Ruchi’s Room

Click here to read the first story in Jack and Ruchi series

“So, I know you can’t see Ruchi, but goddamn it your room is beautiful!” I heard Jack say. I laughed nervously. “Really, you think so?” Mom let Jack come over before, but this was the first time I was allowed to take Jack to my room. Ever since I told Mom about me and Jack, she had been acting more strangely with Jack. More affectionately. Maybe she was afraid he’s gonna think my family is rude and break up. But, mom won’t let me take Jack to my room when were friends, but let me when I told her we were together, when chances of hanky-panky more more than ever. (I hope). Maybe it was her way of saying “since you shared something so intimate, I’ll trust you with this” Parents are weird. Or maybe it’s just mine.

“Hey how did you decorate?” I heard him say. This is what I liked about Jack. He never treated my problem like it was something special. Anyone else would add “with your blindness” But not Jack. “My mom helps me a little. I don’t know, I just feel how rough the wallpaper is, or soft. The sound of the colour. I mean Yellow sounds like a fearful little kid. Blue sounds calming. Red is passion and anger, which I am not. I just, I don’t know, feel the colours I guess.” “And the pictures?” It’s scenes from all my favorite book that have a movie. Again, mom helped me. There are some quotes, in Braille, randomly. Sometimes, I just randomly feel the wall, which I know sounds weird.” He laughed. “Well I like it. It’s easy going, comfortable, and most of all, so happy. He cupped my cheeks. I could feel his intense gaze, even if I couldn’t see. “Just like you.” I blushed. Or at least felt the things associated with blushing. “Stop it Jack. Come here” I dragged him to my bed. Not for anything wrong. “Close the window, can you?” I asked him. I heard the window swing shut. “Now go close the door and come here.”

“So what are we-” “Shh shhh” I shushed him. We were on the bed, lying on our backs. “This is what I like to do sometimes.” I whispered. “I lie down and listen. Let the sounds flow through me. I focus any particular sound if I like it, or else let it float by. I feel like I’m a part of this world, an eternal entity, forever in limbo, listening to the world.” I felt his hands search for mine. He did, and took it in his own. “That’s beautiful.” “Shh” I sushed him. “You try it.  Try to let the sounds flow though you. Let yourself go and dissolve into the sounds.” He stayed quiet, listening. “I hear a soft hum” he whispered. “Yes, that’s the fan of the living room where” I concentrated on the fan. “My brother is probably reading a book.” I felt the soft rustle as Jack turned to me. “I hear a metallic clink-clink-clink” ‘That is my dad in his room, probably trying to fix the radio.” Jack stayed silent. “What are you listening to?” I asked him softly.

“You” he laughed. I punched him playfully. “Come on Jack!” “Okay okay.” He fell silent, still holding my hand. But he wasn’t holding anymore. My hand just lay on top of his, a lazy embrace. I could feel his skin, his rough palm, his fingers, calloused at the tips from playing guitar. I stretched a little and felt his wrist, his pulse. Steady, rhythmic. He stretched out too, feeling my wrist. He wrapped his fingers around my forearms, just as I did. I felt his pulse quicken. “You’re nervous?” I whispered “Well I’m lying on a bed with a beautiful girl listening to her speak and be in her natural element. So yeah, I’m a little nervous I’ll ruin something for her.” I turned. “Wait. Get up!” I shrieked! “Why? What’s the–” But I was already up and pulling him to the wall where I had those quotes in Braille. “And this” I turned to him, “is the-” Just then the door opened and in walked Mom. “Oh Sorry dear, I thought you might want some snacks?” She smiled, holding a tray. But the way she talked, I knew, I could see, ignore the pun, that she really wanted to spy on us. “It’s okay Mom, Jack was just leaving.” “I was?” Jack asked surprised.I tilted my head like a warning sign. “I mean, yeah, I was.” “Well okay, if you say so” She left, but didn’t close the door.

“Damn Ruchi, you have excellent hearing” Jack turned. I waited, listening to Mom’s footsteps receed. “Comes with the curse, I guess.” I laughed. “Now come here!” I reached out to where I deduced his face was. I could hear Jack’s gasp as my hands met his cheek, rough and grizzled with slighty unshaved beard. I pulled him close. “Sorry if my beard pricks you. I haven-” this time I was certain where his lips were. I pressed my lips against his, tilting my head a little. The rest of his sentence was drowned by the kiss. I leaned on him a little and he staggered a few steps back. What happened to him! Damn you Jack, respond! I let go of his cheeks and lifted his arms, placed them on my shoulders. He seemed to understand, as he wrapped me in his arms, tight, slightly squeezing me. I felt his cheeks, his chin, his nose, every inch of his skin my hungry fingers could find. His fingers played with my hair, tangling, tugging. I felt his arm pressing against my back, and though his shirt, his heartbeat, now million times faster. No doubt mine was too.

When we pulled away, we were gasping for air. I was laughing hysterically. “What happened?” I could hear embarrassment in his voice. “I waited so long for you to make the first move that, I was like, screw this. And even then, you were so unresponsive” I fell on my bed, laughing. “Well, I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t think straight!” He defended himself. “Well, for what’s it worth” I said “I quite enjoyed it” Jack laughed. “So I guess I should be going?” he asked. “Okay, I guess. Come I’ll walk you out.” I took his hand. I really didn’t need to hold his hand. I felt good having him near, being in contact, so feel him. “So, goodbye Ruchi” We were standing at the door. “See you tomorrow?” “Sure, why not. It’s not as if I’ll disappear suddenly.” I felt Jack’s lips on my cheek, as he cheekily planted a quick kiss. “JACK!” “I know. Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Tomorrow, I’m taking you out to the park okay?” I nodded. “Goodbye Jack!” “See you soon Ruchi!” I heard him laugh.