Chapter 5 - The ride

Wind and raindrops whipped off my face. Ishaan was driving at a breakneck speed. I felt as if I was living a dream, last few hours were bliss. It wasn't like I never got male attention. I got enough of it! but very few of them caught my interest. I was just 22 all I wanted to do was have some fun.

I looked around but couldn't spot any other member of the gang. It was like we were driving alone on the highway. It was dark and we were whizzing past the thick vegetation.

I whispered into the vicinity of his ear, "Aren’t we moving too quickly?"

"You want me to slow down?" he asked in response.

I answered "I don't mean the rate of travel. There does not appear to be anyone else from our group here."

He chuckled "Don’t worry I am not kidnapping you. I am well aware of our destination.”

I suddenly visualized us lost in the woods indulging in all sorts of wild things that had never crossed my mind before. I drew in a slow breath because I hardly knew this person. And yet, I made the decision to go riding with him? In the back of my head, I heard a whisper warning me.

I said, "It is better if you slow down a bit, it's scary ".

He replied back "Hold me tight you won't feel scared".

I shot back "Mr. Shekhawat are you trying to flirt with me?"

He replied, "It's hard not to but I am trying my best".

I couldn't help but blush while simultaneously laughing to myself. Logically I should have been annoyed but my reactions were totally haywire. Getting attention from the hottest guy in the group as also a kind of ego boost for me. At last, after navigating our way via a complex network of highways. We arrived at a place that appeared to be a Garden restaurant. Ishaan drove the motorcycle to a parking spot while I got down and had a look around the area.

When he got there, I confronted him with the question, "Are we supposed to be here?"

He responded by saying, "Yeah, that's what everyone planned; you weren't aware of it, were you?"

I couldn't help but wag my head.

I found myself thinking, "I was so preoccupied with you that I couldn't pay attention to anything else."

"Where is everyone else?" I questioned.

While he checked his mobile phone, he responded. They must already be on their way, for here comes the first one. Gaurav appeared with Priya, who was glaring daggers in my direction as I approached. Gaurav merely smirked. Ishaan greeted him like a long-lost buddy by slapping him on the back. Soon after, more people arrived.

When Swati saw me, she ran up to me and said "thank God you are here. I had the impression that the two of you had run off together."

As my face grew bright red, Ishaan laughed and said to Swati, "Swati, I was merely escorting your friend; I was not eloping; my elopement plans are for someone else." He then smiled at her.

Swati could only respond by rolling her eyes at him.

I hushed Swati and said "Why are you acting like this?? I am fine."

Swati answered "Yes, I can see that, but when did you start acting in such a careless manner? How did you manage to get here before we did?"

I rolled her eyes "Chill!! I am fine. Ishaan is nice and we arrived here first because he drives like crazy.”

Swati replied "You've only known him for a short while, and all of a sudden he's nice? let me tell you he is HOT...Brash. Flirty ergo definitely off-limits.”

I let out an exasperated sigh as I muttered, "It is not what you think..."

After a long and stressful day, those who were anxious to have dinner interrupted us while we were in the middle of our conversation.

Soon, we were all tearing into the food. I was placed in a different section than Ishaan. He was not the possessive type that would follow me around all the time or cling to my every move. He gave me room to breathe. I have always believed that I am a reasonable and rational individual. Even though I enjoyed Ishaan's company, sense of humour, and carefree demeanour, I wasn't going to let my guard down just because I liked being around him. Oh ! What an idiot I was.

After that, he drove me home, and when Swati looked at me with disapproving eyes, I ignored her.

As I dismounted his bike, I expressed my gratitude to him. "Thank you.”

He exhibited a grin "Thank you very much. Because of you, I had an absolutely fantastic day."

I couldn't help but giggle as I said, "But other than sitting perfectly still on the bike, I didn't do anything interesting."

A wry smile crossed his face as he remarked, "That was THE intriguing part."

I couldn't help but redden when I noticed that he had a hint of stubble, which is something that any girl would adore being scratched with. I diverted my attention away from his flawless jaws.

“I should probably leave now since it's getting so late,” I said.

He said "I'll see you later. You are aware of who to contact if you find yourself in need of assistance, aren't you?"

I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched him walk away. It was hard for me to believe that the day had actually come and gone. Everything looked very unreal, almost like a dream. As I walked into my house, I couldn't help but smile, but when I looked up, I saw Swati staring angrily at me.

Swati spoke to me in an authoritative manner, saying, "We need to talk."

I sighed "Okay, but I am tired. What exactly do you have in mind for our conversation? There is nothing going on between Ishaan and me. We were simply enjoying ourselves..."

Swati replied, "What does he do?"

I said, "I didn't ask."

In response, Swati asked, "Then what the hell were you two talking about for such a long time?"

"Just general topics, my work, my hobbies, and so on," I said.

Swati answered "Great!! Aarya you are really naive. Ishaan is a person who may break your heart. Avoid associating with him since he is the kind of person who likes to flirt about."

I answered "Swati You are mistaken if you believe that I would eventually fall in love with him and subsequently suffer a broken heart as a result of our relationship. I am done with all that emotional nonsense for good. I am quite realistic in my outlook. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally found someone who could make me laugh and who could carry on a regular conversation with me without making me uncomfortable. He never made unnecessary physical contact with me. I don't understand why you are being so stubborn.”

Swati exclaimed, "Well, it wasn't just me—everyone saw the sparks fly!"

I rolled my eyes "what the heck!! But even if sparks did fly, there is no reason to be concerned about that."

Swati responded, "I simply don’t want you to get hurt."

"Don't be concerned, Swati. That will never happen."