12

I wrote in the book about the first meeting between Arjun and Karishma, and Arjun loved it. I thought it would be best if I could continue with some more romance that was created between them before I start writing about the turn of events which destroyed their lives. I met Arjun again and then compiled another chapter in my book.

The romance between Arjun and Karishma which started off on the stage that day took off instantaneously. They both started liking each other, not realizing what was developing between them was love. But they both liked to be with each other, spend time with each other and talk hours together. Arjun once invited Karishma for coffee at the Taj Hotel and Karishma readily agreed, almost.

“Hi Karishma, I was thinking if you could have coffee with me tomorrow at the Taj Hotel at Gateway of India. I am going to be there for some work and it would be great to catch up there.”

“You want me to come alone?”

“No, why don’t you get your entire family with you,” Arjun joked.

“Arrey! That’s not funny, I was just asking.”

“I know, and I was just joking. Of course I want you to come alone.”

“We just met last week na Arjun, what will people think?”

“Karishma, I don’t exactly plan to publish in the newspaper that we are going to meet for a cup of coffee, so you don’t need to worry about people.”

“Why you have to be so sarcastic?”

“And why you have to ask so many questions?”

“Why do you want me to come for coffee?” asked Karishma.

I thought in my mind -

Do girls never give a straight yes?

Why do they need to eliminate all reasons first to give a No and then finally say yes?

If the same question would have been asked to me, I would have said yes before Karishma finished her question.

“Well, let me look at the reasons and try to justify. First, you live in Churchgate and I guess it’s easier for you to come. Second, I am going to be there for some work, so easier for me to come. Third, I loved the way you gave your auditions and I just want to know more about you as a person. Fourth, I could discuss with you the script I am working on for the next play and see which role would fit you best. Fifth, it’s a harmless coffee in a public place and you will be totally safe. Sixth, Taj serves excellent mint tea, if you don’t like coffee. Seventh, it will increase business for the hotel and they will thank me for the same. Eighth, it must be drizzling tomorrow and a cup of tea or coffee would just be great in the season. Ninth, a cup of tea or coffee if not exactly bad for health. And tenth, I want to have coffee with you. Choose the option you like.”

Karishma sported a smile. “I thought you would never end with your reasons. Now the problem is you have given me so many options, I need a couple of days just to analyze your options so that I can choose the right one.”

“Come on K,” this was the first time Arjun had called her K, which was later going to be his love name for her. “It’s just coffee and you are making a big deal about it. I get the message, you don’t want to come, just say NO.”

It was Karishma’s turn to feel a bit sad as she didn’t want Arjun to have that reaction. From the moment Arjun had inadvertently said to her ‘I love you’ during the auditions, she had developed a soft corner for him. She was actually delighted at his offer for coffee, but didn’t know how to react. “No Arjun, I didn’t mean that.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“I mean, it’s okay, I can come for coffee,” said Karishma after gathering some courage.

“Listen K, I don’t want to force you, it is okay if you say no.”

“I like when you called me K!”

“Thanks.” And there was a brief silence.

“So….” asked Arjun.

“So what?” asked Karishma.

“What about coffee?” asked Arjun again.

“What about coffee?” asked Karishma, teasing.

“What is this K, will you come?”

“I already said I will.”

“And I said I don’t want to force the issue on you, and you didn’t reply.”

“Do you guys always want to have replies to every question you raise?”

“And do you girls always want to complicate a situation which could be very easy?”

“Which situation did I complicate?”

“This one, look at the long conversation we have had on whether you will come for coffee.”

“Was that long?” No conversation was seemingly long for Karishma.

“Yes. I mean you could have just said yes when I asked you the first time.”

“So you always want me to say yes whenever you ask me something?” teased Karishma, stumping Arjun.

“It’s impossible to have a proper logical discussion with a girl.”

“Don’t generalise. Answer my question.”

“Why? Even girls want a reply to every question now,” teased Arjun.

They both laughed, getting comfortable with each other.

“OK Mr Arjun, I will come for coffee and there is no force on me. I will come out of my own will. Let’s meet at 5.30 PM as I need to go for dinner with some people at 7.30 PM. I will call them to the same hotel so that I don’t have to travel. Actually, I am not very enthusiastic about the dinner, but I don’t seem to have a choice to get out of it.”

“Thanks for agreeing for the coffee. If you want to not go for dinner, skip it.”

“Let’s see. Okay I need to go now, see you tomorrow at 5:30!”

“Done K, June 7, 5:30 PM at the Taj!”

“Bye Arjun.”

“Bye K.”

And this is how the first date was finally set between Arjun and Karishma. It was amazing how Arjun remembered every detail about Karishma even though it had happened years back. The years that had passed away from her had not erased a single memory, and that was a sign of true love that Arjun had for Karishma. I was now excited to write the next chapter, which was their first date.