Previous cut:-They talked about many things like this. That evening, they had dinner at the Das house before returning home. Before leaving, Sarmistha took Rupam's mobile number.
Sarmistha could never have imagined that Rupam would call her that very night. Their acquaintance was just beginning, and she had thought it would take time for the two of them to get comfortable with each other. So, though it felt a bit strange at first, she picked up the phone.
Rupam, with a hint of hesitation in his voice, asked,
"Did I bother you by calling so late at night?"
Sarmistha replied,
"No, tell me—I haven't gone to sleep yet."
Rupam paused for a moment before saying,
"There was something I couldn't say in front of everyone… You looked truly beautiful today."
Sarmistha said simply,
"Thank you."
"That's all," Rupam added. "Nothing more."
Sarmistha deliberately teased,
"Actually, a lot of people have said the exact same thing to me before, so it doesn't really feel special anymore."
Rupam's tone carried a playful protest:
"Am I just like everyone else?"
Sarmistha burst into a light laugh.
"Oh, come on—getting upset, are we?"
Rupam chuckled too.
"Even if I was upset, hearing your laugh makes it impossible to stay mad."
Sarmistha, prodding further, said,
"Oh, wow—you're quite the charmer! Feeling like flirting with your future wife already?"
Rupam replied casually,
"Flirting with girls is fun enough as it is. But if she's beautiful, that desire doubles."
Sarmistha widened her eyes in mock surprise.
"Oh, really now! And when you say 'girls' plural… was there someone before?"
Rupam grew a bit serious.
"No, there wasn't anyone. And there still isn't. Sure, I talked to plenty of girls in college, but nothing ever got intimate. And that's for the best."
"Why for the best?" Sarmistha asked.
Rupam's voice softened.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you."
Sarmistha glanced at the clock. It was past midnight. She had to wake up early for college the next day.
"I should hang up now—I need to sleep."
Rupam quickly said,
"Alright. But wait—do you have time tomorrow afternoon?"
"Why?" Sarmistha asked.
"I'll take you out to a restaurant for dinner."
Sarmistha smiled.
"Yes, that works. I'll call you after college gets out."
"Perfect. Good night."
"Good night."
### The Next Day
As usual, right after college ended, Sarmistha called Rupam. He arrived within the hour. That day, Sarmistha was wearing a saree with intricate green and blue embroidery. Seeing her, Rupam's eyes lit up.
"You look stunning," he said.
Sarmistha smiled shyly.
Rupam was dressed in a light brown shirt and gray pants. He looked quite handsome too, Sarmistha remarked.
Then, Rupam gestured toward his bike.
"Hop on."
Sarmistha climbed on and asked,
"Where are we headed?"
Rupam replied with a mysterious grin,
"You'll see when we get there."
To be continued....