Chapter 35: Chapter 35

I finished my class work early because I wanted to remain tension free when I was with Raja. I have no idea about today's plans. I have told him that I would like to go out with him tonight. He was a little angry every time I said we couldn't be seen. I get his frustration, but I hardly can do anything. My life is entirely in their hands. I'm only seventeen and my birthday is still months away.

I couldn't make any decisions about my life till that day. I wanted a safe place for now. It doesn't matter that I haven't finished my degree but I could work somewhere at least part-time. I'm on scholarship anyways so only a place to stay is required for me. I only wished Raja understood me a little. But I haven't been completely honest with him to be fair, so how could I expect it?

Suddenly I got the call. I looked at the screen and my heart just burst. It was Raja. He is calling me because he wants to talk to me. I picked it up and said a breathless hello. "Come out", Raja said. I looked at the clock and it struck 12. I know everyone, especially Rocky, slept early. Rocky wakes up early so he is down by 9. I on the other hand was a night owl.

I tiptoed around the house to make sure everyone is asleep. I climbed down my small window to the balcony then walked down. Now, these outings are going to be a regular thing so I didn't want to be caught at any cost.

When I reached the outer wall I slowly climbed up and looked around to see Raja. He was on an old bike but I loved it. The night was a full moon and I couldn't be happier. I jumped down and saw Raja's scared expression only to laugh out loud. "You never fail to horrify me brat", he said blankly. I was hurt a little. I terrified him because it is so romantic. I walked around ignoring a slight pain in my limbs.

" Next time I will catch you ", he said shaking his head at me. I was happy so there is going to be another one. I hugged him right only to hear his sharp intake of breath then we were speeding away to the night. My heart was now full of happiness that void I felt these years were suddenly filled.

" Where are we going? ", I asked him. " Don't you have any faith in me?", he asked in return. "It's not that Raja I have to be home before morning. I don't want to go far", I said fretfully. "Relax, we are not going any far. Besides, I have no money, remember", he said sarcastically. " It's not about money, Raja", I said, a little offended. "Isn't it? You are getting married for money if I'm correct", he said. " Yes but I don't want to ", I said to him honestly.

" Will you kiss me in front of Rocky", he asked me. "I can't do that now", I said, hating the conversation. " I don't want to talk anymore about this", I said pleadingly. "Ok", he said.

That's when I noticed he was slowing down the bike. " Is that the beach?", I asked him. My voice betrayed my surprise. He laughed and said, "It was either this or the cemetery". I laughed with him. "Let us make it our next date", I said. " You wanted privacy and I thought this would suit you", he said.

"I don't care where I'm as long as I'm with you", I said. " Is that true"? he asked. I nodded my head. "Then show me"? he asked. His expression is fierce. I walked to him slowly swaying my hips. I wanted to be sexy for his sake. Then I slowly pulled his head down to meet my lips with his. His arms went around me then we were kissing like anything.

His tongue was exploring my mouth and I duelled it with mine, our arms exploring our back. Suddenly he tore himself away from me and I was left gasping for my breath. " We are in public. Do you want me to take this someplace private", he asked me.

"No", I said. " That's what I thought", he said. We walked to sit in the sand. I removed my shoes and put my bare feet on the sand. It did feel amazing. "I have never been to the beach at night", I said. But the truth is that I haven't been going to a beach my father never took us to. He only tolerated our existence. I thought about my sister Fanny. Would she have seen it now? I wanted to believe she had.

" How's your family", he asked. "Good", that's all I said to him at least I hope so. My drunk father or ran away sister is not a hot topic for our date. " it's an amazing date. Thanks for taking me", I confessed to him. "You are serious? Don't tell me Rocky hasn't taken you on dates", he said. He could hardly take his stepmother out for dates I thought.

" Not much, he is pretty busy with college and practice", I said looking away. "So you don't like him"? he asked me again. " I like my old friend Rocky but not my fiance", I said not wanting to lie to him. "So you are saying Rocky is not a good fiance"? he asked. " Can we not talk about my marriage please because I want to enjoy this date", I mumbled. "Right forgive me ok?, I wanted to know everything about you", he told me. " Then ask anything except Rocky and my marriage", I said with assertion. He shook his head and asked," I like you brat. I think you are a great date", he said.

"Shouldn't I say that considering you brought me here", I said playfully. " I haven't taken anyone on a date before so I don't know how this works", he said. "I don't believe, Raja, the way women behave around you. I can hardly trust what you are saying", I said to him. " I only said I haven't been on dates, not that I'm a virgin", he said.

"Tell me who was you first", I asked him. " I will tell you if you tell me", he said. I'm a virgin Raja because my first crush was you then I had no time because I was carted off to a guy old enough to be my father. Save me from them and take me away. I wanted to say. But instead, I shook my head trying to look mischievous. The waves were riding high before us. I searched for his hands and entwined them with mine. We both looked into the vast beauty of the ocean. I am quite content now to the extent that I don't mind anything bad at all in the world. This was way more dangerous than running away. Because I no longer felt I could survive alone anymore.