I've been tagged by Swarna Rao for this post, written as part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette and I accept the #WillYouShave Challenge.
Theme: Missed chances- Stories or instances where you missed out on an opportunity because of a non-shaven face.
Tring tring... tring tring. Tring tring.. tring tring. I tried to shut my ears with my pillow, covering my face with it, trying to block out the insistent ringing. But it didn't work, it seemed like it (my cell phone) just wouldn't stop ringing until I gave in and answered. I looked at the bed clock and groaned. It was only seven-ten. When you would have returned home dead tired after a long day at office the previous night, the last thing you would want is someone disturbing your sleep early morning, more so if it's a Sunday!
I threw down my blanket with a curse and reluctantly picked up my phone.
"What is it now, Niraj?" I almost yelled. "Hadn't I told you last evening that I would be returning home late from office and so would just like to spend this Sunday lounging around?"
"Buddy, can't you sacrifice one Sunday for old friends? Quite a few of our old school friends are coming - Ashis, Suvendu, Patrick, Gaurav, Ritesh, Neha, Sunanda.. we all are meeting up at Abhijit's place and from there we would be going to Rohini's Amusement park. It will be a terrific Sunday, buddy. We will have a lot of fun, and I am sure, you won't regret it at all.", Niraj said.
"But Niraj, you very well know how freaky I get at such places, the high-speed roller-coaster rides, the water rides etc, my head starts spinning even at a mere glimpse of them. And it would be so embarrassing to be just sitting at some corner like the odd one out. So it's better if I stay at home and spend my Sunday idly. You guys have fun. And say my hello to everyone. Okay, bye", I was just about to hang up, when I heard Niraj saying, "hey wait.. wait, the surprise for you is that she is also coming!"
My heart skipped a beat for a second, I thought I had understood who he was referring to but wanted to confirm. "Who?", I asked, pretending to be uninterested though I was pretty anxious to know.
I could almost see his sheepish smile through the phone when he said, "As if you don't know whom I am referring to!"
"Yeah, Riya is also coming today. She is in Delhi for a couple of days and when Neha asked her to join us, she instantly agreed. Now I guess, I have given you enough reason to get ready and come over to Abhijit's place," said Niraj.
Niraj was right, somehow the weariness from the previous day and the sleepiness from the morning had suddenly vanished away the moment I heard her name. I had always had a huge crush on Riya since the time we were in school, but being the shy guy that I was, I could never disclose my feelings to her. She was in the commerce section and I was in the science section when we were in school, so other than the combined Maths class, I didn't get to talk with her much. I would only sneak glimpses of her. Three years had passed since we passed out from school but she continued to rule over my heart even today. If only I could sum up enough courage and tell her that I loved her!
Now that she was in the city and was coming to meet old friends from school, I couldn't let go of this chance to disclose to her my feelings for her. I had about an hour to get ready but I took less than twenty minutes to get myself readied, I just couldn't wait to see Riya. A grey waist coat to go with the white shirt and the faded blue jeans, I thought I looked good and would be able to create a favourable impression on her mind. And I thought I had only accentuated my masculine hunk look with my 4 day old stubble. During my school days, I was often laughed off as a chocolate boy whenever I had wanted to do something daring. Though I wouldn't deny it that I was indeed timid when it came to most things but I didn't want this tag of 'yet-to-grow-up-chocolate-boy' stick to my name anymore. So I had started to sport a stubble since the last few years. I always thought I looked cool in it. But I had never known that my unshaven look would only go on to become the prime reason for being rejected by my crush!
I reached Abhijit's place much before anyone had turned up. I was definitely looking forward to meet my old friends but Riya was the reason I had gone there in the first place. So I was eagerly waiting for her and only hoped that she would come before anyone else did, so that I could talk to her in private. Probably God had heard my prayers and she arrived next, accompanied by Neha. Riya looked absolutely stunning but then when hadn't she, if I were asked to answer? She greeted Abhijit and his family, and by then Niraj and Gaurav too had come. Even as I was busy talking with them, my eyes were still looking around for Riya, I was waiting to greet her and have a chat. And she did finally come to us where me, Niraj and Gaurav were sitting. She shook hands with each one of them and enthusiastically I too held out my right hand but all I got back was a terse 'Hello' and a forced smile! I couldn't know what was it that bothered her about me? Did she not recognise me? But I let go of those signs and continued to look for the next opportunity to talk to her about our school days and all.
In a few minutes as other friends too arrived, we all left for the Amusement park at Rohini, sector 10. And to my surprise, Riya didn't join the others in the roller-coaster ride, she preferred to sit back at the table beside mine. My joy knew no bounds, now I could probably have a nice little talk with her, I thought. I went across to her table and re-introduced myself. And I was right, she had failed to recognise me on the first instance. "Oh, my God, you are Amit? You mean, from the science section? I'm so sorry, I just couldn't recognise you, you look so different!" I only smiled and before I could say anything, I saw Neha and Patrick coming to us from the ride.
"Amit, let's go and get some snacks and drinks for all of us, especially for the ladies'" said Patrick and I nodded.
So I excused myself and got up to accompany Patrick for the snacks and refreshments. But I had hardly gone a few feet when I heard Riya saying to Neha, "What has happened to Amit? Why is he in such a condition? He looked so cute during our school days but look at him now, he is sporting a beard like a Devdas and he looks at least some six seven years older than he actually is! Did he have a breakup recently? Or some other reason? Whatever it is but one needs to look clean, na! This unshaven, unkempt look of his gives an impression as if he hasn't taken a bath since days, it is such a huge turn off, at least for me."
Riya's words dashed all hopes of whatever plans I had made up in my mind that I would have a nice little chat with her and we would exchange our numbers, and that we would take our friendship forward et cetra. All those dreams came crashing down in a split second and the whole afternoon that I was there, I felt so embarrassed to even face Riya. All I was waiting for was to get back home at the earliest. That was the last time I met her and hence I didn't get a chance to correct my mistake and redeem myself.
This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette. And I would like to tag you, Swarna Rao, for the #WillYouShave challenge. I hope you will take up the challenge and write for this activity.
