THE WIND THAT KISSED HER CHEEKS-chapter 3

Chapter-3

THE RIDE

Nikila felt lost in his eyes, staring at them vacantly. Unaware of her state, those eyes stared back with amazement. Slowly, her body weakened and so was her balance. She arched her knees, swaying to her left. Riyaz held her in time before she fell over the bookshelf. Recollecting her consciousness, she gripped his hand for support.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Nikila saw a ghost of a smile on his lips like the one she saw on Saturday night. 

She was mesmerized by his stunning looks. Besides, his musk was too alcoholic to avoid getting high on. She struggled to reply and thought it would be better to walk away. Turning around she quickly went to the other section of the library. Convinced she was out of his sight, she took a long breath as if she was drowning. Her heart thudded loudly against her chest. Damn, what the fuck was I thinking!

Her unusual stupidity amused Riyaz and he stood there smiling. He shook his head and got hold of one of the books from the shelf and resumed tossing the pages, sitting comfortably in one of the corners of the table. After she was convinced that she wasn’t choking anymore, Nikila hideously peeps through the gaps of the books. Like a crab she moved sideward, pushing books aside and looking for the boy. Crawling through the aisles, she found a spot where she could spy on the boy. He was sitting comfortably on a chair, absorbed in reading, and occasionally taking notes. His right leg was at the top of the other. The boy happens to run his hand through his hair and kept the pencil between his lips. Nikila couldn’t move her eyes. She began losing herself. She swallowed the lump on her throat when the boy curled his stream-lined lips. 

“Nikila!” someone whispered loudly. Caught unaware, she fell on the floor with a thud. Quickly, she settled the books and stood up.

“Are you alright?” a perplexed Prachi asked. 

Nikila nodded vigorously. After her stood Prachi, Nitish, and Joy. The trio looked at her with quizzical eyes. “What were you doing there?” asked Nitish. “Me? Um…” she quickly pulled a book out randomly and said with a smile, “I-I’m looking for this book! I’m doing some research, you know” Nikila gave an understanding nod. “See ya, later!” she grinned and turned to leave. 

“That was the book of Kamasutra!” Prachi exclaimed. 

“I saw it, too,” Joy said. 

“I think she is thinking of investing in the aphrodisiac sector. It’s gaining a good popularity” Nitish assumed. 

“Screw your ideas, man” Joy abused. 

“Has anyone told you that your ideas suck?” Prachi retorted.

“Yeah, twice! And both of the times coming from you” Nitish confirmed, adjusting his eyewear. 

Nikila was about to reach the librarian for registering the book she took when she realized her bag was missing. She went back to the aisle from where she took the book. After a futile search, she realized where she might have left the bag. The place where she bumped against the boy.

Taking a deep breath, she proceeded hideously, making sure the boy didn’t notice her. The hood of her jacket was up and she pulled the tip as much as she could to cover her face. From shelf to shelf, she moved stealthily like an undercover agent in the western movies. She behind the bookshelf right in front of the table where the boy was sitting. Looking around she couldn’t see her bag anywhere. Where did it go? 

She was becoming restless and panicking. Her keys were in the bag. She started sobbing in her mind. 

Riyaz had the feeling someone was watching him and he looked up suddenly. Nikila dropped down in time to save herself. She opened the book and buried her face in it. She shut her eyes with Herculean force. 

She heard someone clearing his throat and he was right in front of her. She remained still determined not to move. 

“That’s a challenging book. Especially for someone like you struggling with soul fight,” a deep, jovial voice hit her ears. Soul-fight, she said to herself. She opened her eyes and as she did so, her calm, anxious look transformed into a gaping astonishment. She looked into the content of the pages she had opened- it contained drawings of men and women, all naked, and posed in amorous positions depicting artist resemble of Gods and Goddesses, in an attempt to present the most erotic and lascivious gestures, each promising heavenly pleasures. 

Her lips parted vaguely and she quickly closed the book to check the cover. The philosophy of Pleasure and Lust as written in Kamasutra.

She stood up gingerly, looking at the boy. Riyaz tightened his lips, struggling to keep his laughter aside. 

Nikila felt so embarrassed. He will think of me as a sex maniac.

“It’s- it’s not like- what you see. I’m sorry,” she struggled to speak. He will probably think I’m a pervert.

“I took this book randomly. I didn’t mean it…” He must be thinking I was devouring at him.

She seemed to suffocate. Her heart was in her throat. Riyaz came forward. I’m so dead.

“Would you like some coffee?” he asked politely. 

That hit her like thunder. She exhaled heavenly, her breasts lowering. What did he say? Coffee- or something?

“By the riverside behind Ffort Raichak. The place we met last Saturday?” he offered. Nikila’s mind was stuck at his lips. She was mumbling something.

Riyaz came to a step forward. And Nikila had butterflies in her stomach. His strong, arousal perfume messed up her mind.

“So what do you say?” Riyaz asked once again.

“Huh?” Nikila managed to mutter. 

“Would you like coffee or-” Riyaz lifted her bag which she had left on the floor previously? “Go home”.

The librarian came into the aisle and said in a loud whisper, “Will you please maintain silence or I need to call the Dean! Riyaz, do I need to cancel your library card?” 

Riyaz. His name was Riyaz.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Rai. I will make sure that I don’t break the rules or let anyone do so,” Riyaz affirmed.

Riyaz.

“That would be good for the two of you,” Mr. Rai went away hastily.

Riyaz.

“So what have you decided?” Riyaz got back to Nikila. “Coffee or home?”

Nikila tightened her lips. What should I say? I’m so embarrassed. I want to disappear but I owe him my gratitude, he got into a fight with Jeet. Should I call Avantika? She can help me decide but she is stuck with debate sessions! UGH!!! Just get the hell out of there! But he is so hot! I may not get such a chance ever. But Avantika will be worried. Can Sayantan help me decide? No, he is busy with his dad in the garage. I think I should get back home, I got assignments. What if I happen to run into Jeet? Perhaps he can save me again. No, you shouldn’t involve him in any more trouble. Oh, no! I forgot he saw me with the Vedic sex book. I need to sort out things. He must be thinking about how nasty I am, studying about orgasms and weird naked, gymnastic sex positions. Josh! I feel like peeping. Perhaps, I should go to the washroom. 

Nikila was nodding blankly. Riyaz snapped breaking her chain of thoughts. 

“If you go for a coffee, you can scream as much as you want and throw out everything that bothers you. Nice and slowly,” Riyaz gently tuck her head. She felt adrenaline rush to her pubes. Hesitatingly, she took her bag and replied, “I’m not sure! I will…see you around,” she smiled like a baby. 

“Alright! Soul-fight is not easy. Trust me, I have been through it”

She smiled exaggeratingly, exposing her tooth set like those girls in the Colgate advertisement. 

“Hey,” Riyaz called her. Maybe he will stop me. He will convince me to go with him. Nikila tensed up.

Riyaz extended his hand. Nikila delightfully prepared to extend hers when he said, “That book doesn’t look good in your hands. I will keep it for you”

“Yeah, of course!” she quickly handed him the book and out of the library. 

Riyaz kept the book on the shelf next to him and got up to his table. Stretching himself, he gathered all his belongings and kept the books on their respective shelves.

Nikila walked clumsily down the corridor. She dashed into the washroom. Dropping her bag on the floor, she splashed cold water on her face. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Gosh! How could I mess up so much?

She looked at the mirror, at her dark brown eyes trying to figure out which gene was responsible for her stupidity. Annoyed, she made strange faces at herself. She pampered her hair and adjusted her dress. She sighed heavily. He must be laughing at my stupidity. She virtually kicked herself. Grabbing her smartphone, she dialed up Avantika. 

“Hey, Avantika! Are you done with your sessions?”

“Yes, I am just wrapping up my notes. Get to the car. I will be there in five minutes.” 

Nikila looked at herself in the mirror. Squinting her eyes, she scrutinized her skin. Then, she turned around to take a peek at her butt. She ran her hands over the soft, rotund muscles, feeling her curves, and gently patted them. I love my glutes. They have grown quite big. She chuckled at her thought. Nikila was born with boy-killer looks and she knew it. Nevertheless, she never felt arrogant about this fact and kept an open, sanguine mind.

The college was bustling with a huge crowd of students moving out. Some of them were chattering in the corridor. Nikila pressed her lips tightly and went towards her car. Had she spotted Jeet, she could easily hide in the crowd. 

Her car stood at a stone’s throw, shining under the rays of the golden sun. On approaching it, her eyes fell on a Royal Enfield at a distance. A thought ran across her mind as she kept a steady gaze on it. A boy wearing a biker jacket, the one she had been recently familiar with, climbed on to the bike. As he did so, Nikila noticed the sideward glance on his face. No doubt it was Riyaz. This made Nikila uncomfortable. However, she was determined to put up the best of her in front of him to compensate for the disappointment she had brought upon herself previously. Drawing as much air she could take in, just in case she doesn’t run out of the air which she noticed was quite frequent, she smartly walked towards her. Riyaz adjusted the strap which ran around his right hip. Before he could put on the helmet, Nikila surprised him, “Hey!” 

Riyaz faced her with one brow arched. Her hand involuntarily squeezed the strap of her bag and she felt the tension rising. 

“Hey!” Riyaz said cheerfully. He kept the helmet on the handlebar and looked at her. Why is he looking at me? Nikila diverts her eyes.

“Nice bike,” she praised. 

“Thanks!” he accepted her appraisal. “How are you getting home?” 

“I have my car. It's back there”

Riyaz looked over her shoulder to glance at her Honda City ZX. He raised his brows in appreciation. Nikila grinned. Don’t look at his eyes. Don’t look at his eyes…

“So, alright! Time to go,” he prepared to leave. Nikila shook her ocean of thoughts. 

“Umm, actually, I have something to say…” Nikila hesitated. 

“Go on” 

“I am sorry for what happened this morning. I feel guilty about my action. I shouldn’t have involved you,” Nikila said in an apologetic tone. Riyaz crossed his arms and puffed his chest and very authoritatively said, “Will that happen again.” Childishly, she shook her head. Her flaxen locks of hair fell over her face. 

“Hey, Nikila! Where have you been? I was looking for you,” Avantika came out of nowhere and interrupted them. Nikila quickly regained herself and managed to put a smile on her face. 

“You must be Riyaz, aren’t you?” Avantika said thoughtfully. 

“Sure, I am! There’s no one else with that name around here,” Riyaz gleefully extended his hand. 

“I read your editorial. It was flawless. And the article you wrote about the Annual Business conference was so insightful,” Avantika praised. 

Nikila eyed Avantika. How do you come to know him?

Avantika slightly squinted her eyes. He is popular around the campus. You didn’t know him?

“So how do I get into this conversation?” Avantika delightfully said, clasping her hands together.  

“We are not having any conversation. And I feel it’s time we should go,” Nikila sputtered. 

“I was asking if she wants to go for a coffee” Riyaz explained. Avantika held her hands, not letting her go away. 

“That wonderful. Nikila has an unusual liking for caffeine, you know.” Nikila glared at her. I hate coffee.

Avantika glared back. Don’t be stupid!

“It was nice to meet you guys. See you around,” Riyaz professed, getting his helmet on.

Bidding farewell, Nikila and Avantika walked towards their vehicle. “You should have gone for a coffee. He is a nice guy,” Avantika suggested.

“And what about Jeet? Would he like it?”

“Babe,” Avantika mumbled, “you need to let go of the people who don’t care about your feelings. I am not asking you to date him but you need to explore before you settle for something. The happiness graph of yours needs you to go for an adventure. The choice is yours. I’m just a guide”.

“What about you?”

“Me? Give me the keys. I will be fine. He is still waiting. Don’t let the opportunity go,” Avantika caressed her cheeks. Nikila thought for a second and dropped the keys of her car in Avantika’s hands. She turned around, taking a deep breath, and approached Riyaz. 

“Hey! Is the offer for coffee still open?” 

“I don’t keep reservations so yes, it is open!” Riyaz smiled, offering her a helmet. Nikila took it slowly. She carefully climbed the backseat. Riyaz ignited the engine and off they went to the roadways.

As the sunset over the horizon, Riyaz rode through the metropolitan complexes, drifting along with the twilight rush. Nikila was blanched by the strong, cold windy current kissing her face. She hugged Riyaz for warmth and shielded herself. Far at a distance, the lights of an airplane sparkled as it landed at DumDum airport. Venturing out with an unknown buddy on a lengthy highway, under the glimpse of a gloomy moon and city lights, she felt as if she was flying in the sky. Deep in her heart, somewhere at a corner, she realized a curve had been drawn, and smiling, she hugged him a little tighter.