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Winters.A season cold and unforgiving was at its peak.A chilly night with a full moon, empty streets ,fragrance of orchids and a glowing fire, the most serene and peaceful environment one could experience.Yet a young girl was oblivious to her beautiful surroundings.She was lost in her own thoughts.Seated near the fire, she was trying hard to hide a smile but failing miserably.Their was a continuous buzz irritating her .She finally decided to look around for the culprit who was disturbing her thoughts.
"Sharon Tai! sharon tai!" someone called out.
"What is it kid?m not deaf..and for the last time just call me sharon"a highly irritated sharon replied.
"Whatever tai" a boy of around 7 replied rolling his eyes."Here are the the drinks you asked for and if you are done dreaming then better get ready for your prince charming, would ya?."
"Why the hell should i get ready for Swayam?Also prince charming?Don't use cheesy names for him baby bro"sharon said curtly.
"Are you kidding me tai?m NOT a kid.Ask swayu he would love the na-"
"Really now?stop this..did you come here to just irritate me..you promised kid you wouldn't come to the terrace today so what brings you here mate?"
"lol..someone is changing topics..i came here to break your dream bubble and tell that its time. For god's sake its your first date.do some arrangements"
"All this is none of your business kid. Weren't you supposed to--"
The kid cut her short and said with a tone of finality,"Stop the drama already tai. It is your DATE and whatever you might say you are worried about this.You can share your nervousness with me, u know na?"
Sharon became silent. She was not nervous as people are for the date thingie. The fact that she had confessed her feelings only yesterday was still not sinking in.She did not know what swayam expected of her..or what she expected of him.What would they do today?She was deliberately avoiding thinking about all this and simply enjoying the wait for her 'pehla pyaar' ,even the word made her shiver.After battling with her heart for 3 long years,yesterday she had finally told swayam about her feelings.Her shell was broken and she had taken a leap of faith by confessing.She knew he would always be by her side..loving her..she remembered his exact words from yesterday "Before i met you Sharon,there wasn't anyone i wanted to be with..but after knowing you, i have come across someone i never want to live without"..But still..what if their intensities did not match..what if..what if...what if...her fears were irrational and unending.
"Great now you are zoning me out.Hitler tai, swayu ke khayalon mein itta kho jaye ki apne bachhe ko ignore karna start kar diya.."
She noticed the kid.Absolutely adorable he was.How could he understand her so well..the only person who knew her inside out like swayam..or rather swayam knew her almost as well as the kid did..
"aap meri baat sun rahe ho na..earth calling siren" she snapped out of her thoughts again.
"haan m listening bro..i wan't lost in kisi ke khayal. okay? u are the one talking non sense" she replied trying to be stern.
"Thanks for the no compliment sissy.Now hurry your BF will be here.Also ma'am i warn you, if you don't behave properly with Swayam or fight with him then i will...umm steal your hp books..M i clear?"
"Yes captain.Point noted.Now off you go to bed."
"Adios.Have a nice day..oops night with your bf.And do tell him i love him and give a kiss to him from my side."the kid cutely replied.
"WTH----"
The kid was already laughing running to save his life but before sharon could follow him she noticed someone standing near the door, a smirk plastered on the person's face.
Sharon was stunned.The last person who should have known about her fears was standing in front of her.Fate! she hoped he hadn't seen her lost in his dreamland.The amount of embarrassment and awkwardness this could lead to! More so she did not want to ruin their first date by unnecessary shyness.
Swayam silently made his way to the fire and seated himself beside sharon. He quietly opened his bag and started searching for something.Here sharon was feeling more irritated by every passing second and giving swayam quizzical looks along with a few death glares.
Swayam finally extracted a square wrapped gift and before sharon had a chance to pounce on him said with a grin "Nah, its not for u.Any gift cannot justify this day and besides i remember my stupid promise of not gifting you anything.This is for my partner in crime.I do have a right to spoil him.Tell him i said i love u more."
The words made Sharon's heart skip a beat.Could someone be really so thoughtful?The kid had already accepted swayam and swayam knew that he need not woo the kid still Swayam cared..cared about a boy who was abandoned by his parents... Swayam will never miss a chance to surprise her. She shifted her attention to swayam and noticed his clothes..trousers and a hoodie..so he chose casuals for the evening just like her.
"Ahem, shar you do realize you are zoning people out too much today. yes your boyfriend is handsome but its rude to check out someone so openly" swayam replied with a smirk.
"Dream on bf. And you should be the one realizing that you are late?"
"Oho gf . Being late would be like a predictable boyfriend,which i am not.YOU were the one too lost to notice me standing on your terrace."
Sharon sighed in defeat.She knew swayam being late was unlikely and anyways she wasn't really too observant this evening.She decided it was best to change the topic.
"Mr eavesdropping unpredictable bf I wasn't dreaming.I was simply wondering how can someone so diet conscious like you love drinking chocolate milkshake. Here you go with your drink btw."Sharon said handing him over a glass. Swayam gladly accepted it, muttering something in his defense like a child does when he is caught sneaking chocolates..sharon giggled.This boy could change from a mature and philosophical person to a kid in a second.No wonder my bro loves him... and so do i..she added as an afterthought.
"What are u drinking anyways?same old coffee i suppose"Swayam stated.
"Yes i am. At least its better than the kid's drink" sharon replied instinctively.
Swayam smiled internally..sharon was trying to challenge him and distract him by it.Well bring it on baby..Out loud he said" This ain't kid's stuff sharu. It is way better than that bitter simply undrinkable liquid."
"Oh please.You can't compare the two.You seriously need to change your taste"
"Now do i?My taste is you and m not changing it"Swayam said noticing how her lips curved slightly to form a ghost of a smile.
"Ahan loverboy, trying to be mushy to change the topic? Don't worry i wont be challenging you to drink coffee as i know u would not to able to Shekhawat."Sharon replied,not ready to give up to his antics so easily.
"Miss Raiprakash..Challenge accepted.Now you will be drinking this."He quickly exchanged their drinks not giving sharon a chance to oppose.Sharon's plan had back-fired. She could not back off now.She will have to give up her coffee and drink the 'milk' instead.
With their heads held high, both of them took a sip.They gulped and looking at the other's disgust-filled expressions and broke into fits of laughter.
"Yuck! this was as bitter as i thought"swayam exclaimed.
"And this was as sickeningly sweet as i thought."
They both smiled at each other, realizing that they were opposites..Yet so similar in nature.
Sharon shifted her position and rested her head on swayam's shoulder.Her fears were forgotten now.This was swayam after all..how could she think about being uncomfortable in his presence ever. Swayam put his hands around her bringing her close and pulling a quilt over them.He was feeling elated knowing the fact that it was so easy being in her company.None of them had to be fake.They could be their real selves.
The clock stuck 12 and a pair of cell phones blared pehla nasha instrumental.On the screens flashed a reminder which read "Christmas"
Sharon looked intently in swayam's eyes.Her eyes reflecting the conflict going on her mind.She knew she will have to take the initiative. Swayam wold never risk her comfort. Closing the distance between their lips she kissed him for a moment before returning back to her position in his arms.This was good enough for both of them for the moment.They let silence engulf them, cherishing their closeness and enjoying the other's presence. Their souls feeling content and peaceful after long.
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Cricket
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