SanDhir FF: Espresso Love (Ch.39 P.111 Dec.02) - Page 82

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PART THIRTY EIGHT - BOURBON

One hour and two coffees later, the completely-lost-in-love grin wouldn't leave my face. I was content after what seemed like an eternity. Sameer could no longer take Riaan away from me, and the man I had been irrevocably in love with for the past decade was finally by my side. What more could I want from life?

--

Two hours and four coffees later, I still smiled at the mere thought of us being together again, let alone realizing that we were indeed together.

"Farzi, do you remember our first date?"

She threw her head back and laughed - a strange peace making its way in my heart as I heard her contagious laughter -, "Of course I do. First date first fight... first everything."

A faint hue of red showed itself on her cheeks. "I can't believe it's been almost ten years since then!"

--

--

Dressed in the best pair of clothes I had, I made my hair for the tenth time. Ugh this is too messy... but I also don't want to look too put together... Maybe I'll just gel it a little?

A smug laugh from the back caught me off-guard. I threw my comb at him and stormed off as soon as I could to prevent letting out a goofy smile in front of Parth. I'd never hear the end of it if he ever saw me like that.

--

"Kaustuuu," I whined, "What do I wearrr?"

She rolled her eyes, "I swear Sanyu if you show me one more outfit to change into..." but she didn't have to finish the sentence. "I knoww, I'm sorry. But what do I do? I've never done this before. I'm so scared at the thought of us going on a date!" I almost whispered the last bit, still reeling from the shock that this was even happening.

"Sanyu, you do realize that this is Randhir we're talking about? He asked you out when you were in the mechanical lab; your face and coat was almost entirely covered in grease. I'm sure just you being there with him is going to make his day!" I initially smiled at her sweet words, until she interrupted my reaction, "Or night, if you know what I mean," she added, cautiously stepping away from me while smirking. She was almost out the door before she added, "In that case, it won't matter what clothes you're wearing anyway," she threw in a shameless wink before sprinting out. I bit my lip at the thoughts that entered my mind, before changing my outfit yet again. Surely we weren't going to lose control on our first date itself.

--

--

"Man was I wrong," I laughed. "About what?" he asked.

"I figured our first date would be more of getting to know each other. Not actually ending up spending the night together, you know?"

"Really? I totally assumed we would."

I slapped his arm, "Wow Randhir. Are you serious?" I said, quite amazed by this revelation.

He bit back his smile, "What? Do you not remember we had already made out by that point. And that was when we weren't even together sooo..."

--

--

"Randhir, I know your parents..."

"Excuse me?" his pointed look pierced through, making me flinch.

"I was just trying to..."

"Well don't," he interrupted again, his voice as piercing as glass this time. "Just leave. Or better yet, I'll just leave."

But I held him back as he turned around. I don't know what came over me, but I kissed him. "You're not your parents Randhir. It'll all be over soon, I promise!" I spoke in the most gentle voice I could muster. "They don't define your happiness, not anymore!" And then, just as I was about to leave, he pulled me back. His eyes unveiled a glimpse of vulnerability I had never seen in him before. His lips molded into mine once more, and all the awkwardness was gone by then. Him and I never saw eye-to-eye in most things, but all I knew in the moment was that he needed me right now. And regardless of our differences, I knew I would be there for him.

--

--

"I guess I never thought of you as anything but a competitor until I saw you that night," I admitted to him finally after all these years. "I had never felt that way about before you know, wanting to take care of anyone and protect them."

He kissed my hand that was intertwined with his, "It did take you a really long time to figure that out, didn't it?"

"Well it's not like you knew the whole time!" I half-pouted, unaware of what revelation was about to be bestowed upon me in the next instance.

"Sanyu, I always thought you were the one!"

I half-laughed at this; "You're kidding me Shekhawat. That's so cliched!" I teased him.

"Not love-at-first sight Farzi. Calm down, you're not that pretty!" he joked back, receiving a well-earned slap for that interjection. His smile changed into a more genuine one, "No, it was back in our second semester of our first year. I knew I loved irking you and fighting with you because I saw someone who was just as passionate and driven as me. But unlike me, you were better than me in every way. You saw the good in people, and I saw only the bad. You were also more brave and courageous. You'd always been. And if these past couple of months have been any indication, then you haven't changed one bit Farzi."

After hearing this, I found myself sitting on the park bench with tears making their way down my cheeks. I hugged him hard, "I love you so much Randhir. Thank you for not giving up on me, and for giving me yet another chance."

--

A couple of hours later, we found ourselves sitting by the fireplace - Randhir, Riaan, and I. The others had left after dinner, leaving the "newly-engaged" couple some privacy (as they called it). Riaan was in my lap as I held Randhir's hand and leaned on his shoulder. The peace that enveloped me was unparalleled to any other feeling I had ever felt before. "Thanks for completing us Randhir!" I whispered against his shirt. He kissed my hair; "Wouldn't have it any other way my love."