Gayatri rubbed her palm for the 50th time to provide herself some warmth. The cold in Dehradun was almost unbearable. Her eyes wandered over the silk table cloth that her husband had gifted her on their first wedding anniversary. Giving gifts wasn't really a trend during the 50's. But her husband had never forgotten to gift her something or the other on special occasions. The wrinkles on her face threatened to tug upwards remembering his sweet words to her everytime he brought her something.

'Gayu, I'm giving you this because you're very special to me, okay?'

A soft smile brightened up her face remembering those words. A faded memory that still felt so fresh and real. Almost like it hadn't been like more than 50 years.

Her late husband's memory stirred up the deep desire in her again. She wanted her granddaughter to feel the same warmth that she felt with her partner. She wanted Mitali to have the same kind of equation with her life partner, the same trust and compassion in her life. And she knew there was only one guy who could give her that.

Rishi.

Whenever she saw that boy, she always caught a glimpse of her own husband in him. The same sweet nature, the sincerity in his voice, and the goofy smile. She knew he was perfect for Mitali at the first glance itself. If only Mitali could see what she saw.

Mitali was naïve. No, she decided. If she wanted Mitali to have a secured future, she had to take matters in her own hands. After her son and daughter-in-law's death, she was her responsibility. And she would not let anything jeopardize her future.

As if on cue, Arjun walked in with all of his and Rishi's luggage. She smiled as he kept them aside and took a seat beside her and touched her feet.

Arjun: Arey kaki, where are Mitali and Rishi?

Dadi: Payal told me that they had gone out a while ago.

Arjun: Oh good.

Dadi: Yes, absolutely. They should definitely catch up you know. After all they've met after so long.

Arjun: Right.

Dadi: Say arjun, don't you think they look really good together?

Arjun looked at her with surprise.

Dadi: Now don't tell me you've never noticed it!

Arjun: Hm, you know, I've never thought of it that way. But yeah, they do look kind of good together.

Dadi: Tell me about it! You know, I thought that after so many years of not seeing each other they'd act awkward around each other. But did you see them fight this morning? It's like they forgot about the past 8 years.

Arjun laughed.

Dadi , sensing the perfect opportunity, proposed,

Dadi: Don't you think that this bond should last forever?

Arjun: What do you mean kaki?

Dadi : I'm saying, what if they were to stay together for always?

Arjun narrowed his eyebrows.

Arjun: Are you proposing that they should.....get together...like married?

Dadi pressed her lips into a thin line and said,

Dadi: Kind of, yeah.

Arjun laughed nervously and said,

Arjun: But kaki, they're just 21. Aren't they too young to get married?

Dadi: I get your point , Arjun. I'm not saying they should get married right away. But they could have the ring ceremony before you guys left for Canada again. And once they are finished with their studies, they could settle down. Like I said, they fit so well together. And, you know how it is in this world of today. You can't trust anybody. I just....I want to secure Mitali's future before I....you know.

Arjun: Kaki...

Dadi: No, let me finish....look...I just want to see Mitu happy before I die. And who would be a better life partner for her thanRrishi. Come on, I know if there's anyone who would take care of my Mitu like me....is you.

Arjun sighed and shifted in his seat.

Arjun: Of course, kaki, Mitali's like my daughter. I love her as much as I love Rishi.

Dadi: I know , Arjun. I trust you. That's exactly what I'm saying, you know. I want Mitali to have a loving family and a wonderful life partner. After Ahaan and Meera's death, I'm all she's left with. She's my responsibility. But no matter how much we escape from the fact, we all know that I don't have much time in my hands. And that is why, Arjun, I want to secure my granddaughter's future before its too late.

After a few seconds, Arjun said,

Arjun: You know what, kaki? I think you're right. I also want the right girl for my son. And God knows, I don't want him to get married to a foreigner. And who would be a better life partner for him than Mitali?

Gayatri nodded enthusiastically. The first part of her plan had gone successful after all.

Arjun: But we also need their consent in this , kaki. After all we can't just push them into something they might not want,right?

Dadi: Yes, of course. It's their life after all.

Arjun: Exactly. I'll ask Rishi once he comes home today. You ask Mitali. If they mutually agree to spend their lives together, then who are we to say anything?

Dadi: Oh they will! Just wait and watch!

Dadi's all set to play cupid!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mitali; Okay, why are you acting so nervous?

Mitali asked a nervous rishi who was busy fidgeting with his fingers as he walked beside her on the streets of Dehradun.

Rishi: Huh...nothing.

Mitali; Oh come on Rishi, you are clearly fidgeting with your fingers. What's wrong?

Rishi: Nothing's wrong, Mitu. I'm just nervous.

Mitu: Why?

Rishi: Because...it's you know.....you. I don't want to mess up.

Mitali sighed and putting her arm around him, said,

Mitali: Relax, I won't eat you up. Or punch you, like last time.

This made Rishi smile a bit.

Mitali: Now, come on, tell me what a date with Rishabh Saxena is like.

Rishi: Huh?

Mitali: You know, what tricks you use when you go out with your Canadian girls.

Rishi blushed a bit and replied,

Rishi: One. Just one Canadian girl.

Mitali removed her arm and gaping at him, said,

Mitali: You went out with one girl in 8 freaking years?

Rishi sheepishly smiled. Mitali threw her hands in the air and said,

Mitali: God! You're such a dork!

Rishi: Hey now! Just because it was a foreign country, doesn't mean I got all the freedom. You know how my dad is! He hated the thought of me dating a foreigner. Don't ask why.

Mitali chuckled and looked at her.

Mitali: So what was she like?

Rishi: Who, Donna? Complete opposite of you. She was into fashion and make up and well.....everything you hate. She was the it-girl of high school. I still don't know what made her go out with me. I guess, she thought of me as something exotic, you know. Dating a guy from a different country somehow gave her the perks.

Mitali laughed out loud. Rishi admired her face. In the soft glow of the street lights and the moon, her face looked beautiful. The sound of her honey-coated chuckle made butterflies dance in Rishi's stomach.

He smiled wishing for the time to stop.

Mitali: So why'd you guys break up?

Rishi: I caught her sleeping with someone else.

Mitali; Oh my god!

Saying that, she burst out laughing.

Rishi: Hey, that's not funny.

Mitali: I'm sorry....I'm sorry . But wait....someone..else...meaning...did you guys...you know, do the deed?

Rishi grinned sheepishly.

Mitali: Oh My God! You totally did it, didn't you?

Rishi: Twice.

Mitali:(Laughingly) You are such a chuparrustam! Does Arjun uncle know?

Rishi; Do you think I would be standing with you right now if he did? He didn't even know I dated Donna.

Mitali: Wow bro! Maan gaye tumko! How long did you date tho?

Rishi: A year, on and off. But I'm glad I escaped from her. She gave me nightmares.

Mitali; Well, if she was so bad, why did you date her in the first place?

Rishi: To get the whole experience of dating, to be honest. I just wanted to date someone just for the sake of dating. It was selfish, I know. And on top of that, she was just so different.....from you. Somehow dating her....helped me get over my little crush on you.

'And which you just proved to be of no use with that smile of yours,' he thought.

Mitali pressed her lip into a thin line and asked,

Mitali: You never told me, how on earth did you ever fall for me?

Rishi smiled innocently and said,

Rishi: It's hard not to, Mitu. I mean, have you ever seen that smile of yours?

Mitali stopped in her tracks as her smile faded. She awkwardly shifted .

Rishi: And I just made everything awkward again. God! I always mess up, don't I?

Mitalil: No...Rishi..it's not your fault. I just....

Rishi: I understand , Mitali. Now, come on, my feet are freezing and my crave for coffee is killing me. So can we go in?

Mitali: Huh?

Rishi : Mitu, we are standing in front of Rico's .

Mitali snapped out of her trance and looked at her surroundings. She found them indeed standing in front of Rico's.

Mitali: Um...yeah...let's go.

Rishi nodded and hand in hand they entered the café.

A faint aroma of cinnamon sticks and caffeine gushed into the air as they made their way to the counter. Prateek Kuhaad's  'Pause' played in the background. As they reached the counter, they were greeted by a delighted face. Ravi, the cafe's owner smiled at the duo.

Ravi: Mitali beta! Rishabh beta! It's so good to see you!

Mitu: I missed your coffee and you in Mumbai, Ravi uncle.

Rishi: And main to aapse almost request karne hi vala tha ki aap Canada mein aapki cafe ki franchise khol lo! God! I missed your coffee. 

Ravi: I missed you too.

Rishi: Last time jab yaha aaya tha tab yeh cafe kitna chota tha. You've expanded it so well. I'm so happy to see your buisness flourishing.

Ravi: Arey! Sab tum baccho ki mehrbani hai! See half of my customers are youngsters like you! Yeh nahi hote! to cafe bhi nahi chalta!

They laughed.

Mitali: Ravi uncle, um...I'll have a...

Ravi: Mitu, mujhe tum dono ka fixed order pata hai. Ab jao jakar voh corner vali booth pe baitho. I'll bring your order in a bit.

The duo smiled and took their seats in the booth near the window. As they were chit-chatting, a voice on the microphone chimed,

Ravi: Hello guys, a very good evening to you all. Jaisa ki aapko pata hai, hum har din aapne customer mein se kisi ek ko chunte hai jo yaha aakar humarein samne kuch pesh karte hai. Today, two of my very old customers are here after a long time, so I would take this chance to call them upon the stage to present something. Come on, let's give it up for Mitali and Rishi!

Mitali: Oh Dear God!

Rishi: Well, this is embarrassing.

 The crowd cheered them on as they made their way to the little stage. As they reached the the stage, Mitali suddenly backed out and pushing Rishi forward , chimed,

Mitali: You know, I'm not a really good singer. And I really think my friend over here can do better alone.

Rishi gaped at her as he turned around.

' Way to be a good friend, Mitali', he thought.

As he awkwardly looked around, the crowd grew quiet. Ravi handed him a guitar. He sarcastically smiled at him and took it. He inhaled deeply and fixated his eyes on Mitali, who in turn smiled widely. His heart fluttered.

He started,

Voh dekhnay mein Kaisi seedhi saadhi lagti 

Hai bolti ki woh toh Kuch nahi samajhti 

Andar se kitni tez hai

Mitali smiled sidely as the crowd cheered him on.

Kabhi ajeeb si ,Kabhi haseen lagti

Kabhi kisi kitaab ka Hai scene lagti

Philosophy ka Craze hai

Ho. kehti hai Ye ek phase hai

And as he sang, all he could focus on was her smile. That damn smile. His heart lifted as he found her eyes dancing to the beats of his song. He wished they could just be this way forever. That he could just pause this moment and keep it close to his heart.

That he could make her his forever.

                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! Here's a quick update! I decided not to have you guys wait any longer for this chapter. Honestly, writing this chapter felt good! It was light and breezy! No drama , no intense romance! 

Fun fact: Gayatri is my mother's name. I don't know what happened but I just completely ran out of names and so I decided to use this one. And also, Ahaan and Meera , whom I've made Mitali's parents in this story, are actually two of my characters from another book of mine which is not on wattpad.

Anyways, if you liked this chapter, please don't forget to leave a 'VOTE' and comment down below: What is your current favorite song?

Love you loads,

Bosedisha