‘Damn the Alcohol!!’

They say alcohol brings out the real you,does it? It actually does. It’s just human to blame it on the high and get out of the situation. Damn the alcohol is when you realise the real you and innocent alcohol is damned for the same. 

The time stood still, it was midnight, the bottle of wine had only about a glass left in it. Two empty glasses, a little red at the bottom, sat beside it. With dim yellow lighting around they sat in front of each other, talking for hours now, sipping on red wine. The dim lights just added to the wine’s high. Only half of his face was visible in that light. ‘Damn he is looking so handsome right now’, Meera thought to herself. Unaware that he too was admiring her beauty. 

They laughed and talked more about life, love, friends, work etc. This was the best part, even after spending many hours of their lives together, they still had a lot to share and receive from each other, and they did every chance they got.

The sound of old bollywood instrumental music was filling the air with romance. Their talks came to an abrupt stop as their favourite song found its place in their conversation. ‘Lag jaa gale...’ Singing softly, humming, he asked Meera for a dance, he knew how much she liked the song. Meera joyfully agreed, soon both were waltzing to the soothing music. 

The song ended, there was silence. They then realised the peaceful warmth in their hug. Both withdrew themselves a little, still holding each other, looking at each other, as if for the first time. Words were far away in this conversation, their eyes were locked, they both were trying to say something and suddenly the damn auto play of YouTube played the Make My Trip ad, “Accha sun, Where do you think Sam is from?” They both laughed their hearts out, YouTube ad had officially broken the moment. 

They went back to sit on the sofa. Now facing each other, comfortably resting their folded legs on one another. He poured the left over wine, equal, in both the glasses. ‘Cheers!’ It was the last one for that night, they both sipped onto the wine, looking at the person in front through the glass and half poured wine. 

Both came to the last sip of their respective glasses. The phone now showed low battery. Meera shut the music. There was silence again. They looked at each other, still sitting the same way, no one wanted to move. They held hands, playing with her fingers, he leaned in, so did Meera. They kissed. It was impossible now, for them to stay away from each other. Grabbing onto each other tight, still laughing and talking their way through, comfortably passionate, they made love. 

It was time for Meera to leave. Both were now sipping on some freshly made coffee. Unsure, awkward, secretly happy, but certainly not showing it. He kept the coffee mugs in the kitchen after they were done. They oddly hugged good bye. “Umm, it was definitely the wine.” Meera said trying hard not to look at him, she knew she would blush. Clearing his throat, “Yeah! Totally, damn the alcohol.” He said, chuckling awkwardly. 

Meera stepped out, the door closed shut, there was definitely love but now on either sides of the door. They both smiled and moved on to their lives but didn’t confess. After all they were just best friends.