DENIAL ✔

::: 1 :::

On a busy street in Chennai, set in a vintage interior was a beautiful cozy cafe painted in sepia tone. In the background, Maestro Illayaraja's wonderful composition played softly enhancing the vintage feel.

A pair of hazel eyes darted to the door each time the bell hung on it, rang. Expecting to meet the person she had been waiting for the last ten minutes all while her pink lips moved syncing with the lyrics of the current song played in the cafe. Her legs tapped the floor anxiously.

She brushed off the small bread crumbs from her crease free red top and finished her platter of toasted bread yet the person was nowhere seen. Checking her watch once again, she tucked her amber coloured curly hair behind her ears.

The wait had been proving her words just right, 'a waste of time'. Her attention darted at the loud ring of the bell on the door. The person had finally arrived, she smiled a little not hiding much of her annoyance.

"Hi, Osha. I'm really sorry for keeping you wait." The man apologised and took a seat before her.

"You better be." She snapped while she kept her smile intact.

"I get it. I should have called." He raised his hand in surrender with wide smile. "You look beautiful." He complimented and turned to the waiter and gave his order.

"Thank you." She decided to keep her conversation as minimal as possible and quickly gave another order.

Meanwhile, Osha took the moment to take a brief note of the man, Richard whom her mother thinks is a prospect groom for her. He was well dressed, looks friendly, dark and thin. Overall was an okay for her but she knew that would not be the final decision anyway.

"Nice place," He commented.

"Yup, I used to come here often. It's my favourite place."

"Interesting. So, tell me about yourself." He had his warm smile etched on his lips, chin resting on his fist.

"Why not we start from the latecomer?" Osha suggested.

"Fair enough." He nodded and rubbed his palms together.

"I have two elder brothers and I'm the youngest. Most loved uncle, my nephews and nieces are dear to me. Relationships and friendships are important to me and it's them before me. I had been in a relationship before but it didn't work out for some reasons. I occasionally drink but I don't smoke. Easy going —" Osha opt to interrupt him.

"Okay. I think I get the picture of you and how things work around you."

Richard squeezed his brows, not sure where this was heading towards. He waited as she spoke.

"This is not going to work," she blurted without wasting much time.

"Wha—What? Why? We haven't really got to know each other yet and you assume this isn't going to work. Is everything alright? Have I said something wrong?" He asked, fearing if any of his words had her discomfort.

"No, not at all. Everything is fine, Richard. I know we haven't got to know each other well but . . . " she hesitated, scratching the back of her neck.

"What do you think about flaws?" she asked instead of continuing her previous statement.

"Flaws? It's acceptable. Everyone has flaws and people should not be judged by their flaws. We should embrace it and channel it positively." He replied after a moment of dither.

"Acceptable." She murmured and nodded. "So, you are fine with flaws?"

He nodded in agreement yet scepticism marred his face.