Sanjana,

I had been so determined to teach Rishi a lesson that I forgot I was dealing with a bad boy. I did embarrass him and one or wo occasions but the naive me underestimated him. He turned tables on me and for past two weeks , I have been on my toes. 

Rishi has started to ambush me unexpectedly, and all I can do is open and close my mouth like a fish. Two days back, he surprised me in a crowded elevator while I was out to meet a client. I pretended not to see him, and he made sure that I knew he was there. Rishi took advantage of the crowded elevator, caressing my hand with his fingers. I felt a jolt of electricity run through   my veins. I heard him chuckle, I so wanted to stomp on his foot bu my nervousness got better of  me. After my meeting, I decided to take stairs down from the tenth floor scared he might lock me in the elevator along with him.

***

Over the weekend, I and Pooja decided to go out for dinner. She had been doing back to back assignments and for that she had starved herself to look her best. She had a gap for a month and we decided to splurge .

We had been saving for sometime to eat at his posh upscale restaurant owned by a celebrity. We put our best outfit on, hired a luxury cab and sang our way to the restaurant. We were being directed to our table and we kept looking around to if a celebrity was dining there at the same time as ours. 

''What language is this?'' Pooja asked. I too kept blinking at the names of al dishes in the menu. 

''Should we google?'' Pooja whispered

''Let's speak to the server.'' I suggested. We now regretted coming here. We were still contemplating when a server came and placed 2 starters and a soft drinks on our table. ''Enjoy your food.''

''But we are yet to order.''

'' I am sorry for the confusion but would you please repeat your names.'' We did and he smiled wide. ''this order is for you.'' With that he walked off. 

We took a sip and immediately transported to heaven . ''This is just mint lime , and these starters are baked vegetables and tofu. Why compliment names?'' Pooja scrunched her nose. 

''What should we order for main course?''

''Lets order something weird from the vegetable section to be on safer side.'' We did and ended up having pasta. We were still contemplating on dessert  when two cups of Sundaes were being served.  

We stared at the server and he smiled. ''Here, a letter from your friend.'' With that he walked off. I smiled at the contents 

'I ordered because I know what you will like but I am not footing the bill till you accept my date.'

'''Was Rishi aware we are dining here?''

''Yes, the way he keeps fluttering around you, I am sure he knows your timetable.''

''If he knew what we will like why couldn't he pay the bill.''

''So you wouldn't feel bad if he paid for you?'' Pooja asked

''Why should I? We all love free stuff. Plus bad boy owes me 2 years of disappearance. '' I said licking my dessert spoon all clean. Pooja burst out laughing.

 After clearing the bill, we stepped out taking in the humid wind. ''Are you satisfied with the food?'' I asked

We started at each other and shook our heads in one go. Food for us meant spices and feeling of Indian cuisine. We decided to do end our day with some Mumbai special Vada Pav and a chai. Our night became more beautiful as on our way back rains made it all special.

Once home, we quickly changed and Pooja dozed off as she had been tired and starved for long and food today worked like a sedative. I decided to go and feel the rain in the balcony.

It was a soft drizzle and the droplets  played the beautiful symphony with the crickets in the night. It felt kind of romantic and I just hugged myself twirling around. 

Letting out I sigh I smiled to self and then my eyes found him. He stood leaning on his car on the other side of the road leaning against it, watching me. Thought there was distance, but I knew it was him. My phone pinged and ran inside to check. It was a message from Rishi, ''You don't need to hug yourself , I am here to do the honours.''

 I don't know what happened in that moment but I ran right to him as he stood with his arms open wide. I threw my arms around Rishi's neck and he lifted me off the ground. ''So can I take his as forgiveness.'' He asked burying his face into my neck''

''I missed you and I am still mad at you.'' Rishi placed me down gently, he caressed my face, ''I missed you more.''

''Why did you leave?''

''I couldn't stand you being with someone else. You never accepted my feelings, you said after our 30 days were over, we would go our separate ways.....''

Before he could say more, I placed my lips over his. Rishi went numb and then his arms went around me as he pulled me closer. I pulled back, ''Our first kiss and I love you.''

Rishi just stared a me caressing my face my hair, he watched me as the most important possession. He held my chin between his fingers, ''remember this, you are mine.'' He whispered placing a chaste kiss on my forehead.  ''Off you go, and wave at me from your balcony or I will throw you in my car and drive somewhere unknown.''

''then do it.''  I said watching him dreamily. He just hugged me tight. ''Go''

I drizzle came down as a heavy pour. Rishi pulled out his jacket from the car and wrapped it around me. He pulled my body closer holding the ends of the jacket. ''You are mine.''

I smiled running back to my apartment. Once in balcony, I waved at him and he waved back before getting into his car and driving off. My life seemed like  a melody today.

Rishi

I kept smiling like a fool as I drove back to my home. She took the first step and I am going to cover the rest. Honestly, I don't want to wait, I want to marry her and make her mine. Yes, that would be the logical approach.

Putting my radio to full blast I went about singing the cringe romantic songs. As I entered my house, I gave a hug to my guard and  then a big peck to my dad who seemed a little shocked. ''Look man, I love you but all this...no.'' 

''Dad, she said yes. I want to marry her.'' Dad smiled wide giving me the biggest hug of my life. ''I am so happy for you my son. Your mother will be so excited.''

''Dad, I want to marry her and soon.''

Dad held me by shoulders, ''Rishi, before you marry her, you need to convince her family. Her grandfather.''

''Why? They disowned her, its better this way.'' I felt agitated.

''Rishi, your mom and I loved each other to death and when we got disowned, we decided to let it be. But as time passed, we missed our family. Then you were born, and we tried to get in touch but it was late. We didn't try enough Rishi and it hurts. Sanajna has always been sheltered and loved by all. She has a habit of big family, she will miss them, if not in next two years, may be in ten.''

''Dad, can we discuss his later.'' I was losing my patience, all that mattered was my Sanjana and I just wanted her in my life.

Dad nodded, patted my cheek and we retired to our rooms. This was the most beautiful night of my existence and all I wanted to do was to be lost in my Sanjana.

***

''I will pick you after your work.'' I messaged her and response came in a second. I wanted to live all the moments I dreamt with her and I will live it to the max. Sanajna and I will create my own little  world even if no one is willing to share.

I stood outside her work place waiting for her. She walked out looking like a sunshine. She smiled wide waving a me. She ran and came closer to me. ''So, what's he plan.''

''I am going to complete what we left back in college.'' 

''I might just surprise you Mr Rishi.''

''You are my most wonderful surprise.'' I said. And I meant every word. Sanajna meant world to me and I would do all to make her mine.

***

I took her to the beach with water spots, It was a delux hotel of a friend and I cam her e whenever I wanted to unwind. 

The staff gave us he harness and explained us the steps of para sailing. ''We will go together.'' I said

Sanjana looked a me, ''Are you scared?''

''No, for you.''

''Then sit and watch me.'' And I did, she did like a bird. Screaming in excitement. I wondered if his was same Sanajna, the one scared to try unnecessary stuff. The one who reasoned as to why it should be done. I smiled, whatever the reason is, I loved her for all she was then and she is now. 

We did all kinds of fun before leaving for our dinner in the same hotel. Intertwining my fingers with hers, I smiled placed a small peck on back of hand.''

''Sanajna, will you marry me.''

She stared at me for a moment. '' Really, without a ring.''

But something else took over me, I pulled her closer. ''Will you marry me?''

She read something in my eyes and then smiled. ''I will, but before that, I will convince my whole family. We will marry with everyone around.'' She said and My hear sank, my dad's words echoed in my ear. Sanajna was ready to leave me for family then, will she leave me again in future? The fear gripped my soul. No, I won't let it happen. I have got her after so long and I won't let her leave me.  Even if it meant me taking a twisted path.

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I will finish this fast and start a new one