Aditya

Is she here?
Like... really?
For..mee???

I looked at Zoya, she was driving...that bracelet hung from her wrist. The same one that I had seen when I first saw her. Dangling from her delicate wrists. She looked at me and smiled.

"Don't you have office?"

"Na na." She nodded in denial while looking at the road.

Great!!

"I see.." I said and she smiled. "Where are we going?"

"I don't have a place in mind.... Honestly.." she looked at me "I got so pumped up to see you that I didn't think about it."

Goddd!!! That has the ability to kill me.

"Would you...I mean...would you mind if we go to my house first? I'd like to freshen up and change..and then we can go out." I suggested, because I really wanna shower...I want a clear headspace. People may find this wierd but showering is my no.1 most favourite activity....to an extent that it might actually become my hobby. "Only if you don't mind." I added.

"Hmmm... taking a girl to your place instead of a restaurant... suspicious, I am." She said nodding.

"It's not like that...trust me... It's fine if you don't want to... I can.."

"I was kiddiiinnngg!!!" She laughed, widened her eyes as she looked at me. She sounds so genuine that it gives me a relief...but I don't want her to feel uncomfortable. I don't have any intentions here...I just wanna freshen up and look good and fresh...for her.
She doesn't deserve to be seen with a tired, just out of work type of guy.

"Sure?...you don't mind coming over?"

"Why would I?... It's fine. Set the GPS." She gave me her phone. "You live alone?"

"Yeah." I replied. "Will u be okay with that?"

"If you had your family there,...then it'd have been awkward. But it's fine." She smiled and I smiled at her too.

I love pink on her. Under that Olive Jacket, that dress hugs her so well that I feel jealous of the fabric.

I wanna hold her like that....oh God! This was such a ridiculous thought.

I shook my head softly in disbelief that I just got jealous of a dress. When I look at Zoya now, I think she's exactly my type. Not just personality wise... she's cute, witty and fiesty. I'm really drawn to her....but also... appearance wise. Those eyes, that cute and innocent face but somehow she doesn't look too innocent...and... don't get me started on her body....those curves are.....ugh.... She's literally so perfect that it almost looks fake. Her hair is tied into a ponytail....and...let me tell acknowledge something.... That neck is very...very....ve..ry tempting.

I sighed.

I don't believe that people can be perfect... They aren't and they shouldn't have to be. But...then.... she's sitting right here...how come I believe that there isn't anyone born with right amount of everything?

"Which one?" She asked, bringing me out of the soft dream that she is.

When did we reach here?

"Right...3rd building" I answered.

I know when we reached here... probably when I was busy staring at her lips.
That perfect shade of pink.

I don't know if that's a tint or they're naturally that pink... I just know one thing.

That particular shade of pink is..... breathtaking.

She took a spot and parked the car.

"That's the one, right?" She looked at my house. I nodded as I undid my seatbelt. "Damnnn!!" I looked at her in surprise and she showed me a grin.

" You literally have a house...in Mumbai!?" She said, getting off the car.

"Yeah....I bought this...2 years ago."

"Niiiceeee..." She locked the door and I walked towards her. "I know for a fact how hard it is to rent an apartment in Mumbai...and you managed to get a house. Bravo!" She gave me those, a little dramatic but appreciative claps.

"Uh! I...I really wanted one." I answered.

That was true, getting this house was hard but I was determined. To have a house of my own, ensured that I didn't have to worry about it in future. Marriage, kids, pets...a safe space for everyone I love and want to keep close. I may be a little old-school type, but it is how it is.

"You live alone....I don't think I know a bachelor who genuinely wanted to own a house." She looked at me. "People do that, once they plan to settle down."

"Well... I'm making sure that my wife would have a nice husband." I shrugged, laughing.

"She sure would." She laughed, my eyes...like always...were stuck on her smiling face.

'will she ever take me as her husband?' I thought, looking at her.
Really Adi?... Husband?
She hasn't even said that she likes me and you're imagining of bringing her here... permanently?

"You don't own your apartment?" I asked.

"Nah...I cannot afford that ..until Noor graduates." She told... something crossed her face. Her expression changed which she concealed with a smile within seconds.

I believe, she's an expert in hiding her emotions, her thoughts...but that doesn't work on me...I can read her.

My eyes love to study her.
My heart loves to know her.

I don't want to force her to speak it but that millisecond of sadness in her eyes...it does bother me.

I unlocked my door and welcomed her into my house.

Her presence, feels like she has a warmth that is slowly entering my cold house.
A ray of something bright and beautiful entering the dark.

Just look at me, being so flowery and metrical....ugh... THIS WOMAN!!!

"It's a lovely house Adi..." She smiled at me.

"Thank you.." I don't know how to not smile... she's right in front of my eyes.

She's a petite woman...5ft 4...at max but her presence is huge... it's overwhelmingly lovely....her presence... beside me, in front of me, in my house...is perfect.

"By the way..." She continued to talk as we walked in... towards the living room. "I forgot to tell you something..." She turned on her heels to face me and grinned "you look verrrryyyyy hot in Uniform."

Aah!! My heart is pinching inside me chest. She thinks I'm hot...wo...woowwww.
I rubbed my nape out of habit, and awkwardness.

"Thanks..." I mumbled.

"Awww... you're so cute." She lightly punched my stomach.

"Hello... I'm not the cute type..." I tried to hold back my smile.

"Ahan!.. ofcourse you are..." She pointed her finger at me, waving teasingly.

"I don't think so."

"Hmm...this could be a discussion." I gestured her to sit and sat beside her.

Yes, right beside her... I'm not going to sit on the single couch...NO FUCKING WAY, I'm not leaving a single chance to stay right beside her.
Yeah, I'm nasty and clingy like that. So what? Sue me.

"A discussion?"

"Yeah..." She shrugged. "Look, I think you're always the cute type...but...she cocked her head and looked at me. I remembered this look, the look she gave me the first time I saw her...after I had hit her car...the exact same posture, the exact same expression. "Sexy type.... In uniform...you sure are the sexy type."

"Is it so?" I arched my brow. Trying not to notice that she's sitting a little too close for my own good. Her hands, on her lap, diminishing herself beside me... My hand in on the couch, at her back... Something about her tells me that Zoya is well aware of our proximity.

"I could be wrong though." She shrugged "possibilities are endless. It's not like I'm the be all, end all."

"What if.. you are?" I said, going a little closer to her ear.

"I am?...of...what?... discussion?" She looked at me, her eyes...big and innocent...her face is so close that it's getting a little too hard for me to control myself.
Just a little closer... Just a little more... I wanted to hold her waist and pull her to me but my hands remained on the couch.

"Uh hn." I denied. "Of something else..."

"What then?"

That exact moment, I saw her looking at my lips...she slowly drew her eyes back to mine.

"I'll go and freshen up." I don't miss the doubt in her expression.
I had promised to give her space..and time....and this may be tempting but I won't do this. I won't bring her home, be alone in my own house with her and let our impulses ruin this... I'm not that guy.
I'd love to have her in my arms, but only when she's ready.

I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and got up.

"Adi.."

I stopped to look at her and she got up, looking at me with something that looks like what I have in my heart for her... yearning.

"I really regretted something last time..." She said. Her cheeks matching the exact same pink colour of her dress...and I'm sure that it isn't primer.

'primer' is the name...isn't it?
I am not thinking about makeup now, c'mon... She's making my heart race..

"Zoya..."

"Do you like me Adi?" Her thumbs were fidgeting, showing how nervous she actually was.

I like her? Why is that even a question at this point? Have I not made it evident enough that I'm going crazy for her?

"Don't you know it Zoya?" I took a step closer, erasing that distance between us.

"Answer me... please.." she looked straight into my eyes, I can see something in her eyes... vulnerability...hope... Something eager.

"Ofcourse I do Zoya...I really like you...I really do..." I couldn't say any further, her soft lips landed on mine.
Zoya's palms rested on my chest as she gave a soft kiss and pulled off before I could respond. I held her waist with my arms and pulled her closer.

"This is not what I brought you here for." I said, caressing her loose strands of hair.

"I know..." I rested my palm on her cheek.

"What if I... kiss you again?" My eyes were locked on her lips, I'm physically incapable of stopping myself from looking at her. I brushed my thumb to the side of her bottom lip.
Her eyes shut tight because of my touch.

"I won't run away this time...." She opened those eyes and looked at me.

That's it...one smile and she snapped all the threads that helped me maintain my self-control as if it was the easiest thing to do.

I kissed her, slowly... appreciating every moment of it. I felt her whimper when I tightened my grip around her and deepened the kiss. He fingers scratched my scalp, her body was weak in my arms... I was holding her to me or else, I fear she might fall....I loved having that effect on her. I won't let her fall.

This kiss is meant to be a long one.

~~~

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