This a very belated congrats to our newest Goldies, Themsiekins and Her Royal Sauciness.
I hope everyone enjoys.
Chapter 1 - below
Chapter 2 - page 3
Chapter 3 - page 5
A choice of the heart.
He was sitting at the table with his business associates for some drinks. They watched a cricket match and they had decided to come to this restaurant / club after. They had a bite to eat and some drinks. He didn't indulge in alcohol so he had some virgin cocktails. They were happily chatting till someone at his table said.
"Wow, who is that sexy specimen on the dancefloor."
He knew he wouldn't be interested but he looked up anyway. What he saw made his blood boil. He was livid. She was wearing next to nothing and she was taking over the dance floor with her partner and the movements were so intimate. He put some money down on the table and excused himself from his guests. He walked straight to the dance floor and grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the club.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" the guy she was dancing with followed them. He caught up to them and grabbed Yash.
Yash let go of her hand and grabbed the guy at his collar. He lifted his arm to punch him.
"Stop it." she shouted. He left the guy and she said.
"It's ok." She said to the guy that still looked somewhat scared.
"But ..." he tried.
"I said it's ok." she said again.
Again she was dragged along with him and shoved into his car.
He drove like a maniac.
"Can you slow down please?"
He gave her a look and accelerated the vehicle. Till he stopped in the parking lot of a luxurious hotel. Again he grabbed her hand and they got into the lift. They stood on opposite sides of the lift, staring at each other. The lift opened and again he grabbed her hand and they went to a suite, he opened the door and shoved her inside and followed.
"What the hell are you wearing?" he said softy but the anger unmistaken in his voice.
"What I want to wear."
"And who was that man."
"I don't know. Just someone from the club."
He advanced on her.
"Is this what you have become?"
"Yes, this is what I have become. Exactly what I want to be. No one dictates to me what I should do, what I can wear and what I should say."
"Is that so? So this life is a better life than you had before. Partying with strange men. Wearing next to nothing."
"My life, whatever it is, has nothing to do with you."
"That's where you are wrong. It has everything to do with me. MRS. SCINDIYA."
"I don't go by that name anymore."
"But it is your name and you are my wife and I think you should be reminded of that."
He grabbed her and kissed her. She struggled to get out of his embrace but he was just too strong for her. She tried desperately to resist, to remain unaffected. She really tried desperately to remind herself why she should remain unaffected. But nothing came to mind as she stopped struggling and started giving in to the feelings she thought long forgotten.
She woke up the next morning confused for a moment. She looked around the room and then the memories of the night before came flooding back. But she was alone. Thankfully he wasn't there. She dug her head back in the pillow and let out a muzzled scream. How could she just give in to him like that? She was so disappointed in herself. She saw her things scattered around the room. She got up still weary that he might return at any moment. She hastily got dressed and prepared for her walk of shame. There was a knock on the door and she opened.
"Mrs. Scindiya, your husband asked ordered this coffee for your and the car will be waiting when you are done."
"O ... Ok, thank you. Where is he?"
"He left earlier."
"Ok."
She closed the door and had her coffee and then called the office to says she was running late. She went home for a shower and change and went to the office. She tried to concentrate on her work. Yes, her life had changed since she'd moved to Mumbai with Mansi. She had decided to live her life for herself, not for her father and his family, nor for her so called her husband and his family. She had found a job, and because of Mansi, a new circle of friends. Yes, they partied hard, but for once she didn't have to consider anyone or be used by anyone.
She was tired when she pulled up in front of the flat. She just wanted an early night and forgot that the previous night had ever happened. But it was not to be. He was sitting on the steps leading up to her apartment. He looked at her and she simply walked past him to the flat.
He followed her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've come to take you home."
She looked at him shocked then she eventually came too.
"I am home"
"You are going with me. So pack. It's weekend. You can be back in Bhopal by Sunday."
"I am not going anywhere with you."
"Aarti, I will make it worth your while. You can have your divorce and anything else you want."
"Why?"
"Your parents, they need you. They have missed you so much."
"My parents? The ones that made me marry you, when their princess eloped with my fiance. My parents that only wanted to please their family and never once thought of how their daughter would be affected by the decisions made that day? No, they don't need me."
"Just come. I won't make demands on you and I won't touch you. They need to see that you are alive and that you are ok. After that you can come back here and live your life as you want."
"And you will stay out of my life."
"Yes."
They travelled in his private plane. They hardly spoke and the drove in silence. The car finally stopped at a house in the same suburb as SM.
"Whose house is this?" She asked.
"He took their luggage out of the boot of the car and walked inside. She followed. They were greeted by her mother."
She ran to Aarti and hugged her.
"Beta, you're safe. You're alive. Oh, my darling I have been so worried about you. You are ok aren't you? "
She hugged hardly hugged her back.
"Hello Ma, I am fine."
"Your father will be so glad to see you."
"Where is Pappa?"
Her mother just looked at Yash and didn't answer.
"Ramsingh, is the room ready?" asked Yash.
"Thank you. Aarti, follow Ramsingh to your room and freshen up first.
She did, but she was apprehensive. She didn't want to ask about anything.
She showered and changed and came back out of her room. She was not sure where to go so she just walked. Finally she heard voices coming from one from one the bedrooms. It was Yash's voice, she looked inside and saw her father on the bed. Although Yash was talking to him, he showed no reaction. Her heart jolted.
"Pappa?" she said as walked into the room.
"See Bauji. Look who came to visit you. It's Aarti."
"Pappa? She said again going closer. He showed no reaction. She went to the bed and sat next to him.
"Yash, what's wrong with him?"
"He had a stroke 3 years ago. When you left. Since then he has been like this. But we are doing very well aren't we bauji?" he addresses her father with a smile.
"No." she said. "Bauij, I'm so sorry." she started sobbing. She put her head on his lap and continued crying for a long time.
Finally her mother came to her and said.
"Beta, come. Don't upset yourself like this. Your father will be fine. Won't you Satya? Did you see Yash, he is crying, for the first in 3 years."
Aarti looked up and she saw the tears rolling from her father's lifeless eyes.
She hugged him.
"I won't leave you again, Pappa. I promise. Never."
"Come, Aarti. He needs his rest." Her mother led her from the room. She had prepared dinner but Aarti had no appetite.
"Ma, I have to go home now."
"Yash are you sure you can't stay for supper."
"It's better that I eat at home Ma."
"Ok, I understand. Good bye, beta. See you tomorrow." He kissed her on the cheek and left.
"Ma, whose house is this."
"It's ours. Yash bought it for us when you left. He has been taking care of us, covered your father's medical expenses, and a private nurse. He has been so wonderful. But sadly his parents really give him a hard time for what he is doing for us. But he won't stop."
"I ... I'm so sorry Ma."
"You are home now, that's all that matters." she smiled at her.
"And Tauji and Taiji?"
She looked away.
"Fine."
Aarti contacted her employers and explained the situation as she decided not to go back to Bhopal.
Yash stepped into the house. He greeted his parents.
"Did you go there first again?"
"Ma please. I am tired. I am going to freshen up."
"One day you will come to your senses and realise that you don't owe that woman anything. She left you."
He didn't reply just went to his bedroom. When he reached there he went to sit on the bed. He was drained. This whole drama was draining him. He hadn't expected to find her again, in fact he didn't look for her when she left. She made it clear that she wanted out. And then his father in law suffered the stroke. He hadn't been close to them before then. In fact he didn't want much to do with them before then, because of the deception that they were a part of. But when he found out from Prashant of all people that he was sick and they were practically destitute, he could not let them suffer like that. He got him access to the best health care and the he bought the house and cared for them as a son in law should. And soon her realised that they are really good people. He loved them as much as he loved his own parents and it broke his heart to see them missing their only daughter so much. He lived between the two houses, but tried to sleep at SM every night at least so as not to antagonise his mother. He had hoped that when she saw her parents that she would decide to stay. They really needed her and it seemed that she would stay. He had promised her a divorce and he would go and see a lawyer as soon as he had settled at home and work.
Aarti was learning from her mother and the private nurse how to take care of her father. Yash was there every day. He spent time with her father. Reading the news to him, just talking about general things. She was amazed that he had so much patience with her father. And she had started to learn the signs of her father's different emotions. You could see a very slight change in his expression and a twitch at his mouth. He was always happy to see Yash and according to her mother he missed him terribly when he travelled. They hadn't spoken much, but she knew that this was an extremely bizarre situation that could not continue indefinitely. He could not support her parents, they were still officially married, but they were not together and she had no means to support them now that she was unemployed. She had a bit of savings but that was it. He seemed like a decent man to her now, and first she was forced on him and now her parents too. And that wasn't fair. She remembered how their wedding took place.
Flashback 4 years ago.
She was sitting in the hotel room crying as she was being dressed.
"Stop your crying Aarti. You are better off. You will be married into rich family. Surely someone that comes from such a poor family must appreciate that. This is best for everybody." said her aunt harshly.
No, Aarti thought, it was only the best for them and their darling Arpita. Their spoilt brat has eloped with Aarti's fiance the night before the wedding and just left a note. Aarti's heart was in pieces. She was in love with Prashant and had no idea that he was seeing Arpita behind her back. Now they were deceiving these people by getting her married to Arpita's groom but deception.
She was veiled throughout the ceremony, even when he applied sindoor to her head, did she hold her face away from him and kept the veil over her face. After they did the seven rounds, he finally lifted the veil. She saw the expressions on his face change, from happiness to confusion to anger.
"What is the meaning of this?" shouted SP.
"Please, SP-ji. Our daughter, she left without our knowledge and we didn't want to shame your son, so we gave you our niece. She is a wonderful girl. She is skilled at housework and cooking. I know she is not Aarpita, but you won't be sorry. I promise. And besides they are already married."
Yash stormed off leaving her at the mandap. She didn't know what to do, should she stay or go. So she just stood there. Finally he came back with his family in tow. They announced that the guest can stay and enjoy the party but the family would be going home. She did the homecoming rituals and not for a moment did she feel welcomed or at home. They went to their room, he took a shower and took a pillow and blanket to sleep on the couch. She too went to the bathroom and washed and changed. She got into bed and cried. She didn't know how long she had been crying.
"Shut up. Just shup up. I can't take this incessant crying of yours. What exactly do you have to cry about? You deceived your way into this marriage. Don't think I don't know that this marriage will only benefit you. I am sure you have something to do with Arpita not going through with marriage because you wanted a rich husband. So stop crying, don't think you will get any sympathy from me."
She quietened down and she never defended herself. What her mother in law tried to inflict on her on her was nothing that she wasn't used to at home. Her father and brother had inherited the family business and somehow her uncle had cheated her father out of his share. He was just an employee. They still lived in the same house and Aarti and her mother were treated as little more than servants. Arpita was the princess and along with her siblings got everything she wanted from her parents and she was a real spoilt brat. She treated Aarti as her personal slave, having to do her homework and clean up after her messes. Just like the marriage.
A couple of years ago she had met Prashant Dubey at college and they fell in love. Or so she thought. But then he eloped with her cousin. And she ended up being married and a new servanthood. But as always she suffered in silence.
One day she had been caught in the rain on her way from the market. Her in-laws had all gone out but would be back by supper time so she still had to do the cooking. She put her groceries down and went to room for a quick shower and change.
"Ugh, Aarti. What is it with you and always getting caught in the rain?" she spoke to herself and she looked down at her wet clothes. She started taking her clothes off as she was walking towards the bathroom. She was practically naked as she was about to enter the bathroom with her soaked sari and underskirt in her hands. As she took hold of the bathroom door handle, instead of her having to push it open, it was yanked open from the inside pulling her with it, shocked. She felt herself fall but she stopped in by a rock hard naked chest. His arms were around her as she was still holding her wet clothes in one hand. She had never felt a naked man before, well he was wearing a towel. It made her feel things that she had not experienced before. Neither moved for several moments. He was the one that moved her away from him and left. But before he left the bathroom her looked at her, all of her and she saw shock and something else in his eyes. She didn't know what it was, that expression was new for her. And all she ever saw in his eyes were anger. And soon it turned that again.
"Why are you walking around naked?"
"I thought I was home alone and I locked the room door. Sorry." She was embarrassed and at the same time she wanted to tell him his was practically nude too.
"I was caught in the rain." she held up her wet clothes.
He just walked out of the bathroom.
After that day, it seemed that she was never steady on her feet when he was around. She kept slipping and falling into his arms randomly. She thought he must think she is a real klutz.
And she had these vision and dreams about him, about them together that made her blush, even when she knew it was never meant to be.
Then one night he came home late. She was just about to go to the shower and get ready for bed. He came in and stood staring at her from the bedroom door.
"Yahji?"
"I never drink." He said.
"I know."
"I'm drunk."
"Oh."
"It's all your fault."
"My fault?"
"Yes, you are trying to entice me aren't you? You flaunting your sexy little body in front of me all the time."
"Huh?" she looked down at her attire. As usual she was wearing a salwar suit. "How do I do that, Yashji?"
"Don't play innocent with me."
"I'm not. I don't know what you are talking about."
He walked to her. She was rooted. He came close and she could smell the alcohol on his breath."
"Yashji, I think you should get into bed"
"Yes, with you."
"No."
He pulled her to him and looked into her eyes. Then his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her and just as she was about to respond, he stopped.
"I think I'm going sick." he said and he ran to the bathroom.
When he was finished, she help him up. She took off his shirt and led him to the bed. He fell into bed pinning her under him.
"Mmm, you smell nice."
"Please can you get off me."
"No, I like it here."
"Your'e heavy."
"Your'e soft."
"Yashji, you need to sleep."
"I don't want to." She pushed at him to get him off her but he was too heavy.
He started caressing her lips.
"Beautiful, kissable, luscious lips."
He traced his finger down her lips, down her throat, making her moan and stretch out her neck. His head dropped and she felt his lips in her neck, his tongue making tiny circles. His hand made his way to her breasts. Her caressed it and then tugged at her nipples over her clothes. What she was feeling was crazy and she didn't want it to stop, ever. When he lifted his head to capture her lips, she was ready for him, she kissed him back, her hands in his hair. Then suddenly nothing. He went limp. She realised that he had passed out. She was so frustrated. She eventually managed to get him off her, but her dupatta got stuck under him and she just left it. She took off his shoes and pants and covered him with the blanket and she went to sleep on the couch. She was so confused about all of this meant. She hardly slept a wink that night and left the room before he woke up the morning.
Yash woke up that next morning with a mother of a headache. He couldn't remember much of what happened the night before. He was lying in the bed, not on the couch. He was wearing only his vest and boxers. He lifted head and it reeled. He had to sit down for a while. Then he saw it, a pink dupatta under him. And he had flashes of what happened the night before. But it all seemed so surreal. He didn't know if he could trust his memory. But the visions he had made him uncomfortable in another region other than his head. He got up and went to the shower, remembering every good reason why he never indulged in alcohol and cursing himself and her for making him giving in to this stupidity.
He was busy combing his hair when he heard the door bang. His head nearly split apart.
"Good morning, Yashji. How are you doing this morning Yashji." she said way louder than she needed to. "I brought you breakfast Yashji."
He glared at her viciously. In 6 months she had not said as much to him as she did in one morning. This very morning when she know how he much he must be suffering. He looked at the breakfast and immediately made a beeline to the bathroom again.
She was gone when he came out of the bathroom and so was the food. She came back about 10 minutes later with some concoction.
"Drink. Bhabhi said it will make you feel better. And here is a tablet for your headache."
"You are sure it is not poison?"
"Don't give me ideas" she said she softly.
"Excuse me." he said hearing her very clearly.
"Nothing." she said.
He worked from home that day and he took a nap again late afternoon. After that he caught up work again and by dinner he felt himself again. But unfortunately his brothers did not let up on him the whole time. They teased him till they had finished eating. He was not in the best of moods.
He worked some more after dinner, mostly to avoid her. Finally he was tired and went to the room. She was already in bed. He showered and changed and got into bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting into bed." he said.
"But you normally sleep on the couch."
"This is my bed, and I am in no mood to sleep on the couch tonight. Anyway I slept here last night. Why not tonight. If you want you can go and sleep on the couch."
He made himself comfortable on the bed and she stayed too, but neither of them fell asleep for a long time.
A couple of weeks later Yash was leaving late for work again. He had a very early international conference call and decided to do it from home and then leave for work later. Aarti had brought tea and snacks and he finished his call well after breakfast was served for the others. He came out of his study and he heard his mother shouting. From what he could ascertain was that Aarti have broken something, but the things that his mother said was really too harsh for such a small thing. He went to the kitchen and he saw her standing there, not uttering a word, accepting his mother's abuse.
"Ma, what is going on here?"
"This good for nothing woman broke a plate that I got from your grandmother."
"Ma, I'm sure it was an accident. And I'm sure Aartiji is sorry. That's enough now."
"Enough. She doesn't even belong here."
"Ma, I said it's enough!" his mother knew better than to carry on further when she saw is demeanour. She walked out of the kitchen. A tearful Aarti followed immediately after. He looked at Vidhi.
"It's like this almost every day Yash. She works from morning to night and nothing is ever good enough. And she never complains. She does everything she is told to do and she never talks back even when she is falsely accused."
"Bhabhi, why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't think you cared."
He wasn't sure if she was right or not before today, but now it disturbed him and he knew he would have to put a stop to it. He would have to think about how to do that.
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked her that night rather angrily.
"About?"
"You exactly what about. Why didn't you tell me."
Finally she had had enough, of him and everything. She normally tolerated everything from everybody but this was too much.
"Oh, excuse me. Did I miss the part that we had conversations besides you barking orders at me?"
"Aartiji! I won't have your sarcasm." he warned.
She just shook her head and carried on to with what she was doing. He was livid that she just dismissed him.
"Aartiji, this conversation is not done."
"What exactly did you want me to say? How are you treating me any differently? Even worse."
"What do you mean? I never treated you like that."
"No? And this tone that you are using with me now. How is that better than your mothers insults. And even when you said nothing, your whole demeanour screamed you absolute disdain for me. And I realise that you felt betrayed, deceived. But did you ever consider that I was too. The man that Arpita eloped with was my fiance. And I was forced into this too. So you were not the only victim here. But you don't care about that do you!" she screamed.
He was stunned with the revelation.
"Why didn't you refuse the marriage?'
"It wasn't that simple. Under the circumstance I didn't think I had a choice."
"Do you still love him?"
"I have come to realise that some people are not worth wasting such a valuable emotion on. They deserve each other."
"It must have been him that convinced Arpi to elope."
She gave a derisive laugh.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing, only that Arpita was good at making people fall in love with her."
He didn't answer and went to the shower.
A week later they were seated at a restaurant.
"What are doing here Yashji?" she asked completely baffled.
He sighed.
"Making a fresh start I hope."
"I don't understand."
"I thought about everything and I came to the conclusion that we were both thrust into a situation that neither of wanted, but can't get out of. I propose we make the best of the situation."
"Again, I don't understand."
"I want us to have a real marriage. But I mean a real marriage, in every way." He looked here so that the impact of his words could sink in.
"Aartiji, I know that you have to digest this information. You don't have to give me an answer now. You can take your time and whatever decision you make, I will respect."
They had dinner. He tried to make conversation with her but he had really draw her out. As expected she was caught off guard with his proposal and it showed. She hardly ate and they drove home in silence.
When they were back in the room.
"Yashji, I am prepared to commit to this marriage if you are."
"Are you 100% sure Aarti,"
"Are you?"
"Yes."
She went to put off the lights and walked to him. She stopped in front of him.
"Then so am I."
He was surprised, but pleasantly so. He brought his head down and kissed her softly and she responded. It progressively got more intense and passionate. He led her to the bed and made her stand in front of him as he undressed her. She was trembling in anticipation, nervousness and desire. He lay her down on the bed and started kissing her. He could easily ascertain that she was inexperienced by her actions. So he was very gentle with her. He made sure she was ready for him, when he finally entered her slowly. Then he just held still and kissed her closed lids, he kissed and wiped away the tears that ran down her face and he kissed her neck and shoulders giving her time to adjust to him. The he started slow thrusts, taking care that her first time was not an unpleasant experience. Soon he heard her breathing raggedly, her hands clutching his arms, and she started moving to his rhythm. And finally she clamped her legs around him as she screamed as she discovered a new intensely pleasurable sensation. Her response was unexpected and so passionate that he too lost control and found his release inside of her.
"Are you ok, Aartiji?"
She nodded.
"Did you enjoy that?"
"I don't know" she looked so confused.
"What?' he ego was dashed in an instant?
"Why?" he asked.
"It's just so much, it's too intense. I don't have any control over myself. If it is always like that then I don't know if I will like doing it again."
He breathed a silent sigh of relief and smiled.
"Ok, so we won't do it again."
She contemplated.
"No, I don't think I will like that either."
"Ok," he said got out of bed and picked her up. "Let's contemplate that as we take a shower."
"Both of us, together at the same time."
"That is what "we' means isn't it?"
"Ok."
She was shy at first, but as he was lathering her with soap, waves of pleasure washed over her.
"Yashji, I can't make up my mind. So maybe we should try it again, so that I can decide you know."
He chuckled.
"That makes total sense to me. He turned her around and lifted her onto him."
"Oh my" she gasped.
"I guess, you have made a decision, huh?"
She looked at him with a smile and kissed him as he pushed her up against the wall and started thrusting.
6 months later, she was even more unpopular with her m-i-l as he would not let her work much in the house other than cook. She was the brunt of bhabhi's jokes for the way he behaved with her and although she knew she was not malicious, she was still very embarrassed. But she also did things for him, like impromptu lunches at his office. Which often ended in more than just the lunch that she brought. She had gone to the mall that day and had been looking at dresses, as she wanted to take him to a surprise dinner for their first anniversary. She first thought of a family celebration but she was sure that his parents in law did not want to celebrate it and she had not really been in contact with her family since the wedding.
Then she saw him. She called out to him and waved, but he was distracted and did not notice her. She smiled, she thought that he was planning a surprise for her, and her eyes followed as he walked and then she saw her. Arpita. She hugged him and he handed her the bag. She then kissed on the cheek. They then left the together, leaving the shattered Aarti behind.
Indian Premier League
