After the loud music in the playpark, it was nice to hear slow tunes in CCD. Raj had ordered a cappuccino and Trisha had ordered a frappe latte. Once the order was placed, there was a couple of moment's awkward silence, where they looked at each other and smiled. Raj thought that it mustve been a very sheepish grin of his. Trisha thought the same.
"Ok Trisha...."
"Ok Raj....."
Both spoke at the same time and laughed. "You go first" said Raj.
"Ok. Well so what are you doing these days?" said Trisha.
"Well, besides playing bowling, eating at italian restaurants and going out with my friends, nothing much. just waiting for your call - company's call" said Raj. "I dunno, its been a week now and dont know when I should expect a reply - atleast. Do you know? or it is against your professionalism to tell me when I will receive a reply?" Raj added.
He thought it was better to start off on a common topic rather than shoot wildly. The only topics that he used to talk with friends were cricket, girls, movies, girls, whiskey brands, girls, sports, girls, politics and girls !! Its obvious which topic of discussion was favourite, when it came to friends. Definitely, he could not discuss this topic with her, nor were the other topics a likely shot.
"To be honest, be ready for atleast a couple of month's wait for even a reply. We're in no big hurry to hire. There is a new project coming up, but it is still atleast half a year away, so dont wait too long. If you have some other opportunity, take it up" Trisha said directly.
Raj looked crestfallen. He didnt even have any other interviews lined up. Atleast WesIT had called him for interviews. Others had rejected his application on email. He was running low on funds also. Looking at Raj's depressed expression, Trisha said to him softly,
"Hey Raj, dont worry, you'll get something soon. I just dont want you to get your hopes too high. I know the scenario of my company and as a friend, I thought I should tell you as it is"
Hearing 'friend' once again bought a small amount of happiness in Raj's heart.
"Thanks Trisha." Raj said with a small smile.
At that moment, their coffees arrived and they both got their things out of the way - purse, mobiles and car keys.
"Dunkirk is going to be run in the theatre" Raj mumbled.
Surprisingly, Trisha replied, "Oh is it? Id wanted to watch it since the promos were shown on TV"
"You like war movies, do you?" asked Raj.
"Oh, I just love them. Full of action and fast moving. Connected to history and feeling of patriotism in them" Trisha said with twinkling eyes.
"Well, I didnt imagine you to be a 'war movie' girl" said Raj casually.
"What did you imagine me to be then?" laughed Trisha.
"More like romance, love and maybe comedy" Raj said smiling. "What do you say, I treat you to a movie next weekend or Thursday maybe, since movies usually change on Friday, maybe you'll give me that job then?" he added still smiling and casual.
"Oh, so now you are asking me out for a movie straightaway?" Trisha had brought a serious, strict look on her face and was looking at Raj with narrowed eyes.
Raj was shocked at seeing the sudden curtness. "I mean....we can go if you want to...." Raj said timidly afraid that he had put a dent in their improving chemistry.
Trisha maintained the face for a couple of moments and then suddenly said, "Its ok Raj, I was just joking. Lets go. I just have to see whether Im free that day" said Trisha sounding completely normal now. In fact she was smiling widely.
"Why did you joke about it though?" Raj asked, this time he was serious and straight-faced. On the other hand, he just couldnt believe that she'd said yes so soon.
"Uh...I dont know Raj...Im sorry...." Trisha replied suddenly uncomfortable and replying timidly. Now that she thought about it, joking about it meant that she just wanted to see Raj's reaction at her rejecting his request. And that meant that she had also started feeling a bit differently for him.
Raj smiled and said, "Dont worry, I just turned the joke on you, hahaha."
They chatted a bit more about war movies and then it was time to go. Trisha picked up her mobile from her purse to find 5-6 missed calls from her friends. Trisha called one of them and came to know they had gone home and had called up to inform her. Raj called up Arvind to find that they had already left and gone to Sanju's place by public transport. They hadnt bothered to call him up before leaving !! Raj suspected that Arvind had hatched this 'plan' of not calling him and just proceeding home, so that there was a chance for Raj to give Trisha a lift, if Trisha's friend's left without her as well. Anyway, it was just 7 o'clock in the evening, so it wasnt too late.
"My friends have left" Trisha said.
"My friends too" Raj said.
Both of them had the same thought at the same time and then both laughed loudly.
"What?" Raj asked, recovering first.
"What what? You know what. Apparently both our friends had some plans for us !!" Trisha said to Raj mischievously and directly.
"Well, you are one frank girl, you know" Raj said. Her frankness and openness was turning him on now. "Ill give you a lift home" he said.
"Yes, please..." Trisha said. As she was going to get up from her chair, she removed her spectacles and pulled out her hair tie / bow. She shook her head and her hair flew like soft smooth silk in all directions. She clasped the bow in her white even teeth. She pulled her soft hair together passing it between the fingers of both hands and finally holding it it to the top of her head. Then with one hand, she formed a loop and with the other hand passed her hair over to the other side of the loop and tied a loose knot with just one or two strands prancing near her cheeks. She had worn just a cotton tunic top with a floral design and bell sleeves and jeans. Casually dressed but so elegant. Raj was watching every movement of hers with awe !
"She is so beautiful. Her hair....my god ...her hair !!" Raj thought, still wearing the same expression on his face.
Trisha realised that he was literally staring, but she liked it apparently and told him teasingly, "Hey, what are you looking at?"
"You." Raj said even before he'd realised it !! Then he broke his trance and they walked away to the parking lot where his car was parked. The mall was now playing the sonu nigam number....
Tumse milke dil kaa hai jo haal kyaa kahe......ho gaya hai kaisa yeh kamaal kyaa kahe....
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