Ruined Date

Honestly, coming on this movie date might have been a terrible idea.

Riyansh's face lit up by the dim light from the screen, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He was next to me and yet I felt so far away. It was as if I had left a part of myself back home—not a part, but all of me. My body was here, seated next to Riyansh, but my mind... it was still on Rakshit.

What was wrong with him today? Why was he acting so weird? I couldn't think of anything else, everything was a blur.

"I'm excited for this movie," Riyansh whispered, leaning in slightly.

"Me too, " I said, and smiled. Pretended. Why? For whom?

The movie had just started, so I sat there, eyes fixed on the screen like I was going for an exam. But Riyansh had other plans. From the corner of my eye, I could see his hand slowly moving towards mine. My heart started thumping like background music in a movie, but I pretended to be oblivious, eyes fixed on the screen like my life depended on it.

And then—

Woooow, that's so romantic! someone in the back row yelled.

Wait a minute. I know that voice.

Panic surged through me as I quickly turned around.

Oh. My. God.

But there he was, Rakshit, reclining like a king on his throne, drinking a jumbo soda, completely at ease.

"Rakshit? What are you doing here? " I hissed, my eyebrows rising.

"Come on, I am here to dance , " let's dance okay ,he said, taking a long sip.

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck in the back of my head. This is NOT funny.

'I came to watch the movie, obviously. I had heard a lot about it, ' he said, shrugging. He looked at me and then at Riyansh, and a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. 'But what a surprise! What are you doing here? With someone else? '(like he is all unaware of it )

What a dramebaaz..I must say .

He tipped his hat at Riyansh, who, at least, still had social decency.

"Hey Rakshit, how are you, man?" Riyansh greeted him politely.

Rakshit lit up. 'Dude, if you wanted to go for a movie, you should have asked me too! ' He sounded so sincere that for a second I thought Riyansh might actually apologise for leaving him out.

And then, because this is my life, Rakshit jumped over the seats, landed beside us, pushed Riyansh aside like it was his right and sat between us.

I could sense Riyansh's irritation beside me. His date was being overrun by a man-child who behaved like a giant toddler. Weird? Absolutely. Fun? Absolutely.

But I had to give it to him—Riyansh handled Rakshit with a great deal of calm and patience. If that was his real nature, I had to say he was a real gentleman. He must have been a saint to put up with Rakshit's lunacy.

Oh man! If you were going to take her on a date you should have asked me for help! Rakshit leaned close to Riyansh, almost like sharing some secret. 'No one knows Radhya better than me. I know everything about her. You know what? She doesn't even like movies, grand dates, or fancy stuff—'

And in a second, he grabbed Riyansh's popcorn bucket and put it on his lap like it was his birthright.

"Stop fabricating stuff! " I snarled, watching Rakshit sip at my soda, also swiped.

"No, really, she's just shy! First date nerves! " Rakshit exclaimed, loudly. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. 'Honestly, I have my doubts if she even likes guys... '

My jaw dropped. 'What are you talking about?! ' I shrieked, I couldn't take his nonsense any more.

Hey, lady! We're trying to see a movie! someone in the back row yelled.

Rakshit smirked. "Radhya, we're going to the movies. You're spoiling our fun. "

Meanwhile, Riyansh—poor, sweet, silent Riyansh—seemed to be doubting his entire existence. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he started to wonder if I was secretly bisexual, considering how epically I had ignored him for days.

And then, to rub salt in my wound, Rakshit lifted his hand and pressed it over mine. 'See? She doesn't like anyone else's touch except mine, ' he said, as if he were conducting a scientific test.

I yanked my hand back, angry now. "What's wrong with you?! "

Riyansh didn't even get a chance to respond when another voice from the row behind us said, "Why are you even here? Just go home! "

That was it. I was done. Completely and utterly done.

I jumped up, slung my purse over my shoulder and tipped my entire popcorn bucket over on Rakshit's lap. 'Enjoy, chump. '

And with that, I stormed out of the theater.

---

"What the hell was that in the theater?! " I slammed the front door, Rakshit following me inside. Riyansh had offered to drop me home, but in my state I had said that I preferred going with Rakshit since he lived in the same house. Damn my dignity.

Riyansh, being the gentleman that he was, nodded, said goodbye, and—before I could even think about it—leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

My heart stopped.

Before I could do anything, before I could even realise that my lungs had stopped working, Rakshit pulled me back and—

Hugged Riyansh.

Alright, goodbye, man! The movie was great, but we couldn't watch it because of Radhya. He said straight faced.

I gasped. "WHAT?!"

Riyansh looked puzzled, I looked murderous, Rakshit just smirked and wrinkled his nose at me.

---

I didn't talk to him the whole way home. But the minute we walked in the door I snapped.

"What the hell was that?!! " I kicked off my heels and turned to face him, hands on my hips.

He shrugged. 'What do you mean? Why did you even go out with him? And in that dress? '

I looked at him blankly. 'What do you mean 'that dress'? Everyone wears normal clothes! ' I bellowed, furious. 'And this was MY date, you fucking moron! '

His jaw clenched. "You're not dating him."

I blinked. "Excuse me?!"

Before I could think what to do he took my wrist and pulled me close.

"Not him, " he said, his voice low and savage. "Not any other man. Okay? "

My throat constricts, my heart pounds against my skin. I push on his chest but he doesn't budge.not even an inch .

This was new. This was dangerous.

"Rakshit…" I whispered, my lips trembling. My legs suddenly felt weak.

But before I could complete my sentence.....

He pinned me against the wall. His lips crashed onto mine. The world spun. My hands clenched into his shirt, and all I could feel was the heat, the intensity, the sheer madness of it all.

Then ---

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!"

Aaliyah's voice shattered the moment like a sledgehammer.