Which Rathore?

A Connection with Vikram? - Part 1

"I'm so glad I could make it Sumera. Not that I had any doubt but seeing you now, it was totally worth it." He chuckled in my ear. I liked the sound of his chuckle, I always have. I separated myself from Ambar rather quickly though, I felt some sort of obligation to- I don't want to make it too quick now.

"I'm so glad the two of you could make it. I would be bored out of my mind I've already spoken to 50 people I've never met in my life before."

"Make that 51, who's this clown?" Vikram pointed towards Jai, who I had completely forgotten was standing close by. OH. Was Jai the reason of Vikram's intense look?

"Don't even ask, the most idiotic friend in Arman, my cousin's circle. Anyways, let me introduce you guys to my friends." I ignored Jai and tried to be hospitable host. Vikram and Ambar both brought some gifts for Arman and his fiancé, whom they met and Ambar seemed to hit it off with Arman and Vikram with Vandana (the bride) of course. He made funny comments and maybe was flirting. It was bugging me. What irritated me more was that he kept gazing out of the corner of his eye to see my reactions. I am certain I veiled my emotions quite well, after all, the irritation I felt was more subconscious than what I was feeling about Ambar. I think I should just tell him my feelings once and for all, along with the truth about my past. He will understand, I'm sure of it.

My friends seem to really like Ambar and Vikram. Rohan was having a great time joking around with Vikram when I pulled Ambar to the side, where not many people could see us.

"Ambar I"

"How?"

"What?"

"I... I'm never really at a loss of words Sumera, but you look um.. stunning. I'm...speechless."

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. What the heck? I would just say thank you and move the heck on if someone compliments me like that. But then again, Ambar isn't just anyone.

"Thanks... Ambar I really am glad you came today."

He smiled and bit his lower lip. "I am too, but why weren't you answering my calls yesterday?"

My smile started fading. The truth was that I don't know. My mind was running, trying to come up with good excuses but I remembered I had just resolved to tell him the entire truth about things. "I don't know, frankly, Ambar. I should have called back, texted back, but I didn't and I don't know why."

He paused and we just stood there. With lively chatter and soft music in the background, him and I just stood in silence before he took a deep breath.

"I am sorry if I went too far Sumera, I just" he paused again, "I don't know what happened either. I wasn't thinking and I just blurted out whatever was in my heart."

"And I told you that it's fine and that I-" I fell short of words. I was going to say that I feel the same way but I just couldn't. I really like him, as in really really like him, but why couldn't I say it? Maybe I was just nervous. I felt my breathing quicken a bit as his brown eyes captivated mine. He was about to complete my sentence when I kept my hand on his chest and shook my head. "No. I...I" I decided to close my eyes and then tell him that I feel the same way.

I prepared to say it as I stood there with my eyes closed, my hand still close to his heart; I could feel his heart beat faster just as mine was racing. I almost uttered the words when I heard someone laughing. Vikram laughing. In the background, suddenly my ears focussed on them chatting and Vikram continuing to laugh. His laughter made me feel warm, and I started feeling weak in my knees. I opened my eyes and saw Vikram standing far away behind Ambar's shoulder. I then looked at Ambar, who was puzzled and now getting impatient. He was feeling embarrassed that he had professed something and I simply didn't seem to be able to. "I'm so sorry Ambar- I... I ca-" I was interrupted as I gasped when the lights went off. I panicked, how could there be a power outage now? The most inconvenient time and the weather was perfectly fine outside too, so it couldn't be rain or anything.