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"Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love."- Leo Buscaglia.
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Chapter – 3 (A Normal Date)
Among the flock of cars, an ordinary looking BMW stopped to halt. Tires crunched the gravel of parking pavement as its ignition cut off. And Bruce Wayne descended out of it.
No camera flashes, no yelling reporters, no questions, and certainly no playboy facade to put up. Bruce heaved a sigh with incoming change. After a long time, he felt those unspeakable baggage lighten on his shoulders. Unspeakable—because Batman was not a loudmouth and Bruce Wayne was just a dimwit billionaire who cared only for bimbos and champagne in parties.
Sharp blue eyes swept around for any sulking reporters in nooks of parking lot.
From old encounters, he had learned that they'd a habit of hiding here and there. Most people would scoff such act as paranoia, but Bruce understood the value of habit. Not a habit actually rather a tool in his detective's arsenal that saved his live countless times.
Bruce was confident that their secret ids were not compromised and perfectly working. Still he never took chances, especially not on theirs date.
Giving the area one last check over, he jogged around and opened the car door for his date.
"Princess?" he asked Diana, offering his hand.
She accepted and gracefully climbed out of car. Strange? Bruce thought. In most situations, she'd thwart such proposal. Being raised as an Amazon had made her a person who didn't rely on anyone, even if the man was most eligible bachelor of the world.
As soon as Diana walked out, Bruce eyes roamed over his date's appearance. He immediately took few deep breaths in attempt to calm down his racing heartbeat. How he had missed those details?
Diana wore her knee-length black dress with elegance. Snugly fitting, the dress was simple and familiar to Kaznia's event dress. Of course, Bruce had insisted that no flashy dress could be worn. And until now his plan seemed to run smoothly also when the problem arose. Kind of different problem as Diana's dress didn't appear so simple now.
Reason: his princess.
Hugging each curve of her body, showing those long flawless legs, the silky fabricated dress pouched her willowy figure beyond any simple dress. Even her not so classy spectacles looked unusually seductive on her.
Sadly, the torture continued for Bruce as his eyes shifted over her sculpted frame. Her body reflected every bit of exquisite feminine power. Bruce even pondered that she resembled to an animated sea-nymph with cute glasses.
"This place looks familiar, Bruce," Diana asked, pulling him back from dreamland.
"If you say so, Princess."
"Bruce?"
"You'll see the place soon, Diana. No point of asking me everything, is it?" he dodged her question with his own and pushed those lewd thoughts away.
Sighing softly, she nodded her head. But Bruce caught those silent questions peering through her sea-blue eyes, or maybe they were dusty aqua. He wasn't aware of eye's colors, because he never tried such act.
Whether it was beating criminal on rooftops, or chasing after some molesters in dark alley, he never found time for admiring those beautiful eyes. Not even his own, which Alfred said was a gift of her father. In the end, Bruce knew he could only hope that she'd like his surprise, even if his chances were fleeting.
Be positive—Bruce ensured himself.
"Come, we're not here for standing." He urged her, snaking his hand on the svelte waist.
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Parting the small crowd, the covert couple continued their short journey toward entrance. Like most restaurants Bruce had gone before, this place lacked velvet parking. He understood the reason, because the place was relatively small for such services.
Apart from those facts, he enjoyed these short walks with Diana. Not that their superheroes profession would grant them such moments in future easily, so he did his way; he stole those memories for himself.
Bruce could tell from those tweaks of Diana's lips—the pair of strawberry lips which implored him to kiss—that she was trying to resolve the underlying puzzle of their date. A purposely given puzzle. His ego inflated knowing that she was enjoying the brief challenge as much as he did.
How even it's possible? He mused wryly.
If few years ago someone had said to him that he'd be taking Amazon princess to a date, Bruce would've scowled for sure. Unmistakably not to mention that Amazons were a man-hating tribe, which castrated the men who tried to—
Suddenly, Bruce thought process clogged as Diana froze in her place.
Bruce's body reacted on reflexes, and he almost leaped into action until his eyes locked on entrance. His posture relaxed instantly as newly illuminated headings declared to its customers: the Indian Food Heaven – Tandoor Restaurant.
Oh! So, that's why she seems surprised, Bruce concluded.
Diana stood placid for few seconds as he waited by her side. Patient like always. For her, he could wait forever if he'd that much time. Unfortunately, "the time" was only asset he didn't have in enough amount.
"Do you like the place?" Bruce asked, leaning toward her ear. A pleasant lavender aroma greeted his breathe, rushing in his lungs, and awaking the prurient thoughts again.
Her warmth percolated inside him, burning like the hot coal in a hearth. His arm tightened around her waist. And for few seconds he dueled on prospects of taking her back to Manor. Then, he rejected the idea. They had done fair shares of efforts for the evening, and no way he'd ruin the treasured time with her.
"Umm…Bruce? This name—"
"You have a good memory, Princess." A smile creased on Bruce's lips as her aqua eyes filled with realization.
Bruce watched the mixed emotions running across her face. In fact, he read them easily like a book. But what he didn't hope was that with all those Diana's fluctuated emotions, his own heart elated and fell. His eyes noticed how her pair of bright blue eyes glazed more than any star in Gotham nights. Even he could feel how her body soaked him in something that he thought... he'd never achieve.
Love.
Is it the love? Maybe Bruce wasn't sure, or maybe he still felt those fears.
Aches of those heartbreaks reminded him of those numerous scars. No. Not physical ones, instead they were emotional. They were the reminders to Bruce that even his trusted ones had turned back on him once a time. But he didn't blame them. Truth was, after so many broken relationships, he'd given up on such feelings like love.
Love had eluded him. It hindered the mission.
But with Diana—No—she stirred something else in him. Something, which was buried in depth of his heart like diamond in coal mine. A place where his heart was ruled by only guilt and darkness.
However, like all things that fact had changed also, and was still changing, when she'd surpassed those walls. She had split those darknesses with her light and conquered something that only her tenacity could acquire—Bruce's heart.
"Princess?" he asked again.
"Bruce, it's beautiful," Diana replied after few seconds.
"Come then, we've booking here," Bruce said, and soon they both walked inside the restaurant.
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Around the disguised couple, Tandoor restaurant bustled with crowd activities. Many young and old couples, some families were already settled on their tables. Children's shrill voice cried and fought with each other.
It was so fresh, Bruce thought.
Then, he realized that somewhere in midst of war against the crime; he never got the chance to admire the true beauty of Gotham—her people. After all, he wasn't fighting for the concrete jungle of city.
The place wasn't over crowded, but the weekend rush was evident. Still the restaurant gave an impression of coziness and family ambience. After Thanagarian invasion, restaurant had expanded more facilities for its customers. The place was itself now twice than previous time.
Terrace and dance floor had added to its glory with many other items on menu list. However, regardless of all efforts, being the only Indian restaurant in neighborhood had its own pros 'n cons. And crowd was one of them.
Looks like Alfred is right again, Bruce thought; they were fashionably late to their first date.
"Is it the same restaurant, Bruce?" Diana asked. Her fingers entwined with Bruce, softly rubbing circles as the couple watched the restaurant in new avatar.
"Yes."
"But it seems so different," Diana voiced her thoughts.
"It's renovated after Thanagarian invasion."
Diana went stiff with painful reminders, and Bruce wished that she wouldn't discuss those particular flight incident. He wasn't ready for them yet. The reason he chose this place instead of some fancy restaurants would be useless, if they caught themselves into those past events.
"It looks nice, Bruce, let's go." She beamed to him, tightening her hold on his hand. Bruce just nodded in response, and they closed the distance toward the receptionist.
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On counter, a petite brunette was busy in scribbling notes when the heroic couple approached her.
"Ahem." Bruce subtly tried to attract the brunette's attention to them, but the girl was oblivious to her surrounding, little too absorbed in writing her notes.
That's quite unprofessional, Bruce mused; while beside him, Diana cocked a brow to him like silently challenging his influential persona. Thanks princess! He mentally commented and gave a typical smug smile in return.
Bruce knew what she was referring to.
Actually, he was unsure himself also, which was kind of awkward for him, but truth had been that he never tried such activity. His billionaire image always garnered more than enough limelight for him, so need to perform any such trials was out of box. However, now the situation demanded as his detective brain churned into activity. Not a big task for world detective.
"Namaste," Bruce fluently said in Hindi, which perked his princess's attention, but sadly had a devastating effect on the girl.
"Shit!" Brunette receptionist cursed, scrambling to her feet. She muttered some more curses while she grabbed and stuffed her sprinkled notes on desk.
"Namaste! Welcome to Tandoor restaurant. My name's Nancy," the girl said in an automated pilot mode.
Bruce was sure that she must have rehearsed it dozen of times. Diana smiled slightly in amusement and nudged her partner, whose eyes were still scanning petite girl with some uncertainty.
"We have a reservation here for evening," Bruce told the info, remaining calm by completely amused ordeal.
"Could you tell the names please?" the girl hesitantly asked, putting her notes aside.
"Bruce Kane and Diana Prince."
"Thank you." Nancy nodded her thanks.
Bruce watched as the girl checked their covert id names from logs. He knew the ids would work and grant them both a much-needed privacy. Particularly for Diana who didn't have any secret identity.
Meanwhile, Bruce inspected the young receptionist again. She was a college-dweller as much as he could guess. Her accent and facial expression gave the odor of Indian culture or least south Asian culture.
After spending a good part of his self-exiled journey across Asian subcontinent, training with his once teacher—Ra's al Ghul, Bruce had enough command to detect any cultural differences with ease. Those mere differences had taught him how broad the human civilizations could be. And there was always a hope to learn more.
"Oh, you're from Wayne Enterprise," Nancy said with smile. A genuine smile, not the fake ones Bruce was used to see on people's face. Alfred's advice was right again.
"I'm an employee there," Bruce explained his forged fake-id and gestured toward Diana, who was eagerly watching the ongoing conversation. "And this is my girlfriend, Diana."
"It's still our honor to host someone from Wayne Enterprise." The girl quickly stood and turned on her heels.
"Send Lyla up here," she shouted before motioning them to follow her. "Come this way, those elevators are more crowded around weekends."
The trio soon passed through a short corridor and boarded the elevator.
In the elevator ride, Bruce kept his silence while the girl was tapping her right foot in tip-top rhythm. Her face was diamond cut with complementing black hairs. He also noticed the pen marks on right hand thumb. Writing marks. Maybe she was writer type, he guessed.
As few seconds slipped away, Bruce felt a nagging suspicion that silence wasn't going to live anymore. Why? He didn't know thus far.
"Are you Indians?" Nancy suddenly chimed in, catching them off guard and proving Bruce's intuition right.
"No," Diana replied instead of Bruce somewhat puzzled by girl's question.
"Oh, sorry, it's nothing," the girl quickly apologized, brushing her raven hairs. "It's just you seem so familiar with those black hairs. They aren't common here. I mean, yes, there are people, but your hair color has different hue. You know, a bit like natural."
Quite observant—Bruce noted that and sincerely hoped that girl was just curious. Otherwise.
"It's just second time of us here. And Diana is from Greece, not from Gotham," Bruce told the truth, partially correct as well.
Nancy nodded her head as elevator dinged the bell. Signaling their arrival to destination, doors parted open and trio strolled out.
"This way." Nancy quickly led them again.
Soon, they were on the terrace of restaurant, where dining tables were arranged around a decent sized dance floor in middle. It was simple as compared to other places Bruce had visited, but he considered it a welcoming change from those gluttonous places.
"Come. We've arranged a special table when we get to know you work for Wayne enterprise," Nancy said.
"Some tokens for Wayne employers. I didn't know about that?" Diana asked, throwing an accusing glance at Bruce.
"Oh. It's just gratitude gesture, nothing fancy," Nancy spoke gently. "Wayne enterprise had helped us to restore the place. Especially since they allowed us our business freedom, we can do something for their employees."
"Business freedom?" Diana asked.
"I mean, after invasion we were almost at verge of shutting down when Wayne Enterprises suggested the merger. Some others also had expanded helping-hands toward us in past, but they just wanted to swallow our business. And Ma, Papa... they won't agree for those proposals, however, now all things have worked out."
Diana raised an inquiring brow to Bruce who grunted his approval to theory.
"No doubt, they did a good decision. It's nice place," Diana complimented.
"Thank you. With Wayne enterprise fund, we reestablished this terrace and many more things. It gives a good view of Gotham night as well. Oh, here's your table." Nancy motioned toward a corner table.
A secluded table was set, providing them ample private space and good view, just like Bruce had requested.
"Thank you." Bruce nodded his head and pulled up a chair for Diana, who shook her head at his gentlemen custom. Show off.
"Please be comfortable here, someone will drop by soon to take your orders." Nancy smiled, and with one last Namaste she disappeared, which left the couple alone to themselves.
"Huh, Indian restaurant, Bruce."
Bruce cracked a tiny smile while reading the menu. A smile that made Diana's heart flutter. Hera ! I'm starting to behave strange. Are all people like this on their date, or it's just her problem; she didn't know.
"So I take that you liked the place."
Diana rolled her eyes at his question. "Don't you ever get worn out with these mysteries and surprises, Bruce?"
"So you don't like it?" Bruce asked, glancing at his menu and skipping her question.
Diana glared playfully and fastened her hands on bust. "And what if I don't like?"
"Well nothing, just that, you still have to bear me as your date," Bruce said in equal flippant manner, though hints of amusement were clear.
"So what do you like to eat first?"
Skimming over her menu, Diana frowned. No ... there was no crossword puzzles or Riddler's threat in menu, but despite her diverse cultural wisdom she'd never eaten Indian food before. All those listed foods were far more peculiar than her imagination.
"I can order for you, if you want some help?"
Looking up to her beau, Diana saw the clod smile was dancing on his lips, as she knew he was prompting her to ask. Typical him.
"How sweet of you, Bruce. But no thanks, I can order for myself."
"Sure, Princess, just don't hesitate to ask anything."
"I can handle my food order just fine. Don't worry." Diana twinkled a smile, and readied herself to submerge in more quizzical menu. It was surely a normal date.
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A/n: Yeah, there is some more date scene, so hang on and give your views. I hope that it's enjoyable for you frnds.
Until then. Keep reading.