Keeping the Promises Read online

  “But you’ll have to. I will be there to look after you. I’ll be somewhere in the flashlight, I will be there in the sunlight you’ll feel in the morning. I’ll be inside those breezes which will make you feel alive. I’ll be inside your heart to make you feel happy about little things. In your successes and failures, in your ups and downs, I’ll be there to provide you strength. I will be there to watch you keeping your promises. Get it, Mithu?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I coyly nodded.

  When I was trying to sleep beside Ansh in the guest room, the only thing running in my mind was, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep this promise.

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to keep that promise,” I hold his hand as he says.

  “You will, trust me.” That’s all I could say.

  “It’s easier said than done, Nilu!” Harshness in his voice makes me frown. But I don’t react; I know he doesn’t mean it.

  But he goes on…

  “Sorry Nilu, but you should not comment on something you haven’t experienced.” That was it. I couldn’t take more

  “Dhruv, you think I’m here for any personal gain?” I look straight at him, to remind him that this is not something I deserve.

  “I didn’t say that, Nilu!”

  “Didn’t deny it either, Dhruv! Let me tell you one thing clearly. Yes, I can’t see you like this and I want you to move on in life, but I would never ever coerce you to feel anything for me against your will, and I mean it. We are best friends, we grew up together, so the first thing I want for you is to be happy, even if your happiness lies in someone else’s arms.” This is the last thing I would desire, but yes, what I said was true.

  “Sorry Nilu! I know I’ve been a jerk. You have been my true friend and no matter what life brings to us, you shall be like that, always.” I don’t find his words consoling. May be I am tired of being just a friend. May be… “I need to go now Dhruv! Can you mail me the next part?” I say and stand up.

  “Okay, and Nilu! Sorry again! I wish I could ever repay what you’ve done for me so far.” He says with his head down. He is guilty; I can see it in his eyes.

  “I’m not doing it to get anything in return, Dhruv! I’m doing it…” I didn’t finish the sentence,

  “Because I love you.”I mumble without checking if he heard me or not – wishing that he did. Back in my house, I open the mail Dhruv has sent me.

  6 February

  “Because I love you.” My morning commenced with those beautiful words. No, they were not from M; my best friend was uttering the words for the girl he loved. I knew if I’d open my eyes, they would stop talking and probably it was the first time they were actually talking to each other. I was in no mood to be a party spoiler, so I kept my eyes closed and let my ears do the job.

  “The only reason I’m mad at you is because I love you. I should hate you for what you are doing. I should tear you apart from my life, but a part of me still loves you and you are not the one I’m angry at… it’s myself that I want to kill. I should be stronger, but the part of me that loves you is making me feel weaker and helpless.” There was a minute of silence after Ansh said that, maybe they were checking if I was awake or not. I just didn’t move an inch, nor did I open my eyes.

  “Ansh, you were the one who supported me in this at first. Was it a lie when you said you would sacrifice anything – even me for my father?” There was a cry in her voice that struck me hard in my chest.

  “Yes, I said that and I meant it when I said it. I’m not angry because you are going away from me. I’m angry at the thought that you are ready to marry a guy who almost killed your father? You know if anyone else would be there, I’d happily let you go without regret, but sorry, I cannot be a part of this crime you are committing. You are cheating your father and me. I cannot smile watching you do that,” Ansh snorted, as if he was squeaking hard with his remaining voice after screaming the whole night.

  “I wasn’t a cheater, Ansh! I just wanted to be a good daughter and a good lover, but I failed as both,” Angie’s sad voice faded away with those lines.

  I stood up. Ansh wasn’t surprised at seeing me awake, as if he already knew.

  “You heard that right?”

  “Not much, and don’t worry, I won’t be bothering you. Tell me, where are my orchids?” He gave me the orchids, fresh, odourless and beautiful – just as she liked. I prepared the envelope and settled everything on the white tray. When Angie met me on the way, smirked by seeing this incarnation of mine – and I simpered at hers.

  I again ran my fingers on her forehead and kissed it. M was just waiting for my touch and slowly opened her blue eyes and…miracle! That was the only suffix that could suit her eyes. I was playing with the envelope, knowing what was inside which her sixth sense had already noticed. She tried hard to snatch it from my hand, but there was no way in heaven I’d give her that before the morning kiss. Just after licking away every bit of sleep from her mouth, I handed her the envelope.

  It read,

  Your pink panoptic lips, throwing an everlasting smile all the time,

  If only I knew I’d lose them,

  I’d never stop myself from kissing you,

  I’d never stop my tongue from exploring every available taste and then finally meet your tongue,

  If only I knew that…

  You still cannot take that away from me.

  She gave me a quick signal that she wanted to be kissed, she wanted me to put all my words into reality and I followed her signal with obeisance. Only then did I get the energy to make the perfect omelettes for everyone.

  Ansh and Angie both went home in the afternoon, promising to come again the next day. They couldn’t hear the part I was writing – at least not now, in each other’s presence. We had a howling family time in the afternoon. For the past few days, lunch and dinner sessions had been quiet in the presence of Ansh and Angie. In a terse manner, they had been spoiling our family time. M was ready to hear me at seven. Usually the narration begins at nine, but that day was special. We both were alone there, without any interruption, without any ignominious glance and without any broken stripes.

  And I started reading.

  Ansh’s head started spinning when he woke up and found himself alone and that too on his birthday. He was already agitated by not having a call from his love, Angie. He knew the conversation went cheeky but he deserved it after a year of being in a relationship. And for god’s sake, it wasn’t for the first time! He tried to recall the conversation of last night before the clock struck twelve.

  “Tell me Ansh! What do you want on this birthday?”

  “You know very well Angie! I want you.”

  “Shut up, Ansh!”

  “It’s been a year now, Angie! I can’t be so unromantic like you.”

  “You are not being romantic Ansh, you are being desperate.”

  “What? How can you say that? Well, maybe a little, but I think I deserve it.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  “Please, my love.”

  “I told you I’ll think about it Ansh. Don’t push me. And who’s in a hurry?”

  “I am. And someone else is too,”

  “And who is that?”

  “Come here, I’ll show you. I can’t wait to introduce you two.”

  “No, keep it with you. It suits you better. I have work to do Ansh, bye.”

  And she hung up. Didn’t call him; didn’t even text him. That was awkward. They’ve had more cheeky flirtations than that and each time she fully enjoyed it.

  ‘Then why is she ruining the big day?’

  He called Dhruv but got no response from him as well. After having cake bath last night, he must have gone to drop their friends to the hostel.

  “Friends are friends, you can’t spoil all my day Angie!” Groaned Ansh and stepped down to eat the remaining cake and to make some omelettes. He didn’t know he would be astounded enough to lose his breath once he stepped down and saw Angie sitting on the dining
table with a new cake, candles and rose petals around it, covering the cake with its heart shape. Dumbstruck Ansh couldn’t do anything other than to just stare at Angie, who was waiting for him since eternity. Ansh was cursing himself for thinking unfavourable things about Angie in his mind. It was his birthday; there had to be a surprise. Without saying a word, he sat beside her quietly.

  “Happy birthday, my love…” She said with twinkling eyes.

  “So, this was your plan. Where are Gajju and M?”

  “To get some coffee, and to bring lunch for us,” she coyly replied.

  “Oh Angie! You choreographed everything for me? How sweet!” Ansh giggled.

  “It was a team effort. Dhruv and M came up with the idea.”

  “Friends are friends,” mumbled Ansh.

  “So, to whom were you getting desperate to introduce me?” She arched a brow at him, moving her eyes provocatively, which aroused Ansh in no time.

  “Before that, I’m going to eat my cake. And by that I mean you,” Ansh said and ran his fingers into hers. Angie exhaled loudly in nervousness.

  “Can I lift you Angie?” Ansh meekly asked.

  “Can you?” Angie simpered. Within no time, she was in his arms. As a lean guy, he struggled at first, but – as he was charged with gallons of testosterone – managed at last.

  “So this is my gift?”

  “Hmm… Your pie is ready, have it.” She said with a wink and kissed his cheeks.

  Then they hugged each other, tightly – as if they would never leave each other. They were feeling the abundance of love in each other’s arms. They didn’t require words to say ‘I love you’, and they didn’t require wings to fly. The moment itself was heavenly, but not after Ansh’s phone rang. It was Dhruv, Ansh showed it to Angie. “Put it on speaker,” she demanded.

  “What?” Ansh snorted.

  “Reached our bedroom?” He chuckled and the in-love couple looked at each other in disguise.

  “How do you know?”

  “Haha… Just guessing man, calculating time and guessing your actions. What do you suspect? A spy cam? By the way I have a gift for you. Open our wardrobe and check your drawer.”

  Both went up to check his drawer and found a pack of condoms.

  “What is this?” Ansh came up with the most stupid question.

  “This is exactly what you need right now, and if you excuse me from your idiotic questions, I also have a date going on here,” Dhruv said and hung up the call.

  Angie threw a shy smile at Ansh. No matter how much they were angry on Dhruv for spoiling the moment, they both knew that he had done them a favour.

  “Shall we?” Ansh asked for her hand. He lifted her again and led her to bed. They started kissing when Angie’s phone rang. M!! She showed him and picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi madam.”

  “Have you guys finished kissing?” M asked with a naughty smile.

  “What’s all this M? Are you guys taking revenge?”

  “Haha, sort of. By the way I’ve got a surprise for you too. Open your purse.”

  Angie opened her purse, and pulled out everything one by one. The only thing she found new there was a silk scarf.

  “What’s this?” Ansh asked.

  “She knows exactly what it is, Ansh,” M said and hung up the phone.

  “What is this for?” Ansh asked, being clueless.

  “When we had a discussion about sex in the hostel, we discussed about it, and that bitch told me then she would gift me one.”

  “What discussion?”

  “When you are having sex for the first time, every girl is scared; in this condition a blindfold can be useful and well, it is more sensuous this way. It can lessen your pain, shyness and give you the chance to feel every touch of your partner.” She looked down as she finished.

  “So you want us to try this?” This was tempting for Ansh.

  “I don’t mind,” she shyly murmured.

  Then he folded that scarf on her eyes and lifted her again. “I wish I don’t have to lift you again today, my arms are already hurting.” He softly whispered, she laughed; knowing that Ansh was going to undress her soon. The very thought was shaking her body in shyness.

  “Is this your first time?” Ansh quipped, expected a slap in return, but got a frowned face instead.

  “I’m sorry about that Ansh!” She softly spoke, Ansh widened his eye. Completely shaken, not by the fact that she wasn’t a virgin, but it came in a situation like this.

  “It’s okay Angie, tell me, who was he?” He was somehow able to hold myself.

  “Not one, there were two.”

  What????????

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Whatever her past was, at the moment, comforting her was the first thing on Ansh’s mind.

  “Are you going to leave me after that?” Angie asked.

  “No Angie, no! Actually yes, I’m sad, but only because you didn’t tell me before. When I first saw you and fell in love with you, I desired only you, not the virgin you.” She embraced him in her arms as an affirmation to make love.

  Now there was no secret left and they loved each other more than ever. Yes, she wasn’t a virgin and yes, it made their faith towards each other stronger.

  “This is my first time, so you are going to teach me the best ways,” Ansh whispered in her ear. She then asked him to run his fingers on her back. Ansh – for the first time touching a female body – blessed his fingers by touching her bare-silken back and she followed the same. Then only she ascertained about the sensitivity of his back. Ansh felt an instant tickle as she touched his bare back. She too realised it and teased him by rolling her nails and fingers more, when he couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Stop it Angie!”

  “Tell me if you don’t like it Ansh, and I’ll stop.”

  Did not like it? He loved each erogenous action!

  “I love it, but I think you will get your whole life to do that.”

  And they bumped their heads in laughter.

  “Kiss me on my neck,” she demanded, and he followed, sensing certain tenderness in her movement.

  “Kiss me on my head,” she demanded, and he followed.

  “Kiss me on my cheeks.”

  “Kiss me on my lips.”

  After that everlasting kiss, she asked him to undress her. She was wearing a black top and blue jeans. Ansh was running his fingers slowly and precisely, so that she could feel every bit of his touch. He gently removed everything as she had asked and there she was, the woman he loved, naked – with only a silk scarf on her eyes. Then they made love. How could Ansh forget that his girlfriend was an amazing liar? Yes, she lied; she did bleed when he penetrated her. She cried in pain when Ansh went inside her for the first time and as Ansh – a man who did not believe in only seeking pleasure but also giving it – had done all the research about that G-spot and female orgasm so with his hand, tongue and with the hand of his research, Ansh made her reach her orgasm three times. She was completely exhausted and shaken in pleasure with that third orgasm.

  They lay naked on the bed and were still determined not to leave each other.

  “You bloody liar! Why did you lie?” Ansh asked after unfolding her scarf.

  “Consider this a test in which you passed with flying colours.” She smiled and kissed him on his chest.

  “What if I had failed?”

  “Then I would have left you right here.” She didn’t smile this time.

  “Really? I mean in between?” Ansh chuckled.

  “Yes, you have any doubt?” No, he didn’t. Angie, a person with her views clear as crystal on everything, was the love of his life and he was proud to have a girl like her.

  “But I passed, right?” Ansh simpered.

  “Yup, with flying colours.” She giggled.

  “So what do I get as a reward?”

  “Is there anything more I can give you?”

  “Yes, my angel-eyes.”

  “They are all yours.�
�� She winked, and they did it again. This time, more passionately with his angel-eyes.

  Dhruv and M came back with Domino’s pizza and coke. Boys were setting up everything on the table and they could hear the girls giggling and laughing upstairs – obviously the gossip topic being their love-making.

  “Was it that great?” Dhruv smirked.

  “Don’t ask,” Ansh replied with a wink.

  “Now you owe me a favour,” he blurted.

  “What favour?” Ansh asked tersely.

  “Don’t split a word about what I’m going to do next,” he admonished.

  ‘What for?’ Ansh could smell something really bad.

  “What is in your mind Gajju?” Ansh was frightened with Dhruv’s devilish smile.

  “Watch out,” he said – went inside and came up with a bottle of vanilla flavoured vodka.

  “What the hell man, are you nuts?” Ansh snarled. Dhruv signalled him to remain calm. “Are you trying to intoxicate our girls?” He wasn’t calm at all. How could he be?

  “Yes, that’s the only way for me to get laid. I want you to return me a favour, keep quiet, unless you want your best friend to graduate as a virgin,” he said. This was not right. Was it? He didn’t know. But Ansh chose to support his friend. Dhruv then emptied about thirty percent of coke and replaced it by filling vodka inside. For a one-and-a-half litre coke bottle, this wasn’t just adequate, it was high… especially for the girls who had never tasted it.

  The girls came down and got settled on their chairs. They didn’t realise that the taste was any different at first and Dhruv smartly cut down all the chances of them to notice by dropping ice cubes in their glasses. Ansh did his job, he kept quiet. They seemed to like it. Both the girls consumed three straight pegs and asked for more.

  “Do you know something Angie?” tipsy M uttered.

  “What M?”

  “Our boyfriends got us sloshed.”

  ‘What? She knew? How?’ Ansh arched his eyes at Dhruv but he looked as ambivalent as Ansh was.

  “And you know why Angie? Because he wants to fuck me! Right baby?” She glanced at Dhruv with anger. He looked down in shame. She slowly stood up and sat in Gajju’s lap and kissed him on his cheeks.

  “If you wanted this so badly, why didn’t you just ask? Why did you do all this stuff?”