Humour Or Humor?

What is love?

"What is love?" Mrs. Breganza's voice blared from the television and echoed through her tiny apartment.

Rahul's cheesy reply to that statement was drowned out by the derisive snort from Pooja.

"Love is friendship", she mimed while making a decidedly ugly face. Love was not friendship, neither was it a cherubic faced wee little baby with a bow and an arrow. Love, according to her, was Medusa, the snake haired maiden who turned all those who dared look at her, into stone.

The toaster pinged. Plating the toast, she took her breakfast and stood before the television, criticizing various cliche moments portrayed in the movie.

"Who wrote this garbage! I could have done a better job had I been born during the 90's!" She raged, throwing pieces of toast at the TV.

Her phone pinged, indicating a message from her internet best friend. They had yet to meet but Pooja felt like she had known Benjamin all her life.

Are you watching that cliche movie and feeling sad about yourself, again?

Another text followed the first, reading

Because I am too :')

To which Pooja replied, Who said anything about watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?

His reply was instant, Who said anything about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?

The smirk in his message was palpable. She had blown her own cover by revealing the title of the movie. He would never allow her to live this embarrassment down. Pooja covered her face and groaned but the smile refused to leave her face.

You know why they call it Rom-com and not rom-humour? Because non living things, like movies for example, lack a humerus.

Pooja chocked on a laugh as she dialed his number. Ben picked it up on the second ring.

"So, you loved my joke? Is that why you called?", his deep, resonating voice filtered through the speaker.

"Oh yeah, I was just thinking of a way to start laughing.",was her tart reply.

Back and forth, they went, ridiculing each other until Pooja found herself on the floor, laughing and clutching at her aching stomach.

"Hey, I have a confession to make." The serious note to Ben's voice sobered her up.

"You know, even though we have never met, it feels like I've known you my entire life. But I'm afraid, of judgement, especially from you." Ben's voice trembled.

"You can trust me, Ben." Pooja's voice was small with helplessness.

"That's why I'm attempting to tell you. So, do you remember the conversations we had about men, women and our sexuality? Well, I believe I like sticks and stones better than caves."

The silence that ensued that little speech was profound and complete. Pooja did not know what to say. A tiny giggle bubbled out of her lips.

"Think again, you will always be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally."

They dissolved into giggles, the tension that was previously in the air, gone. Their hearts lights with friendship and newfound respect for each other.