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Girls can say really stupid things you know.. The things you cant even imagine.. For example “I cant walk with these shoes!” Have you ever heard that..

I felt like asking “Why did you buy this shoe, which when wearing you cant put one of your legs in front of another?” But i didnt and i know that wont be appreciated. It was a blind date for god’s sake.

I didnt know this concept is alive in Chennai. But somehow my friend was able to set up one but messed up when his wife fell sick (Yeah! you heard it right). So I had to be here tonight. A silly curiosity of mine make me take a cab now for a restaurant which is hardly 100 ft away.

I wouldnt say she was not pretty. But disastrous for my taste. She had that fake long eye lashes, distasteful nail colors and was making that gesture of so called romantic with her mouth. I felt like puking. Atlast it was the end of the day and i happily dropped her in her hostel more earlier than expected.

It was still late evening, and i thought about the day. Which fool will look for love like this? Why did i come to this blind date in first place? Am I that lonely? And  i know because of this short notice i looked awful in this loose shirt and not so matching trousers.

I was crossing music world. I remember my father asking me to buy Annamayya compositions. I stepped in and was looking around for help when i heard a sweet voice inquiring about “Annamayya songs?”

I wouldnt put that as sweet now when i remember her voice. It was like more kiddish. Kids’ voice are sweet. isnt it? There was also some kind of pep and enthusiasm and zero fake (i could understand what is fake after the blind date). It was like the sound of early bird which i heard in my native.

I could see only her back (not that you perverts). She had long hair. Slightly curly at the end. She had tied it neatly. Felt it would be so good if it was free. In a curiosity of seeing her face and also sure that now she knows where to find the annamayya’s compositions.

She wandered aimlessly here and there for some time. Stopped to check something in front of her twice. And then a right turn to kids rhyme’s section.Young mother? my heart skipped a beat. naah! may be for her sister’s kid. I pacified myself.

When i turned to the right i almost touched her nose with mine.

“Are you following me?” She asked in the same voice she inquired about the CD.

“Will you believe if I say no?” I asked back.

“No! This store is full of mirrors mister. I know you are watching me” I just had a look around. Stupid I was, didnt notice anything. The hall was full of mirrors. I wondered, what does mirror do in a music shop?

“I was looking for annamayya’s compositions. I know you were asking for that. So i thought i would follow you and you know…”

“Really? you need annamayya’s compositions?” she asked raising her right eyebrow thrice in quick succession.

“Well now! Harris Jayaraj’s background music will do?”

“Are you trying to be romantic Mr. Stalker?”

“I am trying not to look stupid Ms. Smarty”

“Well, Here is your composition then.. Now?” she asked

“Where is the one for you?” I asked her.

“I dont think they have more than one copy. The season is like that and there is lot of sales on these stuffs.” She said.

“Then you can take this. I didnt have this in mind when coming into the shop. I can buy it someother time. May be place an order”

“What was not in your mind? Annamayya?”

“No, this strange encounter with a beautiful girl” I smiled.

She smiled back. She had eyes like fishes you can tell. Just like the one jumps above the water in middle of the sea. When she smiled her eyes shrank so much as it i can see only two curved lines below her eyebrow. She does show a bit of teeth. But i take that as a compliment.

“So?” she asked taking the CD from my hand.

“So?” I tried to immitate her eyebrow thing, but didnt work out. But that made her laugh.

“Whats your name Mr. Stalker?”

“Prasanna.. What’s yours Ms. Smarty?”

“Deepa. Nice meeting you”

“That would be very small thing if i say that back”

“Dont tell me you are falling for me!” I dunno to figure out whether she wanted me to say that.  But it was too early.

“No, Not really. Can we walk? Its so stuffy here” I asked her.

“Yeah! But let me bill it first” She went to the counter. I was so relieved and felt refreshed after a date disaster. Anyway I dont know about this new girl. This may turn disastrous as well.

When she was done, we both didnt know where to go. We started to walk in the pavement.

“So Deepa, Where do you stay?” I asked believing it will make a good conversation.

“None of your business” Came the sharp reply. I didnt really expect that. May be she wants to behave well in public. I didnt talk for a while

“Hey Listen” She started. “We just met in a music store and I am walking out with you now. I dont know this is right. So why dont we refrain from personal things and talk general things”

Made sense. “Its bit humid today right?”

“You are poor at making conversations. We are not 40 somethings to talk about weather”

“What do you want me to  talk then?”

“What made you come behind me?”

“Uh!! I kinda liked you” I smiled.

“Why?”

“I dunno. I liked you thats all.” I didnt know what to say. Whether to tell, I am a lonely guy who wanted to talk to all women who crossed me. Or the one who never had courage to ask any girl out.

“Tell me three reasons. I want it now!”

“You are so demanding. let me see if i can put it together.” We entered a park and found a free bench beneath the shades of a giant tree. The night lights were on and the park looked beautiful.

“You know why men like women. You asked me three reasons. I will tell you what comes to my mind. Men like women, because we think we are still school boys never mind the age when you are around. Because you smile at every child that passes you. Because on taking to dates in month end you prefer to eat salads.”

“That’s impressive Mr. Stalker” she commented.

“Prasanna” I corrected.

“I prefer Stalker. You know what. I had a bad bad day. I wanted to hear some nice music today. You kinda made my day.”

“Oh! Thats good to hear.” I said shyly.

“You now, said why men like women. Why dont you say why you liked me? I mean no generalizations”

“Because you are Deepa and I am Prasanna” I said back.

“I dont know where this is heading Stalker. Your words.. I could not understand what it means. We are not certainly building relationships here. Is that clear with you?”

“Yes! Even thats the last thing i can think about at this moment. I wanted someone to talk with me thats all. I am grateful that you are here now listening.”

“So go on! Tell me something more that men likes about women. I am curious”

“Because, Women solve problems in their own way, which we, men dont understand and go crazy about. Because they can go to work with a loose fitted jeans and a t shirt where we men cannot think of wearing a skirt at any point in life. Yeah Johny depp is an exception. They always find a convincing defect about us when we talk about other women, to make us inferior and insecured.”

“Enough.. Enough. You are actually complaining right?”

“Not really.” I said smiling. Still practicing the eyebrow thingy.

“I will tell you what women like about men.” She started.

“Women like men for how tender they become when they cry and how seldom they do it. They love their moms and remind us our dads. They dont lie about height, weight and dress size. They are in peace with their body except a little worry about height, weight and baldness. They give us a peek at the little boy inside, when they are happy, hurt or sick”

“Thats well compiled too.” I commented this time.

” I made it up now when you said things about women.”

“But why did you like me?”

“I didnt like you! did i ever say i liked you?” I didnt know what to say. Though it was a very brief encounter, dunno why tears welled up my eyes. I turned side like coughing and wiped it away.

“As in the lost point, now you let me have a glimpse of little boy inside you”

“Thanks for spending time with me. Lets get better start home. It might get late for you. I dont know where you come from. Please be safe.” I said already raising from the bench we were sitting in.

“I got engaged last week,” She said with her head down. ” I never saw a guy who would suit me. Not of my taste. I always wanted someone with imagination. But i grew older and my parents wanted me to get married. I never liked this guy. i dont hate him either. But i will not be happy. may be i will. i dont know.  I wish i met you a year before. Then that doesnt make any sense. Its not because what you talked or smiled or whatever. I felt this when i had first glimpse at you. Now let me go away. God bless you.” She started walking. I could see that she was wiping away her tears.

I stood still thinking to myself. “Deepa! I left out one thing. Men love women for their heavenly beauty when they say the truth with tears in their eyes.”

I started to walk back home. It started raining!!