Ariya FF : Ajeeb Dastan. CHAPTER 21 UPDATED 21/02/15 - Page 37

Standing on the main podium of the ballroom, I looked around the huge space below which will be soon filled with esteemed people around the town. I stepped down through one side of staircase, casually slipping my hand through the smooth railings. The huge windows let the sunlight cast its shadows on the clear floor. I spotted the boxes filled in with decorations in one corner of the room. And all the required stuff abandoned in the same corner, probably Mark had arranged all of this in advance. Without wasting much time I set off on my mission.

After setting up everything in place, I headed outside in the swimming pool area which was partially covered in lawn around. I was totally awed by the spaciousness of this place. Tables were set with clean pastel sheets. I reached for the ladder stranded on the side of the lawn and climbed it. There were strings tied in the air above, upon which I had decided to hang the lanterns giving the whole elite feel during the night. Whilst tying one of them, my ladder wobbled, standing in between the lawn and the cemented path... and I lost my balance as I reached a little higher and ended in strange arms but familiar cologne that drowned my breathing in some intoxication. My eyes closed, I took a deep breath and smiled.

"Riya!" Arjun inquired out of concern.

"Hmm!" I was all the more lost in the voice and the smell of his cologne.
I felt him move and lay me over one of the tables I had set up.

"Riya" he called out again.

Quickly I opened my eyes and looked at my surroundings... I was sitting in a weird way with my eyes closed. I quickly jumped from the table and stumbled further. Before I could dive in the swimming pool, he held me. My saviour!

"You kinda need someone to take care of yourself" he replied with a laugh.

"Excuse me." I was confused by his statement.
"I mean you should keep a personal bodyguard for yourself Ri" he smiled again, tearing me into pieces. I smiled away in embarrassment.

"So?" He cocked his brows up.

"So?.." I was not getting what he was saying and in quick time I realised why..

"Oh, thanks. You.. saved me." I added.

"Well you are most welcome for that Miss Disaster queen." He said in a Royalist manner.

"So?" He asked again with a grin.

I was worried now. He was looking for a different answer. What have I missed other than thanking him? I looked up and shrugged my shoulders

"What is all this? " he spin around looking at the decor.

"Oh! That!" I clasped my hands in nervousness. My secret is going to be out any moment. "Its.. its for the dinner on Wednesday."

He nodded in understanding and then looked at me strangely.

"What?" I asked scanning his face.

"Never mind", he brushed it off.

I moved the ladder in the corner while he walked in requesting to do it by himself. I stepped back reluctantly.

Quickly I reached for my bag before I could blurt out the whole surprise.

"Arjun! I know you must be busy tomorrow because of the visitors. But if you, you know have time out in the evening you could join me to the Ice Rink." I offered waiting for his reply eagerly.

"Oh Ice Rink, no I'm bad at it. You know my state the last time I was on roller coaster." He blushed in embarrassment.

"Okay" I sighed sadly. "So..I think I'll have to go without a partner then, because Josh is also coming along but with someone"
He looked at me more alert and thought over his decision again.

"Anyways I will catch u on Wednesday." I made my way back to the ballroom and up the stairs. It took him long to decide and so I almost gave up wondering may be because of Josh he would actually say No.

"Riya, wait." He came running inside and up the stairs where I was standing. He huffed a bit, short of breath due to running and spoke. "I'd like to join you. But you will have to guide me."

I smiled sheepishly and hugged him with no control over my senses. "Ofcourse, thank you!"
And I quickly stepped back feeling the awkwardness of hugging Mr Logan and ran saying him bye.

***
Just as I had finished the last bite of my chocolate pancake, a car horn started to blare outside. I ran towards the porch and waved at Arjun who was in jeep. I ran inside and picked my bag and kissed byes to Fluffy.
"Thanks for looking after him, Patrick" I said feeling bad for doing so.

"You enjoy your evening. He is my boy." He ruffled Fluffy's fur.

I was wearing my blue denims and a long sleeve shirt accompanied with a light Gillette to shield me from the evening cold.

It took a lot to convince Josh that I will join him at the rink. And he had to pick his friend on the way so I thought it was best I didn't go with him. Imagine if both Arjun and Josh were outside sitting in the car to drop me. It would be such a difficult and unfair decision. Worst scenario when they meet each other face to face at the Ice rink. I think it will bring bloodshed. Hope things go well.

I crossed my fingers and hopped inside the jeep.

"Hey," I smiled at Arjun.

He smiled and all of a sudden he closed the proximity between us and brushed his thumb on the corner of my lips.

I was taken aback by this moment. Almost losing control over my senses. Thank god he moved away. "Chocolate!" He pointed.

Wiping the corner of my mouth, I mouthed thanks to him. Almost like a high school girl. "Chill, it's just an ice rink outing, this isn't a date!" My mind reminded me.

"So have you ever been to one before?" I asked trying to avoid the uncomfortable silence.
"No. But please assure me you are not new to this either/ I'm relying on you" he begged.
I laughed at his worry. "You can trust me. Always." I replied. We both shared a look to each other that neither of us could explain but felt it deep inside.

"How was the visit?" I asked remembering it.
"He seems to quiet like it. He's very fortunate you know. He was saying something that its a gift to his wife." Arjun replied sighing the last bit sadly.

"You never know, maybe there is something big waiting for you. Life is full of surprises. You just need to catch the flow of it..Rather than looking behind at what you couldn't get hold off."

He kept silent may be letting my words resonate inside him. I could see my old self in him.. But gladly I have learnt through that phase.

"I know Arjun it's difficult for you to let go of the house because of all the memories you hold of her. But memories are there to cherish."

"I think I should shut up now. Sorry just..." I said and looked away into the drowning sun.

"It's okay." That was the only thing he spoke before he parked his jeep aligned with other cars.

We handed the tickets to the counter and they let us in. There was no sign of josh. But his text on phone read he is on his way.
We walked inside the dressing room and changed our shoes in the heavy skates.

"Are you sure we should do this?" He asked again.
I squatted next to him and helped him wear his skates.
"It just going to be fine Arjun." I whispered.

Struggling on my skates I held Arjun's hand who was worse than me unable to stand properly.

We made it far to the rink and now it was difficult to control. I wish i had told him i wasn't good at this either.
I looked across at his face that was giving up begging to go back.
"Let's warm up, what say?" I cheered.
We moved towards the railings on the border of the rink. We held the railings and moved are legs. Arjun did what the instructor was saying. He was a good learner though. "Now you go first and push your leg behind along your body weight" said the lady trainer.

Ignoring the instructor, he held my hand and we both moved inside, his grip tightening every minute. I let go of his hand. He did what was told and stumbled in a few steps. I moved to him and held him.

"Ok, hold my hand" I took his cold hands into mine.
"Trust me and just do what I do." And we moved around in circles for good minutes, our legs matching the pace.
He's eyes set on me, he pushed himself forward, his face closer to me and lost control and tripped. I tried to reach but we both fell on the cold ground over each other.
F**k. He cursed. I laughed at his helplessness. With our faces few inches away, he tried to move and so did I. But the ice slipped me back on him. This time our nose touching. He looked into my eyes and down my lips. His head picked a little to close the distance.

"Ri..." I heard Josh behind me. He helped me stand and ignored Arjun. Of course, both the man were surprised by the encounter. I helped Arjun to stand.
"Thanks." I smiled at Josh. It was a complete awkward situation. He caught us nearly kissing.

"What is he doing here Ri?" he asked looking at Arjun in disgust.

"Josh, I can explain. You went to pick your friend right?" He was so much consumed in anger of seeing Arjun, that he ignore my question.

"Riya I'm gonna go change." Arjun interrupted and nodded to me and I helped him to the dressing room. Josh looked over us not knowing what to say.

"Jo, baby please help me." I heard quite a familiar voice shout. We both looked at her holding on to the railings, her eyes closed in fear.

I couldn't believe my eyes first, so I asked Arjun to pinch me.
"Pinch me Arjun?" I asked him. And he did so.
"Amber!" I voiced my confusion out loud. She looked different. Her brown locks changed into blonde streaks. Her short skirts replaced into skinny jeans.

I ran towards her not realising I had left Arjun alone on those scary skates.
"Amber are you okay?" Josh rushed before me.

"Ambs" I touched her by her shoulder. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked around.

"Dear Lord, Riyaaa... Oh my Goddd.." she screamed attempting to run on the skates and tripped on me.

Hi! I said, holding her straight and hugging her back properly.

I looked from her to Josh waiting for an explanation. Neither Josh was in a mood to explain, nor my dear friend in front of me. She looked at me in guilt and spoke up finally. "You know Jo?"

I looked at Josh and nodded.

"Amber you must be tired right, lets go home. Should we?" he looked at Amber and then at me.

I didn't want to ignite any questions or fights here. So I nodded to them to go home. "I will see you at home."

Josh helped her take off the skates and held her by her shoulder and disappeared through the next door.

"Riya?" Arjun called out from behind.

"Huh?"I looked around, the skates loosely hanging in his hand. Of course during our conversation, it was wise of him to take it off straight away rather covering the deadly journey to dressing room in skates.

He looked at me in concern. "I know one great Ice cream parlour around, fancy one?"

I was upset and was not in the mood to eat ice cream either. But he was trying to cheer me up.

"I'd like Strawberry sundae." I replied with a smile.

"Great!" he threw his skates aside and lifted me to the exit door. Of course it was embarrassing but I couldn't stop him from doing so. On my way out, I had to leave the skates behind. Haha!

The ride to the Ice cream parlour was a short but all the way I was feeling a little heavy and my mind was clouded with questions. "We are here." He interrupted my silence.

I took a table and sat there like a lost kid looking over the window outside.

"Here's your Double Strawberry sundae." He placed a huge ice cream before me.

I smile back at him "Thanks for doing this for me."

"Well why are friends for. You are always welcome Riya." He flashed his charming smile.

I placed a spoon and started to savour each layer gently. "I don't understand why, why she had to hide this from me? She was my best friend." I spoke and he just listened to me.

"I don't think nothing has changed. She is still your best friend." He comforted me.

"How can you say so? I asked.

"Because she is just as crazy as you are." He chuckled making me laugh even harder.

"Give some time; she will give answers to your questions. And who knows, maybe you won't even have to ask her." He placed his hand over mine.

"Thank you. For being there, for cheering me up with this ice cream..." I blushed again.

"Where is yours?" I asked seeing nothing on his side.

"I don't like ice cream." He shrugged.

"May you could try some and start liking it?" i passed a spare spoon to him and watched him take it with hesitation. I moved the ice cream in the middle and held his hand and took some ice cream in the spoon and let him eat.

"Good boy." I said with a laugh as he obeyed me like a small kid.

I wanted to ask him again. Why Josh and he never got along? But it would mean spoiling this moment. He was already enjoying the Strawberry sundae. May be I should give him more time and I never know I might get answers to all the questions I ever wanted to ask him, without pushing him.

Hope you guys liked it? Arjun's birthday update has lot of surprises . And it's gonna be my next one. Don't know when I'm gonna update. But asking in return for your patience..Till then take care.