Thanks for being so patient everyone as I dealt with my writer's block. 🤢 Please forgive the shortness -I'm still trying to get back into the "rhythm" of writing longer updates. Hope you enjoy! 😊
UPDATED: 6-10/09
Part Five:
Standing in the doorway, feeling awkward, again, Sharad grimaced. "Why is she behaving so strangely?" he thought. "Hell, we both are!" he muttered. Then looked over at Divyanka to see if she had heard him. Relieved she hadn't, Sharad sighed, running stiff fingers through his hair to the back of his neck, rubbing hard at the tension knotting the muscles. Divyanka was caught up in her own musings. "What is wrong with me? Why can't I just behave normally around him? I realize I'm in love with Sharad, she pulled in a soft stuttered breath, and suddenly I behave like a silly girl?" Thoughts scrambling around so fast in her head, she couldn't keep up. Occupied with telling herself not to be such a ninny, Divyanka never heard Sharad approach. "Diva" he said softly against her neck. Jumping at the sound of her name, a shiver ran over her as his warm breath whispered over her nape. His hands braced on either side of her on the counter, she could feel the damp heat of him against her back. Snapping her head around, her cheek smacked right into Sharad's chin. Hard enough to have both of them wincing at the contact. Jerking back and seesawing off balance, she started to tip to the side. Slipping his arms around her, he pressed his body into her, pinning her gently against the counter. Gingerly leaning his chin on her shoulder, he chuckled softly. "Quite the graceful pair, aren't we? You seemed so far away. I tried not to startle you" he explained. "Sorry Diva" sheepishly shrugging with a boyish grin.
As if drawn by a magnet, his eyes rested on that secret spot just below her ear. Exposed by her pulled back hair, braided in a long, thick tail. "It's just too tempting" he thought, unable to resist. He brushed a soft kiss over the satiny skin, letting his lips linger for a moment. His fingers slipped slowly under the front fold of her pallu, to rest against her stomach. He felt, rather than heard, her suck in a quiet breath as they splayed out against her silky skin. Pulse racing, Divyanka could barely breathe, closing her eyes slowly at his gentle touch. "Sh-Sha-rad?" his name a hesitant whisper. "Shhh baby. It's all right. Let me, please" he groaned huskily. He traced over it again, loving the warm feel of her skin under his lips. Divyanka unconsciously leaned back against him, turning her head slightly to give him better access. He remembered the day he had discovered it while shooting a scene. "Amar and Divya were "romancing" according to the script. Amar was to lean in to kiss her, but at the last moment, Divya quickly turns her head, feeling shy". Sharad grinned against her skin for a moment, recalling how Divyanka had gasped quietly in reaction when his lips skimmed over that delicate vulnerable spot. And he knew, instantly, that it wasn't "Divya reacting", but Divyanka. It was the way she had pulled in a quick surprised breath and felt a shiver shimmy over her. Eyes confused and slightly glazed, she had almost stepped back. Her personal, natural reaction mirroring what Divya might have done exactly. But she had stopped just in time, or she would have ruined the "scene" between Amar and Divya. His stomach clenched as his arms had tightened around her. Her lush mouth had parted slightly with her reaction, the pink tip of her tongue darting out to moistened them. He didn't know why, or where, the impulse came from that day. All he knew was, he had been compelled to again, slowly, softly smooth his tongue slowly over that sweet, ultra-sensitive spot. And just like today, she had been still and lovely in his arms, making his heart thump heavily as heat spread through him, slow and sinuous.
Nuzzling his cheek against the loose tendrils at her temple, he sighed quietly. "What are we gonna do about this Diva?", the words a bare whisper. Divyanka
's eyes popped open at his quiet question. She had been so lost in his touch, the feel of his lips caressing her skin, that she forgot everything, but being held by Sharad. He was pressed so closely, the damp from his clothes was seeping into the back of her sari. When Sharad whispered butterfly kisses over the slender curve of her neck, she lost the ability to speak. When his lips trailed across the skin exposed by her choli, pulling down the material to nip at the apple of her shoulder, she forgot how to breathe. And when he turned her in his arms, his eyes hot and fierce and pressed his forehead to hers, she lost the ability to think. And she didn't, she just surrendered with a tremulous sigh, sliding her arms around his waist. Lowering his mouth very slowly to hers, he waited for her to protest. When she didn't, he sipped very gently at her mouth. Slowly, slowly, slowly savoring the silk of her lips, flicking his tongue at the curve. He traced over her mouth, teasing and tantalizing her, tempting and enticing her to part those plump, trembling lips so he could taste her sweetness fully. Savoring every drop as it danced on his tongue. "My ears are ringing" Divyanka thought dazedly "his kisses are so hot and potent."
Then felt a bit foolish as she heard Sharad's low growl of irritation as he fumbled for his phone in his back pocket. She felt immensely relieved at the interruption, and that she didn't have to answer his question. Because she had absolutely no idea what she would say to him, how to answer his question. He didn't move away from her, just yanked the phone to his ear and grumbled "what!?" impatiently. Immediately his tone changed as he murmured "Umar, hi. Yes, just got back today. L.A. was fantastic!", nodding absently at something Umar said in response. "Diva? Oh, uh, yeah sure, I can, ummm, get hold of her." A smile cracking his lips as he gazed down at her, sneaky fingers skimming over the small of her back. His chestnut eyes glinted with subdued heat and wry humor. Divyanka shook her head at him trying to feign annoyance, her eyes narrowing. But when he lightly pinched her cheek and gave a loose tendril a soft yank before pushing it behind her ear, she couldn't stop her lips from curving upwards at his playfulness. "Sure Umar, I'll check with Diva to see if she wants to go to dinner. I'll call you after I talk to her." Divyanka wanted to slide away from Sharad, take a minute, or ten, to gather her senses. But he had nestled his hand back at the small of her back, tracing circles against her skin absently as the call continued. Divyanka turned her head slightly to the side, her eyes closed tightly as she tried to control the quivering in her stomach. She didn't think she could remain this close to him for very much longer. Biting her lip, she concentrated on keeping that quiver from spreading up her spine. Her resolve liquefying with each slow sweep of his fingers. Unable to stand the sensuous torture any longer, she reached behind to grasp Sharad's hand, intending to move it away. If she didn't, she was afraid she'd end up a boneless heap on the floor. But he slid his fingers in between hers, entwining their hands. Holding the phone away from his ear he brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. His smile sweet and gentle as he held their clasped hands against his chest and carried on his conversation with Umar.
Fighting the urge to just lean into Sharad's body and lay her head against his shoulder, Divyanka pushed against it with their clasped hands instead. Distracted, he just readjusted their hands, tightening his grip. Hoping to get his attention, without alerting Umar she was with Sharad, she tried to nudge his foot with hers. Forgetting she was barefooted and he was still wearing shoes. Misjudging, she stubbed her toe on the end of his shoe. Yanking her foot up, she bit her lip to stop the groan of pain. Divyanka's gyrations finally got his attention and he quickly ended the call. "What are you doing Diva?" he asked, frowning. "I was trying to, uh, ummm, give you some, uh privacy" she muttered, rubbing her foot on the back of her calf as she held onto his waist for support. No way was she going to tell him she had been so affected by his touch, she had to move or melt against him. "Privacy? It was just Umar, why would I want privacy?" he asked, genuinely surprised. "Well how do I know, it was your call" she huffed, removing her hands. "Maybe you had guy stuff to discuss." Dipping her head, she grumbled "you know, uh, like muffin, err, Melanie. Guys love to discuss their women!" Sharad furrowed his brow, wondering if he had heard Diva correctly. So maybe Diva was feeling a bit ... jealous? Glad that her head was still lowered, he let a slow satisfied smile tilt the corner of his mouth. "Only fair, he thought, "because I wanted to rip off Kishen's head off for touching her." Then his smile flattened out as his shoulders dropped a bit. That devil on his shoulder was back, only this time he was taunting him. "Why would Diva be jealous, she has David."
Not understanding why he wanted to torture himself, he let the devil taunt him into asking "why don't you call duf, err, David, clenching his teeth as he said the name, to join us for dinner. I'm sure Umar would like to meet him too." Divyanka's head snapped up so quickly she would have clipped Sharad's chin again if he hadn't already stepped back. Startled, Divyanka couldn't stop from stuttering "Da-Dav-id? Oh, um, no!" shaking her head in denial at the same time. "Come on Diva, we're going to have to meet him sometime, why not tonight?" Sharad couldn't believe he was pushing so hard at this, but he just couldn't stop himself. Better to meet duf, err, David now, than wait any longer. He wanted to meet the man that Diva might ... he couldn't bring himself to say, let alone think it. But he made himself anyway, love. He felt his stomach tighten painfully at the thought, and the word. His headache was coming back too. Sharad ran a hand through his hair, down to the back of his neck, rubbing at the tension building there. Too preoccupied with her own thoughts, Divyanka didn't catch the signs of Sharad's disturbance. She was too panicked at the idea of having to actually produce "David"! "Hai Bhagwan, what did I get myself into with this insane lie to Sharad" she moaned silently. She didn't want to lie to Sharad, she never wanted to lie to him! But she had, and now she had to explain her lie - David. She grimaced at how stupidly she had behaved. Letting jealousy and hurt cloud her judgement, cloud her good sense. She knew she would have to tell him the truth, she just wasn't sure she would be able to stand how hurt Sharad was going to be, knowing that she had lied to him. And she knew he would be hurt. He trusted her as he trusted few people. After Banoo Main Teri Dulhann took off and became so popular, Sharad had stepped back from everyone a bit. He had to, there were so many who wanted a piece of his fame, of him. After being burned by some friends and colleagues, he was very careful about who he trusted implicitly. Divyanka had always been proud of that fact that she was one of those "few people". "But now, will Sharad still feel the same? Will we still be even just friends after I tell him?" she thought, shuddering inwardly.
Attributing Diva's shudder to her sari becoming damp and cold, Sharad apologized. "Sorry Div, I should have changed out of these wet clothes." Divyanka frowned, looking down at her sari, but not really seeing it. "Look, why don't you go freshen up, call duf, err, David about coming to dinner with us. His heart jerked at the thought of seeing Diva with that guy. "But what can I do?" he thought, rubbing a hand over his chest as if in pain. "I'll call Umar and tell him Du-avid will be coming too. That way we can all catch up at once. I'll, umm, pointing towards the guest room, I'll shower and change; and then call Umar to find out where we're all going to meet. Okay?" Nodding reluctantly, she admitted to herself she was just a bit glad at getting a reprieve from telling Sharad the truth. But, she was going to have to confess, and soon! It wasn't like she could conjure up some guy to pretend to be David. She paused for a micro second thinking about that, then smacked her forehead as she entered her bedroom. "No Divyanka! No more lies!" she muttered, leaning against the closed door. Raising a brow in surprise, Sharad watched Divyanka walk away; an absent nod, her only acknowledgment to his suggestion. Closing the door to the guest room Sharad wondered out loud "why is she behaving so strangely? And why is she so reluctant for me to meet dufus?" he wondered curiously. Sharad grinned wryly at the juvenile satisfaction he got in calling David that out loud. But it hadn't escaped his notice the Diva acted oddly every time he mentioned the guy. "Well, at least I'll finally get to find out for myself what she sees in this dufus guy at dinner" he grumbled and headed for the shower.
Both were having similar thoughts as they dressed for dinner, but for totally different reasons. Divyanka was becoming more and more nervous as time slipped away and having to tell Sharad the truth fast approached. And Sharad was becoming more and more anxious to meet Du-avid. "Quit calling him that!" he admonished, annoyed at himself. He had to quit thinking of the guy like that, or he knew he would slip up and call him dufus when they met later. Sighing and pushing a hand through his hair, he questioned whether having Diva ask D-avid to go to dinner with them was such a good idea. Things were already awkward, and weird, between he and Diva right now. Did he really want to add that guy to the mix? Having second, and third thoughts, he shrugged wearily. It was too late now to worry about, Diva surely had already called and invited him to dinner with them. Sharad sat on the edge of the bed, the shoe he had been about to slip on dangling from his fingers, forgotten. He grimaced at the pain starting to pound steadily in his head, roll sickeningly in his stomach, and tightening in his chest. He didn't think he could stand going to dinner. Not now, not having to see Diva with him, and pretend everything was fine, when it wasn't! He threw the shoe across the room, a grim smile appearing as it banged loudly against the wall, leaving a black streak against the pristine white paint. He was angry at himself, and at Diva, and Fate. He was tied in knots. He had never felt this way before, until today, until he kissed Diva. He was a spring wound too tight, just waiting explode. He had been feeling on top of the world not so long ago with Diva in his arms. Now he was feeling a kind of despair he never imagined at the thought of seeing her with David. He groaned as the image of Diva in a faceless mans arms crowded into his head, searing into his brain. "What the hell is wrong with me" he growled. "Just the thought of David makes me maniacal, and I wanted to kill Kishen earlier for touching Diva, even though it was only in friendship." Dropping his face into his hands and scrubbing roughly, he wondered what the hell he was going to do about all these emotions churning and burning inside him like a volcano about to erupt.
Divyanka, ashamed to admit, spent the last few minutes getting ready trying to think up excuses as to why "David" couldn't come to dinner. She almost felt sick at the thought of telling Sharad the truth. It was all she could do to hold back the tears that threatened each time she thought of his disappointment in her, and worse, his pain at realizing she had lied to him, purposefully deceived him. Divyanka plopped down on the edge of the bed, staring blindly at her bare feet. She just didn't think she could do it. Go to dinner with Sharad and Umar, and pretend. Oh God! Umar, she would have to lie to him too! Blinking rapidly, she tried to swallow back the tears suddenly clogging her throat. Dropping her face into her hands, Divyanka began to cry softly, tears slowly dripping in between her fingers. As tears streamed down her cheeks, she rocked and moaned, pain stabbing at her fiercely. She loved him so much! She barely had a chance to digest all these scary, crazy, wonderful emotions she had discovered. And already she may have ruined things between she and Sharad, before she ever got a chance to even tell him she loved him. Her body stiff and hurting as the sharp ache of sadness and regret joined the pain. Her shoulders shaking with misery, she continued to quietly sob. Too wrapped in her pain and despair to hear the loud thud of Sharad's shoe against the wall.
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Edited by fire_woman - 15 years ago
