Patch ups - I

The slow music that played around them was enchanting. The stars were twinkling with every step they took together not only synchronizing their footsteps but heartbeats too. When she had turned around, she found herself peeking into his grey orbs. She had her hands placed on his chest with his heart beating erratically under one of them.

Regan could see that she was flabbergasted. She had even accidentally squished his foot under her own. Yet, he was smiling with the pleasure of holding her in his arms. He watched her free locks that bounced with every step they took covering his hands from the backside, letting him to feel their softness. The moment was perfect. All that mattered to him in that moment was the person in his front. With every passing moment, he was drowning into her ocean blue orbs. In that moment, all the scenery and people around them dissolved. He felt as if it was only two of them alone.

Her mesmerizing and big ocean blue orbs were boring into his grey ones unable to hide her amusement due to the sudden movements and proximity that made her slightly shiver and he felt each wave of it passing through her body, feeling ecstatic on the realization that he had an effect on her.

His own body reacted when uncontrollable feelings surged through it and his fingers tingled in delight. He subconsciously brushed his hand gently across her cheek as if he had no hold over his emotions and his body reacted in its own way. Still unaware of his own actions, he drew her closer to his chest when a gasp left her mouth and her hands encircled his neck, gradually moving upwards from his chest, bringing him more closer than he already was.

She lowered her gaze and her long lashes momentarily hid her orbs underneath them, curtained by her brown locks that covered her forehead and eyes further. He felt the strong desire to see those ocean blue eyes that enthralled him everytime. She began to withdrew her hands after realizing the consequences of her little action. She looked at him again, but her locks acted like a curtain that is used to block the sunlight. She raised her hand to brush them away. However, he held it. He carefully placed her hands on his shoulder and gracefully tucked a lock behind her ear, earning a clear glimpse of her beautiful eyes twinkling in amusement and emotions which he was sure that she was herself unable to understand in that moment.

"Why are you so innocent?"

"Huh?"

He smiled on hearing her and shook his head not intending to explain what he meant.

"I hope you liked the surprise?"

She beamed at his question and replied positively inspite of being intrigued by their closeness.

"I didn't know that they care for me so much to come here from Seattle... just for all this. It's wonderful to have them here. Thanks for making this happen Regan. I am really happy." She said softly.

"You are very special Anna... for all of us. Did you like the party? I know it's nothing special but....."

"It's perfect." She smiled and continued. "It's so me. As I told you earlier, I am not a fan of extravagant things. These are the things that make me happy. My favorite people and food."

He chuckled on hearing her thoughts.

However, he wasn't surprised as he knew that she was fond of little things and knew to find her happiness in them. Hence, a simple effort would be enough to reach her heart if it was directly from his heart with some sincere efforts. He didn't know making her happy would swell his own heart with such immense satisfaction and happiness. Then and there, he knew that he would give up his entire world happily for her beautiful smile.

"Favorite people..... I understand, but food? As far as I know you aren't exactly a fan of food except your favorite chocolate lava cake and ice-creams..... if that can be considered as food."

She scrunched her nose in annoyance.

"Will you ever leave a chance of teasing me?"

At the same time, the song changed and she tried to withdraw her hand back taking it as a chance to get away from him, but he gripped her hand and twirled her around passing from Jack who winked and continued his dance with Emily.

"Hey! That's cheating."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Let them enjoy the moment."

"Why are you so annoying sometimes?"

"Why are you so cute always?"

He said cheekily in the same tone which was enough to turn her crimson. She huffed and decided to quit the argument.

"So? What did you talk with dad?"

She chuckled on recalling their conversation and her eyes twinkled in mischief. "Nothing particular."

He frowned on hearing her. "It seemed as if you were signing a deal with triumphant smiles on both of your faces on its success."

"Hmmm....It was. A very special deal but that's a secret between us."

"Umhmm...."

They moved in sync in silence when she asked something that startled him as it was the last thing he wanted to hear about at that point of time.

"Regan, can I ask you something?"

"Go on."

She bit her lip, still contemplating if she should ask about the thing that she wanted to. 'What if he wouldn't like it? What if he would feel me interfering in his matters?' She thought.

"You can ask me anything Anna."

"Is there a problem between you and Drake?"

He stiffened on hearing his name. The playfulness suddenly vanished and Anna could feel the change in his body language on hearing Drake's name.

"Why did you ask?"

"I.... I just saw you acting weirdly in his presence. I mean you are never like this with him." She licked her lips nervously and continued. "You were quite cold when he came here and... and I didn't intend to interfere but it's just so noticeable that I couldn't ignore. I know it's not my place to ask all these things and it's completely fine if you don't want to answer. I understand."

He sighed on hearing her. He didn't know that Drake would be following them here and he couldn't control his rage when he saw his sudden appearance reminding him of his deeds and hatred towards Anna. Hence unknowingly, he had openly showed his objection towards his presence which was although ignored by others, but she noticed it. After their strife, it was the first time when she seemed to be comfortable around him like before. He knew that he was somehow gaining her trust back. Besides, it was the first time when she had asked him something and he didn't want to disappoint her.

"He did something which made me upset. He tried to take something from me that is very special and I felt betrayed."

Anna was mortified with his reply. She had not accepted it to be something so severe. However, one thing she was sure of was the unbreakable bond of friendship between him and Drake which she had often witnessed with her own eyes.

"Don't get me wrong but I don't think he would deliberately do anything to hurt you Regan. And betrayal is a big word."

He knew she was right but he also knew that if Drake had not hidden the truth of Ashton from him, things would have been different. At least, he would have not let her go through the trauma that wasn't only tormenting for her but for him too. The feeling of breaking his promises and his failure in protecting her, filled his heart with agony and he couldn't bring himself to even think about forgiving his so called friend.

Anna could see the struggle in his eyes. Her heart ached on watching him suffering. He hadn't said much but it was enough for her to understand that he was extremely hurt by Drake's actions. Although he was keeping himself away by drifting away from him, openly showing his anger and hatred, she could still see the pain of losing a dear friend in his eyes. In that moment, a desperate need to soothe him arised in her and she followed her heart which urged her to help him.

She cautiously took his hand in hers and placed it on his chest. Her action startled him and he tried to ask her the reason behind it but he was cut off by her even before he started.

"Answer me truthfully Regan. When you said those words to me, outside the hotel that day.... Did you mean to hurt me?"

He was dumbfounded on her interrogation but the next moment, when her words registered in his mind and he remembered his harsh words that he had spatted in the spur of moment to her on that day, he cringed on the thought. They never talked about it before but when she had reopened the matter, he accepted everything truthfully.

"I never meant to hurt you Anna. It would be the last thing that I would ever to do with you. I was trying to protect something of mine, not knowing that I would hurt you in the process... in the worst way possible." He answered sincerely and looked down unable to look into her eyes anymore.

She placed her hand on top of his which was laid above his heart. "I trust you."

"..."

He gaped her in shock not expecting to hear those words so early from her, especially after what he did.

"I trust your every word, even after all the misunderstandings between us. Do you know why?"

"..."

"Because I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me, atleast not deliberately, and the same goes with Drake. I have seen your bond and all I can say is that he would never hurt you intentionally."

"But he did."

"Like you?"

"It's different Anna. The situation we were in was different. I just..."

"I don't know what he did to repluse you so much but at least hear him out. I am sure whatever he has done, his intentions behind it wasn't meant to harm you...just like in our case. Give him a chance and listen to him for once. I don't know if that would clear the misunderstandings but at least you wouldn't need to fight with yourself after everytime you will see him around you. Life is too short Regan and we shouldn't lose our precious bond with the people who are important to us. Think about it." She smiled and withdrew her hand leaving him behind to let him ponder over her words.