Forget-Me-Not : Bound by Secrets

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine

January 1, 2001; 12:00 am

The fireworks started as soon as the countdown ended, and Ananya clutched at Abhay's arms, watching the sky with marvel and wonder. Moments ago, they'd been talking and laughing and doing everything they shouldn't have been doing, but now they were quiet, utterly silent as they watched crackers bursting in the night sky, announcing the onset of a new year. A New Year. A new beginning. She gazed up at the blinding colours and patterns, listened to the people nearby shouting and wishing each other a happy new year, and for the first time this night, she felt at peace.

"Abhay," she whispered, burrowing closer into him, "It's so beautiful."

Abhay didn't answer. His arm was around her, holding her swaying body close to his, preventing her from falling down. Ananya didn't mind it... she knew she was drunk. Hell, they both were. But why wasn't he answering her?

She turned her face to him, and realized that he was much taller than her when she was not wearing heels. She looked higher up, searching for his eyes, and found him looking back at her. His expression was different than it had been a few hours ago. When he'd come to her house this evening, he'd looked horrible. Now he didn't look horrible. Now he looked almost calm.

She shook him again, blinking up at him. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes," he replied, "It is."

They were on her terrace, watching the fireworks as the year came to an end. And what a year, Ananya thought to herself. So much had changed. So much had happened. There was a light buzz in her head, but she felt warm and comforted. Abhay's presence had made everything more bearable. Just being near him was enough to make her forget what happened earlier, between her and her parents.

"Are you still thinking about it?" Abhay asked. He was as drunk as she was. They were both in the mind to lose themselves tonight.

"No," she said honestly. "I'm not thinking about it anymore."

"Then what?" he asked.

Their gazes met. Ananya felt something... a deep flash of pain, a huge gash of gaping emptiness. His warm eyes were trained on her, like searching in the depths ofher soul for the answers. He looked calmer, but by no means any less hurt.

The alcohol in her system made her lightheaded, brave. "I'm thinking about you," she whispered. Suddenly, she couldn't stop herself from blurting everything out. "I'm thinking how it would be to kiss you."

He blinked, a small frown covering his face.

"No," he said at last. "You shouldn't."

She ignored him.

Then she leaned up and surprised him by pressing her lips against his, kissing him. For a long second, his entire body froze. The sound of crackers and people's voice faded away, and the world seemed like a faraway place as they began losing themselves in their own bubble.

"No," he murmured again, trying to pull back, but she held on. She'd had enough rejection for one night. She couldn't stand another one. As she pushed herself closer to him, as her hands slid into his hair, holding onto him, she felt his resistance fade. "I was so despondent," she whispered, her voice low, weak. "So unhappy when you came in. Thank you so much for being here tonight, Abhay. I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't come."

The pain in her voice got to him. His hands drew her closer, pressing her to his warm body, moulding her to him. His mouth claimed hers, demanding her to respond to his kiss. The alcohol she'd consumed burned in her veins, and her hazy brain slowly interpreted the pleasure his mouth and body invoked. She gave in and kissed him back.