Nishi has already realized Abul’s persistent nature. That’s why she knows that if she wants to accomplish what she came to this coffee shop for—convincing Abul without upsetting him—she must be careful. So, with a polite tone, she said, “You can order whatever you like. I haven’t eaten at this restaurant before, so I don’t know much about their menu.”
Right at that moment, the waiter, Kuddus, appeared with the menu! Anyone could tell from Nishi’s uncomfortable expression that she wasn’t very used to such situations. So, Abul went ahead and ordered his favorite dishes. However, he was worried—what if Nishi didn’t like any of them? In his nervousness, he ended up ordering too much—two club sandwiches, Thai soup, chicken fry, wontons, chicken cashew nut salad, and pizza. He thought, “At least one of these dishes should be to her liking.”
Just as the waiter arrived to take the order, Nishi went to the washroom to freshen up. It made sense—after a whole day at college, then going straight to her tutor’s house, and now here, she hadn’t even had a proper meal at noon, let alone any rest.
When the food arrived, the sight of all those steaming hot dishes—every one of them her favorite—instantly lifted her mood. Abul carefully served Nishi first before helping himself. Nishi couldn’t hide her delight.
She loved hot Thai soup, and the way it was presented, along with its wonderful aroma, made her even more excited. She hurriedly took a sip, only to burn her tongue! But she didn’t want to let Abul know, so she quickly took another sip and then turned to look at him, about to say something stern.
But the moment she looked at him, she froze. For the first time, she noticed how handsome Abul looked in his blue shirt and maroon blazer. A pleasant cologne fragrance wafted from him, and his bracelet was also quite stylish.
She wondered—why had this rich and handsome guy been following her around for so long? She had seen many of her college friends dating guys like him. It was all great for a while, but only for a while. Once they got what they wanted, they moved on to the next girl. Nishi never wanted to go down that road.
At the same time, she didn’t want to let some unknown man, chosen by her family, be forced into her life. The thought of shyly stepping into a marriage arranged by relatives made her uneasy. So, she had always avoided this topic, telling her family, “I won’t get married until I complete my PhD.” They would always respond, “By then, you’ll be too old to find a groom!” Nishi would simply think, “Then so be it! Why does marriage have to be necessary?”
Her father had always supported her career-driven mindset, never even letting her wash her own plate. She had always been immersed in her studies and music. But everything changed when her father was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, he had kept saying, “I don’t have much time left, my dear. I need to find someone who can take care of you after I’m gone.”
Nishi suddenly recalled those words, and her mind became a mess. She had come here with a plan, but now she was losing track. Still, she pulled herself together, put on a stern face, cleared her throat, and started speaking.
Nishi: Why do you keep following me?
Abul: Because I like you.
Nishi: Well, I don’t like it at all.
Abul: That’s fine. You don’t have to like it right away. You will, in time.
Nishi: Where do you get such confidence? Why do you assume I must like you?
Abul: Just like today, I brought you to dinner. One day…
Nishi: Oh, please! Spare me your fairytales. I’m not interested. And let me be clear—I’m not someone you can just woo for a while…
Abul: Not for a while. I’m thinking long-term.
Nishi: I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever it is, it’s not possible.
Abul: Wow! You’re totally in love with me, aren’t you? You even know my thoughts! When did you do all this research on me?
Nishi felt insulted, embarrassed. Abul was enjoying the moment, but he had also made up his mind—he wouldn’t let her slip away.
Nishi: You said that after having coffee with me, you’d stop following me.
Abul: Did I say that exactly? I believe I said I’d think about it after coffee.
Nishi: So, have you thought it over?
Abul: How can I? The coffee isn’t even here yet! We’re still on the soup course. After that, there’s dinner, then coffee.
Nishi: Please, just order the coffee now.
Abul: No, if I order it now, it’ll get cold. And I hate cold coffee. I also wouldn’t serve my special guest cold coffee. So, chill!
Nishi: I have to go home. My father will be worried.
Abul: Then hurry up and finish your soup—without burning your tongue this time. And don’t ignore the appetizers! (He chuckled mischievously.)
Nishi was in a dilemma. On one hand, her favorite foods were right in front of her. On the other, she felt a mix of frustration and strange attraction toward Abul. What should she do? She thought, “Forget it! I won’t eat anything today. I’ll come back with my father and enjoy all these dishes another time. Today, I’ll just get rid of my anger.”
She decided she wouldn’t look at Abul while speaking. Every time he smiled that mischievous smile, her thoughts became jumbled. Was she starting to fall for him? Was she really in love? Oh no!
Nishi: Are you done with your soup or not? I really have to leave.
Abul: Alright, I’ll ask them to bring dinner now.
Nishi: Fine, enjoy your dinner. I’ll take a taxi home.
Abul: That’s not happening. You came here on your own, but you’ll leave when I say so.
Nishi: I really can’t eat anymore, and my father is worried…
At this point, Abul called the waiter and asked for dinner to be served quickly.
Abul: Dinner will be here soon. Meanwhile, let’s get to know each other better. What are you studying?
Nishi: I’m in my third year of English honors. You?
Abul: I’m in my third year of BBA in London.
Nishi: So, you’re here on vacation?
Abul: Yes, and my vacation is almost over. That’s why I’m focusing on bride-hunting now.
Nishi: But you’re my age! You still have a long way to go—finishing BBA, then MBA, then getting a job…
Abul: Uh-uh! That’s not how it works in my family. The men marry before 25. And I’m already 25.
(Nishi couldn’t figure out the math. She was in her third year, Abul was also in his third year. If she was 22, how was he 25?)
Nishi: Did you fail several times or something? I mean, who’s still in their third year at 25?
Abul: Forget all that. Do you think a guy on a dinner date with such a beauty would waste time discussing academics? Just know this—I have everything a potential bride could ever want.
Nishi felt deeply uncomfortable and quickly responded, “I am not your potential bride. And I can’t stand liars. I won’t even talk to one, let alone eat with one. So, before we continue, tell me—are you lying or making things up?”
Abul: Are you going to keep interrogating me, or will you relax a little?
Nishi: Excuse me? Why would I interrogate you? I need to get home!
Scarborough, Canada
