Chapter 12 The blissful evening
~"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."~
Charm me? Like I'm already not crushing over u enough! I wish u knew how obsessed I'm with ur sweet yet playful smile. N the way ur innocent looking eyes, glimmer with mischief when u make those flirtatious remarks. I wish u would know how my heart flutters every time u compliment me. N the butterflies I feel in my stomach when I catch u staring at me. Oh, n haven't u noticed the way my breath ceases when I feel urs on my skin n the goosebumps I get all over my body by just ur mere touch! If all of these is not me going crazy about u enough, then I can't dare to imagine what more can happen!
I shuffled nervously, weighing my options. The logical part of me was already on her death-bed so I chose to listen to her. kyunki marte hue insaan ki ischa Puri krni chahiye
"I don't think it's a good idea. It's pretty late, almost 10:30. Going out with a stranger at this hour to an unknown place..." I hesitated. He seemed to understand my point n nodded half-heartedly. But he was too stubborn to let it go without a hard bargain.
"How about, I take u to the nearest restaurant, we have dinner n I'll bring u back within an hour".
"Umm..mm" I was still not convinced.
"N u inform ur friends. They can even track our live gps location. That way they'll know it all the time where we are!" He was pressing too hard.
I could see how desperate he was to hear me say yes. N mind u, a gorgeous face like his, n on top of that his hypnotic pleading eyes would have made me succumb to his plea much earlier, if I didn't have this over-analyzer sitting in my head. Die woman, Die!
"I'm still not sure about this..."
"Shhh! listen to me!" He cut me off stepping ahead n softly held my hands. My body immediately became conscious of his touch.
His eyes bore into mine as he said, "Plz! Just for once, don't overthink this. I'm flying back tomorrow n u too will return to ur life soon. Who knows if we'll ever meet again. This could literally be our last time together. Maybe for real this time."
I saw a tinge of anguish in his eyes, n it made me sad too. I don't want to think about going back. I don't want this moment to end. Not now, not ever.
"Plz come with me. This night is all we have. I know there is a part in u that wants to dare n see n feel. Don't cage her up fearing about the consequences. Set her free. Let her come up n choose fr herself. Let go off all ur inhibitions n fears. Let go off all that is holding u back. N give in to ur desires, ONE LAST TIME?"
N I swear in that moment, while his hands held mine, the cold breeze circled around us n his magical eyes pierced my guard, I could have said yes to anything n everything.
We drove to a nearby fancy restaurant. When the car halted he reached to open the door fr me n offered his hand. "What a gentleman!" I commented as I took his hand n stepped out.
"I swore to be on my best behavior today. Plus I couldn't treat u any lesser when u look so precious like an angel." He smiled wryly.
My cheeks flushed listening him praise my look for like tenth time, since we left the party. N sure enough, every single time I felt that fluttery feeling in my stomach, each wilder than the previous one.
"Angel? I feel more like a princess in this gown".
"Ok then Princess, I'll be ur prince charming!" He winked as we entered the hotel.
I scanned around the hall n admired the setting. It was a pretty good place n I really loved the interior work.
"So beautiful!" I exclaimed looking at the magnificent chandelier hung in the center.
He didn't look away from my face n said dreamily "Totally breath-taking."
I closed my eyes feeling those butterflies rise in me again. Charmer alert!
Just then, he received a call n his lips curled up seeing the name flashed on the screen. He fumbled with his phone as he quickly pressed ignore n put it on a silent mode.
"U should take it, it seems to be important". I said assuming that the person on the other end might have some urgent business to talk about, as he/she had also called twice before when we're in the car. N each time he had dismissed it with the same anxious expression.
"Yeah, I think I'll attend it. I'm so sorry but I promise this won't take long. U proceed to the table, I'll follow behind."
I nodded and he went away. Wonder what got him so bothered!
I was led to a small, comfy table by the window-side n the waiter left me with a menu card.
"Hey!" Rishabh came back n slipped in the chair beside me. He looked calmer n his sly grin was back on display.
"Hi, was everything alright with the caller?.."
"Yeah, it was just...s.. some journalist nagging me with stupid questions. Leave it. Why don't you order something" He quickly changed the topic. "Order whatever you want.. "
I went through the menu card. There were so many options. I couldn't decide what to call for.
"Anything is fine by me. U order, according to u". I handed him the card.
He frowned. "What, no! Haven't u been on a date before? It should be always girls' choice."
I smiled awkwardly to hide my embarrassment. Indeed this was the first time I was out with someone n I couldn't believe my luck that it was with him!
After a lot of thinking, I finally decided n we gave our orders. There was a moment of silence as none of us attempted to start the dialogue. Rishabh kept staring at me, a small smile playing on his lips n I tried looking up, down, around n literally everywhere but him. Suddenly I was realizing how much efforts I had to put in to stay calm n act normal. It was easier before, when I was in a frenzy of venting my anger on him all the time, n pretended like I was repulsed by his personality. But now, as the things are more sorted between us, n after I practically told him how much I'm attracted to him, I really didn't know how to behave. My brain was putting too much labor in overthinking about this. Well, when doesn't it?
"U need to chill down. Seriously, I'm afraid that u might end up scratching ur wrist if u don't quit fidgeting." He chuckled n I immediately straightened.
"Good". He loosened his tie as he spoke "Bdw, why r u feeling so nervous? Is this place too fancy?"
"No, I'm...I'm just feeling a little cold"
"Here take my coat", He offered.
N before I could refuse it he had already got it off n wrapped it around me.
"Thanks" I muttered.
"Come on, I had to do it. What good would be a romantic scene, if the heroine doesn't end up in Hero's clothes"
I raised my eyebrows knowing very well what he was suggesting. I could easily interpret the layers of meanings his remarks usually had.
"Don't flatter urself. We will just have our casual dinner night n go back to our own room n in our 'OWN' clothes." I stressed on the 'own' word n he gave me a 'we'll see' look.
Our dinner arrived n was served.
"Speaking about rooms", He began casually as he helped himself with the food. "What is ur room no.?"
"I don't see that to be any of ur business". I retorted taking a bite myself.
"Sure it is. Its always good to stay close to a doctor. U never know when u might need one"
"In that case, note down this phone number."
"Really?" He almost choked on his food.
"Yeah, anytime u need any medical help, just give a call on... 100!"
I laughed seeing his change of expressions. "Lol!"
He sighed dramatically, "U r really a tough nut to crack!"
"Maybe I'm not a nut that u can just crack open. U need to scrape a little deeper to get me."
"Oh, so u r a coconut then!"
My mouth fell open hearing this n he broke into a fit of laughter.
"Coconut? Seriously!"
N he just kept laughing holding his stomach. I was getting pissed at him for mocking me that way but couldn't help admire how cute he looked in that playful state. His dimple showed up n I swear it's the most adorable thing I've seen today. His pleading puppy face from earlier, would make a close second.
"I think ur charming skills are waning off Mr!" I said crossing my arms.
"Come on Coco u got to agree, that u r little nuts". N again he started laughing uncontrollably.
"Stop it now!" I whined
"Ok, ok. I was just kidding. He cleared his throat n leaned ahead on his chair.
"So let's scrape out ur layers Miss coconut". I smacked his arm n he laughingly retreated.
"No seriously, I mean tell me more about yourself. U said stay in a hostel, right?"
"Yes, in Bandra".
"Oh yeah, I remember u mentioned that. I've moved from there n got a new flat in Juhu" He boasted.
"Wow looks like ur career is going pretty well!" I said.
"Pretty well? Enormously well! I mean, my role in the movie 'Saat samundar paar' wasn't so big, but it's commendable thing to be a part of such a massively hit film. Great deal for a new comer. My work is being noticed n acclaimed n has got me some great offers" He went on to tell me all about his work n how proud he's to make it that far. If I were to be completely honest, I loved the way he's so passionate n enthusiastic about his work. It shows in his performance, n I was literally left speechless when I saw his film 2 months back. Though I was angry with him back then, but couldn't have missed his movie. It was his debut film after all.
We chatted for a long time while we had our dinner n he seemed surprisingly intrigued to know more n more about me. I told him so many stories about my native place, my family, my friends, my college etc. N his list of questions seemed never-ending. Was he doing this purposely to make our conversation thrive longer?
"N what r your hobbies?" He enquired among his millions of questions.
"Umm...I like dancing n watching movies or T.V series."
"U didn't count overthinking".
"Ha ha ha funny" I scowled n he chuckled slouching back on his seat
Soon after we left the restaurant n were heading back to our hotel. He drove the car at a very obvious slow speed nI but I didnt care to point it out. Even I wouldn't want this ride to end sooner. I felt so relaxed n content sitting there in his car n admiring the beautiful night sky from the window. He would look at me occasionally n then turn back to look ahead. I noticed that, n couldn't help the way my cheeks flushed when I knew he was staring at me. But we both kept quiet, enjoying the peace n calm of the moment. His company felt soothing n even if we end up never speaking again, I'll always look back to this moment, n find my solace.
"What r u thinking?" He asked nonchalantly, breaking my chain of thoughts.
I turned around to face him n he still had his eyes on the road.
"Nothing just, how great this evening was!" I was being honest. If these are our last moments together I wouldn't want to lie to him about anything. I wouldn't want to ruin the beauty of this.
"It was indeed!" He sighed.
"I never opened so much to any guy before. U really scraped out all the answers from me."
He let out a small laugh. "I'm glad to be the only guy who got into u so deeper. Well, I would have liked it to happen in the literal sense. But..."
"Rishabh!" I interrupted him before he could complete.
"Still no to that, haan?" He asked with a slight disappoinment.
"Yes. My answer remains the same. However wonderful this evening was, it didn't change anything. We still want different things."
I stated as a matter of fact. I knew he was not willing to get into dating n commitment stuff. Hell, even I'm not sure if I wanted that. Not at this point in my life. But whenever I'll want to get involved with someone, it'll have to be in a proper way, the ideal way. I could never see myself bending my morals n engaging into a casual hook up.
I was desiring for an ocean, endless n infinite. While he adored rivers, flowing, flooding n finally coming to an end.
I rested my head on the seat n took a deep breath.
"Nothing has changed Rishabh. We were strangers before. N now,". I paused a little n said,
"...u r still a stranger with all my secrets!"
.
.
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How was this guys?😛 I know I'm making this evening too long. But I wanted to show how well they connected in such a little time. N also to highlight the inner struggle she is having between her heart n mind😭
But their date is almost about to end. N now I want u to do the guess work about, how will this climax.😛 Will they end up getting a climax? *if u know what I mean*😉
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
