It all started with a ........Truck - Page 10

"Mayank, shut up!" I growled. He'd been at it for an hour now. I don't even know that many of the lines from heart!

"Or I'll get another giant." he trilled.

I groaned. And here I thought he was the mature one. Turns out he liked revenge just as much as all these other sharks I call my best friends.Samrat was right. I definitely made him squirm with my comment on the phone but he was getting me back now. If he answered one more thing with a Princess Bride quote my brains were going to leak out of my ears. I couldn't even take a jab at his masculinity because I'm pretty sure Nupur is the one that picked the movie. Sadistic little squirt- she didn't even know what she was avenging!

"I will kill you." I threatened, deadly as he opened his mouth again.

No fear sparked in his eyes- only humor.

"You're too late!" he said victoriously. "Look! There's the cliffs of insanity."

Nupur's laughter trilled from the kitchen as I threw a decorative pillow at her soon to be husband. He dodged it easily and replaced it to its rightful place on the couch with a laugh.

"Ha-ha." I said dryly. "You're on kitchen duty then, funny guy. Go make sure the Idiot doesn't burn the kitchen down."

"Light him." He smirked rebelliously as he passed on his way.

"One more word and all the batteries will disappear from the smoke detectors." I called after him, not making a move to get off the couch. Awe, silence.

"Wow." Samrat said, walking down the stairs from where he had until now been sleeping in the guest room. "Threatening people already today are we, Ms. Gunjan?"

I couldn't form words for a moment. It was obvious he hadn't been awake for long. He was wearing faded plaid pajama pants that hung dangerously low on his hips and nothing else. His hair was even more messy than usual and he looked half awake. He yawned, running his hands over his face, making his abs seem even more prominent. Drool.

Mayank and Nupur are in the other room. Mayank and Nupur are in the other room. Mayank and Nupur-

"Would you expect anything less?" I teased.

He sauntered over to me, a twinkle in his eye like he knew what I was thinking. God, I hope not.

"Of course not." He humored me.

I nodded once in self righteous agreement and he chuckled.

"Mayank's driving me insane." I explained my threats, and tried to distract myself from the pure lickable goodness that was a shirtless Samrat. "He's getting me back for my comment on the phone."

A devilish grin came across his face at that mention and I fought my blush.

"I think we should do something to get him back." he said, give-away grin still in place. "Something to really teach him his lesson."

I was intrigued against my better judgment.

"Okay..." I said slowly, suspicious.

His grin grew, the proverbial hunter that knows his pray has taken the bait.

"I think," he said, lowering his voice and looking quickly albeit dramatically around the room like he was checking to make sure no one was listening. "that we should kiss."

I rolled my eyes although my evil shoulder angel was all for that idea.

"And that's going to teach Mayank a lesson?"

He nodded resolutely.

"Oh yeah." he ensured. "He won't mess with you again."

I had to laugh at his seriousness.

"You are an oaf." I chuckled.

He straightened from his slight crouch in front of me and smiled charmingly.

"You can't blame a guy for trying." He said easily. "Besides I'm your oaf."

My heart skipped a beat at his words but I brushed it off.

"Three words." I said seriously. "Return to sender."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Well you'll let me know if you change your mind." he grinned. "I've got to ask Mayank if he's seen my phone. I think Adhi might finally be pulling his prank. I haven't been able to find it."

Not hardly. I knew for a fact(via my spy on the inside- Suhu. She's pissed he didn't let her help with my prank and turned to the dark side.) that Adhi was thinking and rethinking his revenge against Samrat. He wanted it to beat the one he pulled on me. Besides I still had blue streaks in my hair; If the only thing truck-napper gets is a missing cell phone there will be hell to pay.

"'Change my mind?'" I called after him. "On the kiss or the ownership?"

He laughed.

"Either or." he tossed over his shoulder.

I could help but grin.

I couldn't believe it was Friday already. I didn't know whether to chew my nails in nervousness or call him, pretending to be sick. My stomach was a mess right now most definitely but I think it was less a stomach bug type thing and more an I'm-going-out-with-truck-napper type thing. I had had three days to make sense of this and yet... nothing. I was still just as confused as ever.

On one hand, let's be honest shall we?Samrat is one of the most attractive men I had ever seen in my life. Scratch that- he is the most attractive. Any sane girl with two eyes would want to go out with him.

But on the other hand... he was truck-napper. He could be so annoying sometimes. He was cocky and smug and completely self assured. He was relentless and his greatest amusement since he'd arrived was making me blush. We couldn't talk for more than a couple of minutes without argueing.

It was a Hyde/Dr. Jekyll type thing.

My phone beeped and with it my stomach jumped down to meet my toes. Who was going to be there with me tonight?

Bella. I'm so sorry but I'm running late. Can you just meet me at the Chinese restaurant on Orion street? -Samrat

I fumed. Definitely Hyde tonight then. He was already getting on my nerves and I hadn't even seen him yet. He'd been trying to get me to go out with him practically since he stole my truck that first day and when I finally agree he can't even come pick me up? I'd thought a lot about this date- I'll admit it. And I had definitely managed to get my hopes up despite all of my negativity. He had remembered my favorite flower after all. He had dropped everything to come make me laugh when I had a bad day. He showed amazing potential. I was envisioning something a little less truck-napper and a lot more prince charming for our first date. This was not prince charming type behavior.

You've known we were going to dinner all week.

I didn't even bother signing it. I just hit send. When you thought about it it wasn't that big of a deal. I wasn't incompetent- I could drive myself to the restaurant. But it was just so... disappointing.

Yes. I've thought about it often. But I'm really busy. Just meet me there?- Samrat

He was already giving up. He'd been extraordinary in his endeavours and now that the chase was over, now that I'd agreed to the date, he was losing interest. I felt my eyes well up with un-shed tears and I bit my lip.

He's on vacation! What could he possibly have to do that was more important?

Well, if he thought I was going to chase him now he was dead wrong. And after tonight I had a feeling he might just be dead wrong. Playing hard to get after the girl agrees to the date is so wrong.

"If that's the way it's going to be." I grumbled to myself.

I thought about not going at all but I shrugged it off. I'd go. I'd wear that ridiculously short red dress that Nupur had bought me but I had refused to wear before. I'd curl my hair so it framed my face and actually do my make up. Yes- I could do fashion. I just have to have the right motivation. But don't tell anyone. I'd go, I'd eat the free dinner, and then I'd leave.

Chase that, Mr truck-napper!

Whatever you want.- DB

I felt my stomach rise up from my toes as I hit send. And it wasn't a gradual lift that accomplished freeing my toes and righting my sternum. It was more like a roller coaster flip.

What did I just do? I always make these rash decisions when I'm mad. This is why Suhu usually takes my cell phone from me when I'm really pissed. Because there's no telling what I'll say when I don't have time to think- when I'm just reacting.

Tone it down a bit, Gunjan.

Okay, first things first: put my cell phone out of view. Second- find that red dress.

The Chinese restaurant on Orion Street was not the usual date night place. It was on a little dead end street with pealing paint on the front sign.

I frowned. At least the food was good.

The old man at the front register saw me and his eyes widened. I reddened, almost matching my dress in shade I'm sure. What had I gotten myself into? Making Samrat miserable was my aim- having creepy old guys eye me all night was most definitely not. I didn't get it. Sure the dress showed off my legs and it was a little lower cut than I usually wore but it's not like it showed anything and I wasn't exactly model gorgeous. But something about this dress is magical. I just didn't want it working its magic on old guys. And the only magic it would be working on Samrat was making him drool as I walked away from him with my head held high.

I scanned the little room, with it's what?- five booths. Yes, booths. They didn't even have tables. I didn't really consider myself high maintenance. As a matter of fact my favorite date I'd ever been on was that time I went out with Neil in high school. We went to the paintball course. But he had put some thought into that. It hurt to see this was what the night was worth in Samrat's eyes.

And to make matters better(or worse) he wasn't even here. I couldn't see him anywhere. With the old man's eyes still pinned to me I lowered my eyes to the floor, regretting my decision monumentally. Not only was my dress garnering unwanted attention but I looked completely out of place. All the people here were wearing tee-shirts and jeans, my usual favorite outfit. The most dressed up person here was wearing dress slacks and a nice camisole.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. This wasn't the worst date I'd ever had but it was close.

"You gonna sit down?"

I jumped, looking over my shoulder to the couple that was standing behind me- waiting for me to move from the door. My blush intensified. I was going to kill Samrat for this night of humiliation.

"Sorry." I mumbled, sitting in the nearest booth.

The old man scurried over, handing me a menu.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked, talking to my cleavage.

I cleared my throat and his eyes snapped to my face but he didn't look apologetic or ashamed at being caught. I rubbed my hands over my just recently tired face, only worrying about my make up after the fact.

Oh, who cares? He's not even here. I'll give him ten minutes and then I'm leaving. I'm not going to add being stood up to the list of humiliation this night has already bestowed.

"Just a water please." I said dejectedly. "I'm waiting for someone."

Recognition lit the mans face followed by disappointment and I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you Gunjan?" He asked.

I looked around suspiciously. They only punk celebs on that show with Ashton Kutcher right? What was going on?

I nodded slowly.

"Figures." The man grumbled and my bewilderment grew. "Your date wanted me to give you this."

He brought a folded piece of paper out of his apron and handed it to me, somewhat begrudgingly.

I blinked- staring at the man like he was a green little alien with his eyes in the wrong place before taking the paper cautiously.

It had my name on the front but I waited for the old guy to walk back to his station or get my water or something before opening it.

You didn't really think we'd be eating here did you? Ye of little faith! Your opinion of me is hurtful, Gunjan.

That's it. That's all it said. I frowned, flipping the paper over to see if I'd missed something. Nope. Then I looked around the restaurant, my eyes wielding great confusion.

"The man told me to bring you the other note when you looked like someone trying to solve a great mystery."

I looked up, meeting the eyes of a young Chinese woman. She smiled, her cheeks dimpling and her eyes full of amusement.

I just sat there gaping and she giggled, nudging the new paper in front of me until I took it from her. She hurried away before I could ask any questions.

I knew you'd have that look on your face. It's quit endearing actually. Now go outside and look for your next sign.

I wrinkled my nose. He's sending me on a scavenger hunt? Really? What was the prize at the end?

I walked out of the restaurant, sending questioning looks to the old man and giggling girl. They weren't much help.

Once I was outside I looked around for another paper. I looked at my car parked across the street and I saw a silver Volvo in the same parking lot. How had I missed that? Unfortunately there was no 'sign' there.

I sighed, getting exasperated and took another look around. There was a chalk drawing on the sidewalk just to the side of the front door to the resturaunt. An arrow.

A squeak escaped my lips as I did a little victory dance in celebration. There was another arrow once I'd rounded the cornor of the resturaunt so I was now standing behind it.

"What the hell, Samrat?" I asked aloud, hoping he was around here somewhere so I wasn't talking to no one like a mad woman.

A laughed echoed around the ally way and I jumped, spinning to look behind me. Nothing. A clank made me jerk back around just in time to see a fire escape type ladder fall.

I narrowed my eyes at it. And again I repeat... what?

"I hope you don't expect me to climb this thing." I called, tilting my head to look towards the roof. I could see a shock of cooper hair but nothing else.

"Samrat!"

"Just get up here, Gunjan." He called back.

I huffed. Leaving was still an option...

I slipped off my shoes and grabbed them both in one hand. The heel wasn't tall by anyones standards but it was going to be a miracle if I made it up this thing alive in the first place.

"If I fall to my death that is something you are going to have to live with for the rest of your life!" I called, clinging to the fourth rung.

"You really know how to charm a guy-"

I looked back up with a pointed look and he swallowed hard, his adams apple creeping down before bobing back up. I blushed.

"Sorry." He said, clearing his throat. "You look- well, you look- just wow."

I bit my lip, looking down at my feet.

"No." I mumbled. "I'm over dressed."

I didn't even hear him walking closer; I just felt his finger gently lifting my chin up so I met his eyes. I felt my breath hitch.

"Probably. For down there." He agreed, looking at the roof like he could see right down into the Chinese restaurant.

I nodded sadly.

"But the roof isn't wardrobe specific." He released the crocked grin on me and I felt the corners of my own lips lift.

He stepped back and I got my first real look at him. If I was wow, he was... tantalizing. He wore a more casual look than I did but then again my outfit was designed to torment him. He wore a charcoal vest, unbuttoned casually to reveal a white button up shirt. His dark jeans fit snugly but not so snug that you're wondering where things fit. Not that I was looking or wondering of course. Just snug enough to show off a wonderful view of his butt which I noticed when I was busy not looking.

"So, what do you think?" He asked nervously.

I whipped my eyes away from his body, blushing. But I realized he was looking around at our surroundings, not asking if I enjoyed my ogle-Samrat's-butt-show.

I cleared my throat, looking around at what he was seeing. I hadn't even taken in our surroundings yet.

It was beautiful! He'd better not let that creepy old guy see what he'd done up here or they'd kick us off and open the main restaurant up here. It was amazing. It wasn't a very tall building but the restaurant occupied the bottom level of a small apartment complex so it was tall enough to see the rest of the town. It wasn't tall at all but you're forgetting this is Ny- the rest of the buildings were shorter. It was getting dark and you could see all of the lights coming on in the houses further out. It looked... magical.

And there were candles everywhere. They occupied one whole side of the roof. There was a small table in the center with a white table cloth and two covered plates. A bouquet of Daises sat in the middle.

Samrat laughed nervously, running his hands through his hair as he followed my gaze to the beautiful flowers.

"I know, I know." He chuckled, the noise sounding somewhat off- his nerves shinning through. "I've already given you flowers."

"No one likes a rerun." I payed along, grinning wide so he knew I was kidding. I definitely liked it. More than liked it.

He smirked, looking more at ease now that I was talking.

"I thought about getting you carnations," he said. "but I thought you might beat me with them."

I nodded in agreement, nudging my shoe around with my bare toe. I'd just leave the shoes off. It wasn't dirty up here or anything anyway. Which meant... oh my god! Had he swept the roof? Oh when I was done feeling like he'd drugged me with his romance powers I was going to have to tease him about that.

"Who says I won't beat you with the daisies?" I challenged.

He snagged the vase off the table dramatically, widening his eyes in feigned horror.

I laughed and he smiled, setting the vase back down gently.

"It's all so beautiful, Samrat." I said quietly, looking around again. There was a slight breeze but it was a fairly mild night for NY and the lights of distant houses reflected off the lake in the middle of town.

"Wow." He exaggerated. "I know I've done something right if you're calling me by my name."

I rolled my eyes, smacking his chest.

"Don't get used to it."

He shook his head, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me so my back was resting against his chest. I froze for a moment but then he rested his head on my shoulder, enjoying the view of the lights and I relaxed against him. We could get back to cat and mouse tomorrow.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He said quietly.

I smiled. It was perfect. Why had I ever doubted him? Why had I ever thought we couldn't get along? We could go five minutes without bickering like children after all.

The silence was interrupted by a ringing coming from my purse.

I sighed, pulling away from him and digging out the small silver cell phone. I smirked as I saw the caller i.d.

Dad

This was going to be fun.

"Hello?"

Silence. Samrat's eyes bugged out of his head and I gave him a taunting look.

"Hello, ma'am." he finally recovered himself. "Either I have the wrong number or you have my son's phone."

I winked at Edward who was still gaping at me as realization hit him like a big yellow bus. Actually with the look on his face maybe it was the short bus.

"That depends." I chuckled. "Are you looking for Samrat Shergill?"

"Yes." The man said suspiciously. "I am."

I nodded like he was standing right in front of me.

"Well then, I guess it's nice to meet you, Mr. Shergill"

Samrat snapped his gaping mouth shut and jumped in front of me, trying to grab his phone. I shooed his hand away, turning so he couldn't reach it.

"Thank you." The man was definitely confused. "May I ask who this is?"

"This is Gunjan Bhushan." I said, smiling as I heard Samrat groan behind me. The peaceful romantic moment was wonderful but nothing beats messing with him.

"I'm Samrat's friend from NY." I explained. "He left his phone at the coffee shop the other day and I was keeping it safe for him."

Samrat grumbled something under his breath and I sent a sly look at him over my shoulder.

The man chuckled.

"Oh really?" he asked, amused. "Am I assuming correctly that my son doesn't know you're 'keeping it safe?'"

I snickered.

"He knows." I corrected. "He found out about two seconds ago when you called."

Mr. Shergill laughed loudly, one of those nice deep belly laughs. I smiled. I liked him.

'Your dad is awesome.' I mouthed to Samrat.

He didn't look amused.

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Gunjan." He chuckled. "Anyone that can put up with my son's shenanigans is fine in my book. Anyone that can best him is better."

I smiled proudly.

"So, did Samrat tell you that he stole my truck?"

That's all I got in. Samrat decided he'd had enough and snagged the phone from my grasp with exaggeratedly narrowed eyes at me. I laughed, blowing hm a kiss and fluttering my eyelashes since he couldn't do anything while he was on the phone with his father now. I'd be in trouble once he hung up though. He cracked a small smile before turning so I couldn't see it anymore.

"Hi, dad." He said into the phone. A pause. "Yeah, she thinks she's pretty clever too."

I giggled, going to sit down in the chair set up with the table. There was a mouthwatering aroma coming from under the platter on the table but I didn't want to peak until Samrat was ready. Until then I would just amuse myself with his unease.

"She told you we were friends, did she?" he smirked, throwing a look over his shoulder at me. Oh no. "I don't know what to tell you, dad. I think she's in love with me."

I blushed, looking at my plate.

"Stupid lying truck-napper." I grumbled.

He laughed, at what I had said or what his father was saying I wasn't sure.

"Oh, we're making her blush." He reported into the phone.

Wasn't I making him uncomfortable just a second ago? How had this turned on me so quickly? He was good. He was very good.

"I am." He said, a little more quietly. I looked up, surprised by the new tone of embarrassment in his voice. He was bright red.

My eyes widened. Samrat doesn't blush! I was going to have to meet these people in person. The parents could make him blush! I'll have to remember that and find them at the wedding. Note to self: Ask about Samrat's embarrassing childhood stories.

"Okay. Bye."

I looked at him with a cat-ate-the-canary smile once he had hung up.

"That was quite the hurried good-bye, truck-napper." I taunted.

He leveled me with a playful glare.

"My dad loves you."

"Everyone loves me." I said seriously, nodding gravely like it was a hard burden to bare. I snorted mentally.

"That's good." He said, amused.

I smiled, taking a sip of the water that was sitting on the table. I hope this is mine anyway. Better not have back washed.

"It's important to get along with the in-laws."

I choked, spraying water over the table cloth and he laughed.

"You're such a jerk." I sneered.

He shrugged.

"You've had my phone this whole time." he stated.

I nodded- not going to be apologetic in the least if he was going to make me spit my drink.

"You left it at the coffee shop." I shrugged.

He gave me an accusing look.

"That was three days ago." He said. "I've been blaming Adhi this whole time."

I nodded.

"Yeah." I grinned. "It's great, isn't it?"

He just shook his head at me but his lips twitched, fighting a smile.

"Can we eat?" I finally caved. "I've been sitting here smelling it this whole time but I waited for you."

I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and he laughed.

"You're so generous." he teased.

I shrugged, removing the lid from the platter and smiling.

"You didn't cook it did you?" I checked, suddenly feeling worried. It smelled good, it looked good... I picked at it, making sure it was cooked.

Samrat rolled his eyes.

"It was hard enough to get the restaurant owner to let me borrow the roof without actually ordering anything to boot." He huffed. "Besides, you do not want to eat my cooking. It's not exactly a talent of mine. I had to order something."

I felt safer eating it knowing that it was from the restaurant and dug in.

"Yum." I hummed.

"I hope you enjoy it." he said, teasing. "I have to eat here for lunch for the rest of my stay in return."

"Guaranteed clientele." I nodded. "Very clever."

"Thank you, Malady." He bowed and I chuckled, nodding towards the seat across from me.

"I hate eating alone." I informed him. "Sit down, Mr."

He sat down, shaking his head.

"You know, I don't know why I always come back begging for more." He sighed. "You're so demanding."

I smirked.

"Because I can rock a dress." I teased, shrugging.

He looked from my eyes to the low neck-line of my dress and licked his lips.

"Yes you do."

I blushed.

"But that's not all."

I looked up through my lashes.

"What else?" I asked quietly, forcing the words from my lips.

He smiled, taking on my challenge.

"You're smart, and funny, and you don't take any of my crap."

I laughed. With those good looks, and smoldering eyes he probably was hard pressed to find someone who wouldn't fall down in front of him to kiss his feet.

"And you look amazing in the dress." He added.

I rolled my eyes.

"Of course." I said, sarcasm rife in my tone.

He looked at me oddly for a moment but then changed the topic.

We talked about everything. He told me about growing up in Detroit and when his mom was diagnosed with cancer. I almost cried as he talked about that. But then he told me about when she went into remission and I applauded. No, I really did. Samrat laughed. I told him about my fishing trips with Dad and meeting everyone in college. He laughed again as I told him the stories of us watching the boys on the football field. I made sure to mention that Mayank fell. A lot.

After we were done eating Samrat collected the plates and piled them on the edge so he could take them down to the restaurant later. For the whole time during the evening there was a conversational lull. He leaned against the edge and crossed his arms over his chest.

I wasn't sure whether to check out his arms or yell for him to get away from the edge.

"So did I succeed?"

I frowned.

"What?"

"Did I prove you wrong?" He explained. "Was it horrible?"

I pretended to think about it.

"In comparison to what?" I finally asked.

He shot me a look before sauntering over to me.

"How about in comparison to the infamous Chako date?"

I laughed.

"It was amazing." I exaggerated.

He smirked.

"So glad it at least beat the stalker."

"You're a stalker too." I pointed out. "Remember? You just admit to the stalking."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"That's right." He remembered. "But we all know that makes it so much better."

"Oh, so much." I drawled lazily, rolling my eyes.

He didn't reply and I looked up to see him concentrating very hard on something.

My lips.

I stopped breathing.

"Can the stalker maybe have a kiss?" He asked.

I bit my lip.

"I. I don't know... if that-" I closed my eyes, trying to remember how to breath. "How would I be able to press charges on you if the police find out I was encouraging the stalker?" I finally got out.

He laughed and I opened my eyes to see him with that smile again- the one that was almost adoring.

"Maybe we should just... not call the police?"

I grinned as he leaned closer.

"I didn't the first time..." I said, his lips just brushing mine.

And then I didn't say anything. If he smelled good he tasted better.

"Now I know the secret." He whispered, pulling away once we were breathless but he left his lips lingering just barley- a feathery caress.

"Hmm?" That was as coharent as I was getting.

"We'll get along just fine." He hummed. "Every time you get snarky I'll just have to kiss you quiet."

I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up, truck-napper." I demanded quietly, pulling him by his collar so that his lips crashed to mine again.