Chapter 2: Mutual Attraction

"Saniya, can we have a dance together, if you don't mind?" he proposed and she agreed readily, "O sure, in fact, I was about to say the same thing. I was getting bored here alone; thank God I came across you. Come, let's dance."

Both of them danced joyously till it was 3 o'clock in the morning. If at all they paused sometimes, it was only for the drinks to fuel them up further. Arjun said, "Hope you are enjoying Saniya?"

Saniya replied with a twinkle in her eyes, "Yes, I really had a very good time with you, I wish to dance more and more, to the infinity!"

"Unfortunately, it's closing time now. We have to move out of the pub and go somewhere else." Arjun informed her in a disappointed tone, and Saniya reacted, "Oh, but I want a few more drinks, please Arjun can you arrange?"

"Actually I also want the same you see. Let us walk down a little; I know a shop on Baga Street which is open 24 hours, so we can have there as many drinks as we want!" he suggested.

"C'mon, let's go there!" Saniya Exclaimed.

They reached the shop with the 24 hours drinks availability and picked up a bagful of snacks for munching while enjoying each other's company, and of course the beer.

She asked him, "Why did you buy chocolates, by the way?"

He explained it, "well dear, snacks with drinks are a common preference and I also love it. Still, I wisely keep some chocolates too, so that if there is a risk of drinking in excess which may lead to a vomiting sensation, chocolates work as neutralizer then."

"Have you ever thought about trying out some chocolates after drinks?" Arjun asked her and she replied as if puzzled, "That sounds weird, who does that!!!" I haven't tried...

"Then do give it a try, take a bite of chocolate in case you have drunk beyond your limits. It will be helpful if you are unable to balance yourself after being drunk till the neck" he continued sharing his weird idea.

After a while, Arjun said, "I think we do not know about each-other much now, so let's go to the beach so that where we can talk peacefully and we get to know each other."

They strolled around the Baga streets, talking away and drinking beer. Arjun told her that he was a businessman, born in Chennai and but brought up in Gujarat and also various other parts of North India as well.

Saniya told him that she was a college girl. She had completed her post graduation in IT and also got selected in the campus-interview at her college.

"I am in Goa to attend the final round of interview in a company here for the job. I am from a middle-class family of the small town, Kolhapur in Maharashtra; therefore I have lots of unfulfilled dreams and goals to achieve in my life. I worked really hard for it and kept my focus always on my studies. I never went out dating guys or got distracted from my ambition. I am aware of the responsibilities upon me, being the only child to my parents."

Arjun continued the conversation, "So you are here in Goa for an interview!"

"Yes, and what about you? Tell me, how come you are in Goa now?" Saniya asked him.

He answered, "I just came back from New York the previous day. As soon as I landed at the Mumbai airport, the very first thought that came to me was, going to Goa, and I do this on my birthdays always. I have also planned to visit Ahmadabad, soon after my birthday celebration is over."

"Are you a regular traveller?" she asked.

'Not exactly, but I often travel places for some or the other reason" Arjun said.

"Okay, so what's the reason for visiting Ahmedabad?" her curiosity about him seemed as if 'never-ending'.

"I'll tell you about it some other day, but yes, I can say that I visit Gujarat every Navaratri" he replied.

Saniya had more questions to ask him, "Wow! Do you play Dandia during Navaratri celebrations?"

"I used to," he said, "in fact, it was one of my favorite festivals; I never missed the fun and celebrations, but that was long back. Now I've stopped going for Dandia, due to certain reasons."

Saniya again asked, "Oh! What's that reason which stops you from celebrating your favourite festival? And you said that you belong to Chennai, then how come you are celebrating Gujarati festival?"

Arjun was enjoying talking to her, "I have done my studies up to high school in Gujarat. Even though I was born in Chennai, but I spent most of my childhood days in Gujarat. Those were the loveable moments of my life; the culture of Gujarat and the finger-licking tasty Gujarati food... I can never forget these in my life. People in Gujarat are really sweet and they treated us as family members. That's why even after living away from Gujarat for so many years; I am still in love with Gujarat. It is this state in India which I like the most even after travelling to so many other places."

"Nice! So do you speak Gujarati?" Saniya shot at him her next question.

"I do, I know many languages as I have been to different parts of India. I would also love to learn Marathi if you can help me out." Arjun was smiling when he noticed her growing interest in him.

"Sorry about that as I cannot speak Marathi very fluently," she admitted.