Chapter 1
The cafe had a different vibe from the in-city cafes. It was en route my destination. Far from maddening city chaos, it was serene and calm.
I sat at the only available table, by the large window overlooking the road. I had ordered iced cafe latte when I entered, so I waited for it to come.
The place, though calm, was bustling with life and little murmurs of contentment; the calmness seeping deep within me, like a cottony feeling to the soul.
As my coffee arrived, a sweet little tinkling sound reached me from across the room. I looked up to see someone at the half-open door. He was looking around, as if searching for someone or something.
He then moved towards my table. He was atleast six feet tall with dense black hair and deep, burnt amber eyes. A cupid's bow-shaped mouth sat beneath a straight, long nose, which suited his oval face with high cheekbones and a slightly broad jawline, making him quite striking.
“Excuse me! May I?” he said in a deep, calm voice, pointing towards the only empty chair in the cafe.
It turned out his gaze had been searching for a place to sit.
I nodded silently, being an introvert and a bookworm.
I sipped my coffee and pulled out a book from my handbag that lay on my lap.
I had read only a couple of sentences when I heard him calling my name.
“Nivedita.”
I was stunned, how a stranger knew my name.
I looked up from my book and found him smiling with the eyes twinkling.
That smile made something do a summersault inside me. There was something familiar in that face.
It reminded me of someone I read… Yes! I know who he is. But w-wait how c-could it be possible?
“You-you're Trivikram! The dreamy perfect prince of Jaisaana, right?” I ask forgetting my awkwardness in my bewilderment.
“ Yes, I am Trivikram, but all that stuff ‘dreamy perfect’ is I am unaware of.” A slow smile lingered on his lips.
I stare at him for a while and then sensing that he is mischievously looking at me, I shake my head to come out of the spell his presence had casted upon me.
“ W-what? No, I mean why are you here?” Completely loosing my mind, I ask.
“And what do you think, why?” With same mischievous smile he questioned back.
“You-you're, I mean fi-fictional characters are n-not supposed to appear in real-real world.” I say in fear.
A huge roar of laughter heaved out of his chest. “Ha…h! I am the one who is fictional? Do you really think so, my dear?” he tries to control his amused laughter.
I am lost for words. I don't know what's happening. Is all this — his appearing, this conversation — or my mind is playing tricks? I keep mulling over my thoughts on my head while looking into his deep eyes.
His bemused eyes tell me another story.He is challenging my sanity.
Sensing my unease, he put one hand to cover my palm now resting on the table and giving it a little gentle squeeze, he said, “Well, well. Don't get all worked up, Nivedita.” Again, that slow warm smile returned.
“How– how do you know my name?” Returning to my senses, I ask, withdrawing my hand from under his. My fingers fumbling while I hold my coffee glass.
“The same way as you know mine.” He smiled with more warmth. His eyes told me, how proud he was of something that was yet to be revealed.
No! That's not possible. Not at any cost. How could he know my name as I know his, through a book. I am not a fictional character. I don't have friends. Having common friends is out of question.
“No, you can not know my name the way I know yours.” I say straight forward to him.
His chest heaved once again but this time to control himself. “Why? Can't you be my favourite character, in my favourite book?” He asked holding my gaze.
There was something unreadable in his eyes but the seriousness of his face gave deep meaning to what he said.
He's mad! Utterly gone insane. I cannot describe his mental condition for now. But I am so shocked that nothing's coming to my mind to tell him off. I pick up my glass and swiftly rose from the chair to walk away from this unrealistic person.
This incident was enough to destroy my short-lived happiness. This is the reason I don't prefer human company but books.
As I pass his chair, he extended his hand to stop my movement.
“Don't get any ideas, Nivedita. It's just that I like your calm and quiet character. Your wittiness, presence of mind and simplicity,” he turned to me, “You are a gem of a person and anyone you deem will be proud.”
Keeping aside all the confusion about who's who, I said, “Trivikram, aren't you engaged to Mytra, of Shekhawati? Why are you flirting with me?” I inhaled sharply, a shudder of nervousness running through me, what new revelation was he about to drop now?
“No- don't tell me anything. What you've said sofar is enough to drive me insane.” I walk past him in hurried steps, eager to escape. It was rare for me to be this talkative with someone new, but he was seriously getting on my nerves.
I was shutting the car door when he suddenly approached and caught hold of it, stopping it from closing.
“Mytra knows she hasn't been the one from the beginning. I told her I was waiting for someone who truly feels right.” He stepped closer. His face was now inches away from mine.
I could feel his warm, gentle breath on my cheek. Something summersaulted inside me again.
