KriyAnsh Post
Chapter 10
Kriya insisted that she try opening the door. "How are you going to open when I myself can't open it?" He asked. Kriya smirked and said, "Watch me."
He took a step to his right, giving her a way to walk up to the door. She walked up with attitude reflecting on her face and held the door. She pulled at it while looking at him. She really thought it would be easy to open it. To her embarrassment, the door wouldn't open by her. After all, it was locked and neither of them knew that!
After few trials, she gave up. Rey mocked, "Why? Couldn't open it, huh?"
She made a silly excuse, "Yea, the handle is oily. Must have been when the servants were cleaning up."
"Oh really?" Rey threw back a question as he stifled a laugh. She didn't like him laughing at her.
"Whatever. The door's out. You'll still go."
"How? The door's locked." Rey replied.
"How did you come here?" she asked. Seemed like she was in mood for 20 questions.
Giving a sigh, he replied, "By the window."
She gave him an 'exactly' attitude face. He understood what she was implying at. She told him to leave the same way he came. Since he came by climbing up the ladder and then on the pipe to climb the balcony, he'd have to do the opposite and get back down.
Darn it! And here I thought I'd get to stay for a while! Rey thought as he looked at her. Why does she always have to have a back-up plan?!
Not liking it, he still walked up to the balcony, with Kriya following right behind him. He climbed out of the window and into the balcony. Without looking down, he turned to smile at her. Not knowing what else to say, he said, "Bye'Good night."
She smiled and replied the same. Then turned the curtains close and turned. She had been harsh to him but she was enjoying that. She was somewhat playing hard to get. According to her, it was his punishment for not bothering to call her even once over the years. It was true that she didn't call him either but she would always somehow ask about him from one person or another.
She threw herself on the bed and remembered the close moment they had a few minutes ago when he had first came in. A sweet smile formed on the face.
***
Outside, Rey stood watching the closed curtain. It wasn't exactly what he had hoped to achieve by coming here. He was expecting more. Yet, he was happy to spend at least some time along with her, even if it was less. He turned and looked down to not find the ladder there. He was surprised beyond limits. He was very sure he had left it there safe and sound.
He wondered what must have happened. It then struck her. Swayam! Sharon! They must have definitely done this. ONLY they would do something like this. No, he wasn't mad at them. He was very much glad to have friends like them. He made a mental note to thank them later on for giving him permission to spend time with her and talk to her as much as he wanted till morning.
Fixing his million dollar grin into a sad smile, he opened the curtain and walked back in the room. Kriya stood up from her laying down posture and asked, "You're back again!?"
He made a cute monkey like face and replied, "The ladder's gone."
"The ladder's what?!" She exclaimed thinking she heard wrong.
"Gone." He repeated to make her believe. Still, she wouldn't. She went out to check for herself. Indeed, the ladder was gone. She wondered aloud, "How can that be?!"
"I don't know." He replied. That's when she realized that she hadn't asked to question in her mind but out loud. She didn't say a word and thought on what to do next.
She beamed and said, "I know! I'll call Sharon. She'll open the door."
He brushed that idea aside saying, "You think she would still be awake? Nah, she loves her sleep."
"But Swayam was here too I thought."
"And his mom would allow him to stay out this late? Forget it!" he replied brushing this thought of hers aside as well. Result? She had no more ideas. There lived no servants in the house, the door was locked, the ladder was gone and Sharon was sleeping. What was she to do at a time like this? Nothing! She could do nothing but give in to her enemy.
Not technically an enemy in this case. But she had been playing hard to get role. Now that she had no other option, she'd have to drop that role and let him stay in.
She looked up at him and he looked back knowing just what she was thinking. They'd have to spend the night in the room itself till someone would come open the door in the morning. If I'm going to have to look at him the whole night, might as well make the best of it. She thought to herself.
***
He sat on the couch while she sat on the bed. Both stole glances at each other every now and then. She had a novel on her hand but her attention was somewhere else. It was at Rey. He sat there fiddling with his phone, not liking the fact that she wasn't talking to him! When he caught her once stealing a glance at him, she smiled. He smiled back.
Kriya thought. Why are we playing around like kids? Kriya, just drop the act and talk to him! Wait, why should I talk first? I'm a girl; he's a boy. Doesn't he have the manners to start the conversation? Oh whatever! Just speak up. Does it matter who speaks up first? Just talk to him. You know you want to! She gathered up the courage to speak.
On the other hand, Rey was thinking along the same lines. I am here to talk to her, get to know her well once again, right? Then why am I sitting here just like that? Her not talking could be understandable. She's a girl so she might be shy. But I'm the guy there right? He found it right to take the first move.
Both said at the same time, "Listen'" Then both giggled seeing how they had sat silent all the while and when they did talk, they spoke up at the same time.
Again, they said together, "You first." Another round of giggle before they repeated the same again. "No you."
They ended up laughing big time. Their talking together session finally ended. In no time, they were asking questions to each other about what they did over the years. Kriya told him about her life over there. Normal school days, the parties, night outs with friends and everything else while Rey told her what she already knew from Sharon.
There was no point in telling her and he knew she might know. Nevertheless, he told it to her himself just to satisfy himself that she wasn't the only one talking.
Rey moved to her side to show her the picture and both had a good laugh at it. All three of them, him, Sharon and Swayam, were acting crazy. Kriya couldn't believe they'd be that crazy as well! She touched the phone and in the process, her finger brushed Rey's hand. At the sudden touch, both looked at each other, to get lost in each other's eyes.
It was like a treat each time their eyes met. A feeling aroused in them that never had before. Somewhere, they knew what it was. It was just new to both of them to feel that way. The deep brown eyes of her gleamed so well in the night light. He continued to admire her even when she broke the contact of their eyes as she realized they had been gazing at each other.
He was well aware of her conscious state. Yet, she didn't move her finger away even a centimeter and that just assured him that she trusted him already.
She talked about the whether and how she loved gazing at the stars and the cool slow and steady breeze at night was just plain soothing to her heart. He knew just what she meant by that. Many times, even he would just like to go out somewhere quiet and lay down to feel the natural beauty around him. Seemed like they had already begun to find the similarities between them.
Kriya stood by the balcony and had a sudden urge to open it, go out and feel the breeze of her first night in India after years break. Right then and there, she felt like she was truly home now. She took in a deep breath, not realizing that Rey had followed her out and was just behind her, admiring the happiness on her face. The biggest of the happiness come in small packages' someone was right when they said that.
He found himself saying, "You're beautiful." As he gazed upon her. At the sudden disturbance, she looked back to see him, with a questioning look on her face. She wanted to ask, 'Did you just say what I thought you said'?' but held the question back.
He realized he had said that out loud. He looked at the ground, then at her and then behind her as he walked up to her. He just shook his head, confirming to Kriya that he did say what she thought he said. He was just denying on making an official confirmation.
Both of them kept their hands on the balcony railing and just looked up at the stars looking for nothing in particular. Before they knew it, time was passing by fast.
It was 2:15 and they didn't realize that. It wasn't until Kriya gave a yawn that Rey looked at the time.
"I think you should get some sleep. You must have had a long tiring day." Rey said as they walked back in.
She nodded agreeing to just how right he was. She was about to slip down under the blanket when it struck her that he must be sleepy as well. She sat back up and rested her back on the bask rest and asked, "What about you'?"
He looked at the couch, back at her and replied with a kind smile. "Don't worry about me. I'll sleep on the couch. You go to sleep."
"But it'd be very uncomfortable." She tried to reason with him. But he wouldn't agree. He insisted that he'd be alright on the couch. She wasn't going to let him sleep there though. "I'm telling you, it'll be very uncomfortable. I mean look at it. The couch is so small compared to you! You'll have a back ache when you wake up tomorrow!"
***
"And you care because'?" he asked with a teasing smile.
She didn't know how to reply to that. What was she supposed to say? It's because she cares for him more than just a friend? Yea, right! She told herself in her head with sarcasm. To him, she replied with, "I don't. Well, I do. But not in the way you're thinking."
Before she could continue, he interrupted, "How do you know what I'm thinking?"
Great! Another question came her way. It seemed as if Rey was adamant on getting her to reveal her inner feeling today by just the mood of teasing. Unintentionally, he was making her heart beat faster as she searched for a quick answer.
She couldn't answer though. She simply looked at him in defeat. For the first time, she was at loss of words. She didn't know what to answer'what to say. She blinked realizing that she had been staring at him more than normal. Fearing that he could see straight through her, she pushed the covers aside and got up.
She quickly recovered. She picked up her pillow and turned to face him. He watched her curious to know what her next step would be. She then walked over the couch and adjusted the pillow to make it comfortable for her. He was thinking, 'She better not say she's sleeping there.'
And just then, she said it! He took an angry sigh, walked up to her and pulled her up against her will. "No! I said I'm sleeping here and that's it." he sat down on the couch.
Kriya was no less stubborn. She squeezed herself between the pillow and him. "If you're stubborn, then so am I. Either I sleep here or I don't sleep at all. Now, you choose."
He couldn't think of how to make her understand. Why was she being stubborn? He was worried for her as well. He knew she'd be uncomfortable on the couch. Moreover, she just had a long journey. She must have not gotten proper sleep in the flight either. Then also, why was she being stubborn on not letting him sleep there?! The question haunted him as neither of them were willing to get up from the couch and give in to the other.
They started talking at once explaining to each other why they should be the one to sleep on the couch and not the other way around. A third person standing there would have either been in crazy land laughing off or they'd be too frustrated by their child full argument!
He finally decided he had enough. He was about to yell out 'Enough' when his eyes fell on her eyes. They moved down to her lips that moved in formations as she continues her crazy reasons for why she should sleep on the couch. But he wasn't listening any more. The sound factor in his body disappeared. He only gazed at her. The air conditioner's air that made her hair move around.
She moved the piece of strand bothering her view behind her ear and continued talking. Oh, how he wished she wouldn't have done that! The innocence filled cute face was capturing his heart like never before. It just melted him and if reality hadn't struck him, he would have allowed her to sleep on the bed.
He saw the pillow on her lap and pulled it in the blink of an eye. Her mouth gaped at the action. "Hey, that's cheating!!" she exclaimed as she made tries to get it back.
"Nope, it's not. Now I have the pillow. I sleep here."
"No, you D-O-N-O-T." She made it very clear with the tone she said it in. he was taken aback by it and in the second' break, the pillow was in her hand and behind her, securing it.
He made attempts to get it but she kept moving it a cm behind each time. As the pillow moved back, Rey made attempts to grab it and in the process, ended up very close to her. She bent backwards towards the end of the couch. He finally managed to grab the pillow but his hands stayed still there as he felt her sharp gaze on him.
That is when he realized that he was very close to her and leaning on her! He moved his face back to look at her, the position of his body stayed still. Both of their hearts beat faster than before feeling the close proximity between them.
Their hearts raced as if it had a train to catch. Their breaths went steady and slow. Gazing into each other's eyes felt like the most perfect thing in the world to do! All the questions, other feelings, thoughts escaped their mind, leaving only feelings for each other.
Minutes passed, but they stayed that way. It was like heaven for them. It felt the most perfect thing on earth. Being close to the other' she blinked her eyes to make sure she wasn't living a dream. It seemed too good to be true. Opening her eyes back, she realized it was all reality. None of it was a dream. It was really happening!
Rey moved back and mumbled, "We're never going to get sleep if we continue arguing."
"Yea," Kriya replied having nothing else to say as she bowed her head, not daring to look into those deep eyes again.
They sat there in silence. Both of their minds searching for something to look at' something to talk about and destroy the silence'just something'anything!
She finally looked up with a smile. Why didn't I think about this before?! She walked over to her closet and opened it. Bending down, she picked up the thick comforter bag and dropped it on the floor on the other end, close to the couch. Rey stood up and walked behind her as well. He thought of helping her at first when she first opened the closet. But then decided to stay put and see what she was doing.
Opening the bag, she folded open the comforter to reveal the soft sleeping bag. Looking up at him, she answered his unasked question, "I usually took this with me on sleepovers. I brought it here in case. Good thing I did. You can sleep on the bed. This is just as comfortable for me."
He found that fair enough. Just looking at the sleeping bag, he knew she'd be just as comfortable there as she would be on the bed. He found no problem with that. After all, the only thing he wanted was her comfort. And he was getting that. No objections left to argue on.
With a nod, he finalized the idea. She turned the night lamp on and slipped inside the sleeping bag, allowing him space to walk around the bag and sit on the bed. She looked up at the ceiling as he switched the lamp off. This was the craziest day of her life for sure. The excitement, adventure, the warm feeling and everything else she felt today' she knew she'd remember this for eternity to come.
It wasn't any different for Rey. He couldn't think of one moment when he had been this happy regarding anything. Sure, Sharon and Swayam were always there and the moments spent with them are priceless. But this, right then and there was something different than friendship. He could just feel the specialness in the air around him. He was living the dream!
***
Sharon woke up early the next day and quietly, opened the door and left just as fast as she had come. This would make it seem like the door really was locked. She entered her room again and looked at the couch, where she saw Swayam sleeping peacefully. She remembered how last night, he refused to leave. Partly because he didn't want to and partly because both of them were working on the event preparations and finalizing things that they had lost track of time.
She picked her clothes for the day and left to get ready. Everything at the moment was just perfect.
***
Rey slept peacefully on the bed. Kriya leaned over him, looking fresh in the morning, wet hair dropping down and hanging around her face. A few drops falling down in every other millisecond. One fell on his cheek, and he smiled pleasantly, knowing just what would happen next. He had had the same dream for years now. Only before, he had no idea who the face was as it was always blurred in his dream.
Oh, he prayed with all his might that this wasn't a dream. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down, making her sit on the tiny space along the bedside as she leaned over his chest. He could imagine how angelic she would be looking with a blush on her face. How did he know she would blush? Simple, any girl would girl being this close to any guy.
Her eyes lifted as she looked at his closed eye-lids, a mocking smile on his face, showing he was enjoying every bit of it. Then, he heard loud, shaky noises. He was very disturbed by it. Disturbed enough to open his eyes and look at the scene in front of him.
The fantasy ended then. She was no longer in front of him close. A person was close to him. But it wasn't Kriya. It was Sharon. Seeing her close, his eyes turned into horror as he pushed her away and sat up in bed. Kriya and Swayam came out of the washroom door, bursting in laughter. Sharon fell on the floor and Rey sat there in horror and confusion as he tried to make sense of it all.
So there was a girl calling him, but it was Sharon. Not Kriya? He had pulled Sharon close to him and not Kriya? He felt so embarrassed! Mostly because Kriya was there and she had seen it all! He felt like cursing herself for his wild imagination. He gathered up courage and helped Sharon get up.
He then looked at Swayam, gave him a disappointed look, and said, "How can you let your girlfriend come this close to another guy than you?! Shame on you'"
All three dropped their jaws hearing that. Rey was accusing Swayam for that? Swayam gave a smart reply, "When the guy is you, why should I fear?"
That was very much true. Why would Swayam be jealous or anything when he knew the person is none other than Rey. The friendship of Rey and Sharon isn't hidden from anyone and he had nothing to worry about!
Not having anything else to say, he pushed his way in the washroom, and hid himself. He heard the three chuckling outside. He closed his eyes tightly in embarrassment. The only thought that worried him was Kriya's thinking. What will she think?
Minutes later, the laughter subsided' then came a knock. "Rey, you can come out now." Swayam said.
With that, he could be sure that the girls were out. He opened the door and came out. He went, sat on the bed, and hid his face in his palm. Swayam took a seat next to him and said, "Good thing is you didn't say her name."
Rey looked up at that. He felt so much better. At least he could cover up saying he was having a dream about an actress and save himself more embarrassment. Swayam gave a pat on his back and left him to himself.
The whole day, the incident was never brought up. Not by anyone, for which, he was very glad!
***
Sharon asked, "What date is today?" as she rubbed her eyes, brushing the yawn away.
Kriya came out of the bathroom and replied, "May 1st. Now hurry up! We're already late!
Sharon didn't bother to hurry up. Instead, she grabbed Kriya and hugged her, still a bit sleepy and mumbled, "You know, I'd missed you so much! Two months passed away but it feels like you just came yesterday'"
In return, Kriya smiled and crossed her hands across her own chest in a way where she was rubbing Sharon's arm. "It feels the same to me. Don't know how these two months passed away. It was as if in a blink of an eye!"
Sharon stayed silent, not wanted to remove her hands from around Kriya and she wouldn't let Kriya move at all either. They stayed in silent remembering the childhood times when they would just sit for hours and not talk but still feel like they had the best day! Suddenly, Sharon shot her eyes open and screamed, "What date did you say today is?"
"May 1st' Why? Kriya replied and then questioned seeing the sudden outburst.
"Crap! It's 1st..! How can I forget?" Sharon scolded herself as she threw open her closet and started fishing for an outfit to wear for the day. Kriya said, "I already kept your clothes in the bathroom."
Sharon grinned and ran up to her. "Thank you so much sis. You're a sweetheart." Giving her a peck on her cheek, she ran into the bathroom. Kriya was still surprised, not knowing why she was suddenly in a rush now. Not understanding the reason, she shrugged her shoulders and proceeded to fold the blanket when Sharon yelled out, "Is breakfast ready?"
Kriya giggled knowing just what the question would be. Shaking her head, she left the room without answering. Whilst inside, Sharon knew what the answer would be. But as if it was a tradition to ask, she did so.
***
Next, she speed-dialed Swayam's number. "Pick up pick up!!" she ranted as she waited impatiently. It kept on ringing but no one would pick up. She ended and redialed. On the fourth try, a sleep Swayam picked up the phone. "Hello'?"
"Swayam, you're still sleeping! Do you realize what today's date is?" she bombarded the question.
Swayam turned in bed and squinted though his eyes to look at the tiny calendar. Seeing May 1st, he repeated the date. "May 1st. Why?"
She waited for him to realize. Another second later, he did and sprang upright on his bed. "Shoot! It's 1st!!"
"Yes! We were so busy having fun that we forgot! And as far as we know Rey, he must have too." Sharon replied.
Swayam brushed his hand through his hair doing quick thinking. "Um okay, do one thing. Don't let Kriya leave alone. You go with her and make sure she's in front of you at all times. I'll talk with Rey and see. But whatever happens, don't let Kriya out of your sight. I'll handle the rest."
"Sounds like a plan. Bye, see you at college." She said ending the conversation. She then hurried downstairs to follow their discussed plan.
***
"Kriya, wait up. I'm coming with you." Sharon yelled as she was walking down the stairs. Kriya stopped, waited till she caught up and then both exited the house one after another.
As Sharon drove, she prayed. "Please God, don't mess up this day. It's very fragile."
***
Swayam rushed to Rey's house the instant he ended the call and asked, "Where's Rey?"
"He just left 5 minutes ago," mentioned one of the servants.
He cursed under his breath, as he took off to reach college so as to catch him in time.
He asked a few students randomly if they had seen Rey the moment he entered the college.
He finally found him in the basketball court. "Rey, hey." He said running up to him. Before he had the chance to continue, Rey interrupted.
"Roses or chocolates?" he asked.
"Huh?" Swayam asked confused. "Never mind, forget that! Listen to me. Today is'"
Rey interrupted again, "First answer: Roses or chocolates?"
"Chocolates. Now if you'll listen'"
Too late! Rey thanked him and ran out of the court in full speed. Swayam stood there stunned. He had moved fast for him to respond. When he grabbed on the situation, he yelled out, "Rey listen! She's coming!!"
Rey was nowhere in sight though. He had run out. "Rey' you're in for big trouble." He murmured under his breath and took off to locate him again. He had to tell her before she got there and before Kriya spotted them. He was sure that by then, both Sharon and Kriya would have reached college.
Meanwhile, in front of the school, a girl came out of the car; a very shiny, violet colored sports car. Similar to Sharon's, just different color. Everyone turned heads at the screech and watched her walk up the stairs. Some of them recognized her and some didn't. At the voice, they would have thought it was Sharon entering. But when they turned their heads to look, it wasn't her. It was someone else!
She was someone to be afraid of for sure; someone so crazy and psychotic that no one dared to go against her. It was like she always had her way. No matter what, she would make sure to have everyone kneeling on the floor at her feet.
She snapped her fingers, indicated for the boy next to her, staring at her, to come closer. "Where is he?" is all she asked with a determined voice and a scary stare right in the eyes of the boy. Poor boy turned out to be so scared that he pointed towards the basketball court.
She looked at where he pointed, and flipped her hair in attitude. With a motion of her hand, she told the boy to get lost. Everyone stopped staring and too scared to look at her again, they avoided her gaze till she was out of sight.
She neared the basketball court and that's when Swayam came to a halt. He was just about to run out the court when he saw her coming near. He stood stunned seeing her already there. "Taani," was the only word he managed to say.
There's the end of the chapter. Finally! Completed on June 2nd (UST timing). I know you all are shocked. For the reason, check the note below.
Cricket
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