Chapter 5 - The ride

Wind and raindrops whipped off my face. Ishaan was driving at a breakneck speed. I felt as if I was living a dream, last few hours were bliss. It wasn't like I never got male attention. I got enough of it! but very few of them caught my interest. I was just 22 all I wanted to do was have some fun.

I looked around but couldn't spot any other member of the gang. It was like we were driving alone on the highway. It was dark and we were whizzing past the thick vegetation.

I spoke aloud near his ear "Arent we going too fast?"

He replied, "You want me to slow down?"

I said "I dont mean the speed. I can't see anybody from our group."

He chuckled "Dont worry I am not kidnapping you. I know where we are going".

I suddenly visualized us lost in the woods indulging in all sorts of wild things that had never crossed my mind before. I took a deep breath, I barely knew this guy! And yet I decided to ride off with him? A tiny voice quivered in my mind.

I said, "It is better if you slow down a bit, it's scary ".

He replied back "Hold me tight you won't feel scared".

I shot back "Mr. Shekhawat are you trying to flirt with me ?"

He replied, "It's hard not to but I am trying my best".

I blushed and giggled at the same time. Logically I should have been annoyed but my reactions were totally haywire.

Getting attention from the hottest guy in the group as also a kind of ego boost for me.

Finally after crossing through a maze of roads. We arrived at what seemed to be a dhaba cum Garden restaurant.

I got off and looked at the surroundings while Ishaan parked the bike.

When he came back I asked, "We are supposed to be here?"

He said, "Yeah that's what everyone planned you didn't know?"

I just shook my head.

"I was too busy thinking about you to pay attention to other things," I thought.

"Where is everyone else ?" I asked.

He responded while checking his mobile "Must be on their way and here comes the first one."

Gaurav arrived accompanied by Priya who was shooting daggers at me. Gaurav simply smirked. Ishaan slapped him on his back like a long lost friend.

Soon others arrived. Swati came running to me saying "Thank God you are here. I thought you both eloped."

I turned crimson and Ishaan laughed "Swati I was just escorting your friend not eloping, my elopement plans are for someone else" and grinned at her.

Swati just rolled her eyes at him.

I whispered to Swati "Why are you so upset ?? I am fine."

Swati said "Yeah I can see that since when did you become so reckless? How come you arrived ahead of us?"

I rolled her eyes "Chill !! I am absolutely fine. Ishaan is a nice guy, so no harm was done and I arrived first because he drives like crazy".

Swati said "You barely know him and suddenly he turned nice? let me tell you he is HOT...Brash..flirty hence totally off-limits".

I sighed with exasperation "It is not what you think..."

We were interrupted by others who were eager to have dinner after a tiring day.

Soon all of us were wolfing down the food. I was seated away from Ishaan. I liked this thing about Ishaan. He never imposed himself on me. He wasn't the clingy sort who would hang around me all the time. He gave me space. I consider myself to be a sensible and logical person. I don't fall for this love bullshit. Yeah, I did like Ishaan's company, his sense of humor, his reckless attitude but that didn't mean I would lose my guard.

Oh ! How wrong I was.

Later he dropped me home, I ignored Swati's disapproving eyes.

I thanked him as I got off his bike "Thanks for the ride."

He smiled "My pleasure. Thanks to you I had a wonderful day."

I laughed "But I didn't do anything interesting other than sitting ideally on the bike".

He said with a twinkle "That was THE interesting part".

I blushed he had a shadow of stubble which any girl would love to be scraped with. I averted her eyes from his perfect jaws.

"I better go now its quite late," I said.

He said "See you around. If you need any rescuing you know whom to contact right?"

I giggled and watched him leave. I had a hard time believing if the day really happened. It all seemed so surreal like a dream. Laughing to myself as I entered my home only to encounter Swati glaring at me.

"We need to talk," Swati said in a commanding tone.

I sighed "Ok but I am too tired. What do you want to talk about? See there's nothing between Ishaan and I. We were just having fun..."

Swati said, "What does he do?"

I replied, "I didn't ask."

Swati replied, "Then what the hell you both discussed for so long?"

"Just general things..my work...hobbies..etc.."

Swati replied "Great !! Aarya you are very naive. Ishaan is a heartbreaker. You know those types who like to flirt around, stay away from him."

I replied "Swati If you think I will fall in love with him and then be heartbroken then you are mistaken. I am off emotional stuff forever. I am very practical. After a long time, I met someone who could make me laugh and could hold a normal conversation without creeping me out. He never touched me unnecessarily. I dont know why you are being so concerned".

Swati said, "Well not just me but everyone noticed the sparks fly !"

I rolled my eyes "whatever !! but even if sparks did fly what's wrong with that?"

Swati said, "I just dont want you to get hurt."

"Dont worry Swati. I won't be hurt. That ain't happening"

To be continued...