The date

For those who think this is familiar, yes this is the same one with a few changes here and there. And for those who like reading between the lines, yes, this is autobiographical. Except for a few changes here and there, some actions that never happened and some sentences that were never said.

Scene 1: 4:30pm. Mama Hyde is talking to her cousin. I soon become the topic of conversation.

'Does Edward go out on dates?' my aunt asked.

'He doesn't, actually. I have never seen him go on one. All his female friends are Internet buddies and all of them live elsewhere.'

'He should start going out, you know.'

'I know, but for some reason he doesn't. I have teased him about his non-existent dates. But I know he will tell me when he decides to go on one.'

At around the same time, I got a call from Supriya, one of my friends in Bangalore.

'Eddie, what are your plans for tonight?' she asked.

'Nothing special, why are you asking?'

Only a few days earlier, I had confessed to her about my loneliness and how I seemed to have no solution to the problem. I had a feeling she was up to something.

'Good' she said.

She is definitely up to something.

'My best friend is going to Guwahati via Chennai this evening. She doesn't know anybody there, and I want you to give her company till she boards her connecting train.' she continued.

I knew it!

'What are you trying to do?' I asked, fully knowing what she was trying to do.

'Please Eddie, listen to me. She is my best friend, and you are a good friend. I know you can do this for me, can't you?', she pleaded.

I sighed. Emotional blackmail never fails.

'Alright, what is her name and how does she look like?'. I could imagine Supriya beaming.

'Her name is Roopali. She is around 5 feet 2 inches tall. Has long hair and wears spectacles. Is fair and very pretty.'

I groaned inwardly. I always found it difficult to resist bespectacled pretty girls.

'And she is a dentist.'

Wow, she can spend her time observing my twin rows of faulty teeth.

'You are setting me up, aren't you?'

'Anything wrong with that? That monotonous life of yours can do with a change.'

She had a point. And the idea of meeting up with a total stranger was a trifle exciting.

Putting it mildly.

'Well, you are not giving me much time. Considering that her train is bound to arrive in a few hours, I guess I will have to leave the office early.' I began formulating a plan in my head.

'You do that. Take her out to dinner on your bike...'

Her connecting train leaves in less than two hours and I take her out to dinner? What about her luggage?

'... and when she leaves, give her a hug.'

Things were getting out of hand.

'A hug?' I exclaimed.

'Okay a hug would be too much, you can shake hands, can't you? Now you have a story you can tell your grandchildren!'

Like that is ever going to happen, I thought.

According to the plan I made, I would leave at 6pm, go home, freshen up and leave for the Central railway station. And stock up on currencies in my purse on the way. I expected to make it to the station by 8.30pm.

I did not consider the peak-hour traffic.

Scene 2: 7pm. Nearing Kathipara Junction.

I was still half-way towards home. I began to have second thoughts about the whole thing. Perhaps I could call and express my inability to make it. And risk incurring the wrath of two women. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and I did not want to imagine the fury of two scorned women.

I looked at the statue of Nehru in the distance, asking his opinion. And as if on cue, all that I read on chivalry came to mind. The lights changed and instead of turning right and going home, I took the left turn to go to the Central station.

After filling enough petrol to last the night, I rode towards GN Chetty Road to stock up my purse. All the way I cursed ABN AMRO for not having enough ATMs in the city.

Scene 3: 7:30pm. ABN AMRO ATM, GN Chetty Road.

Now that the plan to go home was totally shelved, I realised my parents had no idea what I was upto. A brief call should solve the problem, I thought. Luckily for me, Mama Hyde answered the phone. The lines of communication work if all issues are routed to Papa Hyde through Mama Hyde. Prevents unnecessary delay.

'I am not coming home for dinner. I am going to the Central station.'

'Why?'

'I don't have time to explain now. Will tell you when I reach home. The train leaves at 10pm. So I should be home by 11.'

Not wanting to get caught in any more traffic, I took the route through Chetpet. As I drove towards Chetpet, I began to panic.

'I did not take a shower. I am going in my office wear. I am stinking already. I have a bag with me. And she is a dentist. I did not even brush my teeth. I wanted to put my best foot forward. And I am still shy. I know I am, even though I claim the opposite!'

Like all fortunate times, the saner part of my mind came to my rescue.

'Get a grip on yourself. This is not a date and you had better realise that. Breathe deeply and relax. It doesn't matter if you put your worst foot forward. It is still your foot! Prioritise. You have to reach Central before 8.30 and it is almost 8. And stop panicking! You remember how you panicked those three times, don't you?'

Those three times were awful. I felt helpless, lost and totally paranoid.

Now relaxed, I rode towards the Central railway station complex.

To be continued...