Passion & Dilemma

9. Perfect imperfections

Sarthak's POV

My leg tapped rapidly against the grass and my palms clutched together as I waited for Prerna.

I looked at my watch for the sixth time. It was two minutes past five. She was late.

Shall I go check on her?

The thought passed through my head and I groaned under my breath as my patience was hanging by a thin string. We had to leave by five.

I had been waiting for her since the last twenty minutes but she was nowhere to be seen. What was she even doing? Was she still sleeping? Nah, she was way too disciplined and punctual for that.

The morning was as beautiful as ever. Birds chirping in a melodiously, trees were slow dancing to the breeze. The cold wind hitting my face made me close my eyes and I inhaled the fragrance of this paradise-like city.

Where the fuc—

"I'm here." My eyes snapped open as I heard Prerna's loud but distant voice.

She came jogging toward me and my fingers flexed as I watched her. She stood in front of me and I let the sight sink in.

"You are late." I drawled standing up.

My body towered over hers with ease. My 6'2 figure covered her tiny 5'4 body like a shield.

I bit my inner lip to control the smile when she blinked, looking at my giant body. That sight was oddly cute.

"By four minutes." She stated in a  dismissive manner and began walking toward the garage, leaving me behind.

"That still counts as late." I  covered the distance in two long strides and matched her steps.

"Whatever," I could see her clearly trying to resist the urge of rolling her eyes.

It was one of her habits I adored so much. It never failed to ignite something dark in my chamber of feelings. I would love to see her roll her eyes at me someday, not in annoyance but in a dirty, sinful yet enticing manner.

My lips curled into a subtle smirk at my own thoughts, and I looked down, touching my lips when I remembered how they were accidentally blessed with the touch of her earlobe when she hid herself in my embrace.

Fucking hell.

This was so wrong but I could not stop myself from fantasizing about her no matter how much I tried. I blamed it on my hormones, but I knew better.

Such explicit thoughts crossing my brain were something I had no control over. My mind was always restless when it came to Prerna, and it could not help but be a wanderer of the possibilities of being with her.

"Are you enjoying the vacation?" I tried to start a conversation while pedaling the bicycle.

She rode right beside and paid me a glance before focusing back on the empty road. "So far, yes, I am."

"Good to know." I drawled and turned as we got to the main road. We changed the lane and cycled by the big beautiful lake.

Amidst the uncertainty of life, work, the weight of expectations and responsibilities— her presence was the gentle caress of peace.

I was not good enough in many aspects, and I was well aware of it.

I could not handle the business like Bhai, I could not fulfill the responsibilities like my father, I could not be my family's source support like my Bade-papa.

I tried my level best but always lacked something. No one ever pointed it out, and honestly, they didn't need to. I knew myself well enough to know that I was lacking as a man.