Chapter 1

In retrospect, I had absolutely no premonition of how yesterday's afternoon would turn out to be. Perhaps thats what amounts to fate. I mean, a few months ago I had met this aspiring pilot, Seb - and boy... does he bears description! Curly black hair, choclate skinned, mesmerising slightly hooded eyes that were like black grapes, and a smile that charmed attire off the opposite sex, probably depending on time and place. He was about 6 feet tall and had the kind of walk that got eyes following him until he was, regretfully, out of sight. Womens' libber notwithstanding, I must confess that it tickled me pink when peers thought I was damn lucky to be going around with this guy.

It was my graduation year and we were almost 20 years old. Interestingly, I got along a little better with his bosom pal, Doke. A real nice guy too, but the sort most women never seem to get physically close to. He was more like a confessional box and a shoulder to cry on. Rather jovial sort. Surprisingly, before Seb and I got the infatuation bug for each other, Doke, he and I would hang around each other quite a bit. The bus that I took to college would stop at theirs first and we got friendly that way. We'd just acknowledge each others' presence and smile. Then later I discovered that they spent their evenings at a friend's photo studio that was pretty close to where I lived. I would have to essentially pass this studio as it was the first commercial shop outside our lane. So, seeing these guys there as well naturally led to hellos and getting friendly. One day I had to enlarge a couple of old family photos. Since the photo studio had a reputation for being quite good in the area, I went there to get it done. While I waited, Seb and Doke walked in and we automatically smiled at each other. We introduced each other, exchanging information about which college we went to and what subjects we were majoring in. As we chatted, we talked about people we knew mutually. The girls' college I went to had a lot of guys hanging around. And as is normal, the conversation veered towards who was going around with who and stuff like that. It was fun.

This became a habit as we began to become good friends. We went out together in groups to the movies and the beach. Yes, we were blessed with a beach where we lived back then. Things moved much as they would with group like ours. Then gradually Seb and I got closer, more by default than chance since he lived quite close to my place.

He'd drop me back and we'd hang at the gate talking for a while. The exams came and went. We got busy swotting and sailed through them. The group, sadly, began to split up because of various destinies and destinations. It was back to Seb, Doke and me.

More like Seb and me, because Doke had to help his dad in some family business during the days that followed. Seb was putting in his hours at the Flying Club and I got myself a summer job.

Seb would often pick me up after work and we'd ride down to the beach, which was en route, chat for a while watching the waves and then head home together. Perhaps it was around that time that he actually noticed me, as a woman. Since I was going to work, I was taking care about the way I wore my hair and clothes. I was complimented often at work, being blessed with good skin and hair and also a good figure. I was getting off work one day, with Seb waiting on his bike. As I got on behind him, I could sense him seething, apparently annoyed about something. We went on to the beach as usual, and when Seb was unusually silent without his tongue-in-cheek humor, I asked him what his problem was. What was bothering him was the fact that he had overheard some of my colleagues talking about me. And that had made him jealous. He had realised that he cared about me, enough to get bugged about some other guys talking about me. That was pleasant news indeed. Our faces were close together and our lips touched. We hugged and kissed right there on the beach. Suddenly we were aware of each other in a different way.

During the following weekend, when Seb, Doke and I met, Doke seemed to notice the difference. He kept grinning at us and teasing us. I was quite fond of Doke, so I put up with his ragging in good humor. We planned to meet up for lunch the coming Saturday, which was a holiday for all of us. We decided to meet up about 11 am and cook lunch, enjoy some music and generally spend the afternoon together, catching up. We pulled Seb's leg about what a lousy cook he was anyway, since he hated even heating up water for tea!

I was quite looking forward to our lunch on Saturday. I dressed in a blue halter top and my favorite brightly printed wrap around skirt which was almost ankle length - I could do without a bra as the weather was quite warm and I did not bounce all that much! I tied my hair with a silk scarf, enjoying its shampooed swing on my back. Seb loved my hair. I knew he loved my body as well, but we had not gotten to the getting physical stage, except for a few feelies and passionate kisses.

I got to Doke's place, where the three of us were supposed to meet, since his folks were out of town. I found Doke happily pottering around, with the music on loud. He hugged me when I walked in and said how much he had missed me. I playfully swiped at him with my bag. He was quite a cook, and I was not so bad myself. We decided upon a simple menu and set about preparing the vegetables. Doke joked about Seb landing up exactly at lunch time to avoid any kitchen work and we laughed together as we worked together comfortably. When we were through an hour later, Doke pretended to be my slave and took my apron off of me, kissed my wrist and asked whether I would like some wine while we waited for Seb. I pretended along with him and said I would like to be carried through to the sofa. Doke obliged and after placing cushions under my feet, went and got us each a glass of wine... He grinned as he asked me whether I'd like my feet tickled. It was a big source of amusement among us that I loved my soles tickled. I held my foot up and he kissed my toes, winking at me, as he tickled my sole. We were singing along with the music - the Beatles were on - as we sipped our wine, with Doke sometimes imitating the guitar chords. Then Seb called to say he wouldn't be able to make it for lunch as he had a test at the Flying Club. We went ahead and finished with lunch, nicely lacing it with a lot of wine. Afterwards, we went back to laze in the living room with the music on.

I don't know how it happened, but much later, I found myself sprawled on the floor with Doke a little while later. It must have been the wine in my head. I was pleasantly woozy from it - I couldn't remember how much I'd drunk. But I did not object when Doke gently kissed me. It felt very nice. He was kissing my chin and moving to my earlobes. It was probably at that moment that I discovered I had very sensitive earlobes. The kisses I had shared with Seb were quick passionate ones. Doke was something else. Not that I had any experience as such. He was gentle and firm and the same time, somehow. His hand was caressing my foot, then my calf, just the way I seemed to like, and my thigh. Made easier by the fact that I had a skirt on! He squeezed my butt pulled apart a bit and grinned at me. I shocked myself realising I was absolutely comfortable with this guy. He asked me if I was guilty. I couldn't imagine why. I raised myself on my elbows and he undid my halter top, causing it to come off, exposing my breasts. He cupped one, telling me I was beautiful.He kissed the nipple gently and then took it in his mouth, rolling his tongue around it. I felt wonderful, feeling warm all over. I tugged at his tshirt, which he took off right away, and we hugged each other, skin on skin. He pulled the tag of my skirt, unwrapping it away from me. We smiled at each other. It was a discovery for the both of us. He took off his track pants and we stepped out of our last bits of clothing.

It was the first time I was looking at a completely nude man, and I told him so. He took my face in his hands and kissed me slowly and deliberately. As he looked into my eyes, his hands left my face, while his lips continued to kiss mine. I could feel the body warmth emanating off him as his hands caressed my shoulders, moving down my arms, linking his fingers with mine, as he paused to smile into my eyes. I smiled back. He put his arms around me and drew me close, just holding me. His hands slowly moved down my back to settle on my buttocks, which he squeezed gently. Nice ass, he said. He put his hands on my shoulders again and held me away, looking at me. My skin was on fire and am sure I was blushing.