GROUP FF LSD CH 5 c] Closer - updated

Manvi was sitting in the passenger seat of the car outside Viren's apartment while he was seriously engaged on the phone call standing a bit away. He stole occasional glances at Manvi, he smiled at a point and reciprocated. He then cut the call and was coming to her. Manvi was about to get out of the car to talk to him. Viren immediately stopped her.

-"No, Manvi. You are newlywed bride; it's not good to come out like this in this attire. All the eyes will roam on you" he said protectively.

She blinked her eyes. He then sat in the car and drove to his colony.

"My family. They are okay with this marriage. Infact they are happy" he told her. Manvi was relieved. She could make out that Viren's family adore him.

The night-watchman saluted him as he opened the gates. He stopped the car at a two storey independent house. He came out, feeling lucky that it's night time and his neighbors would have slept selling their horses. He opened the door for Manvi.

She stepped out in a slow and cautious manner. She looked at the house. Simple yet appealing.

-"huh.. actually, I'm an ordinary man with ordinary lifestyle" he said looking down in a slant.

-"I love ordinary" she said, assertively.

Viren was at a relief. He was sure that they'll soon forgo their strangers tag.

They took few strides towards the home, he then stopped her at the entrance.

"wait here" he said, "I'll be back in a minute"

Manvi looked around. A trouble-free and undemanding environment. There are certain positive vibes in that house, she determined to make it a home. Manvi Chaudhary began to admire her husband. She was surprised that how soon the respect turned into admiration.

Viren came at that moment with a steel pot of rice and a plate of til oil lamp, vermilion and turmeric. Manvi smiled at him as Viren was bit embarrassed.

-"actually, bua told me to make all these arrangements for her daughter-in-law, so'" he said childishly.

Manvi had a huge curve of smile on her face. Viren did the aarti and put vermilion on the partition of her hair and turmeric on her throat. He gave sandalwood paste to her to put it on her mangalsutra. Then she hit the pot with her toe, eventually a fair amount of rice fell into the house.

-"Put your right foot in first" he said, already in a friendly manner.

-"if you can join me too'." She said blushing.

Viren felt honoured. He was sure that like this very soon Mani will be a good wife.

He stepped out of the house and stood beside her. Both didn't wasn't to step first, fearing that would disgrace the other. However without saying anything they decided to put their feet in together. They caught each other's hands in the process of plummeting avoidance; their first touch. It had a special effect on them, of assurance and loyalty. They blinked eyes at each other and stepped in with correct timing.

After some time, Manvi was sitting on the bed in Viren's room. The bed had a good quality cotton bedsheet and pillow cover. 'indeed viren's taste is very simple' she thought in approbation.

Viren entered the room with a glass of milk, cut fruits and Maggie. Manvi looked at them surprised.

-"huh.. I know you must not have eaten anything since morning. Adjust with this for now" he said.

-"that's really considerate of you" she said and took the plate from him.

She was about to eat a spoon of instant noodles when she lifted her chin.

-"you must be hungry too" she said, concerned.

-"No. I filled my tummy heartily at the wedding" he said with a gasp, making his voice huskier. Manvi gave a faint smile.

A little while later, it was the time to react. Both were ready.

-"manvi" he spoke breaking the silence, "I know you are good girl and don't have any objections too. But as my wife I want you to know everything about me"

-"I'm listening" she said.

The hums of the air conditioner were clearer.

"As you know my full name is Viren Vadhera, a lawyer by profession. I belong to an upper middle class family. It has my maa Vanshika, bua Swamini and Dadaji, who is a retired lawyer. They stay in Hrishikesh. I stay alone here in Chandigarh but I'm a regular man who is into serious work, family, parties, get-togethers, films and shopping. But in my budget"

He looked at her.

-"go on" she said.

-"if you want to ask me something then you can" he gave her the opportunity.

-Manvi twitched her lips, "what should I ask?" she barely managed to say, "but yes, there's just one question. Why did you come forward to marry me? You are the best lawyer in Chandigarh, you can anyone. You need not marry a girl who was left on her wedding"

-"no one has left you, you have sent them away. And that's the reason I wished to marry you" he said confidently.

"look manvi, I never thought of marrying some dream girl. Infact I just wanted a girl who doesn't have many wishes in life yet is independent to take her decisions strongly. When I saw you and your nature, I thought perhaps you'll understand me"

Manvi's eyes were filled with immense esteem for him.

-"Viren," she said, "I want you to know me as well. I'm a typical college go-er studying commerce. Or should I say was. I dropped out and was going to marry the person my parents chose for me"

-viren interrupted, "you dropped you just to marry?"

-Manvi felt her heart beat thumping heavily amidst her chest, "hmmm no.. there were other reasons." She searched his face to trust him enough, "because of a boy"

-Viren was silent for sometime, "Ragging?" he raised his brows a little.

Manvi was uncomfortable behind her blank face. She nodded however.

-"you know you can still continue your studies. You are young and don't necessarily need to bound by responsibilities" he told her to make a decision.

-"I don't want to go to any college" she told him.

Viren could make out that something affected her very deeply. She was scared somewhere and somewhere ashamed deeply. He didn't want to dig the matter further.

-"will a correspondence do?" he said trying to help her.

-she nodded, "but I can't study myself. I'm a poor student" she told him, she was enthusiastic but her disabilities were stopping her.

-"I can help. I'm really good at commerce" he said.

Manvi was at relief.

-"thanks.. I'm indeed very lucky to have you"

-"it's my duty now. You don't have to thank me"

He got and went to his cupboard. He picked a blanket and a pillow.

"I'll be in guest room" he told her.

-"guest room?" she asked

-"yup, the beside one. There are only two bedrooms in this house" he said.

-"no, I mean' why?" she uttered.

-"you are too young Manvi. I don't want to kill your desires and impose household tasks on you. I can't give you much for your lifestyle but I can give you the right education" he said.

-"in that case, I'll shift. This is 'your' room" she said.

Yes 'his' room and he decided to wait till it becomes 'theirs'.

-"that's fine. Just for this night. You can shift tomorrow" he said and bid her a call, "good night Manvi"

-"Good night Viren" she said and he left switching off the lights.

Both slept peacefully in their rooms forgetting what happened. They thanked their Gods that whatever happens, happens for good always.

An year later:

-"Viren' yaar, how much time is it taking?" Manvi asked biting her nails standing behind him, while Viren was sat on the computer table checking Manvi's result online.

-"Manvi, what can I do if the server is busy. We are not the only one's checking results" he told her, as her tension increased.

"and good eat your nails and eat your fingers too.." he told sarcastically.

She hit him on his arm.

-"I'm tensed Viren, don't irritate me further.. I'll eat you raw.." she pointed her fingers at him..

-"awww I shoo shcared.." he made a mocking face and laughed.

-"viren you'" she started hitting him with a pillow.

That's how their relationship progressed in a year. From strangers to showing respect and admiration and to best of buddies. Both engage hours in chatting. If they are not with each other then they are on phone. Better-halves is a better word for them. They play pranks, pull each other's legs, go to movies and parties, share secrets, joys and sorrows with each other. Viren helped Manvi in studies, they had numerous fights as Manvi felt his studying ways are too tedious. He wanted her to read everything from text book with basics and understanding. He shunned guides and extra coaching help. He strictly warned her not to involve too much in prayers and hope for miracles from God. She found them stupid but agreed in due course. Viren took extra effort as Manvi is a slow learner. He didn't made her do any house hold work and brough her milk and eatables at her study table. Their friendship was purely platonic until this particular day of Manvi's results.

-"Manvi, the site has opened. Lemme type your hall ticket number" he said.

As the website showed result Manvi had eyes closed in deep prayers. Viren looked at her.

"I told you isn't it to be confident of yourself.. see.."

-"what happened? Did I even pass?" she asked, "trust me Viren, I did all as you said.. with all honesty"

-"arre meri Jhansi ki rani.. you have got distinction.." he broke the news holding her shoulders tight.

Manvi couldn't believe her ears. It was difficult for her to pass all the papers in one attempt and how did she get distictiction? She hoped for second class but not distinction. She checked the screen if there was any mistake. But heavens, no.

-"AWWW'." She shouted loudly.. and hugged Viren in happiness.

"I did it Viren" she pressed herself on him in excitement.

-"yes Manvi' you got distinction.. you made me proud" he said hugging her tight with a huge smile on Manvi's achievement.

-"wouldn't have been possible without you Viren, thank you thank you for everything'" she kissed his cheek wet as Viren smiled. She turned to kiss his other cheek but due to the timing difference of turning heads the kiss landed up on his lips.

Both were stunned and froze at that moment. All the distinction result excitement faded into oblivion. Something else had taken place. The very first experience of feeling someone's lips on theirs threw their sanity out of the windows, which shuttered due to heavy winds. Neither of them made a further move not they broke. Manvi, being the twenty first century girl made the first move. She slowly glided her lips and Viren knew that he should proceed. He moved a step towards her and put his hands around her waist and took her lower lip between her teeth. Manvi pulled his hair and sought his tongue as it ended in a passionate French kiss.

In a moment a lot was revealed about them. Viren was no more the sweet guy. He was a hungry tiger and manvi was no less. She has got the huntress characteristics. Both couldn't make out what was happening to them. Viren was never like that nor was Manvi and seeing them like that no one would ever think that they had just pure friendship between them for the past one year inspite of living under the same roof. Manvi struggled successfully taking of viren's shirt, while viren took revenge in lifting her kurti off and throwing her onto the bed. He fell on her and kissed her shoulders and nape. Manvi made him lie down after a heated rain of kissed and sensually took off her upper linger. Viren's orgasm exploded as he touched, pinched and rubbed her assets. He turned her down baring himself completely and sucking her. He moved down to her jeans. Manvi was sweating already in the air conditioned room. Her slim waist was trembling as she knew the moment will be anytime now. He unbuttoned her jeans and ripped of her last piece. Both were turned on, both were wet. One is tiger and the other is huntress. Unfortunately only one can be the predator and other is prey.

He kissed her squashing and chewing her all over. Just when he was too close and about to win, she turned the tables. She crawled upto his chest and was ready. The ultimate battle of taking the lead was on. But Viren won due to his physique and Manvi knew what exactly happened at this moment. She lost the game and lost her purity to the man above her, who is her friend, her guide, her philosopher, her torchbearer and her husband.

The moans and whimpers of the ecstasy lasted the whole night and she was in a deathly pleasure of pain. This ultimate battle of lust made them realize that they love each other. Truly, madly, deeply and completely.

Viren and Maanvi took a seat at the table in a far end corner of the restaurant. It was a table for two. Maanvi sat on the chair across from Viren, with Muskaan on her lap. But she shifted nearer to Viren, settling the bags underneath the table. Their order had just arrived.

"Pasta.. my favourite!!!", said Maanvi.

"And black forest cake bhi hain, Madam!!" added Viren, with a smile and a chuckle on seeing her eyes widening with glee.

Maanvi, not able contain her excitement, squealed, "Yum!!"

Viren took the fork and fed Maanvi some pasta. On seeing her fan her mouth half open, by closing her eyes a bit in pain, he warned her, though a bit late, "Careful Maan! It's hot!"

Muskaan "Aww's" at her Mom and soothes her, by caressing her Mom's cheek with her soft palm. Maanvi turns and winks at a giggly Muskaan. She leans forward and acts as if she's going to bite her, to earn another giggle along with a squeal of excitement.

A pair of dark browns continued to look on at the three. They blinked again, but flashed with a purpose in them.

The table suddenly became overshadowed, with no light from above streaming in. Viren looked up confused, and as his grin had appeared, suddenly vanished as his eyes registered the human being in front. His mouth ever so slowly gaped as a number of memories came back to him. He couldn't have mistaken to recognise those eyes. They looked just like they were, like his father's. A husky voice cut in through his thoughts, making him blink in realisation.

"Bhai?"

Maanvi, who was playing and feeding her messy daughter, with adoration glinting in her eyes, looked up at the voice, coming from somewhere nearby. As the light was right behind him and was forming a halo on his head, she couldn't really see his features, so narrowed her eyes, and blinked, as his face came into view. There she saw in front of her, the very same person, she had long forgotten, standing there exuding the same persona like he used to a long time back. His demeanor was the same, and oozed of arrogance, as he stared straight into her Hazel eyes. But today he looked a bit different from what he used to look like in those days. Only in physical appearance, I guess, she thought. But as she thought this, more thoughts, or rather memories, popped up from the back of her head and played like a movie. She gripped onto Muskaan, who rested her head on her shoulder, reflexively and played with her Mom's hair. A familiar voice cut through the air and she turned to Viren speaking.

"Viraat! Tu?" said Viren, standing up in greeting.

She couldn't believe her ears nor her eyes. She wondered how did Viren voiced his name with so much familiarity. But the next thing she knew was that she was choking. And started coughing incessantly and covered her mouth with her fist.

*Cough *Cough *

Viren fell back to his seat, concerned,. "Maan? Kya hua? Are you ok?" he asked, taking Muskaan in his arms and handing Maanvi a glass of water, and patting her back after that.

Seeing Maanvi calm down a bit, he asked again, "Are you ok ? Jaan, you scared me!!" He sighed in relief, on seeing Maanvi nod in assurance.

Maanvi cupped Viren's cheek, and assured him, "Viren baby, I'm fine! Theek hoon!, and smiled.

Virat absorbed the whole scene and again felt a pang in his chest, making him wince mentally. He was about to voice that wince out, but controlled it in time. His eyes dilated the instant, Viren addressed her like that and scorched on hearing and seeing Maanvi address him in the same way. They were so casual and so close to each other, that it made him...Made him... He sighed mentally, because he couldn't get a word to describe how he... Felt?

Viren kissed her forehead and pulled her up from the chair.

With a smile, he said, "Maanvi.. I'd like you to meet my Chhota Bhai, Virat! And Virat, this my beautiful and the love of my life.. My Wife, Maanvi!!" his tone induced with pride and love for the person whom he was addressing.

"Chhota Bhai?.." Maanvi said in a low voice, with confusion, clouding her eyebrows. "You never mentioned him before Viren!", looking at Viren, she continued softly, "I never knew you had a brother!"

Virat cut in at the right time, "Oh really? Is that so?", he said, with an undertone of taunt, that didn't go unnoticed by Maanvi. "Well that is expected!" he said continuing in a casual tone. He looked back at Maanvi and clarified, "Well, you see its complicated!", brushing it off as something casual. "Kyun bhai?", nodding in askance at Viren, he asked, "Yeh rishta.. kya kehlata hain? We ourselves don't know!", pouting at the matter while looking back at Maanvi, with a casual furrow in his brows.

Viren looked up on hearing Virat address him, and as the words sank in, his brows furrowed slightly, but were clouded with something called irritation. Virat looked back at him and blinked, as if to taunt him. Viren looked away in disbelief, and breathed in deeply, as the old anger tried to evade his new found happiness of his wife and daughter.

It was if both the bros were chewing each up in their minds.

Maanvi looked at Viren, then at Virat and back again. Her eyes travelled from one to the other, as she sensed the tension underneath their sophisticated exchange. It wasn't because how she felt about Virat's presence, because it was lit up the instant she saw him. But this was something else, that was hitting her from the outside, in the cold of the temperature inside the restaurant. She realised that there was something that made them behave so. Something that they had not yet sorted out. Some tension brewing and becoming heavy with every passing second. All the load that they were putting in with this heated silent exchange was not at all within her comprehension, but what ever they it was, she could feel it's weight increasing around.

And the awkward silence wasn't helping either. No one could think that these two were even brothers, if they saw them like this.

Maanvi couldn't take it anymore, and to break this gnawing silence, she said, "Virat? I'd like you to meet your niece, Muskaan!", showing him her daughter.

She turned to Muskaan, and spoke in a cute kiddish tone, "Muski baby! You know who is this? Huh? Who is this?", pointing at Virat, with her finger. She nodded in negative with Muskaan, and stepped a bit forward and spoke soflty and slowly, "This is your Chachu...Say Chachu? Virat Chachu!"

Virat, licked his lips as he watched the sweet, adorable exchange and waved his hand and said, "Hi?", pursing his lips, unsurely.

Maanvi turned to look at Virat. At first she thought against giving Muskaan to him, but she couldn't let Viren think otherwise, and question her. So she pasted a smile on her face, and extended her arm to Virat, presenting Muskaan.

"Here!" sais Maanvi, sounding casual.

"Maanvi.. Virat doesn't know how to handle kids!" coming forward, unfortunately to his brother's aid. "Careful" said Viren, on seeing Virat hold Muskaan a bit clumsily.

Looking back, "Viren! Kuch nahi hoga! That's her chachu!" said Maanvi, with a smile to both the men there.

Holding Muskaan well enough, and looking up with a smirk, "Chill bhai! I can handle girls!" "I'm an expert at that! Kyun Maanvi?", looking at Maanvi the whole time, and rocking Muskaan in his arms.

Him addressing her like that, stunned Maanvi and the only thing she could come up with was, "Ji?", which was followed by a slight widening of her eyes.

"I mean see she seems happy in my arms!" Virat corrected himself, before any suspicions lingered. He added with a wide smile, looking back from Muskaan to Maanvi, "Bilkul Maa ki jaisi hain! I mean she looks like you.. Just as beautiful!"

Maanvi looked back at Virat.. Her eyes stinged a little on his comment, as memories flew back in the window of Trash. But she blinked them back, facing the ground and looked back up with clear eyes.

Viraat Vadhera, I understand what you meant by 'She seems happy in my arms. Bilkul maa ki jaisi" very well enough, she thought as she grimaced mentally, while successfully putting up a casual smile on her face.

She blinked. But in the same instant a picture like memory fell on her heavily, reminding her of the past.

* flash back*

Maanvi: (walking up to Virat) Here! (extending her hands to take the tray)

Virat: Uh uh!! (nodding in negative and pulling his arms back) Show me where to keep it!

Maaniv: (her eyebrows narrowing in confusion) But... I'll do it, please! (stepping forward)

Virat: (holding the tray higher) No way, Maanvi! Come on.. (looking at Maanvi's perplexed expression) Am no guest right? I mean, ain't I family?

Maanvi's insides stilled at the word 'family', but she shook it off and turned to Virat.

Maanvi: But... Virat...?

Virat exhaled slowly, realising that he had actually held his breath for a long time. The sound of his name from her mouth was just reminiscing, since it brought back so many memories. Only those days they were kind of high-pitched, while here it was huskier, making it hard for him to control himself. He was brought back by her voice calling out to him again but laced with confusion.

Virat: Huh?

Maanvi: What happened? (widening her eyes a bit)

Virat: (blinking) I, uh... Sorry! Um..

Maanvi: Urm... May I..? (looking down at the tray in his hand)

Virat: (following her gaze) Oh! Yeah! (smiling and extending his arm a bit)

Maanvi smiled politely, as she extending her arms to take the tray, when some skin made her aware of herself and him and everything. She realised that her hands were resting on his long, tanned fingers that were emitting warmth.

Virat suddenly looked down at the contact, and felt a shiver run down his limbs and spine, while his gut tightened. He swallowed as he looked up to see her with a bit narrowed eyes, only to see her eyes fixed on the tray and feeling of emptiness in his hands as he felt the weight of it being taken away.

Maanvi!! Enough!!!, she thought, as she felt his eyes on her. She made a dash of getting the tray out from his hands and kept it near the sink. And she turned back to the stove to check the food.

Virat saw her moving faster than ever. Her movements spoke of some uncertainty here, but it was not long when it started to fade and was back to normal. And that was only when she started stirring that pot again and smelled and tasted a bit of it.

His hands back, he walked upto where she stood and peered down from her shoulder.

Virat: What're you making? (raising his eyebrows)

Maanvi: Hmm? (turning a bit and then back; smiling) A curry.

Virat: Which one? (peering down even more, as if touching her shoulder)

Maanvi: (breathing in deep) Spinach one!! It's Viren's favourite curry!! (smiling down at it fondly and stirring it again)

Maanvi knew what Virat was trying to do. At least his closeness, his 'deliberate' closeness told her so. Her senses were already playing her, and there was this heat, or steam, coming up from all the food cooking in front of her, making her gaze hazy at it's effect, teamed up with the proximity of him. And so she did what she could do best. Talk about Viren, because somehow talking about him brought in peace to her mind, and adoration and admiration would be shown in her features all over for that man.

Virat could do nothing but just stand there and grit his teeth at the mention of his brother's name with so much fondness from her. It made his insides burn like acid, as he saw her smile so lovingly at Viren's imaginary image that he was sure that she could see in that brewing hot pot. Here was trying to do something that his senses were telling him to do, while her actions and nonchalance were driving him bonkers. He stopped just as he was about to start trembling in anger, and breathed deeply, while pressing the bridge of his nose to calm himself.

Virat: (smiling hesitantly) Oh! Nice! (pushing his hands into his pant-pockets, before fisting them into tight balls)

Maanvi could see everything from the corner of her eyes, and blinked happily at the effect of her words on him. He did try it once, and was almost successful too, but now she couldn't let that happen again. She smiled to herself on feeling him still at the mention of Viren.

Viren stepped in to see Virat very close to Maanvi, resulting him to set his jaw tight at the sight to control from lashing out. He cleared his throat, as he walked upto Virat.

Viren: (trying to sound as casual as possible) Kya Virat? Wassup? (slapping his shoulder and smiling)

Virat had literally jumped out of his skin on hearing his brother's voice cut in through that uncomfortable silence there.

Maanvi breathed in easily on hearing Viren and turned with a wide smile lingering on her lips.

Virat: (noticing Maanvi's smile and narrowing his eyes in suspicion) Nothing Bhai! (turning to Viren and slipping his arm on Viren's shoulder) Was just watching Maanvi cook your favourite curry! (with a lop-sided smile, watching her from the back)