She's so beautiful!

Aman felt as if he was transformed into a beautiful world, when he saw her.

He could feel his lips unmoved as he just stared at her in awe. The ear rings jingled with her every move and he loved the sound of her tinkling bangles.

My queen, he thought to himself with pride.

"What's in this Aman?"she asked, eyeing the package he had got and keeping it aside.

"Some of your favourites" he said simply while her parents ushered him towards the dining table.

The dinner table was quiet, he observed as Sakshi and her mother quietly nodded whenever her father mentioned something or someone. And the fact that she was seated opposite to him didn't help either.

Outside, it rained heavily with a loud rumbling of thunder "it's going to be a stormy night" Ranjit said to no one in particular "there was forecast of cyclone somewhere in the west coast".

"Yeah...they've foretold warnings to the coastline "Aman added, just to ease the silence "few areas have been told to evacuate".

Again, a deafening silence fell and Sakshi was glad, not wanting any awkward conversation.

Aman addressed her mother "did you prepare all this auntie?"he asked sweetly "they're delicious".

Soumya brightened at the compliment "then have some more beta" she said, adding two more rotis but he declined, eyeing the dessert "is that Sandesh?"

Soumya smiled, puting a bowl full for him "yeah...my bengali neighbour taught me.."

Aman took a bite "it's yummy...and tastes so authentic...I'm really a fan". Soumya laughed "you love bengali sweets?"

He nodded "all my life" he joked "I love south Indian too...especially the sambar with...idli"

"Then you come here often...I'll prepare for you"

Sakshi, who was listening to their conversation with amusement asked  "Aman? Do you like butter?"

He frowned "yes...but not from you". Everyone except Sakshi burst into laughter and she scowled "one day I'm going to surprise you all...wait and see"

Aman made a fake scary face "is it? Make sure we all have doctor's appointment that day".

"You!" She hit his arm and he winced. She caught her father staring at her and straightened her face "sorry" she mumbled.

"So Aman beta...what's going on with you?"how's your work?" Ranjit asked as they settled back to the couch on the living room. The heavy downpour hadn't seemed to have reduced as it still kept raining.

"It's going good...uncle" Aman replied with a smile, hoping the older man would stop but he didn't. "Tell me about it" Ranjit asked.

Sakshi went on to change the topic to something else, fearing that the subject would lead to a crazy outburst but Aman beat her to it "well...I'm an artist, specialised in abstract art...I paint a lot... mostly creative ideas...I turn a story to art..and sell it, most of the time...but I do offer auctions for fundraisers..." he explained calmly, expecting Ranjit to cut off in between but the older man listened to him intently. Even Sakshi's mother had come to the couch, with tea and was all ears.

"That's...er..great..." Ranjit said, after a brief moment "so how much does it sell for?"

"Papa! It's okay...why don't we talk something else?" Sakshi gave a stern look at her father who didn't seem to have gotten the clue.

Aman wasn't deterred "we don't have our own gallery as of now so we sell it off to the merchants...." he shrugged "but the really good ones..I offer it to my clients...who auction it for fundraising and charities...like my last famous painting was auctioned by Mrs Minal Shah of Royal Brides Society".

Ranjit almost gasped "wife of Taran Shah, the diamond mogul?"

"Yeah...that's the one" Aman said casually. Ranjit had his full attention "how much was the offer?"

When Aman told him the price, Ranjit gaped at him "wow! That much for a painting? You must be really good!"

Aman blushed slightly, taking the compliment when his phone rang "I have to take it" he said, walking out of the door.

When he was out of earshot, Ranjit whispered to his wife "Shekhar was a fool to throw him out..the boy earns a fortune!" Sakshi heard this and sighed in exasperation; surely, her father wouldn't change his ways. That's the way he was.

"Atleast now we know our daughter is in good hands" Ranjit smiled broadly, obviously pleased with his son-in-law, or rather, his bank balance.

"Shh papa!" Sakshi chided while Aman entered "I'm sorry...but I've to leave..it's getting late" he said.

The howling of the wind had only started, the windows tapping harder. Soumya closed the adjoining balcony and turned to Aman "it's getting worse beta..I don't think you should go in such a condition".

"Yeah..why don't you stay the night?" Ranjit said, getting up "it's too late anyway" 

"No it's okay" Aman said hastily "I don't want to be a bother..besides, it's not that bad..."

"No way you're going in this bad weather! Sakshi, take him to your room" Ranjit firmly said to his daughter.

Sakshi looked at Aman with uncertainty and realized there was no use arguing with her father and relented.

◇◇◇◇◇

Her bedroom was just like her, Aman observed; neat and tidy, all the things perfectly arranged where they were. Even the laptop table was organised, with no books hanging loose.

"I'm sorry" he murmured as they made their way inside "I know you didn't want me intruding".

"It's okay...it's difficult to argue with papa. You of all people should know that" she replied with a smile.

"Yeah but still...I feel terrible. I know you probably hate me" he began and she turned to look at him "I don't hate you.."

He sat on the edge of the bed "so..you like me then..."

"I never said that!"she replied immediately, her cheeks getting heated up

He decided to playfully taunt her further "see? I know you hate me"

"No I don't!"she yelled in irritation "please stop! What's with you?"

"It's a simple statement....a yes or a no" he shrugged, feigning innocence.

"I refuse to answer!"she seethed "no more questions". He smirked "alright. Point taken".

She kept the water flask on the table "do you...er....need anything?"

He shook his head "don't worry...once it stops raining, I'm out of your hair..don't tell your parents though".

She gave a small sigh of relief and nodded "you can rest....if you want to recline on the bed"

"I'm not sleepy" he said, opening his phone "besides, you don't have to be coy with me.."

She sat facing her laptop, switching it on but her mind and heart were in a turmoil; it was difficult to think anything when they were alone.

Several moments passed before she spoke "I'm sorry about papa...I didn't know he would dig your personal details...salary and all.."

He looked up from his phone "he was being curious that's all" he smiled "besides, he looks after your wellbeing which is admirable".

"Yeah...his upbringing was a bit different from mine...he had too many barriers and sacrifices in his life...that's probably what's made him today".

When he didn't reply to that, she changed the topic "so..how's Hero? Does he miss me?"

He kept the phone aside "yeah...a lot" he spoke about his cat in affection "he searches for you in...our room". She giggled at that, having developed a strange affection for his cat.

"What were you doing in a cemetery when you met Hero?"she asked, turning to look at him.

He got up from bed and approached her "you're still hanging on to that?"he grinned.

She tried not to observe her heart flutter with his proximity. His hair was tousled, some extending to most part of his forehead. She felt a strange urge to brush it back.

"Why not? Don't you find it curious?"she  said. He sat next to her, in fact very close. She could feel the tantalising cologne.

"That was my mother's birthday....I called her to wish and she was crying...I felt terrible because I had ruined her special day.." he stated slowly "I left the studio early and walked,not realising where I was when I reached a quiet place.."

"Oh my God!"she exclaimed, unknowingly clutching his hand "weren't you scared?"

He let out a small laugh "yeah right...a ghost would eat me up". She hit his arm but listened  when he went on "I heard a muffled cry and went on searching where it was coming from....I saw a kitten, barely alive,  alone crying in the corner. It was probably frightened, lost and lonely, just like me".

"So you took him" Sakshi understood. He would do exactly that.

"I didn't feel like leaving him there" Aman sighed "I lost him once..I wouldn't lose him again.."

She smiled "that's really...nice of you.. I never liked pets..I'm not really fond of them.."

"Then what do you like?"he asked, gazing into her eyes. She felt a tremor pass through her as it felt too...personal

"Honestly...I don't know" she replied with a shrug "and it doesn't matter...it's all changed...the priorities, the dreams and aspirations" 

"What are your dreams Sakshi?"he asked, almost a hoarse whisper. She took a deep breath, not expecting the question. It had her going down the memory lane when Amit had asked her , and she wouldn't answer, feeling too embarrassed.

Now, when she looked at Aman, she no longer felt that embarrassed, she realized due to the fact that they had already shared too much of their pain together.

"I want to travel the world...like I want to explore each and every city, every culture. I want to see the heritage, how different we are from the others and why.." she went on and suddenly smiled "I know it's stupid...you probably think I'm a fool and..."

"I hope all your wishes come true..." he whispered, taking her hand in his "I wish you find happiness in every step you take" he intertwined her fingers with his.

The thunder rumbled across the room, but nothing compared to the raging storm inside her heart. Their hands were firmly clasped, afraid to let go.

"Its a...uh...blazing storm" she whispered, not knowing what else to say as the distance between them became nil.

"Yeah...it is" with that, he kissed her.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

She remembered the day, or night when Amit had kissed her. It hasn't been a kiss, a peck perhaps. But nothing prepared her when Aman sealed his lips with hers.

She felt the surrounding blur and everything else was forgotten when he pressed her close to him.

His hands which cupped her face, moved lower until they reached her waist. She felt a jolt of pleasure go through her as he deepened the kiss, savoring every touch of her.

She closed her eyes and welcomed his lips as she kissed him back for what felt like an eternity, making her dizzy and breathless.

"Aman stop!"she moved away, as if on trance. He stared at her in concern "what's wrong?"

"We shouldn't do this" she shook her head and avoided his gaze. He pulled her towards him "why not?"

"Because it isn't..right" she pushed his hand away.

"Why?"

"I don't know Aman!" She yelled "the hell! Please stop asking questions".

"No I won't!"he yelled back "tell me why? Is it because of me?"

"No!"she said, small tear appearing on the corner of the eye "I can't tell you..."

"Then who?"he asked, his voice reducing to a whisper "is it Amit? Are you still in love with him?"his voice quivered in pain.

"What! No of course not!"she exclaimed "I'm angry at him for what he did to me...I..."

She collapsed on the bed as tears came relentlessly. Speechless, he settled next to her, "please stop crying Sakshi" he pleaded "please..."

She turned to look at him and met his gaze. He wiped her tears slowly.

She lost at that and buried her head in his chest, hugging him tight "it's too complicated Aman....I don't know how to explain to you".

He held her close "I will, trust me.." he cupped her face "don't you trust me?"

She held his gaze "more than my life.."
The answer pleased him and he smiled "then tell me".

She pressed her face close to his chest "you deserve better Aman" she whispered sadly "I don't want you to suffer with me...I cannot do that" she cried silently "I'm not over it...and I don't think I'll ever be. Whenever I try to sleep, I can't...i try to think about that night..at the party...I don't know whether I have willingly slept with someone...or if someone took advantage of me..but if I have, I'm a disgusting person...and you don't need someone like me..."

"Don't ever say that, okay?"he hushed her "I know you're faultless in this...and I won't rest until you get justice..so don't ever think I would leave you...ever".

She looked into his eyes, felt nothing but compassion there "why are you doing this Aman?"she whispered "you saw what happened when we...kissed..it comes back to me...it's something I have to live with...all my life...the uncertainty of it all...I can't drag you to my miserable life..."

"I want to be a part of your life too Sakshi" he said softly, "miserable or not..."

She hugged him close for what felt like a lifetime, feeling secure as his warmth spread through her.

The storm seemed to have slowed down, even the loud rumbling of thunder. The silence filled the room except for the erratic beating of their hearts. 

She spoke up slowly "What about Deepa? I know you're in love with her..you two were so close..."

"I broke up with her long back" he explained "there was nothing between us..we only hooked up because it felt right at that time...and later I realized it was just infatuation...I didn't want to give false hopes to her..."

Sakshi moved farther from him  "I would feel insecure whenever I would think about her.." she admitted shyly "I felt I was a barrier for your love..."

"Will you stop feeling guilty for every damn thing?"he teased, touching her hand. She gave a small smile which melted his heart.

"Can I ask you something?"he stared at her "why can't you forgive my brother? I know your reasons but don't you think it's unfair now that he's...not anymore with us..."

She nodded "I know you'll feel weird but I try to play the scene again and again in my mind...I was so angry with him. He could tell me what was bothering him. And he was the one who took me home after the party...so he must have had some inclination...and he refused to bee quiet about it all..."

Aman could understand her "I know my brother...he wouldn't tell you anyway" he sighed "that day when baba got to know about my passion for painting..we had a huge fight...he gave me a choice..my passion, or my family. I told him I want both...but he threw me out anyway...my mother tried her best to stop us but my brother...not once he made an effort...he was too scared..and I'm not blaming him. That's the way he was...."

Sakshi didn't reply but gave a small nod. He checked his watch "the rain's stopped
...I should go..."

He pocketed his car keys and locked his gaze with hers "I'll leave then..."

She waited for a brief moment and held her breath "please...stay.." she said at last.

He moved closer to her "only if you tell me if you like me or not". She felt her heart beating wildly and breathed in deeply "I..do.."

He lifted her chin slowly "I do too..." he whispered "loads and loads". He lifted her up in his arms and kissed her once more, this time without any inhibitions.

The loud ringing of his phone brought them to the present. "Maa? What's wrong?"he answered, wondering why his mother had called at this hour. Sakshi waited with baited breath.

"Oh..okay...relax..I'll be there..don't worry" he said loudly as Sakshi watched in apprehension. "What's wrong? Are they okay?"she asked as soon as he disconnected the call.

"It's Amrita...she's had labour pains... Rishab's taken her to the hospital...I need to go" he said in a concerned tone.

Sakshi nodded "I'll come with you...I want to be there..."

"No way!"he said instantly and when she looked upset, smiled and kissed her forehead "try to understand Sakshi, it's better for you if didn't come now...I'll let you know what happens okay? I promise".

She realised what he had said. He didnt want her to go remmber the trauma she once went through.

He kissed her forehead one more time "I'll see you soon okay?"

She watched him go, her heart feeling considerably lighter. The storm in her heart had ceased, only to replace with care, compassion...and love..

She waited for his call as she lay in bed....anticipating.

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