Part 38--Scoop of Life--Closer?

Feb 5th 2011
Saturday 10:45 PM
Boombox Cafe
Khan Market

Raghav: I like  chocolate but dont care for desserts as such (staring at the huge mound of icecream drizzled with caramel sauce)
Radhika:How can some one NOT like icecream? (staring at the huge mound herself)
Raghav: is ice cream your favorite?
Radhika: Anything sweet in general (giggling)
Their dinner was great Raghav had actually spoken more than two sentences together a few times. He had told her he wrote apps for iphones when bored and went into the office when his Mom insisted. Talking all day tired him immensely so he chose to be in a professional where he could work on his own.
He had told her of his two cousins Ateendra and Anuttam and the fun they have when they travel overseas.
His two labs Gin and Tonic at which point she had burst out laughing
He had asked her if she was raised in Delhi, and what other family he had in town
They talked about clean water and challenges of obtaining and sustaining that resource in a country like India. He had been quiet about their company's plan to revive the sick leather unit.
Having no clue why he was in Kanpur she had not pried too much either

His eyes followed agirl in what appeared to be black bejewelled jeans, not lasciviously but curiously as if he knew her.
Radhika: I KNEW it!
He looked back at her
Radhika: You think your girlfriend is waiting outside ready to shoot me down? (watching the girl walk to a car)
He smiled
Radhika: Mujhe pehle poocha chahiye tha, if you are unencumbered (doing an air quote at the word)
His thoughts drifted to Nayana, he didnt feel quilty, it was an "open" relationship
Radhika was talking....... as usual.......... about how one of her male friends was busted, and how common it was these days to "convert" a relationship to "open" when ever one partner fancied it.
Radhika: It was so funny when we ambushed a guy who was cheating on my friend........ Trisha is so innocent and seedhi I still cant believe how he did it to her....... (shook her head)
Raghav: Do you have a boyfriend Radhika? (watching her face for something)
She stopped at where ever she was in her monolog......
Radhika: Ummm........ (lost for words) actually hai, and I am cheating on him (giggled)
His face paled for some reason
Radhika scooped a oversized blob of ice cream and shoved it into her mouth........ it trailed a mind numbing path down her throat.......... she sipped some water.....
Radhika: We broke up last year (not looking up at him)
The color shot back on to his face...... was he actually relieved? he asked himself ridiculously..........
Her finger nails were finely manicured the glossy coat on them looked sparkly under the night sky
Radhika: Tum nahi khaaonge? (scooping up)
He brought out the tiny dessert spoon and dug in.........and chewed..... "Pecans?"
Radhika: I LOVE pecans........
He set his spoon down
Raghav: Is he still in town? (his thought formed that question and pushed it out of his throat)
Radhika: Kaun? (looked at his face) Oh! woh......... nahi...... he went to Belgium, Antwerp, he is a Gujju............. I met him in Baroda working for an NGO on a project......... Dad's a diamond merchant.......... I officially blew my chances at getting me some bejewelled lingerie (giggles)
His thoughts wandered.......... as he fantasized about her in what she had just quipped abt
Her phone had rang half a dozen times during the evening, she had answered half the calls
Laughing smiling, not secretive at all
It rang for the 7th time
"Ma" she said and jumped out of her chair
Answered "Jee abhi aadhe ghante mein"
She listened, nervously curling her hair at the bottom........ he noticed............. first ........followed by her......... she let go of a soft curl........ and met his eyes.........
"Jee Ma" she managed barely audible
"IHC se zyaada door nahi ma, Khan mkt mein hoon, Bhabhi ko keh deejiye main kal jaaoongi bank..... I dont know if those exact forms are available I will check........."
"Jee Ma" she said and hung up.............. suddenly aware of his eyes all over her
"Your phone is very quiet" (accusing)
"Well, nothing new, tum khud itne quiet jo ho" (she concluded knowingly)
The waiiter arrived with their check "Should we go Dutch?" she offered kindly
"The food here can be very expensive" (NO clue how wealthy he was)
Realizing the fact that he didnt have a job, she was being gracious
"How abt you pick up the tab next time?" (soft, yet firm)
"NEXT Saturday? (jumping to conclusion again)
"Friday works too" he said smugly, almost laughing at her
"Ha ha very Funny..........it was wild and crazy and yet a blast" reminiscing about the date with the stranger
"Thanks he said shyly
He placed his card into the leather folder, which was returned in a few....... he brought out his left hand write in clean bold strokes

"You have lovely handwriting" (squealed)
"Hmm" he said smiling
You are the third GUY I have known in my life" continuing with info about who the first and second were.......
He waited for her to stand up......... helped her with her chair and they walked out together through the wrought iron gates.........
Raghav interrupting her narration " Where do you live Radhika?"
"Main?" she said........ confused for a second
He nodded and smiled
"Saket!" "Tum late ho rahe ho to rehne do main chali jaaoongi", approaching him for a goodbye hug
She was confident and smart it appeared, didnt do the wilting willow act at all
He stepped back opened the car door for her and held it "Sure?" she asked smiling generously
He nodded......
He pulle dout of the parking powerfully, the Audi engine roared as he gassed it........
The blue console lighting up as he picked a station.........
Reached Saket and she navigated for him

He parked under her building "First floor" she said as she stepped out he walked around and escorted her to her stairway " I can get home now" she giggled, she saw a light in the study, her Ma was up......... she knew
Started walking away, turned around "Thank you, BTW" giggling
Ran into him, he held her briefly to steady her............ their bodies fitted perfectly she realized............ just when he let her go........
"Thanks for dinner and the ride" "and the conversation"
She lingered....... and so did he..........."Dadi and Mom had wished you good luck for the seminar" he said
"Good you told me after it has ended" she giggled
He smiled
"Friday Radhika?" he asked eagerly(?)
As she stared wordlessly...... blushing openly


The cemented stairwell............ there were mailboxes nailed to the wall on his side.......... one in particular said 108 B Sushil Tripathi & Sudha Tripathi Delhi University Faculty
There was a new decal on under the man's name  said "Kapoor Industries"