to some parties, and I would go along whenever I had time. I realized that I was taking a real long time to answer his question.

"I like to read. Fiction.", I said. "Not much of a traveling type. Hence..."

"Why can't traveling types be interested in reading ?"

"Oh no. I did not mean to say that they were contradicting statements. I was just talking about me. Less travel more literature. Did you misunderstand that you I was branding you to be a traveler and not a reader ?"

"I was just trying to understand.", he said looking at the ceiling.

"So you have interest in reading?", I asked.

"Of course I do. I always travel with a book"

"So who is your favorite author? And God, please don't say Chetan Bhagat."

"Why not? He has inspired a whole generation of Indians to read again since the Harry Potter series ended."

"Flipkart inspired a whole new generation to read. Chetan writes Bollywood scripts and publishes them in a hardbound, paperback, jacketed, non-jacketed; with foreword, introduction, table of contents, index; that are not intended for the enlightenment, understanding, enrichment, enhancement and education of the human brain.", I said.

He laughed out aloud. "I read a lot more than Chetan Bhagat. Don't worry. I try to detoxify myself by reading actual fiction after finishing a Bhagat book."

I chuckled.

Just then, a concerned looking Neha walked into the room searching for someone. Oh damn, she was searching for me. I forgot to inform anyone that I have come here. Neha spotted me sitting with Pritam and started grinning. She had the courtesy of acting like she did not know me and walked around us. But stupid me called out her name.

"Neha, Oi Neha. Here", I called out. She looked surprised. Why the hell am I calling her? Maybe I might regret doing this. Presenting a guy with an even prettier girl is like saying I am not interested in him, and that was what I have just done. Neha walked up and said hi.

"Pritam, this is Neha, my roommate. Neha, this is Pritam, my", I paused trying to find the right word. "..new acquaintance", I finished.

"So this is the one I need to give massage lessons to?", Pritam asked sipping his juice.

I regretted my mistake of inviting Neha over to the table. Neha did not understand the context but quickly helped me, "Sorry for disturbing you guys here. But Harsha you had left your phone behind at the booth. Here", she said handing over my phone.

"I think Harsha was real tired at the booth. Now with the juice in her stomach, she should be able to concentrate fine and not lose her phone again.", he said.

"Or maybe she had to attend to something more important that she forgot to take her phone.", Neha said cheekily. I felt embarrassed. But I could see a smile on Pritam's face through the corner of my eye.

"I have got to get going now.", said Pritam standing up. "It was a pleasure meeting you.. and you", he said looking at Neha and me. "I will let you folks get back to your work and thanks a lot for having juice with me." He walked towards the door when I realized that I had not gotten his contact.

"Pritam, how do I look you up?", I quickly said before he could grab the handle of the door. I did not want him to feel like I was hitting on him. "Would love to see your rock climbing adventures.", I added.

"Pritam Patel. You will find me on Facebook." He smiled at both of us and left the room. We looked at each other and burst into giggles.