Adya frowned when he asked her to comb her hair. She hated this. She felt like a prisoner in the care of a policeman. "I think it looks fine." She said showing resistance to his suggestion. He sighed, seemed like showing anger was the only way out. He grabbed her hand, pulling her to him. "I am the one looking. I know better."

She snarled at him. "I don't care."

Dhruv was thankful to the board separating the back seat and front seat of the car. "You look like the kind, that suggests we were indulging in some rough romance," he spoke not taking his eyes off her lips. Her parting lips made him gulp, and he drifted his gaze to meet her eyes. She was throwing daggers at him through her eyes. "Unless that's the image you want to give." He breathed, somehow keeping his mouth away from hers.

"Leave my hand." She spoke annoyed. Her tone put him off. He left her arm moving away. Only then realising that he was loving the touch. She brought out her comb combing her hair. Next she brought out a lipstick. Then the eyeliner. In minutes, she looked as tidy as she possibly could look. She was annoyed at their proximity. She knew things weren't the way they were before. But all she had began fantasizing was intimacy with him. His advancement annoyed her because she knew it was not an option. Cause she knew it would only leave her more frustrated. She perhaps need to hit the beach and get a nice swim to get her mind off him. 

Adya's hard times, only seemed to have begun. As soon as they were out of the car, walking to the grand entrance, his hand possessively locked around her waist. She showed no hints, but she was cherishing his touch. Oh God. How would she survive the pretence?

"Hi!" Sheila said surprised.

"Hi mom!" He said giving the woman a brief hug.

"Hi!" Adya said softly smiling. She was so enjoying the look of bafflement on his mother's face.

"Hi...look who we have here." She did sweetly but Adya knew she was shooting daggers at Dhruv as she hugged her.

"Care to explain, this...wonderful... Surprise?" Sheila said as sweetly as she possibly could. 

"Ahh, we are giving our relationship another chance," Dhruv spoke, placing his hand on Adya's back. Adya smiled. His every touch created sparks. Adya was sure – the short circuit would follow if she didn't get herself away from his radar. His hand that had now started moving stealthily, didn't help. 

"Wonderful. ..though...I had other plans." Her voice trailed off 

"What?" Dhruv pretended to be confused. Luckily, his mom's PA who was a little more loyal to him than his mother had informed him about his mother's intentions. 

"Nothing! How about you both have a quick shower and join me for lunch."

"That's wonderful, Mom," Adya said sweetly walking behind her, grinning secretly at Dhruv, whose face shone with similar mirth.

She handed Dhruv one key and Adya another. Dhruv took Adya's key and handed it back to his mother. "This would be enough." He said shaking the key in his hand. 

"You both are...sharing a ..?"

"Mom, it's not like we haven't before." He spoke casually putting his hand back on Adya– this time on her butt. 

Adya smiled sweetly. She was thoroughly enjoying Sheila's shock and a little more than that Dhruv's touches. But the idea of a single room was bad. She'd surely be rendered insane.

Once inside the room, Dhruv shut the room gasping an excited "Yes!" 

"What the hell were you thinking?" She asked placing her hands on her hips.

He walked towards her. "About what?" He casually gazed at her hand on her hip.

"Sharing a room?" She asked.

"Nothing, of course. Why do you think something of it?" He asked slowing retracing his steps to reache her. It was hard to not do things to her. Very hard.

" It wasn't necessary,"  she said feeling the warmth developing down. God no, she couldn't afford to feel the old giddiness around him.

"It was. Mom has now close to fifty percent lost. The remaining fifty is an easy ball game. " he said momentarily his gaze exploring her bosom. His thoughts were far from straight. 

Adya was finding it hard to not stare at his lips as he spoke. "You overthink." She spoke removing the dangling earrings from her ears and simultaneously stepped out of her heels. "I will take a shower and be back." She said quickly opening her bags and getting out a nice summer dress. Dhruv recovered himself from a momentary shock. She shouldn't wear that! He could already imagine how terribly gorgeous she'd look in that.

"You can after I am done." He spoke as he gathered his clothes and got rid off his blazer then shirt. 

"No, I am going first." Adya said turning, after finally having found her moisturizer. She was startled to see more than she expected to. Her ex-husband stood shirtless.

He mentally patted himself for giving her a distraction. "No. Don't worry I will be quick."

"No!" She said running to the washroom. He did the same. He almost collided with her, pushing her back. 

"Ouch!" She yelped.

"Shit.  Are you hurt?" He asked grabbing her by her forearm. 

"No. But I am going first." She said stubbornly walking inside. 

He took another step in, standing close to her. "You take a hell lot of time. So me first."

"I said I will be quick." She reasoned.

"Ditto. Now move." He said stepping inside. 

"Dhruv, get out now."

"You know what?" He looked at her, giving her a gaze far from decent. Then pulling her to himself, he whispered over her face. "Let's save water, argument, and time." 

She stared at him, breathing heavily. Wriggling in his hold. 

Dhruv's heart was pacing faster, his pupils dilated as his eyes remained fixed on her. He was freaking hard for her. "Stop." He said assertively, a little more struggle from her and he was sure he would pin her to the wall and they would end up doing something they weren't supposed to.

She gulped, staring into his deep brown eyes,  "Remember the deal?" She asked, thanking her brain for the timely retrieval of data. 

He cursed. "I really need to shower first." He said looking at her lips.

Adya oddly assumed he was implying much more. She stepped away slightly embarrassed. "Be quick." Saying that she walked out, not before giving his wide muscular chest a good glance. She closed the door and exhaled deeply. She had openly gawked at him. This Goa trip was certainly not the best idea. Nevertheless, she was enjoying it even if it was fighting with him. 

* * * 

Dhruv sat relaxed in a chair with his mother sitting across at the table.  He chewed the fruit salad tastefully when his eyes caught her walking towards the table. Dressed in a pretty light yellow summer dress with floral print. She looked beautiful. He noticed that she had combed her hair, wore different earrings, and had taken efforts to apply makeup. Like he always preferred. 

"Hi!" She greeted and slipped onto the chair beside his. He leaned closer kissing her cheeks. Surprised she looked at him wondering if he did it to show or out of impulse, she couldn't say which. She felt heat warm her cheeks and responding with a smile she turned to his mother. His mother was the most uncomfortable person at the table with his gesture.

"You were saying something about the Dubai.." Dhruv spoke.

"Yes. We have the Chaddas coming over. They are willing to invest and build a hotel at an island six hours away. I and bought the land four years ago. Their daughter Rupaali is also coming. I hope the two of you give her good company," she smiled.

Dhruv observed his mother closely. He knew she was up to something in her mind. Exactly, what? That he and to figure out.

Adya saw him looking at his mother thoughtfully. The older lady  seemed to be lost in her thoughts. She was manipulative, no doubt. Adya couldn't believe that in a similar way Pinky had made them meet. One thing was for sure, she wouldn't let that Rupaali even buzz around Dhruv.

"Adya, I will have my PA show you around. In the meanwhile, Dhruv and I can go over some business stuff. I hope you wouldn't mind me stealing him away for some time. "

"Of course not!" Adya said smiling. She was more than happy to have him away for some time. The beach air and her. A beautiful combination.

* * *

Adya sat by the beach, enjoying sunbathing in the afternoon sun. She was drawing random patterns on the sand with the small piece of stick she had found. The sound of the gushing water made her feel at tranquility. 

He walked over and sat beside her. His manner said he was disturbed. "What happened?" She asked him curiously.

"What else? She asked me to back out of my decision that of reconsidering our relationship. "

"Okay..." Adya prompted him to go on.

"She laid out cons of being with you and .."

"Like?" Adya asked curiously.

"Like lack of peace and grace, lack of satisfaction in marriage... So on and so forth. She was trying to convince me that marriage was not the wrong idea, marriage with you was. I don't understand. Can't she get it, that I am not going to do a mistake again. She.."

Adya smiled looking at the sand. She was hurt. Mistake? What was he referring to as a mistake? Marriage with her?

"She wants me to see if I like Rupaali." He said adding features to her drawing. She was now drawing with her fingers. Just random patterns.

"Try giving her a chance." She said softly. More to gauge his reaction than meaning it. 

"No way!" He said immediately. 

"There's one woman I can't handle. Mom. Then another you. I am not going for a third. I haven't been bitten by a mad dog." He laughed, locking his index finger with hers as they completed either halves of a curve. 

She smiled. Her cheeks coloring up. "Keep me out," She unlocked her finger, glancing at him.

He stared at her. "I just got mad at mom," He continued shifting closer to her. "She.."

"Forget it, let it go, " she said softly caressing the back of his palm. He placed his hand behind her turning himself towards her. She glanced at him as he leaned closer to her. Almost, automatically she moved her arms around him knowing he needed a hug. They both drowned in the embrace. She felt so good in his hug. 

"She left!" She whispered in his ears. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to leave her. For a moment he had thought she had hugged him because she wanted to.

He pulled back staring at her, then forced his gaze to the wide spread of water. His heart wanted her, his mind was confused and his soul knew she would ever remain his soulmate.

I'm not too shy, to show I love you,I got no regrets.

I love you much, too much to hide you, 

This love ain't finished yet.

- Come and Get It, Selena Gomez

That evening the Chaddas arrived. Rupaali Chadda was a gorgeous woman with bountiful curves. Dhruv momentarily stared at her. Only to be nudged by his ex-wife, to take his gawking eyes off the woman. He gave her a quick glance but her eyes were fixed on the other woman as well.

"Nice to meet you!" She said in a flirtatious voice as Pinky introduced her to Dhruv. 

"Nice to meet you too." He said shaking her hand. Adya grimaced inwardly. Men!

"And..this..." Sheila stopped midway looking at Adya.

"Adya!" Adya spoke for herself.

"Hi!" Rupaali extended her hand to her.

"Hi, I am Dhruv's ...ex-wife." Adya said keeping up her smile that wanted to tug down with the sudden emotion that hit her as she added the 'ex' to wife.

Dhruv was intently looking at Adya. He didn't miss the fractional second of emotion crossing her face. 

"Oh, you're divorced." She said looking from one to the other. Odd, of course, to see them together.

"Are you business.."

"No. We are seeing each other again." Dhruv spoke up moving his hand to Adya's waist. He looked aside at his mother. As though telling her, this is what was she better accept it. Adya stared at him. She felt terrible longing for the old times, the old affection, the old love. She camouflaged her expression way before he looked at her. 

"Oh. Nice." Rupaali smiled. 

"Why don't the three of you have a walk around? Maybe hit the disc or the game room. There's plenty you can do here." Sheila said giving Dhruv a look that meant, see after my guest.

"Sure." Rupali smiled. 

Dhruv extended his hand to give the cue to the direction. Adya quietly followed. While Rupaali struck a casual conversation with Dhruv, Adya noticed her. Rupaali indeed had enormously pleasing curves. Suddenly Adya wished she was dressed better , perhaps her body fit maroon top instead of this flowy, pink one that barely shaped her curves. Her phone rang. She almost dropped her phone being careless. Looking slightly embarrassed as the two who stared at her she took the call. "Yes, Siya..."

"Can you calm down. I was going to tell you about it..." Adya said inwardly grimacing. She hadn't told her about going out with Dhruv. For some reason Siya hated Dhruv after the divorce. Perhaps the complaints Adya kept vividly telling her had formed that kind of opinion about Dhruv in her head. 

"I had to call Rudra, to find out about it,"  her sister spoke irritated.

"Siya..relax. "

"Tell me the 'why'." Her sister ordered.

Adya covered the microphone with her hand. "You guys carry on I will be back." Saying that she walked away in the opposite direction to narrate everything to her sister. She knew a debate was taking shape. Siya was the younger one, only eighteen months younger, but when she scolded she was more like her mother. The fact that her mother's and Siya's face resembled made it much more akin. Oh she had to convince Siya to not let her parents know. They'd go mad at her of they knew about her trip with Dhruv!

* * *

Adya came to the lounge by the poolside. She had called him and that's where he had asked her to come. She looked around to find neither of them.

She stepped backward after peeping inside the bar area, only to have something against her back. She turned immediately and her right heel twisted, "ouch!" She gasped holding onto the shoulder of whoever had banged into her. 

"Careful." Came a deep voice. "Okay?"

"Yeah. I am okay." She said making her heel stand after straightening the ankle band of the heel with her fingers.

She looked up apologetically. "I am sorry." 

"No issues. " the man smiled. Adya blinked momentarily trying to recollect why the face seemed familiar. "Akshay!" She gasped. 

"Wow. You remember." He chuckled his strong palms still holding her shoulders.

Adya stepped back a little awkward. "Of course, I do." 

* * *

With searching eyes, Dhruv entered the lounge. He laughed at Rupaali's short airport story. The woman was funny. Not to miss, she was very graceful in her manner, whether it be speaking or walking. Adya was nowhere close to that grace.

His eyes narrowed as he saw Adya talking smilingly to a tall well-built man. The man had deep dimples, which were evident as he smiled.

He walked over to her, with Rupaali matching his steps. 

"Hey!" He interrupted. The man smiled at him with a quick nod of his head for greeting. 

"Hey!" Adya smiled seeing Rupaali and Dhruv. She noticed the two staring at Akshay.

"Ahh, Dhruv, this is Akshay." She said oscillating her gaze between them. "Akshay, Dhruv my..

".. Your husband of course."

The two men exchanged a hi.

Dhruv looked at the man in wonder. "I remember attending your wedding reception," Akshay explained.

"Oh!" Coincidentally Adya and Dhruv exclaimed together. 

Seeing Dhruv still confused, Adya prompted. "Remember Dhruv, Akshay Mehra my college friend. "

"Oh right, Akshay. Of course. It's been a while!" Adya smiled. He still didn't have a clue about who this Akshay was.

"Yeah, the last I interacted with you both was at your wedding reception. Seems like the two of you have been busy after the marriage." Akshay grinned cheekily, giving the two a teasing look.

Adya couldn't hide the pink hue that covered her cheeks. 

"Well, perhaps, that what explains their divorce.." Rupaali laughed. No one else did. 

"Oh, you guys... Aren't together anymore?"

"And that's Rupaali...our new friend." Adya tried to move from the topic.

"Oh, hi!" Akshay said extending his hand.

Dhruv stared at her. Lame attempt. "Adya and I are seeing each other again." He said looking at her squarely.

"Oh. Wow. " Akshay said surprised. "You should have told me ...I would have at least bagged one date!" He winked at Adya.

Dhruv smiled. A tight-lipped smile while inside he fumed. The man was openly flirting with Adya after being told that she was getting back with her husband. Dhruv suddenly did not like this man. 

"Let's get some food?" Akshay suggested. Dhruv didn't expect this. The man was literally inviting himself. 

"Yeah!" Rupaali smiled admiring Akshay's dimple while Dhruv pocketed out his phone. Siya. 

"Adya, where's your phone?"

"It's ahh.." Adya checked her side sling bag. "I left it in the room," she said making a sheepish face. He gave her a disapproving look. He hated it. Her carelessness was one of the many things he hated. She couldn't help it, that was how she was!

"Your sweet sister." He said giving her his phone. 

Adya frowned. Why would she call on his phone? 

Adya excused herself while the others walked over to a table for four a little distance away under the cool night sky. 

"Hello."

"Look Mr...Adi?"

"Why are you calling him?"

"Oh so now you're taking his calls?"

"Siya...why.." Adya said pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Adi, hand the phone over to him. I need to talk to him."

"Siya.."

"Otherwise I am telling Maa, ...She will surely tell Paa.."

"Fine!" Adya scowled. She could be an annoying leech at times. "Dhruv!" She said aloud when she saw him looking in her direction.

She indicated him to come. He quickly got up and walked towards her. "What?" He asked standing close to her as he saw Adya put the phone on speaker mode. "Siya wants to talk to you!" She said indicating him to speak. He shook his head.

"Hi Siya!" He said sweetly. Adya pressed her lips inside to keep herself from laughing. The sweet sarcasm dripping for his voice. He generally didn't like talking to her sister.

"Adi, put the phone on handset mode." Adya frowned while Dhruv grinned. He put the phone on handset mode. "Dhruv..." Adya gasped annoyed.

"We are good to go." He spoke into the device.

"Okay. Listen. Keep two feet distance from my sister. Or else.."

Dhruv grinned taking two steps close to her. "Don't worry. I will never keep more than two inches between us," he said looking down to see his shoes two centimeters away from her sandals. Adya gaped and then shut her mouth. 

"Shut up. Dare you make my sister cry again. I swear you'll regret if you even by chance do." Siya's loud shouting voice made Dhruv momentarily held the device away from his ear.

He leaned closer to Adya. "Don't worry, if I ever make her cry...it will be a cry of surging pleasure." He spoke huskily over her face.

Adya's eyes went wide. And she stepped back.

"Keep that dirty talk to yourself. Don't you dare think of trying hanky panky."

He immediately prevented her from going away by her pulling her back, wrapping his hand around her waist. Adya couldn't even say anything. She was so close to him that she knew Siya would hear. And if that happened there was more trouble in store for her. She had told Siya she came only because she wanted to. But Siya ended up giving her a big lecture of why make herself go through all the arguments and conflicts again. It was true. The two of them were at constant arguing. Though in the last few days it was a new record made. The arguments were very less.

"Don't worry, I know our...limits." He said looking at Adya with desire. He clearly meant something else when he spelled the word limits. "Happy Valentine week Darling.. Good night. Also note...your sister has left her phone in her room, so don't assume things if she doesn't pick up."

"Just remember I am a brown belt at karate." Came a screaming voice from the other end.

"You don't want to hear what I have to say!" He spoke annoyed.

"God knows, how my sister keeps up with your dirty tongue!" Saying that she ended the call leaving Dhruv to smile. 

"What did she say?" Adya said moving away.

"Why are you moving away?" He asked annoyed.

"Excuse me?" She frowned at him.

"Mom's been looking at us." he said his lips twisting into an amusing smirk.

Adya looked aside from the corner of her eyes. He wasn't lying. 

"As for your question... Your sister was asking me how you keep up with my dirty tongue?" He whispered into her ears. Adya blushed her cheeks turning scarlet. 

He smirked pulling back. "Even I didn't exactly know. Tell me, how?" he said playfully raising his eyebrows.

"I think they're waiting. We've given them enough to know we are serious."

"I was serious about that," he said as she freed herself and began walking. 

It was twenty past twelve in the midnight when the two got back to the room. After dinner they all had retired to relax at the campfire by the beach.

Dhruv had noticed, Adya keeping distance from him. If not that, then avoided conversation, by simply leaving her hand to be in his. He didn't mind. As long as she sat close to him and had her hand in his. But the night had turned things intense. Every time she smiled at Akshay, a fear sprang up in his heart. What if Akshay had an affinity for Adya and he wooed her? It was something that had never happened to him. Maybe because Adya was practically not looked at by men that way. She was that camouflaged gem no man would take efforts to discover. But now Dhruv felt insecurity grip him.

"Oh God. The campfire was so beautiful," she said tossing her heels away and quickly getting her night suit out from her bag. Before he could go, she needed to use the washroom. 

"Hmm." He said walking up to her after removing his shoes. 

Adya turned to find him less than three inches away. She looked into his eyes.

"Open your mouth." He said his gaze melting in her eyes.

Adya swallowed the lump in her throat. "What?" She gasped. He simply stared waiting. She slowly opened her mouth. She could sense his rising hand but couldn't unlock her gaze from his eyes. Their was something so static between them. After a long time she felt the strong churn of feelings squeeze her. Feelings she couldn't name. It wasn't dynamic like always, it was static. Very still. 

He slipped the unwrapped chocolate, popularly called kisses, into her mouth. His fingertips brushing her lips in the process. He tapped his finger upwards on her chin to close her mouth. She took in a sharp breath. He leaned closer, his breath over her lips. "It was technically chocolate day yesterday. Today it's teddy day. Nevertheless, we are even." He smiled as color of embarrassment began to appear on her cheeks. He quickly stepped away. Then disappeared into the washroom while the chocolate melted in her mouth. The fact that his fingers held it, made her feel things. Once revived from the sudden, simple but intense exchange she realised, he had tricked her and was inside the washroom. She would have to wait! Ahh! 

Hope you all enjoyed it.

Chocolate Kisses to you all.

 –Anami!💖