She: “Hey YOU said the ice-cream shop was close by.”

She: “Oh! So like they show in movies, you will give me your jacket.”

She: “Boy, you are moving really fast, aren’t you?”

(The clouds rumbled for the fourth time and it started raining heavily.)

Me: “Code Red. I repeat. Code Red. Ma’am, you are requested to enter this protective jacket.”

(We barely managed to share the jacket, since I was particularly muscular. I knew it was a stupid idea, but I did not want to lose out on the opportunity. She knew it too.)

She: “Okay. This is not working. We both are getting drenched. Let us wait somewhere for the rain to subside. Maybe, under that Banyan tree.”

(She pointed towards some tree like object in the dark. I strained my eyes.)

Me: “How do you know that’s a Banyan tree? I can barely see it.”

She: “Is that your concern right now?”

(She had a point. After dinner we had walked away from our vehicles for close to a kilometer; engrossed in our conversation. We waited under the tree whose identity was still ambiguous. I removed my stupid jacket which was wet from the inside too; making it pointless to wear. I noticed her stare at my biceps which were emphasized due to sticking of the soaked shirt. I smiled. She removed her hair pin, opened her hair and adjusted it with both hands. And now it was my turn to stare.)

Me: “Why the hell does it need to rain every day?”

Me: “I am not very fond of the “Rainy Season”. I have some bad memories associated with it.”

Me: “Well, for starters, my school always reopened after vacations during monsoons. Then there were the bullies who threw me into every puddle they found; punishing me for topping the class.”

Me: “Yes. Actually!” 

(She hugged me. The feeling was beyond words. She was the softest thing that I’d ever touched. Simply the feeling of having her in my arms made me feel on top of the world. I was leaning against the tree; her head on my chest. I could feel her warm breaths. I was thankful to the Rain Gods for making this happen. I stopped hating the Monsoon Season that moment onward. It was time for new memories now. Memories with my Rose. We were in that position for around ten minutes. I wondered if she had fallen asleep.)

Me: “Rosey?”

Me: “Are you going to sleep like this?”
 

Me: “Not that I mind, but this stem has a sharp edge which has been poking my butt for the last ten minutes. I noticed it just now and it HURTS! Ouch!!”

(She laughed hard. I shifted from my position. She whispered back into my ear.)

She: “Adi, I am surprised that you didn’t ask for your reward.”

(I whispered back. I think we had started playing a Whispers game, unintentionally.)

Me: “I have never stopped thinking about that. I did not ask you because I did not want you to feel compelled. Our nascent relationship is way beyond this.”

(She looked up into my eyes. I could see intense admiration in them. I could see the passion which I was feeling all along. She brought her lips close to my face and stayed there; maintaining eye contact. 

She: “That’s your reward.”

(I had a lump in my throat.)

Me: “The secret to your name has been revealed sweetheart! It is your lips; just like The Rose.”

(She looked into my eyes again. Maybe she no longer cared if I found out about her tears. Her moist eyes sparkled like diamonds. They were looking even more beautiful than the other night.)

(I cupped her face with my palms. I wiped the tears formed over her cheeks using my thumbs.)

Me: “As gorgeous as your eyes are looking right now, this is the last time I want to see you cry. You are with ME now!”

 (We kissed again. This time deep. The passion was like a raging inferno. I don’t remember for how long we kissed.

The only thing I remember is waking up below that tree. I still wasn’t convinced it was a Banyan tree. There was a hint of dawn. The rain had stopped. I was sitting on the wet, muddy ground with my back against the bark. My lips felt really sore. I could barely move my mouth. She was still asleep. Her head once again resting on my chest.  My nose felt moist. I had probably caught cold.)

“Aa…aaan..aanchoo….”

(She woke up with a start; glaring at me.)

She: “Is this the way to wake someone up?”

(She looked even more pretty when angry.)

Me: “Ask that to the cold virusss…Aaan…..aanchooo.”

(She smiled and stood up.)

She: “Well, this is the craziest and also the most romantic thing I have ever done in my life.”
 

(She smiled while helping me up and gave me a tight slap on my right butt-cheek.)

She: “Get it some massage and it will be alright.” 

She: “Control those horses………… horny creature!”

(I smiled)

Me: “Alright! Let’s get some coffee and head home.”

She: “You know, for a guy who has never been in a relationship before, you are a really good kisser.”

(She giggled again, the way I always wanted to see her. I could do anything to see her smile.)

We walked towards the horizon hand in hand, our fingers entangled; gazing at the early morning sun without a care in the world. I felt her glance from the side. I looked back. I think we both knew what that meant. It was happening. Happening fast, but yes, it was indeed happening.

After all, you never know when love strikes you.