Posting abhi cos I won't be able to post in the morning

Hope you enjoy ☺️

CHAPTER 23

Abir stood at the bottom of the staircase waiting for Mishti. He checked his watch and looked up apprehensively. He thought Mishti would show up but he couldn't ignore the sliver of doubt that kept appearing in his mind.

Mishti : Abir!

Abir looked at the stairs and saw Mishti walking down, looking slightly nervous too. She was wearing black jeans and the yellow top he had gifted her that afternoon. She wore no accessories except for a bracelet on her right wrist. Her hair was pulled back into a high knot.

Abir couldn't stop staring at her.

Abir : You look... You look stunning.

Mishti smiled and flushed slightly.

Mishti : Thank you. You look really good too.

And he did. Abir was wearing casual wear as well. A white t-shirt and jeans with a blue blazer. He looked heart-stoppingly handsome.

Abir : Shall we go, Mishti?

Mishti started to nod, then paused. She looked at him doubtfully.

Mishti : Are you sure.... Abir, If we do this, I need to ask you something.

Abir nodded, looking at her

Mishti : If this is to be a date, I need your promise that you won't ask me anything about marriage. I need your word that you will not mention it today.

Abir smiled and stood in front of her.

Abir : I promise. I asked you to come on a date with me because I wanted to show you a very special place. I wanted to show you that we could work. I do want you to marry me, Mishti. But today, today it'll just be a date.

He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

Abir : Just trust me. Shall we go?

Mishti stopped staring at the nodded and smiled. They turned and began walking outside. '

Mishti : So....

Abir : So...

Mishti : Umm...

Abir : Hmmm?

Mishti (looking at him) : Why are you repeating what I say?

Abir : Why aren't you saying anything?

Mishti rolled her eyes.

Mishti : Forget it. Chalo.. Let's go.

They continued walking when Sallu, the footman stopped them.

Sallu : Abir Saab!

Abir and Mishti stopped and looked at Sallu.

Abir (walking over to him and whispering) : Haan Sallu?

Sallu : Everything's ready.

Abir : Everything?

Sallu (nodding) : Everything Saab.

Abir smiled and thanked him. He went back and looked at Mishti looking at him curiously.

Mishti : Why did Sallu call you?

Abir : He had to tell me something. Shall we go?

Mishti (narrowing her eyes) : You're lying. You're hiding something na?

Abir gave her a jaunty smile.

Abir : If I have and I haven't told you yet, it means that I don't want you to find out.

Mishti scowled. She didn't know what to tell next. The two of them walked together to the front.

Mishti : Can I ask something?

Abir : Ofcourse.

Mishti : All the girls that you dated.... Was the date this awkward with them too?

Abir stopped and held Mishti's hand. She turned around in surprise. He looked at her, his eyes glinting.

Mishti looked at her hand still clutched in his and looked at him wonderingly.

Mishti : Ab.....

Abir pulled her hand and she moved forward and fell upon him. He steadied her with his free hand.

Mishti told his name again, her eyes locking with his.

Abir : I don't think it's been an ideal date so far. You agree?

Mishti was confused. This man muddled her. He could be so handsome and carefree one minute but the next, he changed into this intense man, the one who made her knees melt.

Her lack of answer seemed to have convinced him though. Abir pulled her even closer if that was possible. He spoke, his nose nearly touching hers.

Abir : I want to give you a magnificent date. I want this to be one that you'll remember forever. I thought I planned everything... But..

His voice trailed away in a whisper. His eyes never left hers though. Mishti couldn't seem to look away. She somehow made her voice work.

Mishti (in a voice a little more than a whisper) : But?

Abir bent down, his cheek touching hers. Mishti closed her eyes involuntarily.

Abir (whispering into her ear) : But... You do something to me. You... You're different.

He straightened and released Mishti. She looked at him dazed.

Abir : Give me five minutes. I'll be right back. Don't move. Don't go anywhere.

Without waiting for her consent, He walked out of the house. Mishti took a step and leaned against the wall. His words had unsettled her deeply. She didn't want to think about what it meant. But what did it mean? Why was she different?

Mishti was also shocked by how keenly she felt his absence. The moment when he had let go of her hand, she had felt disappointment. She didn't know why. She didn't want it to be true. But she knew she would be lying to herself if she told that she felt nothing when Abir was not with her.

Mishti : No.. No! This means nothing. This is a date, That's all. Chin up, Mishti. You promised yourself one last night. No more thoughts. Not tonight.

********************************************************

Meanwhile,

Abir walked out of the house muttering to himself as he went.

Abir : Stupid idiot buffoon. You are completely mad. You don't deserve to be anyone's date, let alone Mishti's. You made her feel awkward. Seriously dude, Do you even know how to be romantic?

Gardener (surprised) : Excuse me?

Abir (looked at the gardener embarassed) : Sorry kaka. I was talking to myself. Kaka, Could I pick out some flowers? Are there any good ones here?

Gardener : Haan Abir babu. I'll go pick out some lilies and roses for you.

Abir smiled and nodded. The gardener went and soon returned with the flowers.

Abir (taking them from him) : Thank you Kaka.

Gardener : I've washed them and trimmed the thorns. You don't have to do anything else.

Abir nodded and thanked him once more before turning towards the house again.

Abir entered calling out for Mishti.

Mishti : I'm here.

She walked out of the drawing room and saw Abir waiting for her, smiling softly.

Abir (in a very sorrowful voice) : I'm so sorry I delayed our date, My lady. I hope these flowers placate you.

Mishti looked at him amused. She decided to play along.

Mishti (dramatically crossing her arms and pouting at him) : But My Lord, I have decided that I don't want to spend time with you any longer. You see, I consider punctuality an important virtue in a person.

Abir looked downcast. Then he brightened.

Abir : If my words could not persuade My lovely Lady to accompany me tonight, Then I hope my token of apology will. He showed his hands which he had kept crossed behind all this time. 

Mishti's eyes shone when she saw the flowers. Lilies and roses.

White and red. They looked so pretty. She took them, a huge smile on her face.

Mishti : These are beautiful. I love them.

Abir (sighing in audible relief) : I'm so glad My Lady isn't angry anymore. (holding out his arm) Will My Lady come out with me now?

Mishti (chuckling) : Yes, you pagal aadmi. But only if you stop addressing me as My Lady.

Abir laughed and she continued laughing. They walked out together, talking normally. The awkwardness was gone at last.

*****************************************************

Mishti looked at Abir in surprise.

Mishti : We're going by bike?

Abir nodded.

Abir : I can't take you there by car. It's in the woods. And I don't want the horses to ride in the dark. So... We are taking the bike.

He got on the bike and revved it up.

Abir : Come on.

Mishti : First wear your helmet.

Abir chuckled, got down and went and got two helmets from the garage cupboard.

Abir : Here you go, Mishti. A helmet for you. A helmet for me and a date to look forward to. Mishti wore the helmet and got on it, holding Abir's shoulder lightly.

Abir (his tone a bit cautious) : Mishti! Hold tightly. We are going by the dirt road.

Mishti rolled her eyes and moved forward, her arms clutching his waist tightly.

Mishti : Anything to bring me close to you huh Abir?

Abir smiled. This was the first time Mishti had spoken of them together without feeling the guilt.

Abir : Now what can I do... I'm just lucky that way.

Mishti chuckled again. Abir started and they set off.

Mishti (shouting so that she could be heard) : WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Abir (shouting right back) : SURPRISE!

Mishti : NO! TELL ME NOW.. WHAT IS EVEN THERE IN THE WOODS? I'VE SEEN THEM.

Abir : NOT THE PLACE I'M ABOUT TO TAKE YOU TOO. YOU CERTAINLY WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN IT.

Mishti : TELL ME NA ABIR! WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Abir : TO THE WOODS FOR OUR DATE. THAT'S ALL YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW NOW.

Mishti scowled.

Mishti : WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SORRY MISTER, IF I DO NOT LIKE WHERE WE'RE GOING.

Abir (his voice full of confidence and quiet promise) : I WON'T. AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. I AM SURE YOU WON'T.

Mishti shut her mouth after that. She didn't know what to tell. She just looked around at the scenery that was becoming less noticeable because of the sun going down. The views soothed her and she didn't even know when her head was resting on Abir's back, her arms tight around him.

Finally Abir stopped. Mishti got down and removed the helmet. She looked around.

Mishti : It's dark here. Something's wrong with the bike? Did you get lost?

Abir shook his head no.

Abir : We are at the right place. We just have to walk a little bit, that's all. But before that, I'm going to blindfold you.

Mishti : What? But why?

Abir taking out a scarf from his pocket and moving behind Mishti. He started blindfolding her.

Abir (softly) : Because I want to see the exact expression on your face when you first see it. I want to get the full effect. Can you see anything?

Mishti told no and she answered no again when he asked her again.

Mishti : Let's go.

Abir kept one her on her waist and the other one around her arms and guided her on a ten minute walk.

Mishti : Abir! Is there a stream here? I can hear the water bubbling.

Abir : Shhhh... You'll get to know soon. Just two more minutes. Come on!

After few more minutes, Abir finally released Mishti and told her to keep her eyes closed even after he removed the blindfold. He untied it and told Mishti to slowly open her eyes.

Mishti did and was utterly stunned by what she saw. 

***************************************************************