Mismatched Magic

Impressive?

Ananya took a sip from her cup saying, "Appo ennoda bio va Neenga padikkaliya?" He gave her a light smirk and said, "Bio la irukara vanga thaan Ananya va?" gesturing the small with his fingers, letting her know that the information there was very limited. She quickly nodded a No saying, "Illai illai. Adhula konjam thaane poda mudiyum. Enna pathi naraya vishayam irukku. To begin with, naan thaan ennoda family oda lucky charm. Naan porandha aparam thaan enga veetla ella nalla vishayamum nadandhadhu. Enakku chinna vayasulerndhu ella art layum interest and flare undu. I could sing when I was 3 and dance from the age of 5.  Amma ku periods irukum podhe Appa kooda vum paati kooda vum cook panni I learnt basic cooking too but my passion lies in baking. Ungalukku onnu sollata? Ennoda cookies, muffins ellam oru vaati taste panineenga na adhukku aparam kadaila vaanga kooda maatinga." Sanjay smiled listening to her and was totally lost in her adorable animated expressions. Just then they were interrupted by the waiter wanting them to place their orders. Ananya knew what she wanted so she ordered her tomato basil soup and paneer tikka wrap. Sanjay took a minute before placing his order of a creamy mushroom soup and a chicken club sandwich. Both of them just settled for water.

One the server left Ananya continued, "Oh Neenga non-vegetarian aa? Naan pure vegetarian by choice." Sanjay smiled and said, "Naan veetla vegetarian but velila vandha chicken saapduven." Ananya smiled and nodded. She had never had trouble with eye contact ever before but there was something about his eyes that made her stomach flutter. Sanjay took another sip of his water and said, "Is your baked goods that good?" Ananya glared at him and got defensive, "of course. In fact enakku oru dream irukku theriyuma?" He looked at her and raised his eyebrows saying, "Hmmm.... Solunga. Naanum therinjukaren." She came closer with her elbows rested on the table and looked afar as though she was picturing something, "I want to set up my own place. Restaurant madiri illai. I mean indha idli, dosai ellam no no no. Oru exclusive classy place. Oru beautiful ambience idho indha edam madiri but not so large. Freshly baked cookies, muffins, brownies, pies, puffs, sandwiches aparam regular filter coffee and masala chai lerndhu different flavored iced coffee to bubble tea. Oru 4 varieties per day  with the four changing every day. Velila oru board maatidalaam saying andha day oda specialty enna nu. Oru classy place, where people can come and find a quiet corner to work if they want to or a dinner for two, Illati a group of friends wanting to hang out. Also, ennala whole day ellam run panna mudiyadhu. Oru 3PM to 10PM.  Oru partnership so that enakkum break kedakkum. Romance ku time venum la..." she bit her tongue and he couldn't help letting out a little laughter. She quickly ignored him and continued, "Morning la I want to join a school and continue teaching music and dance."

Just then their soup arrived and she promptly said to the waiter, "Thanks Anna." Sanjay smiled and nodded to the waiter muttering a "Thanks sir." Ananya blew the hot soup and slowly took a sip. Then she looked at him and said, "Ungala pathi sollunga ippo, bio la illadha vishayam." He looked up at her and said, "Unna maadiri interesting aalu illai ma naanu. Enga kudumbathukke naan orey paiyan so enna pothi pothi valarthanga. Eppovum academics. Enakku football romba pudikkum but allow pannaley, instead video games vaangi kuduthaanga. Neraya aasai aana no opportunity. Unna da story kekkave romba azhaga irukku. Adhu kekkum podhu onne mattum puriyudhu that I am a very boring person maa." Ananya's heart melted right away. She could not believe how honest he was. He could have very well exaggerated things. This was their first meeting and everyone will want to give the best impression but what she say in him was sincerity and she liked that. He wasn't pretending to be something he wasn't. He quickly looked at her and said, "Seri, will I get to taste them?" She looked at him confused, "Ennadhu? Soup aa?" He nodded, "Illai ma. Andha world's best cookies, muffins. Adhu thaan" and pat came her reply, "Kandippa, namba next time meet pannumbodhu naan ungalukku eduthuttu varen." She immediately realized what he had done when he smiled and looked away. He had made her commit to a second meet up.

He then looked right into her eyes and said, "How about we meet again for a professional discussion? Neenga sollara madiriye if your cookies and brownies are that good, then I have a proposal for you but I am a business man and I need to check the product before bringing the proposal to the table." Ananya was thrilled to hear and she said, "It is a deal Mr. Sanjay Chakravarthy." Dinner was done and Sanjay asked for the bill but Anaya called the waiter saying, "Anna, rendu separate bills please." Then she looked at Sanjay who looked a little shocked, and said, "I have been earning since I was 14 and enga Appa va thavira yaarukkum andha edam naan kuduthadhu illai. I don't like to be obligated to anyone. I pay for my food." Sanjay nodded and said, "As you please." When the bills arrived Ananya added a 15% tip on her card with which she paid but she noticed that Sanjay did not put a tip on the card. Just when she was about to judge him for his behavior, he took out cash, and placed it on the tray, for tip. He noticed Ananya looking at him and he said, "They work very hard. Namma credit card la podara tips ethana vaati avangalukku pogudhu nu theriyadhu. That's why I always carry cash to tip and make sure they get it"

Ananya smiled. It was time to head back home. For some reason, both of them carried a subtle smile back home with them. As soon as Ananya reached, her family was waiting to hear all about it but all she said was, "Appa innoru vaati meet pannanum pa. Adhukulla decision edukka mudiyadhu" and she walked to her room. Her parents smiled at each other because they knew this meant it had gone well. Just when Ananya freshened up and got to bed, her phone pinged with a message that made her smile, "Thanks for the lovely evening. Can't wait for those goodies." She responded with a "Your offer better be good. Good night."

Brinda Subramanian