Her
Ihad to get out of this house. The need is overwhelming...to run away from this creep and stop overthinking on how this guy was able to hear me. Or was he able to see me too? I feel a shiver run down my spine as I adjust the hem of my shirt.
Not that I would not have called the guy from yesterday. Saw his number was saved as N when I decided to message him early in the morning; my logical sense, in fact even my self-esteem went down the gutter the moment I realized that security was way more important than the former.
On the bright side, I would be able to explore the area along with the much-needed social interaction; and the best part – he was more than excited to know I wanted to take up on his offer.
I left a message telling him to meet me downstairs in fifteen, and honestly I’m kind of moved by the instant replies. A smile rises to my lips as I think about it rubbing the mauve pigment on it.
His reply was not only instant, but cheesy too. It also did something inexplicable to me.
As soon as the elevator doors open, I find him already waiting for me in the lobby. Shades hanging on his white button down, while he is busy looking on his phone. And when he looks up directly at me from under those thick lashes, for a moment something flutters inside my chest. Déjà vu...
A smile rises on his face, welcoming. Almost inviting. Kind of intimidating...
Also, since when did slashed eyebrows become so darn attractive?
I return the smile almost involuntarily, “How long did I make you wait?”
“Just a little less than a decade...” He tells me looking dead serious while I’m all sheepish here.
“What?” I whisper.
And in that instant his lips curl, “Sorry – it was a joke. It’s a pleasure waiting for such a pretty girl.” He sizes me down with a wink.
Butterflies freak inside my chest and my cheeks turn red.
Averting my gaze, I tease him, “Are you hitting on me? Because I might review my decision about going out today.”
“You’re not doing that. You clearly don’t want to stay back, now. Do you?”
His instant response startles me.
“How do you know that?”
“You texted me at five in the morning. So, either you were really looking forward to see me again, or you were trying not to stay indoors for the day.”
Why did it not occur to me.Trying to hide my embarrassment, I play along, “I – I was w-wanting to go out; thought might as well take up on your offer. Sundays shouldn’t be boring, you know.” Thank God that came in smooth.
I mean could I let him know about how bad I was sobbing when I woke up at five in the morning. That I was dreaming of a faceless person wrapping a thorny vine around my neck. That I almost choked before getting up. That he’s the only person I know here and I wanted to get the hell out. Absolutely not!
He leads me to the beauty standing in all its glory behind him, before handing me a helmet and putting another on him.
“Wow! Is this yours?”
“Yes, isn’t she pretty?” The way he eyes his motorbike before getting on; it’s probably problematic that I find it hot. Being eyed like this guy’s prized possession must be such a turn on.
“Pretty? She’s gorgeous!”
“Yes? – Guess I have two things that are gorgeous now...”
My cheeks flood red at the sudden compliment, but thankfully he’s too busy checking on my helmet to notice.
“You ready to ride?” He speaks, revving the engine – making it roar to life.
My eyes widen as the adrenalin rushes in, “Yeah, more than ready... let’s do this!”
He looks at me for a few seconds with an undecipherable expression, then smiles and looks away before signaling me to sit behind him. Why is he so difficult to read?
Maybe, because you’re so engrossed in eye groping his appearance. You’re making it obvious Disha!
But that’s not my fault entirely...
Is it my fault that his dark hair waves on his forehead begging me to brush my fingers through it? Or is it my fault that below it – are a set of the most piercing eyes, ready to stare straight into my soul each time I lock mine with his? Or the hardly visible but obviously inked neck; the ink flowing to God knows where. His broad shoulders, maybe? The way his shirt hugs that lean yet muscular framework, giving a hint of the power that must flow beneath them. Or the way my insides churn, intrigued at the thought of what he must be capable of with that six foot five about built.
Everything isn’t my fault. I’m not responsible for the hormones someone else is inspiring.
As we exit the neighborhood, I remember that he saved his number as only N. I mean obviously I am supposed to know the guy’s name if I am getting anywhere to befriending him.
“You never told me your name?” I speak through the mouth piece on the helmet.
“You never asked.”
Why is he hot one moment and cold the next? One moment he is flirting with me, the next he is all short sentences and shit. That’s why you’re not able to read him.
I peek from behind him with narrowed eyes, “If we’re doing this, I need a name.”
He tilts his head to the side, “Are you planning on threatening me again?”
“Who knows... if you don’t tell me your name. Maybe...” I shrug.
“So desperate to know my name Miss. You might scream it one day. I can be very bad at times.” And before I could react to the stupid pun, he pulls the brakes suddenly and I straight up barge into his muscular back almost bruising myself.
He turns to his side, flashing an apologetic grin. Jackass!
“Are you going to be mean with me even if we become friends?”
“I may be the worst with you, then. Can’t promise!” His cold response makes me wonder yet again, if either of us needs therapy.
And the next moment he breaks into laughter, “Got you! Jeez! why are you such a scaredy cat?”
I nudge at him making him chuckle. Butterflies, again.
Minutes pass by in silence until we reach our destination.
“You never told me yours too?” He asks casually while parking his bike.
“You never asked.” I give him his words and his smirk back, “However, I can assure you, you’ll never scream my name. Because unlike you, I’m not fond of being mean with people. Not unless they beg for it.”
“Oh, I know-I know... you’re a very good girl!” He winks at me before breaking into a laugh – again, eyeing my flushed face. No, that wasn’t suggestive. Don’t be uncomfortable, Disha.
“Are you done?” I roll my eyes hiding the need to change the flirtatious energy.
He keeps laughing before I flash a mean eye to him, after which he muffles the laughter – barely. “No, I’m sorry. I’ll shut up. You can continue.”
“Okay, so imagine that we’re meeting for the first time...” I wait for few seconds before extending a friendly hand towards him, “Hey... I’m Disha. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Disha.” His eyes twinkle on my name while his hand reaches out to mine, grabbing it gently but holding it like he would never let it go. God! I need to focus.
The silence as my hand slips out after several beats of trying to pull it without looking stupid, is so intense. His eyes are so intense. Everything about him is so intense, I’m hardly breathing.
“Umm - I had a few questions regarding the safety around here, I mean the neighborhood.”
“Oh! It’s quite safe. But why are you asking about it?” His gaze softening, letting me finally breathe.
“No... nothing... It is only good to be well informed about the place where you’re living. I mean especially since my flat mate who was supposed to be here by weekend, has cancelled this place. She isn’t coming.” I shrug casually like it was obvious. Hide the fucking paranoia, Disha.
“What? Really?”
“Yes – guess I’m going to have the flat all to myself.”
“There isn’t a safer place than here in this location. The security is very thorough here... Even then if you need a hand with anything, just know that I’m here for you. Call me anytime you need a hand with anything.” He looks me dead in the eyes, “And you don’t need to be scared – because I mean that in a friendly way. You’re a really nice girl, Disha. And nice people need to be protected, because they are rare.”
“Thank you.” I smile gratefully, and that’s all I’m able to manage. But you know that you mean it. Because you’re basically messed up right now. And this guy here is genuinely trying to help you.
The rest of the day goes by visiting all the nearby places. Showing me places where I can buy grocery, food joints, clothing marts, snack stalls and everything I could use on a daily basis. Before heading back, we redirect onto a secluded road, to make one more stoppage at some nearby spot he said I would love.
“This... is amazing!” My eyes widen in surprise as he pulls over to a lakeside, as I continue gawking at the breathtaking scenery around the lake that must have been the hidden paradise he has been talking about.
He smiles at me knowingly, “Told you, you’ll love it here.”
“So, this is why the wind is always cool all around here.”
“Yes, this and the hilly terrain. You know, there are even better views on the cliffside –”
I cut in almost too amazed, “Wait, there’s a cliffside too?”
He smiles thoughtfully, “This place has so many hidden gems, I’ll need a full vacation to show them all. These getaways are so thoroughly hidden, even localists wouldn’t know all of them.”
Walking with steadied steps, taking in the beauty of low screeching of crickets, and the tree line surrounding the gray water I realize that it was all the therapy I needed. “I couldn’t thank you enough for showing me this.”
That dashing smirk curls onto his lips again. “My pleasure ma’am. After all, making you come is kind of my duty...”
“What – what do you mean –”
And right when I start thinking just how many times will my blush conceal the red beneath my skin, it starts pouring. And by pouring, I mean pouring heavily.
Shit!
The sky was clear when we left, that’s why I wore a fucking white shirt. It was in fact sunny; how would I have expected something like this. And Fuck me! I’m not even wearing a slip over the nude bra. How do I keep from embarrassing myself?
Panic envelops my mind and I cross my hands over the shirt to cover my decency, as we rush to take shelter under a nearby tree. “Does it usually flash rain here? I mean the clouds came out of nowhere.”
“It wasn’t supposed to rain today. But this part of the town experiences flash rains sometimes.”
“How long should it rain, what do you think?”
“I don’t know. But fifteen to twenty minutes should be max.”
When a thunder roars somewhere, I almost startle, sucking in sharply. He looks at me for a moment before speaking, and seeing me drenched, quickly looks away. Thank you, Lord, for making at least a few men capable of looking away when a woman is uncomfortable or indecent.
I on the other hand, can’t avoid looking at his muscular frame as he flexes his muscles while shaking off his dripping shirt. Averting my gaping mouth to the other side when he catches me eye groping him, “Do those tattoos mean something?”
He smiles, “These?”, rubbing the ones on his neck, “No, just a usual art by a local tattoo artist. You’ll find this design on almost every other guy here that has his neck inked.”
“Yeah, I’ve probably seen it many times before.” Lies, because why not?
The rain turns into a drizzle just as suddenly as it broke, “I think we should get going, it has almost stopped raining.”
He nods before starting his bike. “You don’t have ink on you?”
“No, I don’t feel comfortable thinking about needles poking my skin.”
He gives me a dark look, “Perhaps, I’ll be the one to get that fear out of you?”
Dead silence fills between us almost for the tenth time that day.
And that’s when he starts laughing, yet again. “Got you again! Oh, you’re so cute... my scaredy little cat.” This handsome devil has such a temperament. When will I be able to read you?
I nudge at him, giving him side eyed angry looks.
Then, we drive back.
My judgements from my first day out – I kind of like this guy. Even if he is frankly, a bit creepy.