Popcorn

39. Perfect

Bangalore

After a productive day at work, Rakshan opened his flat door. It was an immaculate well-furnished flat with two bedrooms, balcony and a kitchen. Loosening the tie from his neck, he placed his laptop bag on the teapoy and headed to his room. The sudden ring of his doorbell stopped him on his tracks. Humming a soft tune, he opened the door and stood stunned.

Aditi stood in front of him with a big smile on her face in a white belted floral frock and a small backpack on her shoulders. He took a step forward to touch her hand to check if she wasn't an illusion.

"I'm for real, Mr Fireball."Aditi chuckled.

Withdrawing his hand, he cleared his throat and exclaimed in surprise, "How? You were in Pune last night when you called me."

"Simple I took a flight." She replied nonchalantly but inside she was bursting in bubbles.

"Why?"

"Are you planning to interrogate me on your doorsteps, Mr Fireball?"

Rakshan realised what he had been doing and made way for her to enter his abode. Settling her backpack beside his laptop bag, Aditi looked at him nervously.

"Aditi, that's my guest room. You can freshen up and come. Till then I will make tea for us."

Hearing the word tea, Aditi gave him a toothy grin and like an obedient student proceeded to follow his command. After freshening up, on her way back to the hall, she stood in the corridor gaping at the wall containing photo frames of breath taking picturesque. The photo which Aditi suggested Rakshan to take on their way to Mantheran stood prominently in the middle bringing a smile on her lips.

"These are photos I took when I went on trips ." Rakshan declared coming towards her and handed her a cup of hot tea.

"They are amazing and you make the best tea." Aditi appreciated taking a sip and they made their way towards the dining table.

"Thank you!" Rakshan replied promptly giving her a smile and they sat drinking their tea in silence.

Aditi felt her heart rate elevating and her stomach bubbling up with a mysterious gas. Her toes out of her control were tapping on the floor continuously. She had never being this nervous in her life. After all, she was going to take a crucial step in her life.

Her fingers which were twiddling with the olive green table mat came to a rest, when a familiar palm rested on hers. Shifting her concentration from the plain mat, she looked at Rakshan who gave her an assuring nod. She couldn't understand how her entire body relaxed under his simple gesture. She knew she had to this for herself, for him and above all for them. She was ready to do this and wholeheartedly accepted the future that holds for her.

"Mr Fireball, I want to talk to you." Aditi said gently.

"Sure but why don't you wait in the living room? I will join you after placing the cups in the kitchen." Rakshan replied. He needed a moment to compose himself. He knew what was coming but he didn't wanted to raise his hopes.

After letting out a breath, Rakshan walked to the hall and saw Aditi standing beside the window looking at the star studded sky in fascination. An automatic smile traced his lips. He wished to engulf her in his arms and keep gazing at the glittering diamonds in the sky together, all the night. He swallowed the lump in his throat and called her softly.

Aditi turned and gave him a smile. She took slow steps and stood before him with a few feet of distance between them.

"Rakshan!" She called as her eyes twinkled and her brows arched in happiness.