Chapter 15
Have you ever had the feeling that reality was a dream, like whatever was happening was too good to be real, that you had to pinch yourself to assure yourself that it was indeed true? Sharon was feeling the same.
As she sat in the bus she tried to wrap her head around the events that occurred yesterday. Never did she think that the day would turn out like it did. She thought the day would be relaxing but instead it left her heart beating faster and leaving her mind buzzing.
She felt something heavy on her shoulders and saw that Swayam had fallen asleep. She smiled at him and looked at their intertwined hands. It felt so different yet it seemed to fit right into hers.
After they confessed their feelings for each other they sat together admiring the stars. Sharon had her face buried into Swayam's chest. They stayed like that for sometime after which Swayam noticed Sharon's droopy eyes. As they returned back to their tents Swayam quickly stole a kiss from Sharon leaving her shocked. Sharon smiled and felt a blush form.
She turned around to face a peacefully sleeping Swayam careful not to wake him up. She ran her fingers through his hair feeling jealous of how soft his hair was. He could be the face of a shampoo commercial if he wished to. She heard him mumble something not quite understanding it. She kept her eyes fixated on him wondering what he could be dreaming. After sometime she changed her field of vision to the window, absorbing the changing view.
Swayam was on the verge of consciousness as the bus jumped up due to a rocky road. He always felt sleepy when he sat in a moving vehicle too long. He opened his eyes to notice he had fallen asleep on Sharon's shoulder, who was now busy listening to music with her earphones on. Her eyes were closed and her head bopped to whatever tune she was listening to. He was busy admiring her when yesterday's events passed through his head. His smile grew wider and lifted his head off her shoulder to sit upright.
Sharon noticed the weight lifting off her shoulders and turned to find a widely grinning Swayam.
"Good morning sleepy head." Sharon said.
"Good morning love." He replied causing Sharon to blush. Swayam had made her blush way too many times.
"I like it when you blush." Swayam said after getting no response from Sharon.
"I wasn't blushing." Sharon replied.
"You sure were love." Swayam said.
"Stop calling me that." Sharon said.
"What? Love? You don't like it? I thought it was a better nickname than volcano." Swayam replied.
"It certainly is." Sharon replied.
"But?" Swayam said.
"How did you know there was a but'? Don't answer that. You'll probably say something cheesy that will make me blush again." Sharon said.
"So you do admit you were blushing." Swayam said with a smirk on his face.
"Okay fine you win. It's just that I feel weird about you calling me by new nicknames. Everything has changed between us and I sometimes feel overwhelmed." Sharon said.
"Nothing's changed between us Sharon. We are still the same, the only difference being that you and I both know that we like each other more than friends do. You can still talk to me about random things, call me for no reason at all and share whatever that's going on in your mind." Swayam replied whilst holding Sharon's hand. He traced small circles on the back of her hand trying to reassure her.
Sharon smiled at him shifting her gaze from their intertwined hands to his face. He held her gaze as strongly as she did. She felt her head buzz with thoughts. She didn't know from where all those thoughts about uncertainty came but somehow they did.
"What are you thinking about?" Swayam asked after silence between them grew.
"Nothing and everything at the same time. That doesn't even make sense. You must be thinking how crazy I am." Sharon answered.
"You're not crazy Shar. A little weird yes, but not crazy." Swayam said.
"Hey! I'm not weird." Sharon said as she swats his hand away from hers.
"Okay you're not weird. I'm sorry. Now what were you listening to?" Swayam asked.
Sharon smiled at him and passed one of the ear buds to him. They both sat quietly with their hand enclosed in each other's letting the music fill the silence.
.
.
After two days of much needed rest Sharon was surrounded by work again and this time she felt as if it had increased ten folds. Her head throbbed but she couldn't do anything about it. She quickly gulped down a glass of water and this returned to her assigned job. She tried to concentrate but something, no someone distracted her. She thought about the last two days, the memory never escaping her mind. The bus ride was so exhausting that Sharon immediately plopped on her bed as soon as she reached home. As few seconds passed, she felt the bed sink and arms enclosing her body. She fell asleep as the warmth from his body made her feel like home. With thoughts swarming her mind, she continued working. Just a matter of few days and all this was going to be over. Days went by quickly and she had grown attached to the schedule, the people and basically everything about the job. As she came out of the green room after checking the costumes, she saw Swayam sitting quietly, busy tapping his mobile screen. Sharon went up to him and greeted him.
"Hello Mr. Swayam Shekhawat. How can I help you this fine morning?" Sharon said trying to mimic the voice of a telephone operator.
"I need no assistance whatsoever. Thanks for asking and by the way its past 12." Swayam replied.
"Work has made me forget about time." She sighed and sat next to him.
"How long have you been waiting?" Sharon questioned.
"It's been a while." Swayam replied.
"Why didn't you call me?" Sharon asked.
"Well you were busy and you had that expression on your face that clearly said you didn't want to be disturbed." Swayam replied.
Sharon just nodded and then felt Swayam's hand on her shoulder. She leaned on him, feeling content but then a thought crossed her mind that made her sit up abruptly.
"Shar, what happened?" Swayam asked.
"I am so dead." Was Sharon's only reply as she quickly removed her cell phone from her pocket.
"Care to elaborate Sharon?" Swayam asked.
"I haven't told Ankita about us and knowing her she will kill if she knew that information was kept from her for almost three days." Sharon said dramatically.
"You're just overreacting Sharon. You talked as if you kept a secret that could endanger the world's security." Swayam chuckled.
"This is no laughing matter Swayam. Great to see how much you care about you're girlfriend." Sharon said.
"It's nice to hear that word from you." Swayam said.
"Dare you change the topic Swayam." Sharon said trying to hide her blush. She then began dialling Ankita's number. Before she could hit the call but she was interrupted by Swayam.
"I have an idea." Swayam said.
"I don't like the sound of this, but I'm dead anyway. Let me hear it." Sharon said with a sigh.
Swayam told her what was his brilliant idea and then started dialling Ankita's number on his cell. He looked over at Sharon who had a confused expression on her face because she couldn't decide whether to be happy about the idea or be scared of Ankita's wrath after it was executed. After a series of ring Ankita picked up the call.
"Hello my favourite lover boy." Ankita greeted.
"Hello to you too. I need to talk." Swayam said.
"I'm all ears." Ankita replied.
"How about you come to the theatre?" Swayam suggested.
"OK. I'll be there by three I guess." Ankita said.
"I'll meet you then." Swayam said.
"Quick question. Is this about Sharon?" Ankita enquired.
"Yes." Swayam replied trying to sound sad.
"I don't like the tone of your voice. I'll be there as soon as I can. Ciao lover boy." Ankita said and ended the call.
"So, what did she say?" Sharon asked.
"Sharon my love, the game is afoot." Swayam said at which Sharon rolled her eyes. He always called her dramatic but look at him being much more dramatic.
"Call me when she gets here. I have to take care of something." She got up from her seat and pecked his cheek. Swayam was dazed by this and a blush appeared on his face. Before he could recover from her actions he saw a flash of light hit his eyes.
"Ah! Priceless." Sharon said as she admired the photo.
"You aren't going to delete that, are you?" Swayam said.
"Never in a million years." Sharon said as she smirked and walked away.
Hope you like the update :)
I know it's late and I'm sorry :(
anyway, thank you all for your comments :)
Originally posted by: Spark.Shreya
Hey Rachel!
This was a lovely update! I loved the smooth flow! There was a certain kind of warmth it held,maybe its the new found love but totally loved this part where everything seems so dreamy and beautiful.Their intertwined hands, Swayam surprising her with an unexpected kiss on their way back to the tent,resting on her shoulder, teasing her when she blushed,dropping her home ,its all so cute! It makes them look so adorable!Probably falling in love makes you think a lot, and its not surprising to see all your thoughts ending up on your special someone in some or the other way. Sharon's state can completely be understood. She's experiencing happiness that overwhelms her so much that she fears all this is a dream,something too good to happen with her. Its nice to see Swayam assuring her in his own way that they are here to stay together:)I'm really excited to know Ankita's reaction...I wonder what Swayam has in his mind but seems like fun!A very pleasant and sweet update! Update next part soon:)Shreya:)
Chapter 16
True to her word, Ankita was in the theatre a little after three. She was on the way for a lecture when Swayam had called her. His tone hinted something strange and it kept her wondering the whole lecture. Suffice to say not a word had registered in her mind and now was dependent on her classmates for the notes which she was obviously not pleased about. Swayam better have something important to say or else he'll be in lot of trouble and she would have missed a lecture for no good reason.
Swayam saw Ankita enter the gate and immediately sent Sharon a text to be ready. Sharon had surprisingly agreed to him quickly. He thought he might have to bribe her to make her agree on this prank. He was excited. He did play occasional pranks on Sharon but this was somehow different. He quickly rushed inside and waited for Ankita to enter.
Ankita strolled in and immediately saw Swayam sitting with a grim expression. This was not a good sign, she thought as she made her way towards him.
"I've sacrificed my lecture for this cupid's job. I'm starting to think this job isn't for me." Ankita said as she reached him.
"Maybe you won't have to do that anymore." Swayam said.
"Elaborate Swayam. I really don't like people beating around the bush." Ankita replied.
"Sharon doesn't like me anymore. I don't even think she liked me in the first place." Swayam said.
"You both don't learn. Stop assuming and confront her about it." Ankita said.
"I did and that's what she told me." Swayam replied.
"That's not possible. You're joking right? Of course you're joking." Ankita said extremely shocked by what she heard. Sharon couldn't just chicken out in the last moment. She was so close to confessing her feelings so it wasn't possible that she would lie about it now.
"I'm not joking. You can ask her if you want." Swayam said disappointingly.
"This can't be happening." Ankita groaned and followed Swayam inside.
Sharon was too deep in her work to have remembered the prank she was supposed to be a part of. The text Swayam sent her was promptly ignored by her because the workload was massive. A few more episodes and the winner were to be declared. So when she saw a frustrated looking Ankita and a smugly smiling Swayam storming towards her, she was baffled.
"Hi." Sharon greeted them.
"Don't hi' me Sharon. This guy over here says you never liked him." Ankita said.
Sharon still had a confused look on her face and rapidly looked between her boyfriend and her best friend. She was about to ask her what she was talking about when she remembered what was going on. Why did she ever agree to this? This was obviously stupid and Ankita will be quick to notice this was all a facade. She was digging her grave deeper. She heaved a sigh and replied, "It's true."
"Batshit. Are you both playing a prank on me? It surely feels like it." Ankita said. She did notice the frantic expression of Sharon. She had known her for years and Sharon was not a good liar.
"Why would we play a prank on you?" Swayam said.
"I don't know. Can I talk to Sharon, alone?" Ankita asked.
Swayam nodded and turned away before he gave a look to Sharon which she assumed to be a warning for not ruining his beautifully laid plans. Sharon just rolled her eyes and waited for Ankita to speak.
"Seriously, how can you like that guy? His pranks are pathetic." Ankita said.
"I don't know. I just agreed to him because he had this determined expression on his face and I was scared that you would be angry at me for not telling you what happened on the trip." Sharon said chuckling.
"What happened on the trip?" Ankita questioned.
Sharon blushed as she remembered and this just led to Ankita to become more curious. She raised her eyebrows waiting for her answer. Sharon then narrated the events, skipping the not so important details. After she finished, the blush on Sharon's face deepened and Ankita had a blank expression on her face.
"Are you going to say something? I thought you'd be squealing like the fan girl you never admit to be." Sharon said noticing the blank expressions.
"Oh my god! You and him...you both.." Ankita squealed.
"There begins the fangirling." Sharon said looking at her reaction.
"My cupid's job is done. SwaRon have confessed. I have to mark this day in the calendar." Ankita said as she unlocked her phone.
"SwaRon? You made us a ship name. I quite remember you saying those were stupid." Sharon said crossing her arms.
"I need to do the cupid's job properly, even if it means things I don't particularly like." Ankita replied.
"You're so dramatic. I think we should go. Swayam has made some not so discreet tries to hear what we're talking about." Sharon said.
"I have some plans for him. Just follow my lead Sharon." Ankita replied and marched towards Swayam. Sharon chuckled thinking about how she ended up stuck with two of the most dramatic people in the whole world. No wonder she was herself dramatic sometimes. The influence of them both was really affecting her habits.
"I had so much hope that Sharon had finally found her love, but alas it didn't happen." Sharon heard Ankita say. Sharon tried to suppress her giggle, trying not to give Ankita's act away. When she looked up she saw Swayam give her a smirk thinking his plan was successful. He didn't suspect anything. He could have noticed Ankita's dramatic tone but he was too smug about his plan to notice it.
"Now that I know you don't like Swayam, I think you should meet Arjun." Ankita said facing Sharon.
"Who is Arjun?" Swayam asked.
"He's just this guy in my class. He and Sharon have a lot in common and I love to play cupid, so I thought it would be good if they both meet. Maybe I should plan a date for both of them." Ankita said enthusiastically.
"Why would Sharon go on a date with him?" Swayam said.
"Because she has been single for too long and they will suit each other perfectly." Ankita replied.
"Maybe I should go. Should I Swayam?" Sharon said.
Swayam could not reply. What are you supposed to reply when your girlfriend asks you whether she should go on a date or not with some other guy? Maybe she was just playing along trying to make Ankita really believe, but still her words pinched him and he had this weird feeling. The silence between the three of them was interrupted by the loud laughter of Ankita and Sharon. He looked at them with confusion.
"He gets jealous so quickly and he can't even hide it." Ankita said between her laughs.
"Look at your face Swayam. Maybe I should another picture." Sharon said after she stopped laughing.
"Ha ha. Sharon was right, you really are cruel." Swayam said after he understood what had happened.
"Why, thank you Swayam." Ankita replied.
Swayam just stared at them before walking away leaving the best friends behind. As he left he could hear them laughing again. Swayam heaved out a sigh but then smiled. Even if it was at his cost, Sharon's laughter was all that mattered to him.
comment:
p_commentcount