Chuck & The Girl From 4B

14: First Date?

Gayatri's POV
Abby was right.

We made it to the cover of a popular magazine. I'm on the cover of a popular magazine. My mother won't stop flaunting about it. She's telling all her friends that we are friends with the  Harringtons. Apparently, she had a good time with Mina Harrington and my father hanged out with Bas Harrington. Mina invited her to a fundraising this weekend. She is talking fancy hats. Now she refers to them as her close friends. She called me this morning to tell me I'm on the front page of a magazine and even the lifestyle pages of the newspaper.

"This is... great!" I exclaimed when I got my hands on the magazine she talked about.

Chuck leaned over me. He has a distinct scent, like a spicy, minty forest. He smells amazing! I wish his scent could be wrapped around me. "Well! Look at you! Drop dead gorgeous." He whispered against my ear.

I looked up at the man giving me complements and calling this a date. I heard it. He said date and he's not allowed to take it back. Where does the girl with curly hair fit in? I don't care. I'm savouring this day. It's not fancy but it's special. We started out at the flea market, buying second hand clothing. Back in India, we had a personal seamstress who would make all our clothes especially after designer labels had to be paused. Here, I don't make enough to wear the kinds of clothes Abby gifts me with. I need cheap clothing to get by. Chuck is helping me out with a male perspective on things. So far we agree on a lot. I'm also helping him pick out clothing though he has good taste.

"When she said photos, I thought she meant a selfie. I had no idea we would end up here." I showed him the magazine with a big smile on my face. He is stuck carrying all the bags. "She's such a good person! You should meet her!"

"How did you two meet?" He asked me.

We approached the street and stopped for a moment. "I spilled coffee on her white blouse. It turned out she was my boss."

"And you still got the job." He laughed softly.

"She's really nice. But her friend Beverly is a total bish."

"Bish?" He asked with a puzzled expression. I looked at him knowingly. He burst out laughing. He took my hand as we crossed the street. The entire time, I decided to stare at him and not even where I'm going. I feel like I can trust him. It's the kind of trust I close my eyes and believe he will lead me. "What is this Beverly like?"

"She has a rotten attitude. She's rude. Mean to the bone. The list is endless!"

"Gayatri!" I turned to the sound of my Karan's voice. He is with his fiance. I have been wondering whether to tell him about the fake pregnancy. I pulled my hand out of Chuck's when his brown eyes noted it. "Who is this guy? Who are you?"

"Karan calm down. They look cute together!" Prisha spoke with a big smile.

"Did I ask your opinion?" Karan lashed out at her.

"Are you sure you want to be speaking to me this way?" She questioned him.

A sudden reluctance hit Karan. "Dear, why don't you go inside and I'll join you in a bit " I gawked at the tender tone coming from the meanest guy in India.

He kept smiling until she was inside tbe restaurant. "Who is this guy? Why are you holding hands?"

"This is my neighbor, Chuck." I made the introduction. "Chuck, my cool and understanding brother Karan."

"Do neighbors hold hands like that?" He questioned. I rolled my eyes. Chuck is very quiet. His expression isn't timid but he's quiet. His brown eyes are dead set on Karan.

I pulled him away before he makes a scene. "Can you get a hold of yourself? He's just a friend!" But when he holds my hand or even the slightest brush of his hand against my skin, it doesn't feel like we should be friends.