Part 4

 

He entered inside to see his room enveloped in darkness"just the way he likes it. Sitting on the bed, he kicked off his boots. Keeping his palms flat on the bed, he closed his eyes and threw his head back, stretching his body. His every muscle throbbing, screaming with need"sexual need. Almost painful, at the point of being unbearable. It has been almost 7 months he had any soft body molding into his hard one, satiating his need.

 

With a loud groan, he stood off the bed and extracted his night clothes from the cupboard. Entering inside the bathroom, he stripped off his clothes and stepped in the bathtub. The warm water surrounding his body, but doing nothing for the ache. He closed his eyes and leaned back, his palms fisting in a tight ball. He has many mistresses, and he has been to them. But as soon as he comes in any close proximity with them, all he can feel is disgusted, angry. Angry at them for not smelling like her, angry for not owning those two innocent eyes like her, angry for not awaking the hunger which she holds the power to awake. And now he knew the ache was not for any other random girl. The ache was for her -- The beautiful sensuous bundle lying just a door away. Beautiful like a Goddess he had seen in ancient books. Soft delicate skin which makes him a man possessed with only need -- need to ravish that tender delicate skin. Dressed in her weird cloth, which only does the work of seducing him further. That tight piece of cloth which she calls choli-- only the thought of which made him groan, and sent all his senses berserk. That tight cloth cupping her breast and holding it tight with the help of just four damn strings. That transparent chunnari she drapes around her, does nothing to cover, but instead helps her milky skin to play a peek-a-boo with his eyes. Her Ghagra running from her waist and settling on her feet --  never in his life a mere peek of some feminine skin had tempted him as much as those two tiny feet does. All he want is to take all his time in the damn world to untie every piece of cloth from her tiny body and run his big palm all over her pure skin, or better, replace his palm with his hard lips, kissing and savoring every inch of her luscious body.

 

And then, like ice-cold water, two almond shaped eyes flashed in front of his closed eyes, the trust floating in her eyes undoing him instantly. His Brother's words rang in his ears. - She is just a child , Bhai! His eyes jerked opened, his breathing irregular. His dark green eyes turning a shade lighter. How? How can he harbor such feelings for a child? She is barely a woman, but still holds the power to undo him like any fully grown woman. It's only her brown eyes through which one can see the innocent child in her, not from the heavenly body she owns. The body which only urges him to reach her and pull her against his hard one, ravishing and savoring the tiny but curvaceous body she owns.

 

 

He pulled himself inside the water, wanting the water to cool down his heated head. No! That's not an excuse. She is still a child, unprepared for a beast like him. Her body may be like any grown women, but she is still a child. A child whose eyes dances at every new thing she finds in this new world she is thrown in. A child who finds a simple thing like a bathtub exciting, playing in it for hours. A child who doesn't thinks twice before sharing her fears with him, trusting him to keep it safe with him. A child who takes his arm, and follows him everywhere, without questioning him. A child who still secretly talks with her dolls, hiding her childish act from others. A child who owns those two innocent orbs, which makes him forget the adulterated world, and forces him to believe in all the good things this world offers. How can he pluck a beautiful budding flower without giving it a chance to bloom? He needs to stop these thoughts. Block all this thoughts.

 

He pulled himself up, breathing in the air. Flapping his long wet hair back, he opened his eyes. He is a man of control, and he can very well keep his needs in check, no matter how hard it is. With that determined thought, he stood up and stepped out of the bathtub. Soaking himself dry, he wore a black knee breeches and a white transparent shirt. With his hair still damp, he walked outside the bathroom, heading towards his bed.

 

He stopped at the foot of his large bed, his head tilting towards the other door in his room. From the last one month it has become a ritual of sort to check on her before going to bed. Whole day he does his best to avoid her, but once he enters his room late at night, he can't stop himself from peeking at her once. With the only thought of pulling the door open and taking a peek at her sleeping form, he changed his direction and headed towards his Duchess's room.

 

 

His heart jumped in his mouth as soon as his eyes landed on the bed. In an instant he was beside his pale wife.

 

"Kusi .."his voice came out barely a whisper. Sitting near her, he collected her in his strong arms, close to his heart. "What happened?...speak to me ... Kusi, sweetheart speak to me .."

 

Khushi felt like she was going to die, the pain in her abdomen unbearable. But she heard the soft whisper and tried to open her mouth and speak.

"Paining ... here ...paining .."

 

Arnav heard her speak and looked down at her hand, which was flat on her stomach. His eyes dark with concern, lingered on her stomach before settling on her cold white face again. Securing her close to his chest, he cupped her face. "Kusi, ... open your eyes and look at me ... Tell me what happened ... Should I bring something ...Should I call your maid?... Tell me what should I do, darling..." he asked helplessly, not knowing what should he do to take her pain away.

 

"No...no .." she managed to shake her head negatively. "Normal... It is normal..." She drawled the word with great effort and cuddled close to him, the warmth emitting from his strong body comforting her.

 

Normal? Arnav looked down at the fragile figure clinging to him, her one hand around her stomach. And then it dawned on him - She is in her special days. Taking a sigh of relief, he closed his eyes and rested his cheek against her hair. "You scared me, little one."

 

"Scared ..you ... sorry ... " he felt her low rumble against his chest, followed by a painful moan.

 

"Kusi ..." he pulled back and titled his head down to look at her face, white with pain. "It's ok ... it will get over soon ... sleep , try to sleep..." he  started slowly rocking her back and fro, trying to lull her to sleep. "Slee.." his words died in his throat as a wild sensation coursed through his veins. His hold on her tightened and eyes shut closed. Her soft lips on his neck giving birth to all the familiar aches all over again. He pulled little back to look at her, still moving back and forth. Her soft petals touching the flesh of his neck, the slightly parted lips tempting him like nothing before. He felt hot. And may be his warmth was transferring to her too, for he saw her snuggling more into him. His throat suddenly went dry as he felt his hand on her bare waist, her round breast pressed against his hard chest, and his every muscle again throbbed with need.

 

He closed his eyes, wanting to shut all the thoughts and block all the running sensations. And then something happened, and all the thoughts of resistance fled, talking his rational mind along with it. His eyes rested on her slender hand, which was now inside his shirt and rested on his bare chest. His body pulsed with tension. And as if his hands have developed a mind of its own, it traveled from her waist to her hip, cupping it between his big palms. His eyes drugged with only need, rested on her slightly parted lips, and that was all needed for the animal in him to unleash. With a loud moan bursting in his chest, he brought down his lips on her soft petals, nibbling on her lower lip, pecking and smooching the softness. Dear Lord! He needs to stop. The rational mind was back again. But the temptation of her sweetness was too hard to given in any rational thoughts.

 

 

He don't know when he laid her back on the bed, but he had, as he found himself above her, his lips still fussed with her mouth. His hands glided up from her hips to her flat stomach. Jolt of pleasure raked his body as his large hand traced her softness and finally settled on her tormenting breast, drugging him further with need. His mouth left hers and traveled down her soft cheek, the sharp line of her jaw, and now rested on the delicate flesh of her neck. And before he can stop, the animal in him had sunk his teeth on her tender flesh. He heard a loud moan from above him and silence prevailed in his stormy head.

 

He lifted his head, his hands leaving her body immediately, as if scorched. Her eyes still closed, lips swollen, chunnari carelessly lying on one shoulder, a red teeth mark on her neck- - a striking contrast on her milky skin. He left the bed immediately and stood at a far distance, his breath coming out in giant gulps. His fingers racked his long hair, frustrated. She trusted him enough to sleep in his arms, and he broke her trust. Feeling disgusted, he closed his eyes in shame. How can he do that? How?!With his eyes burning with shame and guilt, he turned and left the room.

 

 

 

"How?!" The blanket went flying in the air. "How can I do that? She trusted me, and I  ..." he sat on the bed, his head hurting with all the thoughts and shame. "This is not right ... I , I need to get away from her ... " He got from the bed and marched towards his cupboard, removing his clothes.

 

He cannot trust himself around her anymore. He needs to get away from her. Get away from the magical pull he feels in her presence. It's too dangerous, dangerous enough to pull him in and burn his existence.

 

 

 

 

The next morning Khushi sat on the bed, all bathed and fresh, waiting for her husband to come and offer his arm to her, so that together they can leave for the breakfast. Her hand lifted to rest on her neck, the purple mark there paining little. She also wants to ask him about this mark. Is there some big insect in this country? Khushi covered the mark with her hand and moved her scared eyes in the room. What if the insect is still there in her room?

 

Khushi's eyes jerked towards the door of her room  as she heard a knock. But not the door from where she was expecting the knock. Getting up from the bed, she went and opened the door.

 

"Khushi ...Good morning" Akash greeted his Sister-in-law.

 

Khushi smiled and joined her hand. "Aap ko bhi."

 

"Breakfast?" Akash forwarded his arm.

 

Khushi looked at the arm and then at the other door in her room.

 

"Aap ...aap jaeeye ... Hum unke saath aayenge ..." Khushi declined her Brother-in-law's offer, and eyes again turned towards the other door expectantly.

 

"Khushi,  woh ..bhai. .bhai nahi hain" Akash said. His heart clenched at the lost look that gleamed in her brown eyes.

 

"Nahi hain? Matlab?" she asked in a small voice, an unknown heaviness settled on her heart.

 

Akash closed his eyes, trying not to feel the anger he felt towards his brother. How can he leave his wife alone? The girl who feels so lost without him? Swallowing hard, he opened his eyes and passed a small smile at his sister-in-law. 

 

"Khushi,  unhe kuch kaam aa gaya tha. Wo jald vapas aa jayenge" (Khushi, some immediate work had came...He will be back soon)

 

"Shaam tak?"(By evening?) Khushi asked innocently.

 

Akash rubbed the bridge of his nose. He has no idea. He has no clue when his brother will be back. But how can he tell that to this girl? 

 

"Khushi,  he will be back soon...Now come we will have our breakfast" Akash took her small hand in his. 

 

Khushi coiled her fingers around his massive arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "Soon. . soon matlab jald. ... Par kitne jald,  Akash bhaiya?" the restless heart asked again.

 

Akash kept his hand on hers. " Soon. ..very soon" He comforted the lost child.

 

 

"Theek hai" that was all she said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the 'soon' never became 'very soon'. And the 'soon' never came. 

 

"Sathh"(Sixty). Khushi kept the sixtieth small round-shaped stone in the small chest. And like always,  a drop of tear fell from her eyes,  resting on one shiny stone. It's been 2 months and he was not back. Akash bhaiya always says he will be back soon, but his soon never comes. A sob bubbled inside her chest, coating her eyes with a thin layer of tear. Why did he leave without her? - This is the question she daily asks herself. Had she done something to upset him? One night he was cuddling her close to his warmth, soothing her pain. And the next morning it was cold, and he was gone. Why didn't he meet her before leaving? 

 

Few more drops left her eyes. She had surely done something to upset him,  else why will he leave her here alone. He is punishing her.

 

Khushi kept the chest in her cupboard and climbed into the bed. Lying down she rested her head on the pillow. Her  innocent mind was unable to comprehend  any other reason for his departure. To her he had left her to punish her. What she was unable to find out was,  what she had done to upset him. She has always behaved like a dutiful wife,  just the way her Nani-Maa had taught her. Where did she go wrong? This punishment was unbearable. She feels alone, no one by her side. She don't like this feeling. This feeling of loneliness creeps inside her, and then all she wants to do is get into the bed and sob in her pillow. Sob till that ache leaves her. But no matter how much she cries,  the ache refuses to leave her. Like a small child left alone by her parents, she feels empty, helpless, lonely, homeless.

 

And like any other night from last two months, she sobbed again,  sobbed till her eyes ached and dropped closed, pulling her into oblivion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria looked at the fragile figure with sympathy and pain in her eyes. From the day Arnev Bhai had left,  Akesh had asked her to look after Khushi. And daily she brings her Duchess here in the garden, to talk to her,  to make her talk,  to make her feel better. But all her Duchess does is sit near the rose bush and stare at them. She knows that feeling of loneliness. Akesh had left Bristol so many times. But she knows her Duchess plight is worse. She has her family and friends with her,  but this girl has no one. And the only person she feels akin to in this new world, has left her all alone. 

 

 

Pushing back the tears that flooded her eyes, she tightened her hold on the container she was holding and with a broad smile, walked towards her Duchess. 

 

 

"Khushe" she called cheerfully and sat beside her. "See what I brought for you. I made it for you. Don't worry. .no meat. .no egg...OK?" smiling, she opened the lid of the container to reveal delicious cupcakes. 

 

 

Khushi looked down at the container, no emotion passing her face. 

 

 

"Take it " Maria took a cupcake and held it near Khushi's lips.

 

Khushi opened her mouth to take a bite. 

 

"How it is?" Maria asked.

 

"Good" 

 

Maria heard her say and then she was back to her staring business. 

 

Maria closed the container with a sigh and kept it aside.

 

"Khushe" she kept her hand on her shoulder. "Khushe,  Arnev Bhai will be back soon. ..he..." and before she can continue further, she found herself in a fierce hug. 

 

 

"Unhe boliye aane ke liye. .please. ... Hume nahi rehna yaha akele. ..nahi rehna. ... Please. .  woh hume chhod ke kyun chale gaye? ...humne kya galati ki thi? ... Please please. ...please. .. Jaana hai hume unke paas. ..bhej di jiye hume. ..please. .please. .." (Tell him to come back soon ..please... I don't want to live here alone ... Don't want ... Please ... Why did he leave me her alone? ... What have I done? ... Please...please...please... I want to go to him ... Send me to him ...please...please...). Khushi sobbed her heart out. 

 

 

Maria's heart clenched at her painful sobs. Her hands lifted to rub her back. "Hey there. ..shhh...shhh... He will be back soon. ..dont worry. ..don't cry. ..stop crying ...stop crying, baby. ..hush down" 

 

 

 

Akash looked at the scene in front of him. Anger for his brother very much visible in his eyes. He has always seen his brother running away from every emotional connect, any feeling that can make him realize he too has a heart, all flesh and blood like everyone. And this time too he was doing the same. But he will not allow him to do this, because this time he is making an innocent soul too suffer with him. 

 

"Khushi!!...Khushi!!!" 

 

 

Akash's reverie halted as he heard a loud cry. He ran towards them. 

 

 

"Akash,  she is not opening her eyes...do something please. .." Maria said panicked. 

 

Akash took Khushi in his arms and marched towards her chamber, his jaw set in a dangerous tight line. Laying her down on her bed and instructed Maria to call the Doctor, he was about to exit the room but was stopped by Maria. 

 

 

"Akesh, where are you going?" Maria asked worried. She has never seen him this angry, and it worried her. 

 

"To write a letter to my Brother, to let him know what he is doing to his wife." 

 

"Akesh .." Maria tried to reason.

 

"No Maria, enough is enough. He can't do this to her. She is all lost without him. Like some small child, who doesn't know how to deal with the world without her parents by her side. He needs to understand this. He is not alone now, he has one more life tied to him. How can he subject her to this misery? If this is his way of dealing with his wife, then better he send her back where she belongs. Atleast there she will have her people around her, not some strangers."

 

With a last look at the figure lying unconscious on the bed, Akash exited the room to write a letter to his Brother.

Hope you all liked it! And I had said I will be updating my other stories too by weekend, but it couldn't happen. Will update remaining stories in a day or two :)

And here is a song describing Khushi's  plight aptly. Do listen if you have time. Link -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8gv3swTYo

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8gv3swTYo[/YOUTUBE]

-Zesty-2015-03-01 05:01:58