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Rana ran his finger on the string that wrapped his arm. “I think I was eight maybe when I fell into a spell of anger. I was upset about everything and everyone. I got into a lot of fights at school, and my mom took me to see a guru. That man told me a story, which I can’t remember to save my life, but he sent me home with some kind of a metal bracelet that over the years, ended up being a thread.”
“Interesting.” She couldn’t imagine such a chilled guy with anger issues. “Can’t imagine you as an angry kid. You seem pretty cool.”
“That I told you I was,” he stated and added, “What’s with the vintage men’s watch?”
Nami was surprised by his question. She didn’t even think anyone noticed her dad’s watch he had gifted to her for her sixteenth birthday. “Oh, it’s my dad’s from his college days, and I grew up fascinated by it. When he asked me what I wanted for my sweet sixteen, this is what I asked for.” She paused, thinking of her family and how much she missed them. “I keep the watch on so I don’t miss them too much.”
“You’ve got good taste.” He looked at the watch. “That’s a Rolex Daytona, right?”
She smiled, nodding. “And you know your watches too.”
“Somewhat… so what’s the deal with you? Why didn’t you join at the beginning of the year?” He kept his gaze away from her as if she affected him too.
Not wanting to bore him with her saga of not being able to apply because of past rivalries, she kept it simple. “I’m here as an exchange student from Cambridge.”
“Good. For how long?”
“One semester for now, but hopefully, a good project will buy me an extension.” She hoped she didn’t sound desperate.
“What’s your plan?” They were almost at the top of the lighthouse, and she didn’t respond immediately since she was blown away by the breathtaking view.
“This is so beautiful. Great location.” She was out of breath.
He only nodded in response and didn’t ask anything as if waiting for her to catch her breath. “Now that I think about it, I should have chosen a sport instead of an internship at the boxing arena.” Her fitness levels had dropped over her first semester at Cambridge where she slogged to get into the exchange program. She needed to get back to her dancing.
His eyes dazzled in response. “You a boxer?”
She laughed at his question. “I meant for my athletic credit I chose to work at the boxing arena.”
“Oh, how so?” He seemed intrigued.
She shrugged. “I want more time for my architecture project, and all other sports require me to spend a few hours a day on the field, and I know I’ll be too exhausted to do anything with the project.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Interesting trade-off. But why boxing?”
She blushed and wondered if she should share the real reason. “Will you judge if I tell you why?”
He let out a laugh. “Who the heck am I to judge? It’s your choice.”
“Good. Thank you. I did it because it was the least intensive from a physical workout perspective.”
“Fair enough and—” He looked away when they heard footsteps. “Great, our food is here. Let’s eat, and I will show you an escape route in the lighthouse.
“I can’t wait.”
How did the guy know how to get her so excited?
A few hours later, she clung to him as they rode back along a winding road. She had an amazing few hours with Rana as they talked about everything under the sun. She even ended up discussing her project, and he suggested a few areas to research. She had the best time ever on the date. A strange anxiety started as he pulled up in front of her housing unit.
Will she see him ever again? Should she ask for his phone number?
Don’t complicate things! The pragmatic side of her said loud and clear.
She hopped off the motorbike, taking off her helmet and handing it to him. “I had a great time.”
He nodded, taking off his helmet and running his fingers through the sexy messed-up hair. “I did too.” He paused as if to get a read on her. “If you want to chat further about your project, your cousin, Ramya, has my phone number.”
“Sure.” She blushed at the somewhat subtle way he was asking her to keep in touch. She liked that.
