The Rules Of Pursuit

27. Downhill

Mia had gone down to Dehradun last night so I had the whole room to myself. I stretched my back, switching on the electric kettle to heat the water for tea. Usually Mia would make tea for both of us, but today I had to do it myself. I hadn't realized how much dependent I was on her.

Once steam came out from its spout, the kettle auto-shut itself. Pouring the boiling water on my mug I slumped down on the bed dipping the green tea bag.

Brute was snoring lightly. Yesterday must have been exhausting for him. I was admiring the beauty of this frosty yet sunny dawn from the window of my room, when a WhatsApp chirp interrupted my early morning thoughts.

It was from an unknown number.

'Still up for the paragliding' the message read. My heart skipped a beat as I realized who it was.

Me: How did you get my number?

Avinash: All of my friends have it, I only unlocked Dan's phone and stole it.

Me: Wow what a genius!

Avinash: You didn't answer. The paragliding is on, right?

Me: Yes. I was about to book a cab.

I lied knowing fully well no cabs were going to be available now, which by default shall cancel the paragliding.

Avinash: Don't book cab. I will take you. See you at the fence in thirty minutes.

He went offline, leaving me to ponder what he meant by 'take you'.

I had thirty minutes to get ready. The water was cold since it was too early for the hostel geysers to be functioning. I dipped the corner of my towel in a mug of water and cleaned my face with its wet end, before lathering face wash on my cheeks and forehead, then splashing the ice-cold water against my face. The cold water stung my skin and I furiously rubbed it dry with the drier end of the towel.

Even a day out with Avinash Chauhan could not convince me to take a bath in cold water. I cleaned my underarms with the wet towel spraying nearly the whole bottle of deodorant to musk any body odor.

I decided to stick to jeggings and a pink woolen high neck top, covering it with my patent white woolen trench coat. My hair was pulled back in a ponytail and my face had minimum make up of red matte lipstick and black kohl.

I fed Brute and was ready before the designated thirty minutes were up. My phone, wallet, a pack of gold flake and my room keys were the only things I carried in the black sling bag thrown across my shoulder.

"I will be back by afternoon," I told the guard who was already up and sitting with his two indie guard dogs infront of the administrative building.
I removed Brute's lease and saw him bound ahead to meet his indie friends.

"He had his brunch." I held out the box of dog munchies, "please feed these to him and your dogs, in the afternoon."

"Don't worry about him Naxi," Satyam, the guard assured me, "enjoy your date now."

"Oh I am not going on a date." I said hurriedly. "Thank you Satyam, you are a life saver."

It was only seven o'clock when I reached the fence. I found Shivam speaking to a guy who was perched on a Royal Enfield Cruiser. When I approached, Shivam turned around and I realized that the guy on the bike was Avinash.

He had his brown leather jacket zipped up to his neck, while his cargo pants hung loosely. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of gold rimmed jet black aviators. A smile creased his lips, watching me approach him.

"How have you been Naxi?" Shivan smiled at me.

"Surviving." I smiled back.

"Don't throw up on him." Shivam chuckled walking away from us.