03 . Second Hand Embarrassment.

   THERE CAN BE NOTHING more frustrating on the face of this horrid earth than getting constant messages from a person you detest. Mr. Advay Sanjeev Sinha — ass for short was one such person in my life.

ass : baby i miss you

ass : i hope you haven't forgotten me

ass : i hope you're wearing the ring i'd given you on our 2nd anniversary

ass : i love you

ass : won't you say i love you too? ;)

  Love you too, my ass. I groaned frustatedly. 

  Nothing can go good when you're arranged to marry someone. Advay and my story would probably sound like any contemporary romance novel's story. A rich business tycoon who's family had proposed me for an arranged marriage. Our match was so good for my Uncle that he just couldn't refuse it. Since then it had been two months to our engagement. Who celebrates anniversaries monthly? Apparently, Advay did.

  He was probably the best guy I could ever get — romantic at heart, he always tried to make sure that my desires came before his needs. He loved me truly, deeply, madly (cue all the cheesy adjectives you can think of).

  But I could never feel anything for him. In the beginning of our relationship, I was happy to know a sweet gem of a guy like him because sweet guys are the rarest spieces as a matter of fact. But after spending a month with him, I realized that I was prone to... diabetes! His sweetness and mushiness was, metaphorically speaking, killing me from the inside. I didn't deserve a guy who loved me dearly — let alone a guy like Advay who loved me to the moon and back. It was probably this guilt that made me detest him. I felt suffocated in his presence when he would sing a couple of romantic lines for me, or look at me with his gooey eyes.

  Not gonna lie though, he was the best life partner I could have ever asked for. Because I knew he loved me, and there were no worries about heartbreak, no insecurities, no jealousy, no drama, no threats. Nothing. My life with him was secure in every possible way. And that exactly was the thing which kept us going.

  Because love wasn't a factor that mattered in this relationship. Being practical, I knew love was nothing but madness; it was a sweet serendipity which drives you to the edge of a trecherous cliff, and seduces you to fall. And when you fall, you break down and your fragments get tossed up like a child's play, shattering in the worst way possible.

  I didn't want that fluttery feeling at the cost of getting punched on my gut. Nope.

  I had decided that Advay was my endgame. My forever and always. 

  Smiling, I typed him a reply.

me : i miss you too. how can i forget the person who loves me the most? and nope, not wearing the ring because c'mon, i have all rights to flirt with the european hotties 😛 love you too 😘

  I was probably smiling ear to ear, because this was the most cheesiest message I've written for anyone. Ever. The smile lit my face brightly until someone bumped right into me. I bet he was probably walking with his grandpa-eyes closed because not just had he bumped into me, but also thrown an entire can of soda on me. Orange soda, ugh.

  "What the fuck!" I groaned looking at my white top which was now stained with the bright orange color. I snapped my head up only to see a grinning Virat.

  "Oops." he mumbled, not even an ounce of regret laced in his voice. Such a dick. To say I was pissed would be a massive understatement.

  Infact, I was fuming. Mad. Angry. Fuming. Enraged. Sullen. Even an entire thesarus couldn't express the feelings which I felt for Virat at the moment! Ever since Virat had jumped in the ICC ODI ranking once again flourishing at the top position, he had been compared to many veterans but no one had compared him to Satan.

  Now, I do.

  "You did it on  purpose, didn't you?" I asked, riled up as I picked the fallen can from the floor.

  "Yeah." he smiled a toothy grin.

  "But why?"

  "Because white doesn't look good on you." he shrugged, and I rolled my eyes. "Wait, scratch that. Actually nothing looks good on you." My jaw dropped at his statement.

  Virat caught the absurdity in his statement, "No Anushka. I wasn't making any sexual inuendo. I didn't mean it that wa —"

  "— sure you didn't." I rolled my eyes at him. "You know what Virat? I know something which suits you, and only suits you." I smiled at him sarcastically.

  Virat's eyes widened in anticipation. "What?"

  "Your big fat empty skull which makes such suckish plans." I replied, emptying the remaining content left in the soda bottle over his messily tousled hair and head. He gaped at me, like I had committed a crime. I laughed at him when I saw him running a hand through his hair, still reeling in shock and trepediation. "Do you seriously plan all this, Virat? I mean, I've never seen any guy trying so hard to piss a girl like you try to piss me off. Worst part, it doesn't even affect me."

  "That's what I love about you. You don't get pissed off easily." he grinned at me, throwing an arm around me. I was too conscious right now because he was acting too friendly. But it soon vanished, when I felt how his arm was warm and smooth against mine, albeit a little sticky. But that was expected since both of us were soaked in an entire can of orange soda. "Remember during our highschool times? You had complained about our group to the Principal, and got us suspended for a week. You were such a complaint box then."

  "Of course, because you guys coudln't even play a prank discreetly. Who throws tomatoes and eggs on the Vice-Principal and then openly challenges him?!" I commented with a little sneer.

  "Those days were real fun." he commented, his head lazily falling to my side, and his eyes drooping. Boy, Virat was really exhausted and tired. "Won't you agree?"

  I nodded with a small giggle. "Yeah. Childhood days are so innocent and simple. I wish I had never grown up."

  "Same," he sighed, lifting a finger and pointing at him and then me alternately. "Did you realize that this is the first time we're mutually agreeing on something?" he asked, his breath stopped fluttering across the top skin of my ear.

  "Yeah," I smiled in reply, my eyes doefully set on his. "That's kinda good. Unlike the days when we used to pull each other's hairs, right?"

  Virat huffed in response, "That was mostly because you acted like a fucking princess in front of me." Hastily, looking away with a blush creeping onto my face, I blew out a breath. "Remember fifth grade? You threw your bag on me, and told me to carry it to your locker room." 

  That was kind of true. For the better part of my childhood, my professional aspirations were simple — I wanted to be an intergalactic princess. I didn't care much about ruling hordes of space people. Mostly I wanted to wear the cape and the sexy boots and carry a cool weapon. But unfortunately that didn't help. Instead of traveling around the universe, my travel was limited to Asia and Europe as a photographer.Oh, my innocent fifth grade dreams, I sighed. Not that I hated my job, but being a princess would've been much... better than the shit I was going through right now, anyway.

  "You were such a bitch to me," Virat added, his breaths sporadic and shallow due to constant laughing and bickering.

  I stood there slightly shocked, and scoffed loudly so that he could hear my disagreement. "Do you even remember the good things about me? Like I walked you to your house when you didn't have an umbrella. Or when I let you borrow my sketch pens for our Math activity?" I muttered, furrowing my eyebrows together. "Oh wait... I also woke you up during our Chemistry class when you were dozing off."

  Virat raised a finger to his chin thoughtfully. "You mean the day you kicked my leg so hard that I had to go to the first-aid room. That was clearly physical abuse, Anushka!" he exclaimed out loud, inviting a few awkward glances from the reception.

  "Oh, you surely mean animal abuse, monkey." I sneered at him scornfully as he threw daggers at me through his eyes in a throttling manner. "And you remember the fancy dress? You dressed up as an octopus, and were making out with a wall." I threw my hands across my mouth, crinkling my eyes as I spluttered with laughter.

  Now just imagine Virat Kohli, one of the sexiest man in Asia standing in front of you. And now, imagine the cuter version of him dressed as an octopus.

  Surely a scene which would make anyone laugh his asses off.

  "Okay, we do not talk about our childhood stories. Ever. I mean it, Anushka." Virat scowled, running a hand through his hair which was still drenched in orange soda. Realizing that, he suggested, "We need to change. In no way, I'm going to the Airport in this condition."

  I couldn't help but agree. "Me neither. I'll see you in five." I told him, sneaking a look down at the watch on my wrist, before glancing back at Virat who looked startled. "I'm so sure Virat that you take a hell lot of time to get ready when compared to me." 

  "We will see that." Virat replied as we strutted towards the elevator. My keys fall down in the carelessly swift motion. I reached a hand downward, when my head collides with Virat as I realize he was making the same movement. Wincing, I stood up straight, pressing my hand to my forehead.

  "Ow," I spoke up, wincing. "Is your head made of rock or something?"

-

   MY HEAD SLIGHTLY SWERVED, when I saw Virat was already standing near the reception desk. I rushed towards him, and inhaled the scent of him, realizing he smelled of after-shave and his usual intoxicating cologne. "You got ready in just fifteen minutes?" I asked, scepticism clear in my voice. Virat getting ready that quick was bizzare because he acted like a diva most of the times.

  Well, that's what I've heard from his teammates in the interviews.

  "I love to prove you wrong." Virat chuckled, and then nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "But anyway, hopping in with me? I can drive you to the Airport."

  I thought for a moment, leaning back against the desk. If Virat and I were to go together to the Airport, it would be one hell of a ride, and we might end up killing each other or the car in a fatal accident. "Can you just go with someone else? I really want to go alone." I told him in a laid back tone.

  Virat sniffed dramatically, "Any other girl would even kill to be in your position, and I don't believe you're rejecting me, Anushka. I'm actually heartbroken."

  "As long as your heartbroken self doesn't annoy me, I don't mind." I replied, with a smile. I was still slightly reeling in shock that I was going to travel with this pig of a guy. Where is life, right now?

  We traipsed towards the car, the driver already seated in the front. I glanced around to see Nikhil and Nikita waiting outside their car. Nikita waved at me, and I awkwardly waved back at her, looking at Virat from the corner of my eye. In response, he just shrugged with an awkward smile. Unfortunately, to make the environment even thicker, the couple decide to jaunt in our direction with wide smiles across their faces.

  "You both are going together?" Nikita asked, her eyes flickering in astonishment. I gave her a silent nod in response. Then she turned towards Virat and spoke, "I'm so sorry. I know we've so much to catch upon, Virat. But I'm glad you came for Abeer's wedding. Hopefully, you'll come to my wedding too."

  I mentally face-palmed. Why did you bring this now, Nikita?

  Virat's eyes slightly widened at the revelation. "Y-your w-wedding?" he asked, faltering at his words miserably. Nikita seemed too jovial to even notice the disappointment lingering in his voice.

  "Yeah. Nikita and I are getting married in August." Nikhil's voice rang in my ears, and suddenly, I felt like tossing him in the air. Why was the world so keen to make Virat feel heartbroken?

  "That's like two months from now...?" Virat said, miserably at loss of words. I felt so bad for him but there was little I could do then. So I just tightly grabbed his hand, trying to make him feel better and stronger. Virat shared a look of gratitude with me, and then turned back to face Nikita. "I mean, that's great news! I'm really happy for you two." he told them, masking a smile on his face.

  "Thanks!" Nikita giggled, blushing slightly. "Okay, I'll see you Anu. Have a safe drive, you two."

  "Same." I mumbled, my eyes not leaving Virat's for even a second. Nikita and Nikhil gave us an obligatory nod, and treaded back to their initial position while Virat hopped inside the car without uttering a word. 

  Feeling all riled up, I followed his course of motion quietly and sat beside him. After a few minutes of drive, I couldn't take in the silence anymore.

  I had not come along with him to get bored to death this way.

  "Oh boo-hoo. The only reason Nikita is getting married to that cunt is because he owns a restaurant which means free food and date services." I joked, trying to drive away the awkwardness hanging around.

  Virat tried hard to stifle his laughter but couldn't help it. "You can discover a food connection out of anything!" he exclaimed, looking at me as if I was crazy. I felt glad to see his smiling self back. "You are insane."

  "I am not."

  "Oh be sure, you are. But anyway, I love you all the same." 

  I realized he was trying too hard to fit in, and forget about his heartache. 

  "You're such a jerk." A heartbroken jerk.

  Virat shuffled in his seat uncomfortably, and then looked at me, his eyes softening. "I'm glad I came to this wedding, you know?" 

  "Why?" 

  "Because I came to know about this girl I used to hate during my childhood."

  I couldn't help but feel the same about him. My perception about Virat used to be a only atoo-dumb-arrogant-asshole during highschool. But he was much more than that. "And what exactly you got to know?" 

  "No hands on hips, and I'm so gonna screw you attitude, but very badly versed in Italian. Who dares to soak me back with orange soda but also makes sure I don't end up as a fool in front of my... crush." Love, I corrected him in my mind. "I would love to get your number before we part ways." he smiled at me, acting like we had been friends since a ridiculously long time.

  "Only on one condition."

  "What?"

  "We've to skip your idea of booty-calling at 2 a.m." I laughed.