Chapter 4 Qubool Hai - Part B

Kabir leaned back on the hard word floor, his arms under his head and continued what he had been doing for the past 5 minutes - stare at Ruhani. They were by the fire place, him lying down in front of it and her sitting closer to it with her knees drawn to her chest, hands wrapped around them, cuddled into a ball. She was looking at the fire, fascinated by it, looking for patterns, figures and stories in it in the darkness of the night. She didn't realize what a sight she made with her face and eyes aglow with the embers of the fire reflecting on her features. Kabir's breath almost knocked out of him, looking at the angelic glow of her eyes, lips and skin. A woman always looks best by firelight at night, he mused. He could continue to stare languidly at her by the fire forever, just like this, content and happy. She looked just like the meaning of her name- soulful. Ruhani.

The clearing of her throat brought him out of his trance. He blinked. 'What?' he said. She laughed. 'Are you even listening? I asked tell me more about your relationship with your family.' They had been talking and getting to know each other for the last couple of ours. He smiled. 'Im close to all of them, but closest to my brother I think. Ever since he was born, he was kinda my responsibility since mom and dad travel a lot for dad's work. You know, he was born on Christmas Eve. I was 5. I was waiting for my gift when mom and dad left home for the hospital coz mom went into labour, leaving me with my aunt and uncle. I sadly figured no gifts this Christmas because mom is sick. When they came home with a baby the next day on Christmas I was so happy. I thought Aarav was specially brought home for me. My gift. That's why I'm so protective of him I guess.' His cheeks turned pink at the end.
Ruhani was struck at the sweetness of the story. "Awww. That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. You are like a mama bear for Aarav, aren't you?" He blushed harder. "Shut up." He muttered. She laughed and pulled his cheeks while he rolled his eyes at her.

"So tell me about your family now." He said quickly, changing the subject. She hesitated now, wringling her hands a bit. He waited. "I was closest to papa. He was my hero, as dads always are for little girls. You know, right from my childhood he spoilt me and made sure I turned out to be independent and strong. He was the kindest and bravest man I knew. It was because of him that I was almost a tomboy and into outdoorsy stuff, and adventurous. After he was killed in that encounter..it was hard. I love my mom and sister but I felt a little weird somehow without dad there. I was 14. Mom had to manage being a single parent and her teaching career. Di dealt with it in her own way. She is different from me..more homey I guess. Her first priority was to manage the household, and later on she seemed eager to get married soon. Mom was relieved. I was always..more difficult for them I guess. And then they didn't like Nitin, my ex. They were right. But things are improving now. Di's kids have brought the family closer. Children always do that, I guess." She trailed off, shocked at how much she had shared. She never revealed this much about her family problems even to her closest friends.

Kabir listened intently, without interrupting. The pain in her voice and the shadows of hurt in her eyes pained him. When she was finished, he said nothing but moved closer to put his hand on hers in a gesture of silent support. She looked up at him in gratitude. He smiled at her. It occurred to her that their hands somehow always found each other's, regards right from the moment they met. The thought made her smile back. He said slowly "Families, though difficult at times, will be the only people standing by your side when the entire world is against you. Never give up or let go of them." She just nodded, tears choking her throat, afraid to speak.

He lifted her to her feet with a hand and engulfed her in a big, warm hug, squeezing her tight. She sighed and pulled him even closer, her wide smile paradoxing with her teary eyes. Because of their height difference, her face was closer to his chest, his heart and that was just fine by her. His one hand cradled the back of her head protectively, like one wud a child while the other rested firmly on her back. He kissed her hair. She sighed in happiness, her hands clutching his neck.

She opened her eyes slowly and then suddenly spotted something half hidden in a corner. She pulled back and squealed "Oh my gosh is that a radio!? You have a radio here and didn't tell me we could have passed time so much more beautifully.." Surprised, Kabir looked in the direction and then chuckled. The intense moment broke somewhat. "Oh, that. I forgot it was still here. Let's see if that old thing still works." He pulled the radio out from the corner and dusted it, dialing on its switch. Surprisingly, after a burst of static it tuned in to FM and was playing regional news. Ruhani clapped her hands in delight. "Switch to a music channel!!" He laughed and complied. He tuned in to an old melodies station.

"And next up we have a very special melodies sung by Kishore Da- Ek Ajnabi Haseena Se. The RJ announced. Ruhani jumped with delight. "Oh my gosh I love these old songs so much. They have so much depth and soul. I feel like slow dancing to em. Sigh.." Kabir looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. "What's stopping u, come on!" He offered her a hand. She looked at him in surprise. "You can dance" He grinned. "A bit." At her raised brow he laughed. "What? Doctors can dance too. " Because her brow was still up he sighed. "Aarav made me join dance lessons with him as a kid." She laughed and took his offered hand. "There you go." He rolled his eyes and pulled her close. The laughter died, replaced by the slow burning fire between them, literally as well as figuratively.

The first song started. They waltzed together slowly, talking their time. One hand interlinked, one around each other, gazing into each other's eyes. Somehow their movements synced together totally, naturally and they marvelled at it. Never once leaving her gaze, he spun her out and then pulled her back in in a swift motion, her back against his front now, arms wrapped around her from behind. She smiled. And then he was twirling her round and round. Heady laughter escaped her at the delight of it all. A snowy fire lit cabin in the mountains. An old melody on the radio. Dancing in a gorgeous man's arms. At her darkest moments, she knew she would go back to this precious memory. She closed her eyes, absorbing it all.

Towards the end of the song, he dipped her low, theatrically, leaning over her neck, supporting her waist. She grinned at him and he grinned back, pulling her up, flush against his chest. The song ended. Neither broke the embrace. They continued looking at each other, the air simmering with the tension between them. Kabir leaned lower. Ruhani leaned in closer. When their lips came closer, his brushed his over hers slowly, giving her time and a chance. A last chance before they went to the point of no return. When she responded by threading her fingers in his hair he let down all guards and pulled her even closer, kissing her with every ounce of passion flaming within him from the day they met. He nudged her upper lip, then lower one. She deepened the kiss and climbed on his toes to reach closer. His hands clutched her waist and hair desparately, trying to hang on. Giving up, he backed her up against the wall then with a primal growl and pinned her, the kiss becoming rougher and more passionate by the second.

When they finally pulled back to breathe, both of them were panting. Kabir tried to breathe normally. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Cheeks flushed, hair tousled, eyes wide with wonder and desire, breathing hard. His heart tightened. She looked at him then and gave a small smile. He leaned in and kissed her face softly this time, taking his time to kiss her cheeks, eyes, chin, nose and forehead. The softness of it melted her and she let out a sigh of pleasure. He pressed a final searing kiss to the sensitive spot beneath her earlobe before pulling back, satisfied with his handiwork. But she didn't let him pull back completely, burying her face in his chest. The silence between them was filled with understanding.

He soothed her hair. She placed a small kiss on his chest through his shirt in a gesture of gratitude and he trembled. Lifting her up in his arms bridal style he carried her to their sleeping bags and tugged her close. She snuggled in, content, cocooned in his arms, warm and smiling. The fire continued to roar in front of them, spreading its light on them, delighted to have witnessed a beautiful incident.

A/N - This chapter is my favourite and perhaps the most difficult one to write..so far 😬