Maruvarthai🤍

VII

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and lavender as Prabhas parked his sleek black SUV in the lot outside the Aesthetic Bar. He stepped out, straightening his navy blue shirt, that hugged his biceps and broad shoulders. A sense of exhilaration hung in the air as the evening promised to be much more than just dinner; it was a breakthrough, a step away from the rigors of duty that often consumed him.

As he entered the bar, the aroma of grilled meat and spices wafted through the air, mingling with the rich notes of whiskey that permeated the atmosphere. The place was beautifully lit with dim hanging lights, creating an intimate ambiance that was perfect for a date. Each corner buzzed with laughter and the soft clinking of glasses.

Prabhas spotted Anushka seated at a cozy corner table, her fiery spirit evident in her confident demeanor. She had just spotted him and flashed a dazzling smile that lit up her face—a mixture of sass and charm that made his heart race. She was dressed in a striking black dress that hugged her curves, making her look utterly captivating yet fierce.

"Hey, handsome!" Anushka called out playfully, waving him over.

"Hey yourself!" he replied, stepping closer with a relaxed grin. "You look stunning."

Anushka rolled her eyes playfully. "You say that to all the girls?"

"Only to the ones worth it, Sweety" he teased, taking his seat across from her.

"No pressure, then," she smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Soon the waiter arrived with the menu.

"Sweety, What will you have?" He raised an eyebrow, intrigued after running his eyes through the menu.

"New York strip and Whiskey neat for me," she declared confidently.

"I'll take the same but with Juice instead". He told the waiter and turned to her- "I'm driving us back, remember?"

Anushka grinned. "A daring cop who plays it safe? Color me surprised."

"You have me mistaken, Sweety. Just because I don't drink and drive doesn't mean I'm dull." He chuckled, his charm infectious.

"Then prove it!" she challenged, arching an eyebrow, her sassy spirit igniting a playful challenge he was happy to accept. "Tell me something daring you've done."

"My list is endless," he retorted, leaning closer. "But how about this—last week, I jumped off a building."

Her eyes widened. "What?! You're joking."

"Nope. It was for a case." Prabhas loved the thrill of police work, even when it skirted the boundaries of reckless.

"Well, that definitely qualifies as daring," she said, shaking her head.

As the conversation continued, Anushka suddenly leaned forward, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "So, Prabhas, tell me about yourself".

He relaxed into the conversation, their banter offering him a refreshing break from his usual intensity. "I'm born and bought up in Chennai but my family is from Kallur. So half Tamil, half Telugu... And what else? Umm... I'm 32, joined service 6 years back. That's pretty much it. Now tell me about you."

"Huh? Like you don't know... I'm sure Rana might have told you about me". Anushka said.

"Not much actually... and I prefer hearing it from you directly". Prabhas said with a cheeky grin.

"Hmm Alright... I'm from Mangalore."

"Yea... Shetty, I should've guessed".

"Yea I'm Tulu basically!" she replied with a grin. "From a strict Brahmin family."