Part 11 - "You've been ARI'd - Part 2
"Kya kahun...mera jo haal hain..Raat din tumhara hayaal hain...phir bhi jaane jaan, main kaha aur tum kaha...Gazab ka hain din, socho zara...yeh deewanpan deko zara, tum ho akele... hum bhi akele maza araha hain kasam se..."
"Are you ready to be "ARI'd"?"
"To be ARI'd? Wow is that a term you have patented?" Sanam asked with a lift of her brow.
"No, but maybe I should?" said Aahil, lifting his own brows. "It does have a certain "ring" to it don't you think?"
"Spoken like a true "player"!"
"There you go again, judging me?"
"I speak as I find" said Sanam primly.
"That sounds like a line from a 19th century book?" said Aahil, shaking his head.
"Actually that IS a line from a 19th century book. Pride and Prejudice to be exact?"
"I didn't expect to be that bang on." said Aahil with a small laugh. "Do you like Pride & Prejudice?"
"I don't "Like" Pride & Prejudice, I love it! It's my favorite book. And Jane Austen is my favorite author." said Sanam animatedly.
"And Mr Darcy is your favorite hero?" said Aahil with a twist of his lips.
"Of course? Goes without saying? He's amazing!" said Sanam, her tone dreamy!
"Anyone would think he was real?" muttered Aahil.
"Excuse me...He IS real? To every girl who has ever dreamt of their perfect man?" said Sanam in an affronted voice.
"What's so perfect about him? Wasn't he a proud, arrogant, rich "Douche Bag"?" said Aahil, with a pointed look at Sanam. Sanam realized that he was referring to their first meeting, when she and her friends had referred to him as a "Rich Douche Bag!" So her guess had been right? He HAD heard that part?
"You heard?" said Sanam.
"Yes I heard, and I have to say... I was rather affronted? There is a lot more to me than being a "rich douche bag" Sanam", said Aahil, his tone suddenly serious.
"I know there is always a lot more to a person than what we can see! But what people see, is what you show. How you present yourself? If you come across as an arrogant player and a rich douche bag, then maybe that is how you project yourself?"
"Maybe...but you can't always think you know someone, just because you saw how they acted on a few occasions?"
"I agree! But if you act a certain way, and that is all the other person has seen, then you can't blame them for having an opinion about what they think you are like? You can only judge as you find? As you have experienced?"
"So what you're saying is that, you have only experienced me as a rich, arrogant, player with an attitude? You can't see anything more?" he said almost accusingly.
"Well, when I first met you, I thought you were arrogant, and had the tendency to think you were right all the time? I also thought that you seem to have women following you around everywhere? Anyone who has spoken about you, has mentioned that you like the company of women, and you like variety? Are you telling me they are ALL wrong, and that you are this misunderstood, poor little rich Nawab?" said Sanam with a sarcastic twist to her lips.
Aahil felt his heckles rise at her tone. Just as well he was crazy for her? "Your rather judgmental aren't you Sanam?" he said with censure in his tone. "You think that coz you saw me with a two different women, that I must change women weekly? And because I'm particular about certain things that I am arrogant and think I am right all the time? Well maybe I am arrogant? I accept that. I also accept I like to spend time with women. What straight man doesn't? But I am by no means this heartless philanderer that you seem hell bent on thinking that I am?"
"Excuse me? I am not judgmental. I am just commenting on what I have seen. If you turn up on two days with two different women, am I to think that you must go for long term relationships? I don't think you're a heartless philanderer Aahil... But that doesn't mean, I want to stand in your line of women either? I was never into being a part of the "crowd" thanks!"
"What makes you think I want you to be part of a crowd?"
"Track record?"
"Track records can change?"
"A Leopard never changes his spots?"
"Just as well that I am a MAN, not a Leopard then?" said Aahil with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"You have an answer for everything don't you?" said Sanam raising her eyebrows.
"And you don't?"
"Yes, well I accept I have a quick comeback. But then you are the same!"
"At least we have something in common then?" said Aahil with an ironic smile. "Let's start from there. One thing is for sure. There is no boredom when we are together. You have to agree with that?"
"Are you usually bored with the women you date Mr Ibrahim? Or is it that you date BORING women?"
"Touche!" said Aahil with a smile. "Even if I did date boring women in the past, I have definitely changed my taste don't you think? Because, you Ms Khan is the opposite of boring?"
"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself a bit there Mr Ibrahim? I didn't realize we were dating? When did this happen?"
"You're in my car, driving with me to an undisclosed location, and I brought you coffee and cake? So seems like a date to me?"
"Dinner at a Five Star is what I always thought your idea of a date would be?"
"Is that a hint that that's what you want to do on our next date?" said Aahil with a smirk.
"You really are arrogant and overconfident, you know that?"
"No...I am just sure of what I want!"
"What do you want?" said Sanam, and almost as soon as she said the words, she regretted it. She saw the way Aahil's eyes darkened a shade as he looked at her.
"I would tell you, but I don't want to scare you off on our first date Sanam" said Aahil huskily.
It seemed that the temperature in the car had increased suddenly. Sanam had felt a lot more comfortable when they had been bantering? That was their comfort zone. Even Aahil's flirting she could handle to a degree? But when Aahil got that sexy smolder in his eyes, and looked at her with that slow burning intensity, then she felt herself losing her footing. She was most definitely not in her comfort zone then!
Aahil saw that Sanam was looking nervous and suppressed a smile. She was adorable when she looked shy. Did she have any idea how cute she was? Probably not. When she gets shy, she goes all quiet, not like her usual fiery self. It was amazing how he liked her in all her different avatars. He found them all equally fascinating. There was never a bored moment with her. That was for sure. He realized that he should do something to defuse the sudden tension, so he switched on the radio. This was not his usual car, so it didn't have a docking station for his phone. If so, he could have played Rap for Sanam. The radio was set to an English FM channel. Suddenly music flowed into the car.
"I've been meaning to tell you...I got this feeling that won't subside...I look at you and I fantasies, your mine tonight...now I've got you in my sights...with these hungry eyes...one look at you and I can't disguise, I've got hungry eyes...I feel the magic between you and I..."
The lyrics of the song "Hungry Eyes" from the movie Dirty Dancing filled the silence between them. "This was hardly diffusing the situation?" thought Aahil. It was actually making it worse, because he was sure these lyrics described his feelings to a "T".
He decided to change the channel coz he saw Sanam look out of the window, the color in her face high. Another song, this time from a Hindi FM station started to pay.
"Aashiq Banaya... Aashiq Banaya... Aashiq Banaya...Aapne
Tere Bin Suni Suni Hain Baahein...Tere Bin Pyaasi Pyaasi Nigaahein...Tere Bin Bin Asar Meri Aahein...Tere Bin..."
Aahil looked across at Sanam, who turned her head towards him for a second. Their eyes met and she could not hold his gaze, and ended up looking away. Then suddenly she turned back and reached for the radio, turning it off.
"I don't like that song" she said. Her voice a mere whisper.
"Did you not like the one before that as well?" asked Aahil, looking at her pointedly.
"I thought you didn't?" said Sanam.
"I love that song!"
"Then why did you change the channel?"
"I thought you didn't like it?"
"No I do. Usually" Sanam said under her breath. But Aahil heard her.
"But today you don't? Why? Is it making you uncomfortable listening to love songs in the company of a Casanova?" said Aahil with a smirk.
"So you ADMIT that you're a Casanova?"
"I admit nothing Ms Khan! I'm just saying what I know you think?"
"So now you read minds too?" said Sanam, her brows raised.
"No. But I got you to stop feeling uncomfortable didn't I?" said Aahil with a small twist of his lips. "Don't worry Sanam? I will keep to the promise I made your sister. I won't bite! Like I said before...NOT unless I am invited to?" he could not resist adding with a devilish gleam in his eyes. Aahil just could not resist making Sanam blush coz she looked almost edible when her cheeks became so pink.
"Trust me, there is no way I will be Inviting you to bite me?"
"Now who's overconfident?"
"You...I..." Sanam started to say, when her phone rang.
"Saved by the Bell!" said Aahil with a laugh.
"Yeah Sean?" said Sanam. "Where AM I?...Well I am sort of driving...No...No...I am not driving. Aahil is" Sanam said softly. "AAHIL" she said, sounding exasperated. Aahil heard a sound from the other end of the phone, even though Sanam had the phone glued to her ear. It sounded like Sean reacted to the fact that Sanam was driving with him? Aahil supressed a smile. "OK I'll see you tonight. Bye Sean".
"So does Sean approve of me?" said Aahil looking at Sanam.
"Approve?"
"Yeah, you know, a girl's friends have to approve of the guy she dates right?"
"First of all, we are NOT dating, and No, Sean doesn't approve of you.
"Why not?" Said Aahil raising his brows.
"I don't think you understand? Sean doesn't "approve" of you? He is in awe of you! He thinks you have an "aura"?" Sanam rolled her eyes.
"Really? Remind me to buy him a drink the next time I come to your restaurant? At least HE can appreciate what I bring to the table?"
"Yeah, I bet he wishes he could get women to follow him around the way you do? But unfortunately for Sean, he doesn't have the title and the cash that you have?"
"You forgot my good looks Sanam?"
"Just as well then that YOU didn't?"
"Jokes aside...Do you think that if I didn't have the tile and the money, then women wouldn't be as into me? You don't think I have anything more to offer a women? Can't she like me just for ME?" asked Aahil, and Sanam could see there was a certain expectation in his eyes, and a serious note to his voice.
"Did Aahil also sometimes feel insecure like WE normal people do?" thought Sanam. Does he wonder if people liked him for himself, or for the package that he comes in? It must be very lonely sometimes? To not know who is in your life because they want to be, and who is, because of what they can get out of you? At least SHE knew the people who liked her, liked her for herself. It's not like she can go around doling out cash to people, or had a title to bedazzle people with?
"I am sure they do Aahil!" said Sanam in a diplomatic voice.
"THEY?"
"You know, the girls who chase you? The girls you date?"
"OH...Ok. I see you don't count yourself among them?"
"I think I already told you? I don't like to be part of a "crowd"?"
"And I think I already told YOU...you are not Sanam! Just answer the question? Do you think I have more to offer than just the looks and the title?"
"I don't know you well enough to say that?"
"Really? From all our meetings, you have not figured out anything about me? Anything you think makes me a guy worth getting to know? Not because I am the Nawab of Bhopal, but because I am Aahil?"
WHY was he pressing her for an answer? How can she explain that she didn't want to commit to an answer because the truth was, that if all Aahil had to his name were the clothes he was wearing right now, there would STILL be women who would be more than willing to go home with him? He was superbly sexy, and Sean was right, he DID have an "Aura"? No straight women in her right mind would be immune to his charm. But how can she say that to him, without betraying just how much he had captivated her in the past few days? How suddenly he was looking more and more attractive to her? Him sending her roses had charmed her. The way he had noticed that she liked Lattes and Almond Berry Friandes had disarmed her. He seemed very caring. The way Seher described him meant that he gave a lot of importance to the people close to him. His brother, his Mum? She had noticed that Ruhi his assistant, had had a look of respect mingled with care in her eyes when she looked at Aahil. She saw how Rehan looked at him as well. He seemed in awe of his brother? He seemed to love and respect him a lot. Even that Nida had seemed to genuinely care for him. Surely, this meant that Aahil had so much more to him than just being good looking, rich and a Nawab with a playboy attitude?
"STOP it Sanam!" She told herself. "You can't afford to think this way? Remember...a fling with a Playboy Prince is NOT on your agenda! Keep that in mind? Abbu would never have approved" She reprimanded herself. "But what if it was not a fling he wanted? What he wanted more?" Sanam could not shake the feeling that she may be reading him wrong. But still she suppressed the inner voice and told herself that she needed to concentrate on getting through this time with him, without falling prey to his more than ample charm.
"Like I said, I don't know you well enough to make that call Aahil", said Sanam in a serious tone of voice.
"Well then, I guess it is up to me to make sure you DO know me well enough to make that call?" Aahil agreed in an equally serious tone. His eyes seemed serious too as he gave her a glance. Then suddenly the car stopped.
"We are here" he said.
Sanam looked around suddenly. She had not paid any attention to the road in the past 10 minutes, so she had no idea when they had come up to what appeared to be a Hill top location.
"Welcome to Bhojpur Hill" said Aahil. He opened his door and stepped out, and before Sanam could open her's he was at her door, and opened it for her. She quickly took off her seat belt and started to get out of the seat. Aahil extended his hand to her, and she hesitated for a second and took it, as she stepped out of the passenger seat. He held her hand for a moment after she got out of the car. Aahil was looking at her intently, and Sanam started to look around.
"What is this place?" she asked, as she made to move away from the car. Aahil let go of her hand slowly and closed the car door. Sanam walked further onto the land and looked around, and suddenly she saw it. The view. From every direction there was a view. Far off in the skyline there was the City. It was quite breath-taking. At night with the city lights on, it must have an amazing view she thought.
"So how do you like the view?" asked Aahil from behind her.
"It's beautiful" said Sanam, her eyes still on the view.
"It sure is" said Aahil, but his eyes were on Sanam, not the view. Sanam suddenly turned towards him and realized that he was looking at her, and not at the view. She quickly looked away. Aahil came to stand next to Sanam.
"Is this place a "Lookout Point?" Because I have never heard of it?" said Sanam, still looking at the view.
"No this is not a Lookout Point, though it should be? It belongs to my family. We have never built anything here, but we sometimes come here for Picnics, especially when out of town or overseas family visit. During collage, Rehan and I sometimes had parties here too!" said Aahil with a small smile.
"Parties or Orgies?" asked Sanam, giving a look towards Aahil.
"Orgies? I have never had an orgy in my life Sanam? What do you take me for?" said Aahil, and there was slight anger in his voice.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way. I was just a joke?"
"That was not a particularly funny one!"
"Sorry!" said Sanam again.
"You should be. I'm not a bad guy Sanam!" he said in a tone that had a hint of a request in it. As if he was telling her to see beyond his "Image".
"I didn't think you were Aahil? Please don't take me wrong. It was just a smart ass comment! I'm sorry again!" She actually sounded sincere.
"Apology accepted" he said with a smile.
"This really is a beautiful spot. Would be amazing to build a house on? Or maybe a hill top restaurant? The views alone will attract so many people. Even though the location is a bit out of town"
"I think I like the "House" idea better? Imagine waking up to these views every day? It's not even that far out of town. So it will be like a 30 minute commute, which is standard in most places around the world. We are lucky we have homes in town itself, and spacious ones at that? These days, people can only afford apartments in the city!"
"Yeah we were lucky that Abbu built our house so many years ago, and we didn't have to waste any of our trust money on buying property? Of course we had to buy the building the restaurant was in. We used part of our Trust money, and took the rest from the bank? We had to use a lot of the Trust fund for our education. So we didn't want to use all the money left over for this? Badi Ammi insisted we leave what's left to fund our weddings!" said Sanam with a laugh.
"I bet she wants you and Seher to get married?"
"Dosen't every parent want their kids to get married?" asked Sanam with an ironic smile.
"Yeah...tell me about it? MY Ammi is always going on about it. Especially coz I turn 30 in 3 months!"
"Really? Big birthday! I guess your Mum wants grand-kids?"
"Yes and an heir for the Ibrahim fortune, and the title, which she reminds me only I can provide?"
"Was it tough for you, when your Dad married again?"
"Not really! Coz when my Mum died, I was only 4. Her memory was there, but not so strong, that I couldn't accept anyone else into my life. I was 8 when my Dad married Ammi, and she and Rehan came to live with us. She was so sweet to me, and Rehan was the cutest kid. I only had two sisters, so it was fun for me to have a brother to play with!" said Aahil with a reminiscent smile.
"Do your sisters live in town too?"
"No they are studying in the States. They live with my Mum's sister there. I think they want to continue with studies for a bit longer? Nazia and Shazia are twins too. But they are fraternal twins. They don't look anything alike. Actually they are like chalk and cheese, in looks and in personality as well. Shazia is very outgoing, and Nazia is very artistic and reflective. The two of them fight a lot, but they are inseparable! You and Seher seem quite different too?"
"Yes we are. But we are also alike?"
"No kidding? So much alike, that I thought you were the same person? Being identical twins must come with its fair share of drama?"
"Yes. But it has its advantages as well. Seher and I used to go and sit in each other's tutorials at University sometimes. If for some reason the other couldn't make it? Well it was Seher mostly, not me. Seher would go partying in the middle of the week and be too tired to go to class the next day? So I would go in her place. No one could ever tell! Definitely not her professors, or even her friends who took the same courses" said Sanam laughing.
"So you didn't party in the middle of the week Sanam? Too much of a good girl ha?" said Aahil with a wink.
"You mean BORING? Is that what you're trying to say? Well I will have you know, I used to party too. But I just stuck to the weekend's coz I liked to have a clear head during the week! But it wasn't just me helping Seher, she has helped me out as well!"
"Really? Did she take your place at a Jane Austen Book club meeting? Let me guess...No one knew right?" said Aahil with his browse raised.
Sanam felt her face flush with anger! Did he REALLY think she was such a goody two shoes? Yes she had not been as much of a party girl as Seher, but she was by no means a boring bookworm! Somehow, the idea of Aahil thinking of her as one was not palatable to her!
"Actually, she once broke up with someone for me?" said Sanam and saw Aahil do a double take. Her lips curved with a small satisfied smile. "Take that Mr Player ARI" she thought.
"She BROKE UP with someone for you?"
"Yeah...there was this guy, Ramon, when we were living in New York. Both Seher and I lived in New Your City for 2 years with our aunt Zeenat, my Mum's sister. I was attending the NY Culinary institute and Seher was at NYU studying programming. Anyways, he asked me out and I said yes, coz he was kinda hot!" said Sanam with a reminiscent smile. Aahil's eyes flashed for a second and Sanam noticed this with satisfaction. He didn't look too thrilled.
"He was Italian, and he liked Garlic too much. I love Italian food, but I swear this guy was probably eating raw garlic? I mean, I make Pasta sauce all the time, and there is NO need to choke it with garlic like he does? Either ways...I had obviously not smelled his breath when I agreed to go out with him, but after a couple of dates...well, let's say...he was very touchy feely, you know being Italian and all? After kissing him a few times, I was kinda over the Garlic? Though the technique was fine", said Sanam with another little smile. She was really enjoying this. Aahil was looking less and less thrilled with the topic, and Sanam was having fun watching his expression. "Was he jealous?" thought Sanam suppressing another smile.
"Anyways...I didn't know how to tell him, and I didn't want to tell him the REAL reason I wanted to break up? I knew it would hurt his feelings, and I really liked him as a person...I am a TERRIBLE liar, and if I told him some other lame excuse like "It's not me it's you etc etc" he would have known for sure that I was lying, and asked me to tell him the real reason...SO I sent Seher! SHE gave him the boring old speech and I guess she is a much better actress and also a much better liar than me, so he bought it? BUT when she came back home, she agreed with me that it was the right thing to do, coz HE insisted on a goodbye kiss, and Seher said the Garlic nearly made her choke! She STILL tells me I owe her for that one!"
Sanam gave Aahil a glance from the corner of her eye, and saw that he was looking rather green? She once again suppressed a smile. "So he WAS jealous?" He didn't look that pleased about her story of the Italian boyfriend from New York. "Serves him right for thinking Seher took my place at a Book Club meeting?" thought Sanam. "Well take that Mr ARI! not only YOU have lived on the Wild side!"
"So how did you like my story? Anything but "Boring" isn't it?" Said Sanam with her eyebrows raised.
"Sure wasn't boring!" Aahil muttered.
"It's SO green out here isn't it?" said Sanam. Aahil looked at her quizzically. "I mean...the Trees! SO green!" said Sanam, trying her best not to laugh.
"Yeah. I guess" said Aahil. He was sulking, and Sanam realised how cute he looked. She almost felt like pulling his cheeks. He was so adorable when he was pouting like a little kid. She also realised one more thing, his obvious jealousy over a totally meaningless story about a guy she had dated years ago was giving her a high? She was feeling happy that SHE had managed to make the great Player ARI jealous over a guy SHE had kissed? "I didn't know you were THAT vain Sanam?" she told herself with a small shake of her head. Who knew she had it in her?
"Do you want to hear another story of when Seher took my place?" asked Sanam enthusiastically. She was really enjoying this, and pushing it to the max.
"I think the story you told me was good enough thanks!" said Aahil, still looking rather pouty. He had heard enough of her stories of her ex-boyfriends. He had never felt jealous before, and he knew that the first time he experienced it had been when he saw Rehan with who he thought was Sanam at the time. Now he was feeling it again, about some Italian loser she dated years ago? "Get a grip Aahil" he told himself. She was hot, there was no way other men before him would not have noticed? Of course he KNEW that logically, but he still felt the sting when she enthusiastically talked of some guys "Kissing technique!" "Wait till you experience the ARI kissing technique Sanam" he thought, "I'll make sure I spoil you for any other guy, coz you are fast spoiling me for any other girl, and we haven't even kissed yet?" he thought.
Suddenly a cold breeze blew and Sanam shuddered a bit.
"It's rather cold suddenly. Maybe I'll go back into the car" said Sanam turning towards the car and walking to the passenger side. As she reached for the handle of the passenger side, she felt her hand being covered. Aahil was standing behind her, and Sanam was thrown by his sudden proximity. His other arm went around her waist, and she was pulled back against him. Sanam moved her head to look back at Aahil. "Aahil?" Sanam questioned softly, her voice laced with surprise. She had not expected him to corner her.
"I can think of a better way to keep you warm Sanam" murmured Aahil huskily.
"Aahil...I..." Sanam started to say, but couldn't finish the sentence. She herself didn't know what she wanted to say.
Aahil's breath hit the side of her neck, and her ear, and Sanam felt a shiver go through her which had nothing to do with the cold wind. "Don't worry baby, I'll keep my promise" said Aahil, his nose moving down the curve of her neck to the spot where it met her shoulder. He just nuzzled the spot.
"Promise?" Sanam said on a little gasp.
"I won't bite! At least not THIS time!" Aahil said in a voice that suddenly sounded gravelly in Sanam's ears. "Aahil Raza Ibrahim, always keeps his word".
"That...that's good to know..." Sanam managed to squeak out.
Aahil just breathed in the scent of her, and he was feeling his head swim. Her hair smelled almost the same as last time, sort of vanilla like, and this time, unlike last time she was this close to him, he was able to smell the scent of her skin, and it had a floral hint to it. Her skin looked so creamy, and that curve where her neck met her shoulder was just the right spot to bite.
"Even though I am sorely tempted to break it!" he murmured, this time his lips took the place his nose had been a moment ago, placing a kiss on her sweet spot. Sanam felt a soft moan escape her lips involuntarily at the sensual caress. At that, Aahil turned her around in his arms. Suddenly Sanam was facing Aahil, her back to the car. She was trapped between the car door and Aahil's warm body. Her hands had nowhere to go other than around his waist. Her hands were holding the sides of Aahil's t-shirt as Aahil trapped her further against the car, one arm holding her waist, and the other bracing against the car door. He leaned in and his head bent towards Sanam.
Aahil looked down at Sanam and he could see that her breathing was shallow and her eyes were closed, as if in anticipation. He just kept staring at her, unable to look away. She was just beautiful. Sanam suddenly opened her eyes, and looked at Aahil. Her eyes reflected surprise and a question. She had thought he was going to kiss her? Why had he stopped?
"Aise kya dek rahe ho?" she whispered.
"Toh phir kayse deku?" he whispered back. "You're beautiful Sanam. Beautiful and unique" he said.
"Hardly unique? I am an identical twin remember?" said Sanam with a small twist of her lips.
"You ARE unique. Yes your sister looks like you at a glance, but I can tell you and her apart now?"
"How?" said Sanam her eyes widening.
"All I have to do is get a bit close, and I will be able to tell you two apart. You see...SHE doesn't raise my blood pressure the way you do?" said Aahil, looking into Sanam's eyes.
Sanam blushed at the comment. Her eyes stealing away from Aahil's, not able to sustain their intensity. Aahil raised his hand that he had been bracing on the car door, and caught Sanam's chin, and turned her head up to look into his eyes. His eyes moved to her lips then, and Sanam felt them part, as she a breath escaped her lips under the heat of his gaze. He head bent towards her, and his intent was clear. Sanam's eyes closed involuntarily, as Aahil's lips came close to hers. Their breaths mingled. "Definitely no garlic" thought Sanam. Then within seconds she felt his lips against hers.
At first, the touch was tentative, almost like he was trying to gauge her reaction. His lips moved slowly on hers, kissing her softly, almost tenderly. Then as he felt her lips soften under his, and respond to him, his lips moved a bit more demandingly on hers. His fingers holding her chin moved to the side of her face to cup her cheek and he moved closer to her. Her fingers tightened on the t-shirt at his waist. Suddenly his tongue flicked over her lips and Sanam parted her lips on a small gasp. He made use of the opportunity and moved in to deepen the kiss. Tongues tangled and tasted, and after a long moment, Aahil moved his tongue away from hers, and his lips moved against hers again, slowing the pace of the kiss. But Sanam wanted to taste him again, her teeth sank into his full lower lip. It was Aahil's turn to gasp, and soon they were locked in a passionate kiss and Aahil's pulled her even closer off the car door and more against him, as his arm around her waist tightened. One of Sanam's hands moved from his waist up his chest and her fingers fisted into the t-shirt on his chest. A long moment later, their lips parted from each other, because they were both running out of breath. Sanam's breathing was shallow and she was almost panting. Her fingers flattened against his chest and she opened her eyes to find Aahil staring right into them. Her colour was high and the look in his eyes made her blush even more.
"So how was THAT technique?" asked Aahil huskily.
Sanam just kept staring at his lips in fascination. Her brain not quite catching up yet. She had not come down from the "Technique" yet. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, they both heard a phone go off. It was Aahil's. His phone was in the back pocket of his jeans. He didn't usually put his phone in his pocket, but he had thought to keep it with him in case someone from work called. They had a big presentation tomorrow morning and he knew he may get calls about that. He took the phone out, and as expected it the call was from Neil. One of his executives. He was working on the presentation for tomorrow morning.
"Saved by the Bell" muttered Sanam under her breath.
"Yeah?" said Aahil. "Ok...Ok...I will be in town in about 45 minutes? Yeah I'll see you then?" he said as he hung up.
"You're next date?" asked Sanam her brows raising.
"I never double book" said Aahil with a twist of his lips. "Actually, that was Neil, one of my executives from work. We have this big presentation tomorrow morning. He's in the office working on it right now. He wants to run through some things with me today, coz we won't have time tomorrow morning before the clients arrive. This is a client we have been chasing for some months, so we have a lot riding on this presentation" said Aahil by way of explanation regarding the call.
"I guess you better get to work soon then?" said Sanam with a small sigh.
"You almost sound disappointed Ms Khan? Liking my company more than you expected?" asked Aahil with a mocking look.
"Don't get overconfident Mr ARI!" said Sanam, looking at him from beneath her lashes.
"I think you're the one who was overconfident when we were driving here? Remember how you said that you wouldn't "invite" me to bite you? Well you didn't, but instead you bit ME? Which I think is about the same?" said Aahil with a smirk, looking at Sanam's face flame.
"I did not?" said Sanam, when she suddenly remembered that she in fact had, and she couldn't help staring at his lips and she noticed a little red mark saw on his lips. "Oh God" she thought. "How can I be so shameless?"
"Yes you did baby, but don't worry, I liked it!" he said looking at her intently. "You still haven't told me?"
"What?" Sanam asked dazed.
"How was my technique?"
"I can't fault it. But then, I'm sure you already knew that?" said Sanam looking at him. "I am sure many girls have praised your "Technique" before?"
"It's your opinion that I am interested in Sanam. Not what some other girl thought? How did I rate against Ramone from New York?"
"Jealous?" she whispered.
"Maybe? Aahil shrugged. "But I'm not sweating it. I'm sure I can give him a run for his money?"
"I will give you 100% for fresh breath" said Sanam with a laugh. Aahil laughed back, and suddenly the tension between them lessened.
"I would impress you with further technique, but Neil is waiting for me in the office, so we have to leave now?" said Aahil, regret in his eyes and voice. "Raincheck?"
"Maybe?" said Sanam with a small smile. She didn't want to lay all her cards on the table. She needed some time to think after what had just happened. Aahil opened the door for her and she got in, and put on her belt. He walked the driver's seat and soon they were driving away from Bhojpur Hill. They got back to the city in about 25 minutes. They had stayed on safe topics most of the drive, like movies and albums etc. She realised that he was actually quite an interesting guy and good to talk to. She appreciated that on the ride back, he didn't refer to their kiss. He was more considerate and chivalrous than she had given him credit for.
She didn't even realise when the car stopped in front of her house. She turned to Aahil and thanked him for a very nice morning. He lifted his hand and ran a finger down her cheek.
"I have to get going" he said softly.
"Me too. I have to go to the restaurant in a few hours"
"So how did you like it?"
"What?" Sanam asked in some confusion.
"Being ARI'd?" said Aahil with a smirk.
"That would be telling?" said Sanam coyly.
"Playing your cards close to your chest ha? That's fine. Tell me next time?"
"So there is going to be a next time?"
"Most definitely Ms Khan! You have not got the whole ARI experience yet?"
"There's more?" said Sanam looking at him from under her lashes.
"Your flirting again Ms Khan!"
"You're a bad influence Mr Ibrahim!"
"I will gladly be a bad influence on YOU Sanam!" said Aahil huskily, looking at her lips. Then he shook his head, as if to get himself out of his trance. "I really have to go now, or I'll never reach the office" he said with regret.
"Me too. Bye Aahil" said Sanam huskily, as she stepped out of the car.
"Bye" said Aahil in an equally husky whisper as he backed his car away from her driveway. She sighed as she watched his car disappear. No matter how cool she tried to play it in front of him, Sanam was worried. Her fingers involuntarily touched her lips. They still tingled from the feel of his, nearly an hour later. She was worried that she was well and truly ARI'd!
To Be Continued!
Here is Part 11 as promised. It took awhile and it is VERY late. So going to bed now! Hope you guys like it! I was listening to some old songs today, and I thought the one I used as the quote was very appropriate from "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak"
Mandy
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