Destined to a Gangster - Reimagined

3. The Gangster

She ran...

Away from her house.
Away from the people
Away from their faces.
Away from the quilt..sadness... anger.

She heard the shouts of her name. But she didn't stop.

She towards the empty streets. Towards the darkness.

She couldn't feel her legs... her breathing started to hitch. Soon she knew her body would collapse. She waited for that moment. Knowing full well that she would not have the energy to get up again.

Just as the darkness started to envelop her. A strong light came out like a tunnel. She heard a screech and then her legs gave up.

Her eyes closed and she welcomed darkness.

———————————————————————-

Raghav looked down at the woman laying down at his feet. She was gorgeous. Even though she wore a very unflattering gray saree. It was a saree that older women tend to wear. It was odd seeing a young woman wearing this saree. It did not beg for attention, rather ensured that she was dismissed.

He stared at her longer than he should have, trying to find a flaw on her face.

He heard Farhad walk towards him.

"Anna?"

He didn't want Farhad to come closer. So he quickly turned around to face him.

"She is fine, looks like she fainted. Get me a water bottle."

Farhad went back to the car and fetched the bottle. He took steps away from her to ensure Farhad would stay away.

"Stay in the car. I will be back."

He grabbed the bottle and walked back to her. He could hear a change in her breathing as she started to gain consciousness. He bent down to pick her up in his arms. She barely weighed anything in his arms.  Looking around he found a bench, and quickly walked towards it.
He placed her gently into the bench and gave her a small sip of water.

For a few minutes he stood over her watching her eyes flutter and her lips part as her breathing started to return to normal. Each moment that passed he became desperate to see her eyes. Finally he bent down on his knees and moved closer to her. He wished she would open her eyes, it was the last part of her face that remained a mystery for him. He wondered what color her eyes would be. It was as if she heard his request, her eyes fluttered opened. He stared into her confused eyes, trying to pinpoint the color. It was hard to describe the color of her eyes. While he stared at  She quickly sat up on the bench and moved away from him.  He wanted to pull her back towards him but held himself back.

"Are you okay?"

"Who are you?"

They both spoke at the same time.

"You fainted in front of my car. He pointed to the car behind her to help orient her. She looked back towards the car. Her face was half turned but he could see the flashes of memories and realizations she was having. It was like her face was projecting all the emotions she was feeling.

He stood up away from the bench, hoping to put some space between them. She turned towards him again, realizing her position on the bench. She quickly swung her legs down and got up from the bench. Luckily for him her foot caught on her saree and she fell into his arms. He held her one arm and sneaked the other to her open waist. Her responsive gasp satisfied the inner beast in him. She too was effected by him.

Quicker than he wanted she removed herself from his arms. He did not like the distance she placed between them, but he could not do anything to stop her.

"Are you okay?" He asked again.

She nodded her head in a yes. She looked around the area, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Thank you for helping me. I am fine now."

He took a step towards her and placed his hand under her chin to make look at him.

"When speaking to me, you need to look at me."

Her eyes grew wide at his tone.

She moved my hand away from her face. He could see the flash of anger on her face, but to his disappointment she did not act on it.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Why?"

"I saved you, don't I get you know your name?"

"I fainted"

"I carried you to the bench"

She looked at him in confusion. He feared she wouldn't tell him.

"Pallavi Des.." she stopped abruptly.

He smiled.

"Pallavi.... It's a beautiful name. It suits you"

She looked genuinely surprised at the compliment.

"Tell me Pallavi - are you married?"

She did not answer for a while.

"It's late I need to go home."

"Trying to run away already?" He didn't wait for a answer. "I can drop you home, let's go"

"No" She took another step back.

He raised his hand in surrender, it didn't help to scare her.

"You will be safe, I will just drop you home. Its late at night and you are alone."

"No, its okay. I live close by."

He knew she was lying but did not press the issue.

"Well then, Pallavi, I should get going" She visibly relaxed as soon he suggested leaving her. He did not like that so he added  "I will see you around Pallavi"

"what?"

"I intend to take you to dinner Pallavi"

"You don't even know me."

"The dinner is to get to know you better"

"That's not going to happen"

He only smiled at her. If only she knew what he knew now. She was not going to walk away from me until I understand the effect she has on me.

"No" she said firmly. Maybe she too could read my thoughts.

"Good Night Pallavi, see you soon"

He turned around and started to walk back.

"Who are you?"

Without turning around he responded "Raghav Rao"

"The Gangster" came her response.

He couldn't help himself and laughed.