Nachiket traced his fingers down her skin. Smooth. Ivory. Perfect.
Her eyes were closed as his fingertips whispered down her shoulders and arms, tracing down to the small hands. Soft, warm, strong hands. He loved her hands.
Ragini turned the palms upwards and interlaced her fingers with his. She was amazed at the difference in their skin tones - hers pale, with a rosy hue, his tanned and golden.
She smiled, closing her eyes again to rub her thumbs down his long fingers, a tender, intimate act.
From where he sat behind her, he placed a gentle kiss on the nape of her neck and slowly wrapped his arms around her, his hands still locked with hers. He watched over her shoulder and saw her dip her head sideward slightly, exposing further the back of her neck to him. An invitation.
Now he smiled. He was amazed. That she allowed him to touch her this intimately. After all, they were just planning to watch a movie. Spend some time together now that the children were not at home. Amazed that she would allow him to touch her, to be with her. Amazed that she seemed to care about him.
Seemed to love him.
Since their separation, he had always considered himself unlovable. And had hidden the fact well within himself. Not even shared with his sister.
She felt his arms brush against her chest as he hugged her closer. His mouth moved to the exposed skin of her neck and kissed again, his tongue flicked lightly against her skin.
She shivered in his arms. Like always. The always that existed long term ago.
She thought - he was difficult and haunted. Easy and open. He infuriated her and soothed her. And she could not be without him. Not anymore. Ragini knew for sure.
Nachiket felt her sigh as she pressed back into his chest. His lips curved against her skin in a smile.
He smiled as he thought of how difficult and inflexible she could be. Easy and affectionate. She infuriated and calmed him. And he would not, could not live without her. Not anymore.
Such phrases did not come easily to either of them, not anymore. Love was a word that was rarely spoken aloud by them - not anymore. Sometimes he regretted that he did not tell her, did not verbalise his feelings for her enough. She, however, had never told him anything either.
Sometimes, he wished she would tell him how she felt, wish she would whisper soft, loving words into his ear, and tell him she loved him. But then, all she had to do was merely look at him, touch him - nothing more. And that was enough. Yes, words could be powerful and potent, that was true enough. He knew that.
Yet those words would pale and become nothing, nothing but a group of random letters in comparison to her eyes, her fingers. Hard as it was for him to believe at times, he could never, ever doubt her love at moments like this, when her hands were in his, when her bare skin was against his, when his lips slid over her heated skin. Never.
She freed one of her hands from his and moved to his leg, stroking his thigh as it rested next to hers. Strong legs, she thought absently, made stronger with running and swimming and gymming. He took a detached care of his body, but she wished he would also take care of the inner man as well, the one she loved. She wished he would be kinder to himself, let go of the guilt and cast out the demons.
Their physical union was just a matter of time. He knew. She knew.
She realised that once they crossed the barrier and made love, she would be able to take away some of that pain and guilt, and that he would heal. That the voice of the past lurking inside him would be silenced for a little longer each time she caressed him, touched him. Loved him. And whenever he loved her in return. Then, she would look into his eyes during these moments and know. Know without a shadow of a doubt that what she had imagined later in her life as his love, the healing was true, all true. Maybe. And once again, she would start believing.
She smiled again as his mouth moved to her shoulder, nipping and sucking gently at the warm skin whilst his hand spread across her stomach, moving all over her. She reached down and entwined her fingers with his, combined with a sigh, contented and low. Her head turned. His head lifted.
Their eyes met.
Hands stilled. Breaths held.
He nodded, almost imperceptibly. She lowered her eyes to his mouth, caressing his face with a look. Asked and answered. Silence was understood and accepted.
Mouths met. And in tacit agreement, love was again known and shared.
End.
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
