MOONLIGHT | Driti

MOONLIGHT

CHAPTER 5

He gently held on my hand when Aashna and Nitya were arguing whether the shuttle touched the net or not, and we sneaked out successfully.

After leaving the society gate, we darted on the road which was towards the right side of the society.

"Now will you tell me where are we going?" I questioned, unable to hold in my curiosity.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that. But nevermind I'll directly show you the place instead of telling you about it."

I couldn't understand what was Achintya thinking. But I waited till we reached the place.

Lush green grass covered the major portion of that ground; white lilies slightly swinging along with the motion of the cool breeze.
This area looked deserted from the city part but we could still spot a few pedestrians walking on the street across us, quite far away.

The street lights highlighted blades of the grass, making its edge appear shiny.

Achintya told me to follow his lead in the grass as we entered the ground. While walking he didn't let his grip off my wrist until we settled down to sit.

It was indeed peaceful and serene; the full moon glowing amidst the billow of clouds, me sitting besides Achintya, when we stretched out our legs and gazed at the unbounded night sky.

Stars twinkling here and there. Dark-lit blue sky witnessing the comfortable silence between Achintya and me. It was fleeting calm and silent until I started our conversation,
"Ahem-ahem" I tried clearing my throat to grab his attention. He looked at me with this deep blue eyes which  emitted the exact glow of the full moon above us.

"Doesn't the fact that I am a state level player intimidate you while playing with me?"

"No, it doesn't matter much. Because I have no one to prove  my game to. I play for my own satisfaction. After all, being with my friends at the end of the day is all that matters," he paused. "But if I were playing purposely to impress you....Trust me, I could have been playing better," he added.

"So you are saying that you are not going to try to impress me, is it?" I questioned even though I was already was besotted by him. And for matter of fact, even he was aware of this but the urge to ask this question was strong, because I was keen to hear his answer.

"Impressing you or flirting with you is something that happens innately. Without any good or bad intention. Completely unplanned but I like the way it happens everytime, with sheer ease....
But the only thing I know right now is that;
I am sitting here with you,
under the moonlight,
staring at the luminous stars,
who are witnessing us and twinkling occasionally,
signaling that whatever we share is pure.
At this moment, nothing bothers me more than being with you," Achintya vehemently said looking deep into my agate grey eyes when a saccharine smile grew on his face.

My cheeks turned red and the butterflies in my stomach? Already  capering to those delightful lines.

We immersed ourselves back into sky gazing the constellation above. The moonlight that night was conveying something to me. It slowly whispered,

"Rhea likes Achintya"

Maybe it wasn't the moonlight truly reciting this but my inner conscience. After that statement, I looked straight up to the glowing moon. That night, it felt as if silver glitters were floating in the air as we both sat on the secluded meadow, exchanging sedate euphoria and comfortable solace.