Meera

Chapter 7

'So, is this a date?' I ask her after filling her in on the confrontation that took place. She had her mouth almost wide open.

'I guess, it is. You have a date, Meera.' — It felt amazing when she said it. As if it became real at that moment. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks and lips stretch in a wide smile. Oh, to be on a date.

'What should I wear? White anarkali?' I mean, I do only have Anarkalis and white is a beautiful color. Would it be okay for a first date? I look towards her in question. She is so dumb sometimes. 'Just say yes or no, Khushi.' I almost yell at her. I love my anarkalis, she better not criticize them.

'Anarkali zyada nahi hojaega.'

[Zyada nahi hojaega — Won't it be a little extra]

I swear, she wants to change my wardrobe forever. It started off mildly but it is slowly getting on my nerves.

'What do you mean by zyada hojaega, I am Meera and I will dress however I like, just tell me about the color.' I shut her up and she nods her head.

'Meera ko anarkali pasand hai, I will wear them only.'

Giving her a smile, I leave the room to change. White anarkali with little jhumkas would be perfect. No flowers today.

'Looks good?' I ask her and she gives me a broad smile. I sit down next to her as a thought strikes my mind.

'You remember how I told you I would never ever associate with an army man intentionally? Look at the universe, making Arjun an army officer.' I scoff as I look at her. The universe is twisted, scary, and mean. I had my share of grudges with the army. No, I don't feel utter happiness to know that Arjun is in the army. It makes me feel nothing. I don't want to repeat the whole cycle again.

'You know this could easily be the most depressing first date ever and I haven't been on a date since forever.' I almost stomp my foot as the knock interrupts us. Of course, it is Maa.

'Where to, haan? Itna ban than ke.' she asks raising her eyebrows. Can you ever hide anything from a mother? How am I supposed to not tell her? She is my gossip partner, my best friend, my everything. She deserves to know.

[Haan — A suggestive expression

Itna ban than ke — So dressed up]

'Arjun ke saath?' She asked and I could only nod. She obviously likes him and it really pisses me off that I didn't know about him. I smile at her and get out of the house. It is Delhi, it is always crowded. He had suggested some cafe I hadn't been to. Raasta, somewhere in Hauz Khas. It doesn't take me much to connect to any place till it has evergreen Kishore Kumar songs. He better be there already.

[Saath – Together]

The lighting seemed pretty perfect, not too bright but not too dull. And there he was perfectly dressed up, not in a suit though, but pretty good. His back was towards the glass window and he was probably playing with the salt shaker. The ambiance of the cafe was very pleasing. The bell tinkled as I entered. That definitely caught his attention as his eyes landed straight on me. I smiled at him and approached the table.

His eyes have a little green in them, beautiful eyes. He stands up as soon as I come into his eyesight, had a big stupid smile on his face and I can feel it reflected on my face. I walk over to him and say a'Hi.' and he walks over here to pull my chair out for me. He sits opposite me.

'So, we are here.' I say all the while trying to not smile.

'Yes, we are.' What do I say next now? Am I just supposed to just get down to the topic? Is that how it goes?

'When are you going back?' Great, Meera. What a way to open a conversation. Who asks that?

'The morning after the wedding.'

'So, you are just here for the wedding?'

'Yes.'

'Did you just come on the day of the housewarming party?' He nods and I look down at my glass of water and nod in response.

'That's a tight frame, there.'

'Well, that happens when you are in the army.' Here we are.

'Coming to the army. Why didn't you tell me you were in the army and on like war front.'

'Mujhe laga nahi tha ki tumhe bura lagega.'

[Mujhe laga nahi tha ki tumhe bura lagega — I didn't think you would feel bad.]

Of course, he didn't think it would make me feel bad. We don't know each other. He doesn't know what makes me happy and what doesn't. He shouldn't take it upon himself to make me happy. He shouldn't feel that burden.

'It's okay. We don't know each other that much. I don't want you to be sad over this.' I pass him a smile and he looks up at me.

'So, the mehandi is coming up?' I say in an attempt to change the topic. I don't want to talk about the army right now. I put up a smile as I take a sip of the water.

'It is. Wednesday.'

'I can't believe she is going away. Khushi is going away.' I smile but it is a sad one. The grief is hitting me in parts and it hits me in random places at random times. Arjun reaches over and holds my hand. That was pretty straightforward, but I don't mind. We held hands as we sat in silence.