‘My favourite restaurant.’ I smiled, taking my own seat. ‘The owner is a chef who cares more about food than money. It seats only twenty people a night and has no menu. You get what the chef cooks, and you love it.’
‘I had no idea this place even existed.’
‘Most people don’t. There are no websites or Instagram pages. It operates on word of mouth and is booked out for weeks.’
‘Then how did you get a reservation so quickly?’
‘Jai beta,’ Govind uncle greeted as he walked over, still in his apron. ‘I was so happy when you called. You haven’t come by in a long time.’
‘It’s nice to see you again, uncle.’ I stood up and hugged him. ‘This is Ananya.’My girlfriend.But with the way his wise eyes looked at her, I didn’t have to say that out loud.
‘You’ve outdone yourself with her, Jai,’ he smiled as he shook her hand. ‘Welcome to my little restaurant. It’s an honour to host a special woman like yourself.’
‘Thank you,’ Ananya said shyly. ‘You have a beautiful place. I’m excited to try the food.’
‘You’re going to love it,’ he said. ‘I’ll leave you kids to it. I need to go back to the kitchen; let me know if you need anything.’
‘Govind uncle is Yuvraj’s father,’ I said once he left. ‘He’s the one who owns The Masala Box. We’ve been best friends since second grade.’
‘A family of brilliant chefs. Their dining table must be the place to be.’
‘Their kitchen is. I’ve never heard more yelling over how to make the best nadru biryani in my life,’ I said with a grin. ‘I’ll have you meet him, and Arjun soon – they’re my best friends. You’ll love them.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’ Her smile deepened. ‘How was the board meeting?’
‘Went great. Everyone loved it.’ I caught her hand on the table and rubbed soft circles on the back of it.
Her eyes lowered to our linked hands.
‘If not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to close the Mahalas.’ I raised her hand and brought it to my lips. ‘Thank you.’
Her teeth dug into her bottom lip.
A server arrived with smoked kathal galette topped with a tamarind–jaggery glaze.
Ananya looked sceptical.
‘Just try it. Govind uncle has the most weird-sounding amuse-bouches, but they’re delicious.’
‘Amuse-bouches?’ she repeated, laughing. ‘You’re making that up.’
It was a funny name now that I think of it. ‘It’s French for a welcome appetiser,’ I answered. ‘The literal translation is mouth amuser.’
‘That’s one way to set the mood,’ she said, her eyes twinkling as she popped it in her mouth. Instantly, delight took over her face. ‘Okay … wow. Ilovethis.’
I chuckled. ‘Told you.’
We made our way through six more courses of soulful, decadent food, but none of it compared tothe way Ananya looked at me, the way she laughed with me or that one brush of her leg against mine.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured, a warm glow on her face. ‘For this amazing date.’
I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. ‘How about a second one?’
‘I would love that.’ She smiled, and I just knew.
This wasn’t just chemistry or a fleeting spark. This was gravity pulling me towards her – inevitable and unstoppable. There was no walking away from her.
11
