Dinner was a silent affair between Nitya and Tarun. Whatever he had planned to get to know Nitya more during their first date, clearly didn't work out. Instead, doubt had been planted in his mind regarding his feelings for the lady in front of him. Whatever was between them, didn't feel like a typical relationship at all. The air between them was too awkward for anyone to believe that they were a couple. They both didn't know any important stuff about each other, heck they didn't even have an idea how to converse with each other.
After finishing their main course, Tarun insisted Nitya on trying the dessert. Although she didn't have any appetite left for any sugary treat, she didn't want to sadden her 'boyfriend' and thus she complied. The waiters brought out two plates each carrying a slice of red velvet cake. Nitya instantly frowned a little seeing the delicacy set in front of her but immediately covered it up with a little smile.
"That your favorite, Tarun?" She asked pointing her spoon at the cake.
"No, I thought you'd like it. Shanaya suggested me that all girls love red velvet." Tarun informed.
'All girls or your Shanaya?' Nitya wanted to roll her eyes but controlled herself at that moment.
"You like it, don't you?" He asked after a few seconds.
"It's nice." She replied shortly, covering up her immense dislike for the flavor by putting a small bite in her mouth. She knew that Tarun didn't have much experience in dating stuff just like her but she would have been a little glad if he had planned something according to her choices. Nevertheless, he was her friend and she didn't have any romantic interest in him so she couldn't complain too.
However, she was glad that this date happened. It had been instrumental in clearing some doubts and confirming some assumptions. One thing that was the most evident was that Tarun liked Shanaya. More than he liked Nitya or even Prashvi for that matter because what he harbored for Nitya were just misunderstood feelings of friendship that had been manipulated to look a lot like love with a little help from 'someone'. The main challenge now was to make him sort out his feelings.
'But that would be a task for some other day!' Thought Nitya as she leaned back in her seat with a sigh. She was ready to go home and fall face-first into her cushy mattress and sleep for a long, long time.
Oh, how wrong Nitya was though, because the night had just begun!
//
//
//
Tarun stopped the car in front of Nitya's house. She fidgeted with her fingers, which were crossed in her lap, nervously; not knowing what to do now. The same was the case with Tarun and his shy, introverted nature was not at all helping. Both sat there without moving in awkward silence for about a minute or two before Nitya decided to put an end to it.
"So, hmm, Thanks for tonight, Tarun. I really liked everything." She knew what she was saying was not the complete truth but oh, what the hell! Honesty wouldn't help here.
She gathered her belongings ready to get out when Tarun suddenly stopped her by putting his palm over her arm. Nitya jerked back her arm because of the uncomfortable touch just when Tarun retracted his palm too. The awkward air inside the car just had just grown more awkward, if that was even possible.
"Goodnight, Nitya." Tarun said, not knowing what to say anymore. Her reaction to his touch was unexpected and he didn't know what to make of it. She whispered a quick goodbye in reply and hurriedly stepped out of the car before walking inside her house, never looking back.
//
//
//
Nitya knew there was something different tonight as soon as she kept her hand on the doorknob. She could hear laughter and giggles from inside which was not at all rare, now that Nikith too was living with them. But it was the familiar feeling she got when she was around someone. A certain someone.
She turned the doorknob and walked inside, praying that whatever she was feeling was all a lie. That he was not here. In her home. With her family.
But of course, why would God listen to her? After all, they had been in a silent fight these days. She made a face towards the sky and then squared her shoulders as if to gain strength to overcome whatever the night had yet to bring.
She walked towards the living room from where all the noise was coming and she saw all her family members along with Avyan enjoying ice cream. Her Aunt was sitting along with her Uncle on a two-seater narrating some childhood story of Nitya and Nikith. Avyan was sitting along with Kanav as he laughed along to Auntie's narration. Nkith was sitting beside Avyan on the adjacent sofa as he quipped his inputs in the form of sarcastic and humorous one-liners to her stories.
The whole scene felt too homely to Nitya. Seeing Avyan in such a domestic setting alongside her family made something warm grow inside her heart. It might seem too cheesy but she felt like a ball had burst open inside her, releasing a million butterflies that were now fluttering around. This was the kind of evening she would've preferred for tonight.
Nikith was the first to notice Nitya and seeing her face, he knew what was going on in her mind. He caught her eye and winked at her which made a smile bloom on her face.
"Nitya, you're back." He announced to make her presence known to everyone. Everyone's eyes landed on her as the laughter ceased inside the room. She walked inside and sat beside Kanav, the only seat available at that time. That night, in a long time, her home felt like a family.
"How was your evening, Nitya?" Her uncle asked.
"It was nice. I had fun." She was nervous, not for her family's reaction but for Avyan's. She didn't know whether he was informed of her and Tarun's date or not but she could see Avyan's body go stiff with her peripheral vision.
"What did you do tonight?" Nikith asked in a casual way but his eyes screamed mischief.
"Dinner, conversations. It was a lovely evening under the stars." Was it possible to feel the tension and anger rolling off someone's body? If it was, Nitya wished she could run away to her room now.
"Chachi, I'm tired. Can I go to my room?" Nitya asked before anyone could ask any more questions. Chachi stared at her with an odd look for a second before smiling and nodding. Bidding goodnight to everyone, she walked up the stairs hurriedly into her room.