Treaded Miles : Her Story [On Hold]

Chapter 8

I really wished that he didn't follow me as I looked up at the board and ran my eyes in the interiors of the lingerie store. My face scrunched in embarrassment. Dude! Why the hell that has to be the first store!?

I immediately ran out and bumped into someone. Rubbing my forehead as I moved back to look at the person, he happened to be none other than Samay. Wow! My luck.

"Um, I think we don't need to shop for anything from here." He stated the obvious, reading the store's name. I groaned under my breath, "Yes. I didn't see where I was going. Anyway, I will buy clothes for ladies. You can buy it for men. I will meet you directly at the jewelry store. Sounds about right?"

For a change, he didn't argue and picked another trolley. We parted our ways and shopped for many things. I was choosing the bright colors for Chhavi and his cousins, and dark colors for his mother and aunts. I didn't realize when he came beside me and held the trolley for me as I checked the Kurtis.

I noticed that he was done dumping some ten to twelve shirts in his trolley. There was no color coordination; all were plain or plaid whites. I thought to let him carry on with it but my kind conscience couldn't see him getting embarrassed. So, at the end, I helped him in selecting the apparels for men too.

After we were done, we reached the billing counter and paid the bills. I carried half of the bags while he took the remaining ones before we went to shop for the jewelry. It was a girl's dreamland. I didn't know about others but I was crazy for jewels. Not just diamonds; anything would do. Even the plain gold. I loved the unique designs and motifs.

So, when I set foot inside the store, it took me a complete minute to tell myself that I wasn't shopping for myself and there was absolutely no need to show extreme interest. For a fact, I knew Samay was watching me with a keen eye. I didn't want to become readable for him.

"How do you find this?" I felt obliged to ask him, so I forwarded a ring towards him and he scrutinized with a hawk-like vision but ended up shrugging. "Good. What do you think?"

"It looks good to me too." I murmured, flipping the ring to read the design. Small, rounded pearls around a big rock looked good but… not good enough. I dropped it back in the tray.

"Show me the other designs; something new and trendy." I said to the lady and she smiled at me, "Sure. This is our latest design. Ruby stone with small diamonds and gold…"

"Show me that one." I pointed at a white gold ring with a beautiful peach sapphire in the middle.

"Oh, wow! It will look excellent on your finger, ma'am." The lady gushed and passed me the ring. Giving no ear to her unstoppable praises, I studied the ring and showed it to Samay. "What about it?"

He was silent. I glanced at his face to find him staring at the ring with an inexplicable gaze. Suddenly, it clicked to me that I might have overpassed his budget and that was why he looked so lost. So, I quickly dropped it back on the tray and began to find a budget friendly ring.

"Um, what's your… budget?" I asked him slowly, making sure that the lady couldn't hear us. He turned to me and slammed his eyebrows together.

"What?"

"Your budget!" I repeated and bit on my lip. "We didn't discuss that."

The mere slamming of brows gradually got changed into a frown and he set his lips in a thin line. "You don't have to worry about it. I can afford it. Just choose whatever you like."

I was tempted to snap at him but stopped, considering that his tone was mild despite his expression. I thought he got offended by my concern so I put my hands on my lap. "Look, I know you are rich. You can buy anything. No offense! But I'd still like to know your budget so it's easier for me to pick a gift accordingly."

"I told you that you can choose anything."

I challenged him with a frown. "Are you sure about that?"

He kept his gaze on me and nodded, doggedly. I sucked my cheeks and called his bluff, "As you say."

I slid the rings aside and demanded the lady to show me a heavy necklace. She scurried off to fetch me the boxes happily and I posed a winning smirk inwardly. If he was trying to act stubborn, he must know that I wasn't his slave to tolerate his tantrums. He called it upon himself on his own.

Choosing a stunning yet costly piece, I finalized that for the gift and asked him to pay the bills. I hoped he would back off but to my disbelief, Samay took out his credit card and handed it to the lady. I pressed a palm over his when he was about to punch the password.

Suddenly, in him, I saw the same ruthless man who wanted me defeated, weak and at his mercy. I stared at him without a word and tears sprang in my eyes. He knew I was just messing with him but he couldn't accept his defeat. He was ready to buy a million dollar trash only to show me that he would never bend before me.

Just as a treacherous tear fell upon my cheek, I got up from my seat and came out of the store without glancing back. By the time I reached the elevator, he was on my heels. "Hey, hey, Pratiksha, listen!"

"You wanted me to help you with the shopping. I did that and I need to go home now." I said, turning to him.
"Yeah, but, I was thinking we could have dinner…"

"No, thank you. I'm getting late." I cut him short and went inside the elevator, unable to stand him anymore. Emerging to the hot air outside, I forgot about his behavior and stepped on the pavement to look for a cab. I tried to stop a few but they just crossed me like I was invisible.

I took out my phone and was booking an uber when his SUV came to a stop in front of me. I put my phone down and the windows slid down, giving me a peek of the bright interior.

Samay looked at me, guilt shining in his eyes and his voice soft. "Get in. I can't let you travel alone at night."

I stared at him blankly. I wanted to remind him that I had always been alone. When I could live then, I could survive now too. It wasn't his position to look after me. Where was he when I was all alone in his house? I didn't need his mercy.

"No, I have booked a cab." He flinched a little with my straight rejection but to put balm on his wounds, I added an excuse. "I mean you wanted to dine outside. So, you should go ahead. I'll go home on my own. You don't have to worry…"

"You can't be safer in a cab than in my car. Don't you see the news? And, I'm not hungry. You've made something at home, right?" He asked and I nodded automatically. He lifted the corners of his lips in a smile. "Great then. I'll have dinner at home. Get in, now."

Having no other excuse left, I stepped down the elevated pavement and got inside his car. He waited for me to get strapped and set off the ride.

"Thanks!" I mumbled awkwardly and he sighed. "It's not a favor. You came with me and I wouldn't feel good if you were going to leave alone. It's not safe."

I slanted my eyes at him and found him focusing on the road. I didn't know if he realized or not but he had pointed out his concern about my safety twice already. I couldn't believe that he was the same man who gave no shit to my existence. Before I could stop it, another daze pulled me in the past and showed me a cruel piece of his indifference.

_________

I hope you're liking that I'm giving constant and regular updates. That's so unlike me but, hey, we can always break the stereotype. Anyways, thought on this one and don't forget to vote and comments.

P. S. - The Indian Paranormal romance is out on Libri. You can search the title 'The Cursed Mate' and enjoy the story. Drop your views too. :)