Her Flawed Love

Chapter 8

Arni's POV

I slide into the passenger seat of his Mercedes and admire it's beauty all over again. Now I understand why this is one of the classiest ever cars you'll find. The hype is totally justified.

I see him walk with elegance again to the other side and he slides in with a smile plastered on his face.

"Where to?" I ask him.

"My favourite place" is all he says throwing me into a feel of thrill.

I am wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black t shirt because I have never been to those classy dates where you dress like a lady, sip red wine and smile artificially.

As a matter of fact, I have never dated anyone even. Because I had one boyfriend who was no good to me. A s*x addicted one at that. He asked me for it, and I denied. So the very next day I got added into his list of 'ex' girlfriends.

"What's keeping you busy?" His voice brings me back to reality.

I just look at him and shake my head, "Nothing. Just some random thoughts"

He looks hesitant for a few moments, but then looks at me and asks "You know.. those.. umm... Gulab Jamun"

I nod gesturing him to say what he wants to. Because this stuttering Nishil is way too much for me to handle right now.

"Can you make it for me again?" He asks.

I laugh. So Nishil likes or maybe loves Gulab Jamun? New to me. I didn't picture him loving to eat sweets. I thought his palate would be so bland but this is a surprise.

"Actually Riya was the one who made those. My cooking skills are range from Coffee to Maggi. No more. No less" I laugh.

"But I'll ask her to make some for you. That's ok" I say.

He nods and smiles as well.

Just as we were talking about it, came the destination. I am glad this isn't that fancy of a restaurant. I mean, casuals would do good too.

"I've always wanted to come here with Riya. Somehow every single time, some or other reason would stop us. Here I am. Finally. With you. At Season Xprs" I whisper to myself careful enough.

Nishil parks his car and joins me as well.

"The Lebanese here is no joke" he says.

"I've heard" I reply.

We take a seat and the chilly air also brings the aroma of the food that's being freshly cooked.

The waiter comes and before I take a look at the menu, Nishil orders for both of us. That kinda threw me off because I didn't expect it. But that's alright. I take it as that is how he is!

"Two platters of Grilled Chicken" he orders.

Ok. I wanted to try that too. So that'd be alright if he orders or I.

"So. Why this sudden dinner?" I ask him bending forward and looking straight into his eyes.

He looks at me with a smirk on his face and Gosh even his smirk screams power.

"Because I felt I didn't give you a proper good bye at the hospital the other day" He says.

Justified. He didn't even look at me that day and that disappointed me more than it probably should. Good thing he himself asked me out. Or I wouldn't have made a move to talk to him either.

"So... I'll be leaving to my state tomorrow. There are many political works on hold. And the people need their leader" he says.

Another thing I admire the most about him. As far as I have known, the people at his place absolutely adores their leader. So you see, the system in India is such.. that most of the members of Legislative assembly are seniors and mostly in their forties and such.

Nishil's father is one. And Nishil.. just wants to walk in his father's footsteps. Or that's what I have heard. And so, he is in Politics as the people's young leader. Because he is young, they adore him much more. Hence, he earned the title Young And Dynamic Leader of the constituency.

I don't say it out but I am proud of him in this matter.

"Arniiii! Didn't expect to run into you here" that very familiar voice fills my ears.

"Hey you! No documentaries here please" I say that makes him laugh.

He hugs me as he laughs and I return it. That is a very friendly hug that and anyone can see that. But I guess, someone didn't like it.

"So. Meet my friend Nishil"

"And Nishil, this is Vishal. The one who kept me busy with documentary today"

All Vishal receives from Nishil, is one simple nod. No smile. No hey. No formal hand shake nothing.

Just one simple nod.

It is starting to get awkward now.

"I guess I saw you somewhere" Vishal whispers thinking hard to recall the last time he saw Nishil.

It is possible that people might know him. He might be a Politician at his state, but he is a well known businessman here. So it's a definite possibility.

"Oh yes! You were all over the news one day. With that accident thing" Vishal finally recalls.

Ummm... Accident thing?

"Oh boy" Nishil sighs.

Judging his expression, it might be something he wants to forget so bad. But looks like since it's all over the news, people keep on reminding me of it.

I quietly decide to let it slide even though I don't know what happened that day.

Our food arrives in meanwhile and I thank God for his perfect timing.!

"Ok. Food is here. I'll call you later huh" I say and wave at him.

He smiles and waves back before he leaves. I watch him walk to a table where I can see a person who looks like him sits. Might be his brother because the similarities are just so striking.

"You should have smiled at least" I whisper.

"This is me. And I don't smile unless it's necessary" Nishil's voice is hard again.

I don't know if it's Vishal that bothered him or the accident need resurfacing again. But I know it takes a toll on his mood now.

So I silently look at the Grilled Chicken, the naan and the garlic sauce that makes me drool just with the sight.

But, you know what best friends are for? To tease the s**t out!!! So I quickly take a picture of the food and send it to Riya only to receive a Poker Face emoji as a reply.

I raise my head to see Nishil and laugh because he exactly looks like this Poker Faced emoji. His eyes fixated on me and his lips forms a thin straight line.

"What?" He asks.

"You just look like Poker Face" I say.

He doesn't reply but dig into his food. I do the same as well, but meanwhile.. I change his contact from Nishil to Mr. Poker Face and giggle to myself.

"I don't like that guy" Nishil finally breaks the ice for me.

"I know" I nod taking a bite of my chicken.

"What is that documentation anyway?" He asks.

I take a moment to swallow the food and dab the corners of my mouth with a tissue. I hate talking when I got food in my mouth. If you are eating, eat! Don't talk amidst of it.

"So, he is recently done with his journalism. And he wanted to film a documentary based on self Governance. He was asking questions on how everything is being done with roads, damaged drain system and all" I say.

He just takes a moment to take in everything. And he looks at Vishal's table again. Only, Vishal seems to be enjoying his time with his brother. Laughing and having food.

"That's a nice concept actually" I say again finishing it off.

Because I don't want my hot food to get cold and stale. I'm not really a fan of cold meals.

We finish our meal pretty fast and Nishil asks me if I want some ice cream.

"I am always up for some ice cream" I say and he laughs.

We order a take away from cream stone but Nishil doesn't take one. He said he is concerned about his health and I don't want to push it.

"Don't you want to ask me about that accident thing? I have observed your face. You have no clue about it. I have expected for you to ask me but that didn't come" He says with his eyes on road.

Silence. For few moments.

"I also observed you felt uncomfortable. So I knew that's one thing you don't want to recall again" I say.

He stops the car right then and there and looks at me. Looks deep into my eyes and I feel self conscious again. A car horn from behind brings him back to reality and he starts driving again.

"You are too good for your own sake" I heard him whisper.

But call it being a drama queen or whatever., But I just want to listen him complimenting me once again. So I acted like I didn't hear him properly.

"Uh.. what?" I ask him again.

He smirks looking at me, "I said you are a drama queen"

Asshole.

And the ride back home is filled with silence.

"Have a safe journey" is all I say the moment I get down the car and just before I walk back into my apartments.