The Love Assignment

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 

Daniel took a few turns here and there and we ended in a street so colorfully decorated that I had my eyes almost popping out. There were colorful banners hanging across the streets; orange glowing lanterns were dressed across from one end of the building to the other. People roamed every inch of the road, and the air smelled of delicious food that made my stomach agree with a grumble. I had never been to this end of New York and that excited me.  

Daniel parked his car in an open street that nobody uses. I glanced at him and he looked very much hesitant. 

"Hey, scared you might lose the car in this dimly lit area?" I asked softly. If he wanted to park in a safer place and walk all the back here, I was up for it. I mean he did put up with my little stint back at the restaurant. 

"No, that's not it. I don't care for the car. I mean I do, but lets say it's the least of my worries right now." he said slightly shaking his head as though in denial. 

"What is it?" I asked feeling fear creeping up in me. May be his brains working properly right now, may be he realized what a mess I created and he is doubting why he ever got me on a date. I closed my eyes and exhaled out slowly ready to hear it out. But what comes next surprises me. 

"I am just worried. It's not the kind of place, an ideal first date should be and I am worried you'd think what the hellish kind of place I've got you now. I mean it's out first date and I should take you to a fancy restaurant and all.... but we end up here." He said sighing slightly. 

"No, no it's perfect." I say as I move my hands to hold his. 

"Really?"  

"Yes, may be that's what I need, something away from the routine." I say thinking thoughtfully of all the disastrous first dates I had at all those posh restaurants. I know it's not the ideal thing to do as Daniel said. Your first date is all about impressing the other person and Daniel impressed me more than any one could, just by standing up to me back at the restaurant. It showed me what kind person he is. 

"I didn't get you there." Daniel said shrugging slightly. 

"No, no... Well are we gonna sit here and talk about what an ideal date should be? Or are we gonna make one." I asked smiling at him. 

Daniel laughed at my comment. 

"Lets make one." He said as he removed his tie and jacket and threw them on the back seats. 

I laughed at his comment and got out of the car. 

Daniel followed and then we were out on the streets, holding hands as we walked. On either side of the street, stood small shops selling different varieties of cuisines ranging from Italian to Chinese to Indian. You name it and its all there. And at the far end stood the hot dog stand. I could feel my eyes pop out at the very sight of it. At this time of the hour, the least you would expect is some rolls of bread but this, all this was simply amazing. 

"So for the starters, shall we have dumplings?" Daniel asked as he pointed at the stand selling mouth watering dumplings. People crowded around the stall and getting through all the crowd and ordering seemed like a difficult task in itself.  

"Oh yes, sure." 

Daniel pushed through the crowd while I stood away and watched. After twenty long minutes of having to see others hog, he returned with our share of hot steamy dumplings. People around us gave a look that meant we didn't belong here. But that was the least of our worries. We were too concerned with fighting over the last piece of dumpling. Our sticks collided with each other as we tried pushing the others away.