Blind Date

Hari arrived at the rendezvous before his date.

Today's meeting was set up by one of his acquaintances who he met at a company dinner a month ago.

Hari was casually socializing when she came up and told him that one of her friends was also of Indian origin like Hari.

Her name was Tara.

They talked a few times over the phone to set the date and time.She seemed pretty chill with meeting up and chatting.Hari waited outside the restaurant for her.He chose a very quaint and placid place with multiple cuisines.A woman in black high heels and sporting white and blue colors on a shirt and a blazer with a pencil skirt.

She had brownish- black hair and deep brown eyes.

The demeanor made her the textbook definition of an 'anchor woman'.

{ Anchor Woman actually means a woman who presents and coordinates a live television or radio programme involving other contributors.

Here, it refers to the American slang for independent working women.}

He realized it was her as she had an Indian look even though she wasn't dressed as one and followed her.

She went to the reception and asked.

" Where is the table reserved under the name Mr. Saionji ? "

She heard a deep voice that called out her name.

" Miss Tara?"

" Yes, that's me."

She turned back and saw a man with an enchanting smile.

" Mr. Hari Saionji?'

She asked, a bit flushed.

Hari: " Yes, It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tara."

He held out his hand.

Tara : " It's very nice to meet you as well, Mr. Hari."

She shook the hand held out for her.

A waiter attended to them.

Waiter : " Please allow me to guide you to your table."

They both followed him.

Hari : " Please call me Hari if you're comfortable with it."

Tara smiled.

Tara : " Understood. Then, drop the honorifics for me too."

Hari : " As you wish."

Hari pulled out a chair for her. She graciously accepted the chivalrious gesture.

Tara : " Thank you. You're as gentlemanly as I've heard."

He handed his cardigan to the waiter and made himself comfortable.

Hari : " Well, no man can help but be chivalrous around beautiful women."

He gazed at her.

Tara raised a brow and tilted her head.

Tara : " Oh? What about women who're not? "

Hari smirked.

Hari : " Hmm...I don't know since I've never seen any in my whole life."

Tara giggled.

" Smooth Talker."

Hari narrowed his eyes.

" Is that what I get for being sincere?"

" Then, silver tongue. "

"Try harder..."

" I'm surprised to know, grown men could be so cute?"

Hari chuckled.

" Is that a compliment?"

" Of course, it is. Do you know how many stuck-up men I deal with every day?"

" I'm lucky that I rarely deal with it as a corporate slave who's only work is meeting deadlines. My seniors deal with that for me."

" You won't get a promotion like this."

" My credits are already negative but they can't even fire me because I never missed a deadline. Besides, I'm fine as long as I get my pay."

" Work life is tough. Look at us, barely scraping time to get a date."

" True that."

They both ordered food and drinks.

They talked about work- life, hobbies and interests.

Tara : " It's a good place you've chosen. The air is friendly, food is tasty and it's not too fancy. "

Hari smiled .

Hari : " I'm glad you like it as I put a lot of effort into finding it ( two years ago)."

He smirked as he sipped the drink.

Hari : ' It's a given that you won't take your date to a shabby eatery for the first time and a place too fancy will just come as too overbearing.

Besides, my pockets aren't lined with silver.

Also, I've been bringing my dates here for two years. I'm a valued regular.'

The manager of the restaurant heard the compliments and gave a thumbs up to him from behind.

He raised a toast to him.

' The manager also loves me because I bring in so many customers.

I also get free food on the days I'm broke thanks to my continued patronage.'

He thought proudly.

They finished the dinner and went outside for a little walk.

Both of them were warmly dressed and therefore the cold wind also seemed comfortable.

They arrived at a pleasant yet desolate promenade.

She glanced at him a few times.

Tara : " It's just a hunch but were you concerned about something?"

Hari : " Oh, was it obvious?"

Tara chuckled.

"Nope, A woman's intuition."

" That's scary~~. You always--"

Tara pouted.

" Hey! No changing topic."

" You caught me."

"Spill it."

" Well, you see... Your friend set us up as we both are of Indian origins, but I've not really been much there or any other country for that matter.

I was worried that you were trying to help yourself get over home- sickness or just wanted someone to talk about home....or along those lines... "

Tara widened her eyes.

She started chuckling and started clinging onto his arm.

" How cute of you worrying about something like that? Say~~"

She brought her face close to his.

" Do you wish to spend the night with me?"

And her lips got closer...

Hari smirked.

He pulled in her thin waist with one hand and ran his fingers through her long hair messing it up.

Interlocked lips and intertwined tongues.

A long, deep and passionate kiss.

They took a moment to breathe.

She hung her arms across his neck.