ishq kavita

Chapter 10: Daneen

He drives a purplish gray colored mercedes. It looks new. The drive to a lavish restaurant was silent. We both were nervous to talk, I guess.

Turns out he already had a table booked under his name. Such a planner, what if Baba had said no? Huh.

When we are finally settled and he orders some refreshments with two lasagna and some kimchi named rice platter, he finally says something.

“Why are you not saying anything?” he asks me. Did I bring myself here? No, he did. Now, I get to decide whether I want to talk or not.

I continue to sip at my blueberry soda.

“Look, Dina-”

“Daneen.” I wasn't his Dina.

“Daneen,” He nods his head, “ I know, I should have confessed to you first. I did plan it that way. But things started to get complicated and I-”

“So you simply thought just because someone proposed to me, you could dig up their past, put it in front of my family without my consent and then offer yourself as a retrieving treat? For what? For saving me?” I didn't know where all the anger was coming from. Maybe it was just there.

He is shocked, obviously. He didn't expect that. He licks his lips and god something happens to me. My heart starts racing again. The way he is sitting, I can see his well toned muscles trying to scream out from under his kurta. The thought of matching colored outfits made me blush even harder. What if the people around us thought we were an actual couple? I stop glaring at him and sip my soda again.

He clears his throat.

“I am sorry-”

“You should be.”

He clears his throat again.

“Would you please give us a chance?” his voice was so low, so deep. So different. I have never heard him speak like that. Or maybe I never noticed. This time, I actually looked at him. His skin is pale right now. That's not his natural tone, or is it? He eyes are dark brown, almost black. His eyelids. They were… full and heavy. Shadowing his eyes. The sudden lurking of my gaze drops down to his lips. They were full. The lower lip more than the other one. The instant my gaze drops to his lips, his Adam’s apple gobbles. A smirk appeared on my lip, but I couldn't maintain my eye contact with either of his face parts. He was - made beautifully. I sip on my soda again. MADE BEAUTIFULLY?

Can I give us a chance? Can I imagine myself with him? As his wife? What if we marry and have kids? What will Ravi think? Oh no, ew.

I didn't know when my hand flew to my jhumki and I started to play with it. I looked at him again. Daneen and Zarar.

Zarar Sikandar. Daneen Sikandar.

This time I tried to hold eye contact. He was waiting. He can wait longer.

The waiter arrives and he dresses the table with distinguished smelling dishes and my stomach starts grunting. I breathe in the aura of lasagna. I love lasagna. Wait, did he know that?

“The food looks good.” I said.

His waiting eyes drop to his food and he settles back in his chair.

“Maybe…” I bring one spoonful to my mouth, “we can give us a chance.” I breathe in the bite. It tasted as delicious as it looked. I wonder if he tasted as good as he-

“Mhmm, so yummy. I love it.” I didn't say that intentionally. My eyes widened when I realized I nearly moaned. Embarrassment crawled on my face and I am certain my face was red hot. Without looking at him, I drink my soda but it's finished.

“Here, you can have mine. I didn't sip.”
Zyada gentleman ban ne ki zaroorat nahi hay.

“It's okay.” I wiped my mouth and suddenly all the appetite was gone.

He moves a little forward and his shoes are touching the soul of my khussas beneath the table. It was just one shoe touching the other shoe. I could feel my heart in my stomach when everything was so hot I couldn't see. “You can have it, Daneen.” it was just a remark, but i could feel hot all over. They way he said my name.

Please call me nothing.

I was certain I was going crazy. I take the soda from him. His is pineapple flavored.

“Thankyou for buying us a chance. Do you want to come see my home next time?”

I nearly spit. But somehow the drink goes the wrong way and I keep on coughing until my eyes start to water. “I am sorry, I didn't-” he stands up, “waiter, can you please bring us some water?” Then he turns to me, “I really didn't mean it that way, I am sorry.” the waiter comes running and he offers me the water bottle. I quickly grab it and rush towards the restroom.

When I come back after what feels like an eternity, he is waiting at the table.

“I am sorry Daneen-”

“It's okay, it wasn't you. I just, um.” I sat back, “it's okay, forget it.”

He was tense. I could feel it. “It's okay, Aap please, have your food.” Aik to dhacka de dya upper se sirf sorry bolna aata hay. Huh.

I wrap my arms around myself. The temperature was so low and I was wearing a sleeveless kurti. I noticed he wasn't wearing any jackets he could offer me either. Huh.

When  we are done eating in silence, I say something I have no idea why I did.

“Let's get married.”