Rishi disconnected the call, stood up and gave a handshake to Kruthika.
"You look more beautiful than your photos", Rishi said as they sat down.
Kruthika just smiled in response. She might have rejected many proposals without hurting anyone but she didn't knew how to start the conversation of rejection.
They ordered some coffee.
"So where do you stay Rishi?", asked Kruthika.
"I stay in Chennai as I'm having my job there. I came London just for a conference", said Rishi as he sipped his coffee, "My parents said two days before to give you a visit".
"Okay. So how was your conference?", asked Kruthika.
"Nice. I forgot that you do night duty and I called in middle of your sleep. Did I disturb your sleep?"
"I was about to wake up at half an hour later but it's fine. What else did my parents inform you about me?"
"They said that you cook food deliciously and even your voice is good you sing as well as you play violin. They also informed me where you stay. I don't have any problem with that"
"Rishi I want to say you something before you go way too far"
"Do you love someone? Is that what you are gonna say now?"
"No. The thing is that I don't want marriage this soon and even commitment. I don't know if I am ready for such big things. I just said yes to my parents because they are not in a state to understand me. I don't want to hurt you but I'm sorry. There's nothing to do with you it's just that I'm really not mentally prepared for such responsibilities yet", said Kruthika in a calming tone as she saw Rishi's expressions.
"Oh. But why didn't you say it to your parents much more calmly as you said to me", Rishi asked with a bit of anger.
"Don't you think I tried it. They have been asking me to agree for marriage since I completed my degree, it's been almost two years", Kruthika said.
"Kruthika I like you, I can wait for you until you are mentally prepared for this", Rishi said.
"Rishi, I really don't know how long it might take, it's not a matter of few days, it might take couple of years for me. And there's much more thing I've to do. Please try to understand me", Kruthika said.
Rishi fell silent for next ten to fifteen minutes, may be he didn't get enough words to express his feelings.
"I've been watching you since your engineering first day Kruthika. From then I've been in love with you. I wanted to propose you at that time, but your roommate said that you didn't like the boys who propose without even being settled in their life. Do you remember what you said to her'I like the love stories where both settle in life and take permissions from their parents and get married. It's the perfect love story' to your roommate", Rishi continued, "I thought you were right and I studied hard and I'm standing on my own legs Kruthika, I've my own apartment at Chennai and a good stable job. Anyways bye. I thought I should say you these things, it doesn't matter, you change your mind now".
"I'm sorry Rishi. May be it means that I'm not the right one for you, may be there's someone else who could be worth your love", Kruthika said.
"But it wouldn't be you!", Rishi answered.
Kruthika didn't knew what to say, even she was running out of words.
"So I didn't get a chance to see your roommates. Can I see them?", Rishi asked trying to be cheerful.
"Sure you can. My house is here, it's at walkable distance", Kruthika answered and paid the bill.
"Let me pay the bill", Rishi said.
"No. You have been from India you might be having expenses again in your way back", said Kruthika.
"So you won't let me pay your bill also", Rishi said.
"Okay. You pay to what I had bill and I'll pay to yours", Kruthika said and paid the bill.
"Okay", Rishi said paid his part of bill. They came out of the cafe and walked silently to the home. That journey was the longest journey for Kruthika.
Kruthika reached the home and rang the door bell, Abhikshith opened the door.
"Is it Abhikshith Bhargav, the film star, the celebrity Abhikshith?", Rishi asked in excitement.
"Yeah. I am. Who's this Kruthika?", sahed Abhikshith.
"Rishi.My old friend my college", said Kruthika though Rishi was not her friend and she didn't knew what to call Rishi as.
"Oh. Hi Rishi. Cool name", said Abhikshith and welcomed them.
"Are you staying here sir? Is Kruthika friend of your's?", Rishi asked.
"Yes to both your questions", said Abhikshith. Sachin came from his room wondering who else came to home.
"Rishi this is Sachin", she said to Rishi,"Sachin this Rishi", she said to Sachin. They both greeted each other, Kruthika brought cold drink to all, everyone had it except Rishi and said, "No I just had coffee with you".
"Where's Anirudh, Sudeep and Hemanth?", Kruthika asked Sachin.
"Anirudh and Sudeep are at balcony, Hemanth is freshing up", said Sachin.
"Will you call them? Rishi wanted to see you all", Kruthika answered.
"Okay", said Sachin and came within two minutes with Anirudh, Sudeep and Hemanth.
"Everyone he's Rishi. Rishi this is Hemanth, Sudeep and Anirudh, he studied with us in the same college, do you remember him?", said Kruthika pointing to them and facing Rishi.
"Yeah I remember Anirudh. Hi how are you?", asked Rishi.
"I'm fine. How are you?", Anirudh asked as they gave hand shake.
"It was nice to meet you all. Kruthika I guess it's time for me to leave. In case you change your mind please do contact me. Bye", said Rishi handing his visiting card to her.
"Okay. Bye", said Kruthika and gave a see off to him.