By the end of the movie, the physical distance between them had completely vanished. Her head was resting comfortably on his broad shoulder. His left hand rested naturally on her soft, blanket-covered thigh as she leaned her entire body weight into him. Her own delicate hand had somehow slid its way onto his warm chest, resting directly over his racing heart. They whispered more famous dialogues to each other, totally lost in their own little world.
But they were both silent… dead silent… during the final, emotional train scene. The climax of the film. For some unspoken reason, the romantic tension on the TV and the heavy, physical closeness on the couch suddenly felt… incredibly awkward. The heat radiating between their touching bodies felt too intense, too inappropriate. Like when watching a romantic movie with your parents and a heavy kissing scene suddenly pops up.
When the ending credits finally began to scroll across the screen, Urvin leaned up slowly, pulling away from his intoxicating warmth. “Tu jaanda hai… tu utna vi bura nahi hai jinna main sochdi si.”
“Wah, thanks.”
She giggled softly and, without thinking, leaned over and pressed her soft, warm lips against his cheek. The Kiss. A sudden rush of hot electricity shocked Vyom’s system. The lingering scent of vanilla and her hot breath against his skin made his stomach flip violently.
“Mainu sona hai ab. Thank you movie restart karne de layi,” she said softly, pulling the shared blanket off her lap and standing up, smoothing down her clothes.
“Tune khud restart kitti si.”
“Toh phir, thank you mainu karne den de layi.”
“Main tainu rok vi nahi sakda si.”
“Good. Yaad rakhi eh.” She returned his playful wink from earlier, her eyes sparkling dangerously.
Vyom turned off the television and watched her silently as she walked over to the hallway light switch. Suddenly, a cold, empty feeling hit his chest. He felt like something vital was missing. Then he realized what it was. It was her. The comforting, highly addictive warmth of her body pressed next to him. He hadn’t wanted the night to end just yet. But it was also that fluttering feeling that had disappeared along with her walking away.
Her presence. Her sweet smell. Her… terrifying closeness. Her soft hand resting over his racing heart.
He desperately told himself it was absolutely nothing, even though his dark eyes currently tracked her every single movement, watching the hypnotic sway of her wide hips as she turned around to look back at him.
She smiled gently, those hazel eyes still sparkling. “Good night, Vyom. So ja chup chap, subah tang na kari.”
“Goodnight, Urvin.” He smiled back warmly, completely ignoring the wild thumping in his chest.
She turned off the light and disappeared around the corner into her room. The heavy door clicked shut. Vyom sat there for a long time in the absolute dark. He repeatedly lied to himself, swearing that whatever he was currently feeling… it was nothing.
It was just enjoying his sister’s company for the first time in a long while. It was just sharing a warm blanket and an old movie. It was just the innocent comfort of another human being. It was… it was something he absolutely shouldn’t be trying to explain away in the first place.
