Creeped out.

The only thing I remembered today was Priyanka Chopra in Fashion found sleeping next to an African guy. That's how close I've come to knowing, meeting or talking to Africans. No offence to them, but right now, one guy is creeping me out. So much that the heroic me spluttered and immediately kept up a conversation with friends though I had tons of stuff to do, and ping-screamed for AB.

I went to the gym yesterday, which by itself is a feat. But trust me, there are more shocking things. I left my phone. No, not this. This is hardly a surprise, is it? So, I went to retrieve it. It is a new phone and AB'd probably kill me if I lost this one. So, there I was in my grey pedal pusher tracks with a random Tshirt, with unwashed (for 3 days) hair in a rat-tail like plait and sweating and my eyebrows undone (which should make you go eww now!) I was walking back to my apt after getting my phone and sundry talk with the apt office when I saw this big African guy running in my direction. Dressed for the gym, he nodded and said, 'Hey, how are you doing?' While I used to find it utterly painful earlier, I've become used to the ways of an average American and now respond with a smile ( AB says that's the clincher :D) and say something equally genial. I walked on, noticing from afar that I'd very smartly left my patio door open. As my steps became quicker, this guy called out to me.

I turned to see him asking me, 'Have I seen you before?' (I know, I should've known with this line, but sorry, I was fatigued after an hour at the gym) I said no and continued to glance at my open patio door. I just had to cross the road to enter my apt. He struck up a conversation. Like you know, am always a sucker for conversations. He spoke about Quikstar, and I quickly proclaimed it a scam. He said his cousin was doing it and he knew a lot of Indians did it. Turning red at the mention of Indians with Quikstar, I proceeded in good neighbourly fashion to explain the possible reasons. Next question was if I was a Muslim. I answered with my eyes on the door - no, and that I had to rush. After a couple more questions like this and what I was up to to which my rather guilty answer is: nothing (unfortunate, but true), he noticed I kept looking away from him. Rather, I noticed he noticed the open door the same time as I did. So, my overactive imagination kicked in and I thought that maybe this guy was planning to rob us, and was trying to distract me while his accomplice did it!

I quickly turned and said, I was busy and I had to run. I didn't want him to know which apartment I belonged to (after looking at my patio door a million times, yes) He offered to walk me to my apartment. F***! I walked along and stood in between two apts, so he wouldn't know. And to my luck, my neighbor who has just moved in and who I don't know came from nowhere and went to his apartment. Now, he knew which one I lived in. Well.

He spoke to me for a good 10 mins. On India, her/its culture (I know, sucker again) and what not and finally asked me to get him and his cousin jobs. I just lost it now and said that I was new and didn't care much and didn't know much and blah blah. And that I had to go. Next was a defiant, "Oh if you could get us a job, then, why not?" After this, I started to move towards my door. Then was the first creeping out statement.

"Come, let's work out together at the gym."

Me (ever so polite!) : umm, I just finished, thank you! I have to really go now.

Him: What do you do at the gym? Abs?

Me (thinking, thanks for noticing that I have abs and so I haveto do abs!): Lots of things.

Him: Do you do weights?

Me: no.

*Next statement which should have made me punch him.*

Him: Oh, I will help you do weights? Come.

Me: Okay, I've gotto go. Nice talking to you. bye!

Him: oh ok. Since you're nice and friendly, I thought we could exchange phone numbers. You know?

Me: umm.. *gave wrong phone number and my name (which he didn't get, thankfully)* Bye!

You'd think it ends here no? Well, since it is my life, and I'm stupid, it doesn't.

The next day, i.e. today.

The maintenance guys come. Remember I spoke to the apt folks yesterday? That was to complain of the tap repair and the wall damage. Ya, that was the only hint of anyone coming home during the day for me. Then, after sending them off and closing the door. The door that I casually close usually, so that AB can come on his own if am taking a nap or a shower. (no, don't get ideas here. there is more stuff to come for you to get ideas)

I heard a knock. A soft knock. I heard it only because I was near the door after closing it and locking it (after yesterday, I had to!) I hesitated. For the first time in my life, to open the door. I've almost never checked the keyhole and opened a door. And the one time I did in the past, I paid for it. This time again, I thought, I should. I peeked through the keyhole and I saw the scene from Fashion playing in my head. F***.

*knock* (a little loud)

me: shit, fuck, doubling up as if in pain, thinking fast.

*knock* *knock* (still soft, but louder than before)

Deep breath. Me. I can do better than this.

Open the door.

Him: hey there.

Me (forced smile): I'm really busy. I'm baking something. I've gotto go.

Him (peeking in): Oh ok. I just tried your number and it didn't work.

Me (very nonchalantly, or trying to be!): Oh, I don't have a phone, so no number. I'm new here. (WHY?)

Him: oh okay. I was just wondering if my cousin and I who have a photography studio could take your pictures. *smile*

Me (freaking out, but keeping that smile on) : NO. I'm sorry, I'm not into photography. Bye.

Him: Oh, you know, I've met a lot of Indian women, but none nice like you, you know?

Me: No, I don't. Sorry, I'm not into photography.

Him: Oh, you have a nice shape....you know... and I thought you know... It pays. And anyway you're not doing much. so..

Me: I really have to go. I have no interest. bye.

*close doors*

*run to computer - ping AB and other friends, frantically*

* call apt office*

*thinking - next time, I'm opening the door with belan and a knife and 911 on speed dial*

AB interrupting my thoughts to say: Next time, don't open the friggin' door.

This is the first time in my life that I was petrified and I was shaking. I've had my share of people who commented on my body and paid for it dearly. But they were puny. They were short, fat, a little tall Indian men with one weakness. This man, am sure has the same weak spot, but he was too big. Just too big for me to handle in panic. Because he knows where I live.

P.S. - A friend pointed out that I sounded prejudiced with my description of the guy and his nationality. I'd like to clarify that, it is not true. And that his face is very similar to the guy in the movie, Fashion which is what struck me even when he passed by me. And this guy spoke to me about Africa for quite some time when we exchanged notes about our respective countries. So, really, no offence meant or no bias here. I'd have reacted the same way even if it was an Indian. And thanks for pointing it out, D :) I should've realized it myself.