Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 6 : Fully Bloomed Rose

It was lunchtime. Zunera and Arbaaz were seated in a Dhaba after receiving the set from the jeweller.

He was surprising her on each step. She couldn't understand, how someone from elite class can be so humble. And he did things which no one would from his league. Okay, helping others and joining festival seemed reasonable but eating from a DHABA ?! Because when he had asked to eat something, she had gotten conscious that he would dine at a fancy restaurant while she couldn't afford anything above a Dhaba. But before she could say anything, he had asked if she was fine with having lunch with him there ?

Was he a mind reader or something ?

Because while telling him about herself, the only details she had skipped were poverty and living in an orphanage. She didn't know why but she feared he won't treat her like an equal — like he was doing currently — after knowing from where she came. And she also didn't know why, but she did not want to see the look of disdain in his eyes which she had always received from the upper class.

“What would you like to have ?” - he asked jovially, picking up the menu. “They have Biryani here...” - he told mischievously because she just told him a while ago her favourite dish was Biryani.

His eyes were shining like a kid's before doing mischief that made her chuckle. But she shook her head ‘no’.

“I'll have Daal.” - she answered. Because that was the only dish she could afford at the moment.

“Arreyyy... I want to eat Biryani as well yaar. Don't do this else I'll have to pay for the whole plate alone!” - he pleaded and she blinked at him.

He was worried to pay for a plate of Biryani ? At first she thought he was joking, but the real panic in his eyes told her he wasn't.

‘Maybe he doesn't have enough money after doing shopping.’ - she thought looking at the bags as he too had bought some things for his family members.

“Okay. Let's eat Biryani then.” - she said and her heart soared at his happiness.

“Oh you're an angel!” - he exclaimed making her chuckle again.

Their order came within ten minutes. A big plate of Biryani with two spoons. Smoke wafting off it along with the delicious aroma of fried chicken. Her eyes closed on it's own as she took the first bite. She couldn't remember after how long she was eating Biryani. Because in orphanage, it was Daal every third day and veggies in-between.

“This isn't fair you know. I told you so much about myself and you patiently listened but didn't tell me anything about yourself.” - she said amid eating.

“Well... there's nothing much about me. Specially as compared to you, my life would sound plain.” - he said, shrugging.

“Still. Who's in your home ?” - she asked as a way to encourage him to talk about himself.

A soft smile appeared on his face. “My parents, my brother and his wife, and my world's best grandmother.” - he said, grinning.

“I take it you're the closest to your grandmother...” - she commented, smiling.

“Well... to her and my brother equally.” - he said.

“That's lovely.” - she said softly. Squashing the pain of being an orphan back in her heart. “And what are your hobbies ? Anything you like to do...”

His eyes lit up at that question and she leaned in her seat, intrigued.

“I love art! And I paint often.” - he told her enthusiastically and her eyes widened.

“What ? I love art as well! But I'm an admirer.” - she told him and his smile widened.

“Then I'll show you my paintings some day. Rate them as you like.” - he said and her heart skipped a beat.