CHAPTER-35
SWEET APOLOGY
Chapter Highlights...
He took out a thin and elongated red velvet box. He blushed and offered it to me. I raised my eyebrows and shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Naomi. Whatever it was, I shouldn’t have slapped you the other day. I mistook you for dating Shashank instead of protecting and comforting you. If you accept my gift, I will take it as you forgave me…I’m sorry once again for slapping a girl.”
Tears accumulated in my eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off the gift representing his sweet apology. It was the first time someone truly gifted me, someone truly felt sorry for hurting me.
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Naomi’s POV
Scenes of what happened that morning in Akshat’s class were my only relief. I blushed to myself as I walked along the footpath. Every time I massaged my coat, I raised my hand up. I adjusted my bag’s strap and brought it in line with the right shoulder. I looked up and smiled at Akshat’s face amidst the clouds floating across the yellow evening sky.
I interlocked my palms into each other and breathed hard. A ray of hope seemed to be born within my heart. No worries, Naomi. You can do it! You can handle Shashank without troubling Kiku.
“Kiku!”, I exclaimed, chuckling at Akshat driving his black car in an opposite direction approaching the gate behind me. I blushed at his loose coat soothing me like a mother hen warming up her chicklings. I hurried to the middle of the road.
“Sexy! Why, Naomi?”, asked Akshat, peeping out of the driver's seat. He opened the door and got out. He shrugged and chuckled as he neared me. He rested my cheeks in his cozy arms.
“How do you feel now, Naomi?”, he enquired, with his light brown pupils rolling hither and thither to diagnose my shrunken eyes. My smile narrowed as I recollected Shashank’s words: “Darling, be my girlfriend otherwise I’m not too sweet to hide your tempting kiss matter. Hahaha! Where is your law point now? Hahaha! Both Akshat’s and your house keys are in my hands now. Hahaha!”
“Sir, please. I’m…fine…now. Stop touching me”, said I, releasing my cheeks and pushing his hands away. I swallowed my tears as he stood three feet away. His hands seemed to be frozen.
“Sorry, Kiku”, thought I, removing the coat and handing it over to him. “I know I’m being rude but I don’t want to put you in further trouble.” I looked around lest we were spied upon by Shashank or any of his jobless assistants.
“What happened, Kiku?”, he asked, folding the coat for it to hang from his hands. I shook my head. “I’m sorry if my touch ever disturbed you. I’m really sorry…I thought you were comfortable…Like you could have mentioned the same anytime before. You can feel free with me…”
Aww, Akshat sir, that's not even the case. How can two men be so different-you on one extreme while the creep sucks on the other? I closed my eyes, looked down, and began sobbing.
“Hey, Naomi. Don’t cry. See, there are no formalities between us”, Akshat reassured, surrounding me so that the students leaving on the opposite lanes don’t interfere like duty-conscious cops suspecting every little incident on the streets while going on rounds in their red jeeps. “You don’t have to feel bad to share anything with me even if it's about being uncomfortable with the way I treat you…”
“No way, Kiku!”, I interrupted his unnecessary justification. I hugged him firmly as if I were petrified after watching a ghost popping out of the kitchen shelves in a horror movie. I rested my head on his chest and wept my heart out.
“Kiku, I just didn’t want my viruses to infect you. That's why I was being a little rude so that you stay away from me. I’m sorry…”, I apologized, wrapping him in my arms with a force of slightly higher magnitude. I have never been this close to a guy ever before.
“Aww, that's so sweet of you. You are the sweetest soul I have ever met in life, Naomi”, he complimented me, at which I thought that I knew the fact: No, Akshat. You are the sweetest. You are the best while I’m the worst. Urgh! How could I dare to put you in such big trouble along with me? My fate has never been great enough to flood my own life with happiness. How can I ensure the joy of my only well-wisher?
“Can you please hug me now?”, I trembled, as I continued sobbing.
“Sexy!”, he chuckled, hugging me. I felt secure in his cozy arms. I could feel hope growing in me. I opened my red eyes. I released myself and wiped my tears. We looked into each others’ eyes; I legit saw his handsome pupils dilating at me.
“Bye!”, said I, blushing and waving at him. “Thanks again for the coat, sir”, I thanked, looking away and hiding a strand of hair behind my ear. It was the first time I wept for someone. Above all, I had never wept in front of someone. Yes, I had wept before him for my seat once upon a time when I felt helpless but this situation is different…I love…I shrank my lips and turned away from him.
No. Have you lost it, Naomi? No, no, no. You can’t love Akshat sir. Guru Devo Bhava! No, no, I shouldn’t but…but…but..No. I thought as I began walking away.
“Noami, wait!”, I heard Akshat from behind me. I stopped. I turned back and shrugged at him. Akshat blushed and headed toward me. I closed my fist and rolled my eyeballs hither and thither from one corner of his face to another. Oh God! I felt like a statue that entire moment; to mention not, my heartbeat froze.
“Come, I will drop you off today”, he offered. He placed his palms on my forehead and neck. I breathed hard. “You continue to have a slight fever. Don’t strain…”
“Sir, you must have pursued medicine instead of law”, I commented, chuckling along with him. “Thanks, Kiku. I will take the bus.” I was about to leave when he caught my hand and pulled me closer.
“Kiku!”, I exclaimed, nearing his face. He let his fingers through my hair. I looked down and blushed. “It's okay, my PG is just two stops away. Anyways, I’m just going to rest once I reach…”
“Oooo enough of playing as a strong independent woman. Now, obey your lecturer and come with him”, he ordered, as he carried me in his arms. I caught his shirt’s collar and threw my mouth open. I moved my legs and patted his shoulders to let me go but he chuckled and shook his head.
He dropped me only on the slang. He closed the door and walked in front of the windscreen to his seat.
“Wear your seatbelt or shall I help?”, he asked, nearing me. I bulged my eyes and displayed my palm to stop him. I wore my seatbelt. I raised my eyebrows and gestured for him to start riding.
“Sexy! Kiku is ordering Kiku! Hmmmm”, said he, nodding and turning the steering wheel to the left. We shared a round of laughter. I looked through the glass of my window.
“Sir..”
“Nooo, call me Kiku outside college…”
“Hmmm! Kiku, it's the first time I am sitting in the front seat of a car. I always used to sit in the back seat with my parents in the front….”
“Sexy! Girls are girls.”
“What?”, laughed I, as he turned to go straight on the main road.
“So do you mean to say that I don’t protect you like your parents? In fact, that's what every girl thinks about her husband…”
Our eyes hugged each other as we blushed along. The very word echoed within my heart.
“I meant…would-be fiance types”, said he, playing with his fingers on the steering wheel. I shrunk my eyes and turned to let my fingers on the smooth glass surface of the window.
“Kiku, don’t build mansions underwater. Waves will wash them away. Who said I love you?”
“Yes yes, you’re absolutely right. You didn’t say it out but you illustrated it. Hmmm! So intellectual!”
“Kiku!”
“Okieee, chill Naomi. Hahaha!” I couldn’t take my eyes off sight-seeing the city. I captured a few snaps on my phone.
“Looks like someone is seeing Pune for the first time”
I turned back and shook my head. “No, Kiku. It's just that I never got a chance to adore the surroundings through the glass.”
“What?”, he exclaimed, chuckling along.
“Actually it's the first time I am enjoying a car ride. It's beautiful”
“Hmm, I too am liking it because my love is riding with me”
“Akshat sir? Who loves whom?... I never said anything…”
“Kiku, a humble reminder of my proposal”, said he, blushing and raising his eyebrows amiably.
“I haven’t forgotten…I won’t…How can a girl forget such a true and lovely guy’s proposal?... It's just that I’m thinking”, I grumbled, sliding my left index finger down the slippery glass singing a bit, due to the friction, I triggered.
“Ooooo! What did I just hear?”, exclaimed Akshat, applying a sudden break.
“Sir! Careful! Are you crazy?”, shouted I, bulging my eyes at him.
“No, but I think you are crazy. Sexy!”, said he, grabbing my chin and turning my head about. I shrugged at our car parked beside my PG. Urgh! How could we reach so quickly? Kiku did you just drive an airport taxi to drop me off before the minute hand completed half a revolution? Urgh! I can’t believe that you gifted me with such an unromantic car ride.
“Oh, thanks”, said I, at which he chuckled and nodded, drawing a trajectory from his left shoulder to right. Urgh! Why do you want to romance him, Noami? Come on, don’t forget that he is your damn lecturer. I faked a smile and unlocked my door.
“Hey, wait!”, called he, at which I turned back. He raised his right index finger and shrank his eyes. Aww, how cute is he when he shrinks his eyes which are already tiny. He leaned closer to open the storage compartment on my side. I couldn’t stop my cheeks from turning pinker as I observed the fat black smartwatch with a dark display on his left hand which was hardly an inch above my thighs. I closed my mouth to hide my blush.
He took out a thin and elongated red velvet box. He blushed and offered it to me. I raised my eyebrows and shrugged.
“I’m sorry, Naomi. Whatever it was, I shouldn’t have slapped you the other day. I mistook you for dating Shashank instead of protecting and comforting you. If you accept my gift, I will take it as you forgave me…I’m sorry once again for slapping a girl.”
Tears accumulated in my eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off the gift representing his sweet apology. It was the first time someone truly gifted me, someone truly felt sorry for hurting me.
“Akshat sir, you didn’t have to say sorry. I knew you meant it long back when you defended me before Shashank. I understand…”
He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. I smiled and shook my head. “But, I can’t accept sentimental bondings such as a pendant or ring. It means love and…”
“And I love you but you don’t. Am I right?”
“No, sir…I mean I have forgiven you…in fact, I never took your slap seriously. It didn’t hurt me. Yes, I was upset but later understood your perspective. Even if my parents had seen me during the situation, they would have mistaken me just as you did the other day…Not a big deal…”
“Stop it, Naomi. A slap is still rude. Please accept this poor guy’s apology”
Love is so blind that it just happens unexpectedly.
You may fall for anyone!
Would you let go of your policy if you fell for someone you shouldn't? What would you choose-your policy or your beloved?
I rolled my eyeballs hither and thither. I grabbed my gift. I opened the box and let my fingers upon the silver-plated chain with a heart-shaped pendant. I took it in my left palm. Aww, so cute! I felt like kissing the sweet man’s sweet gift. I blushed at him who signaled that his surprise was great.
“You’re great. So is your choice!”, I remarked to him. I untied it and looked back to blush at him. I brought it closer to my neck. I strived a bit to wear the hook behind.
“Wait, lemme help you”, he insisted, in his meek and hesitant voice. He neared his hands and inserted the hook into the tiny circular hole. Adrenaline raced through my bloodstream as I felt his touch against my soft neck. I massaged the solid dollar silver in color.
“It's beautiful. Thanks, Kiku”, said I, copying Vyomi’s hurried tone. I smooched his left cheek and opened the door. He threw his mouth open as he touched my kiss.
“Bye!”, said I, as he waved back, like a mesmerized lover. I blushed and rushed without turning back. Oh God! I felt shy like a bride that day. I locked my room and breathed hard. I peeped through the window to spot his car departing. I was interrupted by my ringtone yelling aloud. I rushed to grab my mobile from the bed.
“Shashank!”, declared the bold white font, on a light blue background. That's when I realized why people claim their happiness to be short-lived. I cut his call and threw my phone away. I sat on the bed and closed my eyes breathing our first car ride.
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“Samosa Point”, announced the cursive block letters painted in a fancy white font on the red board outside the stall. A plate of five tiny and yummy samosas hardly costs more than twenty bucks. It was the best snack point at Janki University. I frowned at hares grinding carrots, at the greenery, at a distance. It was around half past three that evening and most students crowded near the back gate to escape the last hour.
“Hello, Naomi Darling!”, I heard a creep singing near my ears like an irritating mosquito. I got up from the tall and thin stool. Drops of sweat appeared on my forehead as he let out his wicked smile. I faked a smile.
“Please take your seat, Shashank darling”, said I, dragging his chair and bulging my eyes at him. I sat opposite the stunned creep.
“What a surprise! My girlfriend cut my phone last evening…”
“So sorry darling”, I leaned in front to offer him a tissue paper. As I rubbed my palms against the tissue paper, I continued, “I wasn’t well. I was sleeping when you called. Shall I call Vyomi to confirm the same?...”
“No worries, darling”, said he, tightening my left hand. I felt as if his muscles would squash my bones. I faked a smile.
“I’m glad you offered to treat me today. Made my evening! What’s the reason behind your change?”
“I’m helpless, darling. I have no other option than to yield to you. Look at my silly fate which wrote my love story that kick-started my own helplessness….Hmmm, I have accepted my situation, at last. No other go! What else can I do other than being your girlfriend? Anyways, one should get into a relationship at some point. Why act then?”
“Good girl. Now I understand you’re smart. Hahaha! Wise decision. Don’t worry, I won’t make you or Akshat sir regret.”
I faked another smile. What else do I do? I could feel my fingers strengthening like that of a warrior’s as I touched the magical pendant! I felt as if Akshat stayed beside me and we fought the issue together.
A young woman in a pink sari left a plate of samosas. Shashank grabbed one and extended it to feed me. Ewwww! No, I am just pretending so that he deletes our video soon. What else do I do? Pity my fate! No doubt, I sometimes call myself the daughter of fate. He grinned widely and stood up near my mouth further.
The waiter just passed with a tray housing six cups of tea. I extended my left leg sideways so that he stumbled to dirty my foe with the hot evening beverage. Well deserved!
“What the fuck? Are you blind, man?”, shouted Shashank, hurrying, with the waiter escorting him to the washbasin. I sighed and leaned back on my seat. I folded my hands and gave a wicked smile from behind. How many more days should I tolerate him? Yuck! I can’t even act to be someone else’s girlfriend. I only feel comfortable being Akshat’s…Wait, what are you up to, Naomi?
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"Lions shouldn't have been the kings of forests", declared Karan. Diya and Tanvi shrugged at each other. Vyomi sighed and closed her notes. Karan raised his eyebrows up, down, and up again.
"But, why?", asked my bestie, dragging her hurried voice to compete with a snail, to my surprise!
Karan uplifted his collar. "Good, you asked me. That's because I just noticed a pride of lions on a safari. Pride kills. When they are proud of themselves, they prove to be egoistic. Is it a quality of a leader such as the king? King should be considerate..."
"Enough dude! Please!", said Vyomi, dragging once again. Tanvi and Diya slammed their own foreheads and burst out a round of laughter.
I rested my chin upon my right palm and was engrossed in gazing at the bunch of bright rays emerging from the yellow star shining exactly above our heads and incident on the carpentry workshop crowded with a dozen of students in plain kaki lab uniforms. It was the only direct view from the window seat of our classroom on the fourth floor. Every time my mobile beeped with Shashank's messages involving creepy memes with an indirect reference to female private parts, I touched my pendant, closed my eyes, and recollected those precious moments with Akshat.
Love. What a beautiful feeling it is! I had only heard today's lovers say so. Thanks to Kiku, who made me live the very fact. Wait, what's wrong with me? Urgh! Naomi, this isn't love. Akshat is a good man whose presence makes you feel secure. Nothing much! I wish I could tell you everything, Kiku.
"Now, let me tell you one more point", began Karan.
"No, please leave us! Help!", interrupted Vyomi, joining her hands and bowing in front of him. However, Tanvi bet a string of her guitar and Diya nodded readily.
Karan giggled, sitting about to face Vyomi who closed her ears. He rubbed his palms while Diya struggled to separate Vyomi's hands clinging to her ears as if the two body parts resembled the nail and the skin.
"Great!", he exclaimed as soon as Vyomi sat erect with Diya on her left and Tanvi beside Karan. "What did the egg tell on a hot summer day?"
"Omelet? Seriously?", replied Vyomi, shrinking her eyes. Karan pinched her palm and shook his head. Tanvi and Diya passed to him without giving an attempt.
"Half-boil. Pune isn't hot enough", revealed Karan, at which Tanvi and Diya laughed with tears of happiness.
"Dude, you never mentioned that the egg existed here in Pune. How am I supposed to assume this?", argued Vyomi, at which Tanvi and Diya laughed more.
"Come on, Vyomi. Everything is fair in...", said Karan.
"Love and war?Huh?", intervened Tanvi. Karan shook his head, completing, "Jokes and fun!" Vyomi threw her mouth open and shrugged while the other two girls cackled a round of laughter.
"Dude, which country have you been lost to?", roared Vyomi, shaking me by my shoulders. I faked a smile at her.
"No, I have been listening to our conversation."
"Wrong!", said Karan, highlighting, "You were never a part of it. Didn't you find my jokes funny?"
"Who does?", argued Vyomi.
"No, we did", said Tanvi. Diya nodded. She blushed, teasing me, "Perhaps Naomi is lost in the romance world with Akshat sir. Haha!" The two shared a hi-fi but I denied it.
"Are you fine? You don't mingle enough with us. I have been observing this for the past few days. What happened, dude?", enquired Karan.
"No, all okay...just a bit tired", said I.
"Dude, that's why I ask you to sleep before 10. You need a sound sleep of at least seven hours every day", said Vyomi. The bell rang.
"Akshat sir's class! Yippee!", Karan exclaimed, turning about and sitting properly to face the board.
"What? Akshat sir! No no, I regret being closer to him the last evening. No, I shouldn't put him in more trouble. Naomi, you don't get closer although he comes closer. No no, I should leave now", thought I, standing up and crossing my friends to leave the bench.
"Dude, it's everyone's favorite class. Where are you going now?", asked Vyomi. Karan threw his mouth open catching me bunk Akshat's class. I faked a smile and shook my head.
"No, guys...I want to rest in the library...I shall attend tomorrow's class but not today's", said I, rushing towards the door.
"Naomi! Naomi!", called my friends but I didn't turn back. I swallowed my tears as I rushed along the corridor, hearing them wonder why I remained upset. Oh God! Please help me handle Shashank. Please!
Wohooo! Will Akshat’s love help Naomi face Shashank’s threat? Is Naomi close to confessing Akshat?!
Dear readers,
Thank you for following my series and reading the episode. Please rate it, write your review, give it a heart, and share it in your circle whenever you are free. Your voice matters a lot to me.
