Dawn of Spring

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The horse didn't walk or trot.

He ran like an Olympic athlete on the verge of victory. He almost seemed to savor the cool night air as if it were a long-lost love, wrapping himself in its chilly embrace.

The night was not particularly warm. The wind did not care as it slapped his face, piercing it like needles as he rode the continuous bouncy ride. He struggled to keep his eyes open in order to direct her to his home. The remainder of the journey was a haze.

As soon as they arrived at block number two, Vivaan managed to control his breathing as he leaped off the horse and squatted along the road to prevent himself from throwing up. He didn't give much thought to the impression he would undoubtedly create in front of Ahana.

"You okay?" Her voice was filled with concern.

He nodded mutely.

"Can I take him to the parking lot?"

Vivaan looked at her strangely. Has she finally lost it due to lack of sleep?

"You want to park the horse?"

"Well, I can't exactly abandon him here. You must have a garage," she argued while nodding. Vivaan rolled his eyes inwardly. It was too much to bear at once. "He would adjust just fine in your car's vacant space."

"I'm never spending another night with you," Vivaan mumbled under his breath, his face contorted in irritation.

"You're moving your lips. What did you say?" She inched towards his imposing figure until she was close enough to pick up the incoherent phrases. Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Let's go."

Vivaan opened the door to the lawn and saw Ahana tie up the horse in the garage by the entrance gate. He watched with his arms crossed, tapping his foot restlessly with a scowl. His facial expression made it evident that he was displeased.

He could have said something, but dealing with the female whose moods change quickly at this hour of the night was not on his current to-do list.

In all honesty, he wanted the night to be over.

"He had better not sh!t in there." Even the concept of it was revolting as his face drew into a deep grimace. "Or, I'll have you clean it."

Ahana scrunched up her nose in disgust. "Now you don't like animals as well? Good to know."

"I don't like their body waste." He corrected her before proceeding to the main entrance.

Ringing the bell once, then twice, they waited for two minutes, but when no response was heard, he rang the bell again, only this time, with force.

"Trust Advik for one task," he mumbled fiercely as he pushed the button with all his might. "He couldn't stay awake for a night."

"No one else is at your house?" Her voice was full of surprise and awe as she looked around. The place was huge.

"I told you my parents are out, and my older brother and his wife live in another city. They only come over during weekends."

She started to speak, reminding him that this was indeed the weekend, when he shushed her, raising his palms to her lips to stop her. "It's just Advik."

"He must have woken up by the bell."

No matter how loud the shrill sound was, it wouldn't be enough to wake his friend from slumber. Advik sleeps like the dead, but he is not about to point that out to her.