"Thank you. The movie was fantastic I thoroughly enjoyed it." Swarnima said looking everywhere but at Abhedya.

"I knew you will like it. But, now my favourite part of the date." Abhedya started to bend towards Swarnima. The lack of space and the huge build of Abhedya didn't help Swarnima. She could push him, knock him down, even. But, could she? "I need my reward for winning the competition, now."

Fear all over Swarnima's face. She was a homeschooled girl, forbidden to talk to opposite sex except for work. She was today, practically caged and captivated with the man of her dreams, in reality.
Abhedya saw the fear in her eyes and sat next to her. Swarnima took a breath of relief.
"Sorry. But, all this is new to me. I have..." Swarnima started to explain when Abhedya put his finger on her lips.

"Shh!! It's okay. There's no hurry. I am just happy you are with us, with me, in my circle. I just want us to grow."

Abhedya's honest confession reached and touched Swarnima's heart. She wanted to complete the cycle but could not. Rules were important and so were the promises she made and the trust the council had in her. She smiled and got up.
"Bye. Good night." Swarnima bid adieu and reached the terrace gate.
A hundred steps she took from the bed to the gate were the most difficult. She wanted to give Abhedya what he demanded but she could not.

When have lovers abided by the rules? She turned, reached to where Abhedya was standing. "Abhey, since your hands did the magic and won the competition,"
Swarnima took Abhedya's hand in hers and with shaky and shivering lips kissed the back of the hand.
It was the devil's hour but it was a moment of absolute divinity, holiness and beatitude.
Abhedya was sure it was a dream until he saw Swarnima running downstairs.

Just like the girl who won the beauty pageant Abhedya made an 'ooo' and covered his mouth with his palms. His eyes had a twinkle of love, his cheeks were painted in the colour of love and he was inhaling and exhaling love.
Abhedya looked at the stars above him and kissed his hand which was kissed by Swarnima.

Abhedya was born with a silver spoon. He never asked for anything, he got. Because of his genius brains and extraordinary skills, he never had to work hard for studies and other activities. Girls drooled over him, he could get any girl with the snap of his fingers. This, girl was hard to get, impress and maintain. One wrong move and he could lose her forever. The thought of losing her feared Abhedya to the core. He would do everything to make her happy. She deserved it.
Abhedya made Swarnima his sole aim and motive.

He slept on the bed on the terrace. It smelled Swarnima. Minty, fruity smell of hers was driving him crazy. A long hair that was stuck to the pillow was curled and packed in a small paper and kept safely. A single hair? Abhedya was seriously insane. He kept gazing at the stars and sleep finally took over.

The following morning Abhedya was woken up by Arya. "How was the date?"

"Magical!!" Abhedya replied.

"What's next?" Arya asked.

"No plan! My thinking capacity is zero." Abhedya said running his fingers in his hair.

"Abhey boy! Do I hear love bells?" Arya put his arm around Abhedya.

"Love? I don't know. Attraction, affection... hell yeah!!" Abhedya replied honestly.
Arya jumped on Abhedya and hugged him tightly. They came downstairs after celebrating and went to their rooms.

Abhedya saw Swarnima playing with Kazu. 'Fetch!' Something all dogs loved. Swarnima still looked like a teenager in early teens.
'The teenager you fantasised in your not so decent dreams.' Abhedya's heart teased.

Everyone was at the dinning table. Abhedya took the seat next to Swarnima and gave a million-dollar smile.
'Damn that smile. The damp hair and his cologne. I am fainting.' Swarnima put her hand on her heart to calm down. 

"Guys, today evening try to come by  6. We will have a basketball match. Team Abhey v/s team Nim. You can choose your teams. We will play on the court in the back yard. Call your  girls." Abhedya declared.

The news fell like a bomb. "When? How?"
"Remember it's my turn to choose my forte and challenge you," Abhedya answered her calmly.

"It's been days I haven't played but Team Nim." Maan showed a thumbs up.
"Team Abhey! I am always on the winning side. By the way, Nim do you know how to play basketball?" Arya asked her.

"I'll teach my sister." Maan winked at Swarnima and she nodded. "Done then. Tara and I will reach on time. Arya stop hogging now and come fast. I will drop you at the hospital."

"Maan drop me too. I...I have some work in the market." Swarnima could not think of a better excuse.
"Market? Nim, plz order whatever you want. You met Dushyant recently I don't think it's a good idea to go out. He must have had his men on it." Maan warned her and she agreed.

Swarnima was nervous. She quickly kept her plate in the kitchen sink and went to her room. How could she escape from Abhedya?
"Avoiding now? Are we?" Abhedya questioned her.
"Avoiding? Hehe...no. I was just..." Swarnima was fumbling and hating her state. "I have a little headache so, I am going to sleep". Wow! Brilliant excuse.

"Oh! Why didn't you say before? Arya could have checked. Should we cancel the plan?" Abhedya was worried.

"No! I will just rest and it will be fine. Thank you." Swarnima quickened her steps to her room. She sat on her bed and slept with open eyes.
At lunchtime, Abhedya knocked on her door. He forwarded her a plate and said, "I thought you might not be feeling well so I got your lunch here."

Swarnima felt bad. She took the plate and Abhedya followed with his.
They sat on the floor with their plates and started eating. Abhedya did decide on a simple meal considering her headache.

"I am sorry," Abhedya furrowed his eyebrows in confusion so Swarnima continued, "I lied I had a headache. I was feeling... Ummm.. shy." Swarnima answered honestly.
Abhedya couldn't believe it. Not the lie part but accepting the lie. Using a headache was the most basic excuse. She was so honest. Abhedya thought and smiled.

"Shy? Why?" Abhedya didn't want to but he teased her.
Swarnima didn't reply and continued eating. Though Abhedya could see a different shine in her eyes. He left the matter and finished his lunch.

"Do you want to learn basketball? I could teach you. Brief the rules maybe." Abhedya asked her.

"Really? That is so helpful of you." Swarnima thanked him but her tone sounded playful.

"Now, how much do you know? I mean the basic rules at least." Abhedya asked her and she nodded. "Good. Now, this is how you hold the ball and dribble it." Abhedya showed her how to dribble.

Swarnima tried but could not. "It's okay. I know I won't be able to win as it is."

"Don't give up. You can try. Maan plays well. You have a chance." Abhedya encouraged her.

"Yeah... but how I will I play in kurti?" Swarnima asked him.

"Kurti? You have to play in sportswear. Indian wear and basketball, not possible." It then struck  to Abhedya what she was trying to say. He made a very demeaning statement on her clothes last time. "I told you, I didn't mean it, last time. I apologise again. Wear whatever you want."
Swarnima wanted to pull his cheeks but just smiled. They 'practised' for some more time and Abhedya knew Maan alone could not make them win. Swarnima sucked at the game.

In the evening everyone was home, on time. They went to their rooms for changing in sports wear. Aadya gave Swarnima a packet. "Aadya!" Swarnima and Tara shouted at her and she just shrugged her shoulders.

"Girls, you are playing with your boyfriends, the game is tough and this is just for some fun." Aadya loved the 'hot shorts' she got for them.

"I am not wearing them."
"Me too."
Swarnima and Tara declared.
"Fine! Fussy cats. Here, wear these. These are knee length." She threw a pair of shorts at them and received flying kisses.

The teams gathered at the court and everyone was waiting for Abhedya. Pin drop silence when Abhedya came in view. Dressed in crisp white kurta-pyjama Abhedya came and stood at the centre of the court. No one spoke for two minutes.

"Dude! You want us to lose the game? How will you play in this?" Arya was all set for winning but his captain was dressed inappropriately.

"Arya, chill bro. We will win. The captain of the other team just learned how to hold the ball, this afternoon. This is to even the game." Abhedya replied and Maan started to laugh.

Abhedya and Arya looked at him with confusion.
"Prepare to lose brothers. You are fighting with lightning ." Maan informed them and they ignored Maan saying he couldn't bear the thought of loosing and was therefore talking non-sense.

The teams stood opposite each other.
Team Nim: Swarnima, Maan and Aadya
Team Abhey: Abhedya, Tara and Arya.
Referee: Gene and Kazu.

The game started and in overconfidence, Abhedya gave the ball to Swarnima as a token of consolation. Swarnima smiled and dribbled the ball twice and standing at half court "BASKET!"
Arya and Abhedya shouted at the same time.
Uhh! Beginner's luck. The game started again and soon Abhedya and Arya understood what Maan meant when he said 'lightening'.

The short and petite girl, Swarnima dribbled the ball quick, ran faster, they couldn't snatch the ball from her. She could basket from any point of the court.

Team Abhey asked for a break to decide the strategy. "Guys... we have been duped. The rival team is very cunning but we can give them back." The plan was made.

Abhedya took off his kurta pyjamas and was now only wearing his shorts and Ganji.
Arya followed the suit and opened his t-shirt revealing his sexy abs and biceps.
Tara, took in a deep breath and opened her t-shirt. Maan choked on the water he was drinking. Tara was just in her t-back sports bra and shorts. Hell! What was wrong with her? Maan though. Abhedya and Arya were a bad influence.

Gene blew the whistle indicating break over. The game got intense. Both teams were scoring basket over basket. Though the focus of team Nim seemed diverted.
Till half time scores were 45/50. Team Abhey was in lead now.

"Team Abhey, what is all this," Maan questioned them.

"You hide your asset players and dupe us. By the way, what have we done?" Abhedya asked him in return.

Maan pulled Tara to himself and looked at her. He forgot what he wanted to say. Their eye lock got so intense that they were both inching towards each other without knowing it. Their lips were about to touch when Arya and Abhedya shouted: "Stop!!!"

"Control guys! Concentrate on the game." Aadya separated the teams.
Maan threw his t-shirt on Tara revealing his drool-worthy body and as if the clouds couldn't bear the hotness they got wet and it started to rain. Even god was up for some fun.

The whistle blew again and the game resumed. The ball dribbled, passed, baskets were made from anywhere and everywhere on the court.
The game of basketball was mixed with different games which were played with eyes, gestures and at times unnecessary touching of bodies. While blocking Tara, Maan tried to be extra close, aiming to divert the attention.

Aadya used her charms and stopped Arya from scoring baskets.
Swarnima kept her focus on the game. She was determined to win. When she decided something, then no diversions like Abhedya looking hot in rain or his wet hair or the wink he did after every basket diverted her. Huh! So she thought. But, that effin sexy man that stood in front of her was driving her crazy.

What Swarnima didn't know was she caught Abhedya's eye from the start of the game. She was wearing shorts. Her hair was braided cutely. The specs were long forgotten. She looked like a fierce fighter and hell attractive.
At the last minute of the game, players put their burning desires aside and concentrated on the game. When the whistle blew... the score stood at 69/70.
The WINNER was TEAM NIM!!!!

A loud yayayyyy came from Swarnima making everyone surprised and happy. The girl truly deserved to win. Maan, Aadya and Swarnima jumped in happiness.

"I am sorry girls but we shall celebrate... Ummm... later." Maan threw Tara over his shoulder and carried her inside.
Hoots
Whistles
Comments went unheard. Maan had used all his restraint till the game finished.

Aadya turned to Arya and said, "That was so romantic... now come on pick me up.."
Arya's eyes popped out. "Fine! at least treat the winner with some wine." Aadya suggested.

"Wine?" Arya asked. Aadya stomped her foot and left. "What? What did I do now? Baby... Aadya.." Arya went running behind her.

Swarnima was giggling at the love birds. She was in awe of the couples.
"Nim, dance with me." Abhedya sat on his knees and asked for her hand. Going with the flow Swarnima's hand automatically went in his. Her own heart had used the reserved quota of restraint and now, none was left.

The music the raindrops played was enough for them to dance. But, Abhedya's heart sang...
"It's amazing how you
Can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word
You can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best
When you say nothing at all"

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Dear Readers
Swarnima is breaking the rules knowingly and unknowingly. I fear she might face severe punishment.
The song Abhedya sang is from the movie 'Notting hill'. The same movie they saw for the first time. Refer to chapter MCP: movie care period.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love