You're a Match!

Constipation was his second biggest problem. First was his subtle sarcasm. While the second was a private affair, the first would leave people guessing for meaning and intention. However, both had played a part in ruining Viji’s days. “Please God, let her be beautiful”, he mumbled to himself, finding a place to park.

“Hi, I have a reservation for Viji” he reported to the hostess. “Yes sir, your guest is already here. If can come with me this way”, she asked politely. Viji was immediately disappointed with his date’s looks from afar. “Staged profile again, eh. Filter technology-10, Viji- 0. It’s nice that you serve alcohol” he said to make the hostess laugh. She did not hear it.

“I am Viji and you must be Gauri. How are you?” he said, shaking her hand. She nodded and asked him “Please sit”. “Just like my manager”, said Viji. “What?” asked Gauri, thinking she missed the reference. “Oh, never mind. You look very beautiful tonight”, he began his weekend charade. “Oh, really. I didn’t get time to put on my makeup. I was a little worried,” she said with a casual tone, logging into the digital menu. “Ah, you look fine. Did not even notice, if you had not told,” Viji chuckled, trying to be clever. “I know. So, you do the dating thing often?” she asked without rolling her eyes, which Viji expected coming. “I don’t know. Occasionally it may be. Do you?” he tried not to seem too disinterested. “Also occasionally, you know. Trying to find a match!” she replied. “Is there a way to find the right match; I don’t think so” Viji pushed the conversation forward. “Well, they say if people like the same thing they are a good match, but if they hate the same thing the connection is even stronger” Gauri mentioned the fact she read somewhere. “Well, let’s stick to the things we like then. Right?” he said sarcastically. “Glad to see someone had the time to put on the makeup,” she said playfully. “What is that supposed to mean?” Viji felt offended. “Oh, relax now. It is very common to do that on a date. People do it all the time”. Gauri put a lid on the situation. “I am relaxed. But what do people do all the time? I am just curious”. Viji was getting visibly upset. Gauri regretted it but went on with her view, “We all are wired differently and have ways we act. Some of us like to wrap our personality around with sarcasm, believing the original views are not interesting enough.” “Since you have mapped my entire personality, why don’t you talk about yours?” asked Viji calming himself down. “OK! I have a nasty habit of merging my work with my personal life, like offering expert opinions, then hating it afterward” she answered earnestly “. “Well, I hate that about you too”, he gave her a jolly smile and started laughing. Gauri followed.