"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Chapter 37: Shirtless Surprise

   Riya had set the alarm to six, wanting to wake up before Madhan. After the previous day's fiasco, she wanted to make the paste again, so Madhan could apply it. Madhan's face had become a bit clearer since the first day she met him. It must have been the lotions he had been applying, but nothing could be as quick as her mom's homemade paste.

   She walked into the kitchen humming to herself as she found the ingredients quickly. It was much easier to make it since she already had the previous day. There was some paste left, so she mixed it along with that for a fine texture of the paste.

   Riya heard the bathroom door close. Hoping she caught him before he started applying the lotion, she poured the paste into a bowl and rushed to his room.

Thud thud thud. Riya banged on the door.

   Madhan had just finished brushing his teeth when he heard Riya bang the door. He was surprised and also a bit worried. What could Riya want that she was banging this urgently. He didn't have time to put on his shirt, so he opened it hesitatingly.

   Riya continued to knock on the door even when he had opened it. Her hand hit his bare chest, and it took her by surprise since he was shirtless.

   Madhan found her staring at him too long for his discomfort.

   "Uh Riya, what is it?" Madhan asked, his hand on the door ready to close it.

   Riya got out of her trance and looked at him. "Paste."

   "The one you were making yesterday?"

   Riya nodded vigorously.

   "Can it wait? I need to apply lotion and shower."

   "No. It can't."

   Madhan opened the door wider and sidestepped Riya into his room.

   "It's a paste for your pimples," Riya said. "My mom used to wear this for twenty-one days and her face became so clear after that."

   Madhan eyed it suspiciously. "Isn't turmeric paste used to stop hair growth?"

   Riya paused. "It does, I guess. But it's okay, you can apply it on your pimples alone. There's no facial hair there right?"

   Madhan nodded. "Do you think you could apply it for me? I don't think I'll be able to apply it accurately. Besides your fingers are really small."

   Riya nodded. She was relieved Madhan accepted. Even if she had to apply it for him.

   Madhan sat on his bed and Riya sat on his right side, placing the bowl between them.

   She took a pinch of paste between her index and middle finger and tried to reach his face, but the distance was a discomfort. She scooted closer, such that her knees almost touched his, and when she leaned in to apply it, his face was dangerously close to hers.

   Her fingers made contact with his cheek. His skin was cold, and it sent a shiver down Riya's spine. Madhan wrapped his left arm around her waist in an effort to steady her. Riya looked down at his arm, and when she looked back up, Madhan was staring into her eyes, his lips almost grazing hers.

   Riya's breath hitched. It really didn't help that Madhan was shirtless. He didn't have abs. At least not yet, but she could see how toned his chest was. There was no fat bulging in his stomach. In short, hot or not, she was finding herself attracted to him.

   Madhan whispered her name sending another shiver down her spine. Was he going to kiss her? She wasn't ready yet! Especially not when she didn't like him like that. He was a friend at the moment. Seeing him shirtless took her by surprise and it definitely stirred something in her, but she wasn't ready to quite put it in words.

   "It's dripping," he finally said, moving his face away from hers.

   Riya looked at her fingers and was dismayed to find a drop of paste fallen onto his bed.

  "Oh," Riya said in surprise. "I'm so sorry." As she bent her down to remove the paste with back of her palm, Madhan bent down too with the same notion.

   "Ouch," both of them exclaimed. They laughed when they looked at each other. Riya decided to stand up and apply it. The rest of the application went on without any hiccups, and when she was done, Madhan looked like a zebra with brown polka dots. Riya tried to stifle a laugh, but it come out as a hiss.

   Madhan frowned at her wondering why she was reacting that way. It was only when he was back in the restroom he realized why. Chuckling to himself, he proceeded to shower after letting the paste work it's magic for fifteen minutes.

   Madhan was out of the shower half an hour later. He took an extra longer time due to the hormonal feelings generated back then. He came out of his room in an undershirt and capris, looking quite trimmed.

   Riya wondered why she hadn't noticed him. She was living with him for five months already. Their wedding was in June. And it was now November. He started working out within a month of their return here. Riya understood that it was probably because she never made an effort. She never had a chance to acknowledge his body until the previous night when she fell on top of him.

   She was already sitting with her books. Breakfast was ready on the table. She didn't feel like eating so she told Madhan to go ahead and eat his.

   Madhan ate his breakfast in ten minutes, watching Riya read her book. She was chewing the back of her pen, and he wondered how it would be to bite her lips. He choked on his orange juice when he realized what he thought.

   Riya looked up, concerned. "Are you okay?" she asked, placing her book down to get up. Madhan hit the back of his head with his hand repeatedly and told her he was fine. Riya sat back down but didn't pick up the book. She was so bored.

   It was only seven fifteen in the morning. The sun had risen, but it wasn't so hot outside. Madhan decided to take Riya to the park for some fresh air.

    He took out the freshly cut pomegranate from the fridge and put it in a bowl. He brought it to Riya who refused again. "Do you want me to feed you?" Madhan asked, sternly.

   Riya scowled as she took the bowl from him. "I told you I wasn't hungry."

   "You shouldn't skip breakfast," he said.

   Riya dipped her spoon into the bowl and put it in her mouth reluctantly. Madhan reached out for the book, plopping onto the sofa next to her.

   "So..." he continued, proceeding to teach her the rest of the chapter, as Riya forced herself to listen.

   Madhan found her to be restless after she finished eating. He was almost done with the chapter. He contemplated on whether to finish it or not and decided he would so that they could spend however long they wanted to at the park.

   "Okay Riya, let's go," he said, getting up from the sofa. Riya looked at him in bewilderment.

   "Where?"

   "To the park, of course."

   Riya smiled big. She wanted to get out of the house. She was tired of being alone at home and going out alone. "Okay, I'll get dressed."

   Riya came out in tracks and a hello kitty pink top. She bent down to tie her shoelace, stood up and adjusted her shirt at the back so that it covered a part of her butt.

   "Let's go," she cheered, leading the way. There was this park she really wanted to go. It wasn't a park per se. More like a place to walk. There was a huge pond, and surrounding it was a pathway. She had been eying it every time she drove past it.

   "I know the perfect place to go," she gushed. "I'm driving."

  Madhan threw her the keys which she caught gracefully. He followed behind a skipping Riya sending a Prayer to the Lord hoping that this time nothing goes wrong. Hoping that this time he gets it right.  

I wonder what might happen at the park ;) Let's get creative. What are the different kinds of ways Madhan can mess up at a PARK? :P Please comment your ideas ;)

Thank you, Raven_Queen31, for all the votes, and oh so hilarious comments of yours :D There wasn't a single one to which I haven't smiled or laughed at. :)

Thank you so much for reading, everyone! Please comment and vote! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next update will be this Friday and it will be a much longer one.