CHOCOLATE LOVE STORY (concluding part)

(My heartfelt apologies for the delay...hope this makes up for it!)

It was happening, Dewang thought as he cut through the cake. She was right beside him, singing a birthday song for him. It did not matter that it wasn’t his birthday…it was too early for that. But somehow, the fact that she was around lifted his spirits. He felt as if it was his birthday. Like an excited child. A coy look towards Parvez and Mohit got wide smiles. And he blushed! It was a beautiful feeling and if only…if only he could spend some time with her. His wishes were granted as Parvez jumped in to the rescue.

“Hey…what time do you get free in the evening?”

She looked surprised and shared a glance with the other girl who was standing around the table as well.

“Uh…”

“We are traveling and well…its his birthday after all. Why don’t you two join us for dinner?”

Mohit seemed to take cue form Parvez then and started talking with her as well.

“If you two can’t then we understand. But it would be nice if you could…”

She looked at Dewang then and he smiled. He should have said something, invited her or said thanks or something…but he had lost his voice. Yet he knew he wanted her to say yes…and she smiled at him then.

“We would be free by six…”

“Great. We can pick you girls up from here at around same time?” Mohit said and the other girl smiled.

“Sounds like fun.”

Dewang gave her a polite smile and looked away as the two walked back towards the waiting customers.

“Oh, Dewang you owe me 500…” It was Parvez again and Dewang looked around sharply at his friend.

“Huh?”

“It’s your birthday pal…you pay the bill!”

Dewang laughed and as his friends joined in he felt butterflies jump around in his stomach. His eyes darted towards the clock on the opposite wall and then back towards her, busy behind the counter. It was hardly 12…he thought and sipped moodily on his hot chocolate. Still 6 more hours to go. But then, they could keep sitting here till it poured. But he knew it way too well…it won’t last too long. And he was right. Before he knew the cake had been devoured, coffees gulped down and the clock barely showed 1. The clouds parted and people started to appear on the streets again.

“Would you guys like something else?” it was the other girl who walked up to them. There was no place in their tummies and though Dewang would gladly keep eating or drinking coffee if only to keep watching her, but he knew he could not do that. Not only would it look rude, he worried eating too much could give out a bad impression. He noticed her giving him sideways glance as she crossed thieve table, but then he might have been imagining things.

“Nah, thanks. We guys need to go now…its stopped raining and well…loads to see.” Mohit said and Parvez stood up as well. Dewang kept sitting at his place, feeling glued to his chair.

“If you could…give us the cheque.” Parvez said and the girl nodded and left, smiling as she crossed the other girl. Dewang just wished she would bring the bill across and she didn’t. Why? Had he done something wrong? Had he offended her? She must have noticed him checking her out every time she crossed his path, looking out for her? Shaking his head he stared at the bill, emptied his purse and stood up. One last look showed her back as she entered the kitchen and doubt crept up again.

“Then, we would see you girls at 6?” Parvez asked as they started walking towards the door. The girl nodded and walked away.

“Move now brother. Can’t do much here…” Parvez said and Dewang nodded.

He checked the watch once they left and felt his heart whimper…more than 4 hours more!

Back in the small hotel room, his friends left him to his present state and decided to take a stroll on the mall road. He could have accompanied, but then he could not possibly wander away. His mind was too preoccupied. He just wished for the needles to turn so that it was six. He felt impatience grip his heart and then he was thinking how he would start a conversation. It was not helping him, just being too quiet.

And then his mind was racing, of possibilities of starting a conversation. And then he was rehearsing. This continued and when his friends returned, he was already ready. Mohit joked when he looked at the time but Parvez just gave him a smile but said nothing. Finally it was six. The sun had set beyond the peaks as the three guys walked towards the coffee shop. There was no point taking the bike. It was better if they just walked. Because of the simple reason that two bikes couldn’t accommodate 5 people.

“Try and speak Dewang,” Parvez suggested as they entered the mall road.

“Ofcourse he would speak. You just leave him alone ok. And besides I don’t blame him. She is indeed very cute.”

“Agreed.”

“Do you think we guys should go to that club?” Dewang asked and Mohit shook his head.

“We are tourists remember? How would we know of any good place? Let the girls decide. In that manner, they would be more comfortable.”

Parvez nodded and then the conversation drifted towards football. And Dewang was grateful for that. Thinking too much would probably ruin the whole thing. And more importantly, there were still important things that could be talked about. And any deviation was welcome. And before Dewang knew, he was enjoying himself again. There was probably something about just the game. But he knew it meant the world to him, his dream to meet the legends. There was a Bayern Munich match to discuss and Dewang was waiting for their next. And he knew the next month was busy. Finally the boys had reached the mall and could see the lamppost glowing right outside the café. Dewang could feel butterflies in his stomach as he realized the door was opening. Maybe he imagines, but a whiff of rich aroma seemed to float to him and he wondered whether he would be able to finally say all the things he had rehearsed in the afternoon. And then they were saying their hellos. A smile had lighted when he saw her face, glowing by the lamplight, her hair tied in a neat ponytail. She was dressed casually in a t and jeans and then something happened. His smile simply died away. How could she? He wondered but there was nothing more to think about. Parvez and Mohit were their usual self, nice and cheerful. But Dewang had lost all inclination to talk. He ached to get back to his room. They were guided to a small joint that served Tibetan food. He noticed how she was smiling at him, how Parvez ensured she sat next to him but there was absolutely nothing he could talk about. Though he had spoken in monosyllables in the afternoon as well, there had always been a smile. But now, his tone was cold, formal and totally devoid of any emotions his heart had experienced in the morning. And finally it had all come to an end. They parted ways, she wished him happy birthday again and got a curt nod in reply. She stood on her dorrstep and Dewang was acutely aware of her eyes following him. He should have turned and smiled at her. But there was absolutely no point nor any inclination. He walked in silence, feeling moody. And his friends kept mum, respecting his decision, though completely baffled by his sudden jump to the cold self. But they knew that now was not the right time. And then they were finally back to their room. Mohit kept looking at Dewang as he changed and slouched on the bed, his face all relaxed again.

“Dewang…I don’t understand? Whatever happened?”

Dewang stared at his friend and then at Parvez who had also stopped on his way to the loo, a towel in hand. They were curious and he could not blame them. Afterall, they had gone through all this for him…

“Well…” Dewang cleared his throat and then he said it.

“She was wearing a Werder Bremen T-shirt. You saw it!” he said and there was a complete silence. Mohit frowned and then he looked at Parvez. Within seconds there was a burst of laughter as the two friends started laughing.

“Beer?” Mohit called as he managed to drag himself to the small fridge. The TV was being switched on.

“Beer sounds good!” Dewang smiled and settled on the bed, his legs flung across. He thought again of the chocolate cake, the warm café and her radiant smile. But some crimes had no excuses…

CHOCOLATE LOVE STORY (Part I)

“Paradise!” Mohit exclaimed and stared at his friends, totally uninterested in the view. Parvez was busy talking on his mobile and Mohit could only guess with whom. He would never change, he shook his head and his eyes traveled on to look at Dewang, lying on his bike, his face covered with the cap, legs crossed. He could not really decide who was worse off. Where Parvez was a complete flirt, Dewang was totally disinterested. He could not remember the last time Dewang had looked at a woman, leave alone talk with one in a manner that was even semi-formal!

“Dewang!” he shouted and got a sideways glance, as he removed his cap to look at his friend.

“”What?”

“Come on man…How you can waste your time in sleeping!”

There was no reply, just a small smile, a quirked eyebrow and a hand movement that readjusted the cap. Mohit gave up and looked at the lush green peaks, sighing as clouds floated across. If only he was artistic enough, he would have written a poem. But he had his limitations. There was nothing he could truly do about it other than admire. His mind rushed back to the sky, darkening by the minute.

“It’s going to rain,” it was Dewang’s voice and Mohit turned to look at his friend, standing right behind him.

“I can see that.” He said and Dewang looked across at Parvez.

“So who is it this time?”

“How would I know? If only there was just one!”

Dewang smiled and went on to sit on his bike. His eyes stayed on the tree at the edge of the cliff for a moment before he whistled and gave a kick to his bike.

“Hey Romeo…let’s leave before we get drenched.”

Parvez seemed to listen then and hurried to park himself behind Dewang. Mohit was already on his bike, waiting for them to push off. It took them 15 minutes to drive back to the small market in the centre of the mountain town but it was too late. The clouds had rushed in on them and the friends decided to take shelter.

The bell chimed in an ancient cling as Dewang pushed open the door to step in, standing just inside as his friends followed. And within seconds he knew he was hungry. The scent of freshly baked cookies seemed to enthrall his senses. Smiling he looked at Parvez who was already trying to find his phone that was ringing again. Mohit was staring animatedly outside the glass windows as the busy street emptied and rain fell like pellets on the road. An old English establishment in the hills of Eastern India, how could he not feel amused? But the sight was not new for Dewang. He had been born and brought up in this part of the country. He knew the blue hills, the dark sky and the white waterfalls like abc. It was home for him and there was nothing to see or admire. And then he knew he could never have been more wrong. She was walking towards them, like an angel in white and green stripes! The small skirt seemed to follow the rhythm of her legs as her small feet guided her on the wooden floor. Small feet, snug in canvas shoes, socks rolled down. Everything was just perfect…starting from the dark black hair, the piercing black eyes and the rosy cheeks. And his eyes stayed on the smile, perfection in itself. Small and friendly. She crossed him and his eyes closed as a whiff of chocolate reached his nostrils. His eyes followed her as she placed the steaming mug of hot chocolate on the table. The old man smiled at her and she replied with an equally radiant smile. She turned and her eyes met his’, unabashedly staring at her.

“Table for three?” she asked and he nodded, too smitten to talk. A small wistful smile lighted her features as she showed them an empty table by the window. Mohit was talking again, sighing as he looked at the rain outside.

“Wow!” was all that escaped his lips as he continued to stare outside the window. The hills were now covered by the clouds. But all that was lost to Dewang’s eyes. They followed her around as she rushed form one table to another, smiling at everyone in turn. She looked at him and he knew he should have looked away. But try as he might he couldn’t.

“So beautiful!” Mohit sighed again.

“Very.” Dewang finally said and his friend turned, amused that Dewang finally had something to say about the place. And then he realized that was not the case. Dewang’s eyes were stuck on a very different vision.

“Ahem?” he cleared his throat and Dewang looked at him with surprise. He never realized Mohit was looking at him. By this moment, even Parvez was interested, his phone finally stashed away.

“What?” Dewang asked and Mohit smiled.

“She is pretty.” He said and Dewang smiled. There was a certain boyish charm about that smile. And he felt it too. Strangely he never realized how it happened but his heart seemed to float like the clouds.

“Go talk to her.” Parvez said and Dewang shook his head.

“Don’t be silly. We leave tomorrow…”

“So what?” Mohit asked and Dewang shook his head as his heart whispered that it was worth it.

“Come on man….how long has it been really?” Parvez asked and Dewang frowned.

“Well…so what do you propose I do?” he asked, a bit flustered. It seemed like he was back in school, his friends prodding him to go and talk to a certain girl he had a crush on. And strangely it was a nice feeling. He was ready to be prodded, coaxed and motivated to do the unthinkable. And suddenly he could not believe that the man who earned his bread and butter due to his communication abilities was not able to think of an opening line to start a conversation! The man who told people how to talk was almost scared to go up to a woman and ask her about her name! A girl was the right word, he corrected himself and his eyes darted towards her again. And his heart jumped to his mouth when he realized she was walking towards there table, her pen and writing pad in hand.

“Would you like to order?” she asked and he felt her voice glide like a sweet melody from his ears to his heart.

“Uh…”

“In fact we would. What do you suggest?” Parvez was talking and Dewang was thankful.

“Well…the weather is just perfect for some nice hot chocolate and I would recommend out cream rolls to go with it. And if your taste runs towards something salty…”

“Cream rolls sound great. And yes…could I talk with you?” he said as he left the seat and guided her away from the table. Dewang stared on as Parvez spoke with her. He could not make out a single word that left his mouth and then he was conscious for the girl was looking at him and gave the sweetest of the smiles. She turned then and walked away and Parvez walked back, a naughty glint in his eyes.

“What did you do?”

“Relax pal. Consider it done!”

Mohit smiled his approval and Dewang stared from one to another.

“Guys…”

“Don’t worry a jot. Everything is taken care of by master Parvez…you are in good hands my friend!”

“If you mean your hands…pal trust me I would have been safer hanging off a cliff!”

Mohit chuckled and Parvez laughed.

“Well…you have no choice. Either trust me or keep hanging!”

Dewang felt butterflies in his stomach and his eyes glinted with amusement at his own reaction. He could not remember the last time he felt such apprehension yet he had to admit he was loving this feeling. His eyes searched for her but she had retreated to the kitchen and a while later he felt a strange disappointment. Another woman was carrying a tray towards their table and he looked on at Parvez, smiling gaily back at him. She placed the mugs on the table and a basket of cream rolls, smiled down at the three of them with a large radiant smile towards Dewang and went back.

“What was that?” he asked and Parvez grinned.

“Nothing. Just relax and enjoy. These smell great.” He was already mouthing a scrumptious looking roll and Mohit followed suit. Dewang’s appetite was all lost. But he forced some hot chocolate down his throat even as his eyes kept searching for her. And then he saw her, walking towards him with a smile as radiant as ever, carrying what looked like a birthday cake. And he could not help staring at her. And he only wished to look on. She was standing in front of him then, her smile mesmerizing him.

“Happy Birthday!” she said and Dewang smiled.