Chapter 2

blissfulcanyon

@blissfulcanyon

Part 2: 

Shiva looked up at the sky wondering if it was some sort of cruel game that fate was playing. He looked down at his phone screen for confirmation and there it was. Her attire matched the one PrettyGirlxoxo had described. He couldn't help but scoff at the name and the lack of modesty dripping from it. He should've known. Meanwhile, the wide-eyed chipkali continued to gawk at him in surprise as he shifted his footing in annoyance. He vowed to make Krish pay as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

"Shiva? T-t-tu...yeh tera account hai?" Raavi asked when she was finally able to break out of her stupor. She almost shoved her entire phone in his face while asking for verification. 

Slapping her hand away, Shiva blurted out a quick no. 

"Jhoota kahinka. Meri aankhein apna kaam acche se kar rahi hai. You know, main soch rahi thi ki yeh profile ka bio itna jaana pehchana sa feel kyun de raha hai mujhe lekin ab samajh mein aagaya." Raavi spoke in contemplation. 

When her eyes were able to leave Shiva's face, she finally let them wander over his torso, observing his outfit. "Arreh wah. Bada sajh dajh ke aaya hai. Lagta hai aaj toh impress karne ka irada tha, haina?" Raavi giggled as her eyes shone with mischief.

"Ae chipkali. Bahot der se tu sirf bakke ja rahi hai. Ab aur nahi. Apni ye betuki baatein side pe rakh aur samajh le ki yeh sab uss gadhede Krish ki wajah se hua hai. Na mujhe yeh dress-up game khelne ka shauk hai aur naahi yeh fizool si dates ka. Bekaar mein mera itna waqt waste hogaya. Tujh jaisi chipkali ko kuch explain nahi karna mujhe." Without saying goodbye, he turned to leave but Raavi quickly latched onto his wrist, stopping him effectively. 

"Ae bhoothnath. Aise kaise chala jayega?" She asked. 

Shiva ignored her and tried to rip his arm out of her grasp but she held on tighter, as her other hand joined in as well to grab onto him. 

"Shiva sunn na. Ab jab tu aur main yahan aagaye hi gaye hai, toh...toh kar lete hai na yeh date. Dekh, yeh jagah bhi kitni sundar hai. Ab aise mauke ko waste nahi karna chahiye." Raavi spoke slowly and hesitantly. She wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be, but more likely than not, he would erupt into a volcano. 

Shiva stared at her in disbelief. She must have lost her remaining brain cells to suggest something like that. 

"Dimaag kya bazaar mein bech kar aayi hai? Tere sapnon mein bhi yeh nahi hoga." He pulled his arm out of her hold, but she held on to him again. 

"Shiva please na! Main apne doston se kya bolungi? Kitna hype kar rahi thi main iss date ko. Ab bina kuch experience kiye waapas gayi, toh woh log mera bahut mazaak udayenge. Please, Shiva, please. Chal na mere saath." Raavi pleaded, her eyes widening, and her lower lip jutting out.

Shiva gave her a smug smile. "Yeh sab bewakoofon wali harkatein karne se pehle sochna chahiye tha. Kisne bola tha aisa account banane ke liye? Badi aayi thi mujhse apni khush khabri baatne haan? Ab bhugat." 

"How mean! Tu na pakka karela khaate hue paida hua hoga issliye hamesha aisi kadvi kadvi baatein karta hai. Pann tu meri baat bhi sunn le. Tu mere saath iss play date par jayega." 

"Kaise karegi yeh chamatkar?" Shiva asked in genuine curiosity.

Raavi chewed on her bottom lip before pulling out her phone. She pulled up a picture and showed it to him. 

All the color drained out of his face. Shiva was mortified by the sight in front of him as he was forced to relive the embarrassing memory. In the picture, he was about 15 years old and he was attempting to lift a sack that was way heavier than usual. Unfortunately, while trying to lift the sack, Shiva's pants had ripped right down the middle from all the force he was exerting upon himself. Raavi happened to be present right at the very moment and she had clicked a picture of him in his vulnerable state. She had laughed at him alongside a few of the customers. Shiva had managed to shut them all up with his menacing glare and he gave them a special threat which he promised to live up to if anyone mentioned the incident again. After all these years, the wretched memory still made him want to bury himself under a pile of sand.  

"Y-y-yeh picture toh tune delete kar diya tha na?" Shiva sputtered incredulously.

"Haan lekin usse pehle maine back up bhi kar diya tha. Itna bada gold mine main aise hi delete nahi kar sakti thi. Aur dekho kaise aaj yeh mere kaam mein aakhir aa hi gaya. So, Mr. Bhootnath, ab toh tu mere saath yeh date pe jayega na? Varna, just imagine ki agar yeh tasveer tere doston ko mil gayi toh? Aur jitne bhi pandya store ke regular customers hai agar unnhe dikh gayi toh? Phir the rough and tough Mr. Shiva Pandya bann jayega Mr. Shiva Pant-Phatt-Gaya." Raavi chuckled as her eyes sparkled with mirth. She enjoyed making him squirm a bit too much. 

Shiva glared at her with all his might. The veins along his temple popped out making him look incredibly irresistible to Raavi. She gulped deeply, both in fear, and excitement. She waited for his reaction with bated breath. 

"Raavi, picture delete kar abhi ke abhi." Shiva made sure to enunciate each word. 

Raavi took a few steps back while shaking her head. 

"Picture delete karana hai toh pakad mujhe." Laughter bubbled up within her as she plopped her phone in her purse for dramatic effect. 

"Chipkali, teri toh!" Shiva ran after her, completely forgetting that they were in a public setting. Raavi's giggles could be heard from upfront where she was running. 

They ran past a few shrubs and trees, before entering a maze-like space. The area was huge and surrounded by all sorts of exotic plants. Raavi spiraled her way through the paved pathway when she felt Shiva's arms wrap around her. He had caught up to her when she got distracted by the beauty of mother nature. 

"Pakad liya." Shiva whispered into Raavi's ear, his breath blowing softly upon her reddening skin. Her back rested against his chest and his palms lay splayed against her belly making her breathe in heavily. She felt the heat from his palm transfer to her skin even through the layering of her dress in between them. She shivered under his touch, suddenly hyper-aware of their proximity. 

"Ab bol. Picture delete karegi ya nahi?" Shiva asked huskily, his fingers tapping rhythmically upon her waist. His every touch sent her reeling but she managed to shake her head in opposition. 

The tapping of his fingers stopped, and he leaned down again. "Theek hai. Iss baar tu jeet gayi. Lekin main yeh baat bhuloonga nahi. Tujhse main baad mein nipat lunga." He spoke with a heavy promise and let her go. 

Raavi felt disappointed at the sudden distance between them but the vow which his last sentence held made her tremble in anticipation. She got herself to calm down before turning around to face him.

"Ek minute. Kya bola? Tune apne hoshohavas mein meri jeet maan li? Kya baat hai!" Raavi squealed and tried to pinch Shiva's cheeks but he swatted her hands away in distaste. 

Raavi pouted in return earning her an eye roll from Shiva. 

"Accha. Toh hum chale?" Raavi asked, almost jumping from one foot to another. She was like a child who had just gotten a new toy. The thought made Shiva almost smile, but he caught himself before slipping up. 

"Kahan?" 

"Yahan. Pehle toh na yeh jagah bahot hi pretty hai! Main apne doston ke saath yahan aayi hoon toh unnhe dikhane ke liye pictures bhi chahiye. Hum yahan ki sair karte waqt kuch photos le lenge. Aur phir tu mere saath ek selfie le lena, please." Raavi requested.

"Yahi sab karna tha to ek photographer ko hi hire kar leti?" Shiva spoke as a yawn broke out of his mouth. His face had disinterest written all over it. 

Raavi glowered at him. "Chal tu mere saath. Photos toh khichwake rahungi." She entwined her arm around his elbow and dragged him along with her. 

They walked for a while before they came across some exotic species of plants that seemed to capture Shiva's interest. He was always enraptured by things unknown to him so seeing his face scrunched up in concentration as he read the information plaque in front of him made Raavi gaze at him with adoration. His fascination with the plants fascinated her in turn. She observed his handsome features and forgot all about her surroundings. When he turned to look at her, she quickly averted her eyes and pretended to stare at another plaque. 

They finally moved ahead and explored an area surrounded by a pond. Raavi insisted on her pictures to be taken and Shiva begrudgingly agreed. To irritate her, he purposely made the pictures turn out bad by either tilting the phone so that she was out of the shot or he shook his hands while taking the pictures to make them turn out blurry. He figured he needed a source of entertainment and there wasn't a better mode of diversion than the chipkali herself. She deserved a taste of her own medicine after she blackmailed him with his own picture. He grinned to himself as he saw her approach him to take a look at the pictures. 

Raavi kept her cool when she saw the outcome of her photos. Her calm demeanor might have had something to do with the mischievous, blossoming smile on the bhootnath's face. But Shiva was left disappointed at her reaction. So he tried something else. 

"Ae maami ki behen ki beti, maine tere pictures ke liye ek perfect spot dhoondh li hai. Dekhegi?" Shiva asked.

Raavi bobbed her head up and down, clearly missing the roguish glint in his eyes. 

Shiva pulled her along and stopped when they were in an area that was devoted to desert plants. He made her stand in front of a row of cacti and spoke. "Yahan pe khadi hoja. Tujhe bahot suit karega. Tere hi jaisa sukha aur boring hai." 

Raavi gasped offended, before picking up a small stick and throwing it at him. "Tu bahot bura hai, Shiva!" 

Shiva smirked as Raavi continued to give him the meanest look she could muster. 

Shiva finally broke the silence when he put forth a suggestion. He put on his most sincere look and spoke, "Accha theek hai. Tujhe selfie chahiye thi na? Chal lete hai. Lekin ek shart pe. Picture main lunga."

Raavi looked at him suspiciously and pressed her lips together. He seemed like he was up to something but, eventually, her curiosity got the better of her and she agreed. She had never been able to get him to agree to this so if today happened to be the day when the fates seemed to be merciful upon her, who was she to deny herself a part of this joy?

She quickly fixed her hair and smiled at the camera. Her hand rested upon his shoulder as she waited for him to take the picture. Suddenly, she felt him move to the side and she heard the click of the shutter. 

Shiva guffawed staring at his screen and Raavi hurriedly looked at his phone. He had managed to take a picture but with only Raavi in it. The problem was that her face was covered by an apish filter. 

"Ab lag rahi hai tu bandariyon ki maharani." Shiva choked out. 

Raavi gaped at him like a fish caught out of water. 

"Shivaaa!!! Gadheda, bhootnath, sada hua karela!" Raavi whined as she cursed at him. She slapped his shoulder and heard chuckles from behind her. 

Shiva and Raavi turned to look at where the laughter came from. An older couple stood behind them, looking at them fondly. 

"Tumhe dekh kar humme humare jawani ke din yaad aagaye." The man spoke with a twinkle in his eyes as he grasped his lady love's hands in his own. 

"Sach mein, tum dono ko dekh kar bahot accha laga. Aisa laga ki hum khud ko hi aaine mein dekh rahe hai. Bahot pyaare lag rahe ho. Khush raho." The older lady smiled at them while Raavi gave them her own blinding smile. Her heart felt like it was about to burst with happiness. 

Shiva was about to correct them when Raavi shushed him with one stare of hers. The lady gave them a knowing look and walked away with her husband, leaving a puzzled Shiva and a radiant Raavi behind them. 

"Tune mujhe bolne kyun nahi diya?" 

"Bas aise hi." Raavi whispered. She couldn't tell him she wished all of it was real. He would run away instantaneously. 

Shiva took in the sight of her dazed state and snapped his fingers in front of her, effectively breaking Raavi out of her thoughts.

Raavi turned around with a scrutinizing gaze. "Shiva, ab tu mujhe jaldi se mana le aur phir dinner pe le chal. Bahot bhook lag rahi hai."

"Mana loon? Kis liye?" Shiva demanded haughtily. 

"Jo tu mujhe sata raha tha usske liye? Aise pictures kaun leta hai?!" Raavi exclaimed. 

Shiva let out a sarcastic laugh. "Ja nahi manaunga. Kya kar logi?" 

"Main...main...main tujhse baat nahi karungi!" Raavi said crossly and folded her arms in front of her. 

"Iss baat pe toh mithaaiyaan baatni padegi! Tu mujhse baat nahi karegi toh meri saari pareshaaniyaan khud ba khud gayab hojayengi." Shiva waved her an arrogant goodbye and turned to leave.

Raavi's jaw dropped and she gnashed her teeth in frustration. "Yeh gadheda toh ja raha hai. Hmpph! Hey Somnath, yeh ek single piece hai duniya mein jo mujhe itna tang karta hai. Isse nipatne ki shakti de." Raavi mumbled under her breath. 

"Ae bhootnath, ruk! Aise kaise tujhe jaane dungi? Tujhe laga ki maine tera kaam aasaan kar diya toh tu yahan se kat lega? Bilkul nahi! I'm back. Aur tu mujhe khaana khaane lekar jayega." Raavi stomped her way over to Shiva.

"Jaise tu mujhse chipakti rehti hai, waise hi kabhi kabhi apni baaton se bhi chipak liya karo. Abhi tune bola tha na baat nahi karegi toh phir kyun mera dimaag ka dahi karne ke liye aagayi? Aur dinner ki kya zarurat, mera bheja toh tune kha hi liya hai?" Shiva inquired with a groan.

Raavi ignored the first part of his sentence on purpose and continued with her tirade. "Mera pet nahi bhara tera bheja kha kar. Toh mujhe asli khaana chahiye. Issliye, zahir si baat hai ki hum date pe aaye hai toh dinner bhi kar ke jayenge. Ab chal aur paka mat varna mein yahin par faint hojaungi!" 

"Tu bhool rahi hai yeh sab nakli hai? Tera fake date?" Shiva tried to correct her with an undecipherable glint in his eyes. 

"Fake nahi. Play date!" Raavi answered back with a pout.

"Naam badalne se asliyat toh nahi badlegi na?" 

Raavi clicked her tongue and without replying, grabbed his arm and pulled him beside her to continue walking. She didn't want to be reminded of reality. She wanted to live in the moment. 

Shiva just trudged along while adorning a sullen look on his face.

"Yahan se 10 minutes dur pe ek chhota sa family-owned restaurant hai. Pichli baar wahan gayi thi toh unka khaana itna tasty tha! Kyun na hum wahi jaaye? Lekin agar tere dimaag mein koi jagah hai to abhi bata de...I won't mind." Raavi looked at Shiva expectantly as they walked. 

Shiva shook his head. "Tujhe jahan jaana hai, hum wahi chalte hai." 

Raavi was surprised to see him agreeing with her on something. She was sure he would've retaliated back with something witty. She didn't mind him being a little passive once in a while. It was a rare sight. 

They continued to the entrance of the garden and Shiva left Raavi there to get his bike around to the front.

When he pulled up front, Raavi walked up giddily and sat behind him. When she didn't latch onto him as usual, Shiva quirked his brows up at her. 

"Theek se pakad ke baith mujhe. Agar gir gayi toh phir apni aansuon ki tanker phenkne lag jayegi." Shiva spoke as he stared at her through the mirror of the bike. 

Raavi was stunned by him again. Usually, he would shrug her hands off himself yet here he was, asking her to hold him. Maybe, it was her lucky day. She placed her hands on his shoulders gingerly and smiled. 

Shiva drove off once he saw her grab onto him. 

***** 

Ten minutes later, they found themselves standing in front of the restaurant Raavi had been talking about. Since it was almost 7 in the evening, the restaurant had reached its capacity for now and thus Raavi and Shiva had to wait outside until a table cleared up for them. 

As they waited, Raavi's mind wandered over to Shiva blaming Krish for him being there with her. 

"Shiva? Tune Krish ko kyun blame kiya apne yahan aane ke liye?" Raavi asked.

"Kyunki jiss se tune match kiya tha uss site par woh Krish hi tha." Shiva answered back.

"Nahi. Woh nahi ho sakta. Usska bio pura ka pura tujhe describe kar raha tha." 

"Woh issliye kyunki uss gadhede ne mere upar apna bio likha hua tha. Aur kal shayad usse pata chal gaya ki woh ladki jisse ussne match kiya tha tu hai. Apne faayde ke liye mujhe bhej diya. Usse toh main baad mein dekh lunga." Shiva grunted. 

Raavi grinned. She would have to thank Krish for this ingenious move of his. She remembered how down she had felt before Shiva arrived. If he wasn't the one who showed up, she had no idea how this play date of hers would've proceeded. The thought of it all sent a shiver down her spine, and not in a good way.

While Raavi was lost in her thoughts, Shiva took the opportunity to study her from his peripheral vision. He had to admit she looked beautiful. In fact, she was glowing today. The way she was nibbling on her bottom lip as her nose scrunched up in contemplation made him feel some type of way. The way her doe eyes widened upon reaching a realization made him want to pull her close to him and never let go. Her thoughts were pushing him into dangerous territory, one which he was used to avoiding. Deciding he needed a distraction from the temptation beside him, he started looking around when he found something which ended up enraging him. 

Two guys standing in the queue to get into the restaurant kept looking over towards his chipkali. The mere sight made him want to go over and beat the guys to a pulp. He imagined his fists greeting their faces. The thought was truly gripping but he chose to reign in his anger, not wanting to ruin the day for Raavi. 

When Shiva noticed that she was in their direct line of sight, he immediately decided to change that. 

"Raavi." Shiva whispered into her ear. 

"Hmmm?" She responded back, looking at him. 

Shiva grabbed her arm and gently nudged her to move. He tugged her from the left side to his right, successfully blocking her from their view. Raavi continued to stare at him in confusion. 

"Mujhe iss taraf kyun kiya?" 

"Bas aise hi." Shiva spoke, mimicking her words from earlier on purpose. 

Raavi made a face at him before peering around Shiva, glancing at the other side when she found two pairs of eyes on her. She felt uncomfortable under their gazes and shrunk back into her original spot. She unconsciously sidled up into Shiva's side, seeking his warmth. 

Shiva, noticing her discomfort, wrapped his arm around her waist possessively. He seethed silently and made sure to give the two morons staring their way the most menacing glare he could muster. 

Feeling his arm around her, Raavi felt herself turn a deep shade of red. Nonetheless, she basked in the hominess his mere touch provided. She felt like she could spend an eternity in this manner. 

They spent another 10 more minutes in the same position, a comfortable silence brewing in between them. When it was finally their turn to go inside, Raavi practically raced into the restaurant, her hunger knowing no bounds. 

As soon as they sat down, Raavi started looking through the menu and quickly decided what she wanted. When the server came to their table, Raavi ordered 4 different dishes. 

"Shiva, tu apne liye order kar." Raavi added as she bit into the complimentary appetizer they had been served. 

"Kyun? Tune toh already order kar diya na?" Shiva asked.

"Nahi. Woh toh mere liye tha!" Raavi exclaimed. 

"Ae dinosaur chipkali! Pagal hogayi hai kya? Tune chaar chaar dishes order kiye hai, sab akele khayegi?" 

"Shiva mujhe bahot zor se bhook lag rahi hai! Ab bakwas mat kar. Haan woh chaaron dishes mere hai. Tu apne liye kuch dusra order kar. Main share nahi karne wali!" 

"Nahi kha payegi tu itna sab." Shiva spoke confidently. 

"Tujhe kaise pata?" 

"Bachpan se jaanta hoon tujhe." 

Shiva's words made Raavi's heart skip a beat. 

"Itna sa khaana khake kehti hai ki pet bhar gaya." Shiva spoke as he made a small circle with his fingers to describe her portion of food. "Badi aayi chaar dishes order karne wali. Tu ek dish bhi pura kar le, wahi badi baat hai." 

"Aur agar maine yeh sab khaake dikha diya toh?" Raavi challenged. 

Shiva flashed her a smug smile. "Tere bas ki baat nahi hai."

As they bickered amongst themselves, they forgot the server standing beside them. Their heads snapped up when they heard the clearing of a throat.

"Uhm excuse me, ma'am, sir. Aap log order karne ke liye taiyyar hai?" The girl asked hesitantly. 

"Nahi!" Shiva and Raavi both exclaimed in unison. 

The girl excused herself and told them she'd be back in five minutes to take their order.

"Haan toh kahan the hum? Oh yes, tujhe yakeen nahi horaha ki main yeh sab khaana finish kar lungi, hai na?" 

"Haan." Shiva spoke in a bored tone as he let out a yawn.

"Wanna bet?" Raavi asked, her eyes twinkling. 

"Zaroor." Shiva agreed instantly. 

"Theek hai phir. Agar maine sab kuch kha liya, toh main jo bolungi, tu karega. Manzoor hai?" Raavi chirped. 

"Manzoor. Aur agar tu apna saara khaana nahi khatam kar paayi, toh main jo bolunga, tu woh karegi." Shiva smirked confidently. He had no doubt that she would lose. 

Once their orders were in, Raavi tapped her fingers on the table nervously. She wondered if she had committed a mistake in haste once again. She pouted while Shiva sat back and watched the flickering emotions on her face. 

*****

Twenty minutes later, Raavi felt like her stomach was about to explode. She tried to eat another bite but couldn't do so. She almost gagged and that's when Shiva decided to put an end to her childishness.

"Ae chipkali! Nahi khaya jaraha toh force kyun kar rahi hai. Bas kar. Ab haar maan ja."

Begrudgingly, Raavi admitted to her defeat. "Fine. Main haar gayi. Tu toh bada khush hoga na? Ab le, yeh sab khaana thoos le." She pushed forward the plates towards him. 

"Mujhe pata tha tu haregi. Issliye maine apne liye kam khaana order kiya. By the way, tujhe bet toh yaad hai na?" 

Raavi nodded as she gulped in fear. 

"Jab time aayega, main usse vasool kar lunga." Shiva stared at her with a promise before continuing to stuff his mouth with food while Raavi glared at him. 

"Haan toh kar lena. Mujhe darr thodi lag raha hai." Raavi mumbled quietly, contradicting herself. 

When they were done with their food, they got up to pay and leave when the girl who had taken their order approached them. She looked at Raavi and smiled. "Aap dono ek saath bahot hi cute lag rahe ho." She cleared the table and walked away as Raavi felt a warm sensation coursing through her body. That was the second time today someone had talked about her and Shiva as a couple. The idea made her insides tingle in a good way. 

Meanwhile, Shiva stared at the space ahead baffled. He felt his face warm-up and before Raavi could notice, he walked ahead and paid the bill. 

Raavi followed suit. "Tune kyun pay kiya?"

"Dekh. Ab iss baat par mujhe behes nahi karna toh please tu shuru mat hojana." Shiva pleaded. 

Raavi shrugged her shoulders and followed him out. 

"Ab ghar chale ya kuch aur karna baaki hai?" Shiva asked. 

"Tu mujhe option de raha hai? Wow. Aaj suraj kahan se nikla hai? Samajh mein nahi aaraha." Raavi teased. 

Shiva grimaced and sat on his bike. "Tu chal rahi hai ya phir tujhe idhar hi chhodh doon?" 

Raavi quickly sat down behind him before he sped off without her. On their way back, Raavi spotted an ice cream parlor and insisted on stopping by. Shiva had reluctantly agreed. 

The truth was that Raavi didn't feel like going home. She never wanted this day to end and to delay the inevitable, she had made him stop by the ice cream place despite being super full from the dinner they had. All she wanted to do was spend more time with her bhootnath. The thought of this entire thing being a play date didn't help her diminishing mood either. She sighed and finished her ice cream, preparing for her dreamy day to come to a depressing end. 

However, ten minutes before they reached the familiar streets of Somnath, Shiva stopped his bike in a deserted area and got off, leaving Raavi fumbling for words. 

"Yahan kyun rok diya? Ghar pahochne mein abhi bhi time baaki hai..." Raavi wondered out loud. She got off the bike and looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"Ae Raavi, tujhse...ek baat puchni hai..." Shiva uttered in a soft tone. 

This piqued Raavi's interest. The fact that he had said her name at a time when he wasn't angry left her mind wrecking for answers. 

"Puchh."

"Asli date pe chalegi?" A hint of nervousness coated his tone. He wasn't sure what to expect.

Raavi furrowed her brows. "Kiske saath?" 

"Apne padosi ke saath!" Shiva barked out in frustration. 

"Pagal hai kya?! Main padosi ke...saath...kyun....oh." Raavi trailed off when his sarcasm dawned upon her. 

"Tu-tu apni baat kar raha hai?" Raavi asked for clarification. Her eyes shined with hope. 

Shiva nodded and looked away. 

"Haan." Raavi whispered. 

Shiva's head whipped in her direction. "Kya boli?"

"Haan. Mera jawaab haan hai." Raavi added a bit more confidently. 

Shiva's lips parted to say something...anything, but no words came out. Raavi giggled at his face. 

"Tu itna shocked kyun lag raha hai?" 

"Mujhe laga tu na bolegi..." Shiva answered sincerely.

"Shiva, tujhe yaad hai maine lag bhag do mahine pehle tujhse puccha tha ki tu dates ke baare mein kya sochta hai aur tune kuch rukha sa jawaab dekar mujhe bhaga diya tha? Tujhe kya lagta hai maine tujhse woh kyun puccha tha?" 

Shiva shrugged his shoulder. 

"Issliye kyunki mujhe tere saath date pe jaana tha. Maine socha tha ki himmat karke tujhse puchhungi lekin tu toh mujhe bhaav hi nahi deta tha. Darr ke maare maine woh khwab dekhna band kar diya." Raavi whined. 

Shiva chuckled before intertwining their hands and pulling her closer to him. "Ab dekh le khwab." He whispered, making her cheeks turn pink. 

"Waise, tujhe pata hai na dates ke end mein kya hota hai?" Shiva asked with a naughty smile.

When Raavi shook her head, he leaned forward and whispered something into her ear. 

Raavi pushed him back and slapped his arm lightly. "Abhi nahi. Yeh toh play date hai na? Toh issliye tu wait kar! Bahot sataya hai tune mujhe." Raavi flipped her hair and smirked at him. 

"Ab bhugat." She mimicked his words from earlier, making sure to enunciate each syllable. Two can play at that game after all. 

Instead of reacting how she would have expected him to, Shiva yanked her into his arms and wrapped them around her. He felt her relax against him and rest her head against his shoulder. His heartbeat quickened and thrummed to the rhythm of her hand moving across his back smoothly. He rested his chin upon her head and took in a whiff of her signature vanilla and patchouli scent. God, how he loved that intoxicating scent. It consumed him until he couldn't think straight, and such was his case for the past few months. His hand raised on his own accord and stroked her hair softly, eliciting a hum of appreciation out of her. 

When they finally let go of one another, Raavi jumped up and placed a quick kiss on Shiva's cheek. Her heart felt like it would burst from the adoration she felt for him at that moment. She gave him a smile and rubbed his cheek, giggling at the now very visible lipstick mark. She didn't bother letting him know about it, thinking it would make for a great conspiracy theory for his family to ponder upon. 

Not wanting to go home just yet, Shiva and Raavi spent another hour together before they finally went home. 

*****

Three weeks later, as Raavi and Shiva exited the carnival after their third date together, he stopped her in her tracks in an area where no one seemed to be around. 

Shiva grabbed her by her waist and turned her around to look at him. 

"Ae chipkali, tujhe yaad hai na humare uss bet ke baare mein?" Shiva asked, his lips curving upwards. 

"Haan. Tune soch liya tujhe kya chahiye?" Raavi figured there was no point in dilly-dallying. He was bound to remember it. She might as well live up to her words. 

"Kiss de." Shiva ordered, bringing her impossibly closer to him. 

"K-kya?"

"Agar tere kaanpur mein hartaal hai toh main spell karke bataun kya?" Shiva's eyes shone in amusement. 

Raavi silently shook her head. She stared at his lips and all her inhibitions flew out of the window. It's like he knew what she wanted. She remembered how he had been sinfully tempting her these past few weeks. A lick over his lips when he smirked at her; taking off his shirt while he worked in front of her, using the heat as an excuse; shaking the water of his soaked tresses right in her face after coming out of the bathroom in only a towel; the list was endless. But he would always draw back when the time came to act upon their desires. What a tease! 

Before she could let her nervousness get to her, Raavi grabbed his head and crashed her lips upon his, finally getting to taste them in all their glory. Her hand roamed over his back before coming to rest upon his cheek. She swiped her tongue over his bottom lip, much like he used to do to tease her endlessly. She couldn't help but grin against him. 

Shiva deepened the kiss when he felt Raavi tug on his hair, his hand sliding up her back and eventually settling upon the nape of her neck. Using his other arm which was still wrapped around her waist, he tickled her slightly making her gasp. He used that moment to enter her mouth and explore the divine sweetness that had been tempting him for weeks now. 

When they broke apart to catch a breath, Shiva leaned forward to peck her lips again. Raavi leaned her forehead against his and spoke out after calming her thumping heart. 

"Tujhe toh yeh waise bhi mil jaati. Bekaar mein apne bet wale advantage ko waste kar diya. Mera bewakoof bhootnath!" Raavi laughed. 

"Woh issliye kyun ki mujhe pata hai ki main tujhse waise bhi kuch bhi karwa sakta hoon. Koi bet ki zarurat nahi hai mujhe." Shiva uttered smugly. 

Raavi made a sour face at him. "Tere iss overconfidence ko todna padega." 

"Try karke dekh." Shiva challenged her. 

"Baad mein." Raavi dismissed and pulled him in for another kiss. She just couldn't get enough of her irresistible bhootnath. 

"And to think it all started with a play date..."  Shiva thought as he felt his chipkali wrap her slender arms around him. 

*****

The End. 

blissfulcanyon2022-02-09 23:17:22