Vani was pushing her cart down the aisle at the supermarket store, looking for the things she needed. She didn’t realise where she was walking until her cart hit another.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t see where I was walking.”

She apologized and the person she bumped with smiled and shook his head. She recognised him as one of the persons from the family which moved above their floor. It had been only a month since they moved here and she knew who he was because his sister took tuition from her mother.

“It’s ok. I wasn’t looking either.”

She smiled and moved away leaving space for him to move away too. None of them saw the other stealing glances at them.

It happened again. She saw him at the same supermarket carrying his cart around while she carried hers. He hadn’t seen her yet. She didn’t know if she could say hi.

Before she could decide, his gaze fell on her and he smiled. He gave her a small nod of acknowledgment and she nodded back, lowering her eyes. She had no clue why she felt shy under his gaze?

He was good-looking and hot no doubt. But she didn’t even know his name. Ok, she does. His sister keeps talking about her Veer bhaiya. And how smart he is. But that was all. 

Another week later, she saw him again. She realised that since this was the only supermarket close to their house, he would also visit it. This time, he didn’t just nod. He smiled at her and waved a hi.

She gave a small, shy smile and waved back. Even Veer wasn’t aware of what was happening. He knew the woman. His sister had talked about Vani didi being so pretty and wanting to grow up beautiful like her.

She was beautiful no doubt. But why did he start behaving like a teenager around her?

It has been two months and the two have been bumping into each other almost every other week. Their nods and waves have turned into proper greetings and even small conversations at times.

Vani was looking for something when she heard a presence behind her. She turned and smiled seeing Veer standing behind her.

“Hi.”

He whispered and she turned to face him properly.

“Oh hi.”

“I…umm…are you…like…are you free? This Sunday?”

He stuttered and she froze. Was she imagining or did he really ask her that? Didn’t people usually ask questions like this when they were about to ask someone out or was she just overthinking?

“I…uhhh…I guess. Why? What happened?”

She asked as calmly as she could. Veer gulped and mentally prayed that she doesn’t think of him as a creep or desperate

“I…I was just thinking if you’d…ummm…if you’d like to go out…with me?”

“Go…go out?”

She asked again. Shocked, surprised and unable to form a sensible sentence. Did he just ask her out in the middle of a supermarket?

“Ummhmm….with me?”

He asked again and she stared at him like a deer caught in headlights. Wide eyed and stunned.

“You…are you asking me out on a date?”

She asked and he quickly used damage control thinking he’d offended her

“Not like a ‘date’ date but more like a friendly dinner. Yeah! A dinner.”

He cringed at his own words and a small smile formed on her lips. He looked cute when nervous. She might not know him that well but she knew that he and his family were nice. She met them at the Diwali Mahotsav that was organised by their society a few weeks ago.

“Ummm…ok…if it’s a friendly dinner…then fine. I’ll go with you.”

He looked at her surprised for a moment. She said yes? She actually said yes. Then, slowly he grinned and nodded.

“Yeah…ok…ummm…thanks…I’ll…uhh…I’ll pick you up at 7?”

She nodded while biting the corner of her lip. He nodded back and they moved their respective ways. Both of their faces carried matching smiles. None of them were aware that this was just the beginning of a beautiful love story.

Vani stood in front of her almirah. Trying to figure out what to wear. She selected an off-shoulder top with high waist, wide legged jeans. She let her hair open and dabbed her favourite shade or brown on her lips. 

“Kaha jaa rhi hai tu iss waqt?”

(Where are you going at this time?)

Her mother asked when she came to her room to put her folded clothes.

“Umm…office colleague ka birthday hai. 10…10:30 bje tak aa jaaungi.”

(Umm…it is my office colleague’s birthday. I’ll be back by 10 or 10:30.)

Vani replied without meeting her eyes. Her mother nodded and went out. Varun, her brother stayed behind and smirked at her knowingly.

“Colleague House No. 404 mai rehta hoga na.”

(The colleague must be in House No. 404.)

Vani turned to look at him wide eyed. 

“Tujhe kisne bataya?”

(Who told you?)

“Aapke phone pr messages aa rhe the continuously. Maine bas thoda sa peek in kr lia. Date and all haan didi!”

(Your phone was pinging continuously. I just peeked in a little. Date and all, didi!)

He teased and Vani immediately marched towards him.

“Agar teri chonch (beak) khuli toh mai mummy ko teri last semester ki marksheet dikha dungi.”

(I will show mumma your marksheet of the last semester if you open your beak.)

He scowled and said.

“Aap mera secret rakho aur mai aapka.”

(You keep my secret and I’ll keep yours.)

“Good boy. Ab hatt! Late ho raha hai mujhe.”

(Now move aside! I am getting late.)

“Haan haan! Aur suno! Be safe and location on rakhna.”

(Yes yes! And listen! Keep your location on.)

He said and Vani smiled. She pinched his cheeks and rushed out of her house. Veer had messaged her that he was waiting for her in his car in the car parking. She looked around for his car.

A smile formed on her face when she saw him leaning against his car, one leg crossed over another and bouncing nervously. He looked hot in casuals. She walked towards him. 

His eyes snapped up hearing the soft click of heels and their eyes met. He smiled warmly and she came to a stop in front of him. 

“Hi!”

“Hi!”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. You look good too.”

Veer turned and picked up the bouquet that was kept on the hood of the car. He forwarded it to her and said.