Dating apps were like priye's football stadium. She and her match were players and she approached the ones that progressed into dates with all seriousness. This week's match was Felix, a finance guy. We'd both been invested in this date since it was planned after they matched. I couldn't keep up with the whole flirty banter but I knew we were kinda vested in this one.
"Tonight," she declared, flicking her winged liner into the make up bag, "I meet Felix. He is six feet tall, owns a plant he hasn't murdered, and uses punctuation in all his messages. I hope you're taking notes Maya, in case he turns out to be a serial killer and I get murdered. Save the picture i sent you."
I lay on her bed, laughing, a pile of throw pillows swallowing me. "Oh my God! You're the worst. Sincerely I feel more for the poor soul going on a date with you. You're crazy girl"
She pointed a mascara wand at me. "But you love me that way." She said it, so confident of my love for her.
"My own brand of crazy, I wouldn't want it any other way" I responded, exaggerating my emotions.
"Help me pick a dress."
We tried three. The first made her look like she was running for office. The second made her look like a head mistress. The third made her look like a biker who belonged to a gang. She was already giving up before we found a cute gown in her wardrobe that she had forgotten was there. Priya turned, did a tiny shimmy, and grinned at her reflection, pleased with the outcome after she wore it.
"Tell me honestly, does this say im a confident woman looking for love or i'm a low budget extras on a dating show. "
"He blind if he doesn't fall at your feet. " I responded and I meant it, cause she looked absolutely stunning.I was used to seeing her looking homeless and when she cleaned up, boy! Did she look good.
"That"ll do" she said satisfied. "Final check," she said. "Keys. Card. Lip gloss. Exit strategy."
"If this man talks about anything, female and what she brings to the table, in the first ten minutes, I'm out of there, like a banshee running from hell."
"I hear you boo, I hear you," I said. "Classic. But would you at least keep an open mind? Who knows?"
She leaned against the doorway, softer now . "I'll try. Don't just forget the code"
The code was our fail safe, 911.If anyone texted it during a date, the other had to invent an emergency,pulling the other from the date. We went as far as stage rescue at times. What can I say? We gave our best performance and actually committed, whenever the need arose.
"Love you, and dont wait up, except i send the code" she said, disappearing in a trail of perfume and bravado.
The apartment suddenly became sober, like Priye took all the energy out with her. I tried to read deck notes for Skyeline's strategy meeting. But the words wandered off the page like they were sick of my bullshit. Bored and idle, I put on a feel good show, to escape my mundane reality.
My mind kept circling to Ethan, the way his hands brushed mine yesterday, the look he had given me when he kissed me goodnight. My hands instinctively went to my lips as I felt it for evidence. Then my phone buzzed as if we were both in sync with each other even though we were miles apart and it read, "About Last night… I meant it all. Dinner at my place Friday? It will be fun, I'll cook.
My heart did that traitor skip and then slammed back into rhythm. Hmmm, I typed Typing… and deleted the first three drafts. I set the phone face down on the cushion like it was ticking, looking for a way to say yes, without sounding too eager. I finally settled with an okay.
As I finally began to settle into the show, Priye sent the code, 911. I bolted up.
"Already?" I muttered. " She hasn't even ordered appetizers."
I swung into action delivering on my own end of the bargain, no question asked.
A few minutes later she was home.She came in with an exaggerated expression on her face as she kicked out her shoes before crashing on the sofa.
"So?" I asked
"The date was ridiculous, he wouldn't let me order my food myself, as he suddenly became a nutritionist. He carefully ordered salad for me, with boring veggies. I just picked at the plate while he obsessed over fitness and the importance of routine exercise. Proceeded to give me unsolicited lifestyle advice for organic living."
" And you just sat down there nodding?" I asked in disbelief.
She went on," For drinks he criticized everything on the menu insisting we treat our bodies like a temple. I had to drink water,Maya."
"What?" I gasped.
"Finally, the icing on the cake was when he proceeded to regale me with the craziest conspiracy theories. Im sure he has a website"
" I was hunched over by now and bowling in laughter .
Priye had no idea how much of a good thing she was in my life as I watched her narrating her horrible dates.
" But you sat there, listening to all these and didn't send the code immediately?"
I had to keep up with my promise to you,ten minutes remember? That was part of giving him time to redeem himself, moreover I needed enough info to entertain you with."She said laughing now.
" You're unbelievable, where do you meet these people? Maybe I'll stick to Ethan," I said casually.
" Good for you, I gotta tell you, this frog kissing phase isn't for the weak. I'm trusting the process, I refuse to give up. My prince is on the horizon, one more trial wouldn't hurt." Oh Priya she did make me laugh.
"Isnt that what you said the last time, over the dumb guy and now the crzay frog, who knows what's coming next."
" Or you could just die with me and our adopted cat" I had real tears coming out my eyes as I laughed now.
"On a serious note," Priye said, getting serious all of a sudden "I'd take Ethan over these crazies, any day. Date him already, if you want to, cause I'm sensing you thinking about it. If you do not want him,you can send him my way."she said, winking.
Speaking of the devil, he chose that time to text me back. 'Send me your home address, I'll pick you up.' Hmm, if this wasn't a sign, I wondered what was.
I showed Priya his messages, "I guess, I'll be in his place soon and would definitely be coming back with clarity, i hope"
Priya squealed with delight" Awww, that's what im talking about. You tell me everything, ok? Let me live vicariously through you"
I smiled as I realised I was unburdened, only living in the moment, which was uncharacteristic of me. The phone buzzed again, as if the universe saying enough of the carefree path.
It was my mother, my heart skipped. 'Come home now. It's your father.'
My laughter froze, the room suddenly felt too bright as Priya's voice faded into the echo.
The frogs, the princes, silly laughter all gone in a blink.