Chapter 23

When we wake remembering nothing about last night; may be it’s a new beginning!!!!

  I woke up with severe side effects of alcohol. With blurry eyes and pounding headache I could see a cuddled up Sam sleeping besides me. I did shake her twice to wake her up but it was in vain as she was deep in sleep.

I moved out of the room trying to hold the drums banging in my head in my hands to the room from where I could hear some noises of people.

I headed towards it realizing it to be a kitchen.

“Hey Jane.”

“Hi Pearly. Slept tight?”

“”I might have slept tight as I have lost the track of time but about waking up. It’s pathetic.” I replied holding my head tightly in my hands as if that would help erase the pain.

“Ahmm hangover. Step back. You’ll see glasses of water and aspirin. Have a go. You’ll be fine.” Jane guided me at the dining table which was set with glasses flled with water and tablets of aspirin for all the drunken heads like me.

“Thanks babes.” I rushed and had it in one go as if it was the only life saving drug.

“Yeah I don’t drink very often. I hope I did not act wasted last night?” I asked crossing my fingers expecting myself to be decent drunker.

“Oh no not at all. Infact Dexie took good care of you. He waited till you were fast asleep and then left.” Jane said as if it wsnt a big deal. I made a mental note of thanking Dexter next time when we meet.

“I thought it was a night out for all of us.”

 My phone buzzed with a loud ring and the ring only added to my headache.

“Hi bestie”, Joshan said from the other end.

“Hi Josh” I said softly guilt feeling inside me.

“Had aspirin?”

“Yup” I said popping the p to avoid further conversation because he is seriously going to get pissed off.  “No dating today?”

“Pearly you are talking about my girlfriend on your holiday. Stop averting I know you were completely wasted last night and your friend Dexter was there to nurse you.”

“Oops sorry. But it just happened that I forgot the count. How did you come to know?” I asked guiltily.

“I called last night. I was missing you and wanted to talk and also was worried. Okay I sound like your mom but I care.” I could feel him rolling his eyes at the other end.

“I know sweety. I miss you too.”

“Liar.” He offended

“no I do” I said honestly. I did miss my best friend.

“Then come back”

“Josh”

“I am being irrelevant. Take your time. Enjoy your holidays.” He said. I knew he was trying to be sweet but missed me.

“My darling bff” I cooed.

Next I received a text from Dexter : will pick you in an hour.

Me: wher r u takin me WORKOHOLIC

Dexter: surprise

Me: Thanks for babysitting me last night.

Dexter: always welcome Sweety pea

I woke Sam with a glass of water and aspirin and dragged her to her house so that I could get ready for Dexter’s surprise. I did not change my clothes last night because of being wasted and I also wanted to meet Mrs. Carol. We have a special bond together.

We reached Sam’s place a little late as her hangover took some extra time to be pulled down.

I met Aunt Carol and after exchanging hugs and pleasantries I rushed to get ready for the surprise. I did not know where we were going so I made a casual look with a pair of tight jean and an Acrombie t-shirt.

Dexter was on time and he joined us for a French toast breakfast cum lunch that Sheba, aunt’s friend had cooked for everyone.

“Why don’t you join us?” I asked Sam.

“I was invited but I have some pending submissions but I’ll catch you at the pub in the evening. Enjoy you guys.” She said working on her lap top.

“So you know where this flirt is taking me?” I asked not very confident about the surprise planned by Dexter.

“I do. Take care” she said as she winked at him.

He opened the passenger seat door of his Buggati, “please have a seat maam”

“God you are the owner don’t act like a chauffer.” I teased.

“I told you I would chauffer for you the journey of your life.” he said flirtingly.

“This is a nice line. Why don’t you try on your mystery girl?” I said as I made myself comfortable on the passenger seat working on the sophisticated music system

“I am trying to.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him,” Thank you so much for working out time from your busy schedule.”

“Pearls then I would also have to thank you for a million times for the day you took me to the Texas tour.” He said with an honest grin.

“Oh don’t I enjoyed actually a day out with you.” I said smiling at his sweet gesture.

“So did I and now I want a replica.” He said as he slid his keys in the ignition.

He tuned in the music to listen to the series of numbers flowing one after another and our small chit chats in between, needless to say he continued his flirtings.

It was a long drive after which we reached a spot where I read the multicolored board saying, “Paragliding”

I gazed towards Dexter thankfully.

“I’ll make you fly today. Like a bird you can float and feel the breeze.” He said as he held my hand in his.

“Thank you so much for this lovely surprise.” I said honestly

He hugged me pecking me on my neck, “Enjoy”

All I could answer was blush. The gliding was an amazing experience followed by authentic pizza from a medieval themed diner meant only for pizzas. He knew very well how to please girls and I was enjoying every bit of it. We sat for a while longer talking about nothing in particular but knowing about each other. We were doing great as friends.

Later we met all our friends at the J 9 pub behaved naughty and yes I did not overdrink as warned by Joshan in most of his messages.

We also had a daylong picnic at the Disney land where we made it a point to behave like non teens to bring the child inside us alive. The holidays went in a spur and it was time to leave. Sam was dropping me to the airport. Dexter had been missing since he was occupied with his official work but he did text me

Dexter :See you at the airport.

I was looking for him wherein Sam was working on all other formalities when two hands crossed my waist hugging me and lifting me in the air.

“You tried to scare me but failed. I knew it was you.” I said grinning.

“Yeah Sweety pea. I know you gotta used to with me and missed me too.” Dexter said in his trademark flirting tone.

“Wrong judgment” I said as I chuckled.

I did not miss you but am missing the name of your mystery girl.” I said trying to poke the name of the girl he likes.

“You’ll know” he said as he put me down on my feet.

“I guess you don’t trust me enough to share.” I said as I pouted my lips giving a puppy dog face. I knew he could not resist.

His gaze changed to a soft innocent one as he kept a steady stare into my eyes leaning a little closer said “It’s  yo….

“Pearly they are announcing for your flight’s boarding and checking. Rush” Sam pulled me and dragged me with her.

I did not turn back nor did try to look at him because the portion I heard or did not want to hear or whatever it was I am sure we are no longer friends.

 My whole flight back was restless. All the while I was recalling the times spent together with every time he admitted his love I ignored as if he was flirting. Conscious coming to my mind about my parent’s understandings!!!!

 They were far more matured and sensible about his intentions. Why else would a guy present a girl with the most expensive pair of diamond studded earrings? He was not even a best friend of mine. It was just a second meet. No wonder he was trying to get close with me and I took it as friendship. I did enjoy his company and also like him but I cannot. I cannot enter into any relationship. I cannot trust any one.

I felt torn and sad to hurt a person who was getting close to my heart because I could not give him what he wanted. I was mentally cursing myself for forcing him to speak out the name of his mystery girl. How much so ever I tried to divert my mind but it landed on one pair of hazel eyes lustfully staring at me. I was completely perplexed.

 My flight landed on the airport at 11:30 pm and as I carried my luggage to the exit, I was expecting my father to pick me. Instead I was shocked to see Stacie and Cairo arguing with each other and it was loud enough to attract any passerby’s attention. Then appeared Joshan with two cups of coffee in his hands and as he saw me coming closer to them, a huge smile appeared on his face which instantly filled my heart with happiness. All the thoughts and confusion of Dexter vanished away in a blink.

Stacie and Cairo ran towards me

“Hi pearly. I’ll hug her first” Stacie said as she moved the hand holding the hot coffe away and hugging me with the other one.

“Don’t start again. I already hugged her, hi” Cairo teased Stacie as she gave me a bear hug.

“What’s wrong with you guys? Your loud voices were reaching me even when I was in my plane.” I scolded them playfully

“Don’t tell me someone in Florida converted you into a vampire and you can hear slightest of the sounds” Stacie mocked as she hugged me.

“You and your vampire cravings. I am still a normal living human. Want to check my bite?” I answered with a small laugh.

‘Pearly. I am also here.” Joshan interrupted.

“Hi Bff. How can I miss you?” I gave him a short hug, “missed you”

“Me too” he replied “but why isn’t holiday reflecting in your eyes?”

“Josh stop reading me like a book. I am fine.”

‘So something is troubleshooting you?” he said smirking happily to the fact that he knew me too well.

“Yes. But now let’s enjoy the unison. How cum you three are here at this hour? I was expecting my dad.” I asked to no one in particular.

“So you forgot Deren’s birthday.” Stacie asked.

“Oh shit crap. Today… 5th Jan. I actually forgot.” I said biting my lip guiltily.

“Yes and Essme has organized this small surprise midnight party for Deren at his place and we are going there.” Stacie narrated her plan for the birthday.

We spent couple of hours celebrating Deren’s birthday and painting his face with the cake followed by an extreme short session of the drinks after which both the guys dropped all the girls home.

It’s so nice to feel back home with our parents and friends.

Just as I was about to sleep, I heard a knock on my window with a murmur, “Open the door”

“No, let me sleep” I hugged my pillow tightly wanting to sleep more.

The banging got louder.

‘oh shit it couldn’t be Joshan. I just met him. Who’s this?’