Something Casual

I seriously think you’ve lost it, AJ. Like… you’re asking me to be your girlfriend? How did that even cross your mind?” Riya snapped while munching her fav snack.

“Arre Riya, I might be crazy, but not that crazy. I’m not asking you to actually be my girlfriend. I just want you to pretend to be one. Just for my family and friends. I know very well I’m not your type. Your type is that ‘cabin guy,’ remember?” AJ said, with a wink.

“First of all sushhhh, keep that cabin guy inside the cabin. Don’t drag him into this. And second, this is a really stupididea. Is that why you brought me to such a fancy place for lunch?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s been ages since we ate somewhere nice, so I thought why not today? But honestly… I’m tired of convincing my family and friends that I’m happy being single and don’t need anyone. At first they used to tease me, but now it’s turned into concern. And they’re not wrong completely. Like I’m 29 now. It’s kind of marriage age. And here I am, not even ready to meet a girl. Are you really getting what I am saying or just nodding because you are liking the food.”

“Nope. I don’t get it. Why? Because I’m 24. I’m not worried about all this. I’ll think about it when I’m that age. And by the way, since you’re 29 and I’m 24, don’t you think if you take me home they’ll assume you brought a minor?” she said, laughing.

“Haha, nice way of calling me old. But trust me, no one will have a problem. My parents will be thrilled. And my cousins and friends? They’ll be bit jealous and I would love to see that.”

“Happy I get. But jealous? Why?”

“Because I’ll be standing next to a gorgeous girl. They won’t care that you’re younger. They’ll just wonder how you said yes to someone like me.” AJ signaled the waiter for the bill.

“Well played, Mr. AJ. But better luck next time. Stop building these unnecessary bridges of compliments. And you just said they won’t even believe I said yes—which is true. I’ve known you barely three years. We hardly have anything in common. You don’t even know much about me. And honestly, we don’t even look good together.” She stood up and started walking.

“When did you notice that?” AJ asked.

“Noticed what?”

“When did you even notice that we don’t look good together?” AJ asked, matching her pace as they stepped out of her favourite restaurant.

“What do you mean?”

“You just said we don’t look good together. When did you notice that?” AJ asked curiously.

“Seriously? This is what you want to discuss right now?” she said, making a face.

“I’m kidding, Ri. Why do you get annoyed so easily? Anyway, we just have to pretend for two days. After that, you go your way, I go mine.”

“Okay… and what will you tell your family and friends when they ask about me later?”

They got into the car and headed out for a long drive.

“I’ll handle my family. And I barely meet my cousins and friends now. I’ll introduce you this time, and next time if they ask, I’ll make up some story.”

Riya stared at him. “What? First you said they’ll be so happy you found such a great girl. And now you’re saying it won’t matter if we’re not together anymore?”

AJ understood what was going on in her head. “Ri, I’m not saying it won’t matter. We all meet very rarely. I doubt they’ll keep discussing it till then. And who knows… maybe by that time I’ll actually find someone. Then everything will be sorted.”

Riya didn’t respond. She just rolled down the window and looked outside. AJ kept glancing at her, trying to read her mind. When she stayed quiet for too long, he said softly:

“Ri, I know this sounds weird right now. But it’s just two days. After that, everything goes back to normal. We grew up together with our cousins, had so much fun. Now everyone’s busy with their own shits. But when we meet, it’s still great. You’ll like it there. Think of it as a short trip. I’ll take you to all my favourite places.”

She thought for a moment. “Fine. Since you added the roaming part, I’m in. But remember—no one brings up marriage. If they do, I’ll tell the truth. Casual girlfriend acting is fine. Anything beyond that, no.”

“No one will say anything. I guarantee it. And… thanks.” He said while changing the song.

“Why did you change it? That song was nice.”

“Yeah, but you don’t like old songs that much. You like Monali Thakur, right? So, I put her on.”

Riya looked at him, surprised. She’d never told him that. Before she could say anything, her favorite song started playing: “Hawa ke jhoke aaj mausamo se ruth gaye.” She closed her eyes and softly hummed along. As the song was about to end, AJ looked at her to ask if he should drop her at the hostel—but her eyes were closed and there were tears on her cheeks.

He didn’t say anything. Just turned the car in another direction.

When Riya opened her eyes, she realized this wasn’t the hostel road. She quietly wiped her tears. “AJ, where are we going? Seems like you forgot the route to my hostel?”

“Haha, I could find your hostel even in my sleep. Been your personal driver for two years.”

“Wow, nice way to show off your favors. Fine, from tomorrow you don’t have to come. And our deal? Cancelled,” she said in fake anger.

“My God, sorry! My mistake. We’re going to your favorite ice cream place.”

“Ice cream? Why?”

“Just felt like having ice cream while listening to songs.”

They stopped to a nearby Ice cream shop. She watched him goto get the ice creams and drifted into memories. It felt like yesterday when she’d finished the college and joined this company. After her convocation, she’d come to Hyderabad from her small town Bhilai, full of dreams. Being an extrovert, she made friends easily. Training started, old friends faded, new ones came. Her first company experince was just like everyone else’s—except for one thing: AJ.

Their friendship was different. Not about cubicles or office politics. Something else.

The song changed to “Jo bhi kasame khayi thi humne,” and she snapped out of her thoughts. AJ was walking toward her with two ice creams. She suddenly realized she hadn’t even told him what she wanted. She came out of the car just to see that he actually brought both her favourites.

“Sorry, I forgot to ask what you wanted. So, I got both your favourites. Pick whichever suits your mood. I’ll eat the other.”

“How do you even know what I like?” she asked quietly.

“I’m not as dumb as I look. When you’re tense, you prefer dark chocolate. And when you’re a little low while listening to songs, you want butterscotch.”

She had no words.

“Praise me later in your head. Eat before it melts,” he teased.

They got back into the car.

“Wow, not even a thank you. Kindness really has no value these days,” he said dramatically.

“Oh please. After what I’m doing for you, this ice cream is nothing. So, Mister Armaan Jain, better not mess with me.”

“Oh God.. It’s been ages since I heard you say my full name. Feels weird,” he laughed.

“Get used to it. I can’t keep calling you AJ in front of your family. And eat slowly! You’re acting like I’ll snatch it from you.”

“I remember your ice cream history. You finish yours and then attack mine.” Said AJ while attacking his ice cream with full speed.

She looked outside, blushing.

“So what should I call you? I mean Riya sounds too formal. Ri won’t be audible in a crowd. How about Baby? Or Jaan?”AJ started teasing Riya.

Her ice cream almost fell. He burst out laughing. She glared at him. He slowed the car, held his ears in apology.

She turned her face away, ignoring him. Finally, he parked, got out, came to her side, stood in front of her. “Sorry.”

She said a formal “It’s okay.” But he wasn’t done. He gestured for her to step out, held her face in his hands and said, “I’m sorry, na… baby,” and started laughing again. He knew it made her even angrier, so he started running and as expected Riya was running behind to beat him. And then suddenly—“Ouch!”

She’d tripped over a stone and twisted her ankle.

AJ rushed to her, held her foot gently without thinking. She felt strange at his touch and tried to stop him, but he helped her to a nearby bench, grabbed the first aid spray from the car, and carefully sprayed her ankle.

There were tears in her eyes—but also a strange calm.

When he looked up at her, she quickly turned her face away.

“Did you make a deal with God that every time you run, you’ll hurt your foot?” he said, sitting beside her. Before Riya could even give any explanation AJ continued “Remember last time? You ran after a bus and almost broke your leg. Crazy girl.”

He helped her back into the car.

“That’s enough adventure for today. I scared you with my request, and now you injured yourself. Let’s just drop you at the hostel. Get some rest.”

After dropping her, AJ turned his car toward his flat, playing the same old songs they always listened to.