Chapter Five - Local tours
Anita
As usual for a Saturday morning, I was getting ready to go to my parents for the weekend. I was almost done with my makeup, and was applying lipstick in front of the mirror when I heard the sound of a bike stopping nearby. The sound of the bike was distinctly of an Enfield Bullet and intuitively, I thought of Paul. It could not be Paul; others could have the same bike. I pacified myself but could not resist verifying and rushed to the window of my room. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him standing at the gate, looking at the same open window to where I rushed. As our eyes met, I waved, asking him to wait there. I chuckled as I checked myself in the mirror, not bad in a green sari; on coming out and locking the room, I walked to the front gate.
I got his mesmerized look. "Good morning. How do you know, we're going out?"
"What do you mean? I'm going to my parents."I smiled.
"Oh, I see." He looked disheartened and continued with a pause, "I thought we could go somewhere else."
It surprised me. "Really? Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
"Well, I didn't plan it but thought that being local, I should show you some good places here," he answered.
Wondering about his girlfriends, I felt flattered that he thought of me, and cared enough to show me places and obviously provide me with a ride on his bike.
"Oh, Paul, you should have thought that till we were in the office. Anyway thanks for your offer and if you don't mind, would you please drop me at the bus terminus?"
He did not listen to me fully, but rather spoke about a beautiful lake nearby and ended in asking me, "Do you have to go early? You could start in the afternoon also."
I had heard about the lake, famous for its scenic beauty and not very far. He told me it would not take much time and we could come back by three in the afternoon. I was in two minds as reaching home early was not a priority and riding his bike was always thrilling for me.
I agreed, "Ok, since you insist, let us go to the lake first but you have to drop me at the bus terminus on the way back."
"Much better, please hop on," he indicted towards the pillion of his bike.
I could not skip the chance of teasing, "Are not you scared of your girlfriends? They may break your legs if they see me on your bike." I laughed.
"Don't worry silly, I don't have any such girlfriend, except maybe you." He winked.
I feigned surprise, "Oh, really? I never knew that! Did you propose to me? Maybe in your dream?" I laughed. "Since when am I your girlfriend?"
"Stop teasing, I did that just now." He appeared shy.
I laughed and rolled my eyes, "No, Paul, I deserve much better than that! Come on to your knees, Paul!"
"Madam, you said you have to go home this afternoon and we are losing time now," he answered.
I sat on the pillion and he started the engine. I liked riding his bike, especially with Paul and the manly bike he rides. Scared of falling, he did not have to ask me to hold him tightly but he did warn me before speeding up when we reached the outskirts of town. My clutch from behind turned so that I was hugging him from behind.
After riding about half an hour, on reaching an unpaved, bumpy road, I did literally press myself on his back, securing him tightly. He had experience with his girlfriends and surely knew how to make them clutch him. I clutched him more out of panic but instinctively felt he enjoyed it and it may be the real reason for taking me on a ride.
The huge lake was fed by a small rivulet, and was surrounded by lush manmade greenery, flowers, and tall trees with cement benches kept under the leafy branches. Nature always soothed tensed nerves. Forgetting the panicky ride, I felt happy for being amidst nature and instantly thanked him for bringing me there. Holding my hand, he was smiling and told me, "Let us walk and I'll show you a mermaid."
Leaning against him, I enquired, "Really?"
And he nodded his head, "Yes."
From the entrance at the west side, we walked through the road surrounding the lake, reaching north east, where the lake was a little protruded but invisible all along from the other end. A beautiful statue of a mermaid, made of white marble, was kept on a small island inside the lake. I spotted an empty bench, kept under a big tree and asked him, "May we sit there?"
He nodded again. Sitting on the bench, maybe inadvertently, I leaned my head against his arm, must be an effect of the serenity of the place. The place where we were seated was secluded, hidden from view from the road. We sat a while in silence, soaking in the peacefulness of the place and I broke the silence asking him about his life.
He did not answer for a while but started with losing his father at a tender age, struggles his mom had while raising him single handedly, his growing up and achievements. Lost in his story, he looked so tender. To bring him back into reality, I asked him about his girlfriends. He looked at me and smiled. "No girlfriends, just friends."
I told him nonchalantly, "Stop lying and tell me honestly."
Breaking our gaze, he took my hand to his lips and kissed it. "Would you mind to be my girlfriend?"
Drawing my hand back, I mocked him, "I do not want to be beaten by your ex."
He responded, "Silly girl."
I got proposals in my college days but nothing serious and as usual, they did not last. I wanted to believe in him but was not sure about his true feelings and I wanted to be sure before committing to anything serious. At the same time, I felt he was speaking from his heart. He asked me, "Do you have anyone special in your life?"
I nodded, "Yes, my dad and my mommy."
He smiled and I did not know what to think when he took my hand in his palm, playing with my fingers. I sat silently, leaning against his shoulder; engrossed and enjoying the view. He turned and placed his lips on mine, kissing me slowly. It was so natural that I closed my eyes and did not know how long it lasted.
He hugged me and I felt so safe in his arms. My face fell on his chest and his mild cologne filled my senses. Slowly his hand moved up, leaving my hand on his lap, and reached my breasts. I felt his caressing fingers, moving over my breasts, and maybe since they did not cuddled for long, wanted for more and I sighed on his chest.