Feeling The Greys (revised version)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑. 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐒 & 𝐔𝐏𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘

𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢

"I can't hear you speaking, Shivi...or have I really shut your mouth?" He whispered. My breath hitched.

Shrey's hot breath fanned the shell of my ear as I tried to settle down my racing heart. What's happening? How did I let him get this close to me, that too in front of this many people? Where is my conscience, my morals, my manners?

Yet after all this thoughts, I can't find it in myself to push him away. His words turned into jumbled letters and the heat of his body, making it difficult for me to understand. I should push him away. I should ask him to step away and keep some distance but...

Do I really want that?

The question flew right out of my mind the second I felt his thumb drawing circles on the side of my waist. I melted right there, my stomach doing that same weird thing it did when Shrey trapped me against the door that morning.

"Shivi..." I know he's smirking, smiling in his stupid victory. "Why are you so silent now?"

Say something, Shivani. Don't make a fool of yourself. I shake my head. "I—"

A loud, horrendous cough came from somewhere, and I flinched, finally jumping out of this stupid trance he pulled me into. Shrey pulled away, creating some distance yet his arm stayed around me. I cleared my throat and craned my neck to see who it was.

Vicky shook his head in disappointment and walked towards us. "Guys! The stage is up there." He slung is arm around our shoulders. "Tsk tsk. You guys are so selfish. Get up there and give all of us that romantic show."

We heard laughter from behind as Vicky ushered us near the stage. Shrey grumbled and pushed him on his shoulder. "Fuck off, Vicky. We were just talking."

"This close?" Nakul quipped.

Shrey glared at him. "It is loud here."

"We went to this bar once and it was very loud. You didn't do the talking this way with me there!" Vicky's tone held accusation. I bit my lips, holding in the chuckle that threatened to escape.

"Are you—" Shrey closed his eyes and sighed. "Did your breakfast got you high?"

"No, your public romance did." He shrugged and turned to me. "By the way, care to explain, Shivani?"

"Explain what?" My eyes went to Shrey...then back at the Satan's lost child. "We were talking and the music was very loud—I couldn't hear."

"What did he say—"

"Stop troubling her, asshole." He rolled his eyes and moved us to the opposite of where we stood earlier, away from them. I followed him like a lost puppy which I liked and hated at the same moment.

This time, we stood silently, neither of us sharing a single word as we heard people give speeches after speeches, promising how they're planning to make this year's event bigger and more successful. I tuned them out as soon as they started with the sports club.

Instead, my mind wandered to the moments Shrey and I shared minutes an hour ago. I could feel his warmth as he stood behind me, protectively. Protecting from whom, I don't know. Weirdly, it felt nice to have him close by. Good thing he forgot about the Rehan topic or else I'd to speak dozen of lies to Shrey to save one secret of someone.

Thinking about our earlier conversation, it makes me wonder—Was Shrey really jealous? Or was it something else?

The mere thought of making him jealous caused a giddy feeling to erupt inside me. I bit my lips and steal a quick glance at Shrey, who was busy talking with some guys standing beside us. The old urge to brush off the strands from his forehead is still alive and breathing. I watched as his lips moved uttering something about basketball and...and...I don't know. I just keep eyeing the way his lips moved around each syllable and the way his throat bobbed, his jaws moved.