The Strings Of Heart

37

Sitara POV

I spray the scent looking at the reflection in the mirror. I dressed in skinny jeans and a white top. My hair is left open and I just painted my lips in warm red.

I look decent and simple, the way I like and prefer. I wear the sandals then pick my already packed bag.

Without wasting any time I walk out of my room.

"You going somewhere?" Rishi asked and I stop walking.

"Yeah, what you guys are doing?" I ask Pihu and Rishi. They are dressed up too.

"Oh, we are leaving actually," Pihu replied.

"Leaving? To where" I ask in confusion.

"We are meeting our friends. It's a birthday party," Rishi replied.

"Did you two ask your parents?"

"Yeah..."

"How you two are going? Or are you two going by taxi?" I ask them.

"We were going to ask Ajay uncle, to come with us. But I think you will use the car," Rishi said.

"No... I will go by cab. You ask Ajay uncle, don't be late. Tell Ajay uncle to stay or to pick you two after the party and be safe," I tell them.

"Yup."

"Be safe," Pihu said. I nod my head and walk out of the house.

I use the Ola app to book a cab to David's hospital, I know he would never show up to the dinner if I ask him too softly.

I decided to crash at his office and wait for him until his shift completes. He is having morning shifts.

The drive to the hospital was boring, I knew his cabin so I didn't ask anyone and went to the floor where his cabin is.

Like always the hospital is busy and bustling with people. I knock on his cabin when I didn't get any answer I open the door.

The cabin is dark without any lights, I turn on the lights. It was a difficult task as I didn't know where the switchboard is.

"I think he will be here in an hour," I tell myself sitting on the sofa and pulling the novel out of my bag.

I have been reading novels these days, when I was in school I didn't have time to read or interest.

But now that I have fallen for David, I want to know about dates and the present love scenario. I'm not much of a movie girl and reading helps me improve my grammar so it's a win-win situation.

I open the page where I left reading, I become busy with the pages of vintage love and didn't care about the time. The time passed...

The door opened, I stopped reading and looked up to see David looking at the lights.

"Who turned on the lights?" He asked himself. He didn't see me yet.

"I turned on the lights," I say calmly. He was startled by the sudden voice.

"Jesus..."

"Sitara?" His expressions changed from shock to confusion.

"Hi." I wave my hand at him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked walking to where I sat.

"It's Saturday and I asked you to join me for dinner. You haven't given an answer, so I decided to personally take you for dinner."

He blinked his eyes, I checked him out. He is wearing a navy blue shirt tucked inside the trousers with polished shoes. He knew very well how to dress up.

"But... But you didn't share me a location to give you an answer," he finally spoke after getting his thoughts back.

"Hmm, what is the use of sending the location when you are not going to show up? Freshen up, we will go now. I will decide the location," I say keeping the book beside me and pulling my phone out.

He opened and closed his mouth before sighing. "Fine, I will go and freshen up."

I type restaurants near me and check the restaurants.

There are an en number of restaurants, I check the ambience of the restaurant before deciding on 'Over the moon'

I read the reviews and menu to pass the time. I don't want to waste my money on so-so food.

"I'm ready, did you chose the place?" David asked walking out of the restroom. He changed his shirt and now wore a white shirt.

"Yes, I chose 'over the moon'. Do you know the location?"

"Hmm yes."

"Cool." I stand up taking the bag and phone. David picks his belongings and coat, I open the door and step out followed by him after switching off the electricity.

David looks a bit tensed and keeps his distance. I turn my head and look at him, he is tense that someone would see him with me.

I decide not to comment on it. We go to the parking lot.

"Doctor David, leaving already?" Someone asked stopping David.

"Yeah doctor Atif, you leaving too?" David asks him.

"Yes, taking my girl out on dinner. See you tomorrow doctor. I'm in a bit rush," the man said opening his car door.

David unlocked the car, I got inside and he entered the car. I buckled my seatbelt and gazed at him.

"We are wearing matching clothes," I said pointing it out. It just clicked in my mind that even I'm wearing white.

"Huh?" David gazed at me for a second before turning away. He slowed down the car at the back gates.

"I had to change my shirt and only this shirt was available," he said.

"I'm happy that we are wearing matching clothes. It makes us feel like a couple," I say with a teasing smile.

"No, it doesn't. Wearing matching clothes doesn't make people a couple."

"It does, people in love wear matching colours to match with their partner. Even people having crushes wear the matching colours," I say.

"Where did you read that or who said that?" He asked taking a U-turn.

"In books, saw in movies too."

"It's not exactly true, even friends wear matching clothes," he spoke.

"Okay."

"How are your friends? Got any updates from the hospital?" He asked changing the topic.

"They are doing good but complete bed rest for the next three months. Met them yesterday," I tell him.

"Are they going to discharge?"

"Isha has to be in hospital for one month. Pranav will be going home next week." The drive to the restaurant was silent, we didn't talk after that. David parked the car in the parking area. I opened the car door and stepped out closing the door.

"Let's go." David and I walked together. We stopped at the front desk.

"Good evening, sir and ma'am. How may I help you?" The lady asked.

"Good evening, a table for two," David answered. The lady typed on her computer before handing us the card.

"Table number six sir, enjoy the evening," the lady said.

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

I follow David inside the restaurant, the place is dimly lit giving those slow nights and romantic vibes.

There were couples having their dinner as we passed the lane and tables. We reach table number six, I sit down and David takes the seat before me.

He passes the menu to me, I take it and open it while he looks at his phone screen. I go through the menu before deciding on what to eat.

"Here..." I close the menu and push it towards David.

"Hmm." He is texting and I tap my finger on the table watching him.

"I don't like it when you use your phone while you are here to have dinner with me," I say after some time. He looks up keeping his phone away.

"Sorry, had to text Yashwanth and Vikram." I nod my head.

"It's fine but don't repeat it next time."

"Okay."

I wait as he goes through the menu, "you decided on what to have?"

"Yes."

"Good evening, sir and ma'am. Are you ready to order?" The waitress asked.

"Yes," I tell her my order followed by David's.

"Did you talk with your residents?" I ask him to kill the time.

"Yes, I'm having my lunch break with the four of them. I hope they develop their bond and become friends."

"They will if they try and communicate. I know you would be soft on them. Just don't scold them," I tell him.

He nods his head, "I don't scold them as they already get enough scoldings from Sejal."

My brows frown in confusion, "Huh?"

"They are scared of Sejal and she scolds them when they make mistakes," he explains.

"They are residents of Sejal too?" I ask him.

"No, Sejal got other residents."

"Then why do you allow her to scold your residents? She got no right to scold your residents and even you don't scold them. Mistakes are common, people learn from mistakes and they must be going through rough shifts and tight schedules. Scolding them only makes the distance between you and them. So take matters in your hands, do not allow someone to take the responsibility of yours," I tell him seriously.

"Hmm... I will remember that."

Our food was served, "thank you." I ordered mojito when I wanted to order wine.

We started eating in silence, I watched David as he ate his pasta calmly. I keep my fork and knife down. I wet my lips as I decide to speak.

"David..." He stops eating and gazes at me.

"Yes?" I take a minute to observe his face. I have never seen him without glasses.

"When I said I like you... I truly mean it. I'm not having a simple crush on you, I have never left this kind of affection or feelings whatever you name it towards anyone."

"I know you don't feel what I feel for you and that's okay. I can't force you to like me, just don't ignore me when I want to talk with you. You can ignore the Saturday dates that will help me move on from you," I tell him.

"And thank you... Thank you for being there on that day. I wasn't sure about whom to call when the accident happened. It truly meant so much to me when you got worried about me and searched for me everywhere. I know the intentions behind your worry so don't worry that I would misunderstand."

I wait for him to say something as he kept staring at me with his cute eyes. He was about to say something when his gaze shifted.

"David?" I heard the voice of a female. I turn my head to see Sejal, a lady and a man. They are staring at David and me with a startled expression.

"Good evening, Mr and Mrs Kuthadi," David spoke standing up.

"Good evening, David. What a surprise," the lady spoke.

"Good evening, David," the man said. Sejal stood there looking at me with deep thoughts running in her mind.

"Please join us," David said and I started biting the inside of my mouth.

"Who is this girl, David, if you don't mind me asking," the lady questioned with a quiet chuckle.

"Mrs Kuthadi meet Sitara, Sitara meet Sejal's parents," David spoke turning around and signalling me to stand up and greet them.

Just for him I stand up from my chair and look at them. "Good evening, Mr and Mrs Kuthadi," I say.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

"Sitara is your friend?" The lady asked looking at me with narrowed eyes.

"No mum, Sitara is Elora's sister. She is like a sister to David," Sejal spoke and I frowned my brows at her. I was about to open my mouth and correct her when David decided to speak.

"Yes... Yes, Sitara is like a sister. We decided to come out for a short dinner," David spoke. Sejal smirked in the dim light looking at me.

Her parents seemed relaxed after David cleared their air. "Continue... Continue your dinner, David. We were just leaving, it's been a long time that we had a family dinner," Mrs Kuthadi spoke. Mr Kuthadi stayed quiet.

"David, let us have dinner next week," Mr Kuthadi spoke looking at David with a serious expression.

"Sure Mr Kuthadi," David said. I stood there watching them, I have a bad feeling about this. And I'm done for the night.

"See you tomorrow, take care," Sejal spoke to David.

"See you in the morning, drive safe," Sejal said.

Sejal left with her parents, they completely ignored me. David sighed before going back to his seat. I took my seat and waited for him to continue the conversation where we left.

I think I asked for more as he stayed quite busy eating. I shook my head fisting my hands under the table.

"I will leave now," I say standing up.

"Leave? Why are you leaving? Finish your dinner."

"No, I had enough," I say picking my phone and bag.

"How you are going? We are going to the same destination. Wait for me, we will go together."

"Nah... I will go home by cab or auto."

"Why?"

"Bye, drive safe." I don't give him a chance to say anything. I simply turn around and start walking away and stop at the reception.

"How can I help you, ma'am?" The lady asked.

"I want to pay table number six bill," I tell her.

"Just a minute, ma'am."

"Sure." She calls someone and the waitress of our table came with the bill.

"How do you like to pay ma'am, card or cash?" The lady asked.

"I will pay using my card."

"Card please." I take my Rupay card out and hand it to her.

She swipes the card before turning the machine. I type the pin and press enter.

"Thank you, have a wonderful evening Ma'am," the lady said after handing me my card and bill.

"Thank you."

I start walking out, pull my phone out and book an Uber. I don't know why I feel heavy-hearted.

"Does he really don't have any feelings towards me? Is that why he accepted saying and addressing me as sister figure?" I ask myself.

I sigh getting into the auto, I just want to pull my hair... No, I want to pull Sejal's hair for addressing me as David's sister figure.