Deceptive Affections

CHAPTER 10

REYAAN

I was in my home office when I heard the bell ring. I didn't go to the office today as I have other plans. As soon as I opened the door, a punch landed on my face.

"Did you really have to do that?" I remarked while touching my bottom lip, which is now bleeding a bit.

"Yes! Why are you with my sister?" he is very straightforward today. Looks like he came with an agenda.

I went to the kitchen to take an ice pack out from the freezer and gently pressed it against my lips. I am meeting Zaisha later and if she sees my bruised lip, she will definitely ask me about it.

"Why don't you ask your sister?", I retorted.

"Because she is naïve and a kid. I want to know what you told her that she is suddenly dating you now." Aditya stated.

"Not suddenly. We have been dating for two months now. Didn't she tell you?"

His jaw clenched and I released a sigh. "Look, I really do care about Zaisha and I will never hurt her." I stopped to contemplate if I should say this or not, but his expressions made me say it, "I like her."

He gave me a blank expression, but it softened a bit. He came to stand near me, not giving me an inch of space to breathe. "If Aishi gets hurt or upset even a little bit because of you, I'll make your life a living hell." It already is.

I let him have it though. It is pointless for him to say this because there is no way I'll ever hurt her, at least not intentionally. I pushed him out of my way. "Do you mind leaving now? I have to get ready. You know, I have a date today." I smirked.

He punched me again. Okay, I deserved this one. Although, I do think he needs anger management therapy. I ignored him and went to change into a casual blue shirt and beige pants.

ZAISHA

I entered the café. It was beautiful with outdoor seating which provided great ambiance. Soft music was playing in the background. There weren't many people here though as it is still early for lunch.

I found Reyaan sitting at a corner table working on his laptop. He looked so handsome like this, wearing casual clothes and black sunglasses.

He looked up at the same time and I went towards him. He closed his laptop and got up from his chair to help me sit on my chair. I grabbed his arm and turned him towards me. His lip is bruised as if someone punched him there.

"What happened to your lips?" a frown creased my forehead.

He touched his lip before answering, "Its nothing, I bumped into a wall."

It does not look like he simply bumped into a wall. It is definitely a punch. My brother has got into some real nasty fights over the years, and I can tell from experience that someone hit him.

My eyes widened at the realization. "My brother hit you." It was a statement because I know. Anger bubbled inside me.

"It is not true. Forget about it now. Have a seat and tell me what will you have?" He tried to change the topic and I let him. I'll deal with my brother later. Right now, I want to enjoy my date. Even if it is fake.

Before checking out the menu, I took out a lip-balm and handed it to him. "Keep applying it on your bruise. It will help you heal faster."

He took it from me and applied it right then. It's a strawberry flavored lip balm and I want to know how it would taste on his lips. I licked my lips and bit the lower one to stop myself from dreaming.

"So, what will you have?" Reyaan asked me. I answered without checking the menu "Pasta with garlic bread and Choco brownie shake to drink." I saw him hiding his smile behind his menu. "What? I like chocolate shakes. Don't judge me."

"I am not judging you." With that he gave the order to the waiter, and I was surprised when he ordered the same for him including, 'the chocolate shake'."

"You like chocolate shake?" I asked sarcastically.

"If I can't judge you, you can't judge me." Touche.

"Makes sense. Okay. Now should we discuss... um...how we will... you know?" It is very awkward to say it out loud.

"Yes. We should. But before that I want to know why six months? Why are you going to Mumbai?" oh yes, he doesn't know.

I smiled brightly because I am really excited for this new opportunity. "Okay, so, I was working for this project at office and our client also participates in the most extravagant and amazing and beautiful and literally the best fashion show out there and she" I took a pause for dramatic effect, "asked me to be her lead designer." I continued, not giving him a chance to speak.

"Wait because I am not finished. She also gave me a learning-based internship at her company which will help me improve my skills to another level." I squealed in happiness.

"That's great Zaisha. Congratulations!" he said in a slightly cheery voice with strangely a bit of disappointment.

Our food arrived at the same time, and I waited for Reyaan to taste his shake. But when he did, his expressions remained the same, literally no change. "Do you like it?" I asked, not being able to control myself.

"It's fine." It's fine? It is amazing. But whatever. I thought he would absolutely hate it, so I guess 'it's fine' is a shock-worthy reply.

"So, I was thinking we will need to do this date stuff kind of regularly. You for your public image and me, to show my brother that this is serious." I finally said it.

"Okay." That's it? That's his reply. I need more.

"So, what do you think we should do and when. I mean, I know you are not free, so I want to know your availability?" I probed further.

"Anything and anytime is fine with me." I mentally sighed.

"So, if we go to a waterpark on a Monday morning, does that work for you?" I asked, wanting to know if he was even listening to me.

He looked up, finally, "What?"

"So, you are listening to me." And then I finally blurted, "I want to know what you think and what you want to do."

"Um... I am sorry I am not good at this 'dating' thing. That's why I am letting you decide what you want to do."

"Well. It's not real dating so you can do whatever you want. How about this? We go on a date every week, preferably Sunday and we can decide alternately on what to do?" I suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." He seemed happy with it and now I am satisfied.

"Cool. So, I will decide on the date first?" I suggested. He agreed. And we finished our food while discussing other things.

He paid the bill, even though I insisted we should split saying, "you can pay on our next date." Next date. Butterflies, who have a permanent home in my stomach erupted hearing that.

We then went out of the café, and he told me he would drop me home. "I am not going home. I'll go to Aarohi's place."

"It's fine. I'll drop you there. Get in."

We had a small conversation during the drive. I didn't realize, it was very effortless to talk to him and we hadn't really tried talking before. He all of a sudden asked me, "Why don't you learn how to drive?"

"I will soon. I am pestering Bhai to teach me, but he has been so busy lately."

"I can teach you if you want." He proposed.

"What really? You are serious?" I asked.

"Yes! If you want." He replied and I nodded my head happily. I am dying to learn to drive and now even more so.

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