HER

CHAPTER-21

Ashton's pov

I am sitting on the small two seater couch it is of dusty green color. I roam my eyes around look at my surroundings. Its an open terrace area. There's a shed over the top which covers half of it. Looking at my left I see a small rotating fan.

Rishika throws a soft drink can to me which I caught with ease. She sits on the one seat sofa infront of me. I look at everywhere not meeting her eyes to embarrassed.

"I don't have ice pack here so use that" she said
I nod. Not looking at her yet. I roll the can over my shoulder with my hand which made me hissed a bit because of pain. She is really God at arm lock i must say. My knee also hurts maybe have got a scratch because of sudden fall. I can feel her intense gaze following my every moment.

She clears her throat
"So" she said
"Hmm" I said not knowing what to say
I watch her narrowing her eyes from the corner of my eyes.
"So why were you following me?" She said.
Most awaited question I must say.
After a minute long silence. I put the can on couch.
"Sam has asked me to ask you something " I said finally coming up with an answer.  I look up to meet her eyes. They are full of amusment and I know she didn't believed me.

"Ahh sam. So what did she asked you to ask me?" she said emphasizing on word ask
"Are you coming on the match day after tomorrow?...Sam asked" I said trying to convince her
"No" she said looking in my eyes.
She takes out her laptop from bag and puts it on her lap.
"Why?" I asked almost instantly.
"Sam asked" I added

"I have meeting that day and also as I have already said I am not so interested in any type of sports" she said averting her gaze from me to her laptop.
I nod feeling somewhat disappointed.
I again look around trying to figure out this place.

"I found this place on my first day here" she said gaining my attention.
I look at her dumbfound
"This place" she added looking up at me from her laptop
"How?" I asked genuinely curious. I have been studying here for past 3 years yet I didn't knew but how did she found this place. Infact no one does I guess.
"I was just roaming around and found this " she said shrugging her shoulder

"Were you?" I asked glaring at her
"What?" She asked
"Were you just roaming around?" I asked already knowing the answer
"Yes I wa-"  I cut her off
"You were finding yourself a place to smoke. Weren't you?" I asked glaring at her
She stares at me for few seconds and chuckles getting out of daze shaking her head.
"Impressive han" she said turning back to her work.
There was this awkward silence between us for some while.

"Ashton actually I had something to talk to you about" she said breaking the silent.
"Hmm" I replied
"There's this gaming company it's looking for college final year students who will develop a game. They are gonna pay a hefty sum for it. I was wonder are you interested?"
She said still typing.

"Which company?" I asked
"Game ophera" she said
"Game ophera. Isn't it a big company?" I asked looking at her
"Yes it indeed is" she replied
"Then why students. They have far better employees " I asked curiously

"Are you underestimating students my friend?" She said shifting her shoulder uncomfortably
"I am not. I am just stating the facts" I said looking intensely at her
"They are insearch for new innovation and what could be better the fresh graduates " she said hitting her fist on her neck with one hand while typing with other.

"It's foolish" I said
"What's foolish?" She asked
"How they are manipulating people in thinking that this is gonna be in their favor" I said
"Do you think I would have suggested you this if it wasn't beneficial?" She asked finally looking up raising her brows

"I said manipulating. They have made you think what they wanted to" I said looking back in her eyes
"This project you can use it for thesis and it would be totally sponsored by them. If your idea passes certain levals they will offer a pattern ship" she said calmly
"You don't have too submit the whole project you will have full copy right. You just have to prepare a sample" she added

Again the silence was back. I looked down on the floor repeating our conversation. But one think struck me
"Why are you doing this then?" I asked looking at her
"I am not good at gaming stuff" she casually answered leaning back in sofa
"You could've asked someone else. Joe maybe he would do it" I said

She stares at my face as if trying to figure out something . She smiles
"I also thought about it before but then I thought to leave that on you but remember only one can be the leader" she said
"Let me know your decision by next week" she said turning back to her work.
She again started hiring her fist on her neck.
Her neck might be stuff. The sofa is not so comfortable and looks odd as well. And the amount of time she spents working its insane.

"For how long do you work a day?" I asked looking back at her face
"I don't know " she said shrugging her shoulder looking at screen

"Why did you chose this place? It's not that great as well as this sofa looks too old to be comfortable " I said picking up the coal can she gave me earlier.
"This place is peaceful its like a me place and as for this sofa well I can't get new ones here as of now so just using it for a while" she aslnswered looking around

Listening to her I felt like an intruder. I stood up. She looks up at me instantly.
"Where are you going?" She asked
"Isn't this your 'me' place. You haven't told us about this because you wanted to be alone here". I said. I wa about to walk
"No stay" she said in a low voice

I looked at her confusingly.
Sensing my confusion
"B-By the look of your face I can tell you are tired, so rest here a bit before going" she said looking at her laptop not meeting my eyes.
I notice the end of ear turning a little red.
Did she just stuttered?Did she got flustered?

She is right though I am tired and going back and forth would be a hassle.
"Are you sure?" I asked
She shows me a thumbs up.

I make my way back to the two seater and lean my head on headrest getting comfortable. Even though this sofa is old and uncomfortable but the atmosphere here is good.
It's a brezzy day today so it's not that hot.

Whilst leaning my head I look at Rishika.
Her dedication towards her work is something which inspires me but it also makes me worried about her health.

Day by day she looks more exhausted. Even with makeup the dark circles are little evident. Her cheeks has small acnes on some area. The amount of time she spents on laptop I am worried about her eyesight. The way she constantly messages her wrist and neck shows she is straining them.

My eyes moves to her collarbone. She again back on baggy clothes.
Today it's pistachios color t-shirt with jeans. The area where I saw the mark my settles there for a sec. I look away .
I can't seem to take this out of head.

I didn't knew when my eyes closed on its own and I slept.