[This story is based on a conservative society in south Asia and might contain parts that deal with conservative views of religious belief, I wish to stress on the fact that I do not intend to hurt or disrespect the sentiments of any community with this story.]
I was working on a program I had been writing for a while, when my phone dinged with a text. I needed a break too, as my head was starting to hurt, so I went to my bed and unlocked my phone to see whom the text was from. I was surprised to see that it was from Orin.
Orin and I had always kind of a weird relationship. She was this conservative and religious Muslim girl, and I was an atheist with a curious mind. She liked to think things are predefined, I believed in the butterfly effect. She was extrovert and full of life, I was, somewhat of a shy introverted guy. I would always be funny and say weird stuffs on texts, but when we'd meet in person, I'd be awkward and quiet, while she would talk.
But then this one night, we were texting, and I told her about me doing online sex chats with random strangers, or writing erotica from time to time, and to her conservative beliefs, she... well she wasn't really happy about it. And so, she ghosted me, and with no classes due to a global pandemic, I hadn't talked to her in months.
Till that night. When she texted me out of nowhere.
I'm Arnob. I'm 21. I haven't been in a proper relationship, ever, being that I'm too shy and quiet to make a move, and not really good looking enough to be approached by a girl. So, yah. I was a virgin.
All being said, I was really surprised to get a text from her after all this time.
Orin: Hey, are you sleeping?
Arnob: No. How are you? Been a long time.
O: Yah, I'm sorry. I guess I panicked.
A: Understandable. How about now?
O: I don't know. How are you? How are things?
A: I'm good. You?
O: Things are going well. I guess. I have news.
A: What is it??
O: Remember the guy I used to have a huge crush on?
A: Yah.
O: We're dating now.
Not gonna lie, it did kinda feel a bit weird. I'm not really sure why, maybe cause I always kinda hoped something would happen between us? She was... pretty and sexy, at the same time. I liked watching her, and I also might have fantasized about her a few times.
A: Oh! Wow... that is pretty big news. This is your first relationship, right? How is it going?
O: Yah, it is. And, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure things out.
A: hmm.
O: This is not his first time... so... I guess he knows about how to deal with all these... I'm trying to just play along I guess?
A: That's good.
I never really knew that guy all that well; but, he's the kind of guy every girl would die for: popular kid, muscular body and all that.
O: Yah.
A: So... well, things are going good for you guys I guess.
O: Yah.
There was a pause.
O: I never really read what you write, you know. I think I should have at least tried.
A: Haha, yah, right. You wouldn't be into that.
O: I kinda wanna read though.
A: Orin, no. It's just gonna make things weirder between us.
O: I... I don't really know all that much about... you know.
A: Umm... well... I'm sure you know the basics.
O: I don't wanna disappoint him.
A: What are you talking about?
O: You know what I'm talking about.
A: What? You are planning to have sex with him? You?
O: Why? Will it be really that bad?
A: It's not... That's not what I meant. You hated premarital sex or anything like that? What's going on? Is he forcing you?
O: No, no, he'd never. I love him, and I wanna have sex with him. It's... you wouldn't get it.
A: Lol. If you say so. So what now? What's the problem then?
O: Well... he has had sex before, with girls who knew about these, and... I don't want him to leave me.
A: Lol, you think he'll break up with you if you're not good at sex?
O: I don't wanna take any chances.
A: Ok lol, watch some porn then I guess, I don't think my erotica can help you with that.
O: I know.
A: ...Then what?
O: I was thinking... maybe you could help? You are actually the only person I know who doesn't take these seriously and into these kinds of things.
A: Bit hurtful.
O: You know what I meant, that girl you used to sext with and share photos, and you've done more, right? You know about these. Arnob come on, any other guy would think of me as a slut.
A: Yah I guess you're not wrong. But Orin, you are forgetting that I also don't have any practical experience about these. I'm a virgin too. I think you should just talk to him about this, guys like these, I think.
O: NO. Telling him is not an option. Now can you help me or not?
A: I don't know how... how do you think I can help you here.
O: Listen, this might sound a bit too... ok... I was thinking... you are not dating anyone, and also never had sex, but you have at least some ideas. How bad would it be, if... maybe you come over and we figure things out together?
I read the text 3 times, to make sure I was reading what I thought I was reading. I sat up, cause, I had to play this right.
A: umm... are you saying what I think you're saying?
O: yes.
A: are you sure about this?
O: Arnob please don't make me question myself now, it took a lot of courage to ask you this.
A: yes, yes, I'd love to.
O: really?
A: well yah, have you seen yourself?
O: Shut up.
My heart was racing, I hoped this wasn't a prank, but, I wanted to sound confident. I was scared that if I asked too much questions, she might change her mind.
O: Listen, my parents, my brother and his wife is gonna go to our village next week, I'll be home alone. Can you come then?
A: Yes. Yes, I'll be there. Text me your address.
O: Ok. I will.
A: Are you gonna take pills? Or should I get some condoms?
O: I've been on pills. It should be good. Don't worry about it.
A: umm... okay. Yah. So... I'll be at your place... next week.
O: yah... I guess so.
There was another awkward pause.
O: So... I think I should get some sleep. Goodnight?
A: Goodnight.
*****
The next week was a bit weird. The next day was the weirdest. I woke up and thought it was all a dream. But then I checked my phone and it was real.
I couldn't believe it. Especially that it's with her. It was weird. I didn't really know what to tell her, so I didn't text. I didn't wanna take risk, say something weird and talk her out of it.
I went online and went through her pictures, it felt good. Knowing that I was gonna have in just a week, I couldn't stop blushing.
The next few days went by, without us much talking. She texted me a few times asking how I was and what I was doing and we talked, but we never talked about that.