"I am NOT going!" Sameera says adamantly while sitting in the car.
"Come on Sameera! We are sorry that we fixed this without asking you.. but please.. just once." Richa says pleadingly.
"NO means NO." Sameera says.
"Sameera! Please give it a chance.. I know that you don't wanna get into relationships.. but, what if this person is the one for you? Will you let him go?" Jay says kindly.
"I don't care! I don't want a relationship! You guys know that right.. after all that has happened.. how can you expect me to.." Sameera says angrily.
"I know Sameera.. I am very sorry.. but its been 7 years.. we want to see you happy!" Richa says sadly.
"So you should know that my happiness is not in this!" Sameera says annoyedly.
"Oh I understand now.. you don't consider us as your friends.. that is why you are not going." Richa says sternly. Sameera still doesn't budge.
"Okay fine! We won't talk to you now.. consider that our friendship is over!" Richa says turning to leave.
"Richa! Wait! Okay... I will go on the DATE.. But, only this time.. if I don't like the person, then you will NOT force me to go on any other date!" Sameera says reluctantly.
Richa winks at Jay and shrieks with happiness.
"Thank You so much Sameera! I promise.. you are not going to regret this.."
Sameera is in disbelief but gets out of the car and stands at the entrance to the Prithvi Café. She looks at Richa and Jay vexedly. Suddenly her phone rings.. its an unknown number.
Richa looks at it and says with excitement, "It is him! Looks like he has already arrived! Go Sameera!"
Sameera takes a deep breath and enters the café. She looks around and finds a guy sitting alone, with a phone in his hand and wearing a hoodie, mask and goggles. She goes up to him and asks,
"Suraj?"
He looks up and finds a woman in front of him. He rises from his chair and gazes at her. 'She is extremely beautiful..' he thinks. He is struck by her simple yet stunning look. He didn't expect her to be so dazzling. He finds her looking at him questioningly, calms himself down and clears his throat.
"Yes.. Sameera?" he asks.
She nods and extends her hand. He does too and smiles.
Then, they sit.
Sameera notices that he is still wearing his mask, goggles and hoodie cap.
"Excuse me.. Suraj.. but why are you wearing a mask, goggles and hoodie.. even though it is evening and also quite warm today?"
"Um.. just like that.." he answers awkwardly.
'He is weird.' she thinks and sighs.
"Okay.. so what do you do?" she asks.
"I-I..Um.. am.. in a business.." he answers stammering.
'What is wrong with this guy? Why is he behaving so awkwardly? I get that we are strangers but he should at least talk properly..' she thinks annoyedly.
'What the hell am I saying?!' he thinks to himself. 'I will kill you Manish!!'
"What.. do you do?" he asks.
"I am a clinical Psychologist.." she says glowingly.
"Ohk.. very.. um.. unconventional choice." he says stupidly.
"Excuse me? What do you mean by unconventional? It is an accepted and respected profession. Something which the human race couldn't exist without.." she says angrily.
"Exist without? I am sure we can.." he whispers.
"Sorry? Did you say something?" Sameera asks loudly.
"N-No.. I did not." he answers hurriedly
'Damn! Shut up Suraj! Just end this stupid date as soon as possible.. without talking much..' he thinks to himself.
'Such a rude person! I hate him already!' she thinks to herself. 'Let's just get over this stupid date and go home.'
"What would you like to have?" he asks politely.
"Its a Café, so coffee!" she answers matter- of -factly.
"Yes.. I know-" he begins speaking but she interrupts him and shouts.
"Waiter!"
'What the hell! I was saying something and she didn't even listen..' he thinks annoyedly.
"Yes ma'am?" a waiter comes.
"I will have a latte and french fries, please." she says kindly.
"Um.. same for me please." Suraj says too. The waiter nods and goes.
"So.. what business do you do?" Sameera asks inquisitively.
"I- I am.. um.. shoe- making business.. Its our family business. My.. um.. dad was also in the business and then.. I took it over." he says reluctantly.
'Why do I feel that he is lying?' Sameera thinks. However, she nods.
"We... um.. have a factory in Bandra, I- work there." he continues. "By the way.. when did you decide that you wanted to become a Psychologist?" he asks.
"Actually.. from a very young age, I wanted to bring a change in the society.. rid people of their problems and worries because it-it eats your whole life up.." she says emotionally. "So.. I decided to help people in this way.. by understanding them and.. probably helping them live a better life.." she smiles.
"I agree.. but sometimes, the pain is so deep.. that nothing can cure it. Sometimes.. you just have to live with it.. it breaks you every second.. but- but you have to pretend that everything is okay.." Suraj says lost in his thoughts.
'Why is he talking like that? Did he go through something painful? Something is definitely wrong.' Sameera thinks confusedly.
Meanwhile, the waiter brings their coffee and fries. Suraj suddenly jerks and clears his throat. They thank the waiter and begin drinking.
"By the way.. what are your hobbies?" Suraj asks.
"Um.. I don't get much time for anything else.. but I love reading.. specially books related to human emotions and mind!" she says enthusiastically.
'Brilliant! She can think of nothing except Psychology." he thinks irritably.
"No.. I meant except Psychology.. anything else?" he asks pushing.
She shakes her head in denial. 'What's wrong with Psychology?!' she thinks vexedly.
"Don't you like watching movies?" he asks excitedly.
"Movies? No.. I don't. I told you right.. I don't get time for anything.. and honestly.. I find it really fake and exaggerated. It just looks really glamorous but it is FAR from that.. " she says frustratedly.
"Excuse me? How can you say something like that? Do you even know how difficult it is to be a movie star?! You need to work day and night to reach that height.. sacrifice SO much! I don't understand why you commoners don't get that!" he says bitterly.
"What the hell! Why are you shouting? And why are YOU getting so worked up? I didn't call YOU fake right? And what do you mean by 'Commoner?' You are also like us!" Sameera is perplexed by this sudden outburst and shouts too.
"You know what.. I am not like you at least! Judging someone from far and commenting on their profession!" he says hotly.
Sameera scoffs. "Hypocrisy has a limit.. Just 5 minutes ago- you literally judged my profession! You know what.. go to hell! I hope I never see you again!" she takes out a 200 rupees from her purse and throws it on the table. "Keep the change!" she shouts and storms out of the café.
Meanwhile, people are staring at Suraj.. he clutches his fist and takes in a deep breath.
He pays for the coffee and fries, gives the 200 rupees as tip and storms out of the café too.
..............................