First Love

The waves were lashing on the sea shore. The sky was overcast, as if to reflect the heart-mind conflict going on within her. The beach party had never been so mundane for her; nothing seemed to entertain her this evening--not even Arijit Singh's soothing voice!!! That meant that she was terribly upset. She had run away to a lonelier side of the party ground to avoid being caught up by her friends.

What's wrong with me? Why can't I think of something else other than him? He's been bothering me with all his strange antics.... Why is he so careful about whether I had my dinner timely or I had a good sleep? Why does HE have to drop me to ensure that I reached home safely? Why can't he just behave normally like before? He's been caring beyond limits nowadays....WAIT.... WHAT???? CARING BEYOND LIMITS..... DOES THAT MEAN....... No no no... he's just being a good friend..... But which friend calls you up at 2AM just to ask if I'm ok or not!!!!"..... She went on thinking.... Damn!!! She couldn't concentrate on the party.....

"Naina"', the voice called out. In no time, she realized how much she's been missing his voice. But how can it be so? Aditya met her last evening itself. One day and it feels like eternity that she hadn't heard him. She turned around to find him standing in a casual grey shirt and denims. Not in desperate attempt to impress, the attire looked perfectly sexy as it clung to his well-shaped body. His hair all set in a not too playful manner and with the wrist watch, he looked enough to give a tough competition to all the other guys out there in the party.

"I've been searching for you and you're here, aloof from your own party", he continued, seeing her silent.

"Happy Birthday", he said, thus breaking her trance.

"Thank You."

"You look beautiful in red", he said, putting rest to all her thoughts which said that a red knee-length dress was too bold for her. She wouldn't have worn it unless her mother urged her to do so and paired it with a simple diamond ear stud. And with long black curls opened up, kohl-smudged eyes, minimal make-up and lip-gloss, she looked pretty enough to make his heart skip a beat.

"What are you exactly up to?" with that line Aditya understood the reason behind Naina standing there alone. For a last few days, he had been showing in all specific actions, his feelings towards her. He knew actions speak louder than words. "It's high time", he thought!

And he started moving closer to her!

With every step he took, Naina found her heart thumping in her chest, in a way, like it would come out. She looked away afraid that her emotions would make way to her face. Little did she know that he had read her mind from that one stare she gave to him.

In her nervousness, she started blabbering out her thoughts... "Why do you care if I have eaten or not? Why do you care if I am feeling lonely? Why do you care if I am upset? Why do you have to call me up to just ensure that my mood is better? Why do you have to drop me to ensure that I reached home safely? Why do you care if some other guy is complementing me? Why do you care if someone is staring at me? Why do you...."

"Shshh..." he put his hand on her mouth to stop her. "Because you're more than just a friend." She realized his touch had calmed down her racing heart.

He looked into her eyes and said, "I love you." Her eyes widened at this sudden confession. But she couldn't deny how much she longed to hear this from him. He removed his hand to catch her shocked face. She couldn't but look straight into his eyes.

Without breaking the eye-lock, he continued, "I care that you've eaten or not because I know you're a big foodie and if you're not eating, something is definitely wrong and I can't see you worried." Wind swept across making her loose hair fall on her face.

He pushed her locks behind her ears that were blocking his view of her eyes, with one hand and held her waist with the other. "Why will you be lonely when I am always wishing to give you the best company I can!" Her eyes were moist as she felt the love and warmth at his gentle touch.

"How can you be upset when I can't bear a lone tear in your eyes?" and he gently wiped off the lone tear that trickled down her cheek.

"How can I sleep peacefully when I know that some issue is bothering you? So I couldn't stop myself from calling you because I was missing your voice terribly!" his voice choked due to outburst of emotions.

"When I drop you home, the way you turn and bid me a good night... It helps me to calm myself down on sleepless nights when I am restless to talk to you." He couldn't control his tears anymore.

"Yes, I am jealous when I see other guys eyeing you or complementing you because I know you're best with me. No one else has the right to stare at you like I do. None has the right to affect you like I do. None can give you butterflies in your stomach like I do. No other guy can love you the way I do. I can't stop loving you ever and I don't want to stop. You're mine. I will always love you with all my heart and soul.

His tears flowed freely down his cheeks. "I love you, Naina." And he ended with a smile that melted her heart.

She didn't know what to say. She never knew he felt so deeply for her just the way she felt for him. She only knew she had fallen for him the first day she saw him. Since then she had suppressed her feelings but today she could control no more. She knew no words could express her emotions for him. Neither did she break the eye-lock which they shared. She pulled him by his collar and touched her forehead gently with his. Happy tears made their way along their faces.

"You're totally mad", she chuckled.

"That means you love me too!!", he said pulling back his face. She held his face within her hands and wiped away his tears.

"How do you know? I may not!!" , she teased back.

"Because I know you more than you know yourself.", he smirked.

She blushed a deep shade of pink. "Alright! Yes, I love you. I love you, too Adi. And not today, I liked you since the day I saw you first.", she blurted out the line he longed to hear.

He let go off her waist, and took two steps back, confusing her. Then he took out a velvet box and held it out for her, "Now, won't you check out your birthday gift?" She opened the box anticipating a ring but..... He never fails to surprise her..... She smiled, "Won't you make me wear it?"

He took the box and went down on his knee. She placed her foot on his knee. He took out the silver anklet and tied it to her foot. His hand brushed against her foot as she blushed hard. He looked up to find her content face anticipating the moment. He got up and his intense gaze made her cheeks feel warm. He lifted her chin up with his hand, held her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. She reciprocated by hugging him. He hugged her back and held her tightly as if to never let go.

Nature worked its wonder this time. Rain poured down celebrating the joy of fulfillment of their first love. They stood in each other's embrace dripping wet in rain as nature remained the silent spectator of their true love. She felt all the protection and care in his arms while he felt so complete to have her in his arms. Words felt there existence was no more important there as silence won the battle of love. The only sound of their heartbeat resounding in their ears became purified as it mixed with the whisper of rain and the roar of waves. As the thunder crashed, she clutched onto him. Today, they didn't care about the world around them. Lost in each other, they had found their own dreamland which was built of love and affection.

Somewhere, it is rightly said when smile dwells together with tears, it makes the best pair in the world. Smiling with tears of joy, they cherished the moment in each other's embrace, basking in the warmth of their love and their hearts beating in perfect rhythm. And the waves dancing to and fro around her feet, made the anklet tingle, making the sweetest sound ever, as their wet feet stood covered in golden sand and white bubbles.

So guys..... This is my first attempt into writing a story..... Hope you enjoy...... Do read and review.....