‘One night home’ – AJ
Avanya knew that she never wanted to hang out as much as she did, at the end of that day. She put on the Christmas lights in her room and played some soothing music on her spotify. She was probably trying to figure out the thing, that she really wanted at that moment. She opened her laptop, checked her class’ group mails. There were like around 8-10 important mails that were sent by her professors. She was supposed to go through those documents effectively, so she decided to open them and give a read. No matter how much she tried to concentrate on them, yet she couldn’t deny the fact that it wasn’t helping her at all. The boredom was getting all over her. Eating her favorite heaps of salty chips wasn’t the solution and she knew it.
It was only 7 pm and Avanya knew that it was going to be hard till 1 am at the least. She took her phone and went through all her contacts. She wasn’t surprised with the idea that she failed to find a single name on her whatsapp whom she could text and be like, ‘Hey, I’m super bored because of this crazy Pandemic thing. Wanna catch up?’ Even if there were people who would have said yes for some plans but she knew nobody’s parents was that carefree to allow their kids to give the Pandemic a competition.
‘Wait a bloody second. Duh. Why did I install that app for?’ Avanya quickly opened her GoSwipe app.
Got a few matches in no time but little she knew if she really wanted to approach anyone. Finally, she got intrigued by a guy’s profile. Let us say that it was his profession and his bios. So wasting no further time, she chose to initiate the talk.
11th March, 2020
Avanya – Hey
Ved – Heyy J
Avanya – Okay, I envy your profession
Ved – Well, thank yiu
Ved - *you
Ved – What are you pursuing here?
Avanya – I’m pursuing my B.A Honors here, in Philosophy
Ved – Philosophy, mm-hmm. This conversation is going to be interesting
Avanya – I better not try to talk deep shits, you’re gonna get zoned out lol
Ved – Well, I love deep talks. What are you even saying?
Avanya – Was I supposed to know that? Okay, my bad.
Avanya – So, you’re in London right now?
Ved – I wish I were in London right now. I’m here in Delhi only. We’ll get to know each other I guess
Avanya – Oh oh, but you’ll go back right?
Avanya – Actually I won’t be in Delhi from 21st March to first week of April. University shutdown and all till 1st of April so yeah, going home
Ved – I will go back but not before end of April
Ved – I miss being in London. I belong there, with the people I love creating art with
Ved – Where you from though? Can I guess?
Avanya – I suck at guessing but you should give it a try Haha
Avanya – We can meet someday though
Ved – We can meet in the upcoming days if you want
Ved – And and, I guess you’re from Pune or Dehradun
Avanya – Did you just stalk my Instagram profile? Haha
Ved – Noo! I’ve travelled most states in India
Ved – I know people from the first look where they are from. I’m weird
Avanya – Okay okay, Genius
Ved – Not really a genius. Just stupid and laid back
Avanya – Anyways, there’s just two upcoming days lol
Ved – Soo? A lot of things can happen in 2 days
Ved – Let me know if you want to go for a drive
Avanya – Not a bad idea but I’ve stuffs to pack and some other works pending so
Ved – Oh! I can come to you if that’s alright with you
Ved – I would rather stay indoors than going out at the moment. I hate this fucking virus ugh
Avanya – Hey
Avanya – Are you by any chance free now?
Ved – Yes like in 20mins yeah
Ved – What are your plans?
Avanya – I’m super bored. Even my flat mates went home today, maybe that’s why
Avanya – Wanna go out?
Avanya – Oh wait, you said ‘indoors’
Ved – Yeah that’s what the thing is. Going out right now is fucked up
Ved - The whole day I’m watching Netflix or my friends are at my place
Avanya – I’m so fucked up because we’ve got no wifi here yet as we moved in to this place just like a week ago
Avanya – So can’t even Binge watch
Avanya – 50% of my phone’s internet just gets over in the morning itself
Ved- hahahhah
Ved – it’s fine. We can meet and talk, get to know each other
Ved – I also have a problem like so I’ve an international sim and it doesn’t work outside my house hahaha
Avanya - Lol I see, where do you put up though
Ved – Lajpat Nagar. I hate it here anyways
Ved – Also I am free now so I’ll come to you if you want
Ved - +44 ……..063
Ved - You can send me the location, and I’ll give you an estimate time of reaching there
Avanya – Cooolio
Avanya – What’s your Surname?
Ved – Sehgal
Ved – Why did you ask that? Hahaha
Avanya – To save your number, I’ve got another contact named Ved so lol
Ved –Hahaha okay
Obviously that was a white lie; you don’t ask people’s surnames just for fun or to save their contact. Avanya opened her instagram and typed ‘Ved Sehgal’ on the search bar. ‘Independent filmmaker’ it said. The whole of the profile evoked admiration. There were highlights from Edinburgh, Venice, Paris and Drake’s Concert etc etc. She spent a keen 10 minutes of time to stalk him.
She saved the number and ended the chat on bumble there itself. It’s always better on whatsapp.
Avanya – Hey Genius
Avanya – So yeah wait, I’m sending you the live location as well as the normal address
Ved – Heyy, okay send me
Avanya – Yup, done
Ved - Alright. It’s showing45mins. Can we meet a bit later like around 9?
Avanya – Yeah yeah cool, I don’t have deadlines lol
Ved – Hahaha. Like I’m sweet and nice, I ask for permission duh
Ved – Even asking stupid questions
Ved – Well if you don’t have anything to do, we can go for a drive a bit later
Ved – Do you drink or smoke?
Avanya – Why do you think I installed this app today? Hahaha I literally have nothing to do so yeah we can go
Avanya – Oh I don’t but its okay, I mean you can smoke /drink. I don’t mind
Avanya – I’m already a passive smoker lol
Ved – Hahaha no no. I wouldn’t do that
Ved – Fix the internet so we can watch something together
Ved – Pleaseeee
Ved – It will be fun
Ved – Hey, Did you die?
Ved – Don’t prepare yourself. I’m super chilled and laid back
Avanya – Wth, I was just cleaning my room
Avanya – hahaha
Ved – don’t do it, its fineeee
Avanya – Eww, I have to
Ved – Well, for me? Aww, so sweet of you
Avanya – No, not for you. I would have done it anyway
Ved – hahaha, I’m an asshole so don’t mind
Avanya – I’ve always been with assholes so no worries
Ved- Hahaha you’re cheeky
Ved – What time do you want me to come? I’m looking to escape
Avanya – Come now itself, if you can
Ved – I wish to come ASAP but the fucking traffic you know
Avanya – Yeah I know
Ved – Okay tell me one thing honestly
Avanya – Yes?
Ved – What do you want to do?
Avanya – You tell me lol
Ved – No, you tell me. I’m up for anything because super bored being quarantined
Avanya – Bring your laptop
Ved – Okay so I have no movies on my laptop unfortunately except Fight club and Scarface hahaha
Avanya – Never mind
Ved – Tomorrow is off right?
Ved – Like yes it is off
Avanya – Off for what lol
Ved – Never mind (2).
Ved – Okay, I’m going to leave in 10 mins, so send me the location again
Ved- Don’t send me the live, send me the normal one
She sends him the location. ‘Vijay Nagar, Double Storey- North Delhi’.
Avanya – There you go
Ved– I’ll text you when I’m leaving. I don’t have any mediums to contact you soo
Ved – I’ll be there in 40 mins? That’s cool?
Avanya – Yeah. See you!
Avanya – Also
Ved – yeah?
Ved – What is it? Tell me quickly
Avanya – Wear something in black maybe? You look good
Ved – Oh do not worry miss. I always wear black so yeah. And I’m wearing a white cap.
Avanya – Cap? You love wearing them?
Ved- Well, I love Drake.
Ved – See ya ;)
Even though the quoted words ‘Don’t prepare yourself’ clicked on her brain repeatedly, she struggled to choose what to wear. A date is a date after all. After a lot of wear-and-reject phase, she decided to relax and keep it all casual.
‘Okay, so, I’ve got still 10mins.’ She murmured.
‘Outfit. Checked.’
‘Room Clean up. Checked.’
‘Bed. Checked.’
‘Lights. Checked.’
‘Food. Fuck’ [Sighs]
‘Darn it. There’s nothing in the fridge, except Jo’s birthday cake which I’m sure is no more of the quality which can be served’.
Avanya had an intense dislike about the fact that their building had no lift and she stayed on the 4th floor. All that she asks for always, during her up and down journey by the stairs are, a bit of calf muscles.
She rushed to the dairy shop which was just nearby, to grab some ice cream and other kinds of products available. Just when she was 50 meters away from the gate, she saw a white car approaching towards her. And there he was, in a black shirt and a white Nike cap.
‘And this is what I call perfect timing.’ She stared at him and thought about his voice being not bad, not bad at all.
‘Heyy.’ Avanya felt an ear burning sensation while saying that.
‘Actually I was heading towards to the shop to buy something to eat actually. You can go forward and park there.’
‘What? So I’m gonna sit here alone and get some pep talk?’ – ‘Come on in and have a seat. I’ll take you to wherever you were going.’
Avanya had never been this awkward her whole life. She knew that she was acting like a dumb fuck.
‘Yeah, Sure.’ She managed to utter those two words somehow and sat beside him.
She went to the shop. Let me re phrase it. She went to some other shop instead of going to the dairy shop. She bought two packets of lays and a packet of Frooti. You heard me right. A packet of frooti for two people. “Total disaster”. Avanya had no idea what she was thinking at that point of time.
‘Yeah, let’s go.’
‘Oh, you done? That was quick.’
‘I’m quick.’ [Chuckles]
He parked the car at an angle and they moved out.
‘So, you got to sneak in without causing any uninvited sound yeah?’
‘Aye aye Captain.’
‘Dude. What’s that?’
‘Oh, that ends up taking you to the terrace.’
‘YOU’VE GOT A TERRACE?’ – ‘WTH’ – ‘YOU’RE NOT GOING HOME. PLEASE STAY.’ He said and went up to the terrace.
‘Wow. So, I’m gonna call my dad and be like,” Hey Dad, I suddenly decide not to come home because I just met this guy on a dating app today and he wants to spend time on my flat’s terrace”?
‘Oh umm, I won’t mind that. No I will not.’
[Both laughing]
It felt good. That particular phase of time and space with that random guy wasn’t bad at all. They both were gazing at the stars. Ved stood six feet apart from Avanya and tried all the possible ways to make her feel homely and comfortable with him.
‘You know something?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I know COVID–19 is a very serious issue but it’s okay, you won’t die if you come near me.’
‘What the?’ [Scoffs]
They exchanged looks.
‘Don’t give me that look’ He said.
‘Why?’
‘Because that shit won’t work on me.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘You’re excused, pretty lady’
Ved’s charm was definitely working on Avanya and she was well aware about that.
‘Don’t worry. All these things don’t work on me too. Not now at least.’
‘Not now?’
‘Right.’
‘Why? What happened to you? Do I have the permission to ask?’
‘You’ve already asked.’
‘Oops. So then answer it?’
‘It’s nothing. Leave it.’
‘Left it already. But so that you know, you can rant about anything. You got me?’
‘We are not here to do this. Are we?’
‘You don’t plan things.’
‘You don’t plan to break hearts too. But that’s no excuse.’ Avanya looked at him and gave a half smile.
‘What? Are you planning to break my heart honey?’
‘Kidding’ [Chuckles]
‘Hearts don’t break when you spend a day with someone for fun and then they leave the next day. Instead, a heart breaks when someone assures you that they are going to be there with you forever no matter what and then they break that assurance,’ said Avanya clearing her throat.
Even if Avanya didn’t spill out the tea, Ved knew what it was all about. He came close to her and gave her “a friendly tight hug”. She knew it was all so temporary and not really genuine, but she did not deny that it felt real. It felt real and an emotional one even if it was from a guy who was almost a stranger.
‘You’re going to be fine. It’s all going to make sense someday, you stupid little munchkin’ He whispered and gave her a quick head rub.
‘What a cheese cake.’
‘Shut up. Am I allowed to smoke?’
‘I don’t own you and you don’t work under me. So, do whatever you want.’
‘What the hell. I was just trying to be sweet. I like to take permissions you stupid.’
‘What a joker. Just smoke. Don’t ask.’
‘Shut up.’
‘Let me guess two things.’
‘And they are?’ Ved asked with big curious eyes.
‘First, you don’t have a terrace at your home.’
‘Correct.’
‘Second. You’re not allowed to smoke at your home.’
‘Correct again.’
‘Aww, that’s sad. But don’t be jealous haan.’
‘Jealous. And me?’
‘Jealous. And yes, you.’
‘Okay. So let me brief you a little about my life. You know, in the last 5 months, I’ve travelled to almost the top cities of both UK and US and I have.’ While Ved was about to continue, Avanya interrupts him.
‘Bla-Bla-Bla. I don’t hear you. Did you say anything?’
‘Stupid kid.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘You’re excused again.’
‘Just shut up and let’s go down.’
‘Man, don’t go home. I love this place.’
‘And you’ll pay for the tickets that I’ve booked?’
‘Cool. How much is it?’
‘Shut up.’
‘What shut up haan? Is that all you know?’
Avanya turned towards him, brought herself close to his face. She felt her heart beating faster as soon as her hands touched his’. She made sure that it didn’t turn to be a ‘Tried to kiss him but got his cheek’ thing. And there she was, kissing him passionately and him being a good gentle kisser as well. The moon that night, shone a little more bright. They were both speechless as they hugged the fuck out of each other.
‘Let’s go down now?’ Avanya said with a little bit of blush on her face.
‘After you, ma’am.’
‘Don’t laugh if I fall down.’
‘Oh, I WILL. FOR SURE.’
Avanya knew that was a mean reply yet she enjoyed it. She liked it with him. Indeed.
‘Welcome to my not-so-massive place.’
‘Dude. This is way too massive. Come on.’
‘And this is my room. But we’ve got single beds, so.’
‘I love single beds.’
They both knew what they intended to mean.
‘Make yourself comfortable.’ As soon as she finished the sentenced and turned back, she saw Ved lying down on the bed already.
‘Perfect. You seem comfortable already’, said Avanya.
‘What do you want to watch on Netflix or should I suggest any?’
‘I’m sure I’ve watched all the films that you’re about to suggest.’
‘Please. Don’t bluff.’
‘Hello. I’m the king of Netflix. Okay?’
‘Ha-Ha-Ha’
‘Shut the fuck up.’
‘I won’t.’
‘You won’t?’
‘No.’
‘Come here.’
‘What?’
‘Come close.’
She went near him and felt his hands on her.
‘WHAT THE FUCK. YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TICKLE ME.’ Avanya screamed.
Avanya hit Ved and tried to escape.
‘What a baby. Oh my god.’ Ved was barely able to breathe and couldn’t stop laughing.
‘Get lost. I.’
‘I hate you.’ – ‘That’s what you were about say, right?’ – ‘Damn. It’s just an hour since I’ve met you and I already know you.’
‘You don’t know anything about me.’
‘Oh I do. You are cheeky.’
‘Are you by any chance calling me rude?’
‘Lol. I simply mean that you’re bold and sassy. British things you know.’
‘Angrez kahi ka.’
‘Oye, tu mere se angrezi me hi baat kar rahi hain jab se mili hain toh isliye tu chup hi reh.’
‘Whatever.’ Avanya said and gave him eye-rolls.
‘Stupid.’
‘Fuck off.’
‘Fuck you.’
Avanya wondered if he really meant it. But then she also knew it was just a hook up and he is obviously there for that. She reminded herself that it was just a one night thing and that they were not going to talk the following day. So, better not get smitten by his charm.
‘What? Where are you lost at?’ Ved asked.
‘Nothing.’
‘Hell. Wait. I was just kidding. We don’t have to fuck each other. I can just sit and listen to you for hours you know.’ He said and smirked.
’Fuck-boy line on point.’
‘You want me to tickle you again?’
‘NO. I’LL KILL YOU.’
‘Shit. I’m scared.’
‘Anyway, I know you’re here only for sex so you can just tell me directly.’
‘Okay. That was way too straightforward.’
‘I don’t want you to pretend, so.’
‘Listen. You know if you were boring, I would have already put off your clothes till now.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Nothing. I just meant that there are more things to do with you.’
‘Like?’
‘Like tease you by taking a picture of your college ID.’
‘Fuck. Keep that BACK.’ Avanya was on the verge of throwing her phone on him.
Ved refused to keep it back while at the meantime Avanya tried hard to snatch it away from him.
‘Hah. You wish kiddo.’
‘Please Ved, please.’
Ved found himself staring at her and smiling like a six year old. They both fell silent, and gave each other a “What Happened” glance. They could feel something but preferred not to know the answers like the previous time. Neither of them knew that their hook up was about to turn into one of the most euphoric times they have ever spent with anyone till date.
‘It’s just your college ID. No big deal.’
‘No, keep it back naa. You’ll see my photo on it.’
‘Oh god. I WON’T. Pinky promise!’
‘Did you just use the word “promise’?’
‘Haan I did. So?’
‘Lol.’
‘What?’
‘Promises are made to be broken.’
‘I knew that you’re going to say this overrated line. But’
‘But what?’
‘My little pinky will try to keep her promise.’ He said with a big grin on his face.
[Both chuckled]
‘Where did that sound come from? Mine or yours?’
‘Obviously yours. Bhukkad.’
‘Oh please. The last thing I ate was my lunch. So’
‘And I have been eating lots of things since I came here na?’
‘Blue lays.’
‘Wow. Bold of you to assume that it’s sufficient for my stomach.’
‘Cooooool. Let’s go somewhere and have food then.’ Avanya suggested.
‘Kaha jana hain?’
‘Let’s get out first.’
‘Okay, as you wish stupid.’ He said and hit on her head softly.
They switched off the lights and Ved followed Avanya as they walked out of the flat. Avanya found difficulty in locking the door as she always tried to escape the lock and key game. She didn’t want him to notice her incapability of doing such an easy task so she desperately kept trying to lock the door.
‘You’re a kid. Just admit the god damn fact.’
‘I’m not. Just because I’m not being able to lock the door, you can’t come to a conclusion as such.’
‘Whatever. Now just excuse yourself and give me that.’
‘Go ahead.’ Avanya passed the key.
They sneaked out of the building in a manner as if they had entered illegally.
‘Seat belt please, ma’am.’
‘I was about to.’
‘Oh I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.’ He teased her.
‘Where do you want to go?’
‘Jupiter.’
‘Wh-what? Kaha?’ Ved asked as he thought he heard something objectionable.
‘Lol. Nothing.’
‘Did you just say JUPITER?’
‘Oh yes.’ Avanya replied and giggled.
‘Beta yeh gaddi Agra tak nahi jaa payegi, aur aapko Jupiter jana hain. Amazing.’ – ‘Should have brought the other car.’
‘Arey its okay! We can go meet your fellow aliens next time, aaj CP hi chale jaate hain.’
‘Wtf?’
[Both laughing]
Avanya didn’t care to worry about the fact that she was out with almost a stranger and it was 11:40 pm. She knew it wasn’t supposed to feel safe but she did feel safe.
‘Hey.’ Ved said as he played some music.
‘What?’
‘You said that we can go meet my fellow aliens next time.’
‘Yes, so?’
‘So that means.’
‘What? Say it fast.’
‘So that means there is a next time?’
Avanya blushed and gazed out of the window of the car as soon as she Ved asked that thing.
‘Tell me?’ Ved asked.
‘I don’t know.’
‘What do you know then?’
‘I know that this music is boring.’
‘EXCUSE ME? You’re listening to one of best hi-tech music produced. Okay?’
‘Whatever.’
‘Anyway, if you want to play something else then you may.’
‘No. No need of that.’
‘Huh, why?’
‘Because you won’t like it.’
‘Ayy that seriously does not matter. And you know what?’
‘What?’
‘You should never hesitate to show people what keeps you alive. And your playlist is surely one of those things that make you feel better and alive. So’ He said and smiled at Avanya.
She smiled back at him. Ved’s way of saying those lines somewhat impressed Avanya and she was aware of it.
‘We’ve reached your CP and all I can see are closed cafes and shops.’
‘Oh no.’ Avanya exclaims.
‘All because of you.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘You’re excused.’
‘I asked you to come along with me?’
‘WOW. AVANYA. WOW. Slow claps.’ Said Ved with a surprise in his tone.
‘I’m hungry.’
‘I am not.’
‘Get lost.’
‘This is my car.’
‘FINE. Now let’s find food somewhere.’
‘Do you like paranthas?’
‘Haan. I love them. Why?’
‘Don’t ask questions. Just sit and keep quiet. I’ll take you somewhere.’
Ved drove her to a place near Lajpat Nagar where one can find one of the tastiest paranthas. It was a small stall that served with a wide range of hot paranthas with chai. He often used to come there whenever he used to have bad midnight cravings.
‘Here we are.’
‘Whoa. This looks good!’
‘Shut up. It neither looks good nor fancy but you’ll surely love its paranthas.’
‘I am sure of that.’
‘So. You sit inside. I’ll go and get us Paranthas.’
‘Should I come?’
‘No. It’s better for you to not come out. Virus won’t like it.’ He smiled and winked at her.
‘And you think you’re Iron man?’
‘Well, yes.’
‘Shut up.’
‘So, what do you want to have?’
‘Paranthas.’
‘Oh god. I know that stupid. But which one? Aloo parantha/ Paneer parantha/ Gobi?’ He asked and waited for her response.
‘Ummmmmm.’
‘Yaar, Jaldi bol! KBC nahi khel rahe hain’
Avanya laughed and teased him more.
‘Fine. Aloo.’
‘Great. I knew it.’
‘Whatever. Now go!!!’
He gave her a ‘You’re a pain in the brain’ look and got out of the car. Meanwhile, Avanya kept staring at him as he got busy waiting in the queue. She realized that particular night was so needed from a long time. She liked the jovial mood which she was in that night.
She opened the door as he waited outside with 2 plates of Paranthas and dahi.
‘Like it?’
‘Definitely love it. It’s so good!’
‘I know right. My mom cooks them too but the diet ones you know. So, I just come and eat these instead.’
‘She is like my mom then.’
After a few cute moments of feeding each other, they decided to head back towards Avanya’s place. It was 2 am already.
Adam Levine’s lost stars was being played right on time.
Please don't see just a boy caught up in dreams and fantasies
Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see
Take my hand let's see where we wake up tomorrow
Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand
They badly wanted to take a hold of each other’s hands but refused to do so. Not being able to resist the feeling, Ved finally managed to fill the spaces between his fingers. The feeling was special even if they both knew it’s not the first time that they were holding someone’s hand.
No matter how much one denies, everyone likes to be loved even if they were not seeking for it at that moment.
‘Aren’t these relationship kinds of stuffs?’ Ved asked
‘Mm-hmm.’
‘I hate relationships.’
‘I am not fond of them as well.’ Avanya said and found them giving each other a look.
Those particular lines from both of them made them leave each other’s hand slowly and in an undesirable way. They sat silently the rest of the journey. They reached her colony after 20 minutes.
‘So, we’ve reached.’
‘Thanks.’
‘For what?’
‘For the drive, for the paranthas and for the underrated dialogues.’
‘Yes, lucky you.’
‘Shut up.’
‘Kidding man.’ – ‘Okay I will take a leave now.’
‘Don’t want to come up?’
‘No, it’s okay. That won’t be a good idea.’
‘Cool then. Bye. Take care, don’t die.’
‘Never for a woman, at least.’
‘Very funny. Bye.’ Avanya got out of the car.
‘Hey.’
‘What?’ She asked with curious eyes.
‘It was just a one-night thing?’
‘I guess.’
Both smiled and took a leave from each other’s view. Probably they both were scared enough to let a good feeling stay for a longer time, in their hearts and life. Avanya freshened up and put on her bed time clothes. She kept recalling and remembering all that happened in a single night. She opened her whatsapp and read their chat. She typed a, ‘Hey, thanks for today’ but then backspaced it. After having two failed relationships, Avanya didn’t have the guts to get attach with another guy again.
12th March, 2020
It’s 7 am. As she struggled to put off the alarm clock, something caught Avanya’s attention. It was a text from Ved.
Ved – Hey.
Ved – I left my cap at your place! Can I get it back today itself? It’s my favorite.
(And the rest, my friends, is history)
Well, someone said it right – “Nothing goes according to the plan.” – But something always goes according to our stars.
This is how Ved and Avanya unknowingly invite one of the most euphoric days of their twenties.
Special Thanks – Dear favorite cap,
