The alteration to the original plan meant that they would have to leave the same night if they were to make it to Mumbai in time for the 'Princi surprise' the next morning. It had been a long day and everyone was exhausted to the hilt. Besides, Nandini had an additional responsibility ...that of packing Manik's bag.
She had this intensely strange and overwhelming "WIFEY" feeling as she unzipped Manik's grey duffle bag to view its contents. As she peered inside she saw a tangled mess of haphazardly dumped clothes and toiletries waiting for a resurrection of sorts!! As she waded through his belongings she couldn't help from reeling under the effect of his citrus, manly cologne that clung to everything. She so wanted to do these little things for him, organize his stuff , organize his life...making him feel loved..make him feel wanted...make him feel alive.
Just then, the orangy red tee that he had worn last night came into her hands. That got her transported to the moments that they had shared last night...the way he held her in the safety of his muscular arms as his fingers trailed down her bare back to unclasp her hair. It was then that he set her free forever...from that vicious strangulating hold...the gripping fear...the vile touch...the plundering ache... the searing guilt...and oozing ulcer...
His touch healed her fully, made her whole again...pulsated her with a renewed vigor...she finally found herself in him as he closed that gap between them. Last night he had caressed her lips with his thumb ever so seductively ...helping her rediscover her lost soul...making her bloom from wilderness to light. Thinking about it yet again caused her lips to quiver. The wet trail of soft kisses across her collar bone had left her dazed and asking for more. When his lips claimed hers, his hot breath fanning hers she had found her heaven...her refuge...an end to her inner struggles.
For a fleeting moment she felt his hand on her bosom causing sheer heat coursing through her...awakening her senses to pleasures unknown. She knew then...if she did not withdraw just yet...she would be engulfed in the strong currents of his torrid passion.
But that look as she withdrew...she wasn't sure if it merely indicated unfulfilled carnal desire or reflected something more deep seated...his agony and hurt that she had not been able to see through the depth of his feelings...not connected to his emotion of how much he needed her to be with him..in him..
This time she had touched him again... pushing the energy she had absorbed and her own into him...she wanted to be loved and pleasured just as he wanted to. There was nothing wrong in it. She had found her man...her love...and then the alarm rang...
She was drawn back to the present as she stuffed some more clothes into his bag, finally zipping it up and dumping it next to hers...she was now ready to move on.. towards a new journey...with him by her side always.