Tortuous Love

Chapter 14

Rohit's phone began ringing and that got us out of our haze. Grumbling under his breath he stepped away from me and I suddenly felt the loss of his warmth.
"Yes Jack, get the car." he said as he walked towards me again.
He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and looked at me.
" You've been on my mind the day I saw you at the club, Ananya." he said as he held my chin.
My mind was all fizzled up  and all I could think was how attractive he looked right now, his eyes ablaze with desire and possessiveness.
His phone rang again, and quickly checking it he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the doorway. The car was waiting at the curb and Jack stoop outside holding an umbrella. Opening the door for me, I quickly scooted in and Rohit sat beside me. His hand still firmly held mine and I didn't complain.
He wasn't looking at me, he was deep in thought, looking out of the window.
It wasn't a long drive, Jack dropped us off at the curb as it wasn't pouring anymore. There was a slight drizzle with clouds marring the sky. The air had come chilly and I quickly ran into the apartment lobby, the wet clothes making me feel colder. Rohit was behind me and as I approached the elevator I turned to look at him. He was busy texting someone and suddenly I felt insecure. What if he regretted kissing me?
Was I reading too much into this? Did he want a fling? My mind was in overdrive, so I turned back and entered the elevator. He entered behind me and quickly grabbing my hand he pulled me towards him.
"Don't walk away from me." he said burying his head in the crook of my neck, nibbling onto it.
"Stop.... There's definitely going to be camera's in here." I said tugging at his head.
"You know I own this building right ?" he mumbled.
Rolling my eyes at his antics, I pushed him slightly as the elevator doors opened. Walking ahead of him I went to my door, searching for the card, in my bag to open it.
" Don't roll your eyes at me." Rohit said standing behind me.
Opening my door I walked in and looked back. He stood at the door, leaning against the doorframe.
" Let me get out of these clothes and then we can order something to eat. " he said looking at me.
I nodded, feeling shy, his gaze was different, it was uninhibited. And that made me nervous. History was repeating itself. I was indulging his advances but I couldn't say no. The first night he had helped me in the club was engraved in my head. It wasn't the way he looked, it was his personality that had attracted me to him. He made me feel warm and secure and that was something I had always searched for in my previous relationships.
But I shouldn't get carried away, Rohit seemed like a genuine guy but I would take baby steps.
Quickly taking a shower I changed into my pajamas , walking into the kitchen I was startled by a knock. He was pretty quick !
Opening the door, I saw Rohit standing there in a T-shirt and shorts. He looked so carefree, different than his stoic self in those expensive suits. He gave me a smile," May I come in ?" he asked, teasing me.
Giving him a smile I rolled my eyes and walked away from the door. " What a gentleman !"
"Don't roll your eyes at me." He said laughing at me.
"What do you want to eat?" I asked quickly trying to hide my nerves.
"Let's have pizza?" he asked as he started skimming through the men.
"Okay." I said plopping myself down on the couch.
He sat down beside me calling the restaurant. His other hand instinctively went to mine. His palm engulfed mine and his thumb kept brushing against my knuckles. This felt weird yet calming at the same time.
"Penny for your thoughts" he said looking at me.
"Nothing." I said smiling at him.
"Would you like a glass of wine.. I bet there would be one in my room. The pizza will be here soon. Let me grab the bottle," he said hurrying to his room.
I sighed and walked towards the balcony. It was drizzling as usual and the air was chilly. He didn't seem like her regretted the kiss before! Leaning against the railing I waited for him to return. I was dreading having to face Abhimanyu again, flashes of Arnav and his bloodied face kept popping in my mind.
Rohit walked into the balcony with a bottle of wine. "Would you mind getting two glasses from the kitchen?" he asked uncorking the bottle.
"Sure" I said. The door bell rung and I assumed it was the delivery guy.
On opening the door there was no one standing outside but a white box with a big ribbon in it, lay at the doorstep.
Picking it up, I inspected it, and found a card tucked beneath the ribbon.
'For unforgettable memories....Nanya' Love -A'
I could hear Rohit walk towards me and I turned showing him the box.
" What's in it ? Who sent it ?" he asked reading the card attached.
His expression changed and grabbing the box he almost tore it apart. Inside was a beautiful black gown, seemed expensive too.
" Are you sure Abhimanyu was dating your sister? He seems to be in love with you!" Rohit asked, irritation clear in his voice.
"Don't be ridiculous Rohit, I don't know why Abhimanyu would send this. And how he would know where I am staying."
"You can wear it if you want , you would look beautiful in it. The man does have taste." Rohit said grabbing his glass of wine and handing me mine.
" Can't I just skip tomorrow? " I whined.
" If you think you can bail out on me and make me tolerate that annoying man you are mistaken. You are coming with me, and I would prefer if you didn't wear that. " he said pointing at the dress.
He was jealous, it was clear in his actions. Smiling to myself I nodded, "Okay. Can we please not talk about Abhimanyu and his family and about tomorrow. I'm not too excited about it and I'd rather talk about something nice." I said grabbing a few crackers from the cupboard.
"Suits me. "he said.
" Where's the pizza ?"
The door bell rang again and this time Rohit opened it, to find this scrawny guy with our pizza in his hand. Paying and tipping the guy he walked towards the table in the balcony and plopped down on one of the chairs.
He looked angry but his anger wasn't directed at me. His movements were very casual like he was used to this, used to me.
Understand the rainy night sky in our balcony I had one of the best meals of my life. The wine was on point and so was my company. He told me stories about his childhood, his family and how he was closest to his grand father. I told him about my family , Tanya and my university days. I saw a new version of Rohit, a version which made me like him, even more.