Page 42 of Red Flags and Rishtas
So it was like a date?
‘Let me guess. You’re taking her to a fancy five-star restaurant, hoping to impress her over an exorbitantly priced seven-course meal?’
He laughed at that, sounding genuinely amused. ‘We’re meeting at Café Bistro for a quick cup of coffee, actually. Although a seven-course meal does sound good … maybe I’ll save that for when I’m planning to propose.’
Café Bistro was a small, casual coffee shop in the boutique-heavy designer market of Shahpur Jat, a few lanes over from V’s store. Somehow, I couldn’t imagine two strangers discussing the prospect of marrying each other in such an informal setting.
‘So you’ve already decided you’re going to propose to her?’ I asked.
I knew he was joking, but alarm bells began ringing in the back of my head. I couldn’t lose this bet. Not to this man, and certainly not this easily.
‘I didn’t say that,’ he said, then added in a teasing tone, ‘but who knows?’
10
I Spy with My Little Eye
When i’d agreed todecorate V’s new boutique, I hadn’t taken one thing into consideration: her mom, Kavita Aunty, could be a bit of a witch – pardon my French. V had occasionally complained about her bossiness over the years, but I think the respect and fear she carried for her mom prevented her from openly discussing the woman’s she-devil abilities with me, which meant I was entirely unprepared coming into this.
‘These just won’t do, Ananya.’ She was holding the pieces of fabric I had shortlisted for the couch. ‘They’re too patchy.’
‘Well, the idea was to use patchwork to bring out the nature of the customised services you offer,’ I said, trying again.
She shook her head, moving the sample book aside. ‘Why don’t you give it another go?’
It had been a long day of sourcing, assembling and facing rejection. The problem wasn’t that V’s mum didn’t like my ideas, it was that she didn’t like my ideasafterI had put in the work. I doubted she’d even read the emails I’d sent her with reference links a few days ago.
‘I could go check out that store in Sarojini Nagar for you,’ V offered with an apologetic look on her face.
It was already 4:00 p.m. This side gig was turning out to be more exacting than my actual job. The idea of staying here alone with V’s mother for a few more hours was terrifying. I’d choose a crowded market and a sweaty evening any day over it.
‘Why don’t you stay here and help Aunty sort through the rest of the stuff? I’ll make a quick trip to the market,’ I said, eager to get away.
I hugged my friend, promising to be back in a few hours with more fabric options. I’d fully intended to keep my word until I spotted a red Kia while walking away from the boutique in South Delhi’s Shahpur Jat. I was fairly certain it was Aadar’s car, seeing as Café Bistro was just around the corner. Without intending to, I turned left and walked towards the entrance to the joint. It had glass windows that made it possible to see indoors, but the red and white awnings on the patio cast a shadow on the faces of those seated inside.
Even though I knew it was a terrible idea, I couldn’t stop myself from pushing open the main door. I didn't know what I was hoping to achieve from this, but a strange curiosity had gripped me.Was he going to be there?With her?What was she like?
I just had to know.
I snuck inside, willing myself to be invisible. I was grateful for the pastel blue shirt dress I was wearing, which helped me blend in. Without wasting too much time walking around, I sat down at a corner table on the far end of the cafe. Then, hiding behind the wooden menu, I began my espionage.
I didn’t spot them right away. They were seated five tables away from me, on the other side of the room, which was separated by the entrance door. He had his back to me, but I recognised his curls instantly. His frame was another giveaway – he was the tallest person in the room. But it wasn’t him I’d come to see.
The first thing I noticed about the girl was the way she ate her sandwich. She used a knife and a fork to slice it into tiny pieces and stuck each one into her mouth at regular intervals.I wondered if that was how she always ate bread or if it had something to do with the bright red lipstick she had on.
She was a pretty girl. She looked young, perhaps twenty-three or twenty-four, and from what I could tell, she was confident and chirpy. She laughed more than a few times while I was sitting there watching them, making me wonder about what Aadar was telling her.
A waiter interrupted my little secret mission, asking for my order.
‘Just a water for now, please,’ I said dismissively.
He stayed there for a few seconds, and I had to smile at him sweetly before he finally got the message and left me alone.
Back at their table, Shruti had launched into a story of her own. Okay, I had no way of knowing if that was her name, but she looked like a Shruti to me. Her smile became broader as the story progressed, which, I’m not going to lie, was stressful to watch. They looked like they were getting along. And that was definitely bad news.
My phone rang just then, and I glanced down at it. It was Vrinda. She must have assumed I had reached Sarojini Nagar market by now. I declined the call, hoping she wouldn’t think much of it. I could be bargaining with a shopkeeper. The call could wait.
When I looked up from my phone, Aadar’s table was empty. Panicking, I glanced towards the door and caught a glimpse of Shruti’s daisy sundress leaving the cafe.
