Page 44 of 12 Years
‘Thank you.’
‘No need to say thanks. Would you like to know how I felt?’
A tight nod.
‘Firstly, I didn’t plan it. I never thought you’d come home.’
‘I know,’ she said.
‘I loved hanging out with you, at Aer and then the walk.’
‘I did too.’
The waiter came back with her glass of wine. She took a sip.
‘It felt magical to have you at my place. Ever since you left, every day I imagine you sitting at the ledge.’
She smiled. I looked straight into her eyes.
‘It’s been years since I felt connected to someone like this. My marriage died four years ago. Not since then.’
Her eyes still guarded, she said, ‘Why me?’
‘I cannot explain it. We have a connection. Maybe the way you supported me when I was nervous. Maybe it’s how muchI enjoy talking to you, even helping you in your work. It’s how you’re witty and smart and, of course …’
‘Of course, what?’
‘You’re beautiful. I’ve never been as attracted to a woman as I’m to you. Maybe that’s why things went so fast.’
We stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. She shifted in her seat, looking unsure about how to react.
I spoke again. ‘Payal, if being boyfriend and girlfriend is what it takes, I’d love for you to be my girlfriend.’
‘I’m twenty-one. You’re thirty-three. We have a twelve-year age gap.’
‘So what?’
‘You’ve been married and divorced. I’ve never even been in a relationship. How is this ever going to work?’
‘How do you know it won’t?’
She stayed quiet.
‘You must’ve felt something too,’ I said, ‘that you made me your first.’
‘Like you said, it wasn’t planned. It just happened. I also felt something, yes, but Akanksha said—’
‘Akanksha?’ I interrupted her. ‘That girl who was supposed to come with you for the show that day?’
‘Yes. Akanksha is my best friend. We tell each other everything.’
‘Okay. What did she say?’
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘I definitely want to know.’
‘She told me to stay away from you. To cut off all contact.’
