Chapter 7 - The rescue

I walked back to the flat smiling to myself for no apparent reason.

Swati gave me a meaningful look but didn't say anything.

After freshening up I plopped down near Swati. She took off her headphones and said -

"I know you are dying to say something, come on shoot off."

I giggled "Well the movie was good and dinner was also good. Ishaan is a dreamboat! He is from MIT. He has his own company and he owns a freaking BMW !!"

Swati exclaimed "What?!? I knew this guy was loaded, which company?"

"I forgot to ask I was too excited about the BMW".

Swati rolled up her eyes "Did he tell you anything about his family?".

I shook her head in a No.

Swati gave me an exasperated look "Anyways did he you know to attempt anything?"

I turned pink "Why would he do that?"

"Why else would he take you in a dark theatre otherwise".

I recalled Ishaan brushing off my hair from my face but that was just a harmless gesture.

"Nothing! he did nothing. This whole date was platonic. Not sure I should even call it a date!"

Although there was this sensual undercurrent between us which I chose to ignore.

Swati said "That is interesting. Maybe he genuinely likes you."

"So if a guy likes me genuinely he won't even kiss me ?" I asked.

"Do you want to kiss him?" She gave me a mischievous smile.

"Frankly I would love to do more than that. I could not concentrate on Chris Hemsworth because of him. Can you believe that ?"

"Oh ! You poor girl! He left you high and dry. Maybe next you make the first move."

" That would be so wanton of me. Are you even my friend ?" I said grumpily.

Swati laughed and threw a pillow at me. I threw her teddy bear at her which resulted in a pillow fight. Swati was like a sister I never had.

A tiny voice said in my mind did say "There is something primal and raw about him. Be careful he can make you melt in his arms with that sensual smile or one touch of his figures. You are treading in dangerous waters!"

Swati interrupted our pillow fight  "Btw next time when you meet him ask him useful questions like his family or work".

"Will there be a next time ?"

Swati gave me are-you-insane look "Of course! he is badly smitten. He will come back running very soon."

Don't know why this thought made me very happy.

Swati's words proved prophetic when my phone beeped. I  checked my message box.

Ishaan had messaged -

"Had a lovely evening. Looking forward to a sequel."

I grinned and replied -

"Same here I love sequels".

He messaged back -

"I dont mean the movie sequel. Can't wait that long!"

I started laughing and replying back.

Swati cleared her throat.

I looked at her "Oh ! sorry Ishaan messaged."

Swati replied, "Yeah I know its obvious from your flushed face".

"He just said that we should hang out again."

"Aarya were are you going in this friendship of yours  I mean are you serious ?"

I hadn't thought about it.

"Swati I dont know. Right now I am just having fun. I dont know what will happen in the future. Ishaan is an awesome guy and its fun hanging out with him but I am way out of his league. He is too rich and successful. I  doubt he is looking for anything serious."

"So you both are in something like no strings attached thing".

"Maybe I dont know where this is going but it's amazing as long as it lasts."

"What if you fall in love ?"

Frankly, I think I was already in love.

"Let us not talk about it Swati, Overthinking makes me lose my hair."

I just shrugged it off.

I didn't see him again for the whole week. He messaged me again on Saturday evening. It was something like he needed rescuing.

Ishaan - "Hi, where are you ?"

Me - "I am outside why ?"

Ishaan - "How soon can you reach Atmosphere 6 ?"

Me - "In about 1/2 hour why ?"

Ishaan - "I desperately need your help."

Me - "What happened  Are you alright?"

Ishaan - "Wait, calling you."

He called in a few minutes. He was talking softly as if from inside a closet.

"I am at this place Atmosphere 6, stuck with someone really obnoxious. Help me get rid of her."

"How can I help with that?"

"Pretend you are my girlfriend."

"Excuse me? What?" I said aghast.

"Just pretend to be my really pissed off girlfriend....please pretty please."

I couldn't control my laughter "alright I will try but my acting sucks  I will probably fuck up."

"Doesn't matter....got to go now, come soon."

I cut the call and regretted saying yes. That's one of my drawbacks I can't say No to anyone.

I made an excuse with Swati and arrived at the restaurant some time. I spotted him easily. He was not someone who could be missed.

He was sitting with someone who looked like she had walked out of a vogue magazine.

Perfect figure, perfect dressing, perfect hair. I couldn't understand what was obnoxious about her and how would I look pretending to be his girlfriend compared to her.

I was probably the most underdressed person there. Atmosphere 6 is very a classy rooftop restaurant. I was dressed in simple jeans and a white top.

Anyway, I had given commitment I had to act.Fortunately I had my red lipstick with me and I had applied that before reaching Atmosphere 6.

I walked towards them and slammed my hand on the table startling both of them.

"Ishaan Singh Shekhawat how dare you !"

He looked perplexed.

"I have caught you red-handed You stood me up and here you are on a date with this bitch !"

I glared at the vogue model while she cooly analyzed me.

"It's not what you think baby !" He said, "let me explain".

" I dont want any explanations. I know guys like you very well. You play with girls like toys." I turned towards the model.

"He would do the same to you btw."

"Ishaan is she really your girlfriend ?" She coolly asked him.

He said, "Ummm, I am sorry I should have told you." He looked so apologetic that I almost believed all this was real.

"You have a very bad taste", She said.

I glared at her.

"You are crossing the line Rhea", He said.

"You have no right to insult my girlfriend. I want you to apologize immediately." He seemed so cool yet menacing that I had a hard time believing that he was acting.

"Really Ishaan ?" She seemed amused.

"I am serious Reema. We can sort our problems separately dont drag my girlfriend into it. Apologize now."

She shrugged and said, "I am sorry".

She got up, grabbed her purse, and walked off.

I looked shocked and confused while she sashayed away.

"Let's go" he grabbed my hand and literally dragged me out.

"Ishaan.....what...." I tried to talk but he barely listened.

We stopped in the parking lot near his car. He leaned on it to catch his breath.

"What was that Ishaan  I didn't know you could act so well"

"I wasn't acting," he said calmly.

"Look I dont know what was that but you should not have been so harsh with her, " I said.

"She shouldn't have insulted you. I should not have involved you in this. My life is already shitty enough it's better I keep you away from it." He said.

He looked angry and dejected both at the same time was confused What was the deal with this guy?

"You can talk to me if you want. I am a good listener." I said.

"You are also a very good actress. I mean the way you glared at me I would never cheat on you" he grinned.

"Very funny! So what do I get for saving the day.? I mean evening And who was she btw ?"

"Just some annoying brat my parents want me to hang out with. Apparently, she is from a very classy family." He rolled his eyes.

"She was hot though I said.

"Nah  Not my type," He replied.

"Who is your type?" I asked.

"Someone like you" he grinned.

My heart fluttered but I was used to his flirting so I hit him on his arm saying "Stop flirting Ishaan. I am starving and you dragged me out of this swanky place without treating me."

"Ouch !" He rubbed his arm where I had hit him.

"Where do you want to go. It's my treat" he grinned.

"Hmmm let me think of the most expensive place in Pune" I laughed.

We got into his car while he drove out of the parking lot.

He seemed to be in a good mood so I didn't probe further about that girl. But that was the first instant I felt something was off.

"Ishaan," I said when we were well on the way to another place.

"Hmmm," he mumbled.

"Tell me about your family," I said.

"What do you want to know ?"

"Just general stuff."

"There is nothing much to say actually. I have my parents and a younger sister. They live in Mumbai. Dad owns a chain of businesses. That is all."

"Why are you staying away from them ?"

He turned to look at me "It's easier to work from here because my other partners are Pune based. Anything else ?" He smiled.

"Tell me about your game prototype."

"Sure I will explain during dinner."

To be continued...