PART 7: A long part to make up for the delay
At 28, when I look back, if there is one thing I am sure about – is that I have been foolishly in love with you since I can remember, but have been very foolish in how I have expressed myself over these years.
Foolish? Yes- foolish. I was in 11th grade- the most stressful year of high school. The stress of exams, GPA, SAT classes, community service hours, extracurricular hours, college apps and essays, a chain of breakups with my short lived girlfriends, and parental expectations. There were days I felt my head was jammed in mom's pressure cooker. My usual outlets- friends, basket ball and you, had all faded in the background thanks to this escalating barometric pressure. Even our chess games were less frequent as you were busy writing for the school newspaper. I missed our ice cream dates, but I was happy that we had been friends now for over a year, without any major fights or arguments. You were a stubborn girl though- despite all my efforts, you had stuck to vanilla….if ice creams were relationships, I am sure the guy who eventually gets you one day will be one heck of a lucky guy as you would be faithful to him all your life.
Since the electric exchange after the snow day, I knew something inexplicable had stirred inside me. Even though that was the most invigorating sensation my senses had experienced, I had managed to convince my mind that it was nothing more than static energy. What my mind couldn't convince me to avoid was furtive glances at you as you walked by the lockers in the hallway, stalking you whenever you walked with another guy (phew, fortunately, none of these guys led you to the bathroom or an isolated corner….double standards, huh? Yeah, I really had double standards when it came to you.)
Although we were good friends, a part of me still hesitated to share every detail of my life with you. I wish I had, perhaps you could have stopped a foolish 17 year old from engaging in risky and thoughtless behavior.
A number of boys in my class succumbed to the junior year stress and resorted to late night parties, drinking, crazy driving and even drugs! I never functioned well under pressure and as the stress became unbearable, instead of confiding in friends or parents, I became a part of the late night parties, even drank an occasional beer, drove like a maniac for a few moments of thrill but drew a line when it came to drugs. I patted my back for successfully warding off the druggies in my class. I was too scared of being caught smoking pot in the school bathroom, risking suspension for the rest of the year. There was no way, I wanted to repeat 11th grade again, so staying out of trouble was more attractive than a few minutes of 'escape.'
'Escape' 'High' 'Ecstasy' 'Out of this world experience' 'cool' were luring words thrown at me by some of my team mates.
"Armaan! Have you ever tried the Space Monkey game?" Matt cornered me one day.
"Space Monkey?" Even a cool dude like me was unaware of that term.
"Yeah, the blackout game…also called the choking game. It's a lot of fun. It's like drugs without the drugs."
"Drugs without the drugs?" I was confused.
"Yeah…the same high, the warm and fuzzy feeling, the euphoria, but without drugs….it totally relaxes you man. We have been playing this game at Bob's house after school. You will be so refreshed afterwards…could stay up all night studying if you want."
"Never heard of such a thing."
"Well, see you at Bob's after school then."
"I was planning to go to the chess club today….haven't been there in ages." The real reason- I was missing you. I had not seen you in days and at that time I had no idea that restless feeling, that rumbling in my chest was a sign that I needed you…even today, that dull echoing, almost a choking sensation in my heart is a sign how much I have missed you these past few years.
"Come on dude! Chess won't give you that kick…trust me."
That was my moment. I wish I had said NO to Matt, but my curiosity got the better of me and we drove to Bob's house.
"So how does one play this game?" I asked Bob, "Matt raves about it."
"Here buddy….tie this around your neck."
"Tie? Hey are we going out for a formal or something?" I chuckled.
"Yeah, even better…..it's called heaven," Bob slapped my back and then hung the tie around my neck. Gently, he brought the two ends of the tie together and tied it into a loose knot. Gradually, he tightened the knot around my neck as I stared at him in disbelief. Before I knew, I felt my throat closing, I tried to scream but couldn't raise my voice, I felt dizzy as if I was going to faint, everything blacked out and then suddenly I felt a gush of warmth and fuzziness in my brain. As I stumbled to stay upright, I saw flashes of light, a euphoric kaleidoscope of colors as if I was out of this world, floating over the oceans, up in the sky, laughing, yelling with ecstasy and then I felt a big throb in my head. Everything started coming back, it was daylight, Matt and Bob stared at me with big smiles on their face, we were in Bob's room and I was back to reality.
"What was that?" I held my head, "wow….it felt like an out of body experience."
"It was!" Bob laughed.
"Drugs without drugs!"Matt joined in, "wasn't it awesome?"
"Wow! I loved it….especially those colors….man….how do you do that?"
"It's easy….just a little tricky," Bob pulled the tie off my neck, "choke without completely choking, strangle but don't go all the way…..near death but then a sudden lease of life….what do ya say Armaan? Just one shot every day, life will never be the same then…no more thorns, just a bed of roses."
"Yeah…..sure….I am in," I bet I was still under the influence of the choking high when I agreed to the daily sessions. Little did I realize that even those few seconds of choking had cost me some precious brain cells that would never fire again.
After I had become a pro at this horrific, potentially life threatening game, ties, belts, bike chains all used as tools for this deathly high, I started having frequent headaches, frequently fell asleep in classes, couldn't focus as well, missed assignments and projects, even developed a laissez-faire attitude (apathetic or let it be attitude) towards school, sports, academics and life in general. My teachers dismissed it to lack of sleep, my basket ball team mates blamed my dwindling interest in the sport to my inability to match my black and white counterparts in height, my parents blamed it to wasting too much time playing basketball (that's what they thought I was doing when I was late coming home.) Matt and Bob were right- no one would suspect. Little did they know that there was one person who was watching me like a hawk- you.
"ARMAAN!" One day you caught me in the hallway, "I need to talk to you."
"Hey Riddhima!" I grinned foolishly like a spaced out monkey, "where have you been all these days? Missed me?"
You gave me one of those glares that usually meant I hate you but instead, to my pleasant surprise, you held my hand and dragged me to a corner behind a pillar.
"Wow! Riddhima! Do you want a kiss from me?" I chuckled like an idiot.
"Shut up Armaan! Why would I want to kiss a guy like you?"
"All the girls do….are you special or something?" I quipped with a big fat grin from ear to ear.
"What's going on?" You were still glaring at me, not amused or flattered by my comments.
"What do you mean?" I pulled my hand away and frowned seriously.
"You have been acting weird. Are you on drugs or something?"
"Are you crazy? I have just been too busy with school work….and why do you need to know? You are not my mom!" My equanimity had obviously been affected by my new addiction. The transition in my moods from jovial to angry didn't take much time.
"I am your friend and I am concerned about you. There is something going on for sure. You can tell me Armaan….I will not tell anyone…..kya baat hai?" You whispered loudly in Hindi as some students walked by.
"NOTHING!" I averted my gaze guiltily.
"Ok….then can we play chess today? I am missing our ice cream da-I-mean-sessions."
"Yeah…sure…would love to," I smiled again. You walked away with a suspicious look on your face. You were getting better and better at spotting my lies. That was my clue- I should have stopped lying long time ago and had I been truthful to you and myself, maybe life would have been very different today.
By late afternoon, my mind was less befuddled and for a change, I looked forward to chess rather than a near death session with my crazy friends.
Alas, the damage had been done! I could barely focus during the chess game. The hanging game sessions had burnt some of my thinking brain cells forever. To make it more competitive, you tried your best to dumb down your game, but I gave in- I neither had the motivation, nor the attention span. I got up harried and hassled, "I got to go….I will see you later."
"Armaan….what about ice cream?"
"I am not in a mood," Agitated at myself for making a fool of myself in front of you and anxious at what was happening to my body. I knew I was ruining my own body- it was wrong and I needed to stop playing that crazy game with Matt and Bob, but addictions have an innate ability to gnaw at you, tempting you to revisit them again and again. Soon Bob's phone number flashed on my cell phone and I couldn't say no. Like a thirsty man in a desert, I ran towards my car towards Bob's oasis. As I drove away like a maniac, I failed to notice that you followed me in your car. You had just turned 16, with a new driver's license, that was probably the first trip you had taken on an unknown route to an unknown destination….just for me.
Bob, Matt and I 'played' our game for the day, slapped each other's backs, laughed, squealed and roared in ecstasy as my feelings of guilt and remorse vanished in the thin air of transient pleasure.
After achieving my high for the day, as I stepped out of Bob's house, I was stunned to see dad at the door. I tried to pinch myself in case it was a terrible nightmare. The stern expression in his eyes said it all. I looked away, and saw you standing next to your car in the driveway.
"Armaan! Let's go home!" His piercing gaze shattered my euphoria into pieces.
"D-ad…what are you d-doing here?"My gaze shifted between you and dad as I tried to put the pieces together.
"We need to talk Armaan," Dad looked up at Bob and Matt, "I will talk to your parents tonight. They need to know what their sons have been up to. Let it be clear that if I see Armaan hanging out with you guys again, the principal will be the first one to know….understand?"
"Mr. Malik, what have we done? We were just having some fun!" Matt defended himself.
"Well, in that case the FUN IS OVER THEN!"
Matt and Bob retreated into the house while I, with my head lowered, followed dad to his car.
"M-my car?" Hesitantly, I asked, "we can't leave it here."
"It's no longer your car Armaan. I will take it home later but you just lost the privilege of driving that car."
"D-ad….what have I done?" I acted ignorant and then glared at you angrily as I was sure you had been the informant here.
"Here," dad took out a gun from his pocket, "take this Armaan."
"Dad? What are you doing?"
"Take this gun Armaan….and kill yourself right now."
"Dad? Yeh aap kya bol rahe hain?" I was shocked at his suggestion. Even you were stunned and ran towards us, "uncle…what are you doing?"
"I'd rather have my son kill himself with one shot than die a slow death hanging himself everyday with his moronic friends!"
"Dad…it's just a game…you are misunderstanding us."
"Yeah right son…I saw everything through the window in Bob's room….don't fool me Armaan…that is not a game….it's suicide…it's murder…it's an insult to your life…an insult to your parents who think their son is busy learning at school….you have let me down, more than ever before….I can't believe you could be so irresponsible!"
"Riddhima! Did you tell dad?" I asked you angrily, upset that you had violated my privacy and humiliated me in front of my friends and dad.
"Thank God for friends like Riddhima." Dad yelled at me, "She called me right away when she suspected there was something wrong. I asked her to follow you while I caught up with you guys. "
"D-ad…I am s-orry," I tried my best to control my tears. I averted my gaze but was stunned to see bigger tears in your eyes. Not only had I hurt my parents, but at that moment I knew I had hurt you with my word once again.
"Riddhima beta," dad placed his arm around you, "thanks beta….please go home now. Your mom would get worried. I know you are not allowed to drive anywhere else from school…thanks for doing this for us beta."
"Uncle…p..please take Armaan to the doctor. I have heard this hanging game can cause permanent brain damage." Your eyes were still misty, but with a mix of sadness and anger in them.
"Yes Riddhima beta, I will. Can you do me a favor?" Dad hung his head and lowered his voice, "please keep this to yourself….I mean kisi ko is baare mein bataana nahin beta."
"I understand uncle. I won't tell anyone….at school, neither my parents. Bye," with a wounded expression, you drove away in your car.
Dad drove me back home but to my surprise, he never mentioned a word to mom. He knew mom would have a fit if she found out the truth. Dad's cold silence and his words outside Bob's house were enough of a punishment for me. Later that evening, dad called Bob and Matt's parents. The next day we were all checked by our doctors, given a long lecture on the value of life by them, reprimanded by our dads again, deprived of our privileges like cell phones, cars and allowances for a full month. I don't know how dad kept that dirty secret of mine from mom-it's still a mystery to me. We were thankful that the school authorities had not been notified, and I was grateful that you had kept your word also. Although, I had let you down, you kept my despicable secret intact-my reputation amongst my peers remained untouched. Even after doing the most uncool thing, my friends still thought I was the coolest guy in high school.
Next day, I approached you in the hallway, "Riddhima….can I talk to you?"
"I am in a hurry Armaan. Please make it quick!" You were cold as a stone that day.
"I-I am sorry about yesterday."
"Me too."
"I shouldn't have gotten upset at you."
"That's nothing new Armaan. You have always been a jerk….and will remain one!"
OUCH! Your verbal slaps always hurt more than anything in the world.
"I-I know ….you are right……I did act like a jerk. I know I upset you." I blocked your path.
"It doesn't matter does it Armaan?"
"It does Riddhima!" For the first time, I had the guts to speak the truth, but you just shook your head, "Please let me go now."
"I promise I will never do anything so foolish….and I will try not to be a jerk….I promise."
"I will believe it when I see it Armaan…excuse me now," you deflected my arm and escaped to your classroom, leaving me feeling dejected, guilty and in depths of despair.
I cursed myself for really being a jerk- jerk that I succumbed to such a dangerous game, jerk that I hurt all my loved ones for a few seconds of pleasure, jerk that you thought I was such a big jerk!
I spent the next few months trying to rebuild myself for dad, myself and you. My friends noticed the change in me- what's up Armaan? How come you are so serious these days? I avoided Matt and Bob like plague, hung out with a better group of friends. I couldn't muster the courage to ask you out for another game of chess or ice cream. To my surprise, even you stopped going to the chess club anymore. We exchanged distant nods and Hi's in the hallway. Each time, I saw you, I was sure you were either ridiculing me or assessing me on a jerk-scale- I was sure I scored in the negatives in those days. I would just avert my gaze and walk off guiltily.
I remember, a few days after the Thanksgiving break, you took me by surprise, "Hey Armaan…a number of us are planning to go to the Rockefeller center this weekend. It would be nice to see the Christmas tree and lights. Would you like to join us?"
My eyes lit up as I cleaned my ears to make sure what I had just heard, "Wow! Rockefeller center?" My faith in the word 'thanksgiving' suddenly rose to new heights, "you mean ice skating around the tree? I would love to go…so…so are you asking me out on a date?" I was so thrilled that I couldn't resist asking although I knew what the answer would be.
"I don't go out on dates Armaan… but it's just all of us…the usual suspects- Abhimanyu, Nikki, Rahul, Muskaan and myself."
"Oh really? You have never gone out on a date?" Inwardly, I was doing the rumba and the samba, although I kind of knew that so far, you had not dated anyone in high school.
"I am not allowed to Armaan….and really I don't want to." You rolled your eyes.
"Why are you not allowed to date?"
"Do you want to come or not?" An exasperated look on your face was enough to shut me up.
"Absolutely! But none of us can drive…we are all younger than 18 and you have to be 18 or up to drive in New York City."
"We will take the subway. We will all meet at my house at 6 pm on Friday evening."
"Wow! That would be fun…thanks for asking me out Riddhima," I smiled at you.
"Let me get this straight Armaan Malik!" You snapped your fingers at me, "this is neither a date, nor have I asked you out. You are a part of our childhood gang and that's why I am being nice to you."
"Even though I am a jerk?" I smiled mischievously this time.
"Yes, even though you are a jerk…and a coward……and a little slow on the uptake," you smiled back and then turned around to leave.
"Hey Riddhima," I touched your elbow, "thanks…does that mean you have forgiven me?"
"You really are slow, aren't you?" You shook your head and left.
"Am I?" I ran my fingers through my hair as a fuzzy, warm feeling ran through my veins, giving me an elated feeling that lasted all day, all night, the next day and the day after that- no drug or space monkey had such an enduring power.
After much anticipation and parental anxiety (Shashank uncle to be precise), the six of us got together at your place on Friday evening. I hated when Shashank uncle ignored me and looked at Abhimanyu, "beta…please take care of Riddhima. I have never sent her alone on the subway at this hour."
"Uncle, she is not alone," I interjected before Abhimanyu could reassure him.
Shashank uncle nodded politely and then addressed Nikki, "you girls all stay together and let the boys walk behind you….there are a lot of muggers in the city."
"Shashank! They are almost adults baba….they will be fine…ab jaane do inhein warna train miss ho jaayegi!" Padma aunty to the rescue, as always. Have I told you, how much I love your mom?
The journey to the city was another pleasant surprise. Shashank uncle's knight was too busy with his muse, Nikki throughout the ride. Yes! Thank God for Nikki. Her devotion and dedication to my childhood rival had finally paid off. Abhimanyu gave her undivided attention, almost as if he had misinterpreted Shashank uncle's orders to take care of Nikki rather than you.
Rahul and Muskaan were too busy with the crossword puzzle in the newspaper they found on a seat. Muskaan was a chirpy seventh grader now, complete opposite of the shy and sensitive Rahul. I loved to see them together. I felt like a desi auntie when I thought of them as a couple in the making- match making runs in our desi blood I think.
I found a seat next to you but you were too busy listening to your iPod.
"Hey," I elbowed you, "what are you listening to?"
"What?" You removed the headphone from your ears and glanced at me from the corner of your eyes.
"I didn't know you loved music."
"You don't know a lot of things about me Armaan."
"I do! I know everything about you."
"Really? Like what?" You were obviously amused.
"Like you love to read and study. You like to follow the rules. You never break rules. You worship your dad and would never do anything against him….am I right?"
"Yeah….but everyone knows that about me."
"Ok….only I know that you have never had a date in your life."
"Everyone knows that too."
"Ok…" I scratched my head, "you love vanilla ice cream."
"All my friends know that too," I could tell, you were really enjoying this 20 question-ish game with me.
"You are very smart and intelligent."
"Armaan!" You rolled your eyes and replaced the headphones, "tell me something no one knows."
"You are not modest at all," I pulled her headphones off, "and you know how to bore your friends when they are riding with you on the subway."
You surprised me with a smile again, "okay…now you are talking," and placed your iPod in your bag.
"So, what were you listening too? News podcasts? Maybe they have chemistry and math podcasts?"
"Jay Sean!"
"Wow! That desi turned angrezi guy?"
"He is awesome! Have you heard him?"
"Kind of…I think he sings for girls."
"Who doesn't?"
"Bon Jovi!" I chuckled.
"I hate hard rock!"
"Why am I not surprised? See, I told you I know everything about you…even your taste in music."
"No, you don't! There are some things about me you don't know!"
"Hmm? Are you adopted?"
"NOOOO!" You chuckled.
"You have a twin we don't know about?"
"NO!" You chuckled.
"You have been to jail?"
"Armaaaan…..you are crazy!"
"You snore?"
"I don't know because I don't sleep with me," you laughed aloud this time.
"So, who does?"
'Who does what?"
"Who sleeps with you?" I teased.
"NO ONE!" You rolled your eyes with disbelief.
"You are gay?"
"Shut up Armaan!"
"So, you like boys?" I asked expectantly.
"Of course I do!"
"So, who do you like?" I rolled my tongue in anticipation.
"My dad!"
"What?"
"Yeah….he is the perfect man!"
"Eeeww….so you would want to marry a guy like your dad?"
"Maybe…why not?"
"It would never work."
"Why?"
"Because you both are so alike….anal, compulsive and constipated! You would need a heavy duty plunger to unclog your marriage every so often!"
"ARMAAAAN!" For the first time since we were kids, you smacked me with your delicate hands like I was a punching bag.
"Hey…sorry…but it's true…see I know everything about you." I laughed as your battering felt more like invisible kisses than assaults on my tough exterior.
"NO YOU DON'T…IN FACT NO ONE DOES!"
"Oh yeah? So, do you know everything about me?"
"Of course I do!" You replied confidently," and I also know stuff that your mom doesn't know about you."
"Ok, let's not talk about that incident," I frowned; horrific memories from that day still gave me the chills. That's one part of my life I wish could erase. Perhaps everything happens for a reason- if that horrible incident had not happened, I would have never known that you really cared for me and because you cared, you took the risk of following me and informing my dad that day. Unfortunately, this realization did not dawn upon me till recently- yes, you were right- I have always been slow on the uptake!
We were finally at the Rockefeller center station. The nip in the air made us all huddle together as we walked out of the station. I placed my arm around Nikki, Muskaan and you, "come on girls….I will keep you all warm here."
"Hey…no flirting around here Armaan," a jealous Abhimanyu separated us all and then pulled Nikki away from our huddle. He grabbed her hand and walked off in front of us.
"Hmm…someone is getting possessive there," I was thrilled that Abhimanyu had such strong feelings for Nikki now.
"Yeah….Nikki has always liked Abhimanyu," Rahul joined us as the four of us walked behind Abhimanyu and Nikki, with our hands in our pockets. I was tempted to place my arm around you, but was afraid of a snub, so didn't even attempt.
As we approached the Rockefeller center, the hustle and bustle of the crowd, the skaters in the rink around the Christmas tree, the aroma of the honey roasted peanuts, the Christmas lights adorning the pathway and a musician playing live music, made us forget the cold; we all rushed towards the center with cool mist blowing from our mouths.
It was quite a sight- little kids, toddlers, teenagers, parents, couples, grandparents were all having a blast on the rink. It couldn't get more festive than this. I could feel my heart pump with excitement as the cheerfulness of the crowd percolated through my senses.
"Hey..let's rent some skates," I suggested. The restless athlete in me was not content with just observing the skaters on the rink, "I am a great skater…let's see if you guys can keep up with me." I don't know why I had to open my big fat mouth and gloat like a fool? Why was I trying to show off again? Was I trying to impress you, even though I knew you would never be impressed by my gimmicks?
"That'd would be great!" Abhimanyu agreed, "let's see who skates faster."
You were a bit hesitant, "Why don't you guys go. I will just watch you." You stepped back.
"Come on Ridz!" Nikki nudged you, "even I am not a good skater."
"I can hold both of you," Abhimanyu grinned, "after all I have two hands and I am sure we can still beat Armaan."
"Bhaiyya…please stay with me," Muskaan added to my miseries as I saw Abhimanyu float away on the ice rink with Nikki and you in each hand.
"Muskaan, I will help you," Rahul came forward and before I realized, they were both skating hand in hand.
I kicked myself for being so impulsive and over excited. In the end, I was the one left all alone, with no one to skate with me. If I had just curbed the urge to brag about my skills!
Nevertheless, I stepped onto the ice and within minutes was gliding around the rink, faster than most people there. It didn't take me long to attract attention from onlookers. Like an Olympian skater, I displayed my gliding, twirling, jumping and spin techniques. Soon, applauses, whistles and cheers had me surrounded by young girls. In awe, they all watched the handsome Indian guy on skates, but you continued to tread around the ice cautiously, holding onto Abhimanyu's hands firmly.
Although I enjoyed the limelight, I couldn't keep my eyes away from you clinging on to Abhimanyu. Even Nikki was freely skating around the rink. With a quick glide across the ice, I whisked you away from his hands, my arms encircling your thin waist.
"AHHHH!" You screamed, yelled and protested but I held you snugly in my arms, your feet dangling in the air, while I slithered around in the skates effortlessly. After a few protests, I felt your body relax in my arms. My grip around you tightened as I felt you press against the front of my body. Your long hair blew into my face, the fragrance filling my nostrils, driving my senses to new heights of crazy ecstasy and bliss.
"Let yourself loose Riddhima," I whispered in your ear, "I won't let you fall down."
"I am scared Armaan. You are too fast."
"No…we are too fast. It's just us now…..have faith in me."
You remained silent; I don't know whether you were too scared to protest or too content to defy me?
Then, out of nowhere, I did the most romantic thing in my 17 years of life- I started singing softly in your ears….
Your favorite jay Sean: 'Ride it'
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0VGkD3LHo[/YOUTUBE]
it's been about a month and twenty days...
And we're going round and round jus playing silly games...
Now you're saying slow it down, not right now...
Then ya wink at me and walk away…
Let it be, let it be, let it be known...
Hold On , don't go...
Touching and teasing me, telling me no...
But this time I need to feel you...
[Chorus:]
(Ride it) we're all alone...
(Ride it) just lose control...
(Ride it, ride it) come touch my soul...
(Ride it, ride) let me feel you...
(Ride it) turn the lights down low...
(Ride it) from head to toe...
(Ride it, ride it) come touch my soul...
(Ride it, ride) let me feel you...
Mmmmm
Pullin me, pullin me, pullin me close
Just close your eyes girl(baby close your eyes)
Whispering, telling me we gotta go
Won't you take me home I want to ride it...
[Chorus:]
(Ride it) we're all alone...
(Ride it) just lose control...
(Ride it, ride it) come touch my soul...
(Ride it, ride) let me feel you...
(Ride it) turn the lights down low...
(Ride it) from head to toe...
(Ride it, ride it) come touch my soul...
(Ride it, ride) let me feel you...
If there is heaven on earth- I know we both felt it that evening on the ice rink. As your body relaxed in my arms, I felt your head rest against my heart. I am sure you heard the thumps behind my chest wall. Even today, when I think of that special moment between us, my heart throbs just like it did that day. You laid your hands on my hands, even though you had gloves on, I could feel the warmth in them. Even though, I couldn't feel your heartbeat, I could see the throbbing pulse in your neck. At that moment, I knew this was not all coincidence, it wasn't just physics and biology, it couldn't be summarized to a mathematical quadratic equation….it was heavenly, divine and in many ways, surreal. We floated on ice, the wind blowing softly on our faces; the other skaters retreated in the background as I crooned softly, your eyes shut, our hands twined, and our bodies in unison. That moment was ours, when we were all alone, one and unaware of anything around us….
(Ride it) we're all alone...
(Ride it) just lose control...
(Ride it, ride it) come touch my soul...
(Ride it, ride) let me feel you...
[IMG] http://static.inentertainment.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Ice-Dancing-Winter-Olympics-2010-Canada-Wins-Gold.jpg[/IMG]
Finally, Abhimanyu and Nikki gestured that it was time to leave. It was 10 O'clock and Shashank uncle's deadline was 10.30!
"So, how was the ride?" I winked at you when we came to a halt.
Your face was all crimson when you came face to face with me. Was it my proximity or the cold air that had left it's mark on your facial color?
Quickly, you regained your composure, the color fading from your cheeks, "do me a favor…next time don't try to be Jay Sean because you can never sing like him."
"Hey…hey….hey….that was live entertainment…I thought you liked his songs."
"Yeah….sung by him."
"Oh God! You are hard to please Riddhima!"
"That's not true Armaan….you just haven't figured me out yet." You chuckled and ran away to return your skates, while I stood there, in my skates, as confused as ever.
…to be contd….
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