Neel

Dharm and me took bus number 250 which is one of the buses whose destination is beach M. Beach M is known for being surrounded by rocks, greenery and many different hotels and establishments.

“Are we going to beach?” I asked.

“Yes, we are.” He spoke.

“But its winter, its going to be even more cold down there…”

“Lets just go, you won’t regret it. And since its winter, it will be even less occupied.”

We took our ticket from bus conductor. Before boarding the bus, I first changed in my house. I wore a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants and white shoes. That’s the best I could come up as I didn’t like what else I had. We then went to his apartment, and somehow, he wore the same thing. Same as in totally same. So, there were two guys in total black wear with white shoes.

After around 45 minutes, we reached the beach’s bus stop. When we got out of bus the cold wind touched our body and even though I was in sweats, hairs on my body stood in attention. It was damn chilly.

We started strolling along the shore, a little behind so that the waves won’t touch our feet. Dharm didn’t say anything while we were strolling and I didn’t start anything from my side too. We just kept walking, glancing at each other time to time and then again looking ahead. After a little while, he gestured me to sit down to which I did. The only thing that we were hearing were some people who were also on beach and the sound of wave hitting the shore, going back, and then again hitting the shore.

“You know what I like about beach?” He started.

“Tell me.”

“It’s one of the rare places that even though it’s so noisy, it still calms you. A contradictory combination I may say.”

Another wave hit the shore and the sound was loud but even after that, I was calm and got what he meant.

“I like beaches, it calms me down. When the surrounding gets totally chaotic for me, I come here to just drain it all.”

I turn my head and said, “As much I know you; I don’t think you ever had that point in your life.”

He turned his head and spoke,

“As much you know me, you answered the question which you didn’t even ask.”

I smiled because I know what he meant. He turned his head again to sea.

“All things included I love beaches.” He exhaled a long breath.

After what was a long while where we just kept looking at the sea, our legs moving in semicircle arc he said, “Lets eat something shall we?”

“I am down for it.”

While we were reaching to the restaurant where he was taking me, we talked shit. Just anything and everything and nothing at the same time. I was having such a great time that I just couldn’t wrap my head around.

When we reached the restaurant, the receptionist was on the front desk but instead of asking for a table, Dharm took his mobile out and started calling someone.

“Hi, you in there? Do you have any of the private eating room available? Come on, just see if you can manage one? In 15? We can wait.”

He cut the call and said, “Lets wait for 15 mins and we will have our lunch in the private room.”

“Why can’t we have lunch on the normal table?”

“The private eating rooms have their own heaters. That’s why.” He smiled, showing his teeth to me.

After 10 minutes a guy in blue blazer, blue pants, white shirt and dark pink tie opened came out of the door, to whom Dharm waved his hand. He gestured him to come to him. Dharm turned his head and said, “Let’s go.”

When we approached the guy, he looked kind of familiar.

“Hi Den.” Dharm hugged the guy.

“Hi Dharm”

“Den, meet Neel. Neel, meet Den.”

“Hi” I said and put my hand forward for handshake which he took and we shook hand.

“Shall we?” he gestured his hand pointing towards the door. And we entered the restaurant. The day has just started, and its already amazing. I can’t wait what happens next.