SS: Sadka Kiya Yun Ishq ka_IndxP1_NwStryTsr_p72_:D - Page 43

Happy Holi To All! Spread Colors of Joy! Play a Safe and Eco-friendly Holi! May this Holi Make Ur Life Colorful and Vibrant!

Chapter 6

"so can u take ur poor husband back in ur life? I will b a good househusband I promise!" he said. "No!"she said and turned away! "Wat.. y?"he cried following her. "first of all u didn't consult me before finalizing this house and tht garden is too small for my liking!" "huh!" "plus if the rent agreement is to b made in my name, thn officially I m owner of the house and not the one who pays the deposit and I, the owner, doesn't need an unskilled servant who cant even cook!" she said and ran away giggling! "Wat!"he barked and ran after her,"u forget tht this house is too small to hide!" "and u forget mister tht I can bite!" she retorted as she moved around the house dodging him. Finally he caught her as she yelled and squealed playfully! "Say yes Nidhi!"he demanded. "u cant order me!"she retorted. "say yes or I wud b doing to u, wat I shudnt b doing!"he threatened. "and wat do u intend to dare?" A mischevious smile played on his lips as his eyes travelled over her lips teasingly. Nidhi's cheeks gathered a slight blush bt he cried lifting her up on his shoulder,"to throw u out of this balcony!" Nidhi squealed as she found herself carried into the balcony,"wat did u thot?" he asked mischeviously as he placed her back on the ground. Some faces peeked in thru the adjacent balconies hearing thr noise. Nidhi reddened in embarrassment! "v r going to b bad neighbors!"she cried.

"oh!.. my lady knows how to blush!"Ashutosh commented! "shut up.. shudnt one behave living in such close apartments!" Nidhi cried throwing a sharp glance at him as thy came back in! "oh! looks who's talking!""u started it!""me?"he laughed. "u said u wer a poor husband!" she stressed on word poor! "bt I m..am not I?..now completely at mercy of my beautiful educated working wife!" Nidhi glared. "Shut up!" He sighed,"huh see!" It was such a cute sigh tht Nidhi cudnt help bt smile! "and wat was all tht abt househusband!" "I was being serious!""really?" "yeah.." "c'mon.. u don't even now a thing abt managing a house!" "C.. this poor husband's sincere efforts are reduced to nothing!"he made a cute face again. Nidhi turned to hide her smile! "really'its not necessary..!""I m jst trying to b good responsible husband and my wife isnt even encouraging!" Nidhi chuckled bt turned to him with a mock serious face. "number one I m not ur wife.. and number 2, I don't want extra burden of training an inexperienced unskilled wannabe hubby!" Ashutosh gaped,"tht is very mean Nidhi!" Nidhi leaned on the kitchen top and tried to bite back her smile! He came up and leaned beside her,"u know u r the most luckiest wife to have gotten a chance of lifetime to train ur husband ur way.. and he is willing.. very willing!" Nidhi cud hardly suppress her chuckle! She turned to him and uttered fondly,"hmmm.. bt this poor househusband needs to start from some very basic things!" Ashutosh rubbed his hand enthusiastically,"tell me.. bring it on Lady!" Nidhi chuckled and took him to the living room. "okay..wat do u see?" Ashutosh looked cluelessly at her! "or rather wat do u NOT see?" Ashutosh stared blanklky at her! Nidhi raised her brows,"don't u think Mr. Househusband tht this house is a bit too empty!" "Ohh'"Ashutosh cried,"bt of course!" he shrugged embarrassedly. "I was jst wanting to give my wife a chance to decorate and furnish her house her way!" Nidhi glared back,"very smart!" "thnk u!" Nidhi moved around the empty room hiding her smiles as he followed her everywhere. "so wat nxt my Lady!"he cried. This time she cudnt hide her chuckle! "don't act so dumb!" she cried. "No really.. I don't know anything.. start from scratch!" Nidhi eyed suspiciously at him to assure tht he wasn't teasing. Bt he beamed back quite innocently and rather cutely so she informed,"well.. we will need to prepare a budget first and make a list of all the necessary items required to run a household!"she said and picked up her purse to pull out a small notepad and a pen. Ashutosh enthusiastically joined her as thy sat by the window, leaning by the wall, to prepare an exhaustive list of all the essential household items thy wud need! Ashutosh looked admiringly at her as she neatly folded the list and pulled out the pen clenched betn her teeth and put thm back in her purse carefully. She thn turned to him and outstretched her palm! "Wat?"he cried cluelessly. "well, the most important and absolutely essential part! How can a smart wannabe husband forget tht!"she cried. "wat.. seriously?" Nidhi rolled her eyes! "bt of course the money!!!"she cried. Ashutosh stared at her and twitched his lips"huh! u know u r turning into a real wife..i mean.. a real real wife!"he cried as he got up to bring the money from his bag. Nidhi chuckled as she saw him rummaging in his bag and got a gling of tease,"by the way if u havent got any money left anymore.. considering how poor u r, v can always visit my bank first!" Ashutosh walked upto her and thumped the money on her hand,"tht is very mean Nidhi!" he cried with a frown. Nidhi chuckled,"i..mean.. I was jst trying to b helpful here.. u know like a real wife!" her eyes twinkled! "ur husband isnt tht incapable yet tht he cant take care of his wife!"he cried with wounded male pride. Nidhi stared at his cute-looking offended face! "okay fine.. i m sorry.. allrite..now enuf of this good husband thing okay.. now watch and learn how a good wife functions! Now tht u have given the rein of ur house to ur wife, jst c how ur wife saves ur very hard-earned money!" she winked as she put the envelope of money in her purse and went in the restroom to get refreshed. Ashutosh sighed and thn as it suddenly struck him, he ran to door and knocked,"hey..Nidhi!.." "hmmm'" "sooo u finally agree tht u r my wife!" Nidhi blushed and chuckled bt she pushed open the door slightly and cooed,"watever gave u tht idea!.. N.O. No!" "bt u admitted..ur wife..twice!"he retored! "oh! it was jst slip of tongue! I was merely trying to b a good wife.. I wasn't exactly trying to b ur wife!"she cried and closed the door shut on a gaping face of Ashutosh! "thts really mean Nidhi!"he frowned at the closed door! Nidhi cudnt help laugh loud! "Nidhi.. jst wait till u get out!"he threatened." "hey..remember we need to b good well-behaved neighbors!" "huh..do hell with it!" Nidhi chuckled,"oh.. tsch tsch..such poor state of a husband!" He banged at the door,"Nidhi.. remember I have all the time in the world to make u accept tht!"he barked. Nidhi blushed. "v will c!"she cried. "u will c!" he cried determindedly!

After 15 minutes, wen she came out. He grabbed her,"now who's being a bad wife here.. hmm..!"he cried. Nidhi giggled. "I m not ur wife.. get tht into ur head mister!" "huh!" he seized her and enclosed her in his arms,"now say tht again!"he threatened. Nidhi mischeviously inched closer to his lips. "wat! u wanna bite?"he cried. "no, I wanna kiss!" she hissed silkily and cupped a stunned Ashutosh's face and gently pecked on his lips before quickly slipping away from his arms as soon as his grip loosened! "forget of me being ur wife.. not in this lifetime mister!" She giggled and ran away and threw his bag at him,"now off to do some real work to prove at least urself a good husband!" she winked. Ashutosh frowned and reluctantly put on the bag as he picked up thr house key!

After an hour or so, thy wer on thr first round of shopping. The Sharma's called to inquire after thm and invited thm for lunch. Bt thy declined politely citing the work tht had still been pending at the house. Mrs. Sharma however was pretty admant and thy decided to pay thm a fleeting visit. She felt pretty happy for thm and on her persistent insistence, thy decided to keep Mishti's scooty till alternate arrangement for a vehicle was done! Nidhi invited thm to thr new home and thn thy took thr blessings and bid thm good bye to complete the rest of thr shopping.

After another hour, Ashutosh was sitting and staring at thr house which had suddenly been transformed into a beautiful home. Thy had cleaned it up well before those heavy items wer delivered. And thn, Nidhi had put on tht beautiful pink saree tht Ashutosh had gifted her. She had put on a small red bindi and her mangalsutra had still adorned her neck gracefully. And with pink matching bangles clanking in her hands, she had lit a diya at the beautiful wooden temple tht graced one of the walls of the kitchen. She had thn put a beautiful garland of yellow-orange flowers on thr main door, put on swastiks on the door and doorways, and thn performed a housewarming pooja! She had informed him tht it brot good luck and prosperity to one's home. The soft sacred aroma of the sandalwood incense stick tht burnt at the temple filled thr hearts and thr house with pleasantness. It was a small bt pretty house and Nidhi had made it look really beautiful. Soft white curtains draped the windows and danced in jubiliance everytime a wave of cool breeze swept in the room and filled it with fresh cool air. The bronze windchime tht Nidhi had dangled in the balcony played a beautiful music in tune to the rustling breeze! And to add a dash of nature to thr house, as Nidhi loved, she had chosen green petal motif curtains on a white background. To match it, a lone green clock on a silhouette of a bird sitting on a small branch adorned a wall of thr living room. And thn to add a dash of colors, she had chosen bright vibrant-colored pillow covers and offset it with a softer, milder white bedspreads to match the soft soothing color of the walls. It created a cheerful yet serene environment in the house! The bells of the chime tinkled and the winds rustled the curtains and brot tht four-walled house to life!

"u like it?" Nidhi turned to Ashutosh and asked as thy sat on the mattress tht occupied a corner of thr living room! Ashutosh again looked around the room. Everything was perfectly placed. The furniture was kept minimal; jst some low lying seats and a colorful dari instead of heavy expensive furniture and carpet! For thr clothes, thy had bot a temporary storage cabinet tht wud serve dual purpose of table and cabinet! And instead of a bed, thy had chosen a heavy mattress tht cud act as a bed at night and as seating arrangement in the day. The kitchen too had been equipped with bare minimum bt all the essential things. In short, as Nidhi had claimed, she had made optimum use of his hard-earned money! "wudnt u wanted it b more lavish?"he asked. "Well ..not exactly lavish.. bt yes a little bit more vivid colored and artistic dcor wud've added to its beauty.. Bt still this is my dream home and its exactly as I wanted!"she said fondly. He smiled,"its turned into a beautiful home Nidhi."he said softly. She looked at him. "and it has ur distinct touch!" he added admiringly. Nidhi stared affectionately at him! Thr was so much in his eyes tht he cudnt speak of! Thr was admiration. Thr was a feeling of gratefulness. And thr was an undeniable streak of affection tht lied deep within his eyes for her! Nidhi laid back on the mattress as she outstretched her hands and sighed with satisfaction. Ashutosh joined her and again thr fingers entwined on thr own accord as thy met and thy laid thr quietly for a while jst as thy had done on tht hilltop!

Nxt was turn for a gratifying lunch before thy headed for thr second round of shopping! Thy ordered a delicious meal to celebrate thr shifting into new house and it being thr first meal in thr new house, Nidhi decided to do something different! She laid a small bedtray in the balcony looking onto the beautiful garden below and arranged it into a table for two! Ashutosh was pleased and impressed. Thy sat on small mats as Nidhi talked enthusiastically abt wat more she cud add to decorate thr house. She was very excited bt terribly missed the pond and the beautifully sprinkling fountain and especially the pool tht looked onto tht green forest! Ashutosh sighed deeply as he stared and listened to her excited chatter.

After 4 hours of exhaustive shopping, thy wer driving back home on Mishti's scooty! Ashutosh sat on the backseat and struggled awkwardly to maintain the shopping bags tht were loaded on him, while Nidhi enjoyed her ride driving along the fine city roads in a cool evening breeze! "u cud've left some shopping for the nxt time Nidhi!"he cried annoyingly! "uh..Mister.. a very important thng tht u shud know abt wives.. thr can never b another day or another time for shopping once her eyes lay on something very tempting!" he groaned. Nidhi chuckled,"these r small things bt thy will help u a lot wen u get ur real wife!"she teased. "Shut up!" he cried back. She cudnt help laugh. "Tell me.. y r u trying so hard to b a good ideal wife for me wen u absolutely don't want to be!"He cried in an annoyed voice. Nidhi bit her lip,"well.. I m practicing to b a perfect wife for my dream man!" Ashutosh clenched his jaws and remained silent. Nidhi cud see his angry hurt face from rearview mirror. Nidhi broke the silence and cried sweetly,"intrstd in some panipuri?" "No!"he grumbled back! "No? y?" "I don't want it!" "thy r very tasty u shud taste it at least!""I said I don't want it!" "u know..its tangy taste can dissolve any amount of crankiness!" "r u implying tht I m being cranky!" "if not thn wats the problem in having it!""y don't u go ahead and have it as much as u like.. perhaps it could dissolve ur ruthless heartless mean behaviour!"he muttered. Nidhi gave a small smile to herself and parked the scooty at a fine-looking panipuri stall. Ashutosh jumped down and chose to stand away at a distance from the stall! As Nidhi ordered, she urged him lovingly to join her, bt he deliberately ignored. She tried taking the bags away from his hands as she cajoled,"okay.. is this is wat is troubling u and refraining u from taking a mouthful plunge into this delicious thing!" bt he pulled thm back and cried grumpily,"No! absolutely not. I m perfectly alrite and I absolutely don't want ur delicious thing.. thnk u..!". Smiling, Nidhi gently squeezed the bags out of his hands against his protests and tucked under the frontseat of thr scooty. "thr..u go.. fine...now b like a good husband!" she coaxed him cutely and dragged him to the panipuri stall, bt he pulled away his hands and turned his face away from her. The nxt thing he knew was tht a puri was pushed into his mouth. Wen he tried to protest, she cried,"I wud nvr sacrifice my first puri for anyone..u shud know tht!" He had barely finished his first one, wen another one was pushed in,"and neither wud I the second one!"she cooed. Bt before she cud push the third one, he redirected it into her mouth. Nidhi smiled and munched on her mouthful as some juicy water dribbled from her mouth. Ashutosh pointed at it! She raised her brows cluelessly and kept munching on her puri! He sighed and took out his handkerchief to clean her soiled mouth. Nidhi felt embarrassed as she gulped down her puri quickly. Ashutosh cudnt help bt look fondly at her cute reddening face! He gently slipped in another one into her mouth! She smacked and cried"eemm'u know.. this is the most delicious yummilicious thing in the world.. and I can trade anything in this world for this..anything!" "even ur husband!"he murmured! She blushed as she deliciously munched on the panipuris tht he was slipping into her mouth! His eyes sparkled and stared at her adoringly. And Nidhi cudnt miss tht hint of affection tht relayed from his face and his deep searching eyes. He pampered her adoringly and she loved tht feeling!

Thy had been making this quiet romantic scene for quite a while now and all the eyes around thm were fixed on thm! The ppl around thm were curious and intrsted abt this odd couple and more so coz thy made an eyecatching and head-turning pair! She was charmingly beautiful and he was attractively handsome! Ashutosh was mildly amused. Bt he was unconcerned as his eyes gazed fondly at her! Her sparkling eyes, her delightful face, and her juicy wet lips, as he kept slipping those panipuris carefully in her mouth, made his heart ache! And after a satiating dose of his pampering, it was Nidhi's turn and he cudnt refuse! She fondly filled his mouth with panipuris till he cudnt take it any more and his eyes filled with brimming tears at its tangy spicy taste! Nidhi chuckled teasingly at his flushed face! On thr ride back home, Nidhi sat on the backseat clinging to him and holding a few of the bags in her other hand for his convenience, tho he wud've preferred her clinging more comfortably to him minus those obstructing bags. He sighed deeply.

"jst shifted eh!" thr neighbor inquired as thy reached thr floor. "Yeah!"Nidhi replied politely as her neighbor started inquiring abt thr profession, abt thr mrg, etc.etc. and was also intrstd to know if thy had any kids and if not, wethr thy wer planning or not.. very politely and cordially! Nidhi answered as briefly as she cud and politely turned her away. Once inside, she bundled into laughter at the excited look of her very inquisitive neighbor! "Nidhi tht was very naughty!"Ashutosh remarked. Nidhi laughed, "I m sure this is jst paper one of her standard set.. she was desperately waiting for some intrsting answers to gossip around!" Ashutosh chuckled as the whole scene played before his eyes again. Thr neighbor had asked if it was Ashutosh's second mrg and Nidhi had replied No with mock shyness and added tht infact it had been a love mrg and tht thy had actually eloped in quite a filmy style! His father, the arrogant wealthy business tycoon, opposing his mrg to a poor girl like her belonging to a low social strata with such huge age-difference! Besides she had an aunt who was mean and cunning jst like pretty Cindrella's aunt! The look on her neighbor's face was priceless. And Ashutosh chuckled at the thot of it! "Looks like our neighbours r going to b very friendly!"she remarked! "hmmm". Ashutosh narrated an incident wer he had met the secretary of the building in lift, who had very cordially acquainted with him! "till thy indulge into those unfavorable gossips Nidhi!" Ashutosh remarked as he sighed. "The truth is gonna come out in open Nidhi!" he added. "v r orphans so wat? And even if thrs a bitter past of urs..it shudnt matter.. wat have thy to do with it.. v r good ppl.. well mannerd, well cultured, apt to make a better society! wat more thy cud ask?" Ashutosh stared at her,"if only I cud know its answer Nidhi, I cud understand thm better!" "so r u afraid?"she asked. Ashutosh nodded a No! "I don't intend to hide Nidhi.. bt I m afraid tht ur name wud get involved in this unnecessarily!""well.. wud u let me handle this problem hmm.. its my name and my reputation and its upto my discretion with whom I wished to get it involved!" saying tht she turned to the restroom door bt Ashutosh grabbed her hand,"Nidhi.. I don't want tht!" he said,"u know I wud never want tht happen!" "Ashutosh.. my name is already linked to urs and now we are here staying in this house together.. so tell me how r u going to put me away from ur life?" Ashutosh sighed deeply and ran a tender hand thru her hair,"I am sorry.. Nidhi..I m very sorry!"he said softly! "Oh! so u r regretting ur decision to live with me.. I didn't expect tht!"she cried with a mock frown. "shut up!" he cried. "or have ur male pride started pinching u now tht u r going to live by ur wife's money!"she teased. Ashutosh pulled her and muttered,"shut up!" "U know how mean u r!" Nidhi slipped her hands out of his grab smilling and nodding a yes as she ran into the restroom laughing!

After a while, she heard him knock at the door and say,"I have already forwarded my resume to some top companies of this city Nidhi!" "thts Good!" thr was brief pause. He wanted to say something more bt he cudnt. He sighed and went into the kitchen. Nidhi stepped out from the restroom donning a simple yet elegant blue kurti over a loose salwar! Her slightly wet tresses fell on her face flirted with her beautiful cheeks as she walked upto to him in the kitchen! Ashutosh concentrated back on his tea as she stood near and took in the beautiful aroma of tea tht he had prepared! "wow! wat a surprise!"she cried as her face beamed approvingly! She was unusually chirpy and very happy! He smiled,"taste it and tell me how did ur househusband fare!""okay.. bt first u go and change..i will b waiting!" she pushed him towards the restroom and prepared to take the tray outside as she yelled at the closed door,"I m setting our table in the living room! Make it quick!" he mumbled a yes as he splashed cold water on his face. And those last days tht thy had spent in his dad's guesthouse refreshed in his memory! Similar days, similar affections, and it looked all bt natural for him to return back to her after tht month long seperation, as if he had always belonged here, with her.

Nidhi knocked at the door heavily to bring him out of his thots,"wat r u doing in thr.. ur tea is getting cold.. don't blame me if I fail u in ur househusband test!"she cried. He opened up. "u cant!..U know how hard I m working to pass this test!"he cried. "yeah.. I know tht!" she cried as he followed her to the living room. He had donned an exquisite white kurta she had bot for him earlier tht day and needless to say tht he looked exactly as she imagined, appealingly handsome, attractively manly, and heavily droolworthy! She sighed and avoided his gaze for fear of looking besottedly smitten by his mere looks and he hadnt even spoken! She knew he can melt her completely if he desired! She handed him his cup of tea and asked as she brot her naughty thots back to reality,"Seriously, y u want to do all this household stuff!" He smiled,"I was serious wen I said I wud b a good househusband!" "eh! Bt kitchen is way different from a lab!" "I know.. bt can a husband sit idle wen his beautiful wife does all the hard work.. as a good husband, one needs to help his wife!" Nidhi smiled and lowered her face! Ashutosh sighed as he saw those tresses flirting with her again. He had an impulsive urge to push thm away and claim his right on her cheeks and mark thm with his kisses to prove whom thy belonged to afterall! He sighed. This possessive feeling for her was pure insanity! "Ashutosh I m sure u will get a deserving job! U have years of experience and vast knowledge in research field. I m sure thrs no one in this city who cud match ur talent and skills! U have had 18 patents in 20 yrs..thts like enormous!" "Nidhi thnk u for effusively supporting me bt certainly I m not the only one.. bt yes the industry is aware of my hard work and talent and I hope it will lend me a job tht I want!" "Oh u will.. good ppl get good things!" she said softly as she put her empty cup back on the tray and beamed back positively. Ashutosh stared at her. She slowly reclined herself on the dari and threw a soft pillow underneath her head. Ashutosh joined her after putting away the tray back in the kitchen. He laid beside her sighing and staring at the ceiling fan blankly. The fan blew some hard wind and he turned to look at her. Her tresses again tried to trouble her naughtily as she closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep. He cudnt help bt move closer to get a good look at her face and his hand slowly inadvertently went to tuck her hair behind her ear. She stirred at his touch. His heart craved to grab her and kiss her. She slowly opened her slightly heavy eyes which suggested tht she was jst abt to slip into a deep slumber wen he disrupted it. "I m sorry!"he said softly bt she came out of her sleepy daze and stared at him with wide eyes searching him quietly!

Thy stared at each other deeply. And he inadveretenly bent over her so close tht he cud smell the fresh flowery fragrance tht oozed from her body. It reminded him of tht fresh morning breeze tht filled thm wen thy sat in those lush green lawns and wen Nidhi looked most beautiful. To surprise of his thudding heart, Nidhi started to inch closer in response as if drawn by something. Her face looked completely dazed and smitten and her eyes looked deeply intoxicated! Her lips had curled up into a pleasant inviting smile and she looked absolutely irresistible!

Nidhi drew closer and closer to tht distinct masculine scent tht oozed in oodles from his body. His raw masculanity tht displayed itself thru the open buttons of his kurta and thru tht ruggedness of his jaw swept her over completely! And she found herself pulled towards him indistinctly without any grip over her thots of wat she was doing or y she was doing! She found herself grabbing the collars of his kurta and pulling him with a raw need. She swiftly pulled herself up and urgently reached his lips!

Ashutosh knew he had to turn away, bt he cudnt. Her lips softly landed on his and captured him roughly. Her hand reached to get hold of his nape and her fingers dug deep into his soft hair and pulled as she deepened her kiss. He moaned helplessly and his arms tightened around her in complete acceptance. He had wanted this. He had wanted this so badly! He admitted he cudnt refrain himself wanting her, touching her anymore! He wanted to feel her and he wanted to make her feel tht he needed her as much as she! She had already begun her relishing journey of his lips! She was deliciously savoring and her fingers had begun thr rough needy caress thru his soft hair. He moaned and grabbed her to roll her on her back and to pin her underneath him to get a complete and full dominant access into her mouth! He was male and he wanted her bt she didn't give in easily and unabashedly feasted on his lips, pushing away his advances and moaning with a needy fervour. He groaned helplessly in reply as it became increasingly hard to resist her. He clenched her tightly and she ultimately gave in to his desires. She clutched on to his shoulders as the dominance reversed and he began to enjoy her fervidly. And before thy cud even know, it blew off into a hungry passionate desire as thy rolled over each other and devored each other greedily! For long, thy had been deprived of this extremely fulfilling feeling! For long, thr breaths had craved to intermingle and get lost into each other. For long, thr skins had been screaming for this needy wild touch and for long, thy sought to know how fiercely thy wanted each other! It was an explosion of raging uncontrolled desires and it had burst into a wild flame of fire tht was engulfing thm both in its heat and in its fervidness!

Ashutosh groaned like an animal and rolled her over him as his hands slipped beneath her kurti to fervently feel those untouched parts of her body tht belonged to jst bt him! Nidhi gasped in frenzy as his hands ran all over her body possessively. He nibbled and kissed the most sensitive parts of her neck. Nidhi trembled pleasantly as a wave of delight passed thru her body! Bt he didn't stop at that his hands reached the upper part of her back over wer her bonds of restraint lay! She arched with unresolved tension as his fingers did some delightful things along her straps. Wen Nidhi gave an unrestrained delightful cry, he squashed her softness into his hard chest. Nidhi gasped passionately. He raided her neck with his mouth and thn moved over to capture her fervently gasping lips! Nidhi clenched onto his hard chest. He pressed her more tightly. Nidhi broke free her lips and went to taste his manly rugged jaw. She nibbled his chin as she grabbed her with both hands and went down to capture his Adam's apple in her soft mouth and savored. He fell back on the dari and his hands moved over her back stroking and leaving an exquisite trail of fine sensations on her shy skin! Nidhi gave delightful cry! And he moved down over to her bottom and again back to her nape stroking and invoking those deep restless desires in her! Her hands clutched him as she rolled him underneath her and slid her hands boldly beneath his kurta in search of tht robust male chest of him tht she desired! His breath stopped and he grabbed her hand to stop her as she seized a very tight muscle provocatively! "Nidhi.. " he cried out deeply as his brain burst forth with arousing signals! His muscles tightened and he drowned her in his intense passionate kisses! Nidhi moaned fervently as she kept seeking his tight muscles. She frantically tried to pull off the remaining buttons of his kurta and Ashutosh rolled her back on her back and pulled off his kurta with a sudden gush of desire to give her wat she wanted and to make her feel the awe at the enormousness and the awesomness of wat she had desired of him! Nidhi gasped and drew back with girlish instincts. Her cheeks reddened deeply at the sight of his bare robust male torso! Bt before she cud move away, he grabbed her and crushed her underneath him! "No..u cannot'.. U jst cannot..Nidhi.!"he murmured softly into her ear,"u understand tht.. u cannot.." Nidhi understood his implied urge and a blush appeared on her cheeks at setting of awareness of wat he demanded! His warm fervent breaths tht struck the bare skin of her shoulders tingled her and provoked her and she was swept into a pleasing luring world of sensations! She cud sense his huge strong bare body hovering over her and he crushed her sweetly again to make tht sweet urge. Nidhi closed her eyes and bit him very lightly over his shoulder as she smiled teasingly. Ashutosh's eyes grew dark with desire,"u r very mean u know tht!"he cried hoarsely. She nodded a teasing no and went on to taste those well-toned muscles of his body right from his shoulders down to his abs while her hands traced and stroked the remaining muscles fondly. He coiled at her first touch and moaned helplessly as his eyes closed tight shut! Her mouth slowly grew increasingly bold and desirous as she travelled down silkily over his bare torso! She wud move randomly and boldly nibble the hard pieces of his muscles. His groans deepened and increased with the soft savory bites of her lips and teeth. She increased her momentum and dashed all over him ravenously! He gave a deep final grunt before something snapped in him and he lost all control over himself. He pulled her up and pulled off her top savagely! Nidhi gasped and retreated instinctively, bt before she cud cover herself up, he pinned her down once again and attacked and devored her like a raven at loose, feasting on its prey, as he made his wild hungry journey from her neck to her falt belly! His teeth and tounge took thr delights indulgently and her delightful squeals filled his ears. Thy encouraged him. Thy provoked him and he delved deeper into the depth of her navel! Nidhi bit her lips and her nails dug deep into his skin. He gave a pleasing painful groan and moved up back to her partly revealing soft bulges tht tried to seduce him with thr profuseness! He indulged crazily and Nidhi's cries became more unrestrained and helpless! She arched with a greater need and a deeper desire, bt he didn't venture any further. And before she cud demand something tht he wudnt able to deny, he jst brushed over her screaming skin fleetingly and took her breathlessly gasping mouth instead to express how extremely he desired to have her fully! Nidhi moaned feverishly and her heart quickened its pace to extremes as he became more provocative with his lips! His hands ran demandingly thru her hair and he deepened himself to the cores of her mouth. With an overwhelming need, she tightly embraced him to remove any sort of distance betn thm. He broke the kiss and cried breathlessly, "Nidhi..!" He returned her embrace with a tight squeeze. She moaned. "sweetheart.." he ran a soft tender hand thru her hair as he cried softly. She clinged on and tightened her embrace. He stroked her hair gently and nestled her warmly in his arms to calm her down. "Sweetheart" he cried and kissed her repeatedly, till she loosened her arms and released him reluctantly. Bt he cudnt stop himself from gathering her again. He gently crushed her bare self against himself. Nidhi laid quietly nestled in his warm cuddle! After a while thy squeezed each other again. Thy needed to feel this closeness to understand this new type of desire tht had raged passionately inside thm and which demanded more of such physical closeness and more of such bare touch of the other!

Nidhi caressed him softly as she clinged onto his bare muscular shoulders bt as a new wave of awareness set into her at the state thy wer in, she blushed deeply. Her shyness took over her boldness and she tried to pull herself out of his embrace and move away. "emmmhmmm" he cried softly and refrained her. He moved away gently and pecked her forehead before getting up to pick up her kurti. She covered herself with her arms and avoided looking at him as he came back and draped her with her kurti! Nidhi quietly got up and resigned into the restroom. Ashutosh sighed softly as he watched her disappear and thn moved towards the window picking and donning his own kurta. Nidhi leaned back on the restroom door closing her eyes and sighing happily. Wen she opened her eyes, the world had never looked so beautiful!"

The curtains blew gently in the mild breeze of air tht rushed into the room and playfully ruffled his hair as he sat by the window! Ashutosh cud still feel her lingering desirous touch on his skin! He looked back at the restroom door and sighed. He quietly stared into the blue sky tht had slowly started to turn slightly orange. Its reddish hue started to fill the room and Nidhi emerged from the restroom looking composed and refreshed! She silently walked into the kitchen to prepare tea. He got up and followed her in. She smiled at him and pushed back her wet tresses behind her ear. "this time u will learn to prepare an adrakwali chai!"she chirped. She gathered required things and instructed him on its step by step process. He leaned on the countertop as he listened to her silently. When she was done with her work, Ashutosh grabbed her hand and pulled towards him. "Nidhi'u know its too soon right!" he said softly. Nidhi lowered her eyes. She had never experienced such thing before and she didn't know how to react! "Nidhi.. v don't even know if v r even ready this.. our future is so uncertain Nidhi.. and I don't know if v r ready to handle this. it jst gonna complicate things Nidhi...u understand wat I m trying to say rite?" Nidhi looked up at him. She didn't quite understand wat he was trying to say. For her, things had been simple. She felt it and she reacted to her instincts to the only man she trusted. "Nidhi.. I know v don't want this..i don't know if its even rite thing to do!" Nidhi quickly turned away to hide her hurt. Y she was feeling hurt by his words she didn't know! Bt it was clear he had not wanted it and it was she who had behaved in an embarrassingly shameless manner and led him into it! He had never wanted it. Didn't he refrain himself from kissing her earlier! She cannot impose herself on him. Clearly he had some other things in his mind! "u r rite.!"she replied and turned back to the kitchen counter to fill up thr cups with tea!

Ashutosh sighed in relief. He had hoped tht she wud understand tht this is not the rite time! Thy cannot take forward to watever was happening betn thm this soon. As much as thy wanted it, thy needed to control thr desires. Thy will need to maintain the distance coz if nxt time any such thing happened, he knew thy wudnt b able to control thmslves and thy wer not ready for wat it wud lead to, not went thr r still some serious issues of him tht needed to b addressed and Nidhi had still a long life ahead and a lot to achieve! He wasn't sure if all tht was happening was rite for her! He sighed.

"Nidhi.. wud u feel bad if I didn't share with u something?" he asked. Nidhi turned to him with frown,"obviously!.. wudnt u if hid something from u!"she cried and picked up the tray to go and sit by the window! Ashutosh followed her as thy sat beside the window! "tell me!" she demanded. He sighed. "Ashutosh!"she scolded him for his silence. After a pause he started,"as I told u I had already forwarded my CV bt..bt.. I haven't been called for a single final interview yet!" "wat!"Nidhi was shocked. How was tht even possible! Considering his work experience and talent, she was pretty sure he wud find a job easily. Thr were some renowned companies in the city and he had told her tht most of thm knew him personally and wer pretty much aware of his active and prominent role in those research projects at his dad's company. She still cudnt believe it! "Wat went wrong?"she asked. Ashutosh sighed and kept silent. "Ashutosh tell me!" "Nidhi..the tension and strained r'ship betn me and my dad became public once I forwarded my resume to other companies. Thy learnt tht he had already disowned me. And with tht the word abt my illegitimate origin spread in the market Nidhi! Not tht I wanted to hide it Nidhi bt it does matter to thm tht I cannot give a father's name tht thy can fill in thr database!"he cried sarcastically,"Wats the use of this knowledge.. this experience Nidhi.. wen all thy care abt is lineage!" Nidhi nodded her head,"this is ridiculous. I thot ppl wud've grown out of this conservative thots in this capital-driven market! Who cares for a person's lineage wen he has oddles of talent and knowledge tht can earn thm millions of money!"She cried,"the world is going global and thy r going regressive!" "This is a small city Nidhi and our industry is small and v basicially know each and every one pretty well. I have already worked with all those companies at some level and I did carry a good rapport with thm and thy know my work and dedication! This jst doesn't make sense!" Nidhi looked suspiciously at him,"u suspect ur dad's involvement?" He sighed."I don't know Nidhi. He can b truly harsh and mean if he wants! This sudden outcast is strange!""bt thr r rival companies right.. I m sure thy wud b eager to take u!""Nidhi thy wanted crucial inside information in bargain. I cannot do tht. I can render my services if thy hire me, bt I cannot b instrumental in bringing it down! I have virtually built tht company Nidhi. I cannot b selfish. Its against my moral values. Besides, thy already have a competitive and sufficient research staff and thy cannot afford the position and compensation tht I want! I will need to compromise Nidhi if I want a job in tht company!" Nidhi frowned as she confronted him,"y didn't u tell me abt all this earlier!" He kept silent. "Ashutosh!"she demanded. He averted his eyes,"how cud've I'" "oh yeah.. ur male ego!"she chided. Ashutosh sighed as he stared at her with mute apology! Nidhi frowned. Thy sat thr silently for while and thn Nidhi suddenly suggested to take a walk down in the garden. Reluctantly, Ashutosh agreed! It cud turn out to b a change for good!

As thy walked in the green lawns of the garden barefoot and watched the kids play, he asked,"Nidhi.. dad had told me abt a lady who was a friend of my mom tht u had met!" Nidhi looked up at him. "I want to meet her!" "y suddenly!" "Nidhi I want to know everything abt my mom!""Ashutosh.. thrs something more tht u r hiding from me rite?"she asked. Ashutosh turned to her and took her to a secluded bench in the garden. "Nidhi, I knew it wud b hard to face the truth abt my mom bt I didn't know it wud b this hard! ppl r talking Nidhi'mean ugly things abt..abt my mom!"he paused as it became more painful to speak! He breathed in and continued,"somehow the word abt my mom has spread Nidhi.. thy r gossiping abt her, some behind my back and some had even dared to question me directly Nidhi! Its..its..really very painful Nidhi.. ppl talking abt my mom like tht!" he cried in frustrated anger. Nidhi squeezed his arm gently,"thy wer always going to talk rite? v knew..""I know Nidhi.. bt its.. its.."he sighed,"the world is too harsh Nidhi..its too harsh!!" some tears brimmed in his eyes and he looked away. "u know I think first u shud focus on getting a job. Ur mom's issue can b handled later on!""u think I don't want to!" "give it some time Ashutosh.. ppl will forget after sometime..and things wud definitely get better.. For how long can Mr. Mathur exercise his power and influence. Thr will always b a need for talented ppl!" Ashutosh looked at her. "Trust me Ashutosh.. its jst matter of time!" Ashutosh smiled fondly at her. "bt I want to know everything abt my mom. I want to meet tht lady. I want to understand my mom!"he said determindedly. "of course v will. She is a bit busy rite now and is not available. Bt we will surely go and meet her. fine!" Ashutosh cudnt help bt run a tender hand thru her hair,"u r a very good person Nidhi bt I don't want u to throw away ur life for me out of ur goodness. I want to see u achieving all ur dreams and I don't want a blemished name attached to ur name!" "Wud u stop ur emotional gibberish and focus on tackling our current situation? U deserve some good hard smacking for ur negative thots!"she chided. He chuckled,"Nidhi..I think thrs something seriously wrong with u! u r always ready to bite!" "uhh.. I don't always bite, I sometimes kiss.. don't u remember!" Nidhi smiled as she quickly got up to hide her blush!

As the days passed, Nidhi saw a different side of Ashutosh. Ashutosh had kept his word and had put in all efforts to become a good househusband. He had observed her attentively for first few days while she cooked and thn had decided to try his hand at tht! No dbt he wasn't used to handling the kadais and ladles and belans as skillfully as the pipettes, testtubes, and burettes, so he wud cutely fumble with the utensils. And it had been such cute sight to watch him cooking. He had even collected a few cooking books to his aid. The funny thing was he tried to b precise with all the measurements mentioned in the books as was his normal habit while doing his experiments in his lab! Nidhi had good laugh at tht bt his trials and errors with the cooking did yield good results and he eventually succeeded in preparing some delicious food to Nidhi's delight. He wud prepare breakfasts and dinners and wud virtually take over kitchen on the weekends! Bt she remained adamant abt cooking lunch against his protests. She had her exam in few months and Ashutosh didn't want to stress her with cooking and household chores. Bt Nidhi hadnt relented and thy had eventually decided and divided the household chores equally betn the two of thm! Tho Ashutosh had taken up a complete responsibility of the house and Nidhi. He wud wake her up early in the morning. And while Nidhi freshened up, he wud prepare the tea and breakfast and thn thy wud go to the common garden downstairs wer Nidhi studied and he jogged jst like old times. Thn thy wud come back up and have delicious breakfast before Nidhi went for her job. In the evenings, he wud pick her up from her self-defense classes. Meanwhile, Ashutosh was still struggling for the job and had been even contemplating on compromising to get at least some type of job. Bt Nidhi had refrained him from doing tht. She constantly encouraged him to b patient and wait for the opportunity to knock thr door.

Thy wer sitting and reading newspaper on early Saturday afternoon wen thy received a courier. "wats it?" she asked. "the legal documents of my property!""ur property?" "my private lab Nidhi!" Nidhi's eyes bulged out! He chuckled,"it had been in my name Nidhi!" "ur..ur name?" "it had been a gift from my dad!" "I..cant believe..it tht Mr. Mathur can do such a thing!"she said frankly. Ashutosh chuckled,"I was very fond of experiments and he knew I luved to spend my leisure time in lab. So post my break up with Mallika, he thot I was too lonely and sad, so he gifted me to cheer me up!" Nidhi put aside the paper and stared at him."do u still feel ur dad mite not have been wrong?" Ashutosh stared at her,"Nidhi.. I know him since I was very young. I knew.. I knew his every facet.. bt I chose to ignore his grey side Nidhi, which u rightly confronted me with. I don't have regrets tht I don't live with him." He sighed,"Nidhi, He jst wants me back. It has hurt his ego badly. Nidhi, I didn't want this lab wen we separated, bt he insisted and has sent me papers!" Nidhi wondered thoughtfully abt Mr. Mathur's strange contrasting behavior! "frankly' I missed my lab a lot Nidhi. U wer rite. I don't belong to kitchen..i belong to lab. Its.. its wat is me! A research scientist" Nidhi gazed lovingly at him. She knew he had been feeling low and depressed sitting idly at home and terribly missing working in his lab and doing experiments instead of cooking dishes. Bt she believed he needed some time to soak the pain and sting of his bitter past before he started on anything. He needed to find his passion back as an anchor of support before he confronted the truth abt his mom and his suspected biological dad! "u know lets go and check it out.."she chirped. "I m not too sure Nidhi!"he said hesitatingly. "Ashutosh.. don't consider it as a gift. Its wat u rightfully deserved for all the hardwork tht u had done for the company for all these years. Ashutosh, u have earned it the hard way!"she said beaming at him pridely,"forget wat ur dad said.. listen to wat I say!" Ashutosh chuckled as thy picked up Mishty's scooty to go and check the lab.

The small lab tht he owned was in the outskirts of city and close to his dad's bunglow. It had been shut close for a while now and the supplies had depleted and a new fresh stock was required to keep it running and functioning. "u know I have an idea..!"Nidhi cried as she moved around in the lab. Thr had been 3 rooms in total. Tho it had been a private lab, it had been well equipped and had been stocked up with all the required chemicals and supplies by his dad as many a times Ashutosh chose to experiement here on his onging research project. "wat?"he asked. "I think u shud stop looking for a job and start ur own lab!"she cried enthusiastically. Ashutosh pondered over her suggestion. "u have capital.. ur PF and gratuity amnt will b received shortly and u have enuf experience to run a research and testing lab. I think u shud try ur hand at tht. Industry knows ur talent and I m sure thr wud b good potential clients in future! Bt for now, we will start it on a small scale from the lowest consumer level! Howzzat?" she cried. Ashutosh smiled at her,"brilliant.. This place is good enuf! I think v shud give it a try!" Nidhi jumped with joy! "bt tht wud mean doom for ur housemanager!"he teased. "oh I don't mind if get a moneymaker lab owner in bargain of a poor housemanager!"she winked. Ashutosh laughed.

Tht Sunday thy paid a visit to Nidhi's NGO! As he met and talked to the suffered women, he began to understand his mom better. The work tht NGO ppl were doing was commendable. They were helping them to reinstate financially as well socially. The orphaned and illigetimate kids were officially adopted by the institution and many a government policies and programs wer available in thr aid. On thr way back thy visited a small state run hospital for the downtrodden and thr he met his mom's best friend, Geeta aunty. She was an old lady in her early 60s. She had been institutionalized for AIDS. And she talked fondly abt his mom and narrated how she was deceived and forced into flesh trade. She had been decently educated and seemed well bred and belonging to a decent bt poor family. Her parents had died and her brothers wernt willing to take her back. Bt one day she found a customer who was willing to help her. Geeta aunty showed an old photograph of his mom and Ashutosh was shocked to see the person standing beside her. It was his dad and he hardly looked anything more thn 21-22. Geeta aunty told him how, Leela, his mom got convinced by the promises of a decent life by this young man! He seemed to b okay man thn and was completely infatuated by Leela and so one fine day thy ran away inspite of her warnings to Geeta, she said. "She wanted to take the risk and anyhow, wat more worse her life can get!" she sighed. "Bt thn I didn't hear from her for long and thn one day I received a call from her tht she was delivering and she urged to come to visit her in the hospital. I still remember holding u in my hand!" she said fondly looking at Ashutosh,"she hadnt named u yet! Bt she didn't divulge any further information inspite of my repetitive asking. She jst said tht now with birth of her son her fortunes wud definitely change!" "Bt little did I know tht the person whom she trusted with her life wud one day come to bribe me!"she said sadly. "bt'bt.. he said u took the money!"Ashutosh cried. "she needed it for her treatment!" Nidhi said,"besides it doesn't worry her conscience to cheat a man like ur father!" Ashutosh sighed and asked wat he so desperately wanted to know,"do u know who my father is?" Geeta aunty nodded a sad no,"ur mother wudnt tell me! She said she wud tell her everything and even help her lead a decent life once things settled down. Bt thn I never heard from her. I went to meet her quite a few times bt I only saw once Sethji,Avinash Mathur, thr in the hospital! "U know the hospital wer I was born?""oh it was a shoddy sort of hospital. I don't know if its still thr! And I dbt thy kept any records, if thts wat u want to know!" She said she had given all the required information to Nidhi already, bt Nidhi hadnt been able to get any further information. Ashutosh sighed.

When thy returned, Ashutosh fell into deep thot! Nidhi watched him as thy made preparations for the dinner. To cheer up his mood and to celebrate a new beginning with thr venture of the lab, Nidhi had prepared a special dish, American Choupsey, tht she loved a lot, Bt since thr wer no candles or flowers to decorate thr little table for two in the balcony outside on a breakfast tray, she had jst laid colorful flowerly table mats to pep up things!"So tell me!"she asked as thy munched on thr delicious dinner! "Wat?..nothing!" "Ashutosh.. tell me!"she demanded. Ashutosh sighed and stared at her before he started,"I realized tht I don't know much abt my mom! I never tried to understand things from her perspective Nidhi!"he said ruefully,"I..I always believed in dad. Inspite of having had a mother, she never really existed for me." he paused,"Nidhi.. I realized i don't even have single memory of my mother! I kind of miss her..I..I..!"he stopped abruptly feeling overwhelmed. Nidhi smiled as she spoke,"Its never too late Ashutosh!" He looked at her. "u want to know more abt ur mom rite?" Ashutosh looked questioningly at her. Nidhi smiled,"ur mom's belongings!" "bt dad told me its in dad's custody now.. don't tell me u r planning to sneak in thr to steal it.. NO!" "oh..shut up! I m way too smart thn a petty thieve!"she cried,"u know thrs always this problem with an overconfident and complacent person like ur dad. Thy tend to underestimated women like me and ur mom. Ur mom kept all ur memories and was smart enuf to keep the documents bt I guess she got too depressed and lonely in the end. I m pretty sure Mr. Mathur wudnt' have cared to go thru her belongings after her death! Well, my gain! I made photocopies of her old photographs and papers and even sneaked in some important documents tht he wudnt even know existed!" "seriously?" Nidhi beamed in affirmation. "u r seriously a woman any man shud b wary off!" Nidhi laughed as she put away thr plates and pulled out a small bag from thr long storage cabinet and gave it to Ashutosh,"here is the treasure of little Ashutosh!"she beamed. And wen Ashutosh opened the bag, he found plenty of faded photographs of himself and her mom. Her mother had kept all his fav toys. And thr wer a few of his mom's belongings tht wer very vaguley reminiscent to him of his mom! He remembered his dad telling him tht his mom died wen he was jst 5 years old. Ashutosh sighed ruefully as he turned to Nidhi and picked up a documented file tht she had made of her mom. Thr wer a few educational certificates. Her mom had later on completed her education and even attempted to find a job! Bt thr wer no related documents to prove her identity or show her relation to him or his dad! Ashutosh sighed bt as he turned the pages his eyes fell on an unfilled document tht looked like some hospital form. "yes..its Mr. Mathur's signature in the end. And yes, he had filled his name in father's column."Nidhi said,"Bt Ashutosh I enquired after tht hospital. It has shut down due to its dubious operations! Bt ur mom did get admitted thr for ur delivery. This form proves tht bt its only half filled and its not the original one submitted! It wudnt stand in court!" Ashutosh turned to stare at her,"court?" "Ashutosh I want to give ur mom justice! I know thr is no proof tht Mr. Mathur duped ur mom, bt.. bt..i believe Mr. Mathur is ur biological father!" "wat!"Ashutosh cried in shock. "Ashutosh I know v don't have proof.. bt I will make him admit it. Once this matter goes to court, he wud want to save his face in society and he wud confess and try to get this matter solved outside the court." "nidhi.. u know wat u r trying to do here.. !" Ashutosh cried. "its blackmailing a person to make him confess the truth and bring ur mom justice. Ur mom had suffered Ashutosh and the only one person who is responsible for it is Mr. Mathur and he deserves punishment!" "Nidhi.."he cried in a low painful voice. "Ashutosh u will get wat u sought. A name of ur biological father! Thr is no other way to know bt to confront him. And if doesn't confess, I have another way!" Ashutosh looked questioningly at her. "Paternity test!" Ashutosh stared at her with wide eyes. "Ashutosh I have talked to the lawyer.. v have enuf proof to file an appeal for a paternity test. Our appeal will stand in court due to this half filled form which is filled by Mr. Mathur himself in his own handwriting and has also provided his signature. And the testimony of Geeta Aunty will further strengthen our suit and court will order Mr. Mathur for a paternity test! Thr is no way out for him Ashutosh!" Ashutosh sighed deeply. "I.. I m sorry Ashutosh!" Nidhi cried worriedly looking at his sad face. "u don't need to b Nidhi. Its.. jst my fate! The person who loved me truly I cudnt value and the one I valued cheated me Nidhi!" Nidhi inclined towards him to give him a warm side hug,"don't feel sad for wat tht has happened. Feel happy for wat is abt to happen Ashutosh. U will get a name, an identity and ur mother wud get some respect tht she deserved!" Ashutosh sighed and buried into her hug.

"Ashutosh.. I m sorry for watever happened! Bt trust me it was nothing more thn misunderstanding! I misunderstood ur mom Ashutosh. I admit I luved her and I I truly luved her, bt she was a difficult woman to understand and I admit I suspected her and I threw some ugly allegations on her. I cudnt agree tht u wer my child. Bt Ashutosh I.. I cudnt trust her with her such background. Its human tendency to make mistakes. And I admit I made a terrible mistake Ashutosh. Bt still I considered u my son right! U know it Ashutosh. I gave u all the love and care of a father!" Mr. Mathur cried at Ashutosh! Nidhi listened to him silently. Mr. Mathur threw a glance at her and thn turned back again to Ashutosh to convince him,"Ashutosh u know .. ur lawsuit wud malign my reputation.. the reputation of this company tht v both had worked so hard for.. u want ur rights rite? Ashutosh I promise, I promise u will b my legal son. Ur mom wud become my legal first wife. U will get ur half share of my property tht u deserve Ashutosh. U will get back ur lab, u will get back ur research department tht I know u r missing badly!" Ashutosh still didn't speak a word. It all had come to b true! Thy had filed a lawsuit against his dad on behalf of her mom for tht of exploitation and for fathering an illegitimate child and failing to provide him a name! And it had its desired effect as Nidhi had predicted and it forced his dad to accept the truth and now he was here for a bargain. "Ashutosh come back to wer u belong!"his father urged,"u know I miss u! u r my right hand! Can a body function without a right hand?" he was trying to make Ashutosh emotionally weak, Nidhi cud see. She looked worriedly at Ashutosh. "Ashutosh come and rule ur kingdom. I m already on verge of retirement Ashutosh. This company needs u and Rohan, bt u know Rohan is quite young. Help him. Guide him. He is ur brother rite. I know he hadnt been good with u, thnks to his maternal grandparents and somewhere I m too responsible for it. Bt I accept my mistakes and I sincerely feel remorse! Give me a chance to mend ways! Come back!"he said. And after a long silence, Ashutosh finally agreed. Tho Mr. Mathur had urged Nidhi to come along, bt Ashutosh knew tht she wudnt! It was time to part ways, till he made right all the things tht he was wronged for! "Can I talk to Nidhi in private dad?" he asked. Mr. Mathur threw a victory glance at Nidhi as he informed him tht he waited outside in the car for him. Ashutosh turned to Nidhi bt before he cud even start Nidhi spoke,"I know u have to go! Bt u know I cant come!" "I know!" he drew close as he started to get emotional. Bt he gulped down and gathered himself back. He ran a tender hand thru her hair,"u take care Nidhi.. b a good girl in my absence." Nidhi smiled. "study well.. I will b back!" he picked her cheek and bent down to peck her lovingly and with tht he was gone. Nidhi pushed back her tears and brought up a wide cheerful smile on her face to wave him good bye.

It had been a difficult parting compared to the first time thy had parted, mainly because thy had spent such good time together and Nidhi had been addicted to having him in her life. Things hadnt actually moved on fast pace before thy filed the lawsuit. Thy had trouble finding a competitive lawyer as Mr. Mathur had been quite and influential man, bt with help of her NGO and National Commission for Women, thy finally brot a lawsuit against him. Things took momentum after tht. Once Mr. Mathur received summons, he immediately called up a meeting with Ashutosh to convince him. It took three meetings to convince Ashutosh, bt finally Mr. Mathur succeded. Ashutosh said he wud b back, bt Nidhi didn't want him to. Being back to her wud mean, tht he wud've to let go the thing tht he loved the most, The Research Lab. Thr testing lab, tht he had named after his late mother, Leela Laboratories, had been up and started to run well. He had infused his PF and Gratuity money in it as thy had planned. Bt Nidhi knew his passion was research. Bt he had compromised for the sake of thr future and for now, thy both had been managing it jointly. Nidhi still had a month to go for her exams and Ashutosh didn't want her to get involved in his problems for now and so he had decided tht he wud go and stay with his dad. It wud not only help his Leela Laboratories bt wud also bring his old glory back.

Nidhi was sitting quietly and studying wen she received his call,"hi! Studying?" "u don't have to ask tht question every day!" Nidhi cried annoyingly. "u know I need to!""u don't need to act like my dad!""u know I need to!"he said softly. Nidhi kept silent. "So hows thing going on at ur end?"she asked. "absolutely fine.. as v had anticipated, Dad has opened all doors for me. Tho Rohan had been angry, bt he realized his limitations. Even the committee members r preferring me over him. Dad has officially accepted tht my mom was his first wife and tht I was his biological son and had apologized for keeping it a secret for so long and for depriving me of my rights. He is a sweet talker Nidhi!" "so wat does he gain from all these?"she asked. "Well, two sons by his side at his age of retirement, committee members' favor, and chairmanship of the board of directors' committe!" "hmmm'not bad!" Nidhi cried. "yeah..!" "and u?" "I have my name officially included as a director of research department in all those patent applications tht we have filed!" "hmm' good and?" "and our Leela Laboratories has stacked up good clientele base. Few more months and it will pick up on its own merit!" "hmmm and?""and I have a mrg proposal from a potential to-b bride!" "Wat?"she cried in shock. "i m most eligible wealthy estranged husband u know.. r u jealous?""No!" thr was a brief silence. "This silence proves tht u r jealous!""oh yeah.. how?""a normal Nidhi wud've either joked abt it or come back to bite me with her meanness! Silence proves tht u r affected by it!" "Huh.. in ur dreams!""poor try Nidhi!""shut up.. u know u r at liberty to marry any girl u like.. v r not legally bounded and u know I m not going to claim!" "u r not?" "No!" he sighed. Thr was an uneasy silence again. "So who is the lucky girl!"she asked. "Mallika!""Oh!"came out from her mouth instantly before she cud even stop herself. "yeah.." he said,"told u how she wanted to mend our f'ship the last time tht u wer away. This time, she seeks something beyond f'ship!" "hmmm and?""and?""wat did u say?""wat shud I say Nidhi.. "he cried. Thr was an uneasy painful silence again. Ashutosh wanted her to speak up her mind. He wanted her to give thr r'ship a name! Bt she always withdrew herself in tht shell. She wudnt open up as he craved. She wudnt want to admit tht she missed him. Now he dbted if she really wanted to b with him.

Nidhi shifted her phone to her other ear. She was in dbt. Was he rethinking his r'ship with Mallika? He had said thy had developed a good f'ship with her again. She had divorced her husband and was repenting bitterly for wat she had done to him. Was he melting for his ex-girlfriend? She sighed. Or was he in dilemma to chose her over his dad and name and Mallika? She remembered wat he had said wen thy had gotten intimate. "I know v don't want this!" Was this dilemma the reason tht he didn't want to get too involved with her beyond the apparent friendship tht thy shared? Nidhi pushed away her worrying thots. "I got to go!"she said. He sighed. "wer?" "I have to take a mock exam!""alrite.. all the best.. study well.. and keep me updated!""hmm'""bye.. take care.." "hmm.."

Ashutosh threw his phone on the bed and sighed. He had missed running tender hand thru her hair. He had missed his moments with her in this cottage room and by tht pond and pool and in tht lush green garden! Wasn't she able to see the longing for her in his eyes! Frankly, how can she, wen thy haven't met for more thn two weeks now. Either she had been keeping busy in her studies and job or he was busy in his new responsibilities and now tht he retrospected, he had taken her for granted. He had thot tht daily calls wer sufficient, bt he now realized tht he had made her lonely and if she was retracting back into her shell again, he was completely responsible for it! He determindedly resolved to do something abt it!

Nidhi came out of giving her mock exam and was about to call Ashutosh wen she received Mr. Mathur's call. "So hows it going Mrs. Nidhi Ashutosh Mathur!" he cried sarcastically from the other end. Nidhi gritted her teeth in anger. "u like it or not Mathur is destined to b attached to ur name Nidhi!" "Wat do u want Mr. Mathur?" "Nidhi I will come directly to the point. V cannot tolerate the other in our life. And Ashutosh cant have us both. So its time u give up Ashutosh! He has chosen his fortune. Its time u accept ur defeat gracefully and get out from his life!" Nidhi smirked,"Mr. Mathur.. u wudnt b calling me if u didn't feel thr was a threat from me!" Mr. Mathur flared up in anger,"Girl don't mess with me! I always get wat I want! I wanted Ashutosh and he is back with me!" "Mr. Mathur.. tell..me.. do u really consider him ur son or thr some hidden benefit!" "I don't open my cards girl!""u don't need to bluff Mr. Mathur, coz I can catch ur bluff pretty well. I know exactly y u want Ashutosh. Every man has fear Mr. Mathur. Even the greatest and strongest of man has fear of losing it all in the end and with tht comes a fear of losing everyone and remaining lonely and sad at the end days of ur life!" Nidhi laughed,"U know old age is funny thing. It turns a man wiser and makes him retrospect the life he had spent. U haven't made any true friends or relations tht wud stay loyal to u, coz u never have been to thm. Bt Ashutosh is exception. Isnt he? He had idolized u, respected u, loved u so truly tht he ignored ur bad ugly side! He even forgave u for wat u did to him and his mom. How can u let go such pure loyal faithful man, whom u can manipulate again to wag his tail as u wish!" she clenched her teeth,"u know Mr. Mathur I abhor u! U r such a selfish man!" Mr. Mathur laughed,"Nidhi u know me so well.. bt alas.. Ashutosh doesn't think so. U tried to malign him against me, bt wat was the result. Accept ur defeat girl.""No..i will not' as much as I know u Mr. Mathur I know Ashutosh too! I know the man he is and the decisions he wud take! U fear tht he wud come back to me one day.. don't u and thts y u r wary of me! U r trying to threaten me! Bt believe me, u wud b able to do nothing! I still trust his decisions and he will take right decision and I will stand by him wenever he needs me wether u like it or not and if he comes back to me, I m not going to close my doors! Do watever u want Mr. Mathur, this time u cannot stop Ashutosh!" she cut the phone abruptly. She was raging with anger. Mr. Mathur was the most disgusting man she had ever met! Her fingers went on to dial Ashutosh's number!

Wen the results of her mock exam wer out, Ashutosh had planned a surprise for her! "Ashutoshhh'. put me down!" Under pretext of giving her surprise gift for clearing her mock exam with flying colors, he had blindfolded her and tied her hand as well and now he was misusing this opportunity! He had lifted her and was twirling her around. "Ashuutosh..!"she cried again. "okay.. bt not before u give me my pending kisses!". "Wat!"she was shocked at his blatant bold demand! Her cheeks gathered a red color, bt she barked in retort,"I dare u touch me Ashutosh.. I dare'" bt before she cud complete her sentence her lips wer pecked gently by him. "Congratulations!" She flustered,"i'i.." "Nidhi seriously.."he laughed at the redness tht she had gathered,"tell me.. wat type of kisses wer u expecting my lady!"he teased. "None!" "really?" Her cheeks gathered more redness. He pulled her quite close to him,"admit tht u wer jealous!""No!" "this one is for the wrong answer!" he mumbled and bent over and kissed her cheek. "okay tell me u missed me in these last two weeks!" "No!" "tsch tsch.. a wrong answer again. He bent over her other cheek and kissed her. She flushed,"wat r u doing? Give me my surprise gift!" "Wat r u doing Nidhi.."he said softly. "Wat? I have done nothing!""u know!"he said huskily and thr was a brief silence before he tipped her chin and bent over to give her a deep peck! Thn he gently untied her hands and took her to the balcony. "ready for surprise.. "he cried as he opened her blindfold slowly. Nidhi exclaimed at the view infront of her eyes,"Oh my God!..Oh my God! this is beauuutiful" she jumped in joy. Thr wer lots of plants standing in her balcony and swaying happily in the mild breeze tht flew in. Thr wer some flowery plants and some had colorful leaves. Nidhi ran to hug thm,"wow.. I missed thm!" Ashutosh's eyes grew happy with delight,"I knew! Bt sorry I cant get tht pool or pond or fishes for u. I don't like to confine fishes in small aquarium!"he said shrugging. "oh.. even I don't approve of it. Its okay. Bt can we go and visit some pond this weekend!"she asked excitedly. "of course.." and he gathered her in his arms again"I m coming back Nidhi!"he said. Nidhi stared at him. "y?"she asked. "y?"he chuckled,"wat sort of question is tht! can a husband not come back to his wife?" "No.. we he pretty well knows tht his wife is not his wife!" He chuckled,"yeah.. bt he still wud like to come back to this lady who is not his wife!" Nidhi looked away. He ran a tender hand thru her hair. She cudnt help bt hide into his chest overwhelmingly. "have u thot abt it!"she asked. "I have!""wat r ur plans""we will run our little lab! U will do ur dream job.. and thn we will think abt our future!" Nidhi broke the hug and stared in his eyes,"seriously tell me y u want to come back!" he shrugged,"I don't like thr Nidhi.. its not me wen I m not with u.. the world is not the world I want to live in if thrs no u!" Nidhi stared at him,"Liar!"she cried as she drew back. He let her go and sighed. He picked up his purse and keys,"I will b back Nidhi and we will go to the pond!" Nidhi waved him as he drove away in his car.

Nxt day, Nidhi was getting ready for her job wen she received a fiercely angry call from Mr. Mathur."U think u won Nidhi! Huh.. think again.. if u don't let Ashutosh come back to me.. I will cripple u! U r relying on tht lab tht I gifted rite.. go and watch it burnt down to ashes!"he cried and cut phone. A dread filled Nidhi. She pushed the mobile in her purse and ran out throwing the door close! Was wat she dreaded was real! Had he really burnt down thr lab! No it cant happen! She wiped her sweat tht had suddenly broke on her face. She accelerated her scooty and rushed to thr lab. "Nooo!"she cried in pain wen she saw it really going up in flames. "Nooo!" she cried again and threw the scooty roughly on its stand and rushed towards it. Firemen wer trying to douse the fire bt the raging fire had engulfed the lab completely. Streams of tears ran down her cheeks in anger and frustration. She helplessly looked at the thr lab as the it started to crumble down. As a portion of the office part the lab fell, Nidhi saw Ashutosh's desk and thn she suddenly remembered his file tht he kept in one of its drawer. It contained detailed information on all the process he had developed and worked on! Some of thm he wanted to apply to claim a patent! And without thinking twice, she jumped off the cordoned area and dashed into the engulfing fire to retrieve it. She heard a few shouts in the crackling sounds of fire and the dousing water jets bt she ran jumping thru the hot debris into tht room. Smoke filled her lungs and her skin felt burnt as if she was thrown in a fireball as she tried to grab his file.

"Nidhi.. u stupid.. stupid girl!"Ashutosh cried with tear soaked face as a lump formed in his throat and he cud not longer control his erupting sob. He burst into heavy sobs as he gathered a semiconscious Nidhi in his arms. She smiled faintly before she felt his lips on her to self-assure himself tht all was right with her. The ambulance came promptly and he was taken the hospital.

The nxt 5 days went in her recovery. She hadnt been badly burnt bt she had unwittingly inhaled some really nasty smoke. It was good tht the fireman had rushed to douse the flame around her once thy saw her dashing into the fire,bt it filled the room with smoke. A fireman ran behind her and brot her safely back in time before any more damage cud happen to her! She slipped into a semiconscious state bt she distinctly remembered how Ashutosh had grabbed her from the fireman's arms and cried scoldingly! She caressed her legs which wer dressed as thy had gotten burnt a little. Ashutosh stepped in with fruits. He was still pretty angry and her and wasn't even talking except for asking if she was feeling pain or if she was hungry or thirsty and if she had taken her medications on time!

On the day she was discharged, he carried her to thr home and laid her on thr bed. "Wud u not talk to me?"she cried. He didn't answer. As he tried to move away, she grabbed his hand. "Its more painful!"she said. He turned back to her and scolded,"have u any idea how wud've I lived had anything happened to u!" "Was tht damn file more important tht ur life!"he cried angrily. She nodded a yes,"u know how important it is for u!" "how can it b more important thn u.. stupid!""how wud I know?"she laid back on the wall and cried looking accusingly at him! He pulled her overwhelmingly," I.. I luv u dammit.. how cud u not get tht..how cud u not know.." bt the rest of his words muffled in his mouth as he pressed his lips over hers deeply. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he gathered her and didn't let her go! He broke the hug and cried,"bt u like to hurt me.. right.. u like to see me suffer in this sweet pain.." she put her fingers on his lips and cuddled herself into him like a baby. Thy stayed tht way for a while. Nidhi slowly broke the hug and cupped his face to ask,"I m ur wife.. rite?" he cupped her chin and cried,"yes.. u r.. from the day tht I kissed u for the first time and u became mine.. wholly and completely the day tht I touched u for the first time in this house.. u know tht.. wud I go to tht extent if I didn't luv u.. dumbo!" "bt u said u didn't want it!" "Nidhi u r smart in all the other matters of life.. thn how come u r so dumb and nave in matters of real luv!" he cried. "I m dumb in matters of romance'u know.. I can stomp.. I can bite..i can yell.. bt I don't know how to say I luv u!" Ashutosh chuckled as he drew back her hair and pulled her close for a deep sizzlingly devouring kiss!

Nidhi learnt a week later wat had actually happened bet him and his dad aftr this incident. He had not only given up all his rights over the wealth and property tht his dad had earned wrongly except for tht little factory tht he had started from his mom's savings, bt had also given up on his dad's name. He had declared tht he no longer wanted his name after his mother's name nor his. He wud luved to b proudly called son of a lady who tried to survive selling her flesh rather thn having a name of a man who manipulated and exploited her for money and deserted her for sake of a hypocrite society whose very ppl fostered such flesh trades and thn shuned and berated such women! He announced tht frown now on he wud proudly liked to b called as Ashutosh Leela Verma rather thn Ashutosh Avinash Mathur and tht his mom wud no longer b called wife of such a man! And he formally filed an official complaint against his father for threatening and putting his wife's life in danger and for malicisouly trying to burn down thr lab!

Two months later, Nidhi had started her new job in a multinational company and Ashutosh had sold his patent rights to acquire some money to buy Nidhi her dream house with a pond, a pool, a fountain, and a garden far away from the city. The foreign company tht he had sold his rights to had hired him for thr new Research Unit thy wanted to start in the city! And he had officially named his factory as The Verma Factory!