Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.

Dale Carnegie

Chapter 7:

   Riya found herself having a good time despite the horrible start. Sure, she was still angry with him for making her wait, but at least, he was trying. From the few hours she spent with him, she could tell he was  the silent type. While she panicked, he managed to keep his cool, and he seemed tolerant of her.

  Which was a good start, she thought. If she were in his shoes, she would have dumped herself the moment she got a chance. 

   There were a couple of people standing beside her. It was raining heavily, and a few droplets splashed on her. It didn't make a difference since she was completely drenched anyway.

   Madhan said he would be in a minute, but five minutes had already passed. Now that she was alone, it gave her time to think. Especially about what she was doing. What was she doing? Here she was, kind of on a date, with a guy who she knew was going to be her husband, but her heart yearned for Aakash.

   She sniffled a few sobs, but in a minute, she regained her composure. He was going to get married too, she thought angrily. That's it? 

   Though she knew they both didn't have a future together anymore, she still didn't want to believe it was over. A tiny part of her believed that they still had a chance.

   Riya was too busy mulling over everything that she didn't notice a guy inching closer to her every minute. It was only when he brushed past her that she properly looked around to notice him.

   The man apologized but didn't seem like he meant it. Riya didn't say anything but she moved slightly away. The man stood where he was, but he was eyeing her like candy. Protecting herself with her hands, Riya looked across the street to see Madhan at Megamart.

   He's shopping? In this rain? And leaving me alone? How irresponsible, she thought, very frustratedly. And HE is supposed to be protecting me now.

   "Madhan," she shouted and blushed when everyone turned to look at her. Her voice was loud normally, and when she shouted, it was like music on blast. She sighed in relief as she saw Madhan look at her and hurry towards her.

   Riya walked to him and asked if they could leave now. Madhan unfolded the raincoat and put it over her. 

   Riya thanked him gratefully. So he is thoughtful after all.

   She walked ahead and told him to bring the scooter along.

   They walked for another five minutes, when Madhan asked Riya quietly, "Are you okay?" 

   Riya nodded and pulling the coat more closely to herself, she didn't offer to say anything more.

   Once they reached the mechanical shop, Riya stood under the roof, and Madhan did the talking. The mechanist did some inspection and told him that it would have taken an hour to fix it, but his assistant had gone for lunch and was held back due to the rain. 

   "It will take another three hours to fix it," Madhan said, walking over to where Riya was standing.

   "What do you propose to do?" she asked, taking in his appearance. He was more drenched than drenched and she felt bad that she made him walk through the rain. She didn't stop to think that he bought a raincoat only for her.

   "Thank you for the raincoat," Riya said. "I love the color."

   "No problem, " Madhan shrugged. A huge rumbling sound was heard, and Riya was alarmed. Only a second later, she understood, and started laughing.

   "Oh my god, you didn't eat breakfast or lunch did you?" she managed to ask, in between her laughter. 

   Madhan turned a beet red. "Nope. And I already made you wait, so I didn't want to make you wait any longer."

   "Well, one good thing is that it solved our problem. Let's get something to eat then," she said. It was now drizzling and a bit easier to walk through the rain. 

   They walked past a street busy with activity. Now that the rain had stopped, everyone was back at work. The first restaurant they came across was a chaat shop. Madhan's stomach grumbled again, and Riya stifled a laugh.

   "What do you want to order," Madhan asked, looking at the menu card in front of him. Fortunately, there was one table left, and Riya rushed to occupy it.

   "Oh, nothing please. All girls absolutely love chaat, but I'm not one of them," she said, simply. 

   Madhan gaped. "Now that's a first. My mother and sister are crazy about Pani Puris. Since you don't wanna eat anything, let's go somewhere else."

   "Really?" Riya asked doubtfully.

   "Really," he said, getting up from his chair. Riya was touched by his gentlemanliness. If it were Aakash, he would have eaten first and then got her something to eat. Not that it was ever a problem, but she was touched anyway. 

   Why was she comparing Madhan to Aakash? Get a grip of yourself, Riya.

   "Are you okay?" Madhan looked at her questioningly. Riya looked at her clenched fist, and then at him. "I'm fine." Riya smiled, showing her teeth to prove her point.

   "Okay then, let's go, " Madhan said, shaking his head.

   The next few restaurants they went to were all beautiful three-star hotels but there were no free tables. Finally, they reached another chaat shop, and Riya insisted that Madhan should get something to eat, but he firmly resisted. 

   It was four by the time they reached the mechanical shop, hungry and starved. Madhan assured Riya that he was fine and that he would eat at home. After paying the bill, Madhan strictly told Riya that he would be driving.

   Riya tried to oppose saying that he didn't have a license, but he didn't care. Having no choice, she wore her scarf around her face and sat at the back.

   Whenever she and Aakash used to travel by bike, she would wear her scarf. It wasn't her family's custom to sit on the bike behind a guy who's not a relative. Although she went only with Aakash, if anyone spotted her, it wouldn't be a pretty sight at home.

   She sighed as she took her scarf off. She no longer needed to do that. Madhan was going to be her husband soon. 

   It still felt unreal that she was going to marry someone else other than Aakash. The only reason she kept telling herself that she was going to marry Madhan was because only then, she would get used to that idea. Maybe once she's accepted it, it would no longer seem alien.

   Riya held onto the back handle of the scooter, and told Madhan to drive. Time and again, she kept forgetting to tell him the directions as she continuously babbled, and hence the fifteen-minute drive turned into a two-hour drive.

   "Not bad for a person who hasn't driven a bike in ages," Riya said, impressed.

   Madhan chuckled. "I used to drive all the time before. Guess it's all in the muscle.

   He walked her to the door and patiently waited until Mrs. Sharma opened the door.

   "Madhan," Mrs. Sharma welcomed heartily. "Come inside." 

   "No, it's fine, aunty, I'll come with my parents first."

   "What manners, what manners," Mr. Sharma joined. "No need for formalities. Do join us for dinner."

   "No, sir, it's totally fine. My mother would have made dinner for me," Madhan refused.

   "The next time you come, you'll be coming here for food, so next time it is," Mr. Sharma winked.

   Riya groaned inwardly. Her father could be embarrassing sometimes.

   "Papa, let him go please?"

   "Riya," Mrs. Sharma said, in a sickeningly sweet voice that was actually a warning in disguise.

   "Thank you for the lovely time," Riya said, to Madhan, and closed the door in his face.

   "RIYA, WHAT- " Mrs. Sharma started to shout.

   "What?" Riya asked, rudely.

   "Why did you shut the door in his face? How did the date go?"

   "Look, mother, I know you're going to say yes to them whether I like him or not, okay? I also know that I would say yes to him, only for you both. That doesn't mean I'm going to act nice to him. I'll be me. And as for the date, I put him in his place," Riya said smugly and went to her room to change.

   Meanwhile, Madhan was not the least bit upset or angry that she shut the door in his face. For all he knew, Riya was doing him a favor, by not making him having to refuse more than once the invitation to dinner. He flagged down an auto and went to his house.

   "Oh dearie, you're here," Mrs. Roy exclaimed.

   "Yes, any problem?" Madhan went to the kitchen to look for food.

   "Yeah, doofus. We ate your dinner, " Reshma said, noncommittedly, watching TV.

   "You guys WHAT?" Madhan asked shocked.

   "You didn't tell us when you would be back, and we had dinner early today, and there are no leftovers, " Mrs. Roy said, worriedly.

   Madhan sighed. "It's fine. I ate in the evening," he lied.  He poured himself a cup of milk, and lied flat on his bed, recollecting whatever happened that whole day.

   And when he slept, he had a peaceful smile on his face.

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