Entwined

Chapter 16

Sanvika was surprised as Vivaan stopped beside Miramar beach. It was decorated colourfully for the International Film Festival. And there was a free informal movie screening going on on the beach. A huge white screen was made on a platform. And through a projector, the movie was projected onto the screen. The movie had already started and the audience had taken seats in the chairs arranged on the sand in front of the screen.

" A Free date as you wanted," Vivaan said.

Sanvika turned to Vivaan and smiled, "Well, the movie better not be boring." She teased.

Vivaan led her to the chairs and they sat down. Since the movie had just started, they were able to follow the story. Sanvika had always liked movies, so she enjoyed the movie about forgotten Goan singers so much. The movie was filled with good music, drama and pain. By the time it ended, she had tears in her eyes.

"I did not intend to make you cry on our first date," Vivaan said as they walked back to the parked scooter.

"No. It was a beautiful movie," She said. "Loved the songs."

"Yeah..." Vivaan caught up with her. His mobile beeped just then. He checked the message and turned his head up, "Seems like I am going to make you cry a bit more."

"Huh?" Sanvika asked.

"Let's go back, shall we?" he said, turning the key to the scooter.

"What do you mean you are going to make me cry more?"

"I have a surprise for you. Get on..."

"What surprise?"

"You will get to know... It's waiting for you at the restaurant."

Confused, Sanvika got on the scooter.

When Sanvika walked into the restaurant she did not actually expect anything similar to what was waiting for her. Or more like, who was waiting for her. She walked in as usual. The crowd for the day had retrieved, and there were only a couple of tables occupied.

"Where is the surprise?" Sanvika asked Vivaan, not seeing anything.

"Oh, wait a second... where is he?"

"He?" She asked.

That is when she heard the voice of Tariq coming from outside. "So that is how I ended up working here... Your daughter is such a wonderful person. She is younger than us, but she is the boss in the house."

"Well it is in her blood," Another voice said.

"Papa?" Sanvika could not believe it. "Papa." She jumped into the arms of her father who walked in through the door with Tariq. She was actually missing him a lot more after she left him like that in front of the house. "Oh...ho... Calm down, calm down, Sonu..." Mukesh Singhaniya patted her head. Sanvika hd tears in her eyes. She stepped back and looked at her father while wiping her eyes. Vivaan watched her with his hands in his pocket and leaning to the counter behind him.

"I wanted to visit your restaurant one day anyway..." Mukesh said, "So when Vivaan called, I was like 'why not'."

Sanvika looked at Vivaan. Her eyes filled with gratefulness.

'Thank you', she mouthed to him.

'Any time,' he mouthed back with a smile.

Mukesh insisted on seeing Sanvika's living conditions. Sanvika knew how he would react, so she tried to stop him from going upstairs. But Mukesh did not give in. They walked upstairs, Sanvika trying to stop Mukesh. Vivaan followed.