6 Sober up

"Well, thanks for choosing our service sir. Goodbye." The driver left them alone in front of Ayana's apartment.

Ayana was already asleep from talking endlessly with the driver on her way. Meanwhile the man was standing there holding her from one hand and staring at her apartment key on other hand, the one which he managed to find out from her purse.

"Sigh...."

He shifted his gaze in sequence from key to the girl to the dark sky above, only to wonder, how did he ended up in this state?

The answer was simple.

It was his own foolishness.

Unfortunately, Sebastian too was busy at a local mechanical shop since the car he asked for, on his way here, got it's tires punctured in middle of the highway. It would take around three hours now, since the location he was at, was very far away.

While he was frustrated from all the trouble he has got into because of this unknown girl he just met at an office party, the girl however was sound asleep even while standing in his arms, as if she had nothing to worry about.

"Fool." He opined as he saw her expression as calm as a still lake.

With no other option left, he lifted her into his arms again and took elevator to reach the floor where she lived in.

"Ugh! How can she be so heavy?!!" He desperately stepped forward and after multiple attempts he finally succeeded in opening the door, only to close it back out of reflex.

Surprised from his own actions, he slowly opened the door again but the scene in front of him didn't changed.

Her room was in a complete mess!

There was a disgusting smell of spilled chocolate milk coming from her room. The couch was covered with a huge blanket with bits of snacks all over it. Trash was scattered everywhere!

"I never imagined a girl's room could be this untidy. No, that's not it. Even a jobless guy would hate to live in such a mess." He muttered as beads of sweat started bulging on his forehead.

He had yet to reach her bedroom, in order to leave as she sleep comfortably. But the mission sounded impossible now.

For a moment he looked at Ayana's unconscious face and thought of abandoning her, and yet he couldn't, as strangely a constant worry would linger in his heart otherwise.

In the end, he mustered his courage and hold in his breath to dash right into her bedroom.

Surprisingly, the bedroom wasn't in a mess and he could finally inhale some clear air. He looked around and noticed her room was too plain for someone working in a marketing team. But then again he realised their team didn't played that much of an important role to begin with.

After relaxing a while, he decided to prepare himself to leave now when suddenly Ayana woke up from her sleep behind him and sprinted towards her restroom while covering her mouth. Seeing her run like this, the man followed her as well, but regretted it instantly as he witnessed her vomitting right in front of him.

He covered his mouth with disgust and planned to leave this place right away, when suddenly his gaze happened to capture her struggle with keeping the hair strings back. Her bun was already too loose and her bangs kept on sliding on her face as she puked.

"Ugh! How can someone be so scovenly!" He muttered while watching her, but after realising how disgusting it would get if her hair gets wet, he stepped in with wrinkled nose and holds her from behind. He rubbed her back and comforted her with words to let it all out in one go.

Obviously he hesitated at first, but seeing her cry and apologizing subconsciously for dragging him too into this, made his heart slightly open for her.

"It's okay, it's okay. Just let me know when you're done, okay?" He said calmly while managing his breath.

After sometime, they went to the apartment's terrace upon Ayana's request to get some fresh air. There weren't too many streetlights around her locality so it was relatively darker at night than the whole city.

But this was the most favorable part, as it allowed them to watch beautiful nightscape from top. It could've been better if the building had a few more floors, but still the view was breathtaking enough to enjoy with refreshing wind gushing freely in the chilly air.

A wierd choice, but still her favourite to spend the moment. There weren't any benches nor any grass for them to relax on. The only thing they could do was stand on concrete and watch in silence. The only source of light was that of moon subtle reflection.

"Beautiful. Isn't it?" Ayana asked as she still seemed little drunken now. Her arms were subconsciously intertwined with his for support, and their gaze were fixed at the horizon of City lights.

At this point, he had gotten used to Ayana touching him so casually since he knew she was drunk. Her misleading actions were enough to make them seem like a couple to a third person, but he shooed those thoughts right away, knowing it was ridiculous.

"It is." He said with eyes sparkling from City lights.

The change of scenery was enough to bring him back to his usual self. He wasn't thinking of anything but just the amazing view of web of lights spread on a plane in front of him.

"Thanks by the way. You know, for helping me this whole time." But Ayana ruined his joy by bringing those time wasting pleasantries. Though he knew she was being geniune, unlike others in his life, he still didn't wanted to ruin this peaceful silence.

"You're welcome." He cut her short, while still focused on his front.

Ayana glanced at him for an instant, but shifted her gaze too since it was easier to confess that way for her anyway.

"I..I also want to apologise for all the troubles I caused, and also for judging you so wrong. You're a nice man, which is quite rare to see nowadays. I know I am repeating my words again since I am still drunk, but even so, thank you for dropping me back home. If you ever feel like you need my help, just call me and I'll be there." She said with a gentle smile on her face.

She looked around to take out her phone, but she couldn't find it anywhere since her mind was still in a fuzz. She probably left it on the bed she realised with a tired sigh.

This time, the man turned around upon hearing her words and leaned in closer to her, with a serious yet amused face.

"What could you possibly do for me?" He asked keenly.

"Anything. Just ask...Uh, provided it's within my capacity." She reassured him with an earnest answer.

To which the man chuckled, and turned other side to hide his laughter. Ayana frowned upon realising he didn't took her words seriously and started yelling again " You think I am joking?!"

"I, Ayana Shekhar, takes an oath to return your favour one day. And remember, when I promise something, I never go back on my words. If you don't believe me, I can also invite you to stay for tonight at my place to express my gratitude."

At this point she was just blubbering pointless promises to express her so-called sincerity in this matter. She didn't literally meant to share a bed with him, but rather provide a bed for him to express her gratitude.

The man turned around and looked stunned upon her words. She hadn't even realised she was indirectly inviting him for a one night stand. But instead of revealing it to her, he awkwardly started gazing at the cityscape again and agreed to accept her help, if he ever needs it in the future. Which he was sure, he wouldn't.

He had a gentle smile on his face after a long long time. The stern look he always had was relaxed somehow. For the first time in his life, he was at ease and completely defenseless around a stranger. Yet surprisingly, he didn't noticed that change. It all just felt so natural.

"You didn't told me your name yet." Once again, Ayana couldn't tolerate the long silence.

"I did back in the bar. Why should I repeat myself?" But the man too seemed to have predict this coming now. His thin lips curved into that signature smirk of his and he too began take advantage of this little moment.

"I forgot okay? Besides, didn't I just now introduced myself too?! It's common sense to tell your name when somebody else does." She pouted like a small child and rested her hands on her waist.

"Fine, it seems you'll keep bringing this up everytime we talk." He said as he turned towards Ayana, and leaned much closer to her face to observe her reaction.

A cold breeze flew past by, making Ayana shiver for a second. But when she opened her eyes, she saw an enchanting beauty right in front of her.

His raven smooth hairs were fluttering in the air as moonlight shined upon them. He had a serene beauty bestowed upon his face and was staring deep into her soul with those tranquil pitch black eyes of his. He had rose pink lips which were as soft as a petal. However, the one which captivated her the most was that small black mole near the corner of his slanted asian eyes.

"Eric. From now onwards please call me Eric whenever you see me again." The mesmerizing voice echoed within Ayana's ears deep down to her soul.