200 EPISODES OF ASR AND ARYLIE - Page 2

Chocolate cookie

Maybe she deserved that punishment after all. Getting into a fight in the classroom wasn't exactly on the list of rules of good behavior. But there was also to say that it wasn't all her fault, in short, she had only used a blackboard eraser as a weapon, while, instead, he had done everything else.

And, of course, in order to never deny himself, he was entering the detention room, with a blissful smile that made her want to pick up that blackboard eraser again.

"Imlie!" He sat on the bench next to her, making an exaggerated clatter as he moved the chair. "It's nice to see you again! How is it going?" he asked, as if they were old friends who happened to meet in a downtown bar.

I'm going to kill him now, thought the girl, looking around for an object that could turn into a weapon.

"Aryan Singh Rathore”

A name, a guarantee. A fiery, warm-eyed student, who seemed to have proclaimed himself Emperor of the college, or perhaps it was the flock of sheep who adored him that made him sovereign. Whatever the answer, Imlie Rao would have gladly led a popular uprising with the intent of throwing him from his throne, knocking him face down on the soft cricket ground.

"For friends, I'm Aru, my dear."

"What about those who would enjoy seeing you covered in keechad instead?"

If there was one thing that could be said about Imlie it was her being straight forward; she wasn't one to send things to you or, even worse, gossip to the whole college.

Aryan’s laugh certainly did not improve the situation, but the girl ignored him, trying to concentrate on the math test that the professor had assigned - x is an unknown, so I have to find out its value. Beside her, he was drawing geometric shapes on his paper, not even hinting at starting to work. Akkadbhaga, Imlie thought, shaking her head.

"Can I trust you two to leave you alone?" Imlie noticed the teacher who had been entrusted with their control, sitting behind the desk, looking bored." I have to question a second year girl and I only have this gap hour."

Sure, go ahead, this is the right time I can take him out.

But she drew one of her best smiles, trying to look like a model student, loyal to her duty and strict to school rules. Obviously the tactic had no result and the professor preferred to trust the complicit look that Aryan Singh Rathore was giving him.

Damn! How the hell can anyone love him?

“Don't worry, Mr. Jha. We are mature kids, we made mistakes and we will respect the punishment. " Then, as if he were not afraid of being seen by the professor, Akkadbhagga winked at her, as a sign of an understanding that they did not have. Why are you so buggered, Akkadbhagga?

Mr. Jha ,however, seemed satisfied, so he took his leave with a simple greeting and are commendation not to leave the classroom before the deadline.

As soon as they were alone in the class, Imlie began to applaud, looking at her partner with an air of defiance. “Wonderful performance, Aryan, really. You have won an Oscar. "

The boy smiled shamelessly as he approached the chair to the girl's desk, who pushed away from the desk. He stopped, staring at her questioningly and, to be honest, even a little offended.

"Do I disgust you so much, Miss Rao?"

Imlie, then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, began to look at him: two big dark eyes, the color of chocolate, broad shoulders, the ones that seem to be made to be hugged, broad and muscular chest. And his lips. Fleshy lips, the ones that even if you've never touched them you know they are soft, you just know it, because it couldn't be otherwise. Fck. She was beginning to understand why the girls claimed that Aryan Singh Rathore was Adonis. But she didn't agree.

He was sexier.

And he was, moreover, such a concentration of attraction, which confused her to the point of not understanding what was happening anymore. Perhaps also due to the fact that now, the aforementioned boy, was so close to her that, if she leaned over a only inch, she could have kissed him. Kissing Aryan Singh Rathore, the Akkadbhagga.

"Who gave you all this confidence?" Her voice came out weak, devoid of that harsh, cutting tone that so characterized her. The fact was that she coudn’t take her eyes off that mouth of his, that he was just there, right there, within her reach. How could she not covet those lips of his? Not even with all the self-control of the universe, Imlie could have regained her clarity and remember how much she hated that seductive, fascinating, exciting ...

Okay, Imlie. Control yourself!

"You gave me this confidence, with your looking at me as if I were a chocolate cookie while you are on a diet. "

Too embarrassed to be able to say even a word, Imlie just opened her mouth wide in an astonished expression, while she scolded herself for being so easily readable, especially when she was thinking such thoughts.

Chocolate cookie.

In fact, Akkadbhagga perfectly represented it: his skin was the same color, as were his eyes and with black hair.

Aryan Singh Rathore was a chocolate cookie.

That defiant smile on his face made her want to grab him and slap him. And then kiss him. And then slap him. And then kiss him again, again and again.

"You're doing it again, Imlie."

"What wh-what?" she asked, her voice completely broken now, her thoughts fading after hearing her name from his lips.

Is it possible that I'm exactly like one of those girls who drool over a beautiful body? Yes, it is possible, damn it.

"You're staring at me hungry again."

The air in the room had inexplicably changed: from the angry tension to the sexual tension, which had now been created between the two, intent on looking each other straight in the eye.

Imlie went from repeating to herself how self-centered, boring, predictable that Akkadbhagga was, to desperately longing for his lips to rest on hers, without mercy. She didn't even care anymore that she made a fool of herself again in front of him, for her to stare at him like a dog looks at a bone, because she was too busy looking at his mouth.

And then, in an imperceptible moment, Imlie screwed up the idea she had about that boy and, as if nothing had happened, she forced herself to declare herself ill with short-term memory loss, in order to be able to justify what she was to do with having forgotten the hatred she felt towards him.

She kissed him.

No, in fact, she attacked him. Her lips pressed so hard on the boy's that he found himself for a moment bewildered, totally shocked by the unexpected gesture; after having elaborated the situation and understanding what was happening, Aryan confirmed the popular rumors that classified him as an extraordinary kisser: he penetrated Imlie’s mouth with his tongue, exploring it in every part, with a passion and enthusiasm that could not make you remain impassive. Then, the boy leaned over, starting to caress her body, who was now totally invaded by her passion, while rationality closed itself in a remote corner of her brain. Aryan went down to kiss her neck, while touching her hair first and then her arms. Inspired by the boy's impetuosity, Imlie began to kiss his jaw -one kiss, two kisses, three kisses - and then went down to his neck, while her hands wandered over his muscular back. This guy is a two-door wardrobe.

His mouth on her neck.

Her hands on his back.

Imlie was absolutely thrilled, as it was the most exciting thing she had ever experienced in her entire life. Forbidden.

“Holy shit, Imlie… ” Aryan spat out, his head resting on her shoulder while Imlie, still too breathless to speak, just gave a hysterical chuckle.

"I must admit you surprised me, Miss Rao." He gave her a mischievous look, the one that often made her want to slap him, but which now had another effect on her.

She did not have time to respond to the provocation, as the door to the room was suddenly thrown open and Professor Jha entered. That sudden appearance was a blow to the stomach for Imlie, who realized how much they had risked: if Mr. Jha had opened the door a few minutes earlier, he would have found them kissing.

Damn!

"Did you two respect the college rules?" The teacher gave them an investigative look, as if he were trying to find signs of guilt. Imlie, therefore, had to use all the concentration she possessed to be able to appear calm and relaxed, as if she had only spent the time completing their punishment tasks. Punishment. It all started from there.

"We only broke one, Professor."

This time I will kick him where it hurts the most again and again. Imlie held her breath, hoping that Akkadbhagga had no intention of confessing the crime.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"We ate in class." Ate? We?

Aryan gave her a knowing look, while Imlie still didn't understand what was happening, what Akkadbhagga was saying or what he was alluding to; she was just terribly afraid of being caught in the fact.

"What have you eaten? Hope you did not create a mess."

"Don't worry, professor." Aryan’s eyes shifted to the girl's, with a mischief that put her in awe, reminding her of what they had just done.

Then, he said it.

"We only ate a chocolate cookie."

Chocolate cookie.

The best she had ever tasted.

Udhaar

Imlie walked into the building of Bhaskar Times for her first day of internship. She was excited and nervous about the new phase in her life, but more than that she was embarrassed.

Inconspicuously, she joins the group of youngsters.

“Interns?” Imlie asks the boy next to her in a whisper.

“Yes.” He replies with a smile. “I’m Madhav. You?”

“Imlie.” Imlie tells him, smiling.

“Which college?” Madhav asks.

They were talking when a man walks up to the group.

“Good morning, interns. I am Harry.” He addresses the interns for a few minutes.“ Now, everyone, please follow me.”

Imlie looked around the office as he gave a tour of the office. The tour ended with Harry leading them to the conference room.

Imlie walks in and the first thing she notices is the board where it had a chart showing the current positions of the newspapers with Bhaskar Times ranking at 2.

“Bhaskar Times is the 2nd most circulated newspaper in the country and we are going to make it the no 1.”

Everyone turns to the sound and sees Aryan walking in and walk towards the head of the conference table while Imlie moved behind Madhav.

“For that we need not just hard hitting stories, and best sports coverage we need everything. We need to be the best in everything, be it politics, economics, sports, entertainment etc etc. So, you all will be working in rotation in each department and whoever excels will have a guaranteed permanent post in Bhaskar Times once they finish their degree.” Aryan informs them.

Everyone excitedly looks at each other.

“This is Aryan Singh Rathore, CEO of Bhaskar Times.” Harry introduces. “Everyone please introduce yourself.”

The first person moves forward to introduce when she was stopped by Aryan who had raised his hand to stop them.

“Don’t waste my time. if you are good, I’ll hear your name. So, be sure that I would hear of you.” Aryan says.

Imlie scoffs loudly hearing that arrogant comment.

Hearing the sound in the silent room, everyone turns to look at her. even Madhav turns to look at her, bringing her right into Aryan’s line of vision.

Aryan frowns seeing her. Imlie gulps nervously.

“You.” Aryan says as he stared at her.

Imlie nervously shrugs and looks around.

“What is your name?” Harry asks, seeing Aryan staring at her.

“Imlie.”

“Is she on the list of interns?” Aryan asks frowning at Imlie.

Curious and confused at the weird question, Harry looks through the list of interns. He goes through it twice and shocked, he informs Aryan. “No, sir. She is not in the list.”

“Then what is she doing here?” Aryan asks as he stared at Imlie.

Imlie uncomfortably looks at him.

“Sorry, sir. I don’t know how she got in.”

“I’ve an appointment order.” Imlie informs as she waved a letter.

Aryan gestures to Harry. Harry hurries to Imlie and takes the letter from her. he opens the letter and stops in shock.

“Sir.” Harry looks at Aryan in shock.

“Is that an appointment order?” Aryan asks.

“It says,‘Imlie is hired.’ and signed….” Harry scrutinizes as he tried to make out the sign.

“Narmada.” Imlie informs him.

“That’s official then.” Aryan mocks her.

“I’ll have her removed this instant.” Harry says as he gestured for the peons to take Imlie out.

Seeing the peons heading towards her, Imlie quickly shakes her head and mouths to them. “No… no…”

“I’ll kill you, if you dare touch my wife.” Aryan warns them murderously.

They stop, everyone who had been curiously watching, almost gasps and takes a step back in shock.

Imlie attempts to politely smile at the peons to soften the threat.

“So, Imlie…” Aryan calls her.

Imlie turns to him in dread.

“What made you decide on working in this small newspaper instead of the no 1 in the country?” Aryan asks her with fake politeness and lot of mocking in his tone.

“Ma wanted me to.” Imlie lies with a shrug.

“Oh ho.” Aryan takes his mobile and dials his mother.

“Hello Aru?”

“Ma, why is Imlie here?” Aryan asks her as he watched Imlie nervously gulping.

“Aru, that newspaper she applied in, they didn’t respond. She didn’t want to wait around. So, I just signed the paper she gave me. She said if I signed then she can join there. now, don’t make a fuss.”

“I’ve to go, Ma.” Aryan says and hangs up the phone. He smirks at her.

Imlie nervously gulps.

Then Aryan turns his attention back to the interns. “Harry will give you each your post and you can start your work. All the best.” Aryan starts to walk off.

“Sir…”Harry quickly calls him.

Aryan turns to look at him as he stopped.

“What about… Madam?” Harry asks confused.

“You saw her appointment order.” Aryan reminds him and starts to walk off.

“But we had made allotments for only 8 interns.” Harry tells him. “If Madam is to join…”

All the interns look at Aryan with bated breath realizing that if his wife was to join, one of them was to lose their internship.

“I don’t want to replace anyone.” Imlie tells Aryan softly.

“She’ll assist me.” Aryan informs Harry.

“I don’t want to assist you. maybe one of them can.” Imlie tells him frowning at him as she gestured the other interns.

“Come, Imlie, I’ll personally show you the way out.” Aryan tells her.

“No.” Imlie quickly says stepping back.

Aryan steps towards her and tells her arrogantly. “If you want to work here, then remember three rules, pehli baat, when I say something, you better follow it to the T, dusri baat, never question my decisions.”

“Aurteesri baat?” Imlie asks frowning.

“Teesri baat udhaar rahi.”

Imlie frowns exasperated. “Now, you don’t even know what baath to keep udhaar and what not to?”

“You can show yourself out, Mrs. Rathore.” Aryan tells her and walks out.

“ABP!” Imlie calls after him exasperated as she followed him out.

--------------

Aryan ignores her and walks into his cabin. Imlie follows him.

“I’ll have a table set up for you here.” Aryan informs her as he sat on his chair.

“I’m to sit here and work?” Imlie asks shocked. Oh God! She did love this arrogant pig, but that doesn’t mean she can tolerate him 24x7.

“You can always sit in some other company and work.” Aryan tells her.

Imlie scowls at him as she popped down on the chair.

Aryan got busy with work while Imlie sat there doing nothing.

“Do you’ve any work for me?” Imlie asks after almost ten minutes of silence.

“If I’ve any work for you then I’ll tell you. you don’t have to ask me.” Aryan tells her.

Imlie scowls in anger.

Aryan tried his best not to laugh out loud. He knew even he was at much at fault as her for the debacle that happened. This had started off when their marriage was fixed.

His mother had decided that it was time for him to get married and the obvious choice for her was their family friend’s daughter, Imlie. He had agreed because she had chosen Imlie, he wouldn't have agreed for marriage if it was anyone else. As long as he can remember, Imlie and he had a love-hate relation, and they both never spoke of it but they both knew deep down that it was going to be them for lifelong.

So, it was at their engagement function, when Imlie’s college internship was mentioned and his mother had casually suggested that Imlie can join Bhaskar Times. And with all the teasing and sly smiles, he had got so awkward that he had immediately refused. And as usual, Imlie took it to her ego and had challenged that she would get into the no 1 newspaper instead.

Since she had gotten all egoistic, he hadn’t bothered to reiterate. So, he went on to slyly try his best to have her application rejected from other newspapers. Aryan stops with a smile, he had found out that none of them had received her application. And he knew, without any doubt that she hadn’t applied anywhere because she thought if she did then it would be disloyal to him.

So, he had been raking his brains to find a way to get her to take her internship in their newspaper when she had used his mother and joined. Now, he was sitting here with his wife of three days murdering him with her eyes. God! How he loved her. but he really need to let her start her internship… maybe from tomorrow. For one day, maybe he can tolerate her for 24hours without either of them wanting to kill each other.

“Maybe, I’ll go out and find some work for me!” Imlie says irately.

“Fine, I’ve a work for you.” Aryan says as he looked up at her.

“yes?” Imlie asks as she sat up excitedly.

“I need you to do some research for me.” Aryan tells her.

“Okay.” Imlie excitedly pulls out her ipad from her bag. “What research do you want me to do?”

“Get me, maybe three options…”

“Okay…three?” Imlie looks at him expectantly.

“Honeymoon destinations.”

“What?” Imlie stops in shock.

“My wife has college and she is working. So, something for the weekend.” Aryan tells her.

“Weekend honeymoon?” Imlie asks shocked.

“Too short. Check with my wife and see if she can take any days off.” Aryan tells her.

“Honeymoon? We are going for honeymoon? I just started here. I can't just take off like that.” Imlie stammers out in shock.

Aryan takes a paper and scribbles on it. then he offers it to her.

Imlie takes it and reads it in shock.

Leave for Imlie Aryan Singh Rathore’s honeymoon is approved. And it was signed, Aryan Singh Rathore.

Imlie’s mouth drops open while her cheeks turned pink with blush.

“Get to work.” Aryan tells her.

She couldn't sit there; she will die blushing. So, she stands up. “I’ll go outside and work.”

“Ah Imlie, give me some romantic suggestions too. My wife, you see, she has no romantic bone in her body.” Aryan cheekily tells her.

Imlie scowls at him. “As if you’re romantic.” Then grabbing the paper, she tells him. “I’ll give it to the HR so they can process my leave.”

Aryan cheekily grins knowing well that she was going to keep it safe with her.

“Three things, Imlie.”

“What?” Imlie turns to him.

“First, plan something so romantic that the moment my wife sees it, she wants to pounce on me.”

“To kill you?” Imlie asks though she was blushing beetroot red.

“No… that she has tried before. I’ve been virgin long enough, ask her to take care of that.”

Heart slamming against her chest, blushing profusely, her mouth drops open in shock, for hearing him speak so shamelessly for the first time.

“Second, plan something so special that I can tell my wife how special she is to me and what is really in my heart.”

“I do all the hard work for you?” Imlie asks him shocked though she couldn't wait to hear him confess his love to her.

Aryan cheekily nods at her.

“Thirdly, plan something that she realizes that my world revolves…” Aryan stops.

“What?” Imlie asks breathlessly.

“Teesri baat udhaar rahi.”

Imlie murderously glares at him. “What is with you and udhaars? Why the hell you love udhaars so much?”

Aryan grins naughtily.

“You know, what, when you get around to telling me your love, you won't say, I love you. you will say, I udhaar you!!!” Imlie tells him furiously as she grabbed her stuff and started to walkout.

“Imlie.”

“WHAT?” Imlie turns to him furiously.

Smiling naughtily at her, he tells her. “I udhaar you.”

Imlie’s face breaks out into a happy smile. She knew, he loved her, but hearing him say that, it filled her heart with so much joy.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” Aryan asks her.

Though he was grinning, she could see the anxiousness in his eyes.

“I…” Imlie shyly starts.

“You?” Aryan asks expectantly as he stood up and walked to her.

“Love…” Imlie shyly says.

“Love??” Aryan asks, he was a breath away from kissing her senseless.

Imlie looks at him and smirking smugly, she says “Teesri baat udhaar rahi.”

“What?” Aryan shouts in shock.

Flipping her hair, Imlie walks out of his room. that would teach him to never give udhaars to her!

Embrace

*mature content*

Her heart drummed against her ribs, smile never leaving her lips when she heard, a pair of bare feet padding against the wooden floor, coming closer. The movement stopped. Her breath elevated in anticipation. There was absolute silence. She tried to peek out of her hiding place, behind the door in the dim lighted study. She was pulled with force towards a shirtless sturdy shoulders. She gasped in surprise while looking at the owner who put space between them, her eyes ran through his Chest, over his six pack and continued to the V which disappeared behind the waist band of his dark jeans lying low on his torso. He was sculpted to the perfection. Her eyes snapped back to his smug face while his eyes were drinking in her appearance. Her semidry hair left loose curling on the ends, few tendrils cupping her face, her long svelte neck, still sporting those dark marks he left on her. She was dressed in his black shirt, which was too loose on her petite self. Top two buttons were left open giving him an ample view of her cleavage. Shoulders drooping, and the shirt stopped at her mid thigh leaving a great view of her slender legs. Desire pooled in his eyes, as his left hand snaked around her waist pulling her against him, getting a sigh out of her

"What did I tell you about leaving my side?"

He nuzzled into her hair, while his other hand started with its ministrations.

His finger sensually traced down her cheek, down her throat and lingered at her cleavage. She swallowed, her mirthful eyes widened as she licked her lower lip in anticipation.

She pulled down his head and captured his lips. She had to feel those lips against her tongue traced over his lips. She heard him breath heavily, as his mouth devoured hers.

He groaned pulling her into his arms, her lips brushed against his throat.

He pinned her against the wall, she gazed into his eyes, lost in the pool of molten dark chocolate .

"Remind me again" she replied

His Mouth came crashing down on hers, she draped her arms around his neck, while her lips dueled with his.

His kiss was possessive, aggressive and explosively passionate.

She raked her fingers through his hair and her teeth gently bit His throat

His hands were busy exploring her, gently cupping her sides to moving to back, sliding down to the generous curve of her hip, squeezing her derrière.

Her short finger nails raked over his chest, getting a guttural groan from him.

She angled her body, wrapping her legs around his waist. While he moved them from the wall to the study table gently placing her over it. And moved away taking a seat on the chair leaving her wanting for more.

"Aryan" she growled like the tigress that she is .

"Now the punishment" he said while taking her feet in his hand.

"Ary...."

"Shhhh"

He started tracing the moles on her ankle, slowly moving up while his traces left behind a delicious trail of heat. She squirmed, clutching the table for balance.

"You love defying me or is it the punishment you are in for" he asked huskily, continuing his handy work

"I don't like being ordered" she hoarsely threw at him

"I see" he said replacing his fingers with his lips getting a moan from her as his lips ascended.

She placed her other feet on his pectorals halting his progress.

He tilted his head to look up at her back arched, knees angled, hands gripping his biceps, whimpering softly. Shirt drooping of her arm, her flawless skin on display; her bosom moving with her every breath. She was a sight to behold. breaking his resolve he stood up hovering her as his lips gently found his place.

A shrill buzz from her phone woke her up.

Serendipity

“Narmada,” Samar Singh Rathore’s tone was patient.

“I don’t understand. Why he’d do something like this?”

“He’s a grown man making his own decisions.”

“But a marriage of convenience? Surely, we didn’t raise him NOT to believe in the institution of marriage.”

Samar covered his wife’s hand. “No, I hope not. But….” He sighed, “Narmada, Aryan has decided to prove himself by expanding our hold into the telecommunication business. We needed Singhania’s partnership..”

“And marriage was the answer?”

“A lot of business families form alliances through marriages. Come on, you’re not that naive Narmada.”

“No, I’m not naive!!! I just don’t want my Aryan….if he was in love with this girl, I wouldn’t have minded but….I doubt he has even bothered to give her a once over.” Narmada rolled her eyes.

Samar shook his head in resignation.

“When is he coming home? I need to talk to him.”

Narmada sighed. That had been nearly a year ago. She’d tried to reason with him but failed. Aryan had married Veer Singhania’s daughter, Madhulika.

Both had settled in Juhu, Mumbai. Aryan’s business was flourishing but with both of them on the cusp of a divorce, his fledgling business was in danger of floundering if Veer Singhania decided to withdraw his support.

She was not sure exactly what had happened but the two had been heard fighting on the very night Madhulika and Aryan got into a motor vehicle accident.

This was exactly why she’d pleaded with him a year ago. But her obstinate, head-strong son had done what he’d wanted and now, he’d be paying a humongous price.

*****************************************

2 months earlier……

Aryan entered the nightclub and surveyed the dimly lit space, with its lightning strobes and blaring music. He just did not understand it. Weren’t pregnant women supposed to feel tired, sick to their stomach?

Instead his pregnant wife, Madhulika was somewhere here in the nightclub enjoying yet another night out.

The doctor had asked her to be careful. She had a minor complication and it was a miracle it had been picked up this early by her ultrasound.

He caught sight of her on one side of the dance floor, grooving to music with her friends.

She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Petite with a wheatish complexion, her dark lustrous hair cascaded down her back. She looked attractive, okay fine, sexy in her red dress and strappy high heeled sandals. The dress though, he watched as it rode higher, glancing at the men around her who were ogling her body.

Aryan muscled his way through the crowd on the dance floor and reached her.

“Aryan!!” Her smile faded as he grasped her arm and began dragging her way.

“Stop it!!” She yelled at him.

Aryan ignored her protest and continued to lead her off the dance floor. People were staring at them.

A man obstructed his path.

“Get out of my way!” Aryan warned him.

“Dude. The lady does not want to leave with you.”

“Get the f**k out of my way.” Aryan replied coldly.

“Dude…” The man put a hand on Aryan’s shoulder.

“You don’t know what you’re getting into…now get the f**k out of my way.”

“All I know…” The man drew back when Aryan raised a fist and stopped, his eyes glittering with fury.

Aryan shoved him out of his way and finally stepped out of the nightclub into the balmy Mumbai air.

“How dare you?!!!” She jerked off his hold and rounded on him.

“No Madhu, how dare you!!!?” Aryan spoke in a low voice that still did not mask his vexation.

She folded her arms across her chest and flipped her hair with a jerk of her head.

“You’re carrying our child, barely 3 months and you are out drinking and clubbing. For god’s sake, the doctor asked you to take it easy!!”

“What baby?” She muttered.

“Excuse me??” He asked incredulously.

She let out a breath in exasperation.

“What did you say?”

She stalked up to him and raised herself, with inches between their faces, she yelled, “I said WHAT BABY!?”

Puzzled, his brow furrowed.

“What do you mean, what baby?” He tilted his head.

“I got rid of it.”

Aryan gasped and staggered back in shock. He stared at her for a full minute before finally gathering his wits.

“Tell me you didn’t mean that.”

Her eyes glittered as she looked straight at him.

“Damn right! I got rid of it!”

“But …..why?” Aryan’s voice was anguished.

“It wasn’t……” She looked around, to the sky, down to the ground, back at the road, one foot tapping impatiently on the pavement.

“Not…..what?”

“Convenient.” She muttered.

“Not convenient.” Aryan’s voice broke.

“There was no way I was going to let my skin be marred, my boobs droop, carry the equivalent of a basketball…go through giving birth, change stinky diapers….ewww….”

He stepped forward and drew her up by both arms.

“What??? He cried out, “How is that a reason…..to f**king kill a child?? My child? What about my consent?”

“Your consent!” She scoffed and pushed him away, cackling.

“You have no say, Aryan Singh Rathore. None whatsoever.”

“How? That child was as much mine as it was yours!!!”

“I don’t care!! It wasn’t your body that was going to bear the burdens of pregnancy!!”

“Fine! I get that but….why didn’t you say anything when we stopped using….”

“I never did…stop my pills.”

“What?”

“When my father made his ridiculous demand of a grandchild to continue your alliance…..why should I agree? What about my consent then?”

“I had asked you…”

She rolled her eyes.

He whipped her around, his grip rough on her arm.

“I had specifically asked you if you minded having a child.”

“And in a moment of …..I lost my head and said yes!!”

“If you didn’t stop taking your pills….then how could you..”

“I missed a few dammit!!!! I mean we hardly were that close until you and Dadda decided I should have a baby….”

“Look I …..what your father asked of us….I …it was wrong….but you had agreed.”

“Well f**k! I changed my mind!! Sue me!!”

“After you conceive the baby!!! God damnit, what about my rights?!!! I was the father!”

Madhulika stomped her foot and began walking away.

“Where are you going?”

“A friend’s home!” She raised her hand to hail a taxi.

“Didn’t you bring your car? Nilesh said you had refused his offer to stay until you were done here.”

“Damn that Nilesh!” She muttered.

Aryan felt the heat from the flush on his cheeks and neck. He was still furious but his mother had raised him better.

“Wait here. I’ll have them bring your car around.”

Five minutes later the car came around.

She quickly made her way to the driver’s side.

“Let me drive. Did you eat when you drank?”

“I hardly had a drink for f**k’s sake!” She quipped.

A muscle twitched in Aryan’s jaw as she slipped into the car. He heard the loud rumble of thunder and felt a drop of rain on his cheek.

“F**k it!” He muttered and opened the passenger side, folding his long length in.

She stopped with her hand on the gear stick.

“I’m not taking you home.” She clipped out in a frosty tone.

“Whatever. Just get to your destination and I’ll figure out how to get home from there.” He watched as rain began pelting the windshield.

She put the car in gear and whipped out of the curbside.

“Careful!” Aryan exclaimed. “And seatbelt for f**k’s sake!”

Madhu threw back her head and laughed.

“I’ll never understand you Aryan! I mean two minutes ago, you were ready to strangle me…”

“You are lucky I didn’t.” He muttered, his eyes focused on the wiper blades swishing furiously across the windshield.

“Awww…what your goody two shoes parents raised you better? Is that it?”

“Watch it, Madhulika.” Aryan warned his wife.

“Watch what? Hmmm….what will you do Aryan? Better still, what can you do?” She stepped on the gas pedal.

Aryan chose to stay quiet, worried about visibility and Madhulika’s lack of caution.

Thank God, they were on a quieter, deserted residential street.

“Nothing!!! You’re powerless!!! I just took away the best thing in your life….”

Aryan looked at her, his eyes flashing.

She grinned at him. “Oh I remember how happy you were when you found out about the baby….”

“You and Dadda single handedly took away my freedoms….this was my revenge…to take away what you thought was the best thing that had happened to you!”

Aryan stared at her warily.

She took her eyes off the road again and laughed maniacally.

Something white flashed in the periphery of his vision and he glanced at it.

Time slowed down.

“Madhu!! Watch it!” He yelled.

She looked ahead and banked hard to the right, veering off the road. He heard a dull thud and saw something fly in the air before the car collided violently with a lamp-post.

Aryan came around slowly, his vision still blurred, a constant ringing in his ears.

He heard a loud alarm, lights flashing. With trepidation he turned his head toward Madhu. Her head lolled to one side, her mouth agape.

He reached over with shaky hands and felt for ap ulse. None.

F**k! F**k!!

He jiggled the door handle and kicked it open, staggering onto the road.

The flash of white….the dull thud before something had flown in the air.

He shook his head and looked around, his eyes landing on a motionless form a few feet from them.

Stumbling and nearly falling himself, he reached the motionless figure and fell to his knees next to it.

A young girl. Early 20’s, he guessed. Her eyes were open and she was gulping air.

Aryan scanned her face.

Sweet face, gray eyes, fairer complexion, medium length lashes, she was dressed in a well used salwar kameez.

He bent over and hovered over her face.

“What’s your name?” He asked urgently.

She coughed and heaved. He watched as pretty gray eyes filled with tears, one lone tear slowly slipping out the corner of her eye.

“Can you move?”

She shuddered in a long breath.

“Please don’t …..please…for God’s sake….” He pleaded with her, slowly becoming aware of murmurs around him.

She coughed again. He bent over her.

“Help will be here soon. Please…..just please don’t die!” Aryan felt an irrational wave of grief sweep over him.

She smiled through her tears. A sad smile.

“Dev.” She whispered.

“Tell me your name.‘

“Im…..I…” She drew in a gulp of air and winced.

“Your name.” He cupped her face and asked softly, “Someone! Call an ambulance!!??”

He felt a soft hand grip his wrist and looked down.

“Im…Im….lie…” she managed to whisper.

“That’s it ….just stay with me.” He begged as she drew another shuddering breath. “I need an ambulance dammit! A phone….I’ll call them myself. Why are you all just standing around???”

“My phone….!!” He looked down as her grip on his wrist loosened. Those pretty eyes stared at the sky, sightless.

“No, no, no, no…..damn it! NO!!!” He put his index and middle finger on the side of her neck. Feeling no pulse he recalled his basic CPR skills and began pumping her chest.

Blood mixed with rainwater dripped from his brow, “......28, 29, 30.” He bent down to deliver a breath but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He jerked it off and tried again.

“She’s dead. Stop it.”

“No…I …she can’t…”

“Sir, we need you to step away.”

Aryan looked up at the uniformed cop.

“Aryan Singh Rathore?‘

Aryan nodded numbly as the cop helped him up to his feet. He stumbled again, his legs weak.

“Sir!!! She’s alive.” Aryan looked up with a frown in the direction of the voice.

Another cop was on the driver’s side of the car. Madhu?

“That…..can’t be….” He said in a weak voice. “I checked….”

More people surrounded the car as the siren of an approaching ambulance pierced the night air. Aryan became aware that the rain that had mercilessly slashed them earlier, had now slowed down to a drizzle.

He slicked his hair back, peering through the dark as men in uniform gingerly pulled out Madhu and put her on a stretcher.

Lengthening his stride, he reached her side. Her face was unmarred but her entire body was covered in blood. So much f**king blood!!

Madhu. The young girl on the road. In one fell swoop, his entire life had come crashing down in one split second.

Aryan stood by in shock as his wife was loaded into the ambulance.

“Sir. Please get in the car.” The cop gestured towards the police Jeep. “I’ll drive behind the ambulance. You need medical attention too. And then we have to file a report of what happened.”

Aryan looked back to where the girl was.

“The girl….”

“I’m sorry. But she died.”

Aryan covered his eyes with a hand, rubbing them in disbelief.

He felt a hand on his arm urging him towards the Jeep and allowed himself to be led.

*********************************

Long lashes fluttered. Her eyelids opened and closed a few times before finally staying open. Slowly her eyes tracked across the ceiling down the walls and around the room.

Cold. White. She shivered.

Where was she?

Wherever she was, she was alone for the moment, she mused as she took stock of her surroundings.

Tired already, she closed her eyes. Her head throbbed. She tried to retrieve her last memory.

She remembered sitting desolately under a tree outside a temple in Mumbai. When it had begun raining she’d darted out from under the tree and looked for another residential area to sleep in for the night.

Just as she’d begun to cross the road to her destination, a bright light had flashed.

Her eyes snapped open.

“Ah… you’re awake!” A nurse beamed at her.

She replied in Marathi.

“Attach uthale (I just woke up).”

“Marathi? Hmmm… Sunita Shinde.” The nurse replied in Marathi too. “I’m the nurse here in APIMS. I didn’t know you could speak Marathi too.”

“Ka nahi (Why wouldn’t I)?” Her voice sounded hoarse.

“Well…with your last name…” Nurse Shinde looked puzzled.

She frowned. “My last name…..Mhanje? Mala kalalenahi? (Meaning? I don’t understand?)”

“Never mind. Let me go and alert your family.”

“My ….family? Please…..no!!” She grasped the nurse’s wrist.

“Why not?” The nurse covered her hand with hers.

“I….just that….please…“ She looked around, troubled.

Nurse Shinde patted her hand gently.

“He brought you here. Visits you at least once every day. True, he does not stay for long….but….”

“He…?” She looked puzzled.

“Your…” The door opened and Nurse Shinde looked over her shoulder.

“Speaking of….may you live a hundred years, sir!!”

She peered around Nurse Shinde to get a glimpse of her visitor. Nurse Shinde gently slipped her hand off and turned to walkaway.

She still could not get a full look at him. The man had followed Nurse Shinde out and all she saw was his back.

She closed her eyes and pictured him.

Tall. A navy blue shirt that seemed to stretch taut across his broad back. Dark hair. Long legs. Who was …he?

About to drift off to sleep, she heard the door open again and footsteps approached her bed.

With effort, she opened her eyes and slid her gaze towards him.

Her breath caught.

A blinding flash of light. She froze, unable to move, heard the loud skid of brakes and …..darkness. Rain pelted her face as she stared at the cloudy dark skies.

A face peered at her. Dark hair that fell acros shis forehead, blood dripping from his brow.

“What’s your name?” His urgent voice echoed in her ears.

He lowered himself to sit beside her.

Her eyes followed his movement, before she lifted her lashes to look at his face.

“The nurse says you just woke up.” His tone was clipped, his expression strained.

She nodded mutely. There was an awkward silence between them. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

Unable to help herself, she reached out trembling fingers and touched his interlocked hands.

He frowned and drew back from her touch.

She quickly withdrew her hand and tentatively looked up at his face.

He looked unhappy. His glance slid away from her and looked around the room.

“Dev.” She whispered.

His head whipped around and his eyes narrowed.

“What did you call me?”

She swallowed. Why was he ….angry? He’d begged her to live the other night….hadn’t he?

“Dev.” She said softly, reaching out again to touch his hand.

His eyes flashed stormily.

“Aryan. I’m not Dev.”

He was scaring her. But he was the only kind man she’d met in a very long time. Dev - short for Devdoot, an angel in Marathi.

Bravely, she curved her lips in what she hoped was a smile and not a grimace.

“Look. I don’t want to play games.” Dev sighed “I …..don’t think we have anything left to salvage.”

Her brow furrowed. What was he talking about?

“To that end I’ve already filed for a divorce.”

Her brows quickly drew together, deeper.

“Divorce?” She croaked out.

He looked at her strangely.

“If it’s with mutual agreement, the proceedings won’t take long.”

“But….”

He held up a hand.

“I’m sorry, Madhu.”

She looked around her, then back at him.

“This is a mistake, Dev.” She felt relieved. He’d walked into the wrong room. Sure, it hurt that he wasn’t here to see her but…

“I’ve told you before. I’m not your Dev. There is no mistake.”

“Who’s Madhu?”

Aryan narrowed his eyes and shot daggers at her. She sank back further.

“WTF is this new game, Madhu?”

“Not a game, D-de…. Aryan. B-but I’m not M-m-adhu.” She stammered.

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(By Aarthi_01)

(By RSBS)

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