Chapter 8 :

2:20 p.m.

Anvaya's POV

I don't know how the morning went so fast at his estate. Time was blurry, all the thin boundaries of my sanity were erased.

I was lost in the whirlwind of the magnetism and secrets hidden in his mansion, whispering something I could barely understand, yet—I still stayed there.

Time had slipped away while I stared out of the glass wall, waiting for his appearance. The backyard was simple, but the forest behind the boundaries wasn't.

Those trees shadowed as of something forbidden hideen under them.

"Ms Shaurya", I came out of my thoughts, upon being called.

I looked at my right, where stood his secretary, looking down at me.

I was inside his cabin, to tell about everything that happened inside the room with Mr Oberoi.

"Oh, you're here," I said calmly, facing him completely.

"So how's his heart?" he asked, motioning me to take a seat on the sofa opposite to his one.

"It's the same—no improvement. He didn't listen to me earlier, so I carried out no new check-up procedure today. I've prescribed the same things like the last time, except for this tablet—", I replied, handing him a note with the medicine name scribbled on it, "—prescribed for a balanced heart health. I'll come back next month, till then, ask him to follow everything I've said. Otherwise, I won't be wasting my time here because the willing to be treated can be healed, not the willing to be broken."

He examined the note silently, before his gaze trailed from the paper to me.

He was someone almost like his master—calm, calculated and good looking.

"I understand your situation. I'll let him know about the medications and suggestions. See you next month, Ms. Shaurya," he said, pronouncing each word clearly.

"And one more thing," he added, sitting with his hands resting on his knees, "You're supposed to obey the orders by sir."

I frowned, "I'm abiding by all the rules. So may I know what you're talking about?"

"It's the attire provided to you. You didn't wear it."

I went silent, remembering how those clothes were. I'd never wear such absurd outfits when my profession had its own uniform.

"That was purely disrespecting my uniform. I'm a doctor and a white coat with my stethoscope is my identity. I won't conceal my identity with some tight and revealing clothes. That's inappropriate and as an individual and someone taking care of your boss, I'm to be provided with my rights. So if he wants some other outfit, then ask him to choose decency over desire," I said clearly, letting him know that I wasn't at all pleased by those clothes.

He nodded, "I'll let him know."

Nodding, I stood up and was escorted outside to the car I was brought in here.

And the ride back to my neighbourhood was like a prisoner, before the glasses cleared and curtains opened near my house.

•

3:20 p.m.

"I'm home," I said loudly, entering the front room.

Just as I took off my shoes, Mimi came inside the room, "Welcome back home. Now go and get ready quickly, we're leaving. The morning's already gone. So get ready for the rest of the day."

I looked up from the ground, finally taking off my shoes, to find her dressed in a light blue A-line dress.

"We're leaving now?" I asked, seeing her all ready to go.

"Yes we are. Go get ready quickly," Nitya said, joining us in the room.

She was dressed in a deep pink dress, with matching studs and makeup. Both of them looked really pretty, and definitely they were glowing.

At least they had someone to get ready for, who'd compliment on seeing them and make them feel loved. Their face would definitely have that glow.

It's not like we should get ready for someone and not ourselves but at some point, we do want someone who'd compliment us, make us feel special and let us have that glow on our faces.

I nodded, "I'll get ready quickly."

"Wait one second," Mimi stopped me, when I was about to go to my room, making me turn around.

"What?"

"Actually—Nitya will tell you," she said hesitantly, glancing at Nitya.

Something didn't feel right because whenever she behaved like that, there was something I wouldn't like after knowing. Something did happen in my absence.

"What is it?" I asked Nitya, raising my left brow.

"This girl can't be more cowardly", she said, glaring at Mimi, before looking back at me, "We've found a blind date for you."

"A what?"

"A blind date"

"And whom did you ask before doing that?"

"I discussed with Mimi."

"Then either send her or go by yourself," I replied, totally not interested in the date.

All the blind dates till today weren't good because the guys either wanted a housewife, a servant and a baby producer or simply they were egoistic. I went to around five to six dates and all I met were trash bins.

"We're committed and we're going with our boyfriends. So just see if he suits you and just become friends at least for now. Later on see if you want to date and if you do, then it's good. It's not like you're being forced to love and date," she replied, somewhere explaining the right thing.

She wasn't entirely wrong. I could give it a try and the rest depends on my will. And a date after handling Mr Oberoi, did sound like a sneaking away for some relaxation.

Contemplating for a few seconds, I nodded, "Fine. Let me get ready."

Getting inside my room, I took a bath first. Then I blow dried my hair and decided what to wear.

And as always, I stood for around ten minutes, deciding what to wear despite having so many clothes. Typical girl's problem.

As my gaze roamed over the stacks of clothes, it stopped on a red dress.

It was a halter neck red dress with quarter sleeves. The flowing part reached till my knees. It was a comfy stretchable material dress, good enough for a soft weather like today. There wasn't much heat today, so I went for it.

Putting it on, I straightened my hair and wore golden hoops, my golden watch and a few accessories. I wore red heels.

Spraying some perfume and putting on little makeup, I took my purse and left the room.

"Oh my God, woman! David's gonna swoon over you," Nitya exclaimed with exaggeration, looking at me with wide eyes, her mouth open.

Female best friends are always the ones who'll see you beautiful even when you're looking like a bird's nest. They be supporting you in any situation, regardless of who the worng one is—the other person or you.

I rolled my eyes with a chuckle, just when Mimi spoke up, "Ms Anvaya Shaurya, believe us that you're looking like someone to be worshipped in the day, and devoured at night."

My eyes widened, hearing her dirty remark.

"Shut up and let's go," I scolded, glaring at both of them, who were looking at me with a mischievous look.

Soon, we three exited our apartment.

•

"Ani, we're going by bike. So David will pick you up on his bike," Nitya said, looking up at me from her phone.

I frowned, "Why bike?"

"You live in Mumbai, if you've forgotten. And unless you want a  Sunday traffic aesthetic date, you'll have to opt for a bike," she replied, talking like a sassy woman, even though stating the obvious.

I nodded, "By the way, at least tell me about him?"

"He's David Ashford, 31, a neurosurgeon. He's rich, tall, handsome and a pure gentleman—a perfect man for you," she replied, giving a sassy girl look.

This girl can give numerous expressions in a short matter of time.

"Fine," I replied, looking around the road, when my gaze fell on three bikes approaching us.

Three men, in three different black motorcycles, rode towards us, prior to stopping in front of us.

Vyom, dressed in a light blue shirt and white pant, complementing Mimi's outfit, stopped near her. Daivik, dressed in a light pink shirt and deep blue pants, complimenting Nitya, stopped near her.

And near me, stopped David, my supposed date, clad in a red shirt and black pant. A silver watch rested around his wrist.

The moment he took off his helmet, I was slightly taken aback by his beauty.

He was a man of his own kind—clean shaved sharp face with just traces of beard, slightly curly light brown hair that glowed under the golden sunrays, green almond eyes and thin rosy lips.  

As he got down from the bike, he eyes locked with me, as a smile grazed both of our lips.

He was tall and muscular.

"Hey," he greeted, forwarding his right hand for a handshake.

"Hi David, Anvaya here," I greeted back, shaking hands with him.

He looked kind, a man you could instantly feel comfortable with.

He smiled, "Nice to meet you Anvaya. You're much more beautiful in reality than the pictures."

His words made me instantly look at my best friends, glaring at them.

They even sent my pictures?

Giving them a warning look, who smiled awkwardly at me, I looked back at him.

"Thanks for the compliment. You're handsome too," I replied, trying to sound normal after getting a straightforward compliment. I was used to compliments from Mimi and Nitya but from a guy, which sounded genuine, it felt different.

I was embarrassed slightly, for feeling nervous but I guess that's okay. His charm and charisma was already making me look at him as if admiring.

Some people were indeed so beautiful.

"Let's continue at the café?" he asked, pointing his thumb towards the road.

I nodded, "Sure."

Nodding back, he lend me another helmet, before letting me sit comfortably and we three best friends with our respective partners rode off.

_______________________________________