Wattpad often highlights rude alphas and villains in love, but the real world needs stories that set better standards. In my first Wattpad story, "Soothe My Heart," I break the mold. Follow Bela as she navigates the toxic love of Siddarth, a privile...
The next day, Bela and Akiran reach office an hour late, after gulping multiple cups of hang-over soup. Bela gets a call from an unkown number, she receives it, the voice from the other side says "Hello Miss. Pretty lady from last night, you asked me to give you a ring today for settling the cab fare and the shoulder I offered yesterday", Bela replies, "Oh! yeah, yeah. Hi Mr. Kind stranger, sure. How much is it, I'd pay it online..", "Mhhmhuh.. I'm sorry if I sounded like asking money, I don't take money for being kind.." interrupts the voice, "sorry, but I don't get it! are you..." replies Bela, "before you get the wrong idea, I just need a favor from you, I work at this.. lets catch-up after you work... maybe at the coffee shop across.." adds the stranger.
Just then Bela's director walks in and starts saying, "Bela, I'm proud of the success of this proposal, but I don't want you to put your guards down and be lenient on the implementation. You vanished after the team lunch and reached office an hour late today. We do have strict deadlines and Rivaan is a very picky guy, you really need to get started now."
Bela responds, "Sure sir, I am on it. Just getting started. I would not let you down. Its just that I had a small party..", "Enough of excuses Bela, it shouldn't be hard reaching office, you live 10 minutes away. Quick show me some progress, EoD" director leaves saying this.
Meanwhile Bela realizes she is still on call with the stranger, she ends the call saying, "I'm really busy right now, please text me the details, will reach and talk whatever it is."
She receives a text with time and location, it reads "CCC Coffee Shop at 6:00 PM today, I'll be waiting", she responds with a thumbs up emoji and gets to work.
**Later that evening, at CCC Coffee Shop**
Rivaan is already sitting inside the shop, he got himself a latte, he's reached there at 5:45 PM knowing she'll only come at 6:00 PM. As he watches the passing cars, it starts to rain, while everyones rushing to hide under a cozy place, bikes stopped for shelter, people opening their umbrellas, other sharing with the ones who have an umbrella. There she is Bela, coming out of her office building, at 5:55 PM he looks at the clock on the coffee shop. She is holding a blue umbrella, walking past the entrance of her office, suddenly someone she knows waves at her, she exchange hellos and smiles and gives away her umbrella forcefully to the other person, while she rushes towards the coffee store.
Rivaan thinks to himself, "Did she just give away her umbrella just like that and choose to come here all wet. It isn't like she is doing great in life, she has her issues, she's all helpless yesterday, bawling over some fool. Today she is helping others while she barely has some shade for her. But, why do I kind of like it though. Am I grinning? Why is my heart feeling like someone is painting it with the coolest shade of colors and why is it rushing so fast as she is coming close. What is it that is making her look beautiful. Why is she glowing though?"
*Interpretation of Bela rushing towards CCC coffee shop*
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Meanwhile, Bela walks in and rings that stranger number, she looks around to find Rivaan holding his ringing phone up and smiling at her. Bela, very surprised, confused, walks towards him. She asks, "so, it was you?", "yes, of-course Miss. pretty lady from last night, I am your Mister. Kind stranger." replies Rivaan and grins.
Bela starts laughing a little, and Rivaan starts to explain how while he was on his evening jog, he found Akiran and her completely drunk and how he helped them to home. Rivaan stays two lanes past Bela's house, recently moved-in and that's how they had the cross-over which kindof saved Akiran and Bela last night.
"I get it now, were we almost hit by a car? We shouldn't be taking alcohol alone. We'd keep it in mind from now on. Thanks though, Rivaan. Now that I think of it, its kinda embarrassing, I know I was bawling bitterly about.." says Bela, Rivaan interrupts saying, "thats totally fine, I know, break-ups. Its all chill. Cheer-up, you!"
"Thanks again, I thought you were trying to flirt with me the other day, I'm so sorry I become extremely rude when I'm stressed. Its like a habit these days, I hope you understand." says Bela trying to clear-up the air. "I didn't know complimenting was considered flirting these days, I get it now." says Rivaan.
"Yeah, its kind of annoying to see someone flirting with you, specially when your break-up is still fresh" says Bela. They order iced-americano together, chit chat about the project for a while and then Bela asks him, "So what was the favor you wanted from me, was it a joke or something?" to which Rivaan replies, "Yeah, I was about to mention that, would you mind coming on another cup of coffee sometime, you can choose the place this time.", "I didn't get you, you mean for what, like the project.." Bela says, "Naah, not the professional way, like a d-da-t-t-e" says Rivaan, "sorry what?" exclaims Bela, "Let's date Miss. Bela. I guess I like you." replies Rivaan at once.
Bela stops drinking her coffee, looks at his for a second and stands-up. Here it goes her face red, is it her blushing, then starts saying words which definitely sound like rage, "Look, Mr. Director, you helped me, I am grateful. That's all, I don't see where the dating is coming from, I don't want a man in my life, please don't try to take advantage of knowing my heart-ache. Lets end it here."
Rivaan replies, "okay, as you wish Miss...", Bela interrupts him saying "Stop, don't call me that and, I am working on your project because you liked my proposal, its my skill. I hope none of this interferes, its better that way, you'd not lose a valuable project atleast", to which Rivaan just grins and laughs a little shaking his shoulders while holding his glabella with a hand.
*interpretation of Rivaan laughing as Bela rejects him*
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As Bela leaves the store, he thinks to himself, "How is arrogance so sexy? why am I laughing after getting brutally rejected and warned? this madness has to be love. Naah, Miss. Bela, I lied, this is far more than just like. What do I do now?" and sighs deeply.
