FF - If Only I Could (Updt 24-35) Pg 16-18 - Page 12

Chapter 32-

It was evening, the sun had set... She had gone to Baba to console him, ignoring her own pain, an eerie gloom set in around the house... got to know from Faheem Chacha that he was at the stable...Baba had asked Fahim Chacha to take some food for him there since he had decided to spend his last night there...

Vasu was in tears too...and so was Meethi and everyone...strangely her MIL just did not care...

Mrityunjay watched the sun go down...kicking the stones, he stroked Marya...hoping for a miracle...knowing it was an empty hope...he had loved and lost her too in just one night...

He went inside and took out the little box that sat on the bed...opening it he looked at the fiery Ruby...shining bright, he shut his eyes in anguish... remembering her trembling body against his,...opened his eyes and touched the stone...felt its smoothness and beauty...closed the box... and placed it aside...he would hand it over to Baba tomorrow.

He lay on the bed, trying to read...but nothing... he could feel the black hole in his soul, the gnawing emptiness, he felt dead already inside... ...hating the lamp that burned...turning he began to dim it when he felt her shadow fall on him...stunned he turned...and saw her standing there...her funny flares and a white shirt...the light from the dimmed lamp lent a soft glow to her wet-cheeked face...he whispered, "Tara!"...he could not believe his eyes...his joy knew no bounds...She had come to him...

She knelt beside him reaching up to his level...the tears hadn't stopped flowing...she wiped them away...and said, "are you going to sit here all night and stare...and let every moment go wasted?'

Typical of her to say that...he smiled...his little vixen...she looked at him will all her love leaned forward and placed her lips on his, whispering against them, "Is there space for me to spend the night here Mister?"

He held her by the shoulders, "You deserve better, not this stable...let me take you home."

She held his face in her little hands saying, "No...with you every place would be Heaven...I belong here just as you do." He beamed, lifting her up he cradled her in his arms and placed her on the bed lovingly...and lay there beside her...and asked tenderly, "Are you sure Tara?" She placed her finger on his lips and said, "Shhh... I have never been so sure all my life...and then she took his hand kissed the inside of it and placed it on her heart, "Do you feel them...my heartbeats...they will beat for You forever! " Then places her hand over his heart, nuzzles closer whispering softly, "Mrityunjay...Love me like there is no tomorrow, make me yours tonight." He was overwhelmed with love and gratitude...what more could a dying man ask for! They silently let the tears flow, tears of joy...knowing what they had was precious...just one night of togetherness...he took her hand to his lips and kissed the inside of it, "Love You Tara."

And then he kissed her forehead, her eyes, her tears...showering her with kisses all over...hungrily claiming her lush warm lips, and with his trembling fingers reached for the buttons of her white transparent shirt...undoing them one by one...he pushed the shirt off her shoulders...lifted his mouth to smile again...shaking his head with glee...noticing she had worn the same lacy pink bra that he had stared at that day,..."so you noticed I was looking." With sparkling eyes she said, 'yes of course how could I not"

Tenderly pushing aside the tendrils of her hair, he said, "I am scared of hurting you." She looked at him with love and understanding, running her hands through his long tresses, touched his face, "I don't think you can hurt me even if you wanted to Jaan." then bringing her hand down she tugged at his vest, trying to pull it out of his tracks wanting to feel his bare skin against hers...he took it off for her with the rest of his clothing.. The moonlight cast its glow on the two lovers, and the gentle breeze brought in scents of the night. She said running her hand through the hair on his chest, "You are so broad-shouldered!" He smiled, she held his palm against hers and compared, "My Gosh! My hands are so tiny compared to yours." He chuckled, whilst cupping her breast, he growled in his velvety voice, "This means I can love you more," she moaned in ecstasy...he then undressed her gently, wanting to see all of her in her feminine glory.

Whilst caressing his sinewy arms, suddenly Tara remarked innocently, "Oh yes wait...one thing hurts," "What?" he asked in surprise, twitching her nose, and with her finger tracing along his jaw line, she cheekily replied, "your moustache... and this beard...it hurts." he roared with laughter, "Oh is it! Well sweetheart it stays, you have no choice do you?" And then looked into her large innocent eyes, "You are beautiful Tara and I am going to punish you my way for being upset with me" and then rubbed his beard against her cheek, and lowered his head to seek her generous softness, marking her as his own...her skin burned at his touch,...her body arched forward to meet his demands, his smouldering hungry gaze and calloused hands feeling her, caressing her, probing her... and he gently reached into the depths of her body, whilst she cried out his name amidst sweet pain, their bodies shuddered together and from deep within he whispered, "Love You". He lay his head in the hollow of her neck, and she held him tenderly, whilst a tear trickled from the corner of her eye...

After their passionate lovemaking, he had reached for the tiny box and put the chain around her neck...he said, "This ruby is like you, fiery and passionate...I want you to keep it." She asked, "it's beautiful but when did you buy it and why?" He had explained...

The dark red ruby sparkled against her naked skin...'Thank you"...she had nothing on her but a token of his love.

Wrapping herself up in the bedsheet she sat nestled against his broad chest on the floor whilst he showed her pictures of his childhood and orphanage...she had asked, "And your biological parents?" He sighed, "No idea...I have never thought of finding out." She hoped some day they would...

She then put on just the white shirt and went up to warm some milk for him and tea for her...complaining she was hungry...he was busy attending to Maria and he came back in...when his eyes fell on her form, her long tousled hair flowing down her back, that white shirt that barely covered her buttocks and thighs, and it did things to him, he came up to her, stood behind her and placed his hands on both sides of her bare thighs knowing she was completely naked, lifting the shirt...bringing his hand all the way to her warm belly...teasing her warm moist skin...her body quaked... hands shook...she left the mug there and placed her hand on his... whilst he nuzzled his head into her neck, she arched her head back, moaning "Jaan" he growled, "hmmm" and murmured, "Tara I need you now"...she responded, "I am all yours."

He had made fiery passionate love to her again on the stark floor ...not wanting to let a moment go by without loving and giving to each other all they had...there was no holding back ... there was no tomorrow!

It was dawn...Tara found him to be peacefully in deep sleep, she looked at him with a heavy heart, a tear rolled down her cheek, she kissed his forehead very gently, gathered her clothes, dressed up quietly and left.

When the sun streamed into the place he woke up to find her not around...he called out to her...but she wasn't anywhere to be found...

He got dressed and decided to rush up to the house...smiling and remembering their stormy night...almost forgetting it was the day of his surrender.

He ran up the stairs, looked around the house she wasn't to be seen. He kept asking everyone if they had seen her, no one knew..he panicked...where was His Tara...he ran into his dark room, and then went back into her room...rushed to the bathroom found it empty...looked around and found them...on the table were the heirloom kadas, mangalsutra and the ruby chain he gifted her...and a note..that was still moist...from her tears...with trembling hands he picked up the note to read. "My Beloved Mrityunjay...I have failed you...nothing good came out of this marriage...I could not save you... , instead brought you more pain, All I could give you was one night of myself...I will forever cherish every moment I lived in your arms...I love you with all of my heart, body and soul...Forgive me for doing this but I had to go away...I leave behind the ruby...so that you keep it as a reminder of me...Your Tara Forever!

He screamed her name aloud and cried, Baba came running into her room and saw his son huddled to the floor, crying his heart out, "Baba she has left."

"Yes I know she left another letter in my study. She has given up all financial rights as a wife and if she bears your child then all financial support for your child. She said to collect the keys of their house from the neighbour's place. They were leaving the place in a week's time, moving to another city." Baba had cried for his son and her... They were two lost souls who found each other and now belonged to each other. But fate had other plans...

"Son it's time to leave to the prison...can you get up and get ready."

Mrityunjay had just died...he rose and said, "Baba I am ready let's go right now...there is nothing left here for me now."

To be contd/...

This chapter really affected me...it was hard to write...amidst tears, joy and tears again

Do comment and let me know your thoughts...good and bad..

Chapter 33

Tara had reached her home and locked herself in the room all day. She refused to eat or talk to anyone. Baba had called her several times she had shut the phone off eventually.

Her mother got worried, the girl had stopped eating, would sit and look outside the window, crying and refusing to talk to anyone. It was two days now.

Baba called her mother's phone, she yet refused to talk. Her mother coaxed her, forced her to get out of depression, but nothing made her get out of that bed. She would just drink water when she felt like.

Three days had gone by and Tara had not got out of the room, her mother came to her and said, "Tara its Vijay from USA." She turned and took the call...holding the phone she wept.

She heard him say, "Why are you doing this to yourself Tara. You both are two of a kind."

She cried some more, he went on, "Were you married to him for just one night? Or is your love beyond that?"

" I can't live without him, I have to see him Vijay...don't know what to do..."

"And what are you doing here? You were are and will always be his wife. That whole family is shattered because they are not just losing their son this time but you as well."

She wept bitterly, "I just want to see him first...I will go insane if I don't"

He was firm, "Listen to me, Baba will be there any minute, talk to him. I will be arriving in India next week."

She shut the phone and said to her mother, "I have to go...I have to go."

"Where Tara...wait."

Tara got out of bed and stood up, but being dizzy and weak she collapsed in her mother's arms.

Nandu and Aradhna got her into bed. They gave her a glass of glucose water to regain her strength. Baba had just arrived and she was surprised to see Vasu with him.

Vasu hugged her saying, "Why did you leave us? What have I done? Bhai is gone and you too? You will always be my Bhabhi no matter what."

Tara hugged her and cried...Baba looked on...She looked at Baba and said, "I want to see him Baba."

He wiped away his tears and made a few calls and said, "First the doctor will be here. Do as he says, get your strength back and I will take you there."

She was administered some intravenous fluids and then by late afternoon they left to the prison.

She looked at the mangalsutra hanging around her neck. Vasu had brought a box along with her and had told her "I think you forgot this at home...Bhai told me whenever I happen to see to hand it over to you." And she had said, "Bhabhi come back home, we all need you."

She opened it and pulled out the mangalsutra and wore it around her neck. She felt a part of him with her...

The prison guard went upto MJay who was busy painting hurriedly. They had been watching him, sketching and painting day and night with the closely guarded photographs in his hand...like as if he had a deadline and had to complete them.

"Mrityunjay there is someone here to see you."

MJ ignored him. The guard said softly, "A family member."

"I don't want to see anyone."

"It's your wife."

He shot his head up..."I don't have a wife."

The guard goes and conveys his message to Tara who was waiting for him. Tara turns to the guard saying, "Tell him he better come and see me, or else I would not hesitate to even kill you and land right where he is."

The guard frowned...biwi bhi khooni!...goes back and says exactly what Tara had conveyed.

He throws the pencil and sketch pad away and comes out...wanting to bash her...he walks ...and his eyes fall on his little wife sitting there wiping away her tears, her eyes seeking him out...she sees him the way she had met him the first day of their wedding as a groom...in prison garb...the grilled window separates them...her sunken eyes filled with tears, her pale face, and trembling lips call out, "Mrityunjay."

A parched soul...He walks towards her...his spring of life, his existence...like manna in the desert...his eyes devour her tiny frail frame...he sits across the caged window...his eyes telling her why did she leave him alone that morning...crying out...she asks him to pass his hands through the opening...he does...and she kisses them fervently.

"I...I thought I could live without you...but I can't...I can't survive without you." the tears flowed...

"Oh Tara...stop crying...what have you done to yourself and what is that!" he notices the band-aid stuck on her hand due to the IV."

"It's nothing I got a scratch...so Maa made sure I applied medicine...don't worry I am fine."

He looked at her angrily, "Tell me the truth Tara...I am not stupid."

She lies..."I had a bad stomach...so the vomiting and all...so..just some Glucose IV that is all." He shuts his eyes and the warm tears flow out...gulping hard he tells her, "I know you are lying...why are doing this Tara...there is no hope...you are better off without me...it's just a matter of time."

"I am going to live each moment with Hope...I want to live with you, love you, have babies from you, grow old with you."

"Tara stop it nothing of that is ever going to happen," and tries to pull back his hands, she holds on to them tight and bring his hand to her face placing her cheek against it..and then bringing it down to her neck.

Her pleading eyes and trembling lips ask, "Don't you want to live Mrityunjay for me, for our future, our children?"

He does not utter a word...and felt the blood rush to his head...longing to gather her in his arms...

She then wipes away her tears and says, "I have applied for conjugal rights."

"What?...No...As much as I love you...this is not a place for you to be...and I don't think something like this exists here or is possible."

"Why not? If you can be here, why not me?"

He smiled shaking his head, "You are crazy and you are doing no such thing."

"Yes I must be crazy to love you...Vijay will be here next week to see you."

He squeezed her hands, "Tara ...now listen if you want me to be okay...you need to be okay and take care of yourself for me..., that is not from a stomach ache...did you hear me, and go back home."

"What is the point of going home without you?"

"Do it as a favour for me, Baba and Vasu need you...and so do I...please Tara."

The guard came to remind him that the time was up...

He kissed her hands and looked right through her soul. She began to cry again, "I will be here tomorrow...Take Care of yourself...Remember that I Love You...My thoughts and prayers are with you...do you need anything."

His voice cracked, "Yes...YOU." she looked at him...and saw the longing for her in his eyes...and those shared passionate moments of that beautiful night... she lowered her gaze feeling shy.

"Tell Baba I want to speak to the lawyer." he got up and turned to see her fading face...she stood there crying her heart out.

Chapter 34

Tara returned to Shekhawat Villa with Baba. She had not entered their bedroom but remained her bedroom that she had used when she last left.

Meethi and Vasu had been with her all day, trying to bring a smile to her face. All she did was stare at the emptiness around her.

On Vasu's insistence she gulped down the soup and food...all the time thinking about what he must have eaten today. He loved milk, and his bitter coffee...and now. Baba had given strict instructions that she should eat properly and no skipping meals.

The only time she showed any interest was when it was time to visit him. She worried about what to wear, wanting to look pretty for him the next day. Tara got dressed an hour early and waited anxiously for Baba to take her along.

Being there before time she anxiously playing with her fingers, she waited with bated breath to get a glance of him. She saw him approach her with a smile on his face. Sitting across her through the grilled window he said, "Hi, you looking pretty today?" Her eyes lit up, "Am I...oh thanks." she asked for his hands and she held them in hers caressing them and kissing them...almost ready to cry...seeing his miserable state...she could not bear it...behind those grim walls, those stark conditions...choking with emotions she asked, "How have you been?"

"Getting by...it's harder this time without you"...she entwined her fingers in his large hands he caressed them looking at her intently..."you know you don't need to come to see me every day."

"If I don't I would not able to survive the rest of the day...it's only these visits that keep me going."

His heart broke to see her this way...her pinning for him so badly, "Oh Tara...what have you got yourself into."

"Mrityunjay pagalpan...or whatever," and smiled through her tears...then continued, "I...I got you some books to read...from your room...it's with the Jailer...they should hand it over to you soon."

"Thanks...you know you are crazy."

"Ok in what way?"

The guard stood afar probably listening into their conversation, he said softly, "Every way...I miss all of it...all your craziness."

Her eyes twinkled and she started to tease him, "How much?"

He said hoarsely, "Come closer," she leaned forward boldly, he traced his finger over her cheeks, her parted lips...all the way down to her throat reaching her cleavage, and then whispered, "this much and much much more."

Looking into his dark smouldering eyes...she gulped hard with flushed cheeks and a shy smile...his fingers continued to linger there... caressing her, touching her, feeling her..."Miss you Like Hell."

She held on to his palms, kissing them, "Me too."

She had to lighten the mood so straightened up and asked, "Now tell me about Maria, when you are not around, I will need to take care of her...I will ask Fahem Chacha to help me so don't worry."

And so he told her what Maria liked and did not like. Her behaviour and everything he could remember. Tara listened attentively. "Hmmm she is so much like you then?"

It was time to leave, she reluctantly said goodbye, telling him she loved him and she would be there tomorrow.

He returned back to his cell and banged his head against the wall, each passing day was getting harder without her next to him...

Tara would visit him daily, and not a day went by that she did not cry...some days she would blabber about every little happening of her day. How she took care of Maria, groomed her, and she had thrown in some seeds of a watermelon around his stable, she told him she had seen her pictures in the dark room.. ...sometimes she would suddenly breakdown and weep bitterly...He could see she was falling apart slowly...those sunken eyes, hollow cheeks...that pale skin...he was afraid...this was not like his Tara...the bubbly, blabbering woman...the spark in her was diminishing...

No more he had to get out...he wanted to be free...he had to come out with the truth...it would create havoc in the lives of many...Baba would be hurt too, they were all suffering even otherwise...he could not kill Tara along with him...not anymore...she was his reason to want to live...he would wait until Vijay came...

It was one of those days at the stable when she felt the urge to lift the cover from the canvas and see his unfinished work...she had brought the easel inside...

She lifted the white fabric and stared at the woman smiling back at her from the canvas...what reflected back was a Tara through His eyes...it was one of the poses where she was seated on the floor, body titled in a side pose...but what he captured with such a simple pose was beyond her imagination...she gulped hard... he had dropped the sleeve of the choli to expose her shoulder, her neckline...and the way he had added sensuality to the painting. She went all warm...and quickly pulled down the cover over it...she would go mad just thinking of him so far away and unreachable...she wanted to scream...but all she felt with stinging tears... and a stabbing pain in her chest...she knelt down and cried...and lit the diya and prayed fervently...for his health and safety "Dear God please bring him back home to me...please..why did you bring him into my life if you wanted to take him away from me. And he deserves to live more than anything else." Beating her hands to her chest she wept...and lay on the floor...reminiscing that night and all those moments they shared at the house...

Vijay arrived that day and he met Tara for the first time at home. She was just as he had imagined, and Tara found in him an older brother. Never thought this short, slightly plump man would be Mrityunjay's best friend.

Though now he had an accent, she managed to understand him. Many a times he broke out in Hindi.

"I went to see him straight from the airport."

"You did?...I just came from there,"

"For the first time I have seen my dear friend wanting something from life for himself...and express his love for somebody and that too for a woman...he is someone who finds it hard to say what he feels."

Her lips quivered and eyes glistened...

"He is ready to speak to his lawyer and come out in the open. Do you know he wasn't even there at the place of crime?"

"You know everything what happened that day Vijay?'

"Yes, I do, I was with him when the crime had happened."

He looked at her and smiled, took her hand in his and said, "Our Mrityunjay is like that. He is someone who would not think twice to lay down his life for his family and friends. "

The tears fell, and Vijay continued choking with emotions, "What I am today is because of him. I was the son of a sweeper. When my father died I had to leave school. Mritu asked his parents to pay for my education. His mother refused, saying she could not afford to take care of two orphans. He made a deal with his father, since he was going to an expensive school, he told his father to take him out of there and that he and I would study at a regular school. Baba loved and admired what Mritu did for me. We went to very ordinary schools and universities. So he paid for my education sacrificing his very own. His mantra was it was the same syllabus and he consoled me that going to expensive schools would only make us look down on the less fortunate...we studied together. He also paid for my uniforms and extra- curricular activities with his pocket money. I was never deprived of anything that would hamper my education. He told me he was blessed to have found Baba as his Father and Saviour. He would die for him if he had to, and he is doing just that."

"Tara God makes men like him once in a way. He is a living angel."

"And now?'

"Tara he never really found true love, apart from his Baba, no one really cared for him. He was always considered as an outcast. And he has no attachment to worldly and materialistic things. He is a man of this earth."

"And that is why I asked Baba to find him a woman to marry, so he would find love in his life and a reason to live and fight back the wrong," he looked at her squeezed her hand and continued, "And I thank God that he found You for my dear friend." She lowered her gaze.

"So who is responsible for the crime?"

"I am telling you this with his permission, remember that. Or else , I am sworn to secrecy."

"And Baba?"

"No he is not aware of it, might have doubts and he does not believe MJ could ever commit a crime against anyone."

"Who then?"

"A group of boys and Aditya."

"What? But a young man was killed and...and raped?"

"Aditya and his friends were out drinking and doing drugs at a hotel, they happened to flirt with the girl, the mad guys thought of punishing the boy and having some fun at his cost. They took the boy as punishment...they were so sloshed out with whatever they were having, that they had no control over what they were doing. The boy was gang raped and killed because he tried to escape or defend himself. A knife was used, carried by one of the guys."

Adityya called MJ and cried his heart out that everyone would know about what he did. His mother would die knowing what her son did. So MJ took the blame upon himself for his Parents. There are other boys involved from some prominent families and Adi is covering their bloody butts...Adi might have not killed but the rest he was involved in."

"Am I the last one to know?"

"Yes!"

"But doesn't Mrityunjay understand that to save one he could be putting many other people in danger, because the real culprits are out there still."

"Yeah Tara."

"We are talking to the lawyers now and reopening the case. I am not going back until this ends."

She cried and joined her hands, "Thank you Vijay."

Chapter 35

It was a month since he was behind bars. In the past week he had told Tara not to visit. Vijay too had insisted. So she had stayed away. Vijay promised he would bring Mjay back home soon.

So Tara waited anxiously for the day he would be released.

Meethi was going through a divorce, but she stayed back for Mrityunjay's return.

Nirmala was heartbroken and decided to stay out of the country for some time. The media, her friends and everything just got to her. Tara spoke to her requesting her to stay back, she had explained that she was too ashamed of what Aditya did. Her own son had forsaken her and she was ashamed of what she did to Mrityunjay. She could never be a good mother.

She then pleaded, "I need some time to be alone. I can't handle all of this."

He was going home from an Under-trial prisoner to a Free Man at last...to the woman who made it happen...

Mrityunjay had told Vijay to get his pooja clothes, on the way home they would stop by at a hotel to freshen up. He had changed into a white kurta and pyjamas.

Mrityunjay, Vijay and Baba had just left the hotel when Mjay said to Vijay, "Can we please stop at the salon?" Vijay, "Why salon?'

"Please!' Ok fine...Baba and Vijay waited outside the salon and were shocked to see a changed Mrityunjay walk up to the car. Vijay who was leaning against the car gaped at his dearest friend in surprise. "What?" asked Mrityunjay to Vijay. Vijay pulled him in a hug, patted him on the back saying, "I have my old friend back." choking with emotions...

It was that day...Tara had insisted that they keep a Satya Narayan pooja in the house for his safe return. The house was decorated...a kind of frenzy and anticipation filled the air...

Faheem Chacha, Vasu and even Meethi stayed around despite her divorce to welcome Mrityunjay back home. Uncle & Aunty Mishra too were at home. His friends all planned to come in later...

Aradhana and Nandu were bustling around getting things prepared for the pooja. Nandu pulled Tara up to her room to get dressed finally.

Tara had chosen a beautiful red and gold border sari for the occasion. Butterflies in her stomach she was excited...and a complete bundle of nerves...Like a new bride waiting for her groom, she draped the sari with Nandini's help, plaited her hair to one side, adorned herself with a beautiful gold jewellery kundan set, a maang ka tikka, she had also put on a long mangalsutra to go with it.

Nandini and Vasu exclaimed, "looking gorgeous in red just like a bride Bhabhi."

They had all gone down together...Baba had called to say they were on their way...She was nervous...might as well keep herself busy with the pooja preparations.

Tara got the pooja thaal ready, and was busy lighting the oil lamp. He saw her bent slightly over the lamp stand, the light illuminating her face...he went and stood next to her and placed his hand on hers, she turned to see who it was...smiling back at her was Mrityunjay...she was stunned...looking extremely handsome and adorable...she could not believe it was him...she just stared wide-eyed...Tara fell in love with her husband for the second time...he had cleaned shaved his beard and moustache...whilst maintaining his long tresses...eyes sparkling...she smiled shyly...remembering her complaint to him that night...her cheeks burned, her heart throbbed, he winked, 'Hi Gorgeous!"...she was dumbstruck..."Huh...wel...welcome home." Vijay came forward..."So Tara did I keep my promise or not?' placing both his hands on each of their shoulders.

She looked down shyly...and then raised her gaze to her beloved man and said, "Yes thank you...I will ever be grateful to you all my life Vijay."

"No I should be to you Tara, he is here standing in front of you, only because you made it happen...the Tara magic." Mrityunjay nodded saying, "I agree to that VIjay...my wife is my reason for being alive today."

Baba came forward and they started the pooja. Throughout the pooja, whilst performing and praying...their hands touched, shoulders brushed, she could see the love and joy in his eyes...he would deliberately nudge her, entwine his fingers in hers...she kept blushing...and found Vasu making the most of it with her little comments on her brother's display of love for his bride.

Pooja completed they all sat to eat...she was seated beside him. He dropped a fork on purpose, bent down and brought his thumb to her exposed midriff...she gulped hard and coughed...

Then straightened up saying softly, "I was longing to do that to you." Wide-eyed she looked at him"...okay she would play naughty now, "Just that...Don't I get anything more?" He smirked passed the kheer and then said, "Did not know you loved kheer so much Tara?...here let me serve you," pouring a large amount of it in a extra large bowl.

Baba remarked, "Oh she is just celebrating your return Son." Some more remarks and Tara just brought her gaze down to her plate and ate up every bit of the extra kheer which she never was fond of earlier.

After lunch the men gathered around, and she went on to serve coffee...they would keep stealing glances. Well wishers never really left and the discussions went on and on, which left Mrityunjay frustrated and irritated. "Why couldn't Baba have just called everyone some other day? thought MJ.

MJay came up to her and took the tray from her hand whispering in her ears, "You said you wanted to make babies with me, now how can that happen if you keep serving coffee?" She looked around to see if anyone heard him. Completely flustered and blushing she whispered back she said, "Mrityunjay shhh...there are guests around here."

Mrityunjay put his arm around her waist whilst she looked all the more alarmed and he announced, "Baba we need to add one more custom to the Shekhawat rituals."

Baba asked him, "What is that beta?"

He handed over the tray to the nearest person and lifted Tara up right there in his arms and said, "OF carrying the bride up the stairs to the room."

Baba and everyone laughed and Tara was left blushing, embarrassed and shell-shocked...

"Oh yes Mrityunjay...go on you would be the first Shekhawat to do so."Vijay and everyone only cheered him on. His killer smile made it difficult for her to breath, she shyly wound her arms around his neck and he carried her all the way to their bedroom.

"You are shameless Mister," He laughed, "Not my fault...you are responsible for that."

When he reached the bedroom he placed her on the bed.."Stay there, don't get up." He shut the door and the lights off leaving the night lamp on and then came to and sat beside her, she simply hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest, held him and cried...he crushed her in his embrace and kissed her forehead, "I thought I would never get to see this day again."..he lifted her face and kissed her tears..."no more now...never again are you going to cry," and then she smiled, touched his face a little shy, she asked, "You did this for me...you look so so...much like a hero" and placed her soft lips on the tiny cleft of his chin.

She reached for her maang tika to take it off, he stopped her and removed her hand saying, "Let me undress you." he looked at her so much love and tenderness and she did the same...he gently took it off, and then reached for her hands and pulled off the bangles, then bent over her...he knew she was being affected by his nearness...but he wanted to celebrate and savour every moment...he took off each of her earrings...and then reached for the back of her necklace...his breath and touch on her skin created a tingling sensation...she curled her toes...he had taken all of her jewellery, when his hand reached for the pin of her pallu...he deftly took it out...he searched her flushed face... lifted her pallu to reach for the inside of her sari skirt...but instead her brought his head to her belly and undid the pin with his teeth...whilst his lips grazed her bare skin...breathing and heaving...she called out, "Mrityunjay"...he pulled out the sari and...she clung to it...out of shyness...he did not let her...unzipping the sari skirt...pulled up the silken bed sheet that she drew up to her bare torso. Why did it feel that this was their first night...the apprehension, anxiety... He got rid of his clothes and lay down beside her...letting the glow of the candles and night lamp play their magic on their bare bodies...her lush lips open to invite his fevered kiss...whilst his hand reached for the clasp of her choli...he pushed the bedsheet down to drink in her feminine beauty...his voice cracked and horse, he groaned,"I missed you so much...that it hurt...every part of me hurt so badly...and yes now that the beard is not there I am going to taste you from forehead to toes Mrs. Mrityunjay Shekhawat...you can't be complaining now." She blushed a crimson red, and held and touched him with the same passion and hunger that he did...raining kisses on his face and body...feeling the strength in his sinewy arms, Her beloved Man and then lifted her head and placed her soft lips on the tiny cleft of his chin saying, "I can do this now to you...it was hidden all along.". He chuckled and sought those same thirsting lips for his own...

Mrityunjay & Tara once again became prisoners of their wild fiery desire, and would never be free to be alone again, their chains of love binding them so tight, until the end of time...

The End

Love You All & a Big God Bless

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas & a Peaceful & Joyful New Year