Ouch!

When secrets unfold

Birds tweeted and students flocked around through corridors, the rustling of shoes intensifying as the bell rang, alerting for class. People stifled each other in attempt to reach to their class on time as Sameer’s eyes searched for the one he yearned for amidst the chaotic crowd, in vain. He stomped his foot in frustration as his fingers brushed through his hair for the fifth time in that minute. 

It had been 20 minutes since he had arrived to college and yet he awaited her presence. She was never late, he was certain. What if she had fallen ill? But her sister, Preeti would’ve informed if otherwise. What if she instructed Preeti not too? While his mind and heart battled, Sameer’s steps faltered and he turned on his heel. On a hunt to find Preeti amidst the shakening crowd filled with college students; not caring the slightest bit about class, he crashed into his best friend only to find hands raised in defense.

“No?” Munna guessed to which Sameer shook his head in disappointment. 

“Not yet. I don’t know where she is.” Worry swept across his face as he rubbed his head with his hands.

“Don’t worry. Something might’ve stopped her--”

“I would’ve known.” Sameer intervened with a terse reply. Munna nodded as he guessed once more.

“She might be on….you know, her girl problem?” He hesitated, his voice low to a whisper.

“I would’ve known, Munna!” Sameer’s eyes widened as he gulped at the slip of the tongue. Munna’s expression mimicked his best friend’s before his lips slightly curved into a smirk.

“Oh...you know?”

Sameer looked away sheepishly, his hand dubiously rubbing his nape, “I--I, leave that, Munna! I just can’t seem to find her.” 

“Maybe--” Munna suggested once more when Sameer interrupted by jerking his shoulders, “What if someone held her back? Someone at home? You know barbaric her family members, especially her Taiji. Or what if she has fallen ill? Or what if--” Sameer grew frantic while Munna looked on with a sarcastic expression.

“Or what if she’s in class?” Sameer halted in his tracks, trying to decipher what his best friend was saying.

“She’s never late, Sameer. Maybe she’s already in class?” He proposed, reintroducing the sheepish grin on his best friend’s face. 

“What are you waiting for, Munna? Gosh, you always make me late.” Sameer started to dash while Munna stared at him with a shriek. Sameer looked back and laughed at his savior as Munna shook his head in giggles.

Sameer screeched in his economics classroom to receive a monotonously disappointing look from his professor and a tense look from the person he longed to see. Eyes met and hearts raced. A smile finally crept onto his face as Sameer sighed in relief. Sitting isolated on the third bench was the girl he admired. The girl he had least expected to fall in love. The girl who had changed him, for the better. The girl who made his heartbeat erratic. His girl. 

His Naina Agarwal.

Casting the professor an apologetic look he scampered over to Naina to grab a seat next to her, knowing she’d save him one like she always did. His face fell when he found her sitting with two random girls she barely knew, all the while sticking against the wall. Sameer frowned at her uncanny behavior, unknown to Naina’s inner turmoil. While Sameer dejectedly sat on the adjacent bench beside his other best friend, Pandit, Naina refused to meet his gaze again. How could she when she was so ignominious, so ashamed of herself.

Naina had been trying to escape the house for the past week or so, but she couldn’t escape Taiji’s prying eyes. For she had noticed an unexpected change in Naina, something she couldn’t exactly pinpoint. Her skin suddenly looked softer and smoother. She no longer hesitated to wear skirts and that fact grabbed Taiji’s attention.

Naina, on the other hand passed each day in exasperation while Preeti failed in her attempts at calming her. It had only been a few months, but Naina knew how important it was for her...and for him. It had taken her a lot of courage and tenacity to walk up to the lady and request for a wax. And the experience was as painful as satisfying its after effects were. Sameer had been quick to notice the changes and although indirectly, yet he had expressed his liking for it. And Naina was ready to shed a thousand tears to see a glowing smile on her Sameer’s face. She was ready to forego all inhibitions for him, she had decided that day.

It started when she saw her classmate and rival, Sunaina’s waxed legs as she flaunted them through her mini-skirt. What made her fume more was Sameer ogling her. Even if it were for a second before he averted his gaze back to her, the feeling burned her heart and she welcomed jealousy once again. She had no doubt on his love nor his loyalty, but Preeti later explained how some desires were hormonal. It was natural for Sameer to have gawked at Sunaina; it was his way of expressing his desire to see Naina like that. He didn’t have a one-track mind because he loved her unconditionally. Naina knew Sameer had been controlling the urge to caress her elsewhere than just clutching her hands or stroking her face yet he remained within her boundaries. And he had respected it all along. But now it was her turn to give back. She trusted him with all her life. And she would give him his rights on her, the rights he deserved. Slowly but surely. She understood his desires because she had blushed at some of her own too. The urge to caress his face, the urge to get tickled by his stubble, the urge to feel his lips on her own. All those novels and hormonal changes had had an indescribable effect on her, no matter how much her mind reprimanded for thinking so indecently. Naina was just too shy when it came to expressing her wants. She wanted them to be prominent, yet surreptitious.

Right now, all Naina wanted to do was succumb herself into the wall and remain oblivious to Sameer. She badly needed to run to the salon and had reconsidered her decision of flunking their break time with some or the other excuse. They had free periods after this lesson so she could easily get herself waxed and return. She could think of excuses. But she couldn’t lie in front of him. Naina had never been able to. And Sameer very well knew.

Sameer tried to grab her attention only to find Naina lost in some other world. Her face showed signs of worry as her brows arched and her lips twitched. As the much awaited bell rang and students along with the professor filed out of class, Naina remained rooted to her spot. Preeti had to shake her rigorously to get her to respond. Sameer grew concerned at thinking of the terrible possibilities. He signaled Pandit to take everyone else to their cafeteria, Red Rose. He needed to talk to her. Right now.

Naina hastily packed her books into her bag and turned to leave when she felt a warm hand snake around her wrist, making her breath hitch. She gulped and turned on her heel to find an intense yet worried pair of orbs gazing at her, trying to decipher her actions. He pulled her until her hands crashed against his chest. Naina looked up to find him hovering over her. He brought his hand to her cheek as he caressingly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Naina shut her eyes as she feared the worst. Stuttering she spoke, “N-nothing at all.”

Making her sit on the nearest bench, he settled himself in front of her and clutched her hands in his, “Naina, what’s wrong?”

He noticed her abnormally wearing a full-sleeved blue top matched with jeans. Her fingers trembled in his hold as he asked, concerned, “Did someone say something at home?”

She shook her head immediately, yet nonchalantly, maintaining the silence that was slowly killing him.

He checked her forehead with the back of his hand and shook his head, “You can’t be on your...you aren’t, right?” Her cheeks flushed in crimson as she responded in denial. The level of comfortability and transparency had progressed by a lot in their three year long relationship. Yet she was hesitant to confide in him when it came to waxing, why?

“Naina, do you trust me?” She met his honest gaze and nodded in affirmation. 

His lips curved as he requested, “Then please tell me what you’re hiding, Naina. Have I done something wrong?”

“No.” She defended him immediately and then looked away. Mustering up courage with her hands still in his, her voice wavered as she confessed, “I-I haven’t w-waxed.”

His face broke into a chuckle before he silenced at her appalled expression, “Is that it?”

“It means the world to me, Sameer!” She shrieked. “Knowing your reaction to my currently...messed up body means the world to me.” She looked for appropriate words as her hands flung out of his grip. He cupped her face in his hands and whispered softly, “I love you.”

Glassy-eyed she looked at him as he repeated, “I love you. Just the way you are.”

“I know. I am well aware of your unconditional love for me, Sameer. But I also know you, I understand you. I know your desires--”

“Desires?” He smirked at her, trying to hide the shock he had just experienced at her knowledge. Had he been too out of control lately?

“I had seen you staring at Sunaina the other day, Sameer.” She confessed blatantly. It didn’t take him long to recall the incident as he gulped.

“Naina, I--”

“Shush, Sameer.” She held his hands in hers as she explained, “I’m not blaming you. I understand that these are the hormonal changes within you...just like they are--”

“Within you.” He completed, a smile creeping onto their faces.

“I know I can’t be like Sunaina. I don’t want to either. Nor do I think you do. But this is just something I want to do for myself, for you, Sameer.” She revealed, making his heart well up in happiness. Taking her hand in his, he said, “Come with me.”

After ten minutes of pestering and preposterously cool wind gushing against her face, the hands that had been clutching his shoulders, playfully smacked his back, “Sameer, will you tell me where we’re going?”

Sameer swerved the bike and turned around another corner as he hushed, “Patience, Naina.”

She huffed in suspenseful perpetuation as he lightly giggled at her frustration. Within five minutes her eyes widened at the familiar surroundings and mouth opened in horror.

“Sameer, why are we here?” She asked in bewilderment as the bike screeched to a halt. 

“Because your wish is my command.” Naina’s look turned horrid at his words as she shook her head, “And what will you do while I get myself waxed here?” She asked, pointing at the salon in front of her.

“I’ll be going in with you, Naina.”

If she had been experiencing shock for the past few minutes or so, she was wrong because his words and actions now definitely seemed alien to her.

“Are you serious?” Her voice wavered. 

He clutched her hands and reassured commiseratingly, “I’ve heard about the pain girls go through in this process...I overheard Kamya and Hema castigating the society for such an invention.”

“It’s not forced, Sameer.”

“But it isn’t as per will either, Naina. The society knowingly or unknowingly propels you into going through this pain.” His words left her tongue-tied as she waited for him to continue.

Cupping her face as she grew conscious of his touch along with the chances of pedestrians deriding at them. But nothing mattered as soon as she entered the ocean of his black orbs. 

“I had promised you togetherness, in happiness and in pain. How could I not be here with you?”

Her eyes watered out of admiration and respect for the one who she loved the most. Without caring about the outsiders anymore, she instantly clutched his waist and rested her head close to his heart. With her eyes closed, she whispered, “I love you.”

Once again she had confessed her love for him through those three magical words. And once again his heart yelped in ecstacy at hearing her soft, melodious voice say those words. Tightening his grip on her, he heaved a sigh, feeling the bliss in her arms, breathing the sweet smell of her hair, letting her quick breaths tickle his soul. Her hands slowly caressed his back and Sameer wondered whether this was a hint that she was ready. His mind reprimanded him about the chances of ambiguity, but his heart burned in desire. Taking a deep breath, he pulled apart and looked at her, “Shall we?”

As they entered and took in the smell of fresh flowers mixed with a medicinal filth, Naina searched his face for a sign of disappointment or disgust only to find nonchalance and curiosity. Walking up to the receptionist, he very confidently approached, “A booking in the name of Maithili Gupta.”

Naina frowned as Sameer waited patiently while the receptionist flipped pages in her massive diary consisting of appointments.

After a minute she looked up with a smile on her face, “This way please, Mr. and Mrs. Gupta.”

Two faces flustered in scarlet while the lady standing in front of them cleared her throat with a smirk evident on her face. As Naina and Sameer entered an isolated room and the receptionist excused herself to call the girl who’d wax, Naina bombarded Sameer with questions she had long kept inside of her.

“How did you book a room? And why under the name of Maithili Gupta?”

Sameer rested his hands on her shoulders as to calm her down while he explained, “I booked a room because I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me being the only boy amidst so many girls. And I kept your identity hidden so that no one can track you down. Your trip with me to the salon will remain oblivious to your family members.” With a victorious grin he lifted his collars up while Naina stood astounded. 

Leaning towards her, he whispered, “And as far as Mr. and Mrs. is concerned, she just mixed up the surname.” Blushingly, she looked away.

Before she could probe any further a girl around her early 20s approached, her gaze fixated at Sameer rather than Naina. Her teeth gritted and she slid her arm around his, claiming authority. The girl seemed to have noticed, for she flinched slightly and then passed a plastered smile to Naina. Sameer on the other hand, enjoyed her touch and possessiveness and looked on with amusement. 

“Please sit here.” She pointed to a soft yet professional chair while she prepared all the necessary equipment. Nervously, Naina touched the object of furniture she dreaded each month. The room was small and plain white, with flowers occasionally adorning the table tops. Sameer settled himself on a stool near her as his breath bated. The hot container of wax neared them as the wisps of smoke made his eyes widen and hers shut in fear. 

“Naina, let’s go.” He ushered, taking her hand.

“Sameer, she hasn’t even started. And I’m not going anywhere. But I don’t want you to see this, see me in devastation.” She pleaded.

“I’m not leaving you. I’m not your weakness. I want to be your strength.”

“You are. And you will always be.” Naina assured as the girl sat down in front of them.

“Ready?” She asked monotonously as eyes met and both nodded. Taking a butter knife in her hand that witnessed a quick gasp by Sameer, she dipped it in searing hot wax and spread it on her exposed half arm. With her sleeves pushed upwards, Naina automatically clutched his hand for support. She hissed at the burning sensation the hot wax brought as he winced in pain. Taking a cloth strip, the girl pressed it onto her skin and rubbed it thoroughly before barbarically pulling it from one end.

“Ouch!” Naina suppressed her scream. Five pulls later a tear escaped her squeezed eyes. 

His heart burned in pain each time she hissed. Not because of the marks that had been etched on his hand due to her tight grip. But because of the marks etched on her heart, because of a desire he had once expressed. Sameer cursed himself for ogling at Sunaina the other day. She wouldn’t have been suffering this if not for him. It was all his fault.

20 minutes later, Naina excused herself to wash her face while Sameer waited outside. By the time she joined him, she gasped at the tears staining his face. She took his face in her hands as she asked, worried, “Sameer, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.” He shook his head and wiped the remaining tears from his face, pulling up a pretentious smile. However, his eyes spoke otherwise and she knew him too well.

“Do you trust me?” He nodded in a childish manner with orbs wide with guilt.

“Then please tell me what you’re hiding, Sameer. Have I done something wrong?” A smile creeped up to both faces as history repeated itself.

“No.” He whispered before confessing, “I am so sorry, Naina.”

Her hand stroked his back commiseratingly, “Why?”

“For causing you all that pain, Naina. Every month, just for me?” He stuttered, biting back tears.

Naina cupped his face, forcing him to meet her gaze, “It’s not your fault, Sameer. This is something everyone experiences and this was my choice. Not just for you, but for me too.” 

After a short pause, she breathed, “I just want you to understand the value of waxing in a girl’s life. It’s not as easy to build up the courage as easy it is to ogle.” His orbs filled with ostentation when she smiled lightly, “People just seem to notice our flaunting attitude and not the hidden tears behind it.”

“I won’t.” Sameer promised succinctly as Naina’s smile widened to a grin.

“I promise I’ll never let you writhe in pain alone. Not here and not…” He stopped with a lingering smirk on his face. Naina’s smile faltered as her voice quivered, “Not?”

“Not when you writhe in painful desire either.” He finished. It took a few seconds for her face to redden and he squeezed his eyes shut, ready for a smack. Taken aback, he found her in his arms, with her face hidden in her chest and her hands slowly caressing his back.

Sameer drew in a sharp breath when he heard her say, “We’ll see who writhes in painful desire… how about a bet?”