Aarav arrived a little before seven and waited for me at the entrance of the hostel gate. He was early and didn't want to interrupt before our appointed meeting time.
Earlier, I had informed the security guard that I was expecting a visitor at 7.30. So he could expect Aarav's arrival. When I went to meet him at the entrance, I saw him talking to the guard. My heart started pounding in my chest. He looked so handsome in a white shirt and beige pants. His face almost shone in the dark. The hostel was lit at night since it was a ladies' hostel, as a safety precaution. The ladies who stayed at the hostel were mostly nurses working at a nearby hospital, where Sunita worked.
His face lit up when he saw me. He quickly walked into the compound to meet me halfway.
"Hey, Anjali, you look great, very pretty in that blouse. I am a lucky man tonight," he smiled as he took my elbow and guided me to the car.
He didn't hesitate for a second as he held my hand in his. I was surprised that he had rented a car for the night. Under the hostel lights, the black sedan gleamed.
"Look, I rented this car so we could move around without any hassle," he said excitedly. "How could I not with a beautiful woman as my date?"
So it was a date, and I was very happy that it was. And his compliment meant the world to me. I was sure now that I looked good in his eyes.
I was glad that he rented the vehicle. I couldn't imagine going on a date in a taxi. I shudder to think of having to ride in an auto! I can't imagine how I'd look at the end of the ride - my newly blown hair all frumpled and untidy.
He was still talking, and I was tongue-tied like the first time we spoke. I let him talk. There was so much I could learn about him when he talked.“Was it only yesterday we first met?” He said in a teasing way. “Seems like I have known you for a long time.”
I thought that way too when I was all broken up this morning, so I replied, "Yes, I feel that way too. There is a familiarity between us. Like deja vu."
"Maybe, karma," he said as he got into the driver's seat. Aarav felt comfortable with the lady by his side. He could see that they had an affinity for each other. Though she didn't say much, her eyes and body language spoke volumes when she was with him. She was constantly turning away from staring into his eyes - like she wanted to hide how she felt about him.
Indeed, Anjali agreed that there was karmic inference in their meeting. Otherwise, how was she to explain the feelings she experienced when being with him?
As the car moved, Aarav informed her about his plans for the night. "We are going to meet our friends at Villa Maya. It is an upscale restaurant set in a refurbished 18th-century Dutch manor. I eat there often when I am in Trivandrum. They serve exceptionally prepared Northern Indian cuisine. You will love the ambience, since you loved the one in the city the other day, where you lunched. This place is more of a fine-dining."
"The restaurant sounds perfect, I can't wait to see it and taste the food there," I replied happily.
"Yes, this place has a fusion of North Indian and Kerala cuisine. Just like us, they go well together," Aarav laughed after saying that. I felt a blush creep up on me. I could imagine my cheeks turning red. It sounded like a fascinating concoction."The North Indian signature dish, the Truffle Scented Mushroom Galouti, is a must-try. I know you will love it."
"Then we'll try that. I'll let you order the food since you are familiar with the place, Aarav," I told him.
"Yes, I will for sure, Anjali. Don't worry. I'll make sure you enjoy the food, the ambience, and everything else as best as possible. Just don't worry about anything, I will take care of you."
I was ecstatic when I heard that, "Thank you. I can't wait to eat now. I am hungry."
“How was the seminar?” I asked after a while. Aarav stopped at a traffic light. I wasn't sure of the way, and just looked at the road ahead as he drove.
“It was great. I met some of my old friends there. You will be meeting them shortly. I hope you'll like them.
It was nice to know that he cared if I liked his friends. That he thought of saying that meant a lot to me. If they were anything like him, then I’d surely like them.
Aarav continued talking about his friends, "They are into these motivational talks and seminars, too, and come here with their wives and girlfriends, taking the opportunity to vacation here at the same time. They love to have an ayurvedic massage while at it, and it is a healthy indulgence every once in a while. Have you tried the massages?”
"No, not yet, but since you mentioned it, I will try the massage one of these days. Just let me know the name of the centre, and I shall go there, " I answered.
As we entered the city from the quiet outskirts, the tall street lamps lining the wide boulevards cast soft, moving shadows across the car's dashboard. I thought of my childhood days, when dad used to let me sit in the car, while he drove at night to get something from the grocer's, I'd be fascinated by the shadows dancing on the dashboard, even then.
A gorgeous tapestry of texture and light fell on the pavements from the lit buildings, transforming the city's concrete and stone into a fabled environment as we passed.
I hoped the night would continue being fabled and magical. The closeness to Aarav and the environment created a surreal atmosphere.
Trivandrum city was as busy as during the day, though softened by the brightness of the lights surrounding it.
People were still shopping as shops remained open, and the night revellers and people rushing back after work contributed to the crowded atmosphere. The traffic was heavy, and since it was a weekend, many had come into town to eat.
The car finally turned into Villa Maya, and Aarav exclaimed, "We are here, Anjali. The traffic back there made us late for our appointment, so let's hurry."
He came out from his side and opened the car door for me to get out. Then we held hands as we walked into the beautifully refurbished restaurant. A deep sense of tranquillity prevailed in its courtyard.
"Oh, it has such a peaceful ambience, Aarav. I love this place." I remarked enthusiastically.
"Wait till you see inside," he replied as a waiter opened the huge glass door for us to enter the restaurant.
There were four of them seated at the table waiting for us. I learned later that they were all from Delhi too.
Aarav introduced me to them. They got up from their seats to shake my friends. The ladies were friendly and welcomed me into their fold almost immediately.
'Hello, Anjali. It's so good to meet you. Aarav here has told us a lot about you in the short space of time we had with him this afternoon at the seminar." Everyone at the table laughed at that. "My name is Maya, as in Villa Maya, and this is Ashish, my husband."
Ashish smiled and shook my hands. "Enchanted to meet you, Anjali."
Maya was an absolute darling, with her sharp, witty remarks and an approachable demeanour.
Then she introduced me to Ashok and Deviga, who were planning to wed soon.
And they were equally funny and great to talk to.
"So all of you are from Delhi, I asked. How wonderful. So do you meet like this often there?"
"No," replied Deviga quickly. "We only meet like this in Trivandrum, haha. Aarav is single, and I believe always on the move due to his business engagements, while we have our jobs and families, so we hardly keep in touch. But when we do, we meet like this."
Everyone turned to look at Aarav, who turned pink in the face with all the attention. I couldn't stop laughing for a while. Even at the restaurant, he enjoyed his company more. I thought how engrossed he was with his book, and stifled another bout of laughter in case he asked me why.
The waiter came with the menu. We ordered thali for the main dish, samosas, the truffle-scented mushroom galouti, which Aarav recommended and Gulab Jamun for dessert.
North Indian cuisine impressed me. It was, in fact, to die for. Aarav was right about the galouti, and finishing the meal off with Gulab Jamun was just perfect.
We talked about the differences in taste at one point. Rice was a South Indian staple food, while wheat-based foods were usually a Northern delight, such as chapatis. It was more like both belonged to different continents with vast differences in food preparation, their language, culture, and some traditions. However, the Indians were proud of their diversity and embraced it with much fanfare.
I told them about Malaysian food and cultures. Except for Aarav, the others hadn't visited the country. Anywhere, we were as diverse as they came. We lived amongst different races, religions, and traditions in harmony.
"You must visit our country when I am back there. I will take you around. I know you will love the food and place very much," I said. They agreed that they'd make a trip there now that they have a friend to visit, including Aarav.
After dinner, we decided to listen to a good band playing at a hotel nearby. According to Aarav, a staff member at the hotel he was booked in, recommended the place.
We left the restaurant in high spirits and looked forward to listening to great music together.
It was a Western band playing there that night, so we were excited.
Ashok and Deviga, who arrived at the restaurant by taxi, got a lift with us in the car, while Maya and Ashish had rented a car too. (Read the rest of the story - you will love it).
