Cross-border Merger

Awkward Drive

Last night, I asked Ashar if he would rather want me to wear a simple Indian outfit for the lunch before he left. His reply - "My family would flip out, but like, in a very good way. Hey but only if you want to."

To be honest I really wanted to pull out a nice sober kurti and wear it. I miss the times when I used to wear it almost on a daily basis for office. Since arriving in London, I never felt comfortable enough to wear one and so I was quite excited to wear it today.

I also got a chance to catch up with Mel after so long since she had been out due to certain personal commitments. While she was making breakfast and preparing for Michael's lunch, I couldn't help but share all about my plans with Ashar and how excited I was to just get ready and wear the outfit I had decided on for today. 

(A/N: The picture above is what I imagine Sanyukta to be wearing) 

Mel was really happy for me too. She adored Ashar too but hadn't gotten a chance to meet his family yet. From the stories that she had heard from him though, she quickly assured me that I would have a great time with his family. She was also excited to have a look at what I would be wearing today and so I promised her that I wouldn't leave till I show her my outfit for the day. 

According to the plan, Ashar should be coming to pick me up right about now. I was just putting on my favorite fragrance when I heard the doorbell ring. Knowing that it must be Ashar, I took one final look in the mirror, picked up my phone and walked out of my room.

Just as I was closing my door, I felt someone's presence behind me. 

Thinking that it must be Ashar, I started saying, "I was just coming downstairs..." I couldn't finish though since I turned around and found Michael standing there instead of Ashar.

"Hi", we both said simultaneously. 

"I'm sorry", we both said it together again.

There was a momentary silence as the air was thick with awkwardness. Seeing as Michael isn't saying anything, I decided to continue. 

"I thought you were Ashar". Thankfully this time we didn't overlap. 

"No, I'm obviously not", he replied. As soon as he said that, he shook his head slightly as if he didn't mean to say that and just like that I laughed feeling comfortable in the fact that this is as awkward for him as it is form me. 

He definitely didn't expect me to laugh but even he joined me with a chuckle thinking probably the same thing as me. 

"Shall we?", he asked me then.

"Sorry? Where?", I asked him being confused. I don't remember planning anything for today except lunch with Ashar's family.

"To lunch. I thought that's where you were going", he replied as if that was the obvious thing.

"Yeeaaah but I'm having lunch with Ashar's family today", I told him. 

"Didn't Ashar text you? He told me that he would. He's actually not coming here since he invited me too and it didn't make sense for him to come pick you up when I can drive us both there."

I checked my phone and sure enough there was a text from him about an hour ago that I somehow missed.

"Oh okay. I just saw the text. Let's go then."

I thought that the atmosphere outside my room reeked of awkwardness but nothing could prepare me for the air inside Michael's car. His car was everything you would imagine a successful pop-star's car to look like. It was clear that the Daniels had an extremely good choice when it came to automobiles. However, the deadly silence and the heavy air in the car was something I couldn't wait to get away from soon. 

Michael turned on the radio probably feeling drowned in the silence himself and frankly, I had started to quite enjoy London's radio stations for some reason so the ride became much more bearable. 

"Um Michael" Michael gave a quick glance at me signalling that he was listening so I continued, "can we please stop somewhere nice from where I can grab like a nice box of chocolates or something. I don't want to show up empty handed while visiting them for the first time."

He nodded his head and said, "I can take you to the place that sells Farooqis' favorite chocolate."

"Thank you", I smiled.

Things got comfortable just like that... well not completely but almost!

A/N: Hey ya lovely beautiful people! I hope you are feeling good and continue to do so! Love ya!!!! ❤️