21-05-2020, 12:55 AM
Days went by and I hadn't seen Sirisha, or even bumped into her in the building. Work was busy as usual, and life was routine. I hadn't seen Saranya either as she was traveling and busy with some projects at work. This time alone gave me a chance to think and reflect on my life a little. Yes, my mind was still on Sirisha, and given the chance, I would still love to be with her. It was a fantasy. But I began thinking more about the longer term, and Saranya. I reflected on my feelings for her and began to finally acknowledge that I felt more for Saranya than ever before, it wasn't merely a physical thing anymore. I wanted more together, and though I wasn't sure about her feelings, it was about time we had a chat soon.
Another week or so went by and things were the same. Neither had I seen Saranya be able to talk nor had I seen Sirisha mend what I had messed up. But things changed one evening when I finally ran into Sirisha in the building. I had just entered the elevator early one evening when I heard a fVijayliar voice call out, "Please hold the elevator." Just then Sirisha came bursting in, panting, and holding several bags in her hands.
"Thank you. Oh, Hi. Sri." She said, her cheeks flushing a little as she finally realized it was me.
"Oh. Hi. Sirisha." I teased her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." She said nervously.
"It's OK, chill, I was joking. How are you?"
"Ya, I'm doing alright, and you?" She placed some of the bags on the floor.
"I'm doing well. I haven't seen you in a couple of weeks." I pressed our floor button.
"I've sort of been busy. A bit aloof as well, you know." She looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. "Just needed some time." She looked away.
"I can imagine," I said as the elevator slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. "Here, let me help you with these." I bent forward and lifted her bags as she exited and walked towards her door, fumbling for her house keys.
"Sirisha," I said softly, placing the bags on the floor in front of her door, as she turned to look at me. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to apologize. I don't know...."
"It's OK Sri." She stopped me mid-sentence.
"No, please, let me finish."
"You don't need to apologize." She continued. "The situation I have found myself in was created by me and I need to deal with it and fix it."
"Sirisha. I'm still sorry for.... Can we talk inside?" I stopped myself, in case any other neighbor were to step out and overhear us.
"Uhm, OK. Sure. Come in." She opened the door and we walked in. I placed all her bags at the entrance to her kitchen and walked to her living room, to the sofa, the very same one that had experienced the pleasures of that evening.
"Tea? Coffee? Drink?" She asked.
"No thanks." We sat down, facing each other a bit awkwardly. Sirisha still looked a little nervous as she placed her hands on her knees. But even though her nervousness, she looked simple and gorgeous. Her long hair was tied in a bun that rested low against her neck. Her dark brown eyes were accentuated with a little kajal and the ethnic silver jewelry added to her exotic charm. The form-fitting salwar did no good at hiding her delicious curves, and once again, I found myself thinking about being with her. I had to forcefully shake off any lewd thoughts and focus on the reason I was there for.
"So, as I was saying. I wanted to apologize for having watched you that night. I'm sorry for telling you it aroused me. That was rather cheap of me. I'm sorry for embarrassing you so much. Whatever happened that night, I should've respected your privacy and looked away." I told her, looking her straight in the eyes.
"It's alright Sri." She looked away but had a hint of a smile on her face. "There are two different things here. First, the fact is that I created an embarrassing situation for myself by becoming vulnerable to my lonely life and succumbing to my desires."
"It's understandable though. You hardly see your husband and it gets lonely and frustrating."