A Walk Through the "Paradise of Angles"
Jasmin, her hand still holding mine, pulled me gently into the "Paradise of Angles." The garden was far more enchanting than I'd expected. The air was thick with the fragrance of countless flowers in full bloom, each one more colorful than the last. The path we walked on was made of perfectly arranged block bricks, each one solid underfoot as if it had been laid there just for us. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me—a strange mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling inside.
"So this is 'Paradise of Angles,'" she mused, her voice soft but filled with admiration as she took in the view.
I couldn't help but chuckle, still a bit skeptical about the name. "I thought it was a bit corny, but... it's actually really nice and refreshing," I admitted, my eyes wandering over the beautiful flowers.
She smiled in agreement, the corners of her lips curving upward as her eyes sparkled with contentment. "Yeah, I agree."
We continued walking through the garden, the peaceful atmosphere easing my nerves little by little. Then, out of nowhere, she spoke again, her voice light but with a hint of curiosity.
"Hey, Raj," Jasmin called, her tone carrying a certain softness that made me glance over at her.
"Yeah?" I responded, turning my head slightly, still somewhat caught up in the beauty around us.
"Do you like Jasmin?" she asked, her eyes fixed on me with an almost playful gleam.
I blinked, confused. "Ugh... What do you mean?"
She tilted her head, the mischievous glint in her eyes growing as she clarified. "Of course, I mean the flower," she added, laughing softly.
The sudden lightness of her voice made my heart skip a beat, and I quickly found myself laughing too. "Yeah, of course I do," I said, feeling more relaxed with the playful exchange.
"Hehehe..." Jasmin smiled, a soft, almost secretive expression that seemed to hold more than it let on.
I couldn't help but feel a strange flutter in my chest as I caught the smile on her face. It was different from the ones I had seen on-screen—much more genuine, more real. Her usual professional persona melted away when she smiled like this, and it made her seem so much more... human. But as I looked at her, something else began to stir in my mind, memories I had long buried resurfacing.
Suddenly, I felt a pang of nostalgia. The smile she wore reminded me of someone else—someone from my past. I remembered a time when I was much younger, and there had been another girl who had visited me after an accident. She had always tried to make me smile, to bring light back into my life, just like Jasmin was doing now. But she and her family had moved away, and I hadn't seen her since. The memory of her was bittersweet, like a fading photograph I couldn't quite place.
I shook my head, trying to push the memory away, but Jasmin's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Hey..." she called again, this time with a more serious tone.
"Wha... What?" I replied, snapping back to the present.
"You were thinking about some other girl, right?" she asked, a sharp edge to her words that I hadn't expected.
I froze for a moment, my face flushing. "No. I wasn't!" I stammered, my voice rising in panic.
She raised an eyebrow, eyeing me with a playful, yet somehow accusing, gaze. "You look shocked. You're being shady," she teased. "You can't think about other girls during dates, okay?"
I felt a mix of embarrassment and relief. It wasn't that I was thinking about another girl; it was just that her smile had triggered a long-lost memory. But I didn't want to complicate things.
Oh, God... I thought, trying to steady my breathing. This is so awkward...
I forced a smile, trying to keep things light. "Oh, ehem... I'll keep that in mind," I said, hoping my awkwardness didn't show too much.
Jasmin's expression softened, and she let out a small laugh. "Good. Don't make me jealous, okay?" she teased.
Despite the awkwardness, I couldn't help but smile, her playful nature making it hard to stay tense for long. She truly was a force of energy, and in that moment, I realized how much more complicated this day was becoming—how much I was beginning to enjoy her company.
As we walked deeper into the garden, the warm sun casting gentle shadows on the path, I couldn't help but wonder what was in store for us next. This "date" was quickly becoming something far more meaningful than I had ever imagined.
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Wait a minute... 🛑
A childhood accident? A girl who moved away? A 'National Crush' who seems to know exactly how to push Raj's buttons?