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“Guys, you’re not at war with each other. Try and remember that,” said Yash, wearily.
I snorted under my breath. Much he knew. Aryan and I had been at war with each other for as long as I remembered.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded and pulled my head away from his chest. I felt something at the top of my head, and I wondered if it really was a soft kiss or just wishful thinking on my part. I shot a quick glance at him and he stared at me blankly. My shoulders dropped and I sighed at the extent of my desperation.
Why would Aryan kiss my hair? I needed to get out of here and clear my mind.
“I need some air. See you guys in a bit,” I said and left the ballroom before they could protest.
I knew I was wasting Aryan’s time, but I couldn’t spend one more torturous moment in his arms, pretending to be just friends. I headed straight for the maze, knowing there wouldn’t be anyone there at this time. Not even Zombie, who was off walking the grounds with Nivy and Veer.
I made my way to the centre of the maze and threw myself onto the stone seat. I always came to this spot when I wanted to think about something, but right now, I wanted to do anything but think. I wanted to forget. I wanted to be numb.
My mother had tried to get me to meditate once upon a time because she thought it would help me deal with the trauma of our collective past, but she soon realised that kickboxing was more my speed. It allowed me to work through my grief and anger far better than meditation ever would.
However, as I sat on that stone seat and stared unseeingly at the hedge in front of me, I wished I had learnt how to meditate. How to calm my mind.
I sat there for a few minutes, wondering how I was going to return to the ballroom to finish off the rehearsal. It was beyond me. Just then, I heard footsteps coming towards me. Slow, firm, determined. So typical.
Aryan turned the corner and approached me warily.
“All well?”
I nodded.
“Just needed some air. Can we wind up today’s rehearsal, Aryan? I don’t think it’s working.”
He blew out a deep breath and pulled out his phone.
“Can we try one last time? If it still doesn’t work, we can call it quits with a clear conscience,” he said softly.
The song began playing on his phone and I stared at him questioningly.
“Here?”
“Why not? There’s more privacy than there is in the ballroom. Come on,” he replied, holding out his hand.
I took it gingerly, and he pulled me into his arms.
I didn’t know if it was the fact that we were alone, or if just being there in the maze, and dancing under the stars had cast a spell on us, but it was much better this time.
Aryan was not stiff at all. He held my eyes as he put his right hand on my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulder, and for once, I didn’t feel the compulsion to lead. I softened against him and stared into his eyes, as we began to dance. Gently, softly, perfectly.
He twirled me around and I came back to him, my skin heating wherever it brushed against his. Our thighs grazed against each other. Our fingers entwined. His fingers tightened against my waist as he prepared to dip me, and I followed his lead, leaning back, my hair almost touching the ground. He pulled me up again, and we breathed hard as we smiled at each jubilantly.
The song ended, but we didn’t let go of each other. He took one step closer, as did I.
Maybe it was the moonlight. Maybe it was the madness running in our veins. Maybe it was love.
I raised my face to his. His hand dipped down to the curve of my butt and he pulled me into him as he bent his head and kissed me. I kissed him back.
* * *
ARYAN
Jessie wound her arms around his neck, and he poured his feelings into the kiss, trying to tell her without words everything that he felt for her. It was time they stopped fighting whatever was between them and gave in to it.
