Falling in love

Chapter 2

Dev:: what's your plan now? I mean you just finished your masters
P:: hmm I didn't think much about it, I keep helping my dad but I want to work for some non profit company where I can help people.
D:: that's nice. If you need any help let me know. I know some people who needs social workers and volunteers
P:: really that's nice, that will be great. So what's your plan now?
D:: my plan? (He smiles) right at this moment other than work and helping my dad nothing much going on but I was planning .....
P:: planning???
D:: I was planning if we could meet tomorrow for coffee or dinner or whatever u like. I don't want to force you please don't get me wrong it's just that it's too weird that there's a party going on and we are here and I'm pretty sure it will be pretty embarrassing once we go inside
P:: that's right. Kapoor Aunty might just ask something weird (she laughs)
D:: so what do you think? Is it ok we meet tomorrow? Anyway if we do have something in future together then it's best we get to know each other
P:: hmmm I think you are right. How about brunch?
D:: wow! Awesome, that's my kinda thing. I love girls who doesn't mind eating on their date. Great!
P:: don't worry I don't shy away from food. I love eating and food is the only way to my heart (she said it with pride)
D:: I'm impressed
P:: infact I'm very hungry now coz I didn't get to eat lunch
D:: really? Even I didn't eat lunch, I was too excited to meet you that I forgot about lunch
(Oh crap!! He said that under his breath)
P:: you are cute!! (She laughed)
Dev turned pink after Pooja said that but being called cute by a pretty looking girl was something nice.
D:: so shall we go and grab some food Coz I'm so hungry
P:: sounds like a good idea
They go inside and goes to the buffet Dev grabs two plates and they were just taking some food and bumps into Pooja's dad
Randeep:: hey what you guys doing here. I thought you guys were outside
D:: oh actually we were hungry and that's why we thought of eating first and ofcourse we can always talk while we eat.
Randeep:: great!! Ofcourse you can always talk while eating and what better ways to get to know each other. Food is bae mannn! (He just hi fied Pooja after he said that)
D:: in that case I deserve a hi fi too Coz I can talk about food whole day
Randeep:: do you like eating only or you like cooking too?
Dev:: my mom says I'm a pretty good cook
Randeep:: oh that's good news Coz Pooja is not (laughs) (ofcourse getting angry look from his daughter and a chuckle from Dev) I mean she makes very good tea and coffee and she can make few things but she is a very good taster. Anyway enjoy your meal I'll get myself a drink.
Next Day
Pooja asked Dev to come to a local restaurant where they served best breakfast and lunch. They planned not to tell anyone about this meeting coz they didn't want their families to make deal about it and ask them million questions.
Dev was wearing a heavy coat as it was freezing but inside he wore a nice white sweater with a denim blue jeans and Black LV ankle boot. He likes to keep it subtle and he hardly buys anything where the logo is too flashy rather where it's almost hidden. He parked his car and called Pooja and she said she was already inside the Diner. Dev was amused with the choice of place, as generally people from that status specially girls don't like going to local diners but here Pooja was raving about this place. He liked the simplicity in her because Dev believed in quality more than anything else. He went inside and saw Pooja sitting in the corner table and when she saw him she waved at him so he smiled and walked to the table. Dev noticed she is wearing white sweater with jeans and he just laughed
Dev:: it feels like we came to school as we are wearing the same things
She looked at him and herself
P:: omg you are right.... jeans is my go to thing and I like comfortable clothes
D:: that's cool coz I wear jeans all the time and solid color shirts go with everything
P:: that's true! Anyway what would you like to eat? This place has the best waffles and French toast
D:: wow it seems like you kinda memorized their menu. What would you suggest as you know the menu better?
P:: I love their French toast with some cream and strawberries, their pancakes and waffles are to die for. Their omelette are awesome and if you want something heavy more like lunch then their steak is great
D:: ok ok hang on!! I can't eat all that in one day how about some waffles and I would like some eggs too
P:: ok great then I'll order French toast with some turkey bacon. Their portion is very big so we can even share. You don't mind sharing right?
D:: oh sure that will be nice
So they order their food and sip on their coffee
P:: you don't mind me asking you what happened to Anjali?
D:: no not at all, things just didn't go too well, we were very different from each other, I like simple things and she liked flashy it's just that our thoughts, principles were very different. Please don't get me wrong she is a very nice girl it's just that we were not right for each other and what happened with you?
P:: you mean Rahul and me? Actually similar story and after that I got busy with studies and everything so didn't even have time so it's been almost 3 years I've been single.
D:: oh wow you didn't even date anyone like I mean just date
P:: I tried talking to two people but it seems men only want one thing and I wasn't ready for it.
D:: what do you mean men want one thing?
Pooja looked at him with an exclamation on her face
D:: oh oh u mean men wants to go to bed?
P:: Yea thats what I mean
D:: you really think all men are like that?
P:: I'm not going to say all men are like that but I guess whoever I met was like that. So I just thought if that's how the mind set is then it's better I go for arrange marriage atleast I don't have to go through the same things everytime I talk to a guy
D:: so what do you think about me?
P:: I can't comment on that coz I don't even know you. I mean what I can tell talking to you last two days and seeing your sister, ur family I felt comfortable you didn't give me that eery feeling. I mean if you are my husband and thinking to take me to bed then I wouldn't mind. I think so I mean husbands should sleep with their wives, but otherwise I think I need to have strong emotional bond to get intimate.
D:: point noted!! I mean it's important to have emotional bond to get intimate
P:: you really mean that... I mean is it the same way for men?
D:: Pooja I don't know how to explain but may be men and women are not the same but emotions are for real. It's true we don't need to think too much to feel good but end of the day when you love someone then the touch is different. You touch not for lust but for love you want to be close to that person you want to feel that person physically and emotionally. So I will say we are different but emotions are still same.
P:: by the way can I try your waffle it looks good (she flashed a bright smile)
D:: (he laughed) here you go why don't you take the whole thing because I still have to eat my omelette
P:: oh my God this looks delicious but I won't be able to eat the whole thing but I'm going to pack it up and go home and eat it with our desi style chai (she had the glow in her eyes talking about her plans for the day)
D:: are you serious you are going to pack the left overs?
P:: ofcourse I will!! Papa says we shouldn't waste food, there are many people who doesn't get one meal a day. Not only that these are my favorite kinda food I'm going to reheat them and eat them the whole day.
D:: I'm impressed!! Seems like I'll be saving a lot.
P:: don't be too happy coz I love shopping.
D:: that's not a problem you can go shopping with my mom and she uses my dad's credit card. So I still save hahahahhahaha
P:: that's pretty smart!🤣🤣
So they chatted for some time and enjoyed their meal. Then Dev asked if she would like to go for a drive before going home and Pooja was happy to go for the drive.
Dev put on old hindi songs and it was Chalte chalte yuhi koi and Pooja took a full 180' turn and looked at him
P:: you are not serious? You really listen to these songs or you just put that on to impress me coz I like Bollywood?
Dev:: you are too funny! Yes I listen to these songs coz I love old hindi songs and also to impress you. Hope that answers your question?
They drove for some more time had some good conversation talked about traveling, music, movies family then Dev dropped her to her car as she had her car parked in front of the diner they went to.
D:: Pooja, thank you for spending time with me. I had a great time
P:: your welcome and I really enjoyed it today so thank you
D:: you know I'm off for the whole week till New Years May be we can plan something again this week and if you don't have any plans for New Years May be we can do something together?
P:: sure!! If I don't have to go anywhere with my parents then we can do something.
D:: Great!! Will wait! Take care
P:: you too and drive safely. Bye
She went out of the car and got in her car but Dev kept watching her go. He was really impressed, he felt he knows her from a long time.
Dev Came home and saw his parents sitting in the living room
D:: hey guys what you doing?
Nandini:: nothing much, you tell me what's up with you? How was your date?
D:: what? Who told you I went on a date?
Nandini:: when you were talking to Pooja and getting the address of the diner may be you didn't notice your dad was there.
D:: seriously guys!! Is this how you spy on your adult son? No man this is not fair!!
Vijay::: oh God stop being melodramatic it doesn't suit you it suits your mom and your dadi. Ok tell me how was it
D:: seriously dad? Ok fine it was good
Vijay:: only good?
D:: no I mean it was actually great. She is pretty awesome.
Nandini:: I told you she is perfect for Dev
Vijay:: ofcourse who else can know Dev better than Disha, Pooja is her choice after all.
Anyway Dev we already spoke to the Bhatia's, we all will be spending our New Years in our Farm house so they will be coming there and ofcourse disha's in laws too.
D:: you guys already invited them? That's pretty quick.
Vijay:: so the plan is we will start early morning on 30th so we can go and get some rest and just have some family time and then on 31st obviously your friends are coming and your Dadi's friends are coming even your Bua is coming.
D:: by the way when is Dadi coming? She went to Bua's place and totally forgot me
Nandini:: she will be there on 31st with your Bua and family.
Dev goes to his room and texts Pooja right away and Pooja tells him that they are caught and now her parents were making her crazy asking her what happened. They also talked about New Years, even though they wanted some lone time but still they were happy that they will get to spend some time together.
Dev and Pooja just couldn't figure out why both the family was preparing little extra for the New Years plan. It's only a mini vacation so that families get to know each other.
So they reached their farm house which was more like a mansion than a farm house. They even had horses there, Dev loves horse riding. It was a long drive around 5 hours so they all settled down took rest. Ofcourse the young ones did their own thing rode horses and had some fun. Then during dinner time they all came together.
Vijay:: so Bhatia Sahab what do you think? Should we arrange things for tomorrow? I mean it's a new year so why not start something new
Randeep:: Bhaisaab I think I agree with you and then later on once we go back we can think for dates and everything
Pooja and Dev really didn't notice what the elders were talking about as they were busy doing their own thing and chit chatting non stop
Vijay:: Dev Pooja what do you think? You guys are okay with New Year's Eve? They just smiled and Nodded not knowing what the conversation is about and they went back to their own chatting.
Kapoor uncle as always manages to get everyone's attention when he loudly congratulated Dev and Pooja for their engagement. Both Dev and Pooja choked on their food..
Kapoor uncle:: oh look match made in heaven they are also choking together
Raj:: papa they are choking not swimming (he rolled his eyes listening to his dad)
Then everyone went back to their discussion about tomorrow's plan but both Dev and Pooja was shocked, this was not planned they were just getting to know each other. After dinner when the whole family sat outside in front of the bonfire Dev and Pooja were pacing around in Front of Disha and Raj
Disha:: ok guys can you both stop going round and round I'm feeling giddy and I'm already pregnant
D:: Di you knew about this engagement thing
Disha:: yea!! I mean we all knew about it and when dad asked you during dinner you guys happily said yes
D:: Di we thought he was asking us about tomorrow's preparation for the party we had no clue about our engagement
Raj:: guys guys guys!! Hold on! So what's the problem here? You guys don't want to get engaged?
P:: No it's not like that, but we just started to get to know each other isn't this too early to wear a ring
Disha:: ok tell me clearly you guys don't like each or don't want to get engaged or what? Coz I'm confused
Raj :: me too
D:: ok Jiju and Di. We do want to get engaged but after sometime
Jiju:: so you guys will get engaged anyway it's just matter of few days. Ok do you guys have any other options lined up? As in you have another girl and you have another boy and you are thinking which one to choose from?
They both said NO
Then what's the problem? You guys are so boring that you are not even dating anyone else so why not just get engaged and romance openly with your fiancé
Disha:: that's true. So think about it and if your answer is no then you guys can go and talk to everyone. I'm not even going to open my mouth.
Raj common baby lets go outside and enjoy the fire.
Pooja sat down and after few seconds Dev sat beside her. There was an awkward silence for few minutes then Dev just broke the silence.
D:: Pooja I don't know what's there in the future but if our families have decided something then may be we should just go along with it and hope for the best
P:: I guess you are right and not that we have any other option
Dev put his hand on Pooja's hand and squeezed it little bit
D:: do you think you are ready?
P:: I guess so
D:: I think we can do it
Pooja looked at Dev and smiled and Dev also gave a tight lipped smile to Pooja.
And yes this was the first time they held each other's hand...

Precap:: engagement and New Years party