My First Boyfriend

The room was quiet. Too quiet.

Just me, my phone, and the same routine playing on loop every single day.

A few months ago, I had shifted for my internship in Noida. My best friend Diya lived there too, but meeting her regularly just wasn’t possible. She had her college, my office was far from her flat… and somewhere in between all that, I ended up taking a PG in Delhi.

And honestly?

I was really alone.

My life had become painfully predictable — wake up, go to office, come back, sleep… repeat. No excitement, no plans, no people. Just me and my thoughts.

One evening, I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, when a random thought crossed my mind.

What if I try a dating app?

Diya had suggested it so many times.

But I hesitated.

What if people are just there for casual stuff? Hookups?

That’s not what I want… not really my thing.

I was still stuck in my thoughts when my phone rang.

Diya calling.

I picked up, and right on cue—

“Helloooooo babygirl!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. She’s always like this.

“Hi, kaisi hai?” I asked.

“Leave all that,” she said instantly. “Tell me—profile banaya ya nahi?”

I sighed. “You know na… I’m just scared.”

“Bhai, tu overthink karna band karegi kab?” she said. “What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll go on a date, not like the guy, come back, and life goes on. Simple.”

I stayed quiet for a second.

Maybe she was right.

“Okay baba,” I said finally, giving in. “I’ll download it right now.”

“Good,” she said proudly. “That’s my girl.”

We spoke for a few more minutes before cutting the call.

I looked at my phone.

So… I’m really doing this.

Taking a deep breath, I downloaded the app and slowly started making my profile.

Name. Photos. Bio.

Done.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds.

One swipe… and maybe nothing changes.

Or maybe—

everything does.