“Think Kate, think…” I kept repeating this line to myself I don’t know for how long. We had our eyes locked on each other. Neither he said something nor did word came from my mouth. And then on the sound of the mic, this stillness broke and we were back in the real time.
“So, I hope that you all got your dates for the coming prom. Try to get to know each other, and you may never know you may hit it off. Good luck to all and a wish that no one, I mean no one should be alone on their prom” The girl said, everyone applaud and then there were chit-chatting between people. Our eyes found each other again. Kate and Adam had left the cafeteria. I started the conversation,
“Sorry about that.”
“No problem, at least this isn’t…”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I am here so it’s obvious that I am looking for my 14 number prom date which I still didn’t found her.”
“Maybe she left”
How could she? She is standing in front of you man. You are on the other side because you don’t that I am that person. Oh yeah, I have an advantage.
“I hope that she doesn’t…”
“And the reason is?”
“The reason is I am looking for a date. This is the senior year and I really don’t want to be in prom alone standing in my tux.”
“Well, someone is obsessed a little bit with prom…”
Well, I have never seen boys being so into proms. Well for girls prom is a big thing, but for guys I don’t know. Maybe I don’t have knowledge about this, or maybe I don’t know guys like Prakash who by the way are.
“I may sound like that or maybe I am but I really don’t want a prom memory in which I am standing alone. Watching others dancing while I will be sitting on the table drinking something.”
Well our image was almost same. I can feel what he felt. He didn’t wanted a sad or I can say not a good memory of a prom. Every senior looks for prom, that’s the time where and when they can dance together, make memories together and much more. And then out of nowhere I don’t know how but I uttered,
“What type of date you want?”
He was stood for a little time, trying to read my but he didn’t get any. I am good at giving mixed signals.
“Why do you want to know?”
“Just curious…”
“Well, I may try look for number 14 rather than full-filling your curiosity”
He was about to turn to leave but I got hold of his hand.
“Ok, how about this. We will keep walking, looking for your date and in the mean while we will talk too.”
Well, that came automatically. On its own. I don’t know why but I really wanted to know.
“Cool, but before that I have a question and after that we will do what you just said.”
“And it is?”
“Where’s your date?”
“Sorry…”
“Well you are here so it’s kinda obvious that you are here for a date as well. So where is your date?”
Out of any question he asked this. Well it was an obvious question still I wasn’t prepared to face it. I have to think something to cook and say before I spill from my mouth about me being number 14.
“My friend needed some help so I came here. I helped her and was about to leave when I bumped into you”
“Ok then. Shall we start?”
He didn’t asked another question. We started walking from person to person. Whoever girl he saw alone, went to her and asked the number on her pink paper. And after checking three girls I started,
“Will you answer?”
“Oh yeah sorry about that. You asked me what type of date I want right?”
“Yes.”
“Well I don’t have any type so… any girl will work.”
“Really so you want a girl with any quality? Any girl would work?”
“Well when did I said a girl?”
“You just did.”
“I said date, not a girl. You asked me about date not a girl.”
Well that was a catch. He was right about that though but doesn’t date simply implies to girl? His answer somehow made me to go on.
“So, ok tell me what type of girl you want?”
“Well I think she should be of good nature. Open minded, understanding, may not be smart or good at studying but I hope that she should be outgoing. I want that her perspective and mine would match but also differ as well. And…”
He left when he saw another girl and asked what number she was holding. He got a little bit disappointed as she told that her number was 33 and she already found her date. We started walking again and he continued, I didn’t needed him to remind again.
“And, well not and this is for now. I may want more things but I will figure them out once I am with her.”
“You sound mature than your age.” He really did. He was sounding like a hero in an emotional movie.
“Well should I be sorry about that?” he laughed a little so did I. I started to like the conversation.
Let’s know you more Prakash.
“So tell me how you came up with those things you stated above?”
“You really want to hear it?”
“I do have time…”
“Just tell me when you get bored, we will wrap it up.”
“I will” but why did I said to myself… I won’t get bored.
“Well the first thing open-minded because I myself am. Because if she isn’t, then there will be problem. Open-mindedness somehow comes along with perspective. If we doesn’t see the thing in the same way, clash would happen which may lead to dead end.”
“So you need a girl who thinks just like you?”
“Just like me? Nah, it won’t do any good.”
“But you just said about seeing things the same way.”
“Yeah I did, but I also said about different as well… remember?”
Yeah he did mention differ.
“So, who do you want same and different?”
“Same because so that we have the same perspective about it. Different because it may not be like I can see or understand thing in right way or you could say appropriate way. Then I think she could be the only one who can make me. And that’s where understand comes as well. If we have understanding we will be able to understand the thing which we weren’t”
And we bumped into another girl standing, he went and came a little sad again. She wasn’t having his number, the number 14 which he was looking for. Cafeteria was not getting less crowded, people were leaving single or with another person.
“And you don’t want your girl to be smart of good at studies? And you want her to be outgoing?”
“Yeah” he said with a little loud voice with a big smile on his face.
“Explain this was well.”
“Well, see I am good at studying and somehow smart. So I don’t need those qualities again. I am not saying that they shouldn’t have those but these are not my prime requirement. Because as I said before I have them on some level. And I want her to be outgoing because I am not.”
“I still need an explanation”
We sat on the bench while he was still holding that 14 number paper.
“See, I have qualities. Right?”
“Right”
“So if have those, I may not need them again right?”
“Right.”
“Then what should I look for?”
“The one you don’t have.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t have them.”
“And what’s that?”
“You are not outgoing person.”
“You said it yourself.” He said with a wink.
Man, he is good.
“She will teach me something and I will teach her something. And that’s how you go ahead. Well at least I think I do.”
He was different. And all I could say was to myself was,
I want to know him more.
He was playing with that paper when I excused myself to call my mom. I got back and said,
“Will you with me somewhere?”
“Where?” he asked.
“I want to buy…”
“I think I shouldn’t. Maybe the date is on its way”
“I want to buy my Prom dress.”
“Why do you want me to come?” his whole phase was a question mark. I liked it. I wanted that. I really liked that.
“It would be great if my date helps me decide what to wear?” I said with a grin
He stood up, amazed, puzzled, shocked and he had a smile as well.
“So you were…”
I quickly handed over the pink paper upon which 14 number was written.
“So you were playing with me?”
“You should call it “trying to know you” but that’s works too…” I giggled.
“And for the record, let me be your date first and let’s see if I can be your girl as well…”
I smiled again, so he did. And we both left together. Still talking, laughing and smiling.
Well now I don’t think “Senior Year Sucks….”
Comments (0)
See all