The more you run away from something the more it comes back to you....
"This is one of the best bakery's in town. That's why I brought you here for you birthday cake!", another tall guy told HIM.
(HIM is referred to the guy I bumped into because till today I don't know his name.)
Just as he came near that night's flashback came running in my mind. The same eyes, those piercings and specially that smell of his.. Agrhhhh.. How badly I wanted to forget all that and now it is again in front of me.
He looked at me and his expressions were enough to tell that he knew he had seen me somewhere before.
"Oh butterfly!! Gotchaa...", he said with a smile.
I smiled back and didn't say a word.
Lilly stood up in astonishment and looked at me as if I was an alien. Obviously she would be surprised because Paul was the only GUY I have known in my entire life. Now a new face ( that too a handsome one) knows me without her knowing, she couldn't believe.
"How do you know this guy?", Lilly whispered.
"I'll tell you later!", I replied.
"What flavors of cake do you have now?We would like to get one.", HIS friend asked.
"We... ha...ve...", I was about to speak when Lilly interrupted me and replied, "We have chocolate, white forest, red velvet and butterscotch in options today. Which one would you like? Well my personal favorite is the White forest one!", Lilly explained excitedly.
Lilly was completely opposite of me. She was always confident, composed and well spoken.
Both the guys took a brief look at the cakes. I kept catching HIS glances and he too was side eyeing me. He knew well that I was looking at him and just when both our eyes met, I looked away instantly and he grinned. Oh his flirtatious smile. The same smile that he gave me that day. I could sense my heart beats again running fast.
"Which flavor do you like Miss Butterfly?", he asked me with a sharp gaze.
Flavor? He is asking me about the flavor? I know where this was going. He was a flirt but didn't know he would do so with such confidence.
"I.... Don....'t...", I uttered but Lilly again interrupted me and quickly replied, "Chocolate! Ash's favorite flavor is Chocolate."
Oh this girl!! Why she has to tell everything. Why can't she just keep quiet.
"Ooo.. so chocolate it is..", he said with again a flirtatious tone. "Good choice Miss Ash?", he said.
"Ashtine it is..", Lilly spoke again.
There are days when you regret the choices you make. Mine was today. Why did I make Lilly my Best friend..
"Okay so Miss Ashtine, we would like to have a chocolate cake. Please pack one for us.", HE said with a bit of tone.
"But do put on a Happy Birthday Tag on it and write the name CHRIS on it", his friend suggested.
So this flirt whom I was referring to HIM all this time has a name. Chris!
I took out a cake and started writing his name. My hands were shaking with the nervousness of his constant look at me. I tried again when suddenly he.....
"Let me help you butterfly!", he said and came beside me and placed his hand over mine.
What the heck!!! Why is he holding my hand? I'm 18 and I know how to write. You can't teach me now!!
I was afraid he would hear my heartbeats pacing so fast. He held my hand gently and kept writing his name. CHRIS WATSON. So cliche! Who writes one's surname on a birthdat cake. But this guy did. He's different. But more than that he is bad. He is doing things that he knows are making me nervous.
"Your hands are so soft butterfly!!", he whispered. His warm breath strike through my ears leaving me with goosebumps. I looked at him in a surprise and his lips were so close to mine. I SMELLED him. Yes I did. I can't help. That beautiful face of his right in front of me. My mind stopped processing and I was there again in his embrace.
"Stop staring butterfly!! Look we're done writing my name.", he said.
Jerk!!I immediately moved away. As if I got back to my senses. I think he knows how to hypnotize coz every time I see him I get lost.
I adjusted my hair and apron when I saw Lilly looking at me with her eyes squinting as if she was doubting me. I looked away.
I packed the cake fast and wanted him to leave so that I could breathe again.
"Won't you wish me? Its my birthday!", he asked teasingly.
"Happy Birthday!", I wished him.
"Thank you!", he replied with a wink.
They both left but the smell of his perfume was all around me. I felt like just taking a shower to get free of his smell but I still had to pack the remaining cupcakes.
"Mmmmm... Tasty it was!!", Lilly said teasingly. "Now will you tell me how you met him or should I just assume things in my head?", she said.
I told her everything that happened on my birthday night. She could sense something was off with me. After all she's my best friend.
Beep... An unseen message.
From: Paul
I have some free time today. If you want I can teach you some Maths.
"Okay! I too had some doubts. Thank you!", I replied.
My focus again switched back to my University entrance exams. Thanks to Paul I was able to concentrate again.
We spent the whole evening studying. Paul helped me with problems and I was confident that I would perform well this Sunday. It was my University entrance Exam.
....AT EXAM CENTER.....
Paul came to drop me at the exam center.
"You have prepared so well for the exams. Don't be nervous. You're gonna do well. All the best!!, Paul comforted me.
His words motivated me and I was determined to crack this exam and enter into Princeton.
"Thanks Paul. I promise I'll do well!!", I replied.
He kissed my forehead and I went inside the center.
3:00 PM
Trrrrrrrinngggg....
The bell rang and the invigilator took our answer sheets. I WAS HAPPY. I was able to answer most questions and had this feeling that Princeton is not away.
Paul was again there to pick me up. He saw me smiling and knew that my exam went well.
"So Miss Miller, when should we start shopping for University?", he said joyfully.
I smiled and replied, "Oh Paul! It went well and I just hope I get selected."
"You sure will!!", he said.
He took me to a cafe. It was the same cafe we often went. I liked its coffee.
"Ufff.. I took a deep breath.. Finally I have some relief now!", I said while yawning.
Paul smiled at me.
Just when I looked up I saw HIM... Again.. No God please!!! But what stopped my breath was he was with a girl this time....