chapter 18
He opened the door for her and she sat. As usual, he fastened the seat belt for her, but this time his gaze was on her neck, praising the view of the chain on her neck. But Jian misjudged it.
'Pervert!' She thought.
Quickly, he came over driver's side and started the car. He reversed the car and then, started driving to the destination.
"I hope you enjoyed, today." He asked, praying she would say 'yes'.
It was true. Jian did like the view. She would never have witnessed such a place if Jinman didn't bring her. And, yes, she was happy.
"Yes. The place was very nice." She said genuinely.
"I am glad." He said.
Jian looked at her watch.
3 pm.
'So, probably by 5 pm, I will get home. Thank god, Omma will not scold me.'
But her assumption was spoiled when they got stuck in very long traffic. She heard Jinman cursing under his breath. The traffic was indeed terrible. He couldn't reverse the car, as the traffic was behind him too.
Jian panicked as half-hour passed, and they were still stuck at the same place.
"When will we reach home?" She asked.
"I guess, this traffic will clear in another hour. And then, two hours drive to your house." He said.
"What? In that case, I will reach at around 7 pm. Omma will kill me.'
"Can't you do something?" She asked.
Jinman chuckled.
"Love, I am sorry but this car cannot fly, neither do I have the supernatural power to do so." He said.
Jian misjudged it as a threat and she cringed in fear. All she did was pray.
Jinman was wrong. It didn't take an hour for the traffic to clear, but three hours.
Jinman stopped his car in front of Jian's house. She gazed at her watch again.
9:39 pm.
She cursed lowly and opened the door. The door didn't budge. She looked at him again and realized what he wanted.
"Manners, Love?" Jinman said.
Jian didn't do anything, but sit with her hands clasped tightly.
"Good night." She said lowly.
But, Jinman advanced towards her and placed one hand at her cheek, and kissed her on the other. She closed her eyes in embarrassment and prayed for her mother to not see them.
Jinman reached her ear and spoke lowly, almost a whisper.
"Remember, not to remove what I gave you. And... good night." He said and opened the door for her.
She instantly went out towards her house.
Jian knocked at the door, and a very angry father of hers opened it.
"Is this a time to come home, Jian?" Her Omma asked angrily.
Jian quickly came inside and closed the door so that her Omma won't see Jinman. His Omma knew how Jinman Khan looked from the news; and she didn't want to take the risk.
'Omma, I am really sorry. We were stuck in traffic. Sorry." She apologized.
"No food for you." Her mother came and announced her punishment. Her Jiji started laughing at her condition. Jian glared at her brother.
"Don't show eyes to him. Tell me why you didn't call me when you were going to be late. I even called Arisu about this. And he is coming here. You disturbed everybody!" Her mother scolded.
'My phone! Oh shit. It's with him. Maybe, tomorrow he will give me. Yeah, And then I will beg him to leave me.' She decided.
"And what is this?" Her mother continued the interrogation, pointing at the chain.
'Shit!' She cursed.
"Oh, this! Omma, it's not real. It's...fake." She lied.
"I didn't ask whether it's real or not. I asked why are you wearing this."
"Oh! My...my...my friend gave me. Yea, my friend gave me." She lied again.
Her brother realized that she was lying...after all being a teenager has its perks.
"And why did you take it? Did we teach you so low, that you are taking things from others for free?" Her father accused.
"Omma! It's not about teachings. It was my friend's birthday and she insisted I take it as a return gift. I couldn't deny it. Look, she gave me a bracelet also. I denied it a lot, but she said she will be angry with me. So, I had to take it. If you want, I will return it." Jian said.
'What have you gotten me into Jinman!' She thought.
"No need. If she gave you with so much love, then fine. But, I don't want you to be late again. Your mother has complained a lot about you. You are not lying to us, right?" Her Onna asked.
"Of course, n,notOnna. Why would I lie to you?" She said when suddenly a knock on the door came.
"Perhaps, Arisu has come." Her Onna said and went to answer it. He opened the door wide.
"Come in Ari...Jinman Karan?" Her Onna exclaimed in fear.
Hearing his name, Jian's eyes widened in fear as well as shock. She came to recheck what she heard. And, indeed, there stood, Jinman Karan in all his glory.