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.