Story 2

The Gentleman Who Stole My Heart

Chapter 13

I finally managed to excuse myself. Those three ladies wouldn't stop teasing me. Thankfully he had given us some space and left to talk to the other guests. "Neena, please take these." I instructed the young lady helper. She smiled and left leaving me alone to plate the next round of  snacks. 

"Hey, wifey. Need a helping hand?" He spoke coming and standing beside me, sipping on the sky blue drink. 

"That's really sweet of you. But, I guess I can manage here, you be a good host and keep your guests in company. " I smiled at him. 

"Hmm. That I will. Before that tell me what that expression meant, the one you gave tapping my hand."

I stared at him. Was he really so naive or was just having fun out of my embarrassment? I clearly couldn't tell. "Ahh, that... It's just awkward you know. " I felt the heat on my cheeks.

"What's awkward!" He asked, his eyes shining with amusement. He took a step closer. My breathing began to get uneven. 

"That-- what you did before them." I said stepping a little away and focusing back on the plates. 

"You mean this!" His voice reached my ears as simultaneously his hand reached my waist. 

"Yeah!" I said trying not to feel stirred within. He had practically done that through the entire reception at our wedding, still it felt intimate.

"I can do it now, right? They aren't here." He whispered into my ears. His proximity drove me crazy. On it's own accord my eyes drifted down to his lips. No you desperate woman! I quickly looked back at his eyes. Only to find them cascading down to my lips. Yes let's kiss. No. Remember kitchen, party, guests. Shoot! I stepped back. 

His hand reached my tresses, those that were lingering against my cheek. Pushing them away, he leaned forward and kissed my cheeks. I gasped at the unexpected contact. "I love you.." He said softly his love seemed to be the shine I saw in his eyes.

"Ahem, am I interrupting? Actually um.." I immediately turned to the source of noise to find Karan, his cousin, standing at the door, grinning at us. 

"No. " I said immediately stepping back while Arjun showed no movement. He simply continued to stare at me. I stared at him. Move man. Talk to your brother.

"Ahem." Karan cleared his throat. Finally, Arjun reacted turning away from me to face Karan. "What's your problem?" he snapped.

"Boy, I was just thirsty. I thought you were getting me water." Karan smirked.

Arjun picked up the bottle and handed it to him. "Done?"

What! Was he insane! He should be sweet not rude to guests.

"You had something? Did you try the spring rolls? " I asked quickly to cover up for my husband's rude behavior.

"Oh, thanks Nisha." Karan said. I had asked him to call me by my name. Bhabhi made me feel like ten years older to him. " You must teach someone manners." He said mockingly.

"That's an excellent idea. " Arjun commented  bemused. "Darling, you've to teach me manners. " he said glancing back at me. My graze froze. Embarrassed I looked down. 

"Whatever. " Karan shot him a reply and turned to look at me. "Nisha, I haven't tried the spring rolls." He came froward taking one from the plate I was plating.

"I haven't either." Arjun walked up closer to me and opened his mouth before me. I moved the plate so that he could pick one. He looked at me with pleading eyes. Karan obviously didn't see them. I took one and fed it to him. 

"Hmm this is yummy." Arjun gave Karan a winning smile. 

"Whatever man. You're just lucky, Nisha is a very supportive wife. " Karan chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "On days you're against him, remember me. "  he whispered and then winked at me. 

"Oh, hello, get yourself away from my wife. "

"She's my sister now. So don't trouble her, you jerk."

"Mind your tongue, young man!" 

"And that comes from you."

"We're before a lady. Be a real man!" Arjun said punching Karan's bicep. These two were too much.

"Guys, could you please take this and this out. I will bring the rest." I said quickly handed them plates in their both hands. 

"Diplomatic!" Arjun commented flashing me a smile then winking.

"That's smartness, you idiot." Karan said walking out.

"I so hate him. " Arjun whispered to me. I giggled. "Give me one more bite. " he said opening his mouth. Opportunist! I forwarded a roll towards his mouth, smiling at him. "Thank you!" He said as he chewed and left the kitchen. I grinned. My heart seemed like a balloon expanding. I felt nice. 

* * *

We walked up the stairs, everyone had left. "Had a nice time with your girls gang?" He inquired flashing his ever charming smile.

"Yes but, a rather tough one." I chuckled, remembering how much they teased me. 

"Really, how tough?" He asked bemusedly. 

Shoot! Where did my filter disappear?  "No, nothing just like that." I tried covering up.

"Liar!" He made a cute animated face. I smiled formally at him. He looked at the wall thoughtfully.

"Nisha, I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" I asked curiosity getting the better of me.

"For behaving like that in the kitchen. I was just having some fun, but later in retrospect I realised, that it might have not done well with you. I mean..don't worry ..Karan won't judge you but..yeah."

"You don't have to apologize. Really." I said softly looking at my feet. My heart wanted to say much note than that. But my brain restricted.

"Look, Nisha, I am trying everything to make you comfortable with this lifestyle. I know it would get hard for you as you've loved with a family. I just want you to know, that if there's anything – you can always let me know. I understand we are different. But I am trying ..."

"Thank you." I said sweetly. "It means a lot."

He stared at me. "You are a hard nut to crack you know. Karan, your brother, feels too."

"You've been in touch with him?" I asked surprised. He bit his lower lip, as though he had said something he wasn't supposed to. "Yup!"

"What, why?" I asked passing him a questioning look.

"To know about you."

"You are kidding?" I asked astounded. He really did that?

"See Nisha. I know you've a pretty reserved character. Also, during those two weeks before our marrige, I learned that you do most things out of an obligation. There's barely anything you do because you want it. Same goes for everything, even making choices. You'd prefer what I'd like to see you in rather than what you'd like to see on yourself. I wanted to know why you were like that. I spoke to Karan, that's why.He told me you were always like that, the princess of the family who'd never let anyone down. You didn't allow people to get close to you. Even with your friends there's this thin wall you keep. I don't know why you're so. Whether you're scared, insecure or whatever it is. But all I want is you to be happy. I want you to see yourself the way I see you. " he gently held my shoulders.

Unnecessary to mention, that his words moved me.  I was aware of my slow breaths. Even I was tired of not trying. I desired to be like that free bird. I wished to taste the carefree life. But what if things go wrong? The desire to fly like a bird was suppressed by the fear of crashing to the ground. 

"How do you see me?" I asked him my voice feeble. 

"I can't express. If I could put it in words, I would have said them to you long ago."

"Arjun, I don't understand love. I don't even understand why you'd do so much for me."

"Try trusting me.." His voice seemed like a plea.

"If I didn't, you think I'd be standing here right now." A small grin broke through my face. He chuckled.

"Trust me. I will never make you regret. I promise."

I smiled. I loved his confidence. "Good night." I spoke smilingly walking away.

"I thought we'd kiss." I heard him say. I closed my eyes. "I mean that's how we say goodnight, isn't it?" My almost slow pace, stopped. His voice triggered butterflies in my tummy. I was tempted. But then, I didn't love him. Was it okay to still have this between us? We are married. My brain reasoned.

"Nisha, I don't want you to hurry. But hell, being around you isn't easy..." As his voice reached me I could already imagine him grinning. "I can neither read your face nor can understand your silence." I closed my eyes. Idiot, kiss me already. 

I turned slightly taking all the efforts I could to not smile stupidly. "God, you're a blushing mess." He exclaimed walking over to me. This time his hands around my waist, pulled me closer. My erratic heartbeats and the building tension on my skin rendered me incapable of thinking. 

He slowly captured my lips in his. He wasn't needy like the previous times. He took it slow. Guess he had learned by now, that I took time to respond. I slowly moved my lips in accordance with his. Slowly slipping in my tongue into his mouth to meet his.  I could hear his moans and mine own. Something grew wilder between us. I felt him moving my hands to his hair. My elbows now on his shoulder. Thankfully he was bending and I didn't have to stand on my heels. His hands moved from my waist to my back. The press of his fingers, began driving me crazy. He pulled apart to let us breathe. I gazed at his lips which now settled into a deep curve – his smile. I strangely felt warm and satisfied. 

Brief minutes later. "Good night!" He whispered, his tone husky. 

I smiled as my eyelashes flickered under his scrutinizing gaze. "Good night." Saying that I walked over to my room. We were getting closer and comfortable with each other. My heart raced frantically. Nervousness, excitement, fear and anticipation clouded my thoughts.

Darn you, Dear husband, what have you made me into!

Would love to have your comments! 

– Anami!