SS: Dheere Dheere Se - ArDhika + NeSam ~ 2/13/16 p63 - Page 37

Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.

**No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the characters but storylines are my own.

Chapter 15: Sun Saathiya

Arjun fixed his sleeves as he exited the bathroom and walked down the hallway heading back towards the living room. He took a deep breath and smiled at the fragrant aroma of daal and fried garlic potatoes. "Dinner is almost ready," Radhika greeted with a toothy grin.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Arjun asked noticing the floured island countertop and her hands on the roller. "I told you not to trouble yourself."

"I know, but it really doesn't take that long to make chapatis. And trust me this daal and chapati just go really well together. Anyways, I've already rolled out a few so might as well let me finish the rest. Just have a seat in the living room and watch some TV."

Ignoring her words he walked into the kitchen and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm fine. Go sit down Arjun Sir."

"No seriously Radhika I want to help. I mean you're making dinner for both of us."

"It's nothing. I was going to make dinner anyways. It's the least I can do for driving us."

"We had to go because of work."

"But still," she replied with a smile. "But if you insist on helping. You think you can cut some cucumber and carrot slices?"

"Cucumber and carrots?"

"I'm sorry...maybe that was too much to ask," she replied recalling the time they had been trapped in the office. She had cut the vegetables while he had taken charge of assembling the chaat sandwiches. "You don't cook much do you? So I don't suppose you have that much experience in the kitchen."

"You'd be surprised..." Arjun answered and opened the fridge to get the vegetables out. "I use to help my mother out in the kitchen. Slicing cucumbers and carrots is my specialty."

Radhika gently chuckled. "The cutting board is over there. So any dishes you can cook then?"

Arjun paused in his peeling and gave a pondering look. "Well, you know I can make delicious chaat sandwiches." He grinned at the way Radhika burst into giggles. He didn't know why but hearing her laughter brought about a calmness in him. It was the same feeling he had felt the night before. "I can make paneer tikka..."

"Really? You didn't mention this that night when we were talking about favorite foods."

"You asked me what I liked to eat not if I could cook," Arjun explained and ate a slice of cucumber.

"Arjun Sir now you have to make me paneer tikka," Radhika replied flipping the round chapati dough on the stove. "Anything else?"

"If I tell you anything more you'll ask me to cook that too."

"I won't make you."

"I can make khichdi...my mom made me learn it...so I could cook something for myself while in college...when I was sick or whenever I was hungry."

"Well, I'll pass on that. Unless of course when I'm sick," Radhika teased.

Arjun chuckled and finished plating the cucumbers and carrots. He then turned his attention to Radhika watching her flip chapatis. "Heh, my father use to help my mom in the kitchen when she made chapatis. "

"Oh really?"

"He really loved her chapatis," smiling at the memory, "They were really good. Pretty much everything my mom made was good."

"I probably won't be able to live up to your mom's cooking. But I assure you it is eatable."

"It all smells really good. I don't think I'll have to worry about that," Arjun replied. He then folded his arms and leaned against the countertop. He wondered what had possessed him to share these memories with her. He generally avoided talking about his parents with anyone outside of the family only because it led to questions and ultimately a recollection of painful memories for him.

"Almost done," Radhika informed. Arjun glanced up and saw her struggling to wipe away a strand of hair that kept falling into her face getting in the way of her vision. He walked over and reached out gently curving his finger along her cheek tucking the bothersome strand behind her ear. Radhika felt herself softly holding her breath at his actions. She cautiously turned towards him catching a hold of his gaze and uttered, "Thank you."

A light smile adorned his lips in return. "Don't burn the last one." Radhika's eyes widen and she quickly turned back to the chapati on the stove. She scooped it up and put it on the plate.

A few minutes later the dining room table was set and the hot serving dishes were placed on the trivets. Arjun reached for the serving spoon but saw it being taken before him. "You don't have to serve me Radhika. I can serve myself," he informed.

"But you're a guest Arjun Sir."

"Don't say that," Arjun replied but then sat back down and let himself be served. He looked down at the food on his plate and smiled. He didn't realize how hungry he had really been. As he torn a piece of hot lightly buttered chapati with his hand he was stopped by Radhika's sudden question. He looked up unable to believe the girl sitting in front of him. He had been wary at first when she had invited him up for coffee. He had refused initially but eventually he took her up on the invite as he was feeling tired from the drive. He also needed to stretch his legs a bit. The coffee soon turned into a dinner invitation. Truth be told he wanted to clear the air about the events of last night. He didn't want a misunderstanding to fester between them and make their relationship worse. It was bad enough with the mobile phone incident. But he was finding it hard to bring up the subject and considering what had happened in the car it was a sensitive subject matter. Subconsciously he knew she would find a way to talk about it and was simply waiting for her to ask again. And now that she had he felt like fleeing.

"Arjun Sir, why didn't you sleep in the bed last night? I've been thinking about it...I remember falling asleep on your shoulder. And I'm really sorry about that. But why didn't you just leave me on the couch? You said the bed was yours. Where did you sleep last night? On the couch in the bedroom or out in the living room?"

"Why is it so important to know where exactly I slept? I gave you the bed...because it was the right thing to do."

"Did anything else happen after that?"

"What do you mean?" Arjun replied. "I -um, answered your question."

"Something did happen...you can barely keep eye contact with me...please tell me what you remember."

Arjun put down the chapati piece and forced himself to look her. He could see the slow emergence of fear in her eyes and knew he needed to come clean. It was the right thing to do. She deserved to know the truth. "Before I say anything further please let me finish what I have to say before you say anything or react. Okay Radhika?" She nervously nodded her head in acceptance of his conditions and then waited patiently for him to begin. "So..."

Last Night - 18 Hours Ago

Arjun slowly opened his eyes wondering why there was light all around him. As his senses came to he realized he was still on the couch. He moved his right hand to rub his eyes only to feel a weight on his shoulder. He turned and saw Radhika's head curled against him while her arm wrapped around his waist fast asleep. He held his breath when he felt her mumble something and snuggle further into him. Her breathing gently fanned his neck spreading a nervous warmth inside his body. "Rad-Radhika..." he softly called. "Radhika..." When he didn't receive a response he carefully took the arm that was wrapped around his waist and moved it away. He then gingerly slipped his left arm underneath her legs and stood up from the couch carrying her in his arms. He was thankful she didn't wake up as he would have felt embarrassed trying to explain himself. She felt oddly light in his arms as he walked from the living room into the bedroom. He breathed a sigh of relief that the bed covers had already been pulled back from earlier in the day otherwise he wasn't sure how he was going to tuck her in bed without waking her.

Arjun tenderly placed her on the mattress. He had been successful in pulling his left arm back from underneath her legs but as he carefully slipped his right arm from her back Radhika turned and grabbed his left sleeve tightly. She moaned a disapproving sound not willing to let him go. "Radhika you should sleep."

"Don't go..."she mumbled.

Arjun's eyes went wide at her words. "I can't stand like this all night. Where do I sleep?" Arjun replied more to himself then to her. He knew she wasn't in her right senses. She was probably dreaming about something. He stood there amazed at the strength of her grip on his shirt. She wasn't going to let go at any cost. He sighed and muttered, "Well, if you move over I would have room." To his surprise she started to scoot the other way while her hand still held onto his shirt pulling him into bed. "Okay, but don't hate me tomorrow morning." Arjun said as he lay down. When he felt her hand release his shirt he rolled onto his back and attempted to leave the bed only to have Radhika's arm latch onto his waist and her head wander back to his chest. Arjun let out a chuckle, "So I'm more comfortable then a pillow?" He looked down and couldn't help but give a soft smile. There was something sweet and touching about being wanted so much like this. He tenderly moved her hair out of her face and then closed his eyes resigning himself to his fate.

Fifteen minutes later Arjun was awoken by Radhika's mumblings and stirring. "Radhika?" he asked in concern as he looked down. At that same exact time Radhika's head shifted upward causing her lips to land on his lips sealing them in a kiss. Arjun simply froze afraid to move. Radhika then moved her head away rolling to the other side. Arjun lay there unable to believe what had just happened. He swallowed hard and decided while he still had the chance he should leave the bed. It was too dangerous of a place for him. No sooner had the thought of escape entered his mind he felt Radhika's arm land on his stomach hard causing him to cough. Her fingers gripped into his shirt while her leg swung around and crossed his legs. Her head remained on her pillow this time but it seemed escape was impossible for him again. Arjun sighed wondering how he was going to make it through the night.

"Nothing happened after that. I fell asleep and when I woke up the next morning you were on your side of the bed and I was on mine. And well you know the rest...I went to take my shower and you woke up as I was walking out..." Arjun finished. He looked at her anxious for her thoughts on what he had just divulged.

"You-you kissed me?"

Arjun's eyebrows furrowed at her reaction. He knew there was a possibility for her to be upset but something about the way she spoke was irking him. She was acting as if he had committed some crime and taken advantage of her. "Hey, you kissed me. And don't act disgusted like that. I was within my limits last night."

"You kissed me..." Radhika repeated as if trying to convince herself of what he had told her. Arjun watched as she stood up from the table and repeated the line again.

"Haan, yes a kiss happened but you initiated it."

"I can't believe this. Arjun Sir, you kissed me!"

Arjun stood up from the table with a scowl. "I don't understand why you are so hung up on the kiss. It isn't like you never kissed before...you're acting like it was your first kiss...if anyone has a right to be upset it is me...you're the one who molested me last night!"

"What? You're the one who stayed in the bed."

"So if anyone sleeps in the same bed you're going to molest them? And then it's their fault?"

"What? No! That's not what I meant." Radhika huffed. "Why did it take you so long to tell me? Are you sure nothing else happened? The kiss was the only thing?"

Arjun pursed his lips and angrily walked over to confront her at closer range, "I'm not that kind of guy. And trust me I think I would remember something like that and you would have remembered it too!"

Radhika's cheeks turned pink at his suggestive words and she glanced downward. Arjun lost his patience when he heard her murmur. "But you kissed me..." He grabbed both her arms forcing her to look up at him. "You're the one who did it first. You kissed me. Get over it. Stop acting like it was the first time." Arjun stared into her moist brown eyes and then suddenly understood. "It was your first time..." he mumbled and slowly let go; his anger subsiding into guilt. "It was wasn't it?" He had just assumed she had experienced such things before. She was after all in her early twenties and had been engaged once. Her inability to form a sentence to his question was proof enough for him.

"Uh---I---n-no...why..."

"Radhika..."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she finally managed to answer and then went back to her default line. "You kissed me."

Arjun gave a half smirk and walked forward. Radhika took a step back in response not sure what he was up to. "Arjun Sir?" she nervously questioned as she took another step back while he took another forward step again. They did this a few more times until Radhika was leaning against the wall. "Arjun Sir?"

"So this is what this is all about. I took that experience away from you. You know it doesn't count if you don't remember..."

"Just because it happened without someone's knowledge doesn't mean it didn't happen at all..."

He grinned somehow knowing she would say something like this. "Then I guess I owe you." Radhika's eyes bulged at his words. "This is what this is about isn't it? I have to repay you somehow."

"I---you wouldn't..." She tried to move back but then felt the wall against her and cursed the fact she had nowhere to go.

Arjun could sense her fear of what he was supposedly suggesting. Even he wasn't quite sure what he was suggesting. Words were just coming out of his mouth without much thought. It was like he wasn't really in control of what he was saying. "Are you challenging me? You know what happens at work when you've challenged me."

"This isn't work Arjun S---"

"Why don't you tell me what you want then?" he interrupted.

"You wouldn't dare..."

"You know I was robbed too."

Radhika's eyes brightened again as if finding some new courage to confront the situation. "Then do what you must..."

Arjun watched as she shut her eyes close. Her eyebrows were creased together as if she was preparing herself for some unknown pain. He leaned in placing his forearm against the wall while his left hand rested on the other side providing him balance and effectively caging her in. He could sense that she was holding her breath and he sighed. "Radhika...Radhika open your eyes," he gently coaxed. "Look at me." He saw her long eyelashes lift exposing her captivating brown eyes to him. He shook his head slightly and said, "I'm not going to force myself on you. You deserve better."

Radhika stared up at him for a few seconds and then slowly closed her eyes again. She had recognizing a tenderness in his eyes that had completely brought a sense of calmness within her. She knew she could trust him. Arjun realized she was giving him permission as the creased brows were gone and she was breathing normally again. But he was conflicted over the situation. Did he really have the right to do this? Shouldn't she be experiencing this with someone she actually liked? However, as he continued to look at her peaceful anticipating face he couldn't ignore the beating of his heart or how beautiful she looked. He leaned in barely touching his nose with hers and felt the undeniable attraction of the moment. His eyes closed as their breaths mingled in unison their lips millimeters away from touching. Radhika moved her head to the side while Arjun sighed at the sudden disturbance of a mobile phone that had effectively killed the mood. They both opened their eyes and looked at each other awkwardly.

"My phone...it's probably Ma..." Arjun stepped back so she could go and answer it. "Hello Ma? Yes, we just got back. We got all our work done. Yes, I have food. I made dinner."

Arjun pinched the bridge of his nose wondering what he had almost done. He had completely lost his senses. What was he thinking? He was about to kiss a girl that had never been kissed before. What if she expected more from him? He had no issues taking up responsibility but he was in no shape to start a relationship. His personal life was in shambles. He couldn't give her what she deserved. It just wouldn't be fair to her.

"Oh really Ridheema Di is coming to visit? Is Jiju coming too? No...oh work, huh. Yeah Ma..." Radhika turned around and noticed that Arjun was nowhere in sight. Her eyes went straight to the front and door and noticed how it was unlocked. "Ma, I'll call you back after dinner, all right? No? Okay then I'll talk to you tomorrow." Radhika hung up the phone and quickly walked outside and looked down from the balcony. To her relief Arjun was at the bottom set of steps heading towards his car. "Arjun Sir!" she called. "Just wait one minute...wait okay...stay right there..."

Arjun looked up and saw Radhika motioning for him to stay. He nodded and waited even though he felt uneasy at what had almost transpired between them. A few minutes later Radhika remerge carrying a four tier tiffin container. "Here you go Arjun Sir. You're probably tired and waited to go home. I packed some of the food."

"Radhika...I..." He started and then stopped not sure how he could even begin to explain himself.

"I'll see you on Monday?" He looked at her in awe amazed by her attitude. "Drive safe," she continued and gave a gentle reassuring grin. All he could do in return was simply nod and carry the tiffin into the car with him.

Wearing athletic pants and a black tank Arjun sat underneath the back porch with his legs resting on another chair staring out into the backyard. The tiffin sat on the table in front of him still waiting to be opened. He was brought out of his reverie by a ping from his mobile phone. It was a text message.

Arjun Sir, did you make it home?

Yes Radhika I made it home.

Did you eat yet? How was the food? It was okay?

Arjun gently chuckled at her questions and then proceeded to open the tiffin to give her food a taste. He dipped a piece of chapati into the daal and took his first bite. He grinned. He then took some fried garlic potatoes and smashed it against his rice mixing in little of the daal and took another mouthful. He picked up his phone with his left hand and texted back: You were right the daal and chapati go great together. The food is really good.

Really? You're not just saying that because I can't see your expressions?

My mom would have enjoyed it 👍🏼

Thank you Arjun Sir!

Arjun continued eating and watched his phone waiting for the next message. As the screen went dark he softly wondered if he should say anything about the near kiss tonight even though it seemed she had forgiven him. He tapped his left fingers against the table and then with a determined mind he texted: Don't worry about the mobile phone bill. I take it back. You don't owe me and I won't ask you about it again.

Does this have anything to do with tonight? Arjun Sir I'm okay. I probably overreacted 😵

You had every right to be upset. You deserve to experience it with someone you love. I'm sorry.

It wasn't anyone's fault. I'm sorry too for making you feel like you had to do something. That wasn't very fair of me. Let bygones be bygones

Arjun grinned and replied. You should rest. We had a long day today. I'll see you Monday.

Goodnight Arjun Sir.

Goodnight Radhika. Sleep well.

You too. Sweet dreams 😃