Maahi could have sworn the man standing behind her wasn't as close to her the last time she checked. He had been there when she first boarded the bus at Bangalore Dairy Circle. She had been running to catch it, and in her agitated state, accidentally brushed against his arm when she climbed in. He had looked up and smiled at her, a smile she returned hesitantly.Now she could feel him inching closer by the minute, towering over her. She shifted her weight on her feet and breathed out softly, deliberately. A few more minutes and she would reach her stop. She wished she would take a taxi, but she had to save from her allowance to buy lunch for Kishan. Her mother had sent her more money just over a week ago, and she didn't want to have to ask for more.

She was wearing a white chiffon shirt with a mandarin collar and loose sleeves that collected at her wrist. She had a beige tank top on underneath, and attempt to keep her stomach pushed in. Her mother called it "baby fat" ---she thought it was adorable and assured her she would eventually loose it , that she was just a kid. But Maahi wasn't a kid , she was nineteen, and embarrassed about the slight bulge at the waist of her jeans. Maahi raised a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, and became aware of the man's eyes on her. She slowly pushed the hair back to her face, hiding as much as she could. She wasn't too fond of her round, chubby face either; it made her look younger. When the bus stopped at JP Nagar 3rd Phase, Maahi disembarked on impulse. She was supposed to get off at the next station, Bilekahalli, but preferred walking an extra kilometre to being around that man. The sunrays hit her face and she dug into her bag for her sunglasses. There wasn't much traffic, but it would soon be lunchtime and she wanted to surprise Kishan before he left on his break.

Born and raised in Ghaziabad, Maahi was having trouble adjusting to life in South India. She convinced herself that all she needed was time. She was halfway through her first semester at Christ University, form where she was getting her bachelor of engineering in IT, and she was yet to settle comfortably in this new city. There were a few people she talked to in class, but all her real friends we're back in Vaishali, a township in the suburbs of Delhi. She called her friend Rohit every Sunday, and they text each other throughout the week.

Maahi walked hurriedly towards accennture, where Lishan worked as an associated software engineer. She still had to pick up lunch, and contemplated getting something from either Nagarjuna or Biryani bowl, both of which were on her way. She knew Kishan missed North Indian food and would appreciate some better chicken and garlic naans. Just the thought of it made her stomach grumble. She was coming straight from college and hadn't had a chance to eat. She felt guilty skipping the next two classes, but it was their anniversary. They first met exactly two years ago, and that needed celebrating.

Maahi saw a rectangular green neon board boasting 'Nagarjuna Andhra Style Since 1984' ahead on her right and decided to go there. Kishan always talked about how much he hated North indian food cooked by South indians. He didn't seem to mind this place though, when they came here a few months ago. He had brought her her for dinner when she had just moved to Bangalore. She walked into the dimly lit air - conditioned restaurant and the change in temperature made her sneeze. Covering her mouth with her palm she walked to the reception.

"Can i look at the menu, please? " she asked.

"I'm sorry? " the middle-aged man in a white uniform at the reception asked.

Maahi was intimidated by his moustache. She cleared her throat and spoke again, louder this time, "I have to get something packed. "

"You want the menu? here, ma'am. "

Maahi felt weird being addressed ma'am. Her ears got warm as the man watched her read the menu. When he smiled at her, his teeth stone white--- it was strangely appeasing and she smiled back, saying, "Butter chicken and Kulcha, please? "

"One Kulcha only? " he pronounced "only" as "one-ly", and Maahi smiled wider as she scanned the menu again. The kulcha's were Rs.50 each. If she got two, her total would be close to Rs.350, which would be too much for her. She shook her head, her stomach grumbling in protest.

" Wokay. One plate butter chicken and one kulcha, pack,"

The man yelled towards the kitchen, before turning back to Maahi. "any sweet dish? "

"Oh." she hadn't thought of that. "Do you have gulab jamun? " she asked mechanically.

"yes, two per plate. "

"one plate, please. " Maahi quickly her eyes to the menu to check the price. Rs.65 for two for gulab jumans. It was their anniversary, she reasoned, and Kishan loved gulab jamuns. She would never think about money nad she shouldn't either. He did have a job, to be fair, while she wa was a student. As she added up the amount in her head, the waiter handed her the bill. It was Rs.417.12 . She had forgotten to take service tax and VAT into account.Atleast there would be no service charge since she ordered takeaway.

Maahi pulled out her wallet and counted the cash while trying to calculate how much money she would have left. A few hundred, to cover the next couple of weeks. It wouldn't be too bad; She had a meal plan at the college mess and ger boarding was taken care of. She would just have to be extra cautious with spending until her mother sent her more. As long as she didn't run short and have to ask her for more, she would be fine.

While she waited for the food, Maahi observed the family having lunch at the table closest to her. They looked Punjabi and were speaking in hindi. She realized how much she missed hearing people talk in hindi. She stuck her tongue out at the little boy at the table, who giggled in response, but when his mother looked at Maahi, she quickly opposed herself and diverted her eyes.

Her order rwas ready soon, and she thanked the waiter with one last smile before leaving the restaurant. She walked on the uneven sidewalk at the edge of the asphalt road,kicking up dry dust with her sneakers. It was close to 1.p.m., and Kishan's office was still about twenty minutes away. She walked as fast as could without stumbling and falling on her face. She couldn't have another one of those. Kishan would make fun of her and called her a baby. She laughed quitely at the thought ; he was always teasing her, but he knew better than anyone else that she was not a baby.

By the time she turned at Bannerghatta Main Road, Maahi was turning short of breath even in the pleasant September weather. The sidewalk got narrower and the dustier. It was 10 past 1 and she was afraid Kishan might have left for his break already, maybe even sat down and ordered food. If she had to call him and ask him to come back, her surprise would be ruined. She wished she were taller, just so she could have longer legs and walk faster. At 5'3" she found her pace quite restricted. She was thinking about how she looked next to Kishan -------- who was 6 inches taller, right outside his office building. He was in conversation with a colleague, Payal, his head leaning towards her to listen. Maahi had meet her a few times and wasn't particularly fond of her.

"hello, " Maahi said, stopping right in front of them.

Kishan looked up. "Oh, Maahi! hey, what are you doing here? "

"Are you joining us for lunch? " Payal asked her lips barely stretching in a tight smile. Her pointed nose was shinier than usual.

"Actually, " Maahi raised the take out bag and said, "I brought him lunch. "

"Aww, isn't she the sweetest girl! "

Maahi didn't like Payal's patronizing tone, bit tried to be reasonable and shake it off . She felt better when Kishan said, "I know, right? " and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She blushed instantly. Kishan said to Payal, "Sorry about lunch. Some other day? "

"Ya, " Payal said. "Ya."

"Bye, " Maahi murmured, before Kishan turned her away and they started walking to his office.

"I didn't know you were coming here, " he said, looking down at her sideways. He had recently taken to growing his beard. Maahi thought it was funny how it mostly spread around the edges of his face, making the V-shape of his jaw look rounder. The hair on the rest of his face, including his mustache, was scattered sparsely.

"That was the point ----- it's a surprise ! don't you...remember? " Maahi asked, inspecting his eyes.

"Of course I do. Happy anniversary, baby, " Kishan said rubbing her lower back.

The touch of his hand through the fabric of her shirt sent shivers up her spine . Maahi snacked her arm under his and rested it at his waist as they walked to his cubicle, some people glanced their way and nodded. Maahi nodded back. She liked coming here, meeting Kishan at his workplace, round his colleagues. They were all nice to her and she enjoyed every visit.