Story 1

Chapter 7

(Shivaay's PoV) 

[ on popular demand ]

I looked at her as she turned to look outside. She was so pretty. The way her eyes moved as she swam in her thoughts. The way her lips curved up when I gave her those flowers. Those lips were excellent artists I could say. They performed too well. Her drooping curve when she did not like something, that upward climb of her lips when she loved something. I wonder how well they would move when kissed. Oh. Freaking hell this war was!

I wonder how my thoughts always ended on her lips, or her waist or those pretty fingers. Not to miss those dark brown orbs. Oh the lethal threat to my sanity, was right there and I held on to the horses. She was too delicate. Too unaware of my blazing desires, I suppose. At times I did feel she felt the same way. But, still I was clueless about her, about this relationship we shared. Almost a month down to our wedding. Was this his a normal couple would be? I had not the slightest clue.

But, as time went by, I found my impatience growing. Last night would have been beautiful if Om hadn't interrupted. I made it a point to at least shut the door next time if not lock. But couldn't he see what we were doing, couldn't he just silently slip by. After all, he knew everything. He was the one who knew my confusions. I wonder how he and Gauri had progressed in their relationship. It was so freaking hard. 

I would happily do ten conferences, ten site inspections and ten board meetings in a day perhaps even more if someone covered for me in this awkwardly situation. Sometimes I was  tempted to just sweep her off the ground and kiss her senseless. Sleeping on the same bed made things worse. How hard it was to not pull her close and make her moan my name. She was crazy and I had started to enjoy every bit of her. Especially those animated expressions that crossed her face as she slipped into her silent world of continuous thoughts. I wonder what she thought of, so much. She was happy. That I could say. Oh, that moment when she had wrapped her arms around me and hugged me for the very first time. I would not forget that moment in a lifetime. Her presence was infectious. You couldn't escape. Her talks, her witty remarks with tinge of sarcasm and topping of liveliness. All made her so lovable. But, I couldn't find the words nor the courage to tell her all of it. I was very different from her. 

I had always been a very reserved man. Maybe that caused the hindrance. At college there were many girls who would hit at me. But my priority was my ambition. I was never in a relationship. I did have a crush on one girl, but that never really came out except in front of my brothers. Women were species I did not understand. But I had always fantasied a wife who would know me in and out. Who would match my passion, match my thinking, who would be the perfect key to the lock I was.

Anika was nothing of that sort. She was in fact a lock herself.  A lock I was wanting to open. 

I diverted my attention back to the phone. She took too much space in my mind now. As for my heart, it strangely responded when she was around. It became Chaotic!

* * *

I was trying hard to sleep normal. Straight with no movement. I was sure if I moved, I would do something that would make her uncomfortable. At least back at home we had our own duvets. But, here I was in Goa, in a well air conditioned room, under the same duvet. How should I not snuggle into her? She smelt so good of fresh vanilla. Oh like the  day wasn't torturous enough to see her dressed in a pretty lehenga with a stylish blouse giving immense view of her back which made me wonder how she would respond if my fingers left a trail. There was so much I wanted to find out. There was so much I wanted to understand about her. I loved it when she spoke openly to me. Told me everything she wouldn't normally tell anyone else. It made me feel special. The way she was honest with me. 

But today there was something in air. The way she looked at me time again. If I wasn't aware of how decent and innocent she was, I would call that her subtle seduction. But here was where I was disputed. All this never had existence the first time I saw her or during the wedding ceremonies. It began only after we started living together, sharing room then drives then office. I liked the way she was slowly fitting into my life. Like air. Not very obvious but still there and very essential.

There she moved again for the seventh time in the past half an hour. How much did she move? Couldn't she sleep like a rock? Her movements only made me aware that she was so close, under the same duvet. Testing my self control I closed my eyes and tried to slip into slumber.

* * *

I squeezed my eyes as sun rays fell on them. Something warm moved against me as I stirred. I slowly opened my eyes. Black wave like things. I tried focusing my eyes. Skin color. I blinked. Lips. Those lips. Jeez! Her face was on my chest. First smile of the day made to my face. The moment looked so beautiful. She was snuggling into me, my arms around her. We were warm under the same  duvet. She moved and opened her eyes. I stilled. The act was exquisite. The wrinkles near her eyes, those fluttering lashes and that yawn. So cute. It was as beautiful as a baby coming to life.

Then as she focused her eyes on me. Her expressions started to change. A minute some thing and in the other something else. Soon she was looking at me. I inched closer, so did she. Suddenly something got into her and she jerked moving away. 

Smiling she whispered a "good morning ". She clambered out of bed, and quickly walked to the washroom. Once the door shut I sighed. Perhaps she wasn't ready. Groaning I flipped to the other side. Why was I growing so crazy about her? 

* * *

When I came out after brushing I saw her sit by the window looking at the distant beach. Her smile serene. The cottage we were staying at was at the extreme end of the resort and close to the isolated part of the beach where there were many rocks. Omkara and Gauri were in the rooms  on the first floor, while we took the room downstairs. 

She walked up to the suitcase and I figured out she was ready to get a shower. Smiling I told her I'd be out and order the breakfast. The wedding reception was due in a three hours.I waited out in the hall, after ordering the breakfast. Omkara came down dressed in casuals.

" Hey! Morning! The breakfast will be here." I greeted.

"No. Me and Gauri are going around the city. Gauri wanted to do some trekking and visit the church. "

"Oh, Alright!" Soon Gauri came down and the two left. I smiled. The two were very cute. Their banters never came to a stop.

After looking at my watch sometime later. I walked in. Perfect calculation. She was out of the bathroom and dressed. She was arranging the clothes in suitcase. She turned and smiled. She was dressed in a simply red summer frock that went all the way down and ended near her knees. She wore tights below that ended a little above her ankles. There was only her bracelet and the wedding ring on her hand . Simple long light earrings hanging down her ears. Her hair left open and subtle make up. No lipstick but gloss instead.

I told her that the breakfast would be coming soon and that Omkara and Gauri had left. She nodded and walked out leaving the room to me. I liked this mutual understanding we had developed. Oh everything and anything I ,liked or loved, was related to her now. 

* * *

After breakfast we sat silently. There was still plenty of time to go until the function. Her voice made me look up. "Can I take a walk by the beach. I will be back in time. "

Could she not call me too? "Yeah sure." I replied, smiling.

She slipped on her slippers and was moving to the door when she turned back, "Would you like to join?" 

My heart leaped in joy. "Sure." I said moving to my shoes. 

"You will wear that?"

I looked at her confused.

"Just put on those slippers. " said she. The idea did not go well with me , yet I did just that. Pocketing the keys and shutting the door behind us, we left for a walk by the beach.

 Did you all miss Anika's POV? 🙈

Now next, in Anika's or Shivaay's?

Any requests for these two, before I end this one? 

-Anami!