It was Valentines evening, Vaidehi was placing her order for coffee. And from the corner of her eye she could see a man staring at her. She had a quick glance and turned abruptly in a vivid surprise. She kept staring at him till she realised no one had said a thing.
'Vighnesh! Say something damn it! How have you been....? And will you just stop staring at me. what is it?' Vaidehi's surprise turned into a giggling blush.
'I was just paying tribute to our horrid break up, so I thought a two minutes silence would be appropriate.' Vighnesh joked with a wide grin.
They both looked full. Vaidehi in her black one piece with a red waist band and a silver pendant necklace. She was oozing Valentines. Whereas, Vighnesh was his usual unaware self, in his 'characteristic big day shirt' which meant white! and a blue jeans ripped around knees with an edifice watch and a bracelet. Briefly, he ticked all the styling boxes for a man.
'Thank you. and Happpy Valentines day' She replied as she picked up her coffee for takeaway.
'Who wishes that way? with hands full of coffee?' He never lost
'Isn't coffee all that a man needs?' she winked.
'Bad comeback!'
'You started it.' she really didn't have a comeback this time.
Vighnesh moved swiftly to get in front as Vaidehi moved aside. He placed his usual 'Coke and burger-two of each-Take away'
Vaidehi made a quick note to herself, 'he had company'.
'So, How have you been?' he asked her as he paid the cash and paid no attention to the girl on counter pitching him for adding extra fries to make it into a meal.
'Good. better than ever. you?' she was still feeling a bit tinkling in her stomach. Vighnesh always had that hold on her. Even today.
'Usual. You say.' as he checked the screen one more time for his token number while he waited for his order.
'Umm, Coffee and burger for two? You would never buy food for a guy. And it's valentines! I can see two girls out back who are checking you out, so I think that cancels them out. I am guessing the girl on the outside with her mind wandering someplace else in that black one piece. She must be your girl.'
A beaming smile appeared on his face as he watched her narrate her deduction to him.
'Spot on. like always.' he was genuinely impressed.
'Not bad!' she remarked while checking out the girl on the outside.
'Not good!' He countered.
'What d'you mean?' she asked, her face filled with confusion.
'Clearly you are dressed up for the day, And what sort of a man makes his woman get him coffee from such lame ass of a cafe?' he blurted out without even noticing the frown on her face.
'Well, you too are here.' she hit back with a raised brow.
'You know me. I prefer the balcony over restos any given day, this is just for the drive home.' he explained as he grabbed the bag and turned for the exit.
Vaidehi knew it was time, She gave a parting smile as she put down her coffee in order to excuse herself for washroom.
'Well then, She looks the calmer of the two of us but I wouldn't want to make her wait.' as he took the baton of excusing himself to distance the two of them.
'Yes, sure. See you around. And it was lovely seeing you.'
'I know. Let's meet up someday.'
'Definitely.'
'See you Ved.' He waved his hand with love.
'See you V. Take care.' She said and started for the washroom while watching him go out the door to that girl waiting by the car.
As he left, she rushed back swiftly, picked up her coffee and walked over to those two girls out in the back. Both of them had a mischievious grin on their faces. Both dressed up for some fancy party. She handed one of them a coffee. And waved off their quizical giggles as they all got in.
Vaidehi adjusted her rear view mirror, and looked into the mirror for something that was closer than it appeared. Then she steadied herself, turned her key and drove off.
-Vishal Talavanekar
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