The Guy with the Handkerchief

XII: The Begining of a New Friendship

A Few Days Later

The days of pretention had just begun. Arindam and Shreya had been chatting over the Chat Apps almost every hours now. Shreya seemed to be very happy to have found her new 'Gay Best Friend', who could protect her from all problems on one hand and on the other hand, be her support whenever she was emotionaly broken down. I am not saying that she is using him or something. I am just analysing. Well maybe I should not,because it more or less seems like I am judging her. Anyways.

Finally Arindam was able to meet her again on Saturday. This time the meeting place, her house. As Arindam climbed the stairs, he started remembering the events that had taken place the last time he was here. Arindam gained some courage from the trauma of the past and rung the doorbell.

"Come in, the door is open.", Shreya shouted, "Why are you late Shilpa Mausi? That too on a weekend. You know that untill you cook me the morning breakfast, I stay hungry?"

Arindam entered the room only to hear her shouting. She was nowhere to be seen.

"Shreya, its me Arindam", he shouted back.

Suddenly there was like sounds of something rumbling down as if someone or something had fallen down.

"Shreya! Are you all right? What happened?", Arindam asked with concern.

"Nothing, I was just not expecting you, so I just tumbled down. It's all right. I am fine.", Arindam could see Shreya crawling on her knees rubbing her bruises on her ankle.

Arindam ran to her rescue, only to tumble down himself.

"How did you fall down?", Arindam asked after getting up.

Shreya gave him a straight face as if Arindam had no idea after he had fallen down himself. Arindam looked around to find everything still scattered all over the place.

"Yeah, exactly!", he exclaimed, "I totally forgot that, this is the thing I am here to help you with."

"Yeah! Sorry, actually you know I am very clumsy at times.", Shreya exclaimed.

"And even more when you are hungry.", Arindam added.

"What can I do man, the maid is late.", Shreya exploded.

"So, you can't cook?", Arindam enquired, "Well, if you want, I can cook something for you?"

Shreya again looked at him with a straight face.

"What will I do in life? Even you can cook, I can't. I am nevery going to make a good wife.", Shreya mockingly cried.

"Enough of this drama. Tell me where the kitchen is?", Arindam sarcastically asked.

"That way. But what will you make?", she enquired.

"Let me first see what do you have in stock. If anything here is edible.", Arindam laughed.

"Ha ha ha... very funny", Shreya replied with a hint of agony.

"Okay, so you have eggs, and what else do you have... Oh okay so you have bread slices. So let me quickly make you some Bread Omlette", Arindam finalised on what he would make.

Now, here is a thing. I have tried out many recipies by Arindam. And honestly, he is not a bad chef at all. He cooks really well. But sometimes, well I don't mind as he is not always cooking, his ingredients are a bit here and there. Sometimes the salt is missing and sometimes it is too much. But I guess we can forgive him for that. Atleast the guy is trying.

As Arindam started slicing some onions, Shreya sat down and observed him cook.

"It's high time you learn to cook Shreya. You have started living alone now.", Arindam advised.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Stop enacting my mom. Actually the truth is I am a bit afraid of the fire",Shreya sighed.

"It's not that difficult Shreya to light up the stove. But if you are so scared, let me give you a tip. Can you light a candle?", Arindam started advicing.

"Yeah", Shreya nodded.

"Then, cut some carboard papers like greetings card or someting like that into long and thin strips. Use the candle to ignite any one of the strip of cardboard and then gently bring that close to the oven. It would light it up.",Arindam was proud of his expertise.

"Oh great, I didn't know this trick. Will definately try the day I gain some courage.", Shreya laughed.

As they both shared a laugh Arindam serve her the just made hot and grilled Bread Omlette.

"Here is your breakfast, although its almost time for lunch now.", Arindam exclaimed.

Shreya took a bite and probably liked it. She just smiled and said, "I wish you weren't the way you are."

Arindam didn't reply back. There were some moments of scilence when she was eating.

After the brisk breakfast break, Arindam and Shreya decided to get started with the unpacking. It was evident from Arindam that he had many questions, as he was very observant of every thing that was being unpacked.