The Boundaries of Love

● 09●

"Going out with Shravan... will be late..." I typed a message to my mother while waiting for Shravan to pick me up. I am standing in front of NewAge building. Shravan had asked me to meet him at four in the evening, knowing his mother would happily let me leave if I go out with her son before the office hour ends. But I didn't want to take any unfair advantage of this new budding relationship. I am still an employee of NewAge, and I will behave like one too. 

I look down at my watch, it's 5.15. Finally, a shiny black car comes in my view, and Shravan comes out of it with a pair of glares shielding his eyes from the setting sun rays. Oh boy, he looks mesmerising! A fine black linen button-down shirt paired with beige linen pants. That man looks mighty; the way he is striding confidently towards me; I have to agree, he is one good looking human specimen that I might have ever seen. 

I keep looking at him, he looks a bit different. Shravan stops just an inch away from me. "Hey." He smiles.

I gawk at him, "Did you trim your hair?" I ask, stupefied. Shravan pulls out his glares and tilts his head. And my heart screams, goodness!!!  Who looks this good after having a haircut! I can feel heat rushing towards my cheeks, though I am still unable to understand what made me embarrassed enough to blush.

"Well, yes." He chuckles. Intertwining his fingers with mine, he drags me towards his car. Thankfully he didn't ask me the reason for my sudden flushed cheeks.

After regaining the hold on myself, I ask timidly, "Where are we going?"

"You will get to know soon." He states matter of factly. I nod, and finally, have enough courage to look at him. Something is extremely wrong with me; just because last night I agreed to marry him or it could be because of the flowers . . . it feels different sitting here in the front seat of the car, beside him. It's like only I have the right to sit here . . . It belongs to me.

This very thought scared me out of my wits. I was never a possessive person, rather I have always hated this particular trait. The way Shravan is influencing my life, I feel like I don't even know Me.

"Where is your head at?" 

"Sorry!" 

Shravan chuckles, and points towards his temple with his right hand, "What are you thinking?"

I shake my head. Desperately trying to change the subject, I ask, "Shravan, have you ever gone clean-shaven?"

"Why, yes! When I was in college." He smiles, "I look young."

"Oh!" Again, that gnawing part of me wants to know how he would look! Suddenly I am angry, that I might never get the chance to see him like that. I cannot just ask him to shave right!  It's going to be embarrassing . . .

"I can always shave if you want to see me clean-shaven." His eyes are focused on the road. 

"You will?" I can feel the excitement rush through me, "I mean, just because I want to see you clean-shaven?"

"Yes." He rolls his eyes as if what I just said was too very amusing for him; "It takes just about two and a half days to grow back. It's no big deal!"

I am about to ask him to do it soon, but he parks his car in the parking zone near a huge jewellery shop. Shravan confidently opens his side of the door and halts looking at me, "Come on Suman."

We enter a huge building; The Trinkle's, a famous jewellery store that everyone knows about. Shravan guides me through the main corridor towards the cabin of the store manager.