Love at First Bite

I couldnt believe my eyes- Sheetal was sitting next to me in the park bench. I wanted to pinch myself and check if it were real. I was all smiles, as I saw the red rose she was holding in her hand.

Sheetal is an ethnic beauty, every guy’s eye candy and could make anyone fall for her just with a smile. She had expressive eyes that could enslave the hardest of hearts. She had a charm like no other, a perfect beauty.

Okay, let me stop my descriptions of her and get into the story.

She was sitting to my right in the bench of Queen’s park, a park dedicated for lovers. I was admiring her beauty and smiled. I thought we were on a date and was waiting for her to hand me the rose, until Ram arrived.

Ram was her second closest friend (me being the first) and I knew Sheetal had a crush on this bloke. He used to frequent her house often and if I happen to be there at that time, I find my own excuses to leave. Most of the times, I could sense his presence in her house, even at the gates, thanks to the peculiar smell of his socks which I believe he never washes.

I wouldn’t have accompanied Sheetal to the park, had I known Ram would be joining us. He came wearing his stupid smile and sat to the right of Sheetal. Sheetal blushed and immediately gave the red rose to him. [Tapp- That’s the sound of my heart breaking] How stupid of me to have thought all the while that the rose was for me.

Ram accepted it and then, there was silence, for two full minutes. None of us spoke. They both were all smiles and I was heart-broken (heard that sound, didn’t ya ?)

It was Sheetal who broke the silence, “ I need to tell you something, Ram”

“Yeah Sheetal.. Sure” saying, he breathed in the smell of the rose, looked at me, winked and gave a wicked smile.  He hadn’t brushed !! [Please don’t kiss him Sheetal, no, not on his mouth]

“I don’t know how to start Ram, but there is something… something I have been hiding from you. It’s killing me every day. .. I donno.. Its  the thought about you.. the way you talk to me.. the way you dress.. the way you carry yourself.. “ Sheetal started.

“How about the way his mouth and socks stinks ?” I wanted to add

She continued

“The way you make me smile..Its like.. you keep me happy always,.. I forget my worries when you  are around.. you.. you complete me” she finished and gave a smile.

I looked at her, she looked mesmerized and plain dumb. It was hard for me to control my emotions. I couldn’t understand why she had never felt anything so for me. I had been her best mate for two long years.  Her closest pal and I knew everything about her, or so I thought. She had never considered me as someone special, more than a friend, but just her play mate. I was friend-zoned. I wondered why beauty always goes hand in hand with stupidity.

Had I known that today’s visit to the park was for her to propose Ram, I would have never accompanied her. I couldn’t move nor could I speak. I was half dead and sat silently.

“You are someone special Ram. I can be what I am with you.. you have shown me my feminine side… and that’s what I like about you… I believe I will be happy forever if I marry you.” Sheetal told in an emotionally serious tone. Ram’s face changed. He was speechless but seemingly confused.

“I know it will be hard for you to take Ram.. But we are made for each other.. Now give me a kiss”

“What ?” it was all too soon and too fast for Ram.

The first drop of tear came from my eyes.

“Just one kiss..” Saying Sheetal embraced him passionately and gave him a kiss.

I never cried when my mom died. But today , I had already dropped a tear for a girl.

“ No .. no Sheetal.. What are you doing.. stop! “ Ram got out of her hold.

“ What Ram ?”

“ I don’t.. I dont love you Sheetal.. I have never had such feelings for you. “ Ram said in an animated tone.

“What? Why ? ”Sheetal was furious.

My tears slowly began to dry up and I sharpened my ears to listen to the conversation. But I didn’t want Sheetal to get hurt too.

“Because..I am already committed”

“What the hell in the world?” I wanted to shout. But Sheetal was calm .

“Oh.. Who is that?” Sheetal asked him in a dry tone.

“Who is who?”  Ram questioned

“Your love.. that bitch Nirmala ?”

“No… not,.. her”

“Then Sangeetha ? I know it has to be her.. I saw you taking her for a ride last week”

“No Sheetal..Come on yar, Sangeetha and I are just friends”

“Then who is she ?”

 “It is.. it is a he..”

“What the heck ?” she screamed.

“Its your brother!”

“Oh My God! Oh My God.. Oh My God.. My brother ???! Shiv ??” Sheetal nearly fainted.

Ram nodded his head.

“Now that explains why you  frequent my house that often. Oh my God. Fine.. Wait.. I cant.. I just cant digest.. Wait.. My brother!.. Is he gay too ?? Oh man.. “

I was in cloud nine.

“Then why did you accept the rose I gave, with a smile? “

“I thought he sent it through you”

“You stupid moron.. “ Saying she gave him one hard slap.

 “Ouch!!!”

“I just don’t want to meet you again ever in my life. Ever….. Alright” Sheetal told him strictly. “But anyways..Thanks. that was a nice kiss”

Saying she got up to leave, hiding her tears. I was so happy and wanted to dance and shout.. And shout.. And shouted..

“Bow Bow ! “

P.S.: In case you didn’t get it, the narrator is Sheetal’s dog, who thought his owner is in love with her. Now go back and read the story again J