Until We Met

7

Anjali

It’s just another day. I go to the office and as usual; we have lots of work. We are working on a big fashion show, which is a lot of work.

“Anjali ma’am you got a parcel,” the clerk says, and I frown. Who will send me a parcel and that too at this time? I think and go with him. I look at the parcel size. It is so huge and as tall as me. Oh God, what’s in it.

“Anjali open it na,” one of my colleagues says. I nod and open it. It took time to open.

Bang! Something heavy falls on me, causing me to fall. I clutch it, and it is soft. I quickly get up and look at the soft thing, realising it is a teddy bear, and that too the same one which I saw at the mall. I saw a small card attach to its neck, and I take it.

‘A small gift for Mrs soon to be Mehra ji and I hope you like it.

PS, tell aunty I sent this gift for you, then she will not scold you for bringing this home.’

I smile looking at the chit and the teddy bear. All my colleagues are going 'aww,’ about the teddy bear. I ask the courier boy to deliver this to my home and give him the address.

“Who sent that Anjali?” they all ask.

“My fiance,” I answer, and they tease me for some time before going to their places.

After they left, I send him a message.

‘why this gift Mr Mehra?’

In seconds I get a reply. ‘Because my soon to be wife craved for it ji.’

‘I forgot to tell you something,’ I send.

‘What?’

‘Your soon to be wife says thanks to you,’

‘Tell her to meet me and thank me,’ he sends.

‘Nice try Mr Smarty, but she says she is busy today'

‘No problem. Tell her to get ready at seven, and I will pick her up,’

‘Ok ji I will surely convey your message to her and now bye Ji,’ I send, then put the phone aside.

For the rest of the day, I think about his surprise, and what it could be. I don’t expect this from him, but it is sweet for him to remember the teddy bear.

Later that evening, I go home only to see my mom angry. 

“What is this Anjali!?” I already told you not to buy soft toys, but you didn’t listen na,” she yells.

“Mom, it’s a gift,”

She frowns, “Gift? Who sent you a gift, and such a big one at that?”

“Aarav sent it while I was at the office,”

“Did you ask him to buy it?”

“What no! Believe me, mom, I really didn’t know he bought this for me,” I say, knowing she doesn’t believe me.

She sighs. “Ok, freshen up I will bring coffee for you,” she is about to go, but, I stop her.

“I don’t want it, mom. Actually, Aarav is coming here so…"

“Ohoooo so someone is going on a date,” she says teasingly.

“What date? He told me to be ready and he will come at seven he didn’t say anything about a date,”

“Maybe he wants to surprise you,” she points towards the teddy bear.

I slowly take the teddy bear to my room, placing it at my bed. It is so soft and so cute. I don’t want to leave it, but Aarav must be on his way.

I quickly go to the bathroom, freshen up then changed.

I decide to wear a dress. I comb my hair into a bun and apply little make-up. I go down only to see him already waiting for me. I walk over to him.

Aarav

When I reach her home, aunty tells me she is getting ready. After a few minutes of waiting, I hear the sound of heels. I look up at the beauty making her way down the stairs. I am dumbfounded. She is looking beautiful in that dress. It stops at her knees. I can see that she’s wearing makeup and it looks nice.

“Hi,” she waves.

“You are looking so beautiful,” I complement her. She blushes, and I begin to admire how cute she looks when she blushes.

“Thanks,”

“Let’s go,” I say, and she nods.

“One minute,” she quickly says before walking away.

After some time, she comes with her mom.

“Bye mom I will be on time,” she says, and her mom smiles.

“Have fun,” her mom says to both of us.

We smile then left.

“Where are we going?” she asks.

“It’s a surprise,”

“What‘s the surprise? I can’t wait for it. Please tell me na,” she pouts.

“Surprise means surprise,”

We sat in the car.

“Aarav please, I can’t wait till then please tell me na what is it?”

I start the car, not answering. She repeatedly asks, and still, I give her no answer.

“Ok fine don’t tell me,” she huffs, and turns.

“Have patience ji,”

“Don’t talk to me,” she says angrily.

I chuckle, driving the car to the destination.

Soon, I stopped the car.

She came out, and surprise spreads across her face.

“Aarav you did this for me?” she asks, and I nod.

“This is so beautiful,” her eyes are shining.

I did all this to see her smiling with twinkling eyes.

*********