Page 110 of Storm
“Ma'am which pop eh? You fancy lemon, black-current, orange, or is it som thin cocky cocktail ma'am fancies?”
Aariz's perfect imitation of the stall guy's voice had me impressed and laughing all at the same time. Aariz chuckled too; beaming in happiness and thus both of ours nervousness disappeared from that point on.
“Blackcurrant!” I said with relish as if I could already taste it.
Aariz asked for two blackcurrant pops.
I felt guilty in case he was having the cheap stick just to keep me company. In a soft voice I offered,
“You can have an ice-cream, you know. You don't have to...”
“But I want to.” The spark in his eyes when he said it dazzled me.
We both took our pops and continued our stroll along the shore. It was now even more difficult for me to handle my scarf and my flowing hair in the wind with one hand, while holding the ice pop with another and walk through the sand in heels!
So when I was about to fall for the third time, Aariz caught my hand that was not holding the icy sweet and tried to appear as if it was completely natural to hold my hand.
Well, who was I to make it awkward then? Besides, who doesn’t like a firm manly grip of a certain someone who acquires your every thought and fantasy day and night? In addition, by taking my hand in his, he had unintentionally brought me closer to his side. It felt warm and nice, I must say. I did not mind the bitchy heels anymore!
“You said it brings back childhood memories, which is true. So...uh...do you remember much of your childhood?” Aariz asked interestedly, while his fingers caressed the inside of my palm.
Is it my imagination or his thumb really is tracing circles on my wrist, oh so slowly?
Clearing my throat so as not to sound breathless, I answered,
“Just blurs from the really early years. Though, school time memories are quite clear in my head. I remember once when Ibbi was playing...”
I started recalling to him the time years ago when I had thrown water on Ibbi and a few cousins in the garden, when they had refused to include me in their game of ball.
By the end of it, we were both in fits of laughter.
Sometime later my chuckles died down and I saw Aariz staring at me intensely with a soft smile playing on his lips,
“You look stunning. I was going to say this when I came to pick you. But I thought you already know, since you always look great. But right now at this moment, you are taking my breath away.”
“Thanks.” I whispered blushing.
Why am I whispering?
Aariz just smiled in response. His hold on my hand more firm now. He had almost pulled my whole arm under his. His short-sleeved shirt did not help much, as it caused goose bumps to appear on my bare arm.
I knew with this speed, my face would be the same crimson shade like that of my shirt.
For the entire evening after that, Aariz kept his hold intact on me.
We came to a halt and were just staring at the sea waves when Aariz asked thoughtfully,
“How’s college? I mean your studies for finals going on all right?”
As if, he does not know anything about it. Did he forget he is my Professor?!
On the other hand, maybe we were pretending to be a normal couple.
Therefore, I played along graciously,
“Just about perfect.”
He moved a hand over his face, again getting nervous I guess,
