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Here is the next part friends. Cheers 😊 😊
PART 4
They walked in silence lost in their own thoughts and in the beauty of the place. Prachi was getting increasingly aware of him. Hands in his pockets, walking close to her, his long legs slowed down to match her pace.
"Let's sit there", Milind pointed to a slightly high rock. Prachi nodded slightly walking towards it. He placed his hand on her arm to support her and she struggled to climb the high rock. Shock waves shot through Prachi and she struggled not to pull her arm from his slight grip. Her flesh felt scorched where he touched her. Milind felt her stiffen and let go of her arm immediately looking at her curiously. Cursing herself for reacting so strongly, she felt her heart racing up as he sat beside her swiftly. The full moon was up in the sky. With the moonlight streaming between the high trees that were slightly swaying in the breeze, and the sound of a distant stream, the music playing softly could be heard from the cottage, ....it just felt magical. Sitting so close to him, she could feel the heat from his body.
Milind was watching her intently as she tried to hide her discomfort. "Relax Prachi, no need to be so uptight. I don't bite". Her long silver earrings dangled as she shook her head indicating that she is fine. A loose strand of her long hair kept falling on her eyes and he had to stop himself from tucking it behind her ear. In the moonlight she looked even more beautiful. Aware of his eyes on her, she could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. Milind's fingers itched to trace the soft pink blush colouring her cheeks. He cleared his throat loudly, trying to get a hold on himself.
"I am very happy for Lisa and Peter. They look so much in love". Prachi smiled at him hearing him mention her friend, "Yes, they are very lucky to have each other. Lisa is a very sweet girl and Peter is a very nice person too. I am glad they found each other". Prachi was thankful of the conversation as it would take her mind off him.
"Now tell me about you prachi, what do you do"?
"Umm.. Milind, why don't you tell me about yourself instead".
Milind smiled at her, "Alright then, lets start with me". He started to talk about him, his family and life in London and the conversation started to flow easily. When Milind told her about Brute, his dog, at home, whom he missed so much, Prachi's eyes brightened up immediately and was very interested to know everything about Brute and how big he was and what he liked to do. Seeing her enthusiasm, Milind said "You seem to like dogs very much".
Now suddenly hesitant, she said softly "Yes, I have always wanted to have a puppy when I was a child. But papa hated dogs, so I couldn't have one. One day, may be, I will have a pet dog like you do".
"I am sure you will. Is your family here with you in Ooty"? Milind asked.
"Haan, mama and papa are here. We come here every year". Prachi was soon opening up and hesitantly started telling him about her family, her life in Mumbai and her impending course in Chennai. He listened intently and asked questions here and there, drawing her to tell him more about herself than she intended to. Prachi was surprised that he was so easy to talk to. As milind talked about Vicky, she was quite surprised about the depth of their friendship.
"You know, I also have a best friend whom I haven't seen for about 3 months and because of the workload , couldn't accompany us for the holidays and I miss him so much" Prachi sighed.
"Him?" milind's gaze sharpened.
"Yes, Neev, my best friend from childhood. I have known him all my life". As she talked about neev and her childhood her face glowed with happiness from the memories giving Milind a glimpse of the little girl, Prachi. Though he wanted to hear more about her childhood, for some reason, Milind wanted to steer the conversation away from Neev.
"Now tell me, what sought of music do you like Prachi ?
"I could listen to anything but would prefer someething that's soft and easy to listen to. Papa likes Ghazals and I used to sit with him and listen too. How about you"?
"I Like both soft and rock. I play the guitar, you see, so depending on how I feel, I play soft light notes or hard rock. And in my teens I even dreamt of having a rock band" he chuckled softly. Prachi could easily picture him strum the guitar and suddenly longed to hear him play.
"So, Is business management what you always wanted to do"? he asked breaking her reverie.
"Papa says it would be good for me when I join his business".
"What did you want Prachi"? asked milind softly.
"Oh, I don't know. Never thought about it much. There was a time when I wanted to be a interior decorator, but papa did not think much of it".
"Hmmm, So, you are a typical daddy's girl and would do anything your papa says" he mocked at her smiling.
"What's wrong in that? He knows what is good for me" prachi said defensively.
Milind understood that "Papa" was a very sensitive subject for Prachi. "Of course, I completely agree" he assured her quickly, "but you could study interior designing along with your management course. You just have to organize your time efficiently".
Prachi looked up at him surprised, "Can I ? I never gave it a serious thought you know. I don't know if I will be able to manage it and most importantly if papa would like it ".
"Think about it and give it a go if you that's what you really want and I am not just talking about interior designing . You know Prachi, life is too short, so try and live your life as much as you want to do. You can do a lot of things for others and there are still some things you do it just for yourself. Those little things make life fun living. Though you don't succeed in doing everything you want to do, its always worth giving it a try".
Prachi was looking at him with wide eyes, "Is that what you do"? She asked softly.
"That's what I try to do. I knew that though I wanted to, I could never be in a rock band but my music is still with me to this day. I have the huge responsibility of this business empire on my shoulders and thank God, I have Vicky to share my burdern with. I am trying to do a lot in this year, trying to understanding the whole business and study the market before I can takeover in January next year. Among all these, there are some luxuries I am allowing myself, like this holiday to unwind, so I can get back in action in no time" he explained.
Prachi was surprised to see this side of him. When she first saw him, all she saw was a carefree person, with a bit of an attitude. Now he sounded more mature, responsible and wise.
Breaking through her thoughts, "And this is another such luxury I am allowing myself, hanging out with a beautiful damsel under the moonlight" and winked at her.
"Here he goes again", she rolled her eyes smiling at him, her heart beating wild at the thought that he found her beautiful. "You know milind, it takes me ages to talk freely to new people. I can't believe I have talked to you so much".
"I think there is a still a whole new prachi under that shy exterior. I have just hand a glimpse of one part of her" he said smilingly. So, …..Friends ? Milind extended his hand. "Friends", smiling shyly Prachi put her hands in his. As he clasped her small hand in his warm large one, she felt strangely content.
As the night grew, the wind turned slightly chilly. Prachi shivered slightly, and hugged her arms around her body to keep warm. "May be we should go in, its starting to get chilly", stood up milind reluctantly. Time had flown quickly. Prachi realised that she should be getting home soon. Equally reluctant, she stood up quickly, and walked beside him back to the cottage.
As expected, the music had gone loud and everyone was swaying with the music. Lisa saw her come in with Milind, " Prachi, I was about to come looking for you. Its gone ten already. Sorry yaar, I didn't realise the time myself".
Prachi's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my god, its ten already. I should have been home an hour ago".
"Why, was 9 pm curfew time for you or what"? mocked Milind. Prachi looked at him sharply. "Oops, sorry, say nothing about papa", holding up his hands , he grinned. "Good, say nothing about papa", prachi smiled back.
"Let me drop you home then Prachi", Lisa got up. "You are not planning to leave this early are you"? complained Peter. "
"Oh, I promised uncle that I would bring prachi back early. I shall come back once I dropped her", Lisa tried to pacify him. Prachi was feeling awkward as it was clear that Peter didn't want Lisa to leave now.
Seeing prachi feeling quite uneasy about the whole situation, Milind offered to drop Prachi home. "I was planning on an early night anyway as I have some business to take care of tomorrow. But its vicky's turn to take the day off. So, he can stay late", Milind said patting Vicky's back.
Vicky gave him a surprised look but quickly recovering, "Yeah, I am planning to stay up late. See you later bro, take care Prachi" he waved at them and continued dancing.
Waving everyone goodbye and promising to call Lisa the next day, Prachi walked out with Milind. Milind walked over to his car, a shiny black jaguar, and held the door open for her. "What else would you expect him to drive, like man, like car" she said to herself tongue-in-cheek.
Admiring the sleek, powerful car , prachi thanked him and got in. The plush leather interior of the car was very impressive. As Milind got in, she said, "I just love your car milind. Its soooo nice".
"Thank you, as they say, respect the man's car and the man respects you", Milind turned to smile at her and dropping his voice to a little more than a whisper, he said "But may be here, it's more apt to say that "Love a man's car, and the man loves you" and winked at her.
Colour rushed to Prachi's face and she bit her lower lip slightly feeling self-conscious. Milind's gaze was quickly drawn to her lips. "Don't" he murmured softly, too softly leaving prachi wondering if she heard it at all.
He turned his ignition on, and set the car in motion. Sitting so close to him in the close confines of the car, made her even more aware of him. As the car shot forward, Milind slotted in a CD. Celine Dion's "My heart will go in" filled the car. "Oh, I lo……..ve this song", exclaimed prachi and fell quiet immediately feeling very self conscious again. "I knew you would" smiled Milind .
With a sigh, prachi leaned back in the seat and watched him from the corner of her eyes. He was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt and she could see the muscles rippling in his upper arm whenever he changed gears. Quickly averting her eyes, she continued to look out of the window. They talked very less through the rest of the journey. Soon they reached prachi's house. When Milind offered to walk her to her door, she politely refused. "You know Milind, I was supposed to come home with Lisa, so….". Milind understood, "Alright then, take care. I shall see you around". He revved the engine and looking out of the window, he gave a small salute "Good night, Cherry" and drove off.
Prachi stood still for a whole minute and then giving herself a mental shake quickly turned around and rushed home.
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