The extra-ordinary life

Chapter 19

Angelina's tears had barely stopped but they started flowing again when she heard Pete's sincere voice. The only difference was these were tears from happiness, happiness from knowing Pete liked her too. Happiness from knowing that she was still lovable and not some trash no man would ever love.

Pete cupped her face and rested his forehead on hers, "please, don't push me away".

There was a peaceful silence enveloping them as they closed their eyes. Angelina finally ceased weeping.
She tried figuring out what she should do. Should I give my love life one last chance ?

They could hear their synchronised breathing. Angelina whispered breaking the silence, "Let me chase you."

Pete chuckled, his minty breath hitting her face. "Why do you have to chase me when I already like you?" Pete couldn't stop smiling. He let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding, "Thanks for abandoning your stupid idea of pushing me away."

Angelina pulled away. Pete opened his eyes only to find Angelina staring at him. "Then let me ask you out. I want you to be completely sure before we commit to each other." she said.

Pete nodded.

"So, would you like to go out with me?"

"Yes."

The room was filled with the young couple's happy laughter.

"Hey, I almost forgot about dinner. You must be hungry?!" she asked.

"I didn't eat yet."

"Wait for the food then."

She busied herself in the kitchen. Last time when Pete visited, she was out of groceries. So, she made sure to fill her refrigerator the very next day. This time she was going to feed Pete till his tummy bursts. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. She was humming a happy tune while slicing tomatoes.

"What's for dinner?" Pete asked entering the kitchen.

"Why are you here? Go and relax. I will call you once the dinner ready." she practically pushed him out of the kitchen without leaving him a chance to resist.

She planned for a simple menu - steamed rice, mashed potato with a slight twist and a cheese kebab recipe.

Pete was watching TV when it struck his mind that it was technically their first dinner date. He peeped inside the kitchen and said "I am going out for a moment. I need to buy something for home." She nodded in response and said "The key is near the main door above the shoe shelf."

Rice was done in no time. Then she busied herself in preparing the mashed potato. She added raw tomato and onion slices to the mashed potato along with cilantro, salt and mustard oil. Mustard oil was the key ingredient. Her mother had prepared it once, and she became a fan of it right way!

The cheese kebab dish took a little bit of time. She had to prepare cheese from milk, prepare kebabs and then cook the gravy. She wanted to cook something presentable for him today. She wanted to prove her worth - not so much to him, but more to her. She wanted herself to believe that she can be worthy of him, worthy of his love.

She had almost finished cooking when she heard her door open. She smiled knowing who it was. Pete had returned with a bottle of red wine and a few candles.

When Angelina was plating food, he arranged candles on the dining table and put the bottle in the center. He then entered the kitchen and took out two wine glasses. "Um.. I don't have wine" Angelina's face turned into a shade of pink.

Pete grinned, "You look like an apple right now."

"Did you just call me fat?"

"No, I called you adorable." Pete winked making her heart skip a beat.

Angelina's eyes widened when she saw the ambience of her dining area.
A smile made it's way on her face. "I thought you said you had something to buy for home."

"That's what I did." Pete shrugged casually turning the colour on her cheeks into a deeper shade of pink.

He poured them a glass of red wine each. "Perfect!" he said contented.
Angelina said, "Something is still missing! Wait a minute!" 

After a brief second, music filled the room.

What if we rewrite the stars?

Say you were made to be mine

Nothing could keep us apart

You'd be the one I was meant to find

It's up to you, and it's up to me

No one can say what we get to be

So why don't we rewrite the stars?

Maybe the world could be ours

Tonight...

The house was filled with romantic vibes, with them enjoying home-cooked dinner in candle light while sipping red wine. Angelina was looking at Pete's happy face when he was busy laughing at his own bad jokes. She knew by then, this was the face she wanted to see everyday - for the rest of her life. She wanted to spend her every moment watching this happy face.

The dinner, for some unknown reason, tasted better today. She cleared the table and Pete was doing the dishes.
She leaned against the kitchen cabinet looking at him, smiling like a fool. She will not let this man have any reason to leave her - if that means she had to face her worst fear that she had been trying to avoid for so many years, she would. She was ready to seek professional advice this time. She walked up to his back and wrapped her arms around his stomach, hugging him from behind.

The music was still on. It sang....

I just wanna be part of your symphony...

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

Symphony....

Like a love song on the radio....

Will you hold me tight and not let go?

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The songs mentioned in this chapter-
1) Rewrite the stars by Zac Efron and Zendaya.

2) Symphony by Clean Bandit.

Xoxo..