Chapter 4 - Jack and Jill went up the hill

The new guy narrowed his eyes and looked at me curiously. He was tall, with broad shoulders, and heartbreakingly good looks. Dressed in a white tee he was clearly eye-catching. He looked familiar.

I didn't realize we were being introduced.

He offered his hand for a handshake "Hi I am Ishaan Shekhawat."

I felt a nudge from Swati.

"Aarya," I said.

He smiled "Aarya Stark ?"

I laughed "No just Mathur. Aarya Mathur."

"I bet you get that a lot!" He smiled.

"I am used to it" I replied.

He grinned "It's nice to meet you."

Suddenly I knew who he was. It was impossible to forget that perfect jawline. He was the same guy I had bumped into Phoenix a few months ago.

I blurted out "I know you".

He gave an impish smile "Excuse me.

Do you know me?? I thought we just met".

I stammered "I mean..I am sorry I might be mistaken" I looked down maybe I was mistaken.

Last time I had not seen his eyes, today I didn't want to tear my gaze away. He had the most beautiful hazel eyes.

Swati interrupted "I know Aarya is lovely but we need to move out ASAP".

I realized that we were still holding hands.

He immediately left my hands and we were ushered out of the house.

Swati whispered to her "he is HOT, isn't he...I bet our boy crazy Priya already has her eyes on him".

I knew it was him.

Soon we left for the destination which was Singhgarh fort. I was seated in the backseat of someone's car. Ishaan was on his bike. Priya was riding pillion with Ishaan. 

I was thinking about how to identify him. Would it be odd if I said " Hi are you the guy whom I bumped into a disc and who rescued me from a creep ?"

This would seem really absurd and embarrassing if he's really not the one.

We were at the foothills of Sinhgad in an hour. Singhal fort is like a picnic spot. The climb is not too difficult and on a good day, there's a crowd of hikers walking up and down the track. 

It was one of those days.

The weather was cloudy and the greenery was in its full glory.

Our group was scattered. Ishaan seemed to have trekked much ahead of me. He wasn't someone to be easily missed. I spotted him some distance ahead laughing and joking with other guys.

"Thankfully he's not with Priya!" I muttered. I was surprised by my jealousy.

The journey up the hill was uneventful. I couldn't get any chance to talk to him although I did catch him a few times looking at me.

Tired and panting we finally reached the top by that time it was drizzling. I looked down at the breathtaking view below.

"Lovely isn't it?" Startled by a voice I turned around.

It was Ishaan with his naughty smile, few water droplets glistened on his hairs.

"Yes," I  replied.

"How do you know Gaurav ?" I asked.

He replied "We are neighbors. why?"

"Nothing, have you been to Mumbai?"

He said "of course numerous times. Why?"

"Because you remind me of someone I met long ago."

He laughed "Was that meeting so unforgettable?"

"Kind of" I smiled at him.

"I didn't know you were also in the gang".

" Gang? Is it some sort of top-secret Mafia group ?" He asked.

I laughed "It's a WhatsApp group where most of my friends plan such outings."

He looked disappointed "No unfortunately I am not part of such esteemed groups. Am I missing something ?"

"Nah you are good" I grinned back at him.

"I think that's your friend calling," He said looking at Swati calling everyone for lunch.

"Yup lets go".

He nodded "After you".

After lunch and spending some time on the hill the whole group decided to walk down.

I looked down at the rough stony path. Climbing up was hard but hiking down would be more difficult. The path was slippery due to rain.

I fumbled along with the others. At one sharp bend, I slipped and would have fallen flat if not caught by a familiar strong pair of arms. 

I opened my eyes and found myself surrounded by Ishaan's arms. I was tightly clutching his shirt.

Immediately let go of him when I realized that rest of the group was looking at us.

"I am sorry. I am not used to hiking" I said.

He replied "No problem. It's quite slippery."

I walked for some distance only to slip again, he caught my hands preventing my fall "Why is it that every time I meet you. You need rescuing" he laughed.

I looked at him surprised "You are the same guy, isn't it?? We met in Mumbai Disco almost 6 months ago right?"

He grinned "You still remember? I am so touched".

" How can I forget my first marriage proposal" I rolled my eyes "But I never thought I will see you again."

He said "And I was living on this hope that we do meet again" and winked at me.

I burst into giggles. He was so funny that even his flirtings seemed harmless.

"Why did you lie?" I asked.

"I was just teasing you. I was equally surprised to see you here."

When I slipped for the third time he said "Aarya if you dont mind please hold my hand, it's easier this way to prevent you from slipping rather than catching you again and again".

I gladly held his hands to trek down the path.

"I hope that suiter didn't bother you again," he said.

"No he ran off and I left Mumbai next week".

"So you dont stay in Mumbai?? No wonder I never saw you again" He mumbled.

I said "What ??"

"Nothing. So where do you live?"

"I am from Delhi," I said, "I am working in Pune now and I live with Swati."

We were so engrossed in our talks that we didn't realize the shocked, curious, and some jealous glances of others.

The trek down seemed to be over in minutes. After reaching the foothill all the guys went to get their vehicles.

Swati was looking at me with her mouth hanging open "Aarya what's happening?"

I laughed "Nothing Swati we were just talking"

She rolled up her eyes "yeah we all saw that".

I said "Its nothing Swati remember that HOT guy I told you about in Phoenix. Ishaan is that guy."

"What !!! OMG, that's some coincidence" Swati said.

Our conversation was broken by the sound of a bike. 

Ishaan stopped his bike in front of us and simply said "Come Aarya...Let's go" l. As if it was the most obvious thing to say.

I looked at him surprised then on an impulse I climbed behind him and he started off the engine leaving behind a crowd of shocked friends and fuming Priya.

To be continued...