We were still standing in the retail store.

I was looking at him without blinking my eyes and thinking about what should I do next.

So, I did what was deemed appropriate in this situation.

'Hi, I am Scarlett, nice to meet you.' And I tried to chest-bump him.

He quickly moved back and kept both of his hands on his chest as a mark of protection.

'Ahaaaa, don't worry. That's how people do it in cities.' I definitely lied to protect my embarrassment.

Why would I even thought to chest bump him?

Someone, please dig my grave.

He meekly nodded. 'Hi, I am Matt and you have already heard of it.' I smiled.

'Well then, what's with this Romeo and Juliet love story?'

'My grandma passed away 10 years ago and he has been lonely since then but Margaret is Hulk size in love with my grandpa and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Isn't that sweet?'

'So, what's stopping these two lovers?' I was getting curious.

'My grandpa is a stubborn man. I know he adores Margret but he won't admit it.' He took a deep breath. 'Maybe he is just afraid to fall in love again.'

Both Matt and I left the retail shop and by the time we left, sky was a different shade of orange. It felt like both the earth and sky had become one. The oats field was a blanket of gold complimenting the stage of twilight.

I was confused about where to go when I saw that both Margret and Matt's grandfather were walking in our direction.

Margret quickly came towards me and hugged me. 'Sweetie, where are you going? I will take you home.'

'Actually Margret, Scarlett and I have planned to go later this evening.' Matt jumped in between.

I looked at him quizzically and Margret and grandpa looked at us weirdly because certainly, we were not even this close to hang out in the evening.

But then suddenly my light bulb awakened and I knew what he was planning.

'Oh yes, ma'am. He will drop me to your home once our "date" gets over.' He gave me a deadly stare on that.

Oops.

'I mean eatable dates. They are good for health. Isn't that right Matt?'

'Right.'

And we both gave nervous laugh to both of them, standing there looking like dumb jokers.

'Okay, come home quickly and call me Margret, darling. No formalities.'

She tried to interlock her fingers with grandpa but he quickly brushed it away. But she didn't give up and gave a sweet peck on his cheek right in front of us. He pretended to be shocked but his lips smirked a tiniest little bit.

Such a naughty grandpa.

Matt took me to a café and we both ordered cold coffee. I also ordered fries, double cheese pizza since I was hungry as hell.

'I know, I know you must be worried that I might be thinking that this is our date and why in hell I am ordering so much but don't worry I will pay for my food.'

'Believe me, that is least of my worries BUT..'

Again that but.

'We will talk about the date but of my grandpa and Margret. I think this is the high time to have their fairy tale beginning.'

Angel Matt was himself talking about fairies. Heaven came to earth.

'Of course. I will be delighted to help in any way possible.'

'Thank you, this means a lot to me.' He smiled and then at that moment our order arrived. I jumped on my food like a hungry beast.

'Sorry, but travelling and tiredness make me forget about manners.' I grinned sheepishly.

He chuckled at that.

'Well I have a plan and tomorrow I would need you at our love lake, sharp at 8:00 am. The date will happen over there.'

'Yes, commander as you say.' I saluted him.

We paid our bills and he dropped me at Margret's home and again reminded me of the date. The night was peaceful but I was unable to get a wink of sleep since I was so excited for tomorrow. My morning alarm was the rooster's crow and the sweet singing of birds. I helped Margret in the kitchen and her labour of love could be seen in her preparation for breakfast. I kissed on her cheek and hurriedly left explaining 'I want to explore the countryside'.

I reached Love Lake exactly at 8 and there was no sign of Matt. I decided to call Hippo in the meantime. On the third ring, she picked up.

'Wassup girl, how are you doing and who calls at this hour?'

'I am doing well but my plan got a little bit changed. I haven't reached Oatsjunk city but rather I am in countryside of it and normal people call at this hour.'

I took out my shoes and started walking slowly on the dewdrops laden grass.

'So, what are your plans next?' She asked and I heard ruffling from the back.

'Nothing special, helping a person named Matt to set up a date for the golden age lovers.' I giggled.

'What? Who's Matt now? And what was your first impression on him?' She asked me questions in one breath.

'Matt is a human and I tried to chest bump him.' My hands covered my face and I started laughing hysterically.

'For goodness sake SCARLETT, who does that? I don't know you.' She huffed.

I saw Matt coming and he waved at me.

'Hey, Matt is coming. I gotta run, bye.' I was about to end the call.

'Hey, hey, just be natural, act normal and stop chest-bumping people. Love you. Bye'

Matt had brooms, dustpans, bucket and protective gloves in his hands.

'Morning Matt. What's all this for?'

'Morning Scarlett.' He held one broom in his hand and gave it to me. 'I brought these because we need to clean up the place first. I have good ideas on how to decorate this place and you can also pitch in.' He politely smiled.

'That will be great.' I thought to use this broomstick as a weapon to fly and would ask Matt to take my pictures with it but then I dropped this similar chest bump embarrassment idea.

Sometimes you can't stop mind to imagine even if you are in a serious situation.

We both started cleaning in and around the area and then he took me to a nearby nursery to buy a bunch of lotus flowers and rose petals. The flowers were an amalgamation of beautiful bright pink, baby pink, sunrise yellow, mystic blue colours. We also bought lanterns, fairy lights.

Matt had a great sense of humour and he was making me laugh all the time. We took a break at noon and went to a small restaurant. I got an idea and I thought to share it.

'What about fishing?'

'Fishing what?' He was munching on his food. Then he looked at me. 'You mean fishing on a date?'

I eagerly nodded.

'No way. That would ruin it. Imagine if they are unable to catch any fish in that lake and besides people in this area consider those fishes as their own babies.' He paused. 'Any other ideas?'

'Yupp, what about dance? There should be no date without a slow dance.' I took a huge bite of cream-filled burger.

'That can be arranged.'

'I have an idea of that perfect dance.' I had a beautiful picture in my mind.

By the time we finished with the arrangements, the sun was giving way to the moon and stars were gracing the night sky. The kaleidoscopes of lotus flowers were floating among the swans in the lake. The branches of the trees were roped with fairy lights and its end was in shape of stars touching the ground. The red carpet was rolled out for the entrance and its path was lighted up with vintage-style lanterns. We placed a table and an outdoor chair at the centre of it and I saw Matt bringing cushions.

'What's that for?'

'Well my grandpa is 80 years old and Margret is in her late 60's. I want them to have a romantic date but with comfort.' He placed cushions on the chair giving it a magnificent yet comfy look.

'Isn't that so sweet of you? The comfort date.'

He blushed and hid his face.

'Okay, now its 6:30 pm and you will bring Margret here exactly at 8:00 pm. Till that time, I will prepare the dinner meal for them.'

My all moments with Matt had always turned me into saying aww all the time.

Before going I hurriedly kept a vintage cassette tape recorder and song cassette wrapped in the red ribbon on the table which I bargained with the lady of nursery for one night and looked at Matt who was looking at me quizzically.

'Can't have their ears damage with DJ, right?' I smiled.

He walked closer, looked in my eyes and gave a light kiss to my cheek.

I did thousand dances then and there and tried so hard to stop my giggle.

'I can't thank you enough for this. This is just perfect.'

We both looked at the setting and gave a knowing grin to each other.

Who would have thought that my backpack journey will involve me being a date planner of two adorable strangers but here I was looking at the moment right in its eye.

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Hey my beautiful peeps *dances crazily and waves excitedly*

I know, I know it's not Tuesday or Thursday but it's a New Year...

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR. I had an amazing year and a hectic one since I got to travel a lot and made so many beautiful memories.  How was your last year guys and what resolutions have you made for this year? 

I have decided no matter what, I will complete one novel per month at least. So, this New Year, I am starting with The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. 

Please drop your suggestions on what should I read next?

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Since I will be busy in my internship in January and February so, I won't be able to update twice a week but I promise to update once in a week. So, a hearty request to understand my situation.

In the meantime, please don't forget to vote, comment and share this story among your friends. I will patiently wait for your feedback.

See you soon guys.

Happy reading and have a rocking year ahead.