‘Yes sure. But Aditya, why are you leaving?’ Aleesha asked me.
‘To give you privacy so that Akash won’t hesitate getting close to you,’ I laughed looking into the mirror. Akash immediately hit me hard.
‘Stop it Aditya. You don’t have to be humorous all the time. Actually, he has some official work which he can’t delay,’ Akash said shifting his eyes from Aleesha to me.
Though we didn’t speak anything, I knew he wanted to take her out alone so that he could execute his plan. He was still firm about proposing to her. Once we reached my apartment, I gave the car keys to Akash so that if they decided to stay together till late at night, he could drop her safely. Aleesha insisted I join them, but I made up an excuse and got down from the car. Akash had planned to take her to Raghuleela Mall, Vashi, so that he could spend more time with her.
Aleesha came and sat on the front seat and Akash took to the wheel. I bid them goodbye and Akash started driving towards Vashi.
‘Sir, have you made all the arrangements?’ Akash asked on the phone when he called the manager of Fame Cinemas at Raghuleela Mall. He was in the car with Aleesha and they were on their way to the mall. The manager assured that everything was ready.
‘Which arrangements?’ Aleesha asked curiously.
‘Nothing. Some work related to office. We have an important meeting tomorrow,’ he lied. He wanted to surprise Aleesha with his plans.
Akash glanced at Aleesha carefully. Every time he looked at her, he felt like he was falling in love all over again. This was the best phase of his life and if he had not won the passes to the club, he would have never met her. It was on that very day that he fell in love with her. From that day onwards, Akash was a changed man. He never knew he would live to see a better tomorrow. But the day Aleesha came into his life, all his sorrows disappeared. It made him feel like his days of emptiness were over, like she had filled a void in his heart. His days of sadness were a thing of the past now, as he had found his true love at last. She had opened a new window and showed him love like he never knew existed. Akash believed that their love would continue to burn bright.
He thought of holding her hands while driving but dropped the plan and decided to wait for the right moment. They reached Raghuleela Mall. Aleesha still didn’t know what Akash had planned for her. She knew that Akash had decided to take her for a movie but she still couldn’t understand why he had planned to take her to a venue so far when there were better options in South Mumbai. She asked him again.
‘Have patience, dear. I want to make this the best day of your life. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Hope you like the surprise,’ Akash replied while taking on the escalator.
‘Surprise? What kind of surprise? You said we were going for a movie. What can be surprising in a movie?’ she asked. Her questions were never-ending.
‘Ssssshhh,’ Akash said and kept his finger on her lips to put a full stop to her questions. Her lips were soft, like honey dew. He was so lost in her eyes that he kept staring at her with love without removing his finger from her lips. Finally realizing he had been staring at her for way too long, he quickly looked away. When he saw Aleesha taking her eyes away from him, he kissed the same finger with which he had touched her lips. He felt like he was kissing her for the first time and the divine feeling of their ‘first kiss’ made him go crazy. He wanted to hold her by her waist and dance. He wanted to keep his hand on her lap in the darkness of the cinema hall. But he knew he had to wait a little more.
‘Akash now can you tell me? The movie is about to begin. Don’t test my patience, please,’ Aleesha said trying to convince Akash to reveal the surprise he had planned.
‘Just enjoy the movie, Aleesha. Don’t think about it so much,’ Akash replied.
After an hour into the movie, Akash excused himself and went out of the hall to give a final touch to his plan.
‘I will be back. I need to use the washroom,’ he said to Aleesha and slyly moved out.
Akash went outside, had a talk with the manager for the final time, and confirmed whether he had received the payment. The manager nodded and said everything was ready and that he needn’t worry about anything. Akash watched the clock and asked him the time left before the interval.
‘Fifteen minutes more, sir,’ the manager answered.
He went inside and sat quietly on his seat. He glanced at Aleesha who looked back at him and gave a smile. She seemed curious to know the surprise. She had somehow realized what was coming ahead, but wanted the event to unfold on its own. She was equally nervous since she was expecting something special.
Their eyes were glued to each other and they spoke a thousand words without actually saying anything. Akash understood her expectations and even Aleesha understood that Akash was really going to make it special. For the next few minutes, they kept looking at each other, forgetting all about the movie. Slowly and steadily, they were coming close to each other, with neither of them realizing it. Their foreheads almost touched each other but they still didn’t speak a word. Akash lifted his hand to touch her cheeks. His heart breathed heavily and he could sense the same feelings in Aleesha’s eyes. Their face tilted and they almost kissed each other. Their lips were inches away. His palm was about to touch her cheeks when the lights came on.
Interval
Immediately they moved back to their original position and acted as if nothing had happened. Aleesha started curling a strand of her hair with her fingers while Akash stretched his body pretending to relax. They looked at each other and exchanged innocent smiles.
‘Don’t move. I’ll be back in a few minutes with your surprise,’ Akash said getting up from his seat.
‘What’s it, Akash? Come on. Tell me. Where are you going?’ Aleesha almost pleaded this time. She was losing all her patience. Akash blinked his eyes and asked her to wait for a moment.
Aleesha took out the Bisleri water bottle from her bag. Just as she was about to take a sip, she saw her name flash on the movie screen. She could not believe her eyes.
Is that real? I mean how? Why? What’s next? Is this the surprise Akash was talking about? Did he go outside for this? Her mind was preoccupied with these thoughts while her eyes looked for Akash. He couldn’t be seen anywhere. She looked back at the screen and didn’t dare to look anywhere else. She felt like her heart had stopped beating.
Aleesha! Aleesha! Aleesha! The text appeared on the screen.
I don’t know what will be your reaction after watching this short movie. But I am sure you won’t hit me. The text flashed on the screen one after the other.
I’ve always been someone who is always at a loss for words. But, today I felt like telling you everything to lighten my heart. It’s for the very first time in my life that I am taking this step and have dared to do something like this. I would like to tell you that you have wooed me from the very first meeting. I want to let you know that I am madly in love with you and I promise you that I will do my best in making you feel loved and secure with me. I don’t know what you think of me, but you really are very special for me. According to me, you are the most beautiful girl in this world. Megan Fox is no match for you. The stars lose their shine when I think about your smile.
I’ve seen dreams of me kissing you and have spent lonely nights thinking of you. If only you could hear my heart’s voice, you would have known that I will love you like no one else. The days have passed since I feel your love in every song. Now it’s time to say what I have kept hidden for so long. I want you to stay by my side. Aleesha, I love you! I love you so much that I cannot express it enough. I have a small surprise to let you know that you are my life. I have never felt so good.
A photograph of Akash and Aleesha appeared on the screen with ‘Made for each other and together forever’ written on it.
Akash was standing near the entrance door and observing Aleesha all through the clip. Her happiness knew no bounds. She came down immediately when she saw Akash standing near the screen. She stood in front of him. The
y looked at each other for a moment. Akash was the first one to break the silence.
‘You won’t say anything?’
‘I am speechless, Akash. When did you plan all of this? I never expected that someone would ever do this to me. I am flattered. I still can’t believe you actually did this. You had kept our photograph too, the one which we had taken in McDonald’s,’ she said, and Akash came close and held her hands.
‘I wanted to tell you about my feelings in person, but thought of making it special and memorable. I always feared telling you about it because I feared losing you as a friend. I consider myself really lucky to have a friend like you. But now I want to tell you the truth. Each moment away from you feels like a thousand deaths. I would rather lose you and live in sorrow than spend the rest of my life wondering what if…’ Akash stopped for a moment and said, ‘I hope you will not hate me. But what choice did I have? You are the most wonderful girl I have ever met and not falling in love with you was never an option for me. I love you, Aleesha.’
He had finally expressed his love and he felt on top of the world. Aleesha kept smiling and looking at him with intensity. Without further delay, she hugged him tightly. The moment they hugged, everyone in the hall applauded. It was then that they realized they were in a movie hall. The last few minutes had taken them into a world which many only dream of. They didn’t wait for the interval to get over. They left the movie hall to spend some time together before the day came to an end. Akash again thanked the manager for executing his plan to perfection.
Akash started the car and kept one hand on the steering and the other on Aleesha’s shoulder. Aleesha too rested her head on his shoulder. Akash gently kissed her forehead and continued driving.
They had almost reached the bridge in Mulund which connected Navi Mumbai and Eastern Express Highway when Akash stopped the car at the side of the road. He sensed his phone was beeping. He attended the call and was about to start the car when Aleesha insisted him to wait for some time. Akash switched on the car’s radio.
‘I just want to see you so that I can dream about you tonight. I love you Akash. I never thought I would love someone whom I had never even met a few months back. But unexpected things happen and that’s life,’ Aleesha said kissing Akash’s hand.
‘I love you too. It feels so nice and secure to hear those words from you. Always be with me.’ Akash kissed her hands and pulled her cheeks, which made Aleesha blush.
Akash increased the volume of radio as his favourite song was being played. He grabbed the opportunity and dedicated the same to Aleesha.
Seedhe saadhe saara sauda seedha seedha hona jee,
Maine tumko paana hai ya tune main ko khona jee,
Aaja dil ki kare saude baazi kya naarazi…
Aa re aa re aa re aa!
Sauda hai dil ka yeh, tu kar bhi le,
Mera jahan tu baahon me tu bhar bhi le,
Saude me de kasam, kasam bhi le,
Aake tu nigaahon me sawar bhi le…
After the song ended, Akash sensed the intensity of the moment, switched off the headlights of the car, and switched on the parking lights. The glasses were tinted which made it safe for them. She was waiting for Akash to kiss her. Akash was nervous. He was so close yet so far. The sound of parking lights was the only sound audible apart from their breaths. She had closed her eyes.
Gosh, how on earth can it be so easy for her? Akash couldn’t understand it.
He couldn’t stop thinking about how he was going to kiss her. He was pretty sure that steam would erupt from his ears if he held her tight and tried to kiss her. He was extremely nervous. It was his first kiss. Aleesha was ready for it. She still had her eyes closed and could feel Akash’s breath inching closer to her. Akash looked outside the window. It was late evening and the street was quite dark. He had to kiss her and she was waiting.
Why couldn’t she make the first move, he thought to himself. ‘I love you’ said Akash and turned towards her. He wrapped his right hand around her and kept his left hand on her shoulders, bringing her closer to himself. She leant on him while Akash stroked her back. Finally, their lips met. It was their first kiss in a car on a roadside with no one watching them. He started licking her lower lip and gesturing her to open her mouth. When her lips opened, he slowly pushed his tongue inside her mouth and gently explored it. He placed one hand tightly on her neck and the other one on her cheek. She lightly bit his lip and rolled her tongue over his lower lip. Their hands explored each other. He pushed his hands inside her top while Aleesha massaged his thighs gently. Akash’s hand searched for her bra strap when Aleesha opened her eyes and resisted.
‘Not now. This is not the right place,’ Aleesha said releasing herself from him. They were completely exhausted and out of breath. She smiled looking at him and gave another small kiss.
Akash had pushed his seat back to get some leg space and Aleesha was resting her head on his lap. Akash played with her hair and kissed her forehead. Throughout the journey, Aleesha kept on kissing his neck and biting his ears. He dropped her home and returned. He got down the car and searched for his mobile.
July 7 had indeed become memorable for both Akash and Aleesha. Akash had expressed his feelings in the most perfect way possible, and Aleesha was floating on cloud nine. She wanted someone exactly like Akash who could cross all limits for her to make her happy. Their destiny had brought them together. Their lips met as if their souls were meeting. Even when Akash closed his eyes on his bed, he could feel Aleesha’s juicy lips and the tender kiss they had shared. Aleesha too kept thinking about her first kiss that was as memorable as the first Filmfare award that an actor receives in appreciation of his work. She kept blushing all the time whenever she thought about him.
Before they slept, they both changed their BBM status to the song they had sung in the car.
Aaja dil ki kare saude baazi kya narazi… Aa re aa re aa re aa!
Coffee on the Rocks
Tamanna had managed to reach office early as she had to submit some reports to her senior officials. No one from her team had come in yet. While she was busy taking printouts of the reports, she remembered she had to take her medicines for hypertension. She went and filled her glass with water from the cooler and after taking her prescribed pills, she walked through the passage towards the washroom.
As she went closer, she could hear some strange sounds coming from within. It scared the hell out of her. But with heavy steps she decided to move ahead. Soon she realized that the strange sounds were of someone making out in the washroom!
‘Ooh yeah! Mmm…that feels so good!’ a voice muttered from inside the washroom.
Tamanna was standing just outside the door trying to hear carefully what was being said.
‘Oh dear, you’re too good.’ It sounded like a guy’s voice this time.
She was stunned to hear a man’s voice coming from the ladies washroom. She couldn’t believe all this was happening in office. Though flirting was quite common, especially during appraisals, this was something new to her. Someone was actually making out in the washroom! She didn’t have the guts to open the door and stood outside silently.
‘That was so satisfying, baby. Get up, let me put on my clothes before someone walks in on us,’ the girl muttered again. Tamanna kept wondering whose voice it was.
The moans eventually stopped and there was complete silence for the next couple of minutes.
Tamanna thought of opening the door when she heard the girl say, ‘I don’t think anyone’s out there. I’ll go first. Don’t come out for a few minutes after I’m gone. I’ll give you a ring on your phone signalling everything’s clear and then you can come out.’
Tamanna quickly searched for a place to hide and found a spot behind a pillar. She heard footsteps ahead of her and tilted her head slightly to check who it was.
Oh, fish! That’s Kajal! Is that why she’s been getting leaves and incentives without even doing her work on time? Tamanna thought to herself. She stood there for a few
more minutes to clear all her doubts. She was not wrong. The guy was her senior Manager, Mr Verma. He was in his mid-thirties whereas Kajal had just graduated. She had joined the company only recently but took full advantage of her senior, knowing that he was addicted to sex. Tamanna imagined what it would feel like to be with Deep in the same situation and ignored the wrong things that happened in office. Deep was still on probation and his leaves, HRA, bonus, and other benefits were in Tamanna’s hands. She had a huge crush on Deep and wanted to be in a relationship with him in spite of him being her junior. Though she had never shared her feelings with any of her colleagues or friends, the same thoughts kept revolving in her head. She thought that even though she was hiding her intentions from others, surely Deep had a hint about her feelings for him, but he didn’t say anything.
She was drinking water when her phone rang.
‘Hello beta, how are you? This is Mr Dalal this side.’ Mr Dalal was the owner of the house where Tamanna and Aleesha were staying.
He continued, ‘I wanted to inform you that I am looking to renovate our flat. Actually, I am moving to my hometown in a year and thus I want to sell my flats and properties before moving out of Mumbai. So I thought of renovating the flat so I could get a better deal for it.’
‘But uncle, I can’t shift in such short notice. I need at least a fortnight,’ Tamanna requested while on her way to the cafeteria.
‘It’s okay. Try and adjust somewhere else for a month. Once the interiors are done, you can move back in. In fact, why don’t you leave all your furniture in the flat and carry only the necessary stuff?’
Tamanna reluctantly agreed and disconnected the call. She thought of how Aleesha had just shifted and telling her to look for some other place would be really awkward. However, Tamanna had no other option. She had to now find a new residence on such short notice. She remembered that a few of her colleagues lived in rented apartments and thus thought of shifting to one of them for a month. She called Aleesha to tell her about it but her phone was not reachable. She decided to inform her after reaching home at night.
It Started with a Friend Request Page 5