Just Friends

CHAPTER 23

"We must hurt in order to grow, fail in order to know, and lose in order to gain. Because some lessons in life are best learned through the pain!"

- UNKNOWN

^^^

"Exactly," Harshad was staring intensely into Kiara's black orbs. He was gritting his teeth to hold his anger back, his jaw clenched in frustration over the lady standing before him. "It isn't a joke," his hand grabbed Kiara's shoulder firmly as he turned her away from the spying orbs of the stranger. "If by any chance you were dreaming that if you put yourself in danger, I will act as your saviour, then you're absolutely wrong. I have no interest in bruising my handsome face by ending in a fight with those drunken morons for the sake of your foolishness." His eyes were hard on Kiara. She hadn't ever seen him that furious.

"I would let them have your company and walk back to my home." His eyes were blazing fire as he voiced those words.

"I am not in need of your help; I can manage myself." Kiara was attempting not to let his stare make her weak. She wasn't ever so stubborn but Harshad could trigger her to the extreme.

"I have no doubt in it. You can manage yourself well, I guess I should leave then." Harshad grip loosens around Kiara's shoulder. Her face paled though Harshad had announced on her face that he won't help her. He had no interest in protecting her yet unknowingly she trusted him. At that minute when his hold on her loosen, sudden panic rose in her heart. It wasn't until that minute she realized that she trusted Harshad even after his those harsh words.

Harshad orbs soften on seeing her face turning pale. He was sure that she won't voice it out but she was scared. "Hey! What is happening over there?" The drunken voice echoed making Kiara shiver and inch closer to Harshad. Her orbs pleaded with him not to leave her side.

"None of your business!" Harshad growled, letting the stranger know about the consequence if they even walk an inch closer to Kiara.

"Love birds," they commented to one another and started laughing like a manic.

Harshad wrapped an arm around Kiara as he could sense her fear. "Are you planning to stay stubborn or are you coming with me?" Harshad hissed making Kiara raise her head from his chest to stare into his fuming gaze.

"Can't you quit mocking me even in such a situation?" Kiara groaned glaring at him while Harshad rolled his eyes.

"I wasn't mocking," Harshad justified for which Kiara narrowed her gaze. "Come..." he shook his head as they walked towards his car.

___

Silence prevailed around them as Harshad was driving on the vacant road. His eyes frequently glanced at Kiara. She was staring out of the window, her orbs observing the surrounding with constant fear. She was biting her lower lip in nervous and Harshad was finding it difficult to resist himself from consoling her.

"Everything is fine," he muttered a minute later. "They aren't going to harm you." Though Harshad whispered those words, Kiara seemed lost in her own world. She didn't even display if she heard his reasoning. "Kiara," Harshad called out a minute later. "Kiara!" He raised his voice making Kiara jerk her head towards him in anxiousness.

"What?" She sounded appalled and soon Harshad discovered tears rolling down her cheek.

"Kiara?" Harshad sounded concerned as he attempted to reach her cheek as he pulled the break. "Are you fine?" The minute his rough hand touched her soft skin, she yanked it away. Her round orbs enlarged in fear as she stared at Harshad in panic. "Kiara?" Harshad lowered his voice, staring at her in concern. "What's wrong?" The fear in her orbs for him was scaring the shit out of him. "Are you fine?"