19 Dates

Chapter 34

Dev left along with Tanuja as Shalini said goodbye & good night, while on the way Dev had so many things running in his mind. Tanuja looked equally nervous; there was absolute silence in the car. Finally Dev decided to break it up:

Dev, "hey Tanuja, I am really sorry about what happened back at Shalini's place. Actually I was upset with her about her not getting me any present for my birthday."

Tanuja, "I understand, she had told me before that you would be upset, now I know the reason as well."

Dev, "oh did she tell you that? Sometimes I feel amazed about how well Shalini & me we understand each other so well."

Tanuja. "you guys are lucky to have each other."

Dev, "yeah yeah, I know how lucky I am to have her. She is such an understanding person (a sarcastic chuckle)."

Tanuja could not understand. Now they reached the theater:

Dev, "something you will find very silly Tanuja but I haven't told you that the movie we will be watching is a horror movie. I hope you are OK with that."

Tanuja, "yeah I am all cool, love watching horror movies."

Dev, "OK great then."

Dev asked Tanuja to check in to the movie hall, he went down to get something to eat & drink for the both of them. Well the movie was quite a scary one something that even Dev was not expecting & Tanuja was not honest in telling Dev that she was a fan of horror movies. She was shivering & screaming right in Dev's ears. Dev was not that scared watching the movie as much as he was getting scared with the sudden screams from Tanuja. She was holding his arm so tight, just like a child & there was nothing that he could do. Finally the movie got over & Dev was driving her back home. She was guiding him towards her house:

Tanuja, "I am sorry Dev, I guess I ruined your fun & excitement about this movie?"

Dev, "no nothing like that, but I guess you said you were OK with watching horror movies."

Tanuja, "actually I lied (in a low voice)."

Dev, "you lied? But why? Why would you come & watch something you don't like or you are scared off?"

Tanuja, "I just wanted to be in your company Dev. I really like you a lot, right from the very first time that I had seen you I could never get you off my mind and I am sorry for uttering all this rubbish, please don't be offended."

Dev (laughing), "Tanuja, it is sweet of you to speak so well off me. You are a very good person but you know my take on relationships right?"

Tanuja, "yes I know Dev, I am not wanting to change your prospective. All I want is your friendship."

It really touched Dev's heart, her sweetness & to see what a good person she was & he was absolutely humbled to know how much she valued him.

Dev, "hey Tanuja, I am your friend. I will always be there for you OK."

Tanuja, "thank you Dev, and since I have already spoken so much, I guess sharing one more silly thing won't make a difference (giggling). Don't worry I am not proposing but it has really been a lucky day."

Dev (smiling), "yes tell me."

Tanuja, "you know Dev for how many times I had requested Shalini to help me meet you? And today finally she got me my greatest wish."

Dev, "I am sorry you had to wait to meet me. I wonder why Shalini never told me about this (Dev was totally lying about this, Shalini was behind him for this meeting for a very long time until finally she had to set it up this way)"

Tanuja, "19 times in this month & I don't know how many times in the past."

Dev, "what? 19 times?" Dev stopped the car.

Tanuja (worried), "something wrong Dev?"

Dev, "no no, it is just that I remembered something, I got to rush home soon. How far is your house from here?"

Tanuja, "just another block away."

He left Tanuja home & left for his place. He was quite amazed to hear that from Tanuja but then it could also be a co-incident