High School Romance Revisited

Chapter 35 - The Question

I didn't let him go. Keeping his fingers entangled with mine tightly I slept. He kissed on my forehead and looking at my state gave in to my stubbornness. When I woke up in the morning he was still sleeping beside me. It didn't feel wrong, rather seemed normal to me.

I know my parents would arrive at any moment now but I'll manage.

Last night it had rained, though I was too engrossed in Mahen's conversations that I hardly noticed. Waking up to a soothing breeze and soft drizzle reminded me of the storm and the rain that followed. It almost felt similar to the incident that happened to me. While the storm was a clear personification of Shekhar, Mahen's arrival was just like the rain, assuring and hopeful.

I slowly released his fingers from mine and turned to stare at the rain. Tiny drops had fallen on the empty table near it. With the soft sound of rain and the breeze, I was slipping into another slumber when I felt Mahen's hand coming around my waist.

He pulled me towards him and nuzzled my neck dropping a soft lingering kiss. I felt a shiver run down my body as his breath tickled my skin. I don't know when but he had slipped his hand under my top and made slow patterns on my waist with his fingers.

His feet rubbed on mine and I didn't hesitate to move closer towards him. "Why were you so scared last night?" he asked. His voice whispering in my ears.

I wanted to tell him everything but not before I understand Vasundhara aunty's behaviour. So I refrained. "I told you the windows were rattling vigorously."

When he didn't speak I turned and saw him looking at me with an uncertain expression. "I know you are hiding something," he said.

My heart jolted. No, I don't want him to know like this.

"I won't push you to tell me Deepa but you will be at ease if you share."

"There's nothing to worry," I said in a half-broken tone.

"Really?" he asked challenging. I couldn't utter a word and simply nodded. However, I knew he didn't buy it. He was still looking at me unsure.

"Deepa, do you think –" I didn't let him finish and captured his lips with mine. Kissing him with a heated intensity I pulled him closer to me. He too held me tightly against him. I had become so desperate for his touch that I didn't even realise when my fingers started to open his shirt buttons.

A sudden loud sound echoed through my house. Mahen broke the kiss and we kept staring at each other panting. "Go, your landline is ringing," he said rolling out of the bed.

I was still panting. A brush of cold air made me shiver as his warmth disappeared. I laid there on the bed not wanting to get up and pick up the phone.

"Deepa? Go!" he said with a stern voice. I shook a little then lifted myself up from the bed. Walking towards the drawing-room I saw my phone lying on the floor beside the sofa. Ignoring I picked up the landline receiver.

"Hello?"

"Deepa, where were you, we have been trying to call since last night!" my mother yelled.

"Maa? Sorry I was sleeping. I slept early," I said managing to keep my voice normal.

"Why? Are you sick? Didn't you eat?"

"Maa!" I whisper-yelled. "I have eaten and I am not sick!"

"Liar!" Mahen murmured in my other ear and went towards the kitchen. I threw him an annoyed glare then concentrated back on my mother's words.

"Listen your aunt is not living us today so we will be late. We are aiming to reach home by evening."

"And?"