#15---THE FIRST RIDE...

Arjun: What ?? Idiot, I was in the middle of a very good conversation and here you come, to disrupt the tempo.

Nihal: Never mind, Arjun. Today I'm going to propose Neeraja about my wish to get into a relationship with her.

Arjun: But you guys are meeting for the first time, right?

Nihal: NO, I already met her twice and we talked about you guys as a couple.

Arjun: OH! c'mon !!! Why do you keep including me in your itinerary all the time?
 Fine then, whatever has happened, has already happened. So let's leave that behind. So are you going to propose her???

Nihal: Yes, we both are going out for a ride on my bike and it may be late when I return back. So.... I guess you should ask Aashritha to drop you home on her vehicle.

Arjun: THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR  DUDE. ANOTHER WORD YOU SPEAK ABOUT THIS NOW, I'M GONNA BREAK YOUR NOSE RIGHT AWAY.

[ARJUN FURIOUSLY WALKED TO AND FRO TO CALM HIS SENSES..THEN...]

Arjun: Look Nihal, everything until now is acceptable but this is insane, ok. You talk or propose or whatever to Neeraja after that you are coming along with me home.

Nihal: Look Arjun, this is not a place where someone proposes or a place which inspires someone to accept a proposal, so I need to take her out no matter what. And, moreover, why are you insisting to go home along with me when you have your beautiful crush who can drop you there?

Arjun: No, that's not good. How can I ask her? We just started talking and if I ask her about dropping me at home, she might feel bad about me.

Nihal: Don't worry about that. I'll take her permission. Today, you will enjoy the real essence of sitting as a PILLION rider. Have fun and talk lot.

[THERE WASN'T MUCH THESE DAYS THAT ARJUN COULD DECIDE ON HIS OWN. ALL HIS DECISIONS ARE BEING MANIPULATED BY NIHAL AND HIS ACTIONS. SO HE RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THE OFFER HAPPILY AS THIS WAS THE SAME THING THAT WAS AT THE BACK OF HIS MIND]

Nihal: Hey, Aashritha, would you mind dropping Arjun at his place, as I  and Neeraja have to go elsewhere?

Aashritha: ahaa.... you are taking her out... already? Fine, I'll drop him off. You guys have fun.

[AASHRITHA WAS EQUALLY DELIGHTED AS ARJUN ON THE IDEA OF A RIDE. SHE  THANKED NIHAL AGAIN IN HER THOUGHTS.]

Nihal: OK then fine. We'll leave. Bye Arjun and Aashritha. Take good care of my friend Aashritha.

Aashritha: Ok..... Fine ,Arjun. Shall we start?

Arjun: Sure. Whenever you are convenient to go.If you insist, we'll leave right away.

Aashritha: Then, let's start.Its getting dark.

[BOTH GET ON THE SCOOTER...ARJUN IN THE MEANWHILE CHECKS OUT THE OTHER GIRLS IN THE PARKING LOT AND GETS CAUGHT BY AASHRITHA WHO REMAINS SILENT.]

The ignition starts...

Aashritha: So, yeah Arjun, You've got any girlfriends?

Arjun: Ya, I have friends who are girls. Not many, but yeah enough.

Aashritha: ohh.!! that's good. But my question was about a girlfriend.

Arjun: Girlfriend!! No, actually.

Aashritha: I can't hear you clearly. Don't mind to sit a bit closer.

Arjun: No , that's fine. I'll sit here.

Aashritha: Now, I understand why you have less friends in girls. You are very shy and reserved right?

Arjun: It's not that Aashritha. I'm a bit different to all the other guys. I know my limits and I don't intend to exceed them. 
I'm not trying to be different from others and be unique. I just try to be myself and I love it that way.

Aashritha: That's a very good description of you, Arjun. I'm impressed once again.

Arjun: Hey, I wanted to ask you something back there in the college, can I now?

[AASHRITHA WANTED TO TEASE ARJUN A BIT AT THIS POINT...]

Aashritha: Sure, Arjun. Don't ask me about my boyfriends' list huh? It's a big one.

Arjun: That's fine, Aashritha, never mind about that. Everybody has their own pros and cons. It's not about that thing, I'm sure that you are single now. It's something very personal.

Aashritha: What's that? Ask? Don't make me wait.

Arjun: I would love to have your mobile number, your email id and your facebook profile name. Please don't get angry if you don't want to share them with me.

Aashritha: Now, I understand why ?

Arjun: What? Did you understand?

Aashritha: Nothing leave it. I'll give when I drop you at your house.

Arjun: No need of that Aashu. I'll get down on the main road near your house.

Aashritha: That's not a problem, Arjun. I'll drop you off at your place.

Arjun: That's fine buddy. I'll get down here. My place is not too far either. never mind. I'll get off.

Aashritha: fine then. Here we go. This is my house. 
Don't think that I'm not calling you inside when you come here the first time. I guess,... you understand.

Arjun: Wow, this looks like a pretty good place to live. Don't mention, I understand. 
Don't think that I'm rude for declining your offer to drop me at my place. I was just concerned about how you come home alone on the way back. So, I thought it would be wise if I get down here.
OK then, I'll leave. Thanks for a wonderful ride, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Aashritha: Me too. liked it to the core. I feel like I'm around good eyes and good 
heart and a fantastic guy when I'm with you, Arjun. Thanks for talking to me on that day. My life would have been something else right now if it were not for you. 

Arjun: That's the best compliment I've ever got. Thankyou for the ride and the impression you have upon me.

[ARJUN STARTED HOME FROM AASHRITHA'S PLACE, HAPPILY AND SATISFYINGLY EVEN THOUGH HIS PLACE WAS TOO FAR FROM WHERE HE WAS. HE TOOK ALL THE DETAILS HE REQUIRED FROM AASHRITHA AND WAS EAGER TO GET BACK HOME...]

{JUST THEN HE GOT A MESSAGE TO HIS PHONE SAYING...

{TO BE CONTINUED...}