The Gymnast's Escapade

The Crystal In your Eyes

Act 2, Scene 6 (Continued)

Amazed would be deterred as an understatement to what Aashka felt on seeing the rush at that odd hour of the night in front of the small shop that provided services 24*7. Apart from serving the best Indian sweet dishes the shop was a permanent hangout for the nearby residents too serving the refreshments and snacks as desired.

It was two blocks away from the AR House, yet she didn't know about it or she never cared. How convenient! The blame went on her entirely because to maintain her fit posture she liked to stay away from all the junk food and sweet dishes.

Though her family told her to take it slow on herself, she was so invested in reaching the peak she had dreamt since she was a child that she hardly bothered about eating anything and everything like most of the people do. Some of us just can't let go of a few habits now; isn't it?

Anyway, coming to describe the place, though it was like one small room where the owner sat on the counter in the right, and his workers sat on the left working their guts out on the huge stoves, and extreme heat. In front, people stood in a line to place their orders.

But the best part was the aroma of cardamom that incensed the air already sending a silent message that everything was cooked with natural ingredients.

No wonder Devansh looked extremely excited to her and as she looked at her King of Awkwardness who stood near her now fidgeting at his place like he was chiding himself for bringing her there.

She scooted a little closer to him; looking straight she whispered, "Are you going to be like this for as long as we are here?"

Harsh stopped moving; turned his neck towards her and all the nervousness in his system left him immediately on seeing her furrowed brows.

His edginess aroused due to his earlier unexpected words to her. He felt an idiot for spilling up the things he should've told her some other time but not today. Just not on their second meet itself but he couldn't hold up his enthusiasm for her after she helped him so diligently in putting forward his point in front of his family.

It wasn't the time to express his desire for falling in love with her; was it?

Aashka clicked her fingers in front of his face bringing him out of his chaotic state, and he gave her an apologetic look for being caught in his own messy mind.

"Do you like this place?" He asked unsure whether she'd like to be part of such a small street way when she was an heiress who could almost have anything in a blink of an eye.

For a second Aashka observed him keenly and he almost lost his heart-beat, dejected at the mere thought of her not liking the place but then as her lips broke into a big smile, he sighed.

"Of course, Harsh! I like it so much and in fact, I'm glad you brought me here instead of any big expensive restaurant where I can't be myself." She replied, beaming at him.

Her brown eyes shimmered like an admirable crystal.

Before he could say something Devansh interrupted them, "Now until we get our order let's click a few pictures. What say Bhabhi?"

"Stop calling her Bhabhi." Harsh chided getting angry now; suddenly, the atmosphere in between them turned serious and Aashka couldn't understand the reason for him becoming so agitated.

"Why not?" Devansh argued.

"Because you might be making her uncomfortable. I don't want to impose anything on her. Is it so hard to understand?" Harsh clarified and raked his fingers through his hair looking away.