Chapter Twenty One
"What are you drinking?" Mohan checked the non-alcoholic drink in Megha's hands and took a sip from it. Megha's flushing color stayed on her face, from the moment Mohan joined their table
And Mohan was trying to hide his irresistible feelings, sensing Megha's warmth near him. He suppressed the urge to take her away somewhere else. But then he found the current place a lot safer than being alone with her.
As they started sipping their drinks, they were involved in different talks. Megha observed that Mohan wasn't drinking alcohol. He had heard from Priya that he had been a teetotaler all his life. Megha was amused and curious to know his side.
"Why don't you drink?" Megha asked
"I think the question Why do you drink?' makes sense and not the reverse" Mohan chuckled
"But it is surprising that you don't drink being amidst a group who does" She asked frankly
"Is that bad? And are you complaining?" He questioned her
"Just curious to know" She was sincere
"Is that all to it?" He asked doubtfully. He was thankful to the conversation which was helping to keep him diverted from his disturbed mind and body
"May be to know if you have reservations about others drinking" She was playing with her glass on the table
"Do you feel like drinking?" He wasn't shocked but was eager to know
"Yes, May be!" She was confused and confusing
Megha knew that she wasn't behaving like herself. She didn't want to sit back and analyze but instead wanted to go with the flow. And she decided to do just that.
"But why?" She sure had confused him
"I don't know. But you haven't answered me yet" She leaned her elbow on the table, resting her cheeks on it
In the process he felt her body even closer to his, touching intimately. He breathed deep, swallowing the air with great efforts and heaved a sigh of relief, as he comforted himself to the new position. He tried to focus on her question and what he wanted to say
"You may find me boring and philosophical" Finally he found his words
"It's ok. I think I can manage a boring boss" She joked
"I haven't liked drinking any time. And I have never liked what people do getting drunk. Social drinkers are exceptions" He said and thought of leaving at it but when she waited for him to continue he said
"When I happened to be in a situation, I didn't like the pressure around it. I didn't like the need to belong to the group just to prove my own or for the fear of not wanting to stay out odd. And when I was able to handle the pressure, I found it cool to be with them but not be part of them" He gave a plain look at her unsure whether she was bored or tired. But she was impressed.
"I want to drink" She finally said
Megha was too much in her control and now she wanted to let loose of her own. She wanted to break her rules and go after her needs. When Mohan talked about the outside pressure, she felt that she had too much of inside pressure that she wanted to release. She had been under control for quite long that she didn't know how to lose it. She wanted an aid. She didn't think. She grabbed the alcohol glass from the table and before anyone could say anything, she emptied it.
"Megha, what are you doing?" Priya was shocked
Mohan was staring at her in disbelief. He hoped she was ok.
"I want to dance" Megha didn't know how things worked but decided to use the situation in her favor
"Mohan, shall we?" Megha's blunt request astounded Mohan
"No, I don't dance" He did not want to worsen her situation as well
"I am game for it" One of the cool guys in the table offered his hand
Megha joined the guy much to Mohan's dismay. As they appeared on the dance floor a little later, Mohan became restless. He must have missed the tender emotion, Megha's nearness gave him. He approached a dancing Megha politely removing her partner.
Megha appeared to be waiting for the moment. She smiled at him sweetly. She didn't seem to be much drunk but didn't seem to be well in conscience either. She put both her hands on his shoulders and moved slowly in sync with the music. He just smiled back in response.
She pouted. She removed her hands just enough to take his hands and put them around her waist. His smile widened not wanting to discourage her this time. They showed signs of comfort. But it lasted only for a while. She leaned into him. He held her more firmly feeling her warmth. They both felt a shaky breath inside them and the comfort was lost.
Megha snuggled closer to him, and when he closed his eyes, he knew that he wanted nothing more than to hold her this way forever. They just swayed, least cared of the synchronization for the music being played.
"Shall we eat something?" Priya's voice sprang them apart
They moved into the restaurant section. Mohan had no hunger for food. Megha's state was no less. They weren't aware of what was ordered or what was served or what they ate. They just sensed each other presence and proximity, silently.
"You look tired. Would you like to go home?" Mohan didn't fail to observe the fatigue in Megha's face
"I will be back" She said and walked away from their table
Mohan was worried when Megha didn't turn up for a long time. When he went looking for her and found her at the bar, he panicked witnessing her state.
"You are drunk!" Mohan was almost shouting
"Am I? How? I didn't know" Megha was blabbering
Megha actually didn't know what she was doing. She was fantasizing many things when she was with Mohan. She either wanted to control her thoughts or dwell on them. When she passed the couples, who were intimately enjoying the pleasure of one another, she lost it completely. And the next moment she found herself sitting at the bar and now talking to Mohan.
"Enough Megha. Come let's go home" Mohan grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat
She wasn't stable anymore and she tipped on her heel. Before she fell, Mohan caught her. He angled his head in annoyance and lifted her into his arms. He wasn't irritated with Megha's behavior but was annoyed with his own carelessness of not looking for her sooner. She circled her arms around his neck and nestled in his arms comfortably. His annoyance vanished from his face and in place he had a satisfactory smile.
It was only when he seated her in his car did he stopped to think about where to go. It wasn't too late but her state wasn't something she herself would have approved off to be displayed.
"You sure not want to go home to Cookie and Guru" He spoke to his own
"Definitely not to my home" The image of shocked Jiji and Neya flashed in front of his eyes and he shook his head
"And to imagine your embarrassment in front of them in the morning!" His lips curved in understanding smile thinking about Megha's after reactions for the situation
His understanding only increased his fondness and care for her. Hope she understands it soon!
He made the required calls after he decided what he thought was best for all. First to Jiji to tell the well defined lie which he thought would make sense
"Darling, I have some important things to work for the new showroom. I will not be coming home tonight." With a pause he added "Megha and Priya are with me too on the work. I will have Guru and Cookie come home, so that the baby is taken care for the night. Hope she doesn't miss her mother" He remembered the sweet chubby face of Nanhi and glanced at Megha's sweet face, wondering how they had changed his life
The next call was difficult than he had expected. Mohan was annoyed but smiled at the scrutiny he received from Guru. Mohan could visualize the steaming face of Guru through the phone. After answering lot of questions and raging reactions from Guru, Mohan booked a cab to pick Guru and Nanhi to drop them at his home.
Finally he informed Priya about the situation and his plan. When Priya offered to take Megha to her home, Mohan refused it courteously. Later while driving Megha to his destination he wondered why hadn't he sent her with Priya. That would have been the fair choice for Megha. He quizzed his own intentions doubtfully. He gave a tender look at Megha who was asleep in the car seat.
"I just want to take care of you, Megha" He believed that in any other times Megha wouldn't have let her be cared for by anyone
Mohan carried Megha inside his guest house. She cuddled to him as he laid her on the bed. She pulled his shirt pulling him down with her. He struggled removing her hands opening her fingers one by one but she closed them back one by one to hold it tighter. He let out a chuckle and covered his face with his hand. He sat on the bed next to her.
"Kiss me" Her voice was so feeble but he heard it
"What?" He was startled
She continued mumbling something else and he wanted to shake her awake. And he did. But her mumble continued and he didn't catch any more words. He must have been stuck with the kiss' word. He admired her determination in doing anything perfectly well. She had been the best either being under control or losing it. He smiled at his own baffled state. He kissed her forehead.
"Do you think I am taking advantage of your situation?" He probed himself as if asking her and felt guilty
And that guilt stayed with him the rest of the time. He covered the blanket on her and separated himself from her. He didn't want to leave her alone in the room for fear of her waking up anytime. He stretched himself on the couch.
He continued watching her sleeping. She appeared to be secured and peaceful. Part of him ached at the thought of her being so close yet so untouchable. He didn't know when he fell asleep.
In the morning, Megha opened her eyes. Even before she wondered where she was, her eyes set on Mohan who was sleeping on the couch. He looked like a kid while sleeping. A pretty smiled on her lips. For an instant, she fantasized about wrapping her arms around him and kissing him, right then and there.
Edited by Senpoo - 12 years ago
Jagriti
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
Qubool Hai
