Chapter 324

There were back at their table in less than ten minutes. Akshar had garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, dhal makahni on the main plate and some side salad and raitha on the side. It was quiet obvious it was a little too spicy for him as he had already finished two bottles of beer and his was sweating on his forehead. Diya seemed to enjoy her paalak paneer and malai kofta with her rumali roti and Hydrabadi byrani loaded with cashews and raisins. Diya looked up and noticed that he was having a tough time; she got up and walked over to and came back with a bowl of rasmalai as milk helps ease the spice and help prevent hearburn. She gave it to Akshar and said, "Try this. This might help". A couple of spoonfull did the trick and he was starting to relax and said, "Thank you". Diya suggested, "If it is too much for you, I think you should head to the other section. It looks okay now. Doesn’t seem to have a long line.” Akshar who looked much better and more in control seemed a bit relaxed. Wiping his forehead he said, “I have eaten Indian and Thai food before and this is not my first time, it is just that you can handle it in the beginning and after a while it kind of gets to you. But I actually like the taste. You feel so many flavors that trigger your taste buds…” He paused for a minute and then said, “And then bhoom…. There you go… you are sweating and you really need something to cool down..” He finished the next bottle of beer he had next to him and said, “This sweet you got me is delicious. It just dissolves in my mouth. So soft, light yet creamy and it definitely helped put out the fire. “Diya laughed and said, “It is rasmalai. I am glad you liked it. It is my favorite sweet”. Akshar starred at her for a couple of minutes. Unable to comprehend what it really meant, Diya smiled and felt a little unease and turned in the direction of the bride and the groom secretly hoping that he was still starring at her.

Akshar stood up and asked her, “Would you care for a drink?” She replied, “I would like a coke please. Thank you” and smiled. Akshar said, “My pleasure. Anything for this beautiful lady” and walked over to the bar. She turned over and watched him walk away and then got up to get some dessert for herself. When she got back he was still not there. She looked around but couldn’t spot him. She almost got scared for a moment when he popped out of nowhere and sat next to her. He had a margarita in his hand and he gave her coke and said, “Oh. Now that looks very tempting”. Diya asked, “I can get some dessert for you. Would you like some?” He whispered, “I was not talking about the dessert.” Diya starred at him for a minute and it was very difficult for her look into his eyes as it felt like he was looking deep into her heart. It felt like he could read her thoughts and he knew exactly how he felt about her. She couldn’t eat her dessert as she was very distracted by his comment and she was blushing. Akshar said, “The dessert was good, but this margarita is excellent. I probably will go get another one.” Without lifting her head she noticed that he had already finished his drink. She took a spoonful of her dessert and closed her eyes as if she were enjoying the dessert but secretly hiding the disappointment she felt. Akshar smiled and said, “You know you are a lot like the Indian food. I don’t know if all Indian women are like that or not as I have never dated anyone before.” Diya was puzzled by his comment and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “You have so much to interest me in various ways like the different spices. Like the desert you are so gentle and soothing at the same time. With food you know when to stop, as you know when you are full but being with you…. I can never figure out….. I guess I have to get used to Indian food with all these spices now as I am …..” He stopped himself and said, “I am going to get another drink. I think you have to drive.” Diya didn’t know what she should feel. She wondered, “Was he complementing me or was that a sarcastic comment?” She was so confused and a little upset.