ANSWERS

Question: So what was your story? How did you meet him/her? Madman Matt ^!^

We probably talked to each other for the first time through the internet. Okay, maybe it was not technically talking but it counts. He was just another guy back then but I guess even back then he was a bit different from the other guys I knew. He was more approachable compared to my other friends. The first time I pinged him on Social, I wanted some help with some homework. He was a renowned nerd but he was cute. I always wanted to know how he was as a person. He helped me out without much fuss and he gave me some extra pointers even without me asking. It was so nice of him. That chat was probably the spark. He used to ping me a lot after that and I him. We used to talk a lot; mostly about homework at the beginning, but then we moved onto broader topics. Freshmen have this way of connecting to their own kind. We followed like every other freshmen, we connected; quite quickly that too. He wasnt my best friend or anything but it was special being with him. He used to try so hard to crack a joke and when he did none would laugh. Hed just smile and stick his tongue out. Oddly everyone would burst into laughter after that. He used to defend me against my other friends and used to take my side of an argument no matter what. I really liked that, although at times I did feel I could take care of myself. He used to call me a kid although technically he was younger than me. Enough of this. I know the story you are waiting for. So here it is. It was a Sunday night the worst possible Sunday in the history of Sundays I have ever had. I am not exaggerating. I went three hours early for an afternoon class. Yup, I had classes on Sundays and it wasnt fun. Then I come back to my room to find that theres no electricity. There was a power outage that lasted for more than twelve hours. Summer heat plus no power equals torture. Monday blues had started from that Sunday itself. Monday on the other hand was a whole different story. Sort of like a no pain, no gain story. In the evening he called me and asked me if I wanted to go out. I didnt think much (I did not have to think much) and said Yes! I had some work to get done myself. So hey, I thought Id have some company. So we walk towards the gate of the campus. There was nothing special about that evening except that it was sunny and it was sort of beautiful. As we approached the last stretch of the road leading to the gate, he looked at me caught hold of my hand and started to run. He caught me offguard. I looked towards the gate and I too saw the bus. We didnt want to miss the cheapest transport to the city. He let go off my hand, but I couldnt help smiling as I ran towards the gate. It was fun for some reason- running with him hoping to catch a bus. We got into the bus and found ourselves a seat. He sat next to me and offered to hold my backpack. I had an empty backpack with me. I took it with me just for the sake it. The journey was long but not boring. He tried so hard to entertain me. I wouldnt say he sucked at it, but he wasnt the best. We got down from the bus, crossed streets, buildings and many street vendors to find ourselves in front of a tall building, where the party was hosted. He invited me to the party while we were on the bus. I had said Yes! again without thinking much again. With him it wasnt that hard to decide. We went inside. He showed his invitation to the security (bouncer is a harsh word for that gentleman) and he told that I was his plus one. We hopped onto an empty elevator. He pressed the button for floor number 13. That was a long way up. We stood there, inside that small space closed

on all six sides, not knowing what to do or what to speak of. He looked a bit tensed then. I thought it was something about the party. He suddenly turned towards me and said I love you. I replied, Yes! It was instinctive. I didnt even think of it. I guess I didnt have to. I knew him really well and yes I too at some level loved him. Instead of being overwhelmed he asked Really? Again I uttered my favourite positive word YES! We stood there smiling. Others joined us in the elevator and we were sent to the back. There we stood slightly blushing bereft of privacy yet somehow alone in our own world. We partied hard that night till the day ended. I was hoping for a kiss when I accepted the proposal. The kiss came later. I think he was stunned about the whole thing going so well. The kiss story was also special. But I guess we all have stuff we dont talk about ;) ********************************************************************************** She pinged me once on Social asking some doubt in Physics. I was a nerd and everyone knew it. I am not particularly proud of the tag. I told her how to work out that problem and gave some extra tips. But more importantly, she was cute. After that chat I was sure I broke the ice and I found it pretty easy to talk to her after that. I used to ping her frequently and she did the same as well at times. It was nice. We used to have this gang, so I used to hang out with her a lot. We connected pretty fast. Lot of common ground. I usually took her side in a fight. I loved a good fighting especially when you are on the losing side. The group never got my jokes. Probably I was too intellectual or something, but I am sure I cracked jokes I found on the internet. My escape plan was to act cute and stick my tongue out. No matter how crappy a joke was (probably it was how I delivered the joke rather than the joke itself), the tongue used to crack them up. Oh yes! The story... Um... It was on that horrible Monday. Infact the only thing that went the right way was well... that. There was no power for over fourteen hours. That meant no internet and that meant no Songs of Ice and Fire and that my dear sir, was torture. Adding to the insanity was the damn Sun. It wasnt hot. Hot was an understatement. When power came back sanity was restored. Everyone revelled on that joyous moment. Then evening came. I was invited to a party by a friend- a rare fete. He asked me to bring a plus one. I had to think for a bit. Nah, I am just kidding. I chose her as and when my friend asked me to bring someone with me. I told her that I wanted to go to the city. She sounded ecstatic when I asked her and yelled Yes! As I was brushing my hair in all possible direction a thought suddenly hit me. Its been over a semester since I have known her. Why not try and propose. If it goes sideways, party hard, forget about it and come back. If it goes as was planned, party hard, revel and come back. It was sort of a win-win situation. A chance I could take. As we walked the last stretch towards the gate I saw the gate. Quite instinctively I pulled the pedestrian next to me and started running. Having realised it was her, I smiled. Okay, having realised it was her cant be counted as a reason as to why I smiled. But I smiled for some reason. It was fun running towards a bus we were sure to catch. She sat on a seat inside the bus and asked me to sit next to her. I offered to carry her backpack although it looked completely empty. Why? Um... I dont know, isnt that what guys do? No? Oh well. Anyways half way through our journey in between

my carefully coined jokes, I invited her to the party. She shrieked a Yes! this time. Ins ide I was like Okay, that was easier than I thought We reached the building where the party was held. I showed my invitation to the security there (not a bouncer. He was too well dressed for a bouncer) and told that she was my plus one. He let us in. We entered an empty elevator and I pressed the button for the 13th floor. The lift was nice well lit, a mirror behind us, good matte flooring, minimal designs on the I love you. Yes, it was that abrupt. I dont think I have done anything THAT abrupt. I was looking at the panel of buttons and BAM! That question was laid down on the table. She said YES!. The first thing that went through my mind was Woman, you crazy? but what I came out of my mouth was Really? She again said Yes!. It was exhilarating and I was stunned. I never thought it was that easy. I stood there halffrozen and blushing a bit. Okay a lot. Soon others joined in and we were at the back of the elevator smiling uncontrollably. We partied hard that night. Then we went back to college. Lot of things happened since, but some stories are better left untold and some secrets kept.