F. Alright, Love Guru

After Vishwas left, I said, "You go, I need to go somewhere. You can go home alone."

Shraddha said, "I don't have any work, I'll go with you."

"You're coming? What's happened to you? Is everything okay? You don't have anxiety anymore?" I said, teasing her.

"Ha, very funny! But you know, I'm looking for a new painting idea, but I don't know how to find it."

"And tagging along with me is going to magically inspire you? ...w..wait...What's the idea?"

"If you misunderstand, then don't ask," her smile suggested that it was probably a useless idea in her mind.

I demanded, already regretting it. "Just tell me the idea!"

"If you want to talk to me, you'll have to book a date for me," she said, winking.

I rolled my eyes and said, "You and your dumb jokes! Listen! Miss Shraddha, I'm not interested in anyone."

"Anyone? Are you a Pavitra Manas (Holy man)?"

"Pavitr? Pure?"

"Sadhvi, yogi, sannyasi, vairagi?" (Holy person)

"What curse are you giving me? Just stop! I don't know, but I've never felt anything for anyone. I don't understand dating or love... wait, why am I telling you this?"

"I've never dated anyone, my whole life has been spent watching movies and series, so I think I'm movie-sexual."

I felt like laughing, but the joke was really dumb. "Don't say that, was that your first date?"

"True! I'm scared of going on dates."

Oh! That's why, she didn't know what to wear. After going on 58 dates, I realized I didn't like anyone. I dated boys, but then I found out they were all boring. One day, I got the courage to try dating girls, but I stopped thinking, 'Why does gender matter if I'm not interested?'

"Let's go, I'm in pain because of you. I had to face Vishwas again."

We flagged down an auto and sat quietly, leaving a noticeable gap between us. Shraddha seemed at ease, though, her shoulders relaxed like she'd just won a battle with herself.

When we reached home, I went straight to my room to start Googling interview prep tips. You know, like an adult. I was halfway through a video titled "Ace Your Dream Job!" when there was a knock on my door.

Shraddha was standing at the door. "What the fuck do you want?" I asked.

She was munching Fapada (Gujarati Chips) and said, "Will you tell me?" then walked into my room. I got frustrated, then looked around my room and said, "It's nice here."

I asked, "Shraddha, what do you want? Go outside, I need to work."

"Tame mane next date mate shu pehervu te kahi sakso? Vaat to ahiya che ke mane koi anubhav nathi, to tame mane sikhavi sakso? Vishwas saate je rite tame vyavhaar kariyo, te mate mane khub khotu lagyu."

(Can you tell me what to wear for our next date? The thing is, I don't have any experience, so can you teach me? I felt really bad about the way I behaved with Vishwas.)

"Huh? khotu... shu? Khatta susu? Sour..p..e  no wayyyyyy ? What mantra are you chanting? Is this some Black magic Mantra? or wedding Mantra or You craving something sour? If it is, what the fuck I do? Just go ahead and put 2-3 lemons on your head!"

She rolled her eyes and said, she got angry as if I said it, repeating what was said in Gujarati.

"Will you tell me what to wear for the next date? Actually, I have no experience, so can you teach me? I feel bad for how I behaved with Vishwas."

"Do you even like him?" I crossed my arms.

"Yes! He's so cute."

It was always like this, people getting starry-eyed over someone new. I wanted to ask her about her favorite painting instead or what colors she loved to mix on a canvas. Talking about art made more sense to me than this endless loop of crushes and dates. But I couldn't let go of my attitude.

"Anything else you need?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who taught you about dating and stuff?"

"There was a boy in my school who taught me everything. He was so cute too, would make little things for me and bring me food."

"So, was he your first boyfriend?" She put the Fafada (Gujarati chips) aside, and I sat next to her on the bed, and she made some space between us, sitting back in a relaxed half-lying position, with the laptop between us.

"NO! He liked me. I never felt the same for anyone... (She didn't say anything, so I continued) Don't judge me, I'm not a heart-player girl."

She replied, Shraddha suddenly sat up straight. "Hey, something just came to my mind."

"What?" I asked.

"My grandfather used to say he loved poetry, and he said, 'What I wanted, she didn't have, and what she wanted, I didn't have.' "

"Nothing makes sense, your grandfather needs to work on his metaphors."

But in my mind, I felt like at least she didn't judge me. That was enough. Otherwise, everyone else just judges me and says I'm the type of girl who uses people. I don't really care, but I just keep hearing that.

"It will make sense, wait for that one day. You know, my grandfather's words never made sense to anyone."

"I didn't get it either." I said.

Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Can you teach me how to date someone?"

I smirked. An idea popped into my head. "Look, dating isn't something you learn by talking. It's something you DO."

"Means, action speaks louder than words?"

"Perfect quote, You're the one who said you needed lessons. shall we?" I leaned in slightly.

For a split second, she looked confused, then intrigued, and finally, she burst out laughing. "Alright, Love Guru (Professor Cupid). Let's see what you've got!"