Riya stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her saree for the third time, hoping that it didn't look like she was trying too hard. Dinner with Vikram. Vikram Rao—the man she had secretly admired from a distance for years. And now he was inviting her out for dinner? It felt surreal.
"Okay, Riya. You've got this," she muttered to her reflection. She smoothed her blouse, ran a hand through her hair, and decided she looked perfectly fine. Maybe a little too ready for a date, but she told herself it was all about professionalism. She couldn't let her nerves get the better of her.
When she reached the restaurant, a cozy, upscale place tucked away in one of the quieter corners of the city, the valet opened the door for her, his eyes widening slightly as he recognized her. She didn't know if it was the saree, or if it was the fact that she was at the restaurant where "the Vikram Rao" dined regularly, but she felt all of a sudden very out of place.
"Good evening, ma'am. Enjoy your dinner!" the valet said, flashing her an eager smile, and she nodded, giving him a polite, if slightly awkward, smile back.
Inside, the ambiance was quiet, intimate—just the sort of place where big-shot CEOs came to either celebrate their victories or have deep, meaningful conversations. And tonight, it seemed, Riya would do both. Her pulse quickened as she scanned the room for Vikram.
And there he was. Seated at a corner table, his tall figure already commanding the space, an untouched glass of wine resting by his hand. He looked effortlessly sophisticated in his navy-blue suit, his salt-and-pepper hair looking as perfect as it always did, with that enviable streak of silver at his temples. He looked up as she approached, his eyes lighting up.
"Riya," he said, standing to greet her. "You look stunning."
Riya felt her cheeks flush. "Thank you, Vikram. You look... very much like yourself," she added, trying to be cheeky to hide her nerves.
Vikram chuckled, the sound low and warm. "I suppose that's the best compliment I've received all day." He waved a hand to the seat across from him. "Please, have a seat. We have plenty of time."
Riya sat down, her legs suddenly feeling like jelly. She had no idea what she was supposed to say to him, but she couldn't just sit there in silence.
"So, um, do you often bring your work colleagues to dinner?" she asked, trying to sound casual. "Or am I the special exception?"
Vikram smiled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "I've never had someone quite like you on my team. And this isn't about work, Riya. It's about getting to know the people who matter."
His words struck her in a way she hadn't anticipated. This was more than just a business dinner.
Before Riya could respond, the waiter appeared with menus, and she couldn't help but notice how Vikram's gaze subtly lingered on the wine list. She couldn't let this moment pass without a touch of humor.
"You know," she said, glancing at the wine menu, "I'm not really a wine connoisseur. I usually just grab whatever's closest to the wine list's 'most popular' section."
Vikram raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what does your usual 'most popular' wine look like?"
"Anything with a picture of a grape on the label," she quipped, giving him a playful grin.
Vikram laughed, a rich sound that seemed to fill the space between them. "You're full of surprises, Riya. A woman of mystery and wit."
"Well, I try," she said, suddenly feeling less like a nervous wreck and more like her usual self. It was as if the weight of the room had shifted, and they were no longer strangers, but two people just talking over dinner.
The waiter brought them two glasses of a deep red wine, and they both took a sip. Vikram made a face. "I suppose this is supposed to be good, but I'm more of a beer guy."
Riya couldn't help but laugh. "Really? The Vikram Rao, the 'genius of advertising,' prefers beer over fine wine?"
He leaned back in his chair with a mock-serious look. "Yes, I'm afraid I'm not quite the elegant, high-society figure you're expecting. I'm more the type to enjoy a cold bottle of Kingfisher after a long day of meetings."
Riya almost snorted. She quickly cleared her throat, trying to contain her laughter. "Well, I'm definitely not one to judge a beer man. Maybe we can find a happy medium—pani puri and beer?"
Vikram's eyes widened, and for a moment, Riya thought she had crossed a line. "Wait, you're suggesting... we pair street food with fine wine? You're brave," he teased.
"Okay, okay," Riya said, laughing. "I'll admit that the pairing is a bit unconventional. But if we're being honest, pani puri is the true king of all cuisines. And besides, wine doesn't really make an appearance at a chaat stall."
He chuckled. "You might be onto something there."
The conversation continued in that easy, playful rhythm. They talked about food, travel, work, and life. Riya learned that Vikram had grown up in a small village in Karnataka before moving to Bangalore to pursue his dreams in advertising. He had built his empire from the ground up, a fact that made Riya admire him even more, though she didn't let it show too obviously.
"So, what about you, Riya?" Vikram asked, a genuine curiosity in his voice. "What's something no one knows about you?"
Riya leaned in, her tone lowering playfully. "I can recite every dialogue from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. I know, it's a talent no one really asks for, but it's there."
Vikram raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding."
"Nope," she said, nodding. "In fact, I once used a line from the movie to get out of a traffic ticket."
Vikram stared at her in disbelief. "Okay, now I have to hear this story."
Riya grinned. "Well, the cop was being a bit tough on me, so I said, 'Babu Moshai, zindagi badi haseen hai...'" She paused dramatically. "And he let me go with a warning!"
Vikram burst out laughing, so loud that it attracted a few curious glances from the surrounding tables. "You're unbelievable, Riya," he said, shaking his head in amused disbelief.
"Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures!" she said with a wink.
As the night wore on, Riya realized just how easy it was to talk to Vikram. What had started as a formal, nerve-wracking dinner had turned into something fun, lighthearted, and full of laughter. The age gap that had once seemed so intimidating felt smaller with every passing minute. There was a chemistry between them, one that was undeniable yet unspoken—an uncharted territory neither of them had anticipated.
By the time they were done with dessert, Vikram leaned across the table, his gaze softer now, almost searching.
"Riya, I'm glad you agreed to dinner," he said quietly. "You're not just another colleague to me. You're someone I genuinely want to know more."
Her heart skipped a beat. There was something raw and honest in his voice, a vulnerability she hadn't expected.
"Vikram," she said, her voice steady but soft, "I think I'm starting to feel the same way."
And just like that, something shifted. What had begun as a business dinner between a respected senior and a young professional had transformed into the start of something far more meaningful. Riya felt both nervous and exhilarated—like she was standing at the edge of something new, something entirely unexpected.
"Next time," Vikram said with a sly grin, "we're getting pani puri and beer. On me."
Riya laughed, her heart racing.
"I'll hold you to that, Vikram," she said.
And with that, the evening ended. But for both of them, it felt like the beginning of something more.
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Chapter ends here .. stay tuned!!!!!!!