Rati and Vardhaan walked by the temple pond not uttering a single word, each buried in deep thoughts about ‘how to break the ice’. Rati watched the swans flapping their wings in the pond.

“You like watching birds?” Vardhaan asked.

Rati looked at him absent minded “What...?.” after a little pause she continued “yes, I do. Do you?”

“Yea, me too”

“Lets sit there.” She said pointing towards at a platform under the shade at a distance.

“You don’t like small talks, do you?” He said folding the sleeves of his light blue cotton shirt, revealing toned and muscular forearms.

“You can say that. I usually don’t talk to strangers.” She answered noticing his direct approach. “Hi, I am Rati Shayani.” She said extending her hand for a handshake.

He too extended his hand after rubbing the palm on his dark grey trousers and said with a smile “Vardhaan Mehra”. It was unexpected but that’s what he came for. The handshake was firm and completely formal, lips stretched in a formal smile, looking directly at each other. She had made it clear that what people thought and said about him didn’t matter to her, she will see for herself if she’ll approve of him or not. The firmness of the handshake showed that he had no problem with it.

“Why military?” she asked.

“I wanted to be like my father. That’s why.” He smiled, looking at her.

“Just that! No other reason like having a gun or wearing uniform or protecting people and country…” she inquired further to know his motivation.

He understood his situation of being interrogated and also that he will be judged based on his answers. After contemplating he said “I guess there are other reasons. I wanted to impress my father and military was the only thing that impressed him. Like you heard that I have a history of embarrassing him at school, so that’s that and a few minor reasons”.

Satisfied with the answer she nodded in agreement like she could relate. “As an Indian citizen I highly appreciate the work of Indian Army and all the other forces. We are grateful to have you guys, prioritizing others above yourselves. That’s heroic… Truly” she said looking back and forth between her hands in her lap and his eyes.

He could feel himself blushing. He was flustered, this being the closest thing to a ‘date’ he had experienced and the topic in talks was: army. “Great… just great” he thought. “Umm... that’s flattering... this means a lot to us. But it’s not all that heroic you know. We do get paid and enjoy other perks that come with the job.” he said.

“Really… It doesn’t matter at all that how much you earn or what perks you have when you can’t even enjoy them. How long did it took you get a leave for today?”

“Ah… about 2 months”

“See… 2 months and you talk about perks. Okay. Tell me how much do you spend on yourself or what is the most expensive thing you own” she asked.

Seeing her sincerity Vardhaan was delighted, “expensive thing… I’ve gun that worth about a lakh…”

“It must’ve been to you…it belongs to the army…you didn’t paid for it so that doesn’t count” she interrupted him.

“Then… I don’t think I spend that much to own something fancy. I guess you’re right.” he said smiling at her in agreement. She smiled back. This was first time she had smiled since he arrived. “I heard you left your job. May I ask why? Given that the corporate offices pay handsomely plus the perks you can actually enjoy.”

“Yes they do. But I didn’t like the work place.” she said with a smirk and no remorse.

“Hmm…What are your hobbies?” He asked.

“It’s just watching movies or shows, reading, eating and sleeping if that counts”

“Eating...sleeping that sounds lazy but she seems fit and healthy. No trace of fat on arms, legs but maybe around her waist…”he thought. “

“What do you expect from your life partner?” she said.

Vardhaan, caught off guard by the question and seriousness in her voice, couldn’t answer as if didn’t know how to speak. “The shit just got real.” He cleared his throat and calmly said “not much just to be caring, compassionate and be there with my grandmother while I am not around. What are your expectations?”

As if waiting for the question Rati answered “I expect patience, sensibility and respect for my family from my life partner. Also I am not good at cooking so he better not complain.” She looked him in the eye as if asking his thoughts on: if he still wanted to marry her.

He was intimidated under the stare of her dark eyes. But also he was impressed by how sure she was regarding what she wants. She was straight to the point no bullshit. “She won’t tolerate anything if she doesn’t like it no matter how tempting.” He concluded.

Rati looked at him trying to understand his thoughts. ”what is he thinking? He looks oddly calm…is he contemplating his options. Doesn’t matter at least I made it clear what he will be walking into if agrees to marry me.” She thought. “I think your aunt is calling you” she said seeing Mrs. Mehra waving.

“We are being called.” Vardhaan said after looking at his Aunt.

Before turning to leave he said smiling “It was nice meeting you.” extending his hand. He came looking for a mystery and wasn’t disappointed but pleased with what he learned about her.

Rati took this hand in a gentle handshake; smiling back at him she said “the feeling is mutual.” He was exactly what she had expected; tall and handsome man with dark, wavy hair, dark deep set eyes and a defined jaw line. Medium tan skin complimented his thin lips with an attractive smile, broad shoulders and muscular body frame. He had the ability to understand what is being said beyond the words, quite observant and aware of his surroundings just like her. She was satisfied with the meeting and herself.

They walked in unison, side by side to join the others.