“Are you sure that I qualify?” she teased with a mischievous look as she matched his laughter.
“Absolutely, Annie. These eyes have seen a lot and rarely miss things.”
“Okay! And what do these eyes tell you about me?” Annie asked, dropping her head to one side and looking at him.
“These eyes tell me that I am in the company of a very attractive lady and my heart tells me that today is going to be my lucky day… err night,” Savio said, before smiling.
“Oh, you are just trying to flatter me,” Annie said, looking at him with large limpid eyes. “You did not tell me what you do.” “This and that!” Savio was suddenly evasive. “You may say I am a small time businessman.”
“Yeah! A small time businessman who drives a BMW,” Annie smiled.
They entered Panaji city and as the passing streetlights lighted up the interiors of the car, Savio stole a quick sideways look at Annie. She caught him in the act and smiled back at him. He noticed her sparkling teeth behind those ruby red lips as they dazzled his eyes, making him waver in concentration for a moment. Did he just see a pointed tooth at the side or was it a trick of the light? He blinked, slowing down the car.
“Well, we have reached Panaji. Where should I drop you off?”
“Aww, I don't want to go home to an empty apartment just yet. Be a gentleman and take me somewhere for a drink,” Annie pouted.
“That is almost Godfather-like,” Savio smiled.
“I beg your pardon.”
“Ha! I mean to say that it is an offer I can't refuse. Let's go to Vivanta,” he said and did a neat U-turn to reach the club of the five star hotel.
They found a table on the lawn next to the Mandovi river. Savio sat across the table and looked directly at Annie. Her large innocent eyes, flawless skin, sharp nose and fair oval face seemed too flawless to ignore. But her most striking feature was those ruby red lips that were just crying out to be kissed.
Annie saw him looking and smiled impishly. He again noticed an irregular tooth peeking out from her lips. “What are you looking at?” she asked.
“You!” he replied, “Now I can look at you without a crick in my neck or worrying about the road. I find you beautiful.”
There was that tinkling laugh again. “Thank you. You aren't all that bad either.”
He felt a sudden stab of desire shoot through him as he found himself unable to look away from her face. There was something about her; he couldn't exactly point out what that was screaming for his attention. She was exquisite. And she definitely seemed to be interested. They sat there; sipping the red wine from Sula he had ordered and made small talk. Savio felt a strong feeling of charm towards the young lady across the table and he had a feeling that his interest was being reciprocated.
He looked at Annie again. He wondered if he should make a move. He looked around. The lawns of a plush five-star hotel were hardly the right place for what he had in mind. He smiled at the incongruity of his thoughts.
“Hey mister! What are you smiling at? Are you sure you are not trying to get me drunk?” Savio found the challenge being thrown at him.
He looked up, flustered. He wondered if she could read his intentions.
He was interrupted by the tinkling laughter again. “Just kidding! I was wondering if we could go for a drive.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Miramar beach. It is not all that far and we can have the entire stretch to ourselves at this time of the night.”
He was a bit surprised at the direct suggestion. This was too easy! But this was another offer he just could not refuse so he nodded in concurrence. He called for the bill, added a generous tip and they moved towards the parking. As he approached his car he wondered if he should kiss her. He noticed a couple of large bats flapping around his car just as the thought entered his mind. He got a bit distracted seeing the flying mammals fly so low but they vanished as soon as he neared the car along with Annie. He opened the door for her and gave her a little bow as she eased herself into the car with feline like grace.
He drove in silence; going back the same way they had driven down from. He noticed Annie hardly batted an eyelid as she looked ahead with a hazy focus, her face expressionless. Within minutes, they reached the beach and found it deserted. The usual crowds had left a long time back and even the hawkers and stall owners had gone home for the night. He parked his car, got down and ran across to open the door for her. He offered his hand to her. He almost pulled it away, the moment she held his in a strong grip. Her hands were cold, very cold.
“Your BMW has very powerful air-conditioning,” she said as he flinched. They walked slowly in the sand, holding hands, feeling the silence of the night whisper in their ears.