Manya's phone rang, and as soon as she answered it, endless responses engulfed her.
"Where are you? I called you like a hundred times! Do you have a sense of responsibility or not? I know you get fun teasing me, but there's a limit to everything!" Atharv said. "Manya? Can you hear me?"
"Yes mamu," she sneezed.
"What happened? Are you ok?"
"Don't worry, just a minor cold?"
"How did you, of all people, got a cold?"
"What do you mean? I am a human."
"And when was the last time this human got sick?"
"Don't play memory games with me," she sneezed again. "Now that you know I am alive, I am cutting the call if you have nothing interesting to say."
"Interesting. Let me think. I caught the biggest drug racket today."
"Ok, I am cutting the call."
"Wait! Ok. After your tantrums and warnings. I decided to talk to her."
"And! And? Did she, said yes for a date?"
"No. I just decided that I'll talk to her when you get back."
Furious, she cut the call.
Atharv sent her photos of himself with the drug gang, at his mercy. His artistic yet unsettling photos featuring criminals in the police department have made him famous. Once Atharv ordered a drug dealer to consume all the drugs, he found on him. The same guy became an influencer, warning the world about the side effects of those products from prison.
***
The clock struck midnight. Her friends were still caught up in gossip and comparing Dhruv to other models. Manya was already halfway through her captivating new cooking book. Learning to cook more dishes than Atharv became her new year's resolution. He was always the homemaker since ever or a year. She made the choice to cook dinner, at the very least—and if Atharv refused to listen, she would use his own gun against him.
The time was 2:00 AM. Raisha busied herself with giving shoulder massage to Manya. She never missed a chance to touch her skin, considering it the second best after herself. They heard some disturbing voices from a nearby cabin, men laughing, singing sad songs, blasting music, and getting into arguments, but they didn't care.
Yet, someone else was concerned about it. Within a minute, Dhruv appeared shirtless and walked past their cabin—making them rush for a glimpse. For a few minutes, screams filled the entire coach. Quiet as an empty library, he left the cabin. Manya thought to distance herself from the door, but her heart craved another glance at him. Dhruv smiled while holding her gaze. Once again, she felt a warmth in her chest, spreading like wildfire.
Raisha shut the door and said, "Did you see it?" She couldn't contain her excitement. "He smiled at me."
"Oh. Definitely," Manya said.
She woke up everyone. "Dhruv smiled at me," and glanced back at Manya. "Tell them."
Manya nodded.
***
Sleep was the last thing on Manya's mind. The unusual feeling she experienced upon seeing Dhruv's body made it hard to remove thoughts of him. Argh!! Is it what true love is? Or like Raisha says, there's no love, just lust. Whatever it is, it's torturing!
She glanced around to ensure everyone was asleep, and climbed down with extreme cautioned, tiptoed her way out of the cabin and to Dhruv's cabin, checking twice for any gaze peeking her way, and to her relief not even air was passing through the alley.
What unfolded next surprised her. Dhruv was sitting on the ground against the train wall in his cabin, nestled on a cosy bed he had crafted from blankets. He met her gaze—with the intensity greater than what she felt on the roof. And she was certain about him being naked under the blankets.
"You are the first human I have encountered who required hours before approaching me," he said.
"What?"
He dropped a hint for her to lie next to him, but she sat on the berth facing him instead. His face showed complete shock. She tried to hide it, but embarrassment was getting the best of her. Despite watching countless movies and reading about it in many books, nothing prepared her for the overwhelming butterflies in her stomach. Don't worry, Manya, even if you are alone with him, he doesn't look like a bad guy. We'll just talk. Yes.
"Can I ask you something?" she said.
"… Sure."
"Why were the guards after you?" What about him being naked? He looks cute.
"Do you usually talk before engaging in an intercourse?"
It took her aback. "Intercourse?"
He nodded.
"And I thought you were different," she said and was on her way to the door.
"Hey, stop! Sorry, if. I. Said. Something, wrong."
"Are you new to the language?"
He smiled. "This entire plan… place is new to me. I know the language, but I am learning the ways of humans, I mean locals."
"Who's forcing you? Just be yourself." Manya smiled and sat closer to the door. "So, why were they chasing you?"
He abandoned his strange romantic pose and crossed his legs, still in the blanket, but exposing his delicious upper body. No, I can't! Please Krishna! She took a deep breath. Yes! Ugly drug dealers. Damn those eyes! Pineapple on pizza! Pineapple! It was faint but still a relief from Dhruv's charm, but only to get strengthened again by the ray of moonlight highlighting his neck and shoulders.
"I am unsure. They instructed me to purchase a piece of paper for permission to ride this vehicle," he said. Manya hummed with her pursed lips. "I-I questioned why a paper should dictate my actions. Their response grew confrontational. First, they seized my backpack, then my shoulder. Then, a voice exclaimed that the train to New Delhi was departing. In that moment, I forcibly disengaged myself from their grasps and sprinted towards the departing train." He gazed at her. "Using a phone in a conversation is impolite."
"And how do you think I could understand those words coming out of your mouth?" she said—overjoyed to have found a distraction from his alluring nudity. He smiled. "Are you an owner of a business overseas or have some really rich background?"
He expressed surprise. "How did you discern?"
"Because they are used to flying and to them trains are useless or a mode which burn there precious hours. You know, you should have thanked Raisha. If not for her, you would be in prison."
"Why should I express gratitude to a lesser being? It is their obligation to assist higher beings."
Definitely a rich kid. "Look, people at your home or office might entertain such an attitude, but it's neither of those places. So, accept the terms or get ready to be. Exiled." She exited his cabin, as her desire to feel his skin had exceeded her self-control. Why am I reacting like this? Should I ask mamu? No, he'll kill him.
***
Next morning. Dhruv visited Manya's cabin to thank Raisha for her help—who hugged him the moment he offered her a handshake. She was all over Dhruv and nobody seemed to care. Raisha traced his biceps. "Let me guess. 100 each?"
Manya's fist clenched at her sides.
Dhruv approached Manya. "May I converse with you for a moment?" To the surprise of her friends, Raisha was supposed to be congratulated for finding the man of their dreams, but they watched as he walked away—hand in hand with Manya. Yes!
He had a distinct look from last night. His eyes weren't showing any lust, but an emotion she had never felt. Whenever he glanced at her—a jolt of electricity course through her body. She remembered the female characters from different entertainment, whom she used to think were idiots for experiencing such deep emotions from someone. Have I fallen in love?
Since a broken track halted the train—she guided him to the roof. Dhruv extended his arm to help her up, while she was lost in his gaze. "Manya?" he waved her out of the trance.
Regardless of his kind offer, she declined and climbed up without his help. Leaving him stranded in that position. "How long are you going to stand there? Come sit," Manya said.
The warm, breezy air wrapped around her. Birds giving their all in the rap battle held at big green farm fields. Sky filled with beautiful distinct shaped clouds, like the heavens themselves had gathered to witness the God's creation with sunrays creating a sparkling final touch.
"I was unaware that the world below would hold such exquisite beauty," Dhruv said.
Dhruv seemed like a rich individual living on the top floor of an expensive building. A person who escaped his extravagant lifestyle to embrace life or immerse himself in the peaceful beauty of nature.
He lowers his gaze and then looked at her. "And I am not referring to this view."
A warmth brushed her cheeks. "… Liar."
"Are you implying that you doubt the words of a celestial entity?"
"Oh, so now you are a celestial entity. I am sure, next time we'll talk; you'll introduce yourself as an angel."
Dhruv startled upon hearing such words, but later he joined in her chuckle.
"But humans are at the pinnacle of the food chain, aren't they? Therefore, they possess a celestial status."
"I can't wait anymore. I have to. As… k," Manya said. Dhruv started unbuttoning his shirt.
"What are you doing?"
"You said you can't wait," he said. He buttoned his shirt. "Sorry, I thought you."
"What are you? I wanted to talk because I had never felt like this before. You, just. Goodbye."
She moved to stand up—however, her hand remained motionless—trapped under Dhruv's warm touch. Her gaze slowly drifted back to match his.
"Can I get another chance?" he said. She never expected him to express her thoughts. In the very next moment, his lips met hers. Without giving her a chance to respond, he pulled back. "I am Dhruv."
She chuckled. "What's wrong with you?"
"As I have said, new to this place," he smiled.
"Ok, let's start fresh." She faced him. "Who was the last girl you went out with or dated?"
"Ventured outside? I used to engage in play with fellow an… humans, yet I never engaged in a romantic relationship with any girls."
"Play?"
"Yeah, like cultural activities."
Her face lit up with a smile, but the weight of his expectations about the ideal girl he might have imagined was heavier. Do I, a single since I remember, teach him about almost everything? Oh, I love it! "So, you dated no one?"
He shook his head. "Besides spending time with my mother, sister and slaves. I preferred solitude." He held her hand. "Can I ask you something?"
She nodded.
"How did you manage it?"
"Managed what?"
"How did you confront your sexual urges last night? It's. It's just goes against the natural order."
Manya laughed. "What? Natural order?"
"Yes, it's a duty of a woman to fulfil the need of those who desire her."
"Wait—wait. Are you saying the people you grew up with can't control basic emotions? Now I am confused about going forward or just stop the talk here. It's getting weird. Ok, tell me about your emotions."
"What about them?"
"Ok, what if a person has made you furious? What will you do?"
"It's a straightforward approach. First, I'll ascertain the individual's rank or status. If they hold a superior position," he grabbed away her phone, "I'll offer my apologies to that person. If not, then they shall face hell."
"Hell?" she laughed. "Either I have gone insane, or you're trying to make me. And I am still sitting here listening to your fantasies."
"What… what's wrong?"
She took a deep breath. "Next emotion, which should I put? Oh, no." Dhruv's zero experience in dating refrained Manya's curiosity over his sexual desires. "What about love?"
"Well," he placed his arm over her shoulder. "The place I'm from—It's a weakness. It still would be if I hadn't met you."
Manya smiled wistfully.
It's possibly a prank, or he's a player, waiting to sleep with me. He was good-looking, caring, and appeared rich, as if she had cared. If not, he has really fallen from heaven.
"How can a guy like you exist?" she said.
"I… I didn't quite understand."
Let's play weak. She leaned on his shoulder. "Can I trust you?"
"Yes."
"What if you turn out to be a killer, a sadist or a FBOY whose goal is to score himself a few pleasurable moments on a train?" She searched his stern eyes for signs of discomfort or disbelief—but found none.
"I won't."
And I am believing him? I am screwed, mamu. All her desire to question him more disappear in his warm and comfort embrace. Closing her eyes, she felt his face moving in her direction.
Few minutes later. Dhruv thought she was asleep, but she wasn't.
"I wish I had been born here," he said. "You humans aren't as dreadful as I had been informed. If humans truly are such malevolent and impure creatures—then how could you—a human, influence the heart of a celestial being? All those texts and videos about humans were lies or held only a portion of the truth. I am grateful to my sister, to guide me here. To a world with you in it."
She longed for his voice to keep echoing in her ears. Wow! Now I can't tell him I am awake.
An hour later. She found herself in her cabin, with friends gathered around. They observed her face with an intensity comparable to that of a criminal interrogation. She understood the main idea after her friends spoke a few words. They said Dhruv brought her back to the cabin in arms. A single gesture shattered Raisha's hope of having any kind of relationship with him. But her suspicion about Raisha's track record of stealing men in relationships remained.