Getting Over Him

Escape

Pran's P.O.V: 

Just as I was about to sit back down at the table, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw my Pat's name on the screen. My heart skipped a beat, a small smile tugging at my lips as I excused myself from the table to go privately answer the call. Once I was out of everyone's sight, I swiped to answer.

"Hey," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though the relief of hearing from him was almost overwhelming.

"Hey yourself," he replied, his voice warm and familiar. I could picture him perfectly, his tan skin glowing in the dim light of his dorm room, those puppy-like eyes of his full of the softness that made my heart melt every time. "I was just thinking about you. Are you doing okay in there?"

I glanced around the banquet hall, the noise and the chatter closing in on me like a vice. "Barely," I admitted, lowering my voice. "It's... a lot."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then he spoke again, his tone gentle but firm. "How about this: I'm outside, in the car. I thought maybe you'd need an escape route."

"What?! What if they see you?! Are you out of your goddamn mind?!" 

"Don't worry, I made sure to bring the car that has tinted windows, and I'm wearing a disguise. If I have a family banquet, I know you would pull something to get me out too, Pran." He chuckles a little. 

The relief that washed over me was like a wave, taking with it the tension that had been building up all night. He was here, waiting for me, ready to whisk me away from all of this. "You're really here?" I asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear him say it.

"Yeah, I'm here," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "I didn't want you to be stuck there all night, so I figured I'd be your getaway driver."

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound a little shaky but genuine. "You're a lifesaver, you know that?"

"Anything for you," he replied, and I could almost see the way his eyes would be crinkling at the corners, the way he'd be looking at me like I was the most important person in the world.

I glanced over at my parents, still deep in conversation with the relatives around them. They wouldn't miss me, not really. I'd made my appearance, played my part. It was time to leave. "I'm going to head out," I said, my voice steadier now that I had an escape in sight. "I'll see you in a minute."

"I'll be here," he promised, and then the line went dead.

I took a deep breath and stood up, smoothing down my shirt. It was time to make my exit. I approached my parents, who were still engrossed in their conversation, and waited for a lull before speaking. "Hey, I'm going to head out," I said, trying to sound casual. "I've got some homework I need to finish up."

My father barely glanced at me, just nodded in acknowledgment, while my mother gave me a distracted smile. "Of course, dear," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't stay up too late."

I made my rounds, saying quick goodbyes to the rest of my relatives, who barely registered my departure. It was a relief, honestly; the last thing I wanted was to be stopped and questioned. I kept it brief, muttering something about deadlines and assignments, and before I knew it, I was free.

As soon as I was out of the banquet hall, I picked up the pace, practically flying down the marble steps. The cool night air hit me as I burst through the doors, a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth inside. I spotted his car parked near the entrance, a familiar old thing that had seen better days but was full of memories for us. The headlights were on, casting a warm glow on the pavement, and I could see him sitting in the driver's seat, his head turning as he caught sight of me.

I broke into a jog, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and relief, and in seconds I was at the car. He reached over and pushed the door open for me, and I slid in, closing it behind me with a satisfying thunk. 

As soon as I saw his face I bursted out laughing. He was wearing one of those fake glasses that has a mustache attached to them. 

"Take that off right now Pat" 

He slid off those silly glasses, and he was grinning at me, his tan skin glowing under the soft light from the dashboard. His puppy-like eyes were wide and full of affection, and I couldn't help but grin back, all the tension from the night evaporating in an instant. "You made it," he said, his voice full of warmth and a touch of amusement.

"Thanks to you," I replied, leaning over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. He smelled like the familiar cologne he always wore, a comforting mix of wood and spice that I associated with him and only him.

He reached out and took my hand, his fingers warm and strong as they laced through mine. "You okay?" he asked, his voice softening as he looked at me with those eyes that seemed to see right through to my soul.

I nodded, squeezing his hand. "Now I am," I said honestly. "I was ready to lose it in there."

He chuckled, bringing our joined hands up to his lips to press a kiss against my knuckles. "I figured as much. That's why I came."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the car's heater. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Only because you make it easy," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, where to now, my escapee?"

"Anywhere but here," I said with a laugh, leaning back in my seat and finally allowing myself to relax.

"Your wish is my command," he said with a wink, and with that, he put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb.

We drove through the quiet streets, the city lights passing by in a blur as we left the banquet hall and all its suffocating expectations behind. The radio was playing softly in the background, a gentle melody that matched the peaceful silence between us. It was the kind of silence that wasn't awkward or uncomfortable but filled with understanding, the kind where words weren't necessary because just being together was enough.

He kept one hand on the wheel and the other on mine, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand in a way that sent tingles up my arm. I turned to look at him, taking in the way his tan skin seemed to glow under the streetlights, the way his jawline was strong yet softened by the gentle curve of his lips. He was beautiful, and in that moment, I felt so incredibly lucky to have him in my life.

"Thank you for coming to get me," I said after a while, my voice soft. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

He glanced over at me, his eyes full of that same warmth and affection that never failed to make me feel like I was the only person in the world. "You don't have to thank me," he said quietly. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

My heart swelled at his words, and I couldn't resist leaning over to press a soft kiss to his lips. He kissed me back, slow and sweet, and for a moment, the world outside the car faded away, leaving just the two of us in our little bubble of warmth and love.

When we finally pulled back, I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling his steady heartbeat under my cheek. We didn't say anything else for the rest of the drive, just let the music and the hum of the engine fill the space between us. I felt safe, loved, and for the first time that night, completely at peace.

Eventually, we pulled up to our dorm, the familiar building a welcome sight after the stress of the evening. He parked the car and turned to me, his eyes searching mine. "You want to head in, or should we just stay out here for a bit?"

I smiled, leaning up to kiss him again, slow and lingering. "Let's stay here for a little while longer," I whispered against his lips, not quite ready to leave the comfort of this moment.

He smiled back, his eyes softening in that way that made my heart melt. "As long as you want," he murmured, pulling me closer.

And so we stayed there, wrapped up in each other, letting the world outside fade away as we held on to the warmth and love that we found in each other. It was just the two of us, and in that moment, that was all we needed.