The Lost Thread

Uninvited

Next morning Maya dressed in jeans and t-shirt. She put one slight jacket, knowing too well that once the sun rises, it will be very hot. She also put some fruits and chocolate bars in her backpack, along with one water bottle and one water purifier jar. Her makeup was simple, just a dash of lipstick and some cold cream. But the glow of a good nights sleep, made her look fresh and adorable.

True to his word Krish was waiting for her at the gate. He was not bothered if someone saw them. As Maya joined him, he waved at a few team-mates, who were watching from the veranda.

'Doesn't it bother you that your friends might think that we are going on a date?' asked Maya.

'What's wrong with going on a date?' asked Krish.

'No, sometimes people get rushed into relationships, by their friends.'

'I am not the kind of guy that gets pressured into anything. Are you easily manipulated?'

Maya was going to say No but stopped herself. Did she not get manipulated  yesterday when Dhruv asked her out?

'Sometimes'

Krish smiled at her honest reply.

'So tell me about yourself' asked Krish. Maya began telling him about her simple life back home. How her studies occupied most of her time, and the rest was spent with friends. Compared to hers, Krish's life was more difficult. Waking up at 5:00 A.M. then training, then breakfast and then work at the hospital. The trekking trips were his holidays.

 They walked together on the road for 15 mins before Maya took a turn left that took them up the mountain face in a stiff gradient. That left them with very little breath for conversation. They soon came upon  a flat ground and both came to a sudden stop. 

The area was strewn with small tress, shrubs and big boulders. This is where the going gets tough. Some of the rocks were 6 ft hight. And sitting on a such a rock was Dhruv. He had all the looks of a predator waiting for a spring. His cold eyes swept over Maya and Krish in a derisive appraisal.

 Dhruv enjoyed their surprise. Maya had a distinctive uncomfortable look, which was slowly changing into defensive indignation. Dhruv enjoyed their discomfiture. He cast a good look at Maya's lips. They looked untouched. He let out a breath he did not know he was holding. If he had had as much time Krish had with her, he would have kissed her at least twice. But hell, he was not complaining.

Maya knew her mouth is open. She thought she was seeing things. But there is no mistaking the cold look in his eyes, that promised retribution. She cast a quick glance at Krish to gauge his reaction. Krish looked surprised and a bit annoyed. He looked at Maya and shrugged. 

Dhruv was the one to make the first move. He languidly stood up from his perch, jumped down with ease and approached them lazily. 

'Are you guys heading to the waterfall?' he asked.

Maya was tempted to lie, but Krish was already nodding his head.

'Mind if I join you guys?'

Both Krish and Maya were too nice to say an outright NO, and Dhruv knew it. 

'Of course not' said Krish, although his tone suggested he was anything but pleased.

Dhruv did not let the tone bother him. Things were going exactly how he had planned. He had been following the pair from the very start and then had taken a shortcut to make it look like he was out much ahead of them. He was not going to let Krish have an level playing field. He never let others have what he wanted. And right now, he wanted Maya.