Craving for Danger

Chapter Ten

Ladies and gentlemen, all cellular telephones and other portable electronic devices, including mobile phones, CD players, and laptop computers, must be turned off and stowed for departure. Thank you.

With that announcement, the plane took off, and I leaned back into my seat, feeling the tension ease away. A flight attendant approached to remind me about the seat belts and emergency procedures. I requested a pair of headphones, eyeshades, a neck pillow, and a glass of apple juice. She nodded and excused herself, allowing me a moment of privacy.

A few minutes later, she returned with my requests, and once again, I was left alone in my spacious business class compartment, just beside Shivam’s. Adrien was seated in First Class, which left a hollow feeling in my chest. I gulped down the apple juice, savoring the sweet flavor as I settled in, placing the eyeshades over my eyes and slipping on the headphones. I queued up "Haan ke Haan" on repeat, letting the music wash over me.

As the minutes passed, my eyelids grew heavy, and soon I drifted off into a deep slumber, comforted by the gentle hum of the plane and the soothing melodies in my ears.

My eyes flickered open at the faint knock on my compartment door, revealing the flight attendant standing before me. "Yes?" I murmured, my eyelids still heavy with the desire to return to sleep. "Ma'am, it's time for dinner. What would you like to have?" she asked in the softest, most gentle voice I had ever heard. She handed me the menu, and I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision.

After studying the options for a moment, I finally settled on my choices. "I would love to try the Chicken Steak with Celery and Mashed Potatoes, the Latin Spiced Salmon with Avocado Salsa, Lasagna, and a Basil Gimlet."

She nodded with a warm smile before jotting down my order and departing. As I looked around, my gaze landed on the small television in front of me. I switched it on and settled in to watch my all-time favorite web series, "Badtameez Dil." It was the second episode of the first season when my meal was served.

The sight of the food was irresistible, and my mouth watered in anticipation. I pulled the cozy blankets over my lap as I began to eat, and I swear it was the best meal I could ever have on a flight. Each bite was a delicious delight, making me appreciate the moment even more.

~•~
I had been warned once by the flight attendant about lighting up the scented candles, so I quickly blew it out and returned to my book. It was 1:30 a.m., and sleep was nowhere near my mind. How could I sleep when the enemies just KISSED? It was such a monumental moment! My moment of bliss was abruptly shattered by a knock on my compartment door. Who the hell could it be now? I had just blown out my candle, for crying out loud.

"Yes?" I called out, but there was no response. I sighed and knocked on my compartment door again, my irritation growing. "El?" The anger bubbled inside me as I closed the door again, refusing to reply. What else was I supposed to do?

"El, I'm so—actually no... just let’s talk," he said, fueling my rage. What the hell did he mean by "no"? He was guilty, and he should be! My arm was still stinging in pain, and he had the audacity to say "no"? Oh boy.

"Excuse me?" I managed to whisper, trying to keep my voice down since everyone else must be sleeping.

"El... just let me in... once!"

With no other option, I reluctantly opened the door. "What?" My eyes narrowed in disgust as I maintained eye contact with him.

"El, I know what I did was wrong, and I also know you have forgiven me, so—"

"What?" Did he really have the guts to assume I had forgiven him? Was he living in some delusional fantasy?

"I said—" He was really getting on my last nerve.