Enchanted love

"No" He snuggled into her neck, making her shiver with every touch.

"Leave me, Alex" she struggled to get away from him with a pout.

"I didn't hold you to leave this soon," he replied, still doing his work, making her nervous with his actions. She gave up and sat over his lap all exhausted.

"I love you, Clara," Alex mumbled, kissing her earlobe, gaining a blush from her side. He always loves the effect he is having on her.

"That's the problem, I love you too" she replied and rubs her nose with his.

The room which was decorated in red and white suddenly changed into black as Alex stood there with his eyes closed.

"Alex" she called him in her low voice, scared to make him angrier. She moved towards him to touch his shoulders while he shrugged off suddenly making her flinch with his actions.

"Don't you dare to call my name" his words made the entire room shake and it started collapsing around her? Her eyes lined with tears. She looked around and noticed that her happy colourful home turned to ashes inch by inch as she started hyperventilating. She didn't expect this change in her life for sure.

"Alex, please listen to me once" Her words died on her throat when Alex closed the doors harshly behind and left the place leaving her in darkness.

Her breathing went uneven and she felt a lack of oxygen at some point.

"Clara, Clara. Relax. What happened? Open your eyes. We are here with you" She heard her mom's voice behind as she tried to open her eyes. But she felt as if her lungs would shrink anytime and she wouldn't be breathing more.

"Please baby" her father's voice helped her to open her eyes finally and she came to reality.

After half an hour of calming down, she sat over her bed with her head hung low.

"What happened suddenly? You were crying in your sleep?" Bella, her mom cupped her cheeks as she looked at her with no emotions.

"Just a bad dream" Clara replied in a dry tone and got down from her bed in a swift way to get ready for her work.

"Clara, my dear, do you want to talk to me?" Ron Taylor, her father asked as she stood there contemplating for a second.

"I am happy, Dad. It's just a dream. I am fine" Clara replied, smiling at him. Ron sighed tiredly as he knew the meaning of her smile. She is too stubborn just like him and won't share anything in her heart. Will she ever be able to move on in her life ever? His eyes lost their hope day by day seeing her state.

"I will be late today. Don't wait for me for dinner" Clara screamed and left the home, making Bella and Ron upset yet again. They don't even know if she is eating her food properly at a time or not.

****

"Congratulations, Clara" everyone cheered up when she entered the premises. A small smile appeared on her lips. She wanted to win this at any cost and is happy now that she finally got the opportunity.

"You are selected among 500 doctors." Jason hugged Clara with a broad smile. Clara felt overwhelmed. She knows that she has high potential and will be selected for sure. But she didn't expect that she would get it with no politics involved.

"I need this" Clara replied and looked at the sky as if thanking the stars for helping her in this tough time. She ran to get the details.

*****

The full-day went in a blink when Clara had to attend to all her regular patients to inform them about her leaving the hospital for the next seven months for a new project. She is expected to join thereafter for a couple of days. But it's not enough time to wind up her work here.

She removed her white coat and kept her stethoscope inside her drawer after caressing it. She didn't dream of becoming a doctor but she felt proud every day to wear this white coat and solve the problem of her patients. The only solace for her is the smile of her patients.

"It's 10" Jason informed Clara more like taunting so that she leaves the hospital at least that time. Clara rolled her eyes and took her handbag.

"Have this at least" he gave her a milkshake but she ignored it as usual and walked towards the entrance to get a rickshaw.

"You are a doctor yourself and don't care about your health? Why are you skipping your meals every day?" Jason is now very frustrated with her behaviour. He knew that he can't cross that line in their little friendship but he couldn't see her like this. She never shares anything with him.

"Good night Jason" she wished him with a smile and left the place by walking as if she didn't want to share her sorrows with anyone.

The silence around her is always her favourite. The walk from the hospital to her home is all silent and safe. Her parents must have slept. She enjoyed the cool breeze touching her cheeks as she walked faster to enjoy it more.

The dark street doesn't scare her as she knows that Jason is following her just in case. He is such a sweetheart. She and Jason have been close since she joined the hospital seven months ago. Even though she snaps at almost everyone, it was Jason who didn't go away with her words. Instead, he tried looking through it and always being there for her.

It's lightly raining, making her face go with droplets. She didn't even bother to wipe it as she was enjoying it.

A sudden splash of water towards her dress made her panic and anger that she stood before the car to stop it.

"Can't you drive properly?" Clara yelled at the driver. She knocked on the window as the mirror started lowering. She had a huge frown on her face and was ready to attack the driver with her cute solid words. Jason came running behind her to save the driver from Clara's wrath.

"Clara, it must be a mistake. He even stopped the car when you got dirty. So don't shout at him" Jason's words fell over the deaf ears of Clara as she stood there paralysed.

It's HIM again.

She slightly shivered as Jason supported her instantly. He supposed that shiver to be because of rain. But her eyes didn't leave those blue cherries which were staring at her like anything.

"Alex?" She mumbled more to herself as she stood there with no reactions.

Seven months is not a big gap but it felt eternal when she met him after a long gap. She knew that if she stayed there longer, she would get a panic attack for sure. She doesn't want him to know that his presence matters to her anymore. She changed her expression to a rigid one as she turned her heels and walked towards her home ignoring both the men.

Alex clutched the steering in such a way that the blood stopped flowing in his hand. Meeting her is not a good thing. It unlocked many emotions in him. Why the hell does he have to take this route? He cursed himself as he drove at high speed to reach his home in the sane mind.

Both of them don't want to recall anything but who are they kidding? They both recalled their first meeting. It was magical and unique. How do they wish it never happened?

Flashback: THEIR FIRST MEETING:

"This trip should be named as a mess," Alina yelled at everyone as she kept her luggage bag with a force that made everyone close their eyes in reflex. Clara stood behind Alina battling her eyes with a pout.

"Relax doll. I really don't know what went wrong." Clara replied and turned to check the information again. But Alina is in no mood to listen to her as usual. Who can stand before the anger of Alina?

Clara's friends are also annoyed with the sudden messed-up plan. They happily planned a one-week Goa trip and everything is organised by Clara who is very perfect among all. She can never do anything imperfect. But this one is not at all expected from Clara's side. The full journey was not at all well organized. When they were about to board the flight, Clara missed her id card and all were tense to search for that. At the last moment, they got it and finally reached Goa. Now the room which Clara has booked for them is not available. Their room is given to some other VIP clients of the restaurant.

"Sir. This is just unfair" Clara didn't expect this for sure. She has booked this room for one week before itself so that there won't be any problem. Now they are standing in front of the hotel with no rooms.

"I am really sorry for the inconvenience. But we told them about you all. That person offers double the amount. But we won't accept that. When he directly contacted the owner of the hotel, we had to accept his offer. I am sorry madam. We can arrange some other places for your accommodation" The manager is genuinely ashamed to utter those. But he is concerned for the group of friends. He even consulted the nearby hotel to check for available rooms.

Clara can take anything but this? She didn't listen to anything the manager spoke about afterwards. She can't just get humiliated by this. Those people who have snatched her room should get a lesson for sure. She marched towards the left side where their room was supposed to be.

Clara knocked on the door harshly but didn't receive any response. After a while, the door was opened. The manager stood there helpless. He can make Clara and all leave from there. But he too feels that they are right from their view.

Clara kept her bags inside the room even without glancing at the person who just opened the door. She doesn't care about it.

"Clara. Let's leave. Don't create any drama" pleaded Alina who is well aware of Clara's stubbornness. Alina calmed down but Clara turned into a lioness and she wants justice.

"What happened?" A soft voice echoed the room while Clara turned to see the owner of the voice. She should say that the voice is very soft and fragile yet it carries some aura to demand respect. She never gets carried away in her life with just the voice. But it's different.

Her hazel eyes met the chocolate brown orbs. A perfect guy with a perfect beard. To add to his charm, he has perfectly grown hair that ends just behind his ears. He is just simply hot in all aspects. Clara didn't even blink away from his side. He could see that shameless stare of her over him. He slightly smiles, recognising his effect on her.

He can't deny the fact that she is looking awesome. Her milky cheeks which are slightly blushing because of him and her cute lips are the highlighting part.

For some seconds they were enchanted with each other and didn't feel like taking their eyes off. But a sudden commotion made them snap their eyes towards their left side where their friends were fighting for the room. That's when Clara realised why she had come here?

"Ani. Relax. what are u doing ?" Clara pulled Alina who was on the verge of killing everyone. She was just talking with them but their replies were full of attitude and Alina couldn't control herself from pulling the man into a physical fight.

"Doll this man is full of attitude. He is asking us to stay with them in the same room as when I said we had booked it earlier." Alina tightened the grip over his hair who was screaming in pain. She couldn't care for it though. Clara tried to keep her friend away but failed miserably.

*******

Everyone settled over couches after such a long drama. Edward was still rubbing his hair to ease the pain. He looked at Alina unbelievably. And Alina seemed to be unaffected. How can she just grab his hair?

"Sorry. We shouldn't have suggested that. We didn't mean those too. We thought. Leave it and you can go" Alex apologised to all and looked at everyone but Clara. Alina looked at him with fiery eyes. Why should they leave?

"Ok if you say so. Unfortunate guys. We should leave girls " said Clara, looking directly at Alex.

"W.h.a.t. w.h.a.t. unfortunate??" Alex couldn't get the meaning of her words for real. Clara just smirked back at him.

"I must say that you all are looking good and smart. So I thought we could adjust to this room for a day. But guess you are not that good-looking. We can move somewhere else" Clara's words made the boys flustered. That was a bold comment from a cute girl.

The more flustered was Alex who didn't expect the cute girl to be bold. His friends screamed to make him more embarrassed.

Clara on the other hand doesn't want to leave the room. She has paid for it and she has the right to stay there. Now searching for a new hotel is near to impossible. It will be a loss of time. Moreover, this room is a luxury room and they could part it into two and share it for sure.

"Are you a mad, doll?" Alina is not at all convinced by Clara's words. Who will share the room with these thieves who have snatched their room?

"Relax ani. It's about one day. That too till evening. First, we have to go to the collaba spot. Let's think about it. After that, we have a full evening to search for other hotels." Clara didn't accept this offer just like that. Instead, she has plans for that too. They have important work to do.

"Ok fine. This portion will be your girls. And trust me. we won't even cross this line." Alex as usual came forward to change the atmosphere.

"And you should trust us. We will love to cross this line." Alex widened his eyes at Clara's words. This girl is pulling their legs directly and Alex felt powerless to reply to her.

"To disturb you all. To punish you for snatching our room" yelled Alina again and Alex got her point. He looked down smilingly as he misunderstood her words. And Clara smiled a little seeing his reactions catching his mind.

All girls and boys leave the room at the same time.

"We have to meet someone. So you guys enjoy it and we shall meet for lunch. I will share the location. So bye guys" Clara waves her hands at her friends who just jumped to run towards the first spot they have decided to go for.

Clara and Alina took a cab. Clara is excited to go there but Alina is not at all in a pleasing mood to go there.

"Can you just relax and let things go as per their fate?" Clara asked and expected Alina to leave her angry side for once. But Alina glared at her in response.

"How can you expect me to relax? My dad wants me to marry some dumb ass just because he is rich and it will be good for me. Like seriously? I have great plans for my future and I don't want to be a puppet in others hands for sure" Alina threw the tissue paper in anger. She doesn't like the way the marriage talks begin and even it's finalised without her knowing. She is just given an option to meet him. Her dad is sure that Alina would surely like him.

They both reached the cafe and sat there for fifteen minutes. Alina's nose flared up in anger every second. How dare he make them wait?

"Miss.Alina '' Alina banged the table when finally he came to meet her. Clara and Alina turned to see them and widened their eyes.

"Room thief??" Both Alina and Clara exclaimed together and looked at Edward.

"Well. That's a unique name. But I would love to be called jaan, honey or whatever" said Edward with a wide smirk over his face. That's really saying that he knew about Alina and purposefully he asked her to stay in that room. And his soft dialogue implies that he liked her too much. Clara smiled at her calculating everything but Alina looked at him with another expression.

Embarrassed is a small word when compared to Alina's mindset right now. Silently she bowed down. She shouldn't have pulled his hair back then.

After a couple of minutes, the trio had seated in the cafe. And ordered for capuchin. Clara controlled her smile as Edward is hell-bent on making Alina more embarrassed with his continuous stare over her.

"Let's be frank. I really liked you when my mom proposed for our marriage. And it's mainly because you are really beautiful" confessed shivaay. Alina just went numb by this man's bravery statement. This is not what she expected. At least when she behaved violently with him. and even though men like girls because of their beauty, they won't admit it openly. Actually, Alina liked his honesty.

"Well. If I have to be honest, I came here to say no to marriage" said Alina, breaking the ice. She knew that her words broke his heart for sure. But she has to be honest.

"If I could get a chance to convince you?" Asked Edward suddenly as he expected this from Alina already. because of Alina's mom who has already contacted Edward about the same.

"What if I say no," asked Alina, raising her eyebrows while Clara dragged Alina slightly.

"Ani. You just wanted to know him entirely before marriage, that's it. Why are you playing hard to get? Give him a chance" said Clara.

"That's my girl. miss. Clara" said Edward smilingly.

"And you won't regret giving me a chance." Said Edward while Alina just smiled back in approval.

"Tomorrow is the whole day with me. We shall spend some time together and see if it will work between us or not. Trust me I will be honest." Edward smiled at them.

Flashback continues

Alina and Clara entered their room to see the boys and girls already assembled there as if waiting for them. Alina didn't dare to look at Edward who was openly staring at her with a small smile.

"So I guess, we can stay here in peace and no one will be disturbed" Edward informed all and made the room perfect for both the groups to stay comfortably. Clara and Alina decided to stay there as they couldn't find any other rooms.

"Marriage talks have just begun and that doesn't mean anything. Here in this room, we both are rivals and we don't give a damn about your privacy and all. You all will be room thieves only for us." Clara smirked at the boys and turned to her friends.

"Rivalry? Huh! It will be possible with people having equal strengths" Alex just wanted to give her reply. He can't deny the fact that he wanted to talk to her even though his words are baseless and pointless.

"Be thankful for that then. We have accepted you as rivals even though I guess you don't have anything special to even stand beside us" Clara's friends screamed for her words making Alex smile at them. These girls have bigger mouths for sure. Now that they know about Edward and their family, they are not even scared to stay with strangers.

"Why don't we spend some time with each other? Maybe a game?." Edward suggested only with the motive to know about Alina or to impress her through this game. Alex instantly agreed to help his friend and the same goes for Clara.

The girls and boys were seated in a circle expecting a perfect game to play to get a fun mood.

"Don't tell me that we are just sitting and going to play something childish?" Alina couldn't get why they had to sit in a circle and face each other for any game.

Edward stood up from their position and went near Alina to sit beside her. The sudden commotion made her look at her left side where Edward was sitting. She turned away abruptly not wanting to show her uneven breaths because of his actions.

"It's just passing the pillow game" Edward exclaimed, making the girls excited but the boys were annoyed to play such a boring game. It's old and also no one is interested in such sports nowadays.

Clara sat next to Alina without noticing Alex who was already there. Alex smiled seeing her on his right side. He didn't shift his eyes away from her as he noticed how natural her skin glows in that night light. She has not used any products to look good but her smooth skin is all enough to woo anyone.

Clara could sense his gaze over her. She purposefully turned to her left side not wanting to stare at him shamelessly the way she did in the morning.

The music started making both come out from their stance. The game is simply to pass the pillow and when the music stops, whoever has the pillow will get to do something exciting to entertain the audience.

The pillow passes from Alex and it stops near Edward. He didn't pass that to Alina and instead, he clutched her hands making her nervous.

Alina turned to see Edward who was smiling like an idiot as if he got some jackpot. She tried to get the pillow but failed miserably.

"Guess you want a pillow only, not your hands?" Edward asked as she saw her hands back at his clutch.

"Leave my hands, Edward" Alina tried to pull her hand without minding the pillow. Everyone looked at them and smiled internally. They both look cute together for sure.

The guy who was responsible for the music stopped the music, making Edward out of the game instantly. Edward stood up, releasing his hands from Alina, and looked at all.

"What do you all want me to do?" He asked, showing his charming smile.

"Brother, the song" Clara did stress the word brother showing that she saw the couple of Edward and Alina and she would be calling him brother.

"He is not your brother," Alina replied, instantly catching her thoughts.

Edward smiles at the girls and bends to get Alina. Both Edward and Alina stood there in the center. He starts singing the song as if he is dedicating the song to Alina.

Baby be my love song

Baby be my all night long

Edward took her other hand to let her see him directly.

He sang the remaining song looking at her eyes meaning every word sent shivers to her spine.

Alina just lets him do whatever he feels like doing. One thing is sure for her that he is not like those rich guys who would be spoiled brats as per her thoughts. She knew that instant that her parents chose the right guy for her. The main thing about him is the respect he gives for her. Alina knew that moment that she doesn't have any choice to say no.

Everyone clapped for the adorable couple and that's when both came to the land from the dream. But no one watched Alex who was checking Clara throughout the song. Clara made sure to not make it obvious that they knew about him looking at her.

Alina ran away from the place and Edward sat there giving her some time to process everything.

The game continues and now Clara can't take her eyes off Alex as she was sitting opposite him. The pillow is passing between them only having no one beside them as all get out of the game.

Alex never knew that he would like this pillow game one day.

The pillow made its way from Clara's hands and it reached Alex's, making his hair move accordingly. That surely gives goosebumps to Clara. Damn, he is indeed looking so hot in that long hair of his. The silky hair is adding hotness to his looks.

Alex passes the pillow to Clara and she hides her face behind it. She needed the most to hide her stare over his hair. "What must he be doing to maintain such shiny hair?" Clara facepalmed herself imagining thinking of how stupid she is.

She again pulled her thoughts together and played sincerely. The music was about to stop. She wants to win. That's when he raised his eyebrows and winked at her, almost licking his lips making her numb. She is shocked by his sudden act. And forgot to pass the pillow. And with that, the music stopped and all clapped for Alex. That's when she was brought back to reality.

She looked shocked at him. while he passes her his charming smile.

"Oh hello, what's this? Don't think of yourself as Salmankhan" Clara yelled, taking everyone by surprise. Salman khan, a famous Bollywood actor did this action in a movie and it was a famous one. How can he do the same trick with her?

"What Salman?" Asked Alex with a smirk.

"Which Salman. Can you explain?'' asked Edward, not able to get her words.

Clara looked at both with anger-filled eyes.

"This is cheating," said Clara. And Alex raised his eyebrows as if challenging her to tell all.

Clara looked down embarrassed. But she is not that heroine in that film to get swayed by this wink.

"He winked at me" snapped Clara looking back at Alex and all gasped dramatically and looked at Alex who did not expect this to come out. Armav coughed badly and looked at Clara who was smirking at him.

"Omg, did you wink at a girl? That too in front of all?" Edward gasped dramatically, making Alex roll his eyes.

"I didn't wink but it was dust in my eyes" Alex defended his actions and shrugged off his shoulders casually.

"Whatever. what's my punishment?" Asked Clara not wanting to embarrass herself more.

"Dance with me" Alex dared to ask her in front of all. She looked at him wide-eyed.

"But" Mumbled Clara while Alex bends to her height "why. Are you scared?" Asked Alex and this always worked with Clara-type girls. The opposite reaction.

Clara took his hands harshly and pulled him towards her side and all the guys cheered for them. Edward switched on the song to lighten the mood.

Alex takes the lead and twirls her to make her dance as per his tune. Clara struggled to take the lead but failed as he didn't let her do her dance.

The melody music of the song made them forget about everything as they started dancing to the tune. He stood behind her and slightly bent towards her making her aware of his actions.

The sound of their friends made them snap out of the spell as Clara tried to move but Alex didn't let her as the song goes on.

The dance ends on a sweet note and everyone could see the building romance between Alex and Clara and the Sizzling chemistry between Edward and Alina.

Both the groups enjoyed this little game and went to sleep.

*****

The next day, Alina made a special effort to look cute in her attire which is obvious to Clara. She helped her friend and both left to spend the day with Edward to see if he is a nice guy or not.

The day went long. Alina is highly impressed with him. Edward hoped a lot to get a positive answer from her. As he worked hard to impress this beauty. Be it booking the entire hotel for their lunch. Be it their romantic theme of getting everything decorated in pink and white. Be it his expensive yet cute diamond ring as a gift. But never in any place, he tries to show off his wealth. Instead, he made sure that she would be comfortable and like everything.

"The day was beautiful and thanks to you for that." Edward started as it was almost evening.

"So I guess you would have decided something?" Edward asked with the hope to get a reply from her side. He likes Alina and wants her to marry him as per their parents' wishes.

"You have spoiled everything. Now, what's there to decide?" Alina asked, crossing her arms with an angry face.

"What?" Stammered Edward. He didn't expect her to be angry for sure. He didn't do anything wrong.

"Idiot. Did you order a salad? Girls always tend to get angry if they are not given salads at the end." Alex came walking towards them and both Edward and Alina looked at him as if he had grown horns. Is he for real?

"Are you angry that I didn't order a salad?" Asked Edward as he is now regretting. Alex controlled his laughter seeing how his friend had gone nuts in love.

Alina looked at him with a weird look.

"I was about to say no to marriage. But I couldn't. That's what I meant," Alina blushed and lowered her eyes.

Clara hugged Alina tightly to show her happiness whereas Edward was on cloud nine.

Their little conversation comes to an end when Alina receives a call from her parents to return to her home that day. And as a result, all the girls canceled their trip and packed their bags to leave.

In this whole mess, Alex and Clara didn't even share their numbers. And even they don't properly introduce themselves.

Flashback ends