Chapter 10 : Dr. Abhay Sharma, would you like to be my boyfriend?

I brush the nude lipstick one last time over my lower lip before placing it down on my cluttered dressing table. I'm usually not the messy kind, but right now, my closet and the dressing table are a mess, with clothes and accessories scattered everywhere.

Today is the day, Abhay is taking me on our first date, and I'm running late. It's been a week since he asked me out, and it's been a very happy as well as a very busy week. Abhay has been busy with submitting a proposal for his research to the university to get their approval. I have been busy with my dawn sky dress as well as four new orders. I think it's the busiest I've ever been. The Dussehra and Diwali seasons are coming soon, and every one wants to get their dresses done. I'm also designing Ms. Rahane's Sangeet and Reception dresses. I completed two dresses this week alone, and I have many more people placing orders. It's both a good thing and a bad one. It's good because I don't have to worry about paying rent and other expenses, and it's bad because I have not been getting as much time with Abhay as I'd have liked.

We have tried to stay connected as well as we could. I invited him over for dinner most nights, we'd talk till around 10 pm, then he'd go back to his apartment. We'd just talk like how we used to, but this past week, there has been a little flirting here and there too. It already feels like we are dating. Overall, I've been a happy woman.

I stand back a bit from the mirror to do a final inspection on my look. Abhay wouldn't tell me where we were going however many times I ask him, either he wanted it to be a surprise or he himself hadn't figured it out yet. Anyway, I decided to go with jeans. One can never go wrong with jeans. I paired the blue skinny jeans with an icy blue satin shirt. This outfit is the most suitable middle ground I could find between fancy and casual. I opted for ballet flats, again a middle ground between heels and sneakers. I finished the look with a messy ponytail and hoop earrings.

Just as I finish inspecting my face painted with light makeup, I hear the door bell ring. I don't know why I'm feeling this nervous, it's Abhay! The same Abhay I've been spending most of my time these past few weeks with.

I feel like I'm about to go on a stage with a thousand people as audience and perform something I've not even heard the name of. Well, to be honest, this is my first date, if you don't count going to Pizza Hut with a guy, along with eight other people at 16. The only comfort I feel today is that I know for a fact that this is Abhay's first date too, so he wouldn't have anything to compare to, and also Abhay is such a sweet guy, that even if this date goes awfully he'll still smile through it all.

I pick up my ash gray designer satchel, a gift from my sister for my last birthday, and head towards the door.

On the other side of the door, Abhay, also wearing jeans with a black t-shirt, greets me with a smile, "hello Dia, are you ready?" he asks.

"Do I look okay? Am I over dressed? Under dressed?" I ask him, doubting if I was trying too hard. I mean, the guy is just wearing casual jeans and t-shirt. Then again, Abhay isn't the kind of guy to dress up, but that doesn't mean he's a slob or anything, he's just simple like that. Also, he looks good just simple, just being him.

"No, you look perfect. You look beautiful," he says, giving me his beautiful smile, the one that always makes my heart beat faster, and causes fluttering in my stomach.

With that smile, I know that he didn't just say that, I just know by looking at the way he's looking at me, that he really means it, and just like that, I know this night is going to be great. How can it not when the company is?

"You look perfect too," I say, flashing him my own smile, hoping it makes him feel just the way his makes me.

"Me? I'm just ordinary old me. When people will look at us, they are going to wonder how I managed to get so lucky, just like I have been," he tells me, with a slightly amazed look. His comment surprises me. It just makes me realise just how highly he thinks of me. Sure, the way he asked me out, and his words were absolutely beautiful, but I guess, it didn't properly sink into my mind until now.

It's not that I ever doubted his sincerity. I definitely have not. It's just, I myself wonder how I could've gotten lucky enough to catch the attention of someone as great as Abhay. His words right now, just makes me wonder if he feels just like I do. As if he is too good to be true, as if he is too good to be true for me.

So, I tell him,"Well, I say, we are both lucky to be going on this date, to have met each other. You are not alone in your wondering, Abhay."

He immediately catches on to what I'm assuring him of. He gives me a bright smile, an excited and joyous smile, and holds out his hand for me to take, "so ready for our date?" he asks me with a breathy laugh.

I take his hand, feeling it in my own for the second time. It feels good. "Absolutely! Let's make a wonderful memory," I say stepping out of my house.

~~~×~~~

"Go Karting? Really?" I ask, excited for the activity I haven't had the chance to do in a long long time.

"Yeah, figured you'd like it. Remember what you said a few nights back at dinner, when we were discussing about bad driving experiences?" he asks, looking somewhat excited for me to figure it out.

So I try to remember all the things I said on the night he is referring to. It doesn't take me long to catch it, "I said that I like driving fast, but I don't, cause I'm afraid to drive fast with other unpredictable vehicles on the road." Wow! He brought me here, because I told him I like driving fast. He really, truly is the best listener ever. He remembers everything too. How is this guy single again?

Well, I'm totally glad that he is.

"Yeah, exactly. So I figured you'd like it. Also, even if I'm not as great a company as you'd expect, at least you'll get to have fun," he says with a shrug, playing it off.

"Hey, don't do that. You know that I enjoy your company," I tell the sheepish looking guy. I guess he feels guilty for expressing his insecurity, so I joke to ease the atmosphere, "Are you fishing for compliments Dr. Sharma?" I raise an eyebrow in a playful way.

"Oh no! I've been caught!" he joins in, making us both break into smiles, putting us right back into our bubble. The ever cozy, ever sweet, ever happy bubble of Abhay and Dia.

As we walk into the Go kart club hand in hand, big smiles still in place, a flicker of doubt arises within me.

I feel so happy, so content. I've never been the type to be content for too long, always searching for one more new thing to do, but I don't feel like that with Abhay. Is this getting too serious too soon? Will the Abhay and Dia bubble be always so happy and sweet and cozy? Is it even okay to be already forming a 'bubble' with him?

Then I see the go karts, the tracks and the beautiful man beside me, and shake all my doubts away. Tonight is all about having fun, getting to know each other romantically, making memories and fast driving. The doubts can wait, or better yet, completely disappear.

After Abhay pays at the office for our time here, we are lead to the tracks. A girl in her late teens, gives us our gears and ear pieces, so we can talk to each other while driving. After a few minutes of instructions and small test runs, the girl leaves us with an "enjoy" said over her shoulder.

After redoing my hair into a bun and wearing the helmet, I slide into the seat and get ready, with one foot on the gas, the other on the break, gloved knuckles gripping the steering wheel tightly. I turn towards Abhay, "you ready to eat my dust professor?" I challenge him through the ear piece.

"You'll be the one eating my dust, beautiful," he challenges back with lot of playfulness and joy in his voice. I laugh and without warning press on the accelerator, "see you at the finish line doctor," I boast, laughing, adrenaline flowing through my veins, making me giddy with both excitement and happiness.

This is going to be a blast!

~~~×~~~

Three and half hours later, Abhay and I both get out our apartment elevator, hand in hand, on the ninth floor. "I still can't believe I've never eaten Chat there before. I pass by that little place on a weekly basis! That pani puri was so good! It's probably the best I've had my whole life!" I say as we walk towards my flat.

After Go karting to our hearts content for two whole hours, we left the place. Though Abhay wouldn't agree, I totally beat his ass at Go kart. His explanation is that he 'let me win'. I also discovered that Abhay has a small competitive streak. Though we teased and joked, there was no real ego clash, it was all in good fun.

When Abhay asked if I had any preferences for dinner, I told him that I felt like eating something simple and flavorful. So, Abhay took me to this small Rajasthani Chat Place. It was actually a front porch of the owner's home turned into 'sit and eat' place. They prepare the food in their own kitchen and serve it on their porch, where foldable chairs and tables were arranged.

It was the most unconventional place I've ever been to, as well as had the most tastiest chat I've ever eaten.

As if the date wasn't perfect enough already, Abhay made one last stop in front of an ice cream truck. I was more happy and excited about the fact that he thought of everything, than getting to have ice cream.

"I know right. I too didn't know about it. Aakash was the one who told me about the little hidden gem," Abhay tells me, as we reach my apartment door.

I nod at him as a reply, feeling a little sad and disappointed that the wonderful night was coming to an end.

"So, what do you think? Did you have fun?" Abhay asks, looking at me expectantly.

"It has been absolutely perfect. You get a full 100 professor, you even get extra marks for the ice cream," I reply, throwing him my toothpaste commercial smile.

"I'm glad you had fun," he says, rewarding me with his beautiful smile. Suddenly, his smile falters and a confused frown dots his face, "What do we do now, Dia? I'm sorry to be asking you this, but I honestly have no idea how this dating thing works. Do we go on more dates? How long does this dating thing last? What's the next step? I'm absolutely clueless," he admits, abashed.

I let out a laugh, "it's okay, I don't mind. People usually go out on few dates, then if they feel a connection, they make it official, then they actually start 'dating', which is just being committed to each other and spending time together, getting to know one another, by some point in the dating, if they think that they are ready and right for each other, they either move in together, get engaged and then get married, or, like in our country, just directly get married. And if it isn't right, they break up. But we don't need to follow all these guidelines. We can just do whatever we want," I pause to take both his hands into mine, " So, Dr. Abhay Sharma, would you like to be my boyfriend?" I ask him, both excited and nervous to be the one doing the asking. And hey, it's the 21st century! anybody can do the asking, no gender norms required.

Instead of the happy 'yes' I expected, he gives me an even more confused look, "Dia, I'd love to be your boyfriend, but I thought I already was. I don't know about this 'making official' thing, but I'm already committed to you, committed to us. I have been for some time now," he tells me, squeezing my hands a little. His words ringing with honesty and sincerity like always.

His words make me happier than the 'yes' I'd expected could have. "I'm committed to you too, boyfriend," I tell him with a wink. He lets out a light chuckle, loosening his hold on my hands a bit.

We just stand there in silence, staring at each other with happy smiles. Today really has been great, I can't wait to go on another date with him. Oh wait, I don't need to wait, this is the 21st century, after all.

"Hey Abhay, are you free tomorrow?" I ask him, gears turning in my head immediately.

His instant grimace tells me the answer, and my excitement deflates a bit. "I'm sorry Dia, but there are some relatives coming over to my brother's, and my brother asked me to join them. I'd rather be spending my time with you, but you know how relatives can be," he explains, sounding troubled.

"It's no problem at all. I understand. When are you free this week? This time I'd like to be the one taking you out," I proudly announce.

His face lights up in amusement, "In that case, is thursday good? I only have half day and no lab slots," he asks, sounding excited himself.

"Thursday it is then! I'll tell you the details later," I tell him, the bright smiles on our faces returning right back.

"Can't wait!" he tells me, shaking my hands a bit, which he still holds.

I take in his face one last time for tonight, trying to imprint it into memory. His windswept hair, his kind, mature eyes, his heartful, beautiful smile, I admire and absorb it all, and before I can comprehend my own actions, I'm standing on my toes, leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on his right cheek.

I slowly move back, now fully conscious of my actions, heart beating an erratic rhythm and butterflies flapping their wings in my belly, to find an equally flustered Abhay, staring at me in shock, before a slow smile forms on his face, which I shyly reciprocate.

"Goodnight, Abhay," I say, and when he wishes me a good night back, I unlock the door and slip inside my apartment. Once safely behind the closed main door, all constraints on my happiness explodes and I let out a silent squeal and start happy dancing around my living room.

I'm just so happy.