A Twisted Tale

Wooing Her

Mark's POV

When I heard her breathing deepen, I knew that she was fast asleep. I gently pulled away from her and got off the bed. I couldn't sleep. Not when I had a lot on my mind. Ever since I got back from Milan, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were bound to drift apart. Work has kept me occupied but Meera was always on my mind one way or another.

When I saw her in the office, it took me every ounce of restraint to not kiss her square on her lips. I was content with spending time with her. It was Claire who convinced me that I had to tell her about my feelings. I remembered the conversation between Claire and I.

"I know you love her Mark. I've always known this." Said Claire quietly while we had lunch. I dropped the knife and stared at her in surprise. "You're reading too much into it Claire. It's not like that." I said shaking my head. Claire rolled her eyes at me and said "I'm not stupid you know. I know how you look at her. Hell, you've not had even one steady girlfriend. You buy her thoughtful gifts. You're always by her side when she is in trouble." I shook my head again and said "That doesn't prove anything."
"Then what does? Scaring away every guy who went on a date with her? I always wondered why she didn't go past the first date with any guy until the day I saw you warn one of them to stay away from her!" She said fiercely. I closed my eyes and gulped. "She doesn't feel the same way you know. She considers me as her best friend and nothing more. So I've decided to be the friend she sees in me. Nothing more, nothing less. Yes, I protect her from men who don't deserve her but ultimately it's her choice. I can't take away her freedom to choose a guy. So I've decided to let her go." I said defeated.

"Are you bloody insane? You think she doesn't feel the same? Hell no. I'll share a secret with you but if you let anyone know about this then I'll whip your arse. Meera admitted to me a few years ago that she likes you more than she should. You think she wasn't affected watching you with those women? She was affected, alright? She used to have a disappointed look on her face the whole day. She clearly told me that the only reason she doesn't give in to her feelings is because she is scared that she will give you her all but you won't reciprocate. Now, if this was any other guy I'd have let Meera handle it her way. The only reason I am telling you about her fears is because I love you both to pieces and I know that the two of you are good for each other. If you give up on her, then you're a bigger fool than I imagined you to be." She finished.

I stayed silent for a minute, processing all the information that Claire threw in my face. I couldn't believe that Meera liked me. But the voice of doubt whispered in my ears that years have passed since Meera admitted anything to Claire.
Nevertheless, I was determined to do everything in my power to show her that I love her. With renewed energy, I hugged Claire and thanked her for talking me into not giving up.

I came out of the memory when I heard Meera stir in her sleep. I looked at her sleeping form and smiled. I could feel myself getting aroused at the mere memory of what happened in my bedroom. For the first time, I saw something deeper than just friendship in Meera's eyes. I couldn't name the emotion but it was lurking around in her eyes. I heard a soft whine and saw 'gundu' walk towards me. I smiled at the little guy and picked him up. He licked my face and barked. Meera tossed around for a few more seconds before she opened her eyes. "Hey, what's going on?" She asked sleepily. I showed gundu to her and said "He happened. Looks like he's not in the mood to sleep right now." She got up from the bed and smiled at me before taking him into her arms. She placed a bowl of milk in front of him and stared at him happily as he lapped the milk. She looked at me from head to toe and asked "Have you no intention of sleeping at all? You look exhausted."
I rubbed my eyes and said "Yeah. I think I better sleep now. What about you?" She shook her head and pointed at gundu. She then told me that she would join me once he's accommodated. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I woke up and felt something warm pressed against my side. I was slightly disoriented when I saw that this wasn't my room but soon my brain registered the surroundings. I turned around and found Meera sleeping peacefully. My breath hitched when I felt her hand on my chest. Like that wasn't enough, her legs were entangled with mine. For anyone looking from the outside, this would look intimate. For me, this was almost an everyday occurrence. I tried to remove her hand from me as gently as possible but I felt her shift.

She groggily opened her eyes and gave me one of her most beautiful smiles as she said good morning. I closed my eyes trying hard not to kiss her senseless. She didn't seem to notice my condition as she happily hopped off the bed and greeted gundu. I laid on my back and stared at her laugh carelessly when gundu licked her face.

We both took our time having breakfast. It wasn't everyday that we got to enjoy time with our family. After a hearty breakfast, the two of us went back into our rooms to get dressed for the wedding. I was downstairs with mum when I heard Meera and Claire laugh about something.

When I turned around, I couldn't take my eyes off her. My eyes widened in shock and I mentally noted to thank the designer for the saree. She looked like a goddess walking down the stairs. There hair was tied into a bun with a few loose tendrils around her face. She didn't wear any heavy make-up. Her eyes were holding all the happiness in the world. I groaned when my eyes landed on her lips. She was wearing a blood red lipstick. Her already plump lips literally pulled me towards her. She turned around and my eyes landed on her back. Her back was almost bare excepting for a strap holding the sleeveless blouse in place. The lace poncho was a curse disguised as a blessing because it delicately hid her back leaving some room for imagination.

I immediately went to her side and took her hand in mine. "Remind me to thank the designer personally. She clearly has outdone herself. You look exquisite. I don't think calling you beautiful would be doing you justice." I said as I kissed her cheek. I let my lips linger on her skin and inhaled her scent. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared into mine. We stood staring at each other for almost a minute when she looked away and I saw a beautiful blush creep up her face. Only one word came into mind. Delectable.
I didn't realize I said that out loud because she whipped her head in my direction and stared at me with wide eyes. I mentally slapped myself but didn't say anything else. I put my hand on the small of her back as I guided her to the car. I prepared myself for I knew it would be a long day. But I was determined to make her aware of my intentions before tonight.