Le Palacio
Johnson took Alasca to a French restaurant as suggested by Garry. It was Alasca's favorite.
As he parked the car, Alasca went in to look for their booked table .
"Excuse me ? the menu please. " Johnson told the manager as he made his way towards their table .
As he reached .. he pulled out his chair and took a seat. He looked around the restaurant and then at Alasca. He got to know that she had already placed the order for wine and was waiting for him to order the main table course .
"So... "Alasca said as she lifted her head up to meet his eyes.
She wanted to ask his opinion when Johnson spoke
" Alasca earlier I wanted to... "before he could complete his sentence Alasca said
"Yeah what you wanted to say feel free now. " she was already irritated and just wanted to have something to calm herself but looks like Johnson wouldn't let her have that little bit of peace. Maybe today he was prepared to ruin her day.... these were Alasca's thought.
"Alasca, sorry for rejecting you that day. But I didn't like you nor was I ready for any commitment. "
"Yeah? do you think I didn't understand your words that day? For ones let me tell you your lie. Leena? seriously? that time you both were the talk of the class, fine I took that a rumor earlier until I saw the pictures of your date. How are you gonna deny that? "
"That's not it Alasca. I don't know her personally. She is my buddy's distant relative . There was a time when he had helped me solve a huge problem so when I was asked to help him, do you think I had a choice to refuse? "
"What? I don't get it? "
"Alasca, we were not on a date that day. As to how far I remember she was cheated on by her boyfriend . I was asked to pretend to be her lover. Since I was much more better in looks and personality than her boyfriend so rhe plan was to make him regret and apologize.
And in the end that's what happened. My job with her was only till there, nothing more. "
Alasca was too shocked that she forgot how to speak for a moment. 'So all along they were not even friends? 'she thought
"okay but what about you telling me the news first when you get yourself a girlfriend? "
Johnson had a small smile in his face as if these words reminded him of someone . "yes that too I didn't lie totally. I was not in any relationship that time to till date. But even if I got into one it was impossible for me to find you and say this after all this matter after graduation was hard to remember. Even am surprised how good your memory is! "
As he said this a waiter came towards their table and served a glass of red wine to each.
They later gave their main course order go the waiter before starting to take a sip of the wine.
"I see " Alasca said as she holded the glass of wine and was lost in something.
"So currently no liking? "
"Sorry? " Johnson didn't understand her question.
"I mean you don't have someone in mind to spend the rest of life with, after all you are not getting younger anymore. " Alasca said with a light laugh.
Releasing his breath Johnson replied "Actually yes I do have someone. Since four years I have been in contact with a girl I met accidentally in an app. Since I started to get to know her, something in her keeps me drawing towards her. We never talked on calls or anything, I don't even know how she looks but at this moment I know that am in love with her. But I don't know how to confess to her. " Johnson kept on saying more about the girl but Alasca had long lost her interest in his talks when she heard him say that he has someone he likes.
Alasca was angry at herself. She didn't think that after so long Johnson still had am effect on her. She still couldn't let him go. Maybe she was yet to get over him.
Sighing Alasca got up from her seat "Dr.Johnson excuse me I need to use the washroom. Can you please pay the bill? I am tired a bit and would like to head home straight without any delay"
"oh alright sure. Please go ahead. "
Alasca forgot to take her phone as she left the table.
While waiting for her Johnson was suddenly reminded of the fact that it was her birthday too!
Taking out his phone, he opened his chat and messaged "Happy birthday to the idiot. Sorry ! just wanted to be the last one to wish you so didn't wish for a whole day hahah" he then exhaled. How can he forget something so important? when right now he was telling how he has fallen for her?
'Autumn I wish I could be there with you, celebrate it with you and confess my heart. 'thinking about it he felt sad again.
Today when he saw Nath and Alasca kiss each other passionately, he was imagining himself with Autumn. Holding her closer... kissing her and what not..
Coming out from his chain of thoughts, he looked at his watch. It's been more than five minutes since Alasca went .
He was going to take a tissue paper when suddenly he knocked the glass of water on the table. All the content fell on Alasca's phone . Realising it he hurriedly lifted her phone and wiped it with tissue papers . To check whether the phone was working or not he switched on the phone to find that it was perfectly fine and showing message notifications.
He didn't want to look at someone's personal stuff as it was not his business anyway, but the message made him stop in his track to close the phone.
The message was from someone called 'Jo'. It read a happy birthday message with an apologetic note attached .
He kept the phone back on the table and was still like a status until Alasca came.
There was silence between them as they got back in the car.
"did you even hear me? "
"Wha.. what? what did you say? "
" I just gave you my home address, where are you so lost. Please drop me home fast. "
"o..o.. okay "
Johnson started to drive.
The car came to a halt. There was a heavy traffic jam ahead. Alasca was going through her phone.
Probably replying to Jo.
Johnson was noticing her secretly, he saw a small general smile on her face as she was typing a string of messages to someone..
Suddenly
"Beep" Johnson phone made a sound.
He opened his phone to see the message from Autumn , she was happy that whether be at last or first at least he took the effort to wish her. She was content with that only.
There were more messages
As he read, Johnson was getting fully confident in his earlier conclusion.
He looked back at the smiling Alasca who was still typing something. Seeing her that way, he shook his head and smiled to himself keeping his phone back in the pocket .
He has finally met his Autumn .