A Pocketful Of Sunshine

Chapter 14

As decided the previous day, Selena got ready to meet Shyam. She quickly borrowed one of her mother's dresses and topped it with a beautiful sweater. Selena wore her hair in a ponytail and covered her head with a scarf. She ensured that her grandparents took their afternoon naps before she ventured out of the house.

'Mayamma, listen, I am going out for a walk. Please tell Granny that I went to the library to borrow some books if I am late to return," Selena said as she stepped out the front door.

Mayamma looked at Selena from head to toe and whispered with a mischievous smile, 'Don't tell me you are going to the library dressed like this?'

'Dressed like what?'

'Like going on a date.' Mayamma raised her eyebrows and chuckled.

'Shush!' Selena was conscious and looked around to check if anyone was listening to their conversation and said in a hushed tone, 'Someone might hear us,' Selena blushed.

'Is there anything I should know?' Mayamma asked as her curiosity peaked.

'Okay, so Shyam asked to meet me outside the main gate today. He has a surprise to share. I promise I will be back soon,' Selena replied, wearing her sunglasses, and bid goodbye to Mayamma.

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Around two in the afternoon, she stepped outside the gates of 'Bethlehem Farm,' and she found no sign of Shyam. She checked her watch and adjusted her sunglasses as the sun beat directly into her eyes. Suddenly a red Chevrolet Impala convertible sports car whooshed in front of her and came to a screeching halt, startling her.

'Hey beautiful, waiting for me... huh?' a man's voice boomed out of the car as the car's hood came down, revealing Shyam at the wheel. Shyam looked quite handsome in a white polo-neck t-shirt topped with a dark blue woolen jacket and dark blue pants. He had gelled his hair and wore dark sunglasses.

Selena was startled, and seeing her expression Shyam burst out laughing. He opened the door and came out of the car.

'Did I scare you?'

'Come on,' Selena tried to cover up the fact that she was scared and startled for a moment.

'How do you find my new car?' Shyam proudly pointed to his car.

'So, is this your surprise?' Selena asked as Shyam nodded.

'It is quite flashy and beautiful as its owner,' Selena replied with a naughty smile looking at Shyam, who blushed in return as she went around the car admiring it.

'My father had recently ordered the first piece introduced in India,'

'Wow!'

'Come on, hop in and let's go for a drive,' Shyam opened the passenger side front door to Selena.

'Really? If anybody sees us together, then what?' Selena hesitated and looked around to check if anyone was noticing them.

'No one will notice with that scarf and sunglasses nearly covering your entire face,' Shyam joked, and he gently pushed her into the car and closed the door. Then, he quickly went to the other side and jumped into the driver's seat again, startling Selena.

'So ready to zoom off?' Shyam asked, looking at Selena as he started the car.

'Yes, but where are we going?' Selena inquired after giving a brief look into the car's side mirror.

'I will show you around, Ooty, and grab that hot chocolate we missed last time,' he winked, making her blush. Then, he smiled at her and looked ahead as the car started rolling off.