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Love
20th September, 2006 9th grade class
Sharon was sitting right in front of me. She was so engroseed in writing her notes that she hardly even lifted up her head. Good for me as I ogled at her as much as I wanted. She looked so cute and innocent being in her own little world. The class ended and the teacher walked out.
She turned to her friend sitting next to her and said "what class next?" Taani thought for a minute and in the meanwhile "it's bio class" came the answer from me. Sharon and Taani turned behind investigating the source of the response. "Hey" I said suddenly feeling shy. Taani rolled her eyes and Sharon smiled brightly and said "thanks Swayam" and turned back to the front of the class. "You are welcome Sharon" I murmered and put my head down. She couldn't hear it obviously and I smiled at my stupidity.
This girl had gotten me head over heels for her and I just couldn't take my mind off her. Very soon all the classes ended and we were done for the day. The day had passed by so fast. *thats what happens when you spend the day staring at a beautiful girl* said my brain and I agreed with it.
"What's up dude" said Rey interrupting my thoughts. "What's up birthday boy? How are we celebrating tonight?" I replied slapping his back.
Rey : Don't know bro. Thinking of having a small party at my place. What say?
Me : Hell yeah. But a party on such short notice?
Rey : Yeah actually my dad asked me to invite my friends over for dinner. Now that I think of it, maybe he's spying on me. He's trying to get to know my secrets.
Rey suddenly went into deep thinking. He always over thought everything. Nothing was ever simple with him. I gave him a minute to figure out all on his own that he was over reacting. But it took longer than that and he didn't seem to come out of it. Also I wasn't really interested in a party. I hated being around too many people. I mean isn't it enough you see all your friends at school everyday? Besides I had rather prefer playing video games and order pizza. That's what Rey and me have been doing for birthdays since we were 5. Just as we both were busy keeping up with our priorities, someone interrupted us. "Happy birthday Rey!!!" said a cheerful Taani.
It was known to everybody that Rey liked Taani and Taani liked Rey. But somehow these two never seemed to make things official. What am I talking about making official? We were 15! So anyway these 2 enjoyed flirting and behaving coy.
"Thanks a lot Taani" replied an equally cheerful Rey. Sharon giggled at these two from behind Taani. I waved at her and she smiled back at me rolling her eyes at Rey and Taani. While Sharon and me were having a mock at the two love birds, Rey fumbled at talking with Taani. "So what plans tonight?" asked Taani. "Tonight? Um actually.. um tonight.. plans .. what plans.. eh ya actually my dad said I could get some friends home for dinner.. so um would you like to join?" finished Rey. My ears shot up listening to that. I didn't know what was happening. I looked at Rey who looked quite silly, I have to say. "Sure I'd love to" came the response from Taani. "Great" replied an excited Rey "Sharon you should join us too" he added. I looked at Sharon expectantly. If I was doing a birthday sacrifice to Rey it might as well be spent with Sharon I thought. Sharon looked at me and back at Rey and said "Yeah of course. We'll be there." I was jumping with joy at this and I said "Brilliant. Um Sharon I will text you the details" "Cool. We'll see you guys then. Bye" replied Sharon with a beautiful smile and dragged Taani out of the school premises.
At Taani's place
"Taani! What should I wear? Please help no!!" I begged a very uninterested Taani. "Sharon, why are you so nervous? Wear anything. It's just a dinner!!" replied Taani. "Just a dinner? Is that why we are at your place since 2 hours trying to decide what you should wear and what color your nails should be and which sandals suit your outfit? Cmon Taani. Just help me a little bit" I said pouting. I engaged myself in front of the mirror trying out a pink dress. "Wait a minute. I am nervous because we are going to Rey's house. I have to make a good impression and everything. Who are you trying to impress?" questioned a confused Taani. I blushed at the thought. Taani stood next to me waiting for an answer. "Um nobody. You are right. I should chill. Forget it. So are you excited?" I said trying to change the subject. But Taani caught onto it. "Oh.My.God" she exclaimed. I looked at her almost embarrassed and not ready to hear what she was going to say. "It's Swayam isn't it?" she asked already sure of the answer. "What rubbish. Why would I try to impress Swayam? We are not a thing like Rey and you" I retorted. "Ah ha! You wish you had a thing with Swayam. That is why you are so nervous" she teased. I blushed more involuntarily. *buzz* came the sound from my phone. I picked it up n saw Swayam's message which contained the address. I showed it to Taani and we hurried ourselves to get ready. Taani let the Swayam issue go, momentarily.
*ting tong* we waited at the door until Swayam answered it. "Hey" he said brightly. His stunned expression at the both of us was very obvious. Taani and me giggled as Swayam was so lost he didn't let us enter the house. "Hey guys, come in" said Rey walking behind Swayam. Swayam finally broke his chain of thoughts and let us in. Taani went forward towards Rey to talk and I lingered around near Swayam hoping he would say something to me. But Swayam was still very mesmerized to say anything - at least I hope that was the reason. So I said "hey" to which I did not get any response. So I snapped my fingers at him and this helped. "Hey. Um cmon lets go inside" he said and lead me the way to the back yard. Rey and Taani were already there talking in a corner and others like Vicky, Nil and Simmi were chatting on the table. "Thirsty?" Swayam asked. "Uh no it's too cold to have a drink" I replied. "Oh here take my jacket" he said immediately freeing himself off his jacket and handing it to me. For a 15 year old, this was very sweet and at the same time very cheesy. I smiled and accepted it and made myself warm. "So um, did you finish your homework?" Swayam asked. "Huh?" was he seriously talking about homework at this time, I wondered. Yeah well, we were in school so I guess it was an acceptable question. But I did not want to talk about homework. So instead I said "Swayam, how do I look in this dress?" taking him by surprise. He was stumped but recovered soon from it and replied "Beautiful" and smiled vibrantly at me. I did not expect him to say anything. He took me completely off gaurd and I blushed profusely at this.
"Kids, time for dinner. Everybody get inside" announced Rey's dad. Everybody started to get back inside the house. Swayam looked at me indicating we should walk inside too. But I didn't move until everyone had gone inside. Swayam looked at me again confused and said "let's go" and turned. I held his hand stopping him. He turned back and before he could say anything I pecked on his cheek lightly and whispered "thanks Swayam" and walked back inside swiftly.
This had to be the highlight of my life, I thought. The Sharon Raiprakash had blushed at something I said. And she had kissed me. It was certainly the most amazing thing in the world. God, I love her. Love may be a strong word for me, but sometimes you just know it. And this was one such feeling. I knew then that she was going to be my wife, the mother of my kids, but most of all, she was going to be mine. And I was ready to do anything it took to keep her happy !
16th August, 2014
"Simi, call the restaurant again and make sure our order is ready! Vicky will pick it up soon! And where is Taani? Is she still getting ready? Its been 5 hours! This girl I tell u!" I was stresses. I was throwing a going away party for Rey and Swayam. They were leaving to USA for post graduation. And I wanted to make this night really special for them.
2 hours later, the party was in full swing, everybody seemed to have a good time, everything was in place. So I thought I could use some fresh air and walked to the balcony. It was a really chilly night. Swayam walked in 5 minutes later. "Oops, sorry, am I disturbing you?" He asked me. "Not at all Swayam. Please join me." I offered. He smiled and came and stood next to me. "This is an amazing party Sharon. Thank you so much." He sounded really impressed. "I am glad you think so Swayam." I said rather uncomfortably. He realized my tone and said "Sharon, I.. " "Don't Swayam, whatever you want to say, please don't!" He just stood there silently staring at me. I continued, " So anyway, all the very best Swayam. I hope you have an amazing time." I stepped closer to him and kissed his cheeks. And I started walking away without looking at him when I felt a tug at my hand. I didn't turn back, scared he could see the tears in my eyes.
"Was that a goodbye kiss Sharon?" He questioned me. I didn't answer, I couldn't answer. He came face to face to me. I closed my eyes to stop the tears from flowing. The last thing I wanted was to cry in front of him. I didn't want him to think I was weak. "I don't think you are weak Sharon." He answered my thoughts. "Sometimes it's okay to be vulnerable" he continued. I opened my eyes slowly. "Was that a goodbye kiss?" He asked again. "I don't know Swayam. Was it?" I questioned him. I could see the hurt in his eyes. "I really hope it wasn't" he answered. That made me feel a little better. "I love you Sharon. And that feeling will never change. I know we have been through some rough times, but does that mean we can't stay together?" He looked expectantly at me.
"What do you want Swayam?" I asked not knowing what to say. "You. Isn't it obvious?" He asked me. "Inspite of all this?" I asked. "Because of all this" he answered as though it was the most easiest thing. That's when I realized, nothing else mattered anymore. We might have had some really bad times, but what mattered was us. If we were still here talking about it, I was sure we could think of something to make us work. I found myself relaxing. In all of my hallelujah moment, I forgot I had to say something. "I love you too Swayam" I replied with my new found energy.
And that was that! People often say love is not enough. I disagree. With the right person, all that's required is love. Everything else becomes secondary. Thus is the story of Swayam and me. It may not have many romantic filmy moments. But we survived love. We lived love. And that is the greatest thing one can hope for.
Hope you guys liked it :)
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