A Special Day

Bidding Adieu

"I am hungry, let's go for dinner?" Reyan suggested while they were walking on the streets outside the Bagore Haveli.
"Yes please, let's have drinks too." Shivi said
"Yes sure" he said, "I know.."
Shivi interfered "let me guess, you know just the place!"
Reyan laughed, so did Shivi.

"Shall we then?" Reyan asked her to follow him.
"Haha" she said.

They took a cab and went to a restaurant next to lake Fateh Sagar. Frangipani being its name, Reyan had a particular admiration for that place for it gave the most amazing view of Fateh Sagar lake and the green hill next to it. Fateh Sagar being the other big lake of Udaipur, the first one being Pichola along which the city palace was built.

When they reached, Reyan asked Shivi how the place is.
"It's wonderful" she said, looking at the garden on which the restaurant was made, being at the same level as the lake right next to it. It had lots of couched spaces to sit on, shaded under beautiful canopies of cloth. The full moon that night added to the beauty of the place.

This time they sat on the same couch, taking a place on either corner of it. Reyan turned himself and crossed one of his legs so he could have a comfortable look at Shivi while she adjusted according to her comfort so she could look at him too and talk to him.

"What would you like?" He asked her, handing over the menu to her.
"Whiskey first!" She said, "which one will you like?"
"I want to try your choice this time" he said and she ordered two servings of JW Black Label with water. Reyan was impressed, he smirked.
"You like it, don't you?" She asked, reassuring.
"I like your taste." He said, "something to eat now, come 'on, order!"
They ordered starters based on the Mewar cuisine this time, food made out of big green chilies and gram dal and what not.

"Did you enjoy today?" He asked her once the ordering was done, looking into her eyes.
"Enjoy?" I loved it, "thank you so much."
He smiled.
"You know the while you had been off in Bangalore this previous week, it killed me." He said.
"What do you mean?" She said.
"Ever since we've had our first conversation, I have wished to talk to you more and more, know you as much as I can. Consider this a confession from my end, I cannot help but think about you most of the time, you know the reason why I am not calling this love but yes, it feels as if conversations with you have kind of become my elixir in the recent days." He said.
"Hmm, i don't know how to react" she said, "you know I enjoy speaking with you too, it's like you are so similar to me, so kind, so gentle that it feels almost unrealistic that a person like you even exists. Our similar interests have had me intrigued since the very first day and now, even i feel like talking to you but for some reason i am not able to." She said lowly, "I am sorry, I missed you too."

But the presence of each other on the same couch under the moonlit night sky had this comfortable feeling both had been longing for. They had conversations about how Reyan would come to her city, her apartment where they would just lay in the balcony, on a mattress the whole winter night, enjoying music, drink/ and conversations. This was far from it but something to feel good about for the minimum.

When the drinks and food were served, Shivi prepared her drink.
"Why aren't you mixing water?" She asked.
"I take my first neat" he said, picking up his glass and raising it so he could have a toast with Shivi.
"This one's for the most beautiful day i have had in months." Said Reyan.
Shivi touched his glass with hers and they both toon their sip.

The food was so good that they ordered more of it but not as much for Reyan didn't have whole night with him, his flight was in some hours and he had to keep a track of time.
After about three rounds of drinks each, after endless laughter and deep conversations of topics of their interest such as politics, ecology, money making, career, travel and what not; Reyan asked for permission.
He had a look at his wrist watch on which the clock was almost at thirty past nine.
"My flight is in less than two hours" he said, as a sense of hurried crossed his mind.
"This is too early" said Shivi sadly, "stay for more?"
"I wish I could happy" he said.
"Happy?" She asked.
"You are my happy, you made this hippie happy." He said, winking at her.
She blushed.
"Let me come with you to the airport then" she said.
"No" Reyan said straightaway, "it will be risky for you to come back alone at that hour"
"Don't worry, i have had my share of experience, I'll be safe." She said, revolting.
"No Shivi, you might be confident but I am not. I cannot take the risk" he said, "no risk when it comes to you, I don't want to lose you."

"Let me call my driver then" she said, "he'll take us"
"Okay" Reyan said, he wanted more time with her too "this can be managed"

She immediately called up her driver and by the time the cheque was cleared, the driver had arrived.

As soon as they sat in the car, neither could control holding each other's hand. They had to control their words in front of the driver for he was her father's originally.
Looking at the right moment, Reyan brought out a small package from his bag.
He slided it towards her, "don't open it until I have left please?" he said.
She nodded in disappointment, she wanted to open it at that very moment.

"When are we meeting next?" She asked him.
"Soon bub, soon" he looked at her and smiled as they shared yet another eye contact, this one being the one of eagerness to meet each other again, screaming at each other not to leave.

After about half an hour they reached the airport.
Reyan got down and as soon as he turned his back at the car, Shivi shouted "oi, hold on"
She came to him, raising her arms as she wrapped them around him to bid goodbye. She brought her head on his shoulder, whispering in his ear as a drop of tear accumulated in her eye "please don't go"
"I'll meet you soon" Reyan's eyes filled up too, "I'll come to your town this time"
"Promise?" She said.
"Yes ma'am i promise" he said loudly, cheering her up, "giddy up, come-on."

She smiled as she moved back, ending their hug.
"Lower your head" He said
"Huh?" She asked him.
"Lower your head baba" he said again.
She lowered her head.
Reyan brought his lips forth and gave her a mild kiss on the forehead before leaving finally.
He did turn to have one final look at Shivi as she sat in her car after which he faded into the airport.



Inside the car:

Not waiting for another moment, Shivi opened the pack wrapped in brown paper.

As soon as she opened the box, she found three articles. On top was kept a rose deep red in color, followed by a small piece of parchment and finally an article in an envelope.

She picked up the rose and then the parchment on which was written:
"Here's the final red rose for you, to thank you for this beautiful day, for the love you've given me. I wouldn't mind in revealing that I have developed a soft spot for you inside myself which I wish grows further as our bond strengthens. This is to tell you that you are valuable to me, that you are my beloved, my loved one."

Then were written these lines:

I've met you after long
No matter how much life did wrong
But the pain feels worth it now
For the prize is happiness now

You told me we could be best friends
Maybe even something more one day
And now that I am getting to know you
I want to ask, will you come with me and play?

Play like the children do in the park
With their friends through light and dark
Play with me so our bond gets strong
I need something strong, it's been very long

I might be wrong at times, may be foolish
Sometimes cringy, sometimes not so bliss
But that's just me showing love
For I don't toy, want it to be pure as white of dove

Sooner I want to meet you again so the touch happens
For touch is where the magic lays
Magic that kills even the fiercest blaze

When I talk to you it feels so good
Good as when I am reading a book
For it calms my anxiety down
The one which otherwise keeps hitting, giving me frowns

True that past experiences had my spirituality weaken in vain
But this whence I am motivated to regain it back again
Such good is the vibe you emanate
I wish it's you who's written in my fate

- Reyan

"This anklet I brought from the same jewelry store after city palace, a gift from me to you so every time you wear it, you can remember me."