Innocent Temptation

Chapter Five: It's raining

Aira watched Mac disappear down the aisle, a million questions swirled through her mind, each one more elusive than the last. What had happened to the boy she once knew? He used to be aloof but not cold and emotionless like he had been behaving since that day when she had turned sixteen. It was supposed to be the best birthday and a beginning of something beautiful but everything has gone wrong that day so much that she hated her sixteenth birthday to this day.

After that day if someone should be angry, it should be her but he never gave her a chance to be. He always treated her like she was the one at fault, like she was the one who had betrayed him.

With a sigh, Aira shook her head, pushed aside her doubts and uncertainties and reminded herself for the second time that she should not get snared in that web of unreciprocated feelings once again.

As Aira placed her basket on the counter to check out at the bill counter, a sense of contentment washed over her. The mundane task of grocery shopping and meeting almost everyone she knew in the neighbourhood had made her feel like she was truly back home. It didn't matter that one man who resembled a mountain wasn’t happy to see her but everyone else was. Even a little five year old girl was happy to see her, and she'd take that little girl’s admiring gaze as a win over that mountain glaring at her. And, it wasn’t her fault that she slipped. It was a tiled floor and anyone could've slipped.

“Oh, preparing for dessert, are we?” Mr Simmons asked as he put the eggs in a brown paper bag.

“Something like that.” She replied, pulled out her wallet to pay for the groceries. After wishing him good evening, she picked up her bags and made her way out of the store

But as soon as she stepped out of the supermarket, she realized what was waiting for her. Heavy rain fell like a curtain beyond and for a brief moment Aira froze, reminded of that terrifying night. Blinking hard, she focused on the present and pouted as she looked up at the sky. “Really? Couldn’t you wait just until I reached home?”

Of course, no one answered her as she stared up at the dark, brooding clouds overhead. She hated rain. Not only because of that nightmare back in Paris but also because of the way everyone suffered with these heavy showers. She felt like the only people who enjoyed rains were the once living in their mansions and penthouses. In those big buildings, high up in their towers— they are safe in their warm homes, dry and not searching for a shelter, those people liked rain. But what about the animals, people who earned daily wages and people who didn’t have a home to run to. She hated to think about how those people suffered because of rain and cold that came with it.

She didn’t know the exact time she started to dislike rain but it had always brought a sense of unease, a nagging fear in her that made her afraid and all she wanted to do while it rained was to hide under her covers and never get out.

With another furtive glance at the dark sky, she took in a deep breath and was ready to brave the heavy rain and walk home. Dreading getting wet in the downpour, she took a step forward and was pulled back with a strong grip on her elbow. But just as easily that she was tugged back, the hand dropped from her arm at the lightening speed.

Her heart beating fast and uncertainty crowding her mind because who would jerk her back like this. Aira turned to face the person and was once again rendered speechless to find Mac standing there. He said, “Come. I’ll drop you home.”

Aira stared at him, surprised by his sudden offer. “Are you asking or demanding ?” She asked, unable to keep the skepticism out of her voice.

His eyes remained guarded as he met her gaze. “Take it however you want,” he muttered, his tone clipped and brusque.

“Why?”

Mac frowned down at her. “It’s raining.”

“Yeah. I know that, but you don’t look happy about offering me to drop home.”

He looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here as he looked away. He regarded the downpour with a glare before turning that dark glare on her. “I don’t have to be happy to help you.”

“Wh—” She took a step back from him and said, “You know what, I don’t need your help. I’ll wait for the rain to stop or just walk home in it.” Even the thought of walking in the rain made her shudder, she stood her ground and stared back at him.

Mac narrowed his eyes on her and responded, “You hate rain. Just get in the car. We live next door to each other, it’d be stupid to walk home when I’m offering to give you a ride.” For a long minute Aira just stood there and stared back at him. He asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“In all these years… since I was a little girl, you’ve never said more than a few words to me but right now you just said so many. And, how do you know that I hate rain?”

His jaw tightened and he sighed. Instead of answering her or responding to her earlier observation, he questioned, “Are you getting in the car or will I have to make you?”

“I might. If you say it like you mean it.”

A moment passed. “Get in the car, Aira.”

“Hmm. Once again. It still feels like you’d rather I walk home.”

He glared at her, his dark eyes as dark as the clouds above. “Get in the car.”

“Now, see… this time it feels even more rude and cold. Like you are angry to give me the ride.”

“I’ll give you a ride.”

“What—?” He took the grocery bags from her and then easily picked her up and carefully arranged her over his big, wide and thick shoulder. “What are you doing?” She squeaked and was embarrassed to let that sound escape her. “Put me down. You just had to say please and I’d have walked on my own.”

He didn’t answer her, instead the big brute walked quickly to his car and opened the passenger door first to put her inside. He looked at her, met her wide blue eyes and said, “Please, Aira, let me give you a ride home.” Then, he closed to door in her face.

And then, still feeling stunned, she watched as Mac put the bags on the backseat and rounded the car to the driver seat. When he settled in, he started the car and turned the heater on, directing it towards her. He opened the dashboard and pulled out the box of tissues which he held it out to her. “Here.”

Aira gave him a glance and pulled out a few tissues to pat down on her face and hair as she slid back in her seat to sit comfortably. He really have an allergy with words or generally speaking, she thought to herself.

The warm interior made her shoulders finally relax from how they were bunched up when she realized it was raining. She was happy that he had offered to drive her home and saved her from walking through the rain-soaked streets, but still it made her feel uncomfortable to take his help because of how cold he behaved towards her.

The rhythmic sound of the windshield wipers filled the silence between them, punctuated only by the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance as he drove. Aira shifted in her seat when she felt the weight of Mac’s gaze on her as if someone was going to suffocate her with a warm blanket. His attention made her feel equally confused and warm and shivery. And she didn’t know what to make of this sensation that she gets and how her body responds to him.

Unable to handle this suffocating silence, she asked tentatively, “Um, so… how have you been?” Her voice was soft and hesitant as she tried to break the awkward silence that hung between them.

“Fine,” he replied curtly, his tone clipped and devoid of any warmth or emotion.

Aira bit down on her lower lip, feeling a twinge of disappointment at his dry response. She looked out the window and decided to sit silently for the short ride.

But a few minutes later, it was him who spoke and his words made her confused. “I am sorry.”

“For what?” She asked and then followed his gaze to her arm where her skin was still tainted pink from how he had gripped her in the store earlier. “Oh. It’s fine.”

“No. I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that.” His words were hard and self accusing.

She softened her voice and replied, “It’s okay, Mac. I am not hurt.” Without thinking, she put her hand on his where he gripped the steering wheel like he’d break it apart. “You did not hurt me.”

Mac slipped out his hand from underneath hers and having no choice she pulled her hand back to her lap, feeling rejected. “Still, I shouldn’t have touched you.”

Her brows arched up in surprise, but before she could say anything, the car turned in their street and she only shook her head. She’d never understand him. He was a conundrum that had managed to confuse her all her life. She had to stop trying.

He stopped the car in front of her house and then stepped out to get the bags from the backseat. When Aira stood in front of her door, she turned to him and said, “Thankyou.”

Without a word, he handed her the bags and instead of going home, he reversed the car and drove away.

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Author’s Note: I always am grateful for all my readers. And appreciate their comments on the chapters, take suggestions and advices (if any) regarding grammar, story and errors in certain words I must’ve made as English is not my first language. I clearly mentioned that the book has just started and I already have a comment saying SHORT CHAPTER which really bothered me. It's not about the comment, it's the fact that let the book begin.

But to point out that you comment and spend tickets on my books certainly makes you a real fan. Thankyou so much. ♡

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A. Gupta