The girl who made my life heaven and hell like

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

I woke up next morning and saw Pia had filled my empty sleeping posture, replaced the invisible woman with herself. Her breathing was coming in even rhythm, and warm against my neck; I was holding her hand that was across my chest, my other hand, around her, holding her close to me. I took in the depth of the scene and knew it was way beyond my lines. But I did not like to break it, rather I inhaled the scene, etching it permanently in my memory. Her face looked so calm and beautiful, when asleep. I tucked few strands of her hair that fell across her face. The smell of vodka she drank last night, mixed with her feminine scent, was doing some magic inside me. She wriggled in sleep, clearly waking up.

"Hey beautiful, good morning", I said, brushing her cheek, with my thumb. I secretly wished how good it would be, if every morning dawned like this.

My roommate called me in the morning to say that he was staying at his girl friend's place over the weekend, which meant that Pia and I had the house to ourselves, for one more day. Pia did not bring any spare clothes, so she borrowed my pajamas. We spent the day indoors. Pia was not a great cook, but managed to make something with the help on Internet. I had no heart to send her away in the evening. I so much wanted to ask her to stay with me, but I had to stop myself.

I met her every evening, after work, and walked her home from the bus stop.

"Varun, what plans coming Friday?" It was my birthday.

"I don’t think I have any plans honey". I told my friends at work about Pia's stay and made them clear I had no plans with them.

"Ok cool. Why don’t you pack your clothes and come stay over at my place for the weekend?"

"Tempting, but no."

"Why? It's not fair. I stayed over at yours, last weekend."

"That is why I am telling you, no. I am not making this a practice, Pia. I am already planning to reconsider walking you home every evening"

"Your house is just two blocks away. It is not like I am tormenting you."

"Not physically, but my heart will then start expecting more, later. What will I do after you leave?"

"That is exactly what I am telling. How long are you going to accompany me like this, and how many birthdays will you get, while I stayed at London! It is just few more months. Can't you put your rules away for three months?!!"

I meant, after we parted ways forever, while she marked it the other way.

I sighed. She always made me give in so easily.

We watched the musical ' The Phantom of the Opera' and dined out at an Italian restaurant. It was drizzling on our way back home, but Pia still opted for our traditional walk back home from the bus stop. That was what, I would say, was my walk to remember. I always liked walking in the rain and the feel of rain drops on my palm. In the habitual fashion, I held out my palm, to feel the rain drops. Pia misunderstood I was offering my hand for her to hold and took hold of it. That was the first time we held hands while walking. I stared, with my fingers open, confused by the sudden gesture. Pia looked at my confused expression, realization hitting her, she released my hand looking embarrassed. I smacked myself on my forehead, mentally, and held her hand. Cold rain drops hitting me, while I held Pia's warm, soft hand in mine… I felt like kissing her.

I wished I did not stay with her that night, as much as I wanted to stay with her. I felt emotionally weak. We reached her home, and after a formal catch-up introduction with her roommate, we left to Pia's room. I was still confused by the sudden eruption of feelings, alien to me.

"What happened, Varun? Are you ok?"

I wanted to tell her I was not. "Ya, I am fine. Listen Pia, let us drop this plan. I will get back to my house and will meet you tomorrow morning."

"I know the reason for your sudden mood swing". Pia spoke, covering the distance between us, in slow, graceful steps. "I feel the same way too, Varun. Will you kiss me, please?"

Before I realized what was happening, Pia was standing in front of me, her arms around my neck. "Varun…", she whispered my name, softly, looking straight into my eyes.

That was the threshold. The sound of her voice, the way she called my name, the way she looked in the room that was lit only by the lights from the street…. I bent my face down, cupping her face in my hands, and the last I saw before closing my eyes was her beautiful face, glowing in the dim light from outside, eyes closed. I kissed Pia More, my first kiss ever.

I snaked my hands along her body, to her waist, pulling her closer; I lifted her few inches off the floor, matching her lips to the level of mine and sealed them in a tighter kiss. That was my best birthday gift, ever - all my life.