The Girl Next Door

'Before you head off, I'll make these 5 months memorable for you. I Promise.'

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to meet the girl who always ran away, but never did. Her name is Valeria. I met her today with some mild expectations. I was expecting her to be perfect in every way humanly and inhumanly possible. I wasn't disappointed. I expected her smile to bring a smile to my face. Right again. I expected myself to be nonchalant all the time. Disappointment right in my face.

The instant I met her, my cheeks turned red. I was blushing. Trust me when I say this, not many girls have the power to make me do so. Those slight curls in her hair, the deep eyes, the casual smile, the sway with which she walked and her, all mesmerized me. She was perfect in her own way, and here "I" was, the socially awkward douche who hadn't been on an outing since ages. I CAN'T EVEN HUG PROPERLY. MY LIFE IS SAD. WHY AM I ALIVE?

Okay.

*calms some hormones*

Let's move on! We had a plan to eat at Cafe Delhi Heights. It was full to the brink. Yay.

'Sanjam, let's go to this Big Chill. Ohh shit no that's my school's headboy. He was never nice to me! Back off back off.'

'Let's just watch a movie. Umm yeah there's only the 3rd row from the front. Let's not.'

'Let's go to Ambience Sanjam.'

Aaaaaand we kept circling and walking and I keep trailing and following and she just keeps moving and moving. Finally, we decided to eat some lunch at the food court. I had no idea of the menu, so I let her choose.

'Wait here, I'll surprise you with my favourites.'

I watch her leave to buy us some human fuel, while I look around and admire the place.

5 minutes. Admiring.

10 minutes. Admiring.

15 minutes. Admiring.

20 minutes. Admiring.

Viola! She comes back with 2 Krushers.

SERIOUSLY? That's all after 20 minutes? :')

She leaves again and comes back with a plate of pasta and a pizza. Aha. Something to eat! I take my first bite and freeze. Mouth hung open. Food in my mouth. I FREEZE. I'm not joking when I say I couldn't move. It wasn't my fault that I hadn't ever thought someone could look so beautiful with a mouth full of pizza. I have never seen a person SO enjoy their food before, and look so delicate and angelic. I was mesmerized.

Ever seen Ratatouille? Seen the look on Remy's face when he eats the cheese with a bunch of herbs? Seen the firecrackers and the colors? That was her. She was at peace. She was enjoying. She was happy. I was happy.

I somehow managed to eat my food without gawking at her. It was difficult, but oh well I can control my whoremoans.

Here's a fun fact: She didn't let me pay. DO NOT FLOOD ME WITH COMMENTS SAYING I'M NOT A GENTLEMAN. PLEASE. SHE'S JUST STUBBORN AS HELL. SHE WOULDN'T HAND OVER THE BILL.

'Let's just watch a movie.'

'But we won't get tickets, remember?'

'I don't mind the 3rd row now let's just go'

"I" buy the tickets this time, with a pair of cokes and a tub of popcorn.

With the tray in my hand, I propel my hand like a missile and try to grab her phone.

*bam swish shoo splash*

There goes one of the cokes. My life is amazing. She takes the tray from me in case I drop it again. HOW THE HELL WHAT THE HELL WHY THE HELL. Okay.

We take our seats, and after some random talks the movie starts.

* naughty naughty big children secrets*

But I can't just NOT talk of the popcorn now, can I. She ate the whole tub. No kidding. She had her face in there literally. No kidding. I had to pull the bucket away from her. No kidding.

The movie ends, and we get up to leave. Never have I enjoyed a movie such as I did with her.

*wink wink blush*

'Thank god Sanjam you aren't one of those creeps who watch the girl instead of the movie.'

Aha. Thank you Captain America for being such an amazing entertainer that I couldn't take my eyes off you. I owe you one. You'll be my favourite after Batman and Iron Man and Hulk and Spiderman and Thor and The Joker. Oh and Catwoman too. I love you Captain.

'You haven't ever tried the Blueberry Cheese cake, have you? Let's go eat it.'

We head to Big Chill again, and get a table. In our state of random craziness. I order the Banoffee pie and the Blueberry Cheese cake.

MY TURN TO REVEL. The banoffee pie oh my god absolute serenity. I haven't ever tasted something so trivial, yet so amazing. I mean okay I had a beautiful girl next to me to make it all the more better and the thoughts of her are clouding my mind, but THE PIE. I AM IN LOVE.

We get to the task of clicking a bunch of pictures in her phone.

'I don't like the lights.'

'My hair looks like shit.'

'Push the chair back in!'

'This is a hand gestured camera.'

I NEVER KNEW CLICKING PICTURES WAS THIS DIFFICULT. After we get a bunch of clicks, we head on to meet her sister who's getting fat on some donuts. I still was angry over not being able to pay for lunch. Well I wasn't angry, but I do possess some chivalry. I paid for the donuts because well I'm THE GUY.

Following that, she takes me to a bridge and recounts stories of the memories she's made here. She gets a call from her sister and well, she heads home. Pfft.

She's beautiful. I'm not in love, but I've never been surer of a friend. I know her now. She's real. Valeria's real. That's all I need.

It was one of the most memorable days of my life. The casual flirting, the long stares, the awkward hugs (my fault I suck), the angelic smile, the heartfelt words. Her. Valeria made this day for me. Although I do have regrets, I’ll do it all again in a flash. I’d do it for her, because I like to believe she was happy. I believe.

Meet Valeria, and the socially awkward me.