And just like that they met.

*This is something I wrote as a Prologue to a novel after a few chapters of it were written.*

Seven years Ago

“Hurry up!!” I shouted to make my sister get dressed faster.” We are going to be late.” Only if she listened to me ever, moreover why should she? She was six years older than, the favorite and most pampered one in the family, not to forget the spoilt one..yet no one saw or found any fault and wrong in her.

She leisurely pulled up her trouser, while I gathered up our backpacks, no question I would be carrying them all the time.

“Can you please do a little faster?”

“Babe, I am on my fastest mode now, You don’t want me to break my limbs and spoil the whole trip today...right?” Huh.. as if. I had been running like a frantic to do everything while she hardly moved her ass off the couch. Mother would be so angry today.

Every year, on that particular day, we made a trip to our ancestral hometown, where a ceremonial worshipping of Goddess Kali was done. As the temple belonged to our family for more a hundred year, all the members of the family, however, distant they were, paid a visit. Since we were hardly related to the family anymore, we just visited there once a year out of responsibility and mother’s order. She was a great devotee of the Goddess and even, after all terrible incidents with the family, she never for once missed the occasion.

Once I asked her why did she go there when we could celebrate the day in the city at some other temple or better start a ceremony at our place separately.

But she answered, “It is not us who got separated from the family but was forced to leave. Now, on this day, when everyone is present and so are we...no one pays attention to us in particular, everything seems to be just like the earlier days. Moreover, that ceremony is an age-old one, we don’t wanna miss it for some old grudge still built-up in our hearts.”That's my mother, always kind and forgiving.

Whatever she said, if I knew my mother even the slightest she missed the place like anything. And why shouldn’t she, the house where she came after marriage. The place full of people and happy faces for only a few couples of years..and then few incidents turned all upside-down.

 Though not everything, yet ever since I heard the stories of my parent’s marriage, our old house and relatives whom we hardly knew anymore, a large family with people around, all full of life and happiness, always staying together, helping each other and standing by the other all the time—who wouldn’t want such a family unless they discovered all the nasty scars hidden underneath the pre-practiced joyous show. Till date, I dreamt of finding the Man of my dream, settling down and starting a new family, having tons of kids of our own but not leave behind my parents. Of course, it sounded so lame, that an adult staying with parents after a certain age leave aside after marriage, but I thought once there would come a person who would understand me and my point; and accept my parents no matter what. No doubt, my parents were capable enough to look after themselves even at their old age, that didn’t mean I had to let them go likewise. They were my parents and would always be, so it’s my responsibility and duty to look after them anytime and everytime.

“Hello?Earth to Amy.” My sister’s frivolous shaking brought me back to reality from the long gone wandering soul,” Now, where to?”

I blinked a few times before her strong perfume hit my nose. God, I hated that smell. She was finally all dressed up. Mira was beautiful, she always had been...wearing the traditional outfit and nicely applied makeup, she could easily be mistaken as a model from Page 3. At the age of twenty-one, freshly graduated from the college and a dating marathon machine, she always had to stay prepared, we never knew when the right person came along.

Her only aim in life had been to marry some rich guy and settle in some foreign country, and never return to India, to never look back in the past or take care of anyone else but her. She didn’t want to marry for love or family, she had always dreamt of travelling, seeing the world and experiencing everything at least for once in a lifetime. And she understood her situation and obstacles, that those dreams of hers would never come true in a conservative country like India and a middle-class family like ours. She was a good student, scored pretty good grades in all her exams to be able to add them in her tab to attract the attention of such rich easy targets.

“Holy Hell!! We will be late.” I panicked once again, remembering how pissed my mother would be if we didn’t meet them soon at the station. We would be taking the train today which would be some three hours journey. My parents left an hour early to get the tickets and pick up my cousin on the way.

“Yeah. That we will be, and if you are done with you day dreams, we should hurry before Mom decides to come back and drag us by our ears. You know what? I will tell her about your occasional day-dreaming to her today, it will save us from the scolding part.” She grinned while picking up her purse.

What?? She took an hour to beautify herself and now she would put me forward as a scrape-goat to save her head. Bi*** Oh Gosh! Mother’s stupid rule, I can’t even curse or swear until I reach the age of eigtheen...who was she kidding? Seriously?

I opened my mouth to tell her it was entirely her fault but decide to save it for later.

“Listen, tell her whatever you want to save your own pretty ass, I don’t care. But to do that, you have to, at least, reach there.” I replied in a serious tone,” I am leaving now with the bags. You lock the door and don’t forget to pull the gate downstairs, I am taking the alley. Take whichever way you want but be there within five minutes, and if you don’t I will leave without you. Is that clear?”

"Wait," She called as I turned to leave.

“ What?” I snapped without turning back, please God don’t let her tell that she broke her nail or heels, we would never make it to the station even by the night then.

“I have to return this book” she stood in front of me waving a fashion magazine, "To Diya.We will be returning late tonight, and she needs it today. She texted me, she is downstairs waiting, I will go and give this to her, you can secure the house and we will leave together.”

Great!! She won’t even do this much. I should have known she feared to damage her expensive manicured nails while pulling the main gate. Could the day be any worse? I stood there dumbstruck while her heels clicked on the concrete floor while she walked way without even hearing my answer.

I fought harder to hold back my tears, 'I am strong, I am strong, I am strong.' I kept chanting it as a mantra to calm myself. At Five-feet-five, on the side of slim build and asymmetrically chopped hair, I looked more like an adolescent boy rather than a fifteen-year-old girl. My outfits helped even more, since childhood I had preferred plain T-shirts and baggy short or faded jeans.

Being closer to Samir, my cousin...I adapted his traits more than anyone else. He was not only my brother but everything, only a few years elder to me, he was everything I wanted in a brother. Once, I even believed us to be as twins with few physical differences.I thought even twins had some dissimilarities...right?

Since my childhood, I always wanted to stay with him and the thought was mutual, but as our houses were quite far from each other's, neither of our parents let us, apart from holidays. He knew everything about me, and never for once we kept secrets from each others..this year after he graduated from his high school, he took admission to a college in the city near our house and stayed in a hostel within the campus. My joy had no boundary, my parents loved him as their own son, and I was asked to promise not to leave behind all works and studies to be with him, then he would be allowed to stay with us for every weekend. I swore on my life for studying harder and not to compromise or put my education in danger, and since then my grades had rather improved.

 My parents were very strict about our education and always made us have the best for it, proper schooling and tutors. With Mira, being a top in the class and me with fair grades, they never had to worry much, yet always made sure to remind us that how much our education would be needed at the time of securing a job. With both my parents working for good governmental posts we were pretty sufficient, yet our parents never brought us up lavishly rather only the necessities, they feared us to be spoilt and not be independent and stable on our own feet. They made a little exception for Mira, as she always was the typical 'girly girl' and with being the eldest child in the family and a topper she was given a monthly allowance for her little 'beautifying things'. She never let her that side effect her studies, and with growing age, all girls in their twenties do spend time looking after themselves, so it was nothing unusual. We had been always closer until recently, when she according to me started behaving a bit different and was being alienated from me for some reasons, I don’t quite understand.

With the absence of her, my bonding with Sam had strengthened, and when we were together we're pretty inseparable.We were of same heights and build, with same hair cuts, strong jaw lines and choice of clothes we look close to twins, while he has jet black hair and fair complexion, mine is light brown thick curls with olive skin-tone. Our best features lay in his straight greek nose and my piercing hazel eyes. Maybe someday we would officially declare ourselves as twins, let our dream of taking an apartment together and staying as roomies would come true. We both were of similar kinds and maybe one day we would get a place of our own, and start our own families,...and stay just like once my mother had, big joined family, our spouses comfortable with each others, our kids growing up closely with all cousins. Oh! how a girl can, at least, dream of a happy ending!! Damn! What's wrong with me today? I was thinking about marriage and family all of a sudden which I promised never to consider.

I secured all the doors in the house before locking the main gate. I found Mira talking to her friends just across the road.

“I am leaving, follow me or not, your choice,” I left at once not even looking back to check whether she was coming or not. I took long steps down the alley just next to our building which was a short cut to the bus-stop. I checked my phone, there were already few missed calls from my parents and Sam, God they must be so angry. Just then the phone started ringing again, shit!! Mom. What should I do?Either pick it up and lie that I was almost there when I was not, or let it ring and she would tear my head off after I reach for not picking up the phone. She hated when the calls were let unanswered, she surely cared a lot about our safety, and she never called Mira when she was with me, cause her phone was always unreachable due the reasons still unknown to the whole mankind probably.

I decided to go with “pick up the phone and lie” because, at least, she won’t be worried all the time.

“Mom...I” and before I could say anything more, I slammed against a wall.  Ouch!!
I had been traveling through this alley since forever when did the municipal decide to put a wall in the middle of the road. I dropped my phone and our bags, and as I myself was about to stumble backward and fall on my ass, two long arms wrapped around to save me from embarrassing me in front of all the people.

Wow! A wall with arms! Most fascinating wonder in the world. Shit!! I must have hit my head hard, maybe I was dreaming or about to faint. Yet the warm embrace from the wall was so comforting and most surprisingly I felt safe in here. The arms were secured to my back, my face buried in against the wall, oh!! I could feel the wall rising up and down, and the arms tightening their grip on me, as if unwilling to let go. and to be honest I didn’t want to let go either. For some reason I felt safe, I liked the painfully tightened embrace and all I could smell was a mixture of warmth and love..which felt like Home.

“Amy!?” an alarming tone of Mira, brought me back from my reverie and I pushed against my captivator to free myself.

“Are you alright?” A stern male voice, cold as winter sent a shiver down my spine and I stopped my struggling immediately with my eyes still closed and head down. Even behind the beautiful, strong strange masculine voice, I could feel the genuine concern.

That wasn’t a wall...Holy shit!! I bumped against a man’s chest and mistaken it to be a wall. Who was he? With such firm and strong ripped chest and those alluring and captivating arms, and now the nerve-wracking voice. Did God decide to pay me a visit all by himself?

I opened my eyes, still not looking up, I saw a pair of dress shoes, Damn!!It had to be those?! How much I wanted them for myself? But unfortunately, they didn’t make these for girls. And there was, this strange man standing in front of me, in the fine pairs of shoes I had ever seen and even before understanding all, I could feel the twitch in my knickers and sudden moan escaped my throat even before I could stop myself.

“Oh!”

I heard a dark chuckle from my savior as if he could read me mind or feel the wetness pooling between my legs. When did all this started happening to a girl of fifteen who prefer being like a boy her entire life? I had sex-education classes and read a lot of adult stuff already, to know what a girl or rather a woman feels when...well you know. I shook my head to stop fantasizing about stuff that came naturally to me, even though I didn’t want them to. For me, those were gross and never before today I understood or felt anything so like it. So those things were not Myths? I asked myself.

“No.” The voice replied. What ? Did he just...He just read my mind or OH my god...did I say all those loudly in front of a stranger and my...Mira. Sweet Jesus!

I sprung me head up immediately to look at ...And the time stopped.

Those were the most captivating blue eyes I had ever seen, And I lost myself in them,  for literally I had no slightest idea how long we stood staring at each other before Mira pulled me away by my arms. And at once, I felt lost, with the distance between us, a sudden emptiness eclipsed upon me, the warmth lost, the feeling of safe and homely was all blurred.

Somehow I couldn’t remember exactly where but I'd read, Christ had blue eyes. If I didn’t believe it back then, now I do. He indeed, had.. towering over a foot taller than me, lean yet well built with broad and firm shoulders, strong chest and narrow waist. Even the plain white shirt couldn’t hide all the well-defined muscles beneath. He had a straight sharp nose and most a perfectly carved face. His eyebrows frowned and thin lips were pressed together to hide something or as if he was brooding over something or simply bit disgusted by me. I could see a disbelief in his eyes as if he had seen a ghost or someone he loathed.

His expression struck me hard on my face like a slap, OMG!! He must think I intentionally bumped against him, of course, he thought that. Wasn’t that what any Indian did, seeing some handsome foreigner? Becoming overexcited, trying to make conversation or seduce them, no doubt in that, I have seen my sister to do that a number of times. It was not that foreign tourists were rare in Kolkata, and some shallow people did try to seize every opportunity for their own selfish needs. No matter what, after all this time of independence, foreigners, all the white skins, did look down upon Indian just the same- as greedy, opportunist and bragging minors.

 The realization was an eye opener for me, the feeling with which I was intoxicated only a few minutes ago was lost immediately. I decided to apologize and leave as soon as possible.

But for some reason, I couldn’t move, as if I was glued to the ground..and the adhesive was not a simple one.

“Hey!! I am Mira.” Mira came forward to make acquaintance with the stranger. Not again, I had to drag her from here before, she decided to do something stupid. He didn’t even bother looking away from me to notice at her. His gaze was piercing through as if he could see my soul.

“I..” I cleared my throat before continuing bravely” I am so sorry.” Then I bent down to pick up my phone and bags, lying near his feet. Huh!! What a douche!! Didn’t even offer his help for picking the items...rather stood there watching a lady struggling to gather up the things. Even Mira didn’t help me, and of course, I didn’t expect her to.

Then it hit me...Lady?? when did I start considering myself as a lady? Okay, the Man was totally messing with my mind and conscious. I rose without even looking at him again, “Let’s go.” I pulled her by her arm “Excuse us.” I walked passed him while He stood like a statue without even moving an inch from his place.

We took only a few steps when..

“Wait,” He called out. His voice simply sounded cold and clearly it was an order, not any request. Even with his rudeness still lingering around, I couldn’t help myself from stopping at an instant.Mira stopped beside me as well. I felt a bit afraid to turn and face him for the reason I didn’t quite understand. I felt him taking steps towards me, his steps weren't loud, they were rather silent but something in me told he wanted my...

“Help” He came and stood in front of us. I forced myself to look up at his face and to not be surprised as I found his expression softened. The frowned face just a few time back was put forward with a heart-warming and sexy smile. Huh!! Such an actor.

He immediately shifted his gaze from me to Mira.” Hello! My name is Nick.”

“Hello, Nick. Nice to meet you.” I could hear the amusement in Mira’s tone, God she was hitting on him already.
"I am Mira." Not him, Please. But what was it to me? Why did it bother me? He was a nobody. Nick’s eyes flickered towards me once more before returning to Mira as she continued, “And this is Amy, my sister.”

He looked at me and smiled. I could clearly see him struggling to fake that smile at me. What’s wrong with him? Was I some kind of a monster to him? He didn’t even know me or maybe the tom-boyish look of mine made him disgusted and uninterested in me. Why did I even care what he thought of me?

“Amy.”  He took my name. Just my name and I were about to melt. I could give up all to hear him say my name over and over again..even if that was the last thing happening before I die or the ground opened up then and there and swallowed me whole. Just to hear him take my name at least for once...I could surrender at his feet and serve him all my life.

I faked a smile “I think we should leave now. It’s getting....” and before I could finish my sentence.

“Will you help me find this address? I am new in the neighborhood.” Then he shoved his hands into his black slack’s pocket and brought out a folded paper, motioning it towards me. Mira snatched the paper before I could even register what was actually happening.

“ Oh! Of course. It’s on our way. You can come with us, I will show you the place.” Her voice was full of enthusiasm as if she found her life’s goal finally. He still didn’t look away from me.

“Listen, Mira, we are already late, please let’s leave now. Sorry, Sir..”I stopped myself immediately, did I just call him Sir..? His lips curved up into a sexier grin after hearing me address him as Sir. Well, of course, clearly he was elder than me...at least, by ten years was what I guessed...that didn’t mean I had to call him as Sir...it sounded just so old and odd.

“Don’t be silly, Amy. This house is just near the bus stop, and we are on our way there.” She scolded me a bit and turned to Nick,” C’mon Nick. It’s only a couple of minutes walk. By then we can talk a little more. So what’s bring you here?” She asked him as they walk away from me.

 I stood dumbstruck until he looked back over his shoulder to see whether I was following. Mira was continuously jabbering something to him. He saved me today, now it was my turn to return the favor, and save him from the greedy glare of my sister before she could force herself to him. We had always been taught to treat our guest well, and of course, Nick was new in here, and a guest not only to my city but the whole country. I walked hurriedly to catch up with them, I followed them like a stray puppy, as my sister continued with her nonstop talking. I hardly found Nick to answer her questions...and even if he did..it was never more than a few words. A few minutes with her, I, her own blood relation got irritated so I could totally understand his condition, yet he said nothing nor did he stop her.

The man was so complicated, at one time cold, rude and heartless, then again such sweet and concerning, patient yet in control and not flirty at all. I had seen many boys and men talking nonsense and tolerating Mira to get a chance with her. Her beauty and boldness always attracted people to a great extent. But not Nick. It seemed He was different.

“Guys? Could we walk a little faster or race probably..we are going to be real late.”I said with an intention that it would stop Mira.of course, she hated to walk fast or jog...and it would shut her up as she was terrified of even hearing about it.

“Amy!?” her voice clearly sounded scared. My plan worked.

“Sure, why not?” Nick took the hint. I was quite surprised at first as I was only half-serious about it. Why would he take me up a race? It was clear enough that he would win no matter what. With those long legs and god-like strength, there’s no way I would be able to compete him even for a minute.
”Let me take those bags for you. It would be easier for you.” He took the bags from my grip and hung them over his shoulder.Huh...where did this new version of him come from?

“ I am...You are...I mean we are just closer by...we can ...walk.” I swallowed hard and paused a number of times before finishing the line.

“That’s okay, tough girl. Let’s race. One...two..” his voice alarmed.

“No..i mean..”

“Three..” he raced away...well actually slowly jogging, giving me a chance to catch him up.

“ Hey!! You...”I ran after him” cheated.” I had to put up all my strength and energy to compete. As I struggle with my breaths, he casually jogged beside me without any difficulty at all. I tried not to glance at him, through the corner of my eye, he was such a distraction, even wearing dress shoes he could run like a pro. He had rolled up his sleeves which showed the perfectly toned muscle of his forearms.
 We raced on the road, through several turns and alleys, and I finally stopped a few yards ahead the main road, and so did he.

My breathings had already thickened, and I was all drenched in sweat as if I am freshly out of the shower. I bent down placing my palms on my thighs and taking in as much as oxygen as possible, my lungs were already on fire. Oh, I always tried to stay fit, and running a few miles every day and taking yoga classes. Yet running with him was something else. It was like I was running for my life, I could have easily stopped earlier if I wanted yet I didn’t, that would have made me look weak in front of him. He had clearly won the race, as I quitted earlier than him and much before reaching the main road.

“You've got skills.” he asked standing beside me, there was not even the slightest break in his voice after running ”Are you a runner?”

“I...yeah!...No. Actually, I run everyday for a couple of miles” I paused in between to take my breaths” I like being fit.”
 I looked up, hands on my waist to stretch a bit. He had already opened the top two buttons of his skirt, the collar around his neck was bit damped with his own perspiration, with the sleeves rolled up, our bags hanging on his shoulders he looked divine. How did a man like him even exist? I tried to take my eyes off him, when I found him looking straight into mine, I failed. His eyes dropped to my breast and stopped. Sweating like that my bra must be clearly visible under my white t-shirt, more awkward when I could feel my nipples hardening against  it, could he...Oh no!! My shirt was clinging to my skin like a second layer, of course, he could see my arousal through...I pulled the shirt front clutching it at its base to separate it from my skin.

He chuckled seeing me do such a silly thing, my cheeks immediately were heated. I needed something to cover me, I asked him for our bags, he returned them. I had one on my back and one in front, it might seem funny but it was then the right thing to do. I hated being caught up in awkward and uncomfortable situations.

“Thanks,” I said, “We should leave...” Then it hit me ...we had left Mira behind, I turned to find her nowhere around.” Christ! She is gonna be so pissed.” I pushed the hair from my face with both my palms in frustration.

“That she’s going to be.” He laughed. How dare he? I gave him a cold look.

“This is all your fault” I blamed him at once” we shouldn’t have been running like that. She hates running and moreover she was wearing heels. I left her behind for your stupid race.”

“My race?” He said still laughing” It was your idea.”

“I just said it to save...” you from my sister’s greedy and annoying torture. I wanted to say it over his face but decided not to.” I just did it to stop her nonsense talks.” 

“I should thank you for that then, I don’t wanna sound rude, but no doubt your sister is a great talker.”

“Oh! That she is” I laughed. Then I stopped. What was he doing to me? I was making fun of my own sister, with a stranger.”But we really didn’t need to race, of course, it was known you would win.” My anger had lessened a little.

“But if we didn’t, you would have never come with me.” His voice suddenly serious again. The word just hit my mind and I stared at him. I hoped he meant it in the obvious sense. “ You are tougher than you look, You should hold onto this habit.” He continued as if he just ordered me to do it.

“Well...I plan to.”I managed to say” Show me the address. I didn’t get a chance before to look at it.” I said putting forward my right hand towards him. 

‘Oh, that’s with your sister. I forgot to take it back before racing you.”

“Do you, at least, remember it? I can show it to you.” I struggled to turn to my side to grab the water bottle from the backup behind me.

As if knowingly, he grabbed it and passed it to me
”Thanks.” I said before opening and drinking straight from it. I was so exhausted that I almost finished the water. Once I am done, he grabbed it from my grip and finished the remaining.

 Did he just do that or am I dreaming?

“What?” He asked when he found me staring at him in shock with my mouth hanging open.

“You just had water from my bottle.”

“I did,” He said returning the empty bottle to me” Well, I was thirsty too.”

“ But....I had...I drank from it.”

“Yeah! I saw that.”

“ No, I mean..we shared the same bottle.” I couldn’t exactly find the right words to say” Does that mean we indirectly kissed?” Even before I could stop the words darted out of my mouth. Oops!! ” I mean...I didn’t..mean it...like that..” I stuttered.

 He stared at me in amusement, his sexy grin on his lips” Maybe. Does it bother you?”

He didn’t just ask me that? Or did he?

“ No” I stopped” I mean..yes.” I shook my head to find my self-control. He was totally messing with me.

“So did I,” He said lowering his eyes.” I wished it was on those pretty lips instead” he murmured to himself as if not wanting me to listen.

I froze. As if I forgot how to breathe.He wanted to kiss me. So did I? Then why didn’t he?

“Amy,you’re biting your lip” his eyes flickered to my lips and then back to my eyes. I didn’t even know I was doing that until he mentioned it.

I stopped. “ I didn’t know...I was doing it.” Oh! Kiss me already..will you? I wondered if he could read my mind or see the desperation on my face, but at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to kiss him. Tasting those lips, feeling his breaths on my skin, his strong arms around my waist or anywhere on my body, I didn’t care. I could sell my soul to have him for once.

Nick closed the distance between us, tilting up my chin, he lowered his head. He was going to kiss me. I closed my eyes, my lips trembling.

“Amy, open your eyes,” He said. Voluntarily my eyes opened to find his lips only a few inches than mine, his eyes locked with mine.He smells like mint and lime from close, his breaths warm against me, his voice like a drug to me and to hear him call my name, again and again, was like a dream come true.

“Amy!” A known male voice called me from behind and Nick stopped in his action, I turned to find Sam standing.

“Sam?”I cleared my throat removing every trace of ecstasy from my voice” You’re in here!”

“ You were late. You weren’t even picking up your phone. I was worried. I came to find what happened.” Sam said his eyes moving from me to Nick and then back.

Nick stood behind me, almost touching my back with his front. God!! What was he thinking? I moved away immediately  before Sam could say anything inappropriate, it struck me that I was about to kiss a stranger I just met that morning in the middle of the road, giving a public show for all. There were already few people gather around and staring at us.

“I...my phone” oh I didn’t even know where my phone was.”I think i..”

“Here it is” Nick handed me my phone, how did he have it?  Is he frowning at me? What's his problem? He stared at Sam with an angry glare.

“Thank you, Nick.” I took it from him. “ Nick this is my cousin, Samir. Sam, Nick.” I introduced them, I knew nothing more about Nick, what else could I say...

Sam, this is Nick, a stranger I just met and was about to kiss him. Or meet my new friend, Nick...we just met this morning. Or He is just new in the neighborhood I was helping him find an address.

Where was Mira when she was needed most. She could have made up a thing and Sam wouldn't have given any shit about what she thought and probably would forget this whole awkward meeting.

“Hello! I am Nicholas Bennett” Nick offered his hand toward Sam smiling. See he had definitely got something going on in his head.

“Nice to meet you. I am Samir Roy. Amy’s brother.”There was a certain protective and brotherly tone in Sam's voice. They shook their hands. Something felt awkward, seeing two of them acquainting as if a hidden cold-war was in action. Men!!

They let go each other's hands. Nick turned towards me. “Amy, Have a safe journey. I will call you later.” He took my right hand and placed a small kiss on the back of the palm. Ah!! His lips. So desirable. So soft. So beautiful.

Then he turned and walked away, where I stood to stare at his back. 

Sam cleared his throat, and I turned to face the music.

“Sam. I can explain..” He stopped me in between with a wicked smile.

“Who was that?”

“Don’t even ask. “ I said before turning back in the direction Nick went. I realized then the man with whom I felt a strange connection, was gone...and I was probably never gonna see him ever again.

“You like him..don’t you?” There was no anger or disgust in Sam’s voice. I thought him to be mad at me for the public stunt I...we..pulled but instead, he seemed genuinely interested to know the answer and no trace of judgment in his tone to be found.

“ That’s an understatement.” I swallowed hard. I'd never ever lied to Sam. So better the truth to be unveiled ” I think I am in love with him.”