Shraman SS: The Contract: Part (6/6) Updated Pg 13 - Complete - Page 9

Originally posted by: Zenab78

Amazing as usual 👏
He asked about Adi and she replied and told him about his proposal
They are perfect for each other
Loved it to the core ❤️

Part 6

His days quickly reverted back to the mundane tasks of everyday life...sitting in traffic, filing motions, refereeing between his disapproving Chachi and her eager to please daughters in law. Every night he would trek up the stairs and his empty bed would greet him.

The first few nights he was restless, though he couldn't place why until a text appeared on his phone at one in the morning.

Sumo: Miss having a room partner

Shravan stared at the backlit screen, already smiling in the darkness.

Are you asking me or telling me? ;-)

He waited for her reply, and she did not disappoint.

Sumo: Well I have my answer, considering you're still awake...

Damn it. He grimaced. I'm working...

Sumo: Achcha?

And thus in the following months he and Sumo edged back into their friendship, no longer easy but cultivated and nurtured by both parties. He knew now that not having her in his life was not an option. She still refused to divulge what had driven a wedge between them, but the pain of her abandonment dissipated day by day, sometimes from the special home-cooked meal he would find waiting for him in his cabin, sometimes when she would finally agree to let him drive her home after working a late party, and he would imagine that maybe instead of frowning at his insistence over the phone, she was secretly smiling.

And sometimes he would catch her staring at him, a wistful look in her eyes. Sometimes she would grab his hand for no reason at all, but to give him a small smile that seemed to say, just because.

---

Shravan parked in front of Tiwari Killa and followed her inside, mindful of the noise they were making at this late hour, the other inhabitants of the cozy home already asleep.

Sumo sighed as she deposited her apron on the kitchen counter, rolling her neck in an effort to get the kinks out. "Are you thirsty?" She pulled a jug out from the refrigerator.

He nodded and took the glass of water from her, condensation moistening his fingers. They sipped in silence and he watched her unsuccessfully try to massage her neck.

"Here," he said finally. "Let me."

"Shravan - " she protested, until he raised an eyebrow.

"What did we talk about? We're allowed to take help from others."

"Not like this," Sumo said, but she turned so her back was toward him and brushed her long hair aside.

He placed his glass down on the counter in front of her, suddenly cognizant of the space (or lack thereof) between them. His fingers met her smooth skin at the base of her neck. She gasped at the sensation, her hands coming up to clench the counter.

"Sorry - my hands are cold," he apologized, half-wondering if he could elicit that sound from her again. He continued to work at the knot in her muscle, friction soon warming his touch and her occasional sigh guiding the amount of pressure.

"Why so much tension?" His voice was a low murmur, tiptoeing around the silence that permeated the kitchen.

"It was a big party...with a lot of potential clients."

It was indeed a lavish house that he had pulled up to that evening.

"How's the catering going?"

"It's expensive...all the people I end up paying to work the party. But it ends in a better payday, and most important, advertising."

Shravan hummed in agreement, though admittedly only half listening, distracted by her light floral scent. Jasmine, maybe?

"You smell good," he said, lips ghosting the rim of her ear. He felt her tense under his hands, though she attempted to laugh his words off.

"Really? I smell like dhaniya." She turned back around, eyes growing wide at his proximity. His attention, however, was momentarily diverted to the rise and fall of her chest. "That means you must be hungry, I'll fix you something."

"You know, I am hungry," he agreed, trapping her against the counter with his long arms.

"Shravan..." the warning ended in a whimper when he brushed her hair away from her face, tracing the shell of her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed.

The temptation was too great. He pressed his lips to her eyelids, her sigh reassuring and thrilling all at once. "Sumo," he whispered, needing a glimpse into her thoughts.

She opened her eyes as if in a daze. And then all doubt (all thought) left his mind when she kissed him.

It was tentative at first, but as their lips met once, twice, again, and again (he couldn't have expected hers to be so soft) he wanted more, and hummed in appreciation as her fingers ran through his hair, tugging sharply when his tongue sought entrance into her mouth.

His own hands were not idle, and though he fought to maintain control, he suddenly found himself lifting her easily onto the counter. The new angle was much easier on both of them, but as he stepped towards her she pulled away, cradling his face in her small hands.

"We have to stop," she gasped.

He caught his own breath and took in her appearance: hair unkempt, lips swollen (did he do that?), the way her eyes were drifting down to his lips despite her words. He felt her pulse thrum, matching his own, as her thumb gently caressed his rough cheek.

"Why? Why push me away when I know it's not what you want, Sumo?"

She seemed to crumple at his words, the fire in her eyes extinguished. "It's not about me, Shravan. Or even you."

His brows furrowed. "Then...?"

Her eyes darted every which way but towards his. "Not everyone in your family would be happy with us...together."

"Who? Chachiji? You pushed me away for her?"

A flash of the Suman he knew appeared, her eyebrows shooting sky-high. "What? No, of course not." He waited expectantly. "Just...I could never get between you and your father."

He wasn't expecting to hear that, and opened his mouth to rebut her crazy theory. Instead, all that came out was, "Papa?"

She nodded.

"He wouldn't, he knows how long we've..." Shravan trailed off, suddenly seeing the late night love advice from his father in a new light. "He said something to you?"

She nodded again.

"What?" He almost shook her. "What were his exact words?"

"It doesn't matter, Shravan," she sighed.

"How can you say that?" He raised his voice, belatedly realizing where they were.

"It doesn't matter because if you had to choose between me and your father, I know you would pick him, because I would too."

He was quiet for a moment. "You think I wouldn't fight for you?" he said, dragging a hand over his face.

"Against the man who raised you? I would never ask you to." Her brown eyes pleaded with him to understand.

His jaw clenched. "I am so sick. And tired. Of everyone deciding everything for me." He paced the small kitchen.

She flinched at his words. "I didn't want to hurt you, Shravan."

"Oh?" His voice was calm, as it often was before he dismantled his opponents in court. "And cutting me out of your life was you not trying to hurt me?"

He watched as tears sprang to her eyes, his fingers alternately wanting to wipe them away and wanting to find the nearest wall to punch a hole through.

"I have my Nanu," she said finally. "That's it. Nobody else in this world. You have your father." Suman slid off the counter. "Who else has ever fought our battles for us?"

"We have," he said, and this time he did reach over to wipe her tears. "We fight for each other."

Her fingers encircled his wrist and she leaned against his hand. "It's not going to be easy. There are some things I've...kept from you."

"So I gather." Shravan sighed. "But if we're going to do this, you need to trust that I will do my best to support you, just like I trust you to...to stay."

Suman hugged him fiercely. "Promise?" came the muffled question.

"Promise," he replied, marveling at how she fit into his arms. "Should I draft a new contract?" Her laugh tickled his chest.

She pulled back. "I'm not signing anything until my lawyer reads it."

He smiled and tugged her closer. "I can think of a better way to seal the deal."

And they did, in a manner that would likely not hold up in a court of law, but was mutually appreciated by both parties.

THE END

I mean, I'm no lawyer but I'm pretty sure handshakes don't count in court?

Just kidding, they totally made out.

Wanted to thank everyone for their encouragement that kept me motivated to finish despite not watching the show for weeks at a time. Hope the ending was agreeable - not perfect, but I'm no good at saas bahu dramatics so best to end it here.

❤️

Originally posted by: _Eternity_

Amazing...
U end it...that's sad...

Originally posted by: LovinglifeGB

Loved it a lot. Hope you write more

Originally posted by: Nimik

😉 Lovely!

And I am A LAWYER!!

Koi contracts sign karne hai to bolo!!😉

Originally posted by: BubliBag

loved it