LITTLE MOMENTS (OS Series) 10| So Far, Yet So Close.. (Pg 103)[24-Mar] - Page 24

Arnav was shaking his leg impatiently, waiting for the minute hand to reach 6. He had already packed all his stuff and was now waiting for the clock to read 5:30. He couldn't wait any more. At four minutes to half-past-five, he stood up from his chair and swinging his sack over his shoulder, he reached for the car keys in his pocket as he walked towards the lift with longer strides than usual.

*****

Khushi checked the time on her laptop screen. 5:35 PM. Arnav must have left by now... She blushed at the thought. Her eyes flickered as her phone vibrated indicating a message was received. Without any delay, she quickly unlocked the screen to find a message from Arnav.

I'm leaving. Be ready at the gate by 6 :)

Khushi was very excited as her lips curved into a big smile. But the next moment she felt nervous for some reason. Keeping her phone in her pocket, she hurried to pantry and gulped down a glass full of water. "I should have worn a nice dress. It's our first date and see how I am" she said to herself looking down at her clothes. She quickly walked to the rest room and looked at herself in the mirror. Splashing cold water on her face, she pulled out a couple of tissue papers from the holder to wipe her face dry. Making sure her hair was neatly tied, she walked back to her desk. 5:50 PM. It was time to leave!

*****

Khushi almost ran towards the entrance as it was a couple of minutes past six. As she reached the gate, her eyes fell on Arnav. Black shirt and beige coloured pants, he stood there leaning back on the front left door of the car, his left hand hung in his pocket, as he was busy looking into his mobile held in his right one. Why is he looking so handsome?! Khushi couldn't stop looking at her future husband. As if there was a telepathy, Arnav lifted his gaze to find Khushi near the gate. He quickly slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled at Khushi as she walked to the car.

"Hi" said Arnav making Khushi feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Hi" she replied with a nervous smile.

Arnav opened the car door for her to get in. She was not expecting an 'unromantic' Arnav to do such a thing. Maybe he is just being a gentleman.

Arnav got into the driver's seat. He looked at Khushi who was busy putting on her seat-belt. "Why do you underestimate yourself?" he asked.

Khushi was confused. There was nothing like underestimating herself while putting on the seat-belt. She just stared back at Arnav with a question mark on her face.

"You look beautiful even in this simple dress..."

Khushi couldn't believe he said that. She was so surprised that she just kept looking back at Arnav.

"Shall we leave?" he asked, smiling at Khushi's surprised face.

Khushi just blushed looking away from him. Arnav was enjoying Khushi's condition at the moment.

"Let me put your sack on the back seat" he said indicating at the sack Khushi was carrying on her lap. Khushi silently handed it to him.

"Shall we?" he asked again gesturing at the road ahead.

Khushi gave a little nod of affirmation and their ride began.

Arnav was expecting Khushi to talk about a lot of things, but she was silent. Both were stealing glances at each other frequently.

Finally Arnav began with, "Won't you ask where we are going?"

"I know wherever we are headed to, it's gonna be a nice place.." replied Khushi.

"Ah... So confident, haan?"

"Yes... Your choice can't be bad..." she said.

"Stop praising yourself!" replied Arnav, waiting for Khushi's reaction.

Khushi took a while to understand what Arnav meant and the moment she did, she couldn't stop blushing.

"Well, I have booked a place for us... Hope you like it..."

This was another surprise for Khushi. He has booked a place for us?

"I don't know how a date should be... As I said, I am not a romantic person..."

Khushi just looked at him as he drove. Not a romantic person? That's so not true!

"Did you say something?"

"No!" replied Khushi instantly, "Nothing..." She looked out from the window with a smile of knowing something very important about Arnav.

Arnav and Khushi reached the garden restaurant where Arnav had already booked a table for two. Khushi's face glowed as she saw the place. What a lovely place!

It was a few minutes past 7 as Khushi and Arnav settled down in their chairs. The dim lights and the ambience of the place added to Khushi's beauty. Arnav couldn't take his eyes off her. Khushi looked at him with that light mischievous smile on her face. She slightly tossed her head to ask Arnav why he was looking at her the way he was. He just shook his head to say nothing' but continued looking at her.

"Actually... I am not hungry yet..." said Khushi, a bit hesitant.

"Neither am I" replied Arnav, "Let's have a walk in the garden and then get back here..."

Khushi nodded in agreement. Informing the hotel manager, Arnav and Khushi walked to the farther end of the garden.

"So, Miss Khushi... tell me more about the twenty-six years that you have spent till now..." said Arnav, eager to know more about Khushi.

Khushi told a few things about her childhood days, her school and college days, and her job. Arnav also got to know a few things about her family and relatives, about her lifestyle, her likes-dislikes.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked.

"Yes?" said Khushi. What is he gonna ask?

"The day when I had come to see you with my parents... When I had said that I didn't want to get married, you felt bad, didn't you?"

Khushi was not expecting such a question. She was silent.

"Answer me, Khushi..."

"I was... Actually... I just didn't want to let you go..." Khushi gulped as she realised what she had just said. "I mean... I don't know..." she didn't understand how to explain.

"Why?" asked Arnav. "Why didn't you want me to go?"

Khushi had no answer to this. "Just like you didn't want to let me go..." she replied.

"How do you know?" asked Arnav, surprised.

"Just like you knew..."

Arnav just smiled. "May be we are made for each other..." he said.

"May be..." said Khushi as she blushed walking ahead.

"You got to know about me... Now tell me about the twenty-seven years that you have spent till now..." said Khushi wanting to know more about Arnav.

"Don't you think we should leave something for our next date?" Arnav winked.

Khushi couldn't stop blushing. She felt as if her cheeks would start aching if this date continued for long.

"Dinner?" asked Arnav. Khushi nodded.

Khushi and Arnav occupied their chairs against each other. Order was placed. They chatted as they waited for their food to arrive.

"I am a very simple girl, Arnav"

"I know that very well..." replied Arnav. "What happened?"

"I mean... Guys these days want fashionable and bold girls. I am nothing like that. Please don't expect me to..."

"Khushi... why do you get so nervous suddenly?"

"I don't know... It can't be explained! I will be all alone with new people at a new place. It's not..."

Arnav placed his hand on Khushi's hand that was resting on the table. Khushi looked at Arnav who was looking back into her eyes.

"Now that you have decided to marry me, trust me. As long as I am with you, you will have no problem. And I am gonna be there for you... always!" He winked bringing a sweet smile on Khushi's face as her wet eyes sparkled with new excitement and relief.

Making sure that Khushi was fine, Arnav withdrew his hand. "And you know what" he said, "my parents too are very simple, just like you and me. And they have liked you so much that I am afraid that once you come home they will love you much more than me!"

Khushi chuckled. Arnav felt good to see Khushi back to her happy mood.

Both enjoyed their dinner.

*****

Arnav drove Khushi to her home and she insisted him to come upstairs and meet her parents. Khushi's parents were happy to meet Arnav and they were glad Khushi was happy with him. After a little chat over a cup of coffee, Arnav took leave of Khushi's parents. Khushi accompanied Arnav till the visitor's parking.

As both slowly walked towards Arnav's car, Arnav said, "Khushi, I am sorry if I have disappointed you. May be you were expecting something in our first date, and I couldn't fulfil it. Roses, and romantic music, and shayari, and I don't know what... I am very weak in all these things. You know that I am not a romantic person..."

Khushi remained silent. Arnav didn't know what more to say. He got into the car. Khushi smiled at Arnav's misconception.

As Arnav was putting on his seat-belt, Khushi said, "Why do you underestimate yourself?"

Arnav looked at the seat-belt thinking for a while. He remembered he had said the same to Khushi some time ago. He knew it was not about the seat-belt. He waited for Khushi to say more.

"You are very romantic!" said Khushi shyly.

Arnav was surprised. I am very romantic?

Seeing his expressions, Khushi said, "Praising me without reason... opening the do..."

"That wasn't without reason!" Arnav interrupted, "I was being true!"

"Okay okay... So, opening the door for me... booking a table for two at such a lovely place... understanding me... comforting me every time... trying to make me smile... assuring me that you will always be with me... teasing me at times... All these things are very romantic! What else is romance?"

"Really?!" said Arnav, excited.

Khushi blushed. "You must leave now..." she said walking away.

Arnav weaved his fingers through his hair biting his lower lip as he watched Khushi walk away. I am very romantic? He felt like the happiest person on earth at the moment.

"Khushi!" he called out putting his head out from the window.

Kushi turned towards him. "Good night Arnav!" she said laughing and ran away.