Intricacies of Love

Chapter-19.2

His heart sank deeper. It felt as if all his efforts had gone in the drain. He couldn't believe he was so stupid. He shouldn't have listened to Vivek. He was suddenly brought out of his thoughts by a vigorous pulling on his shoulder.

"Where were you lost, Akshit?"

"Uh I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..."

"Are you alright?" she asked with a hint of a smile.

"Yeah it's..."

Laughing, she said, "Why do you always have to complicate things, Mr. Serious Psychologist?"

"I know... I'm really sorry..." he trailed as Saumya got up.

Great you idiot, way to go. But wait, why was she laughing? Is she really angry?

"Are you going to get up because I really don't know the way to that cafe," she asked, smiling.

He was caught off guard. He hadn't expected that. Is she alright with the date?

Getting up with the speed of lightening, he asked, "Hey do you prefer car or...?"

"I guess we should go by car. I mean it's quite sunny outside and we might get dehydrated."

Humming in response, Akshit walked towards the cafe door beside Saumya.

"So which type of coffee do you prefer?"

Seriously Akshit, you got nothing else to talk about.

"Hazelnut Latte. What about you?"

"Cafe Americano. By any chance, do you know Books and Coffee?"

"Oh the cafe a couple of blocks away?"

Shit Saumya, you didn't know about the cafe.

"So you know about the cafe, huh?"

He had turned to look at her. The whole parking area was nearly empty. It's concrete floor was really hot that particular afternoon. The Sun rays were streaming directly on her head, making her black locks look golden like an angel's halo. Her hair was tied in a bun with a few wanton strands framing her round face. Her eyes were shining due to the light within. He had always known that she was a ray of sunshine but for the first time he had seen it himself. Her eyes weren't drooping with fatigue like usual. They were energetic albeit not happy. A blush had crept up her round white cheeks.

Fidgeting with her fingers, she replied, "Uh yeah it's hard not to know about it when you work nearby."

They had already reached Akshit's car. It was a black beauty unlike her dark blue. Like a gentleman, he opened the door for her.

Her old self would have rolled her eyes. She was a woman not a baby. However, the vines of baseless courtesies had already wound around her self. Somehow, a warmth spread through her heart at his kind gesture. As much as she used to hate it until 3 years ago, she had subconsciously been craving it since a long time.

Sitting on the driver's seat, Akshit ignited the engine.

"So how's Delhi?" she asked.

"It's good. I have a lot to catch up on. Most of the places have changed drastically. However, the people haven't changed," he answered.

"That's good. How's Aunty?"

"Mom's good. She will return on Sunday."

"That's great. Sanyukta Di's delivery date is fast approaching, right?"

"Yeah and Harsh is really tensed. Di is giving him a hard time with her mood swings."

Saumya suppressed the urge to giggle. She looked up to find Akshit looking at her through the side view mirror. Suprisingly, it didn't seem creepy to her. On the contrary, she felt a bit self conscious. He was smiling sweetly at her, his dimples more prominent than ever.