With her eyes opened wide, Anamika glared at Varun. He suddenly shut up and kept looking at her big round eyes. They kept staring into each other’s eyes. Pulling apart his gaze, Varun mocked her, making big eyes.

He said, “Your eyes are so scary. Like South Indian actresses!”

“What do you mean by South Indian? My eyes are just normal.”

“No! You’re the woman in the scary movie!” , and he widened his eyes yet again!

To which Anamika burst out laughing uncontrollably. Amidst all this irritation, she had begun liking this guy. His occasional witty comments had win her over. She admired the clear aim and direction in his life. The technical talk about his business impressed her beyond anything. A little bit of flirting here and there added spice to the scenario.

By now the two had moved quite closer. A cushion separated them. He kept an arm around her. The uncalled gesture was welcomed by her. She felt comfortable with his presence. Her taste for the right kind of man had changed over the years. She admired the stability and confidence, more than any other thing. For these two things can make anyone rise like a phoenix from the ashes. She smiled at herself, for agreeing to go out with him that day!

“The hours are in minus!”, he said.

“Huh?”

“We have already met now! The time would end soon!”, he looked visibly sad.

She said nothing, but her face lit up with a warm smile. 

“What happened?”

“We’ll meet again! You can count hours again.”

He wanted to hear the same thing from her. He was delighted, and fiddled with her silver bangles. The tinkling sound was one of her favourite. 

“Are these the same bangles?”

“Yes! I got them as a gift. You like them?”, she removed them to show him.

“Not fitting me!”

She started laughing all over again. 

He seemed all the more glad to see her happy. Refused to return her bangles, when she asked for them. A cliché mock fight followed it. His touch sent shivers down her spine. The very moment she pulled herself back, leaving the bangles with him.

Seeing her drawn back, he returned them. She wore them and regained her composure. As if that wasn’t all, she got a phone call from home. 

‘Oh God! Not again!’, she mumbled and answered the phone. “I’ll be home by 11pm. Don’t stay awake for me! I’d manage” 

Putting the phone down, she heaved a sigh of relief! 

“What happened? Shall we leave?”

“No it’s alright! They keep worrying about me! As if I’m a small girl!”

“Yes! You still are a small girl!”

“Oh! C’mon. I can take care of myself. And my city is safe at night.”

“Ok. Ok. Chill! I was kidding”

“You better be!”

He playfully punched her, waiting for her reaction. She just smiled away. It seemed she was getting used to his touch. A casual one, but felt comfortable this time. Was she falling in love with the forbidden?

[…to be continued]