Chapter 2 : 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙫

What could people expect from a man who really loves his life?

I just came out of the shower, I was wrapped in nothing but a towel. Glancing at my charming face in the mirror. Attractive features, messy hair and broad shoulders. I wasn't afraid to show that I loved myself.

I could feel the stare of my psycho neighbour, Shanaya. Always stalking me through her front window - still I never placed the curtains to my window.

Her house was situated directly across from mine, and our rooms were clearly visible to each other through the windows. She does everything in her power to make me fall in love with her but she could never win me from that.

I remember the time when she used to be my best friend. I grew up with her, playing, eating, going to school together and protecting her from all the boys who ever raised their eyes on her. Her parents were like my parents. Her mom was like my second mom, and her dad called me "son". Always took care of me, as my mom had to leave me alone when I was just 10 years old. She worked outside of town while I stayed with them.

Shanaya's mom worked in a government investigation team and her father headed to New York a few years ago, granting the huge opportunity that changed his entire life, while my mom worked hard day and night just to give me the best lifestyle.

There was also a time when I used to like Shanaya, around my first to sixth grade. I couldn't deny the fact that she was so pretty and attractive but as I grew up I realized she was everything I never wanted.

She kept bullying people, I tried to stop her but she never listened to me. Creating a huge distance between us without even realising it.

As a result, now I no longer cared about her... but she never leaves me alone.

I opened my wardrobe and pulled out a fresh set of clothes, changing carefully enough not to satisfy Shanaya's desires or let her imagination wander. Once I was done, I adjusted the sleeves, slipped my watch onto my wrist, and ran a hand through my hair to style it properly. A few sprays of my favorite perfume from the premium collection lingered in the air as I applied it, its familiar scent settling around me.

Taking one last glance at myself, I headed downstairs, then grabbed my car keys from the table near the front door, and walked out toward my car.

This college has been lucky for me since day one. I got socialized, made a few friends to play football with, the girls liked me and the teachers already knew me. It was just a week and I got more than I ever wished for.

I opened the door of my car and settled inside. I just drove out of the parking lot when I stopped the car at her sight.

There she was, waiting for me. The moment our eyes met, her lips curved upward in a faint but confident smile.

Such a beautiful evilish smile.

She was wearing a short black skirt and white tank top. Her short brunette curls beautifully placed at her shoulders and her tattoo of the initial S shines on her neck bone as she makes her way toward me.

Her makeup was as usual, perfectly matching with her outfit, neither too bold nor too simple - but only enhancing her beauty. She always loved to represent herself.

That was the reason she ended up impressing every boy - including my friend, Atharv - in college.

Yet, not me.

When she approached, she knocked on the window of the passenger side, giving me a sign to open the car lock for her.

Destiny was in her favour when she ended up in the same college as mine.

Same college, same course and even the same class and it hurts my head to even think that she'll annoy me everyday.

I opened the lock for her to get inside.

There was a story about how she convinced me to give her rides for college. One day, I left her on the road when she was annoying me way too much and she ended up almost getting kidnapped. I couldn't just leave her in the middle of the road so I went back to look after her only to caught her fighting with some idiots who were trying to get her into their car. Their escape saved their lives, that I was ready to take.

After that day I couldn't leave her alone but I didn't want her with me either.

"Hey baby." She said as she buckled up on the passenger side. "You look so hot only in a towel."

Sometimes it makes me wonder that she doesn't even try to hide that she stalks me. Well, that was the thing, she wanted me to notice that she was noticing me.

She knows exactly what she does.

"Don't call me baby." I said, keeping my expressions neutral.

"Means I can call you hot?"

Annoyance took over me, settling inside my bones like rainwater settling into the sand. Her expressions didn't budge, she kept staring at me like She would eat me right here if I say the word. I sighed and pulled the engine, ignoring her.

She always acted like I was her boyfriend. Always hugging me in public, calling me baby and sometimes kissing my cheeks. She knew it irritated me but she always tested my patience.

All I could do was stop her, push her away -careful enough not to hurt her- and never disrespect her. Though it doesn't make me a gentleman because I never called myself a good man.

I was a stroller who might spend my weekends doing parties, trekking, hiking and enjoying every moment of my life.

I really loved my life. I had thousands of dreams to chase and I would burn down the world if anything comes in between my freedom.

I wanted to live my life without having any regrets on the death bed. My life was a Dodge Fomahowk - the fastest bike in the world - without any breaks. I just knew how to keep going and to never stop dreaming.

Well, that's why I asked, What could people expect from a man who really loves his life?

When we entered college, Shanaya left with her friends. Probably in the class or I don't know, why did I even care? She was more popular than anyone else in just one week.

I was in the sports complex, practicing a football match. My only two friends who were close to me were Ansh and Atharv. Ansh and I have known each other since school time while Atharv met me in college and he was one of the best friend I got.

I loved playing football. I was fast and smooth and it fitted perfectly in many things including in this game.

Well, there was a strange thing... Ansh never liked Atharv. I had to work hard to make him play with us because Atharv knew nothing about football but he wanted to join.

The match was almost over when one of the players kicked the ball with force more than required. We all turned to a girl who was in the way of it and will be injured if not move away.

The players' screams and warnings did alert her but... Instead of moving away she stood there blankly, staring at the ball coming at her and I was the one who was closest to her.

Calculating the timings and speed of the ball in my head, I rushed to her, my hands finding her waist as I drew her close, guiding her safely out of the ball’s path. My other hand involuntarily reached out to halt the ball's trajectory which was now aiming my face but the girl was protected in my arm.

A collective gasp went through the crowd when the ball touched my hand and changed its path away from us. A wave of pain went throughout my nerves, starting from that one broken part of my hand.

"Fuck!" I cursed, trying to shake the pain away from my hand. "Are you okay?" I asked when I realized how hard I was squeezing her to my chest while she stayed like that without moving.

Was she fainted?

I loosened the hold on her and she slowly Peered up at me with wide eyes as her head let go of my chest.

And then, the next moment... her eyes met mine. Like Universe finally connected the dots that were meant to meet someday. Like a thirsty bird had found a container of water during heavy summer. Like a flower who was at the verge of dying was finally watered by the clouds.

The eyes.

I've never seen something this beautiful before. The eyes... riched with history, hope, and unspoken dreams.

She was so close to me.

It felt more painful than the pain in my wrist when I had to let her go out of my hold. As I did, the ache shifted to my heart.

What the fuck?

"Are you okay?" She asked as her eyes lowered to watch my forearm where the football touched, they stayed their long enough before meeting mine again.

Well, I was fucked up. Probably getting the fracture for a week or two but I didn't feel anything in that moment. I was lost...

I was lost in her eyes. In her face. The kind of beauty they describe in the songs, poems and books. I've seen many beautiful faces but she was so different.

Felt like the time had stopped. I couldn't hear or see anything else around me except her.

God, if that angel thing was real then I was probably seeing one right in front of me. Her eyes were still locked to mine and I was afraid she could see through them. The thoughts I was having about her should always stay hidden, even from me.

I wasn't even aware of the pain untill everything finally came to it's senses.

"Shiv?" Ansh shouted my name from a distance, it echoed unclear but audible.

"I'm okay." I finally told her, ignoring my friends calling me in the background. Her shoulders relaxed at my assurance. "Never saw you here before?"

She just stared at me for a while before replying, "Do you know every girl here?" She asked innocently and I couldn't stop my chuckle.

She bit her lower lip while watching my dimples.

"Or you can say every girl knows me?" I said to her, couldn't stop smiling. "What's your name?" I asked, taking her hand in mine, it felt soft and warn against my larger one - which itched with pain, that I clearly avoided.

"Ruhi." She whispered.

She couldn't figure out what I was doing until I lifted it near my lips and kissed her knuckles softly. My lips pressing with a warm and respectful greeting which meant only for her, while our gazes remained fixed on one another.

The touch lingered, revealing a visible shiver all over her body from my action before I pulled away slightly.

"Shiv." My smile remained as I said.

I didn't know why I wanted her to know me. I never felt like this with anyone before.

"Shiv? What the hell, man!" My teammate shouted. It was my call to leave her and join the game again.

Her stare left mine and went to my dimples again before I said, "Will see you soon, Ruhi." With a final glance, I returned to finish the match. Leaving her with her thoughts alone.