Twists Twirls Perils & Pearls

25. Perfect date?

Swarnima came to her balcony and stood there looking out. It was mid-afternoon, the roads were comparatively empty and there was absolutely nothing interesting to look at, but Swarnima was standing there.

Boys were numb. They were still processing the story Swarnima told them. Arya was sad because the girl he liked, had to undergo so much without any fault of hers.

Abhedya on the other hand was sad and guilty. Aadya was not only his classmate but was once a good friend of his. He was so involved in his world that he did not even bother to know the truth behind her changed behaviour, her sudden transfer from school and believed the information supplied via the grapevine.

Arya got up and went to where Swarnima was standing. Abhedya followed him.

"I'm," Arya called out in a low voice which was so unlike his usual jovial self.

Swarnima gestured him to speak without looking at him.

"I... I..." Arya didn't have words. He did not know what he wanted to say, leave aside what he wanted to do.

"Arya, you know some girls look for unicorns, angels, fairy tales. But some girls create there own unicorns, are an angel for themselves and create their fairy tales and fight the demons with their might.
Aadya is just like that. She has created her fairyland with her 'Prince Charming' after fighting all odds.
Please do not commit to her if you are still not sure. Take your time because she is very precious and pristine."

Arya interrupted Swarnima and confessed, "Nim, please. I am already under a lot of guilt. I do not know how and what to say... until now, I thought I liked her, she was special but I am one hundred per cent sure,  now, that I LOVE HER!! Yes!! I do... and no!! It's not because I want to be that Santa in her sad story but because I know she is going to be the princess of my fairy tale.
And trust me people... there will be a thunderstorm tonight when I will whisper I LOVE YOU to her."

Arya wiped his tears and Abhedya hugged him. He had tears too at the corner of his eyes. Arya pulled Swarnima in their hug but she stepped back and smiled.

"Nim! Please I need a hug." Arya pleaded with his friend.

"I am sorry Arya. You have realised your mistake today, but you and you too (pointing at Abhedya) have a habit of judging things and people too quickly. What if I did not tell you the complete story? You would have asked her, right? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to rewind the past and narrate the horrifying incidents again? Please try and learn that there are always two sides to a coin and broaden your perspective. Understand that if a person is reacting in a certain way, there could be a reason...a past, a memory attached to it." Swarnima tried to put some sense in the boys.

"Yes Nim, I do realise it... I truly do. But for now, please help me with my proposal. Please suggest me something." Arya asked Swarnima
"And my rockstar brother Abhey, help me out please."

"Don't be so nervous Arya, just take her to a nice fancy place with good music, candlelight diner, champagne on the side, some flowers and a romantic dialogue." Abhedya put forward his idea.

"Okay. So, should I take her to 'by the river' restaurant at Taj? The setting is beautiful and the gushing sound of the water would be so romantic... what do you think?" Arya was all excited now.

"Arya... just think what she likes not what everyone likes. If you think she will like a fancy setting diner go ahead with it but if you think there could be anything other than that, that would make her happy try to do that. It's not the place that matters it's the magic of the moment that matters. Take your time, I will make lunch for us till then." Swarnima left putting forward her thoughts.