SS: A Bend in the Road [Wattpad link-P.126] - Page 72

She hesitated a lot before the door, her finger twisting her chain mercilessly.

She raised her fist to knock on the door but removed it changing her mind.

Sighing, she picked up all of her guts and slowly pushed the door ajar.

There was nobody inside and for just a moment, she hesitated but slowly placed her one feet inside, the slow hum of her anklets against the cold floor heard against the otherwise calm two bedroom apartment.

"Hello?" She called out but there was no response.

Maybe it was a bad idea, Neelima thought. It was a terrible idea to come here, she had admitted maybe for the first time in the evening.

She was half in the mind of turning her back and slipping away, when she heard oncoming of footsteps, and in her hurry to get out of the apartment, before being noticed, she made quick steps towards the door, but knowing she can't make it to the door without being seen, she quickly ducked into the empty room, the one next to the door.

It was a stupid idea.

The entire day itself was weird, Neelima thought distraught.

-

That afternoon, she was walking next to the ground, unmindful of her surroundings, when she heard loud bellows, maybe someone scored a six, she thought. But before she could wager a guess, she felt a sharp pain on her face, right below her eye and she dropped her books as she felt the blinding pain knock her off.

She had no idea when she came to the ground, sitting by, holding her injured face, or when there was shuffling before her, after a moment when she felt someone press their hand kerchief to her bruised cheekbone.

"Move away" a voice commanded and she felt less suffocated.

Whoever had the voice belonged to, thankfully this person was demanding people to clear up.

"Are you okay?" She heard this after a while, from the former voice but in a much gentler note than it was earlier.

She wanted to say yes, but the pain that was scorching just behind her eyes in form of tears, made her voice clog up. She nodded her head slowly, unable to formulate a reply.

"Okay. We are going to get up, okay?" Said the voice gently as she felt an arm around her shoulder supporting her in keeping her balance intact.

It was when she stood up, had she raised her face to the voice.

And it was then she finally understood what breath getting knocked out of stomach actually meant.

It was Vikram Khurana that was looking at her face, concerned.

She didn't utter a word as he asked her if he should fetch her an auto.

"I..." She spoke for the first time after the incident. "I stay in hostel"

"Alright" he had said calling out for one of his friends and took something that flied towards his chest in a catch. Bike keys.

"Let's go, I'll drop you"

...and that was that.

It was the strangest thing that happened to her. Thankfully they didn't exchange another word, and when he dropped her at hostel and was revving his engine, he looked like he wanted to say something, but he seemed to decide otherwise as he left without as much as another word.

And that's when she realized she was still holding his hand kerchief to her face.

And that she hasn't yet told him a proper thank you.

What better than drop by when she goes to her dance class? However he wasn't there in his Taekwondo class, from whatever she gathered from Rosita, the receptionist.

"Where would I find him?" She asked Rosita, who was eyeing her swollen face interested.

"Up in his apartment" she said tilting her head to a side. "Why, are you going to go?"

She wasn't planning to but the woman's judgmental eyes made something in her snap

"I believe you are the receptionist and not his secretary

It was the most mean thing she had ever said to someone and she didn't show her trembling hands as she walked to his apartment.

-

Neelima felt sweat trickle down from the back of her ear as she heard footsteps inside the room. She was standing next to the door and was hoping the curtains would cover her enough.

Once more, she regretted her poor decision skills. All she wanted to do was to return his hand kerchief and thank him. But what had she ended up in! In her flustered state, she had ended up hiding in one of the rooms of Vikram Khurana's apartment, and worse, she felt the oncoming of footsteps until she saw him enter the room, removing his shirt over his head as he was walking inside.

Good lord.

She went further back, sucking in her breath. What exactly had she gotten herself into?

Vikram, however, unknown to a presence in his room, stood by the window as he closed his eyes, the familiar pain in his heart throbbing, as he touched the Business magazine he had been reading, especially the interview of a certain Khurana.

Maan Singh Khurana, his brother.

He lit a cigarette as he walked towards his balcony, leaving a puff of smoke in his wake.

Neelima waited until he was in the balcony, to slip away from behind the door, the adrenaline pumping inside her.

She was careful not to make any noise but the anklets she had been wearing couldn't hold her secret distinctly.

She was almost near the door, and just a step away from freedom, when she felt heard him.

"Going without saying hello?"

She turned then, her eyes downcast, her hands behind her, her back pressing against her door.

He walked towards her, the cigarette still between his teeth.

He was bare chested, and as he had come towards her, he tilted his head to a side, and much to her chagrin, he placed his hands on either of her head.

He looked at her uncomfortable form and smiled. Putting off his cigarette on the ash tray next to him, he exhaled the smoke before facing her.

"Will endure than to express, why?"

She raised her eyes then, and like always, he found himself wondering about how beautiful they are.

"Why Neelima?" He asked his voice dropping a notch lower.

She felt her eyes snap towards him, listening to her name from his lips.

"I am sorry" she said, her voice sounding just above a whisper.

"Can't hear you" he said leaning towards her, heightening her embarrassment, and when he saw her suck in a breath, he laughed really enjoying this.

"As much as I love this" he said taking a step back, "Not going to embarrass you further" he said lifting his hands up in mock surrender.

She looked up at him, and saw his eyes soften at the bruise she had.

"Um I came to return this" she said extending his hand kerchief.

He took it without a word, although the smile didn't leave his face.

"And?"

"Thank you"

Before he could say another word though, her phone rung and his eyes flitted towards the phone screen, since she was holding it with the screen facing towards him.

It was then he saw the words flash across. A familiar name.

Maan.

And just like that, she felt warmth leave his face. She couldn't gather why, until he said in a monotonous voice, "It seems like an important call. Take it"

It was only when she had turned her mobile around to see the caller ID had she realized.

Vikram was looking at her in an incomprehensible manner, as if waiting for her to do something. She answered the call, with her eyes still locked with Vikram.

"Hello"

"Neelima?" She heard Geet's voice from the other side of the phone.

"My phone ran out of battery and Maan is standing on my head to finish this conversation. Just wanted to ask you, if you're coming home tonight?"

"Give me a moment" she said not knowing how to reply, with Vikram staring at her intently.

Something about her reply made him rigid, and in two strides, he reached the door, and twisted the knob with a gentle "Allow me" and held it for her to leave.

"Let me not disturb your privacy" he had said and once she stepped out, closed the door and Neelima felt deflated all of a sudden.

Standing by the wall, she took a deep breath before answering.

"Yes, I'll come home tonight"