Storm

by Saniya. S. Kohari

  Delighted with this new cheerfulness in Aariz, I gave it back in kind and joined him in the water war. Making each other wet, we were worse than the kids were, as we competed over who splashed the bigger gust of water.

  “You are too slow!” Aariz chuckled teasing me.

  “I'm not slow. Your hands are too big and manly!” I stated trying to be faster with both hands throwing water on him.

  “I'm a big man Sani. You have to get habituated now, there is no going back.” Aariz winked at me suggestively.

  And I fell. I honestly did or would have fallen completely, not due to his wink but from the wave that made me loose balance. I staggered and was almost in water, but Aariz caught me. My whole back was getting wet lying just on the surface, while Aariz did nothing but laugh with his hand curled around my waist.

  Though it was clear to me, that his laugh was forced, as his eyes remained intense and deep, darkening with every second, which he was trying not to show and scare me and hence the fake laughter. He did not force himself much to act, as he did not attempt to pull me up. Rather, kept his palm splayed on my back.

  Having figured out his act, I turned breathless holding on to him tightly. Even though I was cold, I could feel my face heating up and I guess he too saw the blush creeping on me and that’s why he finally pulled me up after giving a slight squeeze to my waist.

  Standing up, I moved my hair behind my ears unable to get my heart beating in sync. I tried to think how to get away from this awkwardness, when water slapped me hard and I saw Aariz doubled over laughing. Annoyed but unable to wipe off my grin, I too started splashing water on him and our play resumed for some more time until we were tired and out of breath.

  I stood hugging myself staring at the last of the drowning sun. I shivered with warmth when my elbows rubbed with heat. I looked sideways to meet Aariz's eyes, but I could not speak as his hands made their journey upwards and squeezed my bare forearms. Clasping them, he gave me an easy smile,

  “I think we must leave now.”

  I nodded but he did not take his hands off me and went on to ask,

  “Sanu, you’re tired?”

  “Completely spent.”

  “Then how about I give you a ride?” With that, he grazed his hands down to my wrists and turned around still holding them.

  “C'mon! Climb over.” Aariz grinned at me from over his shoulder.

  As if in some other world of daze, where nothing else mattered, and no rational thinking remained, I allowed him to lock my hands around his throat, while I jumped on his back knotting my legs around his torso.

  My jeans was folded till my calves, so I trembled with proximity and hid my face in Aariz's neck when he gripped my bare legs as he ran out of the beach.

  Aariz did not speak the entire way, nor did he try to move my curls aside, when they fell over his face. Soon we reached his car. But Aariz did not drop me to the the ground, instead he opened the car door and turned around bending slightly thus putting me right on the car seat.

  Aariz then turned and started fastening the seat belt around me. I could have done it myself, but I guess he did it just as an excuse to touch me, because his fingers lingered on my stomach, even after he was done locking the seatbelt in. Our faces just a breath away now.

  “Thanks.” I murmured.

  Aariz shook his head keeping me arrested in his eyes,

  “Thank you for coming.”

  Giving me a loving smile Aariz moved away, went to sit behind the stirring wheel, and started driving.

  It was time to go home.

  “Thank you so much for the beautiful evening.” It was all I could say after Aariz dropped me at the turn of the road near my place.

  For obvious reasons, he couldn’t drop me directly in front of my house. Much to his dislike as at that same moment, rain came down heavily on us. Thanks God, for not throwing it earlier as a third wheel on our date.

  We exchanged smiles, biding each other goodbye. But for some reason I thought he looked worried.

  No sooner had I fallen on my bed smiling like an idiot recounting the ‘best date ever’, when suddenly my phone chimed with an incoming text. It was from Aariz.

  That was fast! Maybe the force that is Sani has blown him. I have captivated him in my love and he is finding it difficult to let loose or maybe he doesn’t want to lose, rather tighten this thing between us.

  I was ready to pat my back in pride, while thinking I should write a self-help book for those poor girls out there who don't have much luck in the dating scene or to be blunt, are just complete bores. I could write for them and...

  Before I could think further, I lazily read his text.

  I wanted to strangle him and laugh all together! What the hell?!

  Aariz's text said,

  ‘Hi! Reached home safely?’

  ‘Yeah, you dropped me, remember?’ I replied back slightly miffed.

  Did he forget about me already?! How dare he?!

  Aariz

  I thumped my forehead reading her reply. Of course, I had dropped her myself. How could I be so stupid to ask such a question?

  But I needed to keep her talking nonetheless. I couldn’t rest until I had assured her of my intentions. I couldn’t risk her thinking otherwise. No, I had to be sure I did not mess this up.

  Nervously I typed her another text,

  ‘Yes of course. Sorry. So...um...You didn’t enjoy much today.’

  I wrote it as a statement not a question. Because otherwise she would answer me positively, just so as not to break my heart.

  ‘When did I say so?’ Sanu texted back immediately.

  This was it. Time to clean my image.

  ‘No it’s just that you barely ate anything. So I thought...’

  ‘We ate every available food item there! How much more could I eat?!’

  I could feel Sanu rolling her eyes as she sent the text.

  Yet I couldn’t slow down my heartbeat.

  Flinching slightly, at my own self, I came out to her truthfully in a long text of explanation,

  ‘I know you must be thinking why didn’t I take you to a restaurant like normal couples go. Instead, of delicious food why did I make you eat cheap junk food on the beach. But I did all that because after so much reluctance you had finally agreed to go out with me. You were scared, that if someone finds out, then it would be a problem, and I know you were right. So, I thought if we went to some restaurant nearby then somebody might see us. Of course, we could have gone somewhere else far away, but I felt by going to the beach we can roam freely, you would relax and won’t be looking over your shoulder expecting the worst. Also, I could hold you on the beach the whole time not at any restaurant. I hope you didn’t think that I'm a money-minded stingy sort of person. After all, I took you to the beach and offered you cheap junk food! But trust me, I wasn’t trying to save money. Nor am I low on cash. The reasons I have given you here are the only reasons why I took you to the beach. If you want then next time we can go to some nice fancy restaurant.’

  I held my breath in anticipation for her answer, which did not come.

  Getting more tensed I sent her another text desperately pleading,

  ‘You didn’t answer. Does it mean you don't want to go to any restaurant next time? Can we please meet again? I know today you didn’t enjoy much...’

  My heart felt like it was sinking fast. But it found a lost beat when the next moment my phone rang with Sanu's call.

  I turned speechlessly shocked as the moment I received the call and said a hesitant hello; Sanu started giggling uncontrollably. It did not seem like she was making fun of me, but it sounded loving, as if she found me adorable.

  I felt like I have seriously gone crazy, noticing her laughing ways. I had to accept though; it was giving me the much-needed calm.

  Then controlling her giggles, she said softly with a smile in her voice,

  “You had sent such a long text. That’s why it took me some time to read. To be honest, I was gigglin
g through it, because you are being so freaking cute! Aaru, when did I say I didn’t enjoy? In fact, I had loads of fun! And who doesn’t like a beautiful beach?! Of course, I enjoyed and it was a relief that we did not go to any fancy restaurant, because I would have felt more nervous then. On the beach there was fresh air and who wouldn’t like the ice pop, burger, ice creams and all those yums?!”

  I let out a breath of relief I had been holding. I hadn’t felt so light. Ever!

  And I told her so,

  “That’s great to hear! I thought you would think I’m a stingy kind of person and maybe you wouldn’t want to meet me again. But really I'm not like that. Trust me; I was not trying to save money.” I tried to prove my innocence and clear my image in her eyes with all my might.

  “Oh Aaru...It’s just been a few days that we have started exploring our relationship properly and you think such a small thing would make me leave you? And don't worry, I know you are not a money-minded person. I had a wonderful time this evening. It was one of the most memorable.”

  My Sanu was behaving mature and reassuring me. In that moment, I realized I was going to need her all the time.

  She went on,

  “Honestly Aaru, with your texts I felt like you are a child asking if he could have chocolate ice cream with a promise that he won't lick it badly and spoil his shirt!” And she drowned into chirping giggles that were fast becoming my favourite soothing mechanism.

  I closed my eyes, smiling lazily as I spoke,

  “I thought I spoiled our first date. I wanted to make it nice.”

  “If you remember, then technically it was our second date.” Sanu reminded me in what I could detect was a mischievous breezy tone, that our first date was when we had confessed our feelings to each other and had the best lunch because of each other's company in my office.

  I grumbled in annoyance,

  “Yeah I remember, that time as well I hadn’t done much to brag about.”

  “Don't say that! It was the perfect date. Each moment of that day is precious to me. Don't ruin it now. Please.” She cried in warning.

  “Really?” I whispered.

  “Yup. I had enjoyed thoroughly that time.” Came her soft reply.

  “Right...You had given me an earful. Why won't you have fun?” I said accusingly.

  Reminding her of how she had scolded me for filling her plate with noodles from mine and insisting her to finish it.

  We both started laughing remembering our very first “date.”

  And finally, it struck to me, what I had missed on, being lost in her chirpings.

  God...I'm a lost case. Damn! Nonetheless, I won't let it just go.

  Pretending to be curious I asked in a sardonic teasing voice,

  “Hey love, what was it that you called me moments ago? You weren’t saying Aariz of course. As you always, just call me as 'you'. What was it again? It sounded intimate and really loving.”

  She remained silent for sometime then muttered as if surprised,

  “I didn’t call your name in any way.”

  “Yeah, I know. Not just in any way. In fact, it was a proper nickname. And I wanna hear it again. Now! Please!”

  She disconnected the phone.

  I called her back immediately,

  “Sanu, what was that? Why did you hung up?!”

  She answered in a miffed voice, which sounded like that of a complaining child,

  “If you tease me like that I will call you Professor only from now on.”

  “That’s cute...All this threatening. But I won't be controlled by it in every matter, my Miss Bossy.” I smirked, and then went on in a serious tone, “This calling me Professor or Sir is one of those matters, where I won't let you win. You are forbidden to call me that.”

  “Why Sir?” Sani turned all innocent.

  She did not know whom she was dealing with. I had by now figured out every which way she got breathless and blushed.

  In a low murmur, I tsked,

  “You shouldn’t waste your time arguing with me.”

  She scoffed.

  I went on in a teasing whisper,

  “Rather use it to sum up the courage to call me by your chosen name 'Aaru'. It sounded sexy when you said it.”

  And I actually heard her breath getting hitched.

  The night has just begun my love...

  34-Mine!

  Aariz

  ‘I miss you...’ We both sighed at the same time and chuckled.

  We had been talking all night. It was the wee hours of morning now and we were in no mood to keep the phone down.

  ‘So you miss me too, hmm? Shall I come to pick you for college today?’ I asked suggestively.

  ‘As if, we can come from and go to college together!’ scoffed Sanu, and then went on, ‘Why are you sounding so husky right now?’

  ‘Maybe because I have been up all night or maybe talking to you turn on my mood, my voice...me?’ I smirked.

  ‘God...Why did I even ask?!’ She sighed in irritation but I knew she was blushing.

  Chuckling slightly, I tried to convince her,

  ‘C'mon! I’ll park a little far from your house and I’ll drop you a little away from the college. Nobody will see us together.’ I was satisfied with this plan.

  ‘Instead of doing all this, let me come on my own. We'll directly meet in college. Please? For today?’

  How could I refuse when she pleads so cutely?

  ‘Ohkay!’ I groaned rolling over on my bed and added, ‘But make it fast sweetheart. Now only three hours to go for your first lecture and I want to meet you before lectures start.’

  ‘For that you’ll have to keep the phone down.’ Now my Sani sounded husky.

  ‘You can also do that Miss.’

  ‘Yes, but I don't want to!’ grumbled Sanu and I could feel her pouting on the other end.

  ‘I want you.’ I sighed lovingly.

  ‘Okay.’ Sanu murmured back shyly.

  ‘You have to say something in answer.’ I told her pointedly.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Then say?’ I nudged.

  When she just giggled, I went on annoyed,

  ‘You did not even call me by my new nickname once! Though I tried to make you say it all night!’

  ‘Nah...Not now. Bye!’ saying this Sanu just kept giggling and suddenly even that stopped.

  And I stared at the phone,

  Huh? Disconnected! Saa...ni! What will I do with you?

  Shaking my head, I got down from the bed to get ready after our sleepless night.

  Reaching the college and getting some work done, I made my way upstairs knowing Sani might be waiting. I used the back staircase we had decided on, as hardly anyone ever used it.

  I had just gone up two floors when I came to a halt. There stood Sahil at a corner chatting and laughing merrily with Sani. My Sani!

  I walked forward with purposeful steps and came to stand beside them.

  They both stopped talking and looked at me.

  “Mr Sahil Wazir, you are going to come for the lecture in classroom today or do I need to take your class here itself? It’s up to you. If you are not in the mood to attend then...” I kept my voice calm but my eyes reflected turmoil and the lingering threat of my unfinished sentence that made him gulp.

  “No sir, there was still some time for the lectures to begin so...But I was just about to go.” Sahil stumbled backwards. Then turning towards Sanu, he smiled, “Okay Sani, I will talk to you la...”

  I did not let him finish,

  “Yeah yeah, she understood. Now leave. Lecture will begin shortly. I will be in class in a few minutes, and I won't tolerate lateness.” I warned him in sharp tones.

  Sahil walked away as fast as his legs could take him without running.

  Sanu started laughing hard. As if, she had barely been able to conceal it until now.

  Shaking her head at me, she spoke between her chirpy laughter,

  “Why did you scare the poor guy so much? There is stil
l a lot of time for class, I know. Anyway, I must rush now. See you in the classroom Professor. Bye!”

  And she actually started leaving! What the hell?!

  I blocked her way, pushing her to the wall.

  “Where are you going? We had planned to meet, hadn’t we?” I complained flabbergasted.

  She spoke to him and that’s it?! What about my Sani time!

  “Yes, we had planned and we have met. In fact, along with me you met Sahil as well. You must be so happy to see him this fine morning.” Sanu chuckled giving me a mischievous look.

  “Very funny. Why were you here with him?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest.

  She pinched my cheek saying coyly, “I was going up to your office to meet you. Collided with Sahil here and he stopped me from going upstairs due to his chitchat. What could I do?” Naughtily she whispered,

  “By the way you just need to puff your cheeks, then you’d look exactly like a child.”

  I glared at her. Hard.

  “Okay, listen.” Sanu's voice turned soft and sensual.

  I turned towards her. As if in trance

  “Good morning.” She whispered with a serene smile.

  “Indeed it is. Very good morning to you too.” I leaned forward staring at her with a warm smile that reached my eyes.

  Then checking around to make sure that the corridor was deserted, I went to stand closer to her.

  Pressing our foreheads together, I nuzzled her lovingly. Fisting my hands so as not to touch her, hold her...

  “I so wanna hold you right now. On this floor there are no lectures at this time, but someone might come suddenly and I don’t want you to get in trouble.” I sighed looking deep into her navy blue orbs that reminded me of the twinkling sky.

  “Today you were asking something on the phone. Well, the answer is...My need and want for you is more fierce than the lightening of your stormy eyes Aaru, when they saw me with Sahil today.” Sani blushed, pinker than her jeans.

  I did not say anything. Rather interlinked our fingers together and leaned my face into hers.

  She placed her palm on my lips looking scared, “We are in college right now. We can’t...”