Rishi could feel his insides burning..his fist was clenching on it's own, and he couldn't peel his eyes away from the man's hand holding her waist. "What is wrong with her..how is she not flinching away from his touch..with me she was so shy, so coy and I am her husband, still she wouldn't be comfortable with even holding hands in public..and here she is letting that man touch her waist in public".
The music stopped, and Lakshmi smiled at the guy, and told him she will be back in few moments. She needed to go to the rest room, and wipe the tears which was threatening to break her facade. Dancing closely with Abhay reminded her of Rishi, and the beautiful dances they have shared. It seemed a life time away, when they were happy, but since the truth came out, she decided to seperate herself from him emotionally. She was still his wife, but only for the world, while they both knew the truth. Today, she wanted to be away from all this, and so when her dear friend Abhay asked her to accompany him in a party, she didn't say no. She knew Rishi would be busy with Malishka, so she didn't even bother to inform him. He was no one to her, she mused, and anyways he didn't care where she went.
Rishi saw Lakshmi go close to the guy, and say something in his ears, and he could see red now. Then he saw Lakshmi walk away, and before his rationale mind could take control, his legs were already following her. A strange haze was building in him, as if he had no control on himself, he had to speak to Lakshmi.
Suddenly, Malishka came in, carrying the glasses of whiskey and was surprised to see Rishi's angry look. " So sorry babe, I was caught up with Mr Bedi and his next project, hope you didn't get bored without me, see I got whiskey for us". Rishi took both the glasses, had both of them in one gulp, and said " I need to use the washroom, I will be back soon", leaving a bewildered Malishka.
Lakshmi wiped her face again, fixed her makeup making sure there was no stains of her tears, and got out of the washroom to go back to Abhay. Suddenly, strong arms seized her and pulled her in the small supply room. Lakshmi tried screaming, but her mouth was covered by a manly hand, and Lakshmi could feel panic and fear rise inside her. She tried getting away, but froze when she heard the voice "It's me Lakshmi, don't get scared, I just wanna talk". With a force, he then pushed her against the wall, and switched on the lights, making her see her worst nightmare and her best dream infront of her. "Rishi..what are you doing here?" she blinked as if she was seeing a dream. Rishi walked close to her, and put both his hands on the wall in a way that she had no place to escape. "Are you drunk, Rishi? How dare you to pull me in like this" Lakshmi said in a disgusted voice. It acted like petrol to an already burning Rishi, and he held her arms tightly, leaving no space between them. " Sorry, I know you want to go back to your date, and I am delaying you for it. As I said, I just want to talk" Lakshmi pushed him with all her strength, making him stumble back "Don't you dare touch me". Rishi chuckled, making Lakshmi think he has lost it. " Why, you had no problem when your date was touching you, but you have a problem when your husband touches you" "Rishi, you know it very well, we have no such relation..I am with you only to protect you for a year..and then I will have to go" Rishi chuckled again, and closed the space between them in a stride. He slowly touched her face with his finger, making Lakshmi lose the thread of thought, and said "oh, I see, so he is your backup guy, one you go to after the year is done, good choice, Lakshmi". Lakshmi was again disgusted with his thought, and tried pushing him away, but this time, Rishi didn't give her a chance and held her even more tightly. " Leave me Rishi, you are not in your senses, he is just a friend, and why do you care, don't you have your Malishka here, and even if he is more than a friend, why do you care". " Oh, so he is more than a friend, and I do care, you hear me, i do care" Rishi said, while he was dangerously close to Lakshmi. He was so close that Lakshmi could feel his breath on her face, could see his pupil dilating with desire, could see his eyes darting towards her lips, and could feel her heartbeat in her mouth. " Leave me Rishi, you are going to repent this" " We will see" saying so, he captured her mouth in a kiss. Lakshmi was shocked beyond core, but soon, her brain started to dim while her heart took control, and before she knew, she was reciprocating back. Rishi groaned softly when he realised she was reciprocating, and deepend the kiss, clinging to her as if his life depended on it, which kind of actually did.
" Rishi, where are you" " Lakshmi, where are you" suddenly they heard Malishka and Abhay's voices from outside. Lakshmi came out of the trance Rishi had pulled her in, and pushed him, leaving him wanting for more. "What the hell, Rishi. What is wrong with you. Now, we will get caught". Rishi smiled, holding her chin, seeing her slightly swollen lips "we are married Lakshmi, we are allowed". Lakshmi gave an exhausparated sigh, and saw a smiling Rishi thinking he has lost his marbles, for sure. Once the voices had faded, Lakshmi pushed him, and before he could do anything, she opened the room and walked out.
Rishi closed his eyes, feeling the kiss again, and then after taking few deep breath left the room. Malishka soon met him, whining that she was searching for him. He gave an incoherent reply, and came back to the party, and took a seat near the bar.
Malishka was constantly talking to him, while his eyes were searching for Lakshmi. Suddenly, he saw her, in the other end of the room, with the guy feeding her some food with his own spoon. The green monster again raised in his stomach pit. It is going to be a long night, Rishi grimaced.
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
