Closing the distance

Chapter 10

Dev checked the final documents, filed them in a folder and put a little red bow on it. He didn't want to be late. Sonakshi will be waiting for him.

It had been a couple of months since their confrontation about Sonakshi's reveal regarding Asha Ma's death and the eventual session with Dr. Navya. The marriage counseling therapy was going better now. They were doing a lot of activities, different kinds of exercises. They were focusing on fitness, dedicatedly working out together, doing yoga and meditation. Sonakshi had enrolled him as her 'client', making diet charts for him and enforcing them like a warden with a whip. They had also joined salsa dancing classes, as a stress-buster hobby. He never knew it could be so much fun! They were spending a lot of quality time together now in the form of coffee dates, movie nights, dinners, random video calls with each other in the middle of the day. Sonakshi looked very happy, like she was once again the girl he used to date.

But the one topic she refused to talk about: Asha Ma. He had tried a few times, which she simply brushed it off. "Dev, it is okay, there is nothing to talk about. Let it go."

He couldn't let it go. She had once told him, that he was so important to her that he was the one who could hurt her most. He never thought he would, but over the years he had ended up doing exactly that, hurt her in so many different ways. And for this one, he needed to do some serious repenting.

He reached the place and looked around, making sure everything was ready. Sonakshi would be here anytime now.

It was getting dark. Sonakshi shut down her laptop and wrapped up the rest of her work quickly. She didn't want to be late. Dev had asked her to meet at an address and she assumed it was a date. Since that day at Dr. Navya's, Dev had been a lot more like HER Dev, and she was happy about it. He was talking a lot more and Sonakshi enforced the 'no work after 8pm' rule strictly. It was working, he was definitely more relaxed. Today he had asked her to meet her someplace and from the online maps but it didn't look like it was a restaurant. But her instincts told her it will be a date. He was being very secretive. She went home, dealt with the kids, made sure his mother took her medicine, then went to get changed. She chose a dark blue chiffon saree, with little sequins such that when she moved, it resembled the waves of the dark ocean, glistening in the dark night. She paired it with a silver backless blouse tied with a knot at her back. She swept her hair to one side and completed the look with a pair of long silver earrings, and a touch of peach lip-gloss. She checked herself in the mirror one final time and took off for their rendezvous.

Sonakshi got out of her car and checked the address again. It was the right place, but this was an empty ground! There was construction happening in the area with residential complexes coming up. But this place was just a bare plot. And where was Dev? As she looked around, she saw him walking over to her. He had taken his blazer off and rolled up his sleeves, looking dapper in a black shirt.

"Welcome Mrs. Dixit." He took her hand. She looked absolutely gorgeous. The shiny flecks in the saree shimmered in the darkness. Dev admonished himself to focus and not stare.

"Dev, what is this place, there is nothing here." She was confused.

He took her a little further and that is when she saw it. A blanket was spread out on the ground, with little tealight candles all around it. There was a basket filled with food and she could see a wine bottle as well, with some glasses. So, Mr. Dixit is in a mood today. She knew it would be a date.

Sona smiled. "What is all this?"

"Something special. Have a seat." They settled down on the blanket on the ground. The moonlight illuminated the place so lightly, gently. Just a short distance away from the hustle-bustle of the city crowd, this was serene, so romantic.