Chapter 10 -
Swayam couldn't stop thinking about Sharon. Did she like the surprise party? Was she happy? Or had it been way to over the top? She seemed a little upset..He was hoping she wasn't hurt in anyway. Thousand questions were popping up in his mind, making it very difficult for him to sleep. She was looking so beautiful today, in her white dress. So plain, yet so amazing. Her expression, when everyone had screamed "Surprise" had been so cute! The little white flower pin in her hair made her look like some fairy.
Get a grip, Swayam. He tried to forget about all this. Why was she affecting him so much. He pushed aside his hair which was flopping over his head.
I have to sleep, he thought. I don't want Sharon to get scared, seeing the dark circles under my eyes.
He hit his head with the pillow, irritated with himself. Sharon again? He said out loud. Why is everything I think about related to her?
He turned to the other side and closed his eyes. He began counting sheep. Anything to not think about it.By the time he had reached the 232nd sheep, he was fast asleep.
He switched on his phone in a hurry next morning. He wanted to call her and ask her how she had like his surprise. He suspected that she might have been so overwhelmed last night that she probably hadn't been in a mood to talk.
He dialled her number and waited for her to pick up the phone. After quite a few rings, finally his call was answered.
"Hello?" A scratchy voice asked from the other end. It wasn't Sharon.
"Sharon?" Swayam asked hesitantly.
"No beta this is Sharon's mother! Sharon's having a bath right now."
"Oh aunty. Hello? How are you Aunty? By the way, I must thank you for the lovely dabba u sent over for me the other day. It was delicious."
"Oh no need to thank me dear.It was my pleasure. I am very glad u liked the food. It is Sharon's favourite."
"Aunty did Sharon like yesterday's party?"
"Party? Which party beta?"
"Uh..the surprise party which we all organised for her in the office. Didn't she mention it?"
"No no, she did not. Actually, she hates celebrating her birthday. Especially surprise parties."
Swayam was shocked. Sharon had hated the birthday party? He couldn't believe it.
"Uh um ok aunty I'll talk to her later then bye."
He was so shocked by the revelation that he forgot to ask her mother WHY Sharon hated celebrating her birthday.
I have to find out from Sharon herself, he decided. I'm going to speak to her right away.
He got ready quickly, still in half shock. He checked his phone a few times in case Sharon had called. But either she didn't want to talk to him or her mother had forgotten to tell her. Swayam suspected it was the first reason.
He reached office a little early. He wanted to make sure he could speak to her before she got busy. He wanted answers.
He stood at his door, greeting everyone who passed him. He watched the main gate, waiting for her to come.
Finally, she arrived. Dot at 10 am. He waited for her to approach him and then calmly smiled at her. She looked nervous. As she began walking away, he called her.
"Sharon?"
"Yes?" She turned around to look at him, trying to hide her anxiety.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure." She said, trying to avoid looking at his eyes.
He followed her as she entered his room and then closed the door. It made a loud noise, startling Sharon.
He began walking towards her. Intimidated, she began moving towards the wall. Her back finally touched the wall. He placed both his hands on the wall near her face so that she could move away.
Sharon was terrified but she tried to remain calm. He was smiling at her.
"Can you tell me whether you enjoyed yesterday's party please?"
Sharon refused to look at him.
"YesâŚyes I did." She said, staring at his right knee.
"Stop lying." He said smoothly.
"I am not lying!"
"Yes, you are. Your mother told me you hate celebrating your birthdays. Why?"
She didn't answer.
"Why?" He asked again, a little louder this time.
Sharon sighed.
"Something happened."
"What happenened.
"Nothing, forget it."
"Tell me Sharon."
Sharon looked up into his eyes. He didn't look angry or desperateâŚhe looked a little hurt.
"Well..the thing is..my auntâŚshe passed away on my 10th birthday."
Sharon's eyes filled up with tears.
"It was a surprise birthday party, planned specially for me. She was the main p-person who was handling everything. On the way to the venue , a drunk motorist slammed into the car which she was driving. She died on the spot.She was like my 2nd mother. We were very close. Very close." Sharon became silent. Tears poured down from her eyes but she made no sound.
Swayam couldn't bear to see her cry like that. He took his hands off the wall and wiped the tears off her face.
"And you blame yourself for her death?"
"Partly yes." She said.
"But why? It wasn't your fault. It was destiny."
"But maybe, if she hadn't planned a surprise party for me she wouldn't have been driving on the road and been hit."
"Sharon, look at yourself! This isn't your fault! God wanted this to happen.You couldn't have prevented this in any way."
Sharon chuckled looking at him.
"You're pretty religious huh?" She asked.
"No not really religious. But I do believe in God and destiny." He said very seriously.
Sharon smiled.
Swayam was so happy,seeing her smile like that. He was glad he could get a smile on her face.
"I guess you'll have to move on Sharon. True, she was very close to your heart. But you can't just stop celebrating. You have to move on."
Sharon knew what he was saying was right. She had been told this numerous times.
She nodded her head slowly.
"I guess you're right. And I'm sorry about yesterday. I know you took a lot of pains to make the party a success."
"You don't need to be sorry about anything. Infact,I'm sorry. I over reacted. I didn't realise there would be such a deep reason behind your dislike for your own birthday."
"No,no it was quite expected for you to react like that. I should have been more thoughtful. U guys took so much trouble for me and I hardly thanked you'll. You especially." She smiled wide.
That smiled melted his heart. He felt all warm inside when she smiled at him like that, so genuinely.
He moved closer towards her and brought his face close to hers. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her near.
She touched his face and stroked his hair. She closed her eyes slowly, playing with his hair.
He brought his lips near her. The two of them were so lost in each other that they didn't realise what they were doing.
His lips just touched her lips when Sharon realised what was happening.
She pushed him away roughly. Swayam came out of his trance. He realised what he had just done. He couldn't believe it.
She didn't look at him nor did she say anything. She just moved away from the wall, grabbed her bag and walked out.
Swayam was numb. But the banging of the door got him back to reality.
He rushed outside.
"Sharon." He called, running towards her.
She didn't turn to look at him.
"Sharon, I'm sorry." He shouted. The receptionist turned to look at him, surprised.
He finally caught up with her.
"Leave me alone."
"I'm very very sorry. I don't know what happened to me. I just-"
"I have work to do Swayam."
She sat down at her desk and switched on her computer.
Swayam watched her, shocked. He knew there was no use talking to her now. She would listen to him anyways.
He began walking away slowly, recollecting what had just happened.
They had kissed. Only for a second, but they still had.
Sharon turned around to look at his retreating back.
She couldn't believe he had done that. And she had LET him do it. She was equally responsible.
Get a grip. You're losing your mind, she told herself and began her work.
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Next update on Page 15 and after 45 likes!
Edited by Neeti96 - 13 years ago
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