The Guy with the Handkerchief

XVI: The Wrong Date

At the after party

Shreya arranged a table for 3 and made me sit along with her and Samrat. For the first minute everyone were sitting and enjoying the music. Breaking the ice Shreya spoke up, "So Samrat, don't you think this after party is an awesome one."

"Oh Yeah! In fact, I think even I can come here for special occasions with my friends too in the future. What a wonderful ambience this place has.", Samrat replied with full enthusiasm.

Carrying on the conversation she blabbered for sometime and then pretended that her phone was buzzing. She quickly had a look at the phone, and said, "Guys, this is an important call and I have to take it immediately. You people continue and I will join you both in sometime."

She winked at Arindam as she left and smiled finding him giving a dirty and angry look to her.

"So Arindam, heard that you are a computer guy, good with coding and all, how come you did not find an algorithm to find yourself a perfect partner till now?", Samrat abruptly spoke up as Arindam was still gazing at Shreya walking away astonished.

The music in the bar had now become more peaceful and soothing. At least one could listen to what the other person was saying.

"Life is not a piece of code buddy. It has way more versatility than a complex piece of code could ever generate. And to specifically answer your question, I haven't found the right gir... Umm... the right person for me till now.", Arindam stumbled upon his words while speaking.

"Really? Actually Shreya told me that you are not too much into girls. Have you ever been enticed by men before? Cos you know, I am... interested to become your friend and help you explore this side of the world." Samrat offered his companionship as he rolled his eyes from top to bottom checking him out.

Was he intending to propose to him or not was still doubtful.

Arindam was out of words. He wasn't even prepared for such a question. "I... I... I am actually... I was... I mean the realization of this fact .. That... That... I am not into women... Is... You know... Like very ..very recent... I can actually ... You know... Try... Try... Try out this feeling with you... I don't think that... That... It would be any kind of a problem, you know ", it was as difficult to frame sentences at that time for Arindam as was keeping the focus on Samrat. His eyes were constantly searching Shreya. After all she was the one who had put him into this awkward and difficult situation.

A few minutes later Shreya again entered the bar, gave a peeping look at what Arindam and Samrat were up to and seamlessly moved away to other friends of hers.

Arindam saw all this happen and tried to call her to his rescue with his eyes, but Shreya didn't even notice.

"How long do you want this to continue?", came a voice from the other end of the table.

"What?", Arindam asked.

"How long are you going to hide it from her?", Samrat questioned again.

Arindam's mouth dried, his heart skipped several beats and then started beating louder than ever.

"What do you mean? Hide? What? And From who? Who are you talking about?", Arindam asked in the same dry voice that ended in severe dry coughing.

"Relax relax, have some water.", Samrat tried to calm him down, "Look bro, let's be very honest here. From the moment you have started speaking, it was quite evident that you are definitely not a Gay person and I don't know what made you tell her that you were. I don't want to know either. Your eyes clearly reveal your love and care for her. But brother, I would, as a genuine well wisher recommend you that if you love her, be truthful to her. "

"I did not tell her anything. She just presumed it to be like this, on her own. And she wasn't ready to listen to me whatsoever." Arindam shouted with excitement.

Samrat signalled him to keep a low tone as she also was in the room.

"And how long are you going to let this continue?" Samrat asked.

"I don't know man. I have left this on my Destiny. She will eventually find out.", Arindam told.

"And do you think she will accept you for not telling her the truth? She won't be pissed off?",Samrat questioned.

"What can I do man? I don't think this is the correct time to tell her everything. I will tell her when the correct times comes. ", Arindam replied with a tone of sorrow.

"Do what you feel is the best man. By the way, it was nice meeting you. Listen, just for her, I will be telling her that you said you would call me but I don't think we would make a good pair, as our opinions about various aspects of life don't really converge.", Samrat consoled Arindam.

He went up to Shreya, had some word, and then rushed out of the bar. Shreya looked at Arindam with a concerned look, and started walking towards him. Arindam sat there with a dejected look sipping through a bottle of beer. Shreya pulled a chair and sat beside Arindam giving him a consoling tight hug.

"Don't you worry Arindam, we will find someone else for you.", Shreya consoled.

"Shreya, I am fine. Don't worry, it was just a date. It wasn't a breakup or something. This is part and parcel of a date. Either you like someone or you don't like. Sweet and Simple.", Arindam replied with a smile, "Come on now, have a beer with me and then we can go home."

Both clinked their bottles and drank their respective bottles.

I guess the day ended on a good note among these two blooming love birds, both unaware of the feeling.