Chương 4: First Date, jealousy and gifts

|Innaya|

Eshan and I sat wordlessly in the cafe. True to his words, he was there at sharp 4 pm waiting for me, outside my college gate. In a maroon blazer with the white shirt underneath and dark black jeans, he looked so deliciously handsome.

I had felt some sort of anger spiking through my veins on noticing many college girls going gaga over him, admiring him. On top of that, while leaning on his car, he had opened first two buttons of his shirt while talking with someone on mobile with that beautiful smile.

'Stupid man! Who told him to look so handsome and stand there like a model, and if heat is bothering so much, who told him to stand under the sun? He could have taken shelter or better sat in the car. No one would have looked at him then, specifically as if would eat him alive. On top of everything, what was the need of flashing that enchanting smile alluring others in his charms?

That was the reason, I had refrained from engaging myself in any conversation with him, since the time I sat in his car, giving him the cold treatment, he deserved.

"Should I order for us?" He questioned, once again trying to initiate a conversation to which I just nodded.

No matter how angry I was, I could not make him feel humiliated in front of the waiter.

My mobile rang displaying Mom's call. What a perfect opportunity to avoid him!

"Hello Mom," I answered ignoring the order he started placing.

"Innaya, you and Eshan go to choose your wedding dress and jewelery. Granny and I have sorted things. You have to select amongst them from our regular shops. I have told them to keep everything ready when you both visit."

"Mom! Why haven't you picked out them? You know I love your choice."

"I know Innaya... But, it's your wedding. You both should get a chance of finalizing things. Okay, I am hanging up. You do as I said. Bye."

"Bye." Irritated I disconnected the call. Why should everything be according to his choice?

'Innaya, mom said you BOTH decide. From where only HE came?'

My self-debate came to a halt as the waiter laid dishes on the table. I stared wide eyed at the dishes, he ordered. Cheeseburger, malpua, gulabjamun trifle, basundi, Pani Puri, basket chat, moong dal halva, Kala Jamun, kheer, Rajasthani sattu, dahi Puri, cheese spinach corn sandwiches. How on the earth could he order those dishes in this restaurant?

I talked hardly for five minutes, how could they prepare and bring everything in this shortest span, that they do not even have on their menu. I often visited this restaurant with my friends and I knew what they offer, then how?

"Are you spying on me?" I asked perplexed, unable to control my shock from my voice.

Eshan just stared at me with those hypnotizing eyes. His face remained passive, not displaying a single emotion for my outburst.

"Are you spying on me, because that's what I can make out from your behavior. All of sudden you appear with the marriage proposal. You have my number, you know everything about my college, and now you know my favorite dishes too. Everyone is already impressed by you, and now you want to use your tricks on me?" I vented all my frustration on him not realizing my pitch rose to the level of grabbing attention from other people in the restaurant.

Eshan roamed his eyes around us, a silent warning to everyone to mind their own business. I followed his gaze when even after literally shouting at him, he remained quiet.

Realization of what blunder I just created with my big mouth dawn upon me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

'How could I forget we were in public? What must he be thinking about me?'

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Eshan pushing the glass of water towards me, still not saying a word.

"Drink!" He said on noticing me not taking it.

I took the offered glass and gulped down. Frankly, I was not expecting this reaction from him, having heard about his bad temper.

"No, I'm not spying on you neither I am trying to impress you. Being your fiancé, don't you think I should know all these little things about you?" He asked raising his eyebrow questioningly.

How could he be so calm?

"For your information, allow me to enlighten you. Granny has given me your number. She was the one who told me details about your college and wait, before you jump to any conclusion, let me clear it was not some sort of spying. It was just another casual discussion, we had. Most importantly, what I ordered are my favourites. I thought you will like it and before you say I don't have manners of letting you place an order, so Would-be- Mrs. Innaya Eshan Sighaniya, you were the one who was lost in daydreaming while the waiter was waiting and gave me permission for ordering for both of us." He put forward his side of the story all the while beholding my gaze, his eyes affirming the truth of his words emphasizing his point.

"Moreover, if those girls at your college were ogling at me, what's my fault in that? Why are you taking their anger on me? I never asked them to stare at me in the first place." Eshan asked me innocently yet his eyes held mischievous glint.

I felt my eyes widening in shock. He noticed.

I heard his deep laughter, on my reaction. My mouth dropped in shock. I made fool of myself in front of him. I lowered my eyes in shame while playing with my scarf smacking, myself in mind.

"Innaya," he called out to me controlling his laughter. I did not respond out of mortification. I felt his palm coming over mine on the table covering my palm totally in his large one. I tried withdrawing, his hold tightened, not allowing me. "It's okay! No need to be embarrassed."

"Sorry!" I mumbled lifting my lashes little, looking at him. My eyes filled with unshed tears threatening to roll down. I felt very guilty for my earlier behavior.

"Hey! It's okay" He squeezed my palm softly.

"Please, don't cry. Look, I am sorry too. I should not have stretched it. Innaya, please," he said earnestly trying to comfort me.

"Tears don't suit your beautiful face amore mio caro!" He mumbled last part in a daze.

"Are you flirting?" I asked wiping my tears.

"Is it working?" He asked, his lips curving into the smirk.

"Hmm... I think yes." I answered smilingly, his efforts easing my earlier embarrassment.

We started eating our food in silence.

"Was that French, you spoke?" I asked thinking about the phrase he used.

"Italian." He answered shaking his head little.

"What does that mean?"

He stared at me before shook his head negatively.

"So, tell me what you wanted to ask?" He diverted the topic.

"Hmm.... After marriage, what do you expect from me? Should I stop my education or you will allow me to pursue my dreams?" I asked with baited breath. His answers would play the vital role in our coming life.

"First of all apart from being honest in this relationship, I don't expect anything at this point. Secondly, why would you stop your education? We live in the 21st century and you have every right to take your decisions. Innaya, marriage is a lifelong commitment. I am going to be your husband, not dictator," He answered keeping his spoon on the plate.

"I know you are worried about this whole rushed ordeal. I can promise you one thing I will never let you down. You will not be forced for anything which you are not comfortable with." He said squeezing my palm; I realized he had been holding all along.

"I am aware, this is your last semester and next month you have your finals, so we will be shifting to Mumbai after two months. Till now I lived alone in Mumbai due to my business, now I will have someone besides me, sharing my life. I have talked with Granny and Mom and they would be shifting after six months to Mumbai with us."

He had taken care of everything, without me saying or demanding. I felt gratitude and respect rising in my heart for the man sitting in front of me.

"Is there anything else you would like to know?" He asked.

I wanted to ask him about his whereabouts last night and those sounds. I kept mum thinking it was enough for the day. I nodded negatively.

We finished our food and left for shopping.

After shopping, Eshan drove us to my home.

Once we reached, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to get down; he held my hand stopping me.

Turning in his seat, he put his left hand near my head on the headrest of my seat, my heartbeat raced up watching him lean forward. Is he going to kiss me?

He leaned more towards me and I leaned back, towards the door of my side. I felt his body warmth engulfing me. The aquatic, woody and aromatic fragrance of his perfume, a mix of spices and citrus pulsing with recognizable whiffs of patchouli and incense had me feel intoxicated.

I held his intense gaze and saw amusement in them. He fetched a big wrapped parcel from the backseat of the car and held in front of me. He was just taking out a gift and you thought he was going to kiss you.

I looked at gift wrapped in the beautiful material having a sticker with my name written: "For Innaya"

I raised my eyes questioningly at him, in answer he just pushed gift further towards me.

Holding I unwrapped it slowly only to get astonished. It was beautiful guitar, with my name crafted on it. It was most expensive one and of limited stock.

A message written in beautiful calligraphy at base caught my eyes, "ma belle chérie, tu es incroyable"

I looked up to ask the meaning of that foreign language. However, my breath hitched watching his breathtaking smile, his eyes trained on me as if capturing my every reaction. I forgot to ask.

I pushed his gift towards him protesting to accept, "This is my first gift to you and I'm not taking it back" He softly insisted not leaving room for denial.

"Thank you!" I said roaming my fingers on guitar strings.

"I had back to back meetings yesterday. I was in meeting in Mumbai that is why I did not answer your call. The noises you heard last night were of employees," he replied clearing my unsaid doubt about last night.

"You don't have to hesitate to ask anything Innaya. You have every right to question, remember this... hmm?" Cupping my face by his right hand, he told me with pure sincerity, as if making a child understands his point.

I nodded my head positively feeling overwhelmed with everything, unable to utter anything. He received the call from his home asking for his presence, so he left quickly bidding bye to me.

It was strange having him answering my unasked questions. From the time we were together, he willingly offered everything. There was something about him, something that was, utterly positive and mysterious. I was amazed at the way the whole meeting or the date in GrandMa's words went.

I stood in front of my home, holding his first ever gift to me staring at the way he left. I stood there until Mom, came calling for me.

SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Mukta

amore mio caro: My darling love( Italian)

ma belle chérie, tu es incroyable:my beautiful sweetheart, you are amazing(French)

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