At the shopping mall...
"I don't really like this particular dress, it's….weird, don't you think?" She furrowed, looking at the white babydoll dress.
"Maybe because it has balloon arms and too opened at the chest, but trust me, it'll fit you." The boutique manager convinced.
She waved her hand briefly, dismissing the idea. "Nevermind. Don't have interest in it. Let me see the pink kimono dress."
"Sure," She handed it to her.
Still looking at it all round, Priyanka is still not satisfied. "It's Zara and it's size 28. Too small."
"I picked that size because it's your fitting size, ma'am. It'll surely look good on you."
"You know, the only reason I'll be buying this, is because I'll be needing it for my prayers in the temple and secondly, don't judge me by my stature. Not my fault am petite. And thirdly, I think I already had too many Zara brands in my wardrobe."
"Okay, how about...this? A blue tunic and a red yellow shift dress?" The manager picked a two different dresses. Waiting for her response.
"You know, I'll rather wear a plain sari for a whole year than to try these." She's very selective. Nothing easily match to her taste. "Don't you have something like Moncler, Versace, Armani and Burberry? Those are my taste. Am not a fan of Louis and Calvin."
"Of course! Let me take you to it." She walked her to a big room of fancy. She was introducing her to all kind of outfits when her eyes suddenly caught too many.
"Purple's not my favorite color but I still love this midi dress. The slit, neckline and sleeve length is hot for me. I'll take it." The manager started picking as she chooses. "And this pink mini gown will surely look good on a black boot, take that. Maxi? No. Too long. I'll take halter and cocktail. Get me heels and purses."
"Your kind?"
"For heels: Pump, lace up, strappy, cut out and peep toe. Size is 29. And for purses: satchel, bowler, wristlet, clutch, miniaudiere—what the fuck?" She startled when two strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. From the strong cologne, she could tell it's a masculine.
"Hey, witch." A deep voice said and planted a kiss on her nape. She recognized that voice very well.
"I'll just leave you and your boyfriend to go get your items." The manager sneaked out.
"He is not my boyfriend." Priyanka gritted her teeth, struggling to leave his embrace but he wouldn't let her as he holds her tight. "Justin, where did you come from? We spoke ten minutes ago on the phone and you just suddenly appeared? Who invited you?"
"That's me, witch." He whispered in her ear. "Good at surprises."
"Oh wow, it doesn't take me on unaware." She scoffed, still struggling in his arms. "You won't give up and you won't stop, will you?"
"I don't stop chasing my dreams, witch. I go for it and I own it." He chuckled.
She sighed heavenwards. "Oh meh, this guy is so persistent."
"You can run away from me but, I won't stop coming to you." He tickled her.
"Geez, are you crazy, Justin?" She couldn't help but laugh. "Stop tickling me."
"You see, that's what I want to see for years. That priceless smile."
"What smile, idiot? Let go."
"Nope."
"You're such a maniac, you know that, right?" He suddenly stopped and she turn around to face him, smiling and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "What? Are you tired now?"
"Call me that again." He faked a deadpan face.
She chuckled, liking the funny look. "What?" She leaned closer, daring him. "Oh you mean...mani—mmmm.."
The rest of her words were swallowed by an unexpected passionate kiss. She stood on her toes, pressing her hands on his chest as a moan escapes her mouth. He broke the kiss when she went breathless. Holding the back of her neck, he licked her lower lip with his tongue and gaze into her hazel eyes.
"You have all in one flavor."
Her cheeks turned from pale to ripe tomato. She bit her lower lip, liking the compliment. "And you have my lipstick at the side of your mouth." She laughed.
His brows creased, "Really?" He touched his mouth. "Let's just call it a signature."
"You are crazy." She laughed.
"You drove me crazy, Priyanka." He held her face in his palms. Taking his time to study her eyes. "I'm serious when I said I love you."
"But Justin…." She almost said in a whisper before he cuts her off.
"Shh. I don't expect you to say the same to me now. Take your time."
She stare into his eyes blankly. Tongue-tied. Speechless.
.....
"No, take my card." He quickly extended his card on the cashier's cabin before she took out hers.
"Justin, this is my responsibility. My shit so let me clean it." She insisted.
"And it's my money. Am not complaining."
"Thank you." The cashier gave him back his card.
When Priyanka saw him carrying the boxes and shopping bags alone, she wanted to offer him some help. "Let me help you with some."
"No. I'm good."
Priyanka shook her head helplessly and kindly followed him out. When they got outside, a white Rolls-Royce was already waiting for them. She looked at Justin with one brow in a question mark. "Did you call an Uber?"
"It's not an Uber, witch. It's my wheelbarrow." He winked and she just rolled her eyes, tired.
A man on charcoal-black tuxedo took the boxes and bags from him while the other opened the back door.
Justin looked at her, standing there flawless. "Hop in." When she didn't move, he sighed and grab her hand with him to the car.
He doesn't know if she's hungry yet and he didn't care to ask, so he took her with him to a classic five star restaurant. VIP section.
"You know, I could have called my chauffeur and he'd come to pick me up."
"Sorry but he was late, witch." He slide back her plate after helping her chop the steak into small dices.
She looked at the plenty dices and vegetables, "Why do you always like calling me a witch?"
"Witches are manipulative and beautiful."
"And you think I am manipulative?" She picked her folk, shoving a piece of steak in her mouth.
"You're beyond that after what you did to me." He poured two glasses of 'Southern Rhône red' for them. "You got hold of my soul and locked it in a bottle."
She laughed, covering her mouth. "You're a comedian. How did I do that? I don't have any magical powers, asshole."
"You think?" He crush the steak in his mouth. "Now tell me, do you spit or swallow?"
"Huh?" She understood what he meant by that but she acted confused.
"Nah. Nevermind. How is studies going? Having troubles in college?"
"Well…." She shrugged, "Not really. I'll be graduating this year. This is actually my last semester so, I gat to buckle up."
"Nice. Your parents must be very proud of you. Seeing their only child moving out of college so soon." He sipped his wine.
"Only?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm the youngest of all the three kids in the family. I have an elder brother, Purab. He's just like you. And my sister, Mitali, she's a darling sweetheart."
He shook his head, "Lovely." And took his fork. "Do you mind if I ask? Are they mermaids too?"
"No." She exhaled, smiling. "Actually, it's a very long story. Mom and dad used to say I was a baby when they found me in a basket. Very complicated." She sighed, trying to resist the urge of downcast.
"Oh," He dropped his fork. "I understand. I'm so sorry."
"No, it's alright. Come on." She chuckled.
"Like seriously, I never knew you were adopted and—fuck me for bringing it up again."
"I love my family so much that I don't even think if I'll find my biological parents anymore. I don't think I need them too much in my life. I have everything I want from my foster parents and they cherish me like am a star in the sky."
"You're lucky." He agreed, Leaning his arms on the table. "Do your siblings stay there with you and your parents? Sorry, I'm being inquisitive." He raised his hands briefly in the air.
She stabbed the steak with the fork, "Purab lives in Mumbai. He took after one of dad's companies there and Mitali is a journalist in Delhi."
"I see….and the other night I was at your place, damn my soul almost left me." He frowned. "Did you guys literally employed assassinators?"
"Assassin—" She laughed. "Justin, you're so funny. Did they hurt you?"
"No, I mean, I was scared to death they would have. You guys need to boot them out. They really look murderous." He whined.
She was already liking his company and presence around her that she found him so interesting to chat with. "Okay, enough of me now. Tell me more about yourself. How is it being the son of the president?"
"Pfft!" He rolled his eyes, "My hands are weak from signing autographs." When she laughed, he sighed and shook his head, "It's not easy to over come the face of paparazzi, the media, press, bloggers and all of that. If I had knew it would be this way, I'd have persuaded my dad to log out."
"You know, you should be happy for being famous. Your name is always the first to appear on the Google search list."
"Like I wanted to be well-known or renowned?"
"My dad being the Senate of Mumbai…." She shrugged, "I usually gets interviewed. I'm called for shows, TV realities, speeches—infact in college, hot guys wanna flirt with me."
His lips pressed together, annoyed. "Stop calling them 'Hot' whether am with you or not."
She paused for a while, processing him. "O….Kay. Not jealous, are you?"
"What do you do on weekends?" He brushed off her question.
"Um…" She played with a strand of her hair. "If I don't study in the school library, I go to the beach for a swim or go to the roller coaster with mom and dad and you? What do you do on weekends?"
He crossed his arms on the table, "Nothing much. Just go out to the stadium with my friends. Watch some live soccer. Play PSP, GTA, Play golf, go to the arcades or maybe to the bar. Sometimes, gunshooting, boxing and…..there are few more."
"Like going to the club...you know what I mean, huh?" She's testing him and he knows it.
"What?" He scoffed, leaning his back on his seat. "I haven't gone to the club for a while now and if you're talking about the other way round?" He disagree. "I haven't done it for decades now."
"You're a man. You're free to do whatever you want. No one's stopping you."
"I am stopping myself." He stated firmly. "I haven't touched a woman for a very long time now and it was my decision."
"To abstain from sex?" She raised her brows and he kept quiet. "I know you men can barely survive without getting that woman's body for one day, trust me."
He reached for her hand, locked it in his and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. "I abstain from sex because of you."
She puzzle, "Me?"
"I don't want you to see me as a player or someone who's yet not serious with life. My heart only crave for you and I'm only turned on whenever I see you. Believe me, I swear on my life."
She try to retrieve her hand but he tighten his grasp. "Justin, I like you too but….you don't understand. We're from two different worlds. We can't be a match."
"Why?" His brows knit together. "Because you're a mermaid? Look, witch. I don't give a fuck if you're a snake, a reptile or whatever. It won't quench my love for you. Save it and mark my word, I STILL LOVE YOU and I don't give a shit bout what anybody say."
She sat there, looking at him in the eye again. Speechless and tongue-tied. She was sincere when she said she likes him. She had no choice but to confess it to him just the same way he did to her.