FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 9

He looks at me surprised, I smile instantly. I felt relieved somewhere deep inside my heart, I had been looking for him since that night.

'Hey!' I say, i wanted my tone to be friendly, hopefully it didn't sound little over-friendly. He frowns at me; he then walks past me and my jaw drop. This is first time; a man has ignored me. I felt my ego hurt. I glared at his retreating back, I wish I could burn a hole into his back with my gaze. I see him disappear into Men's loo.

'Madam, please don't block the door' I hear an irritated middle aged woman say from behind me. I glare at her, but she had no effect and kept looking at me annoyed. I walk away, my mood terribly off.

Back with Ruchi, she begins talking about our trip. I am even more piqued; she is making it sound like we are going on a holiday.

This time we are being paid in huge bucks, we have to work harder else we might loose the wedding contract.

I returned home and see Adnan sitting on the sofa and watching business news, all the time business doesn't he get bored. At times, he should try watching, bikini TV, maybe then he will consider getting married.

'Bhai' I say happily and leaped on the seat next to him. He smiles looking at me, he throws his arm around my shoulder as I moved closer to him.

I hugged his waist 'Bhai! I got a new big project' I say

'Really?' Adnan says sounding equally excited. I narrate him everything but conveniently left out the "Nawab Ali" part. I am sure Adnan will never let me take up this project if he knows about it, but the thing is they could be any Nawab Alis right?

'I will not get to see for next one week' he pouts. I simply hugged my brother tighter, I shake my head and say we will be in touch through chats, calls and video calls. I will always keep him updated.

'What is this?' Adnan asks picking up my black bikini top. I gasp

'Bhai!' I say aghast and grabbed it from him, I quickly stuffed it in my bag.

'Are you going to wear bikini there' his possessive protective brother mode on. My cheeks burning red

'Bhai, that was my bra' I say. I guess he felt embarrassed hence he made some excuse and left. I sigh in relieve. Bhai bhi na kabhi-kabhi goes overboard with his strict parenting mode.

By the time I am done with the packing it's around 12am. I drop on my bed, pick up my phone and text Ruchi

Bags packed...Lakshadweep here we come.... yaaayyy!

*

I climb down the car; Adnan climbs down from the driver's seat. He has come to drop me. As he is getting the luggage I look at my reflection on the car window. I run my finger through my hair adjusting it, and adjusted my grey long sleeved cold shoulder top and also my black flat slippers.

'Are you done?' I hear my brother's sarcastic comment and I straighten up. I nod feeling embarrassed. I call Ruchi and she says she is on her way, I noticed Adnan getting restless so I suggested that we will check in and let Ruchi take her time. He instantly agreed.

The queue to the check-in isn't long so I am done with the checking-in my luggage quickly.

It is really rare for me to leave Pune for business, hardly any one comes to me for exotic weddings. I am thankful to Mr. Kumar that I got this chance. I hugged my brother, I feel emotional. After we part he leads me to the security check, before I turn to leave he held my hand. I turn to him.

Adnan gives me all usual advices and warnings and after he is fully assured that I will be fine he lets me go. I hug him again and disappear into the security check, I glance back and see him still standing there. I wave at him, he waves back. I see him mouth "Safe journey" I smile.

I am done with the security and wait near the gate for the flight, there is still time for that.

I and Ruchi are going to take flight to Kerala and from there go to the Islands via boat. I am really excited; it will be like an adventure.

Soon, Ruchi arrives. She comes only minutes before the departure gate is to open.

Throughout the plane journey I and Ruchi made plans, I rolled my eyes when she suggested a beach party after checking out locations for the engagement. By evening we reached the island, Agatti island is one of the 36 islands in Lakshadweep. It has serene beauty, awesome marine life and coral reefs.

Ruchi sequels as we stand outside Seashell resorts, at night it looks even more divine. There are small huts which are beautiful lit with blue lights, its soothing to the eye.

I and Ruchi's trip is sponsored by the richies and so we have separate huts, we wouldn't have managed even a single hut with our budget, excluding Adnan's- I don't like to take his favors.

The inside of the hut is even more breathtaking, the ambience so soothing.

The room is dimly lit and is very spacious with a single bed in the center, a window to the left side of the bed and next to it is a wardrobe, and to the right of the bed is the attached bathroom. I quickly unpacked and arranged my clothes in the wardrobe, I get a text from Ruchi asking me to join her near the water after I have freshened up. Though I am tried I decided to sit by the water, sip few drinks and enjoy the waves at night. I should relax before the hectic schedule starts from tomorrow. Tomorrow night, the guests including the bride and the groom will arrive. Day after tomorrow, is the engagement. I picked up my lavender night shirt and white loose pants, and after texting Bhai I reached safely I dashed into the bathroom.

Even though its summer, but at night its gets cold at the beach. So, I wore a white cardigan, there is a mini bar in the corner of the room. I take out my can of beer and leave.

Ruchi is already sitting there, her legs stretched front and her back against the long chair, her eyes closed. I smile when I see her palm tightly clenching her can of beer her hand dangling from the edge of the chair. I sit beside her.

'Cheers' I say clicking our glasses, she looks at me and smiles. I adjusted in my chair, opening my can I leaned back stretching my legs front. I close my eyes. We didn't speak, the light breeze and sounds of the wave relaxing me. I feel like a five-year-old carefree girl.