“Put it on and get on the bike,” he told me, giving me a little wink and a cheeky smile.
While Manoj swung his leg over the bike, I doubted and asked myself whether I should go with him or not. But, with a quick breath, I wore the helmet and then climbed onto the bike behind him, gripping his waist instinctively with my hands. The engine roared to life, and we sped off from the coffee shop as the wind whipped past us. The world seemed to blur as we moved faster, and soon, every ounce of worry, fear, and guilt faded into the background. All I could focus on was the thrill of the ride, the warmth of Manoj’s back pressing against mine, and the rush of adrenaline that made everything else seem insignificant.
The ride itself was intense, with sharp turns, sudden accelerations, and playful manoeuvres. In fact, there were moments when he deliberately applied the brakes, causing me to cling to him so he could feel my boobs pressing against his back. His mischievous behaviour made me smile beneath the helmet I was wearing, and the way he seemed to enjoy our closeness only heightened the electrifying sensation flowing through me. The moment felt like the start of something exciting, and deep inside, I sensed it was the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
After about half an hour’s ride, Manoj stopped the bike at the main junction of the charming tourist town he had been talking about for a week. We both explored there for a while, visiting quaint shops and colourful cafés, before finally making our way to a peaceful park. We sat on a wooden bench beneath a large tree, talking easily, laughing, and sharing moments of both our lives till then. The discussions were more about what we had done until then and what our plans were, mostly in terms of our education. However, I caught Manoj ogling at me repeatedly from top to bottom over my kurta in between and smirking at me whenever our eyes met, which made me blush at him quite a few times.
After spending some time at the park, Manoj gestured to me to leave, and I followed, curious about where he was taking me next. We got on his bike, and he rode the bike for around five minutes before stopping in front of a small house on the outskirts of the tourist town.
“Get off, Anju,” he said, turning off the motorcycle’s engine.
My heart started racing again as I got off his bike and looked around the quiet surroundings, with no one in sight.
“Why are we here, Manoj?” I whispered, staring at him and glancing around.
“We can discuss this in a few minutes,” he replied with a sly smile. “Just follow me now.”
I hesitated, suddenly unsure of myself since there was something in Manoj’s smile, hinting to me that he had something on his mind more than just an afternoon out. In the meantime, he took a couple of steps towards the house and then returned, seeing me unmoved.
“What happened?” he asked me as we stared at each other. “Don’t you trust me?”
I remained silent, still staring at Manoj in confusion, wondering what to say as he kept asking me the reason for my hesitation.