Stolen moments - Epilogue Chapter 3 - page 2

Aarti was standing and looking at her naked torso. She was loving it, rubbing her baby bump. He was growing so nicely she thought and smiled.

"Look how big you are getting my Aayu. You going to be a big and strong boy just like your pappa. I love you so much. And I love your pappa so much. He is not with us now, but I know he would've loved you more than anything in the world. How I wish I could share you with him. But not to worry, we have each other and Nan. And you pappa gave me the best gift in the world. You!" she smiled.

"Aarti beta, are you getting done. I need to go and do some shopping."

"10 minutes Nan."

"Ok, so you mean half an hour" they both laughed.

Aarti's Nan was not a blood relation. She had been working for the Sharma's since she was 16. She was now 65 and only retired when Aarti no longer needed a nanny. And when Aarti needed a place to stay when she knew her family would not accept a pregnant unwed daughter back, Nan was the obvious choice. She had accepted her with open arms. She had always been more of a parent to Aarti than her own parents. She wasn't rich but she could support both of them comfortably. She had lived in the Sharma household all the time and was handsomely compensated as the family was one of the richest in India. She had been married but her husband had passed away about 20 years back. She saved most of her money as she didn't have any major living expenses or family as she never had children of her own. She always had a special bond with Aarti.

Aarti still tried to contribute. She had started designing and submitted her designs to companies as a freelance designer. She could not apply for a job in her condition. She had also started an online clothing line that turned out to be more popular than she expected and Nan had managed to find her reliable people to sew for her. She did the designs and handled the packaging and shipping.

She opened her drawer and as always looked at the picture that was lying face up. She smiled now. There was a time that she couldn't look at it without crying. She wasn't only hiding from her family, she was hiding from all the people that she loved. Her love had cost her everything and gave her everything, she thought as she touch her tummy again.

"Shopping with Nan then Aayu and we can get those wonderful jalebis that we both love she giggled. Pappa always used to get them for me when he knew I loved it. And you then he would collect what he called his sweet tax from me, but you shouldn't know about that until you are much older my darling. I really miss him."

"Aarti!" her Nan called again.
"Yes Nan I'm getting done. Just be a little patient. 5 minutes I swear." she called back.

Then her Nan, came to her bedroom.

"Beta, you have visitors."

"Me? Here? Who is it?"

"Come and see."

She went to the lounge cautiously, not sure who to expect. No one knew she was here.

When she saw who it was she was shocked out of her wits. Her head spun and she fainted.

She wasn't the only one that was shocked. He had finally found out where she was after looking for her since she disappeared 6 months ago. He had gone to her family. They said they didn't know where she was. He wasn't sure if he could believe them. He somehow knew that they wouldn't tell him even if they knew. Not even her closest friend knew where she was. Especially not her. She had fled from both of them. She never knew that her sacrifice was for nothing. Arpita knew her too well. She knew what she was trying to hide but she didn't know where she was hiding. About a week ago Arpita had gotten a call from Paridhi, Aarti's baby sister. She knew of only one place that Aarti could be and she was right.

Flashback -A year and half ago

His marriage was arranged. He had made the choice and he really liked the girl. She was very pretty and very nice. But everything changed for him at the engagement. His fianc came down the stairs in her traditional attire and she looked beautiful but what captured his attention was the girl that accompanied her. She had the most amazing smile and the most soulful almond shape eyes. When their eyes met, he sensed that she was as affected by him as he was by her. Throughout the rituals he kept looking at her but he eyes were downcast all the time.

He couldn't get her out of his mind. He found out that she was Arpita's best fried Aarti. He tried to get her out of his mind as best he could.

"Aarti, right" he had never seen her again after the engagement.

"YashJi?"

"Just Yash. How are you?"

"Fine and you?"

"Fine"

"What are doing here all alone?"

"I'm bored and friends don't want to leave yet. I don't have a ride and I was just thinking that I should perhaps just get a taxi"

"I can take you home"

"It's not necessary. I'll manage." She stood up to leave.

"Just wait. I am not doing you a favour. My offer is at a cost?"

"What?" she said suspiciously

"A dance."

She smiled. "A dance? How do you know I can even dance?"

"I just know" he said.

"I should say no."

"And I shouldn't be asking but we are going to do it anyway aren't we?"

"Just today. Just one dance, ok?"

"I will take what I can get" the atmosphere was loaded with so much more than they were saying. They had a chance to be together and their hearts could not deny it. No one vocalised what each of them really felt, but it was not needed. They both knew. They would take this stolen moment and treasure it for the rest of their lives.

Originally posted by: lassekool

Beautiful. Waiting for the finer details.

Chapter 2

But it didn't stop at just one dance. It turned into a few. They were both reluctant to let this night end. And he didn't take her home, they decided to take a drive and they ended up at an intimate little coffee shop on the outskirts of Mumbai.

He took her hand in his, she didn't resist. "Aarti, I have been trying to get you out of my mind ever since the engagement. But I couldn't. And tonight when I saw you again I couldn't deny it anymore. I am hopelessly in love with you."

She looked away from him. He eyes burning with unshed tears.

"It's the same for me. I'm in love with you too but you are engaged to my best friend. We just have to forget about each other."

"How can I forget you, my love? After seeing you just once, I couldn't forget about you. Not even realising that it was love, I couldn't forget about you, how I am supposed to do it now."

"There is no other choice Yash. I love Arpita. She is my best friend. Just like with us, we connect the moment we met 5 years ago. She is an awesome person. The best I know. She has supported me for as long as I have known her and she trusts me. I can't hurt her. Let's just enjoy tonight. It's all we have."

"And then? When I marry Arpita, will you remain in our lives? Will I have to sit down to dinner with you and maybe even your future husband and pretend that everything is ok?"

"I won't get married. I don't want to marry anyone else."

"But you expect me to."

"Yes, you are already engaged."

He stood up and took some money out of his wallet, threw it on the table and walk out. She had to run to keep up with his pace.

"Yash wait" she called as he made his way to the car but he continued walking.

"Please Yash"

When she caught up to him she put her arms around his waist. She held him tight. She was crying.

"Don't be angry please. Let's not waste this one chance we have to be together. I love you."
He melted and put his arms around her too. Both crying now.

Finally they were back in the car.

"I don't want to go home just yet Yash."

"Aarti, do you know what you are saying? I can't guarantee that I will be able to control myself."

"I know exactly what I am saying. I want to be with you."

"Oh Aarti, I wish I could be strong and take you home any way but I want to be with you too so much" and he kissed her.

Their first kiss was beautiful. Their tongues duelled with each other in sweet exploration of each other mouths.

"My parents own a farm house about half an hour from here." he said when they managed to tear themselves away from each other. She nodded.

They were inside the house now. It was dark as there was no electricity. He used his cell phone as a torch and went to find the candles. The candle lit room created a romantic ambience. They stood and looked at each other for a long time. Knowing what was going to happen.

Aarti knew that she was supposed to feel guilty but she wasn't. She would have this one night with him and Arpita would have him for the rest of their lives.

She went to him, put her hands on his chest and raised her lips to kiss him. His head came down to reciprocate. He pulled her into him as the kiss turned more passionate. His lips moved down, burning his way to her neck.

"Are you sure about this, love?" he asked again.

"More than ever."

Their clothes were discarded in no time as it landed on the floor. The sooned joined the clothes on the floor, as they didn't want to waste any time moving anywhere else. Their hands and mouths were desperately consuming each other.

She had never felt like this before. No one had every kissed her the way he had. No one had every touched her where he had. He breast were on fire. Her nipples were hard and tingling as his hot mouth was sucking and nipping at them. She was craving him, her body demanding more of him. She was already moist and throbbing when his fingers reached her. Her legs parting instinctively. She started writhing when he rubbed the most innermost part of her body. She was giving him all of her and it would always be his only.

He knew she was untouched and he knew what this meant. Her response was killing him. He held a tight leash on his control when all he wanted was to be inside her. But more than that he wanted to pleasure her. He wanted her first time to be something that she would cherish for a lifetime. He wanted her to know that she was loved by him, heart body and soul. And if there was never another opportunity for them to be together she could look back at this night and remember that for a moment they only belonged to each other.

Finally he felt she was ready for him and he entered her slowly, mindful of her innocence. They were alone and when she screamed in pain her let her. He kissed the tears from her eyes. He didn't want to hurt her ever, but there was no other way in this.

"I'm sorry, my love, so sorry."

She looked up to him and smiled thorough her tears. He saw the look of trust and love in her eyes and it astounded him.

"I love you Yash. I know you would never deliberately hurt me. I wanted this. And now I am yours forever. No matter what happens, no one can take that away from us. Love me Yash, Love me now, please"

And he did, the screams and pain turned into screams of pleasure. She moved to his rhythm. And she climaxed quickly, again and again before he too let go. It was hours later that they finally lay together, their naked sweaty bodies still clinging to each other.

After a while she started sobbing. Finally the guilt of betraying her best friend sunk in. She was also crying for the impending loss of her love and she felt all the emotions that went with making love for the first time. Everything was too overwhelming.

He understood and he just held her for the longest time.

He dropped her at home the next day, with every intention of not seeing her again but it was not to be. It seemed fate had other ideas for them. His sister in law, Vidhi wanted him to arrange a surprise for Arpita's return and that the naturally her best friend would know what she would like best. She called Aarti up and arranged with her to meet Yash at a restaurant. They both tried to make excuses but she would not take no for an answer.

At first it was awkward but then they decided to relish the extra time that they were given. He held her hand under the table and they felt like the lovers that they were. They had lunch and went shopping for Arpita. But he was sneaky and bought her as much as he did for Arpita. When they found themselves at the farmhouse again later, he gave her the gifts that he bought. He bought her sarrees and jewellery and jalebi's that he found out she loved.

"Oh sweetheart, you shouldn't have." she said. They were sitting on the couch in the lounge.

"Are you going to deprive me of this pleasure? I won't be able to do it always so I had to use this opportunity. I love you."

"But I didn't get you anything" she pouted.

"Being here with you is enough for Me." he said.

"I will treasure them forever. Now allow me to give you a gift." She said as she pushed him down on the couch and started giving him his gift. And he loved it.

The last week before Arpita's return was theirs. They stayed at the farmhouse the entire time. Her parents never really cared that she wasn't at home. She had pretty much free rein. His family was closer. They both said they were going away with friends and enjoyed their time together, trying not to think that the week would eventually end.

They were both devastated when the week ended. They cried in each other's arms.

She was happy to Arpita again despite feeling guilty. She was the only one that she normally confided in and now she couldn't even share her love and heart ache with her. They had a little surprise party for her at SM. Yash and Aarti were both in agony being so close and not being able to be together. When the night ended she kissed Arpita goodbye.

"I missed you so much Arpi and now I have to say good bye again. I love you so much. You are the best friend in the entire universe."

"And now, why does it seem like you ago going away forever?" Arpita asked.

"I am just emotional that's all. Love you lots, Good bye"

She gave a last glance to Yash as she left, swallowing her tears and left.

That was 6 months ago.