Chapter 22

Chapter 22
"You don't have to pick me up we are going to Nia's place for the assignment. I had spoken with dad" Shanaya declared when Neil parked his car near the porch. "Okay, give me a call when you are done, I'll be…" Shanaya didn't let him complete and say.

"No need. I will come by myself" and got out of the car as did Nia and Tanya. She had told her friends about her meeting with Avyaansh today and surprise was written all over their faces. Tanya and Nia didn't leave a chance to tease her. They were happy for their best friend as she was for the first time doing something on her own.

After college Shanaya was waiting at the library. Nia and Tanya left after bidding bye to her not before giving her a teasing smile that made her palm her face. She was checking her phone now and then. It's been half an hour since she was waiting and after a while, her phone buzzed. She instantly picked up the call seeing his name flashing on the screen. Her heart was beating at an unusual pace and she took deep deep breaths to calm herself.

"H…Hello," she bit on her lip for stammering. "Come outside, I am waiting," he said from another side and a wide grin spread on her lips. "Coming" she whispered and made her way out of the library and reached the parking area.

She spotted Avyaansh leaning over his car with his phone in his hand and he was wearing a casual white button-down shirt and grey pants. Unlike every time she saw him in his office attire, he appears more attractive than before in his casuals.

She didn't notice for how long she was gaping at him when he felt her gaze on him and turned to her. Taking off his shades he raised his brow at her and gave her a teasing smile for checking him out.

Her face flushed and her breath hitched. She was caught in embarrassment. With slow steps, she ambled towards him and stood a foot distance from him. Not knowing what to say she licked her lips out of habit and managed the greet him "Hey"

"You look cute" her face flushed even more at his remark. She gaped at him with her mouth agape and stunned expression and found him smiling. It was the first time she saw him smiling other than smirking.

Of all things she didn't expect him to call her cute. Avyaansh slowly took in her appearance and scrutinized her keenly. She was wearing ripped jeans with a white tank top and a nude colour loose shirt. Her hair was loose open and her face had a natural glow. She doesn't need makeup to look pretty.

"Thanks," she said meekly and licked her lips out of habit and his eyes followed her action. "Get in. We are getting late" he let out and she bobbed her head. Like a true gentleman, he opened the door of the passenger seat for her and she settled on the passenger seat while he buckled her seatbelt. He rounded the car and occupied the driving seat and roared the engine to life.

It was not the first time she was sitting in his car but the fact that she was meeting him for another reason made her heart do a pitter-patter inside her rib cage. When twenty minutes passed and he didn't say anything where are they going so she made an effort to ask. "Where are we going?" He passed her a glance and again turned his focus on the road. She pouted at his ignorance when he didn't reply and felt disappointed.

After that, she didn't say anything because she didn't want to sound desperate. After half an hour he parked his sedan a little far from the destination and got out of the car. She looked around and found they were on the street. He came to her and opened her side of the door.

He held his hand in front of her and Shanaya accepted it and got out of the car. He closed the door and took out a blindfold from his pocket she frowned "why this blindfold?" She asked, looking at it. "It's a surprise," he replied and tried to tie the blindfold on her eyes when she abruptly clasped his wrist. "Do you trust me?" He asked, looking at her expectantly.

She stared at him with an unknown emotion. Does she trust him? The answer was yes without any doubt. He became someone she could trust in her worst after her father. He didn't give any reason not to trust him when he saved her without knowing her so how can she not trust him.

"I do" she whispered and pulled her hands back. He blind fold her and took her to the destination. She was taking baby steps at a time and Avyaansh was patience with her but she stumbled on her footing and was about to fall when he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him.

A shriek escaped her throat and her arms on their own accord wrapped around his neck. The next second she was up in the air and Avyaansh was carrying her in his arms in a bridal style. "Relax, I am just helping you" he whispered and felt her rigid form relax and he started walking ahead. Once they reached he put her down on her feet and stood behind her.

She felt him just behind her as his body heat hit her and goosebumps erupted in her body. He leaned on her from behind and slowly untied the fold around her eyes. When she opened her eyes, what greeted her was a beautiful view of the sea. She was mesmerized by the beauty of the sky. The sun was ready to set down spreading the red and orange hue all around the blue sky and the sea was shimmering with the shine of the sunlight. The cold breeze caressed her cheeks.

She was in awe looking at the scenery in front of her. One of her most favourite things, the sunset, she liked watching the sunset as it gives her peace of mind. Shanaya turned around only to find Avyaansh standing behind her with his hands shoved inside his pant's pockets and smiling at her.

Avyaansh was staring at her when her eyes twinkled in delight and a wide smile broke on her lips he felt something tugging at his heart. He couldn't help but smile looking at her antics and let out a chortle which broke Shanaya's trance and she turned to face him.

"You like it?" He asked, staring at her while a small smile was present there on his lips. "I love it" she sounded genuinely happy and hugged him all of a sudden without realizing he went rigid.

Avyaansh was in for a surprise by the sudden hug and shook his head before wrapping his arms around her petite form she shot open her eyes as realization hit her. She instantly pulled back, tucking a stray strand behind her ear.

When Shanaya looked around the whole beach was vacant with only the two of them around as she slowly took into view she found a wooden tent from four sides decorated in the middle with white curtains and flowers around and a dining table for the two people was set.

She was baffled as the whole beach was vacant when it would have been crowded with lots of people as this place was famous for its sunset point.

He hold her hand and guided her to the tent she kept walking with him when she asked "why this place is vacant?"

Avyaansh pulled out a chair and she occupied it and then he sat across from her. "I reserved this place and made sure no one can bother us," he replied to her earlier question. Her cheeks reddened at his words and she couldn't help when a small smile stretched on her lips.

The table was filled with so many dishes and all of them were her favorites. Avyaansh served her and filled his plate. They eat in silence while Avyaansh kept stealing a glance at her and she was aware of his eyes on her.

"How did you know it was my favorite place?" She asked after a while taking a spoon-filled pasta. "You like watching the sunset" he replied looking at the sky which was now a shade of dark orange. "How did you know?" She asked when curiosity burned her insides.

How does he know about her liking of the sunset? "Not only this, I know many more things about you. Your likes and dislikes. I know everything about you" he replied and she was perplexed. She got more curious and wanted to know more "Amd what are they?" she asked, looking at him.

"You like watching the sunset, your favourite colour is white, and you don't like capsicum in your food" he chuckled at the last part and she averted her gaze in embarrassment. But he continued "You like watching stars, you don't want to be the centre of attention, and you have a very low alcohol tolerance" Avyaansh smirked saying the last part looking at her and she flushed at his remark. She could barely handle three shots.

"How?" she asked. "I should know about my girl's likes or dislikes" he replied shrugging. Her heartbeat quickened at his endearment and she only focused on 'my girl'

How sweet it sounded from his mouth. She wanted the hear him more and more and wouldn't be tired of listening to him. After they were done eating he forward his hand and she grasped it and they walked ahead hand in hand.

They walked near the sea shore and she left his hand running barefoot on the seashore and playing with the water. Avyaansh stood a foot away from her while watching her carefree side. She turned to him suddenly with a mischievous smile and before he could comprehend her gestures she started throwing water at him and it took him off guard.

"Hey, Shanaya stop" he started taking back steps while she threw water on him and giggled in return. He smirked and the next second caught her wrist and yanked her to him. Shanaya collided with his hard chest and held by her waist and twirled her around making her laugh. "Avyaansh, stop I will fall," she said between her giggles but he didn't stop here and twirled her more.

"Should I drop you in the water?" he asked playfully and she shook her head while giggling more. "Please no," she said and laughed. She was now breathless and patted his arms which were around her waist and it was then he put her back on her feet. She gaped at him panting slowly.