Unconditional
Chapter 1
Armaan woke up feeling the warmth of the sun shining not just on his face but in his heart as well. For the first time in a long time, he felt serene and at peace. These feelings, he realised were strange to him. It’s almost like he had forgotten what it was like to feel something positive. His thoughts however, were interrupted when he felt Shilpa stirring next to him. And there it was! Memories of last night flashed through his head. He at once regretted everything that happened the previous night. He dressed up as quickly as he could, dusted the pieces of hay still stuck to him and stood up abruptly.
All this commotion, disturbed Shilpa’s sweet slumber. The slight smile she adorned all this while, turned into a frown as she slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the early morning sun. The cold breeze sent a little shiver down her spine, almost like a warning of what’s to come.
“Shilpa, I’m sorry about last night. This is wrong and never should have happened. I’m not going to pretend to like you, out of obligation. My heart belongs to someone else. In fact, last night, I thought you were her.” said Armaan, completely breaking her heart without even realising. Shilpa was too stunned. But you know her! She’s stronger and she means it! She just nodded saying, “yeah, sure Armaan. Nothing ever happened” and scurried to find her clothes. She felt way more exposed in that little shed this morning then she did last night, as she laid her heart out to Armaan.
Armaan was waiting in the car while Shilpa grabbed some breakfast. Flashes from last night was all he could think about. He lied to Shilpa this morning. He knew all along, exactly what he was doing and with whom. He knew it was Shilpa. He also knew, that it didn’t feel wrong. It didn’t feel wrong when he held her close, neither did it feel wrong when he kissed her. He definitely didn’t feel wrong as his hands and lips roamed all over her, caressing her and when she did the same all the while whispering sweet nothings to him, comforting him. How could he though? He couldn’t bring himself to believe, what he knew in his heart.. that last night changed things.
Shilpa on the other hand, took a deep breath while she waited at the table for their order to arrive. She wanted to process all that she was feeling but was too afraid that she probably won’t be able to handle it and just break down. That’s the last thing she wanted and decided to put all her emotions in a tiny lockbox named “Armaan”, lock it and push it at the back of her mind. That’s where it belonged.. Atleast, for the next few days until she got back to the safety of her own room in Mumbai. “If this was what he wanted, she would never force herself on him. Specially if he would feel like it’s an obligation” she thought, “Yeah! Yahi best hai, sabke liye.”
Her order arrived and she made her way to the car. Armaan thanked her for the breakfast and noticed a straw of hay sticking out in her hair. He pointed out “woh”.. “kya?” She said quickly adjusting herself, praying to God, it’s not a spider. Armaan smiled and pulled it from her hair. Shilpa’s eyes widened and she blushed. She thanked him and looked away. Armaan kept the piece of hay in his drink holder on the car door. He didn’t know why, he wasn’t ready to let go.. not yet. And would know in future, he was not ready to let go..not then, not ever.
The rest of the drive was a really quite one. Not necessarily awkward. Just quite with the occasional sips of their coffees. As soon as the sign for the orphanage showed, a smile spread on her face. Which obviously did not go unnoticed by Armaan. See, throughout the journey, while Shilpa stared out the window, Armaan kept stealing glances at her as he tried to understand her. To be honest, he was quite surprised by Shilpa’s reaction that morning. He thought he would have to prepare himself for a very melodramatic episode.. but, nope. He was already starting on his next sentence to make Shilpa calm down (he thought she’d be angry) but her agreement took him aback.
Shilpa jumped out of the car and ran to her maasi. She screamed “Maasi!!!” The kids after hearing her voice, ran out the doors and surrounded her screaming “didi didi”. She was engulfed with so much love and happiness! She bear hugged them all! Her maasi quickly ran to her and Shilpa hugged her too, kissed her on her cheek and quickly seeked her blessings by touching her feet. Armaan was a little surprised. He didn’t know Shilpa knew all these people already. He just smiled at all these interactions and carried their bags to where everyone was. He couldn’t pinpoint why, he was just so much at peace watching the scene play out in front of him. The kids noticed Armaan and then ran to him, showering him with the same love, well maybe a little less if he was being honest. He greeted maasi and she led them inside to freshen up.
While Armaan freshened up, Shilpa started setting up their tent. Where they kept all of their equipment. The kids even helped her set up a couple of cots, just in case they needed one. See, things were a little different this time. They weren’t just going to check up and educate the kids of this orphanage, but three other orphanages from the surrounding areas as well. Shilpa was really excited about this! She kept going about, getting stuff ready when a thought suddenly hit her “Shit! Morning after pill!!”
She quickly ran from there to ask Armaan for his car keys. The stack of medicines they bought was still in his boot. She paused and took a deep breath and knocked on his door. Armaan was just out of shower and was only wearing his jeans when he opened the door. “Effing Dr.Dyanleva” thought Shilpa as she couldn’t tear away her eyes from him. Specially this one drop of water that ran from the back of his ear to his neck and down his chest. All she wanted in that moment, was to prove to that little drop of whose boss as she would kiss it away. She sighed. Armaan, knew the effect he was having on her and couldn’t help but smile. Yes! He’s been doing that a lot lately, he realised. “Shilpa?” He said in the softest voice. Shilpa quickly broke out of her trance and looked away. “Car keys, medicines” was all she could manage. Armaan nodded and went for his keys. However, he didn’t hand them to her immediately. He held them loosely on his finger close to him, he smiled and said “here you go, take them”. Shilpa looked up at him confused. “Armaan, stop fooling and give them to me” she said as she stepped in and tried to grab them. Armaan quickly took them away from her reach. “Kya kar rahi tum Shilpa? Take the keys” he said mischief clear on his face. “Huh!! Armaan stop smirking, warna dekho, bacha hua toh teri responsibility” Shilpa said as innocently as she could. Armaan wasn’t quite sure how to respond to this. He never thought Shilpa would be so nonchalant. He was amused. He couldn’t stop smiling. “Ab, bandar ki tarah daant hi dikaoge, or are you giving me the keys?!” She said and grabbed them. “Hah” she said and smiled over her shoulders to Armaan as she walked out of his room.
Armaan seriously, couldn’t stop smiling. “What?!” He thought. He knew last night meant a lot to Shilpa, because he remembered each and every word she uttered. He remembered her reaction every time he touched her. He remembered how she said his name, and managed to invoke in him these feelings that had long been buried. “It couldn’t all be fake, right?!” He thought. No.. he decided. Cause it definitely didn’t feel fake when she had kissed him that first time. He felt it. The love, the need, the passion. He felt it. And he knew.
However, what he couldn’t figure out was the mystery that was Shilpa.
To be continued...
Edited by arsh444 - 4 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
121