34 - 45 The first date (Random chapter)

He still was not sure how Iniya agreed to the "date", well technically she agreed to meet him for some time outside their usual Nungambakkam platform and it developed into a milk shake in Sangeetha's that was a short distance away.

He managed to hitch a ride with his best friends and Edwin could not restrain the big smile when he was told the big secret and Edwin being Edwin ensured that the big secret was known to the gang and so the gang all honourably agreed to drop Rajesh at Sangeetha's. After dropping him and wishing the very best they left and Rajesh with anxiety large on his face waited for Iniya.

Time crawls when you wait but mercifully Iniya breezed in with a smile and they found a cozy alcove seating two in the restaurant. He offered the menu to Iniya  and struggled to read the letters in the dark mood lighting of the place, why it has to be dark in the afternoon hours in a hot city like Madras puzzled him and he heard Iniya asking for a drink that had an odd combination. The helpful waiter assured that Thums Up and chocolate ice cream paired as well as Limca with Vanilla ice cream. Fervently looking at the prices and realizing that he would be just able to pay with whatever he had saved up over the week he sat back with a small sigh of relief only to lose all the wind in him.

Right across sat Edwin with the gang with a wicked smile on their faces, oblivious to them as she was sitting with her back to them Iniya asked Rajesh why he was sweating so much. The conversation went by in a blur and Iniya was getting annoyed that Rajesh did not pay attention to her project notes that she wanted to share with him. All too soon time flew and Rajesh asked for the bill, the helpful waiter replied pointing behind, "sir your friends, have paid your bill already!"

Iniya looked back and turned towards Rajesh with an enquiring look. With a sigh of resignation, Rajesh called the guys over and introduced the team, "Iniya, meet Edwin, Senthil, Rajkumar, Selva, Karthik and Moses, guys this is Iniya, she is my friend"

She shook hands with all and in the few minutes she spoke to them  she had become a part of the gang and she had a fan club that was formed by the time they all left the restaurant together. The guys left them finally and Iniya noticed the crestfallen look on Rajesh's face. "I think you have a good set of friends, you never told me that we were meeting as a group?' she asked. "Well I did not know that they were joining us honestly" he replied with a sheepish face.

"I had a great time but I must confess that Thums Up and chocolate ice cream must have been invented by some idiot, hope your drink was better?" asked Iniya with a laugh. " I couldn't waste it but Limca is no better with Vanilla" Rajesh replied sheepishly. As they paused to separate, they looked at each other and no words were spoken but a connection was made. As they shook hands to leave, both held on for longer than required till they heard Edwin clearing his throat nearby. When they dropped their hands and looked back, Edwin put up his hands in surrender and said, "I left my wallet behind in my seat, i came back to get it, can I offer you a drop somewhere?"

Iniya declined and went towards the bus stand, Rajesh walked with Edwin to the car. Both looked back for a brief moment and they smiled at each other. Another connection was made. They left with memories of the first date.


In case you are wondering these are part of random chapters that I will put up that will happen between the prologue and the epilogue that I have posted earlier

P.S. Title is Madras 34 to Madras 45