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What month is your birthday? I am October baby!

Chapter 3: He is strictly off limits.

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Usually, I have a lot of self-control, I have a strong grasp on my feelings, emotions and my desires. I was bought up in an environment that forced me keep a check on it because my father didn't want any scandals and rumours that could hinder his campaigns and his prestigious reputation. My friends were chosen for me based on how their family and relations could benefit his campaigns. Any guy crushes I had were thoroughly scanned and had to be approved. Even my feelings weren't my own until I was permitted to have them. I was always told to think a dozen times before saying anything. So, not acting on my impulses has been more of an obligation for me.

Except when it comes to Nimit Verma, then it takes an extra effort to maintain control. And right now, the thread of control has snapped and I am ready to jump off that edge. I want him... hell with the consequences.

Unfortunately, my notions aren't matched. Nimit closes his eyes briefly, his hold significantly tightening around my waist before he gently pushes me away, forcing me to stand on my weak wobbly legs.

He takes a deep breath as if calm down himself and then shakes his head, opening his eyes to show light remorse and a steely determination. "Aisha..." The name is a whisper and an answer to my desperate request.

I frown for a second, taking in the feeling of rejection before hardening my face and glaring at him, trying to hide my sheer humiliation and embarrassment. Stupid, stupid, Aisha! Made a fool of yourself, didn't you? You couldn't have shut up instead of speaking your mind? That's what you have done your whole life. Couldn't you do it again today? Stupid!

"It's fine. Unlock the car."

His fingers thread into his hair and for the first time I see a look of remorse, anguish and reluctance on his face. His normal blank façade slipping away, taking a backseat and letting his emotions show. It makes me slightly pleased, to see that this affected him at least to some small level. "I – you don't get it. We... we can't." His tone is low and hoarse.

I chew my bottom lip and force a smile on my face. I knew the rejection would hurt but nothing prepared me for that feeling of a thousand daggers being pierced through my heart. I try to maintain my composure, fighting the urge to crawl into a corner and cry until there are no tears left to shed. A heaviness settles deep in my chest and I curse myself for thinking that he'd actually kiss me, that he'd actually want me – be attracted to me. My pride is wounded and now I have to face him every day with what little dignity I have left. Great, how I love my love life! I bet the God's of fate are having a hearty laugh at my expense.

"Open the car, please." My voice is small, forced. Nimit's lips part as if to say something, he looks visibly torn and frustrated but then he sighs and nods his head, his hazel eyes dark and bleak. He opens the passenger seat and normally that's where I sit – despite my father's disapproval – I prefer the front seat rather than the back seat. It makes me feel a little normal. But right now, sitting in the same car is torture, let alone sitting next to him in such close proximity.

"I think it's best if I sit behind."

There's a sharp inhale of breath, his fingers tighten on the door handle and I keep my head low, not trusting myself to meet his gaze. He shuts the door, aggressively, and opens the back seat door. I get in without a word, making a point to avoid any form of physical contact. I wrap my arms around myself, like that could protect my heart and my pride from him.

He gets in and turns on the car. "The address?"

I whisper it back and he starts to drive. Neither of us say a word, I don't know what to say and I am sure he is just as speechless. I look out of the window, gazing at the busy streets and crowded spaces. A couple walks hand in hand down the road and I want to weep and cry at the sight but I hold back the urge.

This is ridiculous! We both know that the kiss would have been a mistake! A humongous one.

So why does it feel like my world is shattering?

I should be grateful that he stopped me from making it. In fact, maybe I should thank him.

The thought makes me snort wryly. Sure, what should I say – 'thanks for not kissing me even though I was dying to kiss you? This rejection has made me stronger and now I want to stab you to death.'

By the time we arrive at the event location, I have given myself a lengthy pep talk and told myself to focus on the event instead of the charming unattainable man in front of me. Get a grip, Aisha! Maybe Ryan is the one for you – at least he really wants you.

But the problem is I don't want him.

Huh, Karma sure works quick, doesn't it.

I enter through the side gate and after spending 30 minutes in the luxurious washroom, I come out as a completely different woman. The red dress is sleek and fits me perfectly, it clings to my curves, and has a daring thigh-high slit, to reveal an enticing glimpse of my long, toned legs. It's a new designer dress that I never had the chance or occasion to wear until now. I decide to keep my black hair open, letting it cascade down in glossy waves and my eyes only have a precise stroke of jet-black eyeliner. The blood red lipstick matches the colour of the dress and my silver stiletto make me look taller than my usual 5'6'' self. Of course, even in these stilettos I don't reach Nimit's staggering height of 6'1''.

Nimit's eyes widen briefly and travel down the length of my body, I feel the goosebumps rise on my skin but the joy evaporates once I remember the tragic incident that occurred only an hour back. Stop looking at me like you want me. Without a word, I saunter past him and enter the hall, it's filled with whispering crowds, low music and the sound of flashing cameras.

"You didn't say this was a lingerie fashion show." Nimit's whisper washes over the side of my neck and a shiver runs down my spine. I keep my eyes straight ahead, acting unaffected. "Now you know. Enjoy the show."

Even as I say the words, I know I don't mean it. Why would I want him to enjoy a show of gorgeous women modelling in sexy lingerie?

I step towards the seats, waving back at Ryan and Sania who have saved a seat for me. Ryan beams, his hooded eyes dancing over my form but they don't affect me as much as Nimit's impassive gaze does. Maybe there is something wrong with me.

"You look sensational!" I smile at his sincere compliment. "Thank you. The tux suits you." Ryan's grin widens and he winks. Ryan is a 5'9'', with bronze hair and black eyes. He is dashing and he has gotten multiple offers to model before but he wants to become an engineer and open his own start-up. Crazy nerd fellow!

Sania is dressed in a solid mermaid dress, that matches her curly red hair and deep brown eyes. She's the step-daughter of a model and is on the track to becoming one herself. Attending such events is important for her – to mingle and make the right contacts. I hug her and peck her cheek, genuinely glad to meet her. She is one of the few honest and real people left in my life.

"Gosh, I missed you. Where have you been?" She questions, sitting down next to me. Ryan takes a seat on the other side of me. And I notice Nimit fade into the background, blending effortlessly into the shadows but I know his eyes are on me – I can feel them, they leave a tingling sensation that goes down my back.

"You know, work, college." I mutter the excuse with a shrug.

"Ryan has the same classes as you and yet he is partying almost every night."

"He doesn't have my father."

Sania exhales with a look of pity. She is well aware of the ill fate I bear with a father like Shaan Mehta. "I noticed your hot bodyguard is here too. How have you not banged him yet, I'll never know. If I was in such close proximity with him all the time... oh, let's just say there'd be a different kind of protection involved." She deliberately winks to make a point of the innuendo.

I can't have him, probably because he doesn't want me.

But I plan on taking today's humiliating incident to my grave. "He is my bodyguard, Sania. He is strictly off limits."

Sania beams and turns to look at him standing a few feet back, arms to his side and back stiff, scanning the crowd as if someone might be carrying a rifle in here. "He is not off limits to me. Maybe I should give it a try, hmm? I am back in India for a few months now, maybe I can skip the gym and have a different kind of workout." She winks at me again. "You know what I mean?"

I force out a laugh, struggling to curb the intense jealousy swimming deep in my belly. How can I tell her to get lost without trying to sound like a possessive girlfriend? And why am I even jealous? He made it clear that he doesn't want me so why cry over it? Maybe red heads with thin arms are his type.

"I think he's gay." Ryan pipes in and we both look at him with a frown. "What?"

Ryan shrugs a shoulder and waves at the crowd. "Look at these women, most of them are barely wearing a bikini and they are all so attractive. And yet that man, he only looks straight at a blank wall or at Aisha. I think he's gay."

Well, that would actually explain why he didn't kiss me back. Oh my God, is he really gay? Why did I never think of that? It does make total sense as to how he is so immune to my charms. Wow. Now I don't feel so bad about the rejection. He's gay, obviously, he doesn't want to kiss me, he's not attracted to me. He likes his dessert in the form of a popsicle.

"Are you crazy?" Sania hisses out with a glower. "He isn't gay. I can sense such stuff. Trust me, that man is as straight as a Cupid's arrow and I want that arrow to hit me. Hard." She turns to me. "Ask him about it."

I promptly choke on the air and grimace at Sania. "Are you mad? I am not going to ask him if he's gay or not! That is so... inappropriate!"

"Oh, come on, just ask him, for my sake."

My scowl deepens and her smile widens. I roll my eyes and give her a nod. "Fine, I'll ask him." But not for you, I'll ask him because I need to know the truth.

"Yay! Thanks babe! You are the best!" She pecks my cheek and I force a smile, waving over to Kelly and Imran – the couple of our group. Kelly's father owns an architecture firm which she will take over soon and Imran is the son of a member of the parliament. Although their relationship is known, it is highly disapproved and frowned upon, since Kelly is three years older to Imran. But of course, neither of them care about it, they are blissfully in love and have managed to get a good fan following and support for their relationship. They even have fan accounts on social media and on many occasions their hashtag - #KeranForever has gone viral.

I hug them and they sit on the chairs a step below us. "I am kind of jealous of them." Sania whispers into my ear and I know what she means. They have been together for 4 years now and everyone knows that eventually they'll be married. They were each other's first love and first everything. It's rather sweet, like a fairytale story. Saina hums lightly. "I want a love like theirs."

My mind involuntarily wanders towards Nimit and I wonder if he has found his love, has he ever been in love? It's impossible to not have been in love even once in 27 years, right? Maybe he has a boyfriend.

The show starts and before I know it, I am enjoying and laughing with my friends. Sania exhales next to me as it comes to an end. "Gosh, all these women are so hot. How am I ever going to compete with them? I need to go on a harsher diet."

"If you stop eating anymore, you'll fade away into nothing or look like a matchstick. You are gorgeous as you are, this is enough." I assure her, patting her lean arm. She was so chubby as a teenager and then once she got into the modelling industry, she has lost so much weight that she could be the brand ambassador for the before-after photos. It's crazy and horrible how tough and unforgiving the modelling industry can be.

"Thanks." She smiles gratefully at me. "I loved the main male model, damn, you can grate cheese on those abs. How are they so...sexy!"

I nod my head in agreement, all male models were so magnificent, tall, graceful and to put it simply ... just yummy!

"Let's get some drinks and go backstage, I have access. We'll meet some models." Imran stands up, flinging an arm over his girlfriend. Kelly smiles and the amount of trust between them is confounding. She didn't glare at him when he said models, in fact she just nodded in agreement.

Where the hell is jealousy and possessiveness? I carry these two in my pocket every day.

"Awesome! I can get some numbers." Ryan beams and pauses when he looks at me. He coughs nervously. "If that is okay with you."

I frown at his concern and shrug a shoulder, feeling no sense of envy or jealousy. I give him a thumbs-up and a reassuring smile. "Knock yourself out!"

We move towards the backstage and Imran notices Nimit move towards us, he turns to grin at me. "He's here also? Does that man ever take a break? I hope your dad is paying him enough. He is worked to the bone."

"I am just lucky that he let me come here."

"We'll take him backstage too, the man will be happy, get to mingle with some hot models." Imran winks at me and I scowl at the thought of Nimit being surrounded by all those sexy and gorgeous models. A feeling very similar to jealousy hits my chest and I have to shake it away. That is absurd! Why would I be jealous!? He is gay for all I know! Maybe he'll stare at all those hot male models.

We pause at the centre, smiling for the cameras. A few models join us, a male model sneaking in between me and Sania and putting his long arms around our shoulders. I hear Sania giggle from the other side and I smile too, letting my hand rest on his broad bare back. We pose for a few more shots before stepping away. The young man follows us to the side.

"Hi, I am Joel." He smiles and I marvel at the straight white teeth. I accept the handshake, a light blush coating my cheeks. "I am Aisha."

"That's a beautiful name, it suits you." My cheeks tint further at the compliment and Sania wiggles her eyebrows from behind his back, teasing and doing the smooching action with her lips. How immature!

My small hand is easily swallowed in his big one and though the grip is gentle, it's firm, unwavering. I tug my hand and he let's go with a grin. It's a struggle to keep my eyes on his face instead of letting them cruise down to his naked and chiselled chest.

How much does he work out to have this kind of abs? I can barely do 50 squats before giving up and treating myself with a medium Pizza.

"You were, um, you were good up there." I mutter with a shy smile, tucking a strand of black hair behind my ear.

"Thank you." He pats the floral boxer briefs and I blink at the visible and rather tempting V-line. "These are really comfortable." I squirm uncomfortably, suddenly feeling hotter than ever. I gulp at the hairless skin, unable to look away. "And they fit me nicely, don't you think?"

"Huh?" I blink twice before forcing myself to look up at his playful smirk. His blue eyes glint under the dim lights of the room. "Yes, um, they are very nice."

He winks at me. "That's what I thought." He takes a step forward and I stay grounded, lips parted, still in a trance. "Would you like to take them off?"

Somewhere distinctively I hear the flash of cameras and that snaps me back to the reality. I take a hasty step back and look around for Nimit, wondering why he hasn't come to my rescue yet. Usually, five sentences into a conversation with an unknown person, and he is by my side, asking intruding questions and forcing me back into safety.

My eyes search across the crowd and finally land on him. I blink in utter shock and bafflement. He is talking to a female model, actually talking and having a full-fledged conversation. A light smile playing on his, it's not wide or big, but it's still a huge improvement from his usual impassive face. I clench my fists, feeling the sting of jealousy creeping up my spine. I struggle to maintain a composed facade while my mind spirals with questions and doubts. I can't believe he is doing this while he is on a job! What the hell is wrong with him!? Who is she? Does her know her? Why is he talking to her? Who the hell is she?

I had seen that woman on the stage before, she was one of the hottest ones. With wavy bronze hair, dark eyes and lean long legs, she was confident and I liked her... until now!

It's almost impossible to keep my emotions in check and Joel follows my gaze. He whistles softly. "Isn't that Nimit?"

My eyes quickly dart towards him and I frown in confusion. "You know him?"

"Yeah, he is Vicky's ex."

My confusion only increases, much like my heart rate. "Vicky?"

Joel points to the stunning model still dawning a tiny pink lace lingerie that does very little to hide her beautiful assets. "That's Vicky. They broke up 2 years back, I think. Are they back together now?"

My head turns back to the ex-or-not-so-ex couple and I can't help but notice how good they look together. She's almost as tall as him, lean, beautiful, radiant and he is magnetic, dashing, dreamy. The jealousy comes back threefold, and I grit my teeth. Are they planning to get back together? Is he in love with her? Is she in love with him? Is he not gay? Why is he not gay?

And why on Earth is he smiling!? What is there to be happy about? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

My imagination starts to run wild and before I know what I am doing, my feet are moving towards them, the only thought in my mind to confront him.

I am going to punch you into Saturn, you bloody imbecile pig, you can smile there.

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