It was supposed to be just another night - the kind you forget. Not the one that would change everything. The last before she left everything behind to begin again, somewhere far away, on her own.
Familiar faces, distant laughter, and conversations blurred into nothing the moment her eyes found him, when she least expected.
Five years, she has told herself countless times to let it go - that he might never look at her the way she does, but. And yet, somewhere deep inside she still hoped.
He stood apart from the crowd, quietly as always, as if the world moved around him but never touched him.
Tonight, however, was hers.
The quite hope inside her would like to test itself.
Perhaps, without realizing it, all those years of inner conflicts had been preparing her for this moment - giving her courage she never thought she had
And tonight, she would use it.... even if it meant risking everything.
"Never expected to see someone as serious as you here....in a pub" she said, walking towards him.
"Something must have brought me here, and you? having your farewell party?" he asked, though something in his voice felt.... familiar.
Something... less distant.
"Got company?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her eyes betrayed her - revealing the truth of her heart.
Even her hair seemed to betray her nerves. She tucked the strand of hair behind her ear, hoping her hands wouldn't.
"Amm, I had. My friends insisted I come, and now they're nowhere to be found," he replied softly.
oh... so it was not a girl, that's a relief...
"Looks like someone needs company" she said, taking the initiative, her thoughts racing behind her calm expression..
"Well..." he said, smiling.
She has waited a long time for a moment like this.... a moment when she wasn't invisible to him.
"So, done with your party?" he asked.
"Yep, but how did you know I was here for my farewell party?" she asked.
Her heart already answered that question even before he could. For the first time, she felt he was paying some attention to her.
"Well, my mom..... she's obsessed with you. Just short of adopting you. She keeps talking about you all day," he replied instantly, as if making clear that it wasn't him trying to keep track of her whereabouts.
Both smiled.
"Cheers....."
They talked for a long time, as if both had been waiting for a moment like this - just for themselves, away from the world.
Long enough for her to believe it was never one sided..... that both of them had been holding back their true feelings until now.
Tonight, even the air between them couldn't bear the distance, as if it wanted nothing left between.
The glasses lost count, the drinks tasted better all of a sudden and slowly... all the noises faded.
For her, it was only him - everything else stopped.
Her mind was sober, but the heart was tipsy. The heart had taken over the body tonight, and mind was no longer the controller.
I don't wish to wake up ever.
She moved closer. And now, it felt like he was drifting with her in the same tide.
His hands were drawn to her, gently tucking a strands of her hair behind her ear. She felt the softest touch ever.
Her body felt weightless, goosebumps rising across her skin.
"Are you cold?" he asked gently.
"Nope.... it's you making me feel the chill, " she teased.
His hands lingered, unable to pull away from her soft skin.
"Well, am I that scary? " he asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Hmm, always cold, quite and scary" she said playfully.
He has already taken over her thoughts, and she loved the feeling.
And in that moment, he was falling too.
Never seen her like this, why am I drawn to her so much? I just want her more and more now. Is it the drink that's making me feel like this or is it her?
"Then let me make you forget my scary side" he said softly, his voice low and almost dangerous.
The hand that had been caressing her moments ago, pulled her closer.
The kiss was softer than anything she had ever felt - gentler than his touch, yet far more dangerous.
"Its late, I'll drop you safely" he said with hesitation, unwilling to let her go.
"hmm...." she couldn't utter a word.
The ride was quieter. Both were at a loss of words, sharing the same thought - of not letting go - yet hesitation held them back.
The silence in the car felt heavier than any words.
When the car stopped, neither of them moved immediately.
"You drank quite a bit back there. You should rest for a while..... you can come in, if you want," she said, her voice was carrying a hint of hesitation.
He hesitated - just for a moment, then followed her.
He felt the scent and the warmth of her presence spread all over her place.
So vibrant..... as if I've stepped into another world - hers.
She showed him the way to the living room, brought some water, and sat next to him quietly.
The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, unfamiliar.... yet comforting.
"Are you sleepy?" she asked, trying to break the silence, though realizing this may indicate otherwise.
"No, I mean if you are sleepy, I can make you some coffee," she added quickly, trying to cover up.
"Thanks, but I am fine," he chuckled.
He tried his best to look calm, but the faint tremble in his hand gave him away.
The water in the glass spilled slightly, mirroring the turmoil between them.
She tried to help to clean it up, only to end up moving even closer to him.
It wasn't meant to happen... and yet it did.
Maybe it was the night, or the years of silence between them finally breaking.
One moment, they were too close - and the next, distance no longer existed.
And neither of them tried to stop it....
Refusing even a second of distance, they held each other tighter.
Her hands wanted to feel him more, lingering over his back, then his neck, and into the soft strands of his hair.
He held her in his arms, standing up with ease, as if she were weightless, and started walking.
His gaze made her numb, and she guided him to the bedroom.
He laid her gently, like he was holding something fragile.
His long hand reached for the light switch to turn it off, but she stopped him.
"I want to look at your face, don't turn it off," she said softly.
She felt the warmth of his breath close to her shoulder, his lips trailing softly along her neck.
I wish we could stay like this forever... I wish this moment would last a little longer.
But the morning came too quickly.
Waking up in his arms was something she could never imagine. But instead of feeling like dream come true, she felt lost.
"Good morning," she smiled.
For him, a moment of soft touches had led
to an unforgettable night - and maybe an unforgiveable one.
"Morning," he smiled, though there was a bitterness in it.
She rushed to washroom, fixing her hair & face.
A lot of thoughts were racing through her mind. She felt both happy and nervous at once.
What's next? she thought.
At one moment, she felt this was the start - that she would be with him forever.
The next moment filled her with fear of a negative out
come.
She convinced herself to stay positive, even considering walking away from the life already set for her - her studies and business abroad, a future she was meant to leave for in just a few days.
After talking to herself for a while in washroom, she came back to find him and have breakfast together.
"What would you like to have for..." she couldn't finish, as he wasn't there.
She ran to look for him, barefoot - but he was already gone - without a word.
What happened last night was never meant to last. And deep down, they both knew it.
So without promises, without explanation... they chose to walk away.
As if it had meant nothing. Even when it meant everything..... at least to her.
As planned, she left her city - her hometown - to focus on her career, her future.
Leaving the night, and that unfinished chapter of her first love, behind - one that was never truly finished.
Unaware of what's coming next..... that the night was only the beginning of something beyond her imagination.
Unaware that she wouldn't be walking alone for too long.