It all started with me drowning in self-pity over not having a boyfriend. Now I'm excited as well as terrified at the thought of a handsome man occupying my dorm bed in the middle of the night.
It started one day with me thinking over my life like this;
I, Verena Whitlock, am a student of English Literature at a renowned Asian university. Orphaned young, I grew up in an orphanage before moving out at the age of eighteen.
Part-time jobs and scholarships have been able to support my education so far but the busy schedule never spared me enough time to have a love life. The few boys who approached me in the start slowly stepped back watching me struggle with classes and part-time jobs.
Now, with my degree on its way to completion, I've lots of time on my hands to think about my barren love life. All my class fellows were mostly from rich or moderate families. They had their families to support them financially and thus enough time to woo the person whom they liked.
Now, they all are having a romantic life, planning engagements, marriages, or romantic getaways. Only I'm left with the top student certificate and a confirmed job before graduation. What good is the job that I worked all my life for? The job can't kiss me or cuddle me or plan a surprise dinner for me.
I was left alone in this world as soon as I was born, and I'll die alone on the bed of my hard-earned money because this lectureship won't give me enough time to go out and bag someone handsome for myself. I sighed in frustration. I wish I could summon a gorgeous boyfriend.
Sighing again, I turned to look at my phone lying on the side table. It's been two days since I stepped on its screen and have been unable to contact anyone from the broken, dark screen. Now don't ask me what it was doing on the floor or whom am I going to contact.
'Who else but the crazy professors? I'm going to beg them to let me check some copies or I'll die of overthinking', I murmured to myself. I had a whole month to myself before graduation and joining the lectureship at a reputed college.
Getting out of bed, I got ready to go to the market today. Since I haven't started the job yet, I'll only get the screen repaired and buy some essential groceries.
'Ma'am, would you like to buy a new phone?' The girl at the mobile shop asked me. 'This phone is broken beyond repair. I'm afraid repairing the screen won't help you.' She smiled apologetically.
I, on the other hand, cursed myself for my carelessness while smiling at her lovingly. 'In that case, I'll have to take my phone back since I can't afford a new one at this moment. Maybe a few days later? Sorry for the inconvenience…' I bowed to her and left with my broken mobile phone.
'Ah.. Miss..!' She called me again. 'I have an enticing offer for you.' I turned to see her smile brightly.
'Please don't tell me they charge to give a suggestion as well.' I prayed hopelessly and didn't move to hear her "enticing offer."
She probably guessed my suspicion and smiled, 'How about a brand new phone free of cost?'
She's definitely trying to trap me, I thought.
Watching me look at her with suspicion, she continued, 'We have this new mobile company in the market which is trying to test its products. In the first phase, one hundred free smartphones will be given away for free and one month later, the customers will have to record their reviews of the phone they were gifted.'
By the time she finished, I had unconsciously moved near the counter. She smiled again, 'You just have to fill in some necessary information in this form. Would you like to receive the last free phone ma'am?' If you could see me at that moment, I was drooling like a pet dog watching its favorite food being served. Afraid that someone else may snatch the offer, I nodded frantically.
One hour later I was standing outside my dorm with a brand new phone. It had such a sleek design, fitting perfectly in my hand. Its color was dull black with the topmost area merging with slightly purple. I had been using the previous phone for almost five years now. The feeling of a new phone was beyond words.
I kept tracing my fingers on it like petting a cat. What's interesting, every time I petted it, it vibrated like a pet cat purring at its master's touch. This is a really interesting feature, I thought. The sales girl had transferred my data to this phone and so I called one of my professors. I asked him if he needed any help with the freshers and he agreed to use my help for a couple of hours a day.
After ending the call, I kept staring at the handsome dude on my wallpaper for a long time before asking it stupidly, 'Do gorgeous men like you exist? Because if they do, I'll be more than happy to raise one with my excellent salary.'
Maybe it's my free mind wandering, suddenly I'm too aware about the pitiful single life I'm living. 'Boohooo… I want a boyfriend… I want a boyfriend at any cost… no I mean at the cost I can afford in my salary… but that's not the point… I want someone to be my love, to kiss and cuddle me, I want to experience how it feels to make love… tell me, can't you introduce me to some fellow of yours if you aren't available? I prefer you though'.
I looked at him with watery eyes… Gosh, when did I turn into a melodrama queen? I picked a tissue to wipe my tears that had slipped on my cheeks when I closed my eyes. The longing to call someone my own was getting out of hand now that I had a lot of time to watch people have fun with their families.
Sparing one last glance at my imaginary boyfriend, I placed the phone carefully on the side table and went to sleep. 'Not that I have someone to cuddle to..' My lonely BRAIN sobbed lightly before going into deep slumber.