I ran from bus station to my apartment complex in heavy rain. Within minutes I was in front of my apartment looking for key in my college bag. God please, please, not this time, I prayed internally. After successfully throwing everything on ground I came to the conclusion that, I lost the key again. Momma is gonna kill me! Why I can't keep a key safe? I thought to myself.

I sat dejectedly on the floor in my drenched clothes, waiting for mom to come, give me a lecture and open the god damn door. Minutes passed and I sat there in a daze watching the rain drops fall down. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I saw a shadow bending down to reach me. I suddenly looked up to see the next door guy's mom, whom I call aunty, asking me 'what happened' in Tamil.

"Key tolanj poch" (I lost the key) I said

"Ulle vaye" (Come inside) she spoke to me kindly

"Ille parava ille, amma ipo varuva" (No it's okay, mom will come soon) I politely tried to refuse her offer.

I didn't want to go there in this state, especially when her newly married north Indian daughter-in-law,Ann is there. She was beautiful. Beautiful people made me selfconscious!

"Vada chellam coffee sapit polam" (Come dear let's have a coffee) her words really touched me, I don't really remember any of my grandparents as they passed away in my early childhood itself .This lady will make a sweet grandmom , I thought to myself and went inside.

"Ivalukk suthama tamil teriyath" (She doesn't know a bit of Tamil) . Not knowing what else to say I said 'oh'. Minutes later her daughter-in-law emerged from the kitchen with 2 cups of coffee in hands. Woah she picks up words really fast. Aunty really got happy seeing her and said "Aanalum enak ivaale romba pudikyum" (Still I like her a lot) . Suddenly my phone started ringing in my pocket.

'I don't know'

'dekhte hai' (We will see)

'bolana yaar patha nai' (I told you na I "don't know ) With that I hung up.

"You speak hindi?" asked Ann. "A little" I answered. " But you speak good Hindi" . That statement just made me laugh.

"What?" she asked raising her brow.

"I mean ....... Not to offend you, but the North Indian concept of South Indians is stupid. Totally stupid"

"Why you think so?" asked Ann

"Whatever idea you have is completely based on 'The Chennai Express' , though there are a few who talk that kind of Hindi, not all are like that. And please not only Tamilians live in south India, we Keralites do exist there. And seriously we don't roam around wearing a lunky. That's stupid". I saw her trying to control her laughter.

"You are cute when you talk like that." With that she went inside taking the cups.

Aunt left to her home two days after my small meeting with Ann. Since she didn't work I was her sole source of human entertainment there. I would rush from my far away college to home just to talk to her and make her smile. Within a few weeks we became best buddies. We were comfortable in silence. We really didn't need to see each other's face to have a conversation. Sometimes I even take my home work to her house and do it there while she go through various stuff in internet or read her favorite art magazine.

One afternoon I was comfortably laying in her couch she asked me "Do you like cooking"

"yeah" I said

"What do you cook?"

"I didn't say 'I' like cooking, what I meant is I like it when people cook for me"

"I knew it" with a chuckle Ann said

"You know what, you really need to cook something for me.You always brag about your cooking skill and do not cook at all. What if you are lying to me?" I said trying to defend me .

"Okay......I will cook for you."

"You will?? " I asked in a surprised tone.

"Yeah I will but on one condition that you will show me your writings. You too said that you write and you never really showed me anything"

"Deal" I said. With that she tossed the magazine of my laying self and marched to the kitchen like a pro. Having nothing else to do I followed her like the dog in vodafone's ad.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" asked Ann

"You are making it look like a vegetable shop" I said looking at the colorful vegetables she cut.

"Don't change the topic kiddo" she said.

"No" I replied to her previous question.

"Why?"

"Because ....... I didn't find anyone I like."

"You didn't find anyone you like?" she sounded astonished.

"I mean I did."

"Then?" Ann asked in a questioning tone.

"Then what?" I retorted.

"Then why you don't have a boyfriend?"

"All the people I liked were either married or gay" I said matter of factly.

I heard her laughter filling the room. It felt like music to my ears.

"What do you think of them?" She asked out of nowhere.

"Think of whom?" She is confusing me now.

"The gays" she air quoted.

"They are cool" I said.

"What??" she asked seeming confused.

"You know you use that word a lot"

"Answer me Sam"

"Hmm..... From what I know gay people are good at heart" I said with a smile.

"So you don't have a problem with them? "

"No...It's completely their choice, they can love whoever they want. Others don't have say in that. That's what I think. " Our conversation was interrupted by the cooker whistle. Minutes later she came with a Bengali dish with a weird name. To eat what she made I had to give my 'Dream book' to her prior.

While I ate tummy full she went through my book. I wrote a lot of random stuff in various languages in it. She was actually taking her time reading the book, so I took it as my cue to relax myself in her bed.

"You loved a girl?" she asked me in a shocked tone. When I gave her my book I almost knew that she will ask me this sooner or later unless she doesn't read it well.

"Hmmm...." I just hummed in response still laying calmly in her bed. It smelt like her. I always wonder how I smelled like. I never knew it. Whenever I go to my friends' house I get their exact smell from there. My chain of thoughts were broken by her soft voice.

"Then what happened?" I took a moment to reply.

"Nothing"

"Matlab?" (Means?) Ann asked in her usual questioning tone.

"Matlab kuch bi nai hua" (Menas nothing really happened) I said.

"Hmmm...."She hummed in response. I still layed there quietly, thinking of Jyothi, my Jo. I didn't know anything about love until I happened to fall in love with her. I never knew the connection between heart and love. For a realistic person like me it's the brain that decides. But now that I broke my heart in the literal way, I really felt physical pain in my heart whenever I think of her. Does that make any sense?, it won't if you haven't had the chance to feel the magic of love. My heart really ached thinking of Jo.

"Sam bolona kya hua?" (Sam say what happened) she spoke again.

"We were in love"

"And?" Ann's curiosity was increasing per se.

"And what...it didn't work out" I told in an ignorant tone.

"Why?" now she is really irritating me.

"It just didn't Ann, now stop it" I said in a harsh tone instantly regretting it. The room went silent. It was making me uneasy. I didn't want to talk about it. I wanted to be alone in my room and cry my eyes out. But then again I wanted to get over her and Ann was making it a lot easier till the moment she asked about Jo.

"hmmm..... I will get some tea "with that she took an exit from the room. I layed there with Jo's thoughts wandering in my mind. It's been three months I spoke to her, three months I heard her melodic voice, three months and ten days I saw her face. "I don't want to see you again, please go away" her voice boomed in my ear. Shutting my eyes tight I prevented the tears from falling.

"Sam your tea" I heard Ann's voice.

I wiped my tears with my sleeves before I half stormed into her bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror looking at myself. 'Such an idiot you are, get over her' my inner voice said. I felt like punching something. With anger boiling inside me I splashed the cold water on my face harshly. With a deep breath I stepped out of the bathroom.

"All okay?" Ann asked in a concerned tone.

"Picture perfect" I said and grabbed my tea.

That evening Mumbai was raining. Unlike Kerala, it's very rare to see a rain in Mumbai. Like an excited five year old kid who just got a candy, I ran to her balcony. Things like this always lightened up my mood and made my days. Rain,stars,the night sky all these things amazed me. I was so engrossed in watching the rain that I barely noticed Ann's presence beside me.

"You are beautiful when you smile like that." She said with her breath nearly tickling my ears. She was so close to me that I could see the sparkle of rain in her eyes. It took everything in me to look away from her captivating brown eyes.

"I thou....." I was silenced by her soft lips touching mine. I could taste the milk tea she had minutes before. My entire self was melting in to that kiss. It felt like I was on fire under thousands icebergs. Without even realizing my hands reached her neck and I kissed her back. She immediately tilted her head in sideways and gave entrance to my tongue. That's when her hands reached under my shirt and I immediately pulled back gasping for air. She looked shocked for a moment but relaxed with a chuckle.

"You really haven't done that before" she said more like a question. My heart was racing. I couldn't just fathom what happened few seconds before. I can't let this happen. She was about to say something when the door bell rung.

"Perfect " She muttered. Quickly straightening her dress she went to open the door. There stood Arian completely soaked in water. "Oh my God" she exclaimed and hurried inside to get a towel.

"I thought you went in a car" she said while handling him a towel. "I did go in a car but when I saw this I got out" he said while giving her a bunch of beautiful red roses. Her face suddenly lit up with a smile.

"That's so sweet of you" she said while kissing on his cheeks. Damn it. Few seconds back she was kissing me in their balcony and now she is making out with her husband in front of me. 'It's just a cheek kiss' my inner voice called out.

"I should get going" I said to no one in particular.

"Hey you......I heard that you are dating that Danish kid "he said with a smirk on his face. Enough is enough.

"Ithinale tha enak unne suthama pudikyath" (This is why I don't like you at all) with that I took a leave from there leaving the love birds by their own.

That night I didn't sleep at all. I spent most of the night hearing crappy sad songs. After a lot of contemplation and deliberation, I came to a decision which consisted of me completely ignoring Ann. Since it was a week before my semester exams I had study leave. Entire week I spent my day time in the public library staring at the 'Silence please board'. People were reading like they were in the I C U, so damn serious. I met a lot of people there, book nerds of the city, future politicians, soon to be IAS officers and most boring librarian.

Because of my unusual timing I never really saw Ann in the entire fortnight, face to face. I saw her once in an evening sitting alone in the garden watching the kids play. She didn't notice me pass by.

Finally it was the last day of my exam and I was returning home after the "I have completed my sem exam celebrations". It felt good to be carefree. I really enjoyed the celebrations and all the running havoc we created there. But for someone who looks from outside, I was a complete mess. My white shirt no longer showed anything white it in. It was full of colors. My face, even after washing n times, contained various colors and marks. The lift was about to go upwards when Arian and Ann emerged out of nowhere. Why I have to always get stuck in such awkward situations? I thought to myself.

"You look.........good" Arian exclaimed seeing my state. I really didn't want Ann to see me like this. Not that I care about what she thinks of me or my present state but she shouldn't see my in a situation where I cannot come up with a suitable come back to shut up Arian from teasing me further.

'Aaah....chu' why I have to sneeze now? Sorry" I muttered.

"You okay?" I heard Ann's voice. I didn't look up.

"Yeah I ...." I sneezed again stopping in mid sentence. Arian laughed loud earning a slap on his arm from Ann."Arian....."Ann called out in a warning tone.

"oooppps sorry" he said with a giggle. I suddenly pressed the 5th floor button.

"Where are you going?" Arian asked before Ann could.

"Danish.....cya" with that I stepped out of the lift. Slowly like a worm I made my way to the 9th floor. Suddenly that number started to scare me. But when I saw an elderly couple taking the stairs I laughed out remembering a Mr. Bean comedy. By the time I reached there, Ann was there talking to someone over phone. I averted my gaze to the ceiling before she could catch me looking at her and walked past. I saw her shadow trailing behind me but took a halt when my mom came into view.

"I am not washing that" mom said pointing at my shirt. I heard Ann chuckle behind me. God It's been so long I heard her laugh. Without a word I went inside. After showering I made my way to bed and fell asleep thinking of Ann.

I was awakened by mom shaking me somewhat violently. 'Oh God' she muttered. I was in an apocalypse state then, it took me a while to understand what's happening.

"Go get dressed" said dad.

"Hmm....." I hummed and closed my eyes tiredly. When I felt someone shaking me again I opened my eyes to see mom's concerned face.

"Come let's get you to the doctor "she said giving me a pair of dress to change. I went inside bathroom to change. I looked horrible. My face was all red. May be I am allergic to that color powder. Growing up my 20 years of life in Kerala I never really got the chance to know this fact about me. Everything around me was spinning. Before I fell on the floor I made my way to bed and sat there.. Most of time during the ride to hospital I was sleeping, but the beautiful Malayali nurse I met in the hospital really helped me keep my eyes open. Such a sweet lady she is. How I wish to spend a night there in the hospital with her. My bad, doctor just prescribed me some medicines and sent me home.

Next day I woke up around 11.30. I layed there silently listening to "Rab ne banadi jodi" movie playing in tv. Wait! Who the hell is playing Hindi movie in my house other than me? May be mom being mom might be trying to learn Hindi.

I was going back to sleep again when I heard my phone ringing. Whoever it may be can wait until I wakeup again. Slowly I closed my eyes.

"Hello" I heard Ann's voice. Fuck. What is she doing here? Where's mom? My heart started beating fast.

"No she is still sleeping" She's probably speaking to mom.

"Yeah, I will" pause

"No No it's okay" pause "No she's like my ......" she cut it mid sentence. Like what? Sister??? Suddenly I felt nauseated. I ran to bathroom and started vomiting. I felt her taking my hair backwards and rubbing my back soothingly. I was too weak to even stand on my own. After flushing the mess I made in toilet she helped me get into bed. She held me straight by placing her hand on my waist, which was giving me tingling sensations. My head started to spin again. She slowly made our way to bed; she almost fell on me while putting me gently on bed. Regaining her balance she sat on the bed beside me.

"You don't have to do this" I said feeling ashamed.

"I didn't ask you" she said while taking a book from my table.

"I mean .....I can handle myself, I am 21"

"Yeah I saw that just now" she said with her signature smirk. Defeated I layed in my bed looking at her beautiful face. Oh my God. How I want to kiss those lips of her.

"Something you find interesting here?" she asked smirking.

I just groaned and covered my face in a pillow. Such a tease she is.

The room went silent again. When I opened my eyes to see her, she wasn't there. I took a comfortable position in bed waiting for her. Moments later she came with a bowl full of soup. Soup!! Seriously??

"Here" she said giving me the bowl.

"I am not hungry" I said uninterested looking at it.

"Sam...."

"Fine"

"Then have it" She said placing the bowl in my lap. I looked at it again. All my life I had something against soup, especially vegetable soup. Now she is making me eat that too. I took two spoons and put it aside.

"Sam have it full"

"But I am full"

"Why you have to behave like a kid?" I ignored her comment and closed my eyes, now supporting myself on the head board.

"Here" extending a spoon full of soup to my mouth, she said. I wanted to say no. But I couldn't. She is doing it all for me, then how can I say no to her?

I opened my mouth and gulped the content. Here it goes...covering my mouth I ran to bathroom and vomited again. Everything I ate went in drain.

"I shouldn't have pressured you" she said apologetically. I went back to my previous laying state just to stare at her with my half open eyes. I was about to fall in to a wonderful sleep when my phone rang.

"Shit" she cursed under her breath.

"Danish" she read the id.

"leave it there" saying that I closed my eyes completely.

"Hello" I heard her speak. What is wrong with this woman? She has her on way for everything.

"She isn't home, who's this?" pause

"I will let her know" she spoke in a serious tone. I stared at her wide eyed not knowing what to say.

"What?" she snapped.

"I told you not to take it" I replied calmly.

"Why? Is he your boyfriend?" she asked with her hands on her hip. Damn she looked sexy.

"What....Nooo......"I exclaimed.

She came closer and sat beside me. "Was Jo your girlfriend?" she asked softly placing her hand on mine. I just closed my eyes with a sigh. why she has to bring her? why now? Wait! How the hell does she know about Jo? I opened my eyes just to see her inches away from me.

"I Know "she said as if reading my thoughts.

"Haa......." (Yes.....) I was cut in mid sentence by her lips capturing mine. This one was different from our last kiss, which was slow and passionate but now she seemed desperate and hungry to devour every inch of my body. Her hands found its way down to my breasts and groped them a little hardly. "Hmmm...." I moaned in her mouth. I pulled her close to me wrapping my hands around her neck. Breaking the kiss for a moment she dragged me down to bed and started kissing my neck. God, her hair smelled so good. Trailing kisses from my earlobe to neck she started unbuttoning my shirt. Upon reaching the last button she looked up at me as if asking for permission. That moment I just pulled her on top of me and switched the position. Within no time we both were half naked straddling each other in my bed. What happened afterwards can not described with any combination of words present in the dictionary.Sshe had took me to an extreme level of ecstasy. Not to mention I really had a hard time keeping her voice down. I never imagined her to be a screaming type of girl. Seeing Ann in her full glory is something like a drugged state. She really is a queen .I was too captivated in her beauty to even realize the rain pouring down outside .

We both layed naked under the blanket cuddling peacefully.

"Your smell is addictive" said Ann scooting close to me .A small smile crept on my face.

"And your beauty is just ....... ravishing ". I was speechless to glorify her beauty. As peaceful it felt I was afraid of the next sun rise not knowing what will happen next.

Three days passed and we didn't talk about what happened the other day.Most of the time Ann and Arian would be out or Arian would be home.It was on the following Saturday I heard dad talking to mom about Arian moving. I was in shock, then anger. They were thinking to move from the beginning itself and she didn't even care to let me know anything. Did she just use me?No she couldn't do that. I just wanted to barge into her apartment and ask her all these questions. But I had to wait till morning. That whole night I spent crying in my bed. It broke my heart to let her go.

Morning came and I was waiting for Arian to go out and talk to Ann.I saw Arian go out of the apartment and I waited till his car left the complex. I went inside her home without knocking.

"Hey"Ann greeted with a smile.

"You're moving and you didn't care to inform me?" I asked angrily.

"I didn't mean it like that, I was just....busy" she seemed lost for words. It hurt hearing that from her.

"Actually we had three whole months to move but suddenly they informed we should move before 31st"

"Hmm....."She is good with excuses, I thought.

"Why are you guys moving now?"

"Arian got a job in US, since this is his company flat we will have to move"

"Hmmm...." Understandable.

"Plus his boyfriend works there in the same company, so he didn't think twice before accepting the offer"

"Hmm...." Pause "What....????" I cried out in utter shock. Ann just dropped the book in her hand with my reaction.

"What what?" she asked

"His boyfriend?" Ann thought for a moment.

"You didn't know?" with that she burst out laughing. I stood there confused as hell.

"oh my God *still laughing , that's why you didn't talk to me for one whole week, isn't it?.....Now it all make sense"

"So you are not going with him?" I didn't know what else to ask.

"of course not" she said waving her hand in air. I felt relieved. I stood there analyzing the whole situation.

"So where are you moving to?"

"Iscels"

"Hmm...." I hummed while helping her pack things.

"I spoke to your mom" Ann spoke. But suddenly something familiar flashed in my mind.

"As in 'Iscels the castle'?" I exclaimed. With a wide smile on her face she said "Yes".I wave of relief passed through me.I just hugged her as tight as I could. She giggled like a five year old kid in my embrace. I didn't know what I felt but it was something peaceful."Sam you are suffocating me "she said stirring a little. Reluctantly I let go of her and kissed on her cheeks.

Iscels is five minutes away from my college. It meant I can still see her, talk to her and spend time with her. straightening her clothes Ann said.

"Sam, as I was saying I spoke to your mom and she is really concerned about you travelling these much distance everyday from home to college and back. So being a good friend of yours...."

"Oh my God, don't tell me ...." I jumped in excitement.

"So being a good friend of yours, I offered my acceptance to take you as my flat mate...." I ran to hug her but she stopped me.

"But...but"

"But?" I was afraid to hear whatever she was going to say next.

"Your mom told me that you are very lazy and disobedient,. So I have full authority to make you an obedient kid" she finished with smirk. I wasted no time in kissing her fiercely.

This woman never ceases to amaze me.