Chapter 22

Part 23:

The  next day, they visited many other places in Goa, they roamed till evening  and they shopped for their friends and family . when they were shopping, the sales girl showed a latest model dress to naina "Madam, look at this dress . you will look very beautiful in this" . Naina saw the dress. It was a beautiful  knee lengthed,  white dress heavily laced at the bottom and had silver embroidery on  it. Naina fell in love with the dress instantly. She knew Raj would like it. He was in the adjacent section  and  did not saw the dress. she purchased the dress and planned to wear it to night. She thought she would surprise him.

 

They  went to the hotel in the evening. He told that  he had to go to the travel company to enquire about some more tourist spots nearby, he promised that he would return within an hour but  four hours have passed and there was no sight of him. She tried to call him, but his phone was switched off.

She wore that dress  and was waiting for him. she was frustrated  and just then, her mobile rang. It was from Raj.He told her  "Naina! I am sorry. I have met an old school friend of mine and he invited him to his house. They are having a party as they have won a business contract.He requested me to stay for dinner  and they  want  to meet you.I have send the car for you. Please come here"  But Raj, I.."  "Please naina! I am waiting for you"

 Before she could  speak, Raj  disconnected the phone. She got  so disappointed and frustrated. "I am waiting since  evening like an idiot and he is so busy and did not even bother to call me and now he says that  I shoud come to his friend's party.she felt like tearing the dress into pieces and  promised herself that she would not talk with him atleast for a week. A part of her knew that she couldn't stay angry with him for a long time but she was determined to do so.

She sulked throughout the entire journey. She was so irritated  that she wanted to stop the car and go back to the hotel. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she did not notice that the car has stopped.

She  looked at the surroundings in confusion. The driver showed her the house.. She  wondered why there were no signs of party. She was about to open the door when a maid came to her."Mam, Sir asked you to come on to the terrace. The stairs are back-side and she showed the way.The terrace was not visible from the front and as she started to climb the stairs, she heard the music. "Oh! So, the party must be going there" she thought " .No one was there on the terrace. She saw a large room adjacent to it and opened the door hesitantly. She was surprised  to see the sight infront of her.

The room was filled with rose petals  and flower  bouquets  were placed at every corner of the room . In the centre, there was a  table with beautifully decorated chocolate cake on it. She entered the room  and as soon as she crossed the threshold, rose petals  fell on her making her scream with delight. She watched the room in awe. The lights went off and Raj came near her with a candle in his hand. Raj stood equally stunned seeing her. She was looking like an angel descended from heaven in the white outfit . she was the world's most beautiful girl for him. Her face glowed in the candlelight.He thought that each time he looked at her, he fell in love with her more and more. She smiled at him , all her earlier annoyance forgotten. He was so mesmerized by her that he stood silent, drowning into her eyes, he came out of his reverie, when she shook his shoulder slightly."Raj!.." she whispered blushing at his gaze.

"Huh…" he did not respond properly."Raj! If you look me like that, then we won't be able to…" she stopped in mid-sentence. "won't be able to …." He repeated his gaze fixed on her. " won't be able to.." she moved back  and with every step she took back, he advanced a step towards her. It continued till she reached the door." We won't be able to cut the cake" she laughed and ran outside.

Naina  wait.. He stopped for a moment and grabbed something and ran behind her. She was still laughing ,leaning on the railing of the terrace. He caught hold of her and  smiled sweetly at her .Before she could react, he smeared the chocolate cream on her cheeks. She was shocked  and tried to get back at him when it started raining.