Page 99 of Storm
“What has happened to you Sani? Just relax! Why are you getting so hyper and taking it to heart? It’s not like we are insulting him or something. It is just a playful thing. Chill!” Rose gave me an ‘I can't believe you’ kind of look.
Without a word, I got up and left. I ran upstairs to the Mass Media building, to have some alone time. I knew I would not find my classmates or anyone I know on the upper floor there at this hour.
I went up to the third floor and decided to go another floor where there would be less people at break time.
I was about to step on the last stair of fourth floor, when my steps came to halt as there stood Aariz on a stair above me, gazing at me with a twinkle in his eyes and a warm smile.
With no one around us.
“Hey, where are you going in such a hurry?” Aariz grinned not allowing me to climb-up.
If I moved left, so did he. If I moved right, so did he.
“Let me go. Please move.” I told him irritably.
“Nope. First tell me why your mood is so off?” Aariz gave me a stubbornly curious look.
Hmm, so this is what happens in a relationship. You are all over in the other person's business. I should have known better...
“My mood is fine. And even if there is something in my heart, nobody cares.” I murmured, not meeting Aariz's eyes.
For some reason, I felt as if I won’t be able to hide anything from him if I met his gaze. My God! He was affecting me for real!
I felt hurt by my friends’ comments on Aariz's body, his nature, his talks, and his sense of humour as if they know him so closely. It felt wierd that even I did not know anything about him, yet I claimed to be his girlfriend. And there they were going on in full flow about him as if...
Other than that, I was annoyed for a reason I myself was not ready to accept. That is, a green-eyed monster called jealousy had crawled its way in my head. Because it seemed like everyone knew Aariz better than I did.
If I really had feelings for him, and if I was ready to be close to him, should I not know at least something about him? He can't just remain a somebody in my life if we were in a relationship. What kind of a relationship would it be then? Was I doing this right? I couldn’t share it with absolutely anyone.
I will have to make the decision on my own if I really do like this certain someone who at this moment was not allowing me to go and have some peace. He was rather blocking my way, throwing off warm smiles at me that had the strength to melt me into a puddle.
I came out of my mind ramblings by feeling of his hand on my cheek. Aariz was putting a wayward hair behind my ear.
His touch felt so soft and gentle that it made me dizzy with overwhelming feelings.
“Of course it matters if your mood is off or if something is there in your heart. It does matter. It matters to me. I care. Tell me what has happened.” Aariz's voice felt like a soothing cool water droplet.
He went on softer,
“Hey, is it because I told you we’ll go out today? I know it is too early and risky for you Sani. I was just kidding. I would never force you for anything. You don't have to be so tensed about it.”
I’m thinking about my friends and he is taking everything upon himself for no reason. Great, just great! As if, I can't think about anything else other than him.
Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze squarely,
“I just had an argument with Rose and Mirelle. Also I'm really disturbed due to a few other things.” I added whispering, “Now can I go? Please.”
Fear never comes alone. It brings in friends...Doubts and insecurity. That’s what was happening to me.
29- Fear
Sani
He was not going to give up, was he? He did not let me go. No! He tried to be all cute and caring like a lover.
Caressing my face with the back of his knuckles, in the pretence of playing with my hair strand, he went on gently,
“Okay. What are those other matters that have my girl so disturbed?” He tried peering into my eyes but I avoided his gaze and kept my lashes slant down to the floor.
