A Thousand Years

Chapter 17

Shravan's POV

I had gone back to Mumbai for a week for some work. During this time, I missed Sumo and Sagar so much that even a couple days without them were unbearable. I smiled to myself as I drove to her house. Things between us were slowly changing and we were becoming our usual self again. Initially, Sumo kept trying to stay away but lately she seemed to be more comfortable with me. She still loves me and if anything, her love for me has intensified but she won't admit it.

I knocked on the door but no one answered. I became worried as Sagar always opens the door within seconds of my knocking. I knocked harder yet still no answer. I started to panic and got my phone out to call Sumo and that's when she opened the door. She smiled and went to greet me but I cut her off and started yelling. "Why weren't you opening the door? Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

She covered my mouth and giggled, "You are so impatient. I was on the back porch reading a book so it took me a while to open the door. Don't panic so easily". I got lost in her beauty as she continued laughing. How can anyone be so perfect? She called out to me, "Are you just going to stand there or will you come in? Hurry up, it's going to rain soon". I noticed that the house was unusually quiet. It's never this quiet because Sagar is always playing around but I didn't see him anywhere. I asked Sumo about Sagar's whereabouts and she nonchalantly replied that he wasn't here. I panicked again. Not here? What does that mean? Did Anish try to come get him? Sumo laughed seeing me fret and replied, "He's visiting Kancha. She's moving to Indore so she stopped by and took him since he hasn't seen his cousins in a long time. When did you start worrying so much, Shravan? I miss my cool and careless friend".

I held her hand and said, "You don't understand. The thought of you or Sagar being in danger terrifies me. I can't live without-". She looked at me and maybe I was dreaming, but her cheeks turned pink.

She smiled and grazed her fingers on my forehead. "These creases on your forehead don't suit you at all". I sighed and told her that I should go back as Sagar wasn't here. I turned to leave and she grabbed my hand. She frowned, "Do you only come to see Sagar? Can't you come to see your best friend once in a while?" I smiled realizing that Sumo wanted me to stay. I missed her and our friendship so much. She held my hand as we walked out to the back porch. I sat down on the patio sofa and noticed Sumo smiling at me. I felt like she was smiling at me more than usual today. I nudged her arm and she snapped out of her daze. She fumbled, "I...umm...you rest, I'll make you my special ginger tea". I offered to help her but she refused and ran to go make tea. Her behavior really confused me sometimes.

I got up and leaned against the pillar as it started to rain. I closed my eyes as the tiny droplets kissed my face. I took a deep breath taking in the smell of the earth. The rain pattered loudly and the sound calmed my heart. I felt someone lean against me and rest their head on my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes to see Sumo leaning on my arm with her eyes closed. "The sound of the rain...it's so different from the-"

I smiled and finished her sentence, "From the firing of the bullets that we are used to hearing on the battlefield". She opened her eyes and moved away. She nodded and asked me if I still had nightmares. I shook my head and told her that they had decreased but once in a while I would have a nightmare of being trapped inside that tunnel. She called me over to drink my tea but the rain had me in a trance. I leaned against the railing and threw my head back letting the rain claim me. I felt like the young and playful Shravan in me had awakened.

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my collar as I was pulled away from the rain. Sumo angrily said, "What are you doing? Now, your hair is all wet and you will get sick. I'll bring you a towel". She turned to leave but I caught her arm and pulled her towards me. I wrapped my arms around her tightly so she couldn't escape and shook my wet hair in her face. Her giggles echoed in my ear telling me to stop but she didn't resist. She pulled my cheek and said, "You will never change". She started talking about how I did this to her after the wedding when we were at the hotel before my flight for Kashmir. As she was talking, her voice started to fade as I became focused on the droplet that slowly trailed down her cheekbone. I inched closer and kissed the droplet. She gasped and froze. I started kissing away all the droplets on her face and she closed her eyes. I trembled as I stared at the last droplet that rested on her bottom lip. I brought up my hand to her hair and drew her near me until our foreheads were touching. She clutched my collar tightly and her breathing became erratic as our lips brushed. I leaned in to suck the tiny droplet off her lip but suddenly her eyes shot open and she pushed me away.