The Army Love

Chapter 5

Edited

Jeevika

"Jeevika?" he called out.Oh My God! How does he know my name? I turned around and was dumbstruck to see a bleeding Viren standing opposite to me. My ring had made a small cut on his lower cheek.

"Viren! What are you doing here?" I asked. I didn't want to admit but seeing Viren made relief flood through me.

"I should ask that question. I mean at night in this heavy rain, what are you doing?" Viren questioned. Concerned filled his voice.

"um...actually I slept for sometime and when I woke up, it was 8. It was dark plus it was raining heavily. And I came outside to meet my broken scooty." I said.

"Anyways, leave it. Come I'll drop you home." He said while moving to his car. I quietly followed him.

He opened his car door for me and I sat down in the passenger seat. He came back to driver's seat and quickly got inside. The moment he got inside, I sneezed. He looked at me,amused. 

"What?" I asked to which he replied nothing. He then grabbed his coat from back seat and handed it to me.

"Wear it." was all he said.

"Thanks" I said with a smile on my face. He started the engine and we left the office premises.

"I'm sorry!" I said feeling embarrassed.

"For what?" he asked, glancing at me.I shifted my gaze to his bleeding cheek. He understood what I meant to say.

"Never mind!" He smiled his charming smile. I looked at the trees sprinting by in the cold night.

Viren

It was a red light when I thought that I should check upon her. I turned my head to left and a smile came across my face. Jeevika was in deep slumber. It was then when I thought about what happened few minutes ago. When I saw her all drenched in rain. Her hair swaying with the flow of wind. Her face was glowing yet showing tension. Each time she blinked her eyes, when her eyes couldn't take the weight of rain drops. The way she flipped her hair when looking for help. I think I kept staring her for a good 15 minutes. I was so lost in her thoughts that I didn't notice the green light. It was then I came back to reality hearing the noise of horns blaring behind me. I quickly started the car and drove away.

I stopped the car in front of the house whose address Jeevika gave me. I looked at her to see her sleeping peacefully. Though I didn't want to wake her up but I couldn't just carry her in there too. I extended my hand towards her when something hit me. Should I touch her? My mind said I should but my heart said 'no' as what if Jeevika would feel uncomfortable. So I brought my hand back and called out her name.

"Jeevika." She didn't respond. I think she is dreaming something very beautiful that's why there was a smile on her face.

"Jeevika, wake up!" With that she slowly opened her eyes and checked her surroundings. After examining that it was her place, she got out of the car and came to me."Thanks a lot for the lift." She said . A soft smile on her face

"My pleasure!" I smiled back.

With that she started moving towards the door. I started the engine and was about to reverse when she called out.

"Viren!" Don't know why but my heart skipped a beat. I looked back and she was standing near the car. "Yes." very politely, I replied. 

"Give me your hand" she stated.

I was a little confused at what she wanted. Understanding my mind or reading my face, she quickly took my hand and placed something in my hand and closed it with hers. And with that she went to her house which by now was unlocked by her sister. I was so confused but was smiling at her childish act. I opened my fist to see a crushed piece of paper. I opened it and there was a number with a smiley, saying 'thank you'. I smiled to myself and kept the paper securely in my pocket and drove away.

Jeevika

I don't know why but the slightest touch with Viren gives me butterflies in my stomach. It was such a guts me to place that paper in his hand. At least, it was, for me. When I saw him standing in front of me, all my tensions and worries vanished. As if my heart was saying, Don't worry Jeevika, Viren is there. 

Keeping aside all my thoughts, I went to my room to see Anya already sleeping. I went to change and came back to lie down on my side of the bed.

What would be Viren thinking about me?

I mean the way I gave him my number. Have I done anything wrong giving my number to him? No Jeevika, Viren is a very good person. He is trustworthy. Yup,he's trustworthy! Wait! Am I falling for him? No,no,no. It's just an attraction. After all, opposites attract. Pushing my thoughts aside, I stretched my arms and legs and snuggled with Anya. Though it was a tiring day but still at the end,it was amazing!

Next Day

I walk towards my ringing phone on the bedside table. I saw a message from one my friends saying that they will meet me at the Cafe Coffee Day near my office. I happily accepted their offer replying ,'waiting'. I got up from my bed and was taking out my clothes for the day when my phone buzzed again. I thought it was my friend's message but I was wrong. In fact, it was a message from an unknown number.

Hi! -VIREN

Viren here.- VIREN

Can you meet me? -VIREN

I don't know why but even mention of Viren's name gave me butterflies in my stomach and a slight smile.

Of course. - JEEVIKA

Thank you! Let's meet at the cafe coffee day near your office. - VIREN

I waited eagerly for his reply, tapping my foot. near your office. Cafe coffee day! That's where my friends gonna meet me too. I should introduce them to my new friend. Actually my new hot friend. I laughed at my thoughts. I quickly messaged Viren.

Okay. I'll meet you at 12 noon. - JEEVIKA

After texting Viren, I quickly messaged my friends too. And with that I went to washroom.

There's a surprise for you all! - JEEVIKA

Viren

I was waiting for past 10 minutes for Jeevika to come. I know I'm a bit early because it's just 11: 45. I was way too excited to meet her. I don't know it's just an attraction or love. What would be she wearing? Indian or Western? Actually it doesn't matter, she looks beautiful in every outfit. Even in pyjamas! That incident was Awesome! I remembered that night while smiling. I was looking straight at the door, when a girl entered.

Is that Jeevika?

She looked flawless in the red top with dark blue jeans. Her hair which were left open, were coming on her beautiful face. She twirl her face to look around when her hair swayed in the direction. Her long hanging earrings danced between her hair and her neck! She applied little make up but she didn't looked less than a Goddess. Her hand swiftly pushing the door. How I wish if I was at that place and she was pushing me. My smile was growing wider and wider. Sensing that she was standing in front of me, I quickly straightened my face and looked at her. She seemed confused seeing me like this but quickly replaced it with a soft smile. 

"Hi." She greeted with a smile.

"Hi! Please sit." I said. She pushed the chair back and sat down. I broke the pin drop silence between us.

"What would you like to have?" I asked, holding the menu card for her.

"um... What are you having?" she asked. Her eyes going over the starters, main courses, desserts and beverages.

"Ah..just cold coffee. You?" I again asked.

"Same here" she replied with a slight smile.

I ordered our coffees. In mean time, we were talking about our routines when she asked me something that striked me off.

"What do you do?" She asked calmly but my face was showing restlessness.She waved her hand in front of my face to bring me out of my thoughts, wanting me to answer her question.

"I'm an Army officer." I said looking directly in her eyes.I could sense astonishment in her eyes. Her glittering eyes and her little smile.

"You mean you are an army officer!!" she said indicating double inverted commas by her fingers while saying army officer.

"um.. Yes. Unfortunately!" I said moving my eyes away from her face. I wanted to know what she felt about my job.

"What? Are you mad? You are an army officer and you are saying UNFORTUNATELY!!!" She literally screamed making me blink my eyes. "Sorry." she said looking at the people who were looking at us.

"Believe me, I just love army. I always wanted my life partner to be an army officer." she said lost in her dreams.That mean if I would ever propose her, she would marry me without any demand. I smiled to myself. Jeevika seemed amused seeing me.

"I told you this before also" I said.

"You did?" she asked, a little unsure.

"Yes, when you were admitted in hospital after that disaster." I replied. Her face immediately dropped down.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I think I forgot after my mother left." She said being a little sad.

"Your mother?" I said in an questionable manner.

"She's no more. In an accident..." she couldn't complete her sentence. A lone tear escaped from her eye.

"I'm really very sorry! I didn't know about...."

"It's okay." He smiled a little wiping her tear.

Just then the waiter brought us our drinks. I took the straw when a glass full of water fell on me. My coat immediately got soaked. The waiter continuously apologized. I stood up and placed my hand on his shoulder to calm him down. I gave him a reassuring smile and forgave him. He lowered down his head and scurried away, flustered.

Jeevika who was watching the incident, smiled when I turned towards her. She gave me a beautiful smile which made my heart skip a beat. " You should go and get it clean up."

Nodding, I went to the washroom.

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Kaur D