Privacy is something that we Indians seldom have the liberty to enjoy. Especially when you’re in love. Though we live in a country of 1 billion plus, and babies are not dropped by cranes at the door steps, our society still very much shun young lovers and their little happiness and subtle naughtiness. The gentle holding of the hands while walking down the streets, the soft brush of lips against the cheeks, the innocent embrace of each other.
Being seen together like that is a field’s play for the society. “Did you hear that Mr. Manhotra’s daughter was seen with this guy at…” and so the gossip goes on.
Which why you see a lot of us in coffee shops, malls, parks, movie theaters and places like that where in the mist of other couples we can escape from the preying eyes of society.
This particular day, I was more than happy. I was blessed to spend more time with my love than the usually allotted time.
For some unexplained reasons females enjoy seeing guys going down on their knees and pleading them to stay longer. Half an hour before she had to leave, she would announce that she needs to get back home, just so that the guy would start to plead her to stay longer, mostly it goes “Sweetie 5 more mins, just stay for 5 more mins, please??”. Though she has no intention of leaving that soon, she’d still say I need to get back home. But whatever said and done she would stay a little longer, the guy happy that she stayed longer and the girl happy to know that she’s wanted.
That day we had plans of seeing a movie. I went to pick her up near to her home in my most neatly washed and pressed cloths, she was waiting for me glowing with happiness. I had often wondered how did I get so blessed to be with her.
Given that all Indian movies, with their melodrama, romance, fights, songs and dances, they usually last 3 hours, I was euphoric, just at thoughts of being with her that long without having to glance around now and then just to see who all are watching us.
It was a new release and we knew there would be a huge rush for the movie, we knew we had to reach there earlier so that we could get a seat. All the more better, this would mean more time to be with her.
We arrived at the theater well in advance to get the tickets only to find the whole place packed with college students. Luckily were got a couple of tickets before every single seat was occupied. As much as I hate being in a crowded place, we both were relieved to know that we would be lost in the crowd and the probability of being spotted was very slim.
Trying to be the man, I went and brought a few snacks and lead her into the theater. We found our seats and got comfortable. We waited a while for the seats to fill. A while after the lights went dim and the screen came alive, it took some time for the crowd to settle down like the dusts after a windy day. Slowly everyone started getting engrossed in the movie.
We ate whatever was with us and after a while she slipped her hands under mine so that she could hold my hands. She looked at me and gave me the most pleasing smile. I smiled back and took her hands, her fingers entangled in mine, I knew she was enjoying the warmth of my hands. I looked ahead and continued to watch the movie.
Soon time passed and it was the interval. Many got up to take a break, we stayed in our seats, our hands still entangled in each other’s arm, we were very much comfortable the way we were. After a short break the movie resumed.
After a while I could feel her shifting her weight and moving closer to me. Naturally I shifted closer to her so that we could cuddle up more closer. Those were the times I wisher there was no arm rest in between the seats. So we sat as close as we can next to each other trying to concentrate on the movie. Me, softly tracing her palm with my fingers. At one point she pinched my inner palm, to which I looked into her eyes. She looked straight into me without even flinching.
I raised my brow, asking what happened to which she gave me a mischievous smile and winked. I smiled back and went back to watching the movie. Now it was she who was softly scratching my inner palm, leaving me a little ticklish, with a tingling sensation. For some reason something was burning up inside me, the movie started to seem so less important anymore. After much toleration of the tickling, I slowly took her hands and brought it close to my mouth, waiting to see if she would pull away her hands or show any signs of restriction. Seeing none I placed a small peck on her hands, and glanced over to her.
She said nothing but only smiled. To which I kissed her hands a second time, only this time I let the kiss linger a little longer. I looked at her for some reaction, all I got was the same pleasant inviting smile. I moved closer to her now and kissed her bare shoulders. Still nothing. By now I was having an adrenaline rush. I strained a little and kissed on her forehead and then slowly her cheeks. I could feel the warmth of her cheeks, even in the darkness I could feel her face flushed. I pulled back a little to look at her only to see the same desire in her eyes that my eyes carried. My heart was pounding by now, I moved closer to her and strained over, my face inching slowly towards hers. Fearing all the way if she would pull back or if she would stop me. None of the two happened. I went as far as I should, stopping a few centimeters away from her lips. Waiting, waiting for her come the rest of the way.
Reluctantly at first, but slowly she closed the gap with a partly open mouth. Our lips met for the first time, surrounded by 100’s of people in a dark theater that played a movie. None of that existed for us that moment. Not the people, not the movie, no one. It was just me and her and with our lips closely knitted. Her soft supple moist lips on mine.
I slowly brought my hand up and cupped her face. I have no idea how long we stayed that way, eyes closed and lips together. All I know was I had to open my eyes to come to reality, the reality of her pulling away. The reality of we were in the middle of a movie in a theater.
We both slumped back in our seats. Dazed by what just happened. WET, was the first word that went thru my mind. “So that’s how it feels like to kiss someone. Sweet, warm and wet”. I licked my lips to trace the taste of hers on mine. Intoxicated by the taste I was hungry for more. I glanced over to her, again to find the same hunger in her eyes as mine. I moved closer this time more confident, but before I could do anything, she caught me by my collar and pulled me closer and whispered in my ears.. “kiss me”.
I still don’t remember what happened next, but all I remember was its something that I’d always remember.
I remember me placing my lips on hers again. I remember there was a ferocity to that kiss that the first kiss lacked. We kissed harder, slowly the lips parting our kiss evolved to an open mouth kiss. With her suckling on my lower lip and we exchanging turns. Her hands still clutching my shirt she pulled me in closer. My arms went around her and holding and pulling her even closer to me. The sweet taste of her saliva in my mouth intoxicating me. The unexplainable feeling of her warm wet mouth against mine.
I have no recollection of how long we kissed, but we both broke out panting and breathing hard, slumping back to our seats. Both of us wearing a satisfied smile on our face, we went back to watch the rest of the movie with our thoughts reeling.
My mind jumping in joy at thought of the many more to come..
