'What the heck is going on?'

Everyone in the room turned their heads towards the source of the voice.

Mitali: Arjun uncle!

Rishi: Dad?!

Arjun Saxena smiled at the duo. Mitali and Rishi both rushed to him and hugged him.

Arjun: God, Mitali, You've grown so tall!

Mitali: It's been a while since you last saw me, uncle.

Arjun: Aha yes! 8 years is indeed a long time. How are you doing? Your dadi told me you joined St. Marcus in Mumbai.

Mitali: I'm doing good uncle. It's really nice to meet you after so long. Unlike your son.

Rishi made a poker face.

Arjun: What did my son do this time?

Mitali: As usual. Irritate me.

Rishi stuck out his tongue in response. Mitali imitated his action.

Arjun: You kids are still the same! Always at loggerheads!

Dadi: As I was saying! Now, both of you, come have breakfast. Arjun, come on grab a plate. I made parathas.

Arjun: Oh I'm always hungry for your parathas.

All of them chuckled and sat down to have breakfast.

Mitali: Uncle, I'm sorry I forgot to ask. Where exactly are you guys staying?

Arjun: There's a hotel near the old plot of our house. I thought since it was only for a temporary basis so we could stay there.

Mitali: But why? You know you could easily join us here, right?

Her dadi's face lit up hearing that.

Arjun: Oh no! I couldn't think of troubling your dadi more.

Dadi: Kuch bhi, Arjun! You can never trouble me, you know that. And you know what? Mitali's right. We have two extra bedrooms here and no one is there except for me and Mitu. You and Rishi can easily stay with us.

Arjun: Kaki I-

Dadi: No if's and but's. Apni kaki ki itni si request nahi manega? And these hotels, they cost so much and on top of that you have to worry about your fooding and all that. It's better if you stay with us.

Arjun looked at Mitali.

Mitali: Give it up, uncle. She's not gonna take no for an answer.

Arjun glanced at his son and then at his kaki. Giving up, he said,

Arjun:  Okay, we'll stay.

Rishi grinned as he chewed on his last piece of paratha. The thought of spending more time with Mitali excited him.

Mitali looked at him and said,

Mitali: Why are you grinning like that, dumbass?

Dadi: Mitu!

Mitali: Oh come on now! He's my friend. And it's not like this is the first time I've called him dumbass.

Rishi rolled his eyes humorously.

Dadi: What did I tell you yesterday?

Mitali sighed and then standing up with her empty plate, said,

Mitali: Be nice to him.

Dadi just nodded and shook her head.

Rishi: Thanks Dadi. The parathas were very delicious.

Arjun: I so second that. But I don't think I'll be able to finish eating. The meeting with the broker is in half hour and I kinda need to rush. I'll drop by later with the luggages.

Saying that, he washed his hands and rushed out.

Everyone slowly and gradually finished eating and left. At last only Mitali and Rishi were left to clean up the table.

While Rishi was busy cleaning, Mitali said,

Mitali: So dumbass, you still didn't answer my question. Why were you grinning like that?

Rishi: Nothing. Just remembered a joke.

Mitali narrowed her eyes at him but continued cleaning.

After a few awkward minutes,  Rishi chimed,

Rishi: Hey, are you free today?

Mitali: No , I'm expensive today.

Rishi: Classic as always. But seriously, if you are free , can we like , go out or something?

Mitali raised a brow.

Mitali: Like a date?

Rishi swallowed the saliva in his mouth and replied,

Rishi: What....no... no.... ofcourse not..... you know..... I just wanted to...... go out...... we can do something else if you...... don't want.....to.

Mitali chucked and said,

Mitali: Relax! I was just pulling your leg! There is no way we would ever go on a date.

Rishi nodded nervously but then asked,

Rishi: Why......not?

Mitali looked at him with surprise.

Rishi: Don't look at me like that. I'm just saying......why couldn't we go on a date? Like maybe......not a .....date date....... but a friend date..... you know what I mean.

Mitali smiled and asked,

Mitali: Have you ever gone on a date before?

Rishi looked at her sheepishly and said,

Rishi: If I say yes, would you go out with me?

Mitali chuckled softly and said,

Mitali: I would. But only as friends. Nothing more.

Rishi smiled. He didn't mind her offer. Being with her was enough for him.

Rishi: Deal.

Mitali smiled and returned to cleaning the table while Rishi mentally high-fived himself.

He was going on a date with Mitali Gupta! Even if it was as friends, it still was a date.

Mitali: Dork?.....Rishi?!

His thoughts were interrupted by her voice.

Rishi: Huh? Yeah..... yeah....

Mitali: I asked you when are we going on this friend date?

Rishi looked at her for a second before answering,

Rishi: How about tonight? I mean....if you're free.

Mitali: Fine by me. Be here by 7'o'clock.

Rishi nodded.

Mitali turned to go back to the kitchen when suddenly she turned around and said,

Mitali: Oh and wear something cool. It's date night after all.

Rishi grinned sheepishly as she turned and walked away, leaving him in a state of ecstasy.

                ~~~~~~~~~~

As the clock inched towards 7 , Rishi's breaths started becoming heavy. He was nervous, scared out of his mind. How courageously had he asked her out on the date, but now the butterflies in his stomach were making it clear that he was so not ready for that.

As he nervously paced around the hall, his eyes fell on a photo frame that was sitting on the side table. He picked it up and wiped the dust off it. His lips tended to tug upwards.

(Let's pretend that's a young Tunisha.)

'Hello?'

A soft honey coated voice made its way into his ears. He turned and time just stopped for him.

She wasn't wearing something really extraordinary. But the fact that he was actually going on a date with her seemed very real all of a sudden.

Mitali smiled and made her way down the stairs. As she stepped on the last staircase, she said,

'Ready Saxena?'

Rishi sighed longingly and said,

'As ready as I'll ever be.'

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! Sorry for the very lame and late update. This chapter was initially going to be very long but I figured it was best if I just divide the chapter into two parts. Thus, the next chapter will have the continuation of this chapter.

Anyways, if you liked the chapter please drop a VOTE and comment down below - Who's team are you on - Team Mitya or Team Mishi?

Love you loads,
Bosedisha