A GIRL LIKE YOU

10

"Hello?" I croaked, as I picked up the call without looking at the caller ID. I guess I just dozed off in the middle of reading. I looked at the watch. Its 11:30 PM. Why is anyone calling me so late?
"Hey."
Aarav. Why is he calling me now? He didn't called back or texted back yesterday when Ansh and I tried to reach out. He hasn't said anything since and now he is calling so late in the night.
"Hi Aarav. What's up?" I said and sat up on the bed.
"Nothing. I just- I know I owe you an explanation." He said, sounding actually guilty.
"Yeah you do." I said without sounding annoyed.
"I'm sorry for yesterday. I was working and I didn't pick up my phone since late in the night. I wanted to text back, but there were so many texts from Ansh. So I thought it would be better if I talk to him first."
I stayed silent as he talked.
"But I kind of fell asleep. I was really tired. And then today, Ansh came over. And told me what a dick I've been to you."
I don't want to think anything of it. Scratch that. I want to think that Ansh did this for his friend. But that small little delusional part of my heart jumped and did a happy dance.
"Sorry for the language." He muttered.
"Don't worry about it." I finally said.
"Yeah. I mean, you are my priority. I just- I've been busy lately. And I don't want you to think anything of it. And feel free to call me out on my shit."
"Okay Aarav. You're forgiven."
"Thanks Kiara. Ansh told me how upset you were. I am sorry."
Well, at least he is trying.
"Its okay Aarav."
"Thank god. I almost thought I did some real damage. I've been trying to gather courage whole day to call you."
"The thought of real damage freaks you out?"
I wanna hear something from him. Something romantic. Something to feel something. Say it Aarav.
"Yeah. I mean we're engaged and we've spent so much money on the wedding preparations. It won't be..." He continued to blabber, as I tuned out.
So its about money. He is afraid to fuck up because of money. God!
I wanted him to say somthing especial. But looks like I'm just a investment for him. I don't know what to say to that. I could go and tell my mom but she'll tell me to focus on the positive side of this thing. Positive my ass.
"Kiara? You there?"
I sighed finally.
"Yeah. I'm just a little sleepy. Can we talk tomorrow?" I said.
"Yeah okay. Can we meet tomorrow?"
That came out of nowhere.
"Ummm..." Should I just say yes.
"At my apartment. I'll send you the address. Or I could come to pick you up?"
I know he lives alone. He said on our first date, that theres only so much lectures one could take from their parents. He was kind of right. Kind of.
"No I'll be there. Text me the time also."
"Okay. Its a date." He said.
I smiled despite myself. "Good night Aarav."
"Good night Kiara."

***
I knocked on the door black door in from of me. I took a deep breath and ran my hands up and down my Jeans. I am a little nervous. I don't know what to expect. If we were dating, then a home date would mean making out on the bed. But I don't know what's the protocol for kind of like strangers, kind of like engaged people, getting together in a private space.
Mom gave me so many instructions about this whole thing. I almost regretted telling her.
The door swung open and Aarav stood there smiling at me. He's wearing sweatpants, hung low on his hips, with a thin white cotton T-shirt. His hair is wet like he's fresh from a shower.
"Hi." I said. "Hey yourself." He said and gave me a fleeting side hug. "Come on in." He said.
I walked inside his apartment. Its a nice space. His coffee table is covered in papers and books, and the laptop.
I step just far enough inside for him to close the door, but when he heads to the couch, I stay where I am.
"Come here." He said and I willed my foot to listen. I sat beside him on the couch.
Well this is awkward.
"Do you want something?" He asked.
"Water." I said. Water is safe. He smiled and got up to leave me in front of the TV which is on and a random song is playing on it. I looked above the TV and saw so many pictures hung there. I'm far so I can't make out the details but more than 5 pictures has Ansh in them.
He came back from the side door which I think is a kitchen.
I took a sip of the water. I have no freaking idea what to talk about.
"So Kiara..." Aarav said. I turned a little to face him.
"Yeah?"
"What do you think about this place?"
"Its nice. I like it."
"Thought I'd show you the place we'll be living in for a year after the wedding."
"Just a year?"
"Yeah. We can't stay here forever. Its small."
Even though he doesn't say that but I know what he means. He is saying that we'll be staying here until you get pregnant. Then we can go buy a bigger house. I am not sure about wedding and he is thinking about kids. I took a deep breath.
"Right." I managed to say. I don't feel good. I feel awkward and weird. I don't know what to do with myself.
But I didn't have to worry because Aarav began talking. And he talked for another half and hour and I just sat there and listened and responded on the right places. I tried really hard to be interested but he is talking about baby seal right now. I could see him as and knowledgeable person but I can't help but think what a bore he is.
I have to take iver the conversation. I'm finally relaxed.
"Do you read fiction?" I ask him. I asked Ansh the same question and then we had a long conversation about our favourite books. Lets see where this'll go.
"Not really. Its just imaginary."
Oh boy! He did not just say that. That is offensive.
"Most of the physics laws you read are also imaginary." I said as I gestured towards the book on his coffee table.
"Yeah but they make sense and interests me. I don't think I would ever be interested in knowing how that girl signed a sex contract with a multi billionaire."
Did he just talked about Fifty Shades Of Gray? Oh my god. He totally did. I am mature enough to understand the concept of different perspective, so I swallow the need to punch him in the groin.
"There's so much more in fiction than you think. It talks about feelings and personal experiences. It gives you-"
"What do you wanna have for dinner?"
He just cut me off. God! How much I loathe people who ignore me. How much I loathe people who cut me off.
"Whatever you like." I said and pulled my phone out a pretended to text someone. I don't want to look at him right now or I'll burst into tears. Not because he cut me off. That only made me more annoyed. But I want to cry because he didn't even try to be intrested in my job, in my passion.
He could've at least pretended. I mean isn't that we all do? Even if we are not that interested in our partners hobbies, we at least pretend or try to be. Because thats how relationships are made. When both people try.
He stood up and left the room to order the food, I think. I closed my eyes and sighed. I just want this to be over. I wanna go home.

...