After parking the bike, we both dismounted and walked out of the parking lot, heading toward the club. The club's name was "Desires Club". To be honest, I found the name a bit strange, but it was a popular spot around here. Why did it feel so familiar to me? Oh, that's right—this club would eventually be destroyed by a truck, or at least that's what I'd heard. I wasn't sure if it was a rumor or the truth, but I remembered it clearly.
As we approached the entrance, two towering bodyguards, their figures as solid and imposing as boulders, stood at the door. A strange feeling crawled up my spine as I looked at them. My instincts screamed that there was something off about these men, but Aryan, ever the carefree one, suddenly yanked my arm, pulling me forward.
"Come on, stop zoning out," he said, not giving me any time to process the unease I was feeling.
I decided to push that unsettling thought to the back of my mind and followed him inside. The moment we stepped through the door, the atmosphere hit me like a wave. Half-naked women were dancing on the stage, swaying to the beat of loud music, their bodies painted in neon lights. Alcohol flowed freely, and the air was thick with the scent of perfume, smoke, and something else I couldn't quite place.
I felt something stir within me, an unfamiliar sensation. After a moment of silent reflection, I realized what it was—lust.
In my past life, I had spent years in Ancient Bharata, where survival was the only thing on my mind during times of war. My Guru, a loner who had spent years traveling and meditating in the mountains, taught me to let go of my seven emotions. Lust had been one of them. He often spoke of the power that came with detaching from such desires, claiming it would help me focus on the greater goals of life. I had listened, and over the years, I had learned to suppress those feelings. But now, standing here in this neon-lit, lust-filled environment, I felt it resurface.
Although my soul was divine, my body was that of an Asura—lust was one of their traits. And now, I understood that better than I ever had before.
Aryan's sudden tug on my arm brought me back to the present. He led me to a large sofa in the corner, surrounded by several girls. Without skipping a beat, he immediately started chatting with them like a pro. It was as if he was born for this kind of environment. Meanwhile, I sat there, feeling out of place, uncomfortable in the midst of all the energy and attention.
A girl with platinum blonde hair and bright blue eyes leaned in close, her hand resting lightly on my shirt. She smiled flirtatiously and asked, "How are you feeling tonight?"
I looked at her, my face stiff and emotionless, masking the whirlwind of thoughts swirling inside me. "Good," I said flatly, my voice barely betraying any emotion.
On the inside, however, I was a nervous wreck. What is happening to me? I thought, my heart racing as I tried to keep my composure. It had been so long since I had interacted with women in this way, and all I could feel was awkwardness. The girl smiled again, but I could tell she wasn't fully convinced.
Just as I was about to say something to cover up my discomfort, Aryan got up from the couch and disappeared onto the dance floor, leaving me alone with the girls. I cursed him silently in my mind. Bastard.
I knew cursing was wrong. My Guru had always told me that anger only clouded the mind, but in this moment, I couldn't help it. I let out a small mental curse, and strangely, I felt a rush of relief. It was as if the weight of awkwardness and tension had lifted off me. Without thinking, I channeled my divine energy through my body, using it to calm myself. My mind cleared, my muscles relaxed, and I felt a new sense of control, as if a floodgate of calm had been opened.
Feeling a lot more centered, I began to speak with the girls around me. My words came easier now, and the awkwardness had mostly faded away. But then, something amusing crossed my mind.
Who am I kidding? I've participated in countless wars, faced unimaginable challenges... and yet, it was never the battlefield that gave me confidence. No, it was a stupid book I once read on how to flirt with girls.
I chuckled softly to myself. The book had been one of the most ridiculous things I had ever read, yet it had its moments of wisdom—simple, catchy lines that worked like magic. As I sat there, channeling my divine energy, I found myself recalling some of the lines. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.
I turned to the girl closest to me, whose eyes were still on me, and said with a playful smile, "Are you tired? Because you've been running through my mind all night."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she laughed, clearly charmed by the line. It was a small victory, but it felt good.
I leaned a little closer, lowering my voice. "You must be a magician, because every time I look at you, everyone else disappears."
She blushed, and I could see the effect my words were having. My confidence surged, and for a moment, I felt like I was back in control. The nervousness that had plagued me earlier now seemed like a distant memory. The divine energy within me helped smooth over the awkwardness, and I found myself smiling more easily.
As I engaged with the girls around me, I noticed that Aryan had returned, his grin wide as he made his way back to the couch. He gave me a thumbs-up from across the room, clearly impressed with how things were going.
The night was still young, and I couldn't help but wonder what else was in store. The club, with all its lust and chaos, seemed like the perfect place for distractions, but I knew there was more to it. The bodyguards outside had unsettled me, and there was still that nagging feeling at the back of my mind, the feeling that something wasn't right.
But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside. Tonight was about enjoying the moment, about regaining my confidence and reconnecting with who I was. The rest could wait.