I Do Love You, You Know?
It was not everyday that the Maheshwaris would find their daughter going around in nervous excitement. She had been asked numerous times, what exactly has her so pumped.
"It's nothing. We are going to meet these new people who might want to work with the NGO. I really hope it goes alright." She had said this same lie for numerous times now. She didn't like lying to her family, especially her Badi Maa but the thrill of dating secretly kept her going. Anyhow, they weren't ready to tell their families yet. Abir's mom had grown to dislike Mishti since the first tine they met at Kuhu and Kunal's wedding. Mishti had been too immersed trying to steal the shoes and had unknowingly pushed Meenakshi into a couple of guests.
That would have been okay but she didn't apologize and now Mishti was sure that her boyfriend's mother hated her. Boyfriend. Even thinking about him would make her heart flutter. It had been a week and they had hardly gotten the chance to talk. It was only this morning that the deal was finalised. They were going to expand their NGO and open a centre on the other end of Gujarat. To celebrate, Abir had asked Mishti to be ready by 8. Needless to say, she was nervous.
"We'll celebrate with everyone later. It's just you and me tonight. A date." He had softly whispered in her ears before joining the other NGO ladies as they shared sweets in excitement.
Now, looking at the condition of her room, Mishti wished she had told at least someone about her and Abir. Somebody who could have helped her pick out a dress for their first date. Of course, she could always call Kuhu but she knew Mishti too well. That last thing Mishti needed was Kuhu going all #SisterBecomesSisterInLaw on social media.
-
After spending way too much time messing around her wadrobe, Mishti decided it didn't matter. It was only the butterflies in her stomach that kept annoying her. First date. What was she to even expect on a first date? Were there some unspoken rules for a first date? Every time she picked up her phone to call Kuhu, she would remind herself of the nautanki to follow. If Kuhu were to begin her reactions, Mishti would have to wait for the next 3 months before she could even think of going for her date.
Focus Mishti. It's you and Abir today. Only the two of you.
As an immediate reply, her phone buzzed.
Abir: I am here. Are you coming outside or should I come in?
Mishti: Oh really. And what will you say? Uncle, I want to take your daughter on a date.
He'll kill you.
Abir: Oh he won't. I am a 100 percent sure he loves me. He even said once he likes me more than Nanko.
Mishti: He likes you but you are dating his dear daughter. Let him find out.
Abir: Oh I challenge you, he'll be okay with me taking you out today.
Mishti: Let's not risk our lives.
Abir: Well, come down. I am already in a conversation with him.
Mishti looked up from her phone. He what-?
Hurrying downstairs, her eyes widened when she saw him sitting on the couch, grinning like a Cheshire cat as Badi Maa doted on him.
"Mishti. Accha hua tu aa gayi. Abir has been waiting for you for so long." Badi Maa smiled at her. "Arey waah, you look so pretty. I am sure the meeting would be great."
"Aunty, you need not worry. There is no meeting." Abir interrupted and Mishti raised her eyes. Was he even interested in the date? Definitely has cold feet like her, Mishti concluded.
"What do you mean, beta?"
"Aunty, the clients actually pre-poned the meeting to this afternoon. I knew if I told Mishti of the change, she would have panicked and took the entire orphanage on her head. So I attended it by myself. They were impressed and wanted to meet Mishti so I thought, why not have dinner with them?"
He turned to look at Vishambhar. "I hope that's okay."
"Of course it is. You guys have been working so hard on these expansions." he smiled at them proudly.
With that, Abir got up. "Shall we, Mishti?"
Mishti looked at her Bade Papa and Badi Maa before nodding timidly.
"Enjoy your dinner." Vishambhar patted Mishti's back before walking to his room.
As they walked out, Abir softly whispered, "Your Bade Papa blessed us to enjoy our date."
"You cheated. The challenge was to tell him about our plans."
"I absolutely did. We are going for dinner, aren't we?"
Mishti frowned as he led her to the car. Ajeeb Rajvansh.
-
"Waise, where are we even going for the date? We are driving for the last 20 minutes."
"You are on a date with me. It doesn't come easy."
"The last time you were trying to be romantic, I had to scrub the oven because of the burnt cake. I know it doesn't come easy."
"Of course you'll bring it up. Have you ever done anything romantic for me? At least I tried. If left on you, I would have been waiting for you to propose by the time Kuhu and Kunal had grandkids." Abir frowned.
"You look adorable." Mishti chuckled. "And I would't have taken so long. Who can resist you?" She winked.
He smiled, running a hand through his hair.
"Anyway, we are here." Abir looked excited.
As Mishti stepped out of the car, she couldn't help but smile. He had driven them to the other side of their beloved lake and arranged an old bus, the top of which had been decorated. As he helped her climb, she sighed.
"This looks so pretty Abir."
He only smiled in response, settling beside her. "We can have some food and then just lay here. You know being around you makes me so happy." Abir looked at her.
"You are so cheesy and I love it." Since her boyfriend had claimed she wasn't romantic, Mishti wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest.
Abir was taken aback but hugged her too.
"While I am not good at romance, can't write a poetry for my life and definitely will not come up with these unique ideas, I do love you, you know."
Abir pulled away a little, softly kissing her forehead. "I know you do."
The two had a little food before wrapping it up and laying down, Mishti using his chest as her pillow.
"Makes me wonder, what could I possibly for our next date." Mishti mused, raising her head a little to look at his face.
"Ask my Mom before taking me out. I guarantee, that will be worth it."
"You know she hates me." Mishti whined.
"Nah she doesn't." Abir reassured her. "She only thinks of you as my friend. Now, when you tell her you have her son wrapped around your finger, she'll probably be a little annoyed but I know for a fact, you'll charm her easy."
"You think it's easy. Badi Maa and Bade Papa love you since the wedding. Your Mom and me, on the other hand."
"We'll cross that hurdle when we come to it. Let's just enjoy being around each other for a while."
And they did just that. Under the night sky, they talked about everything and nothing. About their childhood and their future. About the dreams they had seen, and the dreams they now see, with the other by their side.
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Blegh. I think it was super cheesy but I really had to write otherwise the story would have been left hanging forever. Hopefully, I reduce the corny-ness soon :P
Edited by ingenuity - 6 years ago