As they waited for a taxi to bring them over the Charlie's house, the nerves took over again leaving the recent events miles behind them as if they had never happened. Charlie gazed upon Amita and it dawned to him how stunningly breathtaking she looked tonight. As Amita apparently noticed Charlie's eyes examining every inch of her she let out a soft giggle.
Charlie felt his cheeks turn red as he knew she giggled because he couldn't keep his eyes off her and decided to stare out the window. Amita looked at him from the corner of her eyes. She slowly reached out for his hand and gently enlaced her fingers with his. She saw Charlie close his eyes and suck in his stomach as he his breath faltered a little. She smiled. He was so adorable at times like these.
Even though they both stayed silent the whole cab ride, both felt a great ease looking forward to a wonderful evening together. But when they pulled up to the house Charlie's mouth dropped and he let go of Amita's hand to put them up against the window.
"This- can-simply-not- be- happening." Charlie gasped as he stared at Don's car parked right in front of the house as well as a couple of more cars he recognized being Don's team members'.
As the taxi came to a stop Charlie threw some money at the driver not even knowing how much he had given as he stepped out still eyes fixed on the cars. What on earth were they doing here? Anger started to build up as Charlie walked up to the house Amita following closely behind him.
As he opened the front door and walked in, Charlie prayed he was having a nightmare and that he would wake up any moment now. He was not able to comprehend what was happening right in front of his eyes, in his own house none the less.
They were all here, all of them, Don, Megan David and Colby! Eating the dinner he had so carefully prepared for his evening with Amita and having a great time together. Charlie nearly lost it when Don noticed them coming in.
"Hey Charlie! I thought you said weren't going to be home tonight."
Charlie tried to speak but his voice failed him. He merely rubbed his face doing everything he could to not completely loose it as he felt he was nearly about to.
Don not quite picking up on Charlie's tense reaction continued.
"I heard your voicemail you and dad weren't going to be home tonight. Right after you left yours Dad called and left me a message saying that he had made something to eat for me and the guys."
"What! Charlie gasped still trying to find his voice.
"Dad knew today was the last day of our training so he called to tell us he had left something to eat for us. I hope you don't mind us being here. Didn't he tell you?" Don replied.
Just as Charlie was about to respond he heard someone call out his name.
"Charles, here you are! Amita I was looking all over for you! I can't believe what happened tonight. I just can't believe it. I had to come over to see you." Larry exclaimed.
Don, Megan and the guys alarmed by Larry's panicked reaction stopped what they were doing with and rushed up to him.
Larry, what happened! Is everything ok!" Megan asked
"Yeah what happened?" David and Colby asked.
The whole room focused on Larry as they gathered around him while he started to talk about what had happened and Charlie turned around to Amita who was close to breaking into tears.
Desperation crept up on Charlie as the voices around him turned into mere buzzing and he watched Amita sink into a chair with a defeated look on her face. This situation was completely beyond his control. He had failed. He had told her he wanted to do this right and instead the meal he had prepared had been eaten by his brother and colleagues and his best friend stood rambling about the power down in his living room. Nothing about this evening was right. It was all wrong.
At that point Charlie had enough of this. He decided to take matters into his own hands. No more waiting. No more hiding. No more interruption. He had made up his mind and prayed that Amita could forgive him for what he was about to do.
---
The house was a complete chaos as everyone still tried to calm Larry down a little not noticing Charlie had quickly left the living room. Amita had no idea what he was going to do but felt to drained and upset to go and ask as she just gazed upon Larry throwing a scene.
Charlie returned to the living room carrying candles, and lots of them. He carefully placed them around the living room and lit them one by one. Nobody was paying attention to him but Amita whose heart started pounding violently in her chest. He left the living room again and came back with one red rose. He then walked up to the CD player, turned it on putting the CD on pause and reached for the remote control. He then walked up to the light switch and turned off the lights causing the people in the room to startle.
"Another power down!" Larry cried out.
Don and the others looked around confused when they suddenly heard sweet music play and they finally noticed the lit candles. All of them turned to where the music came from and saw Charlie walk up to Amita offering her the red rose gesturing he would like to dance.
Brian Adams singing inside out sounded from the speakers;
the biggest lie you ever told - your deepest fear 'bout growin'old
the longest night you ever spent - the angriest letter you never sent
the boy you swore you'd never leave - the one you kissed on newyear's eve
the sweetest dream you had last night - your darkest hour, your hardest fight
Everybody fell silent and stared at the couple.
Amita took Charlie's hand and as she stood up he draped her left arm around his neck while his own right hand wrapped her waist. His forehead touched hers as he rocked her to the music sliding his left arm down her neck, to her shoulder down to her waist where he pulled her as close to him as he possibly could.
I wanna know you - like I know myself
I'm waitin' for you - there ain't no one else
Talk to me baby - scream and shout
I wanna know you - inside out
I wanna dig down deep - I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream & shout - I wanna know you inside out
I wanna take my time - I wanna know your mind
ya know there ain't no doubt - I wanna know you inside out
Everybody was completely blown away by what they were witnessing. All of them were unable to move or speak as they kept their eyes fixed on Charlie and Amita.
the saddest song you ever heard - the most you said with just one word
the loneliest prayer you ever prayed - the truest vow you ever made
what makes you laugh, what makes you cry
what makes you mad, what gets you by
your highest high, your lowest low - these are the things I want to know
Everything felt right to Charlie now. All his worries and reservations melted away as held the girl of his dreams in his arms dancing. He couldn't care less that they were looked upon by five people. He couldn't care anymore that he was about to share one of his most intimate moments with the people he had tried his hardest to convince there was nothing going on between Amita and him.
I wanna know you - like I know myself
I'm waitin' for you - there ain't no one else
Talk to me baby - scream and shout
I want to know you - inside out
I wanna dig down deep - I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream & shout - I wanna know you inside out
I wanna take my time - I wanna know your mindya know there ain't
No doubt - I wanna know you inside out
I wanna know your soul - I wanna lose control
c'mon n'let it out - I wanna know you inside out
Ya gotta dig down deep - I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream & shout - I wanna know you inside out
Tell me everything...
The five people had finally regained control over themselves and exchanged looks between each other. But nobody really dared move and distract the dancing couple. Don felt embarrassed at the sight of his baby brother making his moves on Amita and tried his best to look away.
Colby was the first to make a move to the front door followed by David. He quickly and silently opened it and slid through it making a run for their cars once outside. Megan grabbed Don and Larry by the arms and pushed them towards the door.
Charlie and Amita didn't even notice they were now alone. They were too wrapped up in each other to notice anything happening around them.
---