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Love in Bangalore❤️
In Bangalore, newcomer Kavya Bakshi shares an apartment with social butterfly Riya Jain, leading her to charming entrepreneur Dev Ahuja. Their shared love for pho...
As the last of my guests filtered out, the echo of laughter and music replaced by a comfortable silence, I found myself replaying the conversation with Kavya in my head. There was an undeniable spark there, an easy connection that transcended the usual party chatter.
Her passion for her work at Spark, her enthusiasm about life in Bangalore, it all resonated with me. And then there was the way she'd laughed at my atrocious singing – genuine, unrestrained laughter that warmed the corners of my heart.
Suddenly, I remembered a snippet of our conversation earlier in the evening. We'd touched upon a shared love for photography, her eyes lighting up as she spoke about capturing the city's vibrant spirit through her lens.
A grin spread across my face. Tomorrow was Bangalore's annual Flower Show, a riot of color and fragrance that would be a photographer's dream. Kavya would love it. But I didn't have her number.
Reaching for my phone, I texted Riya. "Hey, can you send me Kavya's number? There's an amazing flower show tomorrow I think she might enjoy."
A few minutes later, Riya's reply buzzed on my screen: "Sure! But aren't you being a little forward, Mr. Party Host?"
"Maybe," I typed back, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "But wouldn't hurt to ask, right?"
Riya's next message was a single winking emoji, followed by Kavya's phone number. Taking a deep breath, I dialed. It rang once, twice, and then a melodic voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi Kavya, it's Dev from the party last night."
"Dev! Hi," she replied, a hint of surprise in her voice. "This is a pleasant surprise."
"I was hoping you might be free tomorrow," I began, trying to keep my voice calm. "There's this incredible flower show happening at Lalbagh Botanical Garden. I know you mentioned you like photography, and I thought maybe you'd be interested in checking it out together. As a photography session, of course," I added quickly, not wanting to sound too forward.
There was a brief silence, then a laugh that sent shivers down my spine. "A photography session, huh? Sounds legitimate," she said, amusement dancing in her voice. "Alright, Dev, you've convinced me. I'm in. What time?"
Relief washed over me. "Great! How about I pick you up around 10 in the morning?"
"Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow then."
The call ended, a smile plastered on my face. Tomorrow, amidst the vibrant blooms and intoxicating fragrance of the flower show, I had a chance to get to know Kavya better. Maybe, just maybe, the camera wouldn't be the only thing capturing something special.
Sunday morning arrived, the Bangalore sun casting a warm glow through my bedroom window. A nervous flutter occupied my stomach as I got ready. A photography session with Dev, an unexpected invitation that both excited and terrified me. Was it just an excuse to see me again, or a genuine interest in photography?
When the doorbell rang at precisely 10 a.m., my heart skipped a beat. Opening the door, I found Dev standing there, a warm smile on his face. He wore a casual t-shirt and jeans, looking effortlessly cool.
"Ready for the flower show?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to mask my nervousness with a smile.
The drive to Lalbagh Botanical Garden was filled with easy conversation. We talked about our families, our favorite things about Bangalore, and of course, photography. Dev shared his passion for capturing the city's hidden gems, while I confided my love for documenting emotions through my lens.
As we entered the botanical garden, I was immediately swept away by a riot of color and fragrance. Rows upon rows of flowers bloomed in every imaginable hue, each vying for attention. Orchids in impossible shades, towering sunflowers, delicate lilies – it was a photographer's paradise.
"This is incredible," I breathed, feeling a familiar excitement bubble within me.
Dev grinned. "See, I told you you'd love it. Let's start clicking!"
We spent the next few hours lost in a world of blooms. We knelt down to capture close-ups of delicate petals, zoomed in on vibrant stamen, and even tried capturing fleeting images of bees flitting from flower to flower. There was a comfortable silence between us punctuated only by the click of our cameras and the occasional excited gasp at a particularly stunning display.
The initial nervousness gradually melted away, replaced by a sense of companionship. As we showed each other our photos, we offered friendly critiques and shared tips. Dev, it turned out, was a skilled photographer with an eye for detail. He helped me adjust my camera settings for a better macro shot, and I encouraged him to experiment with different angles while capturing a majestic orchid.
By the time the last rays of sunlight began to paint the garden in a golden hue, my camera roll was overflowing with vibrant images.
"That was amazing," I said, leaning against a blooming rose bush. "Thank you for inviting me, Dev. I haven't enjoyed myself this much in a long time."
"Me neither," he replied, his gaze meeting mine. "It was wonderful exploring the flower show with you. You have a great eye, Kavya."
A blush crept up my cheeks. "So do you, Dev. Your pictures capture the essence of these flowers beautifully."
A moment of unspoken electricity crackled between us. The air seemed to hum with an unspoken question, an invitation hanging in the air.
Then, Dev cleared his throat, breaking the comfortable silence. "I know this is a bit forward," he began, running a hand through his hair, "but there's this amazing pizza place just around the corner. Would you be interested in grabbing a bite before you head home?"
My heart thumped a happy rhythm in my chest. "Pizza sounds perfect," I said, a wide smile spreading across my face.
The pizza was delicious, but the conversation even more so. We talked about everything and nothing, our laughter echoing through the small restaurant. As Dev walked me back to my apartment building, a warm sense of contentment filled me.
"Thanks again for today, Dev," I said, holding his gaze for a beat too long. "It was truly special."
"My pleasure, Kavya," he replied, his voice a low murmur. "Until next time?"
"Definitely," I said, unable to wipe the smile off my face.
As he leaned in, our foreheads almost touching, I closed my eyes, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. But before our lips could meet, a loud honk from a passing auto rickshaw startled us apart.
Dev chuckled, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "See you soon, Kavya," he said, his voice teasing.
"See you," I replied, watching him walk away.
Reaching my apartment, I entered, a smile still plastered on my face. The scent of lavender from the flower show lingered on my clothes, a reminder of the day's adventure.
Looking through my photos, reliving the vibrant blooms and candid moments with Dev, a realization dawned on me. This city, this new life in Bangalore, wasn't so bad after all. In fact, with Dev around, it might just be the start of something exciting.
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Stay tuned for the next chapter as the tangled web of emotions unravels further, promising more surprises and heart-wrenching moments in "Love Behind the Click."
