Adhi and I were preparing to leave for the airport the next morning, ready to head back to Mumbai. We said our goodbyes to Adhi's parents and hailed a taxi to Mohali airport. As we settled into our seats on the plane, I couldn't help but notice Adhi's smile. Curious, I turned towards him and asked, "Why are you smiling?" Adhi's eyes twinkled mischievously as he replied, "Do you remember our last trip to England? You told me that nothing would ever happen between us, but now..." Flustered, I turned my face away, hoping to hide my shyness. "Kanmani" he called. I was surprised. I quickly tuned towards him, raising my eyebrow and asking, "What did you call me as?". "Kanmani," he said again with a warm smile. Oh my god! A Punjabi munda spelling out a Tamil word with a smile and dimples across his face, what more could I ask for. I was stunned for a second, trying to process what had just happened. His voice brought me back to reality, and I smiled, asking him, "How do you know Tamil? Where did you learn this word 'kanmani' from?" He chuckled softly and replied, "I love to learn everything related to you." His words touched my heart. I couldn't help but gaze into his eyes for a minute, feeling a connection that seemed to go beyond words. Finally, unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I asked, "Adhi, why do you love me this much?". He looked at me with a mixture of affection and determination, and said, "You will get to know, Kanmani."
We reached Mumbai. We still had a week of time before we were to assemble back in Wankhede, so I headed back to my home nestled in the heart of Mumbai, while Adhi went to stay at his friend's place. Excitement filled my brain like a fizzy soda, bubbling with anticipation. As the day wore on, I found myself unable to wipe the smile off my face. I looked like a fool, but I couldn't care less. The world seemed brighter, colors more vibrant, and every passerby seemed to share in my enthusiasm. It was contagious. Just as the orange hue of the setting sun began to cast long shadows across the city, my phone rang. I rushed to pick it up, my heart pounding in anticipation. The caller ID flashed Adhi's name, and I quickly answered the call. Although we had spoken many times before, this was the first time I heard his voice as his girlfriend. My heart skipped a beat. I remained silent, unsure of what to say. It wasn't nervousness, but rather a sense of excitement overwhelming my senses. "Kanmani irkiya?" he asked, his cute Tamil words making my heart flutter. I couldn't help but giggle. "Well, how about we go on a date tomorrow, princess?" he asked. surprised by his question. "Adhi, you're a cricketer. The prince of cricket, admired by countless girls. Are you sure you want to go on a date with me?" I asked, still trying to wrap my mind around the idea. He smiled warmly replying, "Tara, it doesn't matter who I am or what people think. Spending time with you makes me happy," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "Tell me, where shall we go on our first date?". I paused for a moment, thinking about the perfect place for our rendezvous. "Do you mind if I suggest Marine Drive? It has always been one of my wishes to hold hands with my future partner and walk along, enjoying the soothing sea breeze," I confessed. "That sounds like a wonderful idea! Let's meet tomorrow at 5.00 p.m. at Marine Drive," he said, his enthusiasm contagious.
Its next day noon, I had spent hours getting ready, carefully selecting my outfit and applying just the right amount of makeup. I had chosen a beautiful black full-sleeved anarkali with delicate floral patterns, which hugged my figure in all the right places. I let my hair fall free, their dark waves cascading down my shoulders. Before leaving home, I took a final look at myself in the mirror. I adorned my eyes with kajal, drawing attention to their depth, and applied a pale pink lipstick, giving my lips a hint of color. Satisfied with my appearance, I locked the house and headed towards the meeting spot, my heart fluttering with anticipation. I scanned the area for any signs of Adhi. And then, in the distance, I saw him. He was walking towards me, looking absolutely dashing in a formal sandal-colored shirt with a beautifully embroidered floral design. The shirt was tucked into his sleek black pants, giving him an elegant and sophisticated look. In his hands, he held a bouquet of freshly picked red roses. My heart skipped a beat as I realized they were for me. It was a gesture so romantic and unexpected that my excitement skyrocketed. Adhi reached me with a smile that melted my heart, and he handed over the roses, his eyes sparkling with joy. The whole situation felt like a scene right out of a movie, the kind of moment you only read about in novels or see in romantic films. It was as if time paused, and we were the only two people in the world. I accepted the roses with a grateful smile. "Adhi, you look handsome, I did not expect you to come dressed up this way," I said, genuinely surprised by his appearance. Adhi chuckled, his mischievous smile lighting up his face. "So, princess, do you love me a little more now?" he teased, enjoying the moment. We both burst into laughter. I gave him a face mask just to avoid people recognizing him.
We started walking, the cool breeze of the sea hitting us. My heart was beating fast, almost uncontrollably. Adhi slowly reached out and held my hands, his touch instantly calming my racing heartbeat. Our eyes met, and in that moment, it felt like the whole world disappeared. We both smiled and continued walking, hand in hand. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and apprehension. Adhi was younger than me, and the thought of people judging our relationship weighed heavily on my mind. I mustered up the courage to speak, my voice barely above a whisper. "Adhi, can we keep our relationship private before letting our friends or the public know?" I asked, my voice tinged with nervousness. Adhi looked at me, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Why?" he asked sincerely. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Adhi, you are younger than me, and I know that once people find out about us, there will be criticism and judgement. I just need a little time to prepare myself before we make our relationship public. Can you understand that?" I explained, my gaze fixed on the waves crashing against the shore. Adhi's expression softened, and he reached out to embrace me. "Tara, I understand where you're coming from, and I respect your decision. But know that I don't want to hide our love for long. I'm willing to face anything and everything that comes our way, as long as I'm with you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity and love. "Thank you, Adhi," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude and love. In that moment, I knew that I had found someone who truly cared about me, someone who was willing to support me through thick and thin. As we sat on one of the benches along the marine drive, I couldn't help but feel that this was a day I would never forget. Not just because of the laughter and joy we shared, but also because it was the day I realized how lucky I was to have found someone like Adhi, someone who was willing to wait for me, someone who was willing to face the world by my side. And as we held each other close, I knew that our love was worth every challenge that lay ahead.