Priyanka could not stop smiling even though she wanted to. This was her first time experiencing a date like this. Usually, she saw this only in movies, the male lead takes his female lead on a romantic and expensive dinner.
Little did she know that one day, doctor Karan would take her on a date. A romantic date.
A waiter entered the door. He stood beside the table and waited for an order.
She couldn't believe that they were going to order food again. The table was filled with different varieties of food. There was no need for extra. By the way, this was the first time that he was taking her out. She did not want to show him that she was a glutton.
But was she?
"If you need anything else, you can tell him" Karan finally broke the silence.
"No, there is so much on the table that I can't think through," Priyanka told him.
"But if there is anything you want and is not on the table, please do not hesitate to ask" he insisted.
"I'm fine, don't worry" She answered, looking at the delicacies in front of her. There was food everywhere that she didn't know where to start or which one to taste first.
After the Waiter left, she picked up the cutleries and started eating. He did not join her, rather his eyes were focused on the phone in his hands.
She became nervous to eat. Priyanka started picking the food, just the way a girl from a high society would have done. She did not want him to think she feed well because the food at home would not last for two days.
"You shouldn't eat like a chicken" Karan break the silence, again. He fixed his gaze on her this time around.
She was uncomfortable "W-what do y-you M-mean?"
"It is not an insult, miss Kapoor," he told her. "I just wanted you to be comfortable and eat well, instead of picking the food like a chicken. It will take a lot of time to clear these dishes."
Priyanka was surprised that he wanted to eat all the food on the table. She wouldn't be able to do but she could take some to her family "if you say so."
The suffocating silence returned to the room. She finished four of the dishes and her stomach was full already. The wine was still untouched.
He was not saying anything about the date or the reason why he brought her here. She wondered if there was any, at all.
Priyanka shrugged off the idea as she drank from the glass. Even if he does not want to propose or ask her to be his girlfriend, she was going to enjoy this wonderful meal.
**
"I'm full," She said, using the napkin to clean the corners of her lips. The food was still much but she had no plans of eating any.
"Great, at least you finish about five dishes" Karan did a quick count. He discovered that the wine was still untouched. "Should I open the wine? I forgot about it."
"No, I'm fine" Priyanka offered him a smile. She rubbed her neck as she glared at the window.
The view of the city was so beautiful that she had wondered if it was the same City she was living in.
"Shall we go to the garden?" He asked. "It is downstairs, you love it."
"Sure ."
"The waiter will wrap up the wine for you to take home."
She smiled.
He offered her his hand and she managed to stand up from the seat.
Priyanka was ashamed of herself. She overfed so much that he used much strength to get her up.
Together they went downstairs. It was her first date in a hotel but she felt so relaxed when he was with her. The garden was much more beautiful than she had imagined. There were tables and a few couples already settled down.
People stared at them in such a way that made her to wondered why. There were whispers about their relationship but Karan did not pay attention to them.
After sitting for thirty minutes, Priyanka checked the time, it was 10:45 PM. She almost jumped out of her seat. There were six missed calls from Pintu. Kamala must have asked him to call.
"It is quite late, sir," She said in a low tone. "My mom called, I'm sure she is worried."
"Yes, you are right," He said, standing from the seat. "Should I take you home?"
"No, I will walk home" She smirked. The man was something else. It was late and everywhere was dark. As a gentleman, he was supposed to take her home. "Do you want me to get raped it kidnapped?"
Karan laughed, walking towards the exit door. She followed him behind closely.
"What do you expect miss Kapoor?" he turned and asked.
"You should take me home. The streets are…"
"Nothing will happen to you" He opened the door for her when they got to the parking lot. "The way you scold and shout at everyone, I don't think you get kidnapped or raped.
Priyanka clenched her teeth as he closed the door. He was getting on nerves but she was not going to lose it.
He entered the car and they drove home straight.
**
"Thanks for today" were his last words. Priyanka stood in front of the house and watched him leave.
There was something about him that made her curious. Who was he? He sounded sweet now and annoying later.
His strange personality made her love him more. She just hope it was the right thing to do. By the way, there was no wrong in the presence of love.
That night, her mother asked her everything that happened at the hotel. Priyanka told them all except for what transpired between her and Atharva. She did not want them to worry about it.
But why did he run away when he saw Karan?