Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
She loved the expression on his face. It flushed when she said "Check... and Mate!" She always preferred her coffee hot, but her last sip of her favourite decaf latte tasted the best lukewarm today. With her hands folded and upright posture she looked at his eyes. They were still on the chess board trying to figure out a way this could be undone... “Maybe the Queen, the Bishop... something that could block the way of the Rooks.” The white rooks were strategically placed at a2 and b1. "Damn the Knight!!" she read his mind. She smiled...One word described him best... Charming! His opening the door for her at Macy's, his smile and the way he looked was just flattering. She had never been out with a guy like him. The walk from Macy's to Just Around the Corner was a quiet one. When they entered, a natural instinct took over her. She ordered her coffee, didn't wait for him to offer her the seat & chose the white side for the game of chess. That was who she was and for the first time she did not want to fake it. Because she knew he didn’t either.
She saw him pass a wink at the waitress and waved a ‘Hi’ to the guys on the counter. “Hmmm… looks like he comes here often! Or does he know everyone around? Macy’s and now here? Hmmm… the waitress looks kind of his types… He sure seems to have gone out with her… Must he be dating someone? Do I really…” “Shall we?” he said breaking her thoughts mid way, pointing towards the chess board.
His nonchalance helped her sway the game in her favour. She didn't take her eyes off the chessboard and his eyes never left her face. Though she did not look up often she knew he was constantly trying to know her... understand her... rather just judge her. "Not so easy mister!” she thought. He wasn't easy to play with… “He doesn't seem like he plays often but he has his style... I like that!” she admired. “The Knights… Looks like you rule the game with them" she commented. He was concentrating on the game now and nodded his head in agreement. He judged her strength in matter of 5 steps after he resumed his game.
Achilles Heel was wounded! 17th move and he snatched her Queen. “How the hell did he come to know? I didn’t even over use it… Did he just assume? Damn it!” frustrated she looked down at her bag, “That’s how… The keychain… Impressed! Now what? The Knights… Go for the kill!”
They played back and forth back and forth and finally she found the weak spot. 9 steps and both the Knights were pocketed. “Yes! Handicapped…” silently she rejoiced with no expression on her face. 2 steps more, “Check… and mate!”
He finally threw his hands in the air and said, “Yes! You win!” She looked at her watch and mischievously said, “I realised it 5 seconds back… What took you so long?” He raised his left brow and smiled at her quick witted retort. “Great game must say. And you sure dominate! Is it the love for the game or a personality trait?” he winked.
“It’s my personality trait that complements this game” “Ah… I see! Ever played professionally?” “Played during my college days… and regularly with my… dad” she said it with a pause. “What about you?” she asked casually to continue the conversation making sure the “dad” thing is ignored.
“Yeah! Used to play during my university days… Was a State Champion for consecutive 2 years!”
Surprised and shocked, “What??” is how she wanted to exclaim but stopped herself at “Whaa…” composed herself and finally asked a complete question, “What went wrong today, Mr. State Champion?” He seemed to enjoy the attention, “Yup… It isn’t easy to accept that I have lost… besides your moves were very smart and unpredictable… and was playing after years… besides, the Knights…. also I was distracted most of the time during the game. Hah! Forget it!” “Distracted? By what?” she mocked by looking around.
He rested his hands on the table leaned forward, smiled and said, “Unlike today, during those 2 years I never met an opponent who was not just intelligent but also beautiful! It sure was difficult to look at the boring board with an interesting muse in front.”
She tried hard but couldn’t stop blushing. She looked at her watch again trying to distract her mind. “Are you getting late? Hope I am not keeping you from something important”
Her eyes met his for almost the first time when she said, “No rush to go anywhere. Besides don’t have anywhere to go.” This was all she thought he needed to know now. Maybe… this was all he needed to know! After all this was just another grey T-shirt guy, who she will never see again… Or would she want to?
Something about him was appealing. She couldn’t place it though. Was it his charm? Or his intelligence? Nothing about him was fake everything was natural; unlike those men who dressed in tuxedos for a date and put up their best behaviour on for that one night. He was modest, chivalrous and plain. She didn’t know where this day was heading to but she was enjoying after a really long time… “2 years… was a really long time” she remembered.
He looked at his watch and she could see he needed to go. Before she could speak, he asked, “So you were here to shop, right?” “Yes” “Hmmm… want to continue looking at Macy’s could help you get some great stuff there. That is if you are okay with it?” “That’s fine with me” She remembered the hoots from behind the counter when they left the store at half past eleven and now it was almost two. Their time had passed and it was time for him...
…to get back to work
