Two Days later, I have boarded my flight that would take me not only to India but to my past as well. After I lost my everything to the country, I moved to Paris with all the fortune my Nanu left me with. I pursued my interest in arts and enhanced my skills in painting. Time gave me fame and so I settled there only. If not for Shravan's betrayal, I would have never moved here even after losing my Nanu. With that my mind drifted off to the night we all anticipated back then . And for the first time I allowed it to.
*8 years back*
Are you coming or shall I leave alone?' a desperate Preeti shouted for the umpteenth time. Coming' was the only word that escaped my mouth each time. I swear I heard the stomping her feet irritated.
What? I know what you must be thinking. I am a spoilt brat because of whom here friends have to wait. No but yes. I wasn't taking long; it was the occasion that forced me to. Yes, it was my very own Prom Night. After Nanu's death last year, it is the first thing that had got me this excited.
Looking for the last time at my reflection in mirror, I ran downstairs as fast as these heels allowed me to. I stopped right behind Preeti, her back to me. She turned around, frown visible at her face. Before she could say a word, I enacted, Preeti, Ive been standing here from ages.'
However it was useless, like always she knew I was lying. She always seem to know when I do. We made our way to the car and I took the charge to drive. Did I told you I am very famous for my skillful driving skills. In less than an hour we reached our destination. The dull walls of our college were now shimmering with sparkling lights. The lush green gardens were also given a splash of these lights. And the fountain where I often sat with HIM stood in the middle of the lawn, tall and steady. It was all so beautiful.
I shifted my eyes, roaming it through the huge crowd. I was looking for them, my friends, my squad, and my life. It consists of me, Pushkar, Preeti and... Shravan. Okay. I cant lie to myself. I was looking for Shravan. His height made him so obvious among everyone else. He turned as if sensing me. He always seem to be able to do that. It took him a while only to locate me. But once he did, he looked as if in a trance. But not for a second even did his gaze waver from upon me. It was all it took to have me burning under his intense gaze. But this time, I stared back at him. His silhouette made its way to me. The corners of his mouth twitched, giving him the sexy look, I could die for. Forcing my own self, I shifted my gaze downwards, shamelessly checking him out. He looked so gorgeous in his black Armani suit and the white undershirt. Red tie on his neck and a matching red cloth neatly folded in his pocket. Satisfied, I looked back at him and found him unfinished with his turn of checking me out. I felt exposed and conscious of what I was wearing. After a lot of persuasion from Preeti, I agreed to wear this blood red off-shoulder gown with a deep sweetheart neckline. It did gave a view of my cleavage but it wasn't s**tty. And that is what I loved about it. There was a little sequin work on the hem of the dress as well as the upper part. It was sexy, yet classy. I wore the perfect black heels underneath. Atlast I could match his height to some extent.
In a few strides he was right next to me, close to me. He dipped his head closer, not moving his eyes, unless he was close enough. His eyes then shifted to my lips and he leaned further. I could feel my heart beating inside of me. He kissed the corner of my mouth. His lips lingered longer than it was meant to be. His lips then made their sweet journey from my lips to my ears. you look gorgeous' was all he whispered.
I felt myself going crimson. you look good too' I whispered back.
only good?', he asked, with a playful frown.
yes! Is there something else you wanted to hear Mr. Malhotra?'
yes.' He leaned further until his lips were right next to my ears. your moans and groans as you scream my name, Sumo'
I whacked him hard. I knew he said it only for fun but only if he knew what it did to me.
you'll never change. Hain na?' I managed to say , getting hold on my self.
Nah!" he grinned.
I stepped forward only to be pulled back. I was about to scold him until I saw the seriousness on his face.
Do you want me to?' he asked.
It left me a little bewildered. What?'
do you want me to change?'
I searched his face for a sign of humor but found none. No.' I whispered with all my honesty.
He was about to speak but our moment was broken by coughs. I moved away only to hit something. Pushkar ofcourse. He was grinning like a bear. And same was the case with Preeti. Now I am going to get teased for this whole life. I looked away suddenly more interested in the pretty decorations.
Hey Sumo, don't hide those pretty eyes from me' Pushkar said teasingly.
I am not!' I exclaimed almost reflexively. Woh... haaan, actually I just dropped my earring and I was just looking for it. You know how much I love them naa'
Really?' Preeti chose this very moment to peep in. she moved forward and touched my ears, I think both of them are at the right place.'
My cheeks turned the deepest shade of red and I looked at Shravan for help. But he stood their grinning. I glared at him and his grin only widened. I was about to say something but was cut short by an announcement. They were calling everyone to the main site where they were to announce todays KING AND QUEEN. Shravan looked excited. Ofcourse he would. He was so sure of him winning the tittle. But I wasn't excited a single bit. who would be happy to see her love as someone else's king?
Did I just accept that?
I am sure my face was a sight to see with the dread I felt because Shravan chuckled. Before he could comment further, we were interrupted by a certain Urvashi.
Never before I have been this thankful to her interruption. I was so glad. I turned towards her with a huge grin on my face. Her eyes showed a hint of surprise, at my welcoming smile. She masked it off with a snort and said to me, rather taunted me.
Suman are you out of your mind? Why the hell are you smiling like an idiot?' before I could reply to her harshness, she continued. Anyway I came here to tell you that you could leave after all I'll be soon be titled as the queen and then nobody can stop me from dancing with Shravan' she grinned evily. not even his ownself' she smirked walking off.
I turned around to see Shravan on fire. His eyes said it all. If it was in his hands he would have happily strangled her long ago instead of dancing with her. I chuckled and pulled him inside. I loved this version of Shravan.
Soon enough we were distracted or rather attracted by the announcement being made.
We turned around to see our DJ for the night trying to get attention. Girls and Boys, grab your hearts and focus please. It is the moment you all had probably been desperate for. Right here in my hands are the names of people selected as todays king and queen. But before that let me tell you one thing, the names are choosen not only on how you dressed but also on the way you both look together. So now I am going to announce the names.'
I crossed my fingers. I know I am going to be the one' Urvashi muttered from somewhere close. Every time I hear her voice something sparks inside of me and I just want to throw her out of the window. I might have done that but I felt Shravan's hand crawling on my back, across my waist and settling there. I felt him giving me a squeeze. I turned to look at him but he seemed absolutely heedless of hat he was doing to me. I am sure if it wasn't for the music Shravan would have heard my heartbeat. Ignoring him I concentrated on the DJ now.
okay so the person to be entitled as tonight's king is... oooh... Ladies and gentlemen please applaud for Shravan Malhotra.'
Everyone around us continued with their own sessions of ooh's and aaah's. I gave him a quick hug and whispered congrats in his ears. My lips toughing his earlobe. I felt him shiver and I just smiled at the effect I had on him. He was soon the center of spotlight. He wasn't the type of guy to want this title. But he had his reputation to maintain. Yes that's what he said when I asked him about it. I smiled at the thought. I have no words to explain how much I wanted to be his Queen. Yes HIS QUEEN.
so the queen tittle goes to...' He trailed off only to grin wider, OMG! Its none other than his love, his best friend Suman Tiwari...' He continued about how perfect we looked together and other stuff. But world stopped for me long ago. I was his queen. This was all so much for me to absorb so I stood rooted to my place. i was suddenly lifted off the ground and spun around. I could bet this was Shravan. His scent was enough for me to realize. He and his masculine scent. I wounded my arms around his neck, a huge smile plastered on my face. Placing me down he kissed the extreme corner of my mouth, making me want more. He placed his arm around my shoulders and lead me to the dance floor. In the way I was met by an excited Preeti who told me she has business to deal with Urvashi. I chuckled at her. Suddenly I was hyper aware of Shravans hand of my upper back. Ahan, Bare back!
We stopped at the center of the dance floor with a feet or two between us. We kept staring at eachother. I couldn't even remember the song that was playing in the background. I was so lost in the moment, so lost in him. it was then i realized that a few minutes back, I was called as his LOVE. Were we that obvious?
Breaking my chain of thoughts, he bowed down asking for my hand, his eyes still fixed on mine. I gracefully placed my hand in his and smiled at how it fit perfectly ad if it was meant to be. I could feel heat rushing up my cheeks. Seeing this Shravan frowned a little but I am sure he soon understood what I was thinking because he smiled at me. Not the usual one but the I-know-what-you-are-thinking kind of smile.
With a sudden tug I was in his arms, I gasped at the sudden contact. My chest was pressed hard against his. He placed his other hand on my waist pulling me closer. I let him have his way. He took the lead and I was more than happy to follow. By now the dance floor was fully crowded. We moved with the rhythm. With another twirl, he brought me closer if that was even possible. I looked at his face to see him leaning in. I turned my face to the right because If I wouldn't have then by now his lips would have been on mine. Not that I mind but still I wanted him to voice out his feelings first. I smiled teasingly as I felt his disappointment as he sighed on my neck. I chuckled. But it was soon interrupted as he found his way. I could feel him smile against my skin as my breath hitched. He started to nuzzle my cheeks and my neck. His lips trailed their way from my eyes to my cheeks, down my jaw and then finally to the crook of my neck. There he placed a wet kiss at my tendon before biting it hard. To control the moan that was building up in me I clutched his shoulder harder. He then soothed the area by running his tongue around it and then sucking it off. I knew this was going to leave a mark.
I was soon spun around but this time my back was to his chest. I could feel heat radiating out from his body as I rested my head on his broad shoulders. His left hand crawled up my stomach and found its place immediately below my breast while his other hand trailed the length of my arm. I felt his nose right next to my neck where he inhaled deeply. I gasped at his sudden action. It wasn't the first time , he did that often but something about today made it different. It wasn't the usual innocent inhale, it felt deep and sensual too. His right hand soon found my hand which he brought to his mouth and gently kissed my knuckles before spinning me around and finally diping me down. He placed a light kiss at my collarbone. We were still in each others arms as the crowd clapped. Our trance was broken down.
DJ soon changed the music to a rocking one and Pushkar and Preeti joined us too. The four of us danced together changing partners too. I and Preeti made Shravan and Pushkar to do a couple dance for us. And trust me it was hilarious. I don't remember the last time I was so happy. Today I felt complete and contented. I looked at Shravan to see him dancing freely. I closed my eyes. Today I was happy as well as relieved.
The last time I smiled this truly was decades back when papa bought me a wooden horse on my birthday. It was the last time I laughed so freely. Its very unfair that the good times end so soon while the bad ones last a lifetime. The very next day my parents died in a car crash leaving me in the care of my beloved Nanu. Since then I was afraid to look for happiness. Because with smiles comes the tears. Even today I feared that this wont last long. My bubble of happiness would burst apart and I'll drown down into the sea of misery. And I knew for sure this time I wont be able to swim back to the surface safe and sound. I opened my eyes to look at Shravan only to find his staring back at me. Taking hold of my hand he pulled me aside to a secluded corner.
All well?' he asked with eyes full of concern.
Tears welled in my eyes and I could no longer control myself so I just hugged him close. Afraid he might see my tears I pulled him closer. I didn't wanted him to think I was weak. He rubbed my back soothingly telling me he knew how strong I was. And that was all I needed. After a minute or two I pulled back, wiping my tears with the back of my hands a little roughly.
That's not the way,' he quickly pointed out. I frowned at this and so wasting no more time he leaned in placing his mouth at the corner of my eyes. One by one he kissed off those tears, sucking them.
As he moved back, I glanced in his eyes and found them full of care, concern and... Love?
This didn't came as a revelation to me. Its just that he had always masked his emotions too well.
Lets go.' He whispered taking hold of my hand and moving. Quickly I pulled him back. I needed to do this.
No Shravan, please take a moment and promise me this?' I said.
He gazed deep in my eyes before whispering Anything Sumo' his voice came as a husky whisper.
First say you wont interrupt me and let me finish what I am going to start.' To this he only nodded. Getting the cue I continued.
Promise me this Shravan, that no matter what you wont leave me, that you'll stand by me forever', To this he nodded and so I continued,'... but if God forbid fate should step in and it forces us into goodbye, then you'll leave without hurting me. You wont hurt me Shravan.', he opened his moth to say something but I shook my head and continued and if we wont be together in future, then you wont forget me. You'll show your children my pictures and when they'll point to it you'll tell them my name. you'll tell them how the crowds went wild and that I hope they'll shine like stars. You will right?' I asked with hope in my eyes
He just looked into my eyes intensely. Slowly he raised his hands to cup my face and then he leaned in. I knew what was about to come but this time the confession didn't mattered. He stopped as our noses touched. He kept on gazing in my eyes as if looking for permission. In return I closed my eyes. Anticipation filled me. Taking it as a yes, he leaned further. He sighed as his lips made contact with mine. He caressed my mouth with his. I kissed him back. My hands found their way to his neck as I deepened the kiss. He took my lower lip between his and gave it a little tug. I moaned at this. His hands left my face and trailed their way down my back. He placed his one hand on my bare waist and with the other he explored my body. From the side of my waist they crawled upwards and lingered at the side of my breast. Then they made their way back down to my hips, pulling me flesh against him. the kiss that started out to be a slow one was soon full of passion. Through the kiss I felt his hunger and knew he held back for as long as he can.
I was brought out of my trance as the hostess shook me telling me the flight is about to land. Pulling down my glasses I waited for the plane to land. This was indeed going to be eventful.
****
Do share your views and feel free to criticize.😆
Love,
Malaika😊
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