If I Had A Love Story - Chapter 16


Chapter 16

The City Centre Mall was flowing with people as dusk settled in. I was waiting for Diya and in the meanwhile I went window shopping around, climbing up and down escalators just for fun. Then we went inside a food shop in the basement. We ordered shawarmas and sat down to eat. The place was dimly lit and I wondered if people could really see what they were eating. After finishing we re-entered the mall.

"Why are cricket stadiums so cool?" My friend asked.

I shrugged not knowing the answer.

"Because every seat has a fan on it."

I laughed convincingly just like a newly wed husband laughs when meeting his in-laws for the first time.

Still no sign of Diya. In the search of her, I bumped into two girls by accident and almost spilt one of their cokes on them. They both were dressed in blue denims and pink t-shirts that had shining stars stuck on them.

"I'm so sorry", I apologized to them.

"It's ok. You aren't from here, are you?" One of them asked.

"Yeah, actually we are on a tour"

She figured that the "we" included the small group clamouring nearby.

"Hi! I am Ananya and this is Isha" she introduced, extending her hands greeting me.

I wasn't sure if I should take it. Reluctantly I shook hands with them.

"Do you care for a cup of coffee?" Ananya asked.

I was little taken aback by her sudden request and was clueless if I should accept.

"Sorry girls but he already has a date" Diya put her hand around mine and dragged me out.

We walked in silence past the streets of Mangalore that were filled with tall buildings and stores lighting up the whole night. A flurry of vehicles kept sweeping past us. I took her shoulder pushing her next to me as I took the open edge of the road. I thought some chivalry would get her to talk with me but she remained silent. As a last desperate resort, I went in front of her and dropped a couple of sorries though I didn't even know for what she was mad at me.

"Who were those girls?" She interrogated.

"I don’t know. I kinda accidentally stumbled upon them"

"Oh! Was it an accident that she asked you out?" She gave an incredulous look.

"It indeed was an accident and it’s not like that I would have agreed since it wasn’t you" I reasoned.

She smiled as she took me by my ear and twisted it.

"Ouch! That hurts" I laughed.   

We kept walking cracking jokes, pointing at stuff and people, laughing, lost in the little world of ours. I didn’t know how much time had passed till my phone rang. I picked up to hear Ajith yelling at the top of his voice asking me where we were. It was then we realised that the time was ten thirty and we didn't know where we were. I hung up after saying we would be coming in few minutes (I didn't know how much "few" equated to then). I turned to Google Maps for help and realised that we both had forgotten the name of the hotel we were staying at and also any landmarks near it. Left with no other options, I phoned Ajith and got the location and keyed it into Google Maps. We were 7 km away from our hotel and it wasn't possible to walk back considering it was too late. Luckily we managed to catch an auto that took us to the hotel.

Waiting for us at the entrance was our professors who gave us a piece of their minds. We were made to swear that it wouldn’t happen in the future. Diya almost broke. We went to our respective rooms. I rang up twice to Diya to check if she was ok but there was no answer. I assumed that she was mad at me and went to take a shower. I returned from the shower and checked my phone. No calls. I called again and this time she picked up.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

There was no answer.

"I'm sorry" I apologized.

"For what?"

"For everything" I replied.

Uncomfortable silence swarmed over.

"Do you wanna talk or shall I hang up?" I asked her.

"I'm ok" she said.

Telling someone that you aren't ok requires some courage. Her voice told me that she wasn't.

"Come out"

"What?"

"I'm standing in front of your room"

She opened the door to see me leaning against the wall. She went and hugged me breaking into tears.

"It's alright" I consoled her and slowly she stopped crying.

After putting her to sleep, I bolted out to my room ensuring that I wasn’t attracting any attention. Many faces shot a glaring look at me as I entered my room. My friends weren't still asleep. Too tired to notice them, I threw myself on the bed and slept like a log.


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