Note - Digressing from the hint this time, I wrote this one. Malhotra is Ranveer's last name here, they didn't show that, and they are as rich as the Dixits.
OS - A Breathless Confession
It was Neha's engagement ceremony, and the preparations were in full swing.
Guests were arriving, while the Dixit and Malhotra families were busy touching up last minute requirements, in terms of decorations, the feast, the puja items, gifts, so on and so forth.
The scene resembled a typical big fat Indian wedding' because, Ranveer's family had insisted on financing their wedding ceremonies, and Dev had made peace with arranging only his sister's engagement.
The Bose family was also present, helping around.
There was always some help needed in big functions such as these, despite the presence of enough and more servants.
Saurabh, was stealthily gorging on a laddoo each time one of the waiters brought a tray.
Vicky, was eyeing and flirting with every girl, he possibly could, but he was closely followed around by his father, who wasn't one to be fooled quickly. Each time, Vicky over stepped his boundaries, Mama dragged him by his collar, to complete another task. "Nalayak kaheeka." He said repeatedly.
Nikki, supposed to supervise the gifts section, was trying to click selfies, with whomsoever she could, claiming her sister wouldn't get engaged twice. Radha Rani came along, and slapped her lightly on the back, "Arey, saare kaam, yeh garib ki beti hi karegi kya!"
She silently escaped, to where Elena was keenly looking somewhere.
Elena had been observing Saurabh's antics and laughingly rushed to him, to give him a piece of her mind and Nikki also joined her.
"Saurabh Dada, aap hi laddoo ki tarah dikhte hain. Aur khayenge, toh woh Mishraji ki beti, jise aap sham se dekh rahe ho, who baaz nahi aayegi." She said, gesturing towards one of the guests.
Saurabh looked sheepish and said, "Exactly. When I cannot achieve something, to alleviate the stress, I eat." Saying so, he gorged on another laddoo much to the girls' shock.
"It's a stress-buster. Arey, Nikki, madad kar dena. Please." He pleaded.
"No ways, Dada. I will go tell Sona Didi. Line mein laayengi woh aapko."
"Exactly, Dada. Meisho( I don't know the correct spelling) ko aapki kartootein batani padegi." Elena added.
Neha, in her room, was almost ready. Riya had gotten her ready, and Ishwari walked in just then.
Neha was happy.
Ishwari was elated to see her eldest daughter happy and shining.
She could just bless her, with her tears of joy.
Meanwhile, the bride's brother, was busy too.
Dev was overseeing everything. He checked on the lights, the flowers, the garlands, the seats, the drinks, snacks, food, gifts, the staff, the arrangements, the security, and everything possible.
Dev Dixit was such an enigma, he handled everything with lan. Ishwari continuously called out to him, to ensure everything was in place, and each time, he assured her with the same calm and reassuring demeanour. He paused over his supervision, when a relative came to speak to him, and again, Dev was it his best behavior. The pending work didn't perturb him. He laughed and joked, and put everyone at their ease. He made sure everyone was comfortable.
He pulled his sister's leg at her truancy. He hit Bunty fondly on the head.
He took the blessings of his elders when he passed by them, and enquired with the waiters, whether they too had had some refreshments and drinks.
Dev, even, refilled the plate, of his old aunt, and gave her a warm hug and went till the gate, to greet his extended family and usher them in.
He was always on his toes, with no signs of fatigue, exhaustion or exertion visible. His happiness knew no bounds, because Neha's happiness had none.
Sonakshi could do little but stare at the man, in orange. It was probably just coincidence that Ishwari had chosen that colour for him. Gosh, Dev was undoubtedly, a great looker, but, tonight, the glow of happiness on his face, made him handsomer than ever. The slight stubble, the tall countenance, muscular, well-built, and his agility and energy made him irresistible. The only aspect that stood out, besides him, as a whole, was the watch on his wrist, somehow, Sonakshi had always found a watch such as his, with its dial standing out of rest, exuding its own aura, extremely masculine, and today, the desirability quotient was more pronounced than ever.
With each little act of Dev's, the love she held for him, manifested, and multiplied tenfold, and God knew, how Sonakshi stopped herself each time, she wanted to run into his arms. This was the caring, loving, kind, generous, affectionate, respectful and respected man her heart had admitted defeat to, and she inhaled deeply.
And, then, Dev stopped and turned around. He could sense someone's eyes on him, all evening, not in stealth, but in constant scrutiny and found the one lone figure, standing out, amidst the noise and din, the clank of the glasses, the voices of the guests and staff alike, amidst the rush and urgency of the arrangements, the flowers and fruits, decked in a white lehenga and a dark blue blouse.
Sonakshi's hair, was let loose, not even styled, as normally and unaffected as she was. Her dark tresses, flew unrestrained and wild, mirroring his frenzied heartbeat. Her long ear rings, were her only jewels, her bare neck, only accentuating her allure to him.
Her capricious nature was always reflected in her kohl lined eyes, that shone with laughter, joy, calm, quiet, excitement, fun, frolic and mischief, sunny to gloomy, according to her moods, her long lashes flitted as they met his eyes.
Right now, they stared at him, with the deepest of feelings, unfathomable, by all, but, crystal clear to him. They continued gazing into each other's eyes unfazed by the expanse between them. The curtains, fluttered, like the ends of her dupatta.
Sonakshi, was always very beautiful, but tonight, she looked angelic, and divine, and to Dev, she'd never looked more magnificent than now. In white, she looked like a nymph, seeming to have descended from above, only for him, heavenly and celestial. Untouchable and unattainable. No one, had humbled him, more than Sonakshi had.
On one side, Elena and Riya, who had just stepped out to give her sister and mother some lone time, nudged each other, at the obvious attraction between the two, and on the other, Saurabh and Nikki oohed and aahed at the overwhelming display of love.
But, Dev and Sonakshi were oblivious to everything around them.
Time had stopped for the two, yet it had not been more than a couple of seconds.
Dev, gestured at Sonakshi, asking, her with a slight tilt of his head, posing a question, wondering what it was, and she replied with a gentle shake of her head, denying it.
Dev just smiled, and turned his back on her, to someone beckoning to him. And, Sonakshi turned around, encountered, by Riya and Nikki, standing with folded hands, looking at her knowingly, giving her a knowing look.
As she tried moving past them, they stopped her, and said, "Orange candy kam, eye candy zyaada lag rahe hain, na Bhai?" Nikki said, and both of them laughed, while Sonakshi blushed and walked away.
Soon, the bride descended down the stairs. Neha looked resplendent in her green outfit, and Dev couldn't contain himself. Dev met her half way and extended his hand to her, which she accepted, immediately. He ushered her down, to where Ranveer stood waiting.
The ceremony was conducted without a glitch this time, and Ishwari heaved a sigh of relief.
Dev came and stood next to his mother, and put an arm around her, and said, "Ab khush, na Ma."
"Haan, bahut." She said, looking at her son, proudly, and giving him a light hug.
Sonakshi stood witness to this gentle display of affection, and she melted, like every time, she saw Dev's love for everyone close to him.
The newly engaged couple was showered with blessings and prayers, and gifts, just as Dev, came and sat next to his sister.
"What is it, Neha? Is there a problem?" Dev casually asked, her, no worry mounting within him, visible.
"Riya said its urgent."
"Of course it is, Bhai. Kab bolenge, aap?" Neha said, indicating with her eyes, towards Sonakshi, who was attending to Ishwari, it was time for her dinner.
"Woh. Well, I was busy all day, and so was she... So."
"No ways, Bhai. You are going back on your word. Aur, ab toh, all the rituals are over too. Jaldi jaaiye. You have to, Bhai. Remember, this is the only gift I asked you, won't you give me anything on my engagement?" Neha argued albeit in hushed tones, simultaneously smiling at the guests.
Ranveer, was wondering what was going on, when Riya and Nikki updated him, quietly, in whispers.
He, too agreed with their opinion.
"Neha. Ab tu emotionally blackmail kar rahi hai. I wanted to get you so many things, you just didn't allow me to... Ab, main kya karoon?" Dev, defended himself.
"So what, Bhai? Aap ko mujhe, wahi dena hoga, that I wish for. It is a gift for me, isn't it? Now. Go, and don't come back, until you fulfil your promise." Neha nudged him to leave, and turned away from Dev, towards Ranveer.
Dev got up, still unsure, and walked, trying to look for Sonakshi, who was now, talking to her parents.
"Ms. Bose, I need to talk to you. Can you spare a minute?" He approached her, and Bijoy and Asha congratulated him, on his sister's engagement, before they could continue and shower their praises on such a wonder man, Sonakshi excused herself and Dev, and asked, him, "Yes, Mr. Dixit. What is it?"
"Yahan nahi, Ms. Bose. Bahut log hain."
"Log toh honge, Mr. Dixit. It is a function, not your office, where people work according to your whims and fancies." She continued speaking, as they walked together, step in step, like two people together, on the same road, along the same path.
"Natasha didn't make it, Mr. Dixit?" Sonakshi, asked, treading on his favourite topic, her distaste evident.
"She's there, Ms. Bose. She was late." Dev didn't elaborate further, but after the party, at Gujrals, he had voluntarily tried, to maintain a distance from Natasha, and had made it a little clear that his intentions were just platonic.
Since, then, Natasha had understood.
Sonakshi nodded, her lips pursed.
"Then, why aren't you with her, Mr. Dixit? You guys have so much to talk about. You have such similar interests, French cuisine, black and white movies, travel, and what not."
Immersed in the conversation, Sonakshi didn't realise, they were nearing the interior portions of the palatial bungalow.
"She, wants what you want. A simple, Indian girl, with Indian' dreams of marriage and children. If she wants such a life, her choice, use Mubarak. Why Indianise the whole thing? Most Indian girls, don't want that kind of a life, Mr. Dixit."
"But, why would you care, Mr. Dixit? Aapke liye, toh woh perfect hai, rich, educated, beautiful, classy, elegant, but with simple dreams. Cooking bhi kar leti hai. Kahan woh, kahan main... Uske saamne, working, struggling, women, who are in the pursuit of making it big, toh, kuch bhi nah..."
Before Sonakshi realized, what was happening, Dev had pulled her to one side, and pushed her against the door of a deserted room, one hand, holding her against her back, and the other covering her mouth. In the jerk, the door, opened, and they were still, at the door, but inside the room, half enveloped with the darkness in the room, mitigated by the lights in the corridor.
Her hands, automatically moved up his torso, and rested near his shoulders.
"Kitna bolti ho tum, Sonakshi." Dev, breathed, in hushed tones, his baritone like voice heavy and Sonakshi looked up, and met his eyes, at his utterance of her name, for the first time ever, consciously, and without any binding on him.
Sonakshi's eyes widened, at his words, at his expressions, the emotions in his eyes, his hand covering her mouth, she blinked rapidly, her lips, moved unconsciously, and rubbed against his palm, and both of them felt electrified with the intimacy of the situation.
But, Dev, didn't pull away, like Sonakshi expected him to.
The hand, holding her from the back, moved a little, and his fingers encountered her bare waist, and Sonakshi jerked, her eyes closing, her breaths coming out in pants, Dev, too, removed his hand from her mouth, and let it move down her arms.
Sonakshi, compelled in vain to control her erratic heartbeat, Dev didn't attempt. It was his first experience at love, and he was going to have the most of it.
"Dev... What are you d...doing?" Sonakshi finally brought it out, composing herself.
"My name has never sounded sexier before." Dev said, with a lopsided grin, making him look hotter than he already did, if it was even possible, thought Sonakshi.
"What is wrong with you Mr. Dixit? Ek abla naari ke saath..."
"Who is abla naari here? And, I cannot be Mr. Dixit again. Even Teena, calls me, Dev Sir." Dev countered.
"Leave me. I don't know what you are playing at. I think you are drunk."
"If I say, I am drunk in your beauty, will you call me mad or insane or both, Sonakshi?" And, again, Sonakshi was swept off her feet, the way he purred her name off his lips, made her feel more beautiful solely because of her name, it sounded like reverence and submission. Breaking her reverie with a mental shake, Sonakshi tried valiantly again.
"Mr. Dev Dixit. Chahte kya hain aap? What are these untoward advances? I don't like this."
Dev didn't reply and circled both his hands around her waist, consciously, feeling and touching each inch of her bare waist, melting in their softness, and the heat, it produced between them. The atmosphere was charged with sexual tension, and both the occupants of the room, knew it. One was trying to be ignorant of it, and the other, was trying his best, to blaze the ignited spark into a fire.
Sonakshi's chest jutted up and down, with the dangerous speed of her heartbeats, and her hands resting on his chest, moved a little, her fingers tightened on his kurta, her eyes, wide open, now staring at him, filled with confusion.
Dev was intently staring at the beauty in his arms. He tightened his arms, on her bare waist, and pulled her closer, his fingers constantly moving, unwilling to miss even a miniscule portion of her.
Their bodies, now touching, Dev didn't even bother reigning on his lost rationale, and lifted his hand, to Sonakshi's face, and gently, pushed an errant strand of her hair, behind her ear, and said finally, "I don't know about dreams of Indian women, and their pursuits and journeys. What I do know, is, there is only one woman, whose pursuit, and dreams, and journeys, I want to be a part of, and she is in my arms right now." Dev paused, letting the effect of his words sink in.
Sonakshi let out another breath and tried uttering something but Dev continued, "I don't have a way with words. I tried preparing for this moment in vain, and then decided, to speak whatever that came to mind, when I look into your eyes. I look at you, and I want to spend each waking moment of my life with you. I look at you, and I feel the world just got brighter. I look at you, and want to pamper and cherish you, till my last breath. I don't even know how to express what I feel for you, because it's become a part of my existence, now. I love you, Sonakshi, and I swear, I love you more, each time, I look into your soulful eyes, though it doesn't even seem possible. These past five minutes, we have been here, I have fallen more deeply for you, although, it seemed I couldn't have, anymore. I don't know what to say beyond this, but I do know, I will not listen to a No." Dev abruptly stopped there, waiting with bated breath for her response.
"Jab, sawaal hi nahi kiya, toh jawab kaise milega?" Sonakshi asked, in a low voice, laughing by the end of it.
"What question?"
"The usual, Will you make me the happiest man in the world by marrying me?' kind of question, Mr. Obnoxious Dixit." Sonakshi said, unable to control the happiness and love she felt for this man.
"Firstly, I am already the happiest man, in the world, and secondly, I haven't even started being obnoxious." He winked, playfully.
"Oh really?"
Dev nodded, eagerly.
But, he waited.
"Your eyes have never mirrored your emotions, Dev. Because, I never figured them out. In fact, I never figured out anything until it was over. I don't know if I fell in love with you, when you brought my Mom cake, or when I realized, you had taken care of two notorious kids to make sure, the cake got baked in time, or, when I saw you move heaven and earth for your family, or when, you sent me your favourite flowers... Or maybe, I fell in love with your rare laughter when you pulled a prank against me, probably your useless attempt at dumbcharades, or when you danced on the road with some children, what you did for me when I nearly died, was just the icing on the cake, the layers were already born and ready in my heart before. You make me feel feminine, you make me feel beautiful, you make feel like the luckiest woman in the universe. I love, you, and will never love anyone or anything more."
She finished, and Dev didn't wait for anything this time. He crushed Sonakshi to himself, his hand entangling in her hair, the other wrapped around her waist, as he kissed her, hurriedly, as she responded with as much fervor, their tongues entangling against each other, in the quest for dominance. Sonakshi's hands, moved up his neck, as she circled his neck, her fingers meshing in his hair, as they both finally found bliss.
The End
Note - I cannot believe I wrote so much of mush, don't expect it further. But, I wish I were in Sonakshi's place.
More of DevAkshi - DevAkshi Index - Flowing Thoughts - My Fiction Index
THERE IS A HINT FOR ANOTHER OS. Guess it this time.
Pretty simple this time.
So, I have two OSes pending. I'll write the boring one first, then the more interesting of the two.
Dev and Sonakshi's wardrobe -
I am unable to post pictures. Giving you links. Sorry!
Sonakshi -
Dev -
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Kumkum Bhagya
Financial markets and global economy
Book Talk
Sensational South
