Unfulfilled Desires

Black dress

"Riya's point of view,"

"What are you doing here in this freezing weather?" Ashish's comments halted the fight between me and my subconscious.

I looked at Ashish and answered, "Nothing, just came for a walk in the fresh air."

"Aren't you cold?" Ashish inquired, attempting to wrap himself in his arms.

"Yes,"I was shivering and shaking my head. I wasn't even aware of the cold because I was so engrossed in my thoughts.

"Do you want to come in and talk?" As proposed by Ashish,In answer, I shook my head.

"Are you aware of the party tonight?" While walking into the hotel with me, Ashish inquired.

"Party?" I inquired, surprised.

"Don't tell me you're not aware of this," Ashish remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"Which party?"

"What party?"

"I don't have any knowledge about that." I inquired, annoyed.

"Oh, God, why did you make this girl this way?

Riya, were you an alien in a previous life, or perhaps in this one as well?" With a sly grin on his face, Ashish inquired.

"What do you mean?" I demanded aggressively, my gaze fixed on Ashish.

In the same enraged tone with which I had asked, he said to me, "You've been on this official trip for two days, but even once in those two days, I didn't see you properly enjoying yourself with the office colleagues; looking at you, it appears like you've come here for a formality."

Looking at Ashish, I inquired, "Where do you get such weird and nonsense things?"

"It's not just me; everyone in the office believes it. You know, #trendingofficegossip."

Ashish added his hands in the air.

"And what are the office gossips saying about me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Oh, so you think I'll come in and tell you the office gossip?" Ashish remarked dramatically. "I know you don't fall into the office gossip."

"However, where have you been missing for the past two days?" Ashish inquired, his finger resting on his chin.

"I sprained my leg and was in my room resting," I explained, pointing to the heated bandage on my leg.

In the same conversation, Ashish expressed his concern and dissatisfaction: "How did you get this injury and you didn't think it was important to inform me?"

"I didn't want to trouble you," I explained, concealing my true motive from Ashish.

"Wow, what are friends for if I can't help you? What face will I show Harsh by going to him? I didn't take care of his Riya properly," Ashish muttered, his head resting on my shoulder.

I caressed Ashish's back and said, "Don't worry, drama queen, I'll protect you from Harsh."

"I'm sorry, Riya. I couldn't pay attention to my friend because of Shweta." Ashish apologized once more, but this time his voice was solemn.

"It's all right, now you can tell me which party you were talking about," I said, hoping to pick up where we left off.

Ashish explained: "The hoteliers have prepared a theme party for all the guests staying in the hotel tonight."

"Everyone is stuck here because of snowfall, therefore the hotel management has devised a plan to cheer up their guests." In a frantic tone, he replied.