I tested positive for Covid last week and having the worst cough of my life so far! I am getting better, just need few more days! 

This is going to be a filler chapter with a date night between our main couple as I was itching to write something but at the same time didn't want to stress myself too much.

I hope you will like the shorter chapter!

Anjali

I was now a little more confident with atleast turning on the engine of the car and driving some distance without changing gears. "Slowly, don't repeat the same mistake. Take off your foot from break and put it on clutch. Don't accelerate, just maintain the speed."

I was following Shiv's instructions. We were back in Sai's garage for a driving lesson after work. 

"Now, change the gears as you push on the clutch pedal."

"Ji, I will do it. Bear with me, please." Somehow, I had started feeling like a kid who had to complete multiple assignments under a strict watch.

"Hmm. It's ok to be slow but remember to watch all mirrors, gauge distance between your car and the one ahead of you. Also, this is Mumbai, watch out for nosy auto's and occasional two wheelers when you change gears."

"Shiv, aap dara rahe hain ab." I said in a small voice as I was supposed to speed up a little bit after shifting gears. 

"No, no. Don't get scared. It will all come automatically when you develop confidence and are on road. Ok, now we are approaching that lamp post. So, slow down and go back to the first gear and break. Come on, it's easy. You have done this before." He said rather softly and I halted the car almost immediately. 

Shiv was a very patient teacher. He didn't snap at me. Not even when I almost bumped into another car in the garage. I had expected him to give me a warning in a high pitched voice but he had politely made me understand that I should start judging both sides of the car now. 

 "Ok, now we will learn to reverse the car. You know how to switch gears now. Do that." I once again followed his instructions. 

"Look behind from between the seats. You will still need to do this even if you have a rear camera in the car." 

I switched the gears and turned to look between the seats and I was met with Shiv's lips in the process. Before I could understand the situation, his soft lips brushed against mine and he quickly pecked my lips while I tightened my hold over the steering wheel. 

"You look cute when you are all panicked and there was a natural pout right there so you can say I kind of took advantage of the situation." He sported his winning grin at me while I sat still in my seat staring at him. 

His palms quickly reached my forehead to caress it, "Ease of this frown now. There are many other things frown worthy." He chuckled and I could actually feel the undue pressure wear off as he stroked my forehead. 

"Thodi si smile de dogi to aapka thaka hua pati khush ho jayega. Come on now." I finally managed to return his smile.

"Great. Now, back up the car slowly." 

I managed to back up the car and felt immensely proud and happy in the moment. I was finally learning to drive and my teacher was my husband, Shiv! Sometimes, I wanted to jump in joy, at others I wanted to quietly reflect on all the good days I had been seeing. Yet at sometimes, I felt scared and vulnerable that all of this better not be a dream sequence or something that gets taken away from me.  

I couldn't wait to share with Ma and Papa that I was learning to drive. Shiv had suggested that we give them a surprise with me actually driving there one day while they wait for us in the community parking lot. 

"Madam, from next lesson on, we are going to go out on the alley. I think you are ready." 

I silently nodded at him. 

To my surprise, after I safely parked the car only for Shiv to back it up again. I was carefully observing his actions and was making sure to capture any detail that would help me in driving as smoothly as Shiv drove. 

"Shall we head home then?" He asked me.

I hummed in response. I was tired after work day and the driving lesson felt intense as well. I just hoped actual driving wasn't as bad as the lessons.

"Kya hua? Jyada thak gayi ho?" I was rubbing my arms as I often held on the steering wheel more aggressively than necessary. 

"Ji, a little bit. Riya ke bina ghar suna sa lagta hai, nahi?" 

Shivani Di and Riya had left after a couple of days post Shiv's birthday. I missed having them around. We were driving back home, "Yes, that kid keeps everyone entertained. Let's eat dinner outside -  pav bhaji with masala pav khaane ka mann kar raha hai. I am hungry. Chowpatty chalein?"

"Ji, that works too. What about Papa and Harshit?" 

"I will call up Harshit and may be he wants to eat something similar so we can pack it for them or he can cook at home. Papa will have afternoon leftovers, I am sure of that."

"Wo..umm.." I was cut off thought.

"Ufff Anjali. You know what I want to see one day."

"What?"

"Ki tum ek din zidd karogi mujhse..Shiv, take me to movies. Shiv, take me shopping. Shiv, take me to a fancy restaurant as I don't feel like cooking. Shiv, I had a bad day today, pamper me!"

I giggled and at the same time I felt shy as he spoke in a high pitched sort of girly voice. 

"Shiv, mujhe ye sab cheezon ki zarurat nahi hai."

"Aur meri bhi nahi hai?"

"Ji, aap to meri sab se ahem zarurat hain. I never thought, I would live to see a day where there is somewhat peace in my life. Logon ke taane sun sun kar hi zindagi kategi lagta tha. Now, I can't think of a day without you around m...." Realizing what I was about to say, I shut up and looked at him. 

"Huh, kya? Complete it na. I will feel nice, but if you complete it I will be extremely happy and you might receive a gift in return." He chuckled as he seamlessly shifted car gears and before I could observe, he was done too.

"Gift?" I raised my eyebrows feeling my cheeks warm up. 

"Yeah, well there is something I got on my way to from office to your work for being my most obedient student. It's in back seat pocket. I will get it out after dinner."

********

I had been meaning to tell Shiv that I had a gynecologist appointment tomorrow morning but I found no courage to tell him at all. I had no idea what I wanted from the appointment myself but at the same time, I had to tell him since he was still dropping me to office each morning. I had opted out of the company roaster for transport as Shiv said he was able to manage the schedule at-least these early days. 

Three plates of lip smacking spicy pav bhaji were placed infront of us. We were seated in the surprisingly comfortable plastic chairs that were laid out on the street side infront of big tables. I eyed the three plates and then looked at Shiv for a possible explanation but the server was quick to answer, 

"Shiv bhaiya hamesha do plate khaate hain. Papad laata hun bhaiyya." He spoke to Shiv and left. 

I broke into giggles after our server left because Shiv pulled both the plates possessively towards himself almost drooling at the big dollops of butter floating in the bhaji. 

He then looked at me and faked anger at my behavior because he had a hint of amusement when he said, "Don't laugh, you are not getting your gift otherwise. Don't stare at my plates too. This is really tasty so if you finish yours, you will have to order more for yourself."  

"Shiv, aap ko wajan nahi ..." But he cut me off. 

With absolute puppy dog eyes, Shiv looked at me before speaking, "Yaar, consider this cheat meal please. No compromise on this!" 

I smiled and nodded. We finished our meal in silence as both of us very hungry and the burst of flavours had definitely made my mind all numb with food! 

After we were almost done, Shiv called the server one more time and slipped some money into his hand very smoothly, the kind you would see in TV shows and money where the lead slipped money neatly into the guys hand responsible for valet parking. 

I didn't get it but the whole act of slipping some money was strangely making Shiv very attractive to me!  I am weird! 

A few minutes later, our server got back with two paper plates with fresh hot jalebis in it. 
Shiv, at this rate you are never losing that paunch! I wanted to tell him but I bit back a smile looking at him cheekily. 

He smiled back at me, "Cheat meal continues into desert! Besides, this is very fresh. Khao na!" He pushed one plate of jalebi's towards me.

Jalebi is a spiral shaped crisp & juicy sweet made with all-purpose flour, gram flour and sugar syrup

I couldn't stop laughing by this time, "Shiv, I am not eating an entire plate. I will taste one." 

Finally, after savoring each jalebi, Shiv was done with dinner. He paid off for the entire dinner and we headed back to our car. 

Shiv was a thorough gentleman as he held out the passenger side door for me and tucked me in. He even waited for me to put the seat belt on and gave my cheek a quick tap before closing the door and walking towards the drivers seat. 

Instead, he opened the back door and then closed it and finally sat on drivers seat. He handed me a red coloured velvet jewelry box, "This is for you."

"Shiv, did you seriously get me a gift?"  I took the box and felt overwhelmed looking at it. 

"Truthfully speaking, Yes, I got you a gift and you have been a very obedient student! But, I have to be honest here. One of our clients' wife started a small handicraft jewelry business. He bought samples to show to us today and asked me to pick something for 'Bhabhi ji'." 

He chuckled lightly, "So bhabhi ji, please see if you like it and if you want more, you can go check out the entire collection yourself!"

Honestly, I felt a little giddy. "Umm Shiv, don't call me bhabhi ji." 

Shiv nearly roared with laughter, "Ohhh, Bhabhi ji doesn't like being called bhabhi ji."

I whined a little bit, "Lekin aap to na bulayein."

He chuckled once again, "Ok ok, Anjali! But Harshit's bhabhi ji. Open the box now." 

I narrowed my eyes at him and then proceeded to open the box. It was a very elegant piece of beaded necklace and two pairs of long earrings. I loved everything!

"This is so beautiful. Thank you!" 

"So, check on my choice?" Shiv asked me. 

I nodded and smiled at him. "Ji, this is really very nice."

"Awesome, now let's go home!"

The drive back home across the city was a calm one as Shiv tuned the radio to a channel where currently instrumental bollywood music was playing. The city road were crowded definitely but nobody was in a rush to get anywhere on time. Everybody seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere and I felt genuinely at peace. I looked at Shiv who was focused on driving but there was a small smile playing by the corner of his lips and I imagined it was mainly due to the delicious dinner we had recently enjoyed.

*******