FF: Ricky & Indira: Serendipity - Page 60

Ricky ushered her to his dark green VW. He shifted gears & soon they were on the expressway. After a nearly two hour long drive he turned left onto an unmarked driveway. She had been imagining Ricky's home for many years now but the reality did not come even close enough to her wildest dreams! She got down from the car. In front of her was sprawled an immense two storied glass and stucco house. It was surrounded on all sides by what appeared like acres of lush green grass. The entire house was decorated & filled up with guests who were talking & laughing in animated groups on the lawns. For the first time since Ricky had invited her to this party, Indira began doubting if she had done the wise thing by accepting his invite. She already felt a misfit amongst these people. She didn't know anyone here. Alex had told her he would be coming; but other than Ricky & Alex she would be completely on her own here. She glanced nervously at Ricky. He looked neither impressed nor intimated by the display of power & wealth before them. He just appeared indifferent. When Indira would have voiced her concerns about going inside the house, Ricky took her by the elbow. With his hand at her elbow she had no choice but to walk with him.

For the next few minutes Ricky mixed & mingled with the guests at the party. Most of them were his parent's friends or their business associates. Though Indira could not directly participate in their conversations as she didn't know anyone well enough she noticed that Ricky took special care to ensure that she didn't feel left out. Finally after almost an hour of mixing with the guests they reached the house where for the first time Indira met Ricky's parents. They both were wonderful individuals. Within the first five minutes of meeting them her apprehensions about her meeting Ricky's parents vanished. Sameer, Ricky's elder brother came up with his wife Priya to greet Indira. The Diwans were a wonderful & close – knit family & soon Indira found she was actually beginning to relax & enjoy the party.

She was in deep conversation with Priya when she found a hand curve round her shoulder. She glanced to her left & found Ricky had joined them. Priya excused herself as she went in search of Sameer. Ricky gave Indira's hand a gentle tug & asked her to follow him. When they had reached a deserted corridor Indira asked him where he was taking her.

R: Till now I was busy doing my duty. Now it is time for some pleasure. Come!

Ricky took Indira up a flight of stairs & into the first room to their right. Indira immediately recognized this to be Ricky's room. The room was huge & was very elegantly decorated.

I: Won't someone miss you at the party?

Ricky sat down on the bed. Leaning back on the bed on his left arm he glanced at Indira & said,

R: There are too many people below. Nobody would notice our absence.

Indira sat down beside him on the bed.

I: Why did you bring me here Ricky?

R: Why do you think Indira?

Indira glanced back at him sharply. Suddenly feeling nervous she got up & walked over to the huge French windows which opened onto a huge balcony. She felt rather than saw Ricky come close to her. With the glass windows ahead & Ricky standing behind her she could have either turned round & faced him or could have stood still where she was. She chose the latter. She gasped as she felt something cold round her neck. Her hands came in contact with a band of beautifully cut square stones. She glanced down & found herself staring at the most beautiful diamond necklace she had ever seen. She turned around to face Ricky & looked up at him questioningly.

I: Ricky? This….diamonds….

R: I wanted to see you wearing this.

Ricky bent his head & kissed her where the diamonds rested against her skin. Indira closed her eyes. Logic & common sense once more gave way to temptation. This was one man she couldn't resist. He was the only man who made her forget everything that she knew to be correct. Ricky whispered, "I wanted to see you wearing only this!" while he continued kissing her throat.

The world tilted as he swept her up into his arms, his mouth devouring hers while he moved her onto the bed, following her down and covering her with his body his knowledgeable hands exploring and exciting and tormenting her, bathing her senses in a kaleidoscope of fiercely erotic pleasures that sent hot need pulsing through every nerve in Indira's throbbing body.

***

Dreamily descending from the misty euphoria where she was floating, sated and happy, Indira slowly became conscious of the warmth emanating from Ricky's body beside her, and the weight of his hand resting atop her stomach. She laid her head on his chest feeling content after a really long while her heart was brimming with pure joy. Without her realizing it she must have drifted off to sleep for when she woke up Ricky was already awake & fully dressed. He was standing by the window. Hearing her waking up he came up to her & sat down beside her on the bed. Handing her her clothes he said,

R: Need any help dressing up?

Indira smiled & pushed him away.

I: I think I can manage that much thank you.

Stealing a quick kiss Ricky said,

R: You can but you don't have to

I: I know & you are getting repetitive

R: Come back downstairs soon. I will be waiting for you. And keep the necklace on.

I: But…

R: No questions! See you in a while.

Indira picked up her saree & got ready quickly. She brushed her hair briskly & reapplied her lipstick. Giving herself a final once over in the mirror she picked up her clutch & left the room. She noticed two things immediately. It was more silent downstairs as most of the guests were heading out to the lawns for dinner. And in this silence the sharp cackle of female laughter behind her hurt her ears twice hard.

She turned around & felt her muscles freeze. There, standing just a foot away from her was Natasha. She was dressed in a shocking pink Anarkali dress & was busy talking with Priya. Diamonds sparkled at her throat & ears. And going by her behavior it was obvious that she was drunk. Indira started to turn away from her in order to avoid a confrontation. But it was already too late.

N: Oh my if it isn't Miss India…oops Miss Indira Sharma.

Indira decided to ignore her & just leave her alone. But her next words stopped her cold

N: You really don't have much shame do you? What the hell do you think you are doing in Ricky's bedroom?

Indira colored in embarrassment.

I: I do not owe you any explanations Natasha. And will you please stop screaming & creating a scene?

N: Wow! Do you see how two faced she is Priya? She isn't concerned about sleeping with Ricky in his house in his parent's party but she is concerned about my talking a little louder.

Priya too realized that Natasha was drunk & tried to calm her down. But Natasha wasn't about to be silenced. Hearing all the ruckus she was creating Ricky, Sam & their parents too came up to see what the commotion was all about. And it was then that Indira truly realized what a two faced woman Natasha could be. Gone was the out of control, jealously mad, drunk Natasha. In her place was a calm, sober & traumatized poor girl who went up to Ricky & hugged him. If Indira hadn't been a victim of Natasha's spite just a few minutes back she would have easily swallowed whatever lies Natasha threw her way.

N: I am so sorry honey! I really am. I am sorry Mr. Diwan, Mrs. Diwan. Indira is absolutely right. I should never have come here. So what if I am a family friend? But Indira has every right to be here….not me. I think I should just leave.

I: What? When did I ever say that? You were the one who asked me what I had been doing in…….what I had been doing here.

N: You mean to say I am lying? Even Priya heard her? Didn't you Priya? She asked me to not create a scene. Do you think I would do something as down market as create a scene? Go ahead & deny it. Say you didn't say this!

I: I did. I did say it but that was because….

N: You see Ricky. She accepts. She admits that she said I shouldn't have been here.

Indira was shocked at Natasha's manipulative tactics. And she was hurt that Priya wasn't speaking out the truth. Getting more upset by the moment she turned towards Priya & said,

I: Please don't keep quite. Please speak out the truth. A lot depends on…

N: Oh wow! Now you are calling my friend a liar.

Natasha came up to Indira & caught her by her arms. Her manicured nails dug into her bare arms. Indira was shocked at the virulent hatred she saw in Natasha's eyes for her.

N: Priya is a very dear friend of mine sweetheart. I kept quite when you insulted me but I won't listen to you insulting my best friend.

Indira winced in pain as her nails dug into her arms. She felt a hand at her arms & looked up to find Ricky beside her. She let out a sigh of relief.

R: Enough! Leave her alone. You are hurting her.

Natasha was shocked to find Ricky standing beside Indira. But her shock was short lived. Ricky turned towards Indira,

R: I had told you once before. I will tell you this again & this would be the last time I bother explaining. Natasha is a family friend. There was no reason for you to behave the way you did. You not only insulted a family friend but you also spoiled my parent's party for them. You owe an apology to both of them. Apologize to Natasha & mom & dad & just put an end to this down market nonsense which you have started immediately!

Indira froze besides Ricky. A hurt which had nothing to do with the physical pain Natasha had inflicted on her was oozing up inside her. Without giving her a chance to explain herself Ricky had condemned her & announced her punishment as well. With quite pride she turned towards Ricky,

I: I have not spoiled your parent's party. I will not bother explaining myself to someone who isn't even interested in knowing what the truth is. And I am sorry for nothing Ricky. I refuse to apologize for a thing I did not do. I have said nothing that is wrong. I have insulted no one. And hence I will not apologize.

She refused to allow Natasha the pleasure of watching her run away. With her head held high she quietly left the place. She had almost reached the gate when a hand pulled her back roughly.

R: How dare you? How dare you insult my parents? In one go you not only insulted my parents but Natasha & her family too. And yet you dare to say that you have done nothing wrong?

I: Are you sure the high & mighty Ricky Diwan should be talking with a down market girl like Indira Sharma?

R: I have never called you down market. Stop putting words in my mouth.

I: You called my behavior down market. And only down market people behave in such a manner, don't they? And don't you think this was a direct insult of my upbringing & hence an indirect insult of my parents?

R: If you hadn't allowed your insecurities to get the better of you & hadn't accused Natasha wrongly none of this would have happened.

I: Why are you obsessing so much about Natasha's insult? Why are you so much hurt with the idea that I insulted her? What does she mean to you?

R: I have already told you….

I: Yes I know she is JUST a family friend. But your actions are not matching your words Ricky. But then this isn't the first time it has happened, is it?

R: And what is that supposed to mean?

Indira was beyond control now. She pushed Ricky back. Her eyes were bright with tears, but this time the tears were not of pain or betrayal but of uncontrollable anger.

I: What I mean is that as far as I know nobody sleeps with their family friend. And now if you don't want to be slapped in public & don't wish to create any more down market scenes you will not dare to stop me. Goodbye!