Forever Yours, Vrinda

Part 18

Eight Years Ago,

"Why do you want to do this, Vrinda? Just because I asked you to stop fearing everything, it doesn't mean you'll do this," said Vivaan, hoping they would not get into trouble.

"I just want to know how it feels, Vivaan! Almost everyone in our batch does this. I just want to experience. If you don't want to help, I'll find someone else," she retorted, trying to move past him when he clutched her hand, sighing deeply in disappointment.

He would regret his decision either way, but better him than someone else.

"Fine, I'll help you because I know you will not stop and I don't want to abandon you with some stranger for something like this," said Vivaan.

Vrinda let out an excited squeal and pulled him for an embrace. Vivaan shook his head at her excitement, at his acceptance and wrapped his arms around her. He hated how the corners of his lips twitched towards his ears, despite his annoyance at her choices.

"Let's go! Sherlock's it is," she chirped, pulling out of the embrace and forwarding the car keys towards him. She knew her excitement would not let her drive responsibly.

"Our parents will fry us alive if they learn about this," he said, taking the keys from her and moving towards the driver's seat.

"Well, then it's good that you dispelled the fear in me."

She giggled, making him roll his eyes, and he drove towards the pub. "Just this once, okay? It's not because of traditions or something, but alcohol is not good for health, no matter how 'cool' it may appear," he said, eying her from the corner of his eyes.

"Okay, but let me enjoy this onetime offer first!" she said, grinning ear-to-ear and joy gleamed in her eyes for being able to tick another activity off her bucket-list.

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"That's the fifth shot, Vrinda! Are you sure that you'll be able to handle the drinks you ordered? Isn't it too much for the first time?" he asked, placing his hand over her shoulder as she appeared dazed and lost. She picked up the next drink on the table and downed it in one shot, relishing the way it burned her throat, muzzled yet paradoxically cleared her mind and the way everything appeared funny.

"You know, Vivaan, I was the one who tied the braids of Sushma and Deepa together, back in 8th grade. They were so haughty and thought they were the best. Suits them!" she muttered, leaning towards him.

Vivaan smirked at her, knowing how much they used to irritate Vrinda. He had always suspected Vrinda's hand in the epic comedy that had ensued in their eighth grade when the girls banged their heads together when they had tried to move. The chaos that followed made him chuckle and shake his head at the mastermind.

"And you kept this as a secret for so long! How many such guilty pleasures did you enjoy?" he asked.

"I once spoiled Daksh Bhai's gift for his date, because he had said that he did not have any money to buy me a gift when I topped. He bought that gift after giving me that stupid excuse! So mean! I exchanged that gift with a punching box and enjoyed the chocolates he got for his date!" she said, chuckling and grabbing the next shot.

She swirled the golden liquid and enjoyed the swirls with a childlike enthusiasm. The revelation almost made his eyes pop, and he burst out laughing.

"And Bhai does not know that it was you to date?"

He imagined his brother's shocked face when his date opened the gift and gotten punched. That must have really damaged his lover boy image, thought Vivaan.

"No!" she said, continuing to laugh, gulping the bitter and burning brew. Her laughter seemed to morph into a serene smile as she relished the enticing picture of his joy. Vivaan mock-clapped for her.

"You know, Vivaan, sometimes I find you very irritating. Especially when you lecture about philosophy. But I still listen to it, you know why?" she asked, leaning towards him, and her hands moved on their own accord towards his shoulders, caressing their way upwards.

"Why?" he asked, noticing the glint of an unknown emotion in her eyes and surprised by her actions. He eyed her fingers which traced their way towards his nape, leaving behind a trail of tingling sensation.

"Because I like you. You are so handsome, so caring, so..."

"I think you drank too much," he interrupted, scratching the back of his head as he struggled to find the proper reply to her statements.

"I want to drink more! It's fun and besides, I have your company to make it better!" she said, winking at him and tracing her finger towards his face, startling him.

"Now, now, I am the sober one and you are too drunk!" Vivaan let out an exasperated sigh and turned to the bartender. "Can I get the bill please?" he asked, gesturing to the bartender, who seemed to find the exchange between them entertaining and hilarious.

Vivaan used Vrinda's card to make the payment and helped her down the stool when her hands tickled him.

"Oh god, Vrinda! Seriously, you are never getting drunk again!" he stated, rolling his eyes, holding her hand instead of supporting her by her waist so she could not get a chance to tickle him again.

"You made me stop drinking so early and now you want to make me walk when I am so drunk! So mean of you! Will you break the heart of someone who likes you in this manner?" she asked, making him facepalm at her antics. Vivaan hoped it was just the alcohol messing with her brain, and she had not taken an interest in him for real.

"Too drunk to walk and too early to leave!" he huffed. He lifted her up in his arms, grateful the pub was in ground floor, and seated her in the car, ignoring her praise of his beautiful face and loving nature with intermixed abuse for his love of philosophy.

They had agreed that Vrinda would stay the night at Vivaan's house because she could not return home in a drunk state. He prayed his brother was locked up in his room, preparing for his presentation for tomorrow, as his parents were out-of-town because of a business tour.

Throughout the journey home, she kept muttering under her breath, clutching her head, and Vivaan knew it would not be long before nausea set in. He sped up, thanking the lack of traffic, and soon arrived at his home. Helping her onto her feet, he guided her towards the guestroom, opening the main door as quietly as possible.

"Red really suits you! But why don't you wear it more often? Red is loveeeee!" she muttered, shocking Vivaan, who placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from attracting Daksh's attention. Just as they entered the guestroom, he realized she was about to puke as her eyes rolled back and she was almost gasping. He picked up pace and brought her closer to the commode, held her hair away from her face as she retched.

He looked over his shoulder to make sure he had shut the doors behind him, and he caressed her back to soothe her.

She had soon emptied her guts into the commode and Vivaan handed her a mug of water to wash her face and clean herself. He continued to rub her back, eying her with concern, hoping that she would never bring it on herself once again.

"Are you okay?" he asked, wiping her dress as she had spilled water on her dress.

"Maybe you could help me out of the dress?" she whispered in a sultry tone, clutching his shirt and pulling him closer, as he dropped the towel in shock after listening to her words.

"Um, what?"