When Love Is In Air

chapter12

I slowly climb up the stairs to my home.I am in a daze.I take out the keys and unlatch the door so as to get in.I make sure that no one hears me entering the house.Its still mid night and I can't afford to be caught in wet clothes at this hour.I might also be lacking a working mind at the moment.So, making up a lie could not be easy.I knew it.I let out a sigh remembering Akash and his shiny eyes.Not caring about the pool that my wet clothes formed on the floor, I close my eyes and lean on the wall that is right behind me.

After I open them, I see that someone has switched on the kitchen lamp.I experience a whirlpool inside my stomach.I want to hide somewhere.Anywhere.What should I tell if I am caught?Panic is all that I know for the moment.A low but clear breath escapes my mouth.Unfortunately the quiet that surrounds me makes my low breath sound loud.I curse myself like never before.

Even before I know, a lamp in the hall room is lit and I close my eyes wanting everything to be a dream.Ofcourse, except all that happened between me and Akash.

' Ria?' I hear Shantanu and to make sure that it is him, I open my eyes.I sigh in relief after seeing Shantanu's confused face.

' Hey, good morning.' I say like a fool.

' Shoot your good morning.What the hell are are you doing at the door in your wet clothes?' He asks me in bewilderment.I feel like a child who has been caught stealing chocolates.I always think of chocolates.This is not the time to think about that.I mentally snap at myself.

' Uhh..Shantanu, I was out.Umm..Look I'll tell you everything.Don't tell this to mom-dad.Please.'  I rush to complete my sentence.

'Ria, you what do you mean by "I was out"?Are you nuts?Or were you sleep walking and some wannabe respectfully dropped you to your home when you woke up at a place unknown?!' Shantanu doesn't seem to care to hide his fury.

' Please.I know its kiddish.Its reckless.But I was safe.I was with someone whom I trust.Sure I don't think quite a time before acting but..'

'You never think before acting.' Shantanu stares at me as if I were one unique piece of whose existence he couldn't believe.

I throw my hands up in surrender.' I promise to tell you everything.Right now.Please calm yourself.You will wake up someone.' I beg him trying the famous puppy-dog-face.And guess what?It works.

' Ria, you need to get out of those.I' ll wait for you in my room.' Shantanu says and turns to leave me alone.I wipe my face with my palm and head to my room.

How I prefered to directly go to bed after being in Akash's arms.It would have been like shifting from one heaven to another.But my life is my life after all.I find my pyjamas and a tee-shirt and put them on.A yawn escapes my mouth as I pass my bed.But I remember that this is important.For me and for him.

I knock and hear the usual, 'Come in, Ria.'

I push the door open and find Shantanu sitting on his bed.He folds his legs to make room for me.I sit in front of him feeling tired.

I look at him expecting him to start but instead he signals me to begin.

' Shantanu, I was with Akash.' I spill the beans.I see Shantanu leave the bed post which supports his back.He has an I-can't-believe-this look on his face along with immeasurable pain.My heart can't take this look from him.I decide to concentrate on the design made on the bedsheet.

Guilt creeps in me and it hurts a lot to know that I am giving Shantanu pain when all he deserves is to be happy.

' And?' Shantanu's shaky voice asks me making me look at him.I can't do this.I decide.Why does he want to know?He knows it already.Then why does he want to push himself deeper in a pit which is full of sorrows?