Tu Jaane Na

Chapter 2: Attraction or Just Business?

"I don't know anymore Mannu!", says Ishita in exasperation after having emptied her entire wardrobe in search of potential outfit options for the evening she was about to have with Karthik.
Mansi: "Ishu, I still think you should wear that red bodycon dress, you look absolutely ravishing in that outfit".
Ishita: "It seems a bit bold for a restaurant. Also, this is just a business dinner, nothing more".
Mansi: "Yeah right, by the way Karthik spoke over the phone, it seems like he's not been out to dinner in over a decade. I still think he is interested in spending time with you and wants to reconnect".
*Ishita rolls her eyes and acts unbothered by Mansi's words, however internally she wonders whether the purpose of this dinner was something more than just business. Ishita changes the subject immediately as she felt Mansi focus attempting to read the thoughts running through her mind*.
Ishita: "Mansi, I think I'm going to pick this white dress that Mom gifted me".
Mansi: "I love the material of the dress! Whatever you are comfortable with".

Realising that she had only done her hair so far and Karthik is supposed to be coming in an hour's time, Ishita sprints to the bathroom clutching her dress in her hands. Around 40 minutes later, Ishita emerges from the bathroom looking like an angel from the heavens above. She opts for a bronze makeup look, complimented by pearl earrings and an assortment of quirky gold rings across various fingers on her hands. Mansi gasps as soon as Ishita turns the corner towards her bedroom.

Mansi: "Karthik is going to drop dead, you know that?"
"I hope not, I need an income. He's my only hope" says Ishita jokingly as Mansi giggles at her sarcastic outlook on the matter.
Mansi: "Ishita, I want you to wear these shoes tonight".
*Mansi reveals a beautiful pair of expensive white heels from one of the most lavish shoe boxes Ishita has ever seen*
Ishita: "Mansi... I can't accept these. These are too expensive".
Mansi: "Please wear them. I insist".
Just as Mansi finishes her sentence, Ishita's phone pings with a text notification from Karthik. It reads;
"Hey Ishita! I'm outside your apartment, I know it's a bit early so I'm sorry for that. I can wait if you need some extra time. Looking forward to seeing you. Karthik".
Ishita immediately texts Karthik back with;
"Hey Karthik, that's okay I'm ready to leave anyway. I just need to grab my stuff and will be down in five minutes!".
She immediately turns to Mansi after pressing the 'send' button in her phone.
Ishita: "Okay Mansi, I will wear these shoes. But only because Karthik is waiting outside and I don't want him to have to wait on long".
Mansi: "He's here?! Someone's eager..."
*Mansi teasingly bumps Ishita in the arm, Ishita trying to contain her smile but failing*.
Ishita: "You are crazy, do you know that?"
Ishita slips her feet into Mansi's high heels, whilst packing a few essential items into her purse before leaving.
Mansi: "Let me know how it goes! Have fun sissy!"
Ishita pulls Mansi's cheeks lovingly as she starts to make her way out of the door.

As Ishita walks out of the main building, Karthik turns around piercing right into Ishita's eyes with a innocent and friendly grin across his face. Ishita felt butterflies like never before. She tried making sense of this feeling at the core of her stomach, was it his smile? His gaze? His presence? Or everything taking over her emotions in the moment? She was curious at the effect he was having on her just by being in the same perimeter. They found themselves facing one another as the city nightlife was accompanying them in the moment. Although Ishita had no doubt in her mind that Karthik wouldn't appear dashing and branded, she was amazed by the effort he made for the night.

Karthik: "Ishita, you look incredible".
*Ishita feels her heart drop, not sure whether she should reciprocate the compliment or simply thank him for noticing her outfit.*
Ishita: "Thank you Karthik! You aren't looking so bad yourself."
Karthik: "Come on, il help you get seated".
*Ishita gently trails behind Karthik towards the passenger side, unable to take her eyes off of him without realisation of this. He waits for her patiently as she seats herself. He quickly runs to towards the drivers seat and starts the engine of the car, driving into the sunset*.
Ishita fiddles with the corner of her dress, getting increasingly nervous as they approach the restaurant. Karthik notices how tense she looks.
Karthik: "I booked a private table on the quieter end of the restaurant, so hopefully that eases your nerves a bit".
Ishita: "I'm not nervous..."
Karthik: "You are a terrible liar Ishita, I can tell you are nervous just by the way you are gripping onto your dress for dear life"
*Ishita realises in that instance that her nerves are much more apparent than she had thought*
Ishita: "Ahh, sorry it's just I don't usually go out very often. I'm not a very sociable person".
Karthik: "Hey, that's okay. You should've told me, otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to come with me tonight"
Ishita: "No no, I really wanted to be here tonight. I'm glad you asked for us to meet this way"
Karthik and Ishita find themselves in a compassionate eye lock. Ishita wonders whether she perhaps acted too personal when discussing her social anxiety with Karthik, however she felt a sense of relief with his reassurance and understanding towards her feelings. His ability to analyse her feelings when she couldn't make sense of them herself led her to experience an emotion that what she understood to be attraction. Ishita reprimanded herself for feeling this way, but simultaneously could not help but appreciate the way he made her feel calm and safe in the moment.