Mixed set of priorities

"Good choice, I like the guy", Ananya said looking amused with herself as i savored last few sips of my take away coffee.
Coming back from my train of thoughts, confused I looked around. "What?" I exclaimed.
"The guy you are staring at. I think he is kinda sexy." She explained.
"Seriously, Ananya." was my only reaction.

Well Ananya can be little pushy and compelling at times, but somehow I still feel she is one of the best thing that happened to me in college. I have absolutely no idea how I would have survived these brutal years of my graduation without a friend like her, specially considering the fact that I can be a little "drama queen" at times. Like say, today itself.

We have our own spot, where we usually hang out after classes. A small open air theater at the backside of a nearby mall. It is nearly walking distance and doesn't take more than 10 mins. to reach.  I like this place. For one, not many people come here except few occasional couples and two, the view is spectacular.

Adding to the view is all the festive decoration and lighting used by mall authority.

"Well, I was not staring at him." I explained. "I was just thinking about something."
"You sure?" She asked teasingly.
"Positive." I said laughing. "And moreover, he is not even my type."
"You know, you need to stop typecasting guys, or should I say outcasting 99% of human male population. Right?" said Ananya with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, I know. I got you. Thumps up. Now lets talk something else." I said quickly changing the topic.

"So, what were you thinking about?" Ananya asked again.
"Nothing just in general." I said and shrugged.
"Did not look like in general." She argued.

"You don't give up. Do you?" I said half jokingly.
"No I don't." said Ananya. "And you in particular love guessing games. Com'on just tell me. Is it about 'missing  someone'?"
"Noooo, Ananya." I said stressing on my no. "I know exactly what you are hinting at, but seriously no. Not my concern anymore. Just in general." I repeated again, not looking at her this time.

"I am waiting, you know that right?" Ananya said looking persistent.
"Well, I was just thinking about the interview I had." I said playing with my take away coffee cup.
"Okay, so you are anxious about your result. It is gong to be fine." She said trying to convince me.

"I don't think its about the results, I think I already know what is going to happen. Its the feedback that I am worried about." I said looking in the thin air.
"What feedback?" She asked in a confused tone.

I narrated her the entire scene and told her, "At the end of my interview, my HR said I need to prioritize my life. I need to reevaluate, if what I was doing is what I really wanted to do at the first place. I tried hard to convince her, talked about my n no. of projects but all she said was its not about what you are telling me, its about what I can see."

"Its okay, Yar. Forget it. Don't allow her to play tricks on your mind and moreover become the reason you doubt your life decisions. Plus its not like she always wanted to become an HR." Ananya said. "I wanted to become an astronaut. Doesn't mean I can be one."

"Hmm." I said and gave her a subtle smile though not sure if was convinced.






   

Just Friends

"You are late. AGAIN" I said almost exasperated. "I am leaving now study on your own. And Possibly try and flunk tomorrow, so that you learn to be on time. I am sick of it. And Where the hell is your cell phone? I have been calling you for like forever."

I was probably turning green in anger and all i could see was Rishabh standing just in front of me while keeping a safe distance, making funny faces; trying to calm me down. Telling me to relax.

Obviously we were the center of attraction.

"Excuse me please." He shouted across the tables. "One Nutty Fudge brownie for the lady please. With some hot chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream." And he turned around to look at me, raising his eyebrows in almost a cute way, "Will that make it?"

Here was my cue, and without a pause i added to my treat. "Plus one lemon iced tea please. Thank you."

He took a seat opposite to me.

"So what is the excuse this time?" I asked him, while getting back to my normal self.
"And I thought i was not answerable to this question after the brownie."
 And we both laughed at his comment.

"Alright, but what about your cell phone? Why have you switched it off?" I asked him in a matter of fact tone, possibly knowing the answer already.

"Leave it, you don't want to know. It's just Tanya,she keeps pestering me all the times and I hate it so much. For her, all what a boy friend is ought to do is, help her manage her mood swings, pamper her all the times and accompany her while shopping." He replied almost irritated.

"What else is girl friend for? Stealing kisses in the khopchas of campus?" I asked teasingly.
"Of course not. How can you think so low me? I wont mind booking a room." was his spontaneous quirky response.
"Ughhh.....Shut up. You were right. I don't want to know." I said stopping him midway, knowing well that i can never win an argument with him when the subject is dirty.

In few minutes are order was served and without wasting much time we followed through the topics of the test one by one.

Approximately after an hour since we started, Rishabh leaned forward from across the table and nearly hissed, "To your 4'o clock.". In all these years, we have developed this unique coded language, which we generally use to indicate the direction of hot girls.

I moved a little, making sure it doesn't look deliberate. And with the corner of my eye, I looked into the direction.
"What? There is no one." I said confused.
"Idiot, that guy over there. He is staring at you." He said looking impressed with himself and equally amused.
"Why? Do I have something on my face?" I asked consciously, bringing one of my palm near to my face. "Oh God, this is so embarrassing. Why you did not tell me about it before."

"Are you serious? He is a GUY. We don't stare because some girl has something on her face. We stare when we find them appealing. You blonde." He said surprised, as If i have such a less knowledge about the behavior of opposite sex.
"Ohh i see, but the fact is you guys stare almost all the times for apparently no reason." I said stating myself loud and clear, making sure I sound legitimate. "And by the way he is not staring at all."
"You are blind. I can bet he wants to talk to you, If you just give him a try." He said putting his argument forcefully.
"You know, we are still left with lot of topics to cover. Can we debate about it later." I said as always ignoring the topic.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that others can fall in love with you, that someone can possibly be dying to date you. And moreover people can genuinely compliment you. What is it?" He demanded to know, being pushy beyond believe this time.
"I am leaving, you sit here, question all day to yourself. And maybe that what they will ask you in test tomorrow." I said nearly in frustrated tone, gathering my notes from the coffee table.
"You are not going anywhere this time. I am not letting you leave this discussion." He said with authority in voice, looking straight at me.

"Whats the big deal?" I said completely pissed off. "I just don't feel like that. I just don't wish to feel insecure, miserable about things that do not even matter. I don't want to be the one trying to get the attention and feel like i am in race with other girls and I have to prove my worth every time. I don't want to pretend someone that i love them whole heartedly when i don't. I don't like guys complementing me because i wanted some body who can actually give those compliments a meaning for me. That is all it is about. Did I answer your question now?"

"And what makes you think you are in race with other girls?" He asked. "Do you know I have always loved you?"

I stood there not knowing what am i suppose to say next. And just before I could respond, he stopped me midway saying, "Don't worry, I know what you have to say. You don't need to explain yourself. And I promise I wont let anything change the way we are now. Best friends."

And He just smiled. This was the first time that I ever realized, his smiles and presence do matter to me. Because they assure me. It will be ok. :)