Free Yours Accidentally by Madhur Nevatia

toppled the boat. They were flung into the water
with the boat on top of them. Gautam pulled her up as she struggled to save her
life. He was in splits. “You should really see your face right now Sameera. You
can’t get your money’s worth if they don’t topple you.”
    She was
hugely embarrassed to find they were in shallow waters that reached only till
their waists. Now that she had defeated death and was safe, she started
giggling.
    “What do we
do next?”
    “That’s the
spirit. Bump-ride time.”
    By the time
it ended, Sameera had become an adrenalin junkie and craved for more, so they
went parasailing. The speedboat towing them maneuvered deftly and they went
high up in the air. She felt like a bird as she soared with Gautam. After a
fiercely competitive water scooter round, they flopped on the beach, tired and
contented.
    After a
lavish breakfast in the restaurant, Sameera walked to her cottage with a skip
in her step. She had enjoyed with Gautam and this was the first time that they
had met without things souring between them.
    For a long
time, she had been looking forward to her spa appointment, now she was more
impatient to meet Gautam again.
     
    ***
     
    The poolside
was bejeweled with little lights that sparkled like a million stars. Music
wafted in the air. Smartly dressed waiters floated around carrying trays laden
with exotic appetizers and colorful drinks. Gautam was perched on a bar stool,
enjoying his cocktail, but his eyes scanned the room for Sameera. A barrage of
whistles and catcalls made him look up. Sameera and her gang of girls were
grooving to Radha Likes to Party . Clad in a white sharara , with
long flowing hair, hint of a midriff, dozens of sparkling silver bangles on
delicate wrists, and long dangling earrings, she shimmered under the disco
globes. Enchantress. Gautam couldn’t take his eyes off her.
    When her
dance got over he turned his back to the stage. After the choreographed tamasha everyone hit the dance floor but Gautam was in no mood. What the hell was
Sameera still doing? Why couldn’t she join him for a drink? Irritated again, he
almost did not hear her soft voice behind him.
    “Hi. Can I
lend you a pair of dancing shoes?”
    He turned
around. “Someone has to be the audience too.”
    “It’s
interval time. Let’s go and dance.”
    “Don’t go.
Come with me, please.” He led her towards the beach. The weather was perfect.
    “Thanks for
looking me up, Sameera.”
    Sameera
smiled up at him.
    “There are
some things I should tell you. I’m not a teenager anymore and don’t like cat
and mouse games; I don’t chase well nor do I like being chased. I like
everything in black and white.” She looked at him quizzically and was about to
speak but stopped when she heard him say, “I want to kiss you Sameera. I can’t
beat around the bush anymore.” He bent and kissed her softly on the cheek. She
stood absolutely still.
    “I have to
be honest to myself. Now you can slap me if you want to.”
    Before she
could react, a girl on a walkie-talkie screeched. “Madam, the finale song ‘ Sharara ’
comes up next. Tanya madam is already waiting.” Sameera was torn between the
two but Gautam nodded his consent even as the wedding planner’s assistant
tugged at her arm.
    Bad
timing. She craned her neck and her eyes lingered on his back till she
could no longer spot him in the darkness. She felt the warmth of his lips on
her cheek long after that.
    He took a
solitary walk on the beach. He’d finally told her how he felt. The ball was in
her court. He knew about her past, had known about it for a while. Tortured and
tormented by Sameera’s tears, Gautam had approached Tanya who had confided in
him but under oath not to let Sameera know. It would be no use anyway. If she
could not bring herself to share her trauma with him, how could they share a
happy life together?
    How he
wished she would give him a chance to love her, protect her, cherish her.
Scenic Goa, the romantic