The Rules Of Pursuit

43. Fireworks

Too tired from the early morning activity we slept through the afternoon at Fatima's apartment, only to wake up around evening. Scanning the pubs in Zomato, we zeroed on one that was located close to Fatima's building.

The girls went all out dressing up for the last night of the year. Mia was wearing a shimmery cream top covering it with her red leather jacket coupled with white trousers.

Fatima looked splendid in her turquoise full-sleeved body-con dress. Natasha donned a high neck black dress with matching black wedges, letting go of her spectacles for the night. Olivia managed to outshine herself in her navy blue off-shoulder dress.
I decided to stick to my black halterneck jumpsuit, allowing Olivia to straighten my hair with her hot irons, just to stop her from nagging me anymore.

The boys too managed to tidy up. They were all wearing formal jackets. While Danish wore his red high neck woolen tshirt with a white jacket, Mandy decided to go with a white v-neck tshirt and red plaid jacket.

However, no one managed to look as mesmerizing as Avinash. His black satin shirt clung to his taut chest. The black formal jacket was buttoned up, highlighting the V that his torso formed.

The dog sitter was charging us double the rate she charged the previous night. We had no other option but to comply.

The pub was packed with guests, loud music blazing from its numerous speakers.

Natasha and I sat ourselves at a table, the rest of our group left us to join the crowd on the dance floor. I watched Avinash groove unconcerned, while I kept stealing glances at him as I chatted with Natasha.

After a while the club played a slow track for the couples. I saw both Mandy and Avinash approach our table.

"Care to join?" Mandy offered Natasha his hand, which she took blushing profusely. I watched them join the others, faintly aware of Avinash occupying the seat Natasha had vacated.

"I believe you won't say yes, if I asked you for a dance." Avinash asked casually. This was the first time he had spoken to me directly since morning.

"You already know I am a terrible dancer." I replied, trying not to look at him.

"The only time I saw you dance, was at the Foresta," his lopsided grin was back on his face "and you seemed okay."

The memories of the Forest came flashing back, followed by last night.

"Avi, last night, whatever happened..." I started to say, but was interrupted by him.

"What happened last night?" He asked perplexed.

He doesn't remember. He doesn't remember that he broke the little resolve I had left, when he kissed me.

Ofcourse! He was intoxicated. He must had imagined me to be Damini as usual. But didn't he say my name?

"Don't do this to yourself Naxi. He doesn't reciprocate your feelings." My mind silently told me.

I felt suffocated sitting there, in his presence. It was a cruel joke that fate was playing on me. Probably punishing me for the sins, I may have committed in my previous life.

He was a part of the moment that meant everything to me. A moment I shall hold close to my heart until death, was possible only because of him. Yet he remembered nothing. He would never have kissed me if he wasn't intoxicated. Alcohol makes us do things, we wouldn't do otherwise. How naive could I be to think that he felt the same way I feel for him.

"I gotta go." I rose up abruptly.

"What...? Now...?" Avinash looked at me a little taken aback.