Marked By Darkness

Chapter 19- Picture Perfect

Next day at 5 pm...

Ruhi's POV...

We had plans for a cozy dinner at a lovely restaurant where we could just relax and spend time together. I picked a red velvet midi dress for the occasion, but covered it up with a sweater, knowing how chilly it was outside.

Sounak had said he'd be there by 7 pm, but now it was 7:21 pm. I'd been waiting, my gaze flickering toward the entrance every few seconds, feeling a mix of anticipation and frustration. The clock kept ticking, and I could feel the impatience building up. There was only so long I could stay before the owner asked me to leave. Every second felt like it was echoing my restlessness, and I was torn between staying and leaving.

"Again late. It's 7:21 pm already," I muttered to myself, tapping my foot nervously.

Just when I was about to give up, I saw him. He stepped through the door, scanning the room, and when his eyes landed on me, I couldn't help but wave my hand in the air. A smile tugged at my lips.

"Hi!" he greeted, walking over to the table, his expression lighting up when he saw me.

"What hi? You're 24 minutes late," I said, half-exasperated, half-amused. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms.

"Oh, sorry," he said, his voice sincere, though I could see the playful glint in his eyes.

"If you'd come two more minutes late, you wouldn't have seen me here," I said, trying to sound stern, but my smile betrayed me. "The owner would've kicked me out."

He chuckled, a bit sheepish. "Oh, then I would've brought you here again."

"So insulting," I said, rolling my eyes, but the teasing tone in my voice gave it away.

"Hah! What will you take?" he asked, already shifting to the next topic, the playful energy still there.

I grinned, thinking about all the things I wanted to eat. "Pizza, ice cream, burger, french fries, drums of heaven... and don't forget to order lasagna."

"What? But this is a Chinese restaurant," he said, raising an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my list.

"I'm hungry. Please, order anything you like," I said, shrugging, not minding what we ate as long as it was good.

"Okay." He turned to the waiter. "Waiter!"

"Yes, sir?" the waiter replied, walking over quickly.

"Two hot and sour soups, two pasta, one ice cream. Which flavor?" Sounak asked, glancing back at me.

"Butterscotch," I said with a smile, already anticipating the sweetness.

"Yeah, butterscotch," he said, nodding.

"Anything else, sir?" the waiter asked, ready to take more orders.

"Do you want anything else?" Sounak asked me, glancing at me with a teasing smile.

"No," I said, shaking my head, not really in the mood for anything else.

"By the way, you have such a bad choice," he said, grinning mischievously.

"Why?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who eats ice cream with hot soup in winter? Bad combination. This way you'll catch a cold," he said, shaking his head like he was disappointed in me.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to me," I said confidently, already looking forward to the meal.

---

The restaurant's ambiance had a warm, inviting glow. The weather outside was chilly, and through the large glass window beside us, I could see couples strolling hand in hand, walking slowly down the street. The sight seemed to paint the world in soft, romantic hues, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a deep longing to experience those simple moments of closeness.

I stared out the window, watching the couples with fingers intertwined. A strange feeling rose in me, like an ache that I couldn't quite explain. I wanted that. To walk beside someone, sharing those little moments, feeling connected.

Sounak's voice broke me out of my thoughts. "Hey, where are you lost?"

"In this weather," I said, my voice soft, a smile tugging at my lips as I gazed at the soft snowfall outside.

"It's too cold outside," he said, rubbing his hands together as if to warm them.

"I like the cold. It's romantic weather," I said, shrugging, enjoying the feeling despite the chill.

"Is winter romantic weather? I didn't know that," he said, his tone playful as he gave me a curious look.

Just as I was about to reply, a familiar voice interrupted us.

"Hey, Sounak!" The voice was cheerful and familiar, and I turned to see Vinisha approaching.

"Hi, how are you?" Sounak greeted her with a smile, his tone light.

"I'm fine. Tell me about you," she said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"As always," Sounak replied casually, flashing a grin.

"Dinner date?" Vinisha asked, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Nah, she's just a friend," he said, his tone nonchalant, as if it were no big deal.

"Just a friend?" Vinisha repeated, a teasing smile on her face as she looked at me.

"Ruhi, this is my childhood friend, Vinisha. Vini, this is Ruhi," Sounak introduced us, gesturing between us.

"Hi. How are you?" Vinisha said, offering a polite smile.

"I'm fine," I said, my smile feeling a little tight as I shook her hand.

"Okay. You enjoy," Vinisha said, giving us a final glance before walking off.

I watched her leave, a small knot forming in my stomach. Just a friend, he had said. So why did I feel this strange, uncomfortable feeling whenever he referred to me that way? Why did the words sting more than I expected?

"Offh," I muttered, sighing, my mood shifting slightly.

"What happened?" Sounak asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, forcing a smile, but my mind was a mess of questions and doubts.

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