“Complete it later.”
I couldn’t find a voice or a proper beat in my heart to respond, as Aariz gave a lingering kiss between my neck and shoulder joint.
“You are so quite today baby.” He rubbed his five’o clock shadow on my skin, as he leaned over my shoulder to place a sizzling hot kiss on my throat.
“Am I?” I somehow managed to whisper.
“umhmm...” Aariz murmured, rubbing his palms down my arms, leaving goose bumps in their wake as he wrapped my hands with his over my waist.
“Aaru, I need to...”
He did not let me complete and said stubbornly, “Finish it later. It’s my Sani time now.”
Moving my hair away with his face, Aariz dropped kisses on my neck every now and then, as he went on, “What should I order us for lunch? Or we can go out. What say?”
“We can't...” I sighed closing my eyes at the proximity that had me feeling lighter than the air and breathless all at the same time.
“Of course we can.” Aariz turned me around in his arms.
His fingers caressed my waist as he said with a twinkling smile,
“Just tell me if you want to.”
“I...uh...actually...”
“Hmm?” Aariz's knuckles were now caressing my neck.
Oh, God...just his touch makes me forget the world.
Gulping hard, I kept my palms on his chest and pushed him a little.
Gesturing at the space between us I said, “This...we need.”
“Huh?” Aariz smiled bunching his eyebrows in confusion.
Sheepishly, I pulled on my lower lip, “Sorry.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he sauntered towards me and peered into my eyes.
His breathe fanned my face, as he said softly with a smile,
“Why sorry?”
“For pushing you like that.”
“Sanu...” Aariz chuckled inclining his head back, “You can and you know that.”
Smiling a little relaxed, I went on,
“I just...uh...I feel we should be careful not to to repeat what happened this morning. Anyone could have walked in on us, right?”
“What happened this morning?” Aariz placed his hands on my waist, looking at me curiously.
“You know...You and I...We were close.” I whispered.
Aariz caressed my face and soon his lips replaced his hand, as he kissed my throat's pulse point making it race, “That was the thrill of being forbidden.”
For the life of me, I couldn’t find my voice.
Taking pity, Aariz took his face away and nodded saying,
“But you’re right. We will be careful I promise.”
Next moment, Aariz leaned into me more, and before I could understand, he pushed my hair aside, kissing my nape in fiery burn.
I gasped, “Just now you promised!”
“Oh this office also counts in being careful?” He asked with an innocent look.
“Yes!”
“Hmm, so what am I doing?” he smirked, again bringing his face on my nape, as he placed a soft feather light kiss on it.
I pushed him away giggling and blushing hot. He chuckled too, pulling me to himself.
“Can you believe it; we haven’t even had our first hug yet!” I wondered aloud.
“You want me to take you?” Aariz’s voice turned intense.
I stared at him wide-eyed,
“Huh?”
“In a hug.” said the innocent devil, making me slap his chest.
He shrugged in amusement,
“What? You said you wanna hug me.”
That worked as a harsh reminder and I stepped away from Aariz for some much needed space.
Taking a deep breath, I turned my back to him,
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Was I...Am I too obvious?” I turned to face him.
He was leaning against the bookshelf, where he had trapped me moments ago.
“About?” Aariz looked curious.
“I mean, had you always felt that I was crushing on you?”
Aariz burst out laughing, then pressed his lips and tried to be serious as he answered,
“I often felt you didn’t think I existed. You barely gave me the time of the day sweetheart. I was just a passing thing for you. I was pursuing you. Why would I ever think you had feelings for me already?!”
Then as if a sudden realization occurred to him, he gaped at me,
“Wait a minute! You crushed on me for long before we told each other about our feelings?!”
He looked shocked.
“I...I never said that.” I stammered, staring at the floor.
Aariz walked towards me and cupped my face to meet his eyes, as he stared at me in disbelief,
“Meaning, you looked at me that way while I remained unaware and worried that you don't see me!”
It wasn’t a question so I did not bother answering, but decided to get it all cleared for the peace of my heart and asked him,
“You never felt I was desperate. Not even now, right?”
“Sweetheart, where is this coming from?” Aariz searched my face but I remained silent.
Sighing he went on tenderly,
“Look, I'm desperate all the time to see you, touch you, meet you. If you feel the same way, it’s not wrong. In fact, you should be. It does not make us desperate. Alright?”
I nodded with a watery smile, unable to hold back tears of gratitude.
“You are crying. It means you were worried with this burden on you. Tell me how this occurred to you all of a sudden. Someone said something, hmm?” Aariz wiped my tears with his thumb, getting worried.
I shook my head, still smiling lovingly at him, “I don't have any more classes now? Do you?”
“No. But tell me wh...”
“Well, then I guess we can go out for lunch unless you don't want to anymore. I mean, I can go home...” I shrugged looking away.
Aariz made me look at him, rubbing his hands gently on my face, he said in a firm tone,
“Of course I want to. And don't forget, you will always be going home with me from now on.”
“All right then, I’ll meet you around the turn of the road.” I picked up my book and laptop, hurrying towards the door, grinning goofily.
I was in the corridor when Aariz came to stand by the doorframe and said with an air of finality,
“We are going out, but don't think we are done with this topic yet.”
Shit?
I walked fast without turning to look at him, but came to a halt, as Aya blocked my way, cooing, “Aww! Cosy.”
“He was not telling that to me.” I said rather too quickly and turned around to see he still stood by the door.
Idiot!
“He was talking to...uh...Professor Gracie.” I waved my hand at her office door, which was exactly in front of Aariz’s.
Aya smirked with laughter in her eyes. Before she could speak, I stated, “She went into her office and so he yelled behind her. Yeah.” I nodded to myself.
Aya raised her eyebrows looking at me with mock surprise, “And you did not claw her eyeballs yet?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out as she went on in the same tone as if stunned, “You even left him alive for planning to go out with her!”
“Why do I care and why do you?!” I grumbled and pushed her aside as I left.
“Yeah, hurry up. Lover boy is waiting in anticipation!” Aya said in a loud carrying voice that echoed in the deserted corridor.
I glanced over my shoulder, to find Aariz really was still standing by his door with a startled expression on his face looking at Aya, who was in the middle of the corridor.
Yes my sexy idiota, come and walk me to my every class from next time onwards, so that nobody has a doubt in their minds about our freaking forbidden relationship!
35-Broke her heart
Aariz
It felt like living in a dream. Sani was dating me. She was ready to go out with m
e. I had never thought it would happen so soon, or that it would happen at all. She loves me. I couldn’t help but laugh at how surreal it felt.
I had just about entered the parking lot when the smile left my lips in an instant as I saw her.
There stood Sani with Sahil and his friends. She was laughing gloriously at something they said and to my utter annoyance doing high five with Sahil. She was enjoying the company of the guy she had brushed off half an hour ago. With the guy she knew I did not have much of a good opinion about. Yet there she was.
Crunching my jaw, I sat inside the car and drove off. Eventually I was able to calm down thinking; she might have gone to hand the assignment papers to Sahil. Yes. I just over-react when he comes into question. My mistake.
So, moments later when Sani reached the turn I was waiting for her on, I was smiling again.
Soon I was in a lovely restaurant with an even lovelier company.
“You know, I had never pecked you for a shy one.” I grinned at her as we ate.
Sani raised her eyebrows bringing her hand in front of me dramatically,
“Oh please...! I'm not shy.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at my cute drama queen,
“Sure, if you say so.” Tentatively I asked as if curious, “Then the blush that always creeps on your face when I come closer is just because...?”
“I don't blush!” growled Sani. Really growled, with her fork in hand, as if, ready to attack if I argued otherwise.
“Really? So if I kiss you right now, you won't obviously blush.” I cocked my head to the side, peering at her without breaking the eye lock.
She punched my forearm scowling.
“Ahh...” I rubbed on it rigorously for added effect.
“As if it hurt so much.” Sani rolled her eyes.
When I kept the fake painful expression on, my girl leaned across the table, gently touching my arm, asking in a timid voice,
“Did I really hurt you?”
I shook my head, grinning at her with affection,
“If you don't wipe off that caring look from your face and lean back quickly, I might really kiss you right here, right now. Trust me.”
Sani scrambled back, as if hit by a force.
We finished our lunch and Sani immediately started going through the desert menu,
“Which flavour of ice-cream would you like?"
“I will take coffee, Sanu.”
She glanced up from the menu, staring at me straight in the eye, getting serious,
“No you will have ice cream.”
“Why?” I was confused now.
“Because I'm saying, that’s why.” She stated commandingly.
Interesting...
“Besides, it’s no fun eating it alone. Now just sit quietly and tell me what flavour.” Sani stared at me patiently.
Oh...So I obviously don't get a choice.
On my silence, she became irritated.
“You said I should be quiet.” I shrugged, amused by her expression.
“You are very bossy.” I commented in adoration of her.
She pouted to herself getting conscious immediately.
I shook my head warning her,
“No, don't regret or try change that behaviour in front of me now. I like it.” Gazing into the depths of her oceanic orbs to the point that she shyly broke eye contact, I murmured,
“I think you are gonna be the only person I would allow and love to be bossed around by.”
“Really?” Sani's eyes sparkled in mischief.
I nodded tentatively, getting doubtful of her intention.
“Then, can we go shopping?!”
I relaxed,
“Of course. That’s a pleasant surprise to me by the way. You are getting comfortable in this relationship. I would love to buy...”
But she did not let me finish and waved her hands shuddering slightly,
“No no. I don't want anything. I would never make you go shopping for myself. God no! It’s just that...um...you said you will listen to me.”
“Boss.” I nodded teasingly.
She kept her gaze on the table, as she said in a soft tone,
“I thought I'll gift you something...Something less uptight.”
“Huh?”
Sani fearfully met my eyes, saying,
“I mean, I have never seen you in anything casual like a t-shirt or you know, even like a fancy shirt, other than these formal corporate types, in which you look great by the way. Trust me you look like a treat to me in these. But I just...I...um...have been thinking...”
“Fantasizing.” I supplied helpfully.
“No, in my fantasy you are mostly shirtless and...” She stopped abruptly then gulped hard again, moving her gaze off me and went on,
“I wonder if you even own a t-shirt. So I wanna buy one for you.”
Clasping her hands on the table, I caressed them giving her a meaningful look,
“I have many t-shirts love. But I won't say no to your choice. We can go now but you are not buying. I will pay. You just choose.”
“But I have money!” Sani revolted taking her hands away from my grip.
“Which I would hate to be spent on me. I should be the one spending on you. Not the other way round.” I tried to explain, but she was all wide-eyed innocent, as she asked in annoyance,
“But why?”
Before I could open my mouth, the little tigress of mine crossed her arms, saying in a tone of finality,
“I'm saying let me buy or I will never talk to you.”
“But...”
“We are going and I'm buying. End of discussion.” She gave me a stern look.
Again making me smile in amusement and just stare at her expressions with my chin propped on my hands.
Understanding her tone, she moved a hand through her hair getting anxious,
“Sorry.”
I shook my head slowly in daze.
I decided to have my blushing girl back and asked casually,
“So I look like a treat, huh? Then why do we need ice cream.” Softly I added, “Just have me...eat me.”
It worked. She blushed like a cherry.
“You are slowly becoming my world.” I sighed pulling her hand in mine.
“My feelings in this matter aren’t much different.” Sani whispered smiling dreamily.
“No. You’ll have to say it.” I urged but she just giggled,
“I have answered.”
Interlinking our fingers, I came to the earlier serious point of discussion,
“So when are you planning to tell me what was that about in my office?”
She seemed to be on the verge of denying, so I went on firmly with a no-nonsense tone,
“Who had put those things in your head about you being obvious and what not, in front of me?”
Sani started shaking her head,
“No one. I just...”
I did not even let her finish. Not buying the lie even for a moment,
“Bullshit! Tell me the truth.”
“It’s sorted now, so let it go.” She sighed heavily.
I remained firm,
“No I won't. Because had you not asked me today, it might have turned into a big worry for you again. Making you freak out and get the idea of me being better off without you, as you had felt days ago and tried to break up with me. I don't want that again.”
I gave her a warning look and she finally budged saying apologetically,
“I'm sorry. Actually, Rose had said something and I took it to heart. I thought I should clear it with you. Because I hated the idea that you might have laughed behind my back thinking I'm one of those girls, before we started dating.”
“I'm glad you cleared it with me sweetheart. And you have no idea since how long I have had feelings for you. No idea at all.” I said staring at her with genuine honesty and did not realize what I had blurted.
Sani scrunched her eyebrows, getting confused and curious.
Before she could cr
oss question me about my declaration, I told her in no uncertain terms,
“About this Rose, I don't think you should be friends with her at all. Cut her out from your life. That girl is cheap shit. She...”
I stopped and closed my eyes in regret over such language.
Sani gaped at me in disbelief,
“How could you use such words for a girl?! I always thought you are polite and mature, but...”
I nodded,
“I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have said so. But I'm serious; you must not continue this friendship.”
Sani scoffed humourlessly,
“Why? And what would I tell her as the reason for it? That it’s just because I have a boyfriend now?!”
I tried hard to keep my temper and my voice low, as I retorted furiously,
“Sani how can you be such a foolish baby to not understand, that girl is all wrong.”
I hated myself the moment I said it. But it was too late, as I saw her face get masked by hurt.
I opened my mouth to apologize, but Sani did not let me.
Getting up she said in a curt voice,
“Because Rose was concerned seeing my Professor’s attention on me? Why won't she be, when she does not know anything about our relationship! Just because she is jealous of me being better in studies, for that I should break the years old friendship. She was my first friend in college Aariz. We have had our ups and downs for years now.” Sani shook her head, eyes glazed with tears, “You shouldn’t be dictating my choices. Even if I'm an immature and foolish person in your eyes...I am what I am.”
“What?! Sani no...”
She moved away from the table, walking out of the restaurant.
Damn it!
Clearing the bill, I ran out of the restaurant and found her on the sidewalk, looking for a cab.
“Sanu listen to me. Please just listen for a minute.” I pulled her towards my car though she struggled a lot in my grip.
Trapping her between myself and the car door, I clutched her shoulders,
“Try to understand, you are too important for me! So I worry about you. I can't see you bottling up your feelings. You cried today. All because, Rose made you think rubbish about your feelings...Made you feel that I might have belittled you. I am sorry love, but that’s the context in which I uttered the word foolish. Because you are too good and innocent to understand how she...”
My saying that word again, made Sani's already glassy eyes, flow with water. And it killed me.
Storm Page 26