Vrishali smiled brightly looking at Padmanabh. He walked over to her as she waited for him with her luggage.
"Hey," Vrishali said leaving her luggage and going over to Padmanabh to hug him.
She wrapped her tiny arms around him, Padmanabh signed happily wrapping his arms around Vrishali picking her up as she was standing on her tiptoes.
"Hey" Padmanabh whispered as Vrishali hugged him tightly. Padmanabh smiled against her.
He didn't expect her to hug him but he is thankful that she did. He would not take a step forward because of his shyness.
"Ugh, I missed you," Vrishali said unwrapping her arms around Padmanabh.
"I missed you" Padmanabh replied patting her head.
Padmanabh took Vrishali's luggage and they started walking towards their car. Vrishali breathed in the air of Paris.
They have decided to meet in Paris, Padmanabh flew from India and Vrishali flew from New York.
"This is my second time visiting Paris. I was five years old when I visited Paris for the first time with my parents" Vrishali said excitedly holding Padmanabh's hand.
Padmanabh looked down at her small hand holding his. He smiled looking down at the pavement. He put her luggage in the trunk as Vrishali looked around with a huge smile on her face.
Padmanabh planned to fly to New York then to Paris with Vrishali but they had to make changes in the last hour.
Padmanabh's mother was hell-bent on knowing where he is going. If he said he is going to New York, she would be doing something so he said he is going to Paris to attend a royal ball. It's not that Padmanabh wants to hide about them. He is just being private knowing his mother.
He opened the door for Vrishali, "thank you" Vrishali said getting into the car. Padmanabh went over to the other side, he opened his door and got in.
"Have you been to Paris before?" Vrishali asked.
"Yes, I have stayed in Paris for three months" Padmanabh replied.
"Really? I always wanted to visit Paris and I can't believe I'm visiting Paris for Christmas" Vrishali smiles widely making Padmanabh smile.
"The city looks so pretty" Vrishali awes watching the streets decorated with fairy lights and bulbs. Padmanabh drove for thirty minutes then they reached the apartment building.
"Are we living in an apartment?" Vrishali asked in confusion as the watchman allowed the car once he saw Padmanabh.
"Yes," Padmanabh drove inside and parked the car. Vrishali unbuckled her seatbelt getting on looking at the parking lot.
"This is must be an elite apartment," Vrishali said.
"Yes"
"What is the apartments name?"
"Rosey sky apartments," Padmanabh said closing the trunk door.
"Woah, I heard about this property before," Vrishali said.
"You did?"
"Yes, the prince of Greece lives in this apartment. They made huge news about it" Vrishali said following Padmanabh towards the elevator.
Padmanabh chuckled, "don't be surprised if you meet any of the princes"
"Why would I when I married one," Vrishali says. Padmanabh smiled shaking his head pressing the button.
"Are you on a diet?" Padmanabh asked Vrishali when he observed that she lost a few pounds.
"Not on a diet but I have been going to the gym regularly."
"Oh"
"You didn't tell me about the gym," Padmanabh said stepping into the elevator.
"Because I know you would say 'you are already thin' so I didn't mention it"
"Why would I say that?"
"My parents and grandparents said the same thing, they wanted me to stop going to the gym"
"Hmm, I wouldn't say that. If you want to be healthy and go to the gym then it's your choice. You can do whatever you want to do with your body. Never think that I would say no to something that makes you happy" Padmanabh said gently looking at her.
Vrishali's love heart emojis started popping out from her eyes.
"Awe, how can you make me feel so good and happy just by your words. You are my personal cheerleader for sure," Vrishali said and Padmanabh shyly looked away.
'my personal cheerleader' Padmanabh repeated those words in his mind.
They have reached their floor eight. Vrishali looked at the floor in awe. The apartment screams dollars...
Padmanabh walked to the right and Vrishali followed him watching everything in sight. Padmanabh entered the number on the screen and the door opened.
"Wow!" Vrishali said out loud stepping inside the apartment. Padmanabh kept her luggage beside the rack. He watched as Vrishali went further with awe eyes looking at the ceiling and the interior of the apartment. Vrishali looked around dreamily, she loves the apartment.
"This place is beautiful," Vrishali said.
Padmanabh walked over to the sofa with her luggage. He sat down as Vrishali looked around.
"How did you find this apartment? I thought we are going to stay in a hotel," Vrishali asked Padmanabh.
"I lived in this apartment for three months."
"Is this your apartment?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"You can do a home tour, first go and freshen up while I arrange the food for you on the table," Padmanabh said. Vrishali's stomach suddenly started growling when she heard food.
"Yes, I need food," Vrishali said. Padmanabh stood up and pulled her luggage with him.
"Follow me" Vrishali followed him as he walked.
"This is your room," Padmanabh said opening the door. Vrishali felt a little bit disappointed that they are going to sleep in different rooms.
Padmanabh didn't know if Vrishali is comfortable sleeping in the same room as him and he isn't sure of himself being in the same room as Vrishali.
"It's good, I like it," Vrishali said.
"I will leave now," Padmanabh said leaving her luggage and going outside after closing the door.
*
"Where we are going?" Vrishali asked Padmanabh as she puts on her coat.
"You will know."
"But I want to know now."
"I won't be saying." Padmanabh pushed his hair back checking the messages on his phone. Vrishali looked at him as he typed on his phone, she admired his body profile.
He looks like a front line model every time he gets ready. He is wearing a black coat too matching Vrishali's coat.
"Ready?" Padmanabh asked keeping his phone inside his pant pocket.
"Yes," Vrishali said standing up. She dressed in black skinny jeans and a brown thick sweater which she tucked in.
Vrishali bobbed her head listening to the song playing on the radio. Padmanabh glanced at Vrishali as she enjoyed the song. He turned his gaze back to the roads.
Vrishali is looking at the passing cafes, shops and restaurants. She can feel the Christmas spirit growing in her watching the streets of Paris.
Padmanabh slowed down the car as they reached the entrance. There is a line of cars. Vrishali read the sigh board of the place. She saw many people waiting or going inside.
"We are at the skating rink!" Vrishali said excitedly.
"Yes, I hope you like this" Padmanabh said looking in the mirror to see if there is any car back of his.
"I love this, I missed going ice skating. It's been so long," Vrishali said.
"You know ice skating?"
"Yes, I have learned skating for four years. I'm a huge fan of ice skating."
Padmanabh learned a new thing about Vrishali. He didn't know that she knew ice skating.
"Where are we though?" Vrishali asked.
"We are at France biggest ice rink under the domed glass door of the beautiful grand Palais," Padmanabh spoke parking the car.
"Wow," Vrishali said getting out of the car. Padmanabh locked the car and walked over to Vrishali.
Vrishali looked at Padmanabh's hand and with a smile, she wrapped her small fingers around his hand.
Padmanabh looked at his hand being held by Vrishali. "Let's go," Vrishali said with a happy smile.
Padmanabh nodded his head opening his hand and taking Vrishali's hand in his. They wrapped their fingers around each other in bliss.
Vrishali removed her coat. She handed her bag and coat to Padmanabh. He put them inside the locker before getting their skating shoes.
Vrishali can't help but smile widely looking at the ice rink. Her gaze shifted to the couple's who are skating in the rink.
"Ready?"
"Always"
They stepped into the ice rink, Padmanabh looked around to see there are so many people.
Vrishali pulled Padmanabh's coat telling him to skate with her. Padmanabh smiled following Vrishali.
Vrishali laughed as she easily moved away before Padmanabh could touch her. They are playfully playing out and out the game.
"You can't catch me," Vrishali said with a bright smile. Padmanabh put his hands on his hips looking at Vrishali.
He didn't know she was a pro at ice skating. Even he took ice skating classes and learned but Vrishali is a pro compared to him.
Padmanabh smiled in defeat shaking his head. Vrishali watched him smile and went back to him.
"Let's skate together," Vrishali said holding Padmanabh's arm.
"Sure."
Padmanabh looked at Vrishali's face as she glowed under the Christmas lights with a huge smile on her face.
Vrishali startled when Padmanabh cupped her cheek. She looked at him with wide eyes as he pulled her close.
'is he going to kiss me?'
'he is going to kiss you'
'finally'
Padmanabh gulped down the lump that formed in his throat. He looked into Vrishali's eyes.
His gaze shifting to her eyes to lips then snapping back at her eyes. Vrishali did the same and his cheeks are turning red. He leaned down while Vrishali's pupil's dilated.
Padmanabh gently kissed Vrishali's forehead with his hand cupping her face.
Vrishali seriously thought he is going to kiss her on her lips but he kissed her forehead.
Padmanabh stayed there for a few seconds before pulling away. They kept looking at each other, Padmanabh tucked Vrishali's fallen hair behind her ear.
"Beautiful..."
Vrishali's lips turned upwards in a slow motion.
"Thank you."