|| PART 10 ||
Manvi's POV:
I open my eyes to the sound of my buzzing phone. I think I have been sleeping for a while now. "Shhh! Leave me alone" I groan putting the pillow on my face. I had too much on my head. First, I had to listen to his non-stop railing over my drunken act and then about the 'inappropriateness' of my dressing. Jeez! What century do you belong to?
I was just tired, drunk and more importantly pissed that my first kiss had come and gone without any warning or heads-up for me to rejoice it. Was that like a one time thing? Because he doesn't seem to have even a vague recollection of it. I wish I could ask him all my queries. Right! And get teased for the rest of your life? My conscious snarls at me.
So, I just slept all that restlessness off.
Now, I feel grumpy!!
I raise my pillow a little bit and look around. This is really a magnificent view. Half the room, with the huge bed was dark and the other half with the couch and coffee table was lit. I looked for Viratji. He raises his eyes from the laptop screen and looks at me. I turn to the opposite side on my pillow. I am still pissed.
But, how long can I stay like this? I am bored and hungry - I want to go out. And this boring husband of mine is of no use. Somebody really needs to teach him how to chill out and have some fun. Gaah!!
I look at my phone. Priya Bhabhi. I call her immediately slowly climbing off the bed and walking out into the balcony like the other half of the room didn't exist.
"Hello" I whisper. Why am I whispering? He can't hear me. So what if he even does? God! I am suddenly conscious of everything I do and I feel like he is watching me closely and making notes. Manvi! you have officially gone crazy. Welcome to the la-la land!!
"What's up hon? Too busy to even call us huh?"
"Nai. I was busy being angry with your devar. He is driving me nuts."
"You mean to say you are driving my devar nuts."
"Nohhh!" I object. God, it is not like I am the official musketeer of trouble. Why does everyone keep assuming I am the lead cause of all anarchy in the world?
"Acha. Kya hua?"
"kuch nai yaar. I just woke up and I am grumpy."
"Manvi??" she laughs. "I called you expecting that you will tell me atleast a dozen stories to keep me entertained. Actually Rahul is out of town and you struggling for things to tell about is quite a novelty. What's going on with you?"
"Virat is not talking to me." I pout looking at him through the glass. I see him looking at me and shaking his head. Arggh!! I turn away.
"Manvi, as far as I know, Virat never talks. It is you who does all the talking and so this really means - you are not talking to him. THAT MEANS YOU ARE NOT TALKING TO ANYONE. I am very curious now."
"I don't know. He is a puzzle. One minute he kisses me, teases and flirts with me and the next minute he is yelling and shouting at me and now he is all mute and aloof struck to his latop. It's like he has a multiple personality disorder."
"Wait a second, he kissed you?"
"Yeah. I think that was what it was but then I have no prior experience to reference it to."
"That's...that's..." she struggles for words. See, even she is boggled. "...that's awesome Mannu. He is opening upto you. But, why did he yell at you?"
"Well, I got drunk and danced on a stage on the beach while a few guys hosed me and the other girls with water, then I threw up all my drinks.
I heard some heavy coughing from the other side. "Priya, you ok?"
"Yeah. I just am trying to get my head around all this information."
"Yeah, me too." I sigh. "It is like there is a static field around him you know. I feel strange to even sit beside him - it feels so different now - kind of exciting but I wish...god! you know, sometimes he is so open and is laughing and telling me things and the next minute he is like a closed book and does not want me anywhere near him. Please tell me what to do bhabhi jaan"
"Ahhh! the sexual tension. That's the most exciting part Mannu. You never know what's going to happen next. Somebody needs to break the ice and whoever does it first is the weakling of the relationship."
"Eh? Par Bhabhiji, I always finish off the thing that I am tensed about the most."
There is like a long pause and I think Priya has gotten a heart-attack laughing.
"What's so funny?" I demand.
"Nothing Mannu. Only your Viratji can handle you. I got to go. Rahul is calling me."
"You are choosing me over your husband??" I retort angrily.
"Anytime of the day babe. I got my own 'tensions' to deal with. If you know what I mean. BByeee!!" she hangs up.
"Bhabhi..BHABHIJI!!" I yell into the phone. "Damn!!!"
I take a deep breath and steal another look inside. Alright Mannu! It is time to face Mr. Confusing. Let's see what he has to say.
Virat's POV:
Email conversations:
Rahul, email me the latest data from our programmers - for the newer version of the app. - Virat
_____
Attached is all the data you asked for. This is still under development. Why do you need all this? By the way what are you doing online? How is Manvi? How is your honeymooning ;) - R
_____
Did you just send me a winking smile? That is so gay!
I am going to see if they will sign a license with us - for our software. We do all the future developments for a long-term royalty instead of selling the whole thing. Mannu is fine - as entertaining as ever. And Shut up! -Virat
_____
Why would they want to do that? Don't be stupid. They might not even buy the developed software from us. The original offer itself is big Virat - do not screw this up. We are going to get more opportunities to collaborate such agreements in the future.
So, you find her entertaining now? Baby steps. Can you focus your brain on your wife rather than on screwing up the one big deal we got after so many years? Shut down the damn computer and take her out. Bye - R
____
I look at Mannu. She is looking at me from inside her pillow cave. I don't know what to do about her. She has literally turned my life upside down and after driving me this crazy, she is mad at me. Yes, she is angry, I can say. She hasn't been talking - go figure. She strolls out to the balcony holding her phone. God! I just wish she wears something to cover her long, firm heavenly legs. Get a grip over yourself Virat - my mind warns me. But, a man can only hold on so much. She is looking at me pouting from the balcony, while talking on the phone. That does strange things to me.
Why am I being away by the way? She obviously likes me and it is very apparent that I am attracted to her. I mean I cannot take my eyes off her. Her sleep talking about the kiss on the flight literally aroused me. I mean, nothing really felt that sensual in a very long time. And that Mannu could do that to me was a shocker. I care about her a lot but I never ever looked at her in a sexual way. I felt my heart burn when she is dancing with that guy. And when she came upto me and put my hands on her and danced - I just felt like grabbing her and kissing her right on the stage. In all this frustration and the scene she made later - I just couldn't control myself. I know its was not a real kiss but when she bites her lips - it is so sexy - I feel like doing the same.
Then why the internal struggle Virat? - I don't know. I cannot do or say anything to hurt her. I just need some normalizing time. I cannot talk to her about all this - she is too innocent to understand my past and my mental hurdles and I think we should just get used to each other like this. We should learn manage both our expectations - I don't want to screw up my life again and definitely not hers, like before.
I look at her in balcony again. She is looking at the phone angrily. I am sure she is will come to me in a few minutes. The girl cannot just sit idle. And like I expected, she strolls in but stops a little away by the couch. I look up at her - she is looking down playing with her phone nervously. She is cute when she is all lively and excited but when she gets nervous around me and is blushing, she is just so godamm beautiful. I decide to rescue her from the misery.
"I ordered a pizza Mannu. Are you hungry? If you want something else, we can go out to eat. But, if you want beer, brandy etc., you have to go to the bar downstairs."
"It's not like I drink everyday okay. I only do it sometimes, when I am out with friends." She mutters offended.
"Aha?"
"I want to go out."
"Where do you want to go?"
She comes and sits beside me. I smile inwardly. She is all animated."We can go downtown and check out the surroundings or even better night clubs - I heard they are awesome in this city. And oh, by the way I always wanted to go to a strip club and do the whole tipping thing. Just relax, party and...dan...ce" she trails off as I was glaring at her.
"Alternatively, we could go the museums and appreciate the abstract art???? Or to go the local parks, study the flora and fauna and chat with elderly folks??" she looks at me moving her body back pretending to be scared of me.
I laugh and go back to my work. "Sarcasm doesn't really suit you Mannu. Do you even know what happens in strip club." I roll my eyes.
"Lap dance. Whats all the fuss about it anyways." she asks me curiously.
I cough the juice that I was sipping, and uncomfortably shift my position on the couch. She is looking at me for an answer. She is one frustrating woman.
"That's okay, I will google it. What are you doing?" She asks me.
"I am finishing up my new proposal for tomorrow's meeting."
"You have a meeting tomorrow too?"
"Yep! The most important one - I will be done by 11. We can go out after that if you want."
"Are you still selling you invention?" she asks sadly.
"I don't know Mannu. I am in two minds about it. Rahul thinks I should. We already have a huge loan on the company and it is a bit risky if they decide to shell the whole thing."
"Do whatever makes you happy Viratji. There is nothing more important than that." She tells me with a sweet smile.
I look at her with a small smile. She looks up into my eyes and immediately starts blushing. "I am going to take a shower." She tells me shyly, moving away.
I hold her hand and stop her. "Mannu, I am sorry about what happened in the evening. That was out of line. It won't happen again, atleast not like that."
"Why are you sorry? I liked what happened in the evening." She said softly.
Manvi's POV:
When I went and sat beside him I noticed everything changed. The way I feel when he looks at me, the way his gaze makes my heart flutter, the way my skin comes alive at his slightest touch. There is like an exchange of current between us. It is wildly exciting. I wanted to go close to him and have him kiss me again. But, he is all goodie goodie. I like him more when he is laughing and naughty but I guess the evil twin takes long naps.
And just when I was about to leave unable to bear the 'sexual tension' like bhabhiji puts it. He stops me holding my hand.
"Mannu, I am sorry about what happened in the evening. That was out of line. It won't happen again, atleast not like that."
What? My heart breaks. I hope it happens a lot more.
"Why are you sorry? I liked what happened in the evening." I tell him unable to hold off my bruised ego.
"You liked it?" he asks surprised.
"Yes." I whisper.
"You liked me yelling at you and telling you what to wear?" he asks shocked.
Uh?
NOH!! I LIKED THE OTHER PART - THE PART THAT INVOLVED YOU SWEEPING ME OFF MY FEET WITH A KISS!!!!!!!!!!
"Why are you blushing Manvi. These days you are on a roll - like a stop-light. Pray tell me what it is this time?"
I look at him and he is smirking. The bas***d. I hate your guts Vadhera. Why Manvi? Why do you always open your big mouth before him? Is it him or is it you? I wish I had more experience in the romance department - I am at a loss!!
"I will be right back" I say and rush inside.
I need a break from all this intensity. I take a leisurely shower, calming by excited nerves. The warm water on my face feels exhilarating. I step out of the shower into the closet and search for something to wear.
I remembered how he yelled at me for wearing those shorts in the evening. Time for some sweet revenge Viratji. You cannot keep putting me in the hot seat. The plates have turned. He likes me in a saree - Ok! Viratji, like a good girl, I am going to listen to you for a change. I wear a baby pink colored silk saree over a silver colored cut sleeveless blouse. It reveals a lot of my skin on the back. I wrap the saree around myself not in the normal way but in a very sexy way -right below my belly. I look in the mirror and pull the pleats of the top over the blouse so that it nicely reveals my curves.
I feel excited, naughty and thrilled - this better workout for you Manvi or else you are in for a colossal disaster. I dry my hair and wear a long set of pretty pink bangles on both my hands.
I wiggle my arms and release my excitement looking into the mirror.
Can you pull this off Manvi Vadhera?
Breathe in, breathe out.
Ofcourse you can.
This is Manvi we are talking about - surrender or die. There is no middle ground.
I should so take a picture of myself. I look hot. I slowly walk out into the living room masking all my evil intentions with my innocent smile. He was putting his things away for the night, packing his files and stuff for tomorrow. I see his laptop charger still plugged in. I unplug it and take it to him.
"You forgot this." I go and hand it to him with calm grace. But inside, I was a bundle of nerves.
He didn't take it from me. He was just standing facing me. I raise up my eyes and look at him. His mouth was open and he was looking at me shamelessly. Just the reaction I was hoping for. Time for attack.
"Do you atleast like my dressing now?" I ask moving towards him slowly. I was almost in his arms and I could feel his breath on my face - shallow and sharp. I lean in a bit closer put the charger down and grab the pizza box that was on the counter behind him. "Pizza.." I show it to him and move away smiling.
He grabs me by my waist and pulls me back. "What do you think you are doing?" he hisses. Our faces were like an inch away. It was smoking hot. I feel a strange current in the air it makes me giddy. He looked awe-struck and it was giving me a head rush seeing him like this.
"Eating pizza." I reply softly looking at him through the corner of my lashes.
He stares at me for a few seconds and smiles. "I know what you are trying to do. But baby, if you throw down the gauntlet, I am more than glad to pick it up." He chuckles.
What? No, you are supposed to swoon. Why don't I see any swooning happening?
He traces my hand from my shoulder to curled up fingers and takes the box from me and puts it away. My whole body convulses and my face flames. My breath hitches and my heart races. His forehead is on mine and he closes his eyes as if waging an internal battle with himself. He opens his eyes and as our eyes meet, I see a different person. I look down coyly and bite my lip.
"Oh, f**k the normalizing time." He whispers.
He lunges at me pushing me onto the wall behind. With one hand cupping my face and the other still at my waist he is pinning me to the wall using his hips. Huuuh? He pushes my face up and his lips are on mine. The atmosphere around me was exploding in anticipation. My hands automatically go around his neck and we are like two intertwined pieces of an unsolved puzzle - fitting into each other perfectly. I moan into his mouth, giving his tongue an opening and he takes full advantage. Dark chocolaty hot fudge! This is beyond awesome - I am the one swooning.
His tongue tenderly strokes mine and they are rolling around like in a roller coaster. He brings his hand to grasp my chin and holds me in place. I am helpless, my face held and his hips restraining me. I feel his erection against my belly.
Strike me down with a feather..
He wants me.
God! I feel weak and I feel like I am blind sighted. I am unable to handle all this unexpected passion. I think I become blank for a minute and he stops and looks at me. I am breathing like I just ran a marathon and my face feels as warm as the mid-day sun. I cannot look at him. I want to scoop down and hold my weak knees but I cannot. I run inside and lock myself in the bathroom.
"Manvi!" he calls after me.
I am standing against the door. I look into the mirror and see myself - my face was pink and my hair all ruffled; I was panting. I close my eyes and touch my lips leaning back.
"Mannu.." I hear him knock and call my name. I come back to earth from whatever bestseller romantic novel I was just a part of.
I open the door. "You alright?" he asks me.
"Ya. I am fine." Stop staring at me Virat.
He holds my hand and places a soft kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes. "Manvi, I wanted to talk to you before anything happened between us. I just didn't want any disappointments, for either of us. I want to take us forward really slow and I just didn't expect you to come in front of me like that..I am sorry.."
"For?" I ask him. Just to make sure what he was referring to this time around.
"Not letting you eat your pizza?" he says laughing.
I smile and blush some more. "I am not good at the talking thing but I liked what happened instead of it. I would like slow too."
"You want pizza or something outside?"
Thank god for not making him talk more about it. But, I am sure, he will bring it up later.
"Outside." I tell him.
"Ok. The restaurant downstairs must be open. Let's go."
"I better change." I tell him.
"Oh, I sure hope so. I am not taking you anywhere like this." He tells me laughing and closing the door behind him. I am beaming and smiling and hugging myself with both my hands around me. He wants to take us forward slowly!
There is an 'us'
~~~
Edited by bluebolt - 12 years ago
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