Play your cards right

    I'm rushing in my car to Sac state university for the mentoring program I recently signed up for. I'm assisting first year students who want to enter the medical field. Its a chilly Thursday evening and I'm glad I dressed warmly. I find a parking space, and hurry my way to the quad where I am to meet Anila .

 I have been her mentor for the last month and half, and I have gotten to know her pretty well. She is from the east coast. She chose Sac state to get a taste of life on the west coast, and thought that Sacramento had its share of hipness without being too fast paced. I like her a lot, she's overly bubbly but   in a charming way.

“HEY!” Anila lets out when she sees me. She jumps from her bench and throws me a warm hug. “Hi, have you been waiting long?” I ask starting to apologize. “oh no!” she waves her hand dismissively. “Good!” I sigh, “So you wanna go get coffee,” I offer “we dont have any work to go over today.” She shrugs her shoulders,tightens her backpack, and nods.

I lead the way to the student cafe, and tell her to find a seat while I order us some drinks. “Oh, get me a hot chocolate, I'm not big on coffee.” she admits.  I smile at her honesty and tell her “Me either.” After ordering our drinks I find her in the back sitting at a small table. I sit opposite her and hand over her hot chocolate.

She begins to pull out her wallet to repay me, “oh don't worry about that!” I say pushing her hand back. She gives me a sheepish smile “fine, but i'll get you next time.” I nod in agreement. “So how are your classes going?”

“There pretty good, I'm kinda used to everything. I feel more at home too now that I'm not living on campus anymore.” I remember that she told me some family moved out here. “That's nice of your family to be able to make such a huge move for you.” I sip some of my cocoa.

“Yeah, my brother has always been there for me. He's a giver.”

“How sweet.” I genuinely smile. “Yeah, he hasn't always had the sweetest luck though,” she pauses for a moment “You know, you might like him, you seem like a girl he'd like.” she perks up. “Oh, I'm not really available.” I laugh a little. “Awe, too bad, when you are let me know!” she laughs back.  

“Hey do you like, musicals and stuff?” her big light brown eyes widen. “Um-yeah?” I raise an eyebrow to her, “Well, okay, so I know I haven't known you all that long, but I wanted to thank you for helping me out. So if you want, I got tickets to a show on Broadway, during our Christmas Break. I figured you could come with me to New York, and you wouldnt have to stay at cheesy hotel or anything.” she looks at me nervously.

I think about what to say, I mean she is a friend, but a new friend. I decide to be appreciative and ask her “What show?” a wave of relief falls over her face “The Lion King,” she giggles “I love that show, ever since it started my brother and I go whenever we can!”

“He must be really nice.” I smile “Yeah, too bad your taken!” she laughs. “Yeah too bad.” I joke back. I look at the time on my phone and tell her that I have a class in ten minutes, on the other side of campus, “So I better get going. Did you need help with anything?”

“Oh, No.” she waves me away “I actually don't have a class for another half hour, so I'm gonna catch up on some reading.” she says pulling out a            philosophy book. “Okay. I'll see you later then.” I say standing up. “Bye.” she smiles.

I walk out the cafe, and think for a moment that I should've at least asked for a description of her brother. What if Wahid doesn't work out? I sigh to myself and keep walking, when my phone vibrates. It's a text:

I laugh out loud to myself, and reply:

Immediately I get a response:

I reply with:

He replies with:

Wahid has this way of making my heart jump. He seems comfortable fast, but not in a way that over steps his boundaries. I reply quickly as I've reached my class:

Wahid says:

My cheeks warm at his honesty:

Wahid:

I send him a final reply:

If Wahid keeps playing his cards right, my mother just may have her wish. A young, successful, good looking son-in-law. I can hear her now, “Hai Chandani, he's sucha nice boy!”