THE HALF OF IT

Part - 10

I jumped on my chair as my phone rang which I had just kept on the table. I was relieved that my call went voice mail instead of Karan picking it up himself but seems like my relief was short lived seeing the number on screen.

I can't ignore the call as it's just 5 min I send the voice mail so it will look rude. Controlling my breathing I picked up the call, "Hello".

"Hi, Teju," came the deep husky voice from the another end taking me back to when that voice whispered dirty sexy things into my ear.

"I thought I would never be able to talk to you again," Karan said bringing to back to present "Thank God you called."

He sounded happy which I didn't expected. " I saw the article in magazine and thought of talking to you. Can we meet.?" I asked with courage.

“Yeah, of course,” he said, his tone enthusiastic. “I’d really like that. How about tonight?”

"Ummm... I can't meet at night, umm... that's bit difficult." I said thinking about Ruhi, I didn't want to leave her alone at night though I know Shruti will take care of her but dinners are too inmate. So I suggested," Can we meet at lunch say around 12:30"

"Oh, okay, sure" came the reply. Where would you like to meet.

I gave him the address of cafe near my house at was small and cozy and will give us space to talk.

“Okay,” he said agreeably. “I can make that work.”

“Great.” Be?ore he could ask me anything personal, I tried ending the call. “I, unm, need to go, so I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be there.” I heard the smile in his voice. “And Teju . . . I’m really glad you called.”

I just hoped he felt the same way once he discovered he was a father to a three-year-old little girl. Ganpatti bappa please be with me tomorrow.

********

I woke up, went for my morning jog, came back, got fresh and went to office. This morning time was moving at a snail's pace. I wrapped up two meetings and signed some important papers so that new projects get started.

Then I looked at my watch, it was 12, time to leave for the visit. It was a 20 min drive and I reached the Cafe Teju gave the address of. I entered the Cafe the waitress took me to a table and I took the place facing the door. I informed her I am waiting for a person names Tejasswi and will order one's she arrive.

While I waited for her to arrive, I checked the menu to see what I could order. I kept checking my mobile time and again to keep my nerves in check.

After some time a women entered the Cafe and one look at the familiar face and I was again lost in her just like the first time. Teju asked the women at podium and she pointed towards where I was siting.

Teju turned and started waking towards and I couldn't stop myself from looking at her. Her black silky hairs were kept open, she has little lip gloss. She was wearing a short summery floral print dress.

I lifted my gaze back to her beautiful brown eyes which have tentativeness in them, wasn't she happy to meet me?

When she reached the table I stood up giving her a genuine smile. "Teju..." I gave my hand for hand shake and took the liberty to brush my lips against her cheeks, I knew I should wait till I know why she called me but my heart had different plans.

"Hi Karan", she said pulling back with a small smile on her face.

She took her seat across me and I took mine. "You are looking great" I said which was definitely a understatement as she was looking more alluring, compelling me towards her more.

"Thank you", she said and looked at me. "You too are looking good. The title of SanFrancisco Hottest bachelor definitely suits you."

I winced inwardly at the mention of article. "Actually, when I gave thar interview it was purely business but I didn't knew they would realte it to thism" I explained "but if it helps me to meet you again then I think that's a good thing."

Before she could reply, our waitress stopped at the table. “Are you two ready to order, or do you need more time to look at the menu?”

“I’m ready,” Teju said, seemingly appreciating the interruption and all too eager to order and cut the idle chitchat.

We both gave our orders and once she was gone, I returned my attention to Teju, all too aware of how uneasy she seemed with me, which i find odd. She’d been the one who’d called me to set up the lunch date, yet there was no misconstruing how guarded she currentlylooked. Instead of sitting in a relaxed state, her shoulders were straight, as if she wanted to keep as much distance between us as possible.
It certainly wasn’t the enthusiastic reunion  I have anticipated.

“So, how have you been?” I hated having to resort to small talk, but until I cracked that reservation of hers I have to do polite conversation.

“Good,” she replied, giving me nothing to go on. “Busy.”

Ahhh, I jumped on that. “Busy” most likely meant work of some sort. “I don’t even know what you do for a living,” I prompted, just as the waitress delivered our iced teas.

“I used to work for an ad agency as a graphic designer. Now, I’m self-employed. I work at home and do freelance jobs for different companies.”

Silence again, and the longer it stretched between us, the more she started to fidget nrrvously.

“Are you seeing anyone?” I asked outright, because that would definitely clarify why she appeared so uncomfortable, but it certainly wouldn’t explain why she’d sought me out after all this time. I was suddemly so confused.

Her rich brown eyes widened in surprise at the question, and she shook her head. “No . . . I haven’t dated since my arsehole sex, if you remember him.”

Her confession took me aback, as did the pink coloring sweeping across her cheeks. Over three and a half years without dating. Just another bizarre twist to the entire situation, and something else for me to puzzle over, because it wasn’t as if she seemed eager to date me. So why the hell had she even contacted me.

Our lunches arrived, and we silently start eating awkwardness between us increased, as did her anxious demeanor. Any question I asked to strike up a conversation was met with a one- or two-word answer, and by the time we finished our meal, I was beyond frustrated by her strange behavior with me.

The Teju sitting within reaching distance wasn’t the one I had spent the hottest, most emotionally satisfying night of my life with. No, my Valentine had been all soft smiles, breathy laughter, vulnerable sweetness, and openness and honesty, whereas this woman was tense and apprehensive.

“Tejasswi. . . I meant what I said when I told you I was glad you called, but I can’t help but wonder why you even bothered to contact me when you act like you want to be anywhere but here with me.”

She wouldn’t look at me even, her gaze on her nails. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

*********

Ugughhh..... So did Teju tell him the truth or not?

Time to go underground before you all come on me in comment section.

Thank you for all the love.