by P. G. Van
“Jason is cute too.”
“That’s enough, Meg. Out!!”
“I am not leaving because you have to take me to the rescue center for my volunteer hours.”
“That’s in the afternoon, and I can use a few hours without Ms.Match.com in my room.”
“It is afternoon, Ms. Sleeping Beauty,” she retorted.
I pulled out my phone to look at the time, only to realize I had slept for ten hours straight.
A new record.
I noticed I had messages from an unknown number sent that morning.
Unknown: Hey...This is Reyan.
Unknown: Ping me when you have a moment.
“Meg, I have a text from the guy who is not your boyfriend.”
“Is he asking you out?”
“Yup, that’s exactly what he said, and that means I can’t take you to the rescue center.”
“You know I won’t mind…so…are you going to sext him back?”
“Watch it, Meg.”
“Okay, fiiiine.”
Thirty minutes later, I sat in the car outside the rescue center where Meg was volunteering that afternoon and stared at my phone. I debated about calling or texting Reyan back. I was in no mood to make small talk so I typed a reply to his text.
Me: Hey…
I got a response back almost immediately. Meg would have confirmed that he was staring at the phone waiting for my response.
Reyan: Hi Vinnie…
Me: Hey…you feel’n better?
Reyan: Yes
Me: Still at the hospital?
Reyan: Nope.
Me: Good…so no broken bones..
Reyan: My wrist…hairline
Me: I have your stuff
Reyan: Oh...really?
I realized that he texted me to say hi and not for the stuff.
Seems to be a nice guy.
Me: I have your wallet, watch, and some other stuff…
Reyan: Oh…Neel said he had my stuff so I didn’t realize you had them…
Me: Yup I have your wallet too and I am about to go shopping..
Reyan: Anything you want!!!
Me: Really?
Reyan: Anything!!!
Me: Oh you need to head back to the hospital buddy…get yourself checked for brain damage
Reyan: I will only if you go with me…Again
Me: Noooo
Reyan: C’mon
Me: C’mon
Reyan: Are you copying me?
Me: Are you copying me?
Reyan: You are silly
Me: You are silly
Reyan: You are hot
Me: You are hot
Reyan: I want to kiss you.
Shit!! What the...
Me: Hey got to go…some dude wants to kiss me.
Reyan: Got you!!!!
Me: Yes, you did
I realized I was grinning, as I was texting with him.
Me: Don’t worry…I am not going shopping or going to kiss you…
Stop flirting Vinnie!! He is gay!!
Reyan: I won’t stop you if you want to…
He’s flirting back?
Me: Still have your stuff…
Reyan: How about I swing by tomorrow and pick’m up?
Me: What time?
Reyan: 6?
Me: Meet me at Pier 33…at the bar
Reyan: Are you asking me out?
Me: Duuude.I work at the bar…come by and pick up your stuff…
Reyan: You can ask me out…I don’t mind…
Me: You really are silly…
Reyan: ??
Me: Bring Neel with you…I will get you guys a drink on the house..
Reyan: Will be there…
I scrolled through the conversation and couldn’t believe the conversation I had with Reyan. I knew at that point he could be the friend I have always wanted, someone who can give me a tough fight.
*****
“Good morning, Vi!!” Jen cheered as I walked into the Starbucks coffee shop for my day job.
“Hey, Jen. Did you have a good weekend?”
“Oh, the usual,” Jen scrunched her nose. She worked as a waitress and always recovered during the weekdays.
“Ready for the Monday morning madness?” she cheered.
“As always, and I doubt if it’d be crazier than my Saturday night.”
“Oh, anything fun?”
“Not really.” I shook my head smiling as I remembered my text conversation with Reyan.
Jen and I worked the counter for two hours nonstop until the Monday morning rush died down. I was rearranging the pastries in the refrigerator when Jen nudged me.
“I think I see someone that may be buddies with your doppelganger.”
I shook my head at the memory of random people asking me if they had met me before, and I could tell from the overly familiar accent they were all from India. It was the accent my mom and dad had, and it was hard to miss.
I had initially presumed it was a way for the shy Indian guys to have a conversation with me but when I had a couple of elderly women ask me the same question, I figured I had a doppelganger or a twin from another mother that has been socializing in excess within the local Indian community.
I looked at the guy Jen pointed to as my doppelganger’s friend as he approached the counter.
“Hi, there. What can I get you?” I chirped and saw his expression freeze. I could tell he was holding his breath and was looking at me like he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Ummm...Nandi?” his voice was shaky.
“I’m sorry what?”
“Are you...are you Nandi?”
“Not sure what that means.”
“I am sorry…you look just like one of my friends from school.”
“Sorry, not me. I haven’t seen you before. What can I get you?”
“Are you sure?”
I darted a not so friendly look towards him but did not respond.
“I am sorry. I’ll get two tall lattes, please.”
I picked up the cups and asked for his name for the order.
“What is your name? I am only asking your name for the order.”
“Sorry, I still can’t believe you are not Nandi. I haven’t seen her since school.” I noticed that he kept staring at my left hand as I took the payment for the order.
Weirdo.
“Are you from India?” he asked weakly.
“Are you from India?” I bounced the question back to him.
“Yes, I am. I am here for grad school,” he said without moving away from the register. I hoped another customer would come by so he would move on. I looked at Jen hoping she would interject, but it seemed like she wanted to know why the guy kept staring at me.
“Oh, okay.”
“The last thing I heard about Nandi was that she was in a car accident and she died.”
“What the…” I uttered and heard Jen gasp at the same time.
“When I saw you, I was hopeful that I had heard incorrectly about her,” the guy said softly.
“I am sorry, but I am not your friend. My mom and dad were from India, but I’ve never been to India.”
“Your drinks are ready,” Jen interjected just when the guy was about to say something. He smiled at Jen and picked up the two cups of coffee and started walking away; he stopped short when he saw a woman walk towards the entrance.
He turned around to look at me and said, “That’s my girlfriend and she knew Nandi too…I wonder if she thinks you look like her too.” He stepped away from her view and stood facing me. I looked at the woman who seemed to be my age as she walked into the coffee shop. She looked around and then looked right at me.
She froze in her spot dropping the bag she was holding and stood staring at me. She stood a few feet away from me, and I could see the blood draining from her face. She covered her mouth with her palm as she approached me.
“Nandi?” she cried.
Seriously??
The guy reached out and put his arms around t
he woman and said, “I know, but that’s not her.”
“Oh my gosh…it’s got to be her.” The woman quivered.
I turned to look at Jen, and it looked like she was as shocked as the woman. The guy took a few minutes to calm his girlfriend while she continued to stare at me.
“Hi…I am Geeta.” She held her hand out after she calmed down.
“I’m Vinnie.” The woman took my right hand in both her hands and continued to look at my left hand.
“Vinnie, very nice to meet you and sorry about my reaction,” she managed in a steady voice.
“Can I please look at your left hand?” Geeta asked softly.
“Geeta, it’s not her,” the guy chimed in.
“I still can’t believe it,” Geeta said in disbelief.
The couple spoke amongst themselves for a few more minutes and left quietly.
“What was that?” Jen asked shaking her head.
“That was weird.” I took a deep breath and continued what I was doing before the guy strolled into the coffee shop.
“Well, we at least we know for sure you have a doppelganger.” Jen sounded relieved.
“Had a doppelganger…Jen. I think the girl they were talking about died in an accident and she was from India.”
“Yeah…so?” Jen wondered.
“All the others who asked me if we had met prior did not have the same reaction. I wonder if I have another doppelganger in San Francisco.” I giggled.
“That’s freaky!!” Jen declared.
“Yup…I wonder when I’ll get to meet my clone.”
Chapter 3
“There’s the face I love,” Dave, my co-bartender said as I walked into the back room of the bar and restaurant on the pier.
“Good to see you too, Dave.” I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me for a bear hug.
“Did you have a good weekend?” I asked smiling at him.
“I had a crappy Saturday night. I should have worked at the club with you,” he grumbled and added, “The speed dating thing was not worth it.”
“The club was crazy that night, and Jason was being a total dick as usual,” I grumbled.
Dave and I worked in the club on event nights so the owner of the bar didn’t have to hire temp help. The money was good, and the tips were great on event nights so I didn’t mind the fifty-mile drive south of San Francisco.
“That guy has a nice piece of ass, but I want to kick him every time I see him. What did he do?” Dave growled like a protective brother.
“Easy buddy…Jason doesn’t have the balls to go past the dirty talk.”
“That’s my girl!!” Dave cheered and asked, “Why do I see a break in your schedule for fifteen minutes on the schedule at six today? You normally don’t take a break till eight.”
“I know, I am meeting a guy for a few minutes at six.”
“Like a date?”
“No, Dave!! Long story, but I have some of the guy’s stuff, and he is coming to get them from me.”
“You need to go on a date, hon…it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you with a dude.”
“That’s because not everybody is as interesting as you are Dave,” I teased, tying my apron around my waist.
“Aww...you are a darling and too smart for those lame guys that are all over the city.”
Dave and I had worked together for over a year, and he was a good friend. He was a few years older than I was and a few inches taller than me. He had crystal blue eyes and styled his dark blond hair differently every day.
We clicked the first day I started working at the bar. He was very protective and would stay past his schedule on days I was closing to make sure the stragglers didn’t cause any trouble. I had my own set-up of a baseball bat and a can of pepper spray just in case I needed it, but I never had to use it with Dave hanging around and walking me to my car.
“Who is the guy that’s coming to see you at six? A date, special friend?”
“None of the above. In fact, I maybe able to set you up with him if his boyfriend doesn’t show up.”
“Sounds good and here’s our first customer for the night,” Dave said wiping his palms on the bar towel.
“Okay Dave, here we go, five bucks he is going to order a lite beer.”
Dave and I always bet on the drink the first customer of the night would order, and it so happened that nine out of the ten times I was right. I had a good streak lately and have been pretty successful.
Dave shook his head looking at the thirty-something guy and said, “It looks like he had a pretty shitty day, and he is going to get a Jack’n’Coke.”
Two minutes later, Dave handed me a five-dollar bill looking very dejected.
“You will win one of these days Dave, don’t lose hope.”
The crowd at the bar was light as a lot of people were at the tables for an early dinner. It was ten to six when Dave came rushing to the back room where I was filling up a canister with hard liquor.
“Your dude is here with another hot dude.” I rolled my eyes at Dave’s excitement.
“They are a couple Dave, please don’t hit on the guy you like.”
“There is no way in hell…” Dave’s voice drifted off when he caught my stern expression.
“Behave, and I will introduce you to the guy you are interested in.”
I walked back to the bar to find Reyan and Neel talking to Tanya, the hostess. Tanya was clearly blushing looking at Reyan, and I wondered if it was that hard to tell that Reyan and Neel were a couple.
Reyan and Neel were standing with their backs to the bar. Reyan was a few inches taller than Neel and carried his business suit with ease over his broad shoulders. I had my eyes fixated on Reyan’s shoulders when he turned to look straight at me. His face broke into a smile as soon as our eyes met, and I felt my heart skip a beat and my lips parted automatically.
My memory of Reyan’s face did not do justice to his rugged looks and the masculinity his body emitted. I smiled at him casually as he approached the bar with a glorious smile pasted on his face.
Just another eye candy!!
“Hey…” His voice was husky and modulated.
“Hi Reyan, hi Neel...you guys are early. I have a scheduled break at six.”
“Hey Vinnie…Reyan tells me we are getting a free drink.” Neel winked.
“Sure, Dave can make your drink, and I can make Reyan’s. What would you like Reyan?”
“What do you think I am in the mood for?” he asked softly.
I smiled and grabbed a bottle of beer and set it in front of him. He looked at me as if he was looking for an explanation, and I gave him one.
“I am sure you are popping pain killers like it’s nobody’s business for that injured wrist. You can’t handle anything stronger than this tonight.” His face broke into a gorgeous smile and his eyes deepened.
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Neel and I will hang out at that table. Come join us when you start your break.”
He is gay!!! Right?
I stared at Reyan as he walked back to the table where Neel was seated chatting away with Dave. Dave came back a few minutes later to the bar grinning.
“Vinnie, Neel is so cute…thank you, thank you!! Oh, and I saw sparks between you and that other guy…what’s goin on?”
“What sparks? The boys are not into women Dave.” I rolled my eyes at Dave.
“You got this all wrong girl. Neel’s the only guy on my team. The hot one was drooling all over you.”
“No he wasn’t, but I have to agree that Reyan has the smile that can move mounds, but too bad he is not into women.”
“Twenty bucks that he will rip your clothes off in seconds if you are willing,” Dave challenged.
I laughed and agreed to the bet. I took off my apron as I headed towards the back room.
“Get ready to kiss your twenty bucks goodbye, Dave.”
“Don’t be too cocky girl!!” Dave winked.
I grabbed the plastic bag with Reyan’s stu
ff from the back room and walked towards the table where Neel and Reyan were seated. Reyan stood up as I got closer to the table. He smiled and put his arms around me gently. My free hand automatically ran along the smooth material of his suit jacket, and my fingers gripped around the plastic bag.
“Are you back to work already?” I asked Reyan as I settled down next to Neel.
“Yes, I just need to wear the sleeve for a week for my wrist, but I am good. Neel is my designated driver because I am grounded.”
“Why are you grounded?” I asked laughing.
“Well, I totalled Neel’s car and you ran away with my driver’s license.”
“I did not run away with your stuff; actually I did, but Neel said it was okay for me to run.” I winked at Neel.
“That’s true. Reyan is in so much trouble for ruining my car.”
“I did you a favor Neel, that thing is like a toy car. You need something with more muscle,” Reyan teased.
“You are buying me the same exact car, no more discussions,” Neel declared.
Reyan shook his head but did not say anything.
“Vinnie, is Dave single?” Neel whispered.
“Ummm…he is but…” My voice trailed off as I looked at Reyan who was looking at me with his scorching eyes.
“Neel, Dave looks lonely at the bar, you should go talk to him,” Reyan encouraged.
I realized at that point it was time for me to kiss my twenty bucks goodbye. I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and handed it to Neel and said, “Neel, hand this to Dave and tell him I lost the bet.”
“What bet?” Neel took the bill from me.
“He’ll know what I am talking about,” I snickered.
Neel chuckled and walked to the bar settling on one of the bar stools.
“How long have you known Neel?” I asked looking at Reyan as he sipped his beer.
“Since elementary school. My dad and Neel’s dad are very good friends,” he said casually.
“Oh…that’s a long time, and it’s cool that you hang out together.” I said, feeling a pang of jealousy that I didn’t have a friend like that.
“Neel is more like a brother than a friend,” Reyan said looking over my shoulder at the bar where Neel and Dave continued to chat.
I smiled when I realized that’s what Neel meant when he had said that Reyan was more than a friend, and I just went with the boyfriend theory. I knew Dave would rub it in big time as soon as I got back to the bar; I wondered what Meg would do if I told her I was wrong about Reyan.
