Love you more

25: 'I love you' doesn't mean 'marry me'!

Senthil moaned as though he liked my bite, it was supposed to hurt, damn it! I bit him harder but he just pulled me closer. I stopped struggling, giving up completely while still waiting for him to stop. My non-reaction seemed to sober him up. He pulled away from me, but still held me.

"Will you now listen to me?"

I rolled my eyes, he chuckled.

"Ananya, I am sorry I hurt you. I thought it would be best for both of us if we stayed away. And that is clearly a mistake. Please, will you forgive me?"

"If you thought staying away was best, why did you kiss me, why didn't you leave me alone? Why did you say you hated me and it was the worst kiss?" I grumbled putting on my poker face.

He rolled his eyes as he said, "I told you many times, I love you. How can I hate you?"

"Then why did you say those hurtful things when you first kissed me. Why do you leave me broken every time you kiss me? I can't do this anymore, Senthil. I don't want you to walk all over me."

"I got scared.."

"Scared!"

"I... " he hesitated. He let out a frustrated breath, his hot breath tickling my neck. God! This guy is the death of me. I want to punch him and kiss him at the same time. The conflicting feeling was scary.

He looked me in the eyes, "That day, I wasn't talking about you or our kiss. I was talking about myself. I was out of control, I hated that I had to keep away from you. How can I kiss you when I am the worst man in this world for you!"

"Worst! You got that right."

Real hurt flashed through his eyes before he hid it. I was crying over this guy for two days, now he wanted to be with me and I was being a jerk. Talk about being bipolar.

"I am sorry," I apologized.

"You are right though. I am broke, I can't support you."

"Support me! What are you talking about?"

"I can't marry you and be a good husband. I am... mmm.."

"Good husband!" I blurted out.

Definitely, Sai must have hit him hard in the head. I pushed him away standing a little apart.

"I can't give you all the things you deserve in a married life."

"Woah! Slow down, Mister. Married life? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I said I love you."

"I take it that by 'I love you' you meant 'Marry me'!"

"Isn't that what people who love each other do?"

"There are many other things people who love each other 'do'. Believe me, marriage is the last thing I will 'do'."

"So you don't want to marry me? You said you love me!" he asked looking genuinely surprised and upset.

"We are 17! Why do you keep talking about marriage?"

Senthil was totally freaking me out. This is mad, he needs therapy if you ask me. And when did I say I love him?

"I didn't mean we marry now, we would eventually marry in a few years," he trailed.

I gaped at him. I admit every girl, including me, dreams of getting married to a handsome prince in a lavish wedding. But not even in my wildest dream I thought a guy would be so forthcoming and committed to a relationship which I must add we have barely started. He didn't even propose, he was sure we would end up married. Talk about over-planning Indian mothers, this is definitely over the top.

Thankfully Sai came at that moment, frowning at Senthil, he asked me, "Didn't I tell you I would break your face if you show up here?"

For once, I was happy that Sai intervened. I pulled him, saying, "Sai, let's leave."

Still glowering at Senthil, Sai followed me.

"I will see you later," Senthil called out. It took me all I could do not to run to the car.

"Do you still have some beer left in your car? I think I need a drink badly."

"Did that bastard hurt you again? I mustn't have hit him hard enough."

"You hit him hard alright, he is raving mad now."

"What did he do?" Sai asked angrily.

"He is talking about our marriage!"

Sai didn't even look surprised. Which took me by surprise. "Don't tell me you already knew he was going to!"

"You need a drink," Sai said, handing me a beer.

Once I had my stomach filled with beer, Sai started explaining how Indian guys, particularly the ones who were raised with 'Indian culture and tradition' are very committed. Guys like Senthil once get committed to some girl, they remain true to her throughout their life.

"What do you mean committed throughout life? He said he loved me yesterday! Before that, all he did was to ignore me or stare at my feet."

"The way you were down for the past few days, it means something more to you, too."

"Sai, I won't deny I like Senthil. But I have never once been turned down in my life. Of course, I was down. Not everyone takes rejection gracefully."

"I think you do more than just 'like' him."

"Sai, I am a sucker for hot guys."

"You think Senthil is hot!" he laughed. "Your ex was hot."

"You haven't seen Senthil shirtless."

"I don't want to. For your information I am straight. Not that I have anything against gay. But I prefer to see you shirtless than him."

I glared at him, he continued "My point here is, you were ten times more depressed to stay away from Senthil for the past two days than you were when you broke up with Alec."

"Sai.."

"Anu, I know you, even if you don't want to admit it. Senthil means more to you than what you think. But I have to tell you I am not a big fan of him. He has some serious anger issues. I don't think he deserves someone like you."

It was a minute before I realized I had opened my mouth like a gargoyle before closing it.