Isha

I stifle a groan when the doorbell of my apartment (surprise, surprise, I have returned) rings for the nth time of the day. I very well know who is standing on the other side of the door. In fact, that particular person has set his mind on camping in the hallways, until I respond.

The first time was five days ago. Prince Calix appeared at 8 O' Clock in the morning, all grinning and elated. Without any words, he literally pushed a golden bucket (made of real gold, no kidding) filled with chocolate bars, little chocolate candies, packaged cupcakes and as such, to the brim, into my hands, and left with a playful wink and anonymous message of, "I'll be awaiting a positive response." Calix didn't even give me a chance to react properly as with a stupefied stature I found him leaving.

Guilty, the chocolates and cupcakes were manipulating me to eat them and I did eat a few (or more). Ugh, he knows my tastes like an open book.

Whilst I pondered over Calix's words and gulped down the sweet delicacies, my fingers fumbled over what seemed like a piece of note, stuck at the bottom of the box. After a moment of chocolate digging, I retrieved the note and read the words in my mind. Those exact words which made my heart culminate to its highest elevation.

Miss Isha Sen, would you make me the happiest man by agreeing to go on a date with me? If your answer is 'yes', then please call me whenever you would like. I will be waiting.

~Calix <3

It was cliché, and understandably so. But it was adorably heartwarming, at the very same time. With a smile tugging up my lips, I had almost called him back then had to remind myself to think about the present situations logically before making a rash decision. In conclusion, I didn't call back. In truth, I had expected Calix to give up after not receiving further calls or texts from his side however, I was in for a surprise the next morning.

The very next day, Calix reappeared but this time, with a bag full of books and they were none but exclusive S I G N E D copies. From the authors. The famous, busy, authors. Like a fish, my mouth was gaping wide as the prince had swiftly handed over the huge bag to me before asking, "Would you go out with me, on a date, Miss Isha Sen?"

It had taken me a while to register what was happening before I broke free from the initial shock of having the luxury of exclusive signed books in my hands, and a loud 'no' came out of me. I went inside and shut the door immediately. But, his gifts and him appearing frequently, did not decrease, unfortunately (or fortunately?).

I never knew Calix could be so stubborn that he would go to the extent of setting a literal camp in the hallways, and a sort of personal office as well (with the help of Audrey, Kev and Broody), so that he could wait and do whatever he was up to while performing his duties online. He didn't stop though and kept reappearing with creative gifts that he knew I would like. They were nothing extravagant but deeply loved by me, which proves how well he has come to know me.

Over and above, I never knew Prince Calix could be this desperate.

Another groan slips out of me at the impatient ringing of bell. I had hoped Calix would leave if I did not answer to the doorbell today, but it seems not. I push myself off the comfort of the couch and open the door wide. My annoyed words get muffled when I am greeted with a bouquet and an ever grinning Calix holding them, in front of me. It is however not a bouquet in its traditional sense.

It is a book bouquet.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

In splashes of red, pink, blue, yellow, green, purple, and even black which oddly settles in with the collection of bright colours of the flowers, in between are present five books. All from my favourite authors and once again, they are exclusive copies signed by them. A familiar designed letter was placed in between one of the roses, which had the similar words: Please go on a date with me, Isha. At this point, yes I am desperate.

"I—" Calix wets his dry lips, "I saw this reel on Fantasia about book bouquets. And of people gifting them to their book-lover partners. I thought, what best gift would it be than giving you a book-bouquet, hand-made by me?"

"You," I find my voice after a long while, "Made this?"

"Well yes," Calix grins sheepishly, the nerve twitching in his jaw however, "Do you...like it?"

"Yes." Simple. No lies. No long, hesitant words. Just a blunt truth. Yes, yes I do like it. In fact, I love this thoughtful gift which I didn't even know I could gift myself someday. But then again, I love everything Calix does for me. And that's the damn problem.

"Then," Calix licks his dry lips again, his eyes brightening up like Christmas lights instantaneously, "Would you go on a date with me?"

Would I? Obviously I would. But would I go on a date with him, even after taking in consideration what could and could not go wrong? Both in the future and at present. Nevertheless, I guess I could accept one date. And then, I'd end it. Once and for all.

"Okay," I breathe, "One date and that's it."

Calix's grin doesn't falter. In fact, with determination he declares, "It won't be one date and I will make sure you feel it too, Isha. Tonight. 8 p.m. I'll pick you up."

And then he was gone and so was his camp.

Closing the door behind, I slump down my figure onto the couch while my gaze lingers on the book-bouquet in my hand. I hate how soft my heart grows when it involves Calix. And I hate how much I have learnt to love the feeling of loving him.

I inhale a tight breathe and promise myself, I will not let my resolve break and end this, whatever it was between us, once and for all after tonight's date.  

"What do you want me to say? Don't go on a date with your boyfriend?" Anvi states in the usual Anvi-fashion of stating the obvious. I had briefed the entire matter, leaving over a few parts like King Richard's fault to my sisters within the past few days, hence, it would be fair to say they are back to rooting for our relationship, secretly.

"He isn't my boyfriend." Or, is he? I mean, we never really properly established the 'We are breaking up' part but if he was ready to get married to another woman, then perhaps we had broken up, in my mind at least. He did all that to save me from the harm of his tyrannical father, then again. Such a big mess of complexities, I have to deal with everyday.

"Very well then," Anvi sighs over the phone, "What do you want to do? Go on a date or not?"

"That is the problem. I want to, yet do not want to." I sigh, messing up my perfectly done hair in the process. Subconsciously, my eyes glance over to the wall-clock in my room. The time is ticking by and I have at best, ten minutes until Calix comes to pick me up. And turning him down the very moment he shows up at my door will be, well, awkward and rude.

"Look Didi, you are asking for advices on your love life to me, who has literally no experience, or interest in her own love life," Anvi deadpans, "I can only provide you with one answer. You have already said 'yes'. Backing out at the last moment will be cowardly, no offence," Anvi says with no filter, just the way she likes to word things. But they are, in fact, true words. "Go on the date. Don't like it? Feel uncomfortable? Fine. Say you are feeling under the weather, and leave later. And stop overthinking. This is the man you love. Alright he behaved unexpectedly but just like you told us, it was to protect you from something, right? Maybe, just maybe you should see for yourself and then decide, after tonight's date. Don't get me wrong. I am not asking you to forgive His Royal Highness right away. Take time and experience and decide slowly. With him, since he is willing to do so too."

"You are right," I nod along to my sister's words. "Thanks Anvi, I'll—I'll call back later."

"Goodnight Didi and don't fret."

The moment we both hang up, the doorbell rings. As if on synchronization, my heart picks up pace as I take a glimpse of my attire in the mirror. My desire to dress rather chic but classy tonight was at its peak and hence unequivocally, I went for a natural beige bodycon dress, combined with a plain white sweater, and a black overcoat with buttons undone, draped over it. In anxiety over cancelling the date in the last moment, I had completely wrecked my hair and thus, having no other option, quickly pulling it into a high ponytail, I grab my purse and leave for the door.

"Thanks for coming to—" I halt from finishing my words when I find neither Calix, nor anyone from Nirvana's staff, whom I know. It is a man with the familiar badge of a Royal Executive Guard, however. "Has Calix sent for you?"

"Yes, Miss Sen," he says, his voice and gaze unwavering, "His Royal Highness has asked me to escort you to him."

"Oh okay," I nod understandably before locking my apartment and following him.

Before I could have the opportunity to think properly why Calix would send a guard, and that also, a Royal Executive Guard when he had texted me even three hours before he would be there personally on time to pick me up; or that I should've pressed on for further questions, or best, myself checked on the real fact with Calix, I had already reached a desolate alley with a black van parked. "What—"

Within moments a sharp pain shoots up my head that I have to clutch on the back only to find a bruised bump forming there. My vision begins to get blurry immediately as I turn out to find the source of the hit and make out none but the man with a steel rod in his hand. I fail to fight back or shout for help when he pushes me inside the vehicle, and grabs my purse forcefully.

As soon as my head hits the cushion of the backseat, my vision completely blacks out.