Author's POV:

Darsh kept on tapping his fingers as he awaited Nidhi's arrival. As soon as he revealed that he was the prospective groom, Nidhi's face got drained. Silence grew in between them and it took many awkward moments for them to recover. 

Nidhi excused herself to the restroom and it's been more than 10 minutes but there is no sign of her. As moments kept on passing Darsh became more and more restless. 

And nothing is much different to Nidhi. She was pacing to and fro, trying to call her father, mother and brother but none were answering her call. She just wants to reconfirm if is this true, which she already believes is true. Why am I so stubborn to even remember the name of the person I am meeting? she thought and taunted herself as she embarrassed herself badly just a few minutes ago.

Finally, after many attempts, Nithin answered her call, "Meeting over? Shall I pick you up?"

"Shut up," Nidhi shouted but got a grip on her feelings and continued, "Meeting didn't even start. Do you know it's Dad's assistant doctor?"

"We even said to you, Nidhi," clarified Nithin.

"I didn't pay any attention then and asked him why he showed up?" Nidhi murmured feeling so shameful.

"And?" 

"I am in the washroom now. Didn't even talk with him." 

"Then go and talk with him. Why waste his time? You are a free person to waste time not others. Or else tell me I will come and pick you up," replied Nithin not understanding what Nidhi was expecting from him. 

"No thanks. You don't have to waste your time brother. I will manage on my own. Bye." Saying so Nidhi ended the call and went out to grace her presence for the desperate man. 

Darsh's view was fixed on the restroom door and was waiting patiently even though from inside he was anticipating what would happen next, what she would say and immersed in his thoughts. That's when she came out with a small smile and sat down in her place. 

"Ordered anything?"

"Took you a long time."

Both said at the same time and waited for each other's response. 

"Just to sort all the things together" pointing two fingers at her temple, "and came out now."

"I was waiting for you," Darsh responded and smiled at her. They both are still awkward and nervous and the ice is growing rather than breaking. Before they could talk anything the waiter came for the order and both ordered what they wanted and went silent again.

Enough is enough thought Nidhi and started, "Actually,... I was a bit uninterested in all these." She paused and swallowed to make sure to put out her words correctly and not misunderstand. "So I was like ok another meeting with some person only and I didn't give much attention to the details. And I was not even shown your photo or anything.... sorry for the confusion before." 

"So... you didn't remember me?" Darsh questioned sounding all dejected. It hurt him that he was not even worth enough to be remembered in these few months while he didn't forget the few moments he spent with her. He felt very low on himself but not any negativity towards her. And that is the reason why he still sitting here and wanting to talk more with her. 

"No, No.. it is not like that. It's just... you didn't strike me. I am sorry about that." Nidhi mumbled slowly. Even she isn't feeling any better as she hurt the opposite person and she doesn't even know what she must do to make him feel better. 

"It's OK, Nidhi. No problem..... Now that we are here maybe we can look past that and talk about other stuff." Darsh responded with a smile. 

"Yeah......" Nidhi felt relieved when he said that but there are still many questions lingering in her mind. She remembered after the last meeting with that doctor she heard her father talking about another boy and he got much wealth and property which is the main reason for her dad to accept Darsh. 

Does he know my father's intentions? Or was he forced to meet me? From looks, one can understand he is afraid of my dad. Is it because of that fear? Nidhi thought but hesitated to ask. Darsh started to speak and Nidhi responded which slowly eased out the discomfort between them and eventually. And both of them didn't even check as the time passed by. 

"An hour has passed already. Your presence made me lose track of time," said Darsh and he is true to his words. Now he only aims to make an everlasting impression on her irrespective of her decision. 

"OMG. I'll faint because of blushing," Nidhi joked and laughed. Even though she had a good time with him, she can't make any decision based on one meeting. Especially not before clearing out all the confusion and doubts.

"Darsh... Can I ask you something?" 

"Yeah, sure." 

"I mean... I had a good time with you. That's for sure.... but did you come to meet me out of fear for my dad? Did he force you?" 

All the happiness got drained from Darsh's face. Just a moment before he was smiling and carefree but the sudden question made him tense. Maybe this is his chance to tell his version of the story to clear out any kind of doubts.

"Not really. Well, I didn't expect him to ask my hand for you and when he did..... I got tempted."

Nidhi frowned hearing that word, she questioned, "Tempted? For what?" 

"For you." Darsh took a pause and looked at Nidhi whose eyes and lips both widened cause of shock. 

"I am attracted to you from the first meet. It may sound wrong but I was happy to see you again at the time of your grandma's operation. I locked all my feelings within me when I got to know that they are looking for matches for you but then suddenly your dad asked my hand for marriage I agreed in an instant."

Darsh finished his side of the story. Maybe not express everything in detail but he made sure to tell what was necessary. All the while he didn't meet her face afraid of her reaction. What if she thinks of him as a creep? Or even low? 

"Are you serious?" It was all Nidhi could say. It was quite unexpected. Unbelievable to be honest. It's been a long time since someone said they liked her, and are attracted to her. And the way he said it with some fear and shyness made her smile. 

Mustering up courage Darsh looked up to find Nidhi smiling which eased out him a bit making him nod his head. 

"Goodness.... What should I say? I am speechless." Nidhi mumbled.

"You can say whether you liked me or not?" 

"You know the past hour is different and this few minutes of talk is different. It changed my opinion just like that," said Nidhi and stood up to leave the place. Her sudden act made Darsh tensed up and he stood along with her not understanding what she meant. 

"In a good way or bad way?" he asked and started following her but was stopped on the way by the waiter to pay the bill. 

"Let me think. I need some time." This time her smile flattered a bit, not as happy as before.

"Nidhi, wait," shouted Darsh seeing her leaving. He is getting desperate now to not let her go this soon. 

"You have the 1000 I gave na. That's my share for this meeting. Bye." Waving her hand she left the place.

In a hurry to go after her made Darsh anxious which took even more time to make a successful card payment as he typed the wrong code. And after completing the payment and coming out she is not there. 

Did I cross my limit? What does she mean by changed her opinion in the past few minutes? She smiled right then why did she leave me all of a sudden? Maybe I shouldn't have confessed everything all of a sudden. Shit!

Everything went well then why this sudden behaviour change. And she left in such a hurry which is making him much anxious too.

Damn me I didn't even take her phone number.

Slowly dragging his feet he reached his car he started off to home. What would she think? What would she decide?

Like these many thoughts revolved in his mind the whole time. He thought his Maa must be eagerly waiting for him and to know what happened.

He expected at least a call or message from his boss but even that didn't happen. With all these thoughts he reached home but was afraid what he would tell his Maa as he didn't want to disappoint her or tell sweet lies. So he waited in the car bracing himself.

That's when a message popped up in his phone, which Darsh noticed a few moments later, from an unknown number.

"Next meet on Saturday. At xxxx place.

From your Prospective Bride."

And this was the message he needed to reignite the shimmering hope.

He immediately got out of his car as the space felt confining his happiness and started jumping and laughing loudly with his phone held tightly in his hand and viewing the message again and again.

He tried calming himself but wasn't able to do so. Putting his emotions together he now went into home to share this happiness with his Maa.

Hello All.

How are you all?

It's my second time updating this month. And this chapter has been waiting in my drafts for a few days and finally, it is out now.

Hope you like the chapter and are excited for their next meeting.

And hope I will update the next chapter soon.

Please do VOTE, COMMENT and FOLLOW my account. Please Share my story with your friends who would like to read good books.

Thank you.

Stay Safe.