My first full-blown short story! This one is titled “Heartbeats”

HEART BEATS

The long aisles of Landmark wore an abandoned look as Arnab lazily sifted through the ‘Fiction’ titles. A four-year old whizzed past him, toy soldier in hand, being chased by his agitated mother visibly embarrassed with the child’s histrionics. Outside the bookstore, torrential showers dashed with all their might. The eager rain seemed too aroused to make love to the thirsty Earth.

‘Aaaaa-cheee!’

He looked up. Oh my God! Waltzing through the door was the most beautiful creature on Earth. He could feel his heart pounding wildly against his chest and James Blunt croon “You are beautiful” in his ears.

An exquisite beauty – a bright orange flowing skirt that purred along with her fluid movements, a T-shirt adorning her bosom that screamed ‘Let’s Play’ in leafy green, tresses wet with fresh rain idly resting over her face and a nose ring that reminded him of Sania Mirza – clouded his eyes as the world seemed to melt away.

She looked around, fingers running through the water trickling hair as her bracelets made tinkling sounds – a dazed smile across her face. Their eyes met. For a full two seconds, they stared into each other’s dilated pupils taking each other in and then the boy looked down. She suddenly felt a grip tighten in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what triggered the attraction within. But he was enchanting in a way that defied all explanation.

Arnab was busy cursing himself as he stared blankly into the pages thinking why did he not smile. In movies, cupid strikes instantly as both the hero and the girl smile at first sight. ‘Ah! It’s pretty simple. Just look up and s-m-i-l-e!” “No! Damn it!” “She would think I am a jerk”. Thoughts zoomed through his numb brain, yet nothing transitioned into action.

The girl unsure tiptoed back and forth. She stared at the rack of chocolates, absentmindedly picking up some Chocopies. A few seconds later, she again shot a look in the boy’s direction. Nope! He was still into his books. If only he would look up. His ruffled hair, intense eyes and a face dripping with warmth and intellect (at least she felt so) were driving her crazy. Her heart had started playing games she never knew it knew.

She walked past the cash counter and entered the aisle next to his. No reaction. A little dejected, she started scanning the books. “Ahem… Pretty wet, huh? Enjoying the… the… the lovely rain, I guess” – Arnab managed to utter.

“Yeah! Wouldn’t miss it for the world!” He marveled at the twinkle in her eyes as she giggled, “Although, technically, I am not allowed to get wet, you know. Mom and Dad get real cranky…”

The sound of her laughter rang in his ears making him all the more dizzy. “Yeah! Its fun to defy them sometimes and get wild. Loads of fun! I am Arnab, by the way” “Shalini” Their hands shook, the elegance of a palm-to-palm kiss lingering a second longer.

“I wouldn’t want the darling daughter to catch a cold though. Hey, ahem… can I buy you a cuppa coffee?” Damn! Arnab wondered where that came from. But he kept a straight face and tried to smile. She didn’t say anything for a few seconds (as Arnab’s heartbeats escalated limits and seconds felt like eternity) and then her lips parted gently forming the words, “I’d love to.”

Serene Happiness engulfed him as he saw her radiating with joy. He looked down upon the book he was holding. It said, “In a Heartbeat” As both of them started walking out and towards the coffee joint, their hands brushing against each others’, anticipation and uncertainty brimmed up their hearts – life was never going to be the same again.

“Maybe heartbeats do know the answers. Let them guide you. ‘Coz only they can trace through the treasure map that points towards the bountiful riches of life”.

—
Siddhartha