Chapter 7 - The rescue

I smiled to myself as I walked back to the flat for no obvious reason. Swati gave me a curious look but said nothing. I sat down next to Swati after freshening up. She removed her headphones and stated.

"I know you've been itching to say something, so go ahead and say anything."

"Well, the movie was good, and dinner was very good," I chuckled. “Ishaan is an absolute dreamboat! He is a graduate of MIT. He is the owner of his own firm and a BMW!!"

"What?!?" shouted Swati. "I knew he was a millionaire, but what firm is he with?"

"I neglected to enquire since I was so enthralled by the BMW."

Swati sighed and rolled her eyes. "Did he say anything to you about his family?"

No, I said as I shook my head.

"Anyways, did he you know to attempt anything?" Swati asked, frustrated.

I began to blush. "What makes you think he'd do that?"

"Otherwise, why would he take you to a dark theatre?"

I recalled Ishaan moving my hair away from my face, but it was merely a friendly gesture.

"Nothing! He didn't do anything. This was a completely platonic date. I'm not sure whether it's even a date!"

Despite the fact that there was a sexual undertone between us that I chose to ignore.

"That's fascinating," Swati said. “Perhaps he really likes you."

"So, if a guy really likes me, he won't even kiss me?" I inquired.

"Would you like to kiss him?" She smiled at me with a sly grin.

"To be honest, I'd like to do a lot more. Because of him, I couldn't focus on Chris Hemsworth. "Can you believe it?" I moaned.

" "Oh! You poor girl! He left you high and dry. Maybe next you make the first move."

" That would be so wanton of me. Are you even my friend?" I said grumpily.

Swati laughed and threw a pillow at me. I threw her teddy bear at her which resulted in a pillow fight. Swati was like a sister I never had.

"There is something primitive and raw about him," a tiny voice in my head remarked. “With that sexy smile or a touch of his figures, he can make you melt in his arms. You're wading over treacherous seas!"

"Btw, next time you meet him, ask him meaningful questions like his family or work," Swati said, interrupting our pillow fight.

"Will there be another chance?"

Swati gave me are-you-insane look "Of course! he is badly smitten. He will come back running very soon."

I'm not sure why this thought makes me so joyful. When my phone beeped, Swati's words came true. I checked my inbox for messages.

"Had a fantastic evening," Ishaan had messaged. "I'm hoping for a sequel."

"Same here, I love sequels," I answered, grinning.

"I don't mean the movie sequel," he said. "I can't possibly wait that long!"

I began laughing and responding. Swati cleared her throat.

"Oh! Sorry, Ishaan messaged," I said as I stared at her.

"Yeah, I know it's evident from your flushed face," Swati said.

"He just said we should get together again."

"Aarya where are you going in this friendship of yours, I mean are you serious?"

I hadn't considered it.

"Swati I'm not sure. I'm just having a good time right now. I have no idea what the future holds. Ishaan is a great guy, and it's always a pleasure to hang out with him, but I'm completely out of his league. He's far too wealthy and accomplished. He's not looking for anything serious, I'm sure."

"So, you're both in this no-strings-attached situation?"

"I'm not sure where this is headed, but as long as it lasts, it's fantastic."

"What if you fall in love?" She asked.

To be honest, I believe I was already in love.

"Let's not go there, Swati; overthinking causes me to lose my hair."

I simply ignored it. For the next week, I didn't see him. On Saturday evening, he messaged me again. It seemed as if he needed to be rescued.

Ishaan - "Hi, where are you?"

Me - "I am outside why?"

Ishaan - "How soon can you reach Atmosphere 6?"

Me - "In about 1/2 hour why?"

Ishaan - "I desperately need your help."

Me - "What happened Are you alright?"

Ishaan - "Wait, calling you."

He called in a few minutes. He was talking softly as if from inside a closet.

"I am at this place Atmosphere 6, stuck with someone really obnoxious. Help me get rid of her."

"How can I help with that?"

"Pretend you are my girlfriend."

"Excuse me? What?" I said aghast.

"Just pretend to be my really pissed off girlfriend.... please pretty please."

I couldn't control my laughter "alright I will try but my acting sucks I will probably fuck up."

"Doesn't matter.... got to go now, come soon."

I hung up the phone, regretting my decision. That is one of my flaws. I can't refuse anyone. I made an excuse with Swati and arrived at the restaurant some time. I spotted him easily. He was not someone who could be missed. He was sitting with someone who looked like she had walked out of a vogue magazine. The perfect physique, the right outfit, and the perfect hairstyle. I couldn't figure out what was so offensive about her, or how I'd look trying to be his girlfriend next to her. I think I was the most underdressed person in the room. Atmosphere 6 is a sophisticated rooftop eatery. My outfit consisted of plain pants and a white shirt. In any case, I had made a pledge and now I needed to follow through. Thankfully, I had brought my red lipstick with me and had applied it before arriving at Atmosphere 6. I approached them and smashed my hand against the table, stunning them both.

"I have caught you red-handed You stood me up and here you are on a date with this bitch!"

I glared at the vogue model while she coolly analysed me.

"It's not what you think baby!" He said, "let me explain".

" I don’t want any explanations. I know guys like you very well. You play with girls like toys." I turned towards the model.

"He would do the same to you btw."

"Ishaan is she really your girlfriend?" She coolly asked him.

He said, "Ummm, I am sorry I should have told you." He looked so apologetic that I almost believed all this was real.

"You have a very bad taste", She said.

I glared at her.

"You are crossing the line Rhea", He said.

"You have no right to insult my girlfriend. I want you to apologize immediately." He seemed so cool yet menacing that I had a tough time believing that he was acting.

"Really Ishaan?" She seemed amused.

"I am serious Reema. We can sort our problems separately don’t drag my girlfriend into it. Apologize now."

She shrugged and said, "I am sorry".

She stood up, took her bag, and walked away. While she sashayed away, I was stunned and perplexed.

"Let's go," he said, grabbing my hand and dragging me out.

"Ishaan....what...." I tried to communicate with him, but he barely listened.

We came to a halt in the parking lot next to his vehicle. To catch his breath, he leaned on it.

"Ishaan, what was that? I had no idea you were such a talented actor."

He said calmly, "I wasn't acting."

"Look, I'm not sure what it was, but you shouldn't have treated her so harshly," I added.

"She shouldn't have insulted you in the first place. I should not have gotten you embroiled in this. My life is already messed up enough, so it's best if you stay out of it."

He appeared angry and disappointed at the same moment, and he was perplexed. What exactly was this guy's problem?

"If you wish, you can chat to me. I am an excellent listener." I stated.

"You're also a fantastic actress." He grinned, "I mean, the way you looked at me, I'd never cheat on you."

"Just some annoying brat my parents want me to hang out with. Apparently, she is from a very classy family." He rolled his eyes.

"She was hot though I said.

"Nah Not my type," He replied.

"Who is your type?" I asked.

"Someone like you" he grinned.

My heart fluttered but I was used to his flirting, so I hit him on his arm saying "Stop flirting Ishaan. I am starving and you dragged me out of this swanky place without treating me."

"Ouch!" He rubbed his arm where I had hit him.

"Where do you want to go. It's my treat" he grinned.

"Hmmm let me think of the most expensive place in Pune" I laughed.

We got into his car while he drove out of the parking lot.

He seemed to be in a good mood, so I didn't probe further about that girl. But that was the first instant I felt something was off.

"Ishaan," I said when we were well on the way to another place.

"Hmmm," he mumbled.

"Tell me about your family," I said.

"What do you want to know?"

"Just general stuff."

"There is nothing much to say actually. I have my parents and a younger sister. They live in Mumbai. Dad owns a chain of businesses. That is all."

"Why are you staying away from them?"

He turned to look at me "It's easier to work from here because my other partners are Pune based. Anything else?" He smiled.

"Tell me about your game prototype."

"Sure, I will explain during dinner."