Everything but her

I am falling for you

Aarushi picked bandstand for their meeting. Virat was not too excited about it as he assumed that it would be crowded and that would spoil the whole fun. But, he could not ignore her wish. He wanted to make up for his rude behaviour.
They reached the place at around 6 in the evening. It was monsoon season and though beautiful it is not the most relaxing season in Mumbai. They stood at the side of the water and started talking. There were some people but no one disturbed them which Virat felt was nice of them.
'So apart from all this cricket that you play, do you do anything else?', Aarushi asked him.
'There's hardly any time left after all the cricket. Once you get home, you just want to get into your bed and relax. Moreover, right now I just want to play as much cricket as possible because my ultimate dream is to get into the Test side. You know, like be counted as one of the men and not just a boy.'
'How old are you?'
'Read my Wikipedia.'
'Don't show me your tantrums. Tell me.'
'20'
'So at 20 you don't want to be a boy. You don't know what it is to be The Man as you say. With power comes responsibility, you know?'
'Yeah, I know that. But see Sachin sir also started out so early. I just want to be the best in the business.'
'Hmm, all the best for that. I hope you do become the best. So enough of all that. Tell me, do you have a girlfriend?'
'Had one but that was kind of a puppy love. You know, in school. Yeah, so that ended quite briefly. What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?'
'No, I have many friends but no boyfriends.'
'So you intend on making one?'
'You don't intend on falling in love with somebody. I think it just....it just happens you know like what I am saying?'
'Yeah, but you decide when you are ready to share a part of your heart with someone else. That is what I meant.'
'That I don't know. The guy has to be worth it. My heart is not something you can just steal and live with it. You need to caress it with love, care and affection. I am not a thing to be thrown away. Like, I deserve respect and equality in a relationship. Is it kiddish to demand such a thing. Like too enthusiastic?'
'No, the heart wants what it wants Aarushi. It is good that you have an entire idea of a relationship etched out in your mind. So what about your career? What do you want to do in the future?'
'I want to be the best fashion designer in the world. Too much? Okay then in India.'

Virat laughed at her innocence. He had thought she was the most sorted person he had ever met but somehow her talks showed she was just another 17 year old dreaming about the future.
'It is getting dark. Maybe it is going to rain. Let us go have some coffee from somewhere', Virat said interrupting her train of thoughts.
'Oh, yeah. I know a good place.'

They went to the Coffee Bean cafe that was not very far away from Bandstand. Virat ordered a low fat cappuccino while Aarushi opted for a regular one.
'So, what did you tell your mom?', Virat asked her.
She let out a grin and said,'That I am going to visit one of my friends and I told her(friend) that if mom calls she must tell her that I am with her. Don't worry. I am good at this.'
'I bet you are.'
They finished their coffee and Virat learned that she was a slow eater and could not eat and talk simultaneously. And that was the reason why Virat had one extra piece of that cake. But he wasn't complaining because it was one of the best cakes he had had in a long time.
'So, should I drop you home?', Virat asked her seeming concerned.
'Are you my boyfriend?'
'I wouldn't mind..'
'Well, stop it right there Mr. I'll go. Don't you worry.'
'Okay then maybe this is it.'
'Yeah, thanks for a wonderful evening.'
'Well, the pleasure is all mine.'
'Have you like been to England, Virat?'
'No, not yet.'
'Well, then you must explain where you get this chivalry from? Or is it just a show for me?'
'Well, I am not as bad as you have read about me.'
'That I can vouch for. Bye, I hope we meet again.'
'Bye.'
Virat was smitten by her. Like completely. He loved the way she spoke. Made fun of him. Felt so easy around him. It had been such a short meet but he surely thought that he was falling for her.