It was my first day at office. As soon as I entered, I met Tiwari ji. Tiwari ji was a simple looking man, around 55 years of age, wearing square spectacles and loose fitting clothes. He had moustaches like the actor Anil Kapoor, and had a sandlewood tilak on his forehead. I was supposed to meet him only.

He explained my job to me and said “Aarav, work with dedication. 12 people had applied for this position before you, but none was selected. I don’t want my boss to think that I have given a job to an incompetent person.”

While I was happy that I was selected over twelve other people, it also put a pressure on me to prove myself. I told him “Don’t worry, Tiwari ji. I won’t give you a reason to feel sorry.”

I knew that I had got this job due to my brother’s reference, apart from my talent, because he had worked in this company for several years. I had to prove that they had not erred in hiring me.

In the evening, as I left office, I called Rihana.

“Hi Rihana, this is Aarav.”

“Hi Aarav, how are you?”

“I am good, how are you?”

“I am good too.” 

“Can we meet today?” I enquired.

“Ok. Where are you?” she took a pause and replied.

“I am at Hauz Khas. Where are you?”

“I had come to Palika Bazar to do some shopping. Why don’t you come here, I will wait.” She said.

“Is there anyone else with you?” I asked.

“No, I have come alone. Give me a call once you reach here.”

I thought today I was going to reveal my heart’s secret to her. But where and how to start? I was not even sure whether she loved me or not. Is it too early to confess? Today she would be alone, so it was a good opportunity. 

As I exited from Gate number 6 of Delhi Metro at Rajiv Chowk, I informed her that I had reached. She said that she was waiting outside the gate. Despite the crowd, I could see her standing in a corner. Her beauty made her stand out even in a crowd. She was wearing a red color dress and looked like a rose. I had seen her, but she had not seen me. I thought of playing a little game with her. I hid myself behind a person so that she could not see me, and reached just behind her, unknown to her. Her eyes were still searching for me in the crowd. She was carrying a plastic bag in her hand, which, perhaps, contained clothes she might have bought for herself.

I slowly whispered her name in her ear. She almost shivered with shock. Then she turned around and seeing me, smiled.

“Are you crazy? I was really scared.”

“Sorry” I asked for forgiveness folding both my ears.

“Its ok. You were going to come out of Gate number 6. How did you come from behind?”

“I came from this gate only, but hid myself behind a person to avoid your gaze.” I explained.

‘Why did you do this?”

“I had seen you, and thought of teasing you a bit. Sorry for scaring you.”

“It’s ok between friends. So, how was your first day at office?”

“It was good. Let us sit in that park and talk.”

“Yeah.. sure”

We had reached central park at Rajiv Chowk. Finding a peaceful corner, we settled down. It was a very colorful view all around. A few couples were holding hands, while some were kissing each other. Some had crossed all limits – their hands were roaming all over. I also wanted to kiss Rihana, but we were just friends, and I knew my limits. Looking at the sky I said “Today the sky is very clear.”

She looked up and nodded in agreement.

“The weather is also very good” I continued.

“Yeah, that is true.” Rihana said, wondering whether I had come to give her weather news or confess my feelings.

I was also thinking that I should confess my love to her, that I was having sleepless nights since the day I had seen her, that I saw her face everywhere. But a fear of rejection was also playing on my mind. I knew it was stupidity, but I was praying that she should say those magical words. Girls never confess their feelings first. I thought of having some water to get some courage. I waved at a hawker selling water bottles, bought a bottle and drank some water. But my fear was as it was. Before I could say anything, her phone started ringing. 

“Hello. Yeah Sahil. I am out somewhere. Will meet your tomorrow. Bye.”

I didn’t know who she was talking to, but the way she had smiled when talking, I felt very bad. I tried to remain calm. 

“Aarav, did you want to tell me something?” she said.

It was very clear that she was prompting me to share my feelings, but I was still scared. I just said “Me? Not really. By the way, you are looking very pretty today.”

“Oh, thanks. Is that all?” she smiled.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” I gathered some courage.

“Not yet. But I am thinking of having one.”

It meant I had full chance. I was ecstatic. But still I was hesitant. 

“Do you have a girl friend, Aarav?”

“No. But I am also thinking of having one.”

I am sure Rihana must have been cursing me, despite dropping all those hints, I was not able to say those words. I was a real coward.

The phone rang again, but this time she did not take the call.

“What happened? Whose call was it?” I asked.

“My friend Sahil. I will speak to him later. Right now we are talking.”

I was sure I was not going to share my feeling with Rihana. I had got so much engrossed in our talks, that I had forgotten about the chocolate I had bought for her. When I saw a hawker selling chocolates, I suddenly remembered the chocolate lying in my bag. I took it out and gave it to her.

“This is for you… forgot to gave it to you earlier”

She took the chocolate, and putting it in her purse said thanks to me.

We had been talking for long. Rihana looked at her watch and said “I must leave now. My father would be waiting for me. I have been out since morning.”

I wished I was a magician and could stop the time. I wanted to spend some more time looking into Rihana’s beautiful eyes. But she had to go, and I had no excuse to stop her. We came out of the park. As we stood to say good bye, she asked me to close my eyes. It was a bit strange request, but I closed my eyes without saying anything. From the sound of it, I could sense that she was taking out something from her plastic bag. She asked me to open my eyes. She was holding a black shirt. She gave it to me and said -

“This is the first gift to celebrate our friendship.”

I became very happy. Her thoughts and efforts showed that somewhere she had also started loving me. I took the shirt in my hands and said –

“Thank you. It is a beautiful shirt.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. Beautiful. Black is my favorite color.”

“I am glad you liked it. I was shopping for myself, when I saw it. I thought it would look good on you.”

“But I haven’t got any gift for you”, I said.

“Is this less than a gift?” she said showing the chocolate. Now please get me an Auto-rickshaw, I am getting late.”

I stopped an Auto, and she sat in it. But before it moved, she took her hand out and while shaking my hand said “Take care of yourself. Go home in time.” 

She had gone, but I could not take my thoughts away from her face. Becoming a writer was my dream, and Rihana was my love. And I wanted both of them in my life.