Chapter １７- Horse ride.

Alex's POV.

"You helped her father, and I am proud of you for that but why do you need to stick her to yourself Alex!" Mom said sitting next to me on the bed.

"Mom, I paid for her father's operation as a form of debt." I replied, "She is not a type of a girl to accept charity. She is a girl with self respect."

"Oh son! I don't like her at all nor Daisy like her please just get rid of her as soon as you can. "

"You know thats not possible. For your sake I got engaged to Daisy but-"

"But what Alex!"

I let out a heavy sigh and confessed, "I am not happy with her. I don't think I can spend rest of my life with her."

Mother jumped off the bed and gaped at me with exasperation. 

"Dare you think like that Alex! You know how important this relation is for us, for our family. I beg you not to ruin everything."

"Everything will be ruined if I marry her!" I hissed before rushing in the washroom.

Banging the door behind my back, I punched it hard. I felt my knuckles feeling sore but it was the only soreness that helped to overcome the soreness of my heart.

"Alex." She knocked on the door and said, "I had worked for years to reach this position please don't break everything in a moment."

How can my own mother force me in a marriage for the sake of her status!

——

Twirling amidst the fields, I saw Sasha, dressed in a cut of denim shorts and a lacy off the shoulder white top, complementing her milky white skin. Her hair twirling with her. The smile on her face was enough to make me flatter. The sky started drizzling as she spread her arms wide, closing her eyes and feeling each drop percolate in her skin. Something in me forced me to step out the shade and walk towards her. Covering her palm with mine, I pulled her closer to me. By the sudden movement, her body fell on my chest, as her other hand gripped my shoulder. Her oceanic eyes wide opened at me as her peachy lips were left open. I placed a finger below her chin and pushed it a little, closing her mouth. 

"Close your mouth or else a mosquito will enter in."

She pouted at me before pushing 

 me away and walking towards the shade.

I followed her back like a puppy behind her master. 

"Wanna meet the farm animals?"

She probed and nodded excitedly. 

I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and marched in the shed. 

She rushed towards the stable and patted Chen, a white horse. 

"Wow. He is so cute. I am already in love with him."

I chuckled as she jumped up with excitement. 

"His name is Chen."

"Chen." She mused, "Nice name sweet heart."

I opened the stable door and took her inside, "And this is Ron." I patted my best friend. He have a shiny brown body with silky black manes. He was the most handsome horse of this town.

"He looks strong." She commented picking up the grass and feeding him.

"He is the strongest of all. He is mine!" I stated proudly. 

" Can I have ride?" 

"Now? It's raining, the land is wet. I don't think it's safe for you to ride now."

Her face fell as she formed an okay.

Pressing the bridge of my nose, I gave her a nod, "Fine but only if you are ready to ride with me! I can't let you ride alone now!" 

I agreed because I can't see her sad. 

"Fine." She clapped as I unroped Ron and got ready for a ride.

I jumped on its back and offered my hand to her. 

"Don't you need a saddle." 

I gave her a lopsided smile and shook my head. She hesitated a little but then held my hand and tried to jump up but couldn't.

Bending a little, I trapped her tiny waist and pulled her up, she squealed after landing on my lap. I kissed her forehead lightly before gripping her thigh and adjusting her on the horse. I could feel her body stiffening at the touch. I still have an effect on her. I grinned proudly after pulling the wig as the horse started to walk. I did a quick session of walking, paddling a and halting to see if Sasha is comfortable with the bareback horse ride. When I was satisfied, I took the reins and head towards the start.

"Remember one thing Sasha. No matter whatever happens don't squeeze your lower leg or ankle on the horse's sides. Okay?"

She gave a nod. "Do you trust me?"

She looked back at me as our faces were so close, dangerously close.

SASHA'S POV.

I peeked into his green eyes, I could feel the clouds reflecting on them. He brought his face closer to mine and whispered once again, "Do you trust me Sasha?" If it was a different situation I would have said a no, but now I was hypnotized in the forest of his eyes. "Yes." I murmured, though I totally hated my answer but it wasn't lie. Whenever I am endangered J can't think of anyone else then him. 

"Than let's go!" He whisper-yelled and pulled the rein. The horse sped up instantly as I let out a screech. As we were on for a bareback horse ride, I had nothing to hold on to, under the pressure of excitement, fear and thrill I involuntarily placed my hand on his. He had the rein held in either hand. Sensing my fear, He snapped both the ends of the rein in his right hand and encircled his left one on my waist, pulling me closer to him. I could feel his hard body. The situation became turned more thrilling for me as my skin was on fire. The horse neighed and jumped through the roughy road. I squeezed my eyes, holding his hand on my waist tighter. I felt the strong wind blowing my hair and drizzles shivering my skin. I felt ecstatic. It was better than I thought. Damn! It is thrilling. He passed through trees, on mountains and I couldn't just get enough of it. 

He pulled the rein harder as the horse neighed, taking a willy. I crushed in his chest as he stood firm, having control on the horse as well as me. 

I laughed my heart out. The fear was taken away by excitement. I had never felt as happy as today, as secured as with him. 

The horse sprinted again straight on the mountain. In a distance I could see the cliff. 

"Do you trust me Sasha!" Yelled Alex over the voice of wind and rain. The drizzles had turned into heavy pouring. Thunders could be heard. I glared at the cliff ahead. We were getting closer and closer to the cliff. I was scared that the horse won't be able to control himself and we may fall in the cliff.

"Alex stop him." I yelled as we were close to the dead end.

"Do you trust me!" I get my heart pounding. Closing my eyes, I held her hand tighter and nodded, "Yes. I trust you." I murmured and open my eyes as the horse sprinted towards the dead end, when I felt we were going to roll in the cliff, he handled the rein and the horse took a willy. Ron's fore legs were in the air and J crushed to Alex's back. My head slumped on his shoulder as he hold me protectively. The horse took a turn. And stopped at the end of the cliff. I looked down and my eyes fell out in awe. 

"This is my town." Alex stated proudly, "You can see the whole town from this peak."

I flicked my eyes as it was a heart taking sight. The sun was about to set as the setting sun rays reflected in the flowing river.

"It's so beautiful."

And that is our house, he pointed towards the house that looked small from here. It was covered by the flower gardens and fields. It was the house placed in the best part of the town. 

"Our?" I snapped back at him.

"Sasha. I am happy that you still trust me." He mourned, "I know my engagement had left you devastated but please try to put yourself in my shoe. I know I should have informed my best friend about my engagement but the truth is it all happened so fast, and I didn't knew how to tell you about it. I thought I will talk with you when we meet and trust me I had no idea how to react."

He paused for a brief second and then placed his chin on my shoulder, "I know I should find you and clear things it's you but after what I saw in the apartment, I was disturbed. I felt ashamed of myself, I  couldn't forgive myself. And didn't had enough courage to face you."

His fingers drew circles on my thigh, making me hard to concentrate on his words.

The sky had already turned darker and sun had vanished. I don't know for how long we stood there, drowned in our thoughts. 

I was feeling a hollow in my heart. My mind was blank. I couldn't think of anything. I just fell numb. 

He tapped his fingers and in an instant the lights flickered and the town fell in complete darkness. I frowned and in a second the town was partially lit and in a special way. I could read Sorry, through the lightings. My heart dipped in and I just couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the surprise. 

"I am sorry Sasha. Can you forgive me and give me my friend back."

I was frozen. I wanted to react but my voice was stuck in my throat. My whole body felt paralyzed. I just looked down at my hands, fidgeting with my fingers. After few minutes of my silence I felt him taking a sigh and turning the horse. 

"Never mind you don't need to answer."

—-

I sat at the balcony staring outside practically at nothing. His words kept on roaming in my mind and I couldn't help but think about him.

I felt the hollow in my heart deepen but down there I felt that I was blaming him for no reason. While in reality he was not in a complete fault. I lay on the bed trying to sleep. Though my eyes were closed my mind was wide open. 

—-

I glanced at the clock and it was already 3:00. I sat up grumbling. My head hurts and I felt miserable. It had been hours since I was trying to sleep but I couldn't take a single nap. I couldn't push him out of my mind. I breathed harder and stood up, slipping my feet in the soft fur slippers. The house was as silent as a grave yard lit with just the moon light that was reflecting from the windows. I walked towards the main door. Darkness enveloped the whole town. The sound of leaves rustling sang in her ears. Voices of owl and songs of nightingales could be heard. I walked on grass, sniffing the smell of earth. Not a scary nightmare but a pure bliss it was for me.

I walked across the fields caressing the flowers and smiling to myself.

Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder. My heart was in my mouth as I screamed, but my voice was muffled with a palm.