BEYOND THE CLOUDS (Completed)

Chapter 9

“Look at you all ready and shining to meet your hot date” Kartik walked in her room, crooning, leaving Shehnaaz to shut the door behind him.

She had chosen to go all subtle this morning with a fitted beige crop top and an ankle length flared accordion wine colored skirt.

“shut up Carru.. its not a date. Its just a thank you coffee” she whined, clinging to his back.

“Ok… if you say so” he chuckled, jumping in the fluffy bed.

“Carrruuu.. u know my date scene ya. Its not the dates that bother me, it’s the questions” Shehnaaz plonked herself on the bed next to him.

Propping her head on her arm and turning sideways to look at him.

“You look so beautiful baby. I feel so jittery…like a mommy. Meri bacchi aaj date pe jaa rahi hai” he announced his teasing words, kissing her forehead, and got hit back with a pillow, straight in the head.

“Will u fucking cut the Date garbage? It is not a date” she stated coldly and sat up. He followed and sat beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“Baby I knw you have issues with answering questions about ur past, but kabhi na kabhi toh yeh hoga hi na? You have to be open to the idea of sharing your life with another person and that means complete transparency” he pulled her close as he explained.

“What happened with Debanjan doesn’t have to repeat with this jubilee guy too. And who knows you might actually warm up to him and spill ur beans yourself” he reasoned

“I disagree, because I cannot tolerate him ordering me around, forget about dating him. It will end today with a cup of coffee. That’s it” with an edge to her voice, she tried to convince herself but saw Kartik smirking suspiciously as if making predictions in his head.

Her thoughts drifted to Debanjan for a second, but she shut them as soon as they came.

She had no time for her dickheaded ex boyfriend who had trust issues, was constantly trying to probe into her past and was highly insecure of Kartik. 

She looked at her grandma old watch and saw it was past 10.45 already.

“Shitt Carru, late ho jaungi main. I gotta rush baby” setting herself in action, she quickly applied, light make up, leaving her hair loose.

She chose a soft pink lipstick to go with her attire and amidst all this her blind small toe had managed to hit the exact same spot at the foot of the bed that she hit the last night.

“owww” she mewled a bit, halting in her tracks. “fuck u bitch” she hurled at the bed and sat down to nurse her toe.

“Just how do you manage to get yourself into situations like these baby?” Kartik joined her, carrying an ice cold bottle from the mini fridge and pressed it to the toe.

She seethed as the coldness pricked her throbbing toe.

“If its not bleeding its fine right?” he asked, gently studying.

“but it hurts carrruuu” Shehnaaz whined, making a sad face at him.

“aww may baby” he patted her head “tell you what, you guys are meeting at the orchard right? I will hop down and explain your situation and request him to reschedule. Simple” he spoke casually and started to get up but she stopped him.

“No!! wait, the guy is relentless and m sure will land up here in the next moment. M not that hurt, I will manage”

The fact was she wanted to meet him. The pain that flickered in his eyes last night, compelled her.