It's complicated (part 2)
'Toni' Saras called her in his manly voice, making Toni to freeze on her steps. 'Saras' she whispered, closing her eyes tightly. She tried to convince her limp legs to move away, but her feet did not follow her commands as once again she was drawn to the magic in his voice. She let out a sigh as she felt a hand on her shoulders.
'Let's go' Toni opened her eyes and saw Sunny standing beside her and she felt that her legs too got some support with his words and headed towards the cab waiting outside.
Saras felt that the thoughts in his mind overtaking his movements as he stormed into his suite. He locked the door and pressed the 'do not disturb' button and threw his jacket and tie into the luxury sofa. To calm down himself, he then poured some water into a glass, making some of the ice cubes in the jug to fall into the floor. He cared less for the ice cubes on the floor as he felt he was burning within. He finished a glass water in one go, and then the other. After drinking three full glasses of water, he unbuttoned his shirt and threw himself into the king sized bed. He screamed out loud, and ran his fingers into his hair, while his eyes become moist. He had closed that chapter from the book of his life, but why did she still has so much of effect on him. He closed his eyes tight as the flash backs of five years ago had reappeared right in front of his eyes.
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It was during one of the holidays that Saras visited Mumbai with his family. It was when he wanted to enjoy life like the other boys of his age. He used to go on long drives with his friends there and wait outside the Wilson College to flirt with the girls. Every day they used to have lunch in a nearby restaurant where they used to talk about everything, especially about the girls. Though his friends flirt with the girls who pass them, Saras remained unaffected with the girls he saw. 'I bet you, we get a chance to enjoy only when Saras comes' Sunny said giving a high five to Raj who was sitting next to him. 'Guys, look, look' Raj said almost standing on his feet, and pointing to a girl walking from the other side of the road. Without knowing where he was heading, Saras betted his friends to win the girl's heart.
Saras smiled unintentionally upon seeing Toni waiting outside the park. She looked even more beautiful in the white dress, which matched her glowing skin. He was lost, in her completely, she looked breath taking. He felt emotions overcome him, but he reminded himself that he could not fall for her. He had been in a battlefield against his emotions ever since he met her, and his heart kept on telling him that he was going to lose. 'So where are we going?' Saras asked, smiling the most beautiful smile that always made Toni go weak on her knees. 'This way' she said going into the narrow lane down there and said 'my parents trust me completely and I feel guilty for lying to them every day'. 'Oh! I know that's the reason why you always come with a book, right?' Saras said, pointing at the note book Toni had.
Saras walked beside Toni until they reach where she wanted. They never said a word, but sat on a bench there and Toni kept on playing with the book in her hand. Saras looked up at the sky and saw the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon shining over them joyfully. He noticed her fixed gaze on him and asked why she was looking at him. Shyly, she lowered her face and denied the fact that she was looking at him. 'Don't look at me like that, or else I may fall in love with you' Saras said sarcastically. With each of his word he saw her cheeks become more reddened, but asked him a question 'will friendship ever change into love?' 'Hehe, how come?' Saras said, in lighter tone. 'Are we just friends?' she asked, wanting to know his thoughts. 'Hmm, what else?!' he answered in one go. 'Anyways leave it, you are going back again?' she asked, changing the topic. 'Do you want me to stay?' he asked her, but sounded like a crazy lover. 'Who am I to stop you?' she said shrugging her shoulders and added 'I just thought to go on walk on New Year night' Saras did not answer her question but as they walked back towards her home, he hold her hands and entwined his fingers with hers. He gazed at her, eager to know how she felt when he touched her, but she remained silent and kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Toni neither bid Saras good bye nor did she ask if they would ever meet in future. She left him in a complete haze, for him to clear out everything by his own. He felt troubled of her tainted behaviour and went back home without even meeting his friends.
Toni used to call him regularly assuring whether he was alright or not. It was more like a part of her daily routine and his friends kept on mocking at her foolishness. As Saras and Toni's relationship developed, his friends increased their bid, hence made Saras to pay more for it.
It was the last day of the year 2008, that Saras asked Toni, if she would ever accept him as her life partner. She paused for a moment as she never expects anything from him beside his friendship. 'I thought you would never ask' was her reply. 'Now that I have asked you, will you?' he asked again. He knew nothing about romance besides what he had seen in movies. Hmm, she nodded and he held her hand in his, and they both gazed at each other's eyes. It wasn't romantic and there were no candles or rose petals in the back ground too. Toni felt that she was on cloud nine as she had no idea that she was being used as a part of their game.
As usual Saras came back to Mumbai almost after a year and he called Toni upon his arrival. He found out that she had completed her studies and have found a nice job as well. Toni never complained to Saras but agreed to meet him as soon as he came. Saras asked her whether she is still the same or she had any affairs with other buys. She answered him saying that she was sure that he would come to her, calls her and would live with her. 'Was it so easy to read my heart?' he asked surprisingly. 'No' she said, but she trusts her heart. Saras looked deep into her eyes, and despite knowing his aim he tend to drown into those pure eyes. He never wanted to fall in love, but he knew that his heart was not under his control anymore.
'When can you meet my friends?' Saras asked her in one of their meetings, as it was a part of his bet. She refused saying that not yet, but asked if he could wait there longer this time. 'May be after three months, we have quite a lot of time' he said, as though three months are too much for him. 'So you will be leaving on March, right?' she said trying to hide her sadness. She even asked him about his job in Dubai, and how his old parents manage without him for so long. Saras acted that he was helpless regarding that issue, but her question that followed made him to think. 'Why don't you get a job from here, you cannot even start a life like this' she voiced her opinion. 'I too know that, but once I get enough money I will settle here' he answered thoughtfully.
Saras decided to celebrate his birthday with his friends, but his friends asked him to bring Toni to the party, otherwise they would not believe that she loves him. Saras proudly said it is just a simple thing for him to bring her with him. 'we should meet bhabhi before your vacation gets over' said Raj looking at Saras who was lost in thinking how to convince Toni.
Toni refused the invitation as it was a late night party and she never stayed out late night, and also she did not want to lose her parents trust on her. 'If you truly love me, you will come' Saras said using his last weapon to succeed as he knew that she could not refuse then. But he was shocked when she said that she too had a conditioned that he should meet her parents or take her to his parents in return. Saras knew that Toni was head over heels in love with her, and he even thought of let go off the innocent girl. He tried, but failed as his eyes too shine bright upon seeing her smile. He wondered if Toni really waited for him because she was so beautiful that every man would have dreamed to be her husband. He also thought that her not asking about how he spent time when not in Mumbai might be a reason for her betrayal with him. He found it difficult to believe that such people exist in life, but could not deny the fact with her as well.
Saras met his friends in the next afternoon in their favourite restaurant, where only he was late for lunch. 'Why so late? Were you with her last night?' asked Raj teasingly. 'I ain't like what you think of me' Saras answered innocently. 'I cannot believe, how about you?' Raj asked from Sunny, who remained silent. 'I think you need to stop this, Saras!' Sunny said getting up from his chair. He never thought that their one silly act would ruin a girl's life forever. 'Oh man! Now don't tell us that you are in love' Raj told to Sunny, giving a high five to Saras.
It was a moonlit night, Saras was enjoying with his friends on his birthday party. He was so proud of himself for winning over her conditions. Toni was wearing a white sheer dress; with matching pearl earrings Saras gifted her for this special occasion. She looked coy yet sexy in that dress that skimmed her figure like a second skin. He could not take his eyes off her, he had been spellbound. He had felt desire slice through him and he knew it showed in his eyes too. He could not believe this girl would go to any length to please him. He could not help himself and stepped close enough to her breathing and touched her angelic face with the lightest of touch and saw her as she looked like a deer in front of headlights, blinded with his love. He touched her but he promised to himself that he won't give into his desire and he won't step over the boundary, and he smiled and looked down to dampen his desire.
'Attention everyone' Raj announced that everyone has to jump into the swimming pool right after wishing Saras. Toni refused, saying that she did not how to swim and also she was not ready for it. 'I am here to help you my dear, I won't let you drown' Saras said holding her hands. Everyone started to jump into the swimming pool one by one exactly as they planned and Saras too jumped in. As soon as he lifted his head, someone from behind pushed Toni into the swimming pool to Saras. Toni screamed, scared but Saras lifted her in his arms and smiled at her, who had shut her eyes tight. 'Toni, relax. I won't let you drown' he said trying to calm down Toni who was hugging him with all her might. He carried her out of the pool and offered her a towel.
Saras lost his own battle with his heart forcing himself not to look at Toni, who was wiping her face and then her straight silky hair. He knew he was falling hard for her, her grace was pulling him to her. She looked like a white lily under the moonlight, as she played with her hair. Saras was so lost in her that he did not even realize when he went to her and took her in his arms.
Saras felt that his life took a turn after being intense with her, which was against his will. He ignored all her phone calls since that night, never went out for almost a week. Finally he decided to tell the bitter truth to Toni, and called her for a meeting. Unlike before, he asked her to come alone as he could not come to pick her. He reached the park after her and saw her sitting on the bench they used to sit together, but she appeared lifeless to him. 'Hi' he said, sitting the other end of the bench, leaving some space in between. Hi, she whispered and looked at him, with questioning eyes. 'Toni, I'm sorry, but I cannot continue this relationships with you'.I don't love you'.I want you to forget me' He looked at her; she had fixed her gaze onto the ground and remained silent. Saras too could not say anymore, upon seeing her silence and they remained there for about an hour. 'I can take you home' he said breaking the silence. She stood up, and started walking like a robot, but kept quiet. 'I came by car today, just wait I will bring it' he said hoping that she would ask about it. She remained silent throughout their journey. Toni came out of the car as soon as they reached her house and he started his car to go back to his home. He looked at the side mirror and saw her looking at him through it, he stopped the car, but she went into the house and closed the door behind.
P.S. Scroll down for the VM by Toni 😛
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
