Together

Being together with each other, is a warm and comfortable feeling, that they will never get tired of.

So warm. So comfy.

When was the last time I felt this kind of warmth?

Letting out a soft sigh, I turned around. Eyes still closed and still wrapped in the comfortable

warmth, I found myself slowly drifting off.

That is until…

What is that heavy thing around my waist?

Slightly opening one eye, I peeked down. Once the blurriness faded away, I could make out what looked like a tanned, muscular and veiny arm.

Oh.

I closed my eye once again.

A moment passed.

Then my eyes shot open.

What the….

Still focusing on the arm, I slowly became aware of the sensation of warm and soft breaths meeting the skin of my forehead. Eyes widening even more, sleep completely forgotten, I raised my head, my eyes letting go of the arm to come and rest on a rather wide column of the same tanned skin peeking from underneath a grey t-shirt.

I immediately backed away, using too much force and not expecting the arm to easily let go. And found myself on the floor beside the bed. I blinked before the slight ache from the fall registered and finally let out a groan.

Slowly, I stood up on my feet and… paused. I was dressed in my regular nightwear. A pair of red shorts and a black tank top. There was no unexplainable soreness anywhere in my body. My eyes then roamed around the room and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the familiar walls, the curtains hanging on the windows, the furniture and the paintings on the walls. This was my room. Phew!

Not feeling very brave to see the face of whoever that was on my bed, I focused on the rest of it. The muscular figure on the bed was completely dressed in a grey t-shirt and black shorts too. Tanned arms and legs, one arm marred with black ink at one portion.

Ooooooh. Tattooooooo.

Wait!

With silent steps, I made my way out of the room, being careful not to make any noise that could wake that hunk on my bed. 

Once I closed the bedroom door behind me, I rushed towards the common bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror, I focused my attention on my lips. Not red and swollen. Good.

Next, I thoroughly checked my neck. No bruises or blotches or redness. In other words, no hickeys. Very good.

Feeling more confused than ever, I slowly exited the bathroom and entered the kitchen of my rented one BHK apartment. All the while cross-checking everything in my mind.

My name, my parents’ name, my hometown, my schools and college, my profession, my friends. Everything seemed to be alright. Every memory, intact.

That means no amnesia, right? Right.

Then who on Earth is that guy on my bed? How did he even get here? Why was I sleeping in his arms?

Confused beyond comprehension, I ran my fingers through my messy bed hair.

I slumped in one of the chairs in the kitchen, still lost in thoughts.

How was it possible that there was a man on my bed and I was sleeping in the arms of the said man yet could not remember when or how we got there?

What in the he-

The speaker was interrupted by a sudden fit of giggles.

“What’s wrong?” The speaker asked, one dark and bushy eyebrow raised in question.

“That is not how it happened.” A childish voice clarified, the owner finally managing to stifle the giggles.

“It is my story and I am allowed to make as many changes as I want. You are not allowed to interrupt.” Saying so, the elder started tickling the 10 year old girl, who was laying on the bed and had burst out laughing and giggling and trying hard to escape the teasing fingers of the elder.

“What’s going on here?” Came a new, rather deep and manly voice, from the door of the room where the two were busy.

“Sa-sammyyyyy. Sa-ve m-meeee~” The younger’s high-pitched voice was broken by her own laughter. Which was followed by the chuckles of her attacker.

Tanned and veiny, tatted arms wrapped around the waist of the elder, pulling off the figure away from the tiny girl who was now almost struggling to breathe.

Being pulled back so suddenly, the elder had let out a yelp before coming to rest against a muscular chest.

Turning to face the assaulter, the elder smacked the muscular chest. “You scared me!”

The two were almost the same height, Sameer standing only an inch or two taller.

“It’s past her bedtime.” Sammy a.k.a. Sameer said, his arms still wrapped around the waist of the elder.

“But I was listening to the story of how you guys met.” The youngest whined, rubbing her eyes while sporting a cute pout on her lips. It was clear that she was tired from the busy day they had had. 

Frowning slightly, Sameer focused on his lover in confusion.

“Well I was telling her a new, modified and interesting version.” The figure in his arms explained.

“Oh?” Sameer directed his gaze at the figure, his lover, who had finally managed to escape from his arms. “And what was it?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest and backing away slightly to lean his back against the wall.

“The one where I was the ‘damsel in distress’ and had woken up one fine morning to find a handsome stranger, with his arms wrapped around my waist, on my bed, with no idea of how we got there!” The elder released a loud gasp to express the thrill, eyes wide and face sporting a comical expression. The entirety of which deflated the next moment when the elder added, “But before I could get to the interesting part, this little she-devil here interrupted me.” And once again attacked the young girl with tickles.

“Noooo. Sto-oop.” The girl broke out in another fit of giggles and struggles.

“Okay. Time to sleep for real now.” Sameer said, coming forward to pull the elder off the bed once again. “It's past 10 and if your mom comes to know that we let you stay up so late, she will whoop both of our butts.”

“Ohkaaay.” Both the parties were heard saying.

Both Sameer and his lover went closer to leave a kiss on the tired girl’s forehead and wish her good night before exiting the room.

“You think her mom would have whooped our asses?” The elder asked, settling on the couch in their living room.

“Of course, she would. I know my sister well enough.” Sameer said from their open kitchen, as he poured red wine into two glasses.

Sameer has been living in Canada for almost 20 years now, previously staying with his uncle in Toronto for his studies and now settled in Vancouver as a Graphic Designer. His sister had been here before, when he was still studying, but this was the first time she had finally managed to come with her husband of 12 years and their daughter. 

“She is not that bad.” The elder said, smiling and grabbing the remote to flip through channels on the TV to find something to watch until they were sleepy enough to go to bed. Though that should not take longer. The five of them, the couple and the small family of three, had gone to the Vancouver Aquarium, with the youngest being the most excited, running and jumping everywhere.

The trio had already had an early dinner, courtesy of the young girl’s routine and her mother’s threat. Sameer had made reservations for the other couple for dinner in Gastown, a romantic getaway of sorts, for the older couple.

“So, a new, modified and interesting version of how we met, huh?” Sameer finally let out the question that’s been on his mind for the last 20 minutes or so, settling himself on the couch and handing one of the glasses to his lover.

“I am happy about how we met and fell in love. But it’s just so boring. We met through our mutual friends back in India, got to know each other, became friends, eventually fell in love and now we are together. No plot twists at all.” The elder said, still flipping through the channels, with a slight pout which Sameer wanted to kiss away. So, he leaned forward and just did that. A small kiss to make the other smile.

“I think it’s interesting enough that we got to date each other and are now together.” Sameer added, his lips curled in a soft smile, as he watched the other return to the previous activity of flipping through the channels. He took the wine glass off the other’s hand and placed both the glasses on the coffee table in front of them. Then taking the freed hand into his and intertwining their fingers, he added, “I mean, what if you didn't like me? Or worse, you could have been straight.”

The sparkling eyes of his lover, the ones that had succeeded in capturing his heart, turned to him and looked into his dark eyes.

“Oh hush. I am sure you already knew I was far from straight. Besides, there was no way I

would have let you go. Where else was I going to find such a handsome man with such sexy

tattoos?” The elder glanced down at the arms of the other briefly, referring to the various inked

designs that had been added over the years they had been together.

“So you are saying you only love my tattoos?” Sameer raised a brow in amusement.

“Umm no.” The elder said and discarded the remote beside him before turning to face Sameer fully. “I love your cooking and how you take care of me and tolerate me and lov-”

His list was interrupted when Sameer once again leaned forward and connected their lips for another short kiss.

“I am glad to know that.” Sameer said, pulling away from the kiss.

“And I am glad that you found me.” His lover of six years, Arjun whispered before smiling brightly.

Life for Arjun had not been easy once he came out to his parents after his graduation, almost a decade ago. They were quick to disown him and he was left alone.

Luckily, a few of his close friends had been there by his side.

Sameer did not like to think of what would have happened if that was not the case and felt only gratitude towards their friends.

Being from a rather supportive family, he did not have to face the same and may not fully comprehend what his lover felt or had to go through. But he understood. And he was determined to give him all the love that he deserved. And some more.

Sameer had initially decided to move back to India after completing his studies. But given how close-minded most people there were, he changed his mind, only occasionally visiting his native country. It was during one of those visits when they met.

Despite the time gap of more than 9 hours, they had stayed in contact, exchanging text almost everyday. Chats that were just friendly conversations of how they spend their days, soon became more personal with topics ranging from their dreams, pasts, coming out stories, stigmas and judgements they had had to face.

With time, Sameer only felt more and more drawn towards the elder. Knowing that the elder was essentially alone with no family to call his own, Sameer had not wasted much time once he had realised his feelings for the elder.

Arjun, on the other hand, had found it very difficult that anyone would want him. Especially after his own parents had refused to acknowledge their only son as their own. He had been pretty close to ending his existence, if he was being honest. And even after so many years, the scars were still healing. So, he really could not decide if Sameer had been serious or was that supposed to be a prank?

The younger knew he had to be patient. And had also anticipated all the reasons the elder might come up with for them not to be together. But Sameer was nothing if not persistent. It took him months before Arjun finally showed signs of giving in. Another couple of months and they were finally together. A long distance relationship, but Sameer was too ecstatic to be bothered by it. 

The next time Sameer came to India, they met as lovers. That was also when Arjun was dragged by Sameer to meet the younger’s parents and sister.

The love and acceptance Arjun received that day was something he had only dreamt of. The younger’s parents had not only been happy to meet Arjun but also showed that they accepted him not only as Sameer’s lover but also his life partner, if and when they would decide to take that step.

After Sameer went back, Arjun was no longer left alone. The younger’s parents made sure to invite Arjun on any and every occasion, sometimes even without any occasion. Sameer’s sister and brother-in-law became Arjun’s part of life too. And who could forget their tiny angel.

However, time passed differently for the lovers. And with time, their longing for each other increased.

On Sameer’s next visit, he popped the question of Arjun moving to Canada with him, with bated breath, fully aware that this will change their relationship forever.

Arjun’s mind was torn in indecision. While one part of him wanted to jump up and throw his arms around the younger’s neck and kiss the living daylights out of him, another part of him felt lost in the millions of ‘what if’s. What if they didn’t really work out? What if Sameer finally realised that he didn’t want the elder as a part of his life? What if he was once again left alone?

Every thought stopped when Sameer held his hand and looked into his eyes, the younger’s eyes filled with love and sincerity when he said he really wanted to make the elder a permanent presence in his life, if the elder would have him.

More than three years have already passed since then, the journey filled with memories of love and laughter, bickering and arguments, cajoling and apologies, each of them holding a special place in their hearts.

And here they were, not as lovers, but as life partners. 

Seeing the bright smile and sparkling eyes, Sameer could not help but lean forward to touch the other’s forehead with his own and whisper a quiet, “Yeah. Me too.”