Page 81 of Storm
“My dearest Sanu...I can call you that now I suppose?” I peered deep into her eyes and for the first time saw someone’s skin changing colour so fast, from cream to strawberry pink. Her hands actually turned warm within seconds. She glowed with shyness from head to toe.
In a fake slightly offended tone I went on,
“Had you told me all this some days ago, then whenever I ordered your favourite noodles, I would have not been alone with it. We could have shared it...Could have been together.” I winked just as she looked into my eyes, thus making her gasp.
Unable to stop grinning now, I went on tenderly,
“I'm sorry? Please forgive me for giving you so much stress. Please? Hmm?” She nodded, as if in daze.
“And to say that one thing why were you so scared? Believe me; you are not stupid to think anything. Nor is your doubt wrong. Not at all! I do care about you. But not just care, I like you...so much and so deeply.” I stared at her unblinkingly. “I know you feel the same way. You haven’t said, but I know you like me. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have struggled so much, you would have never told me anything, you would have never came here...to me. I know you that much Sani. Am I right? Hmm?” I cocked my head to the side, waiting for her answer.
She met my eyes, and I saw hers storming with emotions, as she gave me a confident nod.
I squeezed her hands,
“Thank you. I know you might be scared, because you are smart enough to know we will have to hide this in college from everyone. But don't worry. Just leave it to me. I'm there for you. I will handle everything. Please don't take stress about it and just go with the flow. In fact, this right now is our happiest moment. Why to spoil it with tension? Hmm? Promise me from now on you won't worry this way and cry. You won't cry. Okay?” I said earnestly, while tightening my hold on her hands.
Sani bit her lips trying to contain a smile from growing on her pink cheeks.
“You are about to cry. Your eyes have glazed. Though you just promised you won't.” I muttered pouting my lips, the way she always does, which I cannot resist.
Sani vigorously shook her head getting anxious, believing she really had hurt me.
Raising my eyebrows, I smiled longingly, “Then why haven’t you said anything yet? Please say something...” She again lowered her head, now scowling a little, understanding that I was just winding her up.
“All right, don't say anything. At least smile for me. It has been days since I have seen my girl smile. Just once, please?” I gave her my best pleading look.
Sani, who had been staring at our conjoined hands on her lap, now glanced up and smiled fully for the first time since this conversation started.
I winked in response to her beautiful smile. Thus making her blush deeper.
I leaned my face close to hers and her expression changed to shock. She probably thought I was about to kiss her, which I wanted to more than anything else, but I knew this wasn’t the right time or the place for it. I nuzzled her cheek, loosing myself in her scent, thus making her breath hitch, and suddenly there came a knock at the door.
I jerk
ed back immediately and gave her a reassuring smile, pressing her hands in mine,
“I'll see who’s at the door. Just relax.”
To my utter annoyance, it was the canteen guy. He had come to take my lunch order.
“Two plates of Nigerian noodles, and every Chinese dish you have...um...That’s all.” I told him in a low voice so that Sani does not hear me.
He looked a little shocked, but I closed the door on his face. I did not have time for explanations. I was feeling too damned nervous!
If she loves noodles, she might fancy other Chinese dishes too, right? God I hope so. Not to forget this college food court does not have the variety or taste of a lavish restaurant. But do I have the time to order from outside? Hell no! Will Sani agree to go out with me right now? I doubt that.
‘You will get to make it right Aariz. You’ll have a second chance. She won’t actually dump you if the food isn’t of her liking. She is not that sort of a girl.’ I gave myself the pep talk as I turned towards Sani.
Taking my previous position on the floor, I again took both her hands in mine and found her nervously biting her lip. I squeezed her hands in reassurance and murmured teasingly,
“I know you’re not ready. So, I'm not gonna kiss you right now...” Sani relaxed instantly giving me a warm smile.
In the next breath, I added conversationally, “...Don't worry love.”
Her jaw dropped.
I laughed. Harder, when she tried to jerk her hand away from my grip, while curling her lips in accusation.
