Hey everybody. Am glad my story interested you. This is my first attempt at writing.
Please leave a feedback so i can work on the follow up content. Happy reading.
Ankit had known Poonam for a long time. They were the best of friends and were there for each other. They were both introverts but could spend hours in each other’s company. They understood one another and enjoyed the peace it got.
Their lives were poles apart, with Ankit having a lavish lifestyle, being the son of a successful businessman. He had everything a person could wish for, but his parents never had the time for him. He wasn’t a materialistic guy. When he drove around in his Mercedes or used the latest iPhone, people called him a show-off, but it was just his means to an end. His friends were intimidated by him and termed his self-esteem as rudeness.
Poonam, on the other end, lived with her mom in a small flat. Her father had run away with their neighbour when she was 15 and they just had each other to support. After years of legal battle, they had been able to acquire a house, along with some investments in shares and gold. But emotionally, they were shattered. Her mother struggled to raise a child on her own and protecting herself and her young daughter from prying eyes.
Their loneliness and sadness somehow became a bonding agent in their friendship. But lately, Ankit sensed romantic feelings developing in Poonam towards him. There was a constant effort to get his attention through expensive gifts, physical intimacy, and long outings. Ankit tried his best to balance the relationship and not hurt her.
*****
Every time Ankit had a day off, Poonam would make plans to hang out together. But today, her actions were suspicious. She looked nervous, like she was debating on whether she should do something or not, she took him for a movie with recliner seats, spending a lot more than was needed. And to top it all, the movie wasn’t a hit, plus owing to the weekday, the theatre was scarcely occupied. Ankit wanted to object but waited to see what lay ahead. He didn’t have to wait long.
Half an hour into the movie, Poonam asked him out of the blue: “Do you think my breasts are too big?”
Poonam had the habit of interfering during the movies, so Ankit had developed a habit of ignoring her.
Calling out again, she said, “Anki-i-i-it!”
Whenever she stretched out his name, he knew he was needed. “Yeah Poonam, what is it,” he asked, looking her way.
“Do you think my breasts are too big?”
She always said stupid things, wanting to feel appreciated for her looks, but this was different.
“You are beautiful Pooh, you know that. As for your breasts, how shall I know?. I’ve never seen them, right?” He tried to brush it off.
He went back to seeing the movie as she continued to fidget in her seat. He held her hand and indicated her to watch the movie.
She pulled at his hand in some time, diverting his attention. He noticed that she had reclined her seat and the top two buttons of her shirt were undone.
“What would you say now,” was all she said.
Ankit was dumbstruck at the sight in front of him. He kept looking at the rise and fall of her swelled-up breast, encased in a pretty blue bra. They looked beautiful and inviting. He had never looked at his best friend in this way. He was about to reach out when someone coughed, bringing him back to his senses.
Ankit felt disoriented and immediately regretted his move. He felt uncomfortable sitting in the hall beside her and decided to leave. He hardly sought her permission or opinion when it came to his emotion. Poonam had never complained or shown it bothered her, today, being no different. She followed him along, her heart in her throat. She felt that maybe if she offered herself physically to him, he might finally notice her love, but that, too, had failed. She felt defeated.
“I’m sorry Poonam. But you know I don’t see you that way,” he said, trying to pacify her.
“Why not? Am I not attractive? Do you not enjoy my company?”
“It’s not that. You are beautiful and have a wonderful heart. Any guy would be lucky to have you.” Pausing, he continued, ‘I just don’t have romantic feelings for you. I only see you as a friend, and I don’t want to lose that.” He was thinking hard, not wanting to say something inappropriate.
“I think we should just forget this ever happened,” Ankit said gently, trying not to hurt her feelings.
Poonam felt her heart break. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks in fat droplets. Ankit wasn’t prepared to deal with the situation. She had never created a scene in public. Unsure of how to handle her, he decided to take her home. Her mother worked as a secretary and he knew the house would be empty, giving him a chance to set things right.
He quickly flagged down a rickshaw and helped her into the carriage. The journey was in silence. She lay on his shoulders and continued to cry. Ankit sat quietly, letting her vent out the pain. On reaching home, he made her sit on the sofa while he got her some water. Wiping off the tears from her face, he hugged her. He knew he was at fault, as he had given her false hope trying to touch her. She wasn’t the type of girl who would go around with anybody. It had taken a lot of courage for her to offer herself to him.
Hugging wasn’t new to them, but today felt different. He could make out her bra straps as his hands were on her back, and a picture of her chocolate-colour cleavage tucked in a blue bra ran through his mind. Poonam was the 1st girl he had opened up to, discussing about love, innerwear to attraction with the opposite sex. They were both naive, exploring new territories in the bounds of their friendship.
As she calmed down, she began to hug him tighter. Her arms were around him, her head rested on his chest. He placed his arms on her waist to avoid the temptation, but was in for a surprise. Her shirt had probably ridden up when she snuggled and he could feel her bare waist. This wasn’t new to him. Ankit had held her by her waist as they walked, many times her breasts had brushed against his arms and every now and then he got a glimpse of her waist or cleavage. But for the 1st time, he enjoyed these sensations. The body beside him felt like a tender woman waiting to be explored.
He could feel her stomach moving in rhythm with her breathing, while her soft skin grazed his palms. Poonam surely felt his hand and thought he would move away. But when he stayed, her heart fluttered. The guy’s touch she longed for was reaching out and accepting her. Though he enjoyed this intimacy, he did not want to slip away and take advantage of her. He wanted it to be love and not lust.
He very slowly took out his hand and straightened up. Poonam came back to her senses, wondering why he stopped.
“Pooh! I hope you know that you will always be a person close to my heart. I love you for what you are, I love you for what you do for me and I am privileged to receive your love. But I cannot go on like this. I don’t want to ruin our friendship for sinister pleasures.”
As he spoke, her heart went through a roller coaster ride. This was the 1st time he was speaking his heart to her. He had never shown what she meant to him and it was more than she could ask for. She was filled with emotions and couldn’t hold back. She leaned forward and kissed him, knowing this was the only chance she had. In the spur of the moment, she’d done something she always wanted but shouldn’t have.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ankit looked at her and saw a blank look on her face. She could not face him and began to shiver in fright. She knew his temper.
He gathered that he was being hard on her. The situation needed to be handled delicately.
As she began to get up and leave, he held her shirt from one side and a few buttons of her shirt came undone. He realised they were push buttons and let go immediately.
She squealed, quickly covering herself up. Looking away, she quickly buttoned up her shirt.
“What were you thinking?” She was frustrated, going through a turmoil of emotions. It was hard for her to face his rejection and disinterest.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know they were push buttons.” Ankit apologised, trying to look away.
“And I didn’t know you’d be pulling at it.”
This was not the tone Ankit was used to from Poonam. She was exceptionally sweet to him and he sensed things going sideways.
“Sit down Pooh. Let’s talk it through.” He tried moving closer, but she pushed him away.
“What’s there to talk. You have already shown your lack of interest in me. I know am not the one you desire.”
Before she could say further, he leaned forward, almost kissing her lips, but instead kissed her cheek.
This changed the atmosphere of the room. He didn’t know why he did it, but he felt he owed it to her. She had been so patient with him and shown her unconditional love for him. His heart was melting away. Maybe she was the one he was meant to be with.
He continued his kisses on her face, kissing her cheeks, nose & forehead. Poonam was transfixed. Was she dreaming right now? She just held her breath, her desire to kiss him coming up again. As he came close, she held his head and tried kissing him. He moved away.
He held her shoulders and pulled her away. “I think aunty might be home soon.”
Poonam looked at the clock. “We still have an hour with us.” She again came forward to kiss him, but he held her back.
“Poonam, I’m sorry but I can’t do this.” Saying so, he went to the hall.
She knew she had messed up. Ankit wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage of her vulnerability. He would blame himself and distance himself from her. She left him alone, knowing he needed time to analyse the situation.
She got up and went to the bathroom. After peeing, as she was leaving, she looked in the mirror and saw her lipstick all worn off, her hair astray and a unique glow on her face. As she was lost in her thoughts, she heard Ankit call out, “Poonam, I’m leaving.”
“What?” Reality suddenly hit her and she ran outside. He had already packed his stuff and worn his shoes. In a minute, her world had turned upside down. There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t. She just went ahead and hugged him. Maybe this was the last time she saw him, she didn’t know.
He left, without saying a word. Was he mad at her? Did she go too far? Had she lost her best friend? Was it her lust or love that she expressed?. All of these questions ran through her mind.
When her mom arrived, she was flushed. Her mom asked her what was wrong, but she just avoided her by saying, “Just had a long day. Will get some rest.” She went to bed, unable to rest, constantly checking her phone in case he tries to connect.
To be continued…..