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I wore a gray sports coat, which was my ‘go to’ coat for almost every occasion, ranging from business lunches to casual travel. I also looked very good in it. I wanted to look good for my ‘date’! I usually wore formal pants with that coat, but for a change, tonight I wore a pair of blue jeans, keeping it sincere and informal at the same time. This was the first time I was going to treat Latika not like a little girl, but as a young woman… more importantly, as my date. I was going on a date after such a long time. Abha had insisted that I took Latika someplace nice, where the food was the best, and provided a romantic setting. Therefore, I chose an Italian restaurant, which served some very elegant food choices and wine. I checked myself in the mirror and liked what I saw. Yes, there was a bit of graying in my sideburns, but that only added to the character. I had for very long kept a disciplined lifestyle, which had helped me in great physical shape.
At seven o’clock, I heard Latika’s footsteps coming down the stairs, as I waited for her downstairs. I looked up and wondered in amazement how such a beautiful woman could have snuck into the house without me noticing. It was only when I glimpsed her face that I was really convinced this was Latika! She looked otherworldly beautiful! Latika’s lithe legs and thighs flashed from the dress’ frontal slit as she walked down the stairs. With every step the dress’ frontal slit parted, revealing a long expanse of her legs. Dress’s fabric clung to her young body, emphasizing her slim waist and pert breasts. A gold pendant on a thin chain hung just between her cleavage.
‘God! She is so beautiful!’
I had to force my eyes away. I tried to swallow and realized that my mouth had gone dry. I had never imagined Latika could look so… so, sexy. That thought hit me hard.
“Hey Daddy… cheer up!” Abha, who was walking behind Latika, chirped as she hit the bottom step, “Come on, this is your and Ma’s first date… and hopefully a big one! You have got to show her a good time!”
When Abha addressed Latika as ‘Ma’, my heart quivered!
‘Can there really be a future for Latika and me?’
The desire to be married again became strong in my heart.
‘Could Latika be that woman?’
Latika on the other hand took that compliment as if she were used to it. She came smiling towards me and extended her hand towards me. Automatically, I took that hand in mine. The first touch sends shivers down my spine. That was curious because this was not the first time that I touched that hand. When the relational equations change with a person, how they project in one’s life also changes.
‘Oh God! She is so very beautiful!’
How could I never see that? How could I never see how amazingly beautiful Latika was? How could I not see other men drooling over her when she exercised or did her runs? How could I be so blind?
What Latika did next was completely unexpected: she slipped her arm into mine and steered me toward the door. She was beaming. I was nervous.
I drove to the restaurant. We talked a little while riding over to the restaurant. Out of habit, our conversation was just like any other we had had over the years… how was her day; how are her friends, stuff like that. Restarting dating at such a late age is difficult… one forgets the new rules of the game. Also, I believe that I was out of touch of this new generation, which did not help me either. But Latika was kind enough and enthusiastically engaged with my silly attempt at making a conversation.
When we got to the restaurant, the maitre d'hotel showed us to our table, which was at the rooftop: the table was candlelit, set with crisp white linen, white china and sparkling crystal. In the past, I could have been more innovative, but for too long I had been hosting business luncheons and dinners… so, this became a standard practice for me. Go for expensive! I knew Latika was not that kind of girl… but one can hardly resist the force of habit. I had already asked the maitre d'hotel to serve Chenin Blanc. Latika, as per my knowledge, never drank. Therefore, I opted for this classic wine, that could please her senses as well as provide comfort in the hot weather.
The setting was such that I did not feel comfortable talking about mundane stuff. They just did not feel right. This was our date… our first date! Our talk turned to more serious topics, such as her future dreams and my future worries. Her future dreams were simple, and my future worries were of non-serious nature. When the waiter poured wine for us, Latika looked at me quizzingly.
“It is safe… don’t worry. If you do not like it, we can order something else… or, we can totally skip alcohol.” I smiled. Latika too. She wanted to participate in this little ritual.
“Thank you for asking me out.” She spoke.
“Thank you for accepting my request Latika… I don’t know for some reason we are acting strange when we are together at home.”
“I am sorry.”
“Oh No. Please… I think I am to be blamed for that.” I said what I felt was right, “There was no reason not to talk to you… I behaved in an immature manner. So, thank you for giving me an opportunity to make things right.”
Latika reached out and kept her hand over mine, giving it a little squeeze.
“Don’t think about it… I am just happy that everyone at home is so supportive.” Latika smiled, “How was your week?” she asked.
“Boring. These days everything is boring. I thought of you the entire time.” Even I was surprised at my directness.
“Well… I too think about you,” she said, “… all the time!”
I reached and took her hand into mine.
“You are so beautiful.” I said.
Latika blushed and then kissed my hand. My heart throbbed.
At seven o’clock, I heard Latika’s footsteps coming down the stairs, as I waited for her downstairs. I looked up and wondered in amazement how such a beautiful woman could have snuck into the house without me noticing. It was only when I glimpsed her face that I was really convinced this was Latika! She looked otherworldly beautiful! Latika’s lithe legs and thighs flashed from the dress’ frontal slit as she walked down the stairs. With every step the dress’ frontal slit parted, revealing a long expanse of her legs. Dress’s fabric clung to her young body, emphasizing her slim waist and pert breasts. A gold pendant on a thin chain hung just between her cleavage.
‘God! She is so beautiful!’
I had to force my eyes away. I tried to swallow and realized that my mouth had gone dry. I had never imagined Latika could look so… so, sexy. That thought hit me hard.
“Hey Daddy… cheer up!” Abha, who was walking behind Latika, chirped as she hit the bottom step, “Come on, this is your and Ma’s first date… and hopefully a big one! You have got to show her a good time!”
When Abha addressed Latika as ‘Ma’, my heart quivered!
‘Can there really be a future for Latika and me?’
The desire to be married again became strong in my heart.
‘Could Latika be that woman?’
Latika on the other hand took that compliment as if she were used to it. She came smiling towards me and extended her hand towards me. Automatically, I took that hand in mine. The first touch sends shivers down my spine. That was curious because this was not the first time that I touched that hand. When the relational equations change with a person, how they project in one’s life also changes.
‘Oh God! She is so very beautiful!’
How could I never see that? How could I never see how amazingly beautiful Latika was? How could I not see other men drooling over her when she exercised or did her runs? How could I be so blind?
What Latika did next was completely unexpected: she slipped her arm into mine and steered me toward the door. She was beaming. I was nervous.
I drove to the restaurant. We talked a little while riding over to the restaurant. Out of habit, our conversation was just like any other we had had over the years… how was her day; how are her friends, stuff like that. Restarting dating at such a late age is difficult… one forgets the new rules of the game. Also, I believe that I was out of touch of this new generation, which did not help me either. But Latika was kind enough and enthusiastically engaged with my silly attempt at making a conversation.
When we got to the restaurant, the maitre d'hotel showed us to our table, which was at the rooftop: the table was candlelit, set with crisp white linen, white china and sparkling crystal. In the past, I could have been more innovative, but for too long I had been hosting business luncheons and dinners… so, this became a standard practice for me. Go for expensive! I knew Latika was not that kind of girl… but one can hardly resist the force of habit. I had already asked the maitre d'hotel to serve Chenin Blanc. Latika, as per my knowledge, never drank. Therefore, I opted for this classic wine, that could please her senses as well as provide comfort in the hot weather.
The setting was such that I did not feel comfortable talking about mundane stuff. They just did not feel right. This was our date… our first date! Our talk turned to more serious topics, such as her future dreams and my future worries. Her future dreams were simple, and my future worries were of non-serious nature. When the waiter poured wine for us, Latika looked at me quizzingly.
“It is safe… don’t worry. If you do not like it, we can order something else… or, we can totally skip alcohol.” I smiled. Latika too. She wanted to participate in this little ritual.
“Thank you for asking me out.” She spoke.
“Thank you for accepting my request Latika… I don’t know for some reason we are acting strange when we are together at home.”
“I am sorry.”
“Oh No. Please… I think I am to be blamed for that.” I said what I felt was right, “There was no reason not to talk to you… I behaved in an immature manner. So, thank you for giving me an opportunity to make things right.”
Latika reached out and kept her hand over mine, giving it a little squeeze.
“Don’t think about it… I am just happy that everyone at home is so supportive.” Latika smiled, “How was your week?” she asked.
“Boring. These days everything is boring. I thought of you the entire time.” Even I was surprised at my directness.
“Well… I too think about you,” she said, “… all the time!”
I reached and took her hand into mine.
“You are so beautiful.” I said.
Latika blushed and then kissed my hand. My heart throbbed.