I Found You

8.

Vikram glanced at her from the corner of his eyes as the car slowed to a halt at a red light. She hadn't said a word since they left the hotel, as if she had zipped her mouth shut.

The moment he mentioned that the hotel was theirs, he noticed a subtle shift in her posture, the flicker of fear in her eyes.

And then just one word. "Sorry."

Since then, she hadn't looked at him once. Her gaze was fixed outside the window, lost in the blur of the city lights.

Her long, slender fingers kept fidgeting with the straps of her bag, a subtle sign of her growing anxiety.

God. She is so naive.

One thing he'd figured out about her today, she wasn't fond of fancy things. The glitz and glamour held no charm for her.

She was someone who found joy in simple pleasures.

And it was that simplicity that had drawn him in the moment he first saw her. That was her speciality.

The signal turned green and the blaring honk of the car behind snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned his attention back to the road and drove on.

He brought the car to a halt in front of her house. Before the engine had fully quieted, she was already reaching for her seatbelt, unclipping it with swift fingers.

She paused for a second and glanced at him. "Aap andar nahi aayenge?"

[Won't you come in]

"Some other day." He replied with a small shake of his head.

Her eyes lingered on him, uncertain. There was a flicker of hesitation in her gaze as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, then closed again. But he understood.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

She was cut short by his soft chuckle. It took her by surprise. For a second she froze. Was he making fun of her?

"Adhira I know." He quickly composed himself, cleared his throat, and met her gaze again. "Just relax, I am not offended. It's good that you voiced out your thoughts to me, I really appreciate it."

She blinked, unfazed. "Aap naaraz nahi hain?"

[You aren't angry]

He smiled. "No ma'am."

Her lips curved into a shy smile but deep down, she was drowning in embarrassment.

Through-out the entire ride to her home, she was filled with fear, constantly wondering if she had somehow angered him.

"Chai pee kar, chale jaana." She offered softly.

[At least have tea and then go]

"Kisi aur din, main late ho jaunga." He hated turning her down, he didn't want to impose.

[Some other day, I'll get late]

Adhira nodded and reached for the door handle. "Bye," she said, stepping out and closing the door behind her.

He gave a small nod, pulling the window down. "See you soon."

Only after watching her safely enter the house, he made a u-turn and drove away.