Girl Friday

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26

Arav

Wearing crisp white checked shirt with navy blue pants and caramel coloured belt, I stood in front of the mirror gelling my hair to perfection. It is no date, but I wanted to look no less. Thankfully, I didn’t spot either of my brothers or bhabhi while going out, else they would have wasted another hour of mine teasing me mercilessly. In spite of my request to hide from bhabhi, I guess Rohan told her about my feelings for Anjali. There cannot be another reason for her smiling at me secretly unless she has gone mad. That is what happens after marriage, I guess. One cannot hide something from one’s wife, no matter how secretive it can be.

I drove to Anjali’s apartment and reached fifteen minutes before eight. I waited patiently for watch to show eight as I didn’t want to appear too desperate. However, to my surprise I saw Anjali walk out of the building before time. She was wearing an embroidered navy blue floral dress. Two things I realized then. One, we were colour coordinating and two, how did she know I was waiting? Nevertheless, I got out of the car to greet her.

“Hey!” she said with a smile pulling her hair behind her ear

“Looking good.” I couldn’t help myself but compliment.

“Thank you. You look handsome too.” She said.

“Thank you.’” I said in a bit of uncertain voice not sure how to take the compliment.

I was about to open the door of the passenger seat for her, when she stopped me. I turned to look at her questioningly.

“Shall I drive?” she asked

I frowned at the strange request. She has never insisted on driving, at least not when she was with me. But, I didn’t want to deny her. So, I handed her the key and settled myself in the passenger seat. It gives strange pleasure in sitting beside a beautiful girl who drives the car confidently, especially if that beautiful girl is the one who seem to capture every moment of your attention even with simple gestures. I was glad I let her drive, because I had wonderful time admiring her every nuances like, the way she changes the gear, the way she checks the mirror, the way she horns impatiently at traffic, the way she cutely glares at the two wheeler guy who took a wrong turn. Something I really didn’t give a proper thought about before, something I would have terribly missed if I hadn’t experienced today.

Walking inside the restaurant beside Anjali brought back memories of our last dinner in a similar place. I smiled recollecting it.

“Why are you smiling?” asked Anjali looking at me.

“Nothing.” I mumbled pulling out a chair for her.

As soon as we settled in our table, soup was immediately served.

“I pre ordered everything.” Said Anjali.” I know your taste, don’t I?”

I nodded smiling. Something is different, extremely different, but I am not able to put my finger on it. Anjali seemed quieter than ever that is very suspicious.

“Why this dinner?” I asked.

“I wanted to...” she drawled

“Thank me?”

“Not exactly.” She said

“I just.... I just wanted to have dinner with you.”

I looked at her surprised. What triggered that? We are friends, I agree. But, we never had this ‘just dinner for no reason’ before.

“Anjali.” I said in a serious voice. “What is wrong? Is something bothering you?” I asked

“No.” She said casually shrugging and leaned back in her chair.

Before I could probe her with more questions, she changed the topic asking me about how Asha is doing.

At the end of the dinner, when Anjali ordered for check I asked her if we are not having dessert because I know she was complete sweet tooth.

“No, I made crème brulee for you.” She said

“You what?” I asked surprised

“I ... I made your favourite dessert for you personally. It is in my house.” She explained

I understood what she meant, but why? She made my favourite dessert for me on a day when we are having dinner outside. What is happening here?

I parked the car in front of Anjali’s building and she promptly invited me inside before she sprinted inside the house. As I followed Anjali in my own pace, I couldn’t help but recollect the missed kiss that happened last time I went to her house after dinner. Those memories are still fresh in mind. I still have no idea what caused that. It is one of the many times I lost my rational thinking in front of her.

Anjali bought in crème brulee from the kitchen and held it in front of me with a pretty smile. This is the first time I am going to taste something she made. That feeling excited me strangely and I took first bite.

“Good?” she asked

“Delicious.” I commented nodding

Anjali sat beside me and took her own bowl. She kept her whole concentration on the bowl till the last crump of the dessert was over. I kept observing her trying to read what is in her mind.

“So?” I prompted as she kept the bowl aside.

“So?” she repeated

“Are you not gonna tell me even now?” I asked

“There is nothing to tell, Arav.” She said

“All this dinner and dessert is just casual?’ I asked

“Yeah.”

“Fine.’” I said standing up. “Then I will leave, Anjali. Thank you so much for this casual dinner and dessert.” I said picking my phone and car key from the table.

I stood in front of the door and looked at Anjali to find answers for all the questions. She looked at me with a smile as if she is challenging me for something. What is she hiding?

“Bye, then.” She said leaning on the door frame.

I walked down the stairs filled with various thoughts in my mind. I had enough thoughts to confuse my mind already like my feelings for her, my father’s prejudice, her hurt, her ignorance, Rohan’s advice. My mind needs a break. I always led a less complicated life for a person born with Malhotra name, because I always knew what I wanted and more importantly I never hesitated before pursuing what I wanted. Choosing to become an artist in a family that owns one of the most successful businesses in India was not easy. But, never ever I hesitated in following my dreams. Why am I uncertain when it comes to Anjali? Well, not uncertain about my feelings, however uncertain about her reaction to it. I can’t believe so many days I have wasted in just thinking and rethinking about same thing. I like her. I have the right to tell her and she deserves to know it. If she likes me or not is completely upon her. With so many feelings for her, I should not pretend in front of her to be just a friend. That is morally wrong in so many level. Realization hit me like a rock and I stopped myself from starting the car. It is going to be now and just now.

I climbed the stairs two steps at a time and reached Anjali’s flat. I was shocked to see her still leaning on the door frame just the way I left her. Her face expressed nothing, not even surprise of seeing me back. Not deterred by her indifference, I stood in front of her.

“I should have confessed this long back. I really don’t know when it started, but I have been aware of it for some time now. You are free to react however you want, okay? No pressure. I just want to let you know that I like you. I would love for you to be my girlfriend.” I confessed looking at her straight in the eyes. Anjali’s expression stayed same for a second before she broke into a grin taking me by surprise completely.

“I thought you will never ask.” She murmured before throwing her hands around me for a hug.