Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat

bore'. A little voice in my mind shouted at me, 'tell her you miss her stupid, or
you'll be getting rakhis for the rest of your life.'
'I do. If you were here, Sydney would be more fun.'
'Wow, that's the nicest thing you ever said to me.'
I kept quiet. When you have said something nice, don't be in a hurry to speak
again and ruin the good line.
'Can I get you anything from here?' I said.
'Tight budget, isn't it?' she said.
'Yeah, but a little something won't hurt...,' I said.
'I have an idea. Get me some sand from the beach you are on right now. That
way I will have a piece of Sydney with me.'
Sand? Now that was a weird request. At least it was cheap. Free, rather.
'Really?' I said.
'Yeah, bring me a matchbox full of sand. And put some feelings in it if there is
space,' she said.
The phone display blinked. It threatened me to feed it with more money or my
first romantic conversation would be murdered. I had no coins left.
'Listen, I have to go now. No more change,' I said.
'Sure, come back soon. Someone's missing you.'
'Back in three days. I miss you too,' I said and cleared my throat. Wow, I could
actually say what I felt after all.
'And I want to tell you something...,' she said.
'What?'
Beep. Beep. Beep. A stupid Australian company called Telstra ruined my first
romantic moment.
I walked back. I thought about the girl who only wanted sand. I also thought
how much money telecom companies must make given a tiny call cost me as
much as a meal.
I passed a trendy outdoor restaurant called Blue Orange Cafe. Australians give
the word laid-back new meaning. People sit with a glass of beer for hours.
Beautiful waitresses scampered around getting people burgers and toasted
sandwiches.
I took a match box from the bar and emptied the sticks in a dustbin. I walked
back to the shore until the surfy water touched my toes. I looked around and
bent over. I stuffed some sand in the matchbox and put it in my pocket.
'Hey, what are you doing?' Omi said as he emerged from the waves like the
world's ugliest mermaid.
'Nothing, what are you doing this side? The waves are better at the other end,' I
said.
'I came to meet you. Can I borrow a few coins for a Coke. I feel thirsty.'
'Coins are finished. Have some cash left for today, but let's use it to eat lunch.'
'Finished?' Omi said.
'Yeah,' I said, irritated. I don't like it when people less sensible than me
question me.
'Who did you call?' Omi said.
'Supplier.'
'Which one?'
'Fuck off Omi, let's go get lunch. Will you get dry first.' 'Vidya?'