Foresight

Chapter XIII

"What will you have" Tarun poses the question to Jenny, as they find themselves sitting in one of the corner of the food joint Jenny chose for their first date. "Veg noodles is my choice." Jenny replies without any thinking or ambuigity.

"Wow, never seen a girl order food so fast"

The smile from Jenny's face disappears and she gives a poker face to Tarun, as if she is not happy that Tarun is judging her on their first date. Tarun senses that his words have taken the turn for bad, tries to make a witty comeback, but in vain.

"I am not judging you. Just was little surprised having never seen girl accomplish such a feat."

"Don't worry. Always happens. Lots of people are taken back whenever I order food without even looking at the menu." Jenny brings the situation back to a lighter tone. Her smile makes a way back to her face. "And I was just yanking you with the poker face"

"Well you got me" Tarun replies with a sigh of relief in his tone. He places the order for her veg. noodles and a plate of aloo parantha's for himself. "I guess you are very confident with your choices in life, since you are confident about your food choice. Lots of practice?" Tarun poses the question as he grabs the glass of water and treats himself with a gulp. The chilled water makes its way through his through, with a chilling effect felt all the way to his stomach.

"You can say that." Jenny replies, hiding her reality.

"I like that"

"Aren't you coming off a little strong?"

Tarun leans back on his chair, not expecting such a strong attack from Jenny, this quick. He just replies with a smile.

"So you came alone or you ditched your friends when we met, just dropping them a text about our date?" Tarun switches his line of attack.

"The latter" Jenny gives quick reply as she glances along the place, taking a sip from her glass. She finds mostly couples, holding their hands, whispering to each other's ears, regretting her choice of the place. 'Maybe a place better suited for fifth or tenth date' she contemplates. Meanwhile Tarun is busy watching her. Her face, those luscious lips, soft strands of hair, dangling along her face, the tiny earring which jiggles every-time she shakes her head, all get noted. 'I must have done some real good deed in my last life, to be treated with the company of such a beauty in this life' Tarun contemplates.

Shortly their food arrives and both of them indulge in their respective foods. Sharing of some food takes place, as Jenny finds those parantha's really good, while for Tarun the noodles turn out to be quite bland. He puts on his game face and appreciates Jenny's choice.

"So what do you do?" Jenny asks while twirling her fork in her plate, so as to grab as much as she can.

"Me and my friends, who you saw back then are planning to start our own consultation firm. All of us just graduated and opted out of working for someone else. Not that we discourage that, but we saw that going with a startup we will gain exposure and also experience." Tarun replies in between his parantha's.

Jenny makes a quick decision to try to keep this point in her mind, for Tarun might be starting up forever and this could be a waste of time for her.

"That is impressive" replies Jenny, curtaining her genuine thoughts.

"Thanks."

"What about the investment" Jenny seems a little interested in his financial status.

"My father is a textile tycoon back in Hyderabad. So he kind of treats me with a vacation fund every year. I did not use it when I was in college. So with that I am going to kick-start our venture" Tarun replies with a confidence in his tone.

'So he is a rich guy' flashes through her mind as a smile flashes through her face.

They make some more small talk through the dinner. Tarun seems way more interested in Jenny than Jenny is interested in Tarun. Tarun, being the chivalrous guy, goes for the bill. Jenny also pounces for it at the same time.

"How about we split it. That way it will be equal and no one will have any guilt issues." Tarun suggests.

Jenny feels it will be better that and they go for it. As the bill is paid, they come out to the somewhat deserted road in the dark. "Wow it got pretty dark, pretty fast" Jenny voices out as she takes a glance at her watch. 7.30 pm and it was already dark like it was late in the night.

"I will walk you to your lodge. It's kind of deserted here" Tarun offers as he looks around for people or tourists in vain.

"Thanks" Jenny looks up Tarun's face with a genuine smile, thanking herself for Tarun's chivalry.

'Oh shit, I don't the way to my lodge. Hell I don't even know its name. Way to the lodge is far from that' dawns upon Jenny and her face flushes up. Tarun, sensing something is wrong with Jenny proceeds to ask what is the matter, just before she opens up.

"I actually don't know where I am staying. And I don't know the way too" Jenny blurts out as she starts to twirl her hair and starts to make some patterns with her slipper in the mud. Just random patterns, sometimes her first letter 'J'.

'Wow she looks so cute, even in distress' Tarun ponders over, as he gets transfixed at the moment by her puppy dog eyes.

"Ahh, lets walk this way. If your place pops on the way, well and good, otherwise, you can stay with us. We will take a separate room for you." Tarun offers as points to the way.

Jenny just looks deep into Tarun's eyes, for he could be a rapist and she doesn't want to be with the likelihood of such people.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen, I promise you. Here have my driving license for your protection sake. At least this way the police will know who to hunt for" Tarun offers and goes digging in his pocket for his wallet.

"I never thought of you in that way, but I am thinking now"

'Awesome dude, You just dug your own grave and fell into it'

Seeing the confusion and bewilderment in his face, Jenny bursts into laughter. Tarun heaves a sigh of relief.

"Shall we?", Tarun offers his hand.

"Sure" and they walk towards the darkness hand in hand.