SD SS: Love In Flight - Part 8 - Final Upd 31/5.10 - Page 4

Angry at himself, Sharad stood in the rain and wondered what the hell did he just do? He walked out on Diva and why? Because he couldn't get his head around that she lied to him? But he hadn't exactly given her a chance to explain. Instead he just pounded her with questions and left like some pathetic boy, too hurt and angry to stay and figure what was going on. He was still mad, and he couldn't believe she lied, "but for god's sake Malhotra what is your problem?" he asked himself wearily. "You teased her with Melanie, right? Never saying she was your girlfriend, but the implication was there if Diva wanted to take it. And the minute she mentioned dufus!, you went nuts. You couldn't think of anything else and look where's it gotten you. In the rain, talking to yourself! Hell, forget not forgiving her, she probably won't ever forgive you!" he thought, panic beginning to creep in.

But even as he thought it, he knew it wasn't true. Divyanka was the most forgiving person he knew, sometimes too much so. But after what he had done, he wasn't quite so sure she would actually want to forgive him. But he knew, he had to try, and right now, before it was too late. Trudging back to Diva's apartment, he had no idea what he was going to say. If she would even open the door to him, that panic suddenly ballooning in his chest to squeeze out all the air. His steps slowing even more as he wondered if she did open the door. Would she even let him get past it? Give him a chance to explain? What if she just ignored him? What if she told him to go away and slammed the door in his face?, his gut churning sickeningly at the thought. Scraping back his wet hair, he gave a disgusted snort. "Jesus Malhotra, you're going to make yourself crazy before you even get there!" Pushing aside the panic, ignoring churning, he squared his shoulders in determination and sprinted up the stairs to the entrance of the building. Praying fervently that Diva would let him in - and listen - as he pushed open the door and headed to her apartment.

"Stop sniveling Divyanka! Get up and deal with the terrible mess you've made of everything" trying to sound stern, but failing miserably. She sounded more like a frog with laryngitis, her throat raw from all the tears. At least the crying jag was over, but she was still on the floor. Her cheek was numb and the shivering was making her teeth chatter. Plus, her legs were aching from being pulled up so tightly to her chest and her head was pounding. But still, she couldn't seem to find the energy, or the desire move. She really didn't care if she never moved off the cold tiles. Sharad was gone, he wasn't going to forgive her. Her world had gone dark, and it was all her fault. What was the point of getting up? To moving on? For what? To what? Tears drying on her cheeks, she closed her eyes and drifted into the bleakness, sleep easier than facing what had happened and dealing with the consequences.

Sharad sucked in a deep breath, held it and knocked softly. He let go of it with a hard whoosh, a sad frown creasing his forehead when there was no answer. Though he told himself it was a possibility, he hadn't really believed that Diva wouldn't answer the door. Knocking again, he leaned close to the door, "Diva, open up. Please. I promise not to yell anymore." The vee between his brows deepened when there was no response. "Come on Diva. We need to talk, get all this, this stupid drama straightened out." Sharad knocked again, harder. "Dammit Diva! Open the door!" Not getting an answer had him reaching for the doorknob in frustration. Surprise had him almost landing on his face when the door opened so easily. Hanging onto the door jamb he expected to see Diva, arms crossed and lips pursed, issuing a sardonic "Well?" But she wasn't standing there, and the room was almost eerily quiet.

A soft hitching sound got his attention and when he rounded the couch, he saw Divyanka. Curled in a tight ball, still and pale. In that moment he understood what the term "scared shitless" meant. Then told himself to calm down when he saw her take in a shaky breath and realized that was the hitching sound he had heard. Kneeling beside her, his heart clenched tightly. He didn't know if he should try to wake her, pick her up or call someone to help. He was even willing to call dufus, if he could find the number. Anything was better than seeing Diva like this. She looked so small and defenseless, and hurting, all because of him. Divyanka whimpered softly, stopping his little pity party instantly. He slid an arm under her and gently brought her up to rest against him. He could feel how cold she was when she laid her cheek against his skin, in between the open collar of his shirt, rubbing it against the warmth of his skin. A shivery tingle skipping up his spine at the contact as she nestled closer. When she hiccuped a soft sob, his body clenched, as if absorbing her pain. He rocked her gently, slowly, smoothing his lips over her temple. Whispering softly, soothingly "it's okay baby, shhhhh", trying to lull her back into a deeper, easier sleep.

He wasn't sure how long he sat with Divyanka cuddled against him, but it was long enough for his clothes to dry to a sticky dampness. And his arms to stiffen, cramp and then just go numb. He would be happy to hold her all night, but she would probably be more comfortable lying on the couch, or on her bed. But he didn't want to wake her either. And, if he admitted to himself, he was afraid she would make him leave if he did; he didn't know if he could do that - leave her again. "I want so badly to tell you how much I love you Diva. How very much in love I am with you. And like a fool, I didn't recognize it, until you stared talking about imaginary dufus. Hell! How could I be so - damn - blind?" he muttered. His anger was gone, but not the hurt and frustration. The hurt of being deceived and knowing he had caused just as much hurt in return. Frustration that he had not handled everything, from the beginning, better.

When Divyanka rubbed against him and made whispery mewling sounds, as if telling him in her sleep, she felt safe and contented in his arms, he had to grit his teeth. She was so warm and soft, all lush curves and jasmine. When she moved against him again, trying to get even closer to his warmth, Sharad had to suppress a shudder of desire. Damn! That woman had no idea what she could do to him, and was doing to him. He had to get her on that couch now, otherwise, things were going to get very ... awkward! He tried to gently Divyanka so he could lift her, but instead, he woke her. She blinked several times, as if things were just a bit blurry as she looked up at him. He could tell for just that moment she wasn't quite sure he was actually there. Then whispered "Sha-rad?" hesitantly before trying to scramble away from him. He held on tightly to stop her from falling, saying quietly "easy Diva. I didn't mean to startle you."

"Wha-what are you doing. Doing here?" she corrected. He could see the surprise, and the apprehension, in those beautiful dark eyes of hers. He had never seen Diva uneasy with him before. It hurt him to know he was the cause. "Let me go, umm, up Sharad, please" she asked quietly. And still he didn't want to let her out of his arms, to let any distance come between them. "Only if you promise me we can talk if I do." "And if I don't want to talk?" she asked a bit acerbically. "Then I suggest you get comfortable Diva" and scooted back towards the couch, leaning against the front of it. "Sharad, this is silly, let me up", a brief frown veeing her eyebrows inward. "Nope. Gave you a choice Diva. And I'm not taking any chances now, sorry. Besides, I'm enjoying the feel of you in my arms baby" he said softly, dipping his head to brush his mouth across hers. His mouth crooked at the corner when her eyes widened at the contact. Then took advantage of her lips parting in surprise, and deepened the kiss. Groaning at the feel of her plump lips parting wider for him, he let himself sink into the sweet lushness.

He delved and played, his tongue stroking slowly over hers, then retreating until she moaned softly. When she responded shyly, he encouraged her to play too, coaxing and teasing. There was no urgency - just this kiss. He loved her taste, sweet, heady, intoxicating. As Diva twisted against him, he pushed his hands into her hair, bunching the satiny locks in his fists. Pulling back, he skimmed kisses over her mouth, cheeks, eyes, then traced back. He couldn't get enough of that silky mouth of hers, so tempting and beguiling in it's innocent response. He smoothed his lips over hers, brushing back and forth softly, slowly, hoping to tempt her into deepening the kiss. When she did, it was his turn to utter a growl of approval. She nipped at his bottom lip, sucking gently before shyly seeking out his tongue. Tangling and taunting, she dived into the kiss and practically blew the top of his head off. It was erotic and urgent. Divyanka became the aggressor, not giving him a chance to respond, just taking. And Sharad let her, riding the wave of sensations that had his head spinning and his senses swimming in a sea of arousal.

Reluctant as he was to stop, the barely holding onto sanity part of his brain was saying "stop, stop before you're both in over your heads!" It would be easy, so easy, to just let their bodies take over and drown them both in pleasure. But, whatever momentary pleasure they would find in each other would only make everything more difficult too. So, as difficult as it was to do, he eased back from Diva. Completely understanding that dazed look in her eyes, because his sweet Diva packed quite the punch, and his senses were still reeling. When reality kicked in for Divyanka, she ducked her head, her cheeks hot and tinged red with embarrassment. But, Sharad immediately lifted her chin. "Don't, don't be embarrassed or sorry Diva" he said softly. "And besides, with the sexy way you were kissing me, I could barely think. His mouth crooking at the corner, a gentle gleam of humor in his eyes. "God knows I didn't want to stop. But, we need to talk, get things out in the open and straightened out", seriousness entering back in his voice. Blushing even more hotly, Divyanka tried to get hold of herself. He had surprised her, bemused her and then taken her right out of her head, and she had willingly followed.

Scooting away, as much to regain her composure as the need to put just a bit of space between them, she mimicked his position against the couch. Fiddling with the end of her pallu, pleating and bunching it nervously. She looked over at him quickly, then back at her fingers, silent and unsure. Quietly he said "I'm sorry for being such an ass earlier Diva. It really threw me for a loop when I realized you had lied to me. But that was no reason for my reacting like, well, a hurt kid and storming out" he shrugged in embarrassment. "I'm really very sorry I yelled at you too. And, I didn't mean what I said either, about not forgiving you. It's just, honestly, I was so shocked and hurt, I wasn't thinking. Will you forgive me for such a total bhuddhu?" Holding his ears, the corner of his corner of his mouth lifting briefly, before becoming serious again.

"I, ummm, I guess I should explain too" she began hesitatingly. Though he never moved from his seemingly casual slouch, Sharad's body stiffened as a ball of tension formed in his gut. Though he tried to hide it, she felt him stiffen. His eyes changed too, losing the playful, slightly humorous gleam. Darkening, becoming more alert, flinty almost. She prayed he would understand, though she wasn't sure he would, because she still had no idea why she had lied and made up "David". Sighing, she shifted nervously, then stilled when Sharad took her hand. "It'll be all right" he said quietly, bringing her hand up to brush a kiss across her knuckles. "Just tell me Diva", sliding his fingers between hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. When she looked at him, she saw the hard look in his eyes was gone. They were that warm, rich chocolate that always made her want to melt. Which made her mouth tilt at the corner. She had always thought it funny, she was the one that went all gooey soft when his eyes became the color of dark, luxuriant chocolate. "I could drown in all that decadence" she thought dreamily, leaning towards him unconsciously. "Diva, if you keep looking at me like that, we won't be doing any talking" his voice rough and deep, sending a sensuous shiver up her spine.

Straightening, Divyanka cleared her throat softly. Head down, and untangling her fingers from his, she plucked the end of her pallu again. "I don't know why I, I ... invented "David" she said softly. "You were going on and on about how wonderful Melanie is, how beautiful she is, and how the two of you had gotten so close. I could hear in your voice how much you, you lo-lo-love her", stammering over those last two words as she tried to swallow back tears. Then continued hurriedly as Sharad opened his mouth to speak, sure he was going to interrupt to defend muffin head. "And then, when you asked if I had met anyone, I was already feeling, I don't know ... strange. There was this sudden tension, and awkwardness between us" she shrugged not sure how to explain it. "Before I could work up my courage to tell you it was a silly joke, you asked his name" she trailed off. Feeling acutely feeling embarrassed to tell him why. "Then, well, I saw David Beckham." "David Beckham!?" Sharad interjected, totally confused. "We, uh, we passed a billboard with David Beckham on it. You don't remember it? It was huge! I thought for sure you were get the connection when I blurted out "David!" so suddenly, and start laughing." She had to clamp down the urge to squirm as Sharad stared at her, as if she were completely insane.

"You made up some guy, just to make me crazy, all because of a David Beckham billboard?!" surprise and disbelief mingling. Then repeated slowly "Dav-id Beck-ham!", laughter beginning to shake his voice as the ridiculousness of the situation hit him. "No!" she said swiftly. Adding "I certainly did not!"crossly when he said "uh huh, sure" and raised his brow skeptically. Then stuttering a bit defensively she said "and, and, well, wha-what did you expect?" Ending with an indignant "humpf", her face flushing hotly. "You just went on and on about how wonderful muffin head was! How beautiful her eyes were, what a doll she was" she said in a snide sing-song tone. Then realizing her mistake, muttered "err, Melanie" quickly. Her mouth pursing primly as Sharad sputtered "muf-fin head"? "All this happened just because you were jealous of my mentioning a friend I made in L.A.?" incredulity making him shake his head slowly. "Nahi" she whispered, "not jealous. Because she's the woman you're in love with" almost choking on the words, and tears. "Wh-a, wait, what? You think I'm in love with Melanie?!" Sharad practically shouted.

It was her turn to be skeptical as she muttered "well aren't you? You couldn't stop talking about her. You just had to tell me all about your "pixie firecracker!" she said snottily, wagging her head back and forth. Then felt contrite. It wasn't Sharad's fault she was so jealous of beautiful Melanie, the name a sad sigh in her head this time. Finally, the light dawning like a bulb bursting in his head, he smacked his forehead loudly. "Hai Bhagwan, we're both crazy, absolutely crazy!" he growled and pulled a shocked Divyanka onto his lap. "Did I ever say I was in love with her?" he grumbled at her. But before she could stammer out an answer, he was grumbling at her again. "For god's sake Div, how could you think I was in love with Melanie?" shaking her gently. "How in the world could I be? I'm so in love with you I can barely think straight you idiot woman!" his voice rough with irritation, giving her a not so gentle shake this time. Then pressed his forehead to hers with a sigh, hugging her close. Her mouth gaped open, but she was too astounded and overwhelmed to speak.

He eased back and haltingly asked "aren't, aren't you going to say something, anything Diva?", almost afraid to hear her response. Then, when what he said sank in, all her emotions rose up to hit her at once. She wanted to smack him for making her think he was in love with muffin head, she wanted to grab him and just hold on, she wanted to laugh crazily like the idiot woman he called her, she wanted to smother him with kisses of happiness. But instead, she gave into the first urge and smacked him on the arm, not so gently either. "Ow, hey!" he yelped, more in surprise, than because it hurt. But when she pulled back to look at him, her beautiful eyes shining, and misty with tears. That plump lush mouth curving into a sweet, joyous smile, and she whispered "I'm in love with you too. I love you so very much my darling Sharu", he could only stare in wonder. Then his eyes lit with laughter and his mouth curved into that sexy crooked smile when she said teasingly "now stop talking and kiss me you daft man!" He let out a loud elated whoop of joyous laughter to match her smile and happily complied, sealing her parted lips with his.

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