The Guy with the Handkerchief

XV: The Party

A few days later...

One thing that had happened after that day is that, Shreya actually understood that Arindam was not only goofing around as she thought any Gay guy would be doing generally, talking about irrelevant things . He had proved himself that he was a person with a good heart. Arindam became the one stop solution to all of Shreya's problems. Even if he could not find solutions to her problems, she was happy at least sharing the problems with him. Finally, Shreya had got someone who would listen to her. I think she started feeling indebted by Arindam. She would always try to contribute back to the friendship, unknowingly raising problems in Arindam's life.

One such Friday afternoon, Arindam was at his college, bored. He picked up his cellphone, opened up his text messenger.. and found Shreya online.

Arindam: Hey! sup?

Shreya: I was just about to text you.

Arindam: Really? What a coincidence.

Shreya: How did you know I had just came online, like a few seconds before you texted me?

Arindam: You know I am a genius right! I can telepathically predict the future too.

Shreya: Oh Yeah? Tell me why I wanted to text you then?

Arindam: Okay, let me think. Considering your pace of typing and analysing your replies, it doesn't seem you are tensed. Are you?

Shreya: Okay, go on...

Arindam: In fact, your curiosity to know more about my predictions show that I am inching towards the right path and I think there is some good news you are going to tell me.

Shreya: Well you are good at it really. But I would say you are partially correct, you missed out on some parts, but that's all right.

Arindam: Okay wait, maybe you want me to have lunch with you?

Shreya: Oh! So close yet so far.... Hehehe.. I wanted to invite you to a party I was attending.

Arindam: Ooh.. Party! Sounds interesting! When and where?

Shreya: Well party is kind of the boring part! Its the freshers welcome at our college. What's interesting is the after party at the nearby disc.

Arindam: Disc? Seriously! You want to risk it again?

Shreya: Oh Come on Arindam! Please stop acting like my mom all the time! I know what happened last time was unfortunate. But think about it, if that hadn't happened we wouldn't have met at all.

Arindam: I guess you are right.

Shreya: Okay, I am sending you the location. Reach there by 6pm. GTG. Bye.

Arindam: Bye. See you at the party.

Arindam heaved a sigh. He was unsure of the outcome of this disc encounter. Arindam was not even party ready. But I guess boys don't need to show off. At around 6:30 pm, Shreya called him up.

"Arindam, Where are you?"

"I am just 10 minutes away from the place. Stuck in traffic."

"Hurry up man! We are waiting."

"We? Are we accompanied by others too?"

"Obviously, Dumbo... this is the after party of my college event. My friends are there too."

"Okay! Okay! Coming as soon as possible"

"Bye"

Arindam searched his way through to the exact location and was about to call Shreya when someone covered his eyes. He turned around to find Shreya standing behind him.

"Arindam! What were you thinking? I am calling you for  5 minutes now.", Shreya exclaimed.

"Sorry sorry, I was actually searching for your contact to call you, so I didn't really notice.", Arindam apologized.

"Forget it, Thank you for coming yaar. Come lets go inside. I will introduce you to my friend.", Shreya pulled him inside.

Something was really off. Shreya was constantly hinting towards making Arindam meet someone. Who could it be, Arindam started thinking. Was it someone special to Shreya? Did Shreya find someone interesting at college? Was she in love with this guy? Arindam was planning if it was really the case, how could he break his nose using his knuckles? How could he stop him from getting closer to her?

Shreya guided Arindam into the disc room. It was extremely loud in there. One could only hear the sound of the electric guitar and feel the vibrations of the bass guitar jamming with the loud percussions.

Shreya pulled him closer, stood on her tip toe to reach his ear. Arindam bent down to bring his ear closer to hear what she had to say.

"Lets, go to the Co.... Follow me!!!", Shreya shouted.

"Where?", Arindam shouted back.

"Counter, Counter.", Shreya pointed towards the bar counter and started walking towards it.

Both of them got seated and ordered for 2 beers to start with. As they both took a sip from the chilled bottles, Shreya raised her bottle to point it behind Arindam. Arindam turned around to find a handsome looking man standing right behind him.

Shreya completed her gulp and rose up to hug him. "Hey Samrat!!! So good to see you.", Shreya shouted.

They again spoke something in each others' ear, probably because of the loud music, and hugged again.

"Arindam, this is Samrat, and Samrat, this is my superman, Arindam", Shreya introduced them to each other.

"Shreya called me superman? What does she mean? Plus are they trying to be together... They seem more of buddies to me.." Arindam started thinking again, "Look there they smile and talk, Abhay yaar, save me and my love, its about to get crumbled in front of my eyes. Wait a second, why are they looking at me? Are they discussing something about me? Probably he is trying to ask her out but is hesitant because of me and Shreya might have told him too that I am Gay. Probably that is what is happening. God! Please kill me, or better, kill him. No no, I can't see Shreya crying, sorry God, don't kill him. They seem to be discussing something really deep because now both look serious, but Shreya is smiling. Okay stop she is coming towards me. Stop thinking. "

"Arindam! Come over, we need to talk.", Shreya spoke near his ears. Arindam's heart skipped a beat.

"Look Arindam, I know this is kind of abrupt, but listen to this very carefully. I know your contribution in me settling down in the city is so immense that I can't really repay you, but at least I have tried to start working on it.", Shreya was explaining as Arindam patiently listened.

"What I have noticed since the very first day is that you are a person of very less words and don't speak much. Maybe you haven't found anyone trustworthy to tell your stories or share your problems with. All I am saying is give your life a chance so that it can bring you happiness by uniting with people who understand you. Socialise.",Shreya continued.

"What is your point?", Arindam abruptly asked, he was growing impatient.

"Look, Samrat is one of my classmate's brother. He is such a wonderful guy. Its just that he too is... you know... like you.", Shreya cleared her throat.

"What do you mean like me?", Arindam could now anticipate where the conversation was going.

"He too is like, interested in men to say the least. So, I convinced him to come with me to this party so that I can make you meet him.", Shreya explained.

"WHAT??? Wait, is this ... is this kind of a potential date? DO YOU WANT ME TO DATE HIM?? HIM???" Arindam was in total shock. Things were about to get more twisted.