Sorry for almost a good month of not updating on this but things and life interfering right now...anyway please enjoy and im sorry but i hope it won't take this long to update next time around😛.
Credit of this Banner goes to -chamkilli-
Chapter Fourteen
"Here." He said.
I looked up and saw Kunal holding a chocolate Popsicle in one hand and a strawberry Popsicle in the other as he offered the chocolate on to me.
"You do know I can eat other flavors than just chocolate?" I said smiling as I reached up to take the Popsicle from his hand.
"Really?" he said lifting an eyebrow upward.
"Yes really." I said while plopping it into my mouth and it hit my teeth.
I shuddered at how cold it was and I quickly pulled the Popsicle out and then after a while popped it right back into my mouth.
After successfully punching and wiggling him until he had no choice to release me from his embrace he offered to get ice cream.
"Seeing as we were running around we need something to cool off and might as well get ice cream." He said excitedly.
I shook my head.
I gripped the chains on the swing and I slightly moved to lift me in the air as I pulled the ice cream out and then plopped it back in my mouth and I heard the other swing chains jingle as he sat down.
"So what's the matter Shraddha? You have something weighing on your mind." Kunal said softly.
I ignored him and continued sucking on the Popsicle really enjoying the taste of the chocolate and surprising vanilla filling.
"Shraddha." Kunal said.
I groaned.
I stopped playing with the swing and I turned to him and guilt hit my gut at his expression.
There was concern and confusion in his eyes and I felt guilty.
I was thinking and there was no way out of this.
I couldn't distract him with my work or his, I couldn't complain about anyone, I couldn't even distract him by even seducing him into just kissing and making out instead of talking.
I fell for someone that is always a step ahead...
I sighed.
I tried to rationalize instead of getting out how about how to make it sound more logical and without him thinking I'm insane.
I turned to him and I relaxed.
Maybe it might help a little if I could be a little bit honest with someone that just carrying this by myself.
"Okay I will tell you what's wrong." I said.
Kunal looked expectant but he didn't say anything and instead calmly intermediately sucked and bit on his ice cream as he waited for me to talk and my nerves calmed down a little.
"This is really weird but tries to understand that it might be a little bit confusing but it's the truth." I said.
I dropped the ice cream out of my mouth and tried the best route.
"Before meeting you I didn't know if Dhruv would ever have a good male role model. It was one thing with Anand, Ashish, and Ishaan around to at least guide him but I was worried about the future. That although he was okay there were just times that I thought he needed a father, an actual father with him." I said.
"When I met you, I wasn't sure your aim was but I did really enjoy your company. I never really had a friend once coming back to Delhi, so you were a nice change and you are really hilarious and goofy and sometimes a complete idiot."
At his change of expression I laughed.
"You were so happy and impulsive, I guess I was an idiot like you when I was younger and before I met Bobby...but after I had to get rid of that for Dhruv. I didn't have time to be like that. After meeting you and then..." I waved my hands to motion as things went on.
Kunal didn't interrupt and just kept quiet and listened to me.
"After everything you know and us getting together I thought everything was okay. Sure I loved...I mean love you but I think I took it for granted." I said starting to trail off in the past.
"You started to get busy as your business started to grow...I mean is currently growing. I started taking over and teaching more classes and then planning everything became too hectic. Especially with Dhruv getting older and doing more things and maa ji always complaining about the things I do and her not being pleased with what I'm doing...it was taking a toll." I said.
"I started losing touch with... us. I started giving up and distancing and every time you tried to get close I just argue. Arguing seemed better and a lot easier than trying to explain myself. Then I realized that how close I could lose everything. That everything that I was working for was meaningless if I didn't have the two most important people in my life with me. There was no point to anything if I lost you both." I said.
That was the best way to say what I felt but without me saying everything and I was still in my thoughts until I heard Kunal sighed.
I turned to him and he plopped his ice cream in his mouth.
I watched as he licked his lips from the cream and I blushed at his movement.
I tried to turn away before weird thoughts started to invade into my head.
"I thought it was just me. I didn't know what to do. Four weeks ago our relationship...I didn't know what to say. It was barely like we were connecting. I wanted to talk to you but it seemed like something was pulling me either end or I couldn't concentrate. I hate that. I don't want Dhruv to witness another destructive relationship. He has been through too much during the divorce with you and Bobby and another...but then you suddenly changed. You seemed happier and a lot more relaxed but you were holding yourself back. You did that in the past before we got married and it wasn't effective for either end. So I just wanted to make you're our relationship was on stable ground." Kunal said.
I looked at him and his ice cream was long forgotten as he concentrated on looking at me.
"I don't want to bring it up but it felt like the lack of communication and us spending time together...I thought a situation would come up that wouldn't allow us to come back to normal. I was afraid something serious was going to happen to the point that it would become like Anand and Kittu's situation three years ago." Kunal said.
I looked at Kunal and before I could say anything the statement was out before I could stop it
"What if it did become the situation like Anand and Kittu's situation? What if it became worse?" I said staring at him.
Kunal looked confused and he stuck the ice cream in his mouth that was about to drip onto his jean pants.
He licked the Popsicle and some got stuck on his lips and he used his tongue to wipe it off.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...I mean to the point where you lost...where you could never reach me again. Where I was too far for you to ever reach. To the point where our paths were no longer connected?" I said.
"I don't understand. As long as I'm alive, you're alive our paths will always meet. There is no other way around it." He said heatedly.
"I will always reach you no matter how much you might want to run away our paths, destines, and our fate is linked. There is no way around it. My heart is tied to yours there is no question about that." Kunal said.
"Not that. What if it...what if it was impossible to do so. What if something happened? What if you couldn't reach me? What if I was no longer here and could never be physically here with you, what if Dhruv couldn't be here with you. What if then?" I said gauging his expression that was in between torn, horror, and control that he was trying to maintain.
He sighed and thought about it for a while.
"To say there is nothing for me but you and Dhruv would sound childish but I mean it. There is nothing for me without you and Dhruv. You two are my life. I would go as far as I can go, even then some to protect you two. You both are my world and I will do what I have to do to protect you guys." Kunal said staring at me, without a break of his gaze.
I had to look away at the intensity of his gaze, so much energy, so much conviction, and love was in there that I couldn't meet him directly.
"What if something happened to us, would you take the chance to ever save us? If you had the chance to save us would you do it?" I said carefully.
His expression turned into confusion.
"Why are you asking questions such as this Shraddha?" Kunal said.
I smiled at him and looked away.
"It's just a curiosity nothing more. Just answer the question please Kunal." I said turning back to him.
"There is no question about it Shraddha. You and Dhruv are my life. If there was a chance to save you two I would do it." He said while smiling at me.
"It's not so easy like you are saying. Especially the person you think is supposed to help you is as confusing as anything." I said without thinking.
"Huh?" Kunal said confused.
I looked at him and he had a confused expression on his face and realized what I said earlier slipped from my mouth and he actually heard me.
I looked at him and double tracked my statement.
"I mean...lets say if you had a genie...fairy...but she said she's isn't one...I mean a genie of sorts saves you and you have to listened to them so they can tell you who killed me...what would you do?" I said it all out and closing my eyes hoping to not see his face at my question.
After a second.
After another second, or two, or three...until a good two to three minutes went by without him saying anything I looked at him and he was seriously considering the question.
Why wasn't he asking me why I was asking the question...?
He sighed and turned to me.
"I would listen to the genie...or fairy or whatever and just let go of everything I know. There might be a risk as the genie or fairy might be hiding things from me..." He trailed on.
"Hiding things..." I said while interrupting him.
"Of course...we don't easily get what we want. Everything has a price. Nothing comes for cheap and even if someone's intentions are for good there are repercussions hidden somewhere." He said.
"Fix wrongs? If people like you would stop half-hazardedly just doing stupid mistakes and not pay attention to your surroundings and start valuing the people close to you I wouldn't have to do this, we wouldn't have to do this. But of course not! You guys don't think and I get the blame for not being able to easily give you what you want. Everything has a price and you paid for it. Are you willing to pay for it a second time?" Jin snapped back.
I remembered what Jin said the day I met her when we had our argument.
"You won't be sent back to that. As long as you listen to me you won't have to relive that reality again. We will find her. She is close to him already but we have a chance in thwarting her intentions. We just have to be careful...You will meet her soon there is no need for you to know...yet
"That's not possible. If we do it now...she might do something different and I'm still not sure if it's exactly him she was trying or rather is going to target."
I thought back to the other time before when she met me in my car when I was still trying to ignore her, before I accepted what she was saying.
But it wasn't the first time she double tracked on her statements.
It wasn't the first time she was lying...
But throughout the entire time I never felt like she was doing so maliciously or trying to harm me.
Rather it seemed as if it was an effective tool and mechanism for herself...
I looked back at Kunal and since he wasn't questioning as much I decided to ask another question while I had the chance.
"What if the genie...or fairy that is supposed to help you...you feel there is times when they are being truthful, sometimes being confusing, and sometimes you can't make out what they are saying. What if there are times that she is lying and you're not sure if she is your...I mean they are you're ally or if they are your enemy?" I asked Kunal.
Kunal thought for a while and sighed.
"Can we tell the difference between the two? Isn't there some saying that a friend or foe both can be in the same clothing?" Kunal said.
I looked at him.
"Why are you being so wise right now?" I said while pouting.
He laughed.
"I'm sorry it's the sudden mood and weird shift of the conversation ..." He said while laughing and rubbing the back of his head.
"But seriously we don't know anything from people's words and even if a person says it over and over again its meaning can change. Basically the only way we can find out the truth is listening to our gut. What does your gut says about this person?" Kunal said.
I looked up at him confused.
"Huh?" I said while looking at him confused.
"I have a feeling you are either talking about a student of yours or someone you recently met and this whole thing was a device just say what you wanted to say without really saying it." Kunal said while sticking his ice cream back into his mouth.
I looked at him confused.
He thought...
But...
"Why would you think that?" I looked at him confused.
"Because you are like that Shraddha. You are not really forthcoming with things and you will try your best to distract me." He said.
I slowly smiled and I shook my head and I really married someone who was too smart for his own good.
"My gut tells me every word at her mouth is a possible lie. Nothing can be trusted...but I don't think she is not honest. I don't think she doesn't want to tell me the truth but I feel like she holds back. She is funny, have a very weird and more dark sense of humor, but seems very cheerful and childish." I said smiling.
"So basically you trust her even if you are not guaranteed about what comes out of her mouth. Plainly...if you are able to even be so moved to tears and worry it means that you must have some trust instilled in that person." He said while looking at me.
"But words are useless and you should find what she is not saying since you think everything she says is a lie." He said continuing.
"Huh?" I said while turning to him.
"I said since you don't trust what she is saying out of her mouth...then look at what she is not saying and you will have your answer." Kunal said while plopping the ice cream back into his mouth.
Basically what she isn't saying...but how the heck do I do that?
"So if she said yes...then she means no?" I said to him confused.
He released the popsicle from his mouth and he laughed.
"I didn't mean it like that...but based on her actions or mannerisms...maybe even her body language. Try to understand what she is trying to tell you. Like if she says she doesn't know or if she is confused its more along the lines that you are getting too close to something personal or that you aren't supposed to know. If she doesn't know then in most cases it's just to protect whoever she is keeping the secret or information about." Kunal said.
Protect...
Let's be honest I barely understand her except that she was a girl that has been around for a lot longer than I, was suppose...
Suppose...
Was she really supposed to help me...
But that wouldn't make sense.
Protect...
Who was she protecting?
She said her family has been dead for hundreds of years then who is she protecting...
Herself?
Me?
Both?
But why both?
I shook my head in confusion and just gave up with my weird line of thought.
He stretched and he pulled himself back, holding onto the chains of the swing, and then pulled forward as his legs shot forward, and then he swung back on the swing, having a good time by himself.
I looked at him like he was crazy and he continued.
"Enough of all this serious and weird mysterious talk and I feel myself becoming old, old, old!!!!!! ARGHHH!!!!" Kunal said while shaking his head.
I smiled at him and my heart was beating with admiration and love for this child-like man at times who seemed as if he understood and knew the entire world while at others seem like a newborn child who couldn't tell the difference from A to Z.
I smiled and shook my head.
We continued to talk about mindless stuff until we both finished our ice cream.
Kunal checked his watch.
"Its getting late...mom and dad will be worried its best if we stopped playing around and just go home now...especially since it seems like you are feeling happier." Kunal said while smiling.
I smiled back at him and nodded.
Before I could get up he was already up and had his hands outstretched in front of me to help me up.
I smiled and I put my hands into his as he led me back to the car and on home.
******************
I moved and tossed around for a couple of minutes on the bed until it was more than obvious that I wasn't going to sleep.
I sighed and stretched my entire limbs, sighing as I heard the soft cracking of my bones as I moved.
I smiled remembering our little crazy trip yesterday and I smiled even more and I turned to look at Kunal who was peacefully snoring as he was in deep sleep.
I smiled at his eyelashes brushing the upper part of his cheeks while his hair was messy from probably tossing during the night.
My smiled died once I noticed part of the blanket was dripped down on his lower chest and he wasn't wearing a shirt.
Nothing but strength, muscles, and abs were in my general view and my hand couldn't help but touch some of his strength.
I was careful to glide careful breath strokes down his arm, gently feeling his warmth and the muscles that were still involuntarily twitching from my touch.
After caressing and secretly touching and groping him for a good ten minutes or so I sighed and got up from the bed and head to the bathroom.
However, as soon as I got up to walk I tripped over something that was on the floor and landed on my injured arm that was making a slow recovery.
The burn wasn't bad but it hurt every now and then and landing on it wasn't a smart idea at all.
I looked back to see what I fell on and was confused it was a box with a pretty bow on top.
I looked up on the bed I could see Kunal staring at me.
"Not to say this because I minded, not at all...but it would be a lot better if you woke me up when you engage in groping me." He said smiling, with his head propped onto his hand while he looked at me.
I blushed...not knowing whether at being caught or that he was staring at me with his usual intense eyes.
"Stop that..." I said while looking down.
"Stop what?" he said innocently.
I looked up at him.
"You know
"Since you're awake...do you think it make sense that you will leave this box on the floor?" I said trying to distract him.
"I was trying to surprise you I didn't think that you wouldn't look at where you were going.." He said smiling.
"I could have hurt myself." I said.
"You should have been paying attention maybe you were too distracted by me." He said winking.
I pouted.
"You wish!" I said.
He smiled.
"Aren't you going to at least look at what's in the box or huff and puff at me all day long?" he said.
"You should be sweet to me especially since its Valentine's Day today." He said while winking at me
I looked at him and huffed.
I smiled and sat up more correctly to tackle the rectangular box that was full of red glitter and sparkles with a lace red ribbon.
I pulled it out slowly and opened the box and was shocked at what was inside.
I touched the fabric thinking there was more but when I lifted it up it wasn't.
I looked at Kunal and all he did was wink at me.
I placed the dress back in the box.
"I think you got the wrong dress. This is not for me obviously." I said packing the dress back into its box.
Kunal got up and before I could get up, he crouched where I was on the floor.
He grabbed my hand and I stared at him.
"But of course it's for you who would it be for?" he said looking at me in my eyes.
I blushed and lowered my eyes and he laughed.
"Plus I think you would look really sexy in this." He said while emphasizing the last part.
I dropped my mouth shocked.
"There is no way I will wear something like that." I said scandalized.
He grabbed my hand that was still healing and he kissed the palm, his mouth lingering over it and I wanted to take my hand away but he kept it closer to his body.
"Maybe I can convince you?" he said.
I shook my head.
"I'm not like that...I can't wear something like that." I said looking at him.
"You are no fun Shraddha. At least try it on?" he said placing his head in my hand.
I looked at him and wanted to say no but I never got to have such a peaceful and happy Valentine's Day after everything last time so I might as well play along with him.
I smiled and I snatched my hand from underneath his head.
I took the dress from the box and before he could say anything I quickly got up. "Shraddha?" Kunal said confused still on the floor.
"I'm going to try it on now sit there and hush." I instructed.
"Shraddha but you might need my help in putting it on." He said wagging his eyebrows.
"I promise you I won't need any help." I said.
"But it has a zipper and you might need help zipping it up." He said wagging his eyebrows even more.
"Nope I tackle enough of these alone I know how to do it myself." I said smiling at him.
He pouted.
I laughed.
"There is no need for your help, it won't take me long so don't worry."I said.
"But Shraddha..."
"Bye Kunal." I said before running in the bathroom and closing the door.
In less than five minutes I came out and I was fussy.
"This stupid dress why didn't it make it longer...what the heck." I said mumbling to myself.
Before I could say anything Kunal was in front of me.
"What's wrong Kunal?" I said confused.
I was momentarily still fixated on how short the dress was I didn't notice the look he had in his eyes.
"Kunal see you saw it and saw how ridic..."
Before I could say anything he had his lips against my lips and I was caught unaware and I bit his lip by mistake.
"Owww!!! Shraddha?" he looked at me confused.
"You caught me by surprise." I said shrugging apologetically.
He looked at me and I smiled and he touched his lips.
"You have to kiss it to make it better." Kunal said pointing at his lips with a sad puppy eye face.
"Are you serious?" I looked at him skeptically.
"Of course! I'm in serious pain...owww...owww...your teeth nipped my lips so badly...owww..." He said groaning.
I already knew he was messing around but I couldn't help but smile.
I leaned up slightly and I brushed my lips against him, catching him unaware.
He looked at me in a slight haze and I looked up at him, smiling.
"See all better now?" I said smiling at him.
He looked down at my lips and before he could react I easily dodged out the way.
"Since you're better, I will go get ready for work and you should do so as well!" I said while running to the bathroom.
******************
I stared at the box acting as if it was the enemy.
I had my hand on my hips as I stared at the red gift box that had the ridiculous dress inside.
I sighed.
I really didn't want to wear it but I didn't want to hurt Kunal's feelings.
But then again why would he buy a dress like this?
But isn't it rude to just toss someone's gift aside?
Plus he decided to spend his time to get it and it probably took him a while to get it...
But still...
I sighed and just took a deep breath.
It's not so bad. It's not like this is the worst thing I had to do...
I sighed and I bent down to open the box, closing my eyes in the process and looked inside the box and was shocked.
Instead of a lacy short dress there was a red cloth inside.
I lifted it up and noticed it was a red sari that had a silver border on it.
I smiled.
Once I did lift it up, something white fell out and I noticed it was a card.
I bent down to pick it up and I looked at the card that just said to "To Shraddha".
I flipped it over and read a simple message.
"You looked super-hot in the other dress though..."
I scrunched up my face and just shook my head.
"He is completely crazy.."I said while laughing.
I looked at the clock and noticed I only had a good hour before he came home.
"You have to be ready before I get home so I can take you somewhere for your surprise."
"Surprise?" I said acting oblivious.
"Yes surprise I want to take you somewhere, somewhere special and somewhere where we can spend time alone, with one another." He said smiling at me.
I took it with me in the bathroom and put it on, smiling at myself as I looked at the mirror while adjust the blouse, and making sure it fitted on my waist.
I took a little bit more prodding, patting, and shifting around until I was satisfied with the outcome and I smiled as I looked at myself in my dresser room.
I went to the dresser and slowly started to pull out the rollers that were in my hair, running my hands through my hair that felt soft and silky to the touch.
I put on the curling iron and ran it through some stands that weren't as curly as I wanted it to be.
I continued to that intermediately as I applied on my makeup, running the mascara through my lashes as well putting on a thick coat of eyeliner.
I then put on a light pink eye shadow as well, then applied blush, and was stuck between using lipstick or gloss and ultimately deciding on a red lipstick.
I finished with all of that until I was happy with the outcome as I stared at my image in the mirror and smiled at myself.
I disconnected the curling iron and applied my bracelets, earrings, and a necklace along with my mangalsutra.
I was busy looking and smiling at myself in the mirror that I didn't notice that Kunal was by the door.
It was until I heard a low whistle did I turn back around, almost falling out of my seat, noticing that he was by the door frame, hands in his briefcase from work, while he was gripping onto his black jacket in his other hand.
I blushed as his eyes made a painfully slow perusal of my body almost as if he was touching me with his hands and touching me personally.
I smiled and I got up and he looked at me in the eye and there was nothing but heat and desire underneath them.
I lowered my eyes and smiled.
"Are you just going to stay here and stare at me...I thought you said you wanted to take me somewhere." I said while wringing my hands together.
I could hear him shuffle and heard something landing on the bed.
I then heard him walk forward and I didn't want to look up and instead I just looked at the carpet, afraid to meet his gaze as my heart was beginning to race and I could feel my cheek become even warmer.
I saw his shoes and without warning he took one my hands and lifted it and I watched as he brought it closer to his lips and I stared at him as he was watching me as he pressed his lips against my hand.
"What is all of this?" I said breathless.
He winked at me as he slid his lips against my skin, coming closer to my wrist.
He dropped my hand and he cupped his hand against my cheek and I stared at him.
"You are so demanding...it wouldn't be so hard if you just said please?" he whispered while looking at my lips.
I shuddered at the intensity of his gaze.
"Please?" I said while not comprehending his words.
"Please for me to take you where I promised to surprise you." He said.
"Please?" I said stuck on that word as his head was lowering towards my lips and I could feel my breathing became shallower and breathier.
"That is much better." He said as he pressed his lips against mine and I could feel his warmth as he pressed his lips against mine as he increased the pressure.
I could feel the heat from his body as he pressed his body against mine as he slowly wrapped his hand around my waist.
We continued kissing, his mouth over mine trying to dominant but I wasn't letting him have it.
It took a good minute or so before we came back for air.
I was trying to swallow any amount of air that I could as Kunal was staring at my lips and then looked at me.
"Its okay if we are a little late?" Kunal said.
I smacked him on his arm.
"Sheesh...just get changed." I said while shaking my head.
******************
She was shifting in her seat, kept on padding around in the car, and kept on trying to listen to the sounds that were outside.
I sighed and shook my head.
I tried to make this as much of a surprise as I could even blindfold her so she wouldn't know where I was taking her.
But all it was causing was more headache as she kept on moving in the car and kept pleading for me to tell her already.
"Forget it Shraddha you are not going to be able to guess by sniffing around like that." I said. She caught on to window and tried rolling it down to see if she could "smell" where I was taking her.
"Are you a dog?" I said laughing as I concentrated on driving.
She made a "hmphed" sound.
"If you didn't decide that I shouldn't know where you are taking me, I wouldn't be in this predicament now?" she said.
I laughed and she growled.
"Bad doggie?" I said.
She used her hand to try to hit me and instead she hit her hand on the dashboard.
"Owww." She said.
"See, that's what you get for hurting your poor husband who's just trying to surprise his lovely wife." I said smiling.
There was a red-light and I stopped.
"Are we there yet?" she said turning to me.
I looked at her and despite the blindfold hiding her eyes; it couldn't hide how beautiful she looked, especially in the red fabric that she was wearing.
The dress hugged her body perfectly and showcased a hint of skin every now and then I couldn't help but stare and I had to still my hand from touching her in those places.
Her hair was in curls down her neck and arms that was exposed and nothing but smooth and pale skin could be seen.
Her cheeks were a light pink and it was even more visible as her cheeks were red from her efforts earlier.
Her lips were bright red from her lipstick that she had to reapply earlier from my lack of resisting from touching her and kissing her.
I leaned forward, closer to her as I brushed my lips against her forehead.
She became tensed.
"What's wrong?" she said in a shaky breath.
Her hand gripped my arm and I stared at her hand on my dress jacket.
I looked back at her and smiled.
"Nothing...calm down." I said smiling.
She settled down in her seat and I paid attention to the light as it changed color, indicating it was time for me to go.
***************
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
