FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 42

Next morning, I wake up on the usual time, 7am. Since there are not much changes to the decoration and also enough food remains from the two-day function. There is nothing much to do and I woke up early so I decided to go for a jog.

I quickly changed into a pink tank top and black track pants. I tied my hair in a high pony and left the room.

I come out in the open and feel the pleasant morning breeze. I close my eyes and taking a deep breath I am about to take a step when I hear someone call my name. I turn around and find seeing Hanan and Riad. Hanan had called me.

Hanan is wearing an orange high neck crop top and jogging pants, Riad in blue tank top and black jogging pants. Guessing from their attire looks like they are going for a jog. I smile at Hanan, but I felt slightly uncomfortable in Riad's presence.

Hanan asks me to join them for a jog, avoiding Riad's gaze I hesitantly agree. Riad didn't say anything, I don't know what was his expressions either.

Together, we three left the house. Hanan jogs in the center with Riad and me on either side of her. Half an hour into the jog I twist my ankle and fell

'Ahh...' I wince.

Hanan and Riad stop on their tracks and turn around. I am sitting on the ground with my eyes tightly shut and my fingers wrapped around my ankle. How can I be so careless, what will Riad and Hanan think of me? Hanan rushed towards me and kneels beside me, she held my ankle. As she touched me I wince.

'I think you have sprained your leg bad...Riad...Riad...come here' she calls Riad and I panicked.

'I...I...I am fine' I say shifting little trying to stand up but I couldn't. Hanan places her palms on my shoulder and makes me sit again. She turns back, Riad is still standing there looking at us with his hands on his hips.

'Riad, come na. Help her' Hanan calls slightly irritated. I started to protest but shut up when Riad stands beside me.

My heart starts to pound as he bends and scoops me in his arms. Reflexively my arms wounds around his neck. I felt tingly when I felt his sweaty shoulders, as kids when he accidently touched me with his sweaty palms I used to cringe but now...I am loving this feel. I wanted to look away but I find my eyes stuck on him, he is not looking at me. But I leisurely look at him. His features are so sharp, his nose...that perfect jawline. He looks even more gorgeous from up close. He has matured a lot since the last I saw him.

I never wanted us to reach home but we did, I felt the time from where he had picked me up till he dropped me back move in slow motion. Hanan knocks at the door. Few minutes later, Ruchi opens the door, rubbing her eyes and yawning. She was still sleeping.

'Aaram se' Hanan guides Riad as he carries me inside the room. I look away as he gently places me on the bed, Hanan sits beside my legs.

'I will take your leave' Riad says and Hanan nods. Riad then turns and leaves. Hanan looks at me and enquired if I was alright and advised me not to run around much. I smile at her.

As Hanan leaves I see Ruchi still standing at the door like a statue, her eyes wide and mouth wide open. I raised my eyebrows and Ruchi leaps towards me. She then starts to enquire everything in details which I gladly give. Ruchi then starts to tease me.

I had to throw a pillow at her after her five minutes of her dancing around and singing

"Kya karoon, Haye! Kuch kuch hotha hai"

Ruchi asks me to relax and that she will take care of everything. I felt grateful to her. It's around 10 and I don't want to sit ideal. I can limp, I guess I will manage. I am about to stand up when I hear the door knock.

'Come in'

I see Urooj coming in, I gulped. She is carrying a tray with a bowl and a towel. I shift in my place as she sits next to my legs.

'Hanan said you have got a sprain...' she begins shifting the duvet little from my ankle 'Which leg?' she asks not looking at me

'Urooj.... you needn't...'

'Which leg?' Urooj repeats this time looking at me. I then gesture towards my left leg. Urooj then held my leg and place it on her thighs. I simply watch her as she dips towel in the hot water and then places it on my ankle

'This will make you feel better' she mumbles looking at my ankle. I smile slightly, her gesture is really sweet. I accidently look up and find someone peeking into the room, as I look the person hides behind the wall. But I get a glimpse, Riad...why is he peeking from behind the wall? Did he send Urooj? Did he care and wants to see if I am alright? I shake my head, I don't want to keep any high hopes.

*

For the function, I dress myself in a golden shimmering blouse and emerald green Saree, it had heavy golden borders at its end. I am not into Sarees and like always I had to take Ruchi's help. I tied my hair is loose side bun and applied some make-up, little blush, kohl and blood red glossy lipstick. I wore golden stiletto and a golden necklace. I look at myself from all angles and I am really content with my look. Ruchi teases me, I tease her back. She too is looking stunning in a navy blue Anarkali suit with her hair open.

My ankle hurts but not as much as it did in the morning, Urooj's trick worked. Yet I have to limb, Ruchi had asked me to skip wearing heels but I didn't want to look short, even though I am 5'5 but with Saree I didn't want to take any chances.

I and Ruchi climb down and find almost everyone downstairs, the function had started. The function is simple and traditional, there are no DJs just a few professional ladies sitting on the floor with a tabla and singing traditional wedding songs. I smile seeing Liqa sitting at the center, blushing.

Here both gents and ladies are present. I see Hanan dancing with her mother, she is looking pretty in a golden lehengha. She is laughing. I and Ruchi come down towards them. Liqa gestures us to join them. I politely refused but Ruchi wanted to join and shake her hips. But I asked her to go and see all the arrangements. She said she will go in a while. I sit on the sofa and watch the function with a smile.

I see Urooj is also sitting on the floor clapping her hands and mouthing the songs, there is a smile on her face and I feel happy seeing her smile. Atif is dancing with the ladies.

My gaze accidently falls on Riad, and I am unable to avert my gaze. He is looking dashing in a blue embroidery kurtha and white pajama. I smile dreamily. He is sitting beside Liqa's father and smiling brightly watching the function. Then his gaze falls on me, our gaze getting locked. I keep looking at him and he too doesn't move his gaze from me. I feel the time freeze, everything around me getting blurred and the music muffling into the background.

Suddenly everything goes dark, and I find myself standing alone in the center of the living room. There are no sofas no dining table and there is no one else but me. The spotlight falls on me, and I smile when I feel a strong arm wrap around me, from the touch I know it's Riad. I inhale his strong cologne as I lean against him, his strong chest giving me support. I giggle when I feel him run his fingers on my bare waist resting it over my waist band. I close my eyes as he leans his head down, his hot breath fanning my shoulder.

I shiver as he gently kissed my shoulder, his arms around me and our fingers entwined. We stay in the position for few seconds before he turns me around, I up my lashes and look into his dark black eyes. I see so much love that I feel myself getting drowned in his dark eyes.

He held my cheeks with his palms and tilting his head he leans forward. I close my eyes as I see his lips approach mine. Our lips inches apart, I part my lips anticipating a kiss...