Author’s note: This is the third part a Science fiction story from my latest short stories collection: A Window in Future. You can find the complete collection for free here: Books by Shaily You can find other parts here: Part 1 and Part 2
I jerk back realising something is actually dangling in front of me. It was the operating system of the car trying to hear my orders. I must have been speaking under my breath…
But why are we still in my apartment’s parking? Oh no! I forgot to give the destination location. Instructing my automated driver to take me to office, I continue my wool gathering.
I really like Mark—he is unlike other people I have known. He is respectful and funny, and his sense of humour is kind. I love spending time with him. Even though he comes from a very rich and famous family, he does not have the airs. He avoids paparazzi by using Image Converter outdoors. He even attended Derek’s wedding using the Image Converter too…or that’s what I assume—Derek told me that he came, and I couldn’t find him there. Well, it was better that way, considering that I had attended as my real self. (What old schoolmates think be damned!) The office staff was told that Derek’s bearded partner was out of town for a family emergency.
I had met Lee there. He didn’t recognise me at first, of course. I had to remind him of the day I wanted to kill myself because my boyfriend dropped me for having Werewolf syndrome; and of his valuable advice that day about using Image Convertor. When I told him about the avatar I was using, his wide-eyed look was worth a picture!
But he didn’t laugh at me. In fact, he was sweet, attentive and funny. While he danced with me, he held me longer than needed, and he even asked me out on a date. I wanted to go—to have a chance at love. But somehow, he reminded me of Mark too much—the tenor of his voice, the way he spoke more from his eyes than words, the way he never made fun of anyone and, yet, always had something funny to say…
And, at that moment, I wished it was Mark holding my hand and asking me out on a date. I realised I couldn’t do that to Lee.
I tried looking for Mark. For all I know, he could be one of the bridesmaids. (He can do that for a laugh!) I wanted to tell him about myself. In that moment of drunk insanity, I had thought that if Lee understood, then may be even Mark would. After all, hadn’t he also spent half his life hiding from people?
But later when the drinks were out of my system, I realised it was just wishful thinking. He might not understand at all—at least, he couldn’t overlook my potential of sprouting a beard and more. I can’t jeopardize our friendship for a chance at illusive love. I could have done that initially when he was just a client. But over the last few months, I have worked too closely with Mark. We have also gone to football matches cheering for the same teams. We have had too many breakfasts, lunches and dinners together along with heart‑to‑heart conversations.
Last weekend, we had gone to the dream arcade after dinner. While selecting our dream holiday destinations for a one-hour virtual vacation, I had declined taking an AI partner and Mark asked if I would take him along instead. It was the most beautiful and the most difficult hour of my life. Having him sitting next to me watching waves crashing against the rocks, hearing the seagulls cry and smelling the ocean, and later strolling along the rocky beach—
Even when we stepped out in the real world, the effect lingered. Mark was quieter than usual, his eyes deeper, and our parting handshake was one second too long. That second was enough for me to wish I had donned the Diva avatar.
When I told Derek, he insisted that I must come out clean and tell Mark the truth. I can’t take his advice though. While I have stopped being affected by other people’s opinion of me over the years, I can’t risk Mark’s amusement or even indifference. He is more than a friend, at least in my books. If he made even one joke about my beard, I’ll die.
“You are at your destination,” my car reminds me. My car is now standing in the company’s parking lot and ignition is off and so is the air conditioning. The door has opened itself but, apparently, I am too lost to notice it all. I get down quickly and rush towards the lift, leaving the car to lock itself.
As expected, Mark is on time. But instead of the café, he is standing at the lift door and waving at me with a heart‑breaking smile. I sigh secretly and then, with a smile, I wave back, “Hi there, Derek couldn’t make it due to a personal situation.”
“I know.” he said, sheepishly. “I owe him one for that!”
He must have noticed my raised eyebrows because he added hastily, “I need to speak with you about a personal matter.”
I groan inwardly. I am used to Mark sharing his latest failed dates with me—somehow all his dates always fail since he expects genuine people and gets only bundles of make‑up and plastic smiles. I am usually okay with the discussion, but something has shifted inside me after the stroll on that virtual beach.
“Sure, tell me.” I try to infuse enthusiasm in my voice.
“I…uh…I wanted to talk about that virtual vacation we went on?”
Those words put me on high alert. I am sure he is thinking I am gay and lusting after him and wants to friend‑zone me. So, I try to play casual, “Yeah! It was nice but rather quiet. I am thinking, next time, let’s take AI partners, like a double date?”
He seems taken aback but then he gives an understanding smile, “I rather like nice and quiet vacations, especially with a pretty girl by my side.”
As my eyes widen at the word ‘girl’, he adds, “Well, the avatar you use is one of my favourites too. And you aren’t really that good an actress to pass off as a gay man, you know. Since you are a girl posing as a man, I assumed you…uh…like girls. But when I met you at Derek’s marriage, you told me the reason for your choice. It all made sense then.”
“But I never met you there at the marriage!”
“Yes, you did. You thought I was Lee!”
Incredulousness and incomprehension must be clear on my face because he smiled, “I was just using one of the lesser-used avatars, you know. I realised Lee also used it once I was in the middle of the wedding crowd and a group of Derek’s friends from college came to talk to me. Mostly, I just nodded. Some of them told me I looked taller…”, he smiled apologetically, his eyes pleading for understanding.
Seeing me speechless, he continued, “I always liked you…adored you actually. But after holding you in my arms at the wedding dance and later at the dream arcade the other day, I realised that I didn’t ever want to let you go.”
After a second of hesitation, he added softly, “You can keep your beard if it makes you happy. I love you either way.”
End
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
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