(unedited)
The sky was pink, there was the smell of roses and freshly watered grass in the air. There were lanterns suspended in the air around them. And in the middle of all that, there was a table set up with dinner for two. Her hand slipped out of his as she walked slowly into the rose garden, taking in every single detail in front of her. The rich white linen table cloth, the fine china plates, the crystal glasses, the silverware; it was all set up for her.
"Richard," she breathed, "this is beautiful." She turned around to look at him.
Richard stood back as he watched her intently with hooded eyes. He was on a sensory overload. The softness of the silk that brushed his arm as they walked to the rose garden hand in hand. The scent of honey and almonds in her hair. The warmth that emitted from her hand. The softness of her skin. The vision that she was right now, with her hair tumbling down her back and her shirt swishing with every small move that she made and that glow of happiness on her face. Everything combined into a heady sensation; and he felt intoxicated. He felt punch drunk.
He swallowed thickly as he remembered the promise that he had made the night before to Farrah; that she could trust him not to overstep her boundaries. Taking a deep breath, he walked over to the table and pulled out a chair, gesturing to her to sit. Farrah took tentative steps towards Richard and set as he pushed the chair in. She couldn't help but giggle as she felt the warm air blowing against her legs.
"You've got the heater on underneath the table," she said in fits of giggles.
"Well, I didn't want you to get cold feet," he said winking at her and Farrah laughed again.
"So what's for dinner tonight, baby?" she asked as she cupped her face in her hand, gazing at him. The term of endearment slipping through her lips so naturally, that Richard couldn't stop the smile that was on his lips.
Farrah watched as Richard explained that they were having a five-course dinner. Everything was designed to her liking, but he wouldn't tell her exactly what they were having. As Richard finished explaining everything, a waiter seemingly appeared out of thin air and started pouring them their drinks; sparkling water with a slice of lemon in it.
"It's pretty anticlimactic isn't it, drinking water with such a fancy dinner. I'm sorry you can't have your usual wine or whatever," Farrah trailed uncomfortably.
"Farrah, give me your hand," Richard said with his palm outstretched. He watched her slowly place her hand in his. Threading the fingers together he squeezed her hand lightly. "I need to tell you something. Or rather confess something..." he said heavily.
"What...What is it?" Farrah asked swallowing nervously.
"I don't drink. At all. I've stopped almost entirely for three years now. Since I've been on anti-depressants for the last three years," he said as he expelled his breath in a rush. He watched as Farrah's eyes grew wide with each word he spoke. She stared at him with wide eyes as he waited for her reaction.
"You're on antidepressants?" she murmured softly, as she squeezed his hand. Farrah wasn't really sure how to react. Images of her mum flashed through her mind like a movie playing on high speed. Her throat felt dry and scratchy and her eyes were watering.
"Farrah...," Richard paled, as he watched Farrah's lip tremble and her eyes water. He got up from his seat and rushed over to her. Kneeling at he chair he looked up at her. He shifted her so that she was facing him and clasped her hands in his.
"I'm sorry," she whispered tearfully, "I should be comforting you." She gripped onto his hands tighter. "I just thought about my mom...," she trailed as she gazed searchingly into his eyes, for answers that she hadn't even asked yet.
"I know love, I know. You're scared. And you have every right to be. Just know that I am right here. Right here in front of you. I'm not going anywhere," Richard said fiercely. He had come so far with Farrah, that the mere thought of giving up or leaving was simply absurd.
It felt like she flew into his arms the moment he stopped talking. She hugged him close and buried her nose in the crook of his neck. Farrah inhaled the scent of his cologne, a musky and spicy blend. Funnily enough, she could smell hints of oranges in his cologne.
Farrah looked into Richards eyes, "Thank you, for being honest with me. You could have kept it to yourself. I mean...I'm not anyone import-" Richard silenced her by placing a finger to her lips.
"You are not just someone important to me; you mean the whole absolute world to me Farrah. The whole damn world," He said with conviction.
He saw that flicker of happiness reignite in her eyes again. Soon that flicker spread throughout her making Farrah glow radiantly. "You swore," she said breaking out in giggles.
"Yes, I believe I did" Richard said smiling back at her.
"I am a bad influence then I guess," Farrah smiled mischievously.
"That you are," Richard smirked at her. Earning more giggles and laughter.
The sound of someone clearing their throat broke their embrace. Back at their proper seats, they waited for the first course of their meal. The waiter brought it out with pomp and flair, and set it down in front of them.
Farrah gasped in delight when she saw the samosas artfully arranged on the plate with the sauces. Richard couldn't take his eyes off of her. Clearing his throat, "I thought to make it a full circle tonight; food from Dishoom for dinner tonight. Before you leave...," me, Richard thought. Before you leave me.
They smiled at each other, soft wistful smiles. A blanket of comfortable silence descended on them as they ate; going through each course slowly. They stole glances of one another trying to carve tonight into their memories forever.
They were almost at the end of their dinner; Farrah with her Masala Chai and a bow that had piece of gulab jamun in the middle of the table. Richard sipped at his hot black coffee as he watched her. They were supposed to share but he was content with just watching her. She took small bites of her dessert as though she was truly savouring each bite; each burst of flavor on her tongue.
Richard took out his phone out from his breast pocket and pressed a few buttons. Music filled the air with the soft sounds of an acoustic guitar. The spoon froze mid air in Farrah's hand as her eyes went wide. She recognised the music.
"If you tell me that Ed Sheeran is right here, in this very rose garden â I will lose my head!" Farrah exclaimed.
Richard smiled sheepishly, "Sorry love, no Ed Sheeran. Just trusty old Spotify." Richard flashed her his phone as he spoke.
He stood up and rounded the table, standing in front of her. He extended his hand, waiting for her to take it. She hesitantly slipped her hand into his and stood up.
"Richard, I...I've never done this before," Farrah gulped nervously.
"Just follow my lead, love," Richard said gazing into her eyes. He could see the trust so clearly in her eyes.
He positioned her left hand on his shoulder, clasping her right hand as he put his right hand on her waist. He left ample space between them as he now realised how much she was actually trusting him with herself.
They swayed side to side with the music as their gazes were locked.
So honey now, take me into your loving arms.
Farrah stepped into his arm as slid her right hand up his arm, and both Richard's hands were on her waist.
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Richard brushed a lingering kiss on her forehead.
Place your head on my beating heart
Farrah rested her head on Richard's chest, inhaling deeply as the scent of his cologne invaded her senses.
I'm thinking out loud
"You never asked me to stay," Farrah said into his chest.
As soon as those words left her lips, Richard felt her tense in his arms. He realised that she didn't mean to say it out loud. He pulled back from her to look into her eyes. She refused to look at him, her eyes flitting about without really landing anywhere. He gently tilted her chin up to look at him, and he saw that she was embarrassed by what she had blurted.
"Trust me darling, there is nothing more I want then to have you stay. With me. But more than that, I want you to want to stay with me. I will never ask you to choose. Just the same as you have never asked me to choose. Whatever I do, I do it out of my own volition, my own choice. So that I will never have any regrets," he said his thumb gently caressing her jaw. He could feel the heat radiating off her from just that simple touch.
"Just because I love you, doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice your dreams for me. Just because I love you, doesn't mean that I stop you from doing the things that you love. Isn't there that bit that goes something like, 'love is not selfish'..."Richard trailed, as he moved to tuck her head under his chin and hugged her close.
And we found love right where we are
They stayed in each other's arms as they danced to under the blanket of stars with love songs saying the words between them.
***
Did not ever think that I will come this far with this book. It is freaking surreal. And I have to say thank you so very much to everyone who has read, voted and commented on this book. It means the absolute world to me.
Fingers crossed that there's another update soon.
We are almost at the end guys, almost at the end.