56 Questions and Expressions (1/2)

Party is being organized in Siddhi Gardens in Erandwane, Pune. It is a drive of almost 30 minutes in an ideal traffic condition of Pune city.

Akash drove the car slowly and leisurely. He could feel the nervousness of Varsha beside him. She is clutching her purse in both hands and looking out of the window. Akash could understand her thoughts and he is also feeling the same in the current atmosphere.

He knows that Varsha will never start the conversation by herself and he has to do something to break this awkward silence. He stopped the car when it is a red signal at one of the crossroads and looked toward her and found her still looking outside the window. He spoke, ”Are you going to stay like this whole time?”

Varsha turned toward him and said ”Huh? Sorry I did not hear.”

Akash was feeling that what a dumb thing he has asked. But when he heard that she did not hear, he laughed and said ”Aren't you curious about something? We have almost 20 minutes, if you want to ask something, you can ask.” He smiled looking at her cute doubtful expression.

Signal turned green and Akash started driving while looking ahead. Varsha looked at his face and then said nervously ”But I have so many questions. I am afraid you won't like them.”

Akash felt so bad hearing her words. How can she say that he won't like it when she asked too many questions? So, she will turn mute instead of asking him. He has really failed in making her feel secure around himself. He rebuked himself for it.

He laughed and said ”Just ask and use the whole time we have. Otherwise, it will be more boring if we don't talk about anything.”

There were a few seconds of silence. Akash took a side glimpse of her face and smiled seeing her in a thoughtful expression. 'Dumb girl has a lot of questions but does not know which one to ask first' He thought.

”When we meet some people, how should I greet them?” After few second Varsha asked her first question hesitatingly.

Akash smiled and said ”Haven't you seen in movies or anywhere else. Just say 'Hi' or 'Hello' and that is it. No need for any extra courtesy in these formalities.”

”What type of food there would be? I heard that they have vegetarian and non-vegetarian arranged at the same place. What if I ate some non-vegetarian by mistake?” She asked. Patel family is a vegetarian family and they do not eat non-vegetarian due to both cultural and health reason. Varsha also is a vegetarian from always. Then she looked toward Akash subconsciously feeling afraid that he will scold her.

But opposite to her expectation, he smiled and said ”What a dumb question?”

Varsha felt her eyes turn teary from his response. She lowered her head and said, ”I am sorry.”

Akash looked toward her for a moment while driving and he understood how her face might be looking like now. He has understood her by now and knows that she is very emotional and gets affected by words very easily. He said ”Won't I be there with you? If you don't know anything you can ask me.”

Varsha was feeling sad but when she heard his next words, she felt her heart surging from happiness. 'I will be there with you' hearing this felt like a rain of happiness to her and she felt like most of her questions were answered instantaneously.

She looked toward him and felt her heart surging with the feeling of love. Akash looked toward her and found her looking dumbly toward him. He turned his head back on the road and said ”Don't keep looking like a fool. Ask your questions. Didn't you say you had a lot of them?”

Varsha heard him calling her a fool but she did not feel bad this time, instead, she laughed and then covered her mouth remembering what she has done unknowingly.

Akash took a side glance and smiled and said: ”Don't worry and ask what is your next question.” He felt like he needed to encourage her otherwise she will never show that happy smile of hers to him.