FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 16

Ruchi tugs my arm and urges me to go ahead. I gulp. Riad is with Adnan and other boys, so I casually walk towards them and stand few distance away from them. I am relieved when I see Adnan is busy chatting with the boys, Riad looks clearly distracted. But he isn't looking at me, I want to signal him. I can't kiss him here, I have to take him somewhere private, in my opinion terrace will be a better place. I glanced nervously at Ruchi, she sticks out her thumb and mouths "All the best"

I gulp and nod my head. I take one more step closer to them. Ah ha! Riad looks at my direction. And we have an eye contact, usually I always break the eye contact but this time I didn't. I tilt my head slightly and gestures towards the stairs leading to the terrace. He looks at me confused but I nod my head and start to walk towards the stairs, I glanced back he is still standing on the same spot looking clueless.

I nod my head and take a step on the first step. He hesitates but then starts to walk towards me. I am hell nervous, what the hell am I doing?

I stand at the terrace; I could feel butterflies in my stomach but not in a good way. Minutes later, Riad comes up too. I look at him and smile nervously at him. He doesn't smile but looks at me concerned

'What happened? Is everything alright?' he asks standing few steps ahead of me. I nod my head, I can feel my palms getting sweaty, even though the weather is pleasant I am feeling the heat.

'Then? Shall I call Adnan; you want to talk to him?' Riad says. His concern is making me feel guilty, thoda sa. I see Ruchi come, she places her index finger on her lips and gestures me that she is hiding in a dark corner in the extreme left of the terrace. Why is she here? doesn't she trust me. I am girl of my words; I never step back from double dares.

I mustered some courage and take a step towards him. Riad takes a step back looking at me nervously.

'Riad' I say in my fake sweet voice; I clench my fists tightly and take a step towards him. He takes another step back and his back hits the railing, he has nowhere go.

'I want to confess something to you...'I say taking his hand in mine, he shivers. I noticed goosebumps on his arm.

I look up in his eyes. He is looking blinks confused, it looks like he is holding his breath.

I place my hand on his shoulder and lean closer, he gulps looking away.

'Riad, I don't know when and how...? I...Initially I kept denying...this can't be possible but.... I... (God! What am I doing?) I l-la-lov-love you' I say finally.

I see Riad's eye widen, he is speechless. Few seconds later, he moves my hand and frowns at me

'Have you been drinking? I am calling Adnan' he says and turns to leave. I held his hand

'I am serious...Riad. I love you... don't you love me?'

I see his expression soften as he looks at me, I gulp. He is taking my words seriously.

After few minutes, of awkward staring 'Really?' he says innocently. I nod. He then blushes looking away and then back at me.

'I can't believe it, a beautiful and caring girl like you loves me? Aleesa, you are not only good looking but also a beautiful person to love a guy like me' he says. I feel terribly guilty noticing his eyes getting moist. He is serious, Damn! Ruchi I will murder you.

His hand trembles as he places his palm on my cheek, involuntarily I close my eyes.

'Since the day I first saw you, ten years ago I had strong feelings for you... (I open my eyes and look into his deep black eyes) as the years passed... we grew older and I realized I love you... but I didn't have guts to...I know you deserve better, someone who is really good looking, caring and understanding and not a nerd fatso like me (yeah, so true. I don't know what I am doing with you) and so I kept my feelings to myself.' He says

I am glad his lecture is over, I want to kiss him and be done with it. I wrap my arms around his neck

'Let's seal our love with a kiss' I say glancing at his lips and then looking back into his eyes. He shakes his head and moves my arms from around him

'Let's not hurry' he says

'No! don't be such a spoil spot' I pout. He is still apprehensive and keeps refusing. Dude! I don't have so much to tolerate your tantrum. I wrapped around his neck again and move my face closer to his. He freezes, I held his nape and pulled him closer. I felt his breath fanning my lips. My heart beating rapidly as I tilt my head. He closes his eyes, he is melting. Boys! They can't resist for long.