Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Hruday sighed as he hailed the cab and asked the driver to drive towards Love=Food. It was one thirty in the afternoon and he was dead tired. After a tiring journey from Darjeeling to New Delhi and a business meeting with two of his corporate associates, the young businessman was truly tired. All he wanted was to go back to Anvesha’s place and sleep. In the morning, he visited his sister’s new studio apartment for the first time and he found her residence cute. She had shifted to her little apartment six months ago and he was quite busy to visit her in that time span.

Anvesha, on the other hand, had reached at Love=Food, the cozy restaurant that was truly close to her heart, after all, it was the first place where she met her adorable boyfriend. She was out from her office over the lunch break and she had to reach back by three. She informed one of the waiters to inform Adhyayan about her arrival as she sat on one of the corner tables cluelessly staring at the intricate pattern of the flooring at the restaurant. She was no doubts, really anxious because two important people of her life were meeting each other today. Her heart raced as she gulped down a glass of water.

Adhyayan, who was looking forward to meet Anvesha’s brother was delighted to know about Anvesha’s arrival. Washing his face, he removed the apron from his body, fixed his lavender shirt and gelled his hair. Smiling at his reflection, he took a deep breath and rushed to Anvesha. Standing in the dining area, he admired his enticing ‘little girl’ who was looking down on the floor. Clad in a maroon colored shirt and black pencil skirt, she managed to pull off the formal attire magnificently, he realized as he headed towards her.

Taking his seat, Adhyayan broke Anvesha’s trance of thoughts as he cleared his throat and said, “Precious, I don’t know how to thank you. I don’t what you did and what magical spell you casted on my father but yesterday, we talked. It means a lot.”

Anvesha’s eyes lit up as she smiled. She remembered her conversation with Adhyayan’s sister half an hour ago and was delighted to know about the final reaction of Mr. Hariprakash Joshi. Though she was saddened when she heard that the retired brigadier hit his daughter but she chucked it when a slap was not a big deal for the child. Smiling at him, she said, “Enjoy your time at home and ensure my brother likes you”, and the couple shared a hearty laugh.

Shoving his hand in his pocket, Adhyayan took out a six inch long box wrapped in a gift-paper and forwarded towards her. “What is it?” Anvesha questioned to which Adhyayan said, “A gift for you.”

They were chit-chatting when her brother called Anvesha and asked about her whereabouts. It was quarter to two and he had finally reached the point of rendezvous. Anvesha guided him as the couple waited for Mr. Hruday Chatterjee to grace his presence.

Adhyayan was startled looking at a familiar face coming towards them. Pressuring his mind, he realized Anvesha’s brother was none other than Mr. Hruday Chatterjee, owner of an enterprise dealing with Darjeeling tea. He face-palmed himself as he realized Anvesha had told him earlier but he was an idiot to not realize that they had met each other in Goa at a common friend’s wedding.

Hruday smiled as Adhyayan welcomed him with a warm hug. Initially he had thought, the celebrity chef would remember him but looking at Adhyayan’s confused face he decided to not bring up their previous meeting in Goa during the conversation.

Exchanging pleasantries, they rattled off their orders as Adhyayan smiled and said, “Hruday, do you, per chance, know Siddhi Singh, the model who got married last year in Goa?” He was quite sure the busy businessman would have forgotten him.

Anvesha shot daggers at her boyfriend which did not go unnoticed by her brother. Hruday, being his usual comic self, decided to play along as he said, “Umm… I don’t know about any Ms. Siddhi Singh but I know about Varun Sharma, the businessman who got married in Goa last year.”

Adhyayan chuckled as he realized Hruday had told him that he was a good friend of Varun but his laughter was short-lived as Anvesha chimed in, “Enlighten me, please”, glaring at him.

“Siddhi got married to Varun, my friend and we were companions to each other’s solitude in that stupid destination wedding”, Hruday said chuckling at his baby sister who was green in jealousy. Adhyayan and Hruday smiled reminiscing their memories of the wedding where all the guests and hosts were so full of themselves.

“I know, Anu, Siddhi is beautiful but don’t get jealous”, Hruday teased his sister who flushed at his remark.

Adhyayan, who was scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment, could not smile admiring the bonding of the brother and sister. Understanding the need to clarify things, Adhyayan clarified, “She is one of my good friends”.

Being of same age, Adhyayan and Hruday enjoyed talking with each other. The trio was engrossed in the conversation as they relished upon the scrumptious meals in the lunch. Their discourse proceeded from their work and profession to their personal lives and Anvesha was happy as she felt Hruday would approve of her choice.

While savoring the blueberry ice-cream, the signature delicacy of the place, Adhyayan said, “I don’t know whether Anvesha told you or not but we both are in a relationship and we are looking forward for a future together”.

“Of course, I know that and I don’t have any problem, unless and until you both are uncomfortable”, Hruday said smiling goofily at both of them. He got an urgent call from his office which he had to take so he left the place for a while.

Anvesha smiled looking at the dark brown orbs of her doting boyfriend when Adhyayan dropped the bomb leaving her startled.

“Shall we get married?” Adhyayan said looking at icy blue eyes of Anvesha with many expectations. He had met several girls in his life and dated a few of them but no one had spark like that of Anvesha. No doubts, Adhyayan was allured to spend his life with her intelligent girlfriend.

Anvesha’s icy blue eyes turned pale as she nodded negatively. It was not that she was not looking forward to spend her life with Adhyayan but somewhere, she was scared with the idea of marriage. At the tender age of twenty five, Anvesha was simply not ready to embrace the responsibilities that came with marriage.

Adhyayan’s heart bled looking into cold, dangerous eyes of Anvesha as he was totally clueless about her views. Before Adhyayan could say anything, Hruday came back, engulfed him into a hug as he said, “I will be looking forward to welcome you in the family”.

Taking his leave, Hruday and Anvesha left the restaurant leaving behind an angry and confused celebrity chef. The employees at the restaurant were not supposed to have a good day today.