She stared at his face dazed. As if someone had delivered a blow to her solar plexus. She felt a strange constriction in her throat as she tried to let his words sink in. Thinking probably that she was dreaming for sure... "Marry me Jingles" rang in her ears... No it was no dream... She wanted to pinch herself to make sure that she was not dreaming.. but could not move a muscle. Her physical self was no longer under her brain's command and will... she was frozen!! At the same time her heart raced like a steam locomotive!! Hissing as her breath fought valiantly to fill her lungs.. as she gasped... And he frowned as he approached her softly like some lithe jungle cat ready to pounce on its prey... grimly gritting his jaws trying to judge from her outward appearance which had some shock mirrored in those usually shining black glints... "I would like you to first listen. I know this must be a shock to you, and we both know and are aware of the truth!! But still please I would that you hear me out first before you refuse. I know that you love.. Mehra.. and you know too.. that Natasha..."
She snapped suddenly out of her limbo at the mention of Natasha and spoke through clenched teeth to prevent them from chattering... as she still felt the shock... "WHAT?! You you.. have lost it... for sure!! I... darn it Shantanu, why me!! Go.. call that.. Chan.. any other girl.. I.. I am sure anyone will be more than willing to fall at your feet with a drop of your.. white coat!!... I.. am" but she got only that far before he was looming over her, those three grooves deepening at his forehead making him look even more rakishly handsome yet devilishly dangerous... "I SAID JUST HEAR ME OUT FIRST GOD DAMMIT!!!" She could only stare up into the blaze so close to her eyes spitting fire. She was not so affected by his fowl language as she was by the hands that grasped her upper arms... as they brought her even more closer to him without his really realising the fact... She suppressed another shudder as his aftershave hit her nose and she thought she would swoon...
Had it not been for her hands that were sandwiched between them at his chest and his tight grip on her... she would for surely think that she would faint and slip to the floor... She could feel the steady drum of his heart beat as she inwardly fumed at his ability to remain so calm!! But refused to open her mouth as coherent words escaped her presently and taking advantage of this he continued to hold her in his hard grip, he huskily murmured... "I.. Mom and Bhabhi are forcing marriage upon me and I am not ready at all... I heard Mom in sort of cohorts with Radha aunty this morning planning for some marriage bureau visit.. and I am so... oh so against it!! So I have a plan. Marry me but just before you go jumping to wrong conclusions, marry me... on paper. We keep this farce of a marriage for a year and then, giving some reasons of incompatibility we can just as easily annul our marriage and then you can happily go to your Mehra while, I can rest in peace..." Stunned again to a stupefied silence, she could only snap open and close her jaws and back again... like a gaping fish!!! Her body trembling for all the different reasons now...
He suddenly found himself looking at her lips which quivered.. a soft pink colour with a touch of gloss... her breath rushing in and out gently brushing his face as her fragrance of sweet roses reached his senses and unknowingly created an uproar, one which he did not understand. His heart steadily drummed away thankfully not fast, but definitely more harder than normal... and he was sure she could feel it where her palm lay... her eyes looked glacial for minutes before they blazed alive... like two pin points of burning embers... spitting fire like a hell cat.. her face which had been drained of any colour suddenly suffused with a soft pink as she stuttered... "Wh.. wha.. what did..did yo...you.. jjj.. jus. just say?! C.. Come again!!! Farce.. farce of a marriage.. you.. you.. mean.. NO... NOOO... no I.. Oh My God... Prabhu... tell me I am wrong.. Contract marriage?! Oh God!!! You have the nerve!!! OH TO THINK THAT I WILL EVEN AGREE... OH GOD LET ME TELL YOU THIS DR. SHANTANU KHANDELWAL... I WOULD NOT MARRY YOU EVEN IF YOU WERE THE LAST MAN ON EARTH!! DID YOU GET ME!!!! GOD.. CONTRACT.. ... PREPOSTEROUS!!!!" Her chest heaved with the effort as she almost shrieked out at him as he stunned... least expecting this reaction from her, looked down into her blazing eyes which were spitting and spewing fire at him.. telling him of her feeling for this distasteful proposition!!
Suddenly from the corner of his eyes he felt he saw some movement as he heard the slight sound of footsteps...as if someone was coming up the stairs towards his room... and in a flash as if suddenly deciding that by hook or by crook he will have her say yes today... he was feeling desperate he did not realise at this time why.. why did he wish this... and he surprised himself as much as her... as suddenly in a flash he pulled her closer and grasping her chin in one hand and sliding his other hand at her waist... firmly planted his lips on hers punitively... There was a short gasp from her before time stood still... as in shock, all she could do was at first freeze under the hard punishment... Last shreds of her sanity and coherent thought and ire fled... She was lost soon after and it felt as if her dreams had finally come true... the one man whom she loved with all her heart and soul, whom she wished would spend his life with her.. love her as much as she did.. whom she dreamt of kissing her every night... was here kissing her.. had asked her to marry him...
But why did it all feel wrong to her... But she had no command over herself to protest... why was she sublimely obliging... What started as a hard punishment, ended into something else... Both of them not in the least able to realise when it turned into a soft exploration... She heard a soft moan feeling like an alien voice... little realising that it was her own.. His hold loosened just a bit as his lips turned even more gentle and coaxing, as his hand from her chin slowly crept into the nape of her neck and his fingers clutched a handful of the silk, pulling her head even closer to his... as her hands slowly rose from his chest to his neck to link around it and in the silky nape as her fingers curled into the soft silk there pulling him closer if it were possible... Millions of butterflies flitted inside her stomach... a fire starting from low down in her abdomen as she trembled anew and her knees weakened... she clung to him for support knowing for sure she would collapse had it not been for his hold on her... while he held her like she were a delicate china doll... yet his lips demanding as she complied to his every command... They were lost completely...
They both suddenly jerked apart as they heard twin gasps of shocked voices which simultaneously said... "SHAAAN!!" & "KHANAKDI!!" She was too weak in her knees and had it not been for his hold she would have buckled for sure as realisation struck through the foggy recesses of her brain... that both her Ma and Madhavi aunty stood there with shocked expressions on their faces as they waited for an explanation... She wanted the earth to part.. and engulf her... She was mortified of her reaction to him, of this situation in which they had been found!!! But Shantanu took in the situation alert instantly and with a warning arm around her trembling body he turned and spoke rather gruffly... "Oh.. ahem... wow.. I.. ermm... Radha aunty.. err.. I was about to let you all of the good news.. ahem in a bit that is.. ermm.. We.. she just agreed.. We are getting married..." She felt his fingers dig into her arm in warning as if saying 'Dare you to defy me!!' As he smiled into her shocked countenance and urging her as if to reassure their mothers...
"Say something Jingles... I know the kiss stole your breath.. but .. Aunty and Mom are ... waiting..." He smiled softly down at her while his brown eyes glinting in warning... Her eyes took on a glint themselves and suddenly she felt like laughing.. like as if a small bubble rose to the surface and just popped... but his warning blaze and digging fingers quickly burst that bubble of hysteria as she suddenly felt red colour deepen in her face as she bit her lip in frustration and looked away actually in horror at her Ma and Aunty who had discovered them in an arduous embrace... nodding ever so lightly feeling so embarrassed... but they took it as a shy reply and both burst out happily hugging each other extremely pleased with the good news... What followed took its toll on Khanak's peace of mind and she bore it all through a smile... Daadi was the most happiest as Radha and Madhavi could not contain their happiness. Sunil and Govind were the only ones who looked like sanity still prevailed. At one point Govind caught his daughter's eyes and quirked questioningly with his brows, 'Everything okay Princess?' He seemed to be asking concern shining in those eyes... as she smiled and nodded to assure him...
Just then daadi approached her as she was carrying a 10 "x10" flat royal blue velvet box... She sweetly kissed Khanak on her forehead and murmured... "Shaan.. chal ab tu wahaan kyun khadaa hain.. yahaan aa.. paas.. aur meri hone waali bahu ko yeh pehnaade.." She cringed as he approached not at all wanting to go through this farce.. she did not want to cheat with the feelings of all her near and dear loved ones... but too late.. He took the kadas from daadi and waited... She felt like screaming her heart torn between proffering her wrist and her brains warring with her heart... 'No.. this is wrong!! It is lying.. its cheating!!' But then daadi smiled and whispered "Chalo.. ab sharmaana kaisa.. haath aage karo.." And so saying she lifted Khanak's wrist as he with a grim smile on his face slid the kangans onto her wrists... one after the other and they felt like bands.. with which he seemed to have branded her for life.. she felt as if they were very heavy coming with a weight of responsibility. That came with trust, love, understanding.. in a realtionship.. which formed a base... But none of which were present here... and felt so helpless at the same time her heart seemed to rejoice and have its own private little party.. as finally something that she had so fervently hoped and wished for had come true...
After some small celebrations Radha and Govind rose promising to Madhavi and Sunil for calling the family pandit and fixing on a date with a good mahurat for the engagement... She shuddered and rose too.. when daadi stopped her.. "Where do you think you are going.. I want you by my side here.. I have so much to talk to you about.." And looking towards her parents she asked.. "Is it okay?" So Radha plunged in effusively.. "Arre haan haan.. kyun nahi.. ab to Khanak par aapka adhikaar pehle bantaa hain? Hain ne... Khanakdi.. tu.. pachi aavi jaaje.. Vindu drive kari leshe.. (You come home later.. Vindu will drive the car..) Shantanu smiled at Radha and murmured with authority .. "Aunty.. Ramji kaka will drive you and drop you off... Uncle should not take any stress at this point.. And I.. I will drop Khanak off later.." Radha smiled softly up at him and spoke.. "Haasto.. no worries.. and now on.. you will call us Ma.. and Papa.. okay...?" She gently placed the lock of his hair back at his forehead as he smiled cringing inwardly for doing something that he was not supposed to.. but something kept driving him on... Radha smiled as she was too happy to notice that slight guilt in his eyes as they left after he touched their feet taking their blessings...
Daadi chatted with her softly asking her umpteen questions.. and gently explaining how happy she was at least for her grandson as today he had finally broken away.. from the grief that had been shrouding him.. She was softly whispering to Khanak in her room and all Khanak wanted to do was to forget everything and blurt it out to daadi that this was all so wrong.. her laadla grandson was cheating them all.. playing with their emotions.. oh not so right. At a point she even interrupted daadi and was about to blurt when he walked in just then.. he had changed into his formals... a thin grey pin striped shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows and black trousers... her second track murmured..'Lo.. aagaye..tumhaare Doc.. speak about timing!!!' Her heart skipped a couple of beats at his appearance... he always managed to steal her breath... But she grit her teeth and she heard as he murmured.. "Daadi.. err.. I.. I might have to leave for a surgery.. so.. so I thought I will drop Khanak now..." Khanak too took that opportunity to escape as she felt extremely guilty replying to daadi's strangely disturbing questions.. about love.. She was not lying when she replied.. as they were true.. but in this situation she felt she was cheating daadi.. it was against her principles... And daadi smiled as if knowing that it was not surgery but he wanted to spend time with her alone and so she nodded as they both leaned down to take her blessings.. and she made them rise and hugged them together.. murmuring.. "Mere bacchon.. khush raho.. humesha.. and if at ever you need to confide then you know I will always be there.." At daadi's back his hand lightly touched her's and she firmed her lips in anger knowing that she will give him her peace of mind for all this.. she jerked her hand away and leaning back smiled at daadi and nodded before leaving...
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As soon as they were out near his car, she turned on him on the rebound and spoke through her teeth.. "Damn you Dr. Shantanu Khandelwal!! Damn you!! I.. I just want to go home.. leave me alone.. I will walk... I don't need you or your car..." She simply turned away and did not get far as her wrist was caught in this tight vice like grip... he tugged ever so lightly and pulled her and she losing her balance tripped as she stepped on her pallu.. He broke her fall holding her at her waist as she looked up into the blaze again.. her breath crashing in and out of her chest as if each one was a laborious one... mingling with his... Eyes looking deeply again into unfathomable ones... as they both remembered their kiss on the terrace.. She was lost in the blaze of his eyes again... and as usual she could not read anything there... the feel of his touch always sent millions of tingles down her spine... she felt like she was riding a wave... and would any moment crash onto the shores... like driftwood...
His heart did a little jerk as he felt the satin at her waist... his heart refused to listen to his brain anymore.. after all this, that had happened, he should have known better and stick to his rationale reasoning.. but it felt like rationality had decided to take a break and fly out at the moment... his eyes travelled to her lips and he too remembered their volatile exchange and the result there after... he remembered only too well, the soft feel of those petals... nothing more... the sweet taste of her... he fragrance which was unique to her.. a far away sound of the honking of a car jerked him as he closed his eyes and gritting his teeth murmured.. "I will drop you!!"
She fumed even more at his superiority that was so typical Shantanu!!! A select choice expletives were ready hovering on her lips when in a flash he bundled her into the car and walked around to the driver's side and buckled himself in.. Before she could even steam out her words, he had revved the engine and sharply turned the car at full speed out of the long drive way and she clutched on to her seat after that.. as the traffic was light and he sped.. looking ahead and focusing on the road as he manipulated the mean looking steel grey Mercedes with a grim expression in his eyes.. She realised it would be futile to argue with this Shantanu.. who was in an over bearing, irritatingly obnoxious mood... It was best to leave him as she too fumed inwardly.. trying to spend her angst... She knew that they were not going home ward but in the opposite direction.. towards the city as she closed her eyes realising and refused to let him see how upset she was with him...
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She refused to leave the car in the under ground parking lot of his Cuffe Parade residence and he sighed as he simply banged his door and coming to her side.. leaned down opening the door and in a swift movement to her utter surprise, swung her up into his arms.. as if she weighed no more than a bag of feathers. She shrieked.. bringing the poor worried security guard on duty near the entrance running up to them.. his steps faltering as he saw the reputed Doctor saaheb carrying this girl.. and Shantanu dismissed him with one look and she fumed through her teeth.. "Put me down you.. you bully!!" But it seemed like she was talking to a brick wall... she saw a muscle beat his jaw which had now darkened with a evening shadow... and her heart skipped another beat as it raced ahead full steam as usual.. she was forced to put her arms around his shoulders and was intensely aware of his touch where he held her... the heat transmitting itself making her tremble... She resorted to anger as she turned her face away, but thankfully he lowered her to her feet as they reached the foyer and he as if the least concerned pulled her tagging her along to take the elevator!!
She suddenly tugged her hand out of his and he was not prepared for her pull as she gasped... "NO... NO WAY AM I GOING TO ENTER.. THAT.. THAT..." She could not continue as it suddenly struck him... His breath rushed out in a sigh as he turned after punching the button... He folded his arms across the broad breadth and silkily murmured... "I am not wasting my time and energy climbing up 30 floors to my penthouse.. So it is either you come willingly or I carry you into this elevator!!!" She gawked at him... his stance like a hard wall.. will not budge at all.. she gasped and squeaked... her earlier ire all forgotten as the fear of claustrobhobia hit her full... "Doc!!! You.. you.. know I.. I " She could not continue as he simply quirked his brow... and she heard the elevator door ping open and trembling like a leaf... squeezing her eyes shut...
He sighed suddenly feeling like a jerk and spoke in a soft voice standing there an arm's length from her "Jingles... look at me..." As if he had uttered a magic word.. the key that opens locks.. her eyes flew open at the soft mellow voice as opposed to his earlier hard unrelenting tone... As he grimly saw her fear... he spoke gently... oddly tender was his voice but his expression as bland and unfathomable as ever... "Jingles.. I know.. this fear.. but you need not worry.. You won't feel a thing and then I am here... Trust me..." She could only shake her head in negation... her face quite white around her lips... as she paled further... his voice might be cajoling and tender.. but his words opposed every gentle emotion... Yeah her second track said.. 'Aahh the spider calls sweets.. come into my lair... so what if the steel monster beckons.. doc is there.. muhahahaha.. go... go into the steel monster's mouth.. gobble gobble...' She shook again and took a step back... His keen eyes did not miss anything...
Taking a deep breath he heard the elevator door ping open as it waited for them to board and then close back again... All he did was slowly held out his left hand holding it palm open upwards and softly spoke.. "Jingles... trust... do you trust me? I promise.. I will never let anything happen to you..." And he waited.. seeing the war in those deep black pools... like a war going on... he waited... his eyes boring into hers cajoling.. tenderly pleading to her... urging her... The sound of his voice reverberated within her... only two words... Trust me... Her heart fluttered once more soaring high with a strange happiness as if it had found all that it could in this life span... but she could not budge... and then her eyes fell on his hand... and that gesture spoke millions of things.. he was asking her... and of its own volition her hand slowly rose and placed it in his... Gently his fingers curled around her soft ones.. completely enveloping the slim into his strong and big palm.. with a generous sprinkling of fine silky hair... She felt the warmth through his palm transmit to hers as the tingles travelled up her arm and down her spine... as he gently tugged her pressing the up arrow again.. and the elevator doors slid again... but all was lost as he made her look into his eyes and spoke... "Good girl... now trust me.. nothing I promise, I will not let you ever be in any danger.. Trust me.. Jingles..." And before she even realised it, they ad already reached their floor and the elevator doors pinged open softly... as he led her out...
He did not let go of her hand as with the other he unlocked the main door... she barely noticed anything as her eyes remained on the marbled floor in the foyer realising that there was only one flat on the floor... as he pulled her inside and turned on the lights with a flick of a switch... she then realised that her hand was still clutched in his and she gently tugged it back.. he did not resist this time as he led her to the huge living room turning on the lights as she in genuine interest looked around. The room in soft light cream.. textured wall paint, with an array of paintings adorning the wall.. A music system adorning the side table on one end... and a few art collectibles decorating the room here and there.. giving it a very modern yet conventional look.. displaying the owner's taste and style... He caught her eyes as she turned to him as he stood there... his arms crossed over his broad chest as he waited for her one eye brow quirked up... "So is it up to the mark?"
She jerked at his silky innuendo and her lips firmed thinly as she turned away making a beeline for the rocking chair.. she loved them... and more so she loved the scene beyond the rocking chair.. the deep blue sea... which had golden orange hues as the sun set in the horizon... she loved the sea and to watch sun sets... He jerked at her choice and moved to the adjoining arm chair as he murmured... "Sorry that was uncalled for... I.." She flared rising form the rocking chair to stand near the tall windows which started from a little below the ceiling to the floor... staring out grabbing the beautiful hand polished railing... "What is the point Shantanu... I really don't care about all this, but I am not going to dance to your tune and hurt my loved ones!!!" Her chest heaved from her ire as it returned... as he sighed and rose too to stand next to her.. She stiffened even more as there was no much space for two to stand without touching... she felt the brush of his arm as he tucked his hands into the pockets of his trousers and looking at the setting sun spoke in a hard voice..
"I care too... dammit.. I don't want to mislead anyone god dammit.. I don't even know why I am doing this... One hand jerked out to rake his hair... tousling the neatly combed silk.. as a lock fell out of place playing truant... her fingers itched to place it back... as she heard him rasp... "Look.. look at it from my point of view... I heard your Ma and Mom planning something... Would you want to marry anyone else other than anyone you love.. and I believe it is Mehra.. am surprised you have not told your parents of that fact..." She rounded on him as soon as he mentioned Manu... pointing her finger at him in anger... "Leave Manu out of this!! He is not even here to defend himself.. and you started this.. rhis rubbish about marriage... and how dare you presume... how..." She was jerked to a stop as his hand snaked out to hold her finger and her breath clashed before it stopped and he spoke through grimly clenched jaws.. "Listen God Dammit... please... this is not getting anywhere!! I DON'T WANT TO MARRY.. PERIOD... MOM AND BOO BHABHI ARE FORCING ME..." She interrupted "I am not deaf Do.. Shantanu... there is no need to shout and my finger hurts... Can.. you let go of my hand..." She smarted at her calm sounding voice where as her insides were a mess of jellied rubble... But he stood still... as he looked down into her eyes... which seemed like twin pieces of burning embers...
Her heart fluttered at first and then hiccuped to a stop before it raced... His fingers still disturbingly round hers and she prayed that he would not feel her jumping pulse... His eyes again unreadable as he seemed to gaze into her very soul... But suddenly the curtain of his thick lashes fell over them and he sighed... his breath feeling warm against her skin.. increasing the dilemma for her heart... He thankfully let her hand go and staring outside again at the horizon which blazed a flaming orange as the sun had disappeared he murmured... "Please try to see my point of view Jingles. I can trust only you... I asked you to marry me.. on paper as I know that you love Mehra and" He raised his hand knowing she was about to argue... "And before you argue... I am too much in love with Natasha and her memories to be able to justice to anyone else... I ask this of you, as I can rest and be assured that I will not have to deal with your emotions... explain to you... neither will you be demanding on me in any emotional way... of which I would have to deal differently with any other girl.." Her heart crashed then and she wanted to scream to him.. 'Oh but I love you.. I love you Doc... Can you not see?!!' But she held tightly the railing and looked out.. blinking away the moisture from her eyes... holding her own fort... As he continued...
"I really will not know how much I could trust someone who I don't even know.. with all.. all this... I can trust you as you know... and that is why it will become easier, at the end of a year for us to part... without any misgivings.. Yes I know I am putting at stake all out families emotions, playing with them... but this is the only way out... please consider it... Jingles..." His heart thumped wildly now... he did not know why... he knew that something was amiss... why was he even wanting to do all this... He could just as easily ask his Mom that he was not interested in marriage.. then why was he forcing Khanak into this.. especially knowing that she cared for that.. that bloke... something hurt in his heart like a thorn piercing.. and he grit his teeth unknowingly a dull anger rising as he heard her speak... "But.. can you not explain it to Madhavi aunty, I am sure she will understand and not force you.." His heart jerked.. as she said just what he thought and he strove to cling to the last of straws... "Nope, I have tried it and I am not in the least bit interested in being a specimen of interest in front of a parade of umpteen girls!!! I hate that..." A soft bubble of amused laughter rose and it escaped transforming her face completely... His lips twitched at the infectious sound of her giggle and he turned to look at her as she slid him a look.. They seemed to share a soft camaraderie there gazing into each other's eyes.. She felt a strange pleasure suddenly as she thought of herself... as Mrs. Khanak Shantanu Khandelwal.. a thrill passing through her making her eyes seem like two dark jewels... and he sighed as he saw the deep black pools shining... but grimly looked back as she said... "You sure are crazy... Shantanu... And I must be mad to say yes..."
He grabbed her hands saying.. "You won't regret it I promise you.. I.. will draw out a whole contract and you can read it and sign only after you are sure.. I promise.. nothing will go amiss.. if.. if you want I.. I could tell Mehra.." But he did not have to say anything further as she snapped at him, pulling her hands out of his disturbing grip... "Leave Manu out!!!" His eyes narrowed at her and he spoke silkily in a taunt... "You really love him don't you... I could see that you.. you were quite free with him.." she glared at him angrily as he said that.. the short stint of agreeable camaraderie soon disappearing... and she looked away.. refusing o stoop to his bait... He too turned away and before he could say anything some thing at his waist beeped and he swore softly... "Damn..." She frowned and turned to see him take out his pager probably as he read intently... and then looked up saying.. "Okay that was my hospital.. I have to be there for a surgery in a couple of hours... We better leave.. how about we grab a bite on the way and then I shall drop you home..." She nodded and made a move to leave as he did too at the same time and brushed against her... He step faltered and she would have tripped had he not held her arm she would have tripped... their breaths clashed again as they looked into each other's eyes and she was unable to fathom what lay in his as he spoke gruffly.. "I.. I will meet you tomorrow.. is that okay?" she nodded and looked away from the disturbing eyes and his close proximity.. she walked ahead of him as she felt his gaze close behind her...
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
