Learning to Love

Chapter 15

            There was a small clearing amongst the mammoth trees that surrounded Aman and Priya.  Aman opened the car door and stepped out.  He walked around the car and held open Priya’s door.  Priya was too preoccupied with the sight before her to notice Aman standing there waiting for her to exit the car. 

            “Priya.” Aman said, trying to get her attention.

            “What? Sorry. It’s just so beautiful.” Priya replied. 

            Lights adorned the surrounding trees.  Lanterns, flowers, and decorations were strewn about adding webs of color to the area.  The clearing seemed unreal, almost magical.  Situated in the back was a small table, draped with a dark, velvet table cloth and a small but fancy candelabrum that sat in the center.  

            “Are we having dinner here?” asked Priya once her eyes fell on the table. 

            “Yes we are. Don’t worry. I didn’t cook.  The chef made dinner, so it’s safe to eat.” Aman said with a grin. 

            “I honestly thought you were going to take me out to some fancy restaurant.” Priya admitted. 

            “Oh come on, Priya! That’s so impersonal.  A first date should mean something special.” Aman replied. 

            “This really is special, Aman.  When did you find the time to do all this?” Priya asked. 

            They started walking deeper into the clearing, making their way to the back where the little table was. 

            “I wasn’t really at work all this time. I was doing this.  Well, I didn’t really do all of this myself, but I oversaw the project.” Aman said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. 

            Priya figured that Aman hadn’t really done all of this himself, but she thought he’d sent people to decorate while he stayed at his office and worked.  It was good to know that he actually took time out of his busy schedule even if it was just to ‘oversee the project’ as he put it.  Priya sat down at the table.  Aman brought out a bottle of champagne.  He poured two glasses and handed on to Priya. 

            “I don’t drink.” Priya declared, eyeing the glass suspiciously. 

            “It’s just champagne.” Aman chucked.  “We need to toast.”

            “Toast what?” asked Priya.  

            “Our first date!  To us,” Aman said, raising his glass, “for making it through these first few weeks of marriage relatively unscathed with minimal arguments.”

            Aman and Priya toasted.  Aman immediately gulped down his champagne.  Priya took a small sip, wrinkling her nose at the taste.  She set it aside and waited for Aman to serve the food.  He stood up and fiddled with the dishes before placing a plate in front of Priya. 

            “Dinner is served.” He announced.  Bowing slightly, imitating a waiter. 

            Priya giggled. 

            “Indian food?” she said, surprised. 

            “Obviously.  It’s probably not as good as yours though. Don’t tell the chef I said that.  We have aloo paratha, lamb biryani, chicken curry, aloo gobi, kheer, and mango sherbet.  One hundred percent Indian.” Aman said.