He makes my heart flutter!💓

10

Renukha

7.30 am

It's the engagement day of Kannagi sister! Before her, I had refreshed and cloaked in a dark greenish-red half saree. I desperately wanted to ask my Karthik about how I look but he seemed very busy.    

Yet I'm not one to give up! So I planned to follow him around and gain his attention. Well, I could just call him to be blessed with his scrutiny but I don't prefer that. I need him to naturally stare at me and compliment me.  

Karthik was still in his black shorts, light brown t-shirt, and ruffled up morning hair. He was attractive, as always.

Just as he entered the kitchen as aunt yelled his name from there, my legs too jolted downstairs and entered.

I casually opened the refrigerator while listening to him speak with his mom. "Yes, ma?" He responded to aunt, his interest entirely on her.

"I forgot to place the jasmine flower string you have bought yesterday in the refrigerator. It was all withered now. I just saw it Karthi. Purchase another bundle as soon as possible.." Aunt said in a miserable and worried tone.

"Okay mom, but don't be tensed. It's just a matter of a couple of minutes" Karthik resolved his mother's apprehensiveness and I don't know why my lips curved up in a smile.

"What are you searching in the fridge Renukha?" shooking me out of my la la land, Aunt unexpectedly queried me. "Ah...ice water.." Karthik swerved to me and I diverted my eyes to aunt.

"You did not even have your breakfast yet and you are already in need of ice water?" She asked me, suspiciously.

Awkwardly, I closed the fridge door. Then her view fell on my clothes and a bright look crossed her face. "You are so gorgeous! This color suits you so well..." She admired me, inducing a shy smile to graze my brims. "Thanks, aunt" I let out nervously.

On the other hand, Karthik remained silent, detecting me menacingly. I became a blushing mess but kept my cool. "I will be excusing myself then.." no. My lips pursed and a frown settled on my face as he uttered that placidly.

Aunt nodded and turned around to take care of the dish she was preparing. I stood still, as Karthik walked towards me to pass the door. Each one of his steps shrunk my heart a bit more. When finally crossing me, he purposely brushed my shoulder. I gulped, my mind going frantic.

As he sauntered past cooly, I swirled and observed him, hoping he would turn and admire me. But that did not happen. I casted my gaze on the floor, saddened by his demeanor.

That did not last long either. Because as soon as Karthik has returned with jasmine strings, he spotted the pack on the table. But there was another small pack in his hand which he kind of held secretly.

I was staring at him oddly, seated on the couch in the lounge. "To my room..." He said in a low tone to me and I blinked a few times, trying to acquire my full consciousness. Then once I had procured it, I shot my way up to his room.

Dragging me in, he shut the door and twirled me around so that my back was facing him. I smelled the fragrance of pichi flower (it's just a different form of jasmine) and my senses got overwhelmed by the small detail which meant a lot to me.

He still remembered that I hate the usual jasmine flower and its scent. I always get headaches due to it.

My heart felt warm as he planted the string of flowers on my hair, sticking it tighter by the pins that were already available in my hairstyle.

Once he was done, he twirled me towards him and smiled. "Beautiful" I did not know how to control the overwhelming feelings boiling within me.

All of a sudden, my hands were around his torso and I was hugging him tightly...still not enough! Getting on my tiptoes, I kissed his right cheek, hard, yet softly.

And I was out of his room when I realized what I have actually done. 

I was anxious as hell throughout the occurrence of the engagement. I could feel it. His intense gaze. But I strived my best to ignore it.

During the lunch, I was seated in the chair beside my sister. Among the food-supplying crew, some members of our family were also involved. It included my Karthik too.

Thus, I got special treatment. My sister who saw all these kept on rambling about how it was so unfair.

Just like that, the daylight passed by and the twilight arrived. My parents, especially my mother was so adamant to get me back to home but I disagreed and quite literally made a scene!

I was clinging to Kannagi sister while my mom shouted, "Don't you want to attend school!? You are in twelfth, remember!" I clutched Kannagi sister's hand tighter and pleaded. "Akka, please tell mom...I will go after tomorrow" my eyes held tears as I said that.

Kannagi sister told me something back but I couldn't process it as I was intent on crying. "She won't listen Kannagi, I will drag her home!" With that, my mom tugged my free hand, and I, to not give in to her, fell on the floor and cried even harder, showing my displeasure to get back home.

Seeing the awful scene, Aunt finally spoke up. "Stop it! She just wants to stay here one more day, it's not a big deal" Huh! Even she speaks up for me, but the person for who I'm undergoing all these appeared to be quite enjoying the show.

"But her studies--" My mother began but was cut off by Karthik. "Let her be aunt, just one more day off in school can have no bad impact on her studies" with his cool reply, my mom furiously exited the house, followed by my father and sister.

My being pacified.

Then aunt, that is, Karthik's mother, helped me up from the floor and coincidentally seated me beside Karthik who was settled alongside the chairs of the dining table.

"I will bring you something to eat" Aunt patted my head and disappeared into the kitchen. Kannagi sister has also gone to her room. His father and grandma weren't in the scenario either.

We are alone!

"What an acting..." I rubbed away my tears and glared at him. "I wasn't acting! I wanted to spend as much as time I could with you." I darted my gaze away as I responded.

"I'm melted" and when I looked up at him, he leaned closer and pressed his lips against my cheeks. My knees went weak. I had never known it could actually happen but seriously, I couldn't feel my legs anymore.

I was startled, in a very good way.

"Why can't you turn eighteen faster!" He sighed as he pulled away.

A timid smile painted my lips as I looked at him. "Why? What will you do when I turn eighteen?" I raised my eyebrows, questioningly.

"That is..." He dragged. Then, slanting closer to my ear, he whispered, "Some eighteen-plus things" I shuddered at his confession.

And I rushed away from there to the kitchen.

Will he really do that once I turn eighteen...my core clenched as my mind imagined it.

Nono.

Calm down.

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