Page 150 of Storm
How does she expect me to think anything when it’s the first time since that phone call, she had to my face called me by that name.
I was too dazed to even make sense of everyone surrounding us amused. They were actually giving us thankful admiring looks.
“No!” Sanu squeaked, “I mean, but how?!" Ibbi was way too fogged in happiness, to realize her condition that was on the verge of crying, “I mean, shit!” Then giving me a quick glance as if to gather her strength, Sani took a deep breath and forced a smile his way, trying to be nice and curious, “I mean yeah...um...what?”
Ibbi was eager to elaborate,
“You got my outing going! You are making it a success. Because you got us rid of Haadi.”
Sanu audibly exhaled a sigh of relief.
Ibbi went on,
“Whatever act you pulled to kick him out, I don't care. You did the right thing. I'm a fan!”
Sanu looked funny with the smug smile growing on her face, which she was trying to fight off, staring at me continuously with utmost guilt, because Ibbi was drastically thanking the wrong person, that was her. Also she seemed a little pissed at me for being right, which she was unable to admit it to my smug and thoroughly amused gaze on her, that I did not even try to hide.
“And the tasty dripping of, we-are-about-to-have-fun-and-there-is-no-Haadi kind of mouth-watering food you have got for us, has given a real kick to this holiday.”
Now Sanu too was beaming and glowing in happiness. Until Ibbi continued to say, “So much variety of junk and also you kept the ice pops in the fridge! You just thought of everything. Hats off to you!”
Sanu's face instantly flushed. She peeked at me from under her lashes a little fearfully, a lot shyly, at the intensity with which I was staring at her.
“Wherever you got this brilliant creative idea of treat from...It is just s...” Ibbi was still going on.
Hearing him, Sani's mouth fell open, while I couldn’t stop laughing.
She crossed her arms tightly, with miffed expression on her face, saying testily,
“You don't have to sound so freaking surprised!”
“Of course! Your choice is always good. You are an angel and I love you. Truly.” Ibbi went back hurriedly.
Annoyed, she was about to launch herself on me, when Zidaan came towards us and threw his arm casually over her shoulders,
“You can breathe freely again Sani. Your admirer has gone.”
“Admirer? What do you mean?” Sanu gaped at him astonished.
“Haadi's gone now. So forget it.” Zidaan winked, turning to leave.
Again making her cutely guilt ridden and unable to meet my eyes.
Showing some mercy on her, I did not once say, ‘I told you so!’
We went inside to devour the junk food she had brought. Most everyone had already eaten and gone out on the beach after singing praises of her.
Only the two of us remained in the house.
Sani took out the ice pops for both of us from the fridge. Offering me one, she came to stand close beside me at the door. We hadn’t bothered with the cleaning of house yet, so there was no place to sit.
“This is heaven.” Sani sighed with her eyes closed and a serene smile lingering on her face.
I nodded, “It really was that day. But now...I don't know. Something's missing.”
Leaning in closer, I sucked on the ice pop near her lips murmuring in satisfaction, “Now it’s perfect!”
Sani's eyes went wide as our now erratic breathes fanned each other’s faces.
