Mr. Lover

↡Meera↟

I decided not to visit the café for the next few days. A part of me was dying to go, but another part of me was still crushed by Vivaan's abrupt departure and I felt that I should stay away to heal my heart a little.

Not a single day had passed without my thinking about Vivaan. There was something about his mysterious persona that drew me towards him. I wanted to know more about him. I needed to know more about him. I needed this time to discover myself in someone else's story.

~

A few days later, I found myself wandering the gardens of Shaniwarwada. Growing up in Pune, this was one of my favourite places to visit. I loved walking around the fortification and its grounds, running my hands over the steel gates.

As a child, I used to look up at the spikes in the gates—put in place to protect the entryway—and wish for the time when I was an adult and able to reach them.

Why is it we are so anxious in our need to mature? It only opens us up for the possibility to get very, very hurt.

My phone vibrated as I was strolling down a stone walkway. I took it out of my pocket and looked at the sender. I didn't know the number. Curious, I read the message. 'Sorry.'

'Who is this?' I texted back.

'Let's meet.' The sender didn't identify himself.

My heart fluttered. I had a feeling I knew who it was, but I wanted to be sure. A part of me was excited, but another part was slightly annoyed.

I ignored the message for a few minutes. Let him wait. Finally, I responded. 'Tell me who this is,' I demanded.

'Don't you know me, Miss Writer?'

I was surprised by the fact that it truly was Vivaan. I wondered if he had got my number from Kabir after I left.

'I don't know you yet. You keep escaping,' was my reply.

'Then come and get to know me. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., Coffee & Us.'

I wasn't going to make this easy on him. I texted: 'I will handcuff you to the table so you cannot run.'

~

One whole day seemed like an eternity, waiting and longing for the answers that Vivaan held in his mysterious persona. His story seemed to call me and intrigue me, beckoning me to unfold it slowly and write about it.

I intended to get to the café early, but by the time I finished getting ready, I was no longer early. In fact, I was thirty minutes late. The café was already packed and I glanced around everywhere, hoping Vivaan hadn't left. I looked over in the corner and saw him sitting as far away from the crowd as possible. He looked up from taking a sip of his coffee and smiled. Vivaan looked as good in casual clothing as he did in a suit and I ran my eyes over his jeans and black polo shirt as I made my way toward the table. Dark colours suited him well.

'I was starting to think you were never going to get here,' Vivaan joked as I sat down.

'Sorry for being late,' I said, but didn't offer any excuses. 'I am eager for you to tell me about yourself.'

'I will,' he promised, 'but first, how have you been since I saw you last?'

I forced myself to be patient. 'My work is going well,' I said briefly.

'Have you done anything fun?'

I smiled. 'Yes, I went to Shaniwarwada. I find a lot of peace in the gardens.'

'I love it there,' he said. 'So much history, so close to us.'

Then why do you want to travel? I was desperate to ask him, but I wanted to keep his focus on our table. I wanted his mind on me, in the coffee shop. Not roaming the world. 'Now, tell me about the mysterious Vivaan,' I demanded.

'I was born and brought up in Mumbai,' Vivaan started. 'I lost my mother when I was a child and my father raised me with lots of love and care.' I watched the pain flash in his eyes when he spoke of his mother, followed quickly by a wave of happiness when he mentioned his father. If emotions were colours, I know I would have witnessed a beautiful piece of artwork in a few seconds' time.

'I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your mother,' I said. My eyes started to fill with tears.

'It's okay,' Vivaan said as he quickly looked out the window, trying to focus on anything out there.

I was positive he missed her. I knew if I'd lost my mother at such an early age as he had, I would feel that a piece of me had been carved out, never to be replaced. Although he was still a stranger, apart of me wanted to hug him and comfort him.

I cleared my throat to bring his attention back to our table. 'Please go on and tell me more about yourself.'

He smiled. 'I completed my master's in finance and joined the banking sector. After a few years of hard work and a lot of struggling, I became the youngest assistant branch manager in our company,' he said proudly. 'I am probably going to be one of the youngest chief branch managers that the bank has within the next couple years.'

'Impressive,' I said truthfully. The man before me was certainly determined.

'That is all about me.'

I knew there was more that he held deeper and closer to his heart, and I wanted so badly to uncover his secrets.

I crossed my arms in a challenging position. 'That is the entire story you have about yourself?' I asked in disbelief, and I raised my eyebrows at him.

'Yes, that's my story.'

'Are you kidding me right now?' I asked.

'No, I told you my story wasn't that interesting,' Vivaan replied.

'I am not buying it for a minute! You have more to your story, and you are just hiding it! Tell me about your girlfriend,' I demanded, pushing further.

'Girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend,' Vivaan said as he shook his head.

Wait. I wondered quickly if I had read him wrong. 'Then do you have a boyfriend?' I asked, suddenly puzzled.

'No! Shut up!' He laughed heartily. 'I don't have a boyfriend!'

'Vivaan,' I allowed my frustration to colour my voice. 'You drag me down here and you refuse to tell me anything!' I pointed out.

He sighed. 'Meera, I do not have a girlfriend. And, most definitely, not a boyfriend. I am single!'

I smiled my thanks as a waitress brought me my cappuccino before I turned back to Vivaan. 'Okay, what about your past? Did you have someone that you called your own?'

He sighed. 'I did have my fair share of flings, but there was nothing very serious. I am telling you the truth, Meera!'

I looked at him, confused. There must be more to him than this.

'I am disappointed.' I drew the words out the way my teachers used to when they chastised someone for not turning in a good paper.

'Why?' He frowned and began to tap his fingers against his coffee cup.

I explained patiently, 'I thought you would have some great love story to tell, something fascinating I could write about.'

'Meera, there are stories everywhere if you look.' I could hear the regret in his voice as he reached out, gently prying my fingers off my cup. He wrapped his hand around mine, squeezing gently, and I felt my pulse crackle at the friendly gesture.

'I don't find stories everywhere. The only time I found the one I wanted to explore, it was in your eyes,' I whispered.

Vivaan was silent. He signaled Kabir to bring another coffee. When Kabir came up with a second round of coffee, Vivaan said, 'Maybe you should try to look somewhere else.'

'Where?'

'In Kabir's eyes.'

Kabir and I exchanged glances, and we both seemed equally shocked by Vivaan's statement. My second cappuccino sloshed in the cup as he put it on the table.

'What?' Kabir and I asked at the same time.

Vivaan laughed at our confusion. 'Didn't you ever notice how Kabir smiles when he looks at all the people who come in here? He doesn't care if they are young or old; he flashes a smile at them anyway.' I looked at Kabir, suddenly seeing my friend in a different way. 'The way he makes them feel here is like they are home, and we are all family.'

'That is something I try to do, yes,' Kabir said happily.

'He also makes the best coffee for his customers. I am sure he has been in love and that he has a story to tell,' Vivaan finished with excitement.

I sat there shocked at how he could pick up on every little detail a person had about them. Slowly, I started to speak. 'I have to admit I have known Kabir a lot longer than I have known you. I know he is a lovely and courteous man and he serves his customers very well. But Kabir's love story never crossed my mind. Tell me, Kabir. Is Vivaan right?'

'Hmm...' Kabir stood there silently. His face coloured as he considered his words.

Vivaan reached over and pulled out a chair. 'Can you sit for a minute? I know it's busy in here,' he said.

Kabir's eyes looked over the place and then he nodded and perched on the edge of the chair.

'Tell us about yourself, Mr. Lover.'