Unsuitable Proposal

Chapter 59: Midnight Guest

"You're obviously drunk. We should head back," I said urgently, pulling my hand back. I made the mistake of looking behind and found Antarang watching us. He didn't look happy with the situation. If the looks could kill, Ranjan would be slain on the spot.

"I'm not that drunk," Ranjan continued, unaware of the livid man behind us, "I mean it Kashvi. I like you. I really do." The sincerity in his voice had me scared.

It was also embarrassing that Antarang had a better idea of Ranjan's intentions than I did. On top of that Ranjan had chosen the worst time to make his confession.

"Ranjan," I began softly, "I'm flattered... but I don't feel the same way for you. You're my senior, I have always regarded you with respect. I can't see you that way. I hope you understand."

He shook his head. "I know it's sudden. You might be flustered right now. But think about it-"

"You shot your shot buddy and she said no," said an annoyed voice from behind. Antarang stepped forward to stand beside me.

"What are you doing here?" Ranjan asked surprised but also stood up straighter, ready for a confrontation.

Not again!

Antarang glared at him. "Apparently, seeing a senior harassing his junior."

"Harassing? Really?" Ranjan scoffed. "With all due respect Mr. Bhatt, I think you should stop interjecting with your employees' personal matters."

"Mr. Murti, I'm afraid to inform you that what you're doing here is very personal to me."

"I don't see how anything between me and Kashvi is your business."

I saw Antarang's fist tightening. Before he could retort, I jumped in to diffuse the situation.

"We're here to celebrate with Aadeel sir. He must be wondering where his two favorite colleagues are." I stepped in between them to cut off their glares. "Let's go back, okay?" My eyes were practically begging them to stop.

Almost half a minute passed until they took pity on me and backed off. Antarang asked me to go ahead to the dining hall. When I sent him a distrustful glare, his gaze assured me he wouldn't be starting any trouble after I left.

I gave a weak smile to Ranjan before walking away from them.

Mrinalini waved at me when she spotted me in the crowd.

"Where were you? Ranjan left to find you," she told me as I settled back in my chair. "I tried to stop him. I guessed if Mr. Bhatt wasn't here, you must be with him... So were you?"

"Huh?"

"Were you with Mr. Bhatt?" She repeated.

I nodded. "Where's Avanti?" I asked, noticing my senior's absence.

"She wasn't feeling well, so she left early," Mrinalini replied dismissively before circling back to the topic. "What were you two doing? Did Ranjan see you with him? Does-"

"Ranjan told me he likes me," I blurted out, shutting her up. I turned back to find Ranjan walking into the room, followed by Antarang.

Mrinalini followed my gaze and shook her head, her face between shocked and amused. "This is going to be interesting."

*******

"I like you Kashvi." Ranjan's words haunted me, making me toss and turn under the blankets.

Why?! Why Ranjan?! Why did you say that?! Hell, why do you even feel that?!

After Ranjan's confession, each minute at the party had felt heavy with awkwardness and tension. I couldn't bring myself to even look at him. And neither could I handle Antarang's eyes glaring daggers at us when Ranjan joined me and Mrinalini back at the table.

So I rescued myself out of there and left the party early with Mrinalini.

Now I was back at my apartment, in my bed, with no sign of sleep. My mind didn't allow me rest and kept repeating the events of tonight.

The doorbell rang, snapping me out of my looping thoughts. My eyes went to the bedside clock that showed it was past midnight. It wasn't the time for any guests to visit.

Guessing it to be one of the neighbours, I went to the door. I looked through the peephole to find Antarang on the other side.

"I guess the party ended," I greeted as I opened the door for him.

"I tried calling but your cell phone is switched off," he said instead.

"Oh. Battery must've died."

"I didn't wake you, did I?" He asked. My tousled hair and oversized pajamas were probably a give away that I had been in bed.

"No." I smiled, reassuring him. He looked distressed. "Don't stand there, come inside." He was still at the doorstep.

"I was worried and just wanted to check on you. Since I've done that I'll take my leave," Antarang told me.

I grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. "Come inside. I was going to make myself tea. It'd be good to have some company." I could see he too had a lot on his mind. After what passed tonight, I didn't blame him. "Unlike you, I won't bite mister," I added to lighten the mood when he looked indecisive.

Finally a smile cracked on his tense face, and taking the cue I dragged him inside.

"Your neighbours won't bother you that you have a guy in your home at this time of the night?" Antarang asked, giving himself a tour of my small apartment as I got started on the tea.

"I don't know. You're the first guy to be in my house at this time of the night," I replied. I concluded tonight he deserved the ego boost. "Besides I don't care what the neighbours think."

"Good. If you get evicted I'll gladly take you in."

I turned around to find Antarang looking at my family photos on the book shelf. Suddenly having him in my space made me feel vulnerable. His big stature turned my already tiny apartment tinier.

A minute later I called him once the tea was poured into cups. We took the seats side by side in front of the kitchen island.

Comfortable silence stretched between us as we took a couple of sips.

"So," I began facing him, "I have a hunch you weren't just here to check on me. Better speak up what's on your mind."

********