So It's a Date? - We cross paths with people for a reason, that reason may not be clear in the first go.

 So it's a date?

Sitting at her workstation, Pyaali scrolled through her instagram feed, checking for new messages for her online business. What started as a creative outlet during lockdown to kill time had now become a full time source of revenue for Pyaali. Not only was she channeling her artistic abilities, but also reviving her  culture by giving it a modern touch. 

 Picking up her new set of paintbrushes and, just as she was about to get back to work, setting up handmade paper canvas, she recieves a call.

"Hello, . . . Hi Vihaan." She responds in her bubbly voice.

"Hey my pretty pahadan. So are we meeting today or is there again another impromptu artivist event happening around you for which you need to rain check on our long pending date?" Vivaan is cheeky in his ways, especially when it comes to Pyaali, he's been trying to go out with her for months now. Every time they decide to meet up, something does go wrong. First Pyaali had to reschedule because of an important event for her art sale, then Vihaan was out of town for an assignment.

"Last time, I reckon someone confirmed the plan and then never called back until 1 in the night because they happened to doze off, How does that happen I wonder?" Pyaali was not gonna let go of this one for sure. 

"Okay baba, how long are you gonna hold that one over my head?" Vihaan chuckled, he knew there was no way out of this one. "Tell me when are you free and I'll be there. You decide the place and time, and I assure you, I'll be there" Vihaan wanted to sound as sincere as his playful voice would possibly let him.

"I'm working on another series for a custom order, should be free by 4, so how about we meet around 5-ish at the Shack for a coffee?" Pyaali asked, skeptical if he'd show up even today.

"Done baby" Vihaan winked, even though he was sure no one other than his dog sitting on the bed in front could see that.

"I told you before also didn't I ? I'm only my daddy's lil baby. "

"Yes maam. So it's a date?" Vihaan did a little salute, while his dog turned his head sideway, as if trying to make sense of his human's action. 

"Ahem, . . . . . Okay" Pyaali smacks herself on the head for her lack of verbalism.

The shack, which is basically a small setup serving hot and cold beverages along with a few popular snacks is a local eatery famous amongst young crowds. A short drive away for both Pyaali and Vihaan, it is the perfect meeting point, where both need to come half way only. Given their tally of failed plans to meet, one might think maybe the guy sitting up there did not want them crossing paths if not for the magic of internet bringing them together. 

Pyaali skeptically picks up her handbag and reaches the Shack at 5 pm sharp. Looking around, she calls up Vihaan who is still on his way. Pyaali sits down at one of the tables at the far end, which overlooks the ridge behind the Shack. It is a beautiful patch of green , in the middle of the concrete jungle that her beautiful city of hills has become lately. 

Vihaan arrives, and staying true to his unkempt look during most of their video calls stretched over a span of over six months, he has messy hair and a dazed look on him. Looking around he spots Pyaali sitting at the far end of the Shack, lost in thought looking straight ahead of her. Vihaan walks upto her, they both greet each other with a light hug, relieved to see each other, as if a long pending task was ticked off their list post lengthy negotiations. 

"Madam aap kya lena pasand karengi?" Vihaan asked in an overtly formal tone, which made Pyaali laugh. 

"Arey yaar, aisa bhi karne ki zaruat nahi hai" Pyaali swatted her hands in front of him as if shooing away imaginary flies only she could see.

"Okay so which coffee would you like?" Vihaan asked, this time in his normal tone.

"Actually, mujhe na Adrak waali chai pasand hai. You cool with chai? or you want coffee only? Pyaali asked.

"I'm good with both re. Let's have some chai and their special paneer fritters." Vihaan sounded excited.

"Actually, I prefer their onion fritters better, they make it on special request and you MUST TRY THEM." Pyaali looked at Vihaan with gleeful eyes and Vihaan could not say no. Even though he wasn't hungry. 

"So we finally meet, seems odd doesn't it" Pyaali stated in a rather observant tone, and Vihaan agreed. They had been talking on and off for quite some time, but met only now. 

Carrying on with their non directional talks as usual, Pyaali learnt about Vihaan's last project and his trip to Leh soon after. Vihaan learnt about Pyaali's new orders and how she could have become a doctor but chose to drop out of her final year because she knew she could not handle the pressure that comes with it. Becoming a full time artist selling handcrafted articles had given her the perfect balance. As they munched onto their fritters, Pyaali noticed the group seated just opposite to their table. Two middle aged women and a Persian cat were the party. 

While the crisp white Persian cat sitting in a handbag shaped basked was enough to draw Pyaali's attention away from Vihaan, it was their discussion point which widened her eyes. Seeing Pyaali's expression Vihaan asked her if his break up story was that funny, to which Pyaali worded a no with her mouth and nudged him to come closer. Pyaali was not into eavesdropping but it often happened that she caught bits of conversations around her and the content of those left her wondering what kind of lives people lived. While Vihaan was taken aback by her shift of focus to an arbitrary conversation on a different table, he was also drawn to the animation in her eyes and how they widened or lit up depending on what she was talking about. Getting up finishing their chai-pakora, they were both full and Pyaali felt the urge to take a walk in the late evening breeze. What was expected to be a mere brush-up meet had stretched over two hours now and they both wanted to steal away a few more minutes. Walking side by side along the trail of eucalyptus and willows lining the entry to the Shack, Pyaali got distracted by every little cat crossing their path. Amused by her love for animals, Vihaan could not stop looking at her light up and greet every kitten with a "Hellowww" followed by a "sorry Meow-Meow" . She was not as stiff of manner as he had believed her to be, this was a clumsier, softer side which Vihaan was really growing fond of. 

"So can I drop you home? It's getting dark and the roads of this city are a little " Vihaan was gesturing a 50-50 probability 

"I came on my scooty, I can go on my own too." Pyaali cut him short and made a straight face.

"Yaar tu aisi si kyun hai?" Vihaan pouted. 

"hun to hun" Pyaali made a face sticking her tongue out. Both laughed. It was a good break and Pyaali realized she had not stepped out or met any new person in ages.

"Until next time then?" Vihaan asked.

"Until next time" Pyaali smiled. 

Later in the night Vihaan texts Pyaali asking her how she liked their little date. They both agree it did not feel like a date, they already were too comfortable and it felt like a catch up. Setting her phone aside, Pyaali lost in thought kept pondering over the one statement Vihaan made about her attentiveness. She was paying a lot of attention to Vihaan, but partly because he kept reminding her of someone. Was meeting Vihaan the right decision, Pyaali wondered. But then again, was any decision ever right or wrong? Only time could tell, and Pyaali was in no hurry.