“Misha is one of my best friends Thulasi. We both studied together in the business school, I mean my MBA…”
“…”
“She is in India almost after couple of decades… Her family shifted to London when she was very young… She came here to invite me for her family’s party to celebrate this occasion of them returning to India…”
“…”
“For her I am just a friend and it doesn’t make any difference to her that I am a man… And ofcourse She is used to the English culture…”
“I am sorry Dinakaran…”
“Don’t be…” interrupted Dinakaran getting up from his seat.
“You need not try to hide anything from me… You can scold me, advice me, shout at me and love me too…”
Saying this Dinakaran came near Thulasi, caught her hands with his hands and made her stand up. Thulasi was spellbound and was not able to react. Even before she could realize what’s happening, he hugged her tight. Thulasi didn’t show even a slight bit of hesitation. She felt very comfortable in his embrace and rested her face on his chest.
“You don’t know what you are doing to me Thulasi. Nowadays, I am acting like a mad man. Everywhere I go, everywhere I see, I see only your face. Nothing is interesting to me than you… I want you to be mine for now and always…”
Thulasi was mesmerized by his speech and stood quiet in his embrace.
“I can’t tell you how much I love you Thulasi… Why are you quiet?”
Dinakaran bent his head down and lifted Thulasi’s face with his right hand. He looked straight in her eyes…
Thulasi was still not able to control her emotions. She was still awestruck…
Dinakaran’s eyes continued to wander around Thulasi’s face.
“Thulasi I just can’t wait anymore…”
Thulasi’s face turned red in shyness… Thulasi bent her head not able to withstand his gaze.
Dinakaran bent and kissed softly in Thulasi’s cheek. Thulasi was shocked. She looked up at him. Dinakaran had a teasing smile in his face.
“See now who is standing in the living room and accepting a hug and kiss?”
Dinakaran’s teasing words brought Thulasi back to her senses. She hurriedly got out of his embrace and stared at him.
“Thulasi…”
“Stop it! You just wanted to show that you can do this to any woman?” interrupted Thulasi angrily.
“No Thulasi!”
“Please don’t talk to me. I should have realized this long before.”
“What?”
“The reason for your care and concern…”
“See, you are angry now. Don’t think too much immediately… I…”
“You always wanted to tease me didn’t you Dinakaran? You just want to prove that you can enslave anyone either by your power or charm”
“Thulasi”
Dinakaran’s voice had a tough tone now. But he quickly calmed himself and said,
“Thulasi, why do you have such a bad impression about me?”
“May be because you had similar opinion about me”
“Thulasi that happened long time back when I had no idea about you…”
“Ok, for a change let me have a similar opinion about you when I know about you.”
Dinakaran was startled. He could not understand the reason for Thulasi’s sudden reaction.
Thulasi kept the file in the teapoy and said
“This is going to be our last meeting. I don’t want to meet you again. I hope you got the message… Don’t try to contact me expecting to try your charm with me once again…”
She didn’t even wait for Dinakaran to reply. She started walking towards the door and moved away from his sight.
Dinakaran kept looking at the door for a few seconds. He was in a shock. He was very sure that he had won her heart. He could understand her not liking him kissing her before the marriage… But even in that case, he believed there’s no need for her to react like that. What happened to her? What went wrong?
While Dinakaran was struggling to understand Thulasi’s reaction, Thulasi was walking in a boiling state. She can still remember his teasing smile and words.
“It’s my mistake!” she said to herself.
I shouldn’t have allowed this to happen…
She could still feel the warmth of his embrace. Couple of tears escaped her eyes. She wanted to cry…
But as always, she controlled her emotions…
“No, I shouldn’t cry… I should be strong…” she said to herself.
To be continued...