---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Seahorse” Down in the Dirt, v194 (the 4/22 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Ice that Was the Down in the Dirt Jan.-April 2022 issues collection book		get the 420 page Jan.-April 2022 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Blind Date

Uday Mukerji

    “Mel, are you ready? You’re gonna be late,” reminded Jessie from outside the door.
    “Then come in here and help me,” shouted Melissa from inside the room.
    “Oh my god!” Jessie noticed a pile of clothes on Melissa’s bed, and she was standing in front of the cupboard – still, in her undergarments. Jessie asked, “What are you waiting for?”
    “I can’t decide what to wear.”
    Jessie picked up three dresses from the pile and handed them over to her. “Try one of these.”
    Melissa quickly slipped into a purple dress in front of her mirror, and said, “I don’t like these sleeves so much. I don’t even know why I bought this.”
    “Never mind, try the black one.”
    And viola, they were both happy. Melissa said, “I like it. Why didn’t I see this before?”
    “Then you wouldn’t need me. Now hurry up and go, but before you do, let me see a picture of the guy you’re going out with, in case, something happens to you, and I need to go to the police.”
    “Ha-ha, very funny. Anyway, you can check him out on my profile page on Tinder. His name is Jeremy Johnson,” said Melissa while putting the finishing touches on her lipstick.
    Jessie asked, “But why is there someone else’s picture on your DP?” Her eyes were still on Melissa’s iPad. “Wait ... I think I know that girl ... must have seen her somewhere.”
    “Yes, you have seen her plenty. That’s Blake Lively – the Gossip Girl?”
    “But why?”
    “My mother says I quite look like her. This is one of her lesser-seen photos. Besides, I didn’t want to put my picture. You never know who’s going to show up. If I don’t like what I see, I’m gonna bail. That way, he would never know.”
    “But how will he recognize you.”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll recognize him...I have his picture.”
    “You’re devious, Melissa.”
    “Say cautious. You won’t understand because you have a steady boyfriend. You don’t know anything about online dating. Everyone does this kind of thing. Everybody lies.”
    “Thank god, I don’t have to go through this,” sighed Jessie in relief.
    “Anyway, I’m outta here. Wish me luck.”
    “You look stunning, dear. You’re gonna kill it.”
    “If he doesn’t kill me first...” and Melissa pulled the main door behind her.

***

    Jeremy and Chloe reached the restaurant – The Immigrant in the East Village – just in time at 5.56 pm. Chloe said, “I still don’t understand why you dragged me into this with you.”
    “Just give me company until Melissa shows up.”
    “Why don’t you tell me what’s my role here, and how long I have to stay? I can let Peter know.”
    “Why do you always have to tell him where you are going.”
    “You won’t understand, you aren’t married.”
    Jeremy said, “Never mind, your role is to sit here with me until my date arrives. If I don’t like her, I don’t want to go through with this.”
    “Don’t you think it’s a tad late for that? You know you aren’t invisible, right?”
    “One step ahead of you, sister. She doesn’t have my picture. I have put this photo on the app.” And Jeremy pulled out his phone to show her the photo.
    “That’s my husband. What’s Peter’s photo doing on Tinder?”
    “I borrowed it.”
    “Are you kidding me? You can’t borrow someone’s identity. Does Peter know about this?”
    “He’s more generous than you give him credit for. Peter believes in helping people.”
    “Pull it down right now. I don’t want his photo on Tinder.”
    “I promise ... tonight, after the date.”
    “By the way, where is your date?” asked Chloe while jiggling her feet under the table.
    “She isn’t here yet.”
    “Maybe, she isn’t coming. Why don’t you call her?”
    “I don’t have her number.”
    “Then, definitely, she isn’t coming. Let’s go.”

***

    Melissa reached the restaurant five minutes late at 6:05 pm. She purposely stopped at the bookstore so that she didn’t have to sit alone in a bar, waiting.
    She admitted – The Immigrant – was a good choice – not too big, not too loud. She loved the ambiance and the vibes. She was willing to give Jeremy some points for choosing the right place. Melissa looked around, but she couldn’t find anyone matching the photo she had in her head. Four couples were sitting at four small tables, and one big group of six occupied two tables joined together.
    Melissa sat at the bar and ordered a Cosmo. However, there were also two other guys and one lady sitting at the bar, waiting.
    Melissa pulled out her phone to look at Jeremy’s profile picture again to check if any one of those two guys sitting in the bar could, indeed, be Jeremy. But unfortunately, not even close by a long shot.
    Melissa took a sip at her drink and texted Jessie, “Who comes late on a first date?” But Jessie asked her to be patient and to give him a few more minutes.
    Melissa regretted not getting his phone number. Jeremy wanted to exchange their numbers, but Melissa insisted to hold on until they met up, because she had had some bad experiences before. Dating in New York is like fishing on the high seas. You cannot ignore the occasional dangers of sharks and their relatives, aka, the perverts and bullies. Other than that, everything goes – rules seldom apply.
    Melissa noticed one of the guys from the bar had looked at her a couple of times. She walked up to him and asked, “You aren’t Jeremy. Are you?”
    “I could be,” answered the guy with a big grin on his face.
    “Loser,” mumbled Melissa, and she came back to her seat.

***

    Chloe asked Jeremy, “Are you ready to leave now?”
    “Yes, but not before I send her a nasty message.”
    “Well, do what you have to, and then we’re leaving.”
    Within seconds, Melissa’s phone beeped and the color of her face changed as she read the message. She wrote back, “How dare you call me a liar? I’m still waiting for you at the bar. And you are nowhere to be seen.”
    Chloe finished her drink and rose to her feet. “Let’s go.”
    “Guess what, she is here,” answered Jeremy, still sitting.
    “Are you kidding me? Where is she?” Asked Chloe.
    “I don’t know. I can’t see her though.”
    Chloe stood up, picked up her empty glass and a fork from the table, and tinkled until everyone stopped talking. She said, “Is there a Melissa in the house?”
    Silence prevailed. Everyone looked at each other.
    Melissa thought she had dodged a bullet. Where on earth Jeremy is a girl? She opened her purse to pay for the drink and get out. As she walked toward the door, Peter entered.
    Melissa was already having a crappy evening. As soon as she saw Peter, she went off like a guided missile. “You are Jeremy, right? Who comes half an hour late on a first date? Haven’t you learned anything? Don’t you dare contact me again! We’re done.” And she walked toward the exit.
    Peter said, “Hold on, first off, I’m not Jeremy, my name is Peter. Your date is over there.” As he turned to look for Jeremy and his wife, he didn’t have to look far. Hearing the commotion at the entrance, they had already started walking toward them.
    Chloe asked Peter, “Hey babe, what are you doing here?”
    “I got your text. I was in the neighborhood, and I thought I would pick you up before heading home.”
    Melissa turned to them and interrupted, “Enough. It doesn’t matter, it’s over now, and I’m leaving.”
    Jeremy came forward to say something. But Chloe stopped him. She looked Melissa in the eye and said, “No, you aren’t.” And she pushed Jeremy next to Melissa and continued, “You two are equally to blame for your misguided dating ideas. You are both cowards and hide behind someone else’s picture. You knowingly deceived each other and came out on a date without sharing any contact information. You know what, you deserve each other. You guys are killing your blind date. Enjoy.”
    Choe turned to Peter and dragged him with her. “Let’s get out of here.”

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...