Chapter 7
Prisoner to his intense eyes, captive of his muscular hands, hostage against the wall, Panchali had never felt more liberated, more free in her life. She tasted the salt of his blood as he massaged his thumb over her lips, the thumb went ahead pushing against the skin of her cheek. She knew her lipstick was probably smudged around the edges. Without having even touched her, he was making her look like she had woken up after a passionate love making. His harsh breathing, told how uncontrolled he felt, his eyes full of passion never left her lips, and his lips were almost touching hers. She could feel his struggle, and it made her feel powerful.
"Why does it always happen" she asked mesmerized by his personality.
"What...?" he asked not really paying attention to her words.
"This blood" She said holding his hand to the front so that he could see it too.
He looked at his hand confused, as if he had forgotten about it altogether.
"Why is it that you bleed whenever I am around" She asked, and tears started rolling out of her eyes.
His heart tightened, he did not realize it, but seeing tears in her eyes was the last thing he ever wanted. He bent down and softly kissed her tears away. "My blood is OK, but never your tears. Never let them flow" He told her, but her eyes won't listen to him. The droplets of salty water came out running as she submitted to gentleness of this rugged being. He smiled sadly and wiped her tears again with back of his hand.
Panchali stopped him mid-way, "Now your blood has mixed with my tears, you can't separate them anymore" She told him looking deeply in his eyes.
Arjun realized that this was the second time in his life when he felt resigned. Strong emotions, the kind that could swipe away your sanity and turn you into a person incapable of living in normal world swelled through him. He was scared. The last time it had happened, he had decided to never allow emotions in his heart again, but now he realized it was too late. It was too late to run away from her, it was too late to push her away. Every part of his body told him that she was his, and he would never be able to see her as someone else's.
Panchali couldn't guess his thoughts, she broke the silence shyly "I don't even know your name" She felt silly asking such a question after all they had done together.
He laughed out loud, tears of mirth started coming through his eyes. Panchali felt embarrassed and she started hitting him on the chest. He grabbed her hand in one quick motion and brought her fully close to himself. Panchali felt the hit as she collided against his body. She looked down as looking at him was suddenly difficult. "I don't know your name either" he said, and he kissed her above her head. "But does it matter" He asked.
No, it did not - Thought Panchali. They were coming together unusually, all boundaries breaking between them - the virtual strangers!
But she was curious, and her curiosity brought her to their encounter of the day. "Why did you come here" She asked him in such familiarity, as a wife would do.
Suddenly Arjun was reminded of purpose of his visit. "To meet someone" he answered
Panchali got even more curious "Male or female" She asked, not wanting to hear female as his answer.
"A female - someone very important to me" he answered teasingly. Panchali did not realize it, but the devil was working on rising her jealousy.
"Is she beautiful" Panchali asked suddenly feeling very insecure
"Very beautiful" answered Arjun.
Panchali pushed him away. "So you must wait for her, I need to go" She told him angrily.
"Are you angry" he asked in teasing voice
"Why would I be angry? You do your business, I will do mine. I also came to meet someone here" Saying that Panchali stomped away.
Karan hoped his brothers' meeting with Panchali went well. He wanted the two of them to be good friends. He closed his eyes to see that peaceful dream again - a husband, a wife, living together in a single house, having a kid, and lots of laughter. But when he opened his eyes, he was not happy. The peaceful dream gave him turmoil, it killed his enthusiasm, and it built walls of apprehension around his heart. He wanted to escape from that instinct, but he could not. He hoped his brother would solve things for him.
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