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Chapter 20. He looks like a dishevelled pig

Kelly is the first to snap out of the shock. Her eyebrows rise as she remembers exactly who Ved is. "Oh my God, that brown glasses nerd who was tall and had a cute face but a funny nose?"

I scowl at her description, although true, I don't like it. "Yes, the same."

Sania pipes in. "I saw his Instagram posts, he's gotten so hot. And he has a beard now, beard plus new black glasses and a white V-neck tee with black jeans, whoa! I almost didn't believe it was him when I saw the post." Sania fans herself, eyes glazing as she remembers the post. "I thought it was some model. He's become a sexy chunk of ass!"

Kelly jumps in excitement, clapping her hands. "Show me, show me, show me!"

I roll my eyes at them, ignoring the light hiss of disdain from behind me, courtesy of Nimit. "Sania, how do you know he's come back?"

"Oh, he messaged me," Sania casually says as she opens her Instagram profile.

Ryan folds his arms and glares at Sania. "You talk to him? Since when did you two become buddies."

Sania sighs and turns her attention to us, knowing we won't drop this subject easily. "I was always friends with him." She reminds us. "But after what he did to Aisha, I stopped talking to him. Then a few months back, he followed me and commented on my post. I followed back and we started talking. We aren't best friends or anything but we talk occasionally. Just hi, how are you and stuff."

I don't drop the frown on my face, unhappy with this information. "And why is he here?"

Sania shrugs a shoulder. "That I don't know, didn't care to inquire. He just said he's coming and asked if you are in town. I said yes and he said he'd come to meet you."

I feel irritation creep up my spine, slightly wounded by her actions. "Why would you tell him to meet me?"

"I didn't suggest him to meet you, he wanted to." Sania gives an overly sweet smile. "Maybe he wants to apologize."

I force a smile and shoot her an unimpressed glare. "He's 2 years too late for that!"

Nimit clears his throat, feeling left out of this conversation. Normally, he'd stay quiet and in the shadows but now he wants to participate and ask more.

"What exactly did this Ved creature do?"

Ryan and Imran look in surprise at the interruption. They aren't used to Nimit talking too much, especially not in front of them. He's usually the sullen brooding man, blending into the background like a silent ghost.

Great, perfect timing. Just as I am trying to work things out with my present crush, my past mistake shows up.

Talk about running out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Ryan's eyes narrow at Nimit. "Why do you care?"

Nimit stiffens his shoulders and looks pointedly at Ryan. "I am her bodyguard, it's my job to know about her and protect her from any harm."

Kelly who has her eyes glued to Sania's mobile, whistles softly. "The only thing you need to worry about is this handsome hunk breaking our Aisha's heart again." Kelly shows us the latest picture and I have to admit, he has changed, for the better... and my sanity's worse.

The photo is taken by the beach and the sunset frames his face perfectly. Sania wasn't lying, he has become hot. Dumb guy!

My eyes crinkle to get a better look at his chiselled jawline and half-smile. Through the photo, his eyes hold mine and my heart skips a beat which annoys me. I quickly glance away from the phone, not caring to read those 47 comments underneath the picture. I wonder how many are from girls and is one of those his girlfriend? It's been 2 years, he can't still affect me, can he?

Nimit snorts at the picture and puffs out his chest. "That is handsome? He looks like a dishevelled pig dragged through the mud forced to pose in front of a dying sun."

Imran chokes on air, Kelly gasps, Sania snorts as she tries to stop her bubbling laugh, Ryan looks splendidly shocked and my jaw drops in disbelief.

Did he just say that... out loud?

Oh dear. That's not good.

Kelly is the first to recover and there's an offended look on her face, like Nimit insulted her personally. She pushes the phone closer to Nimit's face. "This is a dishevelled pig? You need to get your eyes checked. If anything he's a sexy lion."

"And you can talk? Wow." Imran mutters, shaking his head as if this is a dream.

Kelly continues, "This is the magic of gym. Imran you should join one."

Imran smirks and winks at his girlfriend. "I have you for a workout."

Kelly's cheeks flush and she slaps Imran's shoulders, motioning for him to shut up.

"I still think he's ugly," Nimit grumbles under his breath.

My lips purse in amusement and I look away from Nimit, catching Sania's teasing wink. 'Jealous boyfriend.' She mouths out and I roll my eyes.

Nimit clears his throat, realising the trouble he has put himself in. "I am just saying what I think. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion."

"Uh-huh, sure," Kelly grunts, lowering the phone and passing it back to Sania.

"I want to meet him too," Ryan states firmly and I quickly shake my head, disliking the idea instantly. "You? Why? You hate him!"

"I think he's up to no good and you should have someone with you when you meet him."

I point my thumb at the towering man behind me who barely lets me out of his sight. "Yes, and I have a bodyguard who can snap his neck in two if I tell him."

"Gladly," Nimit mutters under his breath, just low enough for me to hear and I press my lips to stop myself from grinning.

Ryan isn't happy with my choice. "He doesn't even know Ved. I know him and I am going to be there." His tone has a finality to it and my shoulders sag, knowing no matter what I say, he won't change his mind.

"Fine." I hesitantly agree.

"Then we'll be there too," Imran says with a smirk and Kelly nods enthusiastically next to him.

I grit my teeth, looking at my friends. "Sure, we'll have a get-together, host a party, roast marshmallows and run around a bonfire." I snap in exasperation.

Imraan's eyes light up and he claps in joy. "Can we do that? Oh please, let's do that!"

I exhale heavily and roll my eyes, ignoring him.

"I still don't know what this Ved guy has done." Nimit reminds us and Imran sobers up quickly.

"Well, it's best if Aisha tells you," Sania says, ushering everyone out of my room. "We'll be in the kitchen, scoffing down some of Marina's famous cookies. Holler if you need me."

Ryan doesn't want to leave but when I don't do anything to stop him, he scowls and walks out. Sania winks at us and closes the door, leaving just me and Nimit in the room.

He takes a step closer to me, his chest pressed against my back.

My breath hitches.

His head lowers, centimetres away from my flushed face.

My heart pounds.

His lips slowly trace the shell of my ear.

My stomach clenches.

A finger traces the length of my arm.

Goosebumps arise.

His teeth graze my earlobe.

My eyes flutter close.

"So," He whispers into my ear. "Do I need to kill this guy?"

I gasp when his mouth lowers to kiss the vein bursting in my neck.

"No," I whisper back, finding it difficult to form more than a single syllable.

His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into his hard chest – and that's not the only hard thing there. My eyes pop open and my body sings with desire and heat. He whispers again, "Are you sure?"

I nod meekly. "Yes. He's nothing. Not anymore."

"Did you hurt you? Break your heart?" His lips move lower to kiss my shoulder and my head tilts to the side, offering him more skin.

How can he hold a conversation like this? My brain is fried!

"I – uh, yeah, he did. 2 years back. It's healed now." I reply back, trying to not focus on how good his warm lips feel on my soft skin.

He gently bites the sensitive skin where my neck meets my shoulder and I shudder as pleasure reels in me and everything south clenches with need. "He sounds like a Grade A fucking asshole. I think I might punch him when I meet him."

Why are his words turning me on so much? Why is his possessive nature making me delighted?

"Okay," I whisper back, hardly concentrating on what he is saying now. Nimit could feed Ved to the sharks for all I care.

"Did he make you feel like this?" He sucks on the skin and my thighs press together.

I want to laugh at his question, there's nobody who can make me feel the way he does. But I just shake my head. "No."

"Good." Nimit hums, his sound resonating deep in my belly, the protective tone sending another shiver down my spine. "Did he touch you like this?"

His big hands run over my arms, my back, my hips, finally squeezing my ass. Even through the clothes, his touch burns my skin and makes me feel all mushy from the inside. I swallow. "Sometimes."

I can't see his smirk but I feel it on my skin, he knows I am teasing him, challenging him. "Hmm, that's bad, how very unfortunate. Maybe I should cut off his hands, or make you forget he ever touched you." He whispers, the threat in his voice only doubles my desire and makes me rub my back against his front, my butt against his crotch.

"Aisha," Nimit hisses in warning.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"Did he kiss you like this?"

He turns me around and his lips slam onto mine, making sure that the answer to that question will forever be a no.

~~~

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