Jain
Jain
T he rain lashed down on the windscreen, clouding my vision despite the wipers fighting it furiously. I sighed, pulling up the handbrake as I sat in the long line of traffic that led the way home.
This route wasn't usually bad, but it was late on a Friday evening—rush hour had somehow been extended as late as seven PM. The red lights from the cars ahead of me blurred through the wet glass, swirling before the wipers cleared it temporarily before they disappeared from view again.
The dashboard screen on my car lit up, and I saw it was Evan.
"Hey, you," I answered, stifling a yawn.
"Tell me you didn't go down the A road," he said hopefully, and I groaned.
"Yes. I've been at a standstill for the past twenty minutes. Has something happened?"
My stomach clenched with apprehension when he sighed. I knew he hated me driving at night, let alone in wet conditions. Whenever I was late, he would automatically check the local traffic news and call me with an update.
Cute really.
"It looks like someone has broken down near the lights. It's shut one of the lanes down. Can you turn around?"
I shook my head before remembering he couldn't see me through the phone.
"Nope. I'm stuck here. Hopefully, they will get it fixed or moved soon..." My voice trailed off when I heard the sound of sirens.
"There isn't a central reservation there Jain, turn around. Otherwise, you will be there for ages."
I chewed on my lip, not wanting to do a three-point turn on such a busy road with idle eyes watching. I wasn't a confident driver, and Evan knew it.
"You'll be fine," he coaxed, "want me to stay on the line?"
"Yes, but I'll be alright. I'm too tired to sit in this for much longer," I muttered, pushing my indicator on as I wound my window down to get a better view. The road on the opposite side was pretty clear, and I managed to move across seamlessly.
"Success?"
"Mission completed. What's the quickest way home? Do you want me to pick up anything?"
It felt good to be finally moving, and I noticed with surprise how much the traffic queue had lengthened. I frowned, wondering why it was taking so long to move a broken-down vehicle. I jumped with surprise when a siren screamed from beside me, an ambulance flying past me as it headed in the direction of the source of the traffic.
"No, it's fine. See you when you get home, drive safely," Evan said softly, and I felt my heart soar with love and adoration.
I glanced at the box beside me that I'd had made especially for tonight, and I bit back a smile. My toes and fingers tingled with nerves when I realised what I was doing—what I was planning on doing—but I knew it was the right thing to do.
As my car sliced through the slick city streets, I sighed with relief upon entering my area. The houses changed from small, terraced houses huddled closely together as though for warmth to the bungalows that led to the cul-de-sac I'd always been in love with. I couldn't appreciate the beauty through the torrential rain, but when my headlights shone onto the tree that dominated the front of our house, I couldn't help but smile.
I picked up the plastic bag containing the treasured box and huddled it close to my chest. I dashed from the car to the front door, as it opened widely before me.
As usual, Evan blew me away. Simple things like the fact he was still dressed in his suit from work—he was training in marketing and PR work now, and I had to admit I appreciated the polished appearance: his eyes, God , his eyes. Deep pools of emerald, which were currently laced with concern as he studied me intently.
"You ok? What's this?" Evan nodded at the box in my hands before I dropped it onto the table.
"I thought we could have an evening with wine and board games." I smiled, observing his reaction. His lips lifted in one corner as he nodded slowly.
"Ok, that's a sweet idea."
Yes!
We talked over a glass of wine before we changed upstairs. I needed a shower and took my time doing so. Everything I did felt like it required absolute care and precision—exfoliating, washing my rain-soaked hair, even shaving under my arms. I found myself daydreaming before nerves sliced through me, reminding me I had a big obstacle to overcome first.
I dried myself before applying body cream all over my parched skin. I used to put it on every day, but now it was almost a luxury.
Time itself was becoming a luxury.
I dried my hair into loose waves with the aid of my fabulous hairbrush designed for such tasks. I slipped on my silky grey pyjama bottoms before adding the matching vest top. I gazed at my reflection, which was now scrubbed and honed to what I hoped looked like perfection in Evan's eyes.
"Red or white?" I heard him call up the stairs, his delicious voice making me shiver involuntarily. When I called back, my voice trembled, giving away how nervous I was. I bit my lip as the thunder clapped outside the window, the wind making the branches tap on the glass as though to hurry me up.
"I'm doing it,” I hissed to the tree as it continued to tap its branches angrily on the glass. I scowled at it before walking down the stairs to join Evan. He had changed into his comfy clothes and was currently poring over the crossword on the table before him. He was hunched over, his brow furrowed with concentration as his lips moved wordlessly. He glanced up when I came in, his eyes running over me appreciatively before he dropped his pen with a sigh.
"How do you get better with age?"
I smiled, lifting on my tiptoes to kiss his lips. He seemed to breathe me in, his hands wrapping around me as we kissed softly. The kiss showed me how tired we both were, a swift peck on the lips before he gazed at me, grinning.
"If you say I'm like a fine wine— "
"Oh, come on. Since when do I use lines?"
I snorted as he frowned, tilting my chin, so I was facing him. His eyes seemed to glitter when he spoke, my nerves now through the roof.
"Since when do I need to, Jain?"
I moved away from him, the heat from being close to him making me forget what I was meant to be doing. He yawned, rubbing his neck before he stretched his arms out.
"I thought we'd play Monopoly," I said brightly, sliding the box out of the rain flecked carrier bag. His eyes lit up before he took a sip of wine.
"Excellent. Although I must warn you, I'm damn good at this game."
"It's just luck." I shrugged, picking off the cellophane from the custom-made box. Luckily everything looked the same, so his interest wasn't piqued.
"I'll be the boot," Evan declared, settling down in front of me.
"Fine, I'll be the dog. Bet I still win."
"Bet, hmm? I know, loser goes on top."
I burst out laughing as he winked at me.
"I really want to win now," he remarked, gazing at my chest pointedly.
We began the game, and he was fixated on winning. Whenever I landed on Community Chest or Chance, I decided to make up the words just until he landed on one. If he didn't land on one, it would have to be the best of three. He rolled the dice, and four black circles stared up at the ceiling as he whistled.
"Doubles. I get another go," he crooned before throwing the dice again. I held my breath when it landed on the cards named 'Chance."
He smirked at me before dropping his eyes to the card .
"Is this serious?" Evan whispered, his voice barely audible.
I swallowed before nodding.
"It is."