The First Date

Preface:
Hi folks and my apologies for this damn long delay in updating this chapter. The idea of the characters describing themselves doesn't seem to be working....so i'm now shifting to third person style. Hope that the story picks up some pace now...... :) :)

Chapter 3.

Amit sat on the table opposite Payal. It was a very awkward situation for both of them. A million thoughts running through both their minds.
'What am I doing here all alone in a coffee shop with a person I haven't even talked with properly before?' Payal thought to herself. Never before in her life had she been so impulsive. But then, she had never seen a more intriguing person before.
On the other hand, Amit was confused. He wasn't sure if it was even a crush. Still he had shamelessly asked her for coffee. And now that he thought of it, she had readily agreed to it too. Was there an invisible force which was bringing them together like magnets? Well, time would only tell that.
"So what will you have?" he asked, in an attempt to break the silent deadlock.
She looked up at him with a sigh of relief that the silence was broken at last.
"A hot Cappucino should be fine." she said with a smile.
He ordered two cappucino's to the waiter who left with a grin.
"So, how do you like our dear ol' MNNIT?" he asked, unable to think of anything else to start the conversation with. It was the first time he found himself tongue-tied with a girl.
"Do you want me to rant about how good and nice everyone is? Or are you asking my honest opinion?"
"Say whatever you feel comfortable saying."
"Frankly, I feel that we are just convincing ourselves that we love this place. We make friends and then somehow ignore the reality. The hostel conditions are quite pathetic considering that the institute has a stature of being an NIT and such wonderful food which ends you up having diarrhoea every week. What's there to like about it anyway?"
"My God, you really know how to criticise. Sorry for asking such a sensitive question, but that was the best I could come up with."
"Is this your first time with a girl in this coffee shop?" she asked without trying to appear too inquisitive.
They heard a chuckle at the bill counter. Amit glared at the manager and turned back to her.
"Apparently not. I come here quite regularly with my friends, which includes girls too."
"But it is your first time all alone with one, right?" she teased him.
"To tell you the truth, yes." Now was there a tinge of crimson on his cheeks or was she imagining it?
"So, why do I get this honor??"
"Hmm, so now you want praises to be showered on you, is it? It has got nothing to do with honor or anything. Just consider it as an attempt for friendship. It's not illegal or harmful as far as I know."
"That's left to be seen based on what you do from now onwards. So you mean to say that this is a friendly cup of coffee and not a date."
"That's exactly what I want to say."
"Ohh, and I thought there was a guy interested in me. My bad luck I guess." she made a mocking sad face.
"Well, who knows what's in store ahead? I was trying to be humble. Actually I am quite fascinated by your attitude. We haven't really met, I find you walking all by yourself on the road and I ask you for a coffee. Without a second thought you agree. Any normal girl would refuse such an attempt by a stranger guy."
"Damn you! For a few moments I thought you were not one of the normal chauvinists. Guess all men are the same. If you think that I have any intentions of hooking up or sleeping with you, then we'd better stop it right here. First of all, you are the one who acted shamelessly by asking me out without knowing me. Why I agreed? Because I hardly have any friends here and wanted to make some, and a cup of coffee seemed inviting after the dance session. So what do you say? If you feel I'm acting like a slut then it was good meeting you sir, I can pay for my coffee myself."
"My my. You are one real energy pack. If I have insulted you in any manner then I'm really sorry. I'm not one of those persons for whom girls are just meant to be objects of pleasure and I do believe that guys and girls can be friends. So I deem it fit that I pay for the coffee this time, you can do it next time. But I think I'll have to clarify one thing. I am really attracted towards you, whether it is just a friendly attraction or something else, I don't know myself. But you can be sure I won't misbehave anytime. So, friends?"
Amit extended his arm for a handshake which she accepted with a smile. As the coffee was finished, they got up and went to the counter to pay the bill.
"So that was it huh." Payal said. "A hot cup of coffee to make friends with a hot girl. You technical guys are really pathetic when it comes to courting. Since I have accepted this friendship, I deserve an icecream at the least."
"I had just offered my finger and now you are grabbing my whole hand. Fine, its okay this time." And grabbing two icecreams, both of them went out into the street.