Ariya OS contest(3ed prompt given) - Page 5

Here is my entry.

It's too long.

Genre: Romance

-Old School Love-

"She couldn't believe her eyes... The man she has always loved was hugging someone else... Tears flew out of her eyes at the feeling jealousy and betrayal but most of all hurt.. " And she decided she had had enough. Enough of holding onto scrap when she can have a better life, away from this man who doesn’t want her, never wanted her. And never will.

Riya silently made her way out of the restaurant without letting a slightest hint that she was there. That she had seen them together and in each other’s arms. She hated herself. She hated herself for feeling so hurt by him because there is no one except her who brought it upon herself. She knows the suffering she’s undergoing is self inflicted.

That sight pinched Riya. Not because he was with another woman but because she put her trust upon him. She was hurt because he tricked her again. She should have known before. This man is never going to change. Why almighty why? She asked herself. Why did she give him another chance? Why did she risk her heart again for this man?

She had only ever asked him one thing. That is to stay away from that woman. And he couldn’t do that single thing for her. A tight knot formed in her stomach as she felt nauseated. Dinner was the last thing she wanted right now. She should be driving herself home. Or call Aisha and tell her everything. She could even crash at Shree's place. He could fix her something Italian. But this time, she just wanted to go far and far away from everyone. She drove towards Raven, her favourite club. And she realized she was very much dressed for a club tonight. That black bodycon dress adorned every curve of her body. The deep chocolate brown lipstick was just looking more than alluring. Her coal black eyes could drown anyone. The only thing that spoiled her was the tears brimming in her eyes. She pulled out a wet tissue from her purse and fixed her face making her way through the crowd raging with noise.

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“Where the hell is he?” he cursed as he stared at his cell phone for the last time. He should be here by now, but there is no sign of him. ACP Arjun Rawte doesn’t like his informers keep him waiting. Damn the informer! He cursed again as he grabbed another drink from the counter and took a sip.

He realized he’s become frustrated and annoyed for most of the things lately and he couldn’t blame anyone but himself. You risked your heart at the wrong place Arjun. You deserved the suffering. He closed his eyes hoping for a little peace but didn’t he know? He had just entered into chaos only. Even with closed eyes he couldn’t avoid thinking about her. Her? Is she even the woman, he fell for? He, ACP Arjun Rawte, the second in command of ETF have never expected that he’d ever fall in love with someone like a nerdy, calculative research specialist. But he is! And man, didn’t that make him all too helpless with his feelings? And he does know why! He gulped from the glass once again brushing her thoughts aside. But can he really avoid her?

And that’s how he noticed her looking lost in a crowd, looking too aloof to be around. Her appearance shocked him beyond anything and her being at a club rattled him. Gone were those plain shirts and loose trousers. Instead she was wearing a bodycon dress that wasshaping each of her curves, hair open and heels! He’d never seen this woman without anything but flats. He realised if he’s imagining someone else as her. He hasn’t even started with his drinks. He kept staring at her with astonishment. Seeing the senior research specialist of ETF at Raven, dressed to slay was just not what he was expecting himself to see tonight.

He stared some more minutes before realizing he was not the only one. And he knew what he had to do. He looked around in a haze, in hope to find that shithead ex husband of hers but he wasn’t around. He sighed.

Is it good or is it more trouble in his way? There were many things running in his mind. But the least of all, he wasn’t up for thinking about probabilities. He knew someday he had to say to her. That how maddeningly attracted he is to her. How everyday he just tested his self control. Not touch her when she’s just too close to him at the office. Not to embrace her when she’d be crying her heart out in her cubicle, and most of all, how hard it was for him to stay silent and not confess. Confess that she’s all over his mind and all over his heart.

Within the short period of knowing her, he was aware about bits and pieces of her life. It wasn’t long before he realised why she was holding her feelings away. She was married to the love of her life. Sweet old school love, who just cheated on her and there was a bad divorce she went through. He understood why she’s cautious about laying her heart out. He always knew there’s some spark to her. And that spark got him too. He was almost there, confessing his feelings to her when he saw her at the brink of losing her life. He was never been this frightened in his entire life to lose someone. She wasn’t just someone. She was taken to the hospital. He was always by her side. He was shit scared to lose her.

But soon another fear started grappling him, the fear of losing her to another man. Her ex husband Karan, that man came and hugged her tight telling her how he couldn’t live without her. That was hurting him, but what hurt him the most was when he saw Riya melting in that embrace. He kept looking at them, their embracing form and left with an empty heart. None in the team were happy about her giving that man another chance. But she wanted to give it a chance. And he accepted her decision because he just wanted her to be happy. What he couldn’t imagine was how hurtful it would be for him to see her with another man.

Arjun moved through the crowd and stood in front of her. Their eyes met and he knew sparks flew. He noticed her fluffy eyes. Maybe she was crying. Again. He’d often see her cry always hiding from everyone at the office. He found himself with an instant rage as he couldn’t anymore control the aloofness of her and pulled her to himself. She was simply brought back to the reality and stared at the person pulling her towards him.

Arjun.

ACP Arjun Rawte.

Second in command of ETF and her almost... She didn’t know what to name what they had. He's too simple for a man and without complication in life. on top of that he's a total flirt. she remembered how he flirted with her everyday. Picking on her hygienic obsession or mimicking her statistics rant. He is all what every woman in ETF dream of, well except her. Apart from the uncomplicated life he's too carefree. Taking unwanted risks always thrilled him. With that casual exterior of his face she knew there is something so intense bubbling inside for her. But didn't she ignore him? 

Karan can just go fcuk anyone he likes. I am just so done with him. She thought with finality.“Arjun.” She whispered in a rugged voice. Maybe she just cried too much. She didn’t ask where he was taking her but just followed where he was leading her. He led her to the counter and asked for breezer?

“I’d need something stronger tonight”. She said from behind with a tainted sharpness in her voice. He just replaced the breezer with a devils spring.

“You are all alone?” he asked her cautiously.

“Did you see anyone tagging behind?”

“Not really!” he said. What’s wrong Riya? Why were you crying?

“What’s wrong? You look...er..”! He didn’t know how to put it. She was looking as if she’s breaking from inside.

“I look?” she asked to herself. “I was dinner ready for someone.”

“And?” so she just ran out of a dinner date?

“He found someone else.” She said in an almost bland expression. With her words she didn’t sound disappointed with the fact that she’s been cheated or betrayed. It looked like she was disappointed with herself.

“I am sorry.” He whispered not knowing what else to say.

“Don’t be.” She replied and pulled the bottle from his hand. She almost downed half from the bottle when he snatched that away from her.

“This really won’t help you Riya.”

“Did I ask you what will help me?” Now she was being edgy. She was always edgy. But today she wasn’t sounding like herself.

“No. But...”

“You really want to help me?” she asked not giving herself much thought.

“Yeah.” His positive reply came stunning her.

“Then take me away where they can’t find me.”

“They?”

“My nightmares, my mistakes, my hopelessness...” He had never seen her broken before and his heart ached seeing her this way. He held her left hand and dragged her through the crowd. Just like before, she followed his lead both of them holding a bottle of the devils spring. When they reached outside, she noticed his red and silver bike. Hungover was what set her mood right. She’d seen it a few times. And she also remembered secretly wishing to ride this beauty sometime. A smiled tugged at her lips. But then her smile faded. He noticed her initial excitement and then saw it fade quickly. He couldn’t quite grasp her quick transformation.

“No. No. No. It’s all too wrong.” She said as she took another gulp from the bottle.

“What’s wrong?”

“My dress. This bike. This night. That bas*ard. My life decisions. Everything is all too

wrong.”

“I didn’t know you fret this much. Come on.” Then he took a look at her dress. The bodycon dress indeed is a problem but he couldn’t control his urge to make her sit behind him and take her far away just as she had asked him to do. Then he noticed something else in that dress. It had a slit, neatly clipped with some buttons. With a little hesitation bubbling inside, he inched closer. She held his gaze, the same inexplicable feeling making a home in her heart. She found her heart racing.

“The dress isn’t a problem.” She stared at him with confusion.

“Do you mind if I...” she liked it when he asks permission. She feels it’s a form of showing respect. She just shrugged.

His nervous hands worked lightly on the first clipped button of her dress that just ended below her left thigh. The light touch of his bare fingers on her thighs jostled her from her aloofness once again and she knew the trouble is on the way. But for the first time, she wasn’t being calculative. She let him open all the clipped buttons that ended below her knee. She felt somewhat relived. He drew his hands away instantly and pulled the helmet over his head. Then he sat on his bike. She placed her hand over his shoulder for support and settled herself behind him. All thanks to the slit which didn’t give her much trouble.

“Are you comfortable?” He asked.

“Mmm.” She said.

And he accelerated his motor. As soon as his bike picked up speed she was a hit by a fresh wave of air that played with her hair. She still didn’t know where he was taking her but she trusts him. There was no denying in that she trusts him. Maybe they could have been something, if not her ex of a husband made an appearance in her life after breaking her into pieces in the past. She knew there is something between her and Arjun and she deliberately ignored it. She knew she felt something inexplicable every time her hand brushed with his occasionally. Or every time he brought her coffee in the middle of an interrogation. Or every time he offered her to drop her at her home to safety. She knew there was something from his side. She remembered how frightened and worried he was at the hospital when she was shot. He almost threatened the doctor who was treating her because she was out of consciousness for more than an hour. Shree told her how worried he was for her. And that was the day everything changed between them. 

Because her ex husband walked back into her life, claiming that he couldn’t any more apart from her. That he loves her beyond anything. Riya thought she was in a hazy dream when Karan said all those things. But she wasn’t dreaming. The man who she loved her entire life came back for her. And she didn’t want anything from life anymore. Or she thought so. She didn’t forget how he filed for their divorce or how he cheated upon her. But she thought she could still give him a chance. Still give herself a chance to see if anything in her is still left for human feelings. But today she has nothing apart from regret only. Regret for letting that man come back to her life once again and for letting herself hope...

“Can you just hold me tightly”, she was brought back from her thinking by his voice. And she focused on Arjun. Why is he being so generous tonight? The thought crossed her mind. She was totally very rough with him since the past few months because she was aware of his feelings. She was aware how badly he was attracted to her. She hadn’t missed the hurt in his eyes when she finally introduced her ex husband to her team at a party. She was sure he left the party just because he couldn’t see her with someone else. Yet she let him wallow in his suffering because giving up wasn’t easy for her. She snaked her arms around his chest and held tightly onto him resting her head over his shoulder. She knew what she was doing. She knew she shouldn’t be doing this. But right now he was the only awkward comfort that soothed her senses.

“Is it good now?” she asked Arjun.

“Way better”. He said and she could sense him smile. 

After like some thirty minutes of riding, the bike came to a halt. The furious winds stopped flapping her hair and she was welcomed to a soothing breeze of the fresh night. She got down from the bike to take a look at where they were. The sight in front of her took her breathaway. She realised they were at the edge of a ground, way above the sea level and she could see the whole city from that location. She was mesmerized with the beauty of it. Her eyes darted up to look at the sky. And god, this is some view she just wanted so desperately. The endless sky looked ever so bright in contrast to the dimming city lights.

“Like what you see?” he asked seeing the smile tugging at her lips.

“Very much.” She said as she finally looked at him. “How did you find this place? I mean where are we?”

“I am not telling you.” He smirked.

“Really now?” she asked. He was being playful. She liked it too. She just likes everything about him tonight. She didn’t know if it’s because of the booze or the fact that she terribly needed something to be getting distracted with. She didn’t wait for an answer as she started marching towards the edge. He followed behind, taking off his helmet.

“You wouldn’t want to step down there with those Eiffel Tower heels of yours.” He shouted back at her.

“Well then alright.” She yelled back, kicked her heels away that landed right in front of him.

“I didn’t expect you to throw anything more than your tantrums tonight.” He said seeing her heels now at his feet. “You underestimate me too much ACP”, she giggled and he ran behind her to match with her place. She stopped at the extreme edge of the ground and lifted her arms up and wide letting the breeze cool her off. He hesitated just before her as he saw how close she was to the edge. Her drunken state and her tipsy talks made him worried. He saw her legs shake at the dim moonlight and he swiftly positioned himself exactly behind her, holding her sides.

She felt him touch her. She didn’t care. All she could feel was the serenity of this night that was slowly filling her with bliss she was craving ever since. And for a split second she thought, being here with Arjun, made everything feel ethereal. She brushed aside those thoughts. Right now you’re a mess Riya!

“This is just too beautiful and too peaceful Arjun. Thank you so much for bringing me here.”

“Someone’s showing gratitude.” He said blandly. She found the cold undertone in his voice directly pointed at her. She turned to him at that jibe he made. She knew she wasn’t being nice to him since the past week. She knew she was avoiding him. Or rather she realised she was avoiding herself to give into his feelings. He was looking her in the eye and she felt as if he was unnerving her.

“I... I am sorry for how I was with you since the past month.” She finally blurted out.

“Why are you sorry? You were just having a life out there, with your ex husband.” His words again felt like a slash across her already bleeding wounds.

“I..I don’t know. I felt as if I just ignored you.”

“You are not entitled to give me any attention more than professionally. Aren’t you?” he said in a tight voice. And she sensed it right, he was hurt. She had hurt him. Suddenly the pain she felt seeing that Karan with another woman felt nothing when she saw the hurt in his eyes. Her own feelings rattled her. She completely turned her body, now facing him. His hands slide down from her sides to hold securely at her lower back. Her body went stiff with the touch. She slowly encircled her hands around his nape for better support.

“I guess you are right” she murmured and slides her hands off him. He got the hint and slowly moved them back to safety, away from the edge and finally let go of her body. Even though he never confessed, he was sure she feels something for him. But he was shattered when she just gave into her old relation once again, let herself suffer once again. He didn’t hate her. He thought he could accept her decision. But that didn’t work for long. Rather he became enraged with her decision and started jibing her which she didn’t take quietly. Afterwards she was bitter with him. But what else could he do? See her going out with another man right in front of his eyes. No. he couldn’t do that. She turned back once again, “can we just go back”? She asked him. He wondered if his retreating hurt her. Well she was sad and hurt even before so he quite couldn’t tell what hurt her.

“Minutes before you wanted to stay!” he said slowly.

“I wanted? I don’t know what I want anymore!” she said with despair. He didn’t know what he could do to help her. She’s the strongest in the team and she always appears as if she’d never need help. Professionally she’s spotless. But personally, he couldn’t really count the shades of her reality.

“What you really want is to save yourself from that regret chant and accept that shit happens. Don’t wallow over it.”

“You sound like you really know how that feels!”

“I don’t think right now you are ready to listen what my feelings are Riya and how I felt. So just cut the chase, let’s talk about what happened.” He loosened the first two buttons of his shirt and stretched his hands before settling himself on the grass cross-legged. She hesitated for a moment but gave in finally as she sat down right beside him.

“I am not a woman who gives up easily.”

“I know”.

“And that spirit still stays with me even after I am broken. It’s difficult you know? To let go. Even if the person doesn’t want you or love you anymore.” She said with a pang of pain. He looked at her closely and realised how right she is. Did he let her go? Even if he knew she’s out of his reach now. That she is giving herself a chance with another man. No he didn’t. He couldn’t and he wouldn’t give up on her by any chance.

“When my marriage broke, I kind of broke too. I didn’t know what failed! Or why he cheated. I kept waiting for him to come back to me one day and tell me that he couldn’t anymore live without me. And that day at the hospital he did came back. He did say what I wanted him to say.”

“Is this why accepted him in?” he asked.

She just nodded her head in a yes.

“And today I saw him with another woman. We were about to have our dinner date. We had a fight last night. He wanted to make it up to me.”

“That bi*ch?? Want to talk about the fight?”

“I want to talk about many things Arjun. Why do you care to listen?” she asked him looking straight in the eye. He broke the eye contact and leaned over the grass, completely on his back now facing the starry night sky.

“You didn’t answer?” she asked again.

“Someone has to be generous tonight!” and she practically laughed at his statement.

“Lately I realised I was compromising with everything, with my feelings being the first of the things. It’s true that I wanted him to come back. But it doesn’t anymore make me happy Arjun. It’s like I kind of knew he would never change yet I gave into his false promises. Canlove make you this stupid?”

“I can’t say what love makes people do Riya.”

“Why? Haven’t you ever been in love?” and she realised what she had asked him. She knew she shouldn’t have. And she wondered why she wasn’t happy about being with Karan. Is it because she doesn’t anymore love him? She didn’t want to know the reality of the answer. In her mind she reanalysed everything. She picked up a fight with Karan every time she was bitter to Arjun in the office. Riya just couldn’t accept the fact that hurting Arjun could hurt too. And she always lived in the conflicting questions about what makes her happy and what she wants for real. Till now she doesn’t have her answer. She faced Arjun under the moonlight, lying sideways now. His face was too calm that she felt his aura radiating right through her. She felt her soul being filled with the ethereal energy that only and only strengthened her spirit.

“I think you should just find out what makes you happy Riya”! He whispered in their close proximity. She saw the honesty in his eyes. The concern over his face for her and maybe she just know what makes her happy or what made her happy always. Suddenly her eyes travelled to his lips. And without any thought she closed the distance between their lips.

A shiver ran down his body at the instant he felt her lips over his. She was so sudden with her moves that she just caught him off guard and when he got back from the shock, he felt her lips moving against him slowly yet with an urgency that tempted him. He felt stupid for not reacting when she just nibbled at his lower lip. He could gather she was being frustrated with his unresponsiveness. So he moved a little forward pressing her more on the ground, his whole body shifting over her as he finally gave into the kiss. Both of his hands were stiff on the ground supporting his body weight while all he wanted to do was touch her. Not this annoying prickly grass. She arched forward giving him more access to her lips as she ran her fingers in his hair making it a wild mess. Once into the kiss he realised she was more demanding and that surged a wave of desire in him.

So he kissed her senseless and when she stopped for some air, he travelled down to her neck. She froze as her heart beat against her chest in an abnormal speed. He shouldn’t have kissed her there. Neck kisses always made her weak in the knee. She inhaled sharply as a slow moan escaped from her lips which drove him crazy. He dug his face more into her neck, planting soft kisses on her collar bone. She didn’t know what else to do apart from surrendering to this sweet torture he was inflicting upon her neck. She moaned heavily gasping for air. She doesn’t really realise what her moans are making to his body. Her free hands moved slowly across his chest, travelled down his tummy and stopped over the metal his belt.

He froze for a moment, stunned at her actions. He should have known what was coming next. And as much as he wanted it to happen, he knew he shouldn’t give into this. She had been hurt before on top of that she’s drunk. Anything that will happen between them will bring disaster to both of them. It took him his entire self control to push her hand away and move his face away from her neck.

He pulled himself up to see her stunned face.

“I don’t think you really want to give into this.”

“But you want it!”

“Damn!” he exclaimed as he knew she’s reading through him. Reading the desire in his eyes for her and sensing his arousal.

“Don’t you?” she repeated herself.

“You can’t imagine how badly I want you Riya”! He finally let his words out. But what he said next made her feel ashamed of herself. “But I just don’t want to be a rebound to Karan”! She closed her eyes at his words. She found herself asking if he’s right. She felt disgusted for taking advantage of his kindness. She felt so ugly from inside and uglier for making him feel like she’s just using him as a distraction only. But in reality, was she? She didn’t know.

In a swift moment she sat upright, pushing his body slightly away from his. “I.. I am sorry if you feel that way Arjun. This shouldn’t have happened.” She cursed herself for making her life this complicated. Arjun clearly saw her retreating as an aftermath of his own words to her and regret started sinking in him deeply. He brought her to make her feel better, to offer her comfort and all he did was made her sad all over again. He sat upright as she got up to leave.

Just as she turned to leave, he grabbed her hand. He didn’t know why he said what he said but he knew one thing for sure, his words had hurt her. And things will never be same with her again.

“Riya stop.”

“Why Arjun? Please... don’t make me feel any more disgusted with myself.”

“You are getting me wrong. I ...I just want you to be clear with your feelings. What you really want! And whatever happened right now, right here... trust me Riya, it is one of the best things that have happened to me. I don’t regret an ounce of whatever transpired.” He blurted out in a single breath. And she believed him. She believed whatever he said because she just felt he of all people wouldn’t lie to her, or cheat on her or break her trust.

“okay.” She said in reply. She didn’t intend to say anything anymore. All she craved right now is peace and away from everything.

“Umm...do you mind dropping me at my place? I won’t ask you to stay.” She said and realized how pathetic that sounded.

“oh Riya... don’t be ridiculous. Let’s... let’s just go.”

She just went towards the bike and stood there realizing where did she kicked off her heels.

“Your heels.” She saw him holding the pair of her heels as he placed them on the ground. The journey back to her home was silent. He still asked her to hold him tight. And she did. He let her rest her head over his shoulder, without a trace of hesitation. She knew he was still trying to make her feel better. He stopped right in front of her home, outside the gate. She got down carefully tucking the devils spring with her one hand. Tonight was full of surprises. She expected him leave as soon as possible but he stayed. He was silent for a moment. She didn’t know what to make out of his silence. So she started towards the gate.

“Riya...”! He called out.

She didn’t turn.

“Just remember one thing, whatever your decisions, whatever it is that you want or whatever you chose, I will be with you...” she froze at the intensity of the words. She just wanted to run back to him immediately and embrace him forever. But she knew she has crossed enough of her limits tonight.

“Just never stop counting on me...”! His last words brought tears in her eyes and she knew if she will turn, all the boundaries he’s guarding just for her sanity will break at the blink of an eye.

“Good night Arjun.” She said in a tight voice, not letting him know how she’s breaking inside. She heard the bike roared with acceleration and the noise soon faded. She sighed and entered inside.

She changed quickly and gave herself a long steaming shower. She smiled at herself as she noticed the marks on her neck and collarbone. Her face changed colour as she blushed. He was oddly gentle with her. Never in her wildest thoughts had she ever imagined that someone like her would make someone like ACP Arjun Rawte fall heads over heel in love with her. She cursed herself for being confused with her life decisions. For letting Karan use her once again and for hurting Arjun, despite knowing his feelings.

After tonight, her insides were bubbling with a great sense of admiration and respect for the man. He had all the chance to take advantage of her tonight. She was literally asking for it. But he didn’t... which is what made her feel so small in her own eyes.

She decided one thing. She’d bring clarity to her life. And for that she’d have to choose. She knew whom she had chosen. First of all she had chosen herself. She had chosen to give herself all the happiness she deserves. Her doorbell rang constantly. She pulled on her robe and made her way towards the door. She just knew whoever’s at the door will never made it inside. When she opened the door, she was welcomed to a tired and disappointed face of Karan who was now looking at her with hopeful eyes.

“Why didn’t you come for dinner Riya? Are you still angry?” He asked.

“No I am not angry anymore Karan.” She said calmly. A smiled touched his lips as he started moving inside.

“Ah! Wait, we have to talk.” She said and made him stand outside the door.

“Yeah we can just talk inside.”

“No Karan, I don’t think you’d want to come inside after whatever we are going to talk.”

“Okay. Just tell me what is it?”

“You have to stop seeing me.” She said finally.

“Like why? You said you aren’t angry.”

“I am just not concerned about anything that relates you anymore Karan. In simple words,

leave me alone. I did a mistake giving you a second chance.”

Karan looked confused with whatever she was saying. His pretense only had managed to annoy her further.

“For God’s sake Karan stop playing with my life, I have had enough of your bullshit. Now just get the fcuk out of here.” She shouted on top of her voice. “And yes tell that bitch that she can keep you forever. You both just deserve each other.” With that she banged the door on his face. She didn’t care if he’s standing outside. She was just too tired that she didn’t know when she got to her bedroom slipped into deep slumber.

One month later...

“I bet she killed him out of jealousy as she found out he’s having an affair.” Sakshi Anand said, fairly doing any justice to the victim’s body. Arjun ignored her speculations. And mostly speculations like this, a referral that includes cheating or betrayal. His eyes travelled towards the head of research division of ETF. She looked like she least cared what Sakshi just said and resumed reading some papers she found from the crime scene. She looked like she’s at peace. He bet she is. Since past one month he did nothing but studied her only. She doesn’t anymore get angry with little things. She doesn’t anymore wait till late night to cry her heart out in her cubicle and of course without any mention of that shithead ex husband of hers. Certain things about her are changing. And he liked that change. He just hoped she now knows what she wants.

“I have to confirm what’s in this file. Care to drop me off... I mean obviously if you are free.” She said looking at him. It sounded too normal to the team. But he knows, after that night there is some sort of awkwardness between them. 

“Can you just stop being this formal?” he asked her once they were out of the crime scene and marched towards the SUV.

“Well you draw the lines. Remember...?” she said.

He stopped at her words and registered what she just said. Does she think he is holding himself? And here he was waiting for her to make the first move. He knows, if Riya Mukherjee wants anything she will ask for it without hesitation. And that night she did ask him... and he was the one who turned her down. He also knows one more thing that Riya Mukherjee never begs for anything. He saw her moving ahead and followed.

He’ll have to talk to her because if he wouldn’t do it now, he might lose her forever. He got into the driving seat as she set the GPS for location. He started the SUV in silence. But he knew he was looking at anywhere but at the road. “Are you planning on getting someone killed? I can hire a hitman for that. You don’t have to run over” Her voice brought him out of the trance. “What?” “Why you are so out of focus Arjun?” she finally asked.

“I was just thinking about what you’ve said earlier.”

“What did I say?”

“You know that I wasn’t drawing lines.” She remained silent to that. “I am sorry... um... to make you uncomfortable that night. Can we be just normal like old times without feeling awkward?” She said after some minutes. What normal is she talking about? He was never normal with her! She always set him in a fit of inexplicable feelings. Nothing about his feelings for her is normal.

They never really talked about what happened between them that night. He didn’t ask her again what she chooses. She didn’t tell him either. But the awkwardness prevailed in an alarming manner that was hard to defer for both of them. Hence both of them knew that how important this conversation is.

“Uncomfortable? That’s the best you could come up with?” he was anything but uncomfortable that night. And she should have known. But isn’t he the one who sent her to that guilt trip? “I was anything but uncomfortable that night.”

“I understand.” She said.

“No you don’t. You don’t know why I did that. I know how difficult it’s for you to give up on something. I didn’t want you to get into something with a half heart. I didn’t want you get into something that will suffocate you later. I didn’t want you to regret once again Riya...” he said hoping she will understand.

“I always thought, there is nothing that can kill an old school love.” He silently listens to her.

“But you forgot you aren’t anymore in school right?” he asked.

“Yeah! Kind of. I also thought there is only one true love...”

“Well it depends you know who you love. There is nothing true or wrong in love...it’s always about people and the people we choose...” she mulled over what he said and he wasn’t saying anything wrong.

“Remember you asked me something?” she asked him.

“Yeah what?”

“What makes you happy Arjun?” And finally he knew what she meant.

“You really want to know?” he asked her and abruptly stopped the SUV.

“This is not the right location.” Riya said looking confused.

“They say a loyal man who’s in love can never kiss and drive at the same time.” He said with utmost honesty in his voice making her think deep as to what he really meant. And before she could register what he meant, he captured her lips, desperately getting off the seat belt. And this time she knew, he wasn’t planning on to stop. Location be damned! Her mind screamed as she realised she’s on the verge of losing all her bottled up emotions. Her hands loosened the seat belt as she felt free. Finally free as her heart taking a free fall for this man who’s kissing her senseless. Long before she had realised what she wanted. And she can say proudly she wanted him for life. There is no denial to it anymore.

“You are indeed very loyal Arjun.” She winked at him when he finally looked at her after breaking the kiss. And damn that blush. Did he ever see her blushing like this?

“You didn’t notice I said a loyal man in love Riya!”

“I noticed that too...”

“Any comments on that?”

The colours on her face took a deeper shade.

“You are not the shy type. Don’t even try that with me.” He scoffed.

“Well it’s mutual and why dear? As a human I am allowed to blush.” She asked playfully.

“Not when you look like this. Blushing should be illegal”! He said in a strained voice.

“Look like?”

“I can’t wait till we...”!

“We get to the back seat...?” and he laughed too hard with her reply. She joined in. They both laughed till their stomach hurt. Of all other things he didn’t expect such a comeback from her.

“Let’s meet at Ravens tonight", he proposed as he started the SUV.

“Sure.”

“And Riya...”!

“What Arjun?”

“Please don’t come wearing those Eiffel Tower heels of yours.”

“In one condition Arjun.”

“Condition?”

“Yeah!”

“What?”

“You will let me ride.”

“Are you sure we are talking about my bike.”

“Hell yeah.” She said and they burst into another fit of laughter. She looked at Arjun with a new found feeling after so long. A feeling that made her feel she deserve everything. He makes her feel worthy of things she didn’t think she deserve. And that made her happy. Lately she came to the realization that things don’t last forever. There is no one true love. Letting go could bring peace too. She started living in the moment. She and Arjun never promised any forever. They just remained with each other...