"So, is that the kind of guy you like?" Shaurya's softly asked question brought her back to reality.
She wanted to give him a flippant answer but somehow the hurt in her heart resurfaced.
With a wry twist to her lips, she replied, "I am not sure if I want to like any guy, anymore. You see, unlike you, everything about me is normal. Despite that, or because of that, my relationship didn't work out. At the end of it, I asked myself if I was lacking, or was he? Probably, it is me…"
Her next words remained unspoken because Shaurya had grabbed her neck and placed his lips on hers with a sudden force. Mriga's body froze into inaction. They had been sitting so close to each other that all he needed to do was twist his torso and take her in his arms.
A part of Shaurya's brain was aghast at his behavior. Had he lost his mind? But that rational bit was squashed ruthlessly under the pressure of the pent-up emotions inside him.
One of his arms had encircled her back, while the other was around her neck. Though not deliberately planned, the position had really left no space between their bodies. Realising that he was clutching her too tightly, he relaxed his hold on her neck and slipped his fingers through her hair.
His lips which had only been touching hers till now, decided to discover the texture and taste of her mouth. Taking advantage of her shocked state, he pulled her unresisting lower lip into his mouth with his teeth and nibbled on its soft inner part, almost like taking the first bite of a berry.
A shivering bolt went through Mriga's body, making her jerk back.
He released her instantly.
Avoiding her round, wide eyes and the questioning look in them, he stood up and said nonchalantly, "Reaction time was too slow. We will work upon it henceforth."
While she looked at him uncomprehendingly, he continued with a shrug of his shoulders, "Wallowing in self-pity and self-doubt is something that doesn't suit you. It would be any guy's privilege and honour to be able to receive your attention and affection."
He gave her own words back to her but she was in no state to register or respond to them.
"Let's go back. Your parents must be wondering about your whereabouts," with that, he pulled her up and started to climb down.
She still hadn't spoken a word.
"I got to brazen it out! Did I just lose my mind back there? What was I thinking??? Oh God! the taste of her mouth..." Shaurya's insides were screaming.
All he had wanted to do was to make her feel better after listening to those broken words coming out of her mouth. The rage that he felt towards the guy for making her sound so hurt and unsure made him lose his sanity in that moment.
It was only after a couple of minutes that Mriga realised that her fingers were entwined with his. When did he take her hand? Hastily she pulled it out and he didn't offer any resistance, as if she was the one who had put it in there, first.
Dying with mortification, she didn't know whether or how to ask about what just happened. He looked so calm and collected as if what occurred a while ago was a normal occurrence for him.
"Was he trying to make me feel better? Wait a minute, does he offer comfort to all girls in this manner? Was I feeling sorry for him in vain all this while? Is he a player?" unaware of the black thoughts swirling in her head, Shaurya walked besides her with a small smile on his lips.
He had finally calmed down. His entire being was thrumming with her smell and taste. It was like his soul had come alive after a really long time.
"I… don't, I mean next time… ahem, what I am trying to say is that if, not that it would happen but if I, or any other girl is distraught or upset in front of you, don't be so quick to offer support in this, umm... manner. The situation requires a few words of encouragement and not, uh, any drastic action," she said, indignation apparent in her voice.
He moved his head sideways but Mriga was resolutely staring at the ground.
Careful to not let his smile filter through his words, he replied, "This is only my first time offering encouragement in such personal matters. I thought that showing my sincerity would be more effective than saying some empty words."
Mriga stopped and raised her eyes to look at him in amazement. He truly was a 'man of action.'
While one part of her was relieved that he didn't go around doing this to others, the other part was amused at his stupidity. Forgetting the intimacy and awkwardness of a few moments ago, she patted his arm.
"I thought as much! You are clearly inexperienced when it comes to the matters of heart and offering advices. In this case, you must listen to me. Henceforth, when a girl comes to you and bares her heart out, you must only show your 'sincerity' through words and that too, neutral ones. Otherwise, they may perceive you as a pervert," she sounded smug.
Shaurya was shocked at this girl's thought process. How did she even reach this age without getting bullied because of her stupidity?
"I don't plan to listen to anyone else's heart and its anguish," he replied in a serious tone.
Mriga hadn't been expecting a thank you from him but this reply sounded deliberately vague.
Was he trying to say that he won't repeat the behaviour or was it an admonishment to her for telling him about her situation in the first place and as a result, it was somehow her fault?