*Veeba* - Random Oneshots (New OS - Lean on Me - P.6)

He was standing alone at the drinks table, staring, lost in thought, at the glass in his right hand. The dark liquid swirled around and around as he rotated the tumbler. No alcohol, of course. Especially after the last time he had drank. She would surely make him regret it if she caught him dabbling in stolen liquor again. Speaking of She...

The toes on his right foot were still throbbing. But what was most horrifying to the young man in the unfamiliar suit, was the throbbing of that organ he would often forget that he had. It was still thumping against his rib-cage. Each beat a loud, painful reminder of what had just happened. An alarm clock that had awakened something he was nowhere near ready to confront.

The first time they had clashed that evening should have been like every other time they had met. Tonight had been different. He replayed the events of the evening in his muddled mind. He had been mingling with the guests on this joyous occasion, making conversation and playing at being the gracious host. Then she (it was definitely her fault, he told himself forcefully) had clattered into him, knocking the breath out of his body. But when he had looked up at his attacker, he had been unable to get his breath back.

He told himself that the impact of the collision had winded him. That it was totally normal that it had taken forever for him to regain a regular breathing pattern. Explaining the fixed stare he had given her, now that was a different story. He remembered with a wince, how the hard lines of his face had softened and the smouldering windows of his guarded soul had revealed far too much. How he had parted his lips in surprise on impact and been unable to close them. He convinced himself he had been given a shock because of what she was wearing. That it was so different from her usual jeans and long shirts. Yes, that was it. It was no big deal. It didn't mean anything. She was still the same annoying, nosy, trouble-making brat that she was every other day.

With new energy, he set his glass down. This was Gunjan's special evening. This was absolutely no time to be thinking about other things. With a deep breath, he rolled his shoulders back and turned around to face the room. It was a big mistake.

He couldn't blame his reactions on anything. His eyes, even amongst the bright colours of the decorations and guests, had been drawn to her immediately. And he saw only her.

His senses were assaulted by an onslaught of devilish smiles and sparkling eyes, rimmed in smoky black. She was cloaked in gold, and seemed to be floating slightly above the ground. Two rosy circles had risen upon her cheeks. Soft pink beacons beneath the hazy lighting. They called out to him. His hands involuntarily twitched at his sides, as he thought how his hands would fit perfectly on each side of her face. How her cheeks would burn beneath his hands...

He shook his head violently at that very turn of his thoughts, and shut his eyes tightly. Turning around, he groaned loudly, gritting his teeth and placed both of his treacherous hands flat on the drinks table before him. She had taken his breath away. Again.

He wisely chose to battle with these strange emotions later, and focussed on how to slow his racing heartbeat, galloping in his chest. He willed his legs to move towards the doors, he needed air. Steadying himself, he swallowed hard, opened his eyes and with an attitude only he could fake at such a time, strutted confidently through the groups of people to get outside.

He had almost reached the open doors when a light touch on his right shoulder paralysed him. He froze, his eyes drifting upwards in prayer that it was not her. He already knew it was useless, as he wordlessly turned to face his Veera.

No! Just Veera, just Veera, he chanted in his mind, mouthing the words silently, his gaze on his shoes. He heard her clear her throat loudly, and once again his eyes slid up to her face. And he was lost. Again.

He was vaguely aware that she was speaking. Her lips were moving...

He swallowed, shook his head a little and tried to meet her eyes.

"Baldev, are you lost? Have you lost your Biji?"

Her dark eyes shimmered with undisguised amusement. She then made things worse by waggling her eyebrows at him. He was always helpless when she did that. The tinkling laugh that came from her small frame shook the earrings swinging behind the two elegantly curled locks on either side of her face. His gaze intensified as in his mind, he saw himself place one of the locks carefully behind her ear...

"Baldev?"

He had not reacted normally. Confusion was written in her expression. She was looking at him as if he had grown two heads. Her face scrunched in bewilderment. A dozen questions were floating in her stare. She looked away uncomfortably.

What on earth was wrong with him tonight? Suddenly a thought came to him. He instantly felt relieved. Someone must have slipped something in his drink! He knew caffeine that was in coffee, made your heart race and your hands shake. Yes, that's it! And he wouldn't have been surprised if the culprit was the captivating young woman in front of him, herself.

Gathering every little bit of self-control he possessed, he quickly pasted a smug smirk onto his flushed face. He knew her little game, and he was going to let her know he was well aware of what she had done. Nothing gets past Baldev Singh!

"Look Veera. You've had your fun, now tell me what you've put in my drink?"

Her eyes snapped sharply back to his, flaming chocolate burrowing into his caramel pools.

"What are you saying? How dare you! Only you slip things in drinks!"

"Admit it. I know you did. How else do you explain my heart..."

He glanced away quickly, fear in his eyes. This girl had managed to loosen his tongue as well. He slowly moved his vision towards her face. The anger had melted away to confusion once more. If he hadn't been so thoroughly distracted, he would have seen a tiny fragment of his own strange emotions mirrored in her eyes.

"Explain what about your heart?

Her voice was softer than he had ever heard it. Panicking at her reaction, he thought quickly.

"Burn. I have very painful heartburn. I'm going for some air..."

And ignoring everything that had just happened, he turned around and strode out into the cool night air before he could crumble in front of her again.

He walked until he rounded the corner of the house, and leant against the wall breathing heavily. He pushed a trembling hand through his hair, before resting it over his eyes. Something was definitely wrong with him. Maybe she didn't put something in his drink. Then what on earth was happening to him. Maybe I'm allergic to Veera?, he thought wildly.