“Does it sound mean when I say that I am happy my mother has left?”

“Yes, it does,” Piyali grinned at Mukundo as they drove back from the airport after dropping Mohima for her flight back to Kolkata.

“She will forgive me when she knows why.”

“I hope so.”

“It will be awkward, Piyali, I agree. But everyone will be happy at the end. You don’t worry.”

“I am not worrying, Mukundo Babu,” she replied with a sincere smile, “You have said you would take care of it and I trust you.”

“Thank you,” his smile threatened to expand to a grin and even a laughter.

They got a takeout meal on their way and ate it while sprawled next to each other on the carpet.

“Mukundo Babu,” Piyali said snuggling up closer to him after they finished eating.

“Hmm?” he sounded relaxed and lazy.

“You remember when that day you told me about how it was in my childhood and how you regretted letting go of our friendship?”

“Yes. What about it?” he grew attentive.

“I just wanted you to know that…”

“Go on.”

“That my feelings for you today is not about clinging to some childhood obsession. It is an adult choice. For the life of mine I can’t get into the head of ten-year-old me and figure out what she was thinking then. But today what I am thinking and feeling is very real. And I think it would have happened even if I had met you only after growing up. What I mean is that I like you for what I see in you as an adult. It isn’t the simplistic adulation of a child for a grown-up.”

“Auditing too many psychology courses, are you?” Mukundo chuckled.

Her face fell. “I’m not joking–”

“I know,” he turned somber, “And don’t be misled by my jokes. I understood exactly what you are trying to say. Truth is that I hadn’t thought about it. I was too busy being happy. But I really appreciate that you thought and that you shared it with me. Piyali. I am afraid I am going to say it far too often in the days to come. Because you will keep doing these thoughtful things. But why not? I am happy to say it. My esteem and appreciation for you has risen even further. And I promise that I will do everything I can to ensure that you don’t regret your adult choice.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled into his chest.

“Even on that day, Piyali, I was sure that your feelings are mature and totally adult,” he said teasingly, “But do you know what was really child-like about you?”

“What?”

He shifted and held her so that he could look into her face and replied smilingly, “The way you shied away from the kiss. As if you have never been–” He stopped short on seeing her face and then exclaimed, “Oh my God! You indeed have never been kissed.”

She looked away, baffled and embarrassed.

“How on earth did you manage to keep away the guys, Piyali? It would have been a struggle.”

“Mukundo Babu, please! I am no diva. Stop embarrassing me.”

“Hey! Look here,” his playfulness disappeared as he held her chin and made her look at him, “You can’t be embarrassed about anything before me, Piyali. We are going to live our lives together now and we share everything. Everything. Do you understand?”

His voice, his touch and his certitude had her heart thumping. She closed her eyes, certain that the long-due kiss was coming, and eager for it despite her nervousness. But she felt Mukundo’s hand withdrawing from her chin. As she opened her eyes, he saw that he was looking at her hands. He held them lifted them to his lips one by one. She felt a shiver down her spine, and this time she knew exactly why.

“You are not a diva, Piyali. You are a princess, who knows that she is born to rule the world and she will.”

The intensity of their passion was sky-rocketing and she knew that it was not yet the time to drown in it. To break it she chuckled drawing a puzzled glance from Mukundo.

“Do you want to be called a prince?” she asked, laughing mischievously.

Mukundo went along and pretended to think before saying, “Just a humble knight errant will do.”

They broke into a laughter. Then he asked, “So are you ready for our first date tonight?”

“Do I have to do something special to get ready?”

“No. You would do great without doing anything special. I am nervous though.”

“Nervous? For what?”

“I hope you like the place.”

“You don’t have to impress me, Mukundo Babu.”

“I don’t have to. But I want you to be impressed. And feel happy. And feel loved.”

“Believe it or not, I am feeling all that. Right here. Right now.”

He smiled and gazed fondly at her.

She looked down and bit her lips. It took her a moment to gather the courage, but she knew she would have to say it. Else he will never come forward after the earlier experience.

“Do you want to kiss me?” she said in one breath.

“What do you think? God! Yes! But I have told you. I can wait. A long time.”

“Don’t. Don’t wait.”

“That’s a permission then. But, Piyali. This will be your first time. I must brush my teeth.”

She pummeled him to hide her embarrassment and he laughed. Then suddenly he got hold of her and before she realized what he was doing, pressed his lips against hers.

– The End –