Night Changes

CHAPTER 17

  I hurriedly locked my door and quickly peeped into my neighbour's window to check if my mascara was smeared. I wore a light blue t-shirt with a denim jacket and black pants. My hair tied in a ponytail, with a few loose strands dancing in front of my forehead.

Presentable, I thought.

I hopped into my car and was about to start when my phone beeped. I glanced at it: Two new messages.

Shreyas: Late again, hurry up,  girl!
Jasprit: Can you come over at Ro's? Got some work.

I bit my lips. What do I do now?

I shook my head. I can't be unfair to Shreyas.

-"A bit busy now. Sorry, can't come. Please manage, call me if you find something,"

The wheels rolled and I hit the road.

..

Shreyas pulled me into a hug as we met at the entrance. The saleswoman, a bit older than me but young nevertheless, eyed Shreyas with curiosity. Her eyes went up and down his body, and I could literally see her stopping herself from running her fingers along his flawless torso.

"Hello, sir. How can I help you?" The woman said, batting her eyelashes and completely ignoring my presence.

"A dress for my girl, for our family dinner,"

I choked. My girl.

"Sure sir..follow me," the girl gave one last not-so-innocent look to him and lead the way, swaying her hips as she went.

"I believe you'll look great in it,"

Shreyas said as he showed me a hot magenta dress that reached upto the thighs and the sleeves were below the shoulders.

"No, Shrey. You know I don't wear these dresses,"

"But why? You'll slay in these, babe,"

"Well, I don't like showing too much skin,"

"How old school is that! Isn't it time you came out of your orthodox mentality? Everyone wears stuffs like that,"

"The thing is Shrey, it's not about being 'old school' or 'orthodox'. I'm not comfortable in those and you should respect my choice,"

He shrugged and went out looking for other dresses.

I was exploring the dresses when something caught my eye.

A black t-shirt in the men's section that read: "YOU KNOW WHAT ROCKS? MY SMILE" in big white letters.

I immediately thought of Jasprit. His smile definitely rocked.

"Please pack it for me in a separate bag," I said to the old lady at the counter.

..

"Hello?"
I jerked as Shreyas snapped his fingers in front of me.

"I have been talking on my own for so long, where are you lost?"

I watched him across the table as he raised his eyebrows and looked at me with a questioning gaze.

He wore a pitch black shirt with rolled sleeves and a black watch, his sunglasses hanging from the first two open buttons of his shirt.

He looked breath taking.

I looked away. I was worried sick about what they were going to find out in Ritz's phone. Why didn't they call me yet? As much as I want them to find nothing inside the phone, I have this fear that what will happen if Ritz finds out? What will she think of me? It'll break her trust and we'll never be the same again. What will I do then? She's the only person I have on earth.

"There you go, you're lost again,"
He sighed and gently took my hand.

"What's up, Aly. Is everything alright? Are you alright?"

"Yes, Shreyas. Everything's fine,"
I said with unnecessary emphasis on the words.

"Really? But it doesn't look that way. You feel so distant, Aly. We barely talk nowadays. Whenever you're talking to me, it feels you aren't listening. Today you are sitting with me but you're mind is busy somewhere else. Where,  Aly? And why?"

I gulped. We aren't supposed to have this conversation right now. It's true I've kind of distanced myself from Shreyas, partially because I still haven't been able to forget his arrogance and behaviour a few days back. Plus, I was busy with the Ritz issue,  so I couldn't really catch up with him.

"I'm sorry, Shrey. I'm just a bit tired, that's all. Everything's usual other than that, "

He shrugged.

"If you say so," and continued, "But I just want to make sure that whatever happens, we keep growing our love together. We should find time for each other no matter how busy we are,"

I nodded, smiling.

As we continued to talk, my phone rang and the screen flashed: Jasprit. Shreyas looked like he had fallen from the sky, he obviously didn't know we were this close that we were on calling terms.

He didn't know a lot of things, though.

I picked it up.

I conversed for a while and as I put the phone down, Shreyas started shooting me questions.

"I didn't know you had his number,"
"Why did he call you?"
"Does he call you often?"
"What does he want?"
Etc. Etc.

I ignored all of those and said, "Sorry, I got to rush. There's an emergency. I swear I'll make up for this some day, but it's really, really important so I need to go,"

His demanding eyes bore into mine and before he could open his mouth, I rushed out of the restaurant.

A Shreyas chapter finally..
I kind of feel bad for him, you know? He wants to be with Aly so bad but our girl is busy with her set of problems :(

Thoughts?