Broken I

HRIDHAN

Dhevadhai

Arna appeared absolutely enchanting to me. Draped in a vibrant red saree, her hair cascaded freely down her back, with just a subtle clutch that Nithya made to adjust her hair in the car earlier.

The rooftop of the hotel was like something out of a dream, every detail contributing to its breathtaking ambiance.

We set off at five forty, delayed by my brother's habitual practice. He's never been one to prioritize punctuality. Despite his other strengths, being on time isn't one of them.

The journey took us two hours, so by the time we arrived, it was already seven forty. The sky had darkened, but the lights from the grand five-star hotel illuminated the surroundings.

This was my first time in such luxurious accommodations, and I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the grandeur and unfamiliarity of it all.

Arna, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease. She calmly surveyed the impressive surroundings with a serene smile, her confidence contagious.

I found myself tapping my foot nervously, trying to divert my gaze from Arna so she wouldn't feel uneasy. The waiter arrived and placed two menu cards before us.

As I opened the menu, I felt a sense of foreignness wash over me. Everything was written in English.

It was a disappointment; English wasn't my strong suit. I had attended a Tamil medium school and college, so navigating English text was a challenge. It's not that I didn't know the alphabet or have a basic understanding of some words, but I wasn't proficient.

With a frustrated huff, I flipped through the pages of the menu, noticing that there were only a few pictures of the dishes. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to choose, I spotted a picture of a dish with its name written in English below it.

Quickly realizing that I needed some assistance, I discreetly reached for my phone and opened the browser.

Blueberry Creme Brulee in tamil.

I saw there no proper tamil translation. So I changed to Blueberry Creme Brulee in simple english.

The first website that popped up and it read

Blueberry Crème Brûlée - CPA
11 Jun 2017 - This classic French creme brulee dessert takes a refreshing, summer turn with the addition of plump blueberries.

I knew only the name blueberry that I haven't tasted. Other things felt foreign again. Huff.

With a sigh, I shook my head and closed the menu card. It seemed ridiculous to feel so out of place in a prestigious five-star hotel. Yet, despite my discomfort, I was determined to make this evening special for her

Arna was a city person, having spent her entire life immersed in its streets and culture. Unlike me, who had only recently become acquainted with this place, she navigated its intricacies effortlessly.

When I asked her which hotel she preferred, she simply replied with a casual "anything is fine." However, I couldn't help but notice the subtle excitement in her voice when she mentioned a particular hotel with a stunning rooftop dining experience to Nithya while the drive. It was evident that she held a special fondness for that place.

As Nithya and Abhijay headed off to catch a movie, I brought Arna to the hotel she had recommended to nithya. I observed her effortlessly placing her order, her words flowing smoothly in English.