Chapter 18: chapter 18

  I waited outside for him in my car. I texted him to sneak out of the party. I won't deny, Nadia troubled me. What if he likes her or accepts the proposal? As crystal said, she is beautiful, smart and rich. I sighed and convinced myself, it's okay Ana. You just like him and you don't know whether he likes you too or not. If he is happy with her, just appreciate it as a good friend.I sighed and looked at the time. My friends went back to their houses. They all were happy, they got autographs and selfies from their favourite actor and actress. Well, Nyra, one step ahead, got Ben Miller's number.God! Why he is taking this much time. Finally, he came after 5 minutes. His blazer was gone, he was in his white shirt which was rolled up to his elbows and open bow silk tie. He hopped into the car, closing the door."Expert in sneak out" I teased him."You don't know. I had to manage 50 people on the way" he replied, "Now, can you start the car before someone finds me?" He hurried."Okay, okay" I started the car.When we came out of the mansion, he finally became comfortable, "So, where are we going?" He asked me like a little child."Patience, Mr Rovan. You gonna see it in 20 minutes"."Umm...Are you alright? I saw my Mother talking to you"."Nothing to worry" I shrugged and tried to smile, "She...just asked how am I doing".After talking to me, Crystal introduced Nadia to Chris. I noticed them, they were nice to each other and had a good conversation. Crystal looked at me with a ridiculed laugh. Whether he knows that he gonna marry her? No, Ana concentrate on driving. I pushed my thoughts aside and focused on driving.After 20 minutes, we reached central park which is located at 830, 5th Avenue. We stepped out of the car, grabbing a bag from the backseat."What are we doing here? Park is closed" Chris asked me."Ssh," I asked him to be silent and caught his wrist, "Come on, follow me".We came inside the park and stopped before the security gate, "Alphonse" I called the security's name.A lean, mid-fifties man came outside of his room. He looked around ensuring no one is here and opened the gate.We came inside, he spoke in his hollow voice, "100 Dollars, for an hour".I gave him 200 dollars. He counted it and replied, "I'll whistle you if your time is over".I nodded and we walked further inside, "Ana, why the hell we are here?" Chris asked me in a confused voice.I crossed my arms, walking and smiled at him, "Do you remember the day, when you said how much you loved ice skating and your parents stopped you from doing that saying it is a waste of time"."Yeah" he replied, still in confusion."Well, we gonna waste that time".Now he understood, "You mean?""Wollman Rink. Two hours, only for us".He didn't expect this and jumped out of joy, "Woo-hoo!" He yelled and ran there like a 5-year old kid.I smiled like a Mother enjoying that and followed him. We reached there, the entire place was silent. The only thing we could hear was Cricket chirping. The floodlight was turned on and it focused on the shiny ice floor. I looked at him, his eyes twinkled in happiness."Shall we? Shall we?" He urged. Sweet! He became a child."Not before wearing the skaters" I showed the bag.He removed his shoes swiftly and tied the skater shoes, "Omg!" He shrugged, "It's like again 6, except that my Father found this, pulled me out and scolded me all the way to home"."Don't go there" I stopped him, "Now, this entire place is yours, enjoy" I went to sit under the waiting area."Okay," he breathed out and went to the floor. At first, he slipped a bit and then he managed to get a balance. He started to Rock and roll. He shouted, screamed, laughed. I saw pure happiness on his face.After 30 minutes, he came near me, "Ana" he gasped for air, "This is the best birthday, I ever had".I smiled, "I'm happy that you are happy"."You have to try this"."No way" I stopped him."Come on, it's just a skidding science. You can do it".I gave a thought for a minute. What's wrong gonna come from this! "Okay" I stood up.I bought an extra pair for safety. I wore that and we came near the floor."Ready?" He asked my hands.I took a deep breath and gave my hands to him, "Careful, please"."I will" he caught my hands tightly.We went to the floor, omg! I was so wrong. It was so slippery. I thought I'll fall."Hey! Hey! Easy!" He talked with me.I clenched his shirt tightly, "Chris, I'm gonna fall. Save me" I shouted.He chuckled, "Trust me, interlock your hands with mine".I slowly reached his hand from his shirt and interlocked his warm fingers."Good! Now we are going to take steps slowly, okay?"I nodded. We both took a step, ice skidded under my feet. But he held me firmly, but gently. Slowly, slowly I caught his rhythm. After few minutes, we were dancing like we were at the wedding."See, it's easy," he said looking into my eyes.This night was beautiful. The temperature is cold, but it was bearable. No one was here, only me and him in presence of the moon and stars. He released his right hand from mine and placed it on my waist. I placed mine on his shoulder.We were so close, that his breath fell on me. Our smile suddenly vanished and we realised how close we are. His eyes looked at me with love. He rubbed my knuckles softly with his fingers, it rushed a Zillion of electricity in my heart. Don't ask it! Don't ask it!"So, how it went with Nadia?" I asked."She is good" he replied without removing his eyes, "What's with her?""You...you...like her?""Yeah, she is smart, kind and gentle".My throat became dry, "So...So...you gonna say okay to her?""What?" He got confused."Your Mother...she said..she is gonna be your Fiance...So...I thought...""Hmm..." He raised his eyebrows "What you want me to do?" Please reject her! Please reject her! My heart shouted. No Ana! That's unfair. You cannot force him for you, my mind warned, "Well, she is great and if you like her...say...okay or else don't"."I don't like her in that way" this time his voice was confident about what he's saying.My heart danced in joy, "May, I know why?""Cause...I already met a girl for me and I would love to spend my entire life with her"."Who...is she?" I asked him in tensed voice.Don't say any other girl name. Please! Please!He didn't reply and smiled. We stopped dancing, he bends down to my height. Now, he placed both of his hands behind my waist, pulling me closer to him. I bumped his strong chest and clenched his shirt button. Bridge of our nose touched. I looked into his eyes and he into mine. I tried to be calm, but my heart beat like a drum. I want to tell him everything...how...much I like him..initiate the kiss, Chris and I'll be yours.He bought his lips towards mine. Exactly an inch away from me, whistle sound disturbed our moment and we moved away from each other."I think time is over," he said."Yeah...yeah...we should go" we collected our bags and shoes and started to walk back.We reached the security gate, he nodded and opened the gate for us.We came out, the temperature was bit hot outside than in the park. We looked around, the road was dead silent. The only sounds we heard was passing vehicles."Look, Ice-cream" I spotted the shop on the opposite side and clapped my hands.He looked at me, "You want?""Is that even a question? 3 scoops of butterscotch, please".He chuckled, "Wait! I'll be back".He crossed the road and went inside. He looked at me once again, before entering the shop and smiled.I waited for him."Hey, Chick!" I heard a voice. I looked to my left, there 3 men in their early forties with bald heads and tattooed hands came near me.Uh-oh! I looked for Chris, he was still inside the shop. They neared me, "What are you doing here at this time?" He touched my hand, "Are you looking for someone?"I pulled away, "Leave me, I'm not that type of girl"."Oh...don't worry...we'll be gentle" another laughed loudly saying that.Others joined him. I looked for Chris, still no sigh. I shrugged away from their touches. It made to recollect my past...I breathed heavily...No...no...you worked hard for this Ana! You can do good. Don't let them invade you."No...need to be angry...Come to Daddy Darling...I'll show you heaven" one smiled wickedly showing his teeth.That words...those words...it snapped me. It gave me a series of flashbacks...Everything...I tried to forget came before my eyes. I screamed loudly from my chest, closing my ears. They all were stunned by my reaction and looked at each other. They were terrified of my reaction and ran away from me.I still screamed, trying to erase that mental images. Chris came out of the shop and caught me what I'm doing. He immediately threw away the ice cream and came near me not even sensing a car coming in front of him. The driver yelled, but he didn't mind. He hugged me immediately. His heartbeat was fast from the adrenaline rush. "Ana...Ana...What is it?" He was scared.I hugged him back, wrapping my hands around his back. I replied to him in a shivering voice, "Chris...Chris...Take me back home" I blurred out the words with great difficulty."Ok...ok" he rubbed my back and bought me back to my car. When he started the car, Rain started to pour down heavily."Ana...looks like it won't stop. Shall we go back to my apartment? It's near than yours" he asked me softly.I nodded without looking at him and still shivering. He was worried about my state. I tried to erase the images, but I couldn't. Things I buried came before my eyes. After few minutes, we reached his apartment. He bought me to his bedroom and made me to sit on his side of the bed. He poured a glass of water for me, I sipped it slowly.He kneeled before me, keeping his hands on my thighs and asked, "Ana, What happened?"I ignored his question and replied, "I...I...need to sleep".He didn't ask more and stood up, "Okay, you take this bed. I'll be in the guest room" he turned to leave.I caught his wrist, "Please...please...stay with me...please" I begged him."Hey! Hey! Okay! I'll stay with you" he ensured, "Here, I'll take the couch"."No...please...sleep near me...please".He sighed, "Ana...""Please...please...please..." I begged him more."Okay, Ana...please don't beg...it hurts me" he stroked my hair, "But you can't sleep in this, wait" he went to his closet and gave me his old t-shirt and pants, "Here change this".I bought that from his hands and went to change. I stopped after a step, "Can...you...stand outside, until I change?"He was surprised by my actions, but he respected my words, "Sure, I'll".He waited until I changed my clothes. It was loose and his cologne was heavy in the shirt. But, It kinda relaxed me.I came out loosening my hair. Now, he went inside and changed his clothes. He came back wearing a grey long sleeve t-shirt and black shorts. He bought me back to his bed and laid me down and covered me with his blanket. He went to another side of the bed and laid down. we slept showing our backs to each other. I tried to sleep, but whenever I closed my eyes everything started to dance in my mind.When I couldn't help myself anymore, I cried. Chris heard it."Ana...are you crying?" He turned to look at me.I turned to look at him, wiping my tears. I closed my face with my hands, "Nothing...just...sleep"."No, something happened. What's that?" He again asked."No...nothing" I cried."Ana, tell me" now he tried to order me, "What happened?" He pulled my hands away from my face."I said NOTHING!" I shouted at him.He was taken aback, "Okay...I'm sorry..." He apologized raising his hands in the air.Shit! Ana! What you doing! "I'm...I'm...Sorry...Chris... it's...just" I again cried."No...No...I can understand...if you don't want to say...no need for that"."No...I want you to hear" I need someone to comfort me.So, I was ready to say everything to him. Outside Rain fell on the windows, but it didn't make any sound. I finally spoke, "Chris...My name is not Ana Thomas...my real name is Ana Grace Collins".