Chapter 28. Kiss

🎶 Bolna

Published on 27.07.2022

| AUTHOR'S POV |

"So you want to tell me that your brother booked bus tickets? Being a billionaire and having a reputation and all, he would like to travel in bus?" Inaaya questions, amusement dripping in her tone as they got seated towards the back of the air-conditioned bus which was taking them to Tarkarli.

"Ahh yes," Ayansh pauses when Inaaya raises an eyebrow at him. "No- I mean no, I mean- I mean Sarya- ," he snaps his fingers, "Sarya, yeah. She's the one who loves to travel in buses and trains. She likes to lead a low-key, normal life like most people rather than being constantly associated with the advantages that come with belonging to the privileged higher section of the society. She- ," he halts, gulping inaudibly when he finds her staring with a bored look. "Do I even make sense?" He mumbles.

Inaaya's face splits into a small smile and she shakes her head, turning her face and looking outside through the window, gazing at the lonely night sky. It was a long journey of almost eleven hours. They would reach the place around 10 am in the morning. She lied to her brother, told him that she was going with her friends, Alisha and Nikita. Her friends knew the truth though. Her brother knows Ayansh, trusts him as well but not well enough to let his only sister go all alone for a weekend with him under the pretext of friends. Her mother would've agreed if she had asked her, she's cool that way. And her father, she doesn't want to do anything with him so his opinion doesn't matter.

But she doesn't regret any of it. She doesn't regret for lying to her family, there's no guilt she feels for hiding things, for doing what makes her happy, for choosing hope over every other fear.

"I know I'm a little dumb and stupid but not as much as you think." She speaks, a playful smile etched on her face, her fingers drawing random patterns on the glass window. She knew Ayansh was lying, she knew it the moment he mentioned scuba diving. She did believe in coincidences but she knew where they ended. Ayansh watches her from the corner of his eyes, confused. Her side profile illuminated by the neon blue lights in the bus casting a soft glow, making her look enticing . His fingers itched to brush away a lone strand of hair framing her face and tickling her skin. "I know you read my wishlist when you found my notepad that day."

Ayansh stills, and when she turns her face to look at him, he averts his attention to his clasped hands. He can feel her gaze on him and it's unsettling.

"Is that the reason you agreed to teach me how to ride a bike?"

The somber tone of her voice, laced with vulnerability and doubt forces him to look up at her. It might be a simple question with an answer 'yes' or 'no' which shouldn't make much of a difference but he knows it's not. So much relies on his reply. He understands because he relates to her. She doesn't want to feel as if he was simply granting her a wish, taking some pity on her. She doesn't want to know that he did that only with the sole intention of fulfilling her wish. That would make all the time spent together irrelevant, all the moments made together insignificant. Did he read her wishlist? Yes. Did he agree because of it? Probably yes. But what if he hadn't read the wishlist?

Ayansh's fingers move on its own accord, tucking the stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I would've agreed irrespective of me reading your wishlist."

Inaaya blinks. The sentence of a few words were enough to cause a tumultuous wave of emotions rattling her insides, replacing every doubt and fear. She turns her head towards the window again, unable to look into his eyes anymore. His answer is a huge relief. At this point, every word, every gesture, every action of his just strengthens her belief. She doesn't know when she came this far but she hopes she isn't signing up for a heartbreak. Because God help her she's way too deep and has no idea when did that happen.

"If you knew that I'd read your wishlist, then why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have had to book bus tickets to make myself seem convincing and believable." He grumbles, pulling her out of her thoughts.

The complain evokes a laughter from Inaaya. "Look at you taking so much efforts just to cover up a harmless lie." She teases him but he doesn't laugh, doesn't give any reaction. His guilty conscience knocks, reminding him of all the lies he had said, big and small and she isn't even aware of them. She sighs and continues, "It's good to experience new things." She adds simply.

Ayansh rolls his eyes. "Anyways, while returning, we'll board the flight. I'll- "

"I'll book the flight tickets." Inaaya cuts him off, stealing his words and he let's out a dramatic sigh because he's aware it's futile to argue with her on that.

Inaaya goes back to gazing through the window. The roads startlingly empty, the yellow lights blinking at her, the hills surrounding them blanketed by the night, the vehicle they were in moving smoothly at a pace which compelled her to want to slide the glass, stretch out her hand and let the breezing wind hit her face and ruffle her hair. The carefree, reckless wish definitely complimented her new extended personality. The last thing she expected from herself was to trust a man who wasn't her brother yet here she was wearing her heart on her sleeves, giving more than she had ever given anybody and expecting nothing more than the feelings to be mutual.

"Why are you doing this?"

The whisper of the question manages to still Ayansh. She doesn't need to elaborate or explicitly mention what she's referring to. But he doesn't has an answer. Or maybe he has, he's just too afraid to voice it out.

"Why are you asking me this?"

The response in the form of a question causes Inaaya to let out a ridiculous laugh. She turns slightly to have a better look at him and leans back. "Because I want to know." She says as if it's obvious, pulling her peach coloured shrug closer. "And don't you dare lie to me saying something like it's out of the goodness of your heart."

Ayansh clenches his jaw. He tosses his head back on the headrest, staring at nothing in particular. The voices in his head question and taunt, mock and rebuke him.

"You don't like travelling and adventures yet here you're. It has to mean something, doesn't it?"

She speaks again and the subtle reminder doesn't help his already frazzled nerves. No matter how much he tries to convince himself, he can't unsee the truth. And the truth is they've stopped flowing. They've finally reached a shore, a destination. A destination which initially he believed was impossible to reach and yet somehow they're there. Or almost there. But where do they go from here? Where does he go from here?

Inaaya smiles, compassion blooming in her chest as she watches him tenderly, struggling to find his voice, battling with his inner self. The least she could right now is give him space and some kindness.

"It's okay if the answer scares you."

He hears her murmur, before letting her head fall against the window, her eyes fluttering close, her hands crossed and gripping the edge of her shrug.

Life's funny. But he can't blame life when he was an active participant in its games. If we wanted, he could've quit but now it's too late. He isn't brave enough to come clean to Inaaya neither is he brave enough to break free from the embrace of the emotions he felt towards the woman beside him. His eyes drift towards her sleeping form and he reprimands himself internally for the uncomfortable frown formed on her forehead due to her head resting on the hard glass.

Carefully, so as not to wake her up, he holds the side of her face towards him with one hand, lifting it slightly and the palm of his other hand goes beneath her face, replacing the tough glass. Slowly, he puts her head on her shoulder, patting lightly and caressing her hair on the other side of her face. The creases between her forehead disappears, making way for his lips to curve into a victorious smile.

Ayansh stares at her as his every thought, every confusion, every uncertainty fades away in the background, becoming one with the darkness of the night, permitting him to be consumed by the peace on her face as it pulls him into a slumber.

When Inaaya wakes up in the morning, she finds herself snuggled in the comfort of Ayansh's neck, both her arms wrapped around his left one and their legs brushing against each other. Flustered and conscious, she moves away in a reflex. The movement makes his head jerk forward and a yelp escapes him as he slowly opens his eyes, rubbing them and his face scrunched up in discomfort.

"Good morning."

The hazy feminine voice makes him turn towards the source of it. His displeased expression still in place.

"Definitely not a good morning." Inaaya mutters under her breath.

"Morning." Ayansh finally says, letting himself adjust to the light penetrating through the windows.

They reach their hotel around 10:30 am. Ayansh had booked two separate rooms for both of them. After freshening up and having brunch, both meet up with the other tourists who were then escorted to the MTDC institute and spent a decent amount of time getting tutored by the instructors there.

Inaaya nudges Ayansh when they were in the speed boat. She raises her brow alongwith her head in question. He shakes his head in reply.

"You've been awfully quiet since the demonstration back there." She says in concern. "What's wrong?"

Ayansh stares at her for a while before sighing. "I'm scared." He says without missing a beat.

Inaaya gives his shoulder a pat which he wonders she if she realises was more like a slap. "Trust me, you'll be fine." She says, putting in as much conviction as she could in her voice. "We even had training so we'll be great."

Ayansh removes her hand but doesn't leave it. "Here's the thing," he starts and she listens intently. "I've never been interested in scuba diving or any adventurous sports. God knows how many feet deep we're going to dive in. It's dangerous and scary and what if- "

"Shhhh," Inaaya shuts him up with a low rumble, looking at him with wide worried eyes. "I'm there with you. You'll be fine." She says in reassurance. "And if you still don't feel comfortable, you can opt out."

"And what about you?"

"I'll go......... alone." Her voice comes out sceptical.

"You will?" He arches an eyebrow.

"Ofcourse, I won't!" She grunts and turns her face away in annoyance when he chuckles.

He leans towards her and whispers in her ear. "You better not let me drown."

A cheeky grin stretches on her lips. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." She blinks at him.

"My saviour." He retorts dramatically.

When they climb onto the main boat, the instructor makes them wear the diving gear and gives them final instructions. He reminds them about the different hand gestures they can do when they're underwater and what does they all mean. Inaaya grabs Ayansh's hands and squeezes them as a reassuring gesture. The other family on the boat chant god's name and Inaaya and Ayansh smile warmly at the ritual.

"Thank you for one of the best experience of my life." She says to Ayansh as the instructor was fixing his jacket.

Ayansh frowns. "We haven't even been underwater."

"And yet I know this is one of my best experiences."

"Why?" He squints his eyes. "Because you're finally going to do scuba diving?"

She shakes her head. "Because you're there with me."

With that, the instructor fixes her mouth gear and the next moment, she's under the water.

Ayansh joins her in alongwith the diver. They take a little time to get adjusted and as they go deeper, the views take their breaths away. It's like they've entered a whole new world, maybe invaded someone's world for a few moments.

Greens and blues have never looked so pretty for Inaaya. And for Ayansh? Sure, the view around him was pretty but it didn't make his heart ache like gazing at the woman near him did. The way she sauntered around and looked at the fishes, the coral reefs, the marine flora and fauna, the jellyfishes, it resembled a new born baby, opening its eyes for the very first time. Oh, he couldn't see her face due to the face gear but he very well could feel her emotions with the way her hand languidly moved away the water, trying to touch the aquatic life.

Because you're there with me.

The words echoed in his mind when her eyes met his and she made her way to him. Inaaya outstretched her hand and he was quick to intertwine his fingers with hers. She looked around and then, dramatically raised her shoulders and slumped them, doing a sighing action, conveying him that the view is spectacular.

He wanted to hug her.

Right there, deep in the ocean, amidst the vibrant fishes, the swaying green plants, the colourful stones, he wanted to ditch seeing every single one of them and wrap his arms around her, tell her that she is the best thing that has ever happened to him. He wanted to scream to her that if this was one of the best experiences of her life, then ever since she has entered his life, he has been having the best experience. Life never felt so lively before.

She was the sun who warms you after a rainy day, the moon who accompanies you after a tiring day. She was the hope in times of despair, the relief in times of pain.

Inaaya turns and Ayansh follows her gaze to find the photographer who they'd hired to click pictures and record videos. He had completely forgotten about it. Inaaya does some happy poses while he tries to imitate her to the best of his capability.

When they come up finally and remove their head gears, Inaaya throws herself on Ayansh. He staggers a bit before his hands come around her arms to balance themselves and he chuckles looking at the exhilarated look on her face.

"God! That was- that was unbelievable." She shrieks, pulling herself back to look at him, an expression of wonder, disbelief and elation sketched on her face.

"It was." He murmurs softly, unsure if they both are talking about the same thing.

They get on the boat and remove their diving gears. Inaaya averts her gaze away when he starts to wipe the water droplets adsorbed on his skin. His vest sticking to his form leaves little to her imagination making her heart rate sped up and she curses herself for that reaction. Yet, she couldn't help but let her eyes drift towards him a few heartbeats later and admire how sinfully gorgeous he looks.

"Remember you had said to me months ago that you liked me?" She says, her eyes narrowed into slits looking at him with a hopeful and mischievous glint.

"What are you suggesting?" His voice comes out as hoarse as his eyes trace the path of the water droplet that trickles down from the corner of her lips, tracing the curve of her neck before disappearing into her cleavage.

Inaaya laughs and then looks at him solemnly. "Isn't it obvious?"

His impassive face and no response makes a tinge of disappointment prick her and she looks away. In a meagre attempt to ease away the hurt, his hand reaches over and engulfs her hand resting on the edge, grazing her knuckles with his thumb.

He might have not liked her back when he said that but to deny that he didn't like her now as well would be blasphemous. And he knows that. He knows what she's implying but he's too scared of what's awaiting them if he admits his feelings for her. But seeing her hurt made his stomach twist, his heart crack and makes him want to fight away all his fears if that means she would smile.

"I- I've never done this before," she says, gazing at the pristine water and taking a deep breath. "I don't know how it's done. I don't- don't know anything about it," she chuckles nervously and his hold on her hand tightens. She doesn't look at him, she couldn't. She just didn't think she was capable of confessing her feelings, staring into his eyes. The thought itself was so overwhelming. "All I know is I've never felt something like this for anyone. You make me incredibly happy and then there are times when the smallest of action of yours manage to make me so incredibly sad. But it's you," her voice lowers, softens, "whatever it is, it's you. And I wouldn't want it any other way."

The confession, though anticipated, yet manages to throw him off guard. It was simple, raw, no extravagant promises, no songs of praises. And he would be lying if he said that wasn't the most beautiful, heart touching thing someone had ever said to him. He was so used to being compared with others, getting reminded of his shortcomings, struggling, craving, longing to be of some importance to someone that Inaaya saying she wouldn't want it any other way blurs his vision, glazes his eyes with tears. He blinks them away, parts his lips to breathe because the whirlpool of feelings that had unfurled within him was making it so difficult to push the air through his nose into his lungs. He didn't say a word and yet she had his assurance because he didn't leave her hand either.

He was there, with her, holding her hand safely, securely.

The instructor speaks, catching their attention.

The next activity they go for is parasailing.

They were held by a canopy wing which was towed by a boat. Before they were tied, Inaaya had held his hands and whispered comforting words, attempting to soothe his nerves and he simply stared at her as if it was a dream. Only if she knew, he was in a free fall and nothing mattered other than her. Her confession was the only thing that echoed and her presence near him was the only thing he could feel and he wouldn't want it any other way.

When they were high up in the air, Inaaya who was in front of Ayansh angles her head behind to look at him. She stared at him like he was the lone star in her empty sky and his heart rate escalated, the adrenaline rushing through his veins. It wasn't the parasailing, it was her who was his biggest adventure. So terrifying yet he couldn't help but feel alive the most with her.

"I like you."

Three words, three common words used by so many people and still they manage to make his breath hitch. His hands grabbing the rope long to leave them and instead hold her face. The restraints frustrates him and the mildly annoyed look on his face, elicits a giggle from her. His eyes drop drop to her lips for a fleeting moment before he brings them back to her eyes. The laughter dies and he's aware that she noticed it. She tips her head more, trying to push herself up, letting him know that she's on the same wavelength as him.

And he understands that.

His head dips down, her eyes flutters shut. His lips touches hers in a feather light kiss and her lips part in a soft gasp. It all happens so quick that she might have believed she imagined it if the sensation still didn't linger even when the touch was lost. It burnt her and satiated her at the same time.

The ghost of a kiss, the touch, she felt it deep in her soul like someone caressing her scars with utmost tenderness. The pain she used to carry, the hurt that never left her, all seemed to have found a harbour finally. Immense gatitude flowed through her veins for not giving up and finally experiencing her moment where she was swept off her feet, literally and figuratively, where exhilaration heightened her senses, where colours of the most beautiful feeling painted her.

And she understood what the stranger had meant that day because this moment, this person who was like the answer to her unsaid prayer was her miracle.

***

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