Page 16 of That Same Old Love

She relaxed, smiling at his goofiness. All the girls loved the fact that he always flirted with them in a charming way.

“You can change in the guest bedroom downstairs by your right. The chai will be ready in five minutes.”

After the tea was prepared, she served it into two cups and placed them on the dining table, waiting for him to join her.

When he didn’t, even after fifteen minutes, she was worried that the tea would cool down.

She knocked on the closed guest bedroom door and called out to him. “Sidhu, are you there? Your chai is ready.”

She couldn’t hear anything except some muffled noises. She opened the door slowly and entered the slightly dark room that was lit only by the setting sun.

“Sidhu? Are you okay?” she asked him when she saw his bent figure.

He was seated shirtless on the bed, next to the towel and dry clothes, and was holding his head in both his hands. His shoulders were shaking.

“Sidhu?” she called out softly again, feeling torn. She knew that he was crying because of Mahi. She also knew that she should leave him alone. Any guy would hate being caught crying, but this was Sidhu, the only guy she ever loved, and he was in pain.

“Why Ananya. Why? What’s so bad about me? I come from a rich family; I have a good education and I am planning on getting more soon. People think I’m good to look at and I treat everyone with respect. I don’t know what is so unsuitable about me,” he said looking at her with swollen red eyes.

Her heart went out to him and she sat next to him. “You are all those things and more, Sidhu. You are also kind and generous while being fun at the same time. There is nothing unsuitable about you,” she told him sincerely.

He scoffed.

She touched his shoulder tentatively. “No. I really mean it. I don’t know how many people have appreciated you for being you, but please believe me. I do… a lot. In fact I.. I have harbored strong feelings for you from the moment I saw you for the first time three years ago.”

He was quiet and then leaned his head on her shoulder. “Oh God, Ananya. Why couldn’t she feel that way too.” He broke down.

She was shocked at the contact. She could feel the heat from his bare chest against her thin cotton dress, and hundreds of small tingles began to run all over her body. She raised her hand slowly and began to stroke his back. She could feel the tingles extend to the tip of her fingers as well.

Soon Sidhu stopped crying and his breathing rhythm changed. He began to breathe heavily like her, and then pushed her away from him, looking shocked and dazed.

Staring into his eyes, she gently ran her fingers over his cheek, still unable to believe that Sidhu was at her house, and that she was able to touch him, and then feel him from this close. She had sometimes dreamt of him during the past three years. But even during those dreams, she was never this close to him.

Staring at his mouth, she leaned closer to him and then kissed him with all her pent-up passion.

After a few shocked seconds, Sidhu responded back to her kiss with desperation. Soon their kisses advanced into something more, turning that night into one of the most memorable nights she ever had.

But, the next morning he looked ashamed and apologized for what had happened.

“I’m so sorry Ananya. I didn’t mean for us to… to spend the night together. Mahi—” he broke off and shook his head.

She felt her heart break when she heard him talk about their special night as some sort of mistake. “Don’t worry Sidhu. It’s okay… I-I realize it happens sometimes. You were so sad and I-I just was carried away, especially because of how I felt about you.”

“No Ananya. You don’t understand. I’ve never ever done that in my lifetime. You were my first and I am pretty sure I was yours too. I’ve always wanted my first time to be with my wife. And I realize it must be of a huge significance to you as well. I-I will speak to my parents and ask them to talk to yours soon. Before I leave the country in two weeks, we should get m-married to each other.”

She was hurt by his tone which sounded as though he was volunteering a death sentence. She had always dreamt about Sidhu proposing to her in the most romantic way possible.

“That’s not needed Sidhu. I can take care of myself and I don’t have to marry someone just because it was our first time,” she said with as much dignity as possible.

“No Ananya. I insist. Otherwise, I will feel guilty about last night my entire life,” he pleaded.

“Sidhu, please stop. I’m not interested in marrying anyone at my age, alright? I’m still in my third year and I don’t intend to marry anyone until I’m at least twenty-five years old.”

He looked at her skeptically. “Then, let’s get engaged. We can wait until you finish your education before we marry,” he insisted.

Ananya had no intention to ever put him under duress about taking her virginity. She had offered it to him more than willingly.

She used a stalling technique, telling him that because of her brother’s current problems; they should wait for a month before breaking the news about their impending engagement. But after a month, theyhadto make an announcement to their families, and it was about their final decision to get married. Ananya had missed her period and she knew for a fact that their night together had some serious consequences.

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