Chapter 27: Kiss of Love
Geet was still mumbling the last bits of the song when Maan dragged her out of the reception hall and out into the vast garden. Huge expanse of land was neatly pruned with few bushes and lots of flowering plants filling the night air with intoxicating perfumes. In the middle there was a huge marble fountain bubbling with crystal clear water while spraying its contents and cooling the surrounding air. Along the path lay a small bridge leading to a medium sized canopy. Gentle breeze combined with rhythmic flow of water and soft glow of the moon created a wonderfully romantic setting.
Maan held her close wrapping his hand around her petite waist, allowing him to generously feel her soft skin. Unaware of the tingling sensations, she leaned on him with her hands tightly wound around his hip. He walked along the verandah and found a lone bench facing the garden. He carefully walked around it and made her sit on it as he bent down to stand on his knees.
"Geet, tum teekh ho?" he asked patting her cheeks lightly.
Geet, who was still mumbling with her eyes closed and her head down, looked up facing him. She blinked her eyes wide open. He was about to repeat his question when he heard her giggle. "Maan hum swarg mein hain kya? This place is so beautiful," she declared looking around the serene garden. And before he could prevent it, she ran unsteadily towards the garden, shouting something incoherent.
"Geet rukh jao, you'll fall," she heard Maan caution her. She happily twirled around with her hands stretching out, letting her choli dance freely with the light breeze
"Tum jo ho mujhe pakadne ke liye," Geet shouted back in reply before giggling away. "Maan mujhe aur dance karni hai, kuch gana sunao na," she demanded like a child.
"Geet hume chalna chahiye, bahut raat ho chuki hai," he tried to reason.
"Nahi, mujhe aur dance karni hai," she declared, shaking her head vigorously only to sway dangerously due to her intoxication.
"Geet, tum nashe mein ho, chalo we are going," he said trying to pull her with him.
Geet forcefully jerked her hand away from his grip and stood stubbornly with her hands on her hips. "Nahi mujhe kahin nahi jaana. Fine if you don't I'll sing," she said grinning. "Dum dum dadi dum dum," she blabbered, her intoxication getting the better of her. Before he could pull her into the mansion he heard her sing loudly running further away from him. He ran to catch up with her when he saw her pant loudly clutching her heart.
"Geet tum teekh ho?" he asked her with concern.
Geet turned to give him a dazzling smile before continuing to sing gruffly. "Nazrein mili dil dhadka, meri dhadkan ne kaha," she paused bring him near to her face, "love you raja." She completed before biting her lower lips and hiding in his chest. Even before he could comprehend what she had uttered, she jerked her head up to face him. "Tum toh Maan ho na toh tumhe Raja kaise suit karega?" she asked innocently. "Lemme try once again," she said swaying unsteadily. "Nazrein mili dil dhadka, meri dhadkan ne kaha, Love you Maan," she repeated gruffly only to pause, crinkling her brows in discontent. Even before the words sank into him she continued, "Chii, I don't like it," she declared shaking her head. "Maan, you need to change your name!"
He turned to look at her in bewilderment. "Mera naam kyun badloon?" he asked.
"When I sing those lines to you it doesn't suit," she frowned like a child.
"What lines Geet?"
"Uff Maan tumne mera gana nahi suna?" she asked casually slapping her forehead before continuing, "koi gal nahi main ek aur baar gaati hoon, khaan kholke sun lena." She cleared her throat only to begin singing out of tune, "Nazrein mili dil dhadka, meri dhadkan ne kaha, love you Raja. Magar tumhara naam toh Maan haina. Toh if I am singing to you I need to sing love you Maan. But voh nahi suit nahi karring." She pouted with her hands on her hips.
Maan was quite in his senses in spite of the liquor he had and was appalled at her sudden declaration. "Tum… pyaar… mujhe?" he managed to blurt still looking shocked.
"Idea!" she exclaimed completely unaware of the fact that he was experiencing a huge rush of emotions at her simple declaration. "Agar main tumhara pet name Raja rak li toh? Waah!" she asked forwarding her hand expectantly.
Oh it was just a song she was talking about, Maan thought with disappointment. She would never mean it even when she was under the influence. Suppressing the tug in his heart, he saw her eyes twinkle as though she had cracked the mystery of life and waiting to be approved by him. Not having a heart to oppose her he put up a fake smile and lightly hit her hand with his, "Waah!" he added praising her instinctive idea.
"Love you Raaja!" she clapped jumping up and down before kissing him soundly on his cheeks. Just as she placed a kiss on his left cheek she felt something wet on her nose. She touched her nose only to realize it was a huge drop of water. She smiled delightfully and looked up to see more such drops fall down softly. "Mausam ki pehli baarish!" she said gleefully and stretched her hands allowing the rain to drench her and ran around the garden.
Maan's eyes widened in shock at her sudden display of affection and before he knew it she ran around the wide expanse of the garden. A full fledged rain began to pour, drenching him yet he remained unmoved, still unsure whether he should be happy that she had kissed him declaring her love or sad that all this might just be due to her intoxication. He wished it was real and she was in her senses while saying those things but somewhere he knew it was solely because of those drinks. Exhaling a sharp sigh, he ran behind her to take her to her room before she fell sick dancing in rain. He paced hurriedly only to find her completely drenched in rain.
Thin material of her ghagra stuck to her like second skin as she twirled freely in the middle of the garden. He fluttered his eyes away from her yet her sensuous image seemed to have permanently fixed onto to his mind. Desire pooled in the pit of his stomach in spite of his mind screaming for him to control his urges before things went awry. But heart listens to nobody and the drinks he had previously had been taking an effect on him. He shook his head to get a grip of himself and turned to look at her only to wash away all his efforts down the drain. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as she turned to face her back towards him, revealing a major portion of her back as a few buttons of her blouse had come off. Already the blouse seemed to cover hardly any portion of her back and having a few buttons off that could cause the blouse to slip away anytime. Wanting to cover her up he walked towards her, her back still facing him, and went to hold the ends of the cloth while slightly brushing her back.
Geet froze suddenly feeling a slight brush of his fingers on her back. She had been thoroughly enjoying the season's first rain twirling and dancing to the natural and beautiful sounds of nature when she felt him. No matter how intoxicated she was, she could easily recognize his touch that sent her nerves jangling. Her hear skipped a beat and her breath hitched, as she stood frozen to the spot tightly clutching her ghagra.
The rain had subsided by that time. Unaware of his effect on her, Maan continued to linger his fingers on her unable to resist touching her. He took a step closer to her, eliminating the gap between him and her. His wet sherwani touched her almost bare back while he went to clutch her by her shoulders. He then slowly turned her to face her towards him wanting to look into her eyes. Having turned her towards him he took a small step back to see her head facing down. "Geet?" he called, his voice heavy with yearning and desire. "Mere taraf nahi dekhogi?" His voice sounded gruff covered by the harsh sound of water tapering down from the skies. She shook her head slightly without lifting her head up. He slipped his fingers under her chin and lifted her head to make her look at him. Drops of water sensually lingered at the corner of her lower lip that she was currently torturing by biting them. He brought his fingers to the corner of her lips and wiped the lingering wetness with a swipe of his thumb. "Tumhari kurti ki buttons khule the," he said, staring intently at her hazels only to see her eyes reflecting his emotions. "Chahe tum mujhe pati mano ya na mano, phir bhi main tumhara pati hoon," he declared, his words taut and firm, totally enrapturing her. "Aur mere hote hue tumhe aur koi aise vaise dekhe, mujhse bardash nahi hota," he whispered his hot breath fanning her in spite of the chill air surrounding them. "Haan Geet?" he asked, his eyes boring into hers while his thumb released her lower lip from further damage and leaving her mouth slightly agape.
"Maan." His name escaped through her lips like a yearning prayer and before she knew it, he had bent down to take her lips into his.
The heavy rain clouds that had darkened the already dark sky had cleared up as quickly as it came revealing the moon. Maan was intently staring at her, assessing her every bit of emotion she displayed through her expressive face. Forgetting his earlier resolve to stay away from her until she clearly states her inner feelings, he continued to look at her glowing blissfully under the soft moonlight. Seeing her biting her lower lip, he had gently released it with a swipe of his thumb only to call out his name through the same lips, so very sweetly that he couldn't stop himself from tasting them. He bent down to claim those honey-drunk lips that had ever so softly whispered his name. He lightly captured her lower lip before shifting his attention to the upper one. He heard her gasp audibly at his sudden assault allowing him to easily get access to the inner treasures. He slid his hand around waist while gently squeezing them earning a pleasurable moan from her. He responded by cradling her neck and letting out an inaudible growl. He continued to assault her lips, sucking and biting them hoping she would respond to his kiss. He was brought back from his reverie as he felt her stand frozen at the spot while he kissed her senseless. Ashamed he was forcing himself on her, he loosened his grip and was about to withdraw when he suddenly felt her snake her arms around his neck and bite his lips before starting to kiss him back eagerly.
Geet felt his lips softly yet so sensually capture hers as though they were a piece of delicate tissue paper. She had never felt so alive yet so drugged by his simple touch. It seemed like live current was passing through her as she felt his tongue gain entry into her mouth before letting it explore the dark secrets hidden under it. She moaned in sheer pleasure, dropping her head back only for him to instantly cradle her and bring her closer to him. Being an amateur she was unsure of responding to him lest he thinks she was no good and let him lead the game. But little did she know he would withdraw from her having no response from her. And when she suddenly felt him loosening his grip and moving away from her, she couldn't resist pulling him closer and kissing him back madly. In spite of having no idea, her body seemed to respond naturally to his kiss, as she glued herself to him while grabbing his hair to pull him closer. Even her tongue knew exactly what to do as she skillfully dueled with his while biting and sucking his lips. She heard him grunt in response while he pulled her up and held her a little above the ground.
"Geet, you'll be the death of me!" he groaned against her lips while momentarily catching a breath of fresh air before he let her slide down to stand on the ground. He bent down to kiss the corner of her lips and continued to shower kisses along her chin before traveling down to her nape. She tilted her head sideways allowing him better access as he trailed down several kisses down her neck. He slightly bit her nape before kissing away the pleasurable pain.
Geet hissed as he nicked her nape causing him to immediately soothe the pain by kissing it away. "Aah Maan!" she moaned before grabbing his hairs and bringing his lips near hers and continuing to kiss him mindlessly. She cupped his cheeks moaning his name continuously before returning his favor by kissing him in the corner of his lips and travelling down. He roughly squeezed her bare waist as he felt her kiss him soundly on his Adam's apple before travelling down further to place a kiss on his chest where his heart lay. And a flash of a moment later he slung her over his shoulder and walked into the haveli.
Maan felt her slowly travelling down, kissing him at every given place she could find. Unable to sustain her sweet torture he grabbed her bare waist feeling her soft flesh and arousing him further. And when she had finally reached his chest and lovingly placed a small kiss where his heart lay, all his barriers of fear and confusion flew out of the window. It was almost like the opening of a dam brimming with water. His emotions flooded piercing every corner of his body as he instantly bent down to grab her and slung her over his shoulder in caveman style.
Throngs of people who had occupied the hallways of the haveli seemed to have retired for the night. Barely lit and empty passageway echoed his steps as he carried her towards his room. Somewhere in the corner of his mind a voice forced him to reconsider his moves yet his heart knew no reason and had no regrets. He knew physical love doesn't lead to anything that was close to what he felt for her. He wanted her to feel the depth of his emotion, the intensity of his love yet his resolve crumbled under his powerful need to show it to her. He reached his room and latched the door behind him while he still had his other hand tightly wrapped around her petite waist. He walked towards the bed and slightly bent to make her stand on her feet. He released his hold and let her slide down. As soon as her feet touched the ground he straightened to see her hands still tightly wound on his neck while she heavily leaned on to him. He inched his face back a little only to see her eyes serenely shut while her rhythmic breathing hinted she was fast asleep. Ah the effects of alcohol! Intoxication along with dancing at the Sangeet had exhausted her causing her to fall asleep.
A hint of smile tugged around the corner of his lips while he shook his head at her ability to fall asleep while he brought her to his room. He carefully lifted her again, this time in bridal style, and placed her on the bed. She seemed to be incoherently muttering under her breath while he adjusted her pillow. He had already made sure her clothes weren't too wet that she would fall sick because he knew she was not capable of changing her clothes on her own and he didn't want to embarrass her by changing it for her. He comfortably spread the blanket over and tucked her in. He warmly smiled at her seeing her sleep like a child and bent over to press a kiss on her forehead. A lot of things had transpired between them today yet he was unsure how much she would remember tomorrow. He certainly didn't regret the intimate moment they spent just a while ago and hoped she wouldn't read his love for her other way around. Piled up emotions from quite a few days were running deep as he had brought her to the garden. He wanted to get her out of there and put her to bed due to her drunken state. But when he had seen her innocently confess and freely dance around in rain, feelings buried deep inside him had erupted flamboyantly allowing him to express it through his kiss. A kiss she had eventually come to respond with fervor to his utter surprise and joy. Be it even while she was intoxicated, barriers had been broken between them. Didn't they say people speak the truth while intoxicated? He was now fully confident he could win his wife back. It was just a matter of time. He would make her realize that deeply hidden love she carried around for him and then there would be no looking back. Completely satisfied at the way things were turning out, he was about to get up when he heard her mumbling once again but this time a bit louder. Curious to know what she was continuously chanting he bent forward with his ear near her lips.
"Lurve you Raja… Lurve you," she kept saying. In spite of her slurred words he could make out she was saying 'Love you Raja'. He chuckled remembering her "pet-naming ceremony" she had conducted few moments ago.
"Love you too baby, love you too," he replied softly before slightly pecking her now swollen lips. He gently rubbed the back of his fingers along her smooth cheek, his eyes twinkling with love and adoration at his cute wife. He saw her smile as if in reply and snuggled into her blanket more comfortably. "Abhi so jao. Goodnight," he whispered and got up to settle onto the couch.
Maan removed his shirt leaving him with only his black wife-beater and khakhi pants and laid down on the couch. A content smile lingered on his lips and sleep came naturally without worries or pain.
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