Storm

by Saniya. S. Kohari

  “From now on, please take care of yourself for me. I have ordered lunch. We will eat and then go home. I’ll drop you. Now you shouldn’t have any problem about going home with me.” I winked and she gave me a naughty smirk.

  I challenged the look with my own gaze, making her gasp due to the intensity.

  “And even if there is some problem, then it doesn’t matter. You are still leaving with me.” I said in warning tones, with a wicked secret in my eyes...Our secret...Our look...All ours...

  Sani did not say a word. But I could see her getting affected, getting breathless, because while I caressed her cheek, my free hand remained busy making circles on her palm. I moved my fingers in a slow sensuous motion, touching each of her fingertips. Sani shivered with the proximity, though her cheeks went warmer.

  What can I say? She brings all sorts of mischief in me.

  “You look stunning today. Never thought anyone can look so sexy in a sweater...” I said in a sardonic tone, I had never used for any girl before. She flushed deep as I murmured, “You look so warm and cosy in it, making me wanna curl in you.”

  Returning her smile, I touched my forehead with hers.

  And the damn knock on the door, broke our moment...again!

  It was the waiter with the trey containing a whole lot Chinese.

  Taking it, I closed the door and placed the trey on the coffee table near the small couch.

  Sani raised a surprised eyebrow looking amused, gesturing with her chin at the amount of food. I just shrugged my shoulders, giving her a lazy smile and asked her to dig in.

  We both started eating. We were only halfway done when I asked,

  “Shall I order something else? Actually I don't know what are your favourite dishes other then noodles...So....” I looked down rubbing my neck in embarrassment and stupidity of not asking this before ordering.

  Sani did not laugh or got mad though.

  “No need to order anything else. This is quite enough.” She chuckled with a mischievous wink, making me do a double take, before she whispered with a cute smile, “And I love Chinese.”

  After a few minutes, she noticed that I was quietly transferring noodles from my plate into hers with my fork.

  “What are you doing?!” Sani asked in a shocked voice, widening her tiny orbs.

  “You said you don't want anything else. And I can see you are only eating noodles with vigour out of all the things here. That also, you haven’t finished yet. Look at yourself, in past few days you have become so weak. You need to eat properly. Besides, you’re not letting me order anything else, so now this you have to...”

  “But I’m done. I'm not hungry anymore!” whined Sani.

  “No. You have to eat it.”

  She rolled her eyes at me,

  “Wow! You are eating according to your need, but forcing me to eat more! What do you think I am? How much more can I consume?!”

  “Sani...”

  “Last time also you did the same thing.” She stood up miffed, “You can't force me like this.”

  “Like hell I can! You have been unwell. You are weak. You need food in your system.” I said strictly now.

  “Fine, I'm leaving.” Sani gave me a 'take that' kind of look and before I could say anything she opened the door and left.

  She was walking along the street, looking for the cab, with her rain jacket doing little to help her against the stormy winds and rain, when I stopped my car behind her and grunted,

  “Sani, come inside. No arguments! I had said I will drop you.”

  She quietly got into the car.

  I cupped her face,

  “You have just come out of fever.”

  She pouted hanging her head low in my hands.

  I gave her a look, “And now you threw this tantrum in storm-like weather! Hadn’t we decided we'll leave together?”

  Sani scowled at me, making me laugh at her cute angry expressions.

  On the way to her house, we kept sneaking glances at each other, as I held her wrist while driving. Smiles never left our faces.

  Soon we reached her house. Looking at me square in the eye, she chimed the softest ever, most beautiful thanks and got down from the car, taking my breath away.

  “Sani...” I called before she could walk away.

  She brought her face towards the window and I continued longingly,

  “I’ll miss you...”

  She burrowed her eyebrows as if in deep thought.

  Looks like, she is seriously trying to figure out what to say.

  Finally, as if making a decision she moved her hand inside the window.

  Does she really think she needs to shake my hand in courtesy of goodbye?! God she is something!

  Of course, I couldn’t miss this wonderful chance of teasing her.

  I caught her wrist and caressed it with a smirk,

  “Is this for me to kiss or shake?”

  Sani’s mouth opened a little but no words came out.

  When she just stared at speechlessly, I murmured, “I will take the former.” And I dropped a deep passionate kiss on her hand, nipping her knuckles before leaving it.

  Sani snatched her hand back, opened, and closed her mouth blushing like anything.

  Seeing me grin, she scowled, stomping her foot in irritation.

  I couldn’t hold it back any longer, laughing I got down from the car and moved towards her.

  Sani continuously kept looking around the driveway and then at her house windows. I followed her gaze and saw Zidaan’s car parked near mine. Meaning he had come to visit.

  Sensing her apprehensions, I decided to soothe her. At least for today we should not be worrying about anyone. It was our day.

  I went to stand right in front of her. Then bringing my face extremely close to hers and gripping both her hands in mine, I wrapped them behind her back thus jerking her to my chest, as I whispered,

  “Don't worry. Zidaan is not watching us. No one is...”

  My lips kissed her ear shell, as I spoke. She shivered slightly, closing her lashes.

  “I like you...too much. And I want to hear your feelings. Soon.” Caressing her cheek with my lips, I reached the corner of her mouth, kissing it with a bite, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from her.

  She opened her eyes and I winked, melting away from her blushing face.

  I got inside the car, with a grin I couldn’t wipe off from my face. The last thing I saw before driving off was a stunned Sani. Probably due to my parting words that she can't always remain silent like she did today. I wanted to hear those words out loud. Very soon.

  I could already feel this was going to be fun.

  23-Romance in the Air

  Sani

  Aariz drove off leaving me stunned behind. I could still hear his parting words ringing in my head,

  ‘I like you...too much. And I want to hear your feelings. Soon.’

  Flustered and blushing I took a deep breath and went inside the house. I found a recognisable guy sprawled on the couch, watching television.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked although I had seen his car, and it was not new for him to be in my house for absolutely no reason. It was like his second home.

  “Nothing.” Zee muttered casually.

  Then giving me a curious look he went on,

  “What has happened to you anyway? Seems like you have come here running. You look a little tensed as well. Was sup?”

  Well, Aariz said, ‘I like you a lot.’ To my face! Couldn’t he keep it to himself?!

  “I'm fine. What will happen to me?!” Getting self-conscious, I quickly made way towards my bedroom before Zee could interrogate me further.

  I stayed in there the entire afternoon trembling over my actions in college, while at the same time trying not to think about it.

  Damn! I actually am in a relationship with him now. My Professor!

  By the time evening wore on, Mom almost broke my door with her banging, asking me to come out for freaking tea and snack
s!

  I found Zee in the kitchen, eating right from the pan as Mom prepared her mouth-watering rolls.

  “You are still here.”

  I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

  Is it possible that Aariz already told him? Oh no! He will now tease me to death and he will be angry that I did not tell him myself. Shit!

  “Obviously. I came here for lunch. Hence, I decided to stay for dinner as always. Why? Aren’t you way too surprised seeing me today?” Zee gave me his own suspicious look.

  “Where had you been anyway young lady? You skipped lunch as well, locked up in your room.” Mom narrowed her eyes at me.

  What’s with these people and their distrustful eyes?!

  “I was tired due to extra lectures, so took a nap. I had eaten something in college.” I mumbled turning my back to them in pretext of getting some water from the fridge.

  As if I can tell them,

  Yeah I'm restless because I like my Professor and apparently now we are both exclusive. Like a dating couple!

  My God! I couldn’t yet accept the fact to myself. I actually confessed my feelings to a guy and that too, Zee’s very best friend.

  Oh no! What have I gotten myself into?! What will I do now?!

  Just the thought of it was making my head spin.

  Wait a minute! I did not confess to Aariz. After all, I could not find my voice in front of him. But indirectly I did tell him my feelings.

  Then why did he say,

  ‘I like you...too much. And I want to hear your feelings. Soon.’

  I slapped my forehead as realization hit me hard,

  ‘Oh shit! Crap! Crap! Crap! This means according to Aariz I have not yet confessed at all! Now he won't spare me until I say properly and coherently how much and why I like him. Oh no! Why did I ever get myself into this relationship thingy?!’

  Quickly finishing off my coffee, and whatever Mom had put in my plate, I went to my room for cursing this situation in peace.

  To my utter annoyance, Zee came inside my room within minutes, to disturb my cursing session.

  If his friend Aariz is the same, then he’ll annoy me day and night too. If he is just as clingy and chatty, I’ll be dead.

  Oh God! For the hundredth time...Why did I ever get myself into this mess?!

  “What are you mumbling to yourself? Speak a little louder, will you? I can't hear you properly.” Zee pulled a chair near my bed and actually leaned forward to hear.

  I snapped in irritation,

  “That’s the point Zee. I'm not talking to you, but to myself. So why would I speak loudly?”

  “I know that Sani. But if you don't self talk loudly, then how will I know your secrets?”

  Zee actually looked serious about his statement!

  I gave him a glare. But before I could say anything, my phone rang.

  Looking at the collar id, ‘Prof Aariz’ and then glancing at Zee, sweat formed over my forehead.

  “What’s wrong? Answer your phone. If it’s the President calling, then tell him I say ‘Yo!’ And if it’s any of your girl-friends, then tell her my ‘Hi!’ or better yet, just hand it over. I will talk to your friend myself.” winked Zee, grinning at me.

  I was losing patience now, combined with the dreaded phone call. Therefore, sarcasm came out before I could stop it, along with an acidic smile,

  “Do you know the President? You don't, right? Then why a ‘yo’ for him in greeting?! Is he a friend of yours?”

  Zee sneered at him,

  “No, I don't know him. But the way you were getting nervous looking at your phone, I made a wild guess.” He shrugged, “And so what, if the President is not my friend, why should I be scared of him? Why can't I greet him with a ‘Yo’? I'm not like you. I have the manners to greet a person well.”

  “With a yo?!” I raised my eyebrows making a face.

  My phone stopped ringing.

  “So?! Yo sounds friendly. He might be the President, but why should I be afraid of him?” said the ever so egoistic toad Zee.

  “Arrggg! Obviously, Zee, I'm not scared of him either. Nor have I gotten a call from him or any other scary person.” I rolled my eyes heavenwards for even being a part of such a non-sense conversation.

  “Then why were you getting nervous?” Zee again started with his detective self.

  “I wasn’t nervous. One of my friends had called and I was just signalling you to get out of the room, so I could talk to her privately. Why the hell would I be nervous?!” I tried to sound honest.

  That was when my phone rang again and this time as well the caller id showed, ‘Prof Aariz.’

  Zee gave me a patient look, showing no signs of leaving. Therefore, having no other choice, I received the call in front of him, with trembling hands. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hey, how are you this evening?’ Aariz's voice came all husky, reminding me of today’s events

  He seemed to be in a chatty mood.

  What should I do now?! If Zee hears his voice, he will ask me a thousand questions about who is the guy?!

  ‘Hey Sanu, what happened? I hope I'm not disturbing you.’ Aariz asked politely over my silence.

  That’s my queue.

  ‘Yup! You did disturb me. Actually, I was discussing an important matter with someone and my phone rang. I will talk to you later. Okay? Bye.’

  I disconnected the call without giving Aariz a chance to answer or stopping to think how bitchy it was to tell him yeah you bothered me. Shit!

  I know it was rude of me to brush him off like that. But what was my choice with Zee's nosy ears close by? That did not sound right. Ears can't be nosy. Oh hell!

  After some catching up and discussing trivial issues with Zee, Dad and Grandpa arrived home. That made Zee hurry up to them in the living room for the important doctor thing he had come to talk to them about in the first place.

  I decided to speak with Aariz now. I knew if I called him, his voice and talks would leave me breathless, knowing what happened today in college. Therefore, I deduced texting was the safest option here. And I had to be cautious so as to avoid lying about who I am talking to, in case my parents heard me and became nosy in my business. Locking my bedroom door, I typed him a text with a quick smile that appeared on my lips out of nowhere.

  ‘Hi! Sorry actually, when you called, Zee was around. So I couldn’t talk to you.’

  At least it was the truth.

  I waited for his answer, while trying to calm my blush the hell down and stop from biting my lips.

  And it struck to me! I had never romanced with someone, as I might have to do when he answered.

  God...I'm so inexperienced in this thing! I should have dated around before confessing my feelings to this guy. Shit!

  Is it too late now to ask him to wait until I break some other hearts or get mine broken or at least get some heat and romance to be prepared?

  24-Biggest tease

  Sani

  ‘Oh! I thought you had something much more important than us.’ Aariz's reply made my heart go boom boom boom.

  Putting some hair strands behind my ear, I quickly glanced at my dressing table's mirror, and then rolled my eyes at my own clichéd love sickness.

  ‘No, nothing like that. Just Zee was sitting beside me, so I hung-up on you, before he could hear your voice.’ I texted back scared he was offended.

  ‘You mean there is nothing more important than the two of us?’

  Hmm... So, he was not offended, just trying to be cute, and looking for compliments.

  ‘Yes.’ I obediently texted back, then realizing what I just sent, quickly followed it saying,

  ‘No!’

  ‘No? Meaning there are things more important for you than our relationship and me. Our relationship is not important?’

  Why is he getting so hyper?

  Is he trying to wind me up?

  ‘Our relationship is very important. I mean...Why are you irritating me?!’ I whined.

  ‘I'm irritating you? Sweetheart, yo
u didn’t even to speak to me. I had ‘called’. But you just texted!’

  Sw...swe...sweetheart! I couldn’t even say it without getting heated like a hot Chocó-Lava brownie.

  How shall I explain to him, this is why I had not phoned! Trying to save myself from his teasing and not willing to reveal the effect his deep melting chocolate voice has on me.

  Now do I need to apologize for that as well? Of course, I have to. Because I'm stuck in this thing called relationship and feelings!

  Damn it!

  I texted choosing my words carefully,

  ‘I thought if I called you and in my family someone heard me talking to you, then...’

  ‘So you did not even call once!’

  Ohh no!

  Is he trying to make me feel guilty?

  My lips trembled and I tried gulping down the lump in my throat as I typed,

  ‘What’s the need of sounding so sad about this? I'm sorry. Please.’

  It felt wierd trying to convince someone so badly. As if, their forgiveness matters so much.

  What is happening to me? I'm giving so much importance to a guy!

  Aariz went on in full complaining flow,

  ‘No. It just means you weren’t willing to talk to me. After all since I dropped you off, neither did you call nor texted. It was me who called, and that’s why you texted, otherwise you would have never done it by yourself!’

  I guessed some buttering, a little lying was necessary.

  So I did.

  ‘I said I'm sorry. But you are getting this wrong. I was about to contact you today anyway.’

  ‘You’re lying.’

  Damn! How did he know?

  ‘Huh! Why would I lie? How can you call me a liar?!’

  Yeah I should play the victim here. Make him grovel and feel me up.

  ‘If you’re not lying, then tell me why you were going to contact today, had I not called?’

  This made me nervous and the blush on my face just intensified. I knew what he was trying to make me say.

  ‘The same reason for which you did...’ I closed my eyes, face going pink, though he couldn’t see me.