The Love Game: Episode 3

“Mum, what should I wear to the airport?” Jahnvi yelled from her room, cupboard open and swinging her outfits from her wardrobe in a mad frenzy like she had absolutely zilch suitable for her big moment today! Her mum entered the room and resigned on her armchair near her bed post. “Jahnvi, really I don’t know what to tell you. Everything is happening so fast, I can barely focus on any one area of your life. Until last month, you were engaged to be married. Now you’re on your way to receive your platonic boyfriend at the landing.”

Jahnvi slowed down at the thought of Sahil. She felt a pinch of hurt but she blatantly refused to accept she hurt his feelings. They were still friends, but she knew she had lost a good match. But,  but, but, today she was going to finally meet Prantik after almost two years and she wouldn’t allow anything to get her down. “Mum so skater dress with keds or a long skirt and a long shirt with a leather belt and boots? It’s still winter so boots are safe. What do you think?” “Jahnvi you do two things very well. That too without falling in trouble. I have to give that to you. First you write like it’s nobody’s business and secondly you put all your head into turning clothes into outfits for every single occasion. My dear you’re talented. You’ll put something on, don’t worry.”

Jahnvi chose the skater dress and keds. Dressed up and booked a cab to the airport. It was 2:15pm and Prantik’s flight would land in an hour. She kissed her mum goodbye and fled the house in full spirits. She turned back just once more to steal a look at herself in the living room mirror. “Perfect. Not too dressed but dressed to turn heads back. She ran her hand through her wavy hair and bounced happily towards the cab.

He smiled a smile Jahnvi will probably cherish for the rest of her life. Prantik spotted her immediately as he got out of the airport. He was still smiling a boyish smile when he stood right in front of her. She looked at him for a long moment thinking how lucky she was! Jahnvi smiled and then he took her hand and they sprinted off the airport. In the cab none spoke. Don’t know there was this feeling of knowing each other for so long yet not knowing each other at all. The game was on WhatsApp. It was a silent game. She feared this was going to be awkward. Just then the cab screeched to an abrupt halt. They both said aloud, “Kya hua bhaiya?” Was this a sign? Jahnvi refused to let any negative thought about them two enter her mind.

She dropped him home and was a little disappointed they hadn’t spoken easily. She returned home. It was almost 7pm and it was a Saturday so she thought she’d curl up the evening and read some. She was about to settle with a book on her bed when Prantik messaged her. “10 minutes. Be ready. I am picking you up. We have to be at a place right now.” A broad smile appeared on her face and she threw back the covers and got dressed in a white lucknowi kurta and palazzos.

Standing so close to him on his terrace, so aware of their proximity, she didn’t even realize how chilly it was. He smiled that smiled again. She swore to avoid looking at him directly for the rest of the evening. Just then he suddenly held her hand and looking far into the sea beyond the horizon he popped a question out of thin air. “Caramel custard or gulab jamun?” She laughed despite herself. Here she was finally alone with him for the first time since they met two years ago and she had to make a choice between her favorite desserts! “Caramel custard with extra burnt sugar crust.” He turned side ways, still holding her hand, he giggled. She looked up and asked him, “The Trident bar or the desi Gokul bar?” he laughed then and said, “Jahnvi why do I have a feeling we’re going to spend a lot of time at Gokul drinking rum and eating chicken lollipops?” She laughed too and said she always wanted to experience desi bars and cheap booze then run right out at Marine Drive and experience the phenomenon called life! High and upwards, sitting at the parapet, weaving dreams of a better tomorrow.

At that he picked her up and flew right through the staircase and parceled her in his car. They drove to a nearby liquor shop, picked up booze and Thumbsup and sat at Marine Drive sipping on God’s blessing to man so divine! She suddenly realized they were so spontaneous. That didn’t happen with Sahil. “Baby why did you turn into a doll from a barbie?” He asked out of nowhere. Should she be embarrassed?  “I was engaged until last month, remember?” She said with spite. “Women put on weight during their engagement period. You wouldn’t know.” She looked at him satisfactorily. “Lol, no they don’t jaan.” He said with all the admiration he had for her. “Yes they do. You don’t know anything. By the way, are you suggesting I am fat, Prantik?” She asked indignantly. “Lol, yea. We both better hit some dance class or a gym. I am going to get all the engagement fat out of you in no time.” Then he cupped her face and said, “You’re my snowman baby. Fat or not I love you.” She shied away happily and they both rested on each other’s shoulders, drunk and busy looking at the stars above them.

 

She returned home all smiling. She was happy about one thing- This guy did not mix his words. She had put on little weight. It was true. And he just said it so casually that she laughed thinking how angry he made her but loved at the same time. But wait – Would Sahil have called her fat? She didn’t know and now she would never know. She lounged around her room for some time and then was about to sleep when Prantik met her online. They didn’t talk. They went offline at the same time. It was a goodnight people.

The next morning, all energetic to kickstart work, she sat at her favorite place in the house - At her writing desk in her room. She didn’t know why but she kept smiling. Her editor called just then and told her to continue the “How, why, where in Europe series.” She wondered what to write next in the series. Then she simply wrote on her word doc. “Ten ways to know your significant other on a road trip.” Satisfied with a clear vision for this piece she began writing. At 2pm she went online. Just as she was about to go on Prantik’s profile, Sahil messaged her!

“My friends miss you. They say you were a catch. Anyway, free for a quick lunch at Subway?” Jahnvi didn’t know how to react. Then she thought – One guy was always so nice to her and the other called her fat on their first official date. She replied she was busy with a piece and couldn’t really make it today. “That’s okay. I knew the chances were thin. See you around woman.” She felt guilty. She didn’t know why but something was gnawing at her. She couldn’t put her finger on it but she knew something was amiss.