Hello lovelies,

My apologies for such a long break! Life has been really busy in the last few months. My partner and me are expecting our first child in May. So you can imagine what my life is like at the moment. True that I cannot give regular updates but I promise that I will finish the story before the arrival of my little one.

Ashwin came back home in a foul mood. He had a sore throat, he felt the burning in his eyes and he knew that he was coming down with a fever and a nasty cold. He sat on the couch resting his head on the back rest and called out to Sivaangi. He saw her peak from the other room as she signalled to him about being on a work call. He rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes while waiting for her to finish. He was glad to be done with this otherwise productive day.

The meeting went well and helped him make a lot of important decisions. But on the downside, his dad barged into the room in the middle of the meeting and ruined the whole thing. The board couldn't understand the father-son dynamics when Ashwin ignored his presence throughout.

As everyone gathered in the room dispersed, Ashwin tried to exit the room as quickly as he can just so his dad did not spoil his already rotten mood.

Sridhar: Ashwin, nillu da. Yen ippo enna ignore panara?
(Ashwin! Stop right there. Why are you ignoring me now?)

A: I have nothing to talk to you.

Sridhar: Come on!

Ashwin turned away and started walking towards the door, making Sridhar angry. He signalled to his assistant Praveen to shut the door and leave them alone.

A: What do you want?

Sridhar: I need my son.

A: You lost him the day you decided to fuck with his life.

Sridhar gritted his teeth and looked like he could smash anything he got hold of now. But Ashwin wasn't going to stop.

A: Actually, you lost him the day you decided to marry the other woman for money.

Sridhar: How long will you taunt me with the same thing. It was 30 years ago. Why don't you let it go?

A: I am ready to let it go. Just leave me alone and you will never feel mocked at by me. Never again!

Sridhar: Ashwin, unnaku yeppadi puriya vaikarathunu ennaku therila.
(Ashwin, I don't really know how to make you understand)

A: Ennaku puriya thevai illa.
(I don't have the need to understand anything)

Sridhar: Unnaku thevai iruku. Unnaku vendamnu nenachaalum nee yennoda payyan than, naan unnaku appa than. Atha yaarum maatha mudiyaathu. Dai Ashwin, yennaikaavathu ennoda side la irunthu story yennanu ketrukiya da nee? Priya ku ennoda situation purinju okay sonnathuku apparam than naan Abhinaya va kalyanam panniten. Athu theiyuma unnaku?
(You need it too! Even if you don't like it, I am your dad and you are my son. Nothing can change that. Have you ever listened my side of the story? I got married to Abhinaya with Priya's consent. Do you know that?)

A: Are you honestly justifying your lame behaviour? Did you expect my mother to beg you to stay when she was nothing but a choice in your life? She was worth more than that. You make me sick!

Sridhar was frustrated. He had a few years left in his life and he really wanted his son to stay with him. He wasn't exactly a good person but he was desperate to build this bond with his son.

A: Anyway! Haven't we had this useless conversation before? Why do you try to explain yourself over and over?

Sridhar: Because I need you. You and Yashi are my world now. You know I would do any...

A: Cut the crap! I am not ready for this.

Sridhar: Ashwin, please give me a chance! Every time we start talking about this, you end up throwing insults at me. Listen to my side of the story. Just this once!

Ashwin was tired and wanted to go back to Sivaangi. But Sridhar was going to follow him home if he left the conversation there. The last thing he wanted was his dad ruining the rest of his day he had planned with his girl. He rubbed his face and let out a sigh.

A: Go ahead!

S: Ashwin, I was blessed with a lot intelligence but zero luck. Just like you, I was a prodigy. A genius!

Ashwin looked bored out of his mind as his father went on with his lame excuses. He wondered what a snob he must be go around calling himself a genius.

Sridhar: I had no recognition for my talent and I couldn't bear to be a failure. I did not want to waste my gifts. Do you get it? Also, Priya and me had a lot of fights already so it was almost over even before I met Abhinaya. We probably would have separated even if we had been married.

Ashwin held his palm out to stop his dad.

A: What about me? You knew she was pregnant.

Sridhar: I did give her the choice of not having the child.

Ashwin couldn't believe his ears.

The audacity of this man to say that he wished that I wasn't born and then he asks me to stay with him?

A: WTF! Did you just say that you asked my mother to kill me in her womb?

Sridhar: Now now.. You are twisting my words. I am a realist. Point is, you did not even exist then and I did not know you that...

A: Fuck you! How could you possibly have the nerve to come and demand these things from me after saying all this?

Sridhar: Ashwin, I am sorry! I want to be completely truthful with you. Everyone is selfish at some point in life. I wanted to be happy before I could think of a family.

A: Have you ever thought about what I would have been through? The whole thing about lack of a childhood in my life! Amma was an amazing mother. She filled your shoes but there was that tiny nagging feeling whenever I saw other boys having both parents spending time with them. And then you knew when mum passed away, and you never came for me. You let your own son feel orphaned. I was happy when you adopted me. I was grateful but when I found out the disgusting truth several years later, I was devastated. Not angry, it was disappointment, I was shattered. I trusted you so much! How could you lie about my parentage and then expect me to forget and forgive?

Sridhar: Ashwin, I am sorry! I was scared of the society. I still am. I want to tell the world that you are my biological son but I do not want it to tarnish my reputation.

A: You expect me to be selfless and let it go? Give me one good reason for me to do that?

Sridhar: I know it is asking too much but I am the only blood relative you have. And you are all I have in my life.

A: Do I look like I care? When I lost amma, I prepared myself to be an orphan for the rest of my life. It doesn't affect me anymore.

Sridhar: I really do care for you.

A: Dad, I can see through you! Stop lying.

Sridhar: Ashwin, please? I need you to understand me. I really want to be in good terms with you.

A: But I don't. I am doing this just for Yashi. A products from yet another of your bygones! Shame on you dad! The only reason I am still standing here is for her. The poor child has mental health issues and you are using her as a tool to keep me under your control. You truly disgust me.

Sridhar: Ashwin! Stop it! She is my daughter too. I love her the way I love you.

A: Love? You are incapable of that!

Sridhar: Don't be an emotional fool. I love my children in my own way. It doesn't have to be something that the world approves of.

A: Why did not you never bother to find out about Yashi until Riya died in that air crash? Why did you have you complicate everyone's lives? Every single person who crossed paths with you?

Sridhar was speechless. True that he never bothered about his children, one with Priya and then a girl from his affair with a woman he met during one of his travels. He was rather an emotionless person during most parts of his life. Three years ago, the incident where the charter flight crashed and he lost his only child, Riya and the two grandchildren came as a big blow to him. He had brought Ashwin back home in the name of adoption when Riya was fifteen and made plans for Ashwin to become the heir to his business empire. Three years after the adoption, Ashwin had found out the truth after finding an old picture of him with Priya. When Ashwin confronted Sridhar, he revealed to him about fathering him 19 years ago.

Ashwin threw a fit and decided to leave the place but Riya, Ashwin's stepsister who has been aware of the whole thing convinced him to stay. She had hated her dad for having married her mother for money and all that she had seen from her childhood was her parents fighting constantly. She learnt all the truth about her dad from her mother and despised him since then.

Riya and Ashwin had developed a beautiful bond but Ashwin decided to move abroad to finish university. When he moved backed to India, Sridhar asked him to take over the business but Ashwin decided on working on Corporate Philanthropy and CSR. Sridhar was against it but Ashwin gave him no choice. A few years later, Riya and Ashwin found out about Yashi, who was deserted by her own mother after finding out that the little girl was born with disabilities and that it was going to cause development delays. They insisted that Sridhar bring her back home which he refused to do. Karma caused Sridhar to lose his daughter Riya and her family the same year. And that made him bring Yashi home as an adopted daughter.

A: You know what? I am tired. I need to go home. I have someone waiting for me at home.

Sridhar: Who? Sivaangi?

A: Yes!

Sridhar: Why is she in your house?

A: Dad, she lives with me now. I am going to marry her.

Despite being upset with her, he knew that he was very close to forgiving her when she is going to stay with him from now. So not far before they decide to get settled.

Sridhar: What? Why?

A: Yup! We survived your nasty plans.

Sridhar: She isn't right for you.

When you have lost everything in life, your rage can be intense and dark.

A: You have absolutely no right to decide anything in my life. Nobody has any right to decide it for me.

Sridhar: Ashwin, I am in the last years of my life. I want my son and his grandkids. I want a big family in these few years I have left.

A: Well, I have no intention of letting you anywhere near her and my children in the future.

Sridhar: Ashwin, I really don't understand. What do you see in her?

A: I love her. She is the one for me. So I don't see what I need to see in her.

Sridhar: Sometimes love alone isn't enough.

A: It is, for me. I can't be with anyone else. She is the one. The magic in my life. The reason for me to want live longer. Happier. My life is so messed up! It looks like I am so blessed right? Look at me. Job, wealth and with everything I have in life, I am still not happy. But Sivaangi makes me happy, she completes me. I have never asked you for anything. But could you please not interfere in my life? I am leaving now. Bye.

Sridhar let out a heavy sigh as Ashwin walked out of the room without looking back. For the first time in his life, Sridhar felt a new unnamed emotion in his chest.

Sivaangi walked into the living to find Ashwin seated on the couch with his head tipped back towards the ceiling and his eyes closed. She touched his sweaty forehead and found him having a temperature. Her cold hand coming in contact with his warm skin made him flinch.

S: Ashwin, fever ah?

A: Hmm.

S: Enthri.
(Get up)

A: Hmm?

S: A warm bath will bring down the temperature. Come on, get up.

He shook his head and lay himself on the couch. She watched him for a few seconds and then covered him with a blanket. As she kneeled on the floor next to his face, a smile appeared on her lips at the sight of him clutching her fingers that tried to touch his cheeks. He held it firmly as she sat there waiting for him to fall asleep. She kissed his forehead and she realised that he had a fever as her puckered lips stayed for a few seconds on his skin. He was burning up. A bath would do some good but he was also exhausted and needed some rest before the bath.

She let him sleep and decided to make some easy to eat broth. Two hours later, after cooking and cleaning, she left to run a bath for him, and she heard him snore. She walked to him and thread her fingers through his silky hair and laid her palm on his sweaty forehead. He wasn't burning anymore which was a good sign. She pecked his lips, gently waking him.

A: Heyy!

S: Yeppadi irukku ippo?
(How do you feel now?)

A: Much better.

S: Would you like me to run a bath?

A: I will do it myself.

S: No no, take five. I will do it by then.

She stood up to leave when he held her wrist making her sit on the floor opposite to him and she cupped his cheeks and bumped her nose against his, in an eskimo kiss. Ashwin leaned into her palms and closed his eyes. Sivaangi smiled at how vulnerable and baby like he looked at the moment.

S: I love you. Come now, let's get my baby better.

She left a soft kiss on his forehead while he pulled her into his arms around her and refused to let her go.

When she stepped back in the bathroom with his bath robe, she found her incredibly handsome man looking serene in the bath tub and then her eyes landed on his clothes in a heap beside the tub. Despite the illness, something about the naked man in the tub stirred the feelings in her heart and she was thankful for the bath bubbles.

Being in love with him is one thing but she wanted to describe this newfound emotion as unquenchable thirst for him. She left the robe on the side and, crouched near the tub, on the bath mat and moved closer with both her arms placed flat on the rim of the tub. She dipped her index finger in the warm water and swayed it. She let out a loud sigh as her eyes travelled up the from the top of his long, slender fingers to the toned muscles of his arms and shoulders visible above the water. Before she could stop herself, she trailed her finger up his arm, onto his shoulders and then reached the mole on his neck. It all felt like a dream but then she met his eyes and realised that she was actually touching him. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he smirked at her.

He scooted forward and invited her in.

A: Join me.

She looked down and shook her head.

A: Sivaangi. Look at me.

Her eyes met his for less than a second and she stood up like she was under his spell. She lifted her feet to get in the tub and he raised his eyes brows at her being fully clothed for a bath. Her heart beat faster as she held the dress she was wearing by the hem and pulled it over her head. She was in her fancy lingerie and his eyes clearly loved the sight in front of him. Her hands shook as it automatically moved to her back to unclasp the hooks.

A: Leave it on.

She looked at his eyes full of desire as she dropped her hands and stepped in carefully, sinking in the warm water and making herself comfortable behind him. He then moved back to nestle between her legs and leaned to rest his head on her shoulder with his bare back on her almost bare front. He turned his face to the side to kiss the space between her ear and neck. She inclined herself towards him as the burning desire increased dramatically making her gulp at the irrational thoughts in her head.

A: Ovethink panaatha ma. Ethuvum panna maaten.
(Don't imagine things in your head. I won't do anything to you today)

She had nothing to say. She did not understand what that meant. She hadn't imagined this kind of physical intimacy in just two days after their first kiss. She had wanted to enjoy dates, kisses, holding hands, hugs and all the beautiful, simple things that lovers usually do in the first stage of their lives together before this. But nothing was straight forward in their lives so she wouldn't be surprised if he made love to her the same night. She was certain that the control will wear thin in days.

A: Alexa, play Nocturne no 2.

As the virtuosic music of Chopin filled the room, Sivaangi wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and picked the sea salt sponge with the other hand. She dipped it in the water and massaged his stiff muscles.

S: Relax!

Ashwin closed his eyes and rest his head on her shoulder with his wet hair sticking to her cheeks. She tried to rub him with the sponge, trying to ignore his nudity the whole time. After a few minutes, she heart his husky voice.

A: I should be giving you a rub.

S: No, you are the one who isn't well. So you need this. You can return the favour when I fall sick.

A: I fully intend to. You don't have to be necessarily be unwell.

Sivaangi tried not to imagine what it would be like to get him to do that to her. She was so thankful for being in the water at the moment!

A relaxing thirty minutes later, with her hands l the water was starting to get cold and Sivaangi got out of the tub while Ashwin pulled the plug and let the water in the tub drain. She handed him the robe and without another look rushed into the shower room for a quick shower and change. Ashwin laughed at her obvious nervousness.

As always the good angel and the bad angel were wrestling inside Ashwin's head. Finally, the devil on his shoulder having won the argument decided to take over.

This is fun! I think I can do this for the next couple of days to keep myself entertained. If I am going to be home, might as well take the pleasure of making her feel this way. My sinister ways it is then!

For the next couple of days, Ashwin was happily sauntering around showing off his taut flesh and everything from his touch to his voice to his kiss was seductive. On the other hand, it was so confusing and frustrating for Sivaangi to find him being naughty with her while she trotted around trying to nurse him back to health for Sivaangi.

Sridhar paid his son a visit the second evening when he found Ashwin missing work for two consecutive days. He wasn't happy finding out that the girl he disapproved of taking over the life of his son. They were too comfortable in the relationship.

Sivaangi left the room, not wanting to face the vile creature.

A: Dad? Why are you here?

Sridhar: To check on you. How are you feeling now?

A: I am okay. You did not have to come though.

Sridhar: I am not here to argue.

A: Great! You have seen me. I am well. You can leave now.

Ashwin got up indicating he was waiting for his dad to leave.

Sridhar: Ashwin, do you think you can keep that girl happy?

Ashwin raised his eyebrows at the irrelevant question.

Sridhar: You are just like me. Damaged.

Sivaangi: Stop it! You are sick! Cheap! Ashwin is nothing like you.

Ashwin turned towards Sivaangi and asked her to go inside. She refused to leave and stood her ground.

S: I will stay right here. I am not leaving you alone with him.

Ashwin held her hand and decided to give Sridhar a piece of his mind.

A: Neenga en ammavuku yenna ellam pannaliyo athellam naan intha ponnu ku pannuven. Life la entha stagelayum avala vidda maaten. Ennoda kozhanthayum en kai puduchu, ennoda valaranum. Ennaku ambitions iruku aana atha vida important ennoda Sivaangi. I want a family with her.
(Whatever you failed to be is what I want to be for this woman. I will never let go of her. My children will grow up with me being a big part of their lives. I am ambitious but Sivaangi is more important than anything in my life. I want a family with her.)

Sridhar was this close to giving up and he wanted to try it one last time. And now he knew that nothing can change his son's mind.

A: Dad, can you do this for me? Leave us alone. I really want this woman in my life. If I can't be with her, then how do I find the motivation to live? I want everything with her. Joy, sorrow, jealousy, pride, fights, all of it! I want to experience it all with her. So please?

Sridhar left the house without saying another word. This was revelation to Sivaangi. She knew she was important to him but this was poignant and made her regret some of her decisions in the past.

Later that day, as she sat on the couch watching a movie with Ashwin, she smiled at him laughing at something on the screen. She found it cute to deal with the man-child that she did not know hid behind the mask of this strong, independent, no nonsense persona of Ashwin. He was like an impetuous child at times around the house for the two days that he spent at home. She wondered how he dealt with sickness before her in his life.

A: I know what you are thinking. I needed no one before you. And now that you are here, I want to let go and to feel free. Be annoying, be impulsive, be happy, be stupid and what not. In short be myself. Because you said you are here to stay. Right?

Sivaangi bit the foolish grin and hated the sudden uncertainty at the last statement. She bent forward and snaked her arms around his neck and pulled in for a kiss.

S: I am going nowhere. You can be as annoying as you want.

A: Can I be arrogant? What if I am rude or angry?

S: It is fine!

A: Anything that you won't take?

S: Nope!

A: Sure?

Sivaangi nodded her head and kissed him again.

S: I am always kissing you, and you don't kiss me enough.

Ashwin sneezed right then on her cheek and neck.

S: Bless you!

A: Sorry! You are going to catch it too.

Sivaangi handed him a wipe while wiping herself with one.

S: Wow Einstein! After almost two days of snogging me and doing all sorts of things to me, you finally realised that!

Ashwin blew his nose and Sivaangi laughed at the fog-horn like noise.

S: You are too cute.

Ashwin was secretly happy about the whole idea of being ill at this point in their lives. He felt great that she had no qualms about dealing with it all. After a decade and a half, he felt the love of a mother.

A: Ready? Come to bed?

S: Now we are talking! I thought you would never ask.

A: I meant sleep! What's wrong with you?

S: What is wrong with me?

A: Yeah, you are acting weird!

S: You! You are what is wrong! These last couple of days has been.. Uhh..How do I put it?

A: Use your words.

S: stop it! I am serious. You act like you are playing games with my emotions? Like you are unattainable?

A: What?

S: Not easily swayed right?

A: Why would you say that?

S: I have been nearly naked in a bath with a naked you, you have been touching me way too much the last couple of days, you have been saying things that makes me feel really special and important! Look at these hickeys you have left on my neck and shoulder! And then, when I thought you are ready for the next step in our relationship, you just leave me here, high and dry! I sound desperate! And delusional! And I don't like it one bit.

As her lips quivered, Ashwin let out a long sigh. He pulled her into a hug.

A: I need you more than you can imagine. I am not just saying that, I really mean it. But my parents have been a good example for what not to do before a stable relationship. I don't want to feel sorry and most importantly I don't want you to ever feel like I have wronged you. Can we please wait for a little longer?

S: But I trust you. You are nothing like your father.

A: I know but I just don't want to. Please? Just this?

Sivaangi nodded reluctantly. She understood what he felt. She didn't quiet agree with that but she knew better than to push him. He was already forgetting everything and seemed very happy being with her. They had a lifetime together and this wasn't meant to affect her.

Ashwin rolled over in his sleep and picked the phone without looking at the name of the caller.

A: Hello!

Ashwin?

Ashwin was wide awake when he heard a man's voice on her phone! He stared at the phone  and it said Tarun.

T: Ashwin? Sivaangi irukaala?
(Ashwin? Can I speak with Sivaangi?)

Tarun was a little unsure.

She has always been a shy person with me. Never beyond a few kisses but here she is in his room and probably slept on his bed last night. How couldn't I not noticed that she wasn't into me? What an idiot I must have been!

Tarun came out of his thoughts as Ashwin's raspy voice boomed in the phone.

A: Hold on.

Sivaangi!

He shouted out for her and heard her reply from the shower.

A: Kulikara. Ava vantha udane solaren.
(She is the shower. I will tell her you called once she is out)

T: Okay, thanks. Bye.

Ashwin hung up murmuring a quick bye. Took him all the strength to sound normal but the call from her ex at 8 am ruined his mood.

When she was out of the shower, he intentionally left out the fact that Tarun called her. But that was of no help! As though guessing that Ashwin wouldn't have informed her about his call, Tarun called her back at 9.30 am when the two of them were sitting in the car driving to work.

S: Hi Tarun.

She glared at Ashwin as he snatched her phone and connected it to the car play and the call was on speaker.

T: Sivu, can we meet today?

S: Ye.. yethuku?
(What for?)

T: Can we discuss it in person? I need your help.

Sivaangi gave a sideways glance to see Ashwin clutching the steering so hard that made his knuckles white. Sivaangi touched his hand and shook her head.

S: Tarun, how about you come to my office?

T: What time?

S: Anytime before 1 pm? We are on way to work now.

T: Okay will see you in a bit then. Bye

We? Why is it still so hard to move on?

Oh wait, amma wants to talk to you.

Just when Sivaangi was going to say bye, Tarun's mum grabbed the phone and switched to a video call to speak to her. Ashwin was enraged at this point and Sivaangi couldn't be impolite to the older lady. Ten minutes of trying to convince Sivaangi in a subtle way to forgive Tarun made sure that Ashwin was going to be in a bad mood the rest of the day.

S: Auntie, office vanthuten. Naan apparam pesava?
(Auntie, I have reached my workplace, can I speak to you later?)

Geetha: Okay ma. Take care. Here, speak to Tarun.

Sivaangi closed her eyes and looked at a murderous Ashwin.

T: You okay?

S: Ye.. yes.

T: Moodswings?

S: What? NO! Just woke up with a headache so my face looks dull.

T: Hey wait! Let me look at your face. Oh! You need to go to the doctor.

S: What why?

Sivaangi tried to look in the mirror.

T: You have beauty written all over your face.

A loud laugh escaped Sivaangi's mouth before she realised that she had dug her own grave! Ashwin got out of the car and shut the door with a loud bang and entered the building without waiting for her.

S: Tarun, I have to go. Will see you soon. Bye.

R: Good morning!

S: Does it look like a good morning?

Rohit and Sivaangi watched Ashwin scream at a few people before the new intern placed her head in the lion's mouth.

R: What happened? Why does he look like an angry lion?

S: Oh athuva, naan oru jokeku sirichitennu kovam.
(Oh, that is because he is upset that I laughed at a joke)

R: Sirikarathu oru kutham ah da?
(Is laughing a crime?)

S: Athu avan sonna joke ku sirikala. Tarun sonna joke ku sirichen.
(I did not laugh at his joke, I laughed at Tarun's)

R: Oh! Correct! Athu periya thappu than.
(Oh, that is indeed a crime!)

The two of them stood there watching the tall, intimidating man barking at the young, timid intern. She was clutching her tab in shaky hands as she watched Ashwin's brown orbs screamed murder.

R: Po ma. Un mela irukura kovathula, antha ponna kola pannida poraan. Poi avala kaapathu. Ava innoru nimishathula azhugha pora. Periya scene aaga poguthu.
(Go save the poor girl before he decides to murder her, envisioning you in her place. She is going to break down any minute now! GO!)

S: Rohit! He needs to practice some control.

R: Naan meditation classes ku options paakaren. Apparam ah namma avan ah breathing exercises panna sollalaam. Nee po ippo. Good luck!

(I will look into the options. Let us get him to do some meditation later. Now go and help her. Good luck!)

S: I really need the luck.. Thanks.

Sivaangi shook her head as she marched towards Ashwin and the short intern who looked even shorter next to his towering figure. She placed her palm on his shoulder and dismissed the intern.

S: Nandhini, our boss has a little too much on his plate right now. Come back in an hour.

Nandhini nodded quickly and left the spot almost immediately.

S: Kovam en mela thaane. Antha chinna ponna yen kathura. Vaa room ku polaam. Aasa theera thitiko.
(Why scream at her when you are upset with me? Come on, yell all you want. I will stand here and listen to it)

Sivaangi ushered him inside his cabin and shut the door behind her. She turned around prepared for Ashwin to lash out but she was taken aback as he grabbed her face for a kiss.

A: Mine!

All that she heard in the next fifteen minutes was him whispering 'you are only mine' in between his kisses.

S: Woah! You haven't stopped kissing me.

A: You said I don't kiss you enough. So here I am kissing you. And you are so kissably soft.

S: Kissably? Is that even a word?

A: Is that all you got from what I said?

S: Well, no complaints here. I am thoroughly enjoying the attention!

Sivaangi pulled him by his coat lapels for another much needed kiss of the hour. As her lips touched Ashwin's, the door opened and Rohit entered making Sivaangi take a step from Ashwin.

R: Arghhh! Lock the door next time.

A: Or maybe you can knock?

R: Yes, my fault! My best friend isn't single anymore.

A: Why are you here?

R: Tarun is here.

S: Already? Ask him to wait in my cabin.

A: No! Ask him to come in.

Sivaangi looked at Ashwin not believing in him.

A: I will behave. I promise.

Without waiting for an answer, he turned to Rohit and told him to bring Tarun in after five minutes. As he heard the door shut, he turned around and held her by her shoulders.

A: Trust me. Now, give me a kiss.

As he kissed her gently, he tugged her lower lip making her moan, he moved down and kissed her neck. His eyes opened for a second and his gaze pinned at her enjoying the sensations of his lips on her, he bent down again and bit her neck leaving a big visible love bite at her pulse point.

They heard the knock just then. Ashwin made Sivaangi sit on the couch and asked Tarun to come in.

T: Hey!

Tarun walked in to shake hands with Ashwin and Sivaangi and then sat opposite to them. Ashwin wrapped his arm around her, marking his territory. He looked at her and pretended to notice the love bite.

A: Sivu, did I bite you too hard? Does it hurt?

Sivaangi touched her neck and then looked at the manipulative smirk on his face.

S: It is okay baby. We will deal with it later.

Pretending to kiss him she whispered into his ears.

S: Stop this! Insecurity and jealousy doesn't look good on you. You can give me as many hickeys as you want. I don't care who is watching or who can see it.

Ashwin had an amused smile on his face and he gave her a light kiss on her lips. The couple were lost in each other when they heard Tarun clear his throat for attention.

T: Sorry, I won't take too long. This is about the house we paid the deposit for. The one we were going to live in. I know you paid half of the price. I would like to sell it now. If you want, you can pay my share and keep it. I know you really liked the house.

Sivaangi felt Ashwin stiffen for a second before she felt him drop his hands from her waist. But she wasn't ready to let go off him. She held his hand in between hers and looked at him with pleading eyes but all she noticed was the cold blank look return.

How was it?  Wasn't entirely happy with this but I am having plenty of pregnancy mood swings. So please cut me some effing slack! Kidding! I guess I am experiencing a nasty slowdown with writing. Will do a better job next time, hopefully! Take care and love you all xxxx