New FF- Unexpected Love-Part 25 Pg 86- 11/12/2015 - Page 23

Kalpi ran out of the room without looking back. She was totally embarrassed by her behavior. She ran into one of the ladies washrooms and was glad it was empty. Her heart was beating as fast as a bullet train. She looked into the mirror and immediately lowered her eyes, when she saw herself. She could not bear to look at her passion filled eyes, her lips which looked bee-stung and her tousled hair through which Vihaan had run his fingers. "How could I have behaved so wantonly?" she thought.

Her innocent mind did not understand how passion could sweep away a person's senses. Even though she was very intelligent, she was totally unschooled in her thoughts about sexual passion. Her imagination of lovemaking only ran to holding hands and chaste kisses. She believed in happily ever after, but had never thought of making love in relation to any guy she liked. She could not believe how forward she had been and how responsive she had been to Vihaan's kisses.

"What must he be thinking of me? He was emotional and he just kissed me because he required support and I turned into a passionate one", she thought taking up the whole blame. "For Vihaan these kisses must be normal, but I should have been more sensible. Did I respond to him, because he is attractive. I never thought I would get so easily carried away." she thought.

Vihaan who was totally turned on, could not follow her out immediately. He was still reeling under the intense feeling of passion that had been aroused in him. He was not into kissing girls randomly and he was surprised at how he had instinctively kissed her. The biggest surprise for him was how much the kiss had affected him. The innocence of her response had aroused him beyond his imagination and when she had withdrawn the kiss he had felt bereft. For that instant he had experienced heaven and had forgotten everything. He acknowledged that he was attracted to her. Her beauty, her intelligence, her sense of humour everything drew himself towards her. "I want to explore this relationship. I don't know how she feels about me, but I have to talk to her. I will see how this goes", he thought logically, not knowing that logic always flew out the window when it came to love and what he felt for her was not just basic attraction but love.

Vihaan left the longue and went looking for her, but could not find her. He went towards his Naani's room and he saw her sitting on the couch outside the room. Seeing her made his heart start racing abnormally. He suddenly felt awkward, not knowing what to say to her.

Kalpi looked up to see Vihaan coming towards her and she got totally flustered. She was absolutely not in a state to face him. Both kept staring at each other, both their hearts confused and beating hard.

He neared her, suddenly a nurse came out and said, "You can see the patient now". Both somehow felt relieved at being saved from an awkward situation.

Vihaan entered the hospital room and Kalpi followed. Vihaan went towards his Naani's bed, but Kalpi stood behind allowing Vihaan a few private moments with Naani.

"Naani, you scared me, don't ever do that to me again. I can't live without you", Vihaan said holding her hand.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, Vihaan. Your Naani is very strong and she is not going to die, before she plays with your grandchildren" Naani said smiling. Her face looked tired, but there was a smile on it.

Vihaan said, "I am not going to let you go, even when your grandchildren have children Naani".

Naani said, "Oh I forgot, how come you are here, you were shooting in Ladakh.

"You expect me to be shooting when you are ill, Naani. There is nothing more important in my life than you and I can sacrifice anything for you" Vihaan said his voice full of emotion.

Hearing this Kalpi's eyes filled with tears unknowingly and her sight got blurred. She suddenly felt worried that she would blurt into tears, she felt so emotional.

She made a move to leave the room, to prevent anyone from seeing her tears and suddenly Naani saw her standing in the corner and said, "Kalpi, you are here too, come here to me".

Kalpi could not do anything but move towards her bed and Naani said, "Kalpi, how did you reach here. You were in Mumbai right."

Suddenly Kalpi felt herself blushing and she said, "No Naani, I was in Ladakh with Vihaan when the call about your illness came. I had gone there with some papers Vihaan wanted urgently. When I heard you were ill, I insisted on accompanying Vihaan to Jaipur. But I am so glad that you are better, you lying in the hospital bed does not seem right. I want to see you up and about soon"

Naani observed her blush with interest and then looked at her handsome grandson. He had lowered his eyes. She felt something there, but was too tired to think further. Just then the nurse came and said the visiting hours were over.

Vihaan and Kalpi left the room and were met with Vihaan's uncle and aunt outside, thus pushing their discussion about the kiss further away.

Vihaan told his uncle about Naani's prognosis. His uncle asked Vihaan and Kalpi to go home and rest and he would inform him if there was any news.

Vihaan suddenly felt very impatient to discuss everything with Kalpi, but did not get any opportunity as the driver in the car prevented any sort of privacy.

Kalpi who was feeling really scared and not ready for the discussion. As soon they reached home they were met by one of Vihaan's cousin Piya and other of Vihaan's relatives and soon they were in discussion about Naani's health.

Kalpi asked Piya where she could buy some dresses as she had not prepared for this trip. Piya promised to take her shopping after breakfast and offered her a dress to wear. Kalpi thanked her effusively and Piya teased her that it was just a dress. Somehow at that instant a bond was created between them and they became friends in the short time.

After a short time, Kalpi excused herself and went into her room. Vihaan looked at her, but could not do anything to stop her.

She had felt instinctively that Vihaan wanted to discuss something with her and she was glad that she had dodged the bullet for at least sometime. She wondered how she would handle this discussion and worried some more.

She came down in the dress given by Piya. It was a traditional beautiful bandhej(tie and dye) skirt in red and yellow with a matching top. Piya had also provided her with heavy silver jhumkas to go with the dress. Kalpi had tried to refuse it, but Piya had insisted she wear it. Kalpi just put on a light lipstick and lined her eyes with kohl, not even realizing how appealing she looked.

Vihaan was waiting downstairs when she was descending the stairs and Kalpi lowered her eyes and walked down feeling shy. Vihaan took in the adorable picture she made and felt his heart beat quicken. He immediately decided that he needed to do something about this strange attraction he felt towards her.

But soon they were surrounded by people and everyone sat down for breakfast. The mood was upbeat because Naani's condition was improving. Kalpi initially felt inhibited as she was not a part of the family, but soon everyone took her into their fold and she started getting comfortable.

Vihaan was mostly silent during the meal, as he was trying to figure out how to go about his conversation with Kalpi, which he had decided he would have after they had breakfast.

Suddenly Piya announced that she and Kalpi were going out shopping as Kalpi had not packed enough clothes.

Hearing that Kalpana was going out with his cousins made him feel disappointed as he wanted to be the one accompanying her.

Kalpi, Piya and two more of his cousins Shilpa and Sweta went out shopping and Kalpi was mesmerized by the array of colours displayed in front of them. She brought a few dresses and few delicate silver ornaments which were beautiful beyond belief.

During the shopping expedition all the cousins talked nineteen to a dozen, mainly about Vihaan. They talked about how Vihaan was the best brother who pampered all his cousins, how every time he went abroad would get gifts for all them and how much interest he showed in their life, even when he was so busy. They could not stop talking about Vihaan and Kalpi could not hear enough of him. The more she heard about him, the more and more impressed she was. Then suddenly she thought this amazing Vihaan had kissed her and she blushed.

"Kalpi, get a grip on yourself. He is superstar and you are an ordinary girl and the kiss definitely must have not meant anything to him, so don't get carried away", she warned herself.

As soon as they reached home, one of the servants met them at the entrance and told Kalpi that Vihaan had some work with her and he was waiting at the terrace for her.

Kalpi felt really shy as she reached the terrace. Vihaan was standing near the parapet looking down. The view from the terrace was absolutely spectacular as it overlooked the manicured lawns with beautiful fountains. One part of the palace was a luxury hotel while another part was being occupied by the family and the gardens were maintained by the hotel in perfect shape.

Vihaan was standing there lost in his thoughts and all the thoughts were of Kalpana. He had decided that he was going to ask Kalpana to explore this relationship. He had felt a strong emotional bond with her and he wanted to see where this relation took them. She was lovely to look at and he was attracted to her and he also felt close to her emotionally.

Kalpi suddenly felt shy as she approached Vihaan. She did not really know how to face Vihaan. She slowly walked towards Vihaan and called his name softly.

Vihaan suddenly turned around and both found themselves staring at each other. The scenes from the hospital suddenly passed through both their minds and both got flustered, but Vihaan was the first one to recover and said, "Come sit" he said pointing to a swing placed on the terrace.

Kalpi went and sat on the swing and Vihaan sat down close to her almost touching her. She felt a shiver run through her spine, but she sat there stiffly.

Suddenly Vihaan said, "Kalpana, we need to talk".

Kalpi said, "Okay, Vihaan". Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

"Kalpana, what happened today betweeen us at the hospital" Vihaan started.

Immediately Kalpana felt nervous and in her nervousness she interrupted him and said, "Vihaan, today morning, you were overwrought about your Naani. I understand, in that emotional state you kissed me. I promise you I will not read more into the kiss. I know that kiss was not something serious and I am ready to forget it. I also over-reacted due to the lack of sleep and the stress. Let's forget about it and continue being friends as before."

Hearing her dismiss that kiss as something forgettable made Vihaan lose his cool and he said mockingly, "Let's forget everything. If the kiss did not mean anything to you, it meant even less to me."

Kalpi who was still in a highly strung state did not catch the mockery in his tone, thought that Vihaan was agreeing with her. She said, "Thanks, Vihaan. I am glad we cleared the air."

Vihaan thought angrily, "If she does not care about me and does not want the relationship, why should I foist this relationship on her. I am not in love with her, I am sure and I will soon forget this kiss."

Both did not know this kiss would be hard to dismiss and impossible to forget.

By the time both left the terrace both were seriously dissatisfied with the result of the conversation and totally unhappy.