Oh no, Oh no. How could it be? How could fate play this cruel trick on her? In all the years that she and Prashant had been together she had one indiscretion. They normally told each other everything, but she couldn't tell him that. Of course she couldn't. He would have left her immediately. And everyone was allowed one mistake, one little white lie, no it wasn't a lie surely. Yes, yes it was a lie, a lie by omission. But Prashant loved her, in retrospect she thought she should have just told him and faced the consequences. He would have forgiven her. He always did. They were together since she was 15 and he was 17. They hid their relationship for the first 2 years as her parents were very strict. When she turned 17 he sent his parents came to ask for her hand in marriage and they planned to get married as soon as she graduated. And finally that time has come. She was so very excited, she was going to marry the man that she loves. They were perfect together and they had their whole life planned out.
He had taken over his father's electrical business and in the two years he has been in charge the business grew exponentially. She had finished studying and was about to start her internship at a local fashion house. She had dreams of one day having her own clothing line and Prashant supported this.
She should not have gone to the wedding exhibition but she did. She met this wonderful young man. He had just started a catering business and she was immediately drawn to him. The samples that he served were delicious. She was supposed to look at other things but the two of them had such a great chat. She had already decided to use him as her caterer. He was so helpful as well. He said that his father owned an events planning company and he would put in a good word for her for them to do her wedding. He was of the opinion that they were the best and that they would get the best venue for her as well. She didn't even ask the name of the company, she just agreed to the meeting. She trusted him completely and besides her little sister Paradhi was smitten. She was too happy about Aarti's decision.
And her day started out amazingly. It finally felt real now. She was getting married. She was meeting the caterer and wedding planner. So it was happening. She could not contain herself. Prateek, the caterer asked her not to prepare anything as he would bring some snacks so that he mother could sample them.
He was on time. He came inside and she introduced him to her mother. Paradhi was being a blubbering idiot in the presence of Prateek again.
"Prateek. Did you come alone? I though you would have someone with you"
"Yes, bhaiya is parking the car. He will be in shortly."
"Ok, then sit down and let's talk about the menu"
Her mother tasted and was suitably impressed.
She was closing her eyes in pure bliss as she sampled his samosas when she heard Paradhi say
"Wow!"
She opened her eyes and followed Paradhi's gaze.
She almost choked on the samosa.
"Didi that is the hottest guy I have ever seen" said Paradhi
Prateek saw their distraction.
"That is my bhayia. Come inside bhaiya. This is Aarti Sharma, Paradhi Sharma and Mrs. Sharma. This is Yash Scindiya, he is the director of Scindiya events management & entertainment."
"Namaste, Mrs Sharma, Miss Sharma"
"Namaste, Mr, Scindiya" her mother said but she didn't say anything. She looked at him to see if there was any sort of recognition in his eyes, but there was none.
"Prateek, you didn't tell me your family owns the Scindiya Events. Sorry, Mr Scindiya, we have wasted your time. I know your reputation and what you charge and there is no way we can afford it."
"Miss Sharma, my brother seems to be fan of yours and he is starting out his business. He doesn't want to use the Scindiya name but he doesn't have a problem using its connections. He needs exposure and with me doing you wedding and him catering it, he will get that exposure. I will do the consulting free of charge, but you will obviously pay for everything else. You can give me your budget and we can work according to that."
"I see. But we still don't need the top events coordinator to do the wedding. You could've sent one of your juniors."
"Absolutely not, Aartiji" said Prateek. "I only trust Bhayia to do this."
"Ok" she said. And for the rest of the time they spoke mostly to her mother. She merely nodded at the right places. But her nerves were shot.
When they left she sought privacy in her room. She was glad the ordeal was over. But it seemed as she got away with it. He didn't recognise her. But what had she thought anyway. Yes, she knew his reputation more than just professionally, she knew it privately. He was the original man about town. His companions were the rich and famous. And he was a heartbreaker of note, if you believed the tabloids and social media. But before she knew all this, she too was one of his "victims".
Flashback two years ago:
After much begging and pleading she was finally allowed to spend a week in Mumbai with some of her girlfriends. It was her first time away from home on her own. She was having a great time. They had a whole itinerary planned, and her parents didn't have to know all of it.
They went clubbing and her friends hooked up with guys but she was not interested, she had Prashant but she still enjoyed the time at the beach and dancing at the clubs.
That particular night, two days before the end of the vacation, she was at one of the clubs. She was dancing to hearts content. She was having a blast. She had many partners but did not allow anyone too close to her. At some point she was aware of being watched. When she looked into the most captivating brown eyes she had ever seen. Even her step faltered. She pretended to be unaffected and carried on dancing with her current partner. Then all of a sudden the guy got all touchy with her and she tried to stop him but he was drunk and quite persistent.
Suddenly, he was yanked away, it was him. The one that he had been watching her. He whispered something in the drunk guys ear and he actually looked quite scared and moved off.
"Care to dance" he said
She nodded
"What did you say to him?"
"He is gone, that's all that matters." he said,
"A man of mystery"
"If you'd like to thinks so."
"Are you here alone?"
"No I have some friends, but they are scattered all over the place.
"You should be more careful"
"I have you as my protector" what was going on with her? She was flirting with the guy. She never flirts. But he was so gorgeous. And the way he was holding her made he fell funny. She felt like she was made of jelly.
She danced with him the rest of the night.
"Do you want to go for coffee?"
Of course not she thought but she said
"Yes"
He took her by hand and led her to his car.
"Wait, I don't get into cars with strangers."
"My name is Yash Scindiya, I am 24 years old and I work for my dad. There now you know me."
"Ok" she said and got into the car and the reached a coffee shop on the beach front.
"You really should be more careful. I hope you don't do this often."
"I've never done anything like it. I don't know why I did now."
He smiled, as if he knew.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Cappuccino, please" he ordered for both of them.
"You have yet to tell me your name."
"Aarti, Aarti Sharma"
"Youre very beautiful Aarti Sharma, I couldn't keep my eyes off you tonight"
"I noticed" She couldn't believe she just said that.
"I noticed that you noticed. And I'm glad that you decided to come here with me."
They sipped their coffee and didn't speak much. Then he said.
"You have the most amazing eyes."
"No, you do she said."
"And the most kissable lips"
She gasped. The way he said it was as if he was kissing her, she felt her lips tingle.
"Your hair, feels like silk, I want to run my hands through it right now."
Her body reacted like it never did before, not even with Prashant. He took hold of her hand, entwined her fingers with hers and kissed her hand.
They held each others gaze.
"Let's take a walk on the beach, it's getting too hot in here."
Again she nodded.
He put her arm around her shoulders and she put her arm around his waist and they started walking. It felt good, she knew it was wrong but it felt right.
When they got to a secluded spot, he stopped and lifted her chin for a kiss. It was amazing, soft and passionate and she didn't want it to end.
"Come with me to my place, Aarti"
She nodded.
His place wasn't too far from there. It was a luxurious house on the beach front. He took her to his bedroom, but not his bed, they went to the balcony and he lay down on the recliner and pulled down beside him. They had a spectacular view of the ocean.
He caressed her back and hair. She loved it. He kissed her and it grew more passionate. She was in no position to stop, which was so surprising as she had to stop Prashant numerous times over the years. And especially since his desire for her was evident. She had the urge to reach out and touch it. And as her hand moved down, he grabbed it,
"Not yet, honey." Let's just sleep.
She was embarrassed.
He kissed her on the nose and said.
"You're so cute. And I want that more than I have ever wanted anything before but I think is better to wait. I don't want you to regret anything in the morning,"
He settled her comfortably in his arms and they went to sleep.
The sound of breaking waves woke her up. She was in the bed now, and he wasn't there. She was so nervous. Not scared, just nervous of how she was going to face him. The first night she met him, she had slept with him and was prepared to do more. She checked around and found her bag. She checked her cell phone. There were many messages and missed calls. She called Mansi back to say she was fine and would see them later.
She found him in the kitchen, making breakfast.
"Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes"
"Hungry?"
"Yes"
"Me too" he said meaningfully.
He was a good cook and she enjoyed the breakfast.
"You can take a shower while I clear up:
"No, I will clear up."
"If you insist he said"
He sat and watched while she was working
Now I will go for that shower."
"Ok, I will get you some of my bhabi's clothes, but she only wears sarrees."
"That's fine"
She got into the shower and her eyes were closed as she was washing her hair when she heard the shower door open.
He was there completely naked and getting in the shower with her.
"I couldn't resist."
He took started to wash her and the feelings that it evoked in her made her weak in the knees. She had to lean against him to keep standing.
He started to kiss her and this time it was different. More demanding, He kissed her neck and her shoulders, he lifted her arms and nipped and sucked at it. Then he attacked her breast, causing her to moan. He hand went to her intimate place and rubbed her there. Causing her to writhe and scream in ecstasy. When she was done, he said
"You can touch me now if you want" and she did, She was amazed at the feeling, She looked at his face as she was holding him between her two hands. He looked like she felt moments ago. She felt in control, she rubbed him there and massaged him until he too lost all control and left the evidence in her hands. And he grabbed her and kissed her.
"You drive me crazy" he said.
"Ditto" she said.
"Honey, have you ever been with a man before. I mean, fully"
"No"
"Good"
"Why?"
"Because I will make you mine and you will be only mine."
"Now?"
"No, when you're ready"
"I'm ready now."
He chuckled.
"I love that you are so eager but not yet." And he kissed her one last time and then they got out of the shower.
They spent the day together at the beach and they went to the mall and for lunch, Late afternoon, they went back home. He grabbed as they got in the door and they spent the afternoon pleasuring each other in every way but one, and fell asleep. It was late when they woke up and she made sandwiches to give their bodies some sustenance. He wouldn't let her get dressed and once again he sat watching her work. She was shy and excited.
When they were finished eating he said
"Now for desert" and he put her on the table and proceeded to devour her with his mouth again.
She was still tired when she woke up in the early hours of the morning. He was sound asleep and she snuck out but not before she gave him a lingering look from the door. Why did it feel like she was leaving her heart here?"
Present day
And now 2 years later this very man, that took her forever to forget, that she thought about and dreamt about for more than a year, while still in a relationship with Prashant was supposed to plan her wedding. Just when she managed to forget about him.
