Every Night is Another Story
"So what else has your friend told you? Arnav asked as he turned around slightly so that I could hear him, over the din of his bike.
"Wouldn't you love to know?" I replied.
"What?" he asked again.
"I'm not going to elaborate and please don't keep turning around to talk to me. It's making me nervous and please keep your eyes on the road."
"Yes Ma'am," he said and he was true to his word. I was beginning to relax. But at the same time I was feeling a strange kind of guilt, I promised NK that I wouldn't talk with any of the guys and especially Mahaveer's college students. I don't know whats the reason is, but i agreed with whatever he asked me to. But here am I in a motorcycle with an almost stranger. It was crazy, I am rationalized. It wasn't as though I wanted to go on a bike with Arnav, and it is not even as though I had a choice. But still that little pin prick of guilt wouldn't go away. I just pushed it to the back of my mind.
"Watch Out, I am slowing down and need to apply the brake, said Arnav. He said it three more times, each time he slowed down. I smiled as he was really making an effort to be careful.
"It's okay," I finally told him after he repeated it for the fourth time. "Don't worry so much. i know your intentions are not bad."
"Phew, thanks for trusting," he said.
The night sky looked magnificent with thousands of stars. The moonlight was giving everything a silver glow. It was adding to the magic and I was actually beginning to enjoy the ride. We still have 30 km and Arnav kept checking if I was comfortable. He was driving smoothly too.
The highway to Delhi passed through a small village. It was desolate as all the shops were shut and there were brass lamps all around the village. I wished I had a camera to capture the beauty of the scene- the glow of brass lamp and the beauty of the tiled house against the darkness of the night in the background.
After the village, on the outskirts of it, there were a few push-carts selling pani poori's and there were dhaba's. Truck drivers usually frequent these joints.
"Shall we stop?" asked Arnav "The food is really delicious here.
"Have you ever eaten in a dabha before?" he asked
"No, stop it if you want to"
"Well you don't find delicious food everywhere. you must try it. you wont regret, I promise." he said as he stopped
We walked towards the dabha and sat in a wooden bench and Arnav ordered for both of us. The guy at the dabha was looking at the dabha was looking at us strangely. So were the few truck drivers whose trucks were parked nearby and they were eating there. Obviously a young couple on a bike, late at night around the outskirts of Delhi could imply only one thing in their books.
Arnav sensed my discomfort and said " Ignore them. Look at me and concentrate on the food."
"Are you sure it is safe?" I asked moving a little closer to him instinctively.
"Relax you are in my territory. I have been in Delhi for years and nothing will go wrong if you're with me." he smiled
The food we had was the most delicious that I have ever tasted in my life. I found a push cart with jalebi's they were my favorite I jumped and pulled Arnav towards the cart and ordered a plate of Jalebi's for myself, I asked Arnav if he wants but he said no so I continued chewing my jalebi's it was delicious. My stomach was almost full, a nice atmosphere and a good company under a night sky is one of the most pleasant things that one can have. I was lost in my thought until I found Arnav staring at me I immediately asked him if he wants but he again said no. I soon asked him to try one later he wont stop himself from having it. And he said "Okay Khushi I will try one but on one condition."
I was confused but asked him what condition but he said "I heard Khushi Kumari Gupta can do anything and she never back's off."
I replied him saying "Yes i can do anything."
"Then will you be able to do one thing for me" he asked
I was confused that if i should say yes to him or not but he said "Don't think alot Khushi it is just simple, I believe that you sure could do anything."
Henceforth I had no other option so agreed.
"You have to feed me the jalebi's, can you?"😳😳
I was stuck i couldn't say anything and I started to stammer "I..I.. can..t""Come on Khushi its as simple as you feed Priya, whats the big deal in it I am your friend only right. I am asking you that because If i have it with my hands the syrup will stick to my fingers but you already used yours so asking one help. Don't hesitate okay and please its getting late come on feed me fast."
I took a piece and brought it near his lips. He opened his mouth and took a bite and started to chew. I was staring at him until i found the syrup at the corner of his lips. He looked at the direction where my eyes were I immediately took my eyes off his lips and moved my eyes away. He signed me asking me to wipe that syrup of his lips. My palms came in contact with his cheek and then to his lips finally. I removed the syrup until I found his stubble prick my palm it sent a jolt through my spine. I immediately took my hands of him and turned around breathing heavily.
I didn't know why I felt that way but it was different. I could feel his heated gaze on me and my heart started to race. I couldn't stop it and I closed my eyes tight.
"Khushi" he called
I was breathing heavily and couldn't open my mouth. He called me again "Khushi I have to tell you something please look at me." I found his tone different and I instinctively recognized it. It put me on high alert. I didn't want him to spoil that lovely moment we had, I thought
"Khushi" he called
"Yeah" I replied nervously, my throat choking a bit
"Khushi, I really love you." he said
I didn't know what to say. I looked away, I made myself calm and then I turned back and spoke to him confidently "You've known me for what, three days?" I said finally
"I am not kidding Khushi. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I have never felt like this about anyone before, trust me. I am crazy about you, Honestly. And I have never done anything like this before in my life. This confessing feelings and all, is just not me, but with you I cannot hold back anymore," he said looking straight into my eyes. His eyes shown with a sincerity and kind of desperate manic glint that was hard to comprehend.
I was completely taken aback. I did not expect a 'bare-it-all' even though I had half anticipated it when he said he had something to say. But I did not think he would be so forthright and so open about it. I was so confused but I knew that this is not gonna happen
I spoke out"Whatever you say but what you know about me, nothing?"
"I don't think that what you have for me is love, It is maybe because you found me different from others thats it. Look Arnav it is nothing but a infatuation, a mere attraction for you towards me. So stop thinking all these."
The next moment I found myself pinned by him to the nearby wall. I was shocked on his behavior. I never saw him this much angry. Actually I never saw a man this much angry in my whole life.
He pressed my wrist very hard that it started to pain and I yelled "What you think you are doing Arnav . Leave me."
"Look Khushi, I know what love is, I know how it feels when you go far from me. It pricked my heart when you talk with Dhiren, it felt different, that is the reason why I followed you these three days being with you. The way i feel for you is different i never felt like that with my other girlfriends. My heart starts to race when you come near me, I feel like taking you in my arms but i never did that because I believe in your morals and respect you. I feel like hitting the person who hurts you very hard. I know what my feelings are for you and how strong it is. So you stop saying it an attraction okay because it is not. Did you hear that."
I was dumbstruck, so many things were running inside my mind all the moments which I spent with him. He immediately pulled his hands of me and said "Sorry for hurting you."
My mind started to wander if what he was saying was true or not. It feels true but the things which I heard about him were different I didn't feel like trusting him so soon.
Like he read my mind he spoke out saying "Take your time Khushi, I am not going to force you without your concern. Now lets go you are way too tired. It is better if I drop you home now."
I sat on the bike and he started it. We were silent throughout the ride not even a word was spoken.
Finally we reached my house, I got down and said "Thanks for the ride."
"You need not thank me Khushi it is my duty and think about what I said, I really mean it."
I looked at him once and moved towards my house when he called me "Khushi,"
"Yeah," I said
"Will you have a cup of coffee with me tomorrow." he asked
"I am not sure about it." I said
"Please Khushi give me a chance for us, after that if your answer is same then I wont disturb you forever." He requested
My heart didn't allow me to say no him and I accepted his request.
He smiled and said "Thanks alot Khushi, good night, see you tomorrow at the same cafe where you, priya and Suvi used to hang out after college."
"Wait, wait, how do you know about that??" I asked him😕
"Sorry Priya told me once" 😆
"Wat else she said" I asked
"Its a secret, so be ready at 5 will pick you up from here" he said with a smile
I instinctively replied "No, No i will come by myself. Don't worry I will be there on time." I said😲
"Okay then bye, take care."
I watched him until he vanished into thin air and headed back straight into my room, and changed into my night suite and fell back on my bed thinking about the nights events. A night can never be much better than this."
P.S please like and comment (all chappals are also welcome😊)
Edited by alicepuppy - 11 years ago
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