Chapter 5

Sanvika came down from her room to the restaurant to see that somebody was sleeping on the couch. And that was not Tariq. The person had a cap over his face. She almost attacked him thinking it is an intruder when she saw the tattoo on his wrist. And his body structure.

“Vivaan,” she said out loud.

Vivaan removed the cap and looked at her. “Let me sleep ten minutes more. It was a tiring flight.”  He covered his face with his cap again. Sanvika was taken aback and confused for a second. But then she kicked his leg.

“Ouch…” He jumped up. “What is wrong with you?”

“What are you doing here?”

“How can you kick someone you are seeing after three years?” He yelled at her.

“How can you say ‘ten more minutes to sleep’ to someone who you see after three years? And, How the hell did you get inside.”

“A dark, scary-looking guy opened the door for me. Who is that? Boyfriend? Did not seem your type.”

“Tariq Bhai. He is my employee.”  She sounded tired. “Why did you come?”

“You see your best friend after three years and what you say is ‘why did you come’?”

“Yes. Why did you come.”

“I’ll tell you that. But first….” He took her into a hug. A tight one. “Missed you, Sweets…”

And it was so easy. Sanvika’s body relaxed. She fitted into his strong arms so perfectly. He called her ‘sweets’. He sometimes calls her ‘sweets’, when he was being affectionate. He ruffled her hair. Sanvika closed her eyes. But Vivaan left her a bit too quickly.

Sanvika adjusted her hair. 

“This place looks nice.”  He said looking around. “So, you really made it, huh, Vicky?”

“Seriously, Vivaan. What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?”  He sat down on a suitcase. That is when Sanvika noticed the suitcase. “You came to stay?” She asked.

“That is the order from above. Bring Vicky back home…”

“Huh?”

“What did you think, our parents will let you go just like that?”

Of course, Sanvika thought. When she had expressed her wish to leave, her mother refused to even look at her. But dad was saying, ‘let her go have fun and explore. She will come back…’

Sanvika wanted to yell that she would never come back. But her father firmly believed that this was just a curiosity of hers and when that is fulfilled, she will return home.

“How did you find me?”

“Do you think your parents don’t know where you are and what you have been up to? Huh…”

He is right. She should have thought of that. “I am not coming home, Vivaan.” She said, looking at him.

“I knew you would say that.” He ruffled his hair. “But… If I go back empty-handed, I will just be sent back here. Or someone else will come. Your brothers or … Parents.”

He was right about that.

“I at least have to make it seem like I tried. But even then, you did not budge.”  He stood up and grabbed the suitcase. “So, let me stay for a few days.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear? Let me stay for a few days. Maybe a month will be good. As long as I am here, you are safe. Wow! I always wanted to try live in Goa. I mean, Goa is like Vegas of India except with beaches.”

“Vivaan, you can’t stay here.”

“Huh?”

“Go to some hotel.”

“What? Why?”

“You don’t have a place to sleep. I only have one bedroom and one bed.”

“We can share the bed.”

“Have you gone crazy?”

“What? We have before.”

Yeah, they have. Not sex. Just sleep on the same bed together after combined study sessions or on trips with friends. “Well, we can’t now,” Sanvika said.

“Why?”

“I can’t sleep with you on the same bed for a month.”

“Are you worried that we would have sex?” He asked.

“Huh? What! No!”

“What’s the big deal even if we have sex. After you come back, we will be married anyway.”

“Vivaan, for god’s sake. I am not going to come back, and I am not going to marry you. I don’t want anything to do with that world anymore. I love this place. I like it here.”

Vivaan stared at Sanvika for a while. He could see that she is serious. “You are never going to come back?” He asked. Sanvika could detect the tinge of hurt in his voice. But she could only say “Yes”. Vivaan nodded.

“I will stay at a hotel.” He agreed. “Even then I will leave only after a month. Or else parents won’t let me breathe.”  He yawned. “Can I sleep more…?”

That is when Shardul came in. “Good morning, San”

Vivaan looked at Shardul and then at Sanvika. “Your boyfriend?”

Shardul went scarlet and Sanvika said, “No. Good morning Mr Flower”

“Mr Flower? That’s funny.” Vivaan giggled.

Shardul looked at Sanvika for an explanation.

“Friend.” She said.

“Hey! That is offensive. We are more than just ‘friends’. I am her fiancé , Mr Flower.” Shardul’s eye widened and Sanvika hit Vivaan. “I am kidding. I am kidding. We are no longer engaged. I am actually her friend.” With a happy smile, Vivaan extended his hand. “Hello, Mr Flower. I am Vivaan Gupta.” Shardul’s eyes went to the watch on Vivaan’s extended hand. Clearly a highly expensive designer watch. Shardul could not help wondering who this young man is who looked like he stepped out of a Luxury Fashion Magazine – who clearly looked way too rich. What is his connection with Sanvika?

“Shardul Barve.” Shardul shook Vivaan’s hand.

Vivaan hung out at the restaurant till the night. Suchil and Astrid were fascinated as Vivaan was playing with the fishermen’s children,  happily laughing.

“He is such a bright personality.” Suchil said to Sanvika.

“Yes,” Sanvika’s eyes stayed on Vivaan’s smile. “He is like that. I have not seen him sad ever. Except one … time.”

Sanvika’s mind travelled back to that one time.

Vivaan was sitting on the windowsill of his room, still dressed in his school uniform. Sanvika paused at the door, not knowing if she should go in or not. She had never seen Vivaan like that ever. A teardrop fell …

Sanvika walked closer. He looked up at her. His cheek was red. And so were his eyes. “Vicky…” he called.

She knew what must have happened. Vivaan must have told his father that he did not want to study business and take up family business like his older brother. She always knew he would say that one day. But that afternoon Vivaan had pulled her aside and told her that he was finally going to do it. As usual, Sanvika had warned him what will happen if he goes against his parents. But he was adamant. The school was almost over and it was time to decide on their higher studies.

“I told you,” Sanvika told him. Cold as that sounded, he just smiled. “Yeah, you did.”

“You did it anyway”  “Yeah… Thought it may work.”

“It will never work.” “Hmm…”

“You okay?” “What do you think?”

“Stop crying”  “I am not crying.”

“You are…”

And she wiped his tears with her uniform coat’s sleeve. And froze. He was looking at her. Gently he pulled her close and settled his head on her shoulder. “I feel pathetic,” he whispered. She did not know how to react. She awkwardly patted his back. He chuckled. “You are really bad at this,” he said laughing, with his head still on her shoulder. Sanvika slightly laughed too.

Vivaan looked up and caught her eyes. And there was something in his eyes, a glimmer.  And he came forward and kissed her lips. Sanvika took a step back startled. But Vivaan jumped off the windowsill and kissed her deeper. And more. Sanvika eventually started kissing back. Vivaan pinned her to the wall, and they kept kissing for a while. When they were done, Vivaan held her so carefully close. Sanvika held her breath. Vivaan pushed her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek.  

“San,” Suchil was calling. Sanvika woke up from her memory and looked at Suchil. “Huh! What?”

“How do you know such a rich boy? Is he really your friend.”

“Yes….” She said, and looked back at Vivaan “Friend.”

“I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry,” Vivaan said as soon as she picked up the call. “I should not have kissed you, my bad. I am sorry.”

Sanvika judged it will be best to just stay silent. Knowing Vivaan, he will go on.

“I don’t know what came over me. You were there… and… It just happened, yaar.” He stopped talking. “Why are you not saying anything?”

“What should I say.”

“Anything…”

“It’s okay.”

“Huh?”

“You said sorry. I said it is okay. Okay now?”

“That’s all?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Oh! Thank God. I was scared and stuff. It’s okay, right. Ha… Anyway, it’s not the first time we are kissing or anything.”

“Hm.”

“Vicky…??”

“Yeah…”

“Why are you so silent? Are you still angry?”

“No. But Vivaan?”

“Hm…”

“It’s okay for once. If you do this a second time, I swear I am gonna kill you.”

Sanvika left Suchil and Astrid at the restaurant and walked towards Vivaan playing with the kids. He looked at her. “Vicky, come it’s fun… There is this game these kids taught me.”

She stopped in front of Vivaan. “You leave.” She said.

“Huh?”

“Don’t stay here for a month and just leave now.”

“What happened to you suddenly?”

“Just go Vivaan. Leave.” She was exasperated.

Vivaan looked at her. “Okay.”

“Really?” She did not expect him to agree with her this fast.

“Yeah. I will leave.” A pause. A smile. “After a month.”

Just like him. Sanvika bit her lips to stop cursing and walked back in anger.