Nishi and Abul were sitting for dinner when Nishi’s father called.
Father: “Where are you, dear? Why is it taking so long?”
Nishi: “Baba, I’m out with friends. I’ll be home soon.”
Father: “Tell me where you are, I’ll come to pick you up. It’s already evening, and you never stay out unnecessarily at this hour. And that too, alone.”
Nishi: “Alone? Baba, I already told you, I’m with my friends!”
Father: “Which friends? Rumki just called a little while ago to check if you had reached home!”
Nishi realized she was caught. She had never lied to her father like this before, so she felt like she was messing everything up. Meanwhile, her father’s voice carried a hint of unease. Though he wanted his daughter to get married, he also knew how simple and innocent she was. He constantly worried that she might unknowingly fall into trouble.
Father: “Alright, if you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. Just be careful. And if you need me to pick you up, call me.”
Nishi: “Baba, I’m almost twenty-three. Is there really any reason for you to worry so much about me? And besides, ever since you started chemo, you stopped driving. Nothing serious has happened that requires you to come and pick me up. I’m fine. I’ll hang up now.”
Saying this, she quickly ended the call. She felt extremely uncomfortable because Abul had been sitting in front of her, listening to the entire conversation. And the whole time, he had been smirking, which made the situation even more embarrassing.
Abul: “Not used to lying at all, huh? Poor thing…”
Nishi: “Are you enjoying this?”
Abul: “Well, sometimes a little lie is necessary when you’re on a date!” (He found it amusing that she was so innocent and unused to lying.)
Nishi: “I’m feeling really uncomfortable. Can we leave now? Your idea of fun is not amusing to me at all.”
Abul: “What did I do?”
Nishi: “You called this a ‘date.’ I’m not on a date with you.”
Abul: “Then what are we doing?”
Nishi: “Just because we’re having coffee and talking, does that automatically make it a date?”
Abul: “Well, what do you think? Honestly, can’t we call this a date? You can take your time answering, but sooner or later, you’ll agree—I know it.”
Nishi: “Maybe you’re used to charming a hundred girls like this, but I’m not like that. Do whatever you want—I’m sorry, but I have to go. You take your time finishing your meal.”
Saying this, Nishi hurriedly got up and started walking away. She signaled to the waiter and settled the bill before Abul could stop her. Then, she walked ahead while Abul rushed to follow her.
Abul: “If you keep walking so fast, you might trip! Slow down! I’ll drop you home.”
Nishi: “No need. You don’t have to bother. I can manage just fine on my own, as I always do.”
Abul: “But how? You’ll have to call a taxi, bargain with the driver—it’ll take time. Just stop being so stubborn and get in my car. I’ll drop you off quickly.”
Nishi: “No, I can go alone.”
Abul: “Alone? Do you really think a random taxi driver is safer than me?”
Nishi: “Why do you talk so much? Won’t you leave me alone? That wasn’t the deal!”
Abul: “At least let me know when we’re meeting for coffee again?”
Frustrated, Nishi turned around and glared at him. Abul realized this girl wasn’t going to be easy. It was time for Plan B. He looked at her seriously.
Abul: “I don’t know what you think of yourself, but I’m done. I won’t keep running after you. Just give me your phone number. If needed, we’ll talk over the phone instead.”
He spoke with such a serious tone that Nishi didn’t even think twice. Without hesitation, she rattled off her number. Abul quickly pulled out his phone to save it. The first few digits were fine, but he got stuck near the end.
The last digit—he was sure it was ‘seven.’ When she said it, he had been delighted because he had a thing for numbers ending in seven. But what was the digit before that? He couldn’t remember! And Nishi was already annoyed, so asking her again wasn’t an option. He had to come up with something clever.
Abul: “You know, talking to intelligent people is always fun. For example, I have a great memory—I can recall any number after hearing it just once. How’s your IQ? If I tell you my number once, can you repeat it?”
Nishi found this amusing. She had a knack for remembering things, too—whether it was phone numbers or locations, she could recall them perfectly if she wanted to. But only if she wanted to. She believed the brain had a storage limit, so she didn’t waste space on unimportant things.
Nishi: “Are you challenging me?”
Abul: “Not exactly, just having some fun!”
Nishi: “Okay, done. What are the rules? And what happens if I win?”
Abul: “Simple rules. I’ll say my number once. You have to repeat it immediately. Then you’ll say yours, and I’ll repeat it. If you win, I’ll do something you ask. If I win, you have to do something I ask.”
Nishi: “That’s unfair! How can I agree to an unknown condition?”
Abul: “First, try to win! And don’t worry—I won’t ask for anything inappropriate. Like, I’m not going to say, ‘If you lose, you have to kiss me right here on the street,’ right? You can trust me on that.”
Nishi: “Fine, as long as you promise to keep it respectful.”
Abul: “Great! Now, tell me your number.”
Nishi: “Oh, hold on…”
Abul: “What happened?”
Nishi: “This isn’t fair!”
Abul: “Why?”
Nishi: “I already told you my number earlier. That means you’ve had two chances to hear it, while I only get one chance to hear yours!”
Abul: “Oh, I see! Okay, then I’ll say mine first. You repeat it. If you mess up, we’ll try again so that both of us get two chances. Fair?”
The way Abul said ‘mess up’ stung Nishi’s pride. She wasn’t sure whether to get angry or not. Her sudden silence made Abul uneasy—it was like the calm before a storm. He quickly tried to change the subject.
Abul: “So, since you’re so confident, have you decided what you’ll ask for if you win? And what will you give me if you lose?”
Nishi: “I never lose. You will lose.”
Abul: “Your confidence is impressive! But seriously, if you win, what do you want?”
Nishi: “Freedom from you.”
Abul: “And if I win?”
Nishi: “Just friendship—nothing more. If you try to cross the boundary, it’s over!”
Abul: “Alright! Let’s start. You were in a hurry, remember?”
Nishi: “Oh, right! I almost forgot my dad is waiting for me.”
Abul: “Then let’s not waste time. Ready?”
Nishi: “Yes, let’s begin…”
Scarborough, Canada
