The same day, afternoon

Vishnu was busily packing her backpack with headphones, a book and her wallet. She was dressed in blue jeans and a white cotton button-up shirt neatly tucked in. With no makeup at all and her hair pulled into a tight pony tail,  she picked up her metallic watch from bedside table and put it on.

Rupa was sitting on her bed, watching TV. She glanced at Vishnu with all the commotion she was making and asked, “Where are you going?”

“There's a new art exhibition starting today,” Vishnu answered excitedly, her eyes shining brightly and grinning. “And, I have to buy a few art supplies too. So, I have a full evening planned: art exhibition, shopping and dinner. After so many days, finally some quality "me" time.”

“You are going alone.” Rupa stated blandly.

“Yeah, obviously.” Vishnu shrugged. “Who else will I go with? It's a date with myself.”

Rupa grew frustrated. “Vishnu, you're supposed to go out on dates with others. Where are your friends?”

“I can't. I have only five friends and none of them live in this city.”

“What about colleagues or acquaintances?”

“They would be busy. Most of them are married and the rest have their own social circles.”

“Can't you ask someone out? Make new friends?”

Vishnu seemed genuinely confused. “Why would I go out with a stranger?”

Rupa looked like she was going to explode. “Because that's how you make friends!”

Vishnu made a resigned face and started making her bed, stating, “I don't trust strangers.”

“Vishnu, do you trust me?” Rupa asked.

“Yes, obviously.”

“Did you trust me as soon as you moved into this room six months ago?” Rupa’s question was a straight shot.

Vishnu thought it over. “No,” she said slowly, and then added immediately to make it up to her, “But I trust you now.”

“Exactly!” Rupa cried. “No one starts a relationship with trust. You develop trust as you go. So, meeting a stranger shouldn't be such a problem.”

Vishnu gave her a knowing look. “I know that Rupa.”

“Then what's stopping you?” Rupa questioned.

“I don't feel comfortable at all in approaching people with a motive, be that to make friends or start a relationship. Things should happen naturally; getting to know someone, developing a friendship and becoming close. It all should progress gradually. Like how it happened with us both. Not because of some purpose,” Vishnu answered sincerely.

Rupa pondered it for a moment and then sighed in acceptance. “That's a good, old-school thought,” she commented. “But that doesn't happen always. You have never had a boyfriend, right? You've lived for twenty-six years now and waited for relationships to develop naturally. Where has that left you with? Just five friends and no boyfriend at all.”

“Those five are the best people in the world, and the closest to me. So, it's all fine at the end,” Vishnu swore.

“You will go through an arranged marriage?” Rupa asked pointedly.

Vishnu thought it out for a moment before answering, “Umm... I don't want to get married at all?”

“Do you have that choice?” Rupa questioned with conviction.

Vishnu looked dejected as she replied, “I guess I don’t.”

“Then how will you marry a stranger if you can't even make friends with one?”

Vishnu sat on her bed, thinking, when her phone vibrated with an incoming message. 

It was from her mother. Did you see Dinkar's profile and pictures? He is okay, isn't he?

Vishnu closed her eyes momentarily, sighed and then looked away. She didn’t want to think about it anymore; it hurt her head. Still, there was no way out. She regained herself and then typed her reply to her mother. He is short in height.

She turned off her phone, got up from the bed uplifting her energy and answered Rupa, “I will worry about it later. Right now, I have an amazing date to go to.”

She scrutinized herself in the mirror for a few seconds and started to leave.

Just as she got to the door, Rupa suggested, “At least put on some makeup. Dress up a bit prettily.”

Vishnu smiled. “I am comfortable this way. If I wear makeup, I won't be able to recognize myself in the mirror. That is scary. Bye!”

She waved a ‘bye’ and left the room.