Summer of 04, The Nightcap which was a promise of a new beginning... - Chapter Seven

We discovered a lot about each other that night. You can't spend all day and practically all night together and not know the other person fairly intimately and his certain well guarded secrets too. Some facts about the 'Greek God' Zaman:

1. He had the most amazing body I had ever laid eyes on.
(He had changed into shorts and a snug fit T-shirt before getting into bed)

2. He had a 'thing' for scented oils and he favoured lavender and sandalwood.
(He went for frequent body massages he confessed. We even decided to go for a massage together the following weekend)

3. He loved animations...common interest that brought us closer still...
(That's what we did until 4:20 am. We watched Mulan and then Mulan II. He wanted to do Brother Bear as well, but I was honestly exhausted and turned down the offer. And there was work in a few hours!)

4. He was gay.
(He admitted this at precisely 4:37 am...)

Zaman: "Stay."

Silence. I couldn't get the words out!

After a while...

Me: "what exactly do you have in mind?"

Silence.

What he said next came out too softly...

Zaman: "Spend the rest of the night here. There is plenty of room on this bed for the both of us and there are only a few hours left before we have to go to work anyway. I am not proposing anything more. I swear."

I just looked at him...and then I went on looking at him...wondering...

Me: "You are gay." I finally got it...and announced it too before I could think of a milder way of saying it.

Zaman: "Yes. I am harmless. Will you stay?"

Me: "Do the others know?"

Zaman: "No. I have spent very little time with these guys in Auz. Considering I joined the organization only a month ago I haven't made forever friends yet."

Me: "Hmmm...Do you want me to keep the secret?"

Zaman: "I don't know yet. I am still undecided."

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I stayed a while longer...we talked.

Summer of 04, Coffee & then some... Chapter Six

Somerset Salcedo
Suite # 1807
9:40 pm

Zaman: "Do you want to come up for a cup of coffee?"

I play the fool...

Me: "Starbucks? I reckon it’s still open and it ain't too far."

He smiles and my heart skips a beat...

Zaman: "I have a special concoction from back home. You'll like it I am sure. And my condo is closer. We are on the 6th floor as we speak; another minute and we'll be on the 18th."

Me: "Hmmm...What the heck...I love coffee and you are tolerable."

I give him a wide grin. He winks playfully at me.

We reach the 18th floor and exit the elevator. He opens the door to his condo and I follow him in. The most striking things in the room are the French windows with a stunning view and the king size bed which seemed to be dominating the huge room. The bed looks welcoming and promises a sleep on the clouds. The thought of sleeping on that bed runs through my mind for the obvious reason, sleep deprivation! I suddenly feel so exhausted that I plunk myself on the cozy armchair by the French windows and start to look outside at the brightly lit city. He goes into the kitchen to prepare the coffee he had lured me with. I let my eyes wander and take in the room at large. I notice both the 29 inch TV and the DVD player (the same as the one in my apartment) placed on a chest of drawers. The walk in closet door on the wall opposite the TV is ajar and white light filters through it. I get enough peek to see the closet is painfully clean and orderly. Just then Zaman walks in bearing two steaming coffee mugs.

Me: "Your apartment is awfully clean. I don't know any men who like cleanliness. I thought all men were messy."

Zaman: "Don’t be so quick to compliment. We have several privileges staying in this hotel you forget. House cleaning is one of them." He announces cheerfully as he settles into the armchair and gives out a sigh.

Me: "Today is Sunday. There is no house cleaning on Sundays."

Zaman: "Guilty as charged my lord. But don’t tell anyone I am a cleanliness freak. They’ll think I am gay." He winks at me wickedly.

I ask in all seriousness, "Are you?"

He leans forward in his chair and looks me straight in the eyes. His piercing gaze makes it difficult for me to decipher his mood. He finally asks,"What do you think?"

After a pregnant pause I deliberately make light of the matter and declare flightily, "Honestly? I don't know and I don't care!"

Zaman smirks and pushes himself back in his arm chair and retorts, "I am so hurt. These dimples don't do a thing for me do they?" He grins widely to accentuate the dimples he was so unabashedly referring to.

My heart skips yet another beat...

Me: "I am nice... I can be nice...I want to be nice...don't ask me diffiult questions!" I feign distress.

Zaman continues to sip his coffee which is actually heavenly and has managed to awaken all my senses (no pun intended!). We sit in companionable silence for interminable moments drinking coffee and nibbling at some delicious cookies.

Me: On finishing my coffee and placing the mug with a definite thud on the table, "I am off to bed now...I'll see you when I see you." I leave the chair grudgingly and slip my shoes back on and start to head for the door.

Zaman follows me to the door. I turn to bid him good night.

Zaman: "Stay."

Me: Questioningly "What for?"

Zaman: He extends his hand, offering me to take it and follow him back in. "Let me introduce you to FaMulan my love. She reminds me of you." This with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

That rings a bell and I take his hand gleefully.

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I finally park myself on the comfortable king size bed which had been beckoning me all this time. I stay with him until the wee hours of the morning...

That's another story...until then...

(To be continued...)