The Diary Entries of Arti Scindia - Yash ki Zubaani (Pg 54) - Page 21

March 2^nd, 6:30a.m.

You know Dee - the fact of life of a mobile phone is that its so... well, mobile. It's small enough that you tuck it under your pillow at night to make sure you hear the alarm. But you forget how darned annoying it can be!

Why am I going on about cell phones? And that too so early on a Sunday morning? Well may ye ask.

I woke up to a sudden buzz-cum-beep, followed by a jerky vibration right under my head. I was too groggy to figure out what had happened but before I could go back to sleep, there was the buzzing again. It was so annoying that I actually sat up and rooted around under my pillow. Just as the buzzing started again, bingo! My hand found the little metallic devil. What was this buzzing anyway??

Just goes to show how zoned out I was Dee. Of course it was a message. From Yash.

Yash? So early?

Good morning! Hope you slept well.

Umm, no, actually I did not. Getting to sleep was a tad difficult last night. Too much to process.

Have patience Dee. I will tell you later. For now, focus on today.

I replied with a good morning of my own. And almost instantly his reply came,

Did I wake you up?

How did he know?? I did the polite thing and told him it was ok. And you know what Dee - it was ok. Somehow, I didn't mind that he had woken me up.

And then, instead of another message, the phone rang. Was he calling me? Oh darn it! I hadn't even brushed yet! And yes smarty-pants, I know he can't smell my morning breath over the phone. But still.

"Hello?" that came out more groggily than I intended.

I could hear his soft chuckle over the phone. "Hello Arti."

I couldn't help it - I shivered. His voice was a wave of warmth over me. It made me want to snuggle into my quilt, burrow against the pillow. And yet it made me shiver. Does that even make sense?

"Hi."

"Too early on a Sunday morning, isn't it?"

Well, normally yes. But somehow it was the perfect time today. I stole a look at the clock on my dresser. 6am. Shoot. I am going mad if 6am on a Sunday seems perfect to me.

"Sorry. I wanted to steal a few moments with you."

Oh.

He is coming here now Dee. Before 7am. I don't think I ever got ready so quickly in my life Dee. My stomach is fluttering. Butterflies?

Still March 2^nd, 10pm

I am a big fan of stolen moments in time.

He was here exactly at 6:45. Ma had an indulgent look on her face as she greeted him. But he didn't come in. And for once, Ma did not insist.

As soon as the door closed behind us, he threaded his fingers with mine and smiled at me. Not his blinding smile. This one was different. Soft. Tender. With a light in his eyes that made them glow. And it made me blush and want to hide my face in his chest. Instead, I smiled back.

We walked out to... his motorcycle! What happened to the car?

I turned to him. And he was looking at me with his smirk firmly in place. Huh.

"Its my bike. I wanted to take it for a spin before going back. Do you mind?"

Well, I was too terrified to mind! "Uh..." I tried clearing my throat. "Umm, is it safe?"

He chuckled. "Very."

He came closer to me and suddenly I couldn't remember what I was scared about. After a moment I realized he was holding both my hands in his, drawing circles on the back of my palms. Soothing circles. Mesmerizing circles...

He lifted my chin gently till my eyes met his.

"You will be safe Arti. I won't let you get hurt."

I could only nod. Or at least, I think I nodded. I can't be sure.

He moved towards the bike and I let out my breath. If I keep holding my breath everytime he comes close, I swear Dee I will die of asphyxiation. And that too, before my 1^st kiss!

I sat behind him and he pulled my arms forward, encircling him. That was nice. After I got over my hesitation, it was more than nice! As we drove, I found myself scooting up right behind him, tightening my hold on his, resting my chin on his shoulder. Close enough that I found we could actually talk. I could whisper into his ear and he would turn, ever so slightly, to reply.

Ok, ok, I know it wasn't the safest way to have a conversation, so quit grumbling at me. I just wanted to know where we were going. For chai and naashta. Mmm... lovely.

And it was lovely. Garma-garam masala chai with poha at one of the early-morning road-side thela. How did he know my favourite?

"How did you know this is my favourite breakfast?"

He grinned. "I didn't. But now I won't forget."

Was he flirting so early? I looked into his twinkling eyes. He was! Well, well, two can play that game. There was a tiny piece of dhaniya at the edge of his lips. I leaned forward and as his eyes widened in surprise, I stroked the outline of his bottom lip with my thumb. I swear it wasn't just me this time. His breath caught too. Before he could say anything, I showed him my thumb - with the green leaf on it.

Well, before I could throw the leaf away, he caught my hand and sucked the leaf straight off my thumb!

I give up Dee. I am a rank amateur while he is a master at this game. I think I am in trouble Dee.

He gave me some room then, going back to the thela-wala for more chai. I took a deep shuddering breath. And then, another. By the time he came back with two cups, I was almost myself again. We sat together on the bike, sipping our tea. Neither one of us said a word. But we didn't feel the need to. It was comfortable - the silence between us. Can you imagine that Dee??

He dropped me home. As I got off the bike, he pulled me back. For a moment I thought he would pull me into his arms and I could feel the tingling spread out through my fingers, down my arms... But then, as I came to a stop in front of him, he dropped his arms. My heart dropped right to my shoes. Didn't he want to hold me?

And then I looked up into his eyes. The look in his eyes... Dee, is it possible to caress with your eyes? Because that's what his eyes were doing - caressing me.

I was so caught up in his eyes that his touch came as a shock. He cupped my face in his hand, his touch so light I wasn't sure if I had imagined it. And then he stroked my cheek, my lips with his thumb. His eyes darkened and my breath hitched. Was he going to kiss me? Would I let him? Would he?

Before I could make up my mind, he stepped back. No! I wanted to cry out, pull him back, step back into his arms. He gave me a tiny shake of his head. Could he read my mind?

"Arti". His voice was hoarse. Good. At least he was equally affected. He started again. "Arti, will you come with me this evening to the airport?"

He wanted me to see him off? "What about your family?" I wasn't sure they would welcome me there. Not at the airport when he was about to leave.

"I want you there."

What could I say to that Dee?

"My parents won't be coming to the airport. Bhaiya- Bhabhi see me off. We can pick you up and they will drop you home later."

I nodded. How could I say no? I didn't want to say no.

I don't quite remember the rest of the day. I am sure Ma asked me about the early morning trip. I know I told her about going to the airport in the evening. But everything is hazy. Everything, till he rang the doorbell again. Is that how its going to be from now on Dee?

Ma insisted he come in for a moment. He came in, took Ma and Papa's blessings. Ma gave him dahi-shakkar. She really has accepted him as part of the family. And we aren't even engaged yet. Yet?

Before I could think that through, we were out the door and in the car. And Mrs. Mithai, sorry, Bhabhi was smiling at me. "Hello Arti."

"Hello umm...". What do I call her?

She smiled at me. "You can call me Bhabhi."

I smiled, "Bhabhi." It felt good - I have never had a Bhabhi before.

"And you can call me Bhaiyya." I turned towards the front and ... Bhaiyya was half-way turned towards the back, smiling at me.

"Hello Bhaiyya". I was getting a whole new family! It felt wonderful. And terrifying. All at the same time.

Yash didn't say a word as he sat next to his brother and we drove off. He didn't even turn his head towards me. All I could see of him was a part of his profile. He turned towards his brother to say something and he gave me a quick glance. So quick that I would have missed it if I hadn't been staring at him. I could feel the colour rush up to the roots of my hair. I settled back into the seat, just out of his line of vision.

Bhabhi started talking. I wasn't quite sure what she was saying. He had half-turned and I could still see him. He really does have a nice, sharp, aristocratic nose. And high cheekbones. So sharp I could almost draw their outline. I clenched my kurti. Stop it Arti! We are in a car with his Bhaiyya-Bhabhi. And just then, he turned to me and smiled.

The sun had just set and dusk hadn't fallen yet. But it was getting dark - dark enough for the shadows to lengthen, the light and shade playing hide-and-seek on the planes of his face. They hid his expression. But they highlighted his eyes. And his eyes continued to smile at me, talk to me...

"Nainon ki bhasha". Huh. I used to make fun of Priya and others when they waxed lyrical over eyes that spoke volumes. Now, now I knew. His eyes told me he was glad I was here. His eyes caressed me as they roamed over my face. How was that even possible Dee? How could I feel a caress when he used nothing but his eyes?

And how in heaven's name did I become such an expert in reading his eyes?? A man I had met barely four times?

The drive ended way too quickly, long before I could even finish asking myself these questions. He came to me then. Stood in front of me and took my hands in his. I should protest - Bhaiyya-Bhabhi would see. But they weren't there. When did they leave? And where?

And then I couldn't think of anything else. For he said my name. Arti. And it floated over me, triggering nerve endings I wasn't even aware of. I looked up at him. Into his eyes. Eyes that were now a dark chocolate. Molten liquid that set me afire. He didn't say anything else. And I couldn't utter a word. He threaded his fingers through mine, rubbing his thumb over my skin in soothing circles that made me want to cry.

Suddenly, without any warning, it was time for him to leave. Bhaiyya came back with a trolley, Bhabhi placed a hand on his shoulder, and he turned away. To the car. To get his bags. To leave.

Its after 11 now Dee. It's been less than six hours since he left. And I cannot get rid of the restlessness that engulfed me as he walked through the sliding doors of the airport. Turning back for one last glimpse.

I didn't even say bye.

Beep! Oh - he messaged me Dee.

I reached safely.

Good night, Arti.

Did I ever tell you how much I love cell phones Dee??

Good night, Yash.

There. I can sleep now.