LIFE CHANGING BETS:

Kabir was busy frantically taking notes from the blackboard.
He was so engrossed in his work, that it looked as if his memory has been wiped out.
Seeing him like that, I was hurt.

Was it possible that he forgot all that happened a few minutes ago?
May be he really took that as a challenge and nothing else.

I didn't know for how  long i had stared at him like that.
I remember him snapping his fingers in front of my face, to bring me out of the world where i was taking a stroll right now.

My eyes widened. I hated it when he did that.

"What?" I asked him angrily.

"Come out of your day dream madam. We are supposed to solve this question booklet before going back home", and he waved the question paper in front of me.

"Huhh whatever. Solve it. I am least bothered. And where the hell sir is? By the way stop looking at me like that as if you would burst out laughing. Am pissed off. Now please concentrate", my voice clearly was unable to hide the trail of frustration.
He shrugged.
"We'll talk, let the class get over. I have got many things to tell you. Abhi please padh le", and he winked.

His silence for the next few hours irked the hell out of me.
As soon as the class got over, I collected my books and belongings and left.
I was fuming.

"Arohi wait! Stop, where the hell are you going leaving me? Aren't we supposed to go back home together, like always?" He shouted behind me.

I increased my pace to avoid him.
Jumping two flights at a time, I was very sure that by now he was way behind me.

I looked back, to find out where he was and unable  to keep hold of my balance, I stumbled and was about to fall. I closed my eyes to prepare myself for the worst fall off the stairs.

But then suddenly out of nowhere, a pair of hands caught me. I was too petrified to open my eyes and find out who that angel in disguise was.

And it was him, looking straight at me. With an affectionate smile plastered on his face, to hide his fear.

"For god sake Arohi! Be careful. At least see where and how you are walking.
Venting out your anger like this, it could have been risky yaar!"

"Why do you care? Thanks for saving me from falling. Now bye", and I jerked off my hand from his.

But he didn't leave. And deep down, a part of me didn't want him to leave.

His grip tightened. Pulling me close to him, he ceased the distance between us.

"Ofcourse I care Arohi! Do you even realise what would have happened to me had I been unable to save you?
You think I kissed you on those pretty pink cheeks of yours just because you won the challenge last night? Was that just a dare for me? No Arohi! I love you. May be the kiss was just the result of that challenge but those feelings behind it?
How am I supposed to fake my feelings? They are genuine.
I have loved you ever since I saw you for the first time.
I loved you when you used to cry your heart out during our late night phone calls, because of that moron who left you.
You have no idea what those pearl eyes of yours, always glowing with some kind of mischief does to me.
I wait to see you again as soon as you leave me.
Arohi, I was scared to confess my feelings because I did not want to lose you. But today am saying it, I Love You."

I went numb.
I was too shocked to respond.
My cheeks were streaming with tears.
The feeling of being loved again engulfed me.
And to sink myself in that sensation, I closed my eyes. A smile, the one that is seen just after tears,  crossed my lips.

He pulled me closer, our eyes met. I took a deep breath, to fill myself from within with his sweet fragrance. We were unable to keep our gaze off each other. And then, his lips met mine.
Our body melted into one.

We had our first kiss, the passionate one.
Exactly where he had given me the cheek peck a few hours ago, because of some stupid challenge.

-Apurba Mandal