Half way in Love ( Chapter 23)
Chapter 23
Restrictions on banking hours went on for two months. Which meant, Revathy was free for most of the time.
One day she posted a video of her doing classical dance . Dev didn't know she had learnt classical dance.
"You dance very gracefully. Especially the movement of your eyes. Have you learnt Bharathanatyam?"
" Thank you Dev. I did my 'arangetram' at sixteen. "
Smileys with three hearts.
"You are making me feel hopeless, Revathy. How much is left for me to know about you"
"Keep searching tycoon. You will keep finding me."
Smileys.
He wanted to say his heart out. But, as always, held back.
Few days later she posted her oil painting. A girl, lost in night, looking at the moon.
"This too? That too oil on canvas. You keep amazing me Revathy. Where do I stand compared to you?"
"Dev, you have achieved what others take decades to achieve. I am just doing an oil painting. BTB, my painting is coming up in Palakkad district online painting exhibition, scheduled in two days."
She promptly forwarded a brochure explaining the details of the upcoming exhibition. There, among few other painters, she was portrayed.
"All the best Revathy."
"Thank you Dev. You know, tomorrow we have a training at Thrissur. Pearl Residency. So I will be tied up tomorrow. Don't feel bad."
Dev's heart fell.
"What time do you finish?"
"Training is up to 5 PM."
"Ok Revathy. Then, I will catch you after that. You don't worry."
Dev had made his plans.
Next day, he boarded Kerala State transport bus to Thrissur. He sent Vasu away with the car to Tirupur, to get some files. Vasu would have never let him to travel in a bus.
He was travelling in a bus after many years. He enjoyed the ride. The wind on the face, the stops, the different people who boarded and got down.
He had worn a sunglass, and a mask, to avoid recognition. He didn't want to answer too many questions. Not today at least.
He reached Thrissur bus stand at 5.10 PM. It must have been ten minutes, since Revathy finished with her training.
He dialed her number. As always a prompt hello came from the other side.
"Where are you princess? Finished class?"
"Just finished Dev. Catching an auto to bus stand now. No messages today no?. Missed?"
"I start missing you the next second you stop talking to me. "
Dev answered, sending her few smileys.
"Where are you now Dev? Office? Or walking without me?"
"Am here princess. In Thrissur bus stand. Waiting for a beautiful girl."
He laughed.
" What? "
Revathy squealed in surprise.
"You are here? You no, you are crazy. Wait, I am coming."
She reached in an auto, in another five minutes. She was wearing a dark blue sari with contrasting reddish blouse. She had made up her hair in a traditional way and wore Jasmine flowers. She was looking more beautiful in sari.
"Close your mouth Dev. Something may go inside"
She giggled.
"Where is your car?"
"I came by bus."
She opened her mouth now.
"Bus? Dev, you are doing too much for me."
Her eyes got wet now.
"I wished to travel by your side Revathy. For a change."
They got in the bus and sat in a two seater. She sat by the window and he sat near her.
He could feel warmth of her body against his shoulders.
They enjoyed the travel. Winds flowing in, crowd pressing them against each other. and the wonderful feeling of each other’s company.
It was Dev’s was first time travel to Thrissur. Revathy kept explaining him the stops on the way. She was very talkative. She could talk hours even on the dumbest subjects.
She laughed, talked, corrected her hair, corrected the position of her palloo, and again talked.
Bus must have reached a spot around two kilometers from bus stand. They heard an explosive sound now.
Everyone got scared and looked at each other, searching for clue what happened.
Conductor of the bus got down. A minute later, he came up shaking his head.
"Tyre burst. Bus won't move now. All of you can get down. I will board you all in the next bus to stand.”
And they all got down and stood crowded around the conductor, waiting for the next state transport bus.
"It is just one kilometer to your flat Revathy. Shall we walk?"
She was always a sport.
"Ofcourse. With you, whatever. She smiled at him, looking into his eyes.
Dev felt shy again. They started walking.
It was getting dark. And they walked on the side of the highway, keeping far clear of the vehicles on highway.
It was nice time to walk. Small wind blew on their faces.
They walked happily, talking and looking at each other, for next 40 minutes.
"Tomorrow, after inauguration of online painting exhibition, meet me Dev. Day after tomorrow, am going to mom's place. At Mudappallur. Won't be there for one week. So do meet ok?"
"One week?" Dev expressed his shock.
"Yes Dev. Got to go. Some function at mom's family. So don't miss out tomorrow. "
She pleaded, smiling at him.
"Ofcourse Revathy. Soon after inauguration of your exhibition. Dial when you finish with it."
And Dev dropped Revathy at the entrance of her flat.
"Good night Dev."
She waved her hand beautifully while walking towards the elevator.
"Good night."
Dev kept waving his hand, till the doors of the lift closed after her.
Cont Chapter 24.
