I was going to the party because my parents asked me to. It was the birthday party of a one year old kid. But as the kid was the grandson of my dad's senior, the whole family had to attend. So, after fully charging my phone and wearing my casual clothes, I joined my parents for the so called birthday party.
We arrived there with expensive gifts. I, like a normal human, said the kid was "cute" and then I went to an empty table to spend the next few moments of my eternity of boredom.
Half an hour passed. I was busy on my phone. Then a family came through the gate. It was supposedly my dad's colleague and his family. His daughter was beautiful. I hadn't seen her before so it distracted me from my phone for a while. Then I went back to it.
After about 15 min it was announced that a game was going to be conducted. Like every typical Indian mom, my mom insisted me to participate with my brother. The competition was mummy race. It had to be done in pairs. Coincidentally, the pair right next to us was the girl and her friend. I knew her friend since childhood. It was strange that she knew her. The girl glanced at me and I quickly started talking to my brother.
The race started, I finished my turn and my brother started. Same was for that girl's team. She was waiting for her partner to finish her turn. After a while, she looked at me and asked, "What's your age?" I was startled at the strange question but was able to say, "15." Then without thinking I asked, "You?" She said "17" and then there was an awkward silence.
The race ended. Me and my brother had won. I went back to my table, opened my phone and sat quietly. She and her friend came to the table and sat there next to me. Our common friend, Varnika (The one mentioned earlier who the girl was hanging out with), told her that, "This is Shashank, the guy I told you about who has been the N.S.O. topper in the city for about 6 yrs." while pointing towards me. The girl said, "Nice to meet you I'm Manisha." "Shashank", I said.
The three of us were hanging out. Manisha was surprised when she got to know that I was an year younger for the class which I studied in. She said I was the first guy from Science stream that she was friends with. We shared some school anecdotes. She laughed at almost each one of mine.
We spent an hour in the party after that. Varnika went home. Me and Manisha had a talk about why we came to such a boring party. Her reason was also the same as mine, her parents insisted. Like this, another two hours went by. We had a lot of fun. Then it was time for her to go home. I asked, "So, are you on FB?" "No, but I'm on Whatsapp, give me your number", she replied. I gave her my number. "Sorry, but can you tell me your name again?", she asked. I said, "Shashank, Shane, whichever you prefer." "I like Shane, bye!!!", she said and went towards her car.
After I went back home, I went back to my room, changed and started studying. I study till late night so I was awake even when the rest of my family was asleep. At about midnight, there was a notification in my phone. I opened it and I saw that i got a message.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MANISHA:
Hey
Sup?
It's Manisha
Remember? From the party
SHANE:
Yes, obviously
MANISHA:
So what were you doing?
SHANE:
Wait let me save the number first
OK
I was just revising
MANISHA:
Ohh!!!
Am I disturbing?
SHANE:
No no it's alright
MANISHA:
OK
SHANE:
So you are nocturnal???
MANISHA:
Haha
Seems so
SHANE:
Me too!!!
MANISHA:
LOL
SHANE:
Btw How's your hair now???
MANISHA:
Still sticky dude!
That Varnika will pay someday for doing this
SHANE:
Haha
MANISHA:
Why are you laughing
It's serious
SHANE:
OK OK
Get well soon to your hair😋
😂😂😂
MANISHA:
Very funny😑
SHANE:
So, do you read Harry Potter???
MANISHA:
Yes, do you???
SHANE:
Yep, complete potterhead since 2002
MANISHA:
Me too!!!
Just the year gets to 2000
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like this, the conversation continued. We discussed all our interests. We shared almost every fan theory. We were awake till 3 in the morning. We had no notice about the time. At about 3:30, she felt sleepy so we ended our conversation there.
I thought about what happened today. It was nice. I had so much fun. Manisha, a stranger, who grew close to me in a single day. Weird but true. I went to sleep soon after finishing my revision.