Chapter 9: When in Rome part 1

To say she was nervous right now was an understatement, Pooja realised when she arrived at the airport with Kabir a week later.

It was daunting enough that she was going off to some foreign country, but they also would have to get on a plane to reach their destination.

Having never experienced it before, Pooja was filled with a certain anxiety .

Kabir on the other hand, was an old hand at flying out to different countries and places. So she was thankful at least he knew what he was doing. Which was why she found herself sticking close to him in the crowded busy airport.

As they sat in airport café, waiting on their plane to come in, She could not eat or drink anything herself because of the nerves in her stomach, so she watched Kabir as he sat eating salad roll, which he washed downed with a cup of coffee

He told her about his previous visits to Rome; how he it was one of his favourite cities.

/ Then he mentioned some of the places he planned to take her over the week. But Pooja was only half paying attention to his words. She still a little overwhelmed by the whole experience, and trying hard to concentrate on appearing more relaxed than she felt

It was only when they were sitting together in the plane a little while later, before take of, he glanced at her and noticed how pale and tense she seemed, and the way her fingers tightly clutched the arm rest.

"This is your first time flying, ?" he suddenly realised, "It is alright, don't look so terrified, it's not so bad really once you take of, that is. There is no difference really than being in a bus or car or train," he then tried to reassure her

Pooja managed a tight smile, "Maybe, but buses, cars, and trains are not up in the sky a long way from the ground. So forgive me if I find it difficult to agree with your comparison"

"You will be alright, I won't let anything happen to you," he told her reaching out and taking her free hand in his.

Pooja realised that this was their first physical contact. But she was going to have to get used to it since they were going to get married, then it would be get even more intimate than just holding hands.

So even if it did feel a little strange at first, she made no attempt to pull her hand away.

Unfortunately, her previous experience with Dhruv had made her wary of men, Which was why she had more or less avoided seeking any kind of relationships with the male sex in the last few years.

But despite this, she found the firm grip of Kabir's hand, somewhat comforting under the circumstances once she started to get used to it.

The plane started to move, getting faster. The engines roared as it speeded up along the runway to take off. Kabir didn't bat an eyelid as Pooja's grip on his hand tightened considerably, and she felt sure it had to be painful.

It was only when they were safely up in the air she dared herself to relaxed a little, feeling embarrassed because she still had tight hold of his fingers. "Sorry," she apologised cringing slightly, and loosening her hold on his hand.

"It's alright," Kabir replied wryly, flexing his fingers a little, "I believe there is some feeling coming back into them again, so they are not broken"

Despite her anxiety, she giggled at his remark, " You know, that was just the weirdest sensation when the plane took off, it was a bit scary. But I think I am ok now," she then told him

"I told you it would be alright," Kabir smiled. " Why don't you take a peek out the window, I am sure you will enjoy the view," he then suggested

Pooja nervously obeyed, then gasped as she realised how high up she was. The ground below looked like a huge green patchwork quilt from a distance, then she realised they were in the clouds and flying above them.

Fascinated, she forgot her first fear, and she spent most of the journey with her eyes fixed out the window, Kabir sat back in his seat next to her relaxed, glancing through a newspaper, paying attention to her now and again, to ask if she was alright

A few hours later they were getting prepared to land again Pooja felt a little nervous, but not as much. She assured Kabir she wouldn't be needing his hand again to get through it.

Once they landed everything was a bit of a blur.

They were whisked from the airport with their baggage in a chauffeur driven car Kabir had hired. She sat in the backseat with him staring out the window at the alien surroundings and environment and trying to take it all in.

Then they arrived at the hotel, Kabir was in full control of the situation.. He stood at the desk, making sure they got checked in alright, and their luggage was taken care of. He was even able to speak some of native Italian language, which impressed Pooja, standing next to him, feeling a little lost and out of place in the plush Hotel surroundings

They were then shown to their rooms. As they were going up in the elevator Kabir explained his room was just straight across the hall from hers if she needed him for anything. He did wait around as she went into her room, just to make sure she liked it, and that it met with her approval

With it's thick blue and cream carpet, and swagged blue curtains that matched bedspread on the rather sumptuous looking bed. Then there was the telephone in the room as well, TV and en suite bathroom. it was hard not to approve of it Pooja discovered, it was the grandest room she had ever had the privilege to stay in

Noticing she was suitably impressed, Kabir was satisfied. He went off to leave her to unpack and settle in, promising he would call on her later to check she was alright.

Opening one of the large closets. Pooja felt the whole thing seemed very unreal, then heaving her suitcase onto the bed she opened and start to unpack.

She had spent most of her hard earned savings that she had put away on a new wardrobe of clothes for this trip. As Mandira pointed out she wasn't going to be short of money once she was married to Kabir.

This still sat uneasily on her shoulders, thinking how Kabir would be financially supporting her. She felt in a way she was taking advantage of him in someway, even the fact he was paying for her staying at this hotel room, made her feel a little guilty about it.

But then it was all part and parcel of their deal. After all she would be giving up her freedom to marry him. She just hoped no one ever thought it was for the money, and that she was some gold digging opportunist like his step mother.

The hardest part of all this, would be giving up her independence which she had struggled so hard to attain these last few years, so she would now be relying on Kabir to a certain extent.

Her new financial security should have made her feel more relaxed about the future. But instead she found it only made her more uncertain, because she was entering a world she was unfamiliar with; one she was totally unprepared for.. And it was scary.

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Pooja hadn't realise she had fallen asleep until she heard the loud banging on the door.

She opened her eyes with a start, confused by her surroundings wondering where she was. But then she heard Kabir's concerned voice at the other end of the door, "Pooja, are you alright?"

"Uh.. Yeah!" she replied lifting her head from the pillow, now recalling she was in a hotel room in Rome, "Hang on, I am coming!" she then called out, hurriedly swinging her legs of the bed, and glancing at her watch. She was shocked to discover it was three hours since she had just finished unpacking her clothes, then she had sat on the bed contemplating what Kabir might have planned for them. She must have fallen asleep.

Going over, she opened the door a little flustered, "Sorry I was sleeping, I guess I didn't

realise how tired I was," she apologised as she let Kabir into the room.

He was dressed in a blue shirt and dark trousers, looking almost casual without the jacket and tie. Pooja was looking a mess. her dark blue blouse and beige linen trousers a mass of wrinkles because she had been sleeping in them.

Her hair was all messed up. She hurriedly ran her fingers through her auburn locks in an attempt straighten it down, and make herself look a little more presentable.

"Yes well, you were probably tired after your travelling, it can have that affect on you," Kabir replied

"Yes probably," Pooja agreed not bothering to mention she had hardly slept all week.

She had been tossing and turning in her bed worrying about this trip. She was so preoccupied trying to gather her scattered wits about her, and shake of her tiredness, she wasn't aware of the way Kabir's brown eyes were scrutinizing her.

He found himself realising this would be how she looked when she woke up next to him in the mornings, all mussed up. It jolted him a little. as he discover it quite appealed him. Not sure if the thoughts were quite appropriate, he pushed them into the background, recalling why he had come here in the first place,

" I just called, to see if you wanted to go downstairs to the restaurant? You must be hungry. I don't think you have eaten all day"

"No I haven't," Pooja realised, then right on cue, felt her tummy growl in protest

"Right well, I will leave you again for a half our or so, and let you get freshened up and changed, then we will go and get something to eat," Kabir suggested her

"Great, I should be ready by then," Pooja promised, shooting him a grateful smile

She was true to her promise, and half an hour later Kabir called for her, and found her

ready, looking much as she did on their first dinner date.

They went down to the restaurant on the next floor. Pooja graciously let Kabir order something of the menu for her. She was so hungry now, she could eat anything put in front of her.

As they sat over their meal, they decided it was a good place as any to start with getting to know a little bit about each other more. Kabir discovered Pooja refused to drink alcohol because of what it had done to her mother. Pooja discovered the date of Kabir's birthday and discovered he was in fact ten years and eight months older than her. Which made him thirty six.

The only tell tale signs of his age were the small flecks of grey in his dark hair at the temples. She also took the time to take in the rest of his physical appearance, noting his body was still was still lean and fit. She wasn't sure if he worked out to keep it that way, but he seem to look after himself well.

She found out he preferred classical music, although he did listen to pop and jazz occasionally. He had went to university studying architecture and design, and he also loved old historic buildings, as well as refurbishing them.

He discovered that she hated eating any type of fish, and had a preference for sixties music even though she was born in a later decade. She was more interested in people, than buildings and she even mentioned her hopes of going to college to do a degree in sociology once she had the chance.

Kabir suggested that once they were married it would be the perfect opportunity to take up a course if she wished, as funds would be only too readily available to her.

Pooja found herself shifting uneasily in her seat, "You have already done more than enough, I don't expect you to pay for my way through a college course, I don't want to take any more advantage of your generosity "

Kabir remained thoughtfully silent for a few moments, staring into his glass of wine on the table in front of him,

"I don't think it would be taking advantage of me in the least," he told her, "I would feel uneasy if I thought I was ruining your future career, by asking you to marry me. You have a right to pursue that goal, and I would hate it if someday you resented me in the future, if you were unable to follow it through. So it is only right since you agreed to marry me, that I will be responsible for that," he pointed out "If I do pay for your college fees its because I owe you, not because you are some charity case," he then reiterated

Not wishing to argue with him over it any further, Pooja decided to take the diplomatic approach, "Well, we will see how it goes. I mean we are not even married yet, and I still have to get used to that idea," she laughed

"True," Kabir agreed with a small smile, "Let's just take it one step at a time"

"You know you could have saved yourself all this bother if you had children with your first wife," Pooja pointed out, studying his reaction from across the table, "I am a little surprised you don't have kids already"

"They were never really on the agenda in my first marriage," Kabir replied, "My first wife Kavya, well she was not the maternal type. She didn't want children interfering with her social life. At the time I was not particularly bothered. I was preoccupied with branching out with my redevelopment business.. I guess I left the whole family thing up to my younger brother Jay and his wife Riya. They wanted kids, I think they planned on having a whole brood, and they might have had them, if it hadn't been for that fatal car accident" he finished a little grimly

Pooja caught a brief glimmer of the pain in Kabir's brown eyes as he spoke about his brother and his family, but he hid it well. She was realising he was the type of man, always in control of his emotions, and didn't like to let them show.

"Anyway," he continued, "It made me suddenly realise that life can be very short, and the things you thought could wait, can just as easily be taken from you, so there is not a moment to waste"

"And you think rushing into marriage and have kids with a strange woman is the answer to your problems? Isn't it just a little too bizarre?" Pooja pointed out

"My whole family situation is bizarre," Kabir replied with a small shrug, "So I have found an usual answer to my unusual problem"

"Even if it could lead to a whole new set of complications?" Pooja asked

"I am willing to risk it," Kabir stated, "And I am pretty sure I have made the right choice," he eyed her intently

Pooja felt her cheeks heat up, then looked down at her plate, pushing the food around. "This is really good," she told him. deciding to change the subject, and making him chuckle slightly

"I am glad you are enjoying it. They have their own special recipe for the lasagne, I thought you would like it. After you finish eating we can relax for a while in the bar and take it easy, you need to be well rested for tomorrow" he then informed her

"Oh?" she queried warily, "What are we doing tomorrow?"

"I am going to be your personal tour guide, and we are going to go sightseeing"

"Sounds fun," Pooja replied truthfully.

In the beginning, she had been more than a little anxious about this trip to Rome. She was not in the least keen about coming. But now she was here, despite the unusual circumstances, she found she was almost starting to enjoy herself.

Part 2

As the week went in, Pooja soon discovered what it was about Rome that made Kabir fall in love with it, and why it was one of his favourite cities.

It was the architecture, old and new that fascinated him. Which was hardly surprising considering the business he was in.

But she was beginning to realise it was more than just making money to him. He really was interested in structures of all shapes and sizes, and Rome had them a-plenty. Despite her own lack of knowledge about such things, she found it an education in itself. Kabir took her to many of the famous sights, including the Colossuem, The Pantheon, the Piazza Novona, and the Trevi Fountain, just to name a few

Pooja had never given much thought to ancient ruins or the style and history of buildings.

It had never been one of those things that had been on her list of priorities in life. So she felt quite ignorant about it all. But she was happy to discovered that it wasn't as she first feared. Kabir was not trying impress her with his own knowledge and appear more superior than her in some way.

Instead she was surprised to find he spoke to her enthusiastically, as if he really wanted to share his passion with her. Talking to her in a manner that made her feel her thoughts and opinion mattered. He wanted her to understand, and was only too happy to answer her questions, even of they seemed stupid to her.

So she found herself listening to him with interest. Fascinated to a certain degree. about all the things she was finding out whenever he took her places and he explained some of the background about it.

Then there was the shopping.

Although he told her if there was anything she seen or liked to just let him know. She assured him she had brought enough money to do her, And as he was already footing the bill for everything else it was only fair she spend her own money on something.

For once he didn't argue with her small stand of independence. much to her relief.

But near the end of the week, he came knocking on her hotel room door. When she opened it, he stepped in, handing her two bags. One contained shoes, the other an elegant black trouser suit.

"You really shouldn't have done that," Pooja immediately remonstrated, "I keep telling you, that you have already spent more than enough on me, on this trip"

"Before you start giving me a hard time, let me explain that this comes under the expenses, of what you could call your uniform," Kabir placated her

"Uniform?" she echoed, frowning in bewilderment

"Yes," Kabir replied with a small smile eyeing her up and down, " As much as I adore you dressed in your jeans and tops, there are going to be occasions after we are married, when you are going to have to.. as you once put it, 'scrub up well,"

Realisation dawned in Pooja's eyes, "Oh, of course," she replied, "You think of everything don't you?" she then remarked dryly, putting down the bag, realising he was making it pointless for her to try and object that he shouldn't buying her the clothes.

She felt once again, that he was slowly, but surely taking control of her life, and she had to get used to it

"That is what I do best," he replied easily.

Pooja just shot him a small smile, not sure if she found this a comforting thought.

The week spent in Rome was turning out to be a whole new experience for Pooja, opening her eyes to a world she never knew existed. As wonderful as it was, it was also daunting, as she realised this was the kind of life Kabir Mittal took for granted and which he was used to, whilst she wasn't sure she could ever get used to it all. It made her even more uncertain if she really was the right person to be his wife.

It was only on their last evening together, before returning home to India, she decided it was something she had to discuss with him

On their final evening Kabir had decided to take her into one of the more rural area's outside Rome. They ended up in a small village tavern, where Pooja found she felt quite at home, surrounded by ordinary people, instead of expensive hotels and restaurants that tended to overwhelm her. And although the people around her spoke in a different language, their dress and manner were something she could still relate to, in the small cosy atmosphere of a local bar.

In the background three musicians played out traditional music on their instruments, giving it a warm friendly feel.

"Now this is my kind of place," Pooja admitted as Kabir brought her a glass of pure orange, which was locally produced.

"I thought it might be," Kabir replied sitting next to her, in the little private booth, "So how have you enjoyed your stay in Rome?"

"It's been, a real experience," Pooja replied, "Something I never thought I would ever have the chance to do, I guess I should thank you"

"Well its been good having you with me, watching you see it all with the wonder of the first time, and not taking it all for granted. It has been a pleasant experience" Kabir replied, "And I think we have manage to deal with each other fairly well in the last week, which was part of the whole exercise of getting to know each other a little better, and learning about each other"

"Yes," Pooja agreed taking a sip of her orange, "It has certainly opened my eyes to the kind of world you are use to, and made me realise how different we are in many ways, which does gives me some concerns," she then admitted.

"What concerns exactly?" Kabir probed

"Well, the fact we do come from such different backgrounds," Pooja replied, " What I mean is; when you were busy swanning around studying architecture in Rome, and Paris and where ever else. That's not what I was doing. Since I was small, I was just struggling to survive day in and day out. with a drunken mother to take care of and there was no father. I had to grow up very quickly, and probably experienced things you will never know or understand. So we are really worlds apart, I am not sure I can reconcile the two or even know where to begin to try and fit into your world as I would have to, if we were married," she confessed

Kabir's brown eyes rested on her steadily for a few moments, "I can see where you are coming from. But I don't expect you to fit into my world completely, that is the whole reason I asked you to marry me. Your own past life experiences have brought pressures on you that I would never know or experience. It is on those I am depending on to make this work,"

"But what happens one day in the future if you actually meet someone and fall in love with them? Where will that leave us, in this so called arrangement?" Pooja demanded

"I married for love before and it didn't work out," Kabir pointed out curtly,

"No, I think this is a far better arrangement." he added with certainty, "You will not be some clinging demanding wife, who wants to know my every movement and ask me to give you all the attention. Which is impossible, being the busy business man I am. So it leaves me free to just get on with it." he said in satisfaction, "And in return you will get financial security, you can lead the life you want to without much interference from me, I think it is perfect."

He then looked thoughtful before adding, "But I will make provisions, so if you ever do meet someone someday yourself.. You will be free to divorce me and be with them, if that is what you want. As long as we have the children, you will have completed your end of the bargain" he then added

"And what about the children?" Pooja then asked, " I am not really comfortable with the idea that only reason you want kids, is because you need to use them as pawns against some power struggle with your step mother. It doesn't feel right. If your brother and his family hadn't died, would you still want children of your own?"

She felt him shift in his seat next to her as he contemplated answering her question

"When my brother died, it made me realise my own mortality. How in this life, it can be taken from us very quickly. I started thinking about things I would have liked to have done, and one of them was to have children of my own. This all took place before my stepmother started her scheming," he assured her

"Honest truth?" Pooja couldn't help remaining a little sceptical

"Honest truth," he stated solemnly looking her directly in the eye

"OK," she relented, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, "Just as long as we got that clear"

"You see, this is what makes me sure I have chosen the right person in you. The fact its not about the money with you, but you have that strong sense of morality and integrity that won't be shaken by pound signs in front of your eyes" Kabir then said

"My prayers could not have been answered any better that day you decided to tackle me about the women's Refuge, and made me take notice of you. So you only have yourself to blame," he grinned

"Don't remind me," Pooja felt herself physically cringe, making him chuckle

"Don't feel too bad, I am not a bad catch," he then teased

" But I wasn't exactly fishing," Pooja pointed out

"No, but I was. And I consider myself lucky that found the right bait," Kabir replied

"Well you don't have to look so damned smug about it," Pooja scolded good humouredly in an effort to hide her own blushes.

She hating that he could bring the colour to her cheeks so easily with his offhand compliments

"Ok I will try not to," Kabir agreed, and glanced up towards the space in the room cleared from tables where a few couples were up dancing to the music in the background.

"As this is our last night, there is one more thing I insist you experience in Rome," he then said taking her hand and pulling her up from her seat along with him.

Pooja suddenly looked horrified, realising what he had in mind, "Oh no I can't, I mean I don't dance very well." she hurriedly protested.

"That doesn't matter," Kabir insisted, "We will just move to the music, nice and slow. It shouldn't be too hard"

"Alright, but be it on your own head, and your feet if I stand on them, " Pooja warned him as he pulled her into his arms

She suddenly felt very self conscious of her surroundings, as well as close proximity of Kabir. Because the floor space was so tiny, as they danced along with the other couples, she found herself pressed right up against him, her hands rested lightly on his shoulders.

She could feel the warmth of his hands on her lower back, through the thin material of her blouse. It felt a little too intimate for her liking, yet there was little she could do about it.

To distract her, she tried to find something to talk about as she stared into the area in front of her, where his neck met his shirt collar and she got a whiff of his expensive heady cologne,

"Kabir?" It still felt a little strange for her when she called him by his first name

"Hmm?" he responded

"How many children were you planning on having?" she then asked warily

He looked down at her then, a faint smile of amusement, "How many do you want?"

Pooja suddenly realised she had chosen the wrong subject to try and distract her, this conversation could turn more intimate than she intended.

"Well I have never exactly thought about it, that's why I am asking you.. You are the one with the forward thinking," she reminded him pointedly

"Well then, maybe two at the least and three at the most, if all goes well," Kabir replied, his eyes resting on her intently, "If that's alright with you of course?" he then added

"I guess so. as long as there is a bit of a break between them all." she replied, "I am not some kind of breeding machine"

"I never implied you were," Kabir replied, "You are much more than that to me," he then added softly, and despite his teasing tone, Pooja felt her insides jolt, in an unwanted, but not unpleasant reaction, that shook her a little.

She was glad when the music had ended, So she could she pull away from him, with the excuse she was really thirsty and wanted to finish her drink"

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As they drove back to their hotel a little while later, Pooja felt that some subtle changed had taken place between herself and Kabir.

Up until tonight, it had remained more like a platonic growing friendship. But now Pooja had the distinct feeling Kabir had upped the stakes a little, taking it to the next level. She had suddenly become far more physically aware of him than before.

And although the conversation between them remained fairly light hearted, as they discussed the past week, and the things they had done and seen together, she sensed a different mood between them. Although she couldn't quite put her finger on it she just knew it had happened when they had danced together.

When they got back to the Hotel She had informed him she still had to finish packing her things for their departure the following afternoon, so needed to be excused for the night.

But he still insisted on walking her up to her room, so now they stood outside her door

"Well thank you for another lovely evening; in fact thank you for the whole week, it has been really lovely," Pooja told him dutiful

"I am glad to hear it, I wanted you to enjoy it. I am glad you found my company more bearable than you thought you would," Kabir replied

"Yes well, I guess that is a good thing considering; imagine if it had turned out we couldn't stand the sight of each other, and we didn't get along?" Pooja then said. "You might have had to call the whole thing off, I wonder where that would have left us, and the new Refuge"

"Well let's not think about that, since it never turned out that way," Kabir replied diplomatically, as usual sidestepping the issue of the, 'what ifs' that often plagued poor Pooja

"And now I think we have ironed out most of your worries and concerns, and getting them all out of the way, there is only one thing left for me to do," Kabir said with a certain deliberation

"Oh?" Pooja sounded a little wary

"Yes," he reached his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small red velvet box.

Pooja felt her heartbeat suddenly quicken as he proceeded to open it

"I think it is time we make it official," Kabir said taking out the gold platinum engagement ring complete with a cluster of three tiny diamonds encrusted into the band, "I just hope it fits you alright. I think I got the proper size,"

he carefully took the ring from the box and grasped Pooja's left hand, to slide it onto her finger

Pooja remained silent, watching him as he did so. She unable to speak, struggling with a mixture of emotions. It all felt so strange, like she was watching it from afar, and it was all happening to some one else.

But at the same time feeling the alien weight of the ring on her finger, told her it was very real. This was a token gesture from Kabir that he was sealing his claim on her, and there was nothing she could really do about it. After all she had agreed to it.

Wasn't it what this week had been all about?.

"How does it feel? It seems to fit," Kabir remarked

"In truth, it felt overwhelmingly odd, as she looked down at the ring on her finger, "It-it fits fine," she finally managed to blurt out

"Good," he replied "Do you like it?" he then added in afterthought

It was an exquisite ring and probably very expensive Pooja realised, "It's lovely," she then told him automatically. "But I guess I wasn't really expecting it quite so soon," she then admitted with a small laugh

"Well seeing you already agreed to my marriage proposal, I didn't see much point in wasting time in getting things moving," Kabir told her, "And now we are officially engaged, it will be easier for us to get married quicker, and get on with other things"

"Yes, I guess so," Pooja agreed suddenly, becoming very aware of what the 'other things' would include.

He still had a hold of her hand, his fingers absentmindedly moving lightly back and forth across her knuckles as if he was enjoying the feel of her skin against his fingertips.

She made no attempt to pull her hand away, even though the touch brought more intimacy between them, making her heart pound in her ears, as she became increasingly aware of it.

"Are you sure you like the ring?" he asked again when she remained silent

"Oh yes, it's wonderful," Pooja nodded vigorously, not wanting him to think she was

ungrateful. She managed to look up at him and even smiled, "Thank you,"

"It's me who should be me thanking you," Kabir replied, his voice suddenly sounding a little deeper than usual as. she felt the pressure of his fingers on her hand

"How do you mean?" Pooja looked a little bewildered

"I want you to know I appreciate what you are doing," Kabir then said, "And I promise I will be good to you. So let me thank you, as a new fiancé should. with his bride-to-be"

"What way is that?" Pooja asked, sounding a little breathless seeing a new light in Kabir's brown eyes she never seen before.

His head lowered towards her, so she wasn't too shocked to feel his lips press on hers lightly. They brushed against her mouth very gently, barely touching, almost hovering there hesitantly, as it await on some sort of response.

Pooja found she was unable to move. But she made no attempt to reject his lips against hers.

Realising this, his lips once more pressed against hers, more firmly this time, deepening, and becoming a little more demanding,

Curious by the new sensations being aroused inside her by his caress, Pooja found herself surrendering, and responding willingly back.

In truth she had never been kissed so expertly before, especially in a way had made her forget her surrounding and where she was. But that was how it felt right now. So when Kabir finally pulled away from her to come up for air, she was a little dazed

"Well, I think that part went ok," Kabir said, his voice still strangely husky.

He had been surprised that his tentative kiss had turned into something a lot more passionate than he had intended. He was almost tempted to carry her into her hotel bedroom there and then, and take her to bed that night.

But he realised it was not a good idea. Which was why he pulled away and tried to regain his self control while he could

"Goodnight Pooja," he then told her

"Goodnight," she manage to reply, finding it hard to look at him, She was still trying to take in the powerful affect of his kiss. Pooja now hurriedly turned to open the door to go into her room.

Kabir remained standing outside for a few moments, contemplating what had just occurred between them. Then he gave a small smile of satisfaction, before turning and going of to his own room.