Wrecked Souls

Chapter 23- Inaana

Just as I'm about open the door to Rana's car, my phone pings.

Aarav: Don't leave.

One text, two words and my whole mind seems to be buzzing.

As I contemplate his text, wondering what to do with it when a wave of realization hits me of being watched. I look at the entrance of the restaurant and there he stands. Hands shoved in his jeans pocket while shades cover his eyes but I know for sure, his eyes are on me.

Looking at him, I shake my head and mouth a silent 'no' to which he looks down at his cell and my phone pings again.

Aarav: Please

Aarav ordering around is a everyday thing but Aarav saying please has to be one of the rarest happenings of the world. I ponder why does he want me to stay when Rana opens the door to my side and his head pops out from inside, "Still coming?"

I snap at his rude tone, "Well that depends on your answer. Are you really gonna do this again?"

"Do what?" His words laced with irritation.

I release a breath to calm myself down before answering, "Ra-"

"Look Inaana, I really need to be somewhere so how about you get in quick."

That's it. I shut the door at his face but not before I make myself clear, "Listen Rana, come talk to me when you decide to shove your attitude out of our conversation till then I think I can manage. And please do leave. "

I turn around but before anything the sound of Rana's door unlocking comes to my ears followed by his voice, "Inaana, get in the car."

"Look Ran, I'm not angry, yet. Take a day or two, sort your shits out and then do come talk to me. As for now, I really can manage. Actually I might as well go to one of the girls."

"I'll drop you."

I shake my head once, "I don't need you to."

He looks like he is about to say something but the look on my face must have given him the clear idea that I won't be persuaded because he nods at me and says before leaving, "I will come talk to you."

He gets in his car and as his ride leaves the parking and my mind trails back to a text sent to me minutes ago, my eyes travel around the area but Aarav is no where to be found.

Just as I decide and turn to step back inside the restaurant, someone taps my shoulder.
I whirl around to see Aarav walking away from me, indicating I follow and I do, because that's how desperate I am to know his reasons for asking me to stay back.

He leads me to a quieter place behind the restaurant where there is a scarcity of people passing by.

"I don't trust you to follow you anywhere you want." I say aloud.

"And yet you're doing that." He sounds casual.

I stop as I say, "What is it Aarav?"

He quits walking as well and turns to find me two feet away from him. He doesn't reply but simply walks up to me and for once, I don't step back not even when he stands right in front of me, not even when I inhale him and my mind goes blank as his scent burns my nostril.

"Well, what is it? Your reason better be good." I sound irritated because I am.

His brows furrow as he asks, "Have you sworn to never be not exasperated around me?"

"You don't matter enough for me to swear anything." Each of my word is traced with bitterness and for a moment, I actually see a hint of hurt in Aarav's face.