Part – 3
But she was still uncomfortable thinking about it. Her nape was prickling again and she knew why. His laser sharp eyes were still staring at her back.
Without any help his face leapt into her mental vision, the unruly hair, the unforgettable face, his expression that were hardened by cynicism but even with cold cynicism he couldn't control the desire that leapt to the forefront in his eyes.
The attraction slowly started to pull her into its vortex again.
Stop this! She admonished herself.
She tried to divert her mind. She thought about Neev her best friend; he never looked at her that way. She was happy with him as a casual friend because Neev din't threaten her.
Not like the eyes that stared at her.
Now, that the wretched party was over she wanted to get away from this place. Prachi didn't want to wait for Neev to drop her. If only he would get her taxi she would escape from here.
A faint furrow of concern marred her forehead. Where was Alaap tonight? He usually tried to appear at all these important events. What was going on with him? Was he alright?
Her eyes became poignant at the thought of her father. Her father was her idol. He was a man who was worthy of worship at least in her mind. Her father had found an almost ideal man for her. Varun, she had liked him because her father had chosen him for her. She would have married him but a catastrophic truth had been revealed in front of the whole family right before her wedding. Her family had discovered that he was already married to someone else.
Ending the wedding had been painful and embarrassing. Once, it was known that Inder Shah's daughter was jilted at the altar, every jealous friend and foe had a field day out it.
She had felt totally inadequate.
A shaft of pain went through her as she thought about the disaster of her wedding. After varun she had totally given up on any entanglements. The men of her acquaintance thought that she was an ice-princess but she did not care. She just wanted all men to leave her alone.
She could still feel the prickling sensation at her neck. He was still there, keeping his eyes fixed on her.
Those dark, intense, hooded yes…
She tried not to care. Straightening herself she felt the insane urge to turn and see whether he was still staring at her.
She turned to Neev.
"Neev, Can we leave? I have an important appointment tomorrow. Do you think you could arrange for a taxi" she asked trying visibly not to show her boredom.
Bending towards her ears Neev chuckled "I was thinking when you were going to say to that"
She looked at him with curious eyes "Why"
"Because, I was feeling bored and I was waiting for an excuse to escape. Now, I can say that you need to go and we can leave this boring party behind" he said with a wink.
Both of them got to their feet and the rest of the men realizing that she was leaving stood up as well. Saying Goodnight to everyone in general, she was about to turn her back when one of her acquaintances asked about Alaap.
"Why didn't he come tonight?" the man asked looking at her.
"He's sick" Prachi said repeating what Alaap had told her on the phone today morning.
"Ya, of course, he is sick!" the man laughed exchanging glances with the others as though they knew some secret that she was not aware of.
But she didn't want to know and all she wanted to do tonight was go home.
She picked up her bag from near the chair as Neev took her arm and walked her towards the exit. On the way, they were stopped by people who wanted to talk to Neev. There were actually a few of them who had done business with her father.
Dutifully she stood besides Neev answering when they asked her how the family was doing. She politely answered their questions waiting on the side besides Neev. She waited for him to finish with the social niceties before they bid farewell to everyone and left.
Their progress was slow across the hall. Her eyes swept through the crowd restless as Neev talked to someone yet again as the slowly tried to move towards the exit.
As she glanced across the room she found him talking to the finance minister and somebody else. She could hear him talking and laughing to something the minister said.
His body was like a panther ready to pounce at any moment. She could see that his suit fit him like a second glove as he stood with one hand in his pockets as they talked shop.
What am I doing? Why am I looking at him? She tried to turn her face away as her eyes swept over his face. Now, she wished she hadn't looked at his face. They had the same impact they had previously.
Those intense dark eyes now smiling with some inner thought… Suddenly, he looked up at her without warning and his eyes got fixated on hers. For a long moment he held her gaze daring her to look away.
A heated flush ran across her skin as she stared at him not able to take her eyes away from him.
She was dressed in an elegant yellow sari, with delicate sequins which draped across her body beautifully. Now, she felt dreadfully exposed. She suddenly wanted to cover herself as his eyes did a burning journey from head to toe.
Humiliated, automatically her chin went up and she looked away.
A few feet away Milind smiled.
Well…Well...Well...The kitten has become a tigress he thought.
He was going to seduce her into his bed. He knew that she was aware of him at so many levels. Today was the first step towards that goal. He knew that she was going to end up in his bed eventually. Today let her have a breather, he thought.
There was no point talking to her tonight. He was going to take his time. For now, he would just let her escape the web.
Prachi tugged at Neev's hands. She had recovered her composure and she wanted to leave this place immediately.
"Neev, Shall we leave?" she asked smiling to the people who were standing around them. They were about to pass him. With her head bent she was counting the steps to the door when her passage was blocked.
"Excuse me" she said not looking up.
For a moment Milind did not move. The dark eyes swept over her face one last time and for the one last time she felt the pull again.
Her lips pressed together and anger simmering in her eyes, she moved to step around him and then Milind stepped away, clearing the way for her to head out.
"Thank you" she mumbled and still simmering with anger passed him. He just stared at her bent head with anger and desire.
Milind stared at her receding back for a few more seconds before turning to the business man who was standing beside him.
"Shah Industries…" he said speculatively. "Are they vulnerable right now, what do you think?"
"They might file for bankruptcy anytime unless they get some heavy cash injection immediately" he said with shrewd eyes meeting Milind's speculatively.
Milind's expression as usual did not change. Far across the room, he watched the slender form of Prachi Shah walking out the door.
Edited by panache - 17 years ago