Chapter 21- Date

Amrita was excited about coming back this time. She already made plans to hangout with Shivanesh and spending some time with him. She is excited to be able to spend some time with him. She miss the presence of him, his jokes, his wittiness. He was always a great friend to her.

Shivanesh wants Amrita to know his feelings for her. He could not take the pressure of needing to hide his feelings every time he speaks to her. He also wants to know if she has the same feelings for him. He Wants her to know how her smile can melt his heart. He wants her to know how his heart beats fast whenever she is by his side. He wants to be able to hold her hands and ba close to her more and more everyday. He has decided to tell her how he feels for her seriously when he meets her.

Slowly, the day the both of them was waiting for came. They decided to meet at a shopping mall. Shivanesh was feeling extremely nervous about their date that he could not fall asleep the night before. He was worried about what he would do and imagined about all the things hat could go wrong on their date. He was confused between choosing an attire that shows his handsomeness but did not want to seem like he is trying too hard.

Amrita was also excited about the date. She chose her attire and accessories to go with it. She wanted to doll up to meet Shivanesh. She wanted to look good as it has been some time since they met after her performance. She did not want to dress sloppy or too casual as this would be the first time she is going out with Shivanesh after so many years.

It was nearly 11 am and Shivanesh was already waiting in front of a restaurant where they promised to meet. He was super nervous waiting for her. He kept on checking his reflection on the glass door of the restaurant to see if he looks okay. He kept on looking around to see if he found the one, he has been waiting for. Just then, from far, he saw his goddess in a bright floral dress walking to him. For a moment, everything seem to be moving in slow-motion and Amrita was the only one visible to his eyes as though they were the only one in the whole mall.

His heart beat started beating crazily at how beautiful she is. The waviness of her hair and the softness of the movement as she walks towards him. He wishes so much that he could touch them as he is curious to know if they are as soft as they look. He does not mean it in a bad or perverted way. But his heart just feels overwhelmed with the love he has for Amrita. He caught the smile on her face the moment their eyes met and he realized that he would do anything for her to keep the smile the way it is always.

Amrita was so happy to see Shivanesh already waiting for her in front of the restaurant. She quickly walked to Shivanesh and hugged him. Shivanesh was in cloud nine for a few second when he felt Amrita’s arms around his waist. He hugged her back and took in the familiar comfortable scent of hers. After about 10 seconds or more, Amrita let released the hug and pulled away from Shivanesh but her hands were still casually on Shivanesh’s waist just as his was on hers. Shivanesh just stay put enjoying the warmth and comfort in the small distance between them.

“I am so glad to see you. Dod you wait long? I hope you are not angry for waiting too long,” Amrita said looking up to him.

“No. I am not angry and I did not wait that long. But I am very hungry though,” Shivanesh said jokingly.

“If this is how I am going to feel everytime I see you, I don’t mind waiting for years for you,” Shivanesh thought to himself.

“Okay. Let’s eat. I am starving too,” Amrita said before quickly walking into the restaurant.

Shivanesh quickly held Amrita’s left hand and pulled her back into his arms surprising her. Amrita was shocked of the sudden action and the contact.

“I think I should tell you this,” Shivanesh said while slowly moving a strand of Amrita’s hair that was stuck by her lips because of the sudden turn she made when he pulled her in. He slowly moved his arm to pull the closer by her waist and moved closer to her ears as he whispered, “You look ravishing today.”

Shivanesh then slowly let go of Amrita’s waist and move to hold her hand and slowly pulled the surprised Amrita into the restaurant. Shivanesh secretly smiled seeing how surprised Amrita was and he could definitely feel her pulse going up from the contact under his fingers on her wrist.

Amrita could feel her face on fire after the surprising gesture form Shivanesh. It has been a while since anyone made her feel that way. She some how liked his tender arms around her waist, and the gentle touch on her cheeks when he adjusted her hair and the ticklish feeling on her ears when he whispered.

After they were seated at their table, Amrita quickly recollected her thoughts. She still would like to maintain her poise and not make it obvious to Shivanesh that he does affect her in some ways.

“You are definitely a playboy. How many girlfriends did you have before? You seem to know your way with a girl,” Amrita asked.

“Well, I did date a number of girls while I was doing my Diploma but nothing serious. No emotions. I always believe in loving on girl who make me feel different,” Shivanesh said looking closely to try to read Amrita’s reaction.

Amrita did feel a tinge of jealousy striking from inside of her. But she tried to be cool and asked him more about his life. Shivanesh was very open about his past. He believes that is he is to start a relationship with Amrita, he wants to be truthful and to hide anything from her. He did notice her getting jealous when he mentioned about girls. That made him happy knowing that she at least has a sight feeling for him. She was at least a bit attracted to him. They kept on talking and enjoying their food. They were very much in their own world, not even bothered about people around them. After about 2 hours, they were done with their lunch and decided to catch a movie.

Both Shivanesh and Amrita were fans of sci-fi movies. So, they decided to watch Star-Trek which seem to be the top sci-fi movie. When they went in, Shivanesh felt the cinema being cold. And he was worried about Amrita feeling cold. He took of the bomber jacket he was wearing and placed it on Amrita’s lap. Amrita looked at Shivanesh wondering what he meant by that gesture.

“The hall in extremely cold. Would not want you to feel cold,” Shivanesh said.

Amrita just smiled and put on the jacket. She adjusted herself in a comfortable position for her to enjoy the movie. Shivanesh just smiled to himself looking at Amrita’s posture. She slightly put her legs up on her seat as if she was seating at home. He finds it cute that she does not bother about what people have to say.

The movie started and the both of them were engrossed in the movie. Amrita started holding on to Shivanesh’s arm unknowingly as she was starting to feel cold. Shivanesh felt his body eat going up as Amrita held his arms. He held onto every last bit of control he had from hugging her. Being in the dark really is not helpful. It took him a while to feel comfortable with Amrita holding onto his arm.

Amrita did not realize where her arms were. She somehow enjoyed the warmth she was feeling. Slowly through the rest of the movie, she realized what was happening. She was slightly embarrassed of herself and did not want to make things too obvious. So, she decided to stay in that position till the end of the movie. When the movie was over, she finally let go of Shivanesh’s arm and pretended like nothing happened. She took of Shivanesh’s jacket that she was wearing and gave it back to him.

“Gosh. Why do they make theatres feel so cold,” Amrita said waking up and making her way out of the hall, avoiding any form of eye contact with Shivanesh.

Shivanesh just smiled at her reaction. “How can someone be so cute,” Shivanesh thought as he walked out of the hall to catch up with Amrita. He saw her waiting outside the hall for him. He purposely waited to see her reactions. He saw her trying to fan herself as though she was feeling hot and getting irritated at herself. He knew she was hiding her awkward feelings from him and she will try to be poised and cool about everything that happened.

Shivanesh quietly walked to her wanting to surprise her as her mind seem to be caught up with her thoughts. “Why did you walk out so fast?” Shivanesh said.

Amrita got shocked when she heard Shivanesh next to her. “It was too cold. Really wanna walk out fast,” Amrita said still avoiding from looking at Shivanesh.

Shivanesh then walked to the back of Amrita and hugged her. Amrita got shocked and flustered because of the sudden contact. She could feel her heart skipping a beat and her breath stopping for a while as she still has not recovered from the previous surprises and the recent hug is making things harder for her. Shivanesh wanted to see the cute flustered face on Amrita again and he was satisfied to know that he could easily affect her and make her feel flustered.

Amrita was shocked when she felt Shivanesh’s arms around her waist and his body on her back. She could feel her ears going on fire and her heart beat going crazy.

“W..w..what are you doing?” Amrita asked.

“You said you were feeling old. So I just wanted to help you warm up,” Shivanesh said. He slowly touched moved to touch her cheeks with his and felt the warmth radiating throughout her body. “See, it is working. You are getting heated up,” Shivanesh said tightening his arms around Amrita’s waist.

Amrita broke out of Shivanesh’s hug because she could not take the crazy effect it is causing her. “Aish. Your jokes. I am hungry again. Let’s have some snacks,” Amrita said.

“Okay, fine. Let’s go,” Shivanesh said leading the way.

After walking around for a while, they decided to stop at Secret Recipe. Amrita wanted to try to see if Shivanesh remembers her favourite cake. So, she asked him to order for them while she finds a place for them to seat.

Anything and everything about Amrita is definitely information Shivanesh will never forget. He ordered Amrita’s favourite cake flavour, chocolate indulgence and a marble cheese cake for himself. He then walked to the table Amrita picked and joined her.

“What did you order for me?” Amrita asked expecting for Shivanesh to answer her favourite cake flavour.

“You will see. Wait for it,” Shivanesh said.

Amrita showed him an irritated face and pouted her lips. Shivanesh saw that and chuckled. Amrita with the pouted lips is too cute for him that he felt like kissing her but he knows clearly that, the idea would send him to graveyard sooner than he thinks.

After a while, the waiter sent their cakes to their table. Amrita saw the cake that was placed in front of her and started smiling bright.

“He remembers,” she thought to herself looking at the cake. She then looked up to see Shivanesh smiling cheekily to her.

“You really thought I forgot, didn’t you?” Shivanesh asked her.

Amrita quickly avoid from looking at Shivanesh because she realized that she was caught. “ No. Maybe. Yes?” Amrita said smiling at Shivanesh.

Shivanesh just chuckled and enjoyed his cake. The whole day, he kept feeling like his heart melting being next to Amrita. He could not stop smiling the whole day that he could feel his cheeks hurting. He forgot the last time he felt that happy before. He just wants to remember every part of the day. He wants her to be a part of his life for him to keep smiling and being happy like today. He is not sure of how he was going to tell her.

They had so much fun together on the day till it was time for them to leave. Shivanesh felt that even if she does not feel the same, Amrita deserves to know how he feels for her.

“Thank you, Shiva. I really had so much fun,” Amrita said to Shivanesh.

“Amrita. I actually have something to tell you,” Shivanesh said slowly holding Amrita’s hand.

“Remember when I told you that I wish you are my girlfriend? I meant it. You have always been on my mind since we met. Being with you always makes me the happiest man on the planet. When you stayed away from me, my life was hell. You have no idea how I wanted to end my life. I have come to a state where I need you in my life. I have become emotionally dependant on you. I am so sorry if it makes you feel pressured,” Shivanesh said still holding on to Amrita’s hand. “I know you are still pressured and hurt about the past. But I promise to be a better man. I love you, Amrita,” Shivanesh said looking straight to Amrita.

“Shivanesh. I really don’t know what to say,” Amrita said. She slowly removed her hand from Shivanesh’ grip. “Can you give me some time to think? It is not that I don’t like you. But I am not ready to be in a relationship yet. I am more focused on other things first. I won’t ask you to wait but if you could give me some time,” Amrita said.

“No problem. Take all the time you need. I am willing to wait,” Shivanesh said smiling at Amrita.

Amrita felt bad for hurting Shivanesh. She was not sure of her emotions and this might hurt Shivanesh. She likes Shivanesh but she is still afraid about what would happen if she jumps into another relationship. With all the uncertainties, she was not willing to drag Shivanesh with it.

Shivanesh went home that night with a mixed emotion. He knows for sure that Amrita is feeling something after today, but he still was sad that Amrita was holding onto the demon of her past. Shivanesh really wants to help Amrita fight her fear and one way he knows he can do that is by supporting her and being by her side. He has to help Amrita build the confidence in her that she can love again. Shivanesh decided that he wants to do one thing for sure. Always reminding Amrita that he is by her side.