Moments with you, that's when I wish I could stop time

I tip-toed down the corridor clutching my purse to my side making sure to make no noise as I reached the drawing-room. I glanced back then carried on with my mission to leave the house without being noticed. As I crossed the Kitchen-

"Caught you!" Ryan shouted from behind.

I breath out irritated but acted like I didn't hear him if you ignored my quick steps almost rushing to get out

"Avi I saw you! You going somewhere?"

Ugh

I turned back, "since when do I have to take your permission to get out of my own house?" I asked concealing my frustration with a tight smile.

He folded his arm glowering at me from across the room, "you are dressed up! you are going out! Where?" He interrogated again not paying heed to the tons of warning I was shooting at him.

"Okay fine I am going out! so what?" I was about to dig my fingers in my hair furiously but I reminded myself how long it took me to make it

"Where are you going?" He asked moving towards me with narrowed eyes.

I narrowed my eyes too. I didn't like his protective/possessive nature. Somehow his twisted mind got the idea I always go out of the house looking for trouble.

I mean it happened only thrice in this week. He should get over it by now!

I got into a fight with my neighbor they just can't learn to mind their own business so I thought why not I tell them? Explain to them, make it clear in a little straightforward way?

Well, guess people are not used to a straightforward attitude.

Ryan had to come to interfere and save the neighbor's girl from my wrath. Why did she water the road? Who the hell water the road? And then forget the passers-by!!

To deviate my mind and not to sit idle
I thought why not do something for living but my previous self job I didn't like much, serving people... like really? In my fully conscious state, I would never serve any living being at any cost.

So with Kavya's recommendations and a few false good qualities spread about me, lured the manager to employ me in the cosmetics zone!

Yay

But

A small problem

I didn't like the uniform my working uniform ,it just didn't suit my personality. And after 2hrs and 36 mins long debate with the Head, I came to the conclusion that the Head person was thick-headed he had more issues than I had nail paints.

I just can't work where people's opinions are not taken into consideration and accepted and adapted as new protocols or whatever the hell they call!

I couldn't sit doing nothing, I tried to influence the other colleagues working there in cosmetic to leave that goddamn job where we can't even wear our own choice clothes and I didn't realize it turned into a full strike and I was banned from the mall now.

God, they don't have to take it so personally

And Laksh Laskh how can I forget him?

Where there were mishappening in my life, he would always be in the radius of it. Or the center of it

So yeah he rejected my offer of keeping things physically.

Very generous offer

How can any boy do that??

Yeah

Actually, he didn't say it aloud but it was clear because if he wanted something you know between us. Exploring Sparkling, hot sizzling chemistry, He should have initiated, said something at least, proclaimed his deepest desires for me and reason of his vivid dreams. I mean he did kiss me he's attracted to me it's clear out? right?

Wrong!

He didn't say anything!. He just fucking didn't!

What did he expect I'll make the move again? He could take his shyness and loop it around his neck and hang on it and die!

If he thinks I would be throwing myself at him every time. It would be me always? then he needs to wake up! Just wake up already!

It's a two-way road!

I won't be doing all the work.

I didn't know intelligent people can be quite stupid sometimes.

Anyway, who cares it's his loss.

Though that didn't mean I didn't try to tempt him a few times. Some time. Every time.

Those 1-hour tuitions were the highlight of my day. I give some extra time to dress up for them.

That day when we you know kinda had a heart-to-heart talk, something had shifted between us and had drawn us closer? I don't know but my perspective had changed a bit towards him. I don't find him annoying. My blood doesn't fume when I see him oh actually it does, it does a lot of rushing at an uncontrollable speed in my body making it hum and flustered. But this time, the reason is different

Yeah very different

Anyway, today I got dressed for a Date!

I was going on a date.

It's a blind date actually. And unplanned one. I didn't think of it.

Riya had to substitute her sister's place for the date who couldn't go so she threatened Riya by using some sisterly pact and made Riya to go on her place. Even though Riya said it's her sister's devious plan, she had purposely set her up for the date to renew her unsociable life through it.

Riya called me for help to accompany her I told her what will I do there?

Watch a blind date live?

Sorry not interested

Then she set me up too and made it a double date!

I see she knew how to have me convinced and well I could even use this date to push someone's desires out and riled them up.

Hehe

I had messaged Laksh immediately

Laksh(Lux)
I can't make it to today's tuition. I have a big special romantic date, in case you were wondering why?

I am so excited! do I look like okay for it?

My gorgeous pic is attached not to mention but it took 64 tries and 35 candids, later I got this winner. It was a tough battle, friends

P.S I am so excited I think he's the one!!

No reply since then.

Maybe he was sobbing in a corner clutching his hammered heart, drowning in his own regrets and foolishness of rejecting me.

Good for him

"Where are you going?" Ryan asked again being stubborn as a bull

"I am going to Laksh's house" I lied, he didn't mind me being with Laksh.

It wasn't like they had some great bonding but Ryan seemed to not object and make faces as he used to when I dated Ishaan.

Ryan cocked his head with a fake grin, "he told me you aren't going today. You took the day off"

It's not the first time when they had talked about me. This 'keeping tabs on Avi' thing they all have had been doing since I got my memories back.

Partially I got my memories, those six months were still missing from my mind.

Their interferences in my life irked me so much. But I chose to stay silent considering their care and good intentions.

I gritted my teeth, "so he must've also told you that why am I not going today?"

"He said you're missing it for some childish venture," Ryan said in a concerned voice, observing me

Childish Venture!

He thinks my date is a childish venture!

How dare he guessed it so correct!

"Okay, Ryan I am going for a photoshoot" I lied again. The pathetic lie of all times.

"Photoshoot? Why?" He asked suspiciously.

"Oh because- because" I searched for a reason as to why people do a photoshoot?
And
Found none why a normal person like me would go randomly do a photoshoot?

"I want to," I told ending the conversation

"I also want to," Ryan said excitedly, believing my lie getting ready to join

"Okay okay sorry to burst your bubble but kids are not allowed"

"I am not a kid" he argued.

"Only 16+ ones entry" I challenged, with a smirk.

He glared at me, "age is just a number"

"And jail is just a room," I said at once out of habit.

"People marry all the time with having 20+ age gaps" he continued.

How the hell the topic took a 180-degree turn here?

"We are not living in medieval times, dear" I argued nevertheless.

"Take Laksh with you I don't trust you alone" he spoke out of nowhere.

"Mind your own business Ryan, I won't take anyone with me"

"I will not talk to you ever" he warned me immaturely.

"Grow up Ryan go hang out with your own age people and stop bothering me," I said irritatedly.

"I don't have friends"

"And I can guess why" I retorted before I could stop myself and ponder how will he take this.

He touched his face with a hurt look. "oh well then enjoy" he stepped back.

I felt so worse, worse than I felt when I had pushed a girl in a sack race who was about to win.

I pursed my lips then dejectedly called for him.

~•~•~•

"Why's he here?" Riya said as we got in the cab eyeing Ryan who had dressed and taken the photoshoot lie too seriously.

I sighed laying my back against the seat.

"He thinks we are going to photoshoot" I mouthed facing her while Ryan sat at the window side looking through it with a big grin.

He seemed so happy when I said he could come along , I didn't have any choice after he made me feel like a bitch.

I didn't want to pull down his big smile by telling him that I lied. Photoshoot is a lie. I am going on a date. And it's not Laksh!

Besides why will I even go to a photoshoot!

I eyed my phone no texts still.

childish venture! Ha!

Riya's eyes widened comprehending what I said.

I was a little hesitant to be friends with her at the starting.

My post self was strange and I found difficulty in trusting her choice of friends. I had this thought I wouldn't like Riya and that she and I won't go along. Our thinking and attitude varied in a big range.

But, I was wrong

We clicked right away when I lowered my bitch meter.

She's sarcastic she's weird...I guess but she feels like a good companion to joke around and be open without any fear of what if I am doing it wrong or whether I am reaching up to a certain standard?

The main thing that I was indirectly looking for, in a friendship was respect, to respect each other's opinions but not in a boring way of course.

With Tanya, it had always been one-sided. Her, it was only her. I had to listen to her, follow her. Change my choice for her. Change myself for her.

She made it appear as if what she did was right, what she said was right, and in a way, it was peer pressure for me to act like her.

Still, a part of me missed her. Part of me that reckless loving part wants to be like her. All high class doing all high-class stuff.

But yeah, maybe that wasn't me what's the point of all that when at the end I don't feel like me? I am left with doubts and being..alone.

"So who's gonna tell him ? not me"Riya mouthed back. Declining with a wave of her hand that had some anime design on the gloves. She's a little eccentric in the fashion sense.

"Can we go on a photoshoot?" I suggested.

She gave me a look that said you have gone mad.

I nodded agreeing.

"Ryan" I called as we drove to the location.

Ryan looked back smiling.

"You need to start hanging out with your own age people," Riya said from behind me.

I nodded agreeing.

"I don't have friends," Ryan said again grinning like it's the best thing in the world.

The car stopped.

We reached the restaurant.

It was some Chinese restaurant. I glanced back at Riya uncertainly, Ryan already jumped out rushing to see and froze making his assumptions of why we would have a photoshoot in a Chinese restaurant?

"Do you have any preference?" Riya joined me as we got down she studied me, I feel overdressed in comparison to her.

"I don't have any preference for my date I mean it's a blind date I keep my expectations low"
I said then added quickly," but I am just not into wig-wearing bald boys" I had only one blind date ever in my life and it was not....that good.

Riya cracked a smile then turned, noticing Ryan frowning.
"What to do about him?" Riya said.

"Let's just go with the flow and it's better if he understands it on his own,"I told as we got inside.

•~•~•~•~•~•

Blind dates are the worst I should know it from before.

Blind date with my ex!?

What the fuck?

"Oh look what do we have here?" Aryan that annoying best friend of Ishaan said as he spotted us

"Shut up!" I said looking back at Riya with a deep frown.

"Are these our dates?" I said, confirming the obvious.

"What dates? " Ryan said confusedly.

He sat taking a seat near Aryan.

Riya answered, "oh well" she pointed at the number badge at both of them's Ishaan and Aryan's coat.

12 and 13 that were ours

Ishaan had 12 and mine was also 12!

Instead of being shocked Ishaan pulled a chair out for me with a charming grin.
"Hey, long time no see how are you doing Aadhya?"

I glared at him stepping on his foot with my heel.

"Hey where is that other girl that tall one with grey eyes beautiful body she's friends with you all?" Aryan asked excitedly looking around.

Riya shook her head," Kavya has married off and moved to Singapore"

"What!" Aryan looked distraught his head snapped to me.

I shrugged my shoulders with a small nod.

"It can't be a coincidence it's like fate is telling us we belong together!" Ishaan slurred staring at me.

I gave me a dirty glance, "he's drunk?"

Aryan nodded still in shock and pain, "we lost our match"

Ishaan reached on the table taking my hand in his

What the hell!

"I miss you! You're like my lucky charm and now you're gone I am losing all the matches" he told not leaving my hand as I pulled punching on it.

"Hey!" Ryan got up pulling Ishaan back by his chair.

"Oh look your ugly cousin is also here with you!"Ishaan sneered. Ryan tried to yank his chair back but Ishaan is an athlete what did he expect he would pull and flip him over his head.

I rolled my eyes tearing my hand out from his grip,

"come on let's go" I told others

What a waste

"What about Photoshoot?" Ryan asked looking over struggling to pull Ishaan's chair not giving up already.

"We are having a photoshoot?" Aryan asked sniffing over a napkin. Was he crying seriously!?

"Yeah on the unrequited love theme," Riya said she was enjoying it like anything.

"Really! I called Laksh too, he must be coming" Ryan informed way too soon.

"Laksh is coming" Ishaan's jaw clenched he cracked his knuckles. Then his face crumbled he stopped cracking his knuckles and searched to portray his anger by different and less painful ways.

"Ryan are you crazy!? We aren't having any-" I was cut off.

"Oh look he's here!"

My head snapped as I found him in all black leather jacket and those black jeans looking dashing marching to our way...
I got up in daze and was yanked by someone my waist to the right against their side. My neck whipped, Ishaan had his arm around my waist.

What the....!?

Laksh stopped in his track seeing the scene in front of him. I squirmed under Ishaan's hold elbowed him to leave me. But what did I expect he's an athlete he won't just withdraw away with a little push.

In fact, he glared at Laksh and why was his head leaning towards me.

"Can you also call that other girl that tall one with grey eyes and beautiful body and can you give me her phone number?"

"Kavya has changed her number too she's crazily happy with her husband and her child," Riya told.

"Child!"

I pushed Ishaan's face away with my hand when I got what he was trying to do. He kissed my hand. ugh...

I looked for help Ryan laid down on the floor with a chair turned over him?

Suddenly I was pulled roughly from his hold to another.

I recognized that warm yet hard hold with sparks felt with contact.

I gazed up at him

He looked furious and so fucking hot.

Inwardly grinning I leaned more to Laksh.

He gave me a withering glare Oh wow I bit my lip finally he was riled up

*