"What's with the big bag?" his question jolted me out of my thoughts.

He was still tapping away at his phone, trying to get another cab as the first one cancelled the ride.

"Umm... Actually my jeans doesn't have a pocket and I needed my money. Besides a small purse doesn't go with my dress so this big bag..." I say almost out of breath.

He nodded and the dim streetlight caught his face, highlighting his sharp features, making me catch my breath.

Calm down... Calm down...

It took me all of my strength to crack a joke.

"By the way, it's not mine. The friend that did my makeup..."

"Makeup?" he put down his phone looking at me pretending to be shocked.

He doesn't like makeup. He had told me earlier. That's why I insisted on light makeup.

He was telling something. I brought my focus back to him.

"Wearing this shirt since last night's party. Came back, put on a formal shirt in the morning and now am wearing it again."

It took me a while to realise he was teasing me for dressing up.

"It's just another outing for you, " I mutter under my breath. "For me it's the first and the last date with someone I've been in love with."

An uncomfortable silence fell between us. The campus was so quiet that I could almost hear my own heartbeat.

"The cab's here I guess." he gestures to the car which appears like two glowing eyes in the dark.

"Okay" I mumbled timidly.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The cab had a dreamy blue light filling the inside.

I slipped inside and settled myself, hands on my knees to keep them supposedly decent.

He slid in after me and spread himself out casually on the seat, confirming the destination once more.

And we started talking, talking about every little thing we could grasp on to. We discussed our states and his and how staying away from home hurts.

The country is under a threat and riots are tearing apart every part. All connections cut off, Internet stopped and arson and destruction of property is rampant.

And there we sat like two people who've known each other forever and gone were all barriers as we talked cosily in that little space.

He looked ahead most of the time so I could see the passing lights catching his eye, his gorgeous smile flashing occasionally, giving me little dips in the stomach.

The destination arrived faster than expected and we hopped out, heading to the glass front of the place, giving us a glimpse of the cozy niche of the cafe.

WAFFLE HOUSE it said in bouncy yellow neon.

"You came here before?" his deep gravel sounded beside me.

"Not really." I admitted. "Expensive places are not my thing."

"I found it by chance. Its a nice place for a quiet evening." he held the door.

I made my way to a table, again fumbling on where to sit until he offered me a chair in front of the wall and pulled up his, opposite to me, dropping his jacket on another.

"So. What do you want— snacks or dinner?"

I gestured to the clock.

He got the hint and picked up the fancy menu.

"So, do you want something sweet or something maybe hot?"

I glanced up just it time to see him flashing that mischievous smile of his. It was heartbreakingly perfect and it also meant he was pulling my leg.

"I wouldn't mind hot like you" I said to myself.

Aloud I remarked, "Hot is okay but I prefer sweet."

"Waffle?"

"Never ate one."

"Brownie?"

"Brownie waffle?"

"Or almond waffle"

"You got it right the first time."

His eyes crinkled in the corners as he grinned again.

"Tea?"

"Not a tea person."

"One cup for me then. I prepare tea in my room anyway."

"Too much hard work," I sigh. "Hostel room isn't the best place to make tea. Besides no kettle allowed in there."

And that gradually transcended to a crescendo of topics and emotions flew back and forth. It was like we were discovering each other over again and one and half year had been inadequate. We talked about houses, families, careers —

" So, when are you getting married." I asked out of the blue.

I didn't know why I asked that but I guess that particular information mattered a lot to me.

"If my mother has her way she'd get me married right now. I told her if you can give me a six figure salary per month, then I'm ready to marry. Else let me settle my career first."

"Six figure haan? Impressive." I tried to avoid the topic.

"Well I don't want too much money. Just enough. I want a job where I can go to a vacation every month."

"Utopia!" I rolled my eyes. "I'm your profession or in mine, there's no vacation."

He stayed quiet for once.

Each moment seemed to be ticking away faster.