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Chapter 4: Let's pretend this entire conversation never happened.

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Nimit notices me before I reach him. His face quickly shifts from that of friendly to professional and stoic.

Oh, so you can only smile for her? Why? Because she's so pretty?

I force myself to smile at the apparent couple, hoping that my anger and envy isn't reflected too vividly in my eyes. I clear my throat before speaking. "Hi, and you are?"

Vicky grins at me and sneaks a glance at Nimit, mischievous and covert, like they are sharing a secret no one else is aware of and that only annoys me more. I grit my teeth, staring at the two of them, unable to comprehend this weird energy between them. She puts out her slender arm for a handshake and I take it begrudgingly, squeezing it harder than I normally would. The quick wince of pain on her face makes me feel a little better.

Petty? Always.

"I am Vicky, you must be Aisha."

"Yes, you must be knowing me because of my father." That's always the case.

"No, actually. I have heard about you from Nimit."

My eyes snap towards Nimit who is shooting daggers at Vicky, his jaw clenched and his eyes lethal. He is obviously unappreciative about her simply giving out this piece of information. Vicky only chuckles, completely unaffected by his threatening look. It's almost like she is used to it. I look between them, even more confused about the situation. Nimit talks about me with his girlfriend? Why? And more importantly, what? "Good things, I hope."

She winks at me and pats my shoulder, unexpectedly affectionate and friendly. It's a little baffling and makes me uncomfortable because I no longer know how to react to it. "I think it's best that you ask him about it. Anyway, I need to run. I have to change, meet some people and then go to boyfriend's place."

My jaw drops at the last part, my eyes widen and I think the shock and relief is far too evident on my face because it makes Vicky smirk knowingly. I quickly blink and pick up the dropped jaw, forcing a look of nonchalance. "Boyfriend?"

"Yes. Boyfriend." She gives a side hug to Nimit and waves a goodbye. "Don't be stranger, Nimit. We should catch up sometime, OJ would love to meet you." And with that she strolls off like a model, effortlessly gliding in her high heels across the room and through the crowd. I stare at her retreating back, wondering if I can ever walk like that. But then I remember all the efforts and troubles they put into it and I quickly eliminate that thought. I'd rather walk like a penguin then spend 4 hours a day with books on my head.

My eyes turn to Nimit and I don't know what to say anymore. I pretty sure I just made a fool of myself by storming over here but that seems to be the trend for me today – humiliate myself in front of Nimit. This incident is just another addition to that list.

A day to never forget... for all the wrong reasons.

"So...Vicky."

"She's a friend." Nimit replies back quickly, without a pause. As if it is important to clear the air.

That's not what I heard. I heard she was much more than a friend.

I try my luck once again, prying into his life, pretending to not care about it as I stare at my nails. "How do you know her?"

"Met her through a friend." His replies are as evasive as he is. It's infuriating.

Why can't he just tell me the whole story and put my mind at ease. Ugh, men!

"It must be fun to run into her here. A pleasant surprise, no?" This time I look at his face, gauging his expressions. But he just shrugs a shoulder casually. "It was fine. Unexpected but nice."

Oh, for God's sake, do I have to spell it out for you? Get the bloody hint! No wonder you are a bodyguard and not some famed entrepreneur. You simply don't understand what the people want.

I grit my teeth, wondering how to frame my next question. "Did it bring back happy memories?"

Surprise flashes through Nimit's eyes and they widen ever so slightly. His lips twitch and he clears his throat, his tongue dashing out to swipe across his lower lip. I watch the motion with fascination, eyes zeroing on his tempting lips.

"Some. Not a lot. I guess you know that we used to date?"

"I heard." I shrug a shoulder, looking away and acting indifferent, like his past doesn't matter to me at all. "Why did you break up?"

"Compatibility."

"Oh, for Fuck's sake, can you answer a little more in detail. What's with these stubby stupid replies? Give me real answers." My backlash is impulsive and it's not until the words are out there for him to hear that I realise how awkward and mortifying this really is. My mouth opens and closes and I blink thrice, feeling the familiar humiliating sensation creep up my spine and reach my cheeks, tinting it pink. I blink once again and look around, avoiding his eyes at all costs. Crap, Aisha, what is wrong with you today? "I – uh, I just meant that, you could have been a little more...um, descriptive. If you wanted to, that's... that's all. But since you don't... that's fine too. I wasn't curious... at all."

There's a light pause and I dread to think what is going on in his mind right now. Of course, he is laughing at me. I mentally bellow at myself - You should get the award for being the most embarrassing women ever. At this point you should just staple your lips so you can't speak. Ever.

Nimit's voice is low, cautious. "I just thought it'd be unprofessional."

I snort. "Of course, because profession is your middle name. God forbid, you be anything else." My hand slaps across my mouth and I close my eyes, utterly aghast, flustered, discomfited and a combination of all their synonyms. I have never wished more for Mother Earth to simply open up and swallow me whole.

Just shut up, Aisha. Just shut up! Do you need a degree in making fool of yourself now? Will that shut you up?

"I thought it'd be unprofessional for me to care about you knowing that I am not dating her... or anyone else."

His reply stumps me and my lips move but no words escape. What am I supposed to reply to that? But I am more than elated to know that he is single, he is not gay... and he cares... despite his professionalism act. I rub my flushed cheek, deciding that the best way to escape is to forget.

"Just ignore my outburst. Let's pretend this entire conversation never happened." The plea in my voice is trembling as I force myself to smile and look at his amused expression. His eyes are filled with mirth and his lips twitching upwards. He nods once and I am grateful that he doesn't make a big deal out of it or tease me relentlessly about it.

More embarrassing than doing an embarrassing thing is the jeering response to that embarrassing thing.

But with Nimit it's easy, because he'd never ever cross that line from virtue to vice.

"Do you want to leave?"

"I – uh." I lick my lips, unsure of what to say. Although this event is fun, and the last few seconds were more than debasing. I just want to drive back home and bury myself under my comfortable purple blanket. Hoping to wake up tomorrow to find out that this was all a dream – more like a nightmare.

"She's actually joining us for the after party, aren't you?" Joel appears out of nowhere. I had totally forgotten about him. His eyes gleam with challenge and amusement, daring Nimit to reply back. Nimit's eyes only narrow in repose and his lips press into a thin line.

"Joel, long time no see. How have you been?" I can sense that Nimit's tone is distant, forced, just pretending to be civil and formal. It's a tone he rarely uses unless he is triggered or angry.

"Amazing. And you?" Joel smiles and I notice how different his smile is now. When he had smiled at me, it was big, flirty, sensual and now it is fake, strained, rigid. The tension between the two men is palpable and I frown at it. Their eyes are locked in a silent battle and the air crackles with a mix of anger, jealousy, and unresolved history.

What's it with these two? They seem to know each other but they are clearly not on good terms. What's the story here?

"Can't complain." Nimit replies and his dark eyes shift towards me. "Do you want to stay or leave?"

I blink at the range of intensity in them, I can already see that Nimit doesn't want me to stay. Although he doesn't say it vocally, I can sense it. That happens after you spend almost every day with someone for 6 months. You notice these things. The little things that couples talk about.

I glance at Joel, his expression eager and enthusiastic. I look over at Ryan and my friends, they are already drinking, laughing and having a good time. Not one noticing my disappearance for the past fifteen minutes. That only makes my decision easier to make.

I look back at Joel and smile apologetically. "I need to go. It's Monday and I have classes tomorrow."

His face drops and he frowns, taking a step closer to me. Almost instinctively, Nimit takes a step ahead, blocking the way and Joel glares at him before retracing the step. "It's like having a protective dog, huh?"

I actually scowl at that comment, it's so crude and insulting. And the fact that it is directed towards Nimit, makes me even more furious. How dare he say such stuff? Nimit is just doing his job, right?

I force a smile, the animosity in my eyes clear as the day. "A very loyal and important one. One who is going to drive me home now. See you around, Joel."

The farewell is rather curt and tense. I smile politely, Joel nods his head, a forced smile on his face. His eyes drift to Nimit and harden and then without another word, he turns and treads away. His stance rigid and frosty, very different from the one that had approached me. That's why I have trouble trusting people. They change in their actions can happen withing the blink of an eye.

I sigh heavily and turn to Nimit, gasping when I see his eyes already strained on me. Dark, hooded, glowing under the lights and his lips turned into a slight confused frown.

I blink at him, touching my face, wondering if there's something on it. If not, why is he looking at him like that, with so much flare and puzzlement. "What's wrong?"

"You didn't have to do that."

"Do what?" I ask, genuinely uncertain of what he means. I didn't have to do a lot of things today, you are going to have to be a little more specific.

"Tell him off like that."

My lips part and I nod in realisation, waving it off like it's not a big deal. "Oh that. That is nothing. It's fine. He deserved it. He shouldn't have talked like that. Should we leave now?"

Nimit simply nods and turns around, once again shifting into his bodyguard stance. Arms at the side, back straight and head high, scanning the crowd. "This way."

I follow him quietly, messaging Ryan and Sania about having an emergency and needing to skip the party so abruptly. Sania quickly replies, conveying her sadness at my absence and a promise to meet soon. Ryan reads the message but doesn't reply, it makes me frown a little. Is he going to yell at me later on this topic? I hope not.

Nimit stops next to car, observing the streets, eyes on alert and I stand a few feet away, letting him do his job. Once satisfied, he turns to me and pauses at the door, silently asking me which door to open – passenger seat or back seat.

I lick my lips nervously, contemplating the choices. I am still not over the kissing fiasco and humiliation but at the same time I still want to be close to him. It's such an abysmal issue that I almost want to laugh at my life. What is wrong with me? Why is my life a symphony of cruel jokes?

I nod lightly towards the passenger seat and the responsive sigh of relief is enough to make me glad about my choice. I bite back a smile as I sit in the car, Nimit bends to tuck the end of my dress neatly inside the car. His hand brushing softly against my ankle and I physically jerk, a jolt of electricity shooting through my veins. A shiver cascades upwards from my ankle to my core and up my spine, and it's as if my body has been awakened by his touch.

The fingers brush ever so gently, even the simple touch is enough to leave me breathless and yearning for more. I meet his gaze, captivated by the intensity. And I see a flash of tenderness and longing in them. The moment hangs in time and neither of us dare to blink, scared that it might disappear. I want to lean lower, meet his lips with my own but I dare not act on my impulsive emotions again.

All too soon it's gone. He stands up, closes the door and rushes to the other side, all without a single word or look in my direction. I squirm uncomfortably in the seat, my ankle still tingling from the lingering sensation of his electrifying touch.

Maybe I should have sat in the back seat. This is like a repeat of today evening. At least I didn't actually say the words 'touch me'.

I keep quiet the whole way, not even breathing too loudly, scared that it might break this delicate and fragile tension between us. My fingers fidget in my lap and I keep my eyes strained to face the window, not daring to sneak a glance at him. The drive back is longer than expected, maybe because time always runs slow when you are miserable and it runs fast when you are having fun.

He parks the car outside the gate and I don't even wait for him to get out and open my door. I jump out in haste, grabbing my bag and rushing towards the door.

"Aisha!" His alarmed tone ringing behind me but I ignore it. "Christ! You'll be the death of me."

I turn back to give him a grin, not amused by his reprimanding glare. He looks visibly ticked off and I chuckle lightly at that. It's nice to see him lose some self-control for once. I rush up the stairs, wobbling in my high heels and escape into my room, shutting the door behind me, locking it for good effort.

I slump into the bed, face first, breathing in the fresh linen scent and sigh heavily.

What a day! Let's hope I don't have one these again!

I think this is enough embarrassment for a lifetime, don't you?

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How are you liking the story so far? Is it intriguing enough? Would you suggest it to your friends?