Finding Him and Me

Chapter 29 - Something's Happening

My head can't seem to focus on anything except killing my blasted Prince. Break his neck or make him trip facedown, even strangling him.

But okay. This is really happening. I'm going to travel in a stranger's car. Prince Charming my subconscious corrects looking up from her Barnes and Nobel copy of Pride and Prejudice. If my mom gets to know she'll flip. Oh crap! My Mom!!!! I didn't even inform her. Now I'll have to borrow his damn phone. Why can't my parents give me a fucking phone?

Breathe breathe. You don't have another option. You will not kill him today. "Um, Arjun, can I borrow your phone to tell my mom that you're dropping me?" Without my fucking consent.

"Sure." He digs his hand into the front pocket of his jeans and passes me his silver iPhone 6S after unlocking the screen. Fancy.

I dial the number.

"Hello?" Mom answers after the 8th ring.

"Hi mom, Sana will drop me to Just Be, because the rehearsal got over and everyone has already left." Arjun shoots me with questioning looks and I hold up my index finger signalling him to shut up.

"Ma has just left from there. So wait until the driver comes there." Mom says with a hint of irritation in her voice. Oh no you don't!

"Ya, fine" I almost cut the call.

"Can I speak to Sana?" She asks. No way.

"She's in the bathroom, this is Shruthi's phone. I have it under control mom. Bye." I flare.

"Fine." She ends the call. Fuck fuck fuck I'm so angryyyyy. Arjun, my grandmother, my mom, my PMS. I want to scream.

"What the hell was that?" Arjun asks.

"Drop it." I exhale.

"Why did you lie?" He annoys me further.

"Did you not hear me?" I flash with my huge angry eyes.

"You didn't answer my question Alia." He says walking closer to me making his voice penetrate me. Not this again! Jesus.

"Just take me to the cafe." I snap walking to the door.

"You can be an obstinate female all you want but I'm not budging unless you tell me why you lied." He states sitting down on the bench. Wow! So mature. And I'm the one he calls obstinate. Bloody hypocrite ass.

I bite my cheek, "Oh my god. Fine! I told my mom my sister's going to drop me because she's uncomfortable letting me travel with strangers. Now, can you GET UP?!" I snarl.

"Sister?" He questions.

"Sana Malhotra, the fairy godmother. She's my sister." I tell him tapping my foot against the floor.
Impatience level : -58

"Are you comfortable travelling with strangers?" He asks.

I close my eyes painfully. "Arjun, we wouldn't be in this situation if I wasn't." I exclaim loudly my hands flying upwards to make a point. Now are you done being a prick? "Now are you done playing 20 questions?"

"Stop exaggerating. I asked you three." He snorts and gets up. Egocentric Swine.

I roll my eyes and mutter unpleasantries under my breath. This is going to be one long ass drive.

KA 19 CM 2004 is a midnight blue VW Vento with a gorgeous sunroof and I by-heart the number before getting in.

Arjun sets the location on Google maps and directs the driver to follow. Weird. He stays there. I speak my curiosity. "Doesn't he know the way? You stay there."

He searches my face and I his before responding. "New driver."

Yeah right. I roll my eyes one more and look out of the window. He is legit kidnapping me with my permission. That's not a thing Alia my inner goddess drawls. It is, now. I'm definitely going to confront him when we reach the destination. I can't risk him throwing me out of the car before that. Suddenly he switches on the radio. Thank god, the silence was deafening.

I wanna fuck you slow with the lights on
You're the only one I've got my sights on
Type of sex you could never put a price on
I'll take it off, you're the one I'll roll the dice on

Lost in the fire by The Weeknd fills the car. I suppose I thanked god too soon. I take it back.

I let out a soundless weep and lean further back into the seat as I try to hide inside it. Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

"So what's your favourite song?" Arjun attempting at making conversation? And here I was beginning to think he only grunts, sulks and pouts.

"Crazy in Love by Beyonce'."I look at him, while he stares outside the window. But I catch him mutter "girls" under his breath. "What's yours?" I ask.

"Stitches. Shawn Mendes." He mumbles. My lips curl into a shy smile and I gaze at the Windsor Manor Bridge dreamily. Cute.

The car stops when we reach the cafe and I thank him for the lift. He tells me he wants a glass of water and follows me inside. Just Be is owned by my family. My dad's brother's wife founded it a few months ago. It's a whole food and Vegan cafe. I love the place. Apart from a huge restaurant space the massive three storeyed building has a sound therapy room, a library and multiple massage rooms. It looks beautiful from the outside. Captivating and perfect.

I go inside her office and sadly note that no one is here right now and go back to the reception to make a phone call.

"Hi mom. Badima is not here. So can I please go to Starbucks and get a coffee." I request. She agrees. My inner goddess excitedly starts shaking her ass to 'Hips don't lie'.

I bump into Arjun on the way. Ugh.

"Where are you going?" He asks nosy as ever. Like, MIND YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

"Starbucks." I say agitated.

"How?"

"With my legs. It's across the road. I'm walking." I rush out sharply.

"Okay Alia. I'll come with you." He says.

"What? Why?" I gasp in shock. I knew it. He's a fucking creepy ass. Following me.

"To get coffee." He shrugs.

"You're so annoying."I declare and start walking.

He slips his fingers into my hand and holds it tightly before I start crossing the road. My breath hitches. I look at is face. "You never asked." I swallow and utter softly.

He looks taken aback. Then nods and says, "Can I utilise my Fundamental Right and go to Starbucks?"

I shake my head. "You didn't ask before holding my hand Arjun," I whisper.

His lips lift at the corners and he smiles before dropping my hand. "Can I hold your hand while we're crossing the road Alia?"

My heart clenches. I hold out my right hand and he holds it. "Scared are you?" I smirk.

"Not for me." He says and a blush rises up my neck and cheeks. My heart starts skipping beats. I'm an adolescent girl after all. And he's being nice to me. Really nice.

There are these feeling. I can't understand and define them. They fill me. Fill me with happiness and longing for him. It's like a pull. It's lighting me up like the sky on the Fourth of July. Like a big bubble inside my chest that inflates when I have these moments with him. What's happening?

We cross the busy main road together, holding hands.

Something is unequivocally happening.

**************

Yayyy! Their first dateeeeeeee. Omg. Are you guys excited? Huh huh? I ammmmm.

Vote and Comment. More coming up soon! Love you

Chhavi.