Playboy.

He pushed her slowly into the room while he kissed her. His tongue had made it way into her mouth. He gently lifted her slender body into his arms, Aisha was excited.  It was Neil's power that had aroused her and attracted her towards him. He put her on the bed and slowly unzipped her jeans. Neil’s mind was somewhere else.

 It was eighth grade, six years back. Neil was hanging around in the class with his friends. It was the first day of the new academic year. They were talking, shouting, teasing, throwing paper balls and doing all sorts of things that a group of 15 years old do. Neil was sitting on his bench quietly and listened to all the crap his friends blurted.  And then she entered. Khushi. She was wheat skinned, medium built, long hair and a smile on her face that could melt hearts of many boys. Everyone in the class stared at her. Neil was not interested in her he looked the other way. She made her way to the bench just behind Neil.

He was now taking off Aisha’s t-shirt, slowly. He pampered her curvy body. She was aroused by his touch. His mind was still in eighth grade.

Several months into the academic year Khushi and Neil were now good friends. They chatted regularly in the class. She sat next to him every day.  They slowly turned into best friends. Khushi  would confide in Neil all the things. She was now the member of Neil’s group. They would go out together. They enjoyed each other’s company. Days turned into months. Neil started feeling butterflies in his stomach, goosebumps and all sorts of stuffs when he saw Khushi. He now had feelings for her.

He kissed Aisha’s body and caressed her soft breasts while his thoughts still wondered around Khushi.

“Hey Neil,” Khushi said in the mic of her cellular phone.

Neil was brought to his senses on listening to her sweet voice. “Yes what is it Khushi?”

“I want to eat chocolate ice cream.”

“Right now! At two in the morning?”

“Umm! Yes! Can’t you do that for me?”

“On my way!”

Neil sneaked out of his house. Took some cash off his savings, and key of the two wheeler and went on his mission. “FIND ICECREAM FOR KHUSHI AT TWO.” He steered his way through the empty streets of Surat risking himself getting caught by the patrol vans. His mind played the lines 

“When you need me I’ll be the love beside you.”

He whispered in Aisha’s ears. “I’ll take away all your fears.”

Finally after wandering empty streets of Surat for 30 long minutes, he found a 24 hours shop in the other corner of the city. He quickly called Khushi. “Okay which flavor?”

“I already said”

“Yeah I know. Just wanted to listen to your delicious voice. Okay bye.”

He bought the ICECREAM quickly and raced the automatic scooter through the streets, even losing cops at some point just to deliver it to Khushi before it melted. He climbed the stairs that led him to Khushi’s apartment. She was waiting for him.

“Neil Thank you so much!” she kissed him on his cheeks, “ I love you.”

“I… Um… You are…  Welcome.” He stammered.

Aisha slowly wetted his cheeks with her soft lips. Neil pushed her away. He looked her in her eyes, pulled her closer and kissed her lips.

He was not able to sleep that night. Nor the following nights. His mind kept playing that moment again and again. “I love you.” Her voice echoed in his mind. He kept staring at her in the middle of the class. He loved the way she smiled, the glitter in her eyes, the sweet expressions, the way she walked, the way she talked. He was in love. Deeply, madly and unconditionally in love with Khushi.

Aisha lay naked on the bed. Neil sat on the chair opposite to her, his eyes fixed on Aisha’s body but mind wandered around Khushi.

Two years had passed since that incident. It was an ordinary day in Neil’s life. Khushi was by his side, giggling. But fate took a twisting turn. Neil’s life changed. Khushi was walking in rain with Neil. It was nothing close to torrential just a drizzle. A tall guy, fair, muscular and spiky hairs crossed their ways. Khushi’s eyes got fixated on him. Neil was standing right next to her. He saw right through her. He read her mind. Neil was heartbroken. But he thought it could just be an illusion and also that guy can never come in contact with Khushi. He doesn’t even live here.

Next day was brighter. Neil was talking to Khushi how he scored a century in the cricket match his team played last week, and how he played a pivotal role in his team’s victory, when the tables turned. The spiky haired guy from yesterday entered the class. He had a smile on his face. All the girls stared at him. His face was ovular. The spiky hairs shined. It added to his features. His torso was broad and shoulders even wider. “He looks like a greek god to me.” Khushi whispered in Neil’s ears. Neil turned and looked at Khushi. She had a glitter in her eyes that he had never seen before. Am I gonna lose her. He thought.

River Tapi, had a history of getting flooded once in say three years. That year was the one. It all started with a light drizzle. The sky was cloudy. The air was silent. It was slowly feeling with the jarring cacophony of the birds and howling of dogs as if to give an indication of the coming disaster. The drizzle turned into a heavy downpour. Tapi turned into a tigress. It roared loudly. The streets of surat were filled with its water. People were knee deep. Schools were forced to shut down. Neil and his group were enjoying. When water started to rise, their school declared a holiday. They packed their bags and left. Only Neil and Khushi were in the class.

“What happened?” Neil asked

“OH! Its nothing.”

“I know there’s something wrong. I can read your face.”

“Umm, its just, umm, I’m hydro- hydrophobic.”

Neil went closer to Khushi and hugged her, “There’s nothing to be scared of. He whispered in her ears.”

They walked together, hand in hand, out of the classroom, of the school, to the streets of Surat. Khushi, started crying. Neil held her hand firmly and said “Don’t worry I’m there for you.”

He lifted Khushi in his arms. The water was knee deep. He walked in the knee deep water, careful to avoid Khushi’s feet touching the waters. Khushi had grasped him tightly. Her head rested on his shoulders and her eyes tightly closed. It took them 30 mins to cover a distance of 10 mins, but they finally made it to her building, her apartment. Khushi thanked him and gave him a very tight hug and a kiss on his cheeks. They bid goodbyes for the time being. Neil never left that place. He sat down on the floor all wet drenched in water. His mind thought of the hug and the kiss. His tired biceps healed with her thoughts. There was no pain in it. The hug was the therapist.

The day went by the night kicked in and the water drained out of the city. Khushi was watching television when she heard a cellphone ringing. She checked all the phones in the room none of them where ringing. It went silent. It started ringing again a few moments later. She opened the door of her apartment. She was stunned to see what she saw. Neil was sitting on stairs, his head rested on the adjacent wall. He was sleeping right there.

“Hey Neil!” Khushi said.

“Khushi I…” he said in gibberish language.

“Its me Neil, Khushi!”

Neil jumped to his feet. “Yes what is it Khushi? What do you need? I’m there for you!” he said, his voice seemed a bit tired.

“What are you doing here?”

“I never left”

“Why?”

“I thought you might need me again! That’s why!”

“Didn't anyone wake you up?”

“I just fell asleep. I was wide awake till, umm, nine” he said checking his wrist watch

“Oh! Really? You know what time is it? Its midnight.”

“How can that be possible? My watch is… oh I get it. I better get going.”

“NO! Come on in! stay here tonight. Mom will make arrangements.”

“NO! I’m absolutely OK.”

“Neil!” Khushi said angrily.

“OK OK I’m coming in.”

“Mom, Dad” Khushi shouted

“Yes” her mom came rushing.

“Look its Neil. My best friend.” She held his arms, she had a big smile on her face.

“Hello Neil.”

“Mom can you give him some food to eat. He was here since morning. He came to drop me.”

“Sure. Make your self at home Neil.”

Neil sat next to Khushi. She caressed his hair. “You look weak!”

Her mom came with a plateful of food. Khushi took the dish in her hands and passed it to Neil. Neil was staring at Khushi. He ate the food, not the whole thing. He ate very slowly. They talked after each bite he swallowed. With an impulse Khushi pulled the plate from Neil’s hand. “Your hands are shivering. Your hands are like vibrator from the mobile phone.” She mocked him.

She “Spoon fed” him. All he did was stare at the beautiful, innocent face of Khushi. Her hairs covered one of her eyes. She fed him with one hand and adjusted her hairs with the other. The expression was priceless. After feeding him, they talked. They chatted about love and war, about cricket and about fashion. Their talk revolved around anything that television showed them. They talked about animals. Neil was getting sleepy. Khushi sensed it and rested his head on her lap and caressed him. She talked to him. She sang a beautiful song to him. He closed his eyes. There was a smile on his face. His mind raced uncontrollably, not able to calculate all the emotions that he sensed. His body was secreting all the hormones possible. This is the best night of my life.

“Hey Aisha!” Neil called out

“Yes! My love”

“Could you, could you caress my hairs.”

“If that arouses you, yes I can.”

Aisha caressed Neil’s hair with her soft, small hands.

It was autumn. The street was covered with dried, yellow leaves, that had fallen of the trees. Neil and his friends were discussing about the coming cricket match. The match against their arch rivals, The Riders. The Riders were notorious for playing foul in their games. But even without foul play they were a formidable opponent.

“I’ve heard whispers from one of my birds, “Rumors” as you people call it, that The Riders are upto something far more dangerous than before.” Tanay said.

“We’ll take care of them.”

The next thing he remembered was the strong hospital smell, that came from the hospital room. “Khushi.” He spoke in gibberish. His ears picked up some sounds, sounds of people sobbing. His hair sensed someone’s hands. It caressed his hair. He felt a tight grip around his hands. Someone had grasped it. He slowly opened his eyes. The surrounding came into focus. He saw his friends and his family. They all stood together on the left. Khushi sat on the right, holding his hands. His eyes were red. She looked tired, and pale. Her soft hairs were in a mess. She gave a tired smile. Neil smiled back.

“What happened to you, Khushi?” Neil said with an effort.

“You are the one who is hospitalized and you are asking me what happened?” Khushi replied. “You were out for three days. You were unconscious for three fucking days.”

“Feels like it has been few hours. What happened about the match? Against the Riders?”

“They were disqualified.” Neil’s father said. “They attacked you.”

“Oh. It would have been more fun if we defeated them on field.”

Next few days flew. Khushi took care of Neil’s every need. The food, the medicine, tea snacks, anything and everything Neil ever wanted. Doctor incharge of Neil’s health, a short, spout man with balding head, entered while Khushi was feeding Neil. “Good afternoon Neil.”

“Good afternoon, Doc.”

“A broken rib, a fractured skull, two fractured hands, torn muscles. Son that would take months to recover. Your recovery is off the charts. The fastest I’ve seen in my career.”

There was silence.

“Oh. I get it.” Doctor winked.

Neil was blushing. He looked towards Khushi. Her cheeks were as red as roses.

It took him exactly 20 days to recover. That was speedy. But he hadn’t recovered fully. He walked with great difficulty. Thankfully, Khushi always accompanied him. She would come to pick him and drop him anywhere he wished to go. She would bring the Activa along. He finally recovered. He was fit and was of perfect health. He could run, dance, jump, punch, do whatever he liked.

It was a bright summer morning. The sky was crystal clear. Birds were chirping melodious song. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. Kids on the street giggled. Neil was standing by the balcony and was enjoying the beautiful summer day. His mind played the song “Summer of ‘69” for his mood, when a thought crossed his mind. He smiled to himself. Agreed. He thought. Yes, that would be perfect. The very next moment he was maneuvering his motorcycle through the streets of Surat. He halted at few places to collect some flowers and some chocolate boxes. He raced his way to Khushi’s. He was made aware that she wasn’t at home. He called her. She picked.

“Where are you?” Khushi asked before Neil could ask the same.

“I’m at your place. I was looking for you!”

“Come to café coffee day. I have something to tell.”

“I’m on my way.” He said those final words as he kick started his motorbike.

He entered the café. One hand grasped the white tulip flower Khushi’s favourite and other hand carried chocolate box. His eyes searched for Khushi. His lips smiled. A girl wearing a white top and a blue jeans came into focus. Khushi. She looks stunning. He thought. She looked happy, restless. Her silky smooth hairs glittered in the sunlight that entered the café through the window. Her face had a divine glow. Her hands fiddled with her hairs. She looked towards Neil. She smiled and waved. He waved her back. Neil walked towards her. His heart rate rising with every beat. His hands shivered slightly.

“Aww.” Khushi said in a low seductive voice. “White tulips. I just love them.”

“These are for you!” Neil offered.

“Thank you Neil.” Khushi said as she kissed him on his cheeks.

“And these too.” He said as he handed over the chocolate box.

She kissed him on the other cheek.

She asked him to sit on the chair right next to her own. She ordered two coffees. She was eager to say something to Neil. He read her face.

“What is it?” he asked

“You remember that spiky haired guy. With broad shoulders, whom I mentioned to you as Poseidon.” Khushi said, her cheeks turned crimson.

“Yes.” Neil replied, not very happily.

“He asked me out today. He proposed to me.” Khushi said. She grinned ear to ear. She was very happy.

Time wrapped around Neil. Everything slowed down. I Love You Khushi. He thought. Khushi was sitting in juxtaposition. She looked happy. I have no right to make her sad. If I said those words to her, she would- she would just cry. He argued with his mind, which was forcing him to say I Love You to Khushi. He stood up. Khushi looked baffled. Neil walked out of the café. Khushi was screaming his name. He din’t turn. He walked towards his Red motorcycle, started it and raced out of the time wrap. Everything that followed was in blur. Neil and Khushi’s friendship vanished. Neil was heart-broken. He stopped playing cricket. He changed himself. He was now a bohemian. Always kept to himself, locked himself in his room. He would speak once in a while only with his family. He ignored her. He ignored his soul. But he was always there for her. Whenever she needed him he played his part, without her knowledge he helped her. Days turned into months and months raced and turned into years. Two years had passed.

It was a dull, cloudy day. Weather men had reported heavy rains in the following few hours. Neil was walking down the road. No one by his side. Rains began. It was not torrential. Neil was drenched in water from tip of his hairs to toe. He was walking slowly. A beautiful figure of a girl appeared in front of him. She was wearing a red shirt and jeans. She was also soaked in rain water. Their eyes made contact. A chill raced up Neil’s spine. The girl was Khushi. Neil’s brain stopped functioning. He couldn’t think of a way to get away from her. He looked here and there. He looked for solution. Khushi ran towards Neil. She hugged him tightly. She was crying.

“What happened?” Neil asked spontaneously.

“Rohan just dumped me!”

Now that is what I call luck. Go on say I love you. His mind mocked him.

“Why?”

“He din’t give a reason!” She cried

“Hey listen don’t be upset! How can Khushi be unhappy?” Neil said, “Look in my eyes.”

Khushi’s brown eyes looked in Neil’s Black eyes.

“I love you Khushi!” Neil said.

“What?” but before she could complete that word, Neil’s lips had already made contact with Khushi’s. It was the longest, most beautiful five seconds in Neil’s life.

“Since when?” Khushi asked.

“Since the day you walked into my life. Since the day I first saw you.”

They were now a couple. The cutest couple, The hottest couple, The Divine couple, people whispered. They spent many hours together. They would go for long walks. They walked hand in hand. She would kiss him, on his lips. He would hold her tight in his arms. He would fulfill all her needs, wants, demands anything and everything. He played poker. He needed money to fulfill her demands.

“I know you are bluffing! One cannot win all the rounds.” The opponent said angrily.

“When the queen is with me, I can never lose.” Neil would reply calmly.

It was a chilly evening. A cool breeze was blowing. Neil was talking to his friends when his cell phone rang. The screen displayed a picture of Khushi. She was in her favourite dress, which Neil had gifted. Neil smiled. “Guys!” he flashed his Cell phone to his friends.

“Okay!” they all replied unanimously

“Hey! Queen! What’s up?”

“I- I-“ Khushi Stammered.

“What is it?”

“I can’t be with you anymore. I miss Rohan every second. My breath has his name. My heart is tattooed with his name.”

The cell phone crashed to the ground and so did Neil. He fell on his knees like rain. Tears didn’t find it way out of his eyes. She broke his heart once again. She stabbed it harder this time. Neil was in trauma. His mind cried “Hello Neil. Its me. So do you agree with me now? Girls are just meant for…”

“I can’t do this anymore.” Neil shouted.

Aisha was trembling now. She didn’t know what’s happening.

“I want to tell you a truth. All those things I said about love, forget them. There’s nothing called as love. I used all those acts so that I could have a one night stand with you.”

Aisha saw Neil’s misty eyes. He was crying. Tears had finally found their way out.

“Yes there’s Love, and I can see it in your eyes.” Aisha said as she wore her clothes and left the room.

Those final words of Aisha echoed in Neil’s mind all night long. “Yes there’s love.”

©Ronak Shah

For another story visit http://youthopia.in/prerna-goddess-love-strength/