Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 29B - Old Brew

After getting ready, my parents and I once again left for Vidushi's house where we were holding a small gathering for just close ones.

Our parents sat in the living room, conversing amongst one another, while I stole Vidushi away for a bit and took her to the balcony. We sat on the swing, her hand in my hand, and just absorbed the moment. We didn't need words, we didn't need talks; we just needed each other.

"I have never felt so complete in my life before Vidushi, thank you for making me feel this way!" I caressed her cheek and kissed her, pouring out my heart in that one kiss. "Parth, I have always been a career-oriented woman. But when you came into my life, everything was kicked out of place. I think that's why we never worked out back then. But you know what, it is only now that I realized I never needed to choose between either of you!" She kissed my fingers, "You make me feel like a silly girl in love without treating me like one!"

I put my arm around her shoulder, on which she rested her head. We spent nearly half an hour just sitting on the swing, until I received a call.

"Hey, what's up?"

Vidushi looked at me, asking who called, "Sanyu!" I whispered. "Ohhh..."

"You are coming right?" I asked while putting her on speaker.

"Actually I ended 10 minutes later than planned and so I missed the bus, and the next one is after 45 minutes. Then I'll pick Riaan up from the babysitter's place, and only after that will I be able to come over to Vidushi's. Is that fine? I know it's really late but I didn't think I'd miss this bus!"

She really sounded dejected; but Vidu piped in, "Hey Sanyu! Don't worry about it! We want you here okay?"

"Hi Vidushi!" she said (with a smile, I was sure). "I'm so sorry for holding you guys up though!"

"No worries at all! In fact, one of us can pick Riaan up right?" she asked me. "Oh yea, for sure. We'll do that so you are just responsible for bringing yourself over, cool?"

"Thank you guys!!"

"No problem. Okay then, see you soon?"

"Yep, very soon! Bye!"

—

—

I splashed some cold water on my face before heading out, wanting to mask some of the tiredness away from sight. Once satisfied with myself, I walked to the car and headed to Vidushi's. She finally knows he's the one! I smiled to myself. I remember the conversation we had right after Parth asked her to meet his parents, which was surprisingly just 2 weeks back.

—

"Randhir, we have a problem!"

"What's up?" I casually asked while pouring some wine for the two of us. "He wants me to meet his parents!" she said, her face hidden in her hands. I couldn't stop myself from chuckling out loud, only to receive a deathly stare in return. "Okay fine, I'll stop. But Vidu, what's the big deal? If you aren't ready, then just tell him!"

She exhaled loudly, "You guys don't get it! It's a level of commitment I don't think I'm ready for! I have so much to achieve in my life still, I can't be tied down. And you? Out of everyone, you should be the last one to say 'What's the big deal?'."

I put the glass down, "Okay listen to me. You and I both know Parth isn't someone who will ever tie you down! So don't give me that crap. What's the real reason behind your worry?"

"I don't know... It just feels like I'm going to eventually be pressurized into committing more and more, and next thing you know, I'm pregnant and I have to take a mat-leave for which I probably will have to give up my position, and perhaps even my pending promotion."

"Vidushi, are you listening to yourself? If you've forgotten, let me remind you, he's the same person from college! I can't say anything about him that you don't know. But just know that you aren't being fair to him with this! It's different if you aren't ready, but your reasoning isn't the right way to go about it."

—

Later that evening, she had sent me a "Thanks Randhir baba for your wonderful advice!" She had taken Parth out for dinner where she let her concerns and insecurities out in the open. And of course I was right. She had heard it from both of us for her stupidness that night, I chuckled, remembering her pouting face.

I had reached her home by now. Fixing the gift wrapping, I rang the bell.

"Shekhawat, is this the time to come?" she threw an angry look, obviously feigning it.

"Kumar, I thought I'd give you guys some privacy," I smirked, adding a shameless wink to turn the one in front of me even redder than she was. "Shut up you idiot, our parents are here too!"

I laughed as I handed her the gift. "Congratulations Vidushi!" I hugged her. "I'm really so happy for the two of you! Where's the lucky man?"

"Right behind you!" a voice, I recognized as Parth, said. And so I turned.

But the first person I saw was... "Riaan?"