The nightout

Me and three of my friends had planned a nightout for the weekend. The nightout was supposed to be at my home. We had already planned that we will gather at my home, have dinner, play some games, and spend the entire night talking with each other. It was going to be a fun night and all of us were excited.

On Friday I received a text from Madhu (pseudonym) about the nightout, "hey we gotta speak with Nidhi and Kaya about tomorrow. Nidhi has something else in her mind".

Madhu's text made me think about what was being planned. I replied on our group chat, "hey girls meet me at 4:30 in the cafeteria. Need a list of things I need to get for tomorrow". I thought it would be in our best interest to meet and discuss rather than speaking on the phone.

We all gathered in our office cafeteria for the coffee break. Madhu initiated the topic herself, "Nidhi please tell her what you told me and Kaya earlier". Madhu was visibly upset.

Nidhi looked at me making her typical "puppy face" expression and said, "I want to invite Gaurav. Since we are engaged we have decided we will go together everywhere".

I could not believe what I was hearing. I knew Gaurav very well but still I cannot invite a man in my home. I was not raised like this. I will not invite any man in my house unless he is my blood relative. Gaurav definitely was not my blood relative. I was not willing to take any risk with othet 3 young friends in my home. I wanted to provide a safe space for my friends and it would not have been safe in a man's presence.

To keep peace, I suggested something different, "here is what I think. We can go out for dinner. Gaurav can join us at the restaurant. After that dinner we will go to my place and then Gaurav can leave". I felt this was a fair suggestion to include Gaurav into our plan. But no way I was going to allow him to come down at my home.

"No I do not agree with that. I want him to be with me at all times. We do not do anything separately nowadays," Nidhi registered her protest.

"Is he with you right now here in the office?" Kaya asked Nidhi and she too was upset with her irrational demands.

"Guys this is different. Office environment cannot be compared with a casual environment. Either he is coming or I am backing out," Nidhi said firmly.

At this point I was upset and frustrated with Nidhi's demands, "look I am okay with him joining us for dinner but definitely he cannot come to my place. That is a no go," I responded to Nidhi trying not to sound irritated or frustrated. I definitely did not like Nidhi's approach here.

" You know Gaurav. He is a gentleman. We will sleep in the bedroom and he can take the living room. Don't think of him as if he is going to hum us," Nidhi was still not getting our concern.

" It does not matter to me. It is my home and I decide who comes in. No man is coming to my place. That is final. Now the decision is up to you," this time I said firmly so that Nidhi understands the gravity of the situation.

"Fine I am not coming then. You guys have fun without me. Don't even invite me to any of the upcoming plans. Either it is going to be both of us or none of us," Nidhi stormed off.

We three friends were still at the table. All three of us where irritated and frustrated. We decided that we will continue with our plan. Kaya and Madhu thanked to me for the firm stand that I had taken. But all three of us were angry with Nidhi. That moment we felt like we have lost a trusted friend.