Passion & Dilemma

61. Drive-through

Prerna's POV

""What's so special today that you're taking me out on a date?" I asked Sarthak, my gaze shifting from him to the road ahead.

His black aviators sat perfectly on his nose, while the soft sunlight filtered through the car window, kissing his face and making him look effortlessly charming. The radio hummed a slow song, and his fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel in sync with the rhythm.

"Why?" He shifted gears with ease and pressed the accelerator, his attention unwavering. "Do I need a special occasion to take my wife on a date?"

"Most husbands take their wives out only on special occasions," I said casually, though I knew it wasn't entirely true.

"I'm not most husbands," he replied with a smirk, skillfully weaving us through the traffic like it was second nature.

To be honest, these unplanned drives with Sarthak mean more to me than any fancy date ever could.

"Don't fly too high," I said, shaking my head at his overconfidence.

As I scanned the street, a drive-through caught my eye, and I suddenly realized I was hungry. "I'm hungry."

"No, you're not hungry. You just feel like eating," he countered, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Same thing," I replied with a grin, making him sigh dramatically as he turned the car toward the drive-through.

It wasn't long before we reached the window, and I quickly rolled it down to place the order.

"One peri-peri fries, a paneer wrap, and two soft drinks."

The order was handed to me in no time, and I carefully balanced it on my lap before we resumed our journey. I handed Sarthak his drink and dove straight into the fries.

"Want some?" I asked, holding a fry out toward him. Without taking his eyes off the road, he opened his mouth, and I fed him, a small smile tugging at my lips as I sipped on my drink.

Our relationship has changed so much since our engagement. The enormous gap that once existed between us-Sarthak has quietly, patiently, and with unwavering determination built a bridge over it, piece by piece.

"By the way, where exactly are we going?" I asked, wiping the peri-peri masala off my fingers before picking up the paneer wrap.

"No idea," Sarthak shrugged nonchalantly.

"What do you mean 'no idea'?" I asked, taking a cautious bite of the wrap and immediately scrunching my nose at its bland taste.

"I mean exactly what I said. No idea," he repeated, unfazed.

Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "There's a small art gallery along this road. Want to check it out?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

Honestly, art has always been a little beyond me. I feel like I lack the intellectual depth to truly appreciate it, but I was curious nonetheless.

A short drive later, we arrived and bought the tickets. The gallery wasn't particularly large, but its charm lay in its artistry.

The walls were adorned with captivating murals, each more mesmerizing than the last.

As we walked in, my breath hitched, and I came to an abrupt stop.

"Where have you brought me?" I muttered, my hand instinctively flying to cover my eyes.

In the center of the room was a massive red-and-white sculpture of two nude women embracing each other in a tender kiss.