Chapter 12 - Confessions

I walked towards Ishaan and Priya who was now sticking to his arm like a leech.

"Planning to go somewhere hmmm?" I glared at him.

He looked nervous and tried to pry off his arm "Uh no we aren't going anywhere. We are going to the party that's all."

I folded my arms and said "Great! Enjoy!" I turned away, tossed my hair behind me, and walked away as fast as I could. I wasn't really angry I knew Priya and her antics I was just testing Ishaan.

"Hey, baby! Wait!" Ishaan called after me but I ignored him.

I grabbed Swati's hand and muttered "keep walking." 

She looked at me alarmed "Wait what happened?"

"It's Priya," I said.

She turned back and glared at Ishaan and Priya "that bitch again!" She muttered.

We were now in the middle of the party. The music was heavenly and there was a crowd of bodies swaying in different directions.

I had lost track of Ishaan. I started gyrating on the music with Swati.

The alcohol had already made me a bit heady I danced like crazy.

I suddenly felt a hand creeping on my waist grabbing me from behind. A hard body pressed against me. I jerked away but those hand pulled me into his arms encircling me in a hug from behind.

"Hey! Who is this!" I struggled in the grip.

"Shhh it's me" Ishaan whispered in my ears.

I immediately stopped struggling and turned to look at his face.

"What exactly are you doing?" I said angrily.

"Dancing" he grinned.

"Let me go," I said.

"Not until you tell me why you are mad at me?" 

"I can't talk like this....my neck hurts" 

He released me and I turned around to face him.

"Well weren't you going with Priya?"

"Are you jealous?" He gave a devilish grin.

"No! Why should I even care?"  I replied hotly.

"Is it? How disappointing I was enjoying it actually." He replied.

"Go to hell Ishaan," I said and turned away.

"Hey" he grabbed my wrist and pulled. I slammed into him.

"Go away Ishaan," I said angrily.

"You really want me to go" he stared deep into my eyes. His hazel eyes shone in the disco light.

He placed his thumb on my lips and traced its outline. I could feel something crackling. My eyes closed on impulse and his lips crashed on the mine. Devouring me.

He cupped my face drawing me out for a short but deep kiss.

He suddenly released me. Sanity returned and I became aware of my surrounding. The music, the crowd, the gyrating bodies.

I placed a hand on my mouth " Oh no! there are people around. I hope nobody saw us".

I looked around. Fortunately, none of our friends were in the visible range.

He chuckled "Relax it's Goa no one cares."

He snaked his hand around my waist and we moved along with the music.

After several hours I was sitting with Ishaan on the beach looking at the waves slamming and receding. Slamming again and receiving.

It was a full moon night and apart from the dim glow from the parties going around, the beach was dark. There was no one around us. Everyone was at the party when we had escaped for a break.

"You know Ishaan I have always wanted to live near the beach. You are very lucky they you are from Mumbai. You have spent your whole life near the sea."

"Looking at the sea was one of those few things which kept me sane." He replied.

"What do you mean?" 

"I mean my house overlooks the sea and I could watch it from my balcony."

"No, I mean the other part. Keeping your sane part."

He was quiet for a moment.

"My family is not very close. I mean they do love me but dad was always busy with his business, mom with her social life, my sister in her own thing. I spent most of my time on my own."

"You didn't have any friends?" 

"Friends!" He chuckled.

"My father didn't like the people I befriended and I didn't get along with those he chose for me. It was a deadlock."

I placed my hand on his shoulder "you must have been so lonely."

"I guess so. That's why I got interested in video games. I used to play games for hours. They gave me the company "

I smiled.

"Aarya I need to tell you something." He said in a very serious tone.

"Hmmm?" I replied.

"I know you don't believe in these things but I need to say this."

"What is it Ishaan?"

"I love you Aarya I really do." He said.

The world suddenly seemed more beautiful. I was speechless. 

"It's ok if you don't love me.....I know you are not into......"

"Shut up Ishaan," I said.

He became quiet.

"Kiss me," I said.

"What?" 

"Just kiss me Ishaan Shekhawat" I insisted.

He cupped my face. Tilted his head and our lips met into a tender kiss.

I opened my eyes when I felt a cold gush of air my lips. He had released my lips.

He was still cupping my face and looking at me with shiny eyes. His hazel eyes reflecting the moon.

"I love you too Ishaan" I whispered then blushed. It was a strange feeling. Saying those words for the first time. 

His lips curled into a smile. His face lit up.

"Oh, Arya please say that again."

"I love you Ishaan."

He captured my lips again. I could nearly taste the vodka on his lips. His tongue moved beyond my lips and explored my mouth. I threw my arms around his neck and he took me in his arms. We kissed long and deep. His hand wandering on my bareback.

He pushed me further until I felt myself lying on the sand. He pinned me under him without breaking the kiss.

Suddenly, he was kissing my neck, then my shoulders. I arched my back my hand caressing his hair taking it all in.

"Aarya! where are you?" Swati's voice called out?

My eyes flew open Ishaan was nuzzling my throat.

"Ishaan," I said.

"Hmmm" he replied his lips still on my collarbone.

"We need to stop. Swati's coming here."

He looked up into my eyes. His eyes were smoldering "Do we need to stop?"

"Yes now get off."

"Aarya where are you?" Swati's voice was much nearer now.

I pushed Ishaan off me and sat up immediately adjusting my dress and brushing off the sand from my hair.

"There you are" Swati arrived just in time.

"It's almost 12 ! we have to celebrate Deepak's birthday. You can continue your romance later."

"We weren't  romancing Swati!" I said flushing red.

"Yeah whatever now get up," she said impatiently.

"You have a great timing Swati," Ishaan said while I glared at him to keep his mouth shut.

"I know. I am the only one managing things here....rest everyone is busy partying. Omar is wasted. Gaurav is playing his guitar......"

She continued ranting.

Ishaan stood up and offered me his hand to stand up.

We walked back in silence. I was hoping nobody would notice my flushed face.

At the stroke of midnight, Deepak cut his birthday cake. 

Ishaan offered me his piece of cake for a bite. I bit off a chunk of it. He smiled and gobbled the entire leftover piece in his mouth

I blushed remembering our confession. I had done the impossible.

Said those three magical words to Ishaan Shekhawat.