I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans as the auto nears the restaurant. 

I have every reason to be nervous. Today is my third date with Arnav and I am going to tell him that it's not working for me.

We met on a matrimonial website. It's funny how you get along very well while chatting with a person but when you meet him face to face, you realize that you do not click with him. To be honest, Arnav has been the perfect gentleman, making me feel at ease and keeping up a casual yet interesting conversation. It's just that I do not feel any connection with him. Perhaps we could meet some more and then decide but it would be so unfair to him if even after several dates, I do not feel anything for him. I can't do that. 

So I am going to just get through this dinner and tell him that it's not working for me. 

The auto nears the restaurant and I get down, feeling jittery. I pay for the ride, take a deep breath and walk inside the restaurant. Here goes nothing!

The restaurant is full. A lot of people are waiting at the entrance. Arnav gestures to me with a wave and an excited grin. “Don’t worry, next is our turn.” He says as I join him. 

There is an awkward silence between us. Thankfully the aged couple next to us breaks into a conversation.

“We may have to wait for some time.” The old man says to his wife.

'It’s okay.' She says with a shrug. 

“It’s our thirtieth anniversary. I wanted it to be special for you.” The old man says morosely. His wife tenderly wraps her arm around his and smiles. “It is already special. Trust me.”

One of the servers comes to the entrance and tells us that a table is free. Arnav looks at me for a second and tells the aged couple to go ahead and claim the table. 

“Are you sure?” The server asks Arnav. “You came much earlier than them.”

“Yes, please lead them to the table.” Arnav tells the waiter and offers his hand to the old man. 'Happy anniversary, Sir.' He leans over and addresses his wife. 'Ma'am.' 

“Thank you and God bless you, young man!” The old man says, now sounding very happy. He takes his wife inside the restaurant. 

Arnav looks at me. “Sorry... I just... I didn't want them to...” He fumbles and I smile. Something just clicked for me. 

“Don’t worry. We will get many more occasions to dine.” I tell him, feeling shy and giddy all of a sudden.

“We will?” He asks in a low voice. 

“Hey, you know when you know!” I say, looking at him in a new light. In all my assessment of him, I seem to have missed a crucial point.

He is kind. A big plus in his favor.

He smiles at me, his eyes full of promise and hope.