The Lost Thread

The PULL

To distract herself, she gave her full attention to Dipak. Dipak was overjoyed. For the first time since morning, he had Maya's attention. Every boy in the team had been striving to capture her attention. She was not only beautiful, but shy and reserved. The perfect wife-material.

He excitedly launched on a monologue cataloguing all his virtues. Maya sipped on her tea and wondered when will this ordeal end. She could not wait for the day to end and hoped tomorrow she will get paired up with someone less talkative. And then there was the pull. She refused to look at him, but she strove to hear his voice. She could hear the group talking, but was not sure which was his voice. Her puri and sabji had lost their appeal, but she could not waste them. They cost money, something she was always short of. She took small bites, and occasionally glanced at Dipak. 

Dipak however, was finding it hard not to look at her lips. The little sips were doing strange things to his system. He mind kept on playing possible scenarios where he gets to kiss them. He quickly looked around, suddenly afraid that someone had heard his thoughts. He gaze locked with the calculating and slightly threatening gaze of a tall man who was watching him with a sarcastic sneer. He could feel waves of disgust coming from this man. He stopped talking for a while and gulped.

The abrupt end of his monologue caught Maya's attention. Why did he stop? She followed his gaze to realise he was looking at the same man, who has shifted his position and was now sitting next to their table, staring straight at Dipak. She looked towards Dipak to realise he was looking extremely uncomfortable. Who was this guy, terrorising everyone, with his stare? It was pity, just pity that prompted Maya to tap Dipak on his shoulder and break their staring-match. 

'Are you done? Shall we go?'

'Yes'

The truth was she wanted to leave as well. She did not like how this guy was making her feel. He looked over-bearing and a bit scary. Dipak got up to settle the bill. The moment he was gone, the guy moved. He smoothly got up from his table and came round to her table. Maya observed his progress with round eyes. He reached her and leaned down. Maya was too shocked to move. For a moment he crowded her with his presence, his big body shielding her from the rest of the world. Next moment his arm shot over her shoulder to get the ketchup from the shelf behind her. He straightened and gave her a feral smile. Maya had to crane her neck up to look at his face. The smile made it clear that he knew how he affected her and he was enjoying it. Maya's toes curled and she pulled her bag up to shield herself from his stare. The guy did not miss the move. His lip tightened and he moved back to his seat. 

Maya sprang up and left the stall. Once outside, she released the breath she was holding. What a dangerous guy. She hoped she never met him again.

Dipak came back and together they began walking up. 

Dhruv's P.O.V

 After she left, Dhruv felt a slight relief from the tension. He did not like the hold the girl had on him. She was not his type, too innocent and unsophisticated. He definitely liked them in high-heels and smart clothes. And she was with a guy, certainly off limits. But he cannot help being a man after all. He shrug off the encounter and concentrated on his group.

It was a mixed group, of mixed abilities. Most were in their twenties. They came from different backgrounds as well. Some were professionals, some were in business, and some were experienced trekkers. The group was led by Krish. He was a doctor in the Indian Army, and also part of the mountain club that was organising the trip. Dhruv resented Krish. Not that there was anything wrong with him, but the fact that he was the leader, not him, did not sit well with him. He did not like taking orders from anyone.

Krish was right now telling them how they will spend the next two nights in the village 2 miles away. The these two days they will also buy provisions and secure porters to carry their things. 

'Then let's go. What are we waiting for?' asked Dhruv.

Krish cast an amused glance at Dhruv. He knew Dhruv hated not being in charge. He was also the one who is most impatient in this group. He will give him a hard time it seems.

'Yeah, lets go'

The group packed up quickly and left. Dhruv was already on his way up. He did not like waiting for anyone, and he was eager to catch up with a certain girl.