I called him straight away, heartpounding. What could he possibly want from me. He is the popular kid and I am the invisible one. I just can't make a guess. He picked it up right away.
"Hello, Chandni!"
"It's me alright."
"Okay so I am yet to post it."
"What do want in exchange of my dignity?"
"So listen, I have an elder brother."
"Okay, go on."
"He has a gf."
"So?"
"I want you to pretend in front of those two that you are my gf. Simple enough?"
"Pretend to be your gf?"
"Yup, you have no option."
"So for how long do I have to 'pretend' to be your gf?"
"Two to three hours."
"Two to three?"
"Let me explain in detail, so I'll come to pick you up. In my home you're gonna talk to them as if you are my gf. Then those two leave for a date and we'll go on our supposed date as well. It's not gonna be an actual date, I'll drop you home and then pass my time a little and head back home."
"I see. Why do this?"
"Oh, just so that he stops bluffing on my face."
"All that trouble just for not getting teased you're a.. let's just say a unique person."
"Whatever."
"Tell me one thing you're popular you can easily get a girlfriend then why do this?"
"See, relationships are drama and then I don't want to use or hurt an innocent girl's feelings, yours don't count. Besides, I'll loose my importance if I go in a relationship with any random girl who is not upto my standards. As you said I am popular and will be even more if I am single."
"You egoistic brat."
"Shut up!"
"Well, if anything I agree, relationships are drama."
"Wow, even you and I can agree with something."
"How old is your brother anyway?"
"In his early twenties don't exactly remember his age."
"You don't remember your elder brothers age?"
"Not like we are close or anything, if there's something we do, it is fighting each other. Which is generally him yelling at me and my parents siding with him."
"You must be quite the trouble maker to make your parents always side with him, turns out you're the same at school and home."
"Shut up!"
"When do I have to enact exactly?"
"Friday. (It was a gazetted holiday)"
"Oh. Time?"
"I'll call you."
"K"
"You better not mess up or embarrass me."
"You'll get to know that on Friday."
I finally put the phone down. Seriously this guy can do anything for his ego. And I mean anything. Anyways, I'll have to pick an outfit to wear. Oh what am I gonna wear! Do I by any chance have anything 'girly'. Maybe a nice jeans with a top would do. What do I do with my hair! They are just so messy. How do I act as his gf? This stuff is complicated. Guess this is what teen drama must feel like. I should watch a tutorial for my hair. They are really short. Ahh! How did I even got stuck with something like this! This is just crazy!
So I was really busy watching tutorials and figuring out what to wear when my elder brother walked in.
"Yo chilgoza (my nickname, not exactly proud of it but whatever!) What's up? Oh! You going somewhere?"
There was no point in hiding things from him (not like I had an image to protect anyway) so I told him everything.
"Who's the guy?"
Is he gonna fight for me or something? Or maybe he is just concerned. Ahh so sweet.
"Aarush."
"Oh the one you mentioned earlier. Show me his profile pic."
"Here."
"Whoa he looks nice." He opened the door gave me a smug grin and said "Good luck!"
What thehell! That's all! He seems the least concerned. And here I thought! Oofff! I am so stupid!
***********
After a night full of pure anxiety and panic, and a ton of practice of conversations and figuring out all possible possibilities in my head. I was finally ready. It was 2:00 and he was supposed to pick me up. At 2:30 he finally arrived.
"Took you long enough."
"Shut up and get in."
We sat in the backseat as the driver drived. He probably wasn't sitting in the front seat to 'fit the role of my bf' The whole damn ride he kept on telling me what to do and what not to. While I just kept nodding or rolling my eyes. It was pretty clear he was pretty serious about this 'fake relationship' After a really long ride we were finally there.
As soon as we stepped in his house the attitude completely changed. He placed his arm around my shoulder. I gave him 'the look' which he pretty much ignored.
"Bro, this is Chandni." I nodded.
"Chandni, this is my elder brother Sushil and here is his gf Rani"
"Nice to meet you!" I said smiling (fake smiles are my specialty)
"It's my pleasure."
The four of us sat down and then started random talks.
"How much time it has been since you two started dating?"
"Two years." Aarush answered immediately
"What did you found in my stupid brother that made you date him?"
That question caught both of us off-guard. He was still in shock when I smiled brighter and answered with the best grateful expression I had.
"Earlier I had no friends, had social anxiety and was hesitant to sing on stage even though I wanted to. That's when Aarush stepped in. It's because of him that I was able to overcome my stage fear, make friend and felt included. He tried including me even when I acted ignorant. He cares for everyone deeply though he acts like he doesn't. His these small, small gestures made me look forward to school. I would wait all night to see what new story was awaiting for me and before I had known it, I was in love!"
The two lovebirds sitting in front of us were touched and my 'supposed to be special someone' was impressed. Can't blame him, my inacting skills are pretty impressive.
"I have an idea! How about we all go an a double date!"