Rose

                                    

                                          

"Sir, should we leave?" The driver asked as soon as Mahi stepped out of his building.
Mahi remembered the last time how Dinesh got confused on seeing the driver with him. He remembered how he was way more talkative in the restaurant rather than the car. Mahi thought about it for a bit.
He then took the car keys from the driver.
"You can go. I will drive today." He said as he sat down on the front seat and put his seat belt on. The driver was confused for a moment because Mahi rarely drove on his own as he was always busy. He always preferred to sit in the backseat finishing his work. The driver simply courtesied as Mahi drove away.
Mahi stopped at a red light where he saw a bouquet of pink roses hanging in front of a large florist shop. His mind went back to how Dinesh had the widest smile on his face when he saw those roses in the bush outside the cafe and that they were his favourite. It was a shock as to how different his memory had become when it came to Dinesh.
He walked out of his car to buy the bouquet when his eyes landed on a little girl. The poor girl was selling pink roses too. Her roses were small and not fully bloomed as compared to the florist shop. Mahi thought about what Dinesh had said about helping the less fortunate and his steps automatically went towards the little girl.
"Excuse me." Mahi called out the little girl 
"Yes sir?" The girl came running towards her customer
"I want all of the pink roses." Mahi said 
"All?" The girl's face lit up 
"Yes. And tie them in a bouquet." Mahi ordered 
The girl took out all the roses and gave them a quick wash. Her tiny hands worked with expertise to tie them in a beautiful bouquet. Mahi looked at her skills and actually appreciated them.
"Here. That will be 200 rupee for 10 roses." The girl handed him the bouquet 
Mahi took on a 500 rupee note and handed it to her. 
"I don't have change." The girl innocently replied.
"Keep it." Mahi said ruffling her hair fondly.
He saw how she gave him a 440 volt smile before running back to her parents with proud leaps. Mahi's heart swelled with an unknown feeling of happiness. He knew Dinesh would appreciate those roses more than anything.
And boy was he right, Dinesh's face just glowed up seeing the flowers. He kept smelling them all the way to the cafe. He was immensely proud of Mahi for buying them from a little kid. Even though Mahi wouldn't admit it, it was the first thing he told Dk as soon as he sat in the car.  Mahi too was very excited to look at his reaction when he shared about the flowers.
They sat in the comfortable seats of the cafe. They ordered food and drinks. For a little moment in time there was no awkwardness in between them. Mahi listened senselessly as Dk went on and on about a story from his workplace. The story was about how a man had presented a very beautiful handmade gift to his girlfriend at work. Mahi nodded at regular intervals.
The peaceful moment was disrupted when Mahi's phone vibrated on the table.
"What?" Mahi said in a rude tone as soon as he picked up the phone 
"Si-r, Mr Arora has confirmed the meeting time at 5pm." His secretary stuttered 
"Did I ask you to call me?" Mahi asked frustrated 
"No sir. You wanted confirmation." His secretary said
"I wanted that an hour ago." Mahi retorted 
"I am sor-ry sir. His secretary just called-" The poor girl tried to explain
"Useless." Mahi scolded before he cut the phone.
Dk looked at Mahi's frustration. He did realise that Mahi overworked himself and that is why he was always cranky. But he did feel bad for his employees who had to hear him shout at them all day long. He remembered how he fired his secretary the first day they met. He decided to bring the matter carefully to the table.
"Who was it?" Dinesh asked 
"My secretary." Mahi replied
"You know, you can be a little more polite to her." Dk treaded carefully 
"Why would I want to do that?" Mahi questioned 
"Because she works for you." Dk replied
"And I pay her money for that." Mahi said nonchalantly 
"Money and respect are two different things." Dk explained
"She is dumb. Always makes mistakes." Mahi justified 
"She is scared, Mahi." Dk said 
Mahi stopped for a second. This was the first time Dk had ever called him by his name. His name sounded different from his mouth.
"What did you call me?" Mahi asked
"I-. I am sorry." Dk said as realisation dawned upon him.
"No. You can call me Mahi." Mahi said even surprising himself 
"Ok." Dk nodded 
"What were you saying?" Mahi continued 
"Just because you pay them doesn't mean that you have bought them." Dk justified "They too are human beings. And everyone deserves to be treated with respect, no matter what their position is."
"So what should I do?" Mahi asked
"Nothing. Just don't scream at them for every little thing." Dk said as Mahi agreed.
Once again his phone rang. He looked at the caller id and it was his secretary's phone. He answered it.
"Sir, the mana-ger called and the meet-ing is canc-elled as Mr. Arora is not avail-able." The secretary stuttered as she knew Mahi was going to scream at her any moment.
Mahi looked at Dinesh who nodded at him to be polite.
"Okay." Mahi replied calmly 
The secretary was surprised.
Mahi looked at Dinesh again who mouthed a 'thank you' for him to say to the secretary. Mahi found his lips sealed. Dinesh squeezed his hand on the table to encourage him. A surge of electricity passed through Mahi at his touch.
"Thank you." Mahi said in a soft voice.
The secretary fainted.
"See it costs you nothing to be polite." Dk said as his plan was successful.
Mahi nodded not even understanding the power of the hold that Dk had on him in that moment.
They finished their food. As promised Dinesh paid the bill this time. They had a peaceful ride back home. It was the first time in forever that Mahi wasn't checking his watch every 10 seconds. His mind was at peace with Dinesh sitting by his side clutching his bouquet.
Mahi stopped in front of Dk's home as he stepped out of the car. Before Mahi could step on the gas, Dk knocked on the window. Mahi opened the window as Dk peeked inside.
Dk then took out a single rose from the bouquet and handed it to Mahi. Mahi accepted it with confusion lingering in his eyes. Dk sensed it.
"Thank you for a good evening." Dk whispered as Mahi smiled
Dk hummed as he got a flower vase out for his bouquet. He filled it with water and carefully placed his bouquet in it. He then took the vase and placed it right by his bed side. He kept staring at the bouquet as a similar pink blush spread on his cheeks.
Mahi on the other hand had placed his rose in his left coat pocket. Right on top of his beating heart which was beating in sync with a special person. A feeling that was unknown to him at that moment had spread all over his heart and mind.
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Hey guys,
Second date is here.
I hope you are liking the story so far
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I love reading and interacting with you through your comments
Love, author <3