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…