Page 115 of Storm
“If you remember, then technically it was our second date.” Sanu reminded me in what I could detect was a mischievous breezy tone, that our first date was when we had confessed our feelings to each other and had the best lunch because of each other's company in my office.
I grumbled in annoyance,
“Yeah I remember, that time as well I hadn’t done much to brag about.”
“Don't say that! It was the perfect date. Each moment of that day is precious to me. Don't ruin it now. Please.” She cried in warning.
“Really?” I whispered.
“Yup. I had enjoyed thoroughly that time.” Came her soft reply.
“Right...You had given me an earful. Why won't you have fun?” I said accusingly.
Reminding her of how she had scolded me for filling her plate with noodles from mine and insisting her to finish it.
We both started laughing remembering our very first “date.”
And finally, it struck to me, what I had missed on, being lost in her chirpings.
God...I'm a lost case. Damn! Nonetheless, I won't let it just go.
Pretending to be curious I asked in a sardonic teasing voice,
“Hey love, what was it that you called me moments ago? You weren’t saying Aariz of course. As you always, just call me as 'you'. What was it again? It sounded intimate and really loving.”
She remained silent for sometime then muttered as if surprised,
“I didn’t call your name in any way.”
“Yeah, I know. Not just in any way. In fact, it was a proper nickname. And I wanna hear it again. Now! Please!”
She disconnected the phone.
I called her back immediately,
“Sanu, what was that? Why did you hung up?!”
She answered in a miffed voice, which sounded like that of a complaining child,
“If you tease me like that I will call you Professor only from now on.”
“That’s cute...All this threatening. But I won't be controlled by it in every matter, my Miss Bossy.” I smirked, and then went on in a serious tone, “This calling me Professor or Sir is one of those matters, where I won't let you win. You are forbidden to call me that.”
“Why Sir?” Sani turned all innocent.
She did not know whom she was dealing with. I had by now figured out every which way she got breathless and blushed.
In a low murmur, I tsked,
“You shouldn’t waste your time arguing with me.”
She scoffed.
I went on in a teasing whisper,
“Rather use it to sum up the courage to call me by your chosen name 'Aaru'. It sounded sexy when you said it.”
And I actually heard her breath getting hitched.
