21~ The Sweet Love Confession
Mrs. Diya and I indulged in talks about my upcoming book and finalising the publishing date.
She also presented a few book cover designs and each one of them were beautiful.
I always end up fascinated by how beautiful these graphics are.
The designers do a lot of work and I'm grateful.
These small things make our book eye-catching and interesting.
Finally when everything was done and packed away, I took my leave. On my way, I received the call of the man who has invaded my thoughts. I didn't expect him to call this early, he is a doctor of course and his schedule must be packed up.
"Hey Akriti", he greeted and just by hearing his voice my heart beats started racing. Why does he have such an effect on me? Why does my heart start pumping loudly when he is near me?
"Hi", I greeted back, my throat dry at the sudden call. I never feel nervous but when he is there, I feel that I never learnt how to speak without stammering. I forget that I am a confident woman.
"I was wondering if we could meet in an hour.
It's okay if you are busy", he stammered and it brought a smile to my face.
I checked my watch and found it was just 11 a.m, I'm exactly half an hour early.
I promised mumma to be back in an hour but I still have some time. It won't hurt if I meet him now.
"Sure, but I just have half an hour", I said and I heard a weird voice, a squealing voice which didn't seem like it was Adhyay's.
That means Adrija was listening to our conversation as well!
This Adhyay couldn't keep it private? Now what will my only best friend think of me?
That I'm eager to meet her brother? That's embarrassing and awkward.
"That would be enough Akriti", he replied and listening to Aadhya from his mouth did something to me.
I felt fluttery and a shiver ran down my spine.
This is unknown! This feeling is unknown to me.
I have never felt this way in my whole life.
But, I am liking it. I like how my name rolls off his mouth, I like the way he addresses me, I have started to like his habits, his talks and his everything.
"Should I pick you up?", he gently asked, leaving me in amazement. He is truly a gentleman and sweet.
"I'll manage, you don't need to trouble yourself for me", I replied but only heard him chuckling.
"Trust me it would be an honour to serve you Miss. Akriti", he said as if I were a Queen. I laughed and opened the car.
"And I thought we were past Miss and Doctor, isn't it Dr. Adhyay?"
"We are Akriti", he said and I cheekily smiled. He is a charmer and he knows how to make my day more pleasant. God must have taken years to craft a perfection like him, he is perfect that makes me think that how can one be this perfect?
"But where do I need to come?", I asked and started my car.
"I'll send you the location. It's a minute drive from your house", he said, surprising me.
He knows where my house is? How does he know this much about me while I know nothing!
I want to know about him, understand him and his thoughts.
I want to take a step forward but I'm scared.
I am scared that one day he'll leave me all alone in this desert full of vultures.
He will break my heart, and I am not strong enough to handle it like my mother did.
I won't be able to pick the pieces of my shattered heart and mend it.
I am terrified that I'll end up losing myself to him.
But I also can't ignore these feelings, the fire within me. It's something new, and I feel alive.
My phone pinged and I saw the google maps link to the place.
I linked my phone with the system of the car as it guided me the way.
After 10 minutes of driving, I saw a beautiful hotel with an elegant fountain at the entrance.
Glamorous golden statues gave the entrance an elegant look.
I stepped outside my car as the guard opened the gate for me.
Thanking him, I gave him the keys to my car and took the token.
Taking slow steps, relishing the beauty of the hotel, I entered inside. I never noticed this hotel, even though I live just beside it. The receptionist smiled charmingly and asked, "Do you have a booking ma'am?"
"Err no, I'm here to meet Dr. Adhyay. I assume he has booked a table", I said nervously. I was expecting that he'll show up out of nowhere but to my surprise he was not here yet.
"Yes ma'am, we have a seat booked for Dr. Adhyay Bansal", she said after she had checked her records.
I smiled nervously tapping my feet. Where was he?
I was going to turn when I felt a presence behind me.
I shifted a little to see him towering my short figure.
He is tall, I never noticed our height differences. Beside him, I'll look like a child.
"I have a seat reserved for me, booked under Dr. Adhyay, here's the booking ID", he formally said, handing the receptionist his card.
She nodded and typed away swiftly. While he was doing the formalities, I looked at the beautiful miniature sculptures kept in the waiting area.
I'll take my mother for dinner here next week.
She'll be elated, this place is beautiful.
"Shall we?", I heard him ask. I smiled and nodded. We followed the waiter behind to the dining hall. It was completely saturated with people! This means it's quite famous and I still didn't know about it. Looking at the behaviour and the elegance, I am sure that it must be costly here.
Adhyay pulled a chair for me and I gently smiled accepting his offer.
He took a seat in front of me and smiled back.
Today he was looking exceptionally handsome in his simple blue shirt and black trousers.
His hair was neatly gelled and combed. Unlike the day I saw him in the hospital, he was looking free today.
His face was devoid of any worries and that pleased me.
"Your choice is nice", I complimented, not knowing what else to say. He smiled and said, "Thank you, I hope you are comfortable here".
I nodded and was awestruck by his question. He definitely knows how to please everyone with his words. A gentleman with a perfect amount of sweetness.
"So? What do you need to talk about?"I asked, trying not to beat around the bush.
I am really eager to know what he wants to tell me.
Since yesterday, my heart has been racing trying to know his thoughts.
He took a deep breath and was going to say something when the waiter intervened.
I glared at the waiter for ruining it. I am getting impatient now.
The waiter gulped and asked, "What would you like to have sir, ma'am? "
"Akriti, what would you like to have?" Adhyay asked in his deep voice and my tummy fluttered. I just had butterflies just by his voice.
"I'll just take tomato soup", I said trying to avoid the expenses. This is too costly, too much. And I wouldn't like him to pay for me. That means I'll have to pay and it would be better if I save my money. I do earn a lot but the conditions I grew in taught me to save as much as I can.
"Two tomato soups, and lasagna will suffice", he said and I gulped. What has happened to me? Why am I behaving this way? And just by his voice?
The waiter nodded and went away.
"Now, tell me what you wanted to say", I asked as soon as the waiter went. Adhyay again took a deep breath and started.
"Akriti don't judge me for this, and it's okay if you don't feel the same", he said and my heart beats skyrocketed.
Is he going to confess? Is he really doing this?
Should I tell him that I like him as well?
He gently took my hand in his warm ones and I felt sparks in my whole body.
I was feeling like a jelly, I took a shaky breath and looked at his beautiful brown orbs.
"Akriti, you might not have noticed this but I have adored you since our school days", he said and my heart thumped so loudly that it would come out. He is doing it! He is really confessing!
"I-I don't know how this happened but I can't wait anymore.
I'm getting impatient. You have become the reason for my essence, the reason why I smile, the reason why my heart gets excited and starts thumping loudly.
"
I took a shaky breath, my eyes turning watery.
I never expected his confession to be so honest and beautiful.
He is making me feel special. He is looking at me like I'm his world and without me he will die.
"Akriti, I love you, I always have, since the first day I saw you in school.
Since the day you stepped in my life, you have made everything enchanting.
You steal my breath everytime you walk towards me, you make me speechless.
"
Tears started coating my cheeks as he said this.
How can he be so perfect? Why is he making it so difficult for me? How can one not fall for him?
"Akriti I have always loved you, even before I knew what love is, how two people fall in love.
I had kept it in my heart for so many years, but I don't think I can handle it anymore.
Just know that even if you deny, I'll be always there looking out for you", he completed and I let out a sob. He Loves me!
"H-how? How could you love me a broken person like me?
", I asked and he smiled, wiping my tears with his thumb.
Brushing a tendril from my face he replied, "I love a strong woman, who lives for herself, who did everything from scratch.
It's not just love, it's respect and adoration as well.
"
I was speechless for a while. He thinks so highly of me but will he think the same after he comes to know about my father?
Won't he and his family judge me? Who would like their son to marry the daughter of a cheater? Why is it so complicated?
So! He confessed!
I'm so happy but at the same time feeling sad for Akriti. She loves him as well but her insecurities won't let her say it aloud.
She is scared that he might leave her.