Riya

The whole day was everlasting bliss with Sami, she and Neel got along like a house on fire. I never knew she was so good with kids, he was not ready to willingly leave her side. In the morning when we met on the breakfast table, I was instantly struck by her beauty and that air of control. But, was also irritated because my heart did a stupid somersault, whenever she was near.

I couldn't figure out what exactly happened when our fingers accidentally brushed during the breakfast. I felt alive again, I earnestly wanted to caress her. I was battling fiercely with these stupid thoughts when the stadium incident happened. I couldn't lie to myself, I desperately wanted her sensuous lips on mine, I undoubtedly missed the taste of her lips and the comfort of her arms. Was she my rebound? If this was authentic than what were all those intense feelings towards Liz?

I looked at her, she was sleeping comfortably with her head against the car's window. Whereas Neel's head rested peacefully against her chest. No one could say, they had met only two days back.

We reached the hotel, I gathered him in my arms, he opened his sleepy eyes and wined out loud, instantly cuddling back into Sami. I was irritated this was getting out of hand, she might be feeling smothered by the invasion of her privacy. Anyone would be uncomfortable, with a kid hanging down their neck the whole day. I abruptly pulled him back, he looked at me with quivering lips. Sami was quiet and communicated her disappointment. Without uttering another word, she picked him up and marched out of the car.

I had never witnessed this pissed side of hers before and decided to meekly follow her into the lift. On reaching our room she transferred him to the bed, and was about to leave when he gripped her hand, "Aunt Sami, can you please sleep here with me?"

She turned towards me for a moment, but without checking my reply, pulled the covers back, and got inside. Realizing the heaviness of the situation, I decided to give her the space to cool down. Thus I picked a change of clothes and moved to the bathroom. By the time I emerged out Neel was fast asleep, and Sami was staring thoughtfully at the ocean.

"You want coffee, if you are hungry I can order something?"

She looked back at me, "Coffee is fine for now."

I instantly perceived something was bothering her, after handing over the cup to her I asked.

"What is bothering you? I haven't seen you so pissed off before."

"Look Riya all this is new to me. I sincerely love this little dude and I am sorry if you are feeling I am interfering unduly. You have all the right to voice out your genuine concerns, but don't be harsh with him."

I stared at her incredulously, "Wait, are you crazy? I am troubled by the thought, you might be feeling claustrophobic with mother and son breathing down your neck. I wanted to provide space for you. Sami, my son has been through hell, he never witnessed a conventional family, his friends often teased him about his father. He devoutly believed that his parents parting ways had undoubtedly got something to do with him. I tried lightening up my workload to focus on him, but he retrieved inside the shell. Annie and I put in multiple efforts to convince him, whatever happened between his parents, had got nothing to do with him. I don't know this is not like him, but since the time he has met you, he cannot let you go. He is a kid and doesn't understand that adults need space and you can't hound the other person."

She looked hurt, "This is all that you thought of me, do you really believe he is suffocating me?

I was unable to utter another word, she let out a profound sigh," Riya, it might be challenging to believe but I consider Neel as my own. He invokes intense maternal feelings in me. Before him, I always believed that kids are not for me, but he made me realize I was wrong all along. You don't comprehend what he does to me when he gives me those loving looks. When he hugs me, I want to set everything right in his little world. When he kisses me, I want to kill anyone who dares to hurt him. I know whatever might happen, I will never let him down. He will inevitably have his Aunt Sami, he needs to call from anywhere and I would be there, embracing him and putting things right."

Unable to resist further, I gently touched her face, "What did I do to deserve you?"

She looked lovingly at me, "We both deserve and need each other."

Her smoldering eyes went back to my lips, desire flooded my veins. I wanted her hands exploring my whole body, making wild love until I cry out with pain and pleasure. I desired her to bite my whole body and taste the deepest and secret of places. She moved forward to kiss me when we heard an insistent knock. I gently pushed her back and went to open the door.

Annie barged in, "I was wondering if you have eloped with Sam?"

I so wanted to kick her but before I could utter something, she moved towards the bed and found Sami sitting. She stopped instantly in her tracks and let out an embarrassed laugh, "Oh my god, I was unaware you are hither. Wait, why are you flushed and your breathing is abnormal? Were you making love?"

I turned all red and looked at Sami, she was fighting hard to hide the blush, "Hello Annie, the answer to your specific question is NO. In fact, we were fighting over Neel."

"Ohk, getting all domesticated, fighting over a kid like ordinary couples." She shrugged her shoulders.

Sami giggled, "Well it was not that romantic. Why don't you guys spend some time together? I will go to my room to catch some sleep. See you guys in the morning."

The moment she was out of the door, Annie made herself comfortable in the adjacent chair.

"Tell me everything, how was your day?"

I needed to share my thoughts with Annie to clear my head, "It was good. I would say wonderful and revealing."

"What do you mean" revealing"?" She looked at me quizzically.

I cleared my throat, "I am about to share something which will establish the fact, your friend is the biggest slut walking on the planet."

She smiled gently, "Try me, and we can leave the labels for later."

I looked at the limitless ocean, "She was excellent with Neel and considered him like his own. She was attentive towards both of our needs. She became a part of our family without trying."

Annie's facial expressions conveyed, nothing sounded like a problem to her, "This all sounds wonderful, where exactly is the problem?"

"The problem is with me, a few days back I was all zoned out because of Liz and was drowning in her love. Then entered Sami, without stating anything she stood beside us, and many times during the day I wanted to kiss her. My heart thumped loudly when she was nearby, I sincerely wanted to lose myself in her arms. What the hell is wrong with me? If this is love then what the hell I felt for Liz? Or am I plain desperate?"

She was silent for a moment as if objectively evaluating something. And then the wise one opened her mouth.

"You loved both of them in your own way. Liz's love is wild, adventurous, carefree, but it offers you no adequate guarantee for tomorrow. She doesn't believe in fighting for the one you love, considering it too much of a hassle. I would say it is childish and selfish love, where you only live for the moment, without bothering the moral consequences, or how much are you damaging the other person in the process? Whereas Sam's love is a mature one, which is ready to walk till the end of the planet for the loved one. She is prepared to fight gallantly for her love and believes it is not one merry go round or few blissful moments but is a journey, where you need to be with the person. Ri, love provides you an incredible high though you need to be with a person who is hanging around when the initial haze settles down."

I was puzzled, " What exactly you want to say?"

She looked intently at me, "Liz showed you what love is? But Sami introduced you to, what really is needed to sustain love? In the present circumstances, you are required to choose wisely."

I let out a cynical laugh, "As if I have a choice with that eccentric girlfriend of hers, lurking in the shadows."

She let out a gentle sigh, "Don't assume anything ask her, but before doing that, be sure about your distinct feelings. Sami has already been hurt before, if you are not into her than allowing her, to go is the best thing. At least this much you can learn from Liz, she was always honest other than, when she acted like a coward towards the end."

The intense talk with Annie aided me a lot in figuring certain things, by the time I headed to bed I was considerably at peace.

The time had arrived, when I had to contemplate my honest feelings and act accordingly. My one choice would affect all of us, I couldn't afford to play blindly. I hoped God would give me the needed courage.