Page 114 of Storm
But I needed to keep her talking nonetheless. I couldn’t rest until I had assured her of my intentions. I couldn’t risk her thinking otherwise. No, I had to be sure I did not mess this up.
Nervously I typed her another text,
‘Yes of course. Sorry. So...um...You didn’t enjoy much today.’
I wrote it as a statement not a question. Because otherwise she would answer me positively, just so as not to break my heart.
‘When did I say so?’ Sanu texted back immediately.
This was it. Time to clean my image.
‘No it’s just that you barely ate anything. So I thought...’
‘We ate every available food item there! How much more could I eat?!’
I could feel Sanu rolling her eyes as she sent the text.
Yet I couldn’t slow down my heartbeat.
Flinching slightly, at my own self, I came out to her truthfully in a long text of explanation,
‘I know you must be thinking why didn’t I take you to a restaurant like normal couples go. Instead, of delicious food why did I make you eat cheap junk food on the beach. But I did all that because after so much reluctance you had finally agreed to go out with me. You were scared, that if someone finds out, then it would be a problem, and I know you were right. So, I thought if we went to some restaurant nearby then somebody might see us. Of course, we could have gone somewhere else far away, but I felt by going to the beach we can roam freely, you would relax and won’t be looking over your shoulder expecting the worst. Also, I could hold you on the beach the whole time not at any restaurant. I hope you didn’t think that I'm a money-minded stingy sort of person. After all, I took you to the beach and offered you cheap junk food! But trust me, I wasn’t trying to save money. Nor am I low on cash. The reasons I have given you here are the only reasons why I took you to the beach. If you want then next time we can go to some nice fancy restaurant.’
I held my breath in anticipation for her answer, which did not come.
Getting more tensed I sent her another text desperately pleading,
‘You didn’t answer. Does it mean you don't want to go to any restaurant next time? Can we please meet again? I know today you didn’t enjoy much...’
My heart felt like it was sinking fast. But it found a lost beat when the next moment my phone rang with Sanu's call.
I turned speechlessly shocked as the moment I received the call and said a hesitant hello; Sanu started giggling uncontrollably. It did not seem like she was making fun of me, but it sounded loving, as if she found me adorable.
I felt like I have seriously gone crazy, noticing her laughing ways. I had to accept though; it was giving me the much-needed calm.
Then controlling her giggles, she said softly with a smile in her voice,
“You had sent such a long text. That’s why it took me some time to read. To be honest, I was gigglin
g through it, because you are being so freaking cute! Aaru, when did I say I didn’t enjoy? In fact, I had loads of fun! And who doesn’t like a beautiful beach?! Of course, I enjoyed and it was a relief that we did not go to any fancy restaurant, because I would have felt more nervous then. On the beach there was fresh air and who wouldn’t like the ice pop, burger, ice creams and all those yums?!”
I let out a breath of relief I had been holding. I hadn’t felt so light. Ever!
And I told her so,
“That’s great to hear! I thought you would think I’m a stingy kind of person and maybe you wouldn’t want to meet me again. But really I'm not like that. Trust me; I was not trying to save money.” I tried to prove my innocence and clear my image in her eyes with all my might.
“Oh Aaru...It’s just been a few days that we have started exploring our relationship properly and you think such a small thing would make me leave you? And don't worry, I know you are not a money-minded person. I had a wonderful time this evening. It was one of the most memorable.”
My Sanu was behaving mature and reassuring me. In that moment, I realized I was going to need her all the time.
She went on,
“Honestly Aaru, with your texts I felt like you are a child asking if he could have chocolate ice cream with a promise that he won't lick it badly and spoil his shirt!” And she drowned into chirping giggles that were fast becoming my favourite soothing mechanism.
I closed my eyes, smiling lazily as I spoke,
“I thought I spoiled our first date. I wanted to make it nice.”
