One ticket please

It was May 2015. A new Marvel avenger movie was going to release in that week. I called my friend Tina (pseudonym) who also was a Marvel, superhero, thriller, mystery, action movie lover like me.

"Tina, are we watching the movie this weekend?" I was so excited. I had already started planning what we were going to do that day.

"Yes absolutely. Let's take the morning show, it will be cheaper. I will use my credit card for the tickets. We will get 1 ticket free. Listen I am out right now. I will call you on Friday and we will decide," Tina sounded excited too.

"Great! Let's meet and catch up," I said and hung up. It was going to be another movie adventure. I could not wait until weekend to watch the movie and meet Tina.

I called up on Friday to check with her if she preferred Saturday or Sunday. First call went unattended. I thought she must be busy so dropped her a text for her preference. Tina called me at night.

"Finally. So what is the plan tomorrow or day after?" I did not have to spill out the context for she was aware.

"About that," Tina said with a long pause.

"What now?" I asked casually.

"I watched the movie with Prashant. He insisted ti watch it today, so we went for the evening show after the office," there was a hint of guilt in her voice but she continued to sound cheerful, "but no worries. Our plan is still on. I will watch it again for you. With you," she said.

I felt betrayed at that moment. She promised me that we were going to watch the folm and now she watched with her boyfriend. Now she was planning to watch with me as an obligation. I did not want that. "No don't bother. Don't spend your money to watch the film twice. Let's not make any movie plans now on because they never go through," I was upset and I wanted her to know that. I had decided that I will watch that film and I will watch it alone.

Next morning I went to the movie theatre. At the counter I said, "one ticket please," with a straight face. The guy at the counter did not even look at me and gave me the ticket. I bought snacks for myself at the theatre. I sat alone and watched the movie alone. It was a solo trip with myself. I enjoyed the movie more than I enjoyed any other movie. Maybe because the movie was good or it was the first time I went to the theatre alone.

When the film ended I checked my phone. I had received a text from Tina "Look I know you are upset. But don't go alone to watch the film. People judge the girls who watch the films alone". After reading that text I looked around. Nobody was looking at me. Nobody was bothered to take a notice that I was without a companion. Nobody was judging me. With an elevated confidence and self respect I replied, "Don't worry about me. Nobody has time or patience to judge a girl who watches the film alone or goes alone to the restaurant. It was a fun adventure which could not have been possible without Prashant. Please thank him on my behalf".

I clicked on "send" with a smile on my face. Of course this was the day when I realised that I do not need anybody with me to have fun. I just need my own company to be happy. With that thought I headed to the food court to grab a bite. Another adventure of eating alone was waiting for me.