I am extremely sorry for the delay and Tabby I hope you like your birthday gift.
Chapter 14: Mending hearts
Suman Malhotra woke up to the sunlight streaming through the cracks in the blinds of the bedroom window and for the first time in the entire week, it wasn't the heavy burden of her existence that erupted in her chest but a feeling of overwhelming contentment that settled upon her like a spell, that ran through her arteries like blood and made her feel lighter than she had ever been.
Her lips curled up in a slight smile as she slowly slipped into consciousness. Her eyes were still cast behind the curtain of haziness but her thumb had started to draw circles on the skin of his forearm. She could feel the steady beating of his heart underneath her palm which was placed over his chest, right above his heart. She could sense his fading cologne that had become solace to her troubling thoughts, invading her senses as she peeked through her half-lidded eyes. This is what she wanted to wake up to for the rest of her life.
It felt no less than a dream. A dream, she had nurtured so often with open eyes and strong convictions, consolidated with insignificant little details, only to witness its demolition brick by brick.
Today, as he lay by her side, their heads touching and her right hand laced in his left, she has passed the threshold of dreams she couldn't get herself to cross. She is aware that this is her blunt, enormous reality.
Before exhaustion took over their minds and bodies, they had taken the time to look at the other, to trace their fingers across each other's face as if relishing in the warmth and the familiarity, healing wounds under myriad of caresses and feather like touches. She had to stifle the urge to touch him again now that he was in such close proximity, so close that she could count the lashes resting against his well-rested face, so close that their breaths mingled together. She longed to touch him again, to prove herself that even though he appeared to her as a blur, he was no longer an apparition.
Suman pulled back from his chest and yet stayed captured by his tight embrace, only to watch him sleep for a while. All her fatigue from the entire week dissipated into thin air and a great big lump of gratitude caught in her throat with every movement of his chest rising and falling, the ball of his other fist under his slightly parted lips. She smiled fondly at the sight.
Her fingers swept away the loose tendril that had fallen on his forehead, before venturing their usual path as she wandered over every contour of his face. She closed his mouth and let her fingers rest against the bearded skin, occasionally caressing it with the back of her hand. A sense of serenity prevailed around him, she could tell by the lack of creases on his forehead, she would spend time rubbing in the early days of their marriage. She could tell by the way his jaw relaxed under her touches, she could tell by the slight lazy smile that took over his face.
"I am fully aware that you are awake, Mr. Malhotra," She said, her tone teasing as he continued to feign sleep for some more, but the growing smile on his face was enough proof for her to continue her ministrations. She propped herself on one elbow and shook her head lightly at the picture of innoncence he made. Her fingers began tickling him, causing him to wiggle and catch her wrist. Slowly, he blinked open sleepy eyes.
"Good Morning," She whispered still peering at him as he looked at her through droopy eyes, the smile evident in them.
"Good Morning," He mumbled back, his voice raspy and deep from disuse and his eyes alight with happiness as he looked at her smiling face.
"I see, you have picked up on the habit of waking me up," He said, threading his fingers through hers and leaning his forehead against hers.
"I am the only one who is allowed to do so." Her eyes sparkled with mischief and yet he could decipher the undertones of concers in her tone.
"Only you," He promised, gently kissing her forehead and pulling her closer to him.
And for the first time since she had undeniably fallen in love with him, she felt fiercely possessive towards him. To know that she was the one who provoked such havoc inside his chest, that she was the one behind the spark in his eyes and the peace of his soul meant no less than any accolades, she could get rewarded with. He loved her. He needed her. She was the one, the only one who could make him feel this way.
Their heads laid over adjacent pillows as they gazed at each other with content smiles on their faces. He raised his hand towards her face to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear to give himself an obstructed view of her face. "You are beautiful," He whispered, his voice an intricate blend of admiration and awe and it made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
She could only duck her head down in response, her cheeks coloring. Suddenly, she felt very conscious of his gaze upon her, never had he looked at her with such affection.
"Sumo, are you blushing?" Shravan sounded delighted. He nudged her to look at him with his fingers under her chin as she refused to meet his eyes. He cupped the side of her face and her eyes fluttered close as she nuzzled into his palm. He smiled when he felt her skin grow warm under his fingertips.
"Hey," She called out softly as she saw him pondering over something. "Kya soch rahe ho?" She moved her face and rested her chin on his shoulder so she could see his face.
"You should wear my clothes, more often," He stated playing with the collar as she laughed softly, agreeing with him.
She shot a sidelong glance to the clock on her wall. "We should get up," She suggested but made no move to entangle herself from the mess of tangled limbs and arms she was encaged into.
"No!" He shook his head ruefully, his arms tightening around her.
"Shravan, we can't stay in here all day," She reprimanded gently as she tried to wiggle out from his strong grasp but to no avail.
"I just want you to stay here with me," He said pulling her towards him by her hand, it was a feeble pull but convincing enough for her to lean into him.
"But-"
"Five minutes," He cut her off, his tone leaving very little for argument as he buried himself in the crook of her neck, his face resting against the soft skin and his lips tickling her collarbones as he spoke. "Accha baba, two minutes, please," He whispered earnestly when he felt her about to struggle against him. He wrapped his arm securely around her back, as if he wasn't ready to let go, as if he needed her to stay a little longer. She sighed, finally giving in under his shower of affection, her fingers finding purchase in the locks at the back of his head. After all, morning were meant for cuddling.
Shravan sat in Nanu's room in Tiwari Villa while Suman and her family stayed busy downstairs, packing their last minute essentials. They had been stunned to see them coming out of her room, together. Especially Mamiji who had begun her day by throwing a myriad of questions towards the newlyweds who had fumbled with excuses which earned them sly smiles and suggestive looks from their elders. Mausi ji had stood up in their defence and told her to let it be, they were married now.
It was a typical morning. Suman was helping her Rachna Mausi to make the breakfast in the kitchen, which had been her domain for so long. As she put the water to boil to make the tea, she closed her eyes for a moment. Mami ji's voice could be heard across the hall as she gave instructions to her husband who hurried to listen to her unless he wanted to be confronted to his wife's fury. She could also hear Mausa ji reciting his Morning Prayer and Dabbu playing around the house.
The day had finally come. She thought to herself as she worked her way up to the stairs, a tray in hand.
The last three weeks had flown by and before she could even realize she had to pack her grandfather's luggage and send him to overseas. She settled the tray down on the bed side table. She watched them with a small smile lingering on her face. They sat in their usual corner of the room, engaged in a very interesting chess game. Her heart thudded in her chest at the thought that this would be the last time in a very long time before she got acquainted to this sight.
Her smile grew slightly and she gazed at her husband as he talked to her grandfather with the warmth only he was capable to emanate and there wasn't anything subtle about the way she looked at him in that moment, she no longer stole furtive glances at him but admired him unabashedly and she didn't refrain from doing so, she had all the rights.
It was one of the things she loved the most about Shravan: his soft-spoken nature and respectful stance. Her heart filled with endearment for him whenever he was around children or older people. He radiated such warmth and protectiveness but most importantly and in spite of his preoccupations, he always took the time to sit and spend time with his family, whether they were worthy or not. This was something she had learnt from him that no matter how much you earned, how much you achieved in life what would matter in the end would be these little moments spend together. That's where true happiness lied. Nothing can equal the time you give to your loved ones.
He wasn't obligated to do it but he had told her that it made him happy. He loved conversing with Nanaji about his old days as a lawyer, he always learnt a trick or two. He could spend hours playing with Dabboo and teach him how to solve the Rubik cube or simply sit and talk about his new best friend, he liked a little more than a friend and whenever he would sit on his knees in front of Nanaji and his voice became softer when he explained something to Dabbu, she could see a glimpse of her
chachmish[/]. He loved her family as much she did, he loved everyone equally and she wondered if it was just who he was as a person or his will to never make anyone feel ignored or taken for granted.
Like he had felt for the better part of his life.
"Weren't you to come back only after three days?" The patriarch asked reminiscing the conversation they had on the phone, a day after his departure.
Suman frowned and stilled for a second, hearing that information coming from her grandfather's mouth. And the reasons behind her surprise and astonishment were two. Firstly, she wasn't aware of this piece of information and secondly she did not understand why would he shorten his trip if he had moved away from her to acquire some peace of mind in the first place?
"Plan to yahi tha lekin aapke jaane se pehle, akhri baar milna chahta tha," He replied moving the queen in one straight direction - diagonally.
"Mere liye jaldi wapis aageya ya aapni biwi ko akela nahi dekh sakta isliye?" Nanu shot a wink up at the boy, laugh lines creasing the corners of his kindly eyes. Shravan sneaked a glance at her only to see her gaze already directed towards him.
"It's nothing like that," He quickly dismissed the idea, surprised by the heat that was rushing to his cheeks.
She might have been standing at the opposite side of the room, but she was very well aware of every nuance that lay bare on her best friend's face, he was looking down at his shoes as if they were the most interesting in the world and the tips of his ears had turned slightly red, giving away from his embarrassment.
[I]Main hoon na, main rahonga tumhare saath. He had stuck to his words, yet again and she did not know how to react. A part of her was elated, euphoric to say the least and yet there was this tiny doubt that didn't let her wear her usual brilliant smile when her eyes rested over him. She did not understand the duelling emotions she was feeling at the moment. He had come back for her but she couldn't comprehend the reason behind his comeback: was it out of pure obligation or because he had realized that he loved her? Had he came back on his own will like he had left or was the guilt too much for him to bear?
"Suman," Nanu called out but got no response. "Suman beta," He said with a knowing smile when the pile of clothes she had in her hand fell down on the bed right in the suitcase and she shifted her gaze from the centre of her attention to meet her Nanu's eyes.
"Kabse bulara hoon main tumhe? Kahan khoyi ho?" He enquired softly. Shravan smiled slyly to himself as he saw the flush spreading on her cheeks he had the urge to caress to see the colour turn damask. She had been caught red-handed staring at him and she had fumbled embarrassed.
"Idhar aake baith." He motioned her to come and sit on the chair in front of him, next to her husband. Shravan slightly shifted from his spot to make some room for her and the older man didn't miss the way their fingers linked together almost instantly.
Shravan kept his gaze steady but he could feel her looking up at him in his peripheral vision. He turned his head to have a proper look at her and their eyes met. He nudged his head at her as though to question her why she was looking at him so intently as if she was trying to depict something. She simply shook her head in the negative as a small smile crept over her face and her hold on his hand tightened further.
Nanu's eyes bounced back between Shravan and Suman, hands laced gently in his lap as he leaned against the leather sofa. Sumo's eyes shone with abundant happiness that had been lost for a while and there was a soft smile on Shravan's face as he peered down at her. The glow and contentment radiating off their faces warmed his heart.
For the first time, since they had become man and wife, he felt relieved with the decision of uniting the two of them in the bond of marriage. They seemed to have worked out things perfectly fine, their childhood camaraderie had blossomed into a pleasant and strong companionship which he knew was to last for a lifetime.
His wrinkled hand reached for their joined ones as he held them together "Mujhe hamesha darr lagta tha ke jab tu door chali jaogi to main aapne aap ko kaise sambhal paonga, but here you are a happy and independent woman aur mujhe tumhe aise dekh ke bohot khushi milti hai." She smiled between tears as her hold on his hand tightened.
They had been each other's family for the longest time. He had been a friend, a sibling and a parent so it was natural to feel this bitter sweet about his departure. In his eyes, she had grown up from being the under-confident the six year old orphan to this young and confident woman. Suman rested her head on the back of his palm and Nanu's eyes moistened with familiar affection as he caressed her head.
Shravan sat beside her, his thumb running soothing circles on her knee. He made a silent promise to himself. He would never let her feel bereft of the warmth and affection she had been deprived, denied and robbed of. This was his newest revolve, he would shower her with so much love and happiness that the word
'khushi' itself would be too meager for her. He was going to give her the world.
In between hugs and goodbyes, Manju had held Suman's hand in hers and gave her Tiwari Villa's keys, saying that it now belonged to her and it was her responsibility thereof. Suman had then engulfed the woman in her arms and promised that she would do her best in keeping their home intact.
It felt strange to call it her home and to own the keys of the place, when she had been reminded of her dependence at every single opportunity of her life, she needed them more than they needed her, she was the one who needed a roof over her head. So, to embrace her emptiness once again, she stepped into the terrace. Her safe cocoon, where she would spend summer nights counting the stars that lit the entire sky.
Suman gasped in surprise and froze for a moment as a warm body enveloped her from behind. The next moment though, she melted into the familiar warmth and her head came to rest against his chest as she put her own arms along his which were wrapped around her stomach, covering her almost entirely.
Try as much as she wanted to fight her way through her loneliness all by herself, he would persistently follow and one day she would find no option but to lean on him, to share her darkness with him.
"Sumo," Shravan prompted, wondering if she had gotten lost in her thoughts and if so, what those thoughts were.
At the soothing sound of his voice, she looked up slightly so and nuzzled herself in his chest as he encircled her petite form closer to him. "Hmm."
"Kya soch rahi ho?" He asked placing his chin on her shoulder.
"Kuch nahi," She replied, caressing the light hair that peppered his forearms similarly as she had been doing in the morning.
"Pakka?" He nuzzled her hair and breathed her in, he loved her flowery scent.
"Pakka."
"Do you remember Preethi Bhoj?" He smiled, reminiscing.
"Sab yaad hai mujhe," She quipped playing with his fingers as she remembered the day they had rekindled their friendship.
"I swear to God, I never ate that much in my entire life!" He exclaimed, her cooking was something he could never get enough of since the time she would give him delicious treats to sample.
"Ek number ke bhukkad ho tum! Sumo, ek aur please!" She teased imitating him.
"I don't sound like that, at all," He laughed throwing his head back in mirth and the ringing sound of his laughter was so liberating to her, bottled up with so much hope and happiness that she stood no chance against it. He left no stone unturned in sweeping her off her feet.
"Oh, you sure do!" He craved for sweets that was a given but he also loved to mess with her, it was so easy to get a rise out of her and he loved how her cheeks got red and her nose scrunched up when she would get angry with him.
"I am sure that's the night Preeti and Pushkar's story started," He said causing her to elbow him in the ribs. His brother's love story and the impressive progression of it was often discussed in the family.
"Aur hamari bhi," She beamed up at him and she looked so breathtakingly beautiful in that moment, her smile deepened and her eyes suddenly looked clearer, brighter as if the spell of sadness had finally been lifted and he was so content by the sight that he could only manage a mere nod of his head.
"You had me so worried with your fees!" She smiled fondly, marvelling at how simple it was now to admit it to him.
"Why though? Mene to kuch aisa manga bhi nahi tha?" He asked, a hint of bewilderment riddled in his voice. "Ek minute, what were you thinking I would ask for?"
She bit her lip and closed her eyes in frustration, of course he would have picked up on it, among the two of them he was the one who made intellectual leaps and he was a lawyer. "Mene-mene to kuch nahi socha tha," She tripped over her own words.
He turned her around by her shoulders to face him. "Suman Malhotra, you know you can't lie to me, chalo jaldi batao mujhe," He reminded her.
"Sumooo," He whined and she held a smile at the eagerness in his voice.
"Accha batati hoon but you are not allowed to judge, okay?" She said as threateningly as she could and pointed a finger at him in warning.
"I won't," He promised.
"Actually I-I thought, I mean Preeta thought ke shayad tumhe..." She averted his eyes and fiddled with her thumbs.
"Mujhe kya?" He cocked his head to the side, examining her thoroughly, she had never been at loss of words with him in fact she often left him open-mouthed in admiration.
"I thought that you wanted a kiss as your fees," She blurred rather too quickly and covered her face with her hands. A silence ensued then and she peeked through the gaps between her fingers to see him trying to suppress his laughter.
"Shravan!" She yelled and then he couldn't hold back his laughter anymore even when she started to assault him and came up with the most horrible ideas to get back at him. "Mujhe baat hi nahi karni tumse." She huffed in annoyance and her face flushed red as she tried to go past him but he held her in place, his hands fell to her lower back.
"Sumo," He called out softly when he had sobered up and when she tried to shrug off his touch, her chin almost quivering, he stepped closer to her and brought a finger under her chin to meet her eyes. "Did you want it?"
"What?" She asked him with an eyebrow arched at him.
His fingers crept up and stroked along the side of her face and her eyes fluttered closed. "A kiss."
Lost in the warmth of his caresses and the feelings they invoked in her, she didn't react till his words passed through the functional working part of her brain and her eyes grew wide with surprise for she had the knowledge that she was in trouble with the way his eyes seemed alight with mischief.
She looked up at him perplexed, too tongue-tied to answer and it didn't help that she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Of course, she had wanted it but how was she to admit it to him?
That night had been the turning point in her equation with Shravan. She loved him but she had been underestimating the growth of her feelings for him. She had been oblivious at first, of the after effects of his proximity, his feather like touches but when she had bounced up the stairs that led to this very terrace like a teenager sneaking out to see her crush and the possibility of him tracing her lips with his fingers and then his lips had left her anxious yet excited to explore the new side of their relationship.
"Nahi toh," She refuted the idea, shaking her head in denial and she had never sounded more unconvincing to herself.
"So you did not want me?" He asked with a teasing smile, amused.
"N-No! That's not what I meant!" Suman tried her best to appear nonchalant even though her heart was about to beat out of her chest.
"Sumo, you are stuttering again," He pointed out at a tendency she had picked up on whenever she was anxious about something and she ducked her head like she was embarrassed.
"So, may I?" He whispered, his voice throaty and breathless like it would be whenever she was in breathing proximity. He took a step closer to her and cornered her against the railing. A whisper of her name left his lips as his eyes flicked from her eyes to her lips and she shuddered at the darkening colour of his eyes. His eyes closed as he leaned towards and she didn't miss him gulp when his Adam's apple bobbed.
It was a humbling experience for her to realize that all of this, the intimacy between them was as new to him as it was to her and it gave her an odd sense of reassurance towards her own inexperience that she knew would kick in when time would come. She felt a smile grow on her face at the thought,
they would learn together.For a second though, she considered slipping her hand around the back of his neck, stand on her tippy toes and brush her lips against his soft ones and see where it would lead them but Suman quelled the urge now was not the adequate time to weaver down this route, they had to spend some time just talking and understanding each other. With a small sigh and a shake of her head, she took his face between both of her palms before playfully slapping him across his face.
Shravan's eyes grew wide with shock and he blinked several times in disbelief, she had slapped him. "Sumo," He said outraged as he held his cheek. Sensing that she was in for trouble, she made a bee line towards the door with Shravan chasing her down. "Tumhe to main abhi batata hoon, Sumo ki bacchi!"
"Pehle pakar ke dikhao, Qutub Minar kahi ke!" Suman bolted down the stairs as he followed her briskly. She ran across the living room and took position behind a sofa as she giggled to her heart's content. In two long strides he reached to her and pulled her towards him but she squirmed trying to wiggle out from his grasp and he let her, sighing in contentment. "Acha bas," She said holding her hand up in surrender as she plopped down on the sofa opposite him, holding her breath.
Drama Queen He smiled to himself when he remembered how she had simulated a call, the first time he had come to her home, after ten long years.
Sadu. She rolled her eyes when she recollected that same memory, Shravan Malhotra could be ruthless when he wanted.
They stood side by side, leaning on each side of the door frame. They often found themselves here standing at the threshold. This door had created the link between them. Months ago, she had opened it for him in the excitement of seeing him. One day, in May, she had turned towards this very door, her eyes cast down, not wanting him to witness her trembling lips and the liquid that threatened to flow as she begged him to stay without a word. Yesterday, she had closed it on his face in her fury, closing her heart's passage to him.
They sat down on the pavement and let their gazes wander around the abode of their memories and a smile made its way on both their faces as they caught the sight of her car parked before the gates. She brought her hand to her mouth to stifle the chuckle that threatened to escape her lips while he shook his head in dismay, a soft smile gracing his face as she revived the memory of him wiggling under her Jaan, showing off his mechanic's prowess and her dumping a bucket full of water on his face.
"Ek sawaal poochoon?"
"Tum kab se poochne se pehle poochne lagi?" She raised her head from the shoulder she had been resting on till now in order to properly glare at him which caused him to let out a nervous chuckle and fickle her nose with his finger. "Accha pucho," He rested her head back on his shoulder and secured his hand around her shoulder.
"Why did you come back?" She had this question on mind since the conversation she had heard between him and Nanu. Sensing the confusion in his eyes, she reformulated her question, "I mean, why you came back yesterday and not three days later?"
He pretended to think for a moment although he had anticipated this question a while back and he already had an inkling at the direction his wife's thoughts were taking her. "Why do you think I came back?"
"I wouldn't know, I can't read your mind..." She whispered.
"For you," He whispered quietly as her head snapped up and she looked at him with something similar to what he had seen in the mirror, the entire week he had passed away from her - longing.
"I came back for you," He reaffirmed his words. "Not because I was needed here or because I have a responsibility towards you or your family but because I
wanted to be here, with you." He reached out for her hand that was in her lap and threaded his fingers through hers.
"You are strong, believe me when I say that you are the strongest person I have known in my entire life but I want to be strong for you Sumo like you are for me, for us. I want to be the wall you can lean on whenever you want to," He exhaled roughly. "I want you to know that you are not alone, you have me and you'll always have me," He told her as he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Utho," She ordered as she stood up and tugged the hand she was holding, trying to pull him up.
"Sumo?" He called out as she stepped closer to him and closed the distance between them, not being able to contain herself anymore. Had it been one week ago, she would hesitate and settle for a heartfelt squeeze of her hand but she didn't think twice before going through with her actions, all of a sudden she is at ease with him, comfortable as she could ever be.
Suman stood on her tippy toes and raised her arms as high as she could to rest her hands against his strong shoulders, so she could be at face level with him. His eyes fluttered shut as her parted lips effloresced his skin and her cheek grazed his stubbly jaw. She felt him suck in a sharp breath and his arms whish were still by his sides almost on impulse tightened around her waist as her lips lingered against his cheek.
"Thank you," She smiled looking up at his sparkling light brown eyes.
"Kis liye?" He asked confused and still dazed by her earlier action.
"Meri zindagi main aane keliye."
And he could tell in that moment that the expression of her face mirrored his, they both wore identical goofy smiles and a heart ready to burst with joy, so much had been buried in their chests.
-
"Shravan Malhotra, eyes on the road!" Suman glared at him from the corner of the eyes as Shravan drove them through the busy streets of Delhi towards PCT, his fingers strumming on the steering wheel as his eyes kept going back to the reflection of the brown cardboard box she brought from her house, in the rear-view mirror.
To anyone it would be a simple facade on the outside but for him who had spent time going through every writing of hers, who had touched every item again and again, who thought that his feelings would never be reciprocated, it was the proof that her feelings ran as deep as his, she loved him as much as he loved her.
She had hidden a lifetime of love within the bland cardboard exterior.
He pulled off in the driveway and shut the car off as PCT came into view. Sumo insisted to show him the new banner and the changes that had been added during his absence. She got out of the car and closed it behind her only to realize that Shravan hadn't moved from his seat and was still holding the steering-wheel. She bent down and knocked on the window, asking him through gestures what happened to him. "Aao na," She urged him to come with her.
He propped his door open and walked over to the spot where she was standing. She started walking towards her office when she turned around and saw him rooted to his spot as if there was an invisible line, he couldn't get himself to cross. She could see him hesitate, gulp the lump of uncertainty as he leaned back on the bonnet of the car. As she took in his tensed stance, realization dawned upon her.
He was still holding onto the bitter memories of the past, onto the actions of the person he had become at his lowest point. He held it out against himself for something that had deeply pained her. He had hurled insults at her in front of people who knew her to be of steel and determination and broke their relationship within seconds.
But like they say, time is the best healer and she had learnt to forgive him over the course of time, she had learnt to forgive in love.
"Tum phir se bhag rahe ho?" She asked taking a moment to visually asses his state of mind the best she could.
"No I," He started out in protest but couldn't get himself to lie to her, not anymore. "Haan," He whispered
Taking in his defeated stance, Sumo sighed and went to sit next to him on the bonnet of the car. "Mujhse?" She nudged her shoulder with his.
"Apne aap se," He said in a bid to assure her but it only served for the frown on her face to deepen.
"Remember what you told me yesterday?" She asked offering a small smile of her own as if to encourage the corners of his mouth to pull up.
Sumo reached out to brush the back of her fingers against the hair at the nape of his neck, caressing it. "You told me that you didn't want to run anymore, that you were tired of running away from yourself, the circumstances. Lekin, Shravan hum circumstances se lad sakte hain, unhe haara sakte hain magar unse bhag nahi sakte."
"Tum kitna bhi tezz bhag lo, they will always chase you down," She stated with finality, her eyes shining with determination to release him from his shackles.
"That leaves you with two options..." She said hopping down from the bonnet of the car as to stand in front of him, her voice firm and strong. "Either you decide to keep running away from yourself or..." A hint of a smile lingered around her mouth as she stretched her hand for him to hold. "You choose me, you choose to hold my hand and walk with me."
Touched by her earnestness and her words, Shravan held her hand in his and raised it to his lips to place a tender kiss at the back of her hand. Her smile widened at the tender sweetness of the gesture and she ruffled his hair in response. Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra walked side to side with their fingers intertwined and conspicuous smiles on their faces.
"Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho, kya ghum hai jisko chupa rahe ho?" She sang wiggling her eyebrows at him.
"Khush hoon, my smartness has finally rubbed off on you," He placed a hand over his heart as if relieved. "Wo kya kehte hain..." He pretended to retrieve a memory. "Haan, sangat ka asar!" He exclaimed happily which earned him a punch in the stomach.
"Ghar chalo phir batati hoon tumhe!" She pushed his body along hers towards the door.
"Hi."
"Hi." He greeted as he emerged in a t-shirt and sweatpants out of the bathroom of their room, rubbing the excess water out of his hair with his towel. He took a moment to let his eyes drift over her, head to toe. For once, she had ditched her baggy t-shirts and printed pyjamas for something he had seen her wear only once or twice, a blue silky gown.
She cleared her throat, feeling slightly self-conscious as the silence stretched and he continued to look at her with a soft smile on his face. To him, she was the epitome of sensuality. Her face was devoid of an ounce of makeup, making her velvety skin glow under the thin streaks of light. She had tied her hair up in a messy bun, the fringes framed her almond shaped face and put her long, slender neck on display.
The next moment though, she had his heart in her palm as she adjusted the sleeve that was falling off one shoulder, he forced his gaze down, her innocence had left him befuddled and very much aware of the feelings and desires she provoked in him.
He felt her intertwining their fingers together as she dragged him towards the couch and sat cross-legged, her back flush against the armrest of the couch, he turned sideways and mimicked her position. Her eyes caught the sight of his 12th standard book, the one with the letter next to her memory box which she had rested on the table and strictly forbade him from opening without her. He reached out to take the box but backed away, reluctant when she nodded in disapproval.
Not yet."I need to tell you something," She mumbled looking down at their joined hands. He blinked as to encourage her to speak further.
"I want to tell you why I went to meet Aditya," She whispered and he stiffened.
"Sumo, you don't need to do this, okay, you don't owe me any explanation." He shook his head ruefully.
"I do, you have the right to know," She affirmed.
"After the conversation in the study, the other day, I wanted to do something for you, for us. Shravan, I know that I can't rectify my mistakes but I thought that if I detached myself from everything related to him, it would be a closure for us, so I gave him back the money of his investment. I thought that for once, I was doing the right thing but I messed up again and you left," She murmured, tears prickling at the corner of her eyes.
"Why did you hide it from me then?" He asked a gentle enough question but it was enough to twist the knife of guilt in Suman's stomach.
"I didn't how you would react, I was scared," She told him in all honesty, her voice cracking.
"I am sorry." He wiped her cheeks with his thumbs, smearing the remnants of tears on her soft skin and shook his head, asking her not to cry. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"You don't have to tell me everything if you don't want to, just if there is something I need to know, no matter how big the matter is don't hide it from me. It has broken us once, I don't ever want that to happen again," He indulged desperately, his own throat closing up.
"Can you do that for me?" He caressed the last flicker of tears on her lashes and she smiled up at him.
Not being able to bear the shadow of sadness glistening through her eyes, he scooped her in his lap in one swift movement causing a squeal to escape from her lips as she grasped onto his shoulders to stabilize herself. "Is this okay?" He asked wrapping his arm around her and resting his cheek on top of her head.
"More than okay," She assured with a smile and tightened her hold onto him. His heartbeat, his strong arms around her and simply his presence made her feel sheltered, protected and loved like no one could ever.
"I missed this." She muttered against his skin, her nose grazing the crook of his neck as she breathed in his musky scent. "You have no idea how I have spent the last days without you.
"I missed you too,"He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms tighter around her to demonstrate his words.
"I think we should instore some rules," He said after he had pondered for a while.
"Rules?" She repeated his words with a suggestive tone.
"Yes, aur pehla rule ye hai ke aaj ke baad we won't hide anything from each other." He gave her his hand to shake and she held it, instantly agreeing with him.
"Chahe kuch bhi hojaye, tum mujhse kitna bhi naraz hojayo, tum mujhe kabhi chod ke nahi jaoge," Her voice was thick with suppressed emotion and his eyes turned softer as she allowed her vulnerability to waver her words for her. "Kabhi nahi," He promised.
"We'll never go to sleep with an argument unsettled," Suman reached up to move away the wet strands of hair that had fallen on his forehead.
"We won't get much sleep then," He retorted and she glared at him.
"You'll let me help you..." He tapped her nose with his finger as she eyed him suspiciously. "I know, Sumo power and all, but I am here and this time I am not going anywhere." He winked at her in an attempt to brighten his own mood but the hint of uneasiness still lingered in his chest.
Sensing the change in his mouth, she changed the subject. "You will always leave the last kulfi for me!"
"Excuse me?" She laughed in delight at his reaction.
"Okay then, you'll always make me halwa whenever I want it." He grinned back wolfishly and she muttered a quiet bhukkad under her breath before agreeing to his demands.
"Mujhe jaanu, baby, shona jaise nicknames nahi doge," She said in warning and he laughed.
"We are allowed to take things from each other," He proposed cautiously, understanding her reluctance in accepting things from people or him.
"So I am allowed to take that?" She signalled towards the book with a quirked brow.
"It's yours."
They both took hold of their possessions and exchanged them. He was about to open the box but then decided against it. "Sumo." He reached out for her hand and threaded his fingers though hers as she gazed at him expectantly. "I know how important this box is for you," He revealed and she stilled for a second.
"I have read all your letters the day we went at Tiwari Villa, I have known since then," He said with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head.
"Why didn't you say anything?" She asked realizing that he had discovered the box three weeks ago.
"I thought waiting would be better." He offered a gentle shrug. "Every time I have tried to tell you that I love you, something or someone came in between and it was too late, I was too late." He looked down and said a bit distractedly.
"Shravan, She said tremulously, barely able to make a voice and hugged him tightly to herself. "I am guilty of the same thing." She chuckled in slight embarrassment as she pulled back from him.
"What are you talking about?" Shravan asked her with a small confused smile.
"I had read your letter, the day we were packing for London." She confessed and saw realization dawn upon him.
"We have lost so much time..."
"It's okay we are here now," She reasoned softly, propping her chin up on his chest so she could look at him.
"You are here." He pressed a kiss against the crown of her head.
She picked up the book from the table and let the letter slip from it, letting her finger run over the smeared ink. "Waise aise kitne letters likhe tumne wahan London main?" She wasn't delusional and didn't want to remain oblivious anymore. He had spent ten long years away from home, surrounded by the attention of beautiful women, she wouldn't be surprised if during that course of time he had been with someone else.
"Main kiske liye likhonga?"
"I don't know for a friend, a girlfriend..." She retorted, her voice picking up as her curiosity got the best of her. "It's okay, you know I didn't expect you to stay single all your life, She teased with a smile as his face took on a confused look.
"Sumo, there was no one," He said softly but with conviction as Sumo's face registered shock for a second.
"But... I mean how? You were in London Shravan aur wo uss din party main..."
"I have said many things just to hurt you and the party was just another way to get back at you. I couldn't look towards another woman Sumo, no matter how much I tried I was incapable to do so, you had bound me to yourself." He sighed and closed his eyes as he tilted his forehead towards her. Her hand came to his cheek.
"It's always you for me," Shravan whispered somewhat struggling to find words that would make her comprehend the extent of his feelings for her.
Suman took his face between both her hands and revelled in the feeling of his slight stubble grazing against the soft skin of her palms. "I love you," She muttered lest he would forget it.
His eyes wandered exhaustingly slowly over every contour, every line that marked her face, like he had never seen her before in his life. He caressed her temple, the rosy curve of her cheek and the cleft in her chin, before his thumb finally came in contact with her soft lips and he watched in amazement as her lips parted under his touch.
He breathed out when she tilted her chin up and her thumb brushed across his cheekbone, her lips so close to his that if he bent down, he would touch them. His eyes flickered down to her lips back up to her eyes, caught between whether to pull away or lean in. She was tracing his face with the same dilemma in her eyes.
Mustering courage, he brought his face closer to her, his nose rubbing against her cheek and when she blinked in approval, he tentatively diminished the distance between their faces but held out at the last moment, asking her with his gaze if she wanted him to stop.
Shravan Malhotra had forgotten this particular redeeming quality of Suman Malhotra, she was never the one to back down so with one hand caressing the hair at the back of his neck and her fingers trailing down his stubble covered jaw, she closed the distance between their faces and their lips touched for the first time.
Their lips got acquainted to each other tenderly, slowly as if they had all the time in the world, as if they wanted to prolong the moment. Their lips drew over each other's in pecks of warmth, in gentle caresses and soft brushes, as they invaded one another's senses. Overwhelmed would be the word for him as he cupped her face and deepened the kiss, she made him feel lightheaded.
Contagious was the word that came to her mind the minute she had connected his lips to hers. She had never thought that physical intimacy could be this fulfilling. She smiled into the kiss when she felt his hands trail along her back and yet stray there. She had never imagined Shravan to be this tender with her and their first kiss to be filled with so much warmth and love. She had never envision it in this way.
They pulled back to catch their breath, their eyes locked onto each other as they basked in the feeling of holding each other so close that they could feel their heart hammering away and mingle to become one.
"I am in love with you, Suman Tiwari," He murmured against her lips.
"Suman Malhotra," She grinned as she corrected him a spark in her eyes that made Shravan's pulse pick up.
"I like the sound of that," He whispered, leaning his forehead against hers so their noses were touching and this time he was the one who closed the distance between them.
Later in the night, as they sat on the floor of their room, tapes on their fingertips as they stuck the ripped pictures together, Shravan took a moment to look at her.
He would wait at the door, knowing that no matter how much he tried, he would never be a part of the picture perfect family. He stayed a stranger. So, he satisfied himself by gazing at them from afar. Little did he know, that amidst the misfit life he had been leading till now he had been the center of her universe.
Chapter 15:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/ek-duje-ke-vaaste/4800419/shraman-ff-holding-you-c18-pg-102Edited by KitkitMkb - 7 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
