SS: Interpol (Part 31NEWWWW Pg. 53 Taj Mahal) - Page 24

Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes. I am on the mend. Typing is a bit difficult, but I am trying. Hoping to post another part today at some point.

Originally posted by: Marybarton

Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes. I am on the mend. Typing is a bit difficult, but I am trying. Hoping to post another part today at some point.

u knw now a days I’m not bothered by the real episodes nunances … in our Imlie land Adi kissed Imlie nd is desperately seeking her I’m content with very thought 😜

Part 16:

Imlie shut the door behind her and slumped to the floor. She touched her fingers to her lips. So that's what it was all about. She touched her flaming cheeks. Why was she so hot?

Aditya paced the hall. Had he pushed her too soon? How can it be too soon, they just had their eleventh wedding anniversary for god's sake!? But Imlie couldn't trust him. His actions definitely did not communicate any steadfastness to her. She didn't see how he loved her. He couldn't express himself in a way that she understood and they had once understood each other so well. But...how could she not feel it? It felt to him like a star had lit up inside him and he could float with the energy it emitted. A mere kiss does not always feel like that. He would know. He had never felt anything like it. Aditya had goosebumps just thinking about it. So that's the difference between being in love and not being in love when you are with someone. It was marvelous.

The next morning...

Imlie was busy making all kinds of hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen by the time Aditya sauntered in.

Aditya: Good morning.

Imlie blushed and snapped: I am busy. Don't bother me.

Aditya: Don't you have work today? I can take care of preparations for the evening. Just tell me what to make.

Imlie: I took the day off. In any case, I can't leave you in the house alone. You have to come to work with me tomorrow.

Aditya put on coffee: And do what?

Imlie: Nothing. You will stay in a witness room with something to busy yourself with.

Aditya: Like a grounded child.

Imlie: Yes, pretty much. That's what happens when you interfere in covert operations that are none of your business!

Aditya shrugged and went about making toast.

Imlie, frustrated: When will you stop getting involved in these dangerous scenarios?

Aditya: You are saying this? You? Kidnapper of the Hungarian Prime Minister?

Imlie smacked him on the arm: That is my job.

Aditya: I was doing my job that day as well!

Imlie: There is a line between getting the news and interrupting the news.

Aditya: Don't start. I haven't even had my coffee yet.

Imlie's jaw dropped: You have a lot of cheek you know that? I almost got you off that day, but you had to go and MAKE the case to put you away like this and now you are complaining.

Aditya: You called me a fool and showed off your wedding rings to me.

Imlie: As if that justifies axing yourself in the foot!

Aditya glared at her: Believe it or not, I didn't have much else to live for. I don't have a child like you, I barely have a relationship with my family, Nishant has a family of his own...

Imlie: Yes, I guess it is ALL MY FAULT. I should have sat around to become the official aya for your child with Malini Didi. Naukrani was not enough, I had to become a nanny too. Anyways, no point arguing about the same things over and over. It's water under the bridge.

Aditya: Is it? You take every chance to tell me all about it. It is a big deal, so let me have it. I didn't plan all this, you know, Imlie. I didn't know she was your sister and I didn't plan our meeting either. I didn't intentionally go about making your life hell. I fell short after our wedding, I know that. I failed to see through Malini in time. I failed in a lot of things. So tell me what I can do to pay for it all and I will do it. I can't undo it, so let me pay for it.

Emmy walked in out of balance like a tiny drunkard, her tiny milk bottle in hand and wrapped her arms around Aditya's calf.

Aditya looked down: Oh hi, how is the birthday girl?

Emmy grinned up at him as he picked her up and put her on his shoulder: Hosey, hosey (she swooped and kissed his ear).

Imlie, alarmed: Be careful!

Aditya: You have high enough ceilings. And I am holding on, don't worry.

He walked out with Emmy.

Imlie sighed. What was she doing rehashing the past with him? He couldn't change it. Neither could she forget any of it.

Early evening...

Alex came with a giant cake to help prepare for the party.

Emmy ran from Aditya to Alex: Pa! Pa!

Alex: Aww mon chou...qu'est ce que tu fais? (My little cabbage, what are you up to?)

Emmy responded in French babble as Alex kissed her cheeks. Then he got up and kissed Imlie on both cheeks in a French greeting.

Imlie: I still have a bone to pick with you about your trip with him yesterday (she looked at Aditya pointedly). Don't think I forgot.

Alex: I got enough of a lecture during the call, now please, let's have a nice birthday party. How many times does your little girl have her first birthday anyway?

Imlie smiled as Alex led her in: I have a lot to do.

Alex: Well, Aditya and I are here to help. You go and get dressed.

Imlie: I still have a little time.

Alex: No, you don't. Go shower and get dressed. We will manage. No excuses...go!

He pushed Imlie out.

Aditya suddenly felt like a third wheel in this makeshift family of Imlie's. He kept setting up the table for the guests. Imlie didn't have a relationship with Alex, but this was definitely a comfortable companionship. Was it he who was holding Imlie back because of the marriage? Alex tapped him on the back.

Alex: Any progress?

Aditya: What?

Alex: I took an earful for driving you back in here yesterday and you have nothing to report?

Aditya: She can't forgive me.

Alex looked at him warily: Did you beg?

Aditya: NO! Why should I beg?

Alex: You have to beg, Aditya. Forget your ego. Your sins are a bit too much for anyone to forgive in one night. (He tapped his back encouragingly) It's alright, you have time. I will extend your witness protection if need be.

Aditya rolled his eyes: I can't stay in witness protection forever.

Alex: Some of them last forever mate and you made a big enough mistake to qualify.

Aditya, seriously: You are not serious!

Alex nodded gravely: I am. I am not sure you can go back to being a journalist.

Aditya, in shock: What?

Alex cheerfully: So you have all the time in the world to win her over you see?

Aditya: I...I can't have a career?

Alex: A house husband is a great career these days.

Aditya sat down, shaking.

Alex: Come on, it's not that bad. You get to have her.

Aditya: But, I...

Alex: What is more important, your career or Emily?

Aditya: Imlie, of course.

Alex: Well, then, it's a fair trade. She gave up everything for you once, didn't she?

Aditya nodded: I didn't know.

Alex: Sorry mate, we can't take the risk. We have been racking our brains for some solutions, but I don't see many possibilities of you going back into the news. Our countries can't take the risk.

Aditya: Does Imlie know?

AIex: No, I will tell her later. She wants to send you back of course, but it's not something my branch will allow.

Aditya: Don't tell her then, not today.

Alex nodded: I will go get the food.

Later...

Aditya tried to take the news as well as possible. Imlie was right, he did dig his own grave that day. He didn't know who he was without journalism. What would he do? He had no cause. No future. What did he have to offer Imlie now? Nothing. What was he if not an ace journalist? What about his family? Would he never see them again either? He may not have been on good terms with them, but Aditya still had relationships with his cousins. He did attend important events at the house. Would they hear nothing of him past what lie Nishant had heard from him that day?

Alex read his mind: We will find you something to do here. After some time has passed. Don't worry.

Imlie: What are you two going on about? Emmy, don't chew on that! Emmy! You two were supposed to watch over her.

Imlie rushed to take something out of Emmy's mouth.

Alex: I only looked away a moment.

Imlie: A moment is all it takes.

Alex: Wow, you look amazing.

Imlie did a little twirl for him. Aditya watched from a distance as Imlie giggled in her shimmering saree. Yes, he loved her. He loved her with all his heart. But what was he without his profession? How could she love a man who had nothing going for him anymore? Not now when she was such a career woman. Alex and she made more sense. He didn't want to drag her down with him if he was just a liability for their work.

Imlie sashayed into the kitchen where Aditya was arranging some chocolates on a plate: What do you think? Will I do?

Aditya looked at her, in her shimmering silver saree: It's very nice.

Imlie face fell: Nice?

Aditya: You look very beautiful.

Imlie: What's the matter? (She touched his cheek) You look pale. Do you feel alright?

Aditya forced a smile: Yes, of course. It's almost time. I will go get ready too.

He rushed off.

Imlie wondered to herself what happened between Alex and Aditya. She couldn't very well ask Alex now. Perhaps later. Was Aditya feeling jealous again?

The guests came in one by one, but Aditya was still in his room. Something unsettled her about this whole thing. She went and knocked on Aditya's door.

Aditya came out in his blazer and a simple white shirt, looking casual chic in what men wear every day.

Aditya: Will I do?

Imlie smiled: Always. Come, I will introduce you to my work friends.

Aditya was all civility as she introduced him to Yang and Marlene as her friend. Alex raised an eyebrow at her at the mention of "friend," but she ignored him.

Aditya excused himself after a short chat and went to look after Emmy in her playpen. Imlie looked at Alex quizzically, Alex shrugged.

Marlene: So...Emily, is your friend single?

Imlie startled: What!?

Marlene was a gorgeous brunette who epitomized French elegance and she was very much single after her recent divorce. She was on the prowl.

Alex, helpfully: Marlene wants to do Aditya, Emily. Would you tell her if he was single or not?

Marlene: Oh, keep quiet, Alex. He's really cute. Even you have to agree you now have competition in the lady killer department.

Alex smiled stiffly: Indeed. So Emily. Is your "friend" available?

Blood rushed to Imlie's head.

Imlie: He's not a lady killer.

Yang: Then he's wasting his potential. Does he bat for the other side by any chance, Emily? Then, I could try my luck.

Imlie, grimly: He's straight.

Alex nodded sagely: If he's not taken, Emily, our single friends are all in a line for that one.

Yang agreed: Loney business, this job.

Imlie glared at Alex who was having way too much fun at her expense.

Alex: I am going to introduce Aditya to some of the others, excuse me, guys. I will find out for you, Marlene, if he's single and ready to mingle (he winked and sauntered away).

Imlie walked in the opposite direction before she said anything rude.

Aditya looked up to see Imlie glaring down at him.

Imlie: Why did you do your hair like this?

Aditya, surprised: Like what?

Imlie: You know what. It's a baby's birthday party, not a hair commercial shoot.

Aditya stood up: What is going on?

Alex swooped in and grabbed Aditya by the shoulders: Can't talk now, Emily. Watch after the baby while we mingle, won't you?

Imlie sputtered: Ah no, he will stay right here.

Aditya looked confusedly from one to another: Will someone tell me what is going on?

Alex: Emily can't decide if you are her friend or not. While she makes up her mind, let's meet some of the other guests, okay? Oh, there's Adriana. Let's go say hi.

Imlie grabbed Aditya by the arm and warned: Don't go with him.

Aditya: Imlie, there are people here.

Alex: Yes, don't make a scene, Emily.

Alex walked away with a slightly perplexed Aditya. Emmy grabbed Imlie's sari and pulled insistently. Imlie got down and picked her up, boiling with rage. What was Alex trying to do by setting up her husband with other women?

Alex: Just play along.

Aditya: Play what?

Alex: I am going to introduce you to Emily's work rival. Just look pleased to see her.

Aditya: But I don't want to meet her, Imlie won't like it.

Alex sighed: That's the point! Play the game, mate, play the game.

Aditya: I don't want to play games.

Alex: Then why did you agree to be her "friend?"

Awaiting your thoughts on the direction of the piece. I wrote whatever came to my head.

Loved it - the ending seemed to mimic where the actual story right now is as well - with Imlie struggling with trust in Adi (ie when the makers want to ignore that they are dancing, doing aarthi, pulling eo legs, dressing sprains etc.)

I'm waiting to see where you will take this. I assume this has to trigger Adi finally speaking about his 7 year relation with Malini.

I posted in response to the previous part and by the time I was done - I had the pleasure of reading the next one as well. You are really good - this is probably the best written fan fiction I've read in a long time.

Keeps interest without being predictable. I really hope Adi refrains from succumbing to the jealousy card esp given their past. I'd rather he bite the bullet incur Imlie's wrath and introduce himself as her husband.

Also I expected him to increase in yearning after the kiss...you seem to be going in the reverse direction with him leaving Imlie out of concern for her.

jealousy hits... looking forward to the next one... fireworks?

Originally posted by: PPak

I posted in response to the previous part and by the time I was done - I had the pleasure of reading the next one as well. You are really good - this is probably the best written fan fiction I've read in a long time.

Keeps interest without being predictable. I really hope Adi refrains from succumbing to the jealousy card esp given their past. I'd rather he bite the bullet incur Imlie's wrath and introduce himself as her husband.

Also I expected him to increase in yearning after the kiss...you seem to be going in the reverse direction with him leaving Imlie out of concern for her.

Wait and watch. He just got the rug out from under him. He's suffering doubts. This is a foil story to Imlie's 10 years ago.

A little bit of possessiveness is healthy. Loved it shine through this part. Cute banters and good hearted laughs are just want the doctor recommends.

Happy healing to your finger and our Adilie.

Haha lovely light hearted part .. loved the character arch of Alex … he is so jovial …and Adi so selfish drown in his misery tht he might loose his career 😂 cool would like to see jealous Imlie now …😂🤗

Imlie has some good friends! Love Alex playing Cupid! Such a light hearted, lovely update ❤️