The Virtual Dinner.

 

Sunday afternoon 2 O’clock. It was a week to “The Truth game”. As she said the end touch sparkled an untangle zeal to deal with the office chaos throughout the week. Working hours these days are less worrisome, some unfamiliar smiles are silhouetting beneath shades of grin. That Mini-me within has started inhaling fresh breezes after weeks of being suffocated and weekends are no more venomous.

As Hippocrates said_

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity"

I have been witnessing his words these days.

My phone whistled to notify me about the arrival of a text message. From the middle of random browsing on Laptop, I tapped twice on-screen to steal a quick peek. The lock screen of my phone flashed with glowing white letters as “1 Unread message From Miracle Knock”

It was her first text message to me. Eyes dilated and a sudden sheerness rushed beneath follicles. Before mind could react, my fingers beat it. I unlocked the phone in flash to take a complete look.

“Hey! Dev, if you are free this evening, how about a Dinner?” The message read as.

This tiny sentence was as simple as the table of 2 yet, that over thinker Mini-me within felt it as tough as chemical compositions of Chemistry. “A dinner?”, “Is she here?”, “Did she send this message to me accidentally?”, “Ohh! No!! That can’t be. The message has my name.”, “What does she really mean?” Within a second my mind delivered probably all possible questions raised out of the staggering amount of doubts.

“Hey!! What a surprise!!

Dinner? Are you here?” resting my restless mind I managed to reply to her.

I could barely wait for her next response. Excessive thirst of excitement started dehydrating my entire brain. When my attention shifted completely to phone leaving Laptop aside, I never realised. Keeping the message box open I was not allowing the phone to sleep a moment. My eyes were waiting for her next message like a dead Peepal tree waits for spring to grow new leaves.

“Yes! Dinner...

A virtual dinner. Sounds exciting. Isn’t it?” in a minute her reply popped up.

This crazy girl and her frisky response were tossing my unravelled emotions. A glee on my face hijacked all my decision-making hormones.

“Yes! it is. And how do you plan to do that?” I texted her back.

“A Virtual dinner? “Is she going to ask for a face time?” “Ohh, God! Then I have to trim my beard?” “Wait, what about the food?” until her next message arrived again my mind started permuting all likely scenarios may arrive. 

“Today is the cheat day of the month. I don’t go for hostel or home food. Usually, I go out for dinner or order something. How about you send me your address and I’ll send you a surprise dinner? Then we both can have food together at a time over a call.” after a long 5 minutes her reply arrived.

“Has she gone crazy? All these days if I ever wanted to have peace at any time that is during dinner.” The Mini-me started asking questions out of a tiny panic attack.

“CRAZY!! But I am excited! Should I not be the one to get you a treat as an act of gratitude?” I replied to her compassionately. 

Unaware of her next reply, both mind and heart were jiggled among various forecasted thoughts.

“Don’t be formal Dev. I am happy to sponsor you a dinner today and you’d not listen to this from a girl very often. Don’t miss this chance. 😉” Her next reply read as.

Even though her happiness was sowing an unknown joy in me, yet I was adamant to be the first patron. 

“As this is the first time, let me do this. Next time I’ll ask you. Get me your address, tonight dinner is on me.” I texted her back.

“Am I Stupid? I should not have asked her address. After all, she is a girl and she is never going to share that with me at any cost.” My outmoded mind went on a battle of an argument with overpowering desires.

“Ufff!! Ok.

Aanshi Chaturvedi

M-**/*, ************. Bhopal – 462***” within a couple of minutes her address arrived in my inbox.

“Unreal! Did she just share her address with no terms and conditions asked? Did she just share her address with no second thought? Is this even she or anyone else using her phone? Might be some hostel mates? Is the address even correct?” hundreds and maybe thousands of questions made my head heft heavy.

“Great!! Final question before we catch at dinner. Would you prefer veg or Non-veg? And, let me know the time for your dinner” I texted her assuming that I am not in dreamland or at least not in a hallucination.

“Dev. I am a vegetarian from birth and with Time, hmm... I am happy with any time around or after 8:30 evening, what you say?” she replied.

“Great! Then let’s lock 8:30 PM” I communicated back with no time.

“Awesome!! Will call you the moment I get food in hand”  she replied.

“Can’t wait till then!!” I texted, expressing my exhilaration.

“Me too!!” she replied with no time.

 

Evening 7 o’clock.

“It’s been four and a half hours. Come’ on, I have to make a decision now” under a shed of panic my mind was struggling hard to pick a hotel for dinner. The city which I had barely any idea about till yesterday, now I know It’s favourite cuisine, best hotels around and city famous fast foods stalls. Over these four and a half hours I doubt if I might have left any hotel to view on Google. 

Hotel Under the mango tree and the hotel Bikanervala were two highly rated hotels on both Google and Zomato. Now the choice was clear, I had to go for anyone among them. The first hotel as the name says is sited under a huge mango tree with a beautiful garden for outdoor dining. This hotel on the picture looks just perfect to spend some eminence time over dinner. On other side, hotel Bikanervala is very fond among locals for its quality of food. Now I was ready with my decision. I opted ‘Bikanervala’ over ‘Under the mango tree’ for the simple reason as to enjoy the best food sitting at home.

The moment I thought had accomplished the toughest task, the real task arose, the task to select the best cuisine from a very long menu. Hotels that I have been through for a number of times, I barely ask for any menu to order. Yet, when the hotel is pretty new the general attitude is to go for the hotel’s best
 cuisines.

After 15-20 mins of scrolling up and down, I finally decided the whole dinner combo. To start, sweet corn and creamy soup following which Veg Momos for starters, for main course two Onion butter Kulcha with chef special Shahi Paneer and to end two scoops of vanilla with a red Gulabjamoon.

Around 7:30 evening sharp, I placed the order considering 45 minutes for delivery. If the hotel delivers within the time then as per my plan food would arrive in her hand prior to 15-20 minutes from the given time. Placing the order, I was waiting for the hotel to confirm which usually takes a couple of minutes and in most cases instantly. Within a minute and a half, Hotel Bikanervala confirmed my order. A strange trepidation was fragmenting my breath short.

“Hey!! Aanshi. Placed your order. Your dinner is now being prepared and may arrive anytime. Shall let you know once the food is out for delivery. 😊” I texted her to keep her aware.

Keeping the phone aside for a moment I went to refresh myself. After 4 to 5 hours of unremitting search & investigation that was the furthermost need of the moment.

After 15 minutes, wiping my face I lobbed the towel on the bed and quickly grabbed the phone sitting on the sofa to check food delivery status and as expected there was a reply message from her,

“Awesome! 😊 . Also confirm me that you’ve ordered something for yourself” message read as.

“Ohh!! As per her dinner rule, I also should buy dinner for myself to eat along with her over the call” My forgotten mind reminded me after her message. To be honest, had she not asked this I would not have ordered anything for myself. A smile exulted. With no second thought, I ordered a Mushroom Noodles and a Mini Dry fruit Falooda from Sangeetha, the hotel I prefer on any day for the quality of food.

“Thanks for reminding, I had completely forgotten. 😊  Both of our foods are now being prepared.” I replied to her after completing a successful online order.

“Ahh!! I was guessing so. Let’s see which city delivers food faster your Chennai or my Bhopal. Haha” A reply from her arrived in no time.

“Funny!! Your order was placed 15-20 mins earlier. If still I receive my order later than you that is because of the worse traffic Chennai has than Bhopal.” I replied to argue against her.

“Whatever!! So, you do not accept that Bhopal has a better food delivery chain?” her reply read as.

“Never seen though! But my Chennai is parallel to none.” I texted her back in reply.

“Let’s see! Count down starts tik-tok, tik-tok” she replied in jiffy.

Time 8:05 PM

A notification popped up on the screen as “Your food is out for delivery”. I had instructed the hotel to call her number for any address and delivery communication.

“Yayyy!! Your food is now out for delivery. You’ll get a call at any time from now.” I messaged her in hurry to inform.

“What’s the status for your food?” she asked.

“The delivery person is waiting at the hotel to pick up my order, will receive soon.” I texted her back.

Time was running fast, “Within some minutes from now she’ll receive the food in hand. Will she like them? Will she like the hotel I ordered from?” my restive mind was again pouring tsunamis of questions. I was going insanely mad thinking all negative situations may arise. Fingers were crossed. “Oh! God, please make the food the best food ever” this was the only prayer the Mini-me within was chanting.

 Time 8:20 PM

“Did you receive the call from the delivery person?” I texted her. As per the food delivery app, the delivery person was near to her hostel.

Within some seconds my phone chimed. This time her name was flashing on the screen, with no time I picked up the call.

“Hi…” I greeted.

Aanshi: “Hi Dev”

“Did you receive the call from the delivery person?” I asked.

 Aanshi: “Yes! he is standing out. I am stepping downstairs to get the parcel from him. Be on line”

“Is he not going to deliver outside door?” I questioned.

Aanshi: “I stay in a ladies hostel Dev. No boys are allowed inside. That’s why I am going to collect from him”

“Ahh!! My bad. Forgot that for a moment. I am online.” I replied in a reserved voice.

Aanshi: “Here I am. Just about to collect. Be online hann…”

“Great. I am nervous now” I replied with a miniature voice.

Over the next minute, I heard some very tiny voices on the phone of her communicating with her surroundings.

“Hi Bhaiya, Mai Aanshi hun.” She presented herself to the delivery person.

“Hi Ma’am. Good evening” The delivery person greeted her formally.

I had already instructed the Hotel to send a decent delivery boy who could communicate formally with the person collects food.

“Ma’am, Yeh Raha Appke Khana” the delivery boy handed over the food to her with a very charming tone.   

“Thank you” She rendered her gratitude to the delivery boy.

“Ma’am, agar app ko khana pasand aye toh please ratings acche de dena” the delivery boy pleaded.

“Haan Zaroor, app befikar rahiye” she affirmed the delivery boy with a smile.

Aanshi: “Hi Dev. I got the food. You’ve ordered from Bikanervala?”

“Yes! after a long battle of struggle I finally decided to go for this hotel” I responded.

Aanshi: “Oh! I love this Hotel. Only once I had lunch from there that was mouth-watering”

“Wow! Did just God grant my prayer?” I whispered.

Before she could say anything a loud voice from behind wedged her attention “Aanshi Beti, kya ajj cheat day hai?” The voice sounded of an aged man.

“Hann Dada. Tabhi to bahar ka khana” she replied to that man.

Both of them laughed. Her giggle buzzed with the chortle sound of that man.

Aanshi: “Sorry Dev, he is Abhoy Dada, our security guard.  He is from Kolkata  so I call him as Dada.”

“Great! Even he knows about your cheat day!” I smiled.

Aanshi: “Yes! we communicate every day. I am like a daughter to him and he is a man with a golden heart”

“impressive! Is he like this to all or only to you?” I asked.

Aanshi: “Hmm… Don’t know how rest behave with him but he cares about me a lot”

“Maybe a girl with a golden heart finds all alike” I mumbled.

Aanshi: “Are you flirting Dev?”

“No. Complementing” I replied with a smile.

A smile buzzed both of the sides.

Aanshi: “Hold on a second I am opening the door now.”

“Okay,” I affirmed.

Aanshi (locking the door): “Dev, what happened to your food?”

“It’s on the way, may arrive any time from now” I answered.

Aanshi: “Shall we then declare Bhopal as the winner?”

We giggled.  

Aanshi: “You were speaking about some prayers?”

“Yes! you won’t believe, I have spent more than 4 hours searching for all good hotels and best cuisines surrounding you. I was only praying God to show me the best among bests” I retorted.

Aanshi: “Wow! Then?”

“Then, I actually selected two. One Hotel Under the mango tree & second Hotel Bikanervala" I added.

Aanshi: “Did you really check Under the mango tree?”

“Yes! I did. From pictures that just look awesome for outdoor dining, but I again opted Bikanervala as anyhow you are going to have food at home” I replied.

Aanshi: “You know Dev, I normally go for some street vendors rather than renowned hotels on my cheat day. For my job, I often visit some star hotels for dinners and lunches but the taste of traditional food I only get from street vendors”

“Yes. I did even search for some local hotels. Was also thinking to buy Poha Jalebi for you” I added.

Aanshi: “That’s my daily snacks, if not daily then at least I eat that twice a week”

“Thank God that I did not get that!” I slackened my tone.

Aanshi (smiled): “Let me see what’s in the pack for dinner?”

I put my phone on mute for some seconds to pray “Dear God! She should love the food”

I heard her unwrapping the cover on the other side. I unmuted myself crossing my fingers.

Aanshi (with a disappointed tone): “Dev.. what is this?”

“What! Is there anything you do not like? Is there anything you find sickening?” I questioned repetitively.

Aanshi: “What can be wrong? There are many boxes inside. (Starts counting) 1,2,3.. Oh! God! 7 wraps and boxes inside. Dev, are they all for one or many?”

“Obviously it’s for you alone” I added.

Aanshi (opening the first box): “Hold on. It’s soup. Ahh!! A sweetcorn soup if I am not wrong?”

“Yes. It is” I added.

Aanshi: “How do you know I crave for soup on any given day”

“I have just sent you everything I like and believe me I am in a great dilemma If you’d like them at all” I responded her.

Aanshi: “No food is bad food for the one who worships them”

“Ahh!! You just puffed oxygen in me” I smiled.

Aanshi: “Its Kulcha. I guess butter and onion Kulcha and this is Paneer, is that Shahi paneer?”

“Yes! it is” I nodded with her.

Aanshi: “Oh wow!! Momos” (she screamed)

“They must be vegetable Momos” I added.

Aanshi (with a smile): “I won’t lie to you, yesterday late evening I went to a nearby shop for momos and didn’t get them. I think Dev, as you said God is granting wishes”

“Wish more then. Who knows he may grant them all” I added with glee on my face.

Aanshi: “Thank you so much my Genie”

“ ’Genie’ Did she just tell me her Genie?” that overthinker Mini-Me within pushed me hard to come out of all barriers and dance to this tune.  

Aanshi: “Dev, you there?”

“Yes! Glad that you are liking them” controlling that over thinker demon within, I replied.

Aanshi: “Oh! I am loving them. Wait there are two more boxes. Ohh wow! Ice-cream in it and what might be in other? hey!! Gulabjamoon.”

“Now that you have unrevealed them all, how do you find them?” I questioned.

Aanshi: “I am drooling like a puppy drools for pedigree. I wish you were here to see how beautiful they all look together.”

“If God grants your wish then we will meet sooner” I added to her.

Aanshi: “Hope that happens as soonest as possible”

A laugh Buzzed.

Aanshi: “There are 6 momos, 2 Kulchas and way too much Shahi Paneer for me. Give me a minute Dev, will take 2 Momos, a Kulcha and some Paneer out for Dada. I am sure he’d be happy to eat them”

Her humbleness was winning my heart. I was melting into drops with her kindness and simplicity.

“Had I known this before I could have ordered some more"  I said her.

Aanshi: “It's not what we can give, It's always how much we can give from what we have. And, tell me how have you portrayed me Dev? Do you think I am a fat fleshy lass who would just eat all Chinese monsters at once?”

“Ha-Ha. Never seen you though” I pulled her leg.

Aanshi: “I am of moderate health and with God’s grace every time I feel completely dined with as little as possible”

“Now this will help me to develop some more characteristics about your image” I chuckled.

“Aanshi, please be on line I think my delivery boy here is just waiting out. I am taking you on hold for a second, do not disconnect.” I said as the delivery boy’s call was flashing on the screen.

Aanshi: “Sure, please. In the meantime, shall give Dada his part and come”

I thanked her.

“Hello, Sir. Food Delivery” the man on the other side said.

“Hi, Anna, where are you?” I questioned.

“Sir, please come out; I am waiting out near your gate” he replied.

“Thanks, Anna, I am coming” I rushed to the ground floor to grab my food.

Getting the food in hand I waved thanks to the pleasant-looking delivery boy. His call was disconnected by then. I was listening to her on the other side dismounting stairs.

“Dada. Ekk minute idhar aao” she called Abhoy Dada loud.

“Kya hua Beti?” Dada asked with a polite voice.

“Dada yee App ke liye. Kha lena” she offered possibly some Momos, a Kulcha and Paneer to Dada.

“Prabhu Tomara Mangala karu” Abhoy Dada the security guard blessed her in return.

Those Bengali words “Prabhu Tomara Mangala karu”  (God bless you) was resonating in my ears.

Aanshi: “Hi Dev. Did you get your food?”

“Yes. Was listening to Dada blessing you” I replied.

Aanshi (smiled): “Ha-Ha. I told you he has a golden heart”

“Yes! and I told you, a girl with a golden heart” I added to her.

A smile bloomed. 

Aanshi: “what’s there for dinner today?”

“Hmm… A Mushroom Noodle and a Dry Fruit Falooda” I answered.

Aanshi: “Comm'n unwrap them soon, I am here drooling to take the first bite”

“I have done that. you may start with the soup” I replied.

Aanshi: “That Vanilla is tempting me. First a spoon from that, then anything”   

I snickered.

Aanshi (talking to self): “No! Aanshi, you need these scoops later. Control yourself”

“Sorry! Did you say something?” I distrustfully asked.  

Aanshi: “Nothing Dev! A second shall keep this Vanilla in the refrigerator. The bitch in me is just hopping on that”

“Ohh! You can have them. I’ll place a new order now. By the time you complete your dinner, the next scoop of Vanilla will be at your door” I replied with an assured tone.

Aanshi: “Idiot! If you gift me a whole ice-cream parlour the demon within would still desire for another. Some wishes are better unfulfilled”

“True that!” I nodded with her.

Aanshi (shutting the refrigerator door): “Good! Now that I can enjoy the soup. Achha Dev, now you tell me one thing”

“Yes,” I flagged green to proceed with her question.

Aanshi (Smiling): “How did you feel when I asked for dinner?”

“Honestly, for a moment I thought you are here in Chennai and when you said a virtual dinner, I went crazy thinking would be a facetime” I answered to her with honesty.

Aanshi: “Shall I reveal you a secret desire?”

“A secret desire! I’m excited” I presented my exhilaration.

Aanshi (with whispering tone): “yes! It’s like, I don’t want to see you on my phone screen before I meet you in person”

“(cough) (cough) Okay” clearing throat I said.

Aanshi: “So, I’ll never ask you for facetime and that’s certain”

“One question is hunting me. May I ask?” I sought her permission once she paused.

Aanshi (with a heavy tone): “You have my permission”

“Neither did you say “No” nor you gave any excuse when I asked your address? I mean getting a girl’s address was never such easy” I spewed the doubt out.

Aanshi (Smiled): “Ha-ha. We’ve been speaking for a month now. You have my number yet, neither you called nor you texted me once from your end. With my address what would you do? And that’s too of my hostel address.”

“Who knows a pleasant-looking stranger might be an evil in disguise” I tried to justify my stand.

Aanshi: “I won’t take a sip of water from a stranger and look here I’m enjoying every sip of this delicious soup from you. You have crossed that stranger zone Dev. There’s certain trust housing up in my mind for you. And, by the way, what do you think otherwise?”

 “I’d agree! Nobody spends 4 hours for a stranger to search intensively for a hotel to treat a dinner” I added.

Aanshi: “Now look, we’re travelling in the same boat” 

Ha- Ha (we both laughed)

Aanshi: “You know, last week I felt proud of myself. Sometimes I feel happy for being into this job.”

“Wow! Some good news! Did your Manager appreciate?” I asked.

Aanshi: “That man never appreciated his wife for marrying him, what would I expect then?”

I laughed.

“Then what was the occasion?” I asked again.

Aanshi: “Actually, last week a dispute came to my bucket from Tamilnadu for a man named Ramalingan. He was being admitted for minor surgery. The tragedy was, his wife was not able to communicate with us in any language other than Tamil. She was crying and all I understood from her that they are falling short of money.”

“Then?” I asked out of curiosity.

Aanshi: “She just told me the hospital name and the insurance ID. See God’s grace, the hospital was within our network”

“Wow! Then?” I asked astoundingly.

Aanshi: “Then, I immediately called to the hospital, verified all details and they operated him on the next day with 100% cashless”     

“Now I’m proud of you. Now you see, just as I told earlier a girl with a golden heart” I pampered.

Aanshi: “Listen, the main thing. I actually had shared my personal number with Mrs. Ramalingan for anything urgent. After two days of his discharge, last Friday he called me personally to thank. His voice and humble words preached some greatness within me”

“Certainly, you deserve" I added in appreciation.

"And, How did your manager react?" I asked with a smile. 

Aanshi: “Sometimes you just need the end customer to recognize. These blood mongers otherwise need profit at the cost of lives." 

"True!"  I nodded with her.

Aanshi: “How was your week there?”

“Hmm. It was Normal. Mid-week of the month with not much pressure. Just closed some accounts and disputes and yes, led some business calls. Nothing much to brag upon” I replied.

Aanshi (with a poking voice): “Such a boring life you are living”

“Now, please don’t stab a dead bird” I retorted  with a brittle voice. 

Aanshi: “Just joking”

A laugh buzzed. 

Aanshi: “Umm… They have added cashew chunks in the veg mix and that’s just taking the taste of Momos to another level”

“Thank you Bikanervala!” I whispered.

“By the way, which was the best ever dinner you had so far?” I asked.

Aanshi: “I don’t have to think about this. On my 20^th birthday Dad took me to Pachmarhi, we reached there one day before my birthday and celebrated my 20^th birthday there. Dinner there was like a dinner in heaven. And, most honestly when you sit on top of a mountain among clouds to enjoy dinner who gives importance to food?”

“Wow! Is Pachmarhi a hill station?” I questioned as for the first time I heard this name.

Aanshi: “Yes! It’s very famous and in fact the No.1 hill station in Madhya Pradesh. It sprinkles the magic of nature and spirituality at a time on its visitors”

“Wow! Never knew this before! Adding this to my wish list now” I retorted.

Aanshi: “Yes you must! By the way, which was your best ever dinner?”

“My best dinner was on the roadside” I replied.

Aanshi: “On the roadside?”

“Yes, actually one night around 11:30 I reached Bhubaneswar. I was travelling to home and I had to stay that night there, early morning I had my train. There was a huge political strike across the city on that day and there were a lot of crowds even in the night. All hotels and shops were closed. I was craving in hunger. My eyes went onto a street fast food peddler who was sitting alone. I went near him and asked if he has anything to serve now? Initially, he denied and said about the strike, later when I told him how hungry I was, he did some very strange things. He asked me to wait and then covered his tiny moving shop with a huge polyethene tent. Then he invited me to step inside and asked to sit on a plastic stool. He offered me 5 pieces of Rumali Rooti and some Gobi Manchurian. Believe me, that moment I felt like he saved my life.” I expressed my best ever dinner experience.

Aanshi: “Great! Some times an expensive gift comes with a cheap wrap on it”

“Yes! and end of the day all you need is a piece of care and that magical touch of love to satisfy your soul” I added to her.

Aanshi: “Yes! True that”

Aanshi: “Dev, I am sorry. My Dad has called twice in between and I gotta speak with him now”

“Hey! Don’t be sorry at all! We have been speaking approximately for an hour now” I replied favouring her.

Aanshi: “Yes! this is our longest call till so far! And honestly I don’t wish to disconnect”

“Neither do I” I repeated after her.

Ha-ha-Ha (A laugh Bloomed)

“Anyway, Good night! I'll be waiting to know your overall experience about this dinner” I volunteered the fond adieu.

Aanshi: “My tastebuds are going to hold this food for long in life, Thank you for everything Dev”

“Thank you, for making this Sunday beautiful” I whispered.

 “bye…” with a smile she hung up.

Time 11:30 PM

A clang of notification on phone broke my early sleep. It was again a message from her.

“Hi... Dev... Guess what!! I am now enjoying Vanilla😍. Paneer & Kulcha was utterly delicious and Gulabjamoon, I still have that taste on my tongue. Hope you had your dinner” the message read as.

“I am glad you enjoyed them! Now I’m feeling like being completely dined.😍” Opening my eyes, I replied to her in no time.

“Thanks!! Genie🧞. You have a good night” her reply arrived within a few seconds.

“Genie” again? The Mimi-Me within got up from the bed to disco whole night.

“You Too! Golden Heart 😊” I waived final adieu for the night controlling this freaky monster within.