Her exams were finally over. It was Friday and Astha came out after her last exam. Despite the emotional upheavals, she felt all the three papers went well. Astha was thankful about it. She was now impatient to start applying for better positions everywhere. But before all that something else was bothering her. Shlok.
He hardly came near her or touched her these days. After their sizzling kiss in the office Shlok seemed to have completely gone out of reach it terms of physical intimacy. Astha was at first bewildered and then she was worried if something had gone wrong between them. Was he regretting taking the decision towards commitment? Was he feeling trapped? She had so many questions going on within her.
She wanted to talk to him about it after Shlok was home. Though it embarrassed her to speak about such things boldly, she didn't want to be in the dark. With her fifty shades, Astha did not want to take any chance. Her thoughts were diverted by the BB's message. As expected, it was from Shlok.
How did it go?
Good. Finally the exams are over.
So, do we party today evening?? And a smiley.
Partying? And what does that entitle? Astha already instigated from her side.
Dinner and dancing of course. Not to forget your favorite cuisine with a place of your choice.
That's all? Now she sent a winky smiley. Astha prayed he would respond the way she wanted him to.
What do you mean? Her heart raced when she saw his message. He wasn't that naive that he could not have got her meaning. She bit her lip. Now how should she respond? Astha decided to come straight to the point without being coy.
I mean I would rather spend time with you. In your house. Alone. That's my choice.
Shlok's groin twitched in response to her message. He felt confused seeing her message. What did she want this time? Was she ready to go all the way? He decided to deal with all this later and concentrate on work.
Astha was disappointed at the lack of response. Now her worry only increased. She definitely knew something was wrong. Earlier he couldn't wait to get her started with protection but now he was refusing to even acknowledge her need for him. She went back to her friends and they had lunch together.
They all knew she had got back with Shlok. But this time she was engaged. Though they were happy for her, they were still a little apprehensive about this whirlwind romance. Preethi especially was worried since she had seen Astha's heartbreak in person. Yet Astha assured them things are going to be fine.
They all moved on to discuss happier things, their future, a plan for an upcoming holiday amongst the four of them. It was time to leave finally. The girls exchanged hugs and they promised to call each other the next day to make some plans. Astha went back to the waiting car and got back home.
She went up and changed into a skirt and a t shirt. All the emotions of the past few days and the exam tension had left Astha exhausted. And she surprisingly slept the minute she hit the bed.
And that's how Shlok saw her when he came in. The house was unusually quiet and the lights were all off. He quickly ran up to Astha's room in concern. And his breath stilled at seeing her sleeping form. She was curled up like a child, and her fist was closed. Her hair had fallen over her forehead, and her mouth was slightly open.
Shlok's body immediately responded to that full lips. They looked like ripe berries, ready to be plucked. How he would love to wake her up with a kiss and strip her quickly before taking her right on the bed. Before he got carried away with the mental imagery, Shlok gently sat on the bed besides Astha.
He kissed her hair and trailed his lips over her cute cheeks. Astha stirred slightly. His lips however didn't stop. He nibbled her chin and trailed his finger tips over her lips. Astha moaned his name in a very sexy manner. Shlok kissed her lips and lay down next to her.
She felt his lips on hers and opened her eyes. "Shlok..." Her husky voice moaned into his mouth before she tried getting closer to him. But Shlok was quick to put her away. He got up from the bed in a fluid movement, much to the rising anger of Astha.
"Shlok, what's the matter?" Her voice was full of concern and a little anger.
"Nothing. I just came home and wanted to wake you. It's past seven. We should be getting ready for dinner." His voice was steady, almost soothing.
"I don't want to go out." Now she definitely sounded like a petulant child.
"Then what do you want to do?" He sounded patient, as if he was dealing with a child.
"I told you what I wanted." Her cheeks automatically flushed though she refused to look away from him. It was he who looked away. Shlok sighed and walked a few steps away from her. His back was facing her. Even with his back towards her, he managed to raise her pulse.
"Astha, don't behave like a child. Decide what you want." His tone had taken a weary tinge now. Astha was furious at his baseless accusation. What had she done now? She angrily walked up to him.
"I am behaving like a child? I try to tell you I want you and that seems childish to you?" She literally hissed into his face.
Shlok was unsure how to carry on this conversation without offending her. "Look Astha, I, I am scared to make love to you." What? That was the last thing she expected to hear. She looked totally flummoxed for a second. He continued for her benefit.
"The last time we attempted to make love you were upset, you wanted to leave me. I don't want that happening again." He stopped and swallowed. "I..I can't bear it if you leave me again." He whispered those broken words, straight from his heart.
Astha simply hugged him. Her anger evaporated within a second. She wanted to hug her fifty and let him know she was going nowhere. He had been let down more than a few people in his life. But how will she convince him it's ok to intimate? And she wanted that with him? Astha chewed her lower lip in thought.
"First of all I am not going to leave you. Ever again. Get that into your head. And the other thing..." She stopped unsure of how to put it in words. Shlok caught her chin and looked at her.
"What?"
"I..I want us to..I want to..." She paused. Her mouth trembling, "Just make love to me Shlok." Shock resonated through his entire being at her words. Immediately desire of the highest order kicked in. He grabbed her in a fit of the same desire and gave her a hard kiss.
Astha almost lost balance at his ardor. Her eyes closed of their violation, and she sneaked up her arms around his neck. Shlok carried her and made her sit on the window sill. Their eyes were on the same level.
"I can't believe you said that. Do you mean it?" His voice was hoarse with desire. Shlok was already shrugging out of his jacket. His tie was coming out next. Astha felt shy at her own boldness. She nodded yes and looked down at her hands.
His fingertip trailed over her nose, cheeks, and finally her lips. "I am going to make it good for you. You will not even remember your own name by the time I finish." Astha took in an excited breath and refused to look up at him. She was mortified at the images her mind was forming at his words.
His hand went beneath her skirt. She stopped his wrist but he ignored her protest. "I find it exciting that I am the only man who has access to you, your beautiful body. You belong to me. Mind, body, and soul." He sounded satisfied and pleased that she was his, and only his.
Shiv Shakti
