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I give in to her demands, as I really think I need some diversion from thinking about Aarav.

“Fine. Let me first go home. I can’t come in this outfit.”

She agrees, and we quickly leave the office.

******************

We are at one of the finest and busiest Indian clubs in London, though we find more British people here than ours. We have been visiting this place quite often, mostly to celebrate our birthdays, graduations and this was supposed to be the same place where my friends were going to throw a Bachelorette party for me when they got to know I was going to marry Mohit. It just happened that I had to fly early and we could never make it happen. Glad we didn’t. I want no memories of Mohit anymore which only burns my heart realizing he cheated me with his Ex. It’s not that he loved me but I feel used in whatever game plan he made to fight back Aarav. I am equally aware I was mature enough to deny him my support and if I didn’t do so was only because I always felt liable to return Daadi and Mohit whatever love and support they have given me so far. Not anymore. Though I miss Mohit as a friend and Daadi as a family, I don’t want to re-engage with them until they come clear of their stand for me.

Ignoring all these negative thoughts, I clink my glass of vodka with Jaya’s and gulp the liquid down my throat, screaming a ‘Woooo’ at the end. I feel good. Seriously. It feels like I am finally getting my life back. With all that happened with me in India and the way I got played along in between the Raichand’s war, this feels like Nirvana.

The loud music suddenly forces my attention to the dance floor. It’s packed and people are sandwiched between each other, but still, there’s so much energy and enthusiasm amongst them. There is a young couple dancing at the center, with so much love in their actions and closeness that makes me jealous, but more than that the way the man rubs his palms over her hips, waist and then raises it one notch higher, chokes me as I recollect Aarav had done something similar to me once. Gosh!! Again Aarav? Why can’t I erase that moment from my head and move on? I gulp another shot, glance at my left and then turn to Jaya again. Wait.!! I think I saw him. I turn to my left again and there he is!! Aarav Raichand. Almost three tables away from ours, in a slightly darker corner to my left, enjoying his drink not as much as he is enjoying staring at me. Is he really here? Can’t be!! Have I really lost it that now I’m hallucinating him everywhere? I hope not. One kissing moment between us cannot make me so insane, can it?

“Pinch me,” I demand to Jaya, without breaking my gaze from Aarav’s. If he’s a hallucination, I still don’t want to break it yet until I confirm.

“What?”

“I said pinch me hard.”

“But why?”

“Do it.”

She senses my hurry and pinches me on my arm, so bad that I hiss and rub, but the tingle doesn’t go away, at least not for a few seconds. And he’s still there!! Means he is really here. I am not hallucinating.

The sight of Aarav in front of me sends shivers through my body. I finish the next shot of my vodka, taking my sweet time to check him out. The top two buttons of his dark blue shirt are undone, showing off the broad expanse of his chest. My eyes drift down to his black jeans, hung low on his hips, and I stop lowering my gaze any further. I know I shouldn’t look beyond this.

Again, this can’t be me!! It’s the drink. Ogling a man like he’s the best dessert served on the table is not my style.

Aarav takes a swig of his drink, with his deep black eyes sweeping over me, leaving hot trails of awareness on every inch of my body as he pins me by his gaze. While he looks at me hard and arrogant, I turn to a puddle by his piercing gaze.

Drunk Me with Aarav close by feels like a hot mess already.

Why is he here? I have to ask. This gaze-for-a-gaze is not going to work for long. So, I put my glass down and walk to his table.

“What are you doing here?” I use my best bullying tone, if only he could be threatened at all.

He puts his glass down and leans back, one arm stretched over the seat he is leaning at, and the other over the table holding the glass in place. I stare at his fingers rubbing the glass up and down, a movement he subconsciously does but good enough to remind me he had done the same to my body the other night.

“Hello, Jhanvi,”

That voice!! I raise my chin to see him. And wait. Did he call me Jhanvi and not Jaan? Why do I feel offended?I’m fine. I’m not offended. I’m fine.

“Are you stalking me?”

He doesn’t respond, so I go on accusing him.

“I don’t see any other reason you would be in London otherwise, exactly at the same place and time when I am here.”

“Jhanvi?”

Another familiar sound catches my attention. It’s Aman holding two shots, making way to the table where I am standing and questioning Aarav’s presence. So, Aman is here too?

Aman keeps the glasses on the table. “What a pleasant surprise. It’s such a coincidence that you are here.”

Coincidence? Seriously? Why do I find it hard to believe? But amidst all this, it’s hard to miss the way Aarav looks at me. I’m sure he’s recalling that same moment that has imprinted in my heart.Our kiss.When I turn back to him, he already has a comment to make.

“You have put on some weight.”

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