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By the time the clock struck six, Richard was ready. Dressed in blue jeans and a simple white T-shirt he felt comfortable. Blue jeans and White T-shirt… the combination never goes wrong! He didn’t want to look as if he had dressed to kill. He wanted to keep it casual and easy. Though he was calm now, he still looked forward to the meeting with an enthusiasm he knew was something more than enthusiasm. He ignored it… There are things you can’t really help! This was one of those… for sure!
Character Carousal
He had already called up the restaurant and had booked a table for the three of them. He reached the eating joint 15 minutes before time….. Not desperate… but an old habit. Keeping a lady waiting for you was the most horrible thing a man could do in his lifetime and Richard had never done this… ever! He was waiting and Shraddha was there a couple of minutes before the clock struck seven. He stood up from his chair and waved to her…. before missing a heartbeat. Dressed in a simple floral mauve knee-length dress and hair tied in a ponytail, she looked beautiful and innocent. Then he noticed the little boy beside her… he had taken after his mother…. Exact replica…. this gave him some time to collect himself. Shraddha waved back and moved towards the table. They shook hands and Richard pulled a chair for her (Again… no desperation… he had always been a gentleman..… pulling chairs for the ladies).
He had already arranged a kiddie chair for Aarav. He settled him on the chair and extended his hand: “Hello Aarav… How are you? I am Richard!”
The kid was a shy one. He shook hands sheepishly and managed just a “Hi”
Richard reached in his pant pocket, took out a small gift and handed it to Aarav: “Hope you like it buddy” He said with an easy smile.
Aarav looked wide-eyed at her mother for permission and when Shraddha smiled and nodded, he said a polite “Thank you”. Then he asked: “Can I open it now?”
“Ofcourse you can… It’s yours!” Richard answered with a smile.
Follow This Character
Aarav got all excited and pulled the wrapping paper off. He started grinning when he saw it was a miniature model of a red Ferrari. He beamed and flashed a huge smile.
Shraddha asked incredulously: “How did you know he likes cars?”
Richard laughed heartily and said: “You give a car or a bike to any boy and he would love it. It’s a guy thing Shraddha. No rocket science.”
Shraddha started laughing with him… and Richard realised she looked even prettier while laughing. Nine years had caused many memories to go hazy. It reminded him of how everyone used to love the sound of Shraddha’s laughter…. “She has the sound of anklet in her laughter”… poetic … but yes people used to say that!
He jerked back to the present moment and asked what everybody would like to have. He summoned the waiter and gave his orders.
Talks veered towards all kinds of things… movies, politics, India and of course the good old airlines days. They ate and talked. Richard kept talking to Aarav too asking him about the rhymes he had learned in the school or the friends he had made or the things he liked to do in the park. He didn’t let the kid feel isolated between two grown-ups and it was just a matter of few minutes that Aarav completely relaxed in his company, telling him things in an animated way.
As the dinner moved towards desserts, Shraddha asked Richard with a smile: “So how is life on personal front? Any beautiful, attractive ladies vying for your attention?”
Richard laughed and replied: “Nothing exciting….. a few dinner dates here and there and then … it just never moves further than that… I think retirement has started showing its effects..”
“Ofcourse not!” Shraddha interrupted, “you look no more than a man in his late 30’s”
Richard laughed and felt a little embarrassed… happily embarrassed. A little colour rose in his cheeks and he hoped Shraddha didn’t notice it. Why did a stupid compliment mean so much to him? Was it the lingering sadness in her eyes that made him yearn for her… to feel protective of her?
He shrugged the thought and asked her: “Forget about me and my oh-so-boring link-ups. Tell me about you. I had heard nine years ago….. your husband looks like a Bollywood hero and treats you like a princess. I knew that… you would never have fallen for someone just average.” He waited for her response…. but none came. She just smiled… a sad, haunting smile then said: “That was nine years ago Richard… now my life is just… usual… ordinary… routine stuff… just like your oh-so-boring linkups.” She tried to laugh but it was too superficial. Richard knew something was not right in Shraddha’s life. But being a gentleman that he was… he didn’t prod. He hoped that if she needed to share… she would share it…. if not…. then maybe it was not worth sharing with him.
There was just a couple of seconds of awkward silence and then thankfully Aarav asked: “Can I have some more ice-cream mommy?” The awkwardness vanished and they both smiled.
“Ofcourse you can buddy” Richard said and asked the waiter for another ice-cream.
Shraddha quickly grabbed the opportunity and asked him: “So when do you plan to start your dealership?”
Richard relaxed as the subject wasn’t a touchy one. “I hope to start as soon as I can…. Just covering all the bases.”
“Which company?” Shraddha asked.
Richard replied: “Judging by the trend here in Singapore I think the safest bet will be ….”
“iCaravan!” Shraddha and Richard declared in a chorus and then laughed.
“Yeah… you are right! Thinking on the same lines. Let’s see!” He said.
“I am sure whatever you decide will be great for you” Shraddha said.
“Thanks” Richard said and felt warmth in his heart.
Aarav had eaten his second helping of ice-cream and he was looking like he could fall asleep anytime. Both of them looked at him and smiled. Richard said: “I guess you guys are getting late. Where can I drop you?”
“Oh please don’t bother. We will take a cab.” Shraddha protested.
“C’mon Shraddha. How can you be so formal with me? Let’s drop this little sleeping bundle home.” He pointed towards Aarav who was almost dozing off with his head resting on the kiddie chair’s back, tilted to his left.
Shraddha shrugged and said “OK boss! You are the pilot.”
Richard paid the bill despite protests from Shraddha, stating that she was his guest in this country.
An Appeal
She lifted Aarav in her arms… he was fast asleep by now and followed Richard out of the restaurant. She gave him her address. Richard sat behind the steering wheel feeling something different as Shraddha sat beside him holding Aarav in her lap. He drove straight towards the address. It was a nice bungalow. When they came out of the car, door of the bungalow opened and a man appeared.
Sharaddha smiled and introduced: “Richard… This is my brother Nikhil… popularly known as Nick in this part of the world.”
Nikhil smiled and shook hands with him: “Thanks for dropping Shraddha and Aarav. I had asked to pick them up… but Shraddha you know…. can be really stubborn at times. She said she will take a cab back home. Come have a cup of coffee with us.”
“Oh No.... no..… it is getting late….and..” Nick interrupted “What are you? A sixteen year old girl?” and then laughed out loud… Shraddha poked her elbow in his ribs: “Nick… what the hell?” Richard laughed too and said: “Ha ha…I wish I was… at least it would have given me a chance to be 16 again. But the problem is I am an early riser… and I am feeling really sleepy.”
Ni ck said “No problem man… I was just kidding. No offence”
“None taken” Richard said. “Good night then.”
“Good night” said Nick.
“Good night and all the best for your dealership plans” Shraddha said “and yes if you need any kind of help in this matter… Nick will be more than happy to help you. He is an automobile engineer.”
Nick smiled, bowed his head gave his visiting card to Richard and said : “At your service Sir”
“Hey thanks man! That will be great. I would surely contact you if I need your help.”
“Anytime man…” Nick shook hands with him once again.
“So let’s call it a night then. Good night Shraddha. And thanks a lot.”
“Bbye” said Shraddha and Richard took his leave.
Richard reached his home and killed the engine. A smile appeared on his face.
In Nick’s house, Shraddha changed into her night dress and pulled the covers over her head. A smile appeared on her face.
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This is a collaborative writing project. Stories are written by many authors associated with the project. This means, you can also be an author and shape up the story-line. We would love to have your contribution in this regard. You can either comment on the story-line or send us your piece of the story. If you wish to contribute regularly, please get into touch with us through this form. All contributions will be acknowledged in due course.
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