chapter 9

Next few weeks I balanced my stressful job and exciting happy moments with Ishaan. We met almost every weekend and sometimes on weekdays as well if we were able to squeeze out time from our busy schedule.

We went to movies, hung around malls, explored places in and around Pune sometimes as a couple, and sometimes with the gang. By now everyone in the gang assumed we were a couple. Which was true to some extent however we had not graduated to the next level. Apart from a few hugs and the peck on the cheek we didn't do anything else.

He was addictive and I was hooked to my new addiction.

As usual one Saturday we went along with the gang to a disco. I felt a smug satisfaction when Ishaan's jaw fell open for a moment spotting me in my little black dress.

He simply commented "Looking good".

The disco was usually noisy and crowded. I was sitting along with others sipping my cocktail. I am not a very party person but I loved reveling once in a while.

One thing I loved about Ishaan was that he wasn't the insecure type. He never stopped me from interacting with other guys from our group or tried to control my friend circle. We just let each other do their own things.

Some girls thought this meant he wasn't serious about me. I just preferred it this way. I have never liked anyone breathing down my neck all the time. Ishaan was not first boyfriend either.I had some dates and short lived relationships earlier but the moment they turned possessive it used to turn me away from them.I was weird in that way.I didn't find stockholm syndrome romances appealing.

I was talking to Swati when Ishaan approached me and said "Wanna dance ?"

I said, "I was wondering why didnt you ask until now."

He laughed "I was trying to gather courage I am not very good at dancing."

I kept my cocktail and took his hand "We'll see."

We danced and he was not too bad. The music was blaring so I had to lean close to him said into his ears "you are not that bad."

He said "Its effect of my company."

Suddenly he encircled his arm around my waist held my other hand bringing them real close. He twirled around with me in a waltz or whatever it was.

I stared into his eyes and my knees turned to jelly. Good that he was holding me.

We danced for, dont know how long. When the music suddenly changed to a faster beat. He released me and ran his hands through his hair looking slightly embarrassed "Perhaps we should take a break."

I was barely breathing and simply nodded.

I came back to my couch and finished my drink. Ishaan went to get some more drinks while I started chatting with my friends.

"Hey, Arya heard about Sumit?"

Sumit was one of our college friends.

"No why? Anything important ?"

He said "I came to know that he and Gauri are a couple now. I caught him online last week. He seemed very happy he is planning to propose her."

" Really? That's nice never thought such opposite characters would end up together" I said. 

I felt dizzy. Maybe it was due to the crowd or loud music. Whatever it was I was feeling strange.

Ishaan was back and caught my disturbed expression, he could make out something was wrong. He was immediately by my side "What's wrong Aarya ?"

I looked at him and felt relieved.

"Nothing I...I am feeling suffocated."

"Would you like to go out?"He asked.

I thought for a minute and said.

"Ishaan please take me home I am feeling dizzy."

He said, "Sure... let us leave now."

When I got up the room seemed to swim around me. He immediately caught me in his arms.

" What did you drink ?" He asked.

I pointed at the empty glass. He picked it up and smelled it. He looked angry.

"We need to leave immediately !" 

He supported me in his arms and we walked out of the club. By now I was totally wasted. I had just one cocktail and it wasn't like my first drink.

I was used to social drinking.

I dont remember when he put me in his car and took me home.

He supported me as we stumbled towards swati's flat.He took out the keys from my purse and we went in. Swati was not yet back.

"Hey, Ishaan" I mumbled.

"Hmmm," He said as he dropped me on the sofa in the living room and browsed through his phone to call Swati.

"Please kiss me," I said.

"I would love to the baby but this is not the right time" He chuckled.

"Why not ?" 

He turned towards me and grazed his knuckles on my cheeks

"Because you are wasted. It would be inappropriate. You won't remember anything tomorrow and I want our first kiss to be special not some drunken error. " 

I gazed at him as my vision blurred.I dont remember anything after that. I simply blacked out.