Abhedya was driving towards the farm house when he crossed a hoarding which said
"you are a reason for somebody's smile, drive safe!"
The night at the resort crossed Abhedya's mind when Swarnima told him "you smile, my heart beats." A smile that reached his eyes made its way on his handsome face.

He parked the car near the gate and came to the passenger seat where Swarnima was fast asleep wearing her specs?

'Did she have to follow those regulations while sleeping?' Abhedya thought and decided
that Swarnima must be taught to break rules and breathe. So, he bent down and removed her specs. The breeze blew making her hair blow with it. She was indeed a divine beauty descended on earth.
There was centimetre gap between them when Swarnima opened her eyes. A charm was spelled. Abhedya and Swarnima were hostages to each other. The restraint Abhedya had, he gave up and inched closer to her. There was no one to stop. Their hearts, minds, body and soul wanted to unite. Just when Abhedya's lips were about to touch Swarnima's she kept her hand on his mouth. No words were exchanged but their eyes knew the state. Swarnima got down from the car and walked towards the house.

'Shit!! Damn! What she must be thinking? You just confessed there is nothing between you two and there can never be. And you were about to kiss her?' Abhedya's brain scolded him.
'But, her lips were so inviting. She was so inviting. How could you not kiss those soft, pink, luscious lips?' Abhedya's heart reasoned.

Abhedya ran inside. He knew his heart and brain's conflicts would lead him no where. Swarnima was about to enter her room when Abhedya said "Nim... I... Umm... I..."

"Don't bother explaining. You already did that before. Goodnight. Thanks for the help." Swarnima closed her room's door and put her hand on her heart. 'Please don't loose your control. Please. He doesn't want it. And, it's better that way. He will hate me when he knows what a liar I am. Please, don't loose your control.' Swarnima kept repeating to herself.

The period days are tough. But the emotional ride on those days is tougher.
Swarnima took a bath and slept in comfy clothes holding her stomach. Pain just hit her.

Abhedya came to his room and followed his routine. He opened his phone to check his social media accounts but Swarnima's face was all he could see. She was correct, he did say that he felt attracted towards her but was not ready to commit to her. The girls he knew till now, were mostly 'not strings attached, kind'. Those who wanted commitment he distanced himself from them.
Swarnima however, was not the regular girl. She was someone with whom he could attach all his strings, and commit to all the vows she demanded.
What he wanted he did not know or did not want to know. 'Uhhhh!! SONA! Why do you mess my brain?'
'SONA?!! Did I just address her Sona?' 'I am probably dreaming or the stupid game has just got into my mind.' Abhedya slept with those thoughts.

In the morning, Swarnima got up quite late. After taking a nice long relaxing hot water bath she changed into her pyjamas and loose T-shirt. She came out of her room and found the house empty. Gene told her everyone had left except Aadya.
So, Swarnima had her breakfast and when she came back to her room, she found a huge bouquet of chocolates placed on the side table. A smile appeared on her face and she immediately took out her favourite chocolate and started eating it. "Mmmmm" she moaned.

"Wow? You just ate the chocolates without even seeing is it for you or not? I got these for a friend of mine... You know 'kavach', I met the other day and you just spoiled the bouquet. Atleast you should have seen before just grabbing a bar and eating it." Abhedya made her feel guilty.

Swarnima kept the chi plate in her hand down and said, "I am so sorry. I didn't know. The bouquet looked so pretty and was in my room so, I couldn't curtail my desire to eat one from it. I... I will make a fresh one for you."

"I just wanted to ask for your opinion on how it looked but you just... anyways it was for a very special someone and I'l have to get a new one. You can keep this one now." Abhedya went out of her room saying it.

'Should I tell her, I got it for her? She is stupid. She won't understand I was playing a prank on her. Her face lost colour when I scolded her...'

Abhedya was thinking aloud when Aadya said, "You idiot, you better tell her. That's such a sweet gesture. What's stopping you from showing that you care?"

"I don't care, okay! The lady at the chemist shop forcefully gave it to me." Abhedya convincingly told Aadya.

"You get a chocolate bouquet at the chemist? Great!! please tell me the address.
Abhey! Accept it that you made it for her. What's the harm in letting someone know that you care for them." Aadya turned Abhedya to face her and continued, "Abhey, a girl just wants her mother or someone who loves and cares for her to be around her at this time. Unfortunately, she has none."

"What do you mean she has none? Am I invisible to you?" Abhedya retorted with anger.

"Then go and tell her you care. Else, trust me she won't touch any of those comforting food you got for her with so much love." Aadya left a thinking Abhedya . His legs went towards Swarnima's room automatically.
He turned the knob to find the room locked. He knocked the door. No response. He knocked again and again and finally Swarnima opened the door. She was wiping her face with a towel looking all drained out.

Abhedya put his hand on her cheek and asked her, "Hey! What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Swarnima just nodded and sat on her bed.
"You want something? Look, I am sorry. Please don't scold me. I am too drained out." Swarnima explained hiding her face in her palms.

Abhedya regretted his prank and sat on floor, he removed her hands to see her pretty face. In a voice full of love and concern he told her,
"I am sorry. I was just joking with you. Those chocolates were for you. Have as many as you want."

Swarnima looked at him and said, "Don't make stories. I know you are pitying my state and therefore saying that. I am fine. This is a routine. I don't need those chocolates or... "

"Pitying you! Seriously? I got them for you. Believe me or not, your choice." Abhedya got up in anger because Swarnima didn't trust him.

"Please don't shout. I told you, I am drained out. I'l take those chocolates okay! I need rest." Swarnima sounded extremely low.

Abhedya cursed his temper, took a chocolate and sat next to her. Taking her hand in his, he told her, "I am sorry. Please eat this chocolate and let me know that I am forgiven. Please!!"

Swarnima was not even angry with Abhedya. She could never be. She just smiled and took a bite of the chocolate. The smile Abhedya had on his face was no less than one achieved after winning lost match.

"I need to rest. Is there anything else you want?" Swarnima asked him.

"I'l sit here. Won't disturb you. You can rest." Abhedya sounded as if it was obvious.

"Noooo! I... I won't be comfortable with you or anyone in my room. Please... I am alright." Swarnima shifted a bit on her bed.

"I promise, no fighting, no pranks, no comments, nothing that will bother you." Abhedya just wanted to stay close to her.

"I... need my space... try and understand." Swarnima loved his concern but she could not just let him in her room. She did not trust her self control when Abhedya was around.

"Fine! I am in my room only. Will check on you or give me call if you need something." Abhedya moved out half heartedly as he wanted to stay close to her.

Standing at the door he turned towards Swarnima and pleaded in all honesty, "Nim, please Take Care."
Just two words. The simple two words Abhedya said with so much intensity that Swarnima got nepenthe. She knew Abhedya was her latibule.
"Stay!" Was all Swarnima could say but it had all the feelings and emotions hidden.

Abhedya came and jumped on the bed. He got inside the quilt and Swarnima was just amazed by the way Abhedya made himself comfortable on her bed.

"Where will I lie down now?" Swarnima asked him.

"There is ample space on the bed. All the beds here are king sized. You are so small, you'l fit in. Come." Abhedya patted the space next to him.

"Ughhh!! You are not getting my point... umm... we... can't just be in the same bed... you know... what I mean, right?" Swarnima fumbled explaining her point.

"No!! I don't know what you mean! Just shut up! Come and sit. We are not making love... Atleast not when you are on your periods." Abhedya smirked passing the comment.

"God! You are so shameless! You just promised me, you won't trouble me and you are doing just that." Swarnima sounded annoyed.

Abhedya came to her side, held her forearms and elucidated, "look, Just relax!! Breathe!! Nim, ease yourself. Live a life. Look beyond those rules and mandates. You want me to smile right? Then, come and watch a movie with me. I'll just get my hard disk drive. It has  movies you will surely love."

Abhedya ran out of her room and went to get his hard disk. He came back and saw Swarnima was sitting in the same position he left her.
He took her laptop and attached his hard disk drive.

"So what will you like to see... action, drama, romance, comedy or horror?" Abhedya asked her.

Swarnima came out of her thoughts and with a low head divulged, "look! Don't be shocked and don't freak out  please... but I am not allowed to..."

"WATCH A MOVIE? You mean you have never... after your parents?" Abhedya experienced severe pain in his heart. How ruthless could someone be? The Queen was heartless. Abhedya controlled his temper and said, "there's always a first time. Come, we'll watch a genre you love... 'love, romance' let's watch the evergreen... 'Notting hill'." Abhedya pulled Swarnima close.

"I will be punished. Please understand. Besides, movies will divert attention and are a hindrance in my path." Swarnima tried to convince Abhedya.

"Punished? Let a hand touch you and they will face my wrath. Movies, are a great source of relaxation and they give a you a fresh, new perspective to life. Trust me, watch a movie then decide." Abhedya tried showing her a broader picture.
Swarnima did not hear what Abhedya said after 'wrath'. He was concerned. He was trying to be protective. The joy she felt was limitless.

Abhedya ran out of the room again and came back quickly. He set a small bed tray table with two fresh juice cans, popcorn tub, a plate of cheese sandwiches and a Nutella jar.
Swarnima's eyes glittered like sparkles when she saw those arrangements.
"When did you arrange?"

"The robot girl is super quick." Abhedya did not want to show he had planned everything before.

Swarnima didn't probe further and sat taking support of the head rest. Abhedya jumped next to her and pressed the play button. Swarnima was watching the names also with concentration.

Abhedya however, was not interested in the movie but his 'date'. She was dressed in loose pyjamas and t-shirt. Naked faced. Nothing was attractive about this girl. Yet, Abhedya just wanted to put his hand around her, pull her as close as possible, give her kisses every now and then. Stuff her with all the love he felt. He had no reason to smile but his eyes had a shine, a spark, an emotion which made his soul happy.

Swarnima took the the jar of Nutella, dipped her finger and licked it. She probably didn't realise what she was doing. She was just watching the movie without blinking.
Abhedya loved the scene he saw off-screen so much that took her finger with Nutella and licked it. He just wanted to tease her but...
Damn! He had a 'hard on'!! If, just her fingers could give him those feelings...what if she touched him? The thought aroused him.
Swarnima was oblivious to the happenings around her. She did not even realise Abhedya just put her finger in his mouth and she just put the same finger in her mouth.
Abhedya was in deep, deep trouble. He knew it. But this trouble was a trouble which was worth experiencing and getting into.
He could not take it any longer. Swarnima's licking her finger and putting in her mouth was making him mad. So, he did something he wanted to do, since long but couldn't gather the courage.
He turned Swarnima's face, held it between his palms and put his lips on hers.
'You say it best when you say nothing at all.'
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Dear Readers
Mensuration is a cycle every female goes through. It's tough for some, it's easy for some. But, the mood swings are an inevitable symptom.
Isn't Abhedya thoughtful for a change? But, he just kissed her. Though it was a date in his head and a kiss is allowed on a date.
What will be Swarnima's reaction..
stay hooked!
Lots of love