“Dating” and “Mating” : a romantic love story

Vikram Karve
12 min readOct 1, 2024

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Dating is a part of the human mating process — whereby — two people meet socially for companionship — beyond the level of friendship — or with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or marriage. One of the main purposes of dating is to evaluate mutual suitability as a long term companion or spouse (mate).

In a nutshell:

The final aim of “Dating” is “Mating”

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DATING AND MATING

Fiction Short Story

Passionate Romance By Vikram Karve

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This story happened around 21 years ago in South Mumbai (SoBo)

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MUMBAI

Circa 2003

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PART 1

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PHONE CALL ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

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I am busy working in my office on the morning of the First of April — the first day of the new financial year — when my mobile cellphone rings.

It is Sudha — my next door neighbour — so I take the call.

“Vijay — you lucky dog — your life is made…” Sudha says excitedly.

“Lucky Dog…? Please, Sudha — I am busy…” I say, a trifle irritated.

“Don’t switch off your cell phone…” Sudha says, “you are going to get a very important phone call.”

“Important call…?” I ask, curious.

“Yes — you just wait for a most important call — from the hottest and most eligible woman in town…” Sudha says with exuberance, “Vijay — she has fallen head over heels for you. She wants to “date” you…”

“Hottest woman in town…? She wants to “date” me…? Who is this woman…?” I ask Sudha, intrigued.

“My boss…” Sudha says.

“Your boss…?” I say, confused.

“Come on, Vijay — I told you — didn’t I tell you about the chic “Miss Hoity Toity” — who joined last week…?” Sudha says.

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Suddenly — it dawns on me that it is the 1st of April — April Fools’ Day.

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So — I say to Sudha:

“Happy April Fools’ Day…”

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But — Sudha says to me:

“Hey, seriously, Vijay — I swear it is not an April Fools’ Day prank.

She is really going to ring you up.

She desperately wants to meet you…”

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“She desperately wants to meet me…? I don’t even know her — I haven’t even seen her…” I say.

“But she has seen you…” Sudha says.

“She has seen me…? Where…?”

“Jogging around the Oval Maidan — I think she is stalking you…” Sudha says.

“Stalking me…?” I say, surprised.

“She knows everything about you — your routine — where you stay — she knows that you are my neighbour — so she called me to her office and asked for your mobile number…” Sudha says.

“I have told you not to give my number to anyone…” I say, angrily.

“I told her that — but she said it was very urgent. I think she wants to come over in the evening…” Sudha says.

“This evening…?… I am switching off my mobile…” I say.

“No, Vijay. You don’t do that please. I am sure that you will like her — she is “your type”…” Sudha says.

“She is “my type”…? What do you mean by that…? Sudha — please stop this nonsense…!!! I am disconnecting…” I say, with irritation in my voice.

But — Sudha has the last word.

“Bye, Vijay — I don’t want to keep your mobile busy. She will be calling any time now. Remember — her name is “Nisha” — all the best…” Sudha cuts off the phone.

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PART 2

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SUDHA

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Dear Reader — as I wait for the mysterious woman’s call — let me tell you a bit about Sudha.

Ever since Sudha dumped me — and she married that suave, slimy, effeminate, ingratiating sissy Suhas — Sudha probably felt so guilt ridden — that she had taken upon herself — the responsibility for getting me married.

Sudha was my neighbour — the girl next door — my childhood friend, playmate, classmate, soul-mate, confidante and constant companion.

I assumed that we two would get married.

But — Sudha suddenly fell for Suhas — who she met at a training seminar.

I hated Suhas — he was one of those glib, smooth-talking, street-smart, slick characters that adorn the corporate world — a clean-shaven, soft-spoken, genteel, elegantly groomed metrosexual type with an almost feminine voice and carefully cultivated mannerisms — as if he had been trained in a finishing school.

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At first — I was devastated — and I could not understand why Sudha had betrayed me.

But when Sudha gently explained to me that she always saw me as a friend and never as a husband — I understood — and I maintained cordial relations with her — though I loathed her husband Suhas — who had shamelessly moved into her spacious apartment after relocating from Delhi to Mumbai.

Probably — Sudha thought I had remained unmarried because of her — which may have been true to an extent — so — she had a guilty conscience.

So — in order to allay her guilty conscience — Sudha kept on setting up “dates” for me — hoping for the best.

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PART 3

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NISHA

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Suddenly — I hear my mobile phone ring.

The ring of my cell-phone interrupts my train of thoughts.

“Mr. Vijay…?” asks a sweet mellifluous feminine voice.

“Yes. This is Vijay…” I say — my heartbeat slightly increasing.

Nisha here…” she says, “Is it a good time to talk.”

“Of course…” I say.

“I want to meet you. Is it okay if I come over to your place this evening…?” Nisha says.

(Wow — she comes to the point pretty fast — isn’t it…)

“Today evening…?” I blurt out — a bit incredulous.

“It’s a bit urgent…” she says.

“Sure. You are most welcome…” I stammer recovering my wits.

“Let’s meet at 6:30 PM — before you go for your jog at the Oval — or maybe later — after you return — or maybe — we can meet up at the Oval Maidan itself…” Nisha says.

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I am truly stunned.

This woman Nisha is indeed stalking me.

She wants to meet up at the Oval — as brazen as that…!!!

I have never experienced such blatant propositioning.

Alarm Bells sound in my brain.

“Mr. Vijay…?” I hear Nisha’s soft voice in the cell-phone earpiece.

“Yes, Yes — 6:30 PM is absolutely fine. I’ll wait for you in my house. You know the place…?” I stutter recovering my wits.

“Yes, I know your place…” Nisha says, “I’ll be there at six-thirty…”

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And then — she disconnects.

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PART 4

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DATING

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That evening — after work — I go home early, shower, deodorize, groom, titivate, put on my best shirt — and — I wait in eager anticipation for this mysterious woman who is coming onto me so heavily.

Precisely at 6:15 PM — the bell rings.

I open the door.

“Hi — I’m Nisha…” says the stunningly attractive woman standing in front of me.

Sudha was right — Nisha is certainly very “hot” — and — yes — Nisha is indeed “my type” of woman.

“I’m sorry — I’m a bit early — but I noticed you were in — I saw your car below…” Nisha says.

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Wow — Nisha “noticed” that I was in…?

My, My, My…!!!

And — she knows my car — she knows about my daily jogs around the Oval — my routine — this Nisha — she knows everything about me — she’s really hot on my trail — isn’t she…?

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I look at Nisha.

She comes closer towards me.

She looks and smells natural.

No attempt to camouflage her raw steamy physical self behind a synthetic mask of make-up and artificial deodorants.

Her persona is tantalizingly inviting and temptingly desirable.

Her tight-fitting pink T-shirt tucked into hip hugging dark blue jeans accentuate the curves of her exquisite body.

She radiates a captivating aura — an extraordinary magnetic attraction that I have never experienced before.

I cannot take my eyes off her, her gorgeous face, her beautiful eyes, her lush skin.

So — I feast my eyes on her — I let my eyes travel all over her shapely body.

The frank admiration in my eyes wins a smile.

She lets her eyes hold mine.

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The sound of her voice breaks my trance.

“Aren’t you going to ask me to come in…?” she smiles — as if reading my mind.

“Oh, yes, sorry — please come in…” I say — embarrassed at having eyed her so openly.

I guide her to the sofa.

Then — I sit as near her as is politely possible.

We sit on the sofa.

She looks terribly attractive — and — very very desirable.

Our closeness envelops us in a stimulating kind of intimacy.

Overwhelmed by passion — I inch towards her.

She too comes closer to me.

I sense the beginnings of an experience that I have dreamt about in my fantasies.

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“Actually — I have come for “mating”…” she says.

“Mating…?” I exclaim instinctively, totally shocked, stunned beyond belief.

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PART 5

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MATING

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I look at her.

I feel tremendously excited — yet frightened, baffled, perplexed.

I wonder what to do — how to make my move towards “mating”

The improbability of the situation makes me incredulous and bewildered.

I notice that her eyes move all around — searching the drawing room.

Then — Nisha looks at the bedroom door.

And — she speaks to me.

“Where is your daughter…?” she asks me.

“Daughter…? I’m not married…” I say — completely taken aback.

“I know you are not married…” she says with a naughty smile.

Then — Nisha speaks to me in zesty voice.

“I am talking about your canine daughter — your lovely dog — or rather — your bitch…” she laughs — tongue-in-cheek.

“I have locked her inside. She is not very friendly…” I say to Nisha.

“I know. Hounds do not like strangers — but you don’t worry — soon — I won’t be a stranger…” Nisha says — and — she gets up and begins walking towards the closed bedroom door.

“Please…” I say anxiously, “Angel is very ferocious and aggressive…”

“You named her “Angel” — what a lovely name…” Nisha says, “I have been seeing you two jogging and playing at the Oval. That’s why I have come here — to see your beautiful hound Angel…”

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And then — Nisha opens the bedroom door.

Angel looks suspiciously as Nisha enters the bedroom.

But — Nisha extends her hand towards Angel — to pat her on the head.

Angel growls at Nisha menacingly — her tail becomes stiff — and — the hackles on her back stiffen — since — like most Caravan Hounds — Angel does not like to be touched or handled by anyone other than me — her “Master”…

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“Please — Please — keep your hand away — don’t touch her …” I plead to Nisha — but Nisha moves ahead undaunted — and she caresses Angel’s neck.

Suddenly — there is a noticeable metamorphosis in the ferocious hound’s body language as the dog recognizes the true dog lover.

All of a sudden — Angel licks Nisha’s hand — wags her tail and jumps lovingly at Nisha — who embraces her.

I am really surprised at the way Nisha is hugging and caressing Angel — since not even the most ardent of dog lovers would dare to fondle and take liberties with a ferocious Caravan Hound.

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“She’s ideal for Bruno. They’ll love each other…” Nisha says, cuddling Angel.

“Bruno…?” I ask.

“My handsome boy Bruno — I was desperately looking for a “mate” for Bruno — and then I saw Angel — they are ideally suited for each other — a perfect “made for each other” couple…” Nisha says.

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“Bloody Hell…!!!” I say to myself.

So — this was the “mating” she was talking about…!!!

And — I was letting my imagination run wild about “dating and mating” with her…!!!

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I interrupt my train train of thoughts — and I talk to Nisha.

“You’ve got a hound…?” I ask her.

“A Mudhol…” she says.

“Mudhol…?” I ask her.

“Exactly like your Angel…” she says.

“But Angel is a Caravan Hound…” I say.

“It’s the same — a Caravan Hound is the same as a Mudhol Hound — in fact — the actual name is Mudhol…” she says.

“I don’t think so…” I say.

“Bet..?” she says — challenging me.

“Okay…” I say.

“Dinner at the place of my choice…” she says.

“Done…” I say.

“Let’s go…” she says.

“Where…?” I ask her — curious.

“To my place…” she says.

“To your place…?” I ask her — intrigued.

“To meet Bruno — doesn’t Angel want to meet him…?” she asks.

“Of course — me too…” I say.

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And so — the three of us — Nisha, Angel and I — we drove down to Nisha’s home on Malabar Hill.

The moment we opened the door — Bruno rushed to welcome Nisha.

Then — Bruno gave Angel a tentative look.

For an instant — both the hounds stared menacingly at each other.

Bruno gave a low growl — then extended his nose to scent — and — Angel melted — it was “love at first sight”…

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Nisha won the bet.

We surfed the internet — we cross-checked in libraries.

She was right.

Mudhol Hound is the same as Caravan Hound.

But — not the same as a Rampur, Rajapalyam or Chippiparai Hound.

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PART 6

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DATING AND MATING

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But — that’s another story.

Here is what happened to our “Dating and Mating” Story.

As per our bet — I took Nisha out to dinner — a sumptuous Butter Chicken and Tandoori affair at Gaylord’s.

And while we were thoroughly enjoying our food — suddenly — out of the blue — Sudha and her husband landed up there.

They sat on the neighbouring table — and the way Sudha gave me canny looks — I wondered if it was a “contrived” coincidence.

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A few days later — when Angel was in “season” — Angel and Bruno had a successful “mating”.

Nisha and Bruno would visit my pregnant girl Angel every day.

And then — on D-Day — Nisha stayed through the night to coax Angel in her whelping.

Angel gave birth to four cute little puppies.

Every day — the “doggie” parents (Angel and Bruno) — and — the “human” grandparents (Nisha and Me) — we would spend hours together — doting on the little ones.

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Nisha and I could not agree about the distribution of the puppies — who should take which puppy — actually — both of us wanted to keep all the four puppies.

So — we solved the problem by getting married.

It was strictly a “marriage of convenience”.

But — Sudha — her aim achieved — tells me that “Nisha and Me” are the most rocking couple — and — we seem madly in love.

So now — we all live together as one big happy family — ours, theirs, mine and hers.

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VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

This Story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/dating-and-mating-passionate-love-story.html

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised version of my story DATING AND MATING written by me in the year 2006 and posted online earlier a number of times in my blogs including at url: http://vikramwamankarve.blogspot.in/2009/05/passionate-dating-mating-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/07/perfect-match-short-fiction-romance.htmland http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/01/dating-and-mating-love-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/11/my-favourite-short-stories-part-70.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/04/dating-and-mating-my-favourite-short.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/dating-mating-game/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/dating-and-mating-passionate-love-story.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/12/23/dating-and-mating-passionate-love-story/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/04/01/dating-and-mating-happy-april-fools-day/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/dating-and-mating-a-passionate-romance/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/05/23/dating-and-mating-first-date-then-mate/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2022/08/27/passionate-romance-dating-and-mating/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2023/04/01/a-romance-that-started-on-april-fools-day/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2023/12/25/dating-and-mating/ etc

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, alumnus IIT Delhi, Lawrence School Lovedale, Vikram Karve is a retired Navy Officer turned full time Writer and Blogger