FF - The Promise - Thread I - Chapter 1 to 68 - Page 97

Chapter 67

Rishab and Madhu lay there, bodies pressed against each other, more for need to stay together, to continue feeling like one person, than for the purposes of staying warm, enjoying the silence that ensued the heavy makeout session. Madhu knew it was time.

"My mother was killed when I was little, barely 6 yrs old, stabbed in the gut, literally, by someone I cared about and trusted. I haven't been able to let myself love and trust for a very long time. That is why I was scared to let you in."

Rishab opened his mouth to say something but she held her finger to his lips and silenced him.

"You have to understand something Rishab, after Mommy, my life started and ended with Daddy. He was... all I had. The last time I was with Mommy I promised her that I would looked after him and no matter what I cannot break that promise...ever." She paused before speaking up again. Her eyes seemed to hold a plea and hope, plea for a little understanding from him and hope that he would understand.

"Rishab... In my life, my father's wishes and needs will always trump my needs. ALWAYS." She emphasised.

Silence ensued as he let what transpired settle. She literally held her breath as she waited for him to say something, anything.

After a while he answered her every silent question. He tilted his head, bent forward and kissed the top of her head.

*******

Deepali hopped into the lodge on her crutches. She had decided to have dinner at the lodge instead of the cabin today. Maybe there would be some other people around to occupy her time since hanging out alone in the cabin all day was pretty boring. Sikander was no fun to hang out with since the descent. He seemed to be walking around all mopy. Hmm...maybe because Harpreet was called out for different climb. He did seem interested in her. Maybe he wanted to spend some time with her and her work screwed up his plan. If that wasn't enough, her father called and asked them both to come home asap. When she asked him ' What's the whole rush about? He became all cryptic and started acting all loony on the phone. First her brother and now her father... Sheesh she desperately missed Rishab but as she looked around, the place was not short of some eye-candy.

*******

Though it was colder than a witches tit, Akash knew better than to just enter the occupied tent. The wind can do damage but if he witnessed Madhu in a less than appropriate condition, the damage that will follow is incomprehensible. He might as well just throw himself off the cliff just now, at least death will be fast and quick.

Tentitivly he called out, "Rishab??" He heard some scuffling inside. Sounded like the couple were getting their clothes on in a hurry. He heard a sudden ouuuhh followed by a groan. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?" Madhu was heard apologising. Akash was silently laughing his ass off, while at the same time trying to protect it from the freezing cold.

The sudden opening of the zipper caught him off gaurd. But luck seemed to be favouring him and Rishab did not notice all the grinning and laughing. He was distracted by the pain caused by Madhu's knee. He loved her, every bit of her, even her knee. But did she have to go knee him?

"What??" Rishab growled stepping out of the tent. "What couldn't wait for tomorrow morning?" Akash watched as Rishab stepped out of the tent awkwardly. "Something wrong..?" Akash nodded at the apparent root of his pain. "The family jewels had a head on collision with a wayward knee." Akash grimaced. "But since I don't think my family jewels is what you came trudging in the cold to discuss, I suggest you get on with it."

"You have an urgent call." Akash told him plain and simple.

*******

"Chief... I am not sure... what is going down here but from... the tit-bits that I picked up, it doesn't... look good." Bittuji's voice was audible over the radio. They had managed to patch through the call but had warned that there would be a lot of disturbance over the call and that it could cut off at any moment.

"What is it... Bittuji?" Rishab asked calmly trying to gather as much information as he could. The only give away that he was indeed worried about the so called unknown situation, was the tight grip he had on the two-way radio. If he held it any tighter, it would crack into two.

"Something seems to... be cooking... between Mr. Kundra and... Mr. Bhatia." Bittuji replied.

The two of them teaming up. This was not good. "Will be there... asap."

Abby looked up at Rishab and sat up straighter when she heard what he just said. Rishab noticed the change in her demeanor. "Abby don't say anything to her till I talk to her about it." Abby looked at Rishab for a long time and then nodded.

"I will talk to Madhu about this by morning. Akash, can you check with Kapoor if that boyfriend of hers can pick me up tomorrow late afternoon and if she is available to take my spot as guide for the way down. I will confirm everything by morning."

Akash nodded and got to work trying to contact base camp on the radio.

"You know she will insist on going back with you." Abby snipped at Rishab. "Well that is her decision, isn't it?" Rishab sighed. He didn't need all this unnecessary hostility. "Look Abby, I love her. This is not some get a friend to call with an emergency you so that you can escape the horrible blind date your friend set you on thing. It is work and I have responsibilities as the company's Chairman. I would not be ecstatic if she decides to stay on and enjoy the descent with the rest of you, mainly because I would not be there to look after her but I would accept her decision. And since I can trust Kapoor, I have asked for her to take my place as guide. But if she insists on returning with me, it would be her decision and not one I have enforced upon her. And at the time I would like you to respect and accept it."

*******

Rishab walked back to his tent thinking about his day. Today was Summit Day. He looked around and literally saw Madhu and the others faces laughing as they joked and teased one another, jumping and cheering around for accomplishing their feat. He had watched Madhu looking all around her taking in the beauty and wanting to capture it on her canvas. She was happy. His mind took him to the intimate moments they shared a few hours ago. And then to the dark secret of her life she shared with him. And now telling her that he had to leave just as she let him in, shared her deepest darkest story. How was he going to do it?

*******

"What happened? Why did Akash call you?" Madhu asked with a slight shiver in her voice inspite of having the sleeping bag wrapped tightly around her.

Rishab stalled for time and concentrated on the other factor he noticed. "Strip from the waist up."

"In case you haven't noticed I am cold. You brought in the cold wind when you opened up the zipper earlier and then again when you entered."

Rishab just repeated himself again. "Strip from the waist up."

Madhu snorted. "Obviously you've mistaken what I'm saying about being cold."

"Body heat's the fastest way to warm up, Madhu." He grinned. "Hell, just thinking about your naked skin against mine is making me hot."

"Yeah, well, no wonder," she snorted. "I am pretty sexy."

He jerked the tee shirt off, leaving him bare-chested. "Yeah, I know," he growled as he tugged the sleeping bag back so he could crawl in next to her. "And you're still wearing too many clothes."

"I'm cold," she whined, knowing he would see right through her cranky act and he would play along.

"Still cold, huh?" He bit back a grin and let his left hand rest on her waist for a moment before starting to work his way under her clothes. "I can't have my girl being cold all night," he murmured against her lips.

"No, you can't let that happen," she mumbled.

His hand finally settled against her skin and he rubbed her back slowly. "Starting to warm up just a little bit?" He took one of her hands and held it against his chest. "I'm all kinds of warm," he whispered in between the kisses he was pressing along her jaw.

"You are," she whispered, letting her hands wander over his upper body. "Never leaving you alone again." She snuggled up against him.

He tensed for a second at her comment and then forced himself to relax. He looked at her and smiled at the meaning behind her words. And that was the sound of complete capitulation, he thought. He started to rid her of the layers she was wearing until she was left in only her bra. His fingers toyed with the clasp as he waited to see if she would give him permission to remove that barrier, yet again.

She looked up at him drowsily. "Think you'll be able to stop yourself if I lose that?"

He bit his bottom lip. Could he stop if they went a step farther? He swallowed hard as his eyes lowered to her breasts. "Not easy, but I can stop when the time comes."

She reached up to caress his cheek. "Your eyes tell a different story, baby."

He lowered his gaze for a moment before he chuckled and looked at her again. "So, maybe not tonight?"

"I wish we could."

He growled low in his throat and nodded in agreement. "Okay, we won't get you that naked yet."

"Didn't you say something about a massage earlier?"

"Yeah, I suppose if I can't get my hands and mouth on your sweet breasts, I'll settle for what I can get." He kissed her again and shifted back. "Roll over and let's get started."

She sighed happily and turned over. "You're the best."

He grabbed one of the fleece pullovers he had taken off and pulled it back on as he shifted to straddle her hips. He retrieved a couple of the hand warmers and got them ready before placing them against her back in a couple of places. His hands settled against the middle of her back and he started to massage muscles that were too tight.

"How do you think your parents will take our relationship?" Madhu asked.

"The same way your father will take our relationship, I guess." Rishab countered. He felt her muscles tense. "I never know what mine is thinking so I don't know how he will take it. But from what I have learnt about your Daddy, he seems to be fair and understanding."

Madhu smiled as she thought about her Daddy. "Yeah he is the best. He has always supported and encouraged me."

"You never told me what he does for a living?"

"Ohh... Daddy runs Saplings ' The NGO for kids. I volunteer there with the kids. That is where I met Abby and through her Adam."

His hands moved down to the small of her back and he worked his thumbs along her spine. "Kids huh? What do you think about having kids, Madhu?"

"I want at least two," she told him without hesitating.

He nodded. "Two's good," he agreed. "I'd like a couple of kids."

"And I want a small house with a garden and a large dog."

"How about a farmhouse near the mountains? Got a couple of acres with it and we can always get a dog."

"The one you mentioned earlier? The one with the fireplace?"

"Yeah. That farmhouse was my mother's favourite, that was what I was told. She left it for me. It is the most beautiful place in the world."

"Yeah, it sounds nice," she admitted.

"I know I'm getting ahead of myself here. We've got plenty of time to figure it out and you'd probably like to take a look at the farmhouse before making any major decisions."

"No, it's okay," she assured him. "I like that you're making plans for us, Rishab. And I am sure I would love your farmhouse."

He smiled and let his hands rest against her sides. "How's your back now?"

"Better," she admitted.

"Good enough for me to snuggle up with you now?"

"No, but it's okay," she teased. "I think a hot shower and more massages when we get down will help."

"That's not all you're getting when we get down off this mountain," he said with a teasing grin as he stripped his shirt off and slipped back in beside her.

"I really hope so. You know I want a dog," she giggled.

He glared at her. "You want a dog," he muttered. "Alright, I'll get you a dog... what kind you want?"

"Hmm... what about a Labrador?"

"What kind? Brown or black?"

"Black."

"So, when we get down... shower, massage... black Labrador, got it." He shook his head. "I was sure sex was gonna come into play somewhere in there, but if it's the dog you want..."

She turned to wrap her arms around him. "Tell you the order: first kissing goodbye, talking to my Daddy, talking to your father, and then hopefully getting the chance to spend a night together at the farmhouse... including showering and sex..."

He grinned and wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his body. "That sounds a lot better... get all that unpleasant crap outta the way first." He shifted slightly to get more comfortable and he sighed contentedly when she settled against him so easily, fitting against him so perfectly. "We probably oughta think about getting some sleep," he said quietly.

"Yeah," she brushed a hand through her hair. "Love you."

He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Love you too."

*******

If only things would go as smoothly as people plan it. Life would breeze along beautifully. But then again one would not know true happiness until one experiences pain and struggle.

waiting for next

pls update faster

I miss my dog like crazy and this just...gow. The darned onions.

That's it, I can't even.

Thank you... 😃

I have been extremely busy and loaded with things to do on the work and home front... That is why I have resorted to one update a week now...

Plus it is spring... spending more time out and around...

hahahaha... girl you are hilarious when you are in a good mood... God forbid the day I am the one to bring out the inner Hulk in you... I might as well go jump in front of a truck...

Thank you... 😃 I am glad you like it...

Look girl, I loves you but if you make cry one more time at 1:50 am in the morning, we gon have a serious problem. My mama just came in the room tellin me to shut up and be a crazy person when I am up in the mountains. I gots to survive my summer without getting yelled at. You best watch out cause next time there gon be no warning😈.

It is their job to yell and us to ignore...

Even now that I am out of the house... not a day goes by that we don't end up yelling at each other over the phone... and the best part of it is I end up calling her again the next day ...

oh no, I am immune to the yellin. repel it like I have banana boat on. just that I am looking at dog videos on youtube now and finding old pictures. that is not good. this escalated rather fast. I should just go to sleep. there is my emotionally confused side for ya. a vomit full of feels.