Chapter 7
It was the next day. I got ready in the evening for Golu’s party. I wore a black t-shirt with a brown blazer and blue jeans. I sat waiting in the living area for Krishna.
I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked up. I was completely mesmerised by what I saw. Krishna was walking down the stairs cautiously in her black heels. She looked so classy and elegant in a long black dress hugging her small and slim figure. Her silky brown hair was curled and sat just below her shoulders. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She walked up to me with a smile. I have never seen anyone as beautiful as her. She is the type of beautiful that is so innocent and simple, the type of beautiful that gives you butterflies, she is completely oblivious to how beautiful she is.
‘How do I look?’ She said in her quiet and sweet voice.
I was in a trance, I could not hear or see anything, I was lost in her beauty; my eyes were fixed on hers.
‘Sayyam, Sayyam! How do I look?’ She repeated.
I realised I was staring at her and felt so embarrassed and uncomfortable. I ignored what she said and rushed to the car.
During the journey she tried making conversation with me, even telling me about times her and Soumya Aunty spent together. I loved listening to her, I could listen to her all day.
I did what I knew and that was to be silent. I was afraid, I was afraid of these feelings getting stronger.
Once we arrived at the hall, we walked in together. It felt right to have Krishna beside me, it was like she belonged with me. I feel so happy when I’m around her. Her presence is enough for me.
The hall was decorated really well. There were lots of people, mainly Golu’s friends. I felt a tap on my back, I turned round and Golu hugged me.
‘Hey Sayyam, long time no see!’
Golu and Yuvan were my best friends through childhood, they were like the brothers I never had.
‘Hi Krishna! You look beautiful. You both come with me and meet some of my friends.’ Golu took us over near the dance floor where there were 2 girls and a few boys chatting and laughing.
‘You remember Rahul right? He was in one of our classes at school?’ Golu said to me as Krishna wouldn’t know him.
Rahul and I didn’t like each other at school. He always thought he was better than everyone else. He would always compete with me in everything. He was very popular and always had girls after him.
I smiled at him to be polite. He gave me a look and then immediately took his attention to Krishna. He took off his sunglasses, ran his fingers through his slicked back hair and looked at her up and down and started complimenting her. I stood there for a while being completely ignored, it was like I wasn’t there. I watched them talk and felt out of place. I felt like I was burning inside. Why was she paying Rahul so much attention? Is this her trying to get over Yuvan?
I walked over to the bar. I sat on the stool. My eyes were focused on Krishna. Rahul was flirting with her and touching her hand while looking at me from time to time smirking at me. He held her hand and took her to the dance floor. She was smiling and enjoying herself. She had no idea Rahul was doing all this to anger me.
I felt so restless. I kept finding myself getting more and more annoyed at his every touch and every time he would go near her.
‘Ah, here he is!’ I heard a voice say. I looked to the side of me, it was Yuvani.
I turned to face the bar and asked the bartender for an alcoholic drink.
‘Hey Sayyam, are you ok?’ She took the glass out of my hand.
‘No…I’m not ok.’ I said in a depressing tone, looking down.
‘Look, you don’t drink. Alcohol is not the answer. What’s wrong? You can trust me.’ She put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me.
‘I-I’ve fallen for the worst possible person I could fall for.’ I said quietly.
‘Honestly Sayyam, I had guessed something was brewing here. The question is, what are you going to do about it?’ She asked. I looked at her confused.
‘Nothing, I can’t do anything about it.’ I said to her.
‘Yes you can. You can tell her how you feel.’
‘No, no I can’t do that. That is not an option.’ I shook my head.
‘Look Sayyam, these feelings will only get worse. The only way these impossible feelings will go away is if you do something about them.’ She gave me a little concerning smile and walked away as her friends were calling her.
I looked over my right shoulder and saw Krishna dancing and laughing with Rahul. Watching them made me feel so angry inside. I felt like my heart was being stamped on. I wanted to go over and drag her away from him. She can do so much better than him, she deserved better.
Yuvani called Krishna over to her friends. This was my chance to speak to him. I walked over to Rahul.
‘Hey Rahul, you stay away from Krishna.’ I said sternly.
‘Why?’ He smirked. ‘Who are you to her? Are you her boyfriend?’
‘No I’m not.’ I replied.
‘Then what’s your problem? We’re having fun. This is none of your business. Stay out of it!’ He stood right upto my face trying to intimidate me.
I turned around to walk away when I heard Rahul and his friends laughing at me loudly. I felt anger increasing inside me. I was fuming. I turned and punched him hard on his face, he fell on the floor. Suddenly the room went silent, everyone was staring at me. Immediately I realised what I did was wrong.
‘Sayyam!’ Krishna rushed over.
‘What’s wrong with you!’ She shouted. She kneeled on the floor next to Rahul. ‘Rahul, I’m so sorry, are you ok?’
I felt so angry, I have never felt so much anger before. I stormed out.
‘Sayyam, Sayyam!’ Krishna followed me out and was trying to catch up running in small steps.
‘Sayyam, wait, I want to talk to you!’
‘I’m going back to the house, if you want a lift then come now, otherwise you can make your own way home.’ I said angrily. I carried on walking fast to the car. She caught up with me and grabbed my arm.
‘Sayyam, stop. Why did you do that?! What’s wrong with you??’
I pulled my arm away and got into the car. She got into the passenger seat.
‘Answer me Sayyam, why?? What did he do to you??’
I didn’t respond. The anger was still building inside, I didn’t want to say anything I would regret. I looked ahead and held the steering wheel tightly trying to control my anger.
‘Sayyam, answer me! You need to slow down, Sayyam drive slower please!’
I was driving at speed, visions of Krishna and Rahul at the party were flashing before my eyes.
‘Sayyam, why did you do it? I know you don’t like me, is that it? You don’t want to see me happy, isn’t it? Do you really hate me that much?’ She was crying so much while shouting at me.
I braked harshly and stopped the car. I couldn’t believe what she just said.
I got out of the car. We were on a quiet and deserted road. It had started to rain heavily.
I stood in front of the car restless, my heart was racing. She got out of the car and stormed over to me.
‘What are you doing?!!’ She shouted.
‘Why did you say that?’ I said. I felt so hurt by her words.
‘Say what?’ She said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
‘You couldn’t be more wrong!’ I shouted while pacing up and down the road.
‘Sayyam, what’s going on??’ She looked at me confused.
I turned and looked at her.
What happened next I can’t explain. I didn’t know what came over me, it was like I lost control of myself. I couldn’t hold my feelings in any longer.
I stepped close to her, put both my hands on her cheeks, I pulled her face towards mine and kissed her passionately…