Like a dream

CHAPTER-5. THEN

I rummage through my refrigerator to see if anything would pass for a decent meal. But I find nothing more than wilted lettuce and a yoghurt tub. Dian left to visit her parents, a week ago and I didn't mind to refill the food in our refrigerator. It has always been Dian who checks our food stocks and keeps us loaded. For the first time, I regret being lazy as much as I miss Dian.
      I check the clock. It is almost 9 p.m. My stomach is growling and I need to get something to eat, even if that meant a bag of chips from the convenience store. I quickly tie my hair into a ponytail, grab my wallet and make my way to the convenience store, which is just a few blocks away.
       As I reach the store, I go straight to grab a diet coke, a bag of potato chips and a chicken sandwich. I quickly place them on the bill counter and pay four pounds. As I am about to make my way out, I see a familiar figure eyeballing the beer cooler by the side of the bill counter, before grabbing a six-pack carton.
      'Nick?'
   He turns to my direction and his eyes widen as he spots me.
    'Hey!' he responds. He glances at the package in my hand. Oh! I feel awkward in my shabby night clothes. Maybe I should have changed into something passable. 'Finished your shopping?'
    'I came here just to grab something for dinner' I say. He nods his head.
   'Can you give me a minute? I'll pay for this' he says as he points to the carton he is holding.
    'Yeah, sure.'
   After he finishes his purchase, we walk out of the store together.
  'Shall we?' he asks me, pointing to the bench in front of the store. 'Yeah' I reply as we take our seats, side by side. Again there is an awkward silent atmosphere.  I really hate this.
      'I just realised that my refrigerator is empty and so came here to feed my grunting stomach' I try to begin a conversation. 'What about you?'
     'I just returned from a show and wanted to grab some beer.'
    I open the chips bag and extend it to him. He picks one and swiftly puts it into his mouth.
   'Do you like to have some beer?' he asks me as he opens his can.
   I shake my head vigorously. 'I've hated it ever since I had my first cup at a college party.' He lets out a chuckle.
       'So....how was the show?' I ask him.
    'Vibrant. It was at Glasgow' he replies as he sips from his can. I nod my head. It's really a tough job to keep the conversation going as he isn't the talkative type. And right now, I don't even know what to say. I try to pull random strings.
    'I see that you're an introvert' I begin. 'I've never seen you with friends.'
     'I've always been a loner but I do have a few good friends' he pauses, picks up a fry, puts it into his mouth and then continues, ' I just feel that it's important to have a few genuine people in your life rather than having several insincere and fake acquaintances.' I give him a quick nod of comprehension. 
      'How long have you been here in the UK?' he asks me. So he knows to converse! I am quite relieved.
    'It's been almost five years. I moved to London when I applied to study my Master's at LCF.'
     'That's great!' he smiles. His phone buzzes in his pocket and he pulls it out. 'Give me a minute' he says as he picks up the call.
    'Hey Tony!' he responds to the person on the phone as he gets up from his seat and walks to one corner of the porch.
      I notice the same crystal lockets- one around his neck and the other one around his left wrist. It reminds me that there is someone special in his life. Or maybe there was someone special. If not, why does he have both the chains? Did they break up or was it something unrequited? I don't even know if that thing belonged to his girlfriend. It could have been from his friend, sister, mother or someone just special. I put an end to all these thoughts, processing in my mind and begin to munch on my chips as I stare up at the night sky. The stars look like tiny silver sparkles on a large navy blue velvet fabric. I remember, when I was young, my family used to eat dinner in the patio of our house, once in a while, among the lush green vegetation that my grandfather maintained, just to observe the moon and the stars. I really miss those nights badly. I open my coke can and sip from it gently.
     Nick comes back to occupy his seat after he finishes the call. 'Lost deep in thoughts?'
      I shake my head. 'Just star gazing. When I was back in India, we did that very often' I tell him.
    'We?'
'My family' I reply. 'We had a huge garden and we used to have dinner outside enjoying the night sky.'
       'Do you miss it?'
    'Of course!'
           'Then you can visit my home anytime if you wish to' he offers. I look up at him confused and an awkward silence follows.
     'I have a conservatory at my home' he says. 'Just in case you wish to have an outdoor dinner, you can visit me. You can even bring your friends' he adds.
     'Okay! That's cool!' I tell as I look at him coyly.
'Can we trade numbers?' he asks me. I am amused. 'So can you type your number?' He hands me his phone. I give a quick nod without any hesitation and put my number in it.
     'This is better. We can catch up more often rather than meeting up coincidentally' he laughs and I join him.
     'I'll send you my location, just in case you decide to visit my place' he says and presses a few buttons on his phone. I simply nod my head.
   'But I never thought you'll be this kind of person' I blurt out.
   'What kind?' he smiles.
'Ah....mushy!'
     'Am I?' he laughs.
'You are the first guy I know, to have a conservatory!'
     'So, is that a compliment or you mock me?'
'You can take it as a compliment' I reply and he mouths a silent thank you. I check my phone. It's half past nine.
    'I think it's getting late and I should leave' I tell him.
    'Yeah, sure' he says as we rise up from our seats. 'Do you want me to walk you home?'
    'No, that's okay. It's just a few blocks away.'
    'Then take care. See you soon, bye!'
'Bye! Take care!'