OS: White Valentine - Paris

"I believe it's after the honeymoon ends that true love begins. It's in the hard times that the greater virtues of love reveal themselves, like tolerance and patience and kindness," Richard Paul Evans said once. Madhu and Rishabh Kundra always did things, starting from their marriage differently, so why would anything else be different? They did all the hard parts before the honeymoon so now it is time to enjoy the greater virtues of their married life. RK and Madhu depart for Paris from New York once the weather clears up in the early morning. The producer comes to see the couple off at the airport. After formally meeting Madhu, he apologizes profusely for ruining their plans. RK and Madhu look at each other, smile entwining their hands; "We couldn't have asked for a better start to our honeymoon. Thank you for the lovely suit you booked for us and letting us use your jet," Madhu says with sincerity.

The man is surprised by the down to Earth attitude and the simplicity of a Bollywood Superstar's wife, that even without a thought he offers his jet at their disposable to use for their return trip or if they wanted to extend and go elsewhere.

A few hours into their flight, RK and Madhu are snuggled up on the couch with RK absentmindedly caressing Madhu's head. Madhu has been dozing off due the comfortable silence till RK calls her name, "Can I ask you something?" he speaks uneasily.

"Hmmh," comes her nondescript reply.

"About...last night...I'm not really sure how to put this or ask without offending you or hurting your feelings," RK stammers, "I have never seen you like the way you were last night. I was just shocked not in a bad way," RK rushes to clarify.

There was no sound except the hum of the engine. RK is ready to back track and apologize for even bringing it up till Madhu speaks.

"Given how I was raised and where I was raised, perception of women is different; perception is the truth, perception is everything. We are taught not to be bold in public, to bring unwanted attention to ourselves. Being bold sexually whether inside your bedroom or outside is scandalous for women. There is this perception or an idea of what a good girl is, what a good daughter is, what a good daughter in law is, what a good wife is; they all come with its own dos and don'ts no matter how unfounded or unrealistic they may be. Maa is far more modern then most; she doesn't mind us holding hands or me holding onto your arm in public but even I don't have the same freedom as the women in the US or other parts of the world because it's not the norm in India. We aren't just us we have other roles we have to fulfil which can change how society views both sides of my family and my husband.

In a nation of billions it is obvious people have sex yet it is a taboo subject which no one talks about openly. God forbid if the word sex is mentioned people look at you as if you are from a different planet. The way we dress, the way we behave and interact with men is used to judge us. We live in a country where the rape victim is at fault for being raped because she dressed a certain way or she was out of the house after a certain time. We live in a country where the rape victim is first asked how it happened, how do you feel, do you suspect anyone, file an FIR then is treated assuming the family can afford it. For these few weeks I don't want to be a daughter or a daughter in law; I just want to be a wife and a lover. I want to let go of all of my inhibitions. I want to freely express how I feel about the man I love beyond words, even if it is sexually, without the fear of being chastised or being worried of shaming someone. I want to live in a bubble with just the two of us, I want to make the dreams and romantic notions I have about my life after marriage to come alive so I can bottle them up in my mind and in my heart. Once we go back home those other titles come back and this part of me gets hidden behind them. Plus I want us to have these memories because we only seem to get short term happiness before the next calamity hits. I am petrified that either one of us will do something stupid and I will lose you forever and I can't survive being separated from you even for a short time."

By the end of her explanation Madhu is pacing the small space in front of RK; she runs her hands roughly through her hair in frustration as tears stream down her face. RK hasn't spoken a word since Madhu had begun speaking.

He stands up facing her.

"Come here" is all he says as he opens his arms for her.

Madhu lets herself be enveloped in his warmth and in his strength. Rishabh sits on the couch and makes Madhu sit on his lap; he wipes her still streaming tears as he asks, "What bought this on?" He is still confused about the other things she had spoken about.

She looks him in the eye, "Yesterday when I couldn't get in touch with you, I was so scared. All those images of you getting hurt just kept flashing in my mind, I couldn't make them stop. I was falling apart. I know you think I am tough and to a point I am, I can handle tough situations but you are my weakness. At home, I have to stay strong for Maa and to do what's necessary to bring you home safe but here I was alone and I felt helpless. After I spoke to you, I talked myself into believing I was just overreacting but I had decided I will live in the moment, do as my heart pleased at least while we are on this trip. I think I'm cracking, I have finally lost it," Madhu tries to make light of the situation and of her fears.

The serious look on Rishabh's face does nothing to lighten the mood; he kisses her soundly, "You are still my Sherni Madhu, nothing will ever change that and I am sorry for all that you have had to go through because of me. We never really had a honeymoon phase like normal couples, did we? But I promise that you can be the real you, the loving, carefree, sexually liberated Madhu when we go home too."

"I feel like I'm making you feel bad, making you feel guilty like I'm complaining but I am not. I don't know what I am..." she trails off as she buries her face in her hands, frustrated about her rising fears and insecurities.

Madhu spends the rest of the flight in Rishabh's arms as he holds her close. They talk about the various issues and drama surrounding their lives since they had met, to get some closure and to make peace with it. RK also hopes that talking about it openly with just the two of them will alleviate at least some of the fears that are rooted in Madhu's heart.

The duo check into the Shangri-La Hotel, the former home of Prince Ronald Bonaparte, the grandson of Napoleon Bonaparte. La Suite Shangri-La, their suite, is nestled at the top of this historic mansion; it overlooks Paris and its monuments with a panoramic bay windows in every room offering views of the Eiffel Tower, the River Sienne and Grand Palais. As soon as they are alone in the suite, they crawl into bed and promptly fall asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow. Traveling across the world then half way back in the span of 3 days, where 2 of them are spent in flight with numerous time zone changes; its natural Rishabh and Madhu are beyond exhausted.

Madhu stirs in her sleep when she feels a sensation on her hip then her stomach, almost as if someone is moving a feather along her skin. It isn't a feather but her husband's very gentle fingers. RK has woken up from their slumber when the alarm alerted him to their lunch reservations. The sight of Madhu's milky skin on display as her sweater had risen up in her sleep is too tempting and a delightful distraction. He gently with feather like softness caresses her skin, makes soft circles with his thumb on her hip, as his hand tracks upwards. His fingers skim below her bosom; one by one his fingers enters below her bra to cup her breast. Madhu stirs again as she feels his hand on her breast, "Please Rishabh, let me sleep, 10 more minutes pleaseee," she whines then buries her face deeper into his chest and falls back into a peaceful slumber. She shudders as she becomes more comfortable in her husband's arms. It is then RK notices her side of the blanket didn't cover her properly; she is cold from the lack of the cover. He cocoons them both in the warmth of the blanket as he pulls her closer to him. He watches her sleep till he too joins her in the land of dreams.

Their honeymoon in Paris would be full of surprises. Their days are spent touring the sights around Paris; granted they start late as they can't get out of bed and away from each other in the mornings. They spend the days touring the sights and the nights exploring each other. RK has some lovely surprises planned for his Madhu, especially on Valentine's Day. They start their day off with a trip to see the Eiffel Tower then a private lunch then a beautiful surprise for the evening. They end up back at the Eiffel Tower as it is lit up in red for the occasion.

"Why are we back here again, Rishabh? We just saw it this morning. Plus we have a clear view of it from our suite," Madhu asks surprised at being bought back.

"It's a surprise," he says as he pulls her towards the elevator to go to the top of the tower.

Normally the tower is off limits to tourists after closing but when you are a Superstar and you want to surprise your wife, the celebrity status comes in handy. At the top of the tower you can see the entire city of Paris lit up, it is like being in the sky looking at all the lights below. Madhu is in awe of the sight before her; her heart melts again for a man who would do this for her. It isn't glamourous or expensive but it is so her, beauty in its simplicity. Her husband knows her very well. She turns around to thank Rishabh for her surprise but she finds another surprise. He is on one knee holding out a rose for her just like he had the day he proposed to her at the chawl.

"Will you be my Valentine Madhubala Kundra?" he proposes, "For all the years and all the lives to come?"

All she can do is nod her head vigorously because her emotions are choking her. She flings herself into Rishabh's arms the moment he stands up. The love is so clearly reflected in her eyes as they met his. She gently places her lips over his and slowly begin to show him how much she loves him where her words fall short. The kiss deepens as RK takes control, both pouring their love into to it for when you feel this deeply words are never enough. The Paris sky lights up in fireworks as if to celebrate Rishabh and Madhu's love. They both stand in each other's embrace as they watch the fireworks light up the night sky.

Throughout their time in Paris; Rishabh and Madhu visit many of the Paris' famous landmarks such as The Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, Scare-Coeur, Musee d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier, Sainte-Chapelle, Les Invalides, Centre Georges Pompidou, Pantheon, Jardin du Luxembourg and Parc Du Champ-De-Mars. But no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to Paris' shopping district, Champs Elysees, known for its great collection of boutiques such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and many more.

It is in the Cartier store that their honeymoon hits a road bump. RK insists on buying a charm bracelet for Madhu as a memento of their time in Paris. Madhu never wanted nor needed any materialistic things in her life to remember special moments. She refuses to accept the bracelet from him. It brings back dark memories but she doesn't want to ruin their trip therefore she chooses to remain quiet. The sales rep takes out one bracelet after another for RK to choose from, in turn he shows her each one he likes for her. With each one, his enthusiasm increases and her mood becomes fouler, she declines quietly with a smile. After an hour in the store, Madhu is quickly losing her patience, she has been telling Rishabh she doesn't want one and let's go from here. She finally has had it and walks out of the store after he refuses to listen to her wishes. Madhu walks through a nearby park to cool her head and to get her emotions under control. She makes it back to their hotel at dusk without any clarity or peace of mind. She plops down on the sofa rubbing her temples to will the ache in her head to go away. As her mind slows from a run to a jog, other possibilities materialize in Madhu's mind.

"All that we talked about on the flight, did he not hear a word I said? Why does he have to be so pigheaded? Why doesn't he understand that the damn bracelet reminds me of a horrible time in our life? I don't want to wear the blasted thing only to be reminded of the past every time and making a small part of me resent and loathe him. I don't want a piece of jewelry to be constant reminder of a painful period in our lives but... but...what if he was trying to erase that memory and associate a new one with a new bracelet?" Madhu pauses her internal musings, what if she has miss judged the situation and jumped to an unfair conclusion?

The internal debate begins once again as Madhu berates herself, "It must be that. Didn't he say something about it will always remind you of Paris' when he showed me the different bracelets? I just assumed that once again he was only thinking of himself but he truly was thinking about me. How could I have miss judged him and jumped to conclusions when I didn't believe it then that he would betray me?"

As guilt took over, the tears followed naturally. She vows she will apologize profusely for walking out without a word and not realizing his true intention with the gift. She will make it up to him somehow she promises, her mind beginning to form a plan.

RK comes in closer to 10pm. He knew Madhu had come back to the hotel when he called the front desk to see if she had come in. He was naturally in a foul mood after she had walked without a word. He didn't want to take out his anger on her and ruin the trip so he decides to walk it off; let the anger and frustration work its way out of his system then he will go and talk to Madhu. RK is confused about her irrational behavior, Madhu has never said no to his outlandish gifts even though she would be just as thrilled if he gave her Rs. 100 bangles from a street vendor. It is always about the thought of the gift rather than the price tag with Madhu. As he mentally goes through all the gifts he has ever given her for any occasion, the light bulb goes off in his head. Her last birthday that he had royally screwed up by forgetting it and that damn bracelet. f**k! How could he have not put two and two together when her mood suddenly went south as soon as they started looking at the bracelets? RK is pretty sure she is hurt to say the least, he will give her some time to compose herself before he faces her. He then will beg till she forgives him for his insensitivity and make it up to her for making her cry on their honeymoon.

When RK walks into their suite, he finds Madhu curled up in a chair with a blanket wrapped snuggly around her. He can clearly see the tear stains on her face. He kneels in front of her, gently caresses her head as he attempts to wake her up.

"Madhu wake up. Madhu," he nudges her gently.

She murmurs something in her sleep; he cups her face and calls her again, "Madhu sweetheart, wake up."

Madhu's eyes shoot open once she registers the voice, first relief washes over her then the tears come.

"I'm sorry Rishabh. I don't know what got into me. I don't know how I could think something like that of you. I know you were just trying to make a good memory with your gift. I am so sorry. So sorry. Please forgive me," Madhu begs as her voice cracks.

"Why are you saying sorry? I'm sorry Madhu. I didn't think why you wouldn't want a bracelet. It didn't hit him why you just left till later. I'm sorry for hurting you. I swear I didn't do it intentionally, I just didn't think of it. I'm so sorry. Forgive me," RK asks.

"No! Why are you sorry?" Madhu asks.

"It's not your fault either. I guess it is neither of our faults; we just misread the situation we were in, that's all. But sorry for not coming after you," RK counters with his boyish smile widening on his face.

The weight on their hearts is lifted with RK's last statement.

Madhu tries to make an angry face and speak, "You should be. What if I had gotten lost or kidnapped?" She fails miserably and they both end up laughing.

RK leans up a little from his position, says sorry, kisses Madhu's lips, then pulls back and repeats the whole cycle again and again. Every time he does that her smile gets bigger and broader till Madhu keeps him in place to deepen the kiss.

"I need to apologize to you properly," RK insinuates as he picks up Madhu in his arms.

He unceremoniously dump Madhu on the bed as she giggles with excitement, tossing the blanket she is wrapped in across the room. She sprawls out on the bed ready to be eaten. She looks absolutely delectable when Rishabh sees her seconds later. Madhu points to Rishabh and tells him to come to her with her index finger. In a flash Rishabh has discarded his jacket, shirt and is hovering above Madhu. Rishabh captures Madhu's lips for a searing kiss as her hands fumble trying to undo his belt and the buttons of his jeans. Her hands roam his harden abs as they move upwards with her fingers raking through his hair as their tongues explore each other's mouth. Finding the right moment and noticing her hubby is thoroughly distracted she flips them over so she is now on top of him. He looks at her incredulously, flips them as Madhu yelps at the sudden change in their position as she is now firmly pinned under him. To make sure she doesn't escape, he shackles her arms above her head with one of his hand.

During the power struggle, Madhu completely forgot about the preparations she had made to apologize to RK. The tray full of chocolate covered strawberries and a bowl of whip cream; the contents of the bowl landing on Madhu as RK struggles to overpower her. Madhu finally stops squirming under RK's scrutinizing gaze; the way he is looking at her; it's as if he is seeing into her soul. She shudders seeing the intensity. She can see the passion starting to cloud his eyes as he inspects every inch of her skin in the embellished red lace teddy she wore. The cold whip cream is trickling its way down the valley of her breasts in the deep plunge neckline of the teddy. Rishabh leans down, licks the cream from between her breasts; Madhu arches her back in response to the sensations spreading through her body. He reaches behind her hair unclasping her teddy freeing her breasts; then flicking his tongue over her taut nipples before sucking on them one by one. He slowly sucks the cream from her neck then takes her lips in his; Madhu can taste the sweetness of the cream in the kiss. She struggles to free her arms but RK shakes his head no. She is quickly losing control of her body as he continues his ministrations. The throbbing between her legs is becoming more unbearable with each passing moment. With his free hand he pulls her teddy off, she kicks her feet to remove it from where it pooled at her ankles. He trails butterfly kisses on her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her ears, her neck, her stomach, her fingers; worshipping every inch of her body but avoids her lips. Every time she reaches for his lips he moves away making her more furious and hungry for him. She gasps as he swirls his tongue in her belly button.

Rishabh can see Madhu is losing control, her eyes are glazing over, her cheeks flushed. He kisses her toes, her feet, her legs, her knees, her inner thigh, teasing near her feminine core; he can feel her holding her breath anticipating his next stop would be her anus. He moves back up to capture her lips for another kiss as his hand move towards her womanhood. His hand presses deeper, his thumb rubbing her c***. He pushes one finger into her. Madhu's body still for a moment from the surprise then moans his name which he effectively swallows with a kiss.

"Oh god! Rishabh! Rishabh!" Madhu screams as Rishabh pleasures her.

Rishabh trails kisses on her neck sucking on the weak spot behind her ear. He increases the pressure pushing another finger into her as he slowly strokes her in and out. Madhu clenches the sheets as her body is in throes of passion. She feels like she is going to go insane; she feels she is coming apart right in his hand. Her toes curl, her body begins to shake as the waves of pleasure hits her.

"Stop. Please. Rishabh not alone," she breaths heavily her passion hooded eyes looking for his. She moves his hand from within her to her breasts as she calmed her breathing.

Once Madhu regains some composure her hands are pulling his jeans and boxers down freeing his erection. She pulls him down for a kiss as her hands freely map every muscle in his back then his ass. She trails kisses on his chest as her hand takes his erection in her hand and begins to rub him.

"Madhu," his breath hitches first in shock then moans her name in pleasure.

"God! Madhu! Don't stop," Rishabh moans in pleasure.

She can feel him getting harder in her hand; she can feel every muscle in Rishabh's body contracting as pleasure courses through him as her stroking continues. He is on the brink she knows when he roughly pulls her by the hair for a rough kiss biting her lip drawing blood.

There is wildness in his eyes, Madhu cups his face so he will focus "I need you in me NOW."

Her command is his wish. She spreads her legs to give him better access. In one swift motion he enters her, Madhu gasps as he pushes in all the way. She wraps her legs firmly around him; he grips her hips perfecting their position.

"Oh Rishabh! Feels so good. My Rishabh," she chants as he begins moving within her.

Rishahbh starts a slow gentle pace; Madhu matches his pace; their rhythms are in sync. It's a dance they have done before; they know the beat by heart. He thrusts and she matches it with a push of her hips. The friction is building as they increase the pace, harder, faster. Madhu's finger nails dig into Rishabh's back leaving marks. He entwines their fingers as he continues to pound into her both nearly on the verge of ecstasy.

"Mine. Mine. Mine," Rishabh repeats as he devours her mouth.

"Yours. Only yours," Madhu tells him.

Those are the words that broke Rishabh's last bit of control, with one final hard push Madhu's body shook as the orgasm coursed through her body, seconds later Rishabh's body trembled as he came inside her. He buries his face in the crook of her neck as he steadies his breathing, Madhu holds him as she too comes down from the high.

The moment their eyes connect she takes his lips in for a tender kiss.

"Love you so much," she whispers as she captures his lips again for another breathtaking kiss.

"Love you too," he says as he falls to her side pulling her close him, pulling the covers over them.

Her hand cups his face as her thumb rubs his jawline, "You should apologize more often. At least the whip cream came in handy for something fun; I guess the bubble bath will have to wait for another time," she winks and giggles then traps his lips in hers kissing him soundly.

Madhu stands gazing at the sky from the panoramic window of their suite in the very early hours of the morning. The sun is just starting to peak out from under the black velvet sky. Sometime later she feels two arms circling her waist; she puts her arms over Rishabh's as she leans into him.

He nuzzles her neck, mumbling a "Good morning" while he places a kiss on the crook her neck.

After a few moments of silence, Madhu speaks, "It's beautiful, isn't?" mesmerized by the sun rising behind the Eiffel Tower.

"Breathtaking" Rishabh responds looking at her.

"Rishabh, can you make me a promise?" Madhu asks still enchanted by the view.

"Anything," comes his reply.

"Promise me we will do this at least once a year. I don't mean an extravagant trip like this but a week getaway where it's just you and me. A week where we can get away from your work, from the kids, from everything and be in our bubble. I don't want us to loose ourselves and become distant as a couple as we move ahead in our life. I want us to never forget we are husband and wife, first and foremost. I just want to be able to spend some time alone with you, without any distractions, have your undivided attention and you all to myself," Madhu trails off not knowing what else to say.

"Promise," comes his instant reply, not wanting Madhu to wait for an answer.

"I promise you all of those things, Madhu. I promise to make time so every few months we can go to our farm house, just the two of us. I promise to keep our bubble intact. I promise we will never lose each other no matter what. Nothing is powerful enough to keep you away from me, Madhu. Nothing," RK adds.

Madhu turns in his arms so she is facing him; she wraps her arms around his neck while he adjusts his arms around her waist.

"Thank you for this lovely trip. Everything has been like a dream. So perfect. I just don't want it to end, ever. I love you Rishabh, more than my words or actions can ever say. I love you so much," Madhu speaks from the heart.

"Everything you said, me too. Me too. You said it much better than I ever could. I love you too. Love you too," RK said as he captures her lips.

The enamored couple have the rising sun as their halo, bathing them in its enchanting light. Every morning the sun burns away the darkness of the night; it gives new life with its rays. For Rishabh and Madhu the break of dawn is a new beginning. The beacon of light envelopes the painful past and burns it into ashes. With nothing but love in their hearts, they wake up happier every morning, to be greeted by their own personal sunshine, each other.

The End