Relationship Status - It's complicated

Chapter 37 - Date night

I tested positive for Covid last week and having the worst cough of my life so far! I am getting better, just need few more days! 

This is going to be a filler chapter with a date night between our main couple as I was itching to write something but at the same time didn't want to stress myself too much.

I hope you will like the shorter chapter!

Anjali

I was now a little more confident with atleast turning on the engine of the car and driving some distance without changing gears. "Slowly, don't repeat the same mistake. Take off your foot from break and put it on clutch. Don't accelerate, just maintain the speed."

I was following Shiv's instructions. We were back in Sai's garage for a driving lesson after work. 

"Now, change the gears as you push on the clutch pedal."

"Ji, I will do it. Bear with me, please." Somehow, I had started feeling like a kid who had to complete multiple assignments under a strict watch.

"Hmm. It's ok to be slow but remember to watch all mirrors, gauge distance between your car and the one ahead of you. Also, this is Mumbai, watch out for nosy auto's and occasional two wheelers when you change gears."

"Shiv, aap dara rahe hain ab." I said in a small voice as I was supposed to speed up a little bit after shifting gears. 

"No, no. Don't get scared. It will all come automatically when you develop confidence and are on road. Ok, now we are approaching that lamp post. So, slow down and go back to the first gear and break. Come on, it's easy. You have done this before." He said rather softly and I halted the car almost immediately. 

Shiv was a very patient teacher. He didn't snap at me. Not even when I almost bumped into another car in the garage. I had expected him to give me a warning in a high pitched voice but he had politely made me understand that I should start judging both sides of the car now. 

 "Ok, now we will learn to reverse the car. You know how to switch gears now. Do that." I once again followed his instructions. 

"Look behind from between the seats. You will still need to do this even if you have a rear camera in the car." 

I switched the gears and turned to look between the seats and I was met with Shiv's lips in the process. Before I could understand the situation, his soft lips brushed against mine and he quickly pecked my lips while I tightened my hold over the steering wheel. 

"You look cute when you are all panicked and there was a natural pout right there so you can say I kind of took advantage of the situation." He sported his winning grin at me while I sat still in my seat staring at him. 

His palms quickly reached my forehead to caress it, "Ease of this frown now. There are many other things frown worthy." He chuckled and I could actually feel the undue pressure wear off as he stroked my forehead. 

"Thodi si smile de dogi to aapka thaka hua pati khush ho jayega. Come on now." I finally managed to return his smile.

"Great. Now, back up the car slowly." 

I managed to back up the car and felt immensely proud and happy in the moment. I was finally learning to drive and my teacher was my husband, Shiv! Sometimes, I wanted to jump in joy, at others I wanted to quietly reflect on all the good days I had been seeing. Yet at sometimes, I felt scared and vulnerable that all of this better not be a dream sequence or something that gets taken away from me.