Ain't Meant For LOVE..!

Love Will Get You

Damien’s P.O.V

Just as we reached the restaurant, I hurriedly got to the other side and opened the door for her. As she stepped outside and nodded her head as in ‘Thank You’, she turned to glance at the restaurant before looking at me. I gave her my most charming smile and held my hand for her to grab. She hesitated a bit but then taking my hand we headed inside to the farthest corner near the glass wall.

The table and chairs were hazel colored and the chairs had leather covers giving it a sofa-like look. The table was lined by the slap covering the entire ambiance and had lamp and LEDs set on them giving it a classy, romantic and cosy feel. I was satisfied with the privacy and watched Tasha. She looked mesmerizing as we were escorted to our table to the backside having a beautiful view of the street from the open terrace. The light fell on her face, giving her eyes more shine than they already have. I was lost in my thoughts as I felt her face in content.

‘She looks like an Angel right now, the way her eyes are twinkling and the smile playing on her perfectly shaped lips.’

-‘Wake up bro. She is just a phase, a passing phase to be more accurate. Don’t get involved.’-

I came back to my sense and picked up the menu to look for the dishes as my eyes landed on the frowned face In front of me.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t like the place? We can go to a different restaurant if that is the case.” I said putting my menu back on the table.

-‘Don’t get involved emotionally boy. Just let your charm work.’-

“Well... I really liked this place it’s just that I am not getting what I should order as I clearly don’t have any idea of the dishes printed here. Plus, I cannot make out which can be vegetarian even without egg.” She sighed and looked at me embarrassed.

“Vegetarian and without eggs; Let me order for you then, is that okay?” I asked raising an eyebrow at her.

“That would be useful, thanks.” She seemed relieved.

“Hello sir, what would you like to have?” a guy in early 20s arrived at our table.

“linguine alle Vongole gigantic, Orecchiette con Rapini e Pecorino Canestrato and TONNO con Caponata di Zucca for me.” Just as I started looking at the vegan menu to order for her, I heard him say.

“Very well sir, what would you like to order ma’am?”

I looked up at him and saw him staring at her face with that look, I felt like hitting him on the jaw. Instinctively, I placed my hand on hers and said, “She would like to have INSALATA Autunnale, Viaggio nel mondo dell’insalata and Cucumber and Lemon Verbana Sorbet with Yogurt Mousse.”

I stared coldly at him giving that ‘Don’t fool around her’ look. He curtly nodded and went away.

“Have you ever cooked pasta?” I asked her.

“O yes, many a times. There was a time when we had pasta every other day but it set me off then.” She said smiling brightly and slightly pouting.

I chuckled as another waiter came. This time it was a female, a really pretty one. Damn! Wish I wasn’t sitting next to her at this time. I could have got an amazing night today but I have to control myself just a bit.

“Would you like to have wine or water sir?” she asked battling her eyes and leaning towards me.

“Trentino- Alto Adige. Get the best one for the beautiful lady with me here” I didn’t spare a glance at her and that wasn’t as difficult as I thought.

“Yes sir.” I could feel the disappointment in her voice.

“You do have quite a fan following among different age group.” Tasha said gesturing around the other side of the restaurant where women tried to get my attention.

“Are you jealous?” I laughed and saw her baffled. “You shouldn’t be though as I feel nothing for them, but it amazes me how I feel something for you.” I stared in her eyes putting up a confident look.

She seemed to be lost in her thoughts as I waited for her response.

-‘Strike one’-

Our food was served and she still didn’t make an attempt to touch the food.

“Hello...” I tried to grab her attention by waving in front of her eyes. “Earth calling Tasha.”

She looked at me and nodded and ate quietly.

-‘Way to ruin Damien; everything was going good but you had to work upon your stupid plan and look where it got you? She is distant now.’-

I started getting restless. “I must say you have a good idea of all the dishes here. These tastes amazing.” Listening to her do the talking again, I felt at ease.

“I have a great choice not just in food but also in ‘other things’ as well. Just look at the person I decided to date nowadays.” I smirked as she went still for few minutes. I saw her gulp her food down and again after a long silence, we decided to have wine.

It was the best one in here and a rare too. But she didn’t drink much and I know why. After paying at the restaurant and living them a huge tip, we headed towards my car. I intentionally brushed my shoulders to her.

She turned to face me. We were staring at each other for a while. I reached for few hair strands falling on her eyes, tucking them behind the ears and was leaning in to kiss her. She abruptly moved away and said, “Do you think I am fool to fall for your petty moves Mr. Williams?” She laughed bitterly as I just stared at her face.

-‘How did she know it was all just a trap? Can she read my mind? I don’t think so. Maybe she is just guessing. Why not I make it look like genuine?’-

“What do you mean? You seriously think I was planning to make you fall for me? and what for...? Clearly we both know you aren’t my type and not that beautiful. So why will I do that? Don’t get your hopes high Miss Tasha. I just thought I might really enjoy with you, but look at you. You are nothing but a hypocrite making judgement and assumptions about others.” I tried showing loathe as much as I could.

She clenched her fists and for a second I think I saw guilt? If I am not wrong I saw guilt replacing her eyes. She didn’t say anything and went to sit inside the car.

The drive back to her apartment was tensed. After reaching there, I turned towards her, “Good night”.

“I am sorry for whatever happened a while ago. And thank you for the lovely evening.” She said this and passed me a bright and yet a small smile and get off the car.

-‘Strike two’-

I was about to drive away when I heard her call out, “Drive safely and text me, after you get home. Take care.”

Those words, as simple as that sounded, had a huge impact on me as something inside my chest tugged. I was stunned as nobody and I really mean NOBODY ever asked me to do that. I had been with so many women before, either they were after my body or my money but none bothered about me and my safety. Yet here those words kept replaying in my head till I reach my condo.

I was smiling slightly remembering it and suddenly I realized at that moment. I have started a very dangerous game. I may hurt myself in the end.

I crashed on the nearby sofa lost in my thoughts...

Flashback

After calling for the fifth time, she picked up the call. “Hey baby... I missed you so much...”

She spoke in a muffled voice and I couldn’t help noticing the hoarseness and the breathlessness in it. I curled my fingers into a fist and voiced as calm as I could at that moment.

“Where are you? I am here in S. Dakota and at your hotel but they say you have never been here.”

There was a shuffling noise before she spoke. ” What? You are here? Why didn’t you call me before? What the f**k you think you are up to?” she was furious and I just stared at the screen for few seconds before replying,

“I just wanted to surprise you and..... Anyways, where are you and why you lied to me?” I wanted her to say something to ease the anxious feeling brewing in my stomach.

“You remain where you are, I will be there soon. Let’s talk about this.”

I waited pacing to and fro outside the hotel, the ring box in my hand shuffling with every movement.

After what seemed like 15 minutes a Porsche appeared and came out my most beautiful girl. Time had done justice to her. She appears even more beautiful in that yellow tight mid-thigh dress and looked mature.

-‘Mature? Why I feel she had been sleeping with someone?’-

-‘Just wait for few more minutes to know the reality than getting these ridiculous thoughts in you filthy brain?’- An inner voice scolded me.

I smiled at her, relief washing my body seeing she wasn’t hurt anywhere as I scanned her body from head to toe holding her hands in mine.

“Thank god you are safe and sound.” I hugged her tightly.

“Dami baby, listen to me now. It’s very urgent and I cannot stay here longer.” These brought my attention back to the reason why we were meeting here like this.

“There is something you should know. I... I... I cannot be with you anymore. I wanted to say this to you long back but I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you. I never wanted a long-distance relationship but you were adamant to make it work that I wasn’t able to explain you my choice. I don’t feel like anything special with you. I am sorry but I have already found someone who loves me as much as I love him and what more? He would be taking over his father’s company in few months and then I would marry him. I cannot just live with someone who is blinded by love and cannot secure his future like you. You gave up your dad’s opportunity just to follow me? This isn’t what any woman want. Remember this always. Bye.”

She turned and went inside her car as I just stood there shocked and broken trying to make sense of all those words. When I heard the car roar, I ran behind her, trying to stop her to beg her to come back to me as I fell on the street and lay there crying. An aged man came to me pulling me up and helping me to sit on the sidewalk as he took in my appearance.

I didn’t say anything. I felt torn inside still not believing the fact that she just dumped me for what? for loving her more than my future? I couldn’t take it, this can’t be happening. I left my house; my dad’s company as she needed me to stay with her to take care of her while she worked hard on her project to accomplish it with flying colors. I gave up my music opportunity; my only dream to be a musician as I wasn’t ready to leave her alone as She needed me. She counted on me. And now she left me because I didn’t have any future?

The stabbing pain in my heart had me cry as I looked at the dress that now lay on the street not few feet away tousled and the ring box in my hand.

“Son, I know what you are feeling at this moment but let me state a fact. If it wasn’t hard for her to leave you, than she wasn’t the one. Maybe you would feel like you won’t be able to love again, but don’t let that feeling get you as when love will come finding you, it would be hard for you to accept it and maybe that love won’t stay longer to believe it.”

I just stared at the old man who had a hand over mine now and staring on the street.

“Everybody is meant for love; the one made for you will find you in the most unexpected way. Just grab it and never let it go. That time you would realize that this wasn’t love but an experience to go through to let you know what true love is when it arrives. Mark my words child.”

I just stared as he left and with the broken feeling went back to New York realizing I had no one to turn to. No one to share my pain and feeling, no one cared if I had eaten or I am doing well. I lost all reasoning that day as I decided to never get any woman make their way to my heart and to sleep around breaking other’s heart as she broke mine.

Flashback Ended

I looked at the phone and debated for a long time before leaving a message.

Me: I reached safely few minutes back.

I felt weird, I stood up to go and get a shower when the ding sounded. Grabbing my cell I saw her message.

Stubborn: Thank god. Now get changed and sleep on time. Good Night.

I smile unknowingly as I texted her good night and went to shower. I failed to realize that I was excited to receive her reply.

-‘There is a long way to go, for you and for me...’- I thought and smiled to myself.