Semblance Of A Life Together

Sameer

She wouldn't stop crying, all the way back to our place she kept shedding those little pearls and sniffed constantly. I tried prodding her to drink some water in between and she sipped some reluctantly. The doubts in my mind lingered, was she not happy? After all she had confessed about her love for me zthat very day, why wouldn't she be happy? Silly me! its probably because after all those years in the house, she must be having the glimpses of memories flash through her mind that must be making her sad. But then from what I had gathered she didn't really have a happy childhood. Rather she and me were very similar in that regard. I had a mother who was just omnipresent in my life, on a piece of paper I had her name written as my mother. Apart from that she never really bothers with me and she has always been shunned at by her father. Her Brother too though he had expressed his affection for his sister in more than one occasion and back in college, she would get phone calls from him, yet he seemed more lost and burdened under the expectations that their father had on him. sometimes I pitied that lad. But then inspite of her father being distant, she had her chachaji by her side. I remember once we were sitting on the shores of bandstand and she had narrated this story of how her chachaji had fought fiercely for her to get higher education. And also Preeti, whenever she would talk about her, her eyes would light up. Once she had called me her twin, I mean, Preeti's twin since she like me, loved sleeping and would do anything in the world to not study. I had laughed at her then and made joke and said that someday I would make Preeti my sister, by making her tie Rakhi on my wrist. Little did I know then that it would come true, my words.

The loud honking of the horn, brought me out of the reverie, and I glared at the driver who beckoned at the gates motioning for us to get off. We had arrived. I looked at my bride, she looked stunning except for the tears, and I was sure Maamiji and my mother would make a hue and cry about the same calling her drama and all that. Never mind, I would be there to be her support. And also Naanu who I could see through the window had already been beaming at the very threshold of the house. He had the thaal of Aarti in his hand and he was beaming literally like some star. Usually the custom to welcome the bride home is carried out by the groom's mother or so I had been told. I was not expecting my mother to leap at the opportunity but then I had not expected her to pass it on saying it was just an unnecessary custom. It had hurt when she had spelled out the words and then I had seen her giggling with maamiji saying that in her right mind she would never welcome that low life. Low life! My Naina! I had fumed at her words and somewhere amidst all the hurt and anger, a feeling of resignation took over. The fact that my happiness was never ever important to her pinched me hard within and made me realise, that high time I should let go of all the animosity and hard feelings. If she didn't care for my happiness she is not important enough for me to be wasting my anger on. I had better things to do in life and now I had my wife and my little one coming, so I would rather concentrate there.

Once we made our way out, we were welcomed with smiles from naanu and Ramdhaari while sniggers from maamiji and my mothere. My stepfather too had a petulant expression etched on his face as if it was all such a pain for him. who had invited him here? I don't remember making the effort. Its better not to dwell on these people who have no respect either for me or my wife who have always forever doubted my abilities. Once we were ushered inside, we were made to sit on the giant sofa while all came by turn to offer some shagun to us and then we were instructed to stand up while some plates were aligned across from us in a long line. I looked at perplexed but I could see the sinister look on maamiji and my mothers faces. I knew instantly they must be having something troublesome up their sleeves. My eyes searched for Naanu's and he beckoned with a slight nod of his head, as if to say he has everything under control but with my mother seldom anything was under control ever. I could sense her fidgeting, her discomfort was evident. My mother and mamiji made little effort to make her feel special. As if on silent accord, I slipped my hand in hers threading our fingers together. Telling her in a solemn vow that we are in it together. Our eyes met for a minute, and I could see the emotions flitting across in her orbs, the scare was getting replaced by reassurance and even as if she was trying to thank me with her eyes. And I acknowledge with mine.

At the very moment maamiji came and stood in front of us, clearing her throat to get our attention. She tried pulling her hand out while I clutched on and glared at my maami who took two steps back asking my mother to come explain the rasm.

Some stupid rasm of me touching the plates with my sword while Naina picked up the thaals. Here the thaals I could had grown not only in size but also in weight and there were twenty of them, twenty! Why twenty? I had serious doubts as to whether all new brides were made to fetch some 20 thaals and I expressed this concern aloud to which Poonam Bhabhi confirmed my fears by blurting out that usually 7 to 10 were there but ours happens to be a first case scenario. I was not at all pleased. I knew now what these two ladies were upto. They were deliberately trying to trouble Naina.

I immediately folded my arms across my chest and announced we are out, their faces paled, their perfect plan was after all getting shredded and hence while they paled their ears it seemed getting redder by the moment until my mother started hollering as to how I have always been a trouble, always saying no for no reason. With no regard for elders I was a disappointment. Then she brought up Naina how she in her wildest dreams wouldn't have approved of this match as it is clear as a day now what a bad influence she already seems to be showing upon me. the retort was on the tip of my tongue but I got held back by naanu, he pulled at me while he glared at my mother.

In the end we settled up with a truce, 5 thaals and that was all finished in a jiff. My darling wife could do it just the topper way, not a bit of sound while she picked it up. The ladies, from the extended seemed suddenly in awe of her and they started gushing about how this bahu would be such an asset for the family, how she would keep all well knit together avoiding any disagreement and fights. Though I am not a believer of such superstitions after all how can 5 steel plates decide whether there would be peace of storm in the future yet my heart swelled with pride after all I knew my Naina she would go at length to keep this family together. After all even because of my sullen nature she never gave up on me, neither would she on this new family of hers. She would love it alike. But right now I was more concerned about my wife and her health and the little life growing within. So when maamiji started taking naina away from me, towards the pooja ghar, I squinted at her with query etched on my face. She simple replied that we were to sleep in separate rooms, she in the pooja ghar while me in my room. She was to sleep in from of the ganesh deity as such was the custom and this time naanu too agreed.

So I had spend a restless night in my room tossing and turning on the bed while my wife slept in the pooja ghar. Once all were deep in slumber I had sneaked into the pooja ghar to check on her, she slept with her hair open like a baby. Still in the wedding clothes it was definitely not the most fitful sleep since she had opened her eyes when I made my way to the matress where she lay. She got up with her eyes like big saucers as if she was seeing me for the first time, I silently closed the door with a soft click while I came and sat beside her.

Naina: tum tum yahan kya kar rahein ho

Sameer: matlab, mera ghar hain

Naina: nahi matlab iss room mein kya kar rahein ho, abhi koi aajayega, phir...

Sameer: haan phir dekhlega, phir chikhega, chillayega, sabko pata chal jayega waghera waghera

Naina: main mazaak nahi kar rahi

Sameer: main bhi mazaak nahi kar raha

Naina: sameer koi aajayega

Sameer: toh aajane toh, I don't care, you are my wife now, you are reminding of our days together in college. Yahin dialogue chipkaati thi tum tab

Naina: main dialogue nahi maar rahi, it's the truth, already your mother and maami don't seem to be very fond of me, and now if they catch us together, they might just tag me a heathen and call me all types of names. And I don't want that. You see...

I didn't let her finish, my finger was pressed upon her lips. Those soft petals which were now adorned in the deepest shade of pink. Pink, the color that had been it, even during our Matheran trip. She had teased me enough during that trip and we had such amazing time there. As if my mind on its own accord, started showing flashes from the same trip. How we had been tangled into each other, in one another's arms, not letting go ever. The love making had been soft and slow yet the heated passion had flowed and our bodies had been on fire.

I could tell, that she could read my thoughts, since her cheeks blushed the reddest of reds and she tried averting her eyes from mine but I held her ,chin in a firm grip and started leaning over her mouth. The memories from the trip had stoked the flames within and now it was too difficult to keep my hands of her. And so without wasting time, I leaned over her, hovering over face for a minute or two breathing in her scent while she fluttered her lashes and our heartbeats rose in sync. She did try to move away but this time I held her by the waist and pulled her closer to me. she almost fell upon me while this time I wasted no time to connect our lips together.

Sparks flew, current raged through our veins once my lips touched hers. All the memories of us together conjured up in one single frame, and I could feel my insides turn to molten lava, lava of love, fire of passion flowed and soon we were tangled in a war of lips. She initially seemed reluctant, as if she feared that we might get caught and this incensed me all the more while I sucked harder. Her lips felt so soft, like some gooey chocolate and while I put more pressure, she gasped in surprise and I took it as an invitation to enter her mouth. My mouth dared hers to engage in a duel and then I could feel her let go. Since she started matching every step of mine. For every bite, she bit me with equal fervor and for every tug, she tugged more furiously. I didn't realize when my hands, had snaked up her sides and were struggling with the dori at the back, I kept tugging at it until it tore, and the small beads, and sparklers that were attached to it fell on the floor. I pulled her blouse on the side and peppered feather light kisses along her jaw and exposed shoulders.

We were lost in each other, when we heard footsteps. Naina was the first to push me off her while I leaped upon my feet and raced to the adjacent window in the room. I opened the window and jumped out and that very moment the door to the pooja room opened. I didn't get a chance to look back at Naina but somewhere while I was transported back to the times, when we would be ever so vigilant and alert about the sounds around us and I would always leap out of the window of her hostel everytime there was any such instances when we came close to getting caught. I could here, fidgeting in the room, and then while I ducked under it, behind a bush, I could still see, maamiji peeking outside. And then she turned around and was murmuring something to someone, about how she couldn't see anyone, until then I was second guessing it to be my mum and then I heard her voice saying,

Visakha : yeh ladka gaya kahan phir, matlab maine kahan thaa na aapse ki yeh koshish zaroor karega iss ladki se milne ki lekin yeh toh yahan so rahi hain aur gehri neend main bhi lag rahi hain. Aur sameer apne kamre mein nahin hain. Toh gaya kahan

Prabha: aapne munna pandit ka room check kiya, shayad wahan soya ho?

Visakha: arey who toh main check karke aagayi koi nahi thaa wahan, yeh dono, so rahein they, mere jaatein hi pandit uth gaya phir poochne laga aap yahan kaise? Toh maine poocha ki Sameer kahan hain? Bola apne kamre mein aur phir so gaya

Prabha: toh yeh sameer gaya kahan?

Visakha: gaya hoga kahin, ya toh papa k room mein hoga, ab wahan toh jaa nahi sakte. Abhi papa aaye hain hospital se unhe disturb karna thik nahi hoga

Prabha: waise did itne bhi besharam nahi hai aapke bahu beta aap kuch zyada hi sochti hain

Visakha: toh kya karoon bataon, sameer ki harkatein toh sab jaante hain aur yeh ladki pata nahi isko bahu bolne ka mann nahi karta manna toh bahut door ki baat hain. Khair chodo, hum sotey hain bekaar mein neend kharab ki aapki bhi. So jaate hain , phir subah waali rasme bhi toh hain aur phir nikalna bhi hain kal Delhi k liye.

Prabha: haan chaliye chalte hain

Sameer

My mothers words still reverberated , in my ears, I knew her dislike towards Naina but this much I had no clue about! And what for? A woman who herself never bothered with me, she is actually believing that I would marry as per her choice and what is wrong in Naina. I know she doesn't come with a price tag attached to her that's what is wrong with her. Apparently I could have been of great value but alas! Naina brings nothing into this house neither in cash nor in kind as per my mother. But little did she know that what she is bringing into this family this house is precious, priceless and she can never understand the worth of love, one who never loved her own son. But in all of this what really hurt him the most is his Naina's pain. When he peeked into the room once the ladies had left, he saw her sitting upright staring at the wall and sniffling. Obviously she heard every word that my mum had to spew like venom. I promised to myself never to let anyone hurt her. She is my responsibility now and her honor is of utmost importance to me.

Naina

I knew she hated me, the way she would look at me, it was but obvious that she didn't approve of his choice. Choice! Am I even his choice? Or just a compulsion? He is bound by the responsibility may be that is growing in my womb. Love has always evaded me, my mother died while birthing me and my father never bothered with me. he saw me as a liability. All my life I looked for that love. I would read novels, immerse myself in the stories of Judith McNaught, believing in the heroes and fantasizing about them that one day I would meet one of the many fictional characters in real and he would love me to pieces and give me that respect and honour my choices. He would give me the world and cherish me as a human. When I fell for Sameer. After peeling off those layers, where in I got to know him as the person he is. That he is stubborn and cynical but he has a soft heart and that he smiled genuinely only for those whom he cared for. His love, never seemed fake to me, because when he was with me, he would actually forget the world. We would be immersed into each other completely. but yet his reputation as a playboy always hindered my rational view. Even after knowing about the pregnancy, I had expected him to be distraught even angry but then he surprised me with his concern, care and even happiness. Those tears of joy at the doctor's chamber were for real . but then did he love me. he had confessed earlier that he considered me to be one of his tribe, someone whom he could trust someone he banked on, his best friend. He had called me his friend but he had never professed his love though we have shared the most intimate relationship that a man and woman can ever share between each other. So now, what did he consider me now? That we are married, would he ever love me, give me that respect as his wife and mother of his child or would I continue to be just a friend. The heavy thoughts made my eyes droop and I simply dozed off.

Sameer

The morning after, well it feels like am in some kind of a zoo. These petty relatives whom I had never seen before and who never bothered taking an iota of interest in my life now had complaints regarding everything. How the water was not the correct kind of hot, how the taps looked fashionable but didn't quite serve the purpose. How the house was too big or too small to their taste! Well who had even asked them about their taste. I looked on in distaste. Waiting on the long chaise waiting for my beautiful wife to appear. I couldn't wait to see her. After yesterday night, once I managed sneaking back into my room I couldn't stop tossing and turning on the bed. The harsh words of my mother rang in my ear like some earworms. Why couldn't she just leave us alone. I was never a priority to her, rather an inconvenience always then why butt into my life and comment on my choices. The soft jingle of anklets made me turn around, stumped!

She always managed to stump me beyond words, she looked ethereal. I couldn't stop the grin that adorned my face at the moment. She wore the peach silk saree, that I had gifted her, god I remember how it had been a chore to convince her that the colour would look lovely on her. She had left her hair open while she wore the gold jhumkas and the set that naanu lovingly gifted her. With minimal make up and that glow, my baby inside made her shine! Her head was covered in the saree's palla and she walked slow taking time with each step as if she walked on eggshells. Well no wonder, with so many scrutinizing eyes I knew they made her nervous. I wanted to go to her but then I didn't want another episode of the drama that my mother and maami were trying to spin. Today would be uneventful for them. I promised myself.

Naina

I sneaked a peek at him while coming down the stairs and then the cat caught my tongue. He wore a pista green kurta and pyjama. He never liked wearing Indian outfits and would always trudge along in western jeans and t shirts clad in a jacket. It was me who insisted that he would look dapper in kurta and pyjama. I was the first to have bought him one and how he had been so thoughtful and his happiness though he didn't express much in words but the unsaid twinkle in his eyes said it all. He had been overjoyed.

I was led along by the ladies and made to sit beside him, somewhere I could sense his unease while he fidgeted continuously in his seat. After yesterday night it seemed normal. Our romantic escapade had been soured by the vicious words of his mother. I knew her disdain towards me, especially the dirty looks I had caught her giving me every now and then but I had been expected that she would hate me. though I had dozed off for a while but then the words reverberated in my ears giving me nightmares and when I woke up it had been morning already and I had been drenched in perspiration. I had scuttled off from the bed in a hurry not wanting any more reasons to my mother in law to hate me more and taken a quick shower and dressed in the peach saree that he had once gifted me not long ago along with the set that naanu has gifted me. I waited in my room for someone to come for me but no one did and once the din of the laughter and the sounds went up steadily, I decided to come down on my own and hence here I am amidst all these unknown faces who are now a part of my family. Yet I felt alone.

Even before that thought left me I felt a palm over mine, the warmth of it snaking through my viens and when I looked he was lovingly staring at me. he leaned in closer while I beckoned with my eyes telling him that we are being watched. But he continued leaning in till his lips were tenderly brushing my ears and he whispered.

Sameer: I love your choice, this saree is special, my first gift to you and also....

Naina: al...also?

I stuttered like a fool

Sameer: also we made our baby in this

Naina

How? How did he know? Stumped beyond words! But he is right we did make the our child on the very night I wore this saree for the first time.

Sameer

The smile stayed stagnant, I had left her speechless. Her puzzled curious yet stunned expression told me that how when what? All these questions now plagued her mind.

My friends kept teasing me for the glee, they attributed it to the fact that tonight would be officially our first night together while the guests all laughed and giggled at the joke. I could see my mother was not really thrilled at the prospect rather she looked ill at ease and my maamiji sniggered even. While everyone indulged in the customs, making me and naina dip our palms in a pot of milk to dig out some rings. Some silly games, and the sillier thing is the result decided whether it would be me or my darling wife who would rule the roost later in life. Well little did they know that she already held the key to the door to my heart and there she is already the queen. So when I won all the games, I had no doubts that it would be always my wife who would have the upper hand in our relationship. After all she is the one who believed in us first.

I won not because I was better in all the games but because I had rendered her mind useless, she had been listless all throughout the game and I caught her twice peeking at me. I had smirked my devil smirk and that had made her blush hard. Oh! How I loved those rose tinted cheeks! She had blushed just like now that very night. And the saree had clung to all her curves and accentuated her beauty a bit too much for me to lose control. But I have no qualms about losing control on that given night since we made our baby and for that am grateful.

Amidst all the cacophony my mind wandered off to those times that night.

The past.....

Sameer: arey chalo toh

Naina: nahin jaana mujhe

Sameer: hadh hain

Naina: hain nahi, tum hadh karte ho

Sameer: kya hadh ki maine?

Naina: arey mujhe chod akele nikal gaye, poore din main bore ho rahi thi, kahan they waise aap janab? Apni kisi titli k saath?

Sameer: kaunsi Titli tumhe pata toh hain kahan gaya thaa, bataya toh thaa aur waise bhi meri life mein abhi ek hi hain jo Titli nahi meri permanent hain

Naina's heart had skipped a few beats at the mention of being a permanent in his life. She couldn't stop wondering whether the permanent that he meant was same as the one she was thinking about in her mind.

Sameer: kya hua ab muh mein taala padh gaya kya? Bolti kyun bandh hain?

Naina: hmm.. huh?

Sameer: yeh acha hai pehle ladai shuru karo phir beech mein anjaan bano

Naina: ladai?! Kaunsi ladai? Aur kisne ki ladai? Tum karte ho ladai mujhse

Sameer: thik hain meri jaan main hi ladta hoon ab toh chalo

Naina: lekin abhi leke kahan jaa rahein jo

Sameer: wahi jahan koi aata jaata nahin, ab chale?

Naina: acha chalo lekin yeh kapde thik haina? Matlab jahan jaa rahein wahan k liye

Sameer: you look sexy in everything you wear

He half whispered into her ears

Naina: chalo hatto zyada flirt mat karo

It had been quite a long drive, out of the city, first he took the highway and then a narrow path that had too many bumps in it and made him to pull the breaks a bit too many times. Not that he was complaining given everytime he did the same Naina would hold him tighter and closer and somewhere the fire would ignited within.

Sameer control, you have a plan to play out, control. He mock scolded himself.

They continued on their bumpy ride till the roads finally became a bit wider opening onto to a stretch that had bungalows lined up In a straight line.

Naina: where are we sameer?

Sameer: kyun tumhe mere saath akele mein darr lagta hain

Naina: hahahahahaah mazaak matt karo, lekin yeh bungalow, jiske saamne hum ruk gye, yeh kiska hain?

Sameer: mera

Naina: huh?

Sameer: haan mera hain, naanu ne gift diya thaa birthday pe, kabhi aata nahi tha kyunki kahin bhi raho akela hi thaa toh kya farak padhta hain

Naina: aur ab?

Sameer: ab tum ho na

Second time, second time this evening he mentioned her as someone special in his life so did he actually harbors feelings for her? She wondered. Off late the shift in his demeanor had been stark. He could seldom keep away from her and when they were together even In a crowd of millions he had his eyes trained on her. As if she was the only being left on this planet. She would have all of his attention. These instances made naina to hope for something which she dreaded to hope for. That he too is equally in love with her like she is steeped in him. her thoughts were broken when she felt him tugging at her arms.

Sameer: chalo lets go inside

Naina: ok

As they trudged inside, naina couldn't help but marvel at the magnificent beauty of the place. The farm house had been located at the very corner and it had large iron gates that almost touched the sky so from outside none could get a peek at its beauty. It was all of white surrounded by trees from all around. When she peeked further she noticed that most of these trees were alternating with that of fruits and flowers, one of mango will be followed by some exquisite flower one and so on. The grounds stretched on for acres it seemed with lush green lawn at the very centre. There were spotlights of golden colours attached on the corners of the trees and that gave out a soft illuminating glow. It all looked do dreamy and magical that naina gasped at its beauty.

Sameer: kya hua, kuch chubh gaya kya paido mein , be careful yahan light thodi kam hain toh

Naina: kitna bada hain tumhara ghar aur kitna khubsoorat

Sameer: ghar bada toh hain aur khubsoorat ka pata nahi, haan lekin aaj mujhe bhi khubsoorat lag raha kyunki tum issey khubsoorat bana rahi ho

With that he led her inside.

The inside was equally opulent with the décor being done in Victorian style, everything spoke of taste and elegance and dripping wealth.

Sameer: kya dekh rahi ho naina

Naina: kuch nahi soch rahi hoon, ki jitna paisa yahan k interior mein laga hain utna agar kisi orphanage mein daan karte toh wahan k saare bachon ki thik se padhai likhai aur sab hojata

Sorry agar tumhe bura laga toh

Sameer: nahi ab chale?

Naina: kahan?

Sameer: room mein I have a surprise for you

Naina: surprise ? kya surprise

Sameer: upar chalo batata hoon

He led to her an equally opulent staircase, above which hung a gigantic chandelier that glittered and shone with opulence. While going up the stairs, naina's eyes fell upon the adjacent wall, that had been adorned with various pictures some of these seemed to be from Sameer's childhood, mostly with his grandfather. But yet in those pictures, naina could catch the pining stare of Sameer, one that pined for love, who was always on the look out for his mother. As if he had everything yet devoid of the care of a mother. It pained her to see him like that, when she looked back at him, he was lovingly staring back at her. No worries, now they had each other and she would never let go of him. after all she could echo his pain. She too had a lonely childhood. Though her chachaji had been of immense support but yet she always felt the void of her mother. To her father she was always the inconvenience who brought bad luck only and to her chachiji she was somebody who is like a daughter but not the real daughter. Though she had been unbiased in her approach with her yet she could tell she was always the secondary one.

Naina: kitni saari seediyaan hain

Sameer: bas hogaya first door.

They had reached the landing and now stood in front of a large wooden door, when he clicked it open, and flicked the lights on, she was taken aback by the sheer simplicity of the room. Though the furniture, looked expensive with a magnificent oak desk at the corner and teak wood bed at the centre. This room didn't have any paintings by famous painters, not even pictures for the personal touch neither did it have any chandeliers rather simple yet elegant lamps that twinkled from every corner. The bed had been made in plusch bedding yet the style seemed minimalist and elegant not over the top that spoke of wealth. She gingerly walked into the room inspecting everything around when she heard the click of the lock. When she turned around she saw him closing the door and locking it. Though it wasn't ideally her first time alone with him in a room, but this seemed far more intimate. He had brought her home and to his room. Yes she could tell its his room, since it had his smell.

Sameer: cupboard mein tumhaare liye kuch rakha hain dekho

Naina: kya?

Sameer: khud dekhlo

She walked towards the cupboard in slow steps and opened it. There at the very first shelf, she could see a gift wrapped in a glitzy golden paper. When she picked it up she found a note attached on the same. When she read it, she instantly had a smile on her face.

It said.... From baalon ki dukaan to padakhu masterni

She couldn't help the giggle that bubbled over like a mirth.

Naina: kya hain yeh sab

Sameer: kuch nahi bus mann hua meri Naina k liye kuch lene ka toh le aaya

Yet again he repeated the words, he was repeatedly claiming his right upon so, does it mean he loves me?

Sameer: kahan ho jaati ho? Kholo gift

Naina: huh? Oh! Haan, kholti hoon.

Once she had unwrapped her present she stood dumbfounded, it was a saree, a saree he got me a saree. First he brought me home, then to his room and now a saree. The most beautiful piece she had ever laid her eyes upon. All peach, with subtle golden work all over. The saree felt like the softest of silks in her hands while the intricate gold work dazzled her eyes. it looked so beautiful and expensive too. She could tell, the fabric spoke of grandeur. But seeing it she couldn't stop the tears from brimming in her eyes. it was a first, though she did receive new clothes, the customary one dress every year during Diwali which she was allowed to wear only during special occasions but no one would get her any gifts ever not even for her birthday. Rather on that day taiji wouldn't leave a single chance to humiliate her and remind her that how she had brought bad luck into their lives. How her mother had passed away on that very day while birthing her.

Sameer: kya hua? You are so silent, do you not like...

Naina: its lovely and you know it's the first time someone has actually thought about me and this is officially my first ever gift. Thank you!

She didn't let him finish, rather she completed his sentence with her own words letting him know how special he had her feel

Sameer: then I guess I deserve a gift too in return

Naina: what gift do you want

Sameer: you in this saree

Naina: acha! Thik hain lekin Mr Maheshwari, saree k saath blouse aur petticoat ki zaroorat padhti hain who toh aap

Sameer: laya hoon

She looked at him quizzically, ruffling the wrapper up and down she finally cited the blouse, the colour of which was same as the saree, only the back seemed a bit too deep almost backless and a satin petticoat. She looked up dumbfounded to see a smirking Sameer looking lovingly down at her. He had walked a few paces and reduced the distance between them and now they stood toe to toe only her head barely reached his chest, it was just a few inches below his chest. Ok so Naina hated to admit this that in front of him she looked a bit too tiny.

Sameer: I had raided your wardrobe the other day while you were in the shower

Suddenly it occurred to her that she had been looking for her red blouse and petticoat for quite a few days, she wanted to wear that red saree for a cultural event in college but then she had to settle for a yellow salwar kameez. She had mulled over, it being a curious case of misplacement but where? But now it dawned on her that it had been him. she remembered how he had already sneaked out when she had come out of the bathroom. She had been upset at first but then thought the better of it. May be he had done so that they don't get caught, may be someone had come knocking while she had been in the shower and hence may be he had panicked and left. She had thought so but now she understood why he had been in a rush

He beckoned with his eyes to the small changing room adjacent to the washroom and taking his hint, she walked towards it.

Sameer

I paced up and down the length of the room, the wait seemed endless. Ya offcourse tying a saree is not a piece of cake but for her, who does it so effortlessly more often, it cant take that long then why is she taking ages. Does the blouse fit? May be the petticoat is a bit too tied. His mind was raging with all these doubts when he heard the soft click and saw a little of peach peeking through the door.

When he looked up, he was knocked out of breath.standing in the peach silk saree, stood the love of his life! What did he just utter? Love? Did he love her? His mind was in a tizzy, he couldn't think staright. She looked straight out of some fairytale. The saree hugging her like second skin. Thinking of skin, ample of it seemed to be on display starting from where her blouse ended and her navel started. Creamy white skin, peeked through, tantalizing inviting even to touch it. Was it his imagination or the blouse was almost backless. When she twirled around for him, moving the curtain of hair out of his line of vision, she gulped in a gigantic breath. He had insisted on a deep back but I guess the tailor took it a bit too seriously, it was as if it was held with only a sliver of fabric at the end.

She looked beautiful. At once love and lust oozed through his every pore. The desire to possess and love her seemed to be uncontrollable. If he had any doubts in his mind before. Now all the fog cleared and finally he could see that he is in love with her though yes he would keep denying, testing even, her and even himself. He knew this would happen, it was his insecurity that borne out of all those years of love lessness yet he wanted to live in this moment tonight. And so he started walking towards her as if in a state of trance.

Naina

I felt his lips first, peppering soft, feather light kisses along my neck till the sensitive area below my ears, his hands moved across my waist pulling me closer to him. his fingers danced around my navel while he sucked on to my shoulders nicking it just a bit. I gasped with pleasure while he continued his torture on my navel. I turned around to look into his eyes. at what I saw made me stagger back a bit. I saw love. Yes I saw lust too but I saw love that bore into my eyes, that pierced my soul and that pulled me into him and when he pulled me towards him, I surrendered. I surrendered to the sweet onslaught of his lips that swooped down on mine sucking and licking like a hungry beast yet this beast seemed tames tonight. Because today he seemed to be relishing my lips. He would put pressure on them, but a bit but licked slowly and the sucks in between came dangerously slow, wherein it felt like he was actually tasting me for the first time. His hands moved along my length brushing them along my breasts, caressing them ever so soft, like they were feathers. I gasped at this new found torture.

Suddenly he left me, I was almost about to protest when I felt his lips on the area around my navel, where his hands had been he replaced it with his lips. His lips seemed everywhere now and before long he had pulled my saree pleats out tugging them with his teeth. My mind had been a jumble of words and I couldn't register anything rather I seemed lost in him in us. He kept murmuring something while he continued with his onslaught but I couldn't hear anything until he stood up and I felt his lips along my jaw and near my ears where he whispered in his lust laced husky voice, "I love you NAINA"

This made me open my eyes and I peeked into his that stared back with all the love in the world. This time he picked me and laid me on his bed. My aanchal was already askew and the pleats were already falling apart, almost in a state of half undress I looked up at my own version of Adonis, who stared in to my orbs while he tugged at the buttons of his shirt. I looked on mesmerized and waited for him to come to me. Soon his lips met mine while I felt the weight of his body over mine. He kissed with a new fervor while he took his own sweet time to undress me. our clothes lay in a pile beside the bed.

That night he didn't leave an inch of me, he loved me all over, leaving his marks in places where only him, yes only him was allowed to see. The kisses were slow but long so was the lovemaking, it had a rhythm that was slow yet every stroke ever caress every move had a promise. It was like some worship. Moonlight peeked through the curtains while we moaned into our unison. It felt like a sonnet that we created that night, our hands and limbs were the instruments that played in synchrony while our kisses adorned it with a new melody.

It was only later, that I discovered that the melody that we created that night is a new life that now breathed inside me.

So the long awaited chapter is here. My daughter has been extremely unwell with a flurry of bacterial and viral infections hence I got held up. She is still recuperating so please bear with me. do leave your comments as it would help me understand better whether I am worth your time.

Wish you all a very happy Navratri and Durga Puja!