Chapter 1: A New Adventure Begins

After a long visa run to Nepal, I returned to India, having experienced the thrill of hiking for the first time. Surprisingly, this was quite unusual for someone from New Zealand, but it felt enchanting nonetheless.

Upon my return, my first order of business was to grab a SIM card and download Hinge. Little did I realize that this would lead me to an unexpected pink purse during my upcoming adventures. Was this the best decision I could have made on this trip? Although it sounds a bit desperate, my time in Nepal felt socially isolated, and I anticipated a similar experience in India. They say you create your own luck, right?

To be honest, dating apps aren't usually my thing. Yet, like many, I find they somehow appear on my phone again after a while—much like an old habit that’s hard to shake off.

Reflecting on my hiking experience

In Nepal, I was fortunate to embark on a solo hike, which was a conscious effort to focus on my personal development. The amenities along the trail were surprisingly good, given the remote location, allowing me to concentrate on reaching the summit rather than just surviving. It felt akin to "glamping," where people seek beautiful destinations and comfortable stays for Instagram-worthy moments or enlightenment. Ironically, I found myself in the right place for self-discovery.

After my hike, I poured my thoughts and feelings into my journal, feeling a sense of relief as if the pieces of my life were gradually falling back into place. I had spent a year exploring the world and left Nepal feeling present, joyful, and optimistic about the future—without the need to consider anyone else.

Nature’s therapy

Returning to India, I escaped the sweltering heat and began swiping on Hinge. I swiped so much that I found myself 500 kilometers north in Dharmakot, Himachal Pradesh, a stunning location often described as a spiritual haven.

Shortly after my arrival, I matched with an attractive blonde who had a witty bio. She enjoyed eye contact and wanted to ride off on a scooter—this was about as much personality as you’d find on a dating profile, and I felt optimistic.

However, I soon questioned if this was too good to be true. My mind wandered to future possibilities—marriage, children, and a fairy-tale ending. But before the race had even begun, I felt the odds were stacked against me. She had liked a photo of me with my friend—a particularly attractive one, serving as the “wildcard” to attract interest.

Coincidentally, I was chatting with that very friend at the time, and we laughed about the potential confusion. He jokingly said, “ya bastard” in his Italian accent, and we decided to address this upfront.

So, I asked her if she could identify which one of us was me in the photo. To my surprise, she replied, “Hahaha I know which one you are!!! and I like it ;)”. I was still skeptical until she suggested, “Let’s go smoke a spliff and find out.” After that, our conversation fizzled out—it seemed she might have been enjoying her smoke.

A few days later, feeling a bit tipsy from some local spirits, I attempted to revive the conversation by proposing a hike to a nearby waterfall. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a response.

While exploring the waterfall, I carefully climbed out of the swimming hole, focusing on my footing as it was steep. I crossed paths with two girls, and one stopped to ask, “Do I know you?” It was her!

The unexpected encounter

Once the surprise wore off, our conversation flowed easily. I felt like I played it cool, and they seemed relaxed as well. They suggested meeting for tea in the evening—was that a euphemism?

Later that evening, while I was in bed, she messaged me, explaining she was fourth-wheeling on a date with her friend and wanted an escape. The conversation was dull, and she just wanted to be quiet. Could I save her?

Feeling adventurous, I agreed to meet her, and she left her “date,” telling her friends she was heading home, only to rendezvous with me at a nearby café.

Our initial plan for tea quickly transformed as we opted for a large bottle of Kingfisher beer instead. As more beers arrived, the atmosphere became lighter, and soon, the sun began to rise, accompanied by the sounds of nature.

What began as a flirtation evolved into a situationship, where we enjoyed each other’s company over the next few days. She was cool, had a good sense of humor, and seemed to take things easy. I considered myself a unique taste, relieved that I hadn’t scared her off yet with my quirks. However, she did raise an eyebrow at my makeshift wallet made from my SIM card packaging and a hair tie. Was this a potential deal-breaker?

During our time together, I took a two-day hike, one she had previously completed, which meant I had to endure two days apart. It stirred up past anxieties and made me wish I could skip the hike and just hang out with her in the city.

The rewarding journey

While hiking, I was thrilled to receive a message from her saying, “I got you a present.” It made me feel both anxious and happy, knowing she was thinking of me.

Upon returning to the city, we met again, and thankfully, everything felt just as it had before. She smiled and reached into her bag, pulling out a pink purse while making a witty remark.

The next day, we had only one day left together before parting ways, and the mood seemed to shift. I felt apprehensive about breaking the silence.

We decided to hike again to clear our minds. I asked her about her “rose, bud, thorn” experience in India—a concept I had learned from a previous hiking companion. A rose represents a highlight, a thorn signifies a challenge, and a bud symbolizes new ideas blossoming. I hoped this would help her open up.

We had shared deep conversations before, so I thought we’d be fine. However, emotions surged, and she began to cry, pulling away even further.

It was over.

Afterward, I felt the walls closing in as my anxiety resurfaced. I was eager to reassure her and solve the issues we faced. I had thought I was gaining clarity, but I learned that awareness doesn't equate to having everything under control. There's always more to learn, and life has a way of coming full circle.

This writing serves as a form of closure, allowing me to embrace the pink purse as a functional reminder of this experience. So, don't hesitate to accept a pink purse from your Hinge date in the future!