Shots of Happiness

30 Seconds

30 secs not more than that. I don't let anyone look at me directly for more than 30 secs. And he was already staring at me for more than 40 secs. No matter what how many times I make him look the other way, he just won't budge.

There were hardly any people around for which, I was glad. Because people stare –judge, especially, female population. I can say that because, I am one of them, so I know how their "Not so enigmatic mind" works. Males, on the other hand, not a clue.

The mountains on our either side gave us view to the valley down below, shimmering in the dark like thousands of colorful diamond. Who would want to go to a restaurant full of preying eyes, looking for gossip! This right here, is what I would choose over and over again. Maybe add a little cheese pepperoni pizza too?!

I could still feel his gaze on me.

"Look at me" He asked clearly amused by my continuous effort to get rid of his staring.
"I don't want to!" I said angrily.
"Come on!" he said smirking.
"I told you to not look at me. So look away first" I said still looking at the valley in the front trying not show how his gaze made me feel.

He caught me from my folded knees and made me turn to look at him. For a moment our eyes me, and it scared the hell out of me. Sitting face to face, what if he sees something ugly in me? Sitting straight in front of him I still kept my eyes on the valley. Probably looking like a 5-year-old, stubborn girl!

"You are not going to look at me, are you?" he asked clearly finding the situation very amusing.
I don't plan on giving him the satisfaction of being in control of this set up. So I turned to look dead straight in his eyes and smiled confidently.
"Why? You want to play the stare game?"
He was taken aback for a second, perplexed by the change of my attitude, however, soon brought back his smile again.

I gulped.

I was not this weak. I was strong enough to deal with people like him, who think they can read people and are right about them, because I was one of them , but my intention were not to make them open their wounds and leave it like that.

"Why do you do that?" he asked leaning back in support of his arms on his either side.
"What?" I said confidently, running my hands through my hair making a fake pony tail, maintaining the eye contact.
"One moment you are shy, maintaining distance, and not to forget that weird "30 sec" staring rule. But when provoked, you dead-ass look right at them. Why... Why do you do that?"
"Does it matter?" I raised an eye.
"If it didn't, I wouldn't have asked" clearly trying to read through my actions. But I knew how this works. He won't come in, until and unless I don't want him in.

I laughed at his reply but quickly tried to change the subject. "Did you have dinner before you came here? Because I might have something to eat in my bag" I grabbed my bag from the side and started to shuffle through it, clearly looking for something which wasn't there! I should think before lying.

"Seriously!? Do you think I am a five-year-old who can easily be distracted?" he said in a serious tone. I could sense the irritation in his tone. Maybe I was pushing him away too hard?

"Yes!" I showed him the middle finger and stuck my tongue out, in order to lighten his mood.
He caught my finger in his grip and looked at me, demanding an answer which I wasn't ready to give. He was gone for 7 years. 7 years are enough to change a person. But my feelings never did. He was still my crush even after 9 years.

"Sarah, tell me."

"Why?! " I said in a monotonous voice. "So that you can call me crazy!? Laugh at my face!? Tell me that I am being stupid!? Think that I am pathetic?! Thanks, but I don't intend to" I said freeing my finger from his grip.
"No. But because I care about you. I always have" his spoke in a soft voice, which could melt anyone.
I knew he meant good for me, but opening up, only meant closing up for forever.
"I know you do." I couldn't smile even If I wanted to. I really couldn't, so I turned to look at the breathtaking night view of the valley. The only thing that was constant and peaceful in my chaotic life.

He didn't say a word because he knew I wasn't going to talk now.
"You can leave now" I said after a minute of silence.
"No. I am staying, and this time, I don't plan on leaving." he said leaving no room for argument.
I placed my head on his shoulder and for the first time I sighed happily. He will never know how much those words meant to me, even if that promise is meant to be broken. But at this moment, sitting here with my crush and hearing him say those words, there is no place on earth I would rather be.

The end.