Meet Ishaa Shetty:
The poised and polished future heir to Arcadia, Hyderabad's largest tech empire. With her flawless style, straight A's, and loyal circle of friends, Ishaa is the embodiment of perfection. Bold, intelligent, and effortlessly beauti...
A mischievous grin spread across my face as I sidled up to Rishi, his family and mine now safely out of sight. "Alright, Mr. Mysterious," I teased, my voice dripping with mock sarcasm. "Spill it. What's this super important work I apparently have?"
Rishi chuckled, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Surprise!" he announced, drawing out the word for dramatic effect.
My brows shot up in amusement. "A surprise, huh? Well, don't keep me in suspense. What could it be?" I rattled off a list of possibilities, my voice filled with playful excitement. Rishi simply laughed, enjoying my animated guessing game.
Finally, he reached out and gently turned me around, his fingers brushing lightly against mine. A soft fabric enveloped my eyes, plunging me into momentary darkness.
"Just a little patience, Ish," he murmured, his voice warm against my ear.
I couldn't help but let out a playful scoff. "Patience is not exactly my strong suit, you know that," I grumbled good-naturedly.
He chuckled again, his touch lingering on my arm as he guided me forward. A few moments later, he stopped, and I felt the fabric being lifted.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes, and gasped. There, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby streetlamp, stood a magnificent sight – a sleek Kawasaki ninja H2 motorcycle.
A grin bloomed on Rishi's face, mirroring the one I felt spreading across mine. Riding a bike had always been a dream of mine, an unfulfilled wish. I'd pestered Rishi countless times to take me on a ride, but to no avail. He let me ride on his scooter but never his bike. Now, here he stood, about to make that dream a reality.
"This is my gift to you, Ish," he declared, his voice filled with pride. "I'm taking you for a ride."
My heart soared. "Rishi!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him in a spontaneous hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. He quickly donned a helmet, then helped me put mine on, his fingers brushing against mine once more. He then asked me "Do you trust me?" I smiled a little and said, "yes of course" . The thrill of anticipation crackled in the air as he straddled the bike, gesturing for me to get on behind him.
With a nervous flutter in my stomach, I climbed onto the back of the bike, the cool night air whipping through my hair as we zoomed off. The cityscape of Hyderabad blurred past in a kaleidoscope of lights, the wind carrying away the day's worries and leaving only the thrill of the moment.
"I'm taking you to a special place," Rishi announced over the roar of the engine.
After a twenty-five-minute ride, we pulled into a quiet park, a hidden gem tucked away amidst the bustling city. The place was deserted, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon.
"Are we the only ones here?" I asked, marvelling at the tranquillity of the spot.
Rishi surveyed the park, a smile playing on his lips. "Seems that way."
We found a secluded bench and sat down, the silence broken only by the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves. Gazing at the star-dusted sky, I felt a wave of contentment wash over me.
"This place is amazing," I whispered, turning to Rishi. "Why don't more people know about it? Everyone just seems to flock to the malls, oblivious to hidden gems like this."
Rishi leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "You know what would make this night perfect, Ish?"
My heart skipped a beat as I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. Trying to appear nonchalant, I feigned innocence. "What?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned in even closer, his breath tickling my ear. "Chocolate chip ice cream," he declared with a playful grin.
Relief washed over me, so intense it almost felt like a disappointment. For a moment there, I thought...well, never mind. The playful banter we shared felt comfortable and familiar. Maybe that was all it was, and that was okay.
Rishi, oblivious to the internal storm I'd just weathered, grinned and disappeared into the park. He returned moments later, two ice cream cones in hand. We sat there, savouring the sweet treat and the peaceful ambience, the unspoken bond between us growing stronger with each passing moment.
Tilting my head back, I gazed up at the night sky. The moon, a luminous pearl in the inky expanse, cast a soft glow on everything around us. "Isn't it beautiful?" I murmured, the words tumbling out unbidden.
Rishi's gaze, never leaving mine, held a depth I hadn't noticed before. "It is, truly beautiful," he replied, his voice a husky whisper. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum solo echoing in the quiet night. All the romantic novels I'd ever devoured, all the fantastical dramas I'd seen, paled in comparison to the intensity of the moment.
Suddenly self-conscious, I blurted out, desperate to break the charged atmosphere, "We need to come to places like this more often, dude! This is amazing."
Rishi chuckled, his touch surprisingly gentle as he ruffled my hair. "Sure, Ish. More secret escapes under the cloak of night. Sounds like a plan."
We began our journey back, the deserted road a smooth ribbon unwinding beneath the moonlight. Settled comfortably on the back of the bike, I wrapped my arms around Rishi's waist as he picked up the pace. I removed my helmet this time. The cool night air whipped through my hair, carrying with it the scent of freedom and adventure.
The closeness we shared was comfortable at the same time sent a shiver down my spine. I squeezed my eyes shut, resting my head against his back. At that moment, all I wanted was to hold onto this feeling, this sense of connection, forever.
But as with all good things, our adventure had to come to an end. The familiar sight of our neighbourhood streets brought a pang of disappointment. Rishi slowed down, pulling into my driveway.
"Home sweet home," he announced, his voice tinged with a hint of regret, mirroring my own feelings.
As I dismounted the bike, our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, a silent understanding passed between us. This night, this unexpected journey had shifted something. The question that hung in the air, unspoken yet pulsing with unspoken desire, was what came next? With a shy smile and a lingering look, I bid Rishi goodnight, the echoes of our laughter and the thrill of the ride swirling in my head as I entered the house. The night, woven with stolen glances, unexpected turns, and newfound awareness, was a turning point, a secret melody playing only in the space between our hearts.
Isha's OOTD
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Rishi's OOTD
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Author's Note:
hey guys! how are you? howis this chapter? I know that some of you might have expected this. Also, I do not recommend driving without a helmet, here it's fictional but in real life, it's not, so please do wear a helmet while you drive. also, Rishi's 18, and he has a driving license (to those who think Rishi is not supposed to drive.). Anyway, don't forget to vote, and comment. I asked you guys many times to express yourself through comments, but you never do!!
also, shout out to - @InfatuatedBookworm for commenting on a few chapters.
From now on I will upload weekly once as my school work has increased.
