The blooming Magnolia

Chapter : 14

Flashback 2012:

Flowers check.

Chocolates check.

Scarf check.

Vansh checked if he had got everything for the hundredth time after landing in Patna the next morning.

If somebody would have said a month ago, that he would book flight tickets in the middle of the night only to reach Patna all the way from Bangalore, to apologise to a woman, he would have never believed it.He had a few girlfriends in the past, mostly flings, he was very serious with one of them but they broke up on a bitter note. With her too, he never went to such an extent.

That too for 18 hours? He had his return tickets booked late in the same night. It would be very hectic but still it was alright. He let her down. His stupid ass deserved this.

He had to attend a very important meeting the next day. But still he managed, convinced his parents that he had something very important to sort out, and promised to be back on time for the meeting, the next day.

It was a scorching 40 degrees at 8:30 in the morning, that's what google showed as he checked the temperature. He sat inside the air conditioned cab, panting and pulling up his sleeves. He slowly cooled down as the cool air engulfed him, drying away his sweaty appearance.

He was skeptical initially about not calling her as he was not aware of her exact address, but it appeared that everyone in Patelnagar knew Anika's uncle. Anika had told her that she lived in Patel Nagar, a locality in Patna. It took about 20 minutes to reach, amidst the jam packed road.

"Uncle, can you tell me where Dr Kamlesh Tirpathi lives?" He asked a man standing beside him in a local shop where he stopped to buy cigarettes.

"Oh, Doctor Sahab, yes, you go straight through this lane and take your first right. The second house on the right. That's his. Are you a local here? I haven't seen you before." The old man asked.

"No, I am not a local. I come from Bangalore."

"Ah, I see, for treatment?" He asked again.

"Uh, no." he said.

"Then you're a relative? Are you the brother of Anu beti, who lives in the US?"

What?Brother?Do I look like her brother?

"No. I am not her brother." he replied.

"Then?" The man continued being inquisitive about him.

"Uncle, I am in a hurry. Thank you for the address. I will leave now. Bye." Vansh said before leaving the shop.

"But listen....there are.." the uncle continued shouting from the back but Vansh couldn't hear him anymore.

.......

"So, here we are. Miss Tripathi, I hope you like the surprise." Vansh muttered as he stood before the huge gate which weirdly had big mirrors on them. Why do they have mirrors installed in the gate? He thought.

The name plate cemented on the wall beneath the gate read-- " Shanti Vaas. Dr. Kamlesh Tripathi, Miss Anika Tripthi.

He quickly checked his own reflection on the door, wiped away the sweat from his face and hands, and settled the shades, then unwrapped the flowers and took the chocolate boxes in his hand.

"Miss Tripathi, you're gonna go crazy in love with me, after today." He mentally said. He had made the perfect plan to woo her off her feet while proposing to her. No woman can deny after what he had planned today. He was confident. Over-confident, he was yet to realise that.