Chapter Two
Arya
I see the appeal as I gaze around.
The architecture is state-of-the-art.
Intricate, bold, seductive.
The main draw is the stunning view of the open sky with the whole city lit up like diamonds beneath it. Into the distance, it creates the illusion of the two meeting in the middle. The sky and the earth are melting together like two lost souls.
It’s breathtaking.
The loud and pulsing music vibrates the entire floor. You can’t help but sway to the beats. The vibrancy inside the club is mesmerizing.
The four of us sit at the bar, which was fully packed when we entered. However, Anaya can charm the pants off anyone and succeeded in convincing a group of guys to empty their seats for us.
Two out of four of the guys haven’t stopped eyeing my friend, who is blissfully ignoring them.
I nudge her shoulder with mine to garner her attention. I lean closer when she turns to me. “If you wanna go flirt and have fun, don’t hold back on my account.”
“Oh shush! They look like they’ve barely passed high school.” Waving one finger, she says, “I don’t do underage.”
“They’re not the only ones checking you out,” I point out.
“This is girls’ night. I can get laid any time. Plus, I find more attractive men at the gym. Bonus, they’re not drunk and fumbling idiots.”
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Noor demands suspiciously.
Anaya leans forward. “We’re betting to see when you’re gonna grow a pair of lady balls and flirt with cute guys, as you put it back home.”
“I will! I-I’m just finishing up my drink.”
“Wuss.”
Noor throws a fry at her. “Not everyone is great at flirting like you.”
“Practice, baby, practice.”
We all chuckle.
Misha tilts her head at me. “Don’t tell me you aren’t feeling better.”
“I am.” It isn’t a lie. I won’t say I’m completely over what happened to me, but my spirits have been uplifted a little. Their surprise and presence over the last two hours made me forget about the dark haze I’ve been in.
Does this mean my pity party has come to an end?
I hope so.
The throng of people, dancing, drinking, and laughing, has reminded me that I can’t just stop living and wallow in pain. I’m not the first person to have her heart broken. Or have been betrayed by the ones they love. I won’t be the last either.
I need to recalibrate my life.
The first step is going to be shifting back to my apartment. The media ought to have moved on to the next juicy gossip. I should be old news.
I’ve also been away from work for far too long. I can’t allow my career to take a nosedive because of my failed engagement.
Someone snaps their fingers in my face.
Jolting, I blink.
“What’s with the serious look?” Noor probes.
I take a sip of my martini. “I want to go back to work.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“I need to figure out how to convince Papa first.” Resting my chin on my fist, I ask the most pertinent question. “What’s happening online? Am I being trolled? Trending still?”
“Nothing of the sort,” Anaya answers.
“But at one time, I was?”
Noor sighs apologetically. “Don’t think about the past, Aru. It’s not gonna help.”
“You’re right.”
“Take it one step at a time,” suggests Misha, the wisest and most reserved of our group. “Be proud of the fact that you came out tonight.”
Emotions clog my throat as I stare at each of them. “Thank you for being there for me all this time, guys. Especially those late-night calls.”
“That’s what best friends are for.”
“Excuse me, ladies,” a waitress interrupts, setting a tray of drinks for us. “Compliments from those gentlemen over there.”
We all look in the direction she’s pointing.
It’s those same four guys, grinning at us.
Anaya paints a sweet smile, waving at them, while muttering, “Gentlemen? My ass. Bet all of them live with their mothers.”
“These are mocktails,” Noor gags after sipping on one of the drinks.
“Well, duh.” Anaya sniggers. “They can’t afford alcohol with their pocket money.”
Misha snorts. “Stop it!”
“What? Like I’m wrong.”
As they argue back and forth, I survey the dance floor. A pang hits my chest when I see a couple standing in the middle of the floor, their arms looped around each other, their foreheads touching, as they slowly sway while being lost in each other.
A flashback of Aryan and me floats to the forefront.
Suddenly, I can’t breathe.
I abruptly stand from the stool.
“Aru?”
“I’m getting some fresh air,” I reply.
“Okay, I’ll come with you.”
“No.” I glance at Noor, forcing a smile. “It’s fine. You guys stay here.”
She reluctantly nods. “Come back soon.”
Pushing out of the sweaty crowd, I search for a quiet corner as far away from the dance floor as possible. The halter dress I’m wearing suddenly feels like a choker around my neck.
A spiral staircase snags the corner of my eye. I follow its steps, noticing it leads to an isolated roof. I hastily walk toward it and climb to the top.
Tall, cylindrical bars create a maze on the roof. The wind blows the skirt of my dress, making shivers break out on my skin.
Glad for the privacy, I inch toward the balustrade.
“It’s nice up here, huh?”
Jumping at the new voice, I whirl around. It’s one of the guys from the group who sent us drinks. He smiles too brightly and takes a step toward me, tittering slightly.
My senses sharpen instantly.
A bad feeling rises in the pit of my stomach.
“Yeah, it is,” I answer before shrugging. “I was going back downstairs, though.”
“Why in such a hurry?”
“My friends are waiting.”
“Come on. Let’s chat a little.” He comes closer, reeking of liquor. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you tonight.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
His short but bulky frame blocks my exit.
“I’m not interested,” I reply firmly.
“Is that how you talk to someone who bought you a drink?” There’s an annoyed edge to his voice, which he tries to cover with a leery smirk.
My palms begin to sweat the longer we stand up here alone. No one’s going to hear my cries for help if he tries to do something.
Damn it. Why didn’t I take basic self-defense training?
While I’m mentally scolding myself, he bridges the gap between us and crowds me against one of the cement bars.
“What are you doing? Back off.”
“Aww, sexy girl,” he coos. “Don’t be like that.”
“She said back off.”