Prologue
Sakshi bit her lips as she saw her own reflection in the mirror... her eyes were pink... her cheeks colored and her nose red... indicating the emotional ordeal passing through her for the past few hours...
She didn't know why she agreed to this... oh wait.. she did know... four siblings, an ailing mother... a comatose father to support... as she stepped out of the hot shower... she wiped the condensed steam on the mirror... her skin pink and raw from the hot shower... water droplets were clinging on to her face... and before she knew tears rolled down from her eyes...
She took the white towel and wrapped it around herself... and a smaller towel to dry her wet hair... her hands shivered as she thought which dress to wear.. and goosebumps rose on her dainty arms when she realized that anyway.. they would be off her tonight...
She gulped.. especially when she was choosing her under garments... she felt like puking... no... she just closed her eyes and picked up a pair... she was not being forced... he wasn't a ruffian either... he was a gem of a person... a small smile crept up her face on thinking about him... he had been the most amazing friend she had in her life... he was perfect... as an officer... and moreover as a human...
Wiping her face with the towel with shaky hands she finally selected a pale blue dress... it had tiny ribbons on both the arms... and the ends were stitched with small frills... she combed her hair carefully... and applied balm on her lips... and some moisturizer... even though it was a regular routine she could feel every inch of her shake... even though she was alone in the room...
After wearing her undergarments she slipped on a spaghetti... to feel more..
covered...
And then she finally wore the pale blue soft nightwear... she grazed her own fingers gingerly over the soft nightwear that she wore... she put on some deo and perfume... and sat on the bed... hugging a pillow tightly... and breathed hard... she just wanted these few hours to go by...
Just then the door creaked open... and he entered... dressed in a pair of loose black trousers and a tight grey shirt... his confused and hesitant orbs met hers...
~*~
He flinched looking at her scared eyes... she seemed to be frightened to an extent... she seemed vulnerable... frail...
In her pale blue frilly dress... her face devoid of any make up... yet she was strikingly beautiful... she hugged her pillow tightly... her eyes darting to him every half a second... she looked like a lost child...
The more he came closer... the tighter she clutched her pillow... he sighed and kneeled before her... he took her trembling hands into his... he squeezed them hard as they had turned ice cold... her eyes started glistening... but she composed herself as he prodded her to be calm...
Keeping the pillow aside he sat next to her... she literally shivered... and he cursed as to why didn't the IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) not work... he pecked her forehead gently... she enclasped her cold and clammy palms tighter with his warm ones...
Chinning her up he whispered... "Are you ready?" she nodded... indecisively... her body flushed with heat then turned ice cold...
Her mind paused to four months back...
When everything was...
normal...
~*~
Chapter I
“Mumbai… sapno ka sheher hai… har kisiko mauka zaroor milta hai apne khwaab ko ek manzil dene ka… har kisiko ek zariya milta hai apne aap pe khada hone ka… Mumbai…” Sakshi thought at she looked at the blue sky…
Today it was the last day for paying up for the 3rd year of her college… “Akhir main mera sapna poora ho jayega…” Sakshi smiled… once she gets done with her college then she can give a better lifestyle to her hardworking parents and siblings…
As the BEST bus stopped… she hopped off the bus and went towards her college when she received a heart shattering call…
“Ji haan… main uski beti… aap kaun… wait… kya… kab… kahan… main abhi aa rahi hoon!” Sakshi said and took the first rickshaw to Jeevan Hospitals…
Running into the ICU she identified for her father… his auto had been crashed with a truck..
Sakshi stood shell shocked…
“Dekhiye… operation toh kam se kam 2 lakh rupiye ke hogi… agar aap 25,000 bhi intezaam kar sakte hai toh phir hum abhi abhi operation shuru kar denge…” The Doctor informed…
Sakshi gulped… without a second thought she handed over her college fees to the reception and asked for the operation to be started immediately…
Looking through the glass window she shed silent tears… her father used to work day and night to make ends meet and make his children get into the most prestigious schools… Sakshi had always been his pride…
She slumped on the bench… swallowing her tears from inside… she buried her head into her hands and wept… her father… he should come back…
She sat in front of the small temple in the government hospital… where Shiva sat smiling at her… and his consort - Goddess Parvati blessing her with the strength… but for Sakshi… they seemed like mere statues who mocked at her fate and destiny…
She bit her lips and gulped her tears… she looked at them in anger and asked them… “Kyun… kya bigaada mere parivaar ne jo humain itna kasht de… meri pariksha lena chahti ho toh lo… par isme baba ki kya ghalti thi… main tumhe maanti hi nahi thi… jo khush kismat hai… aap toh unhi ke liye bane hue hai…” Sakshi said raged… and stormed out of the hospital…
She sold off whatever remaining bits of gold she had to pay at the hospital, her mother’s medicines and for her siblings school… she typed out a letter to her dean stating that due to extreme financial pressures she would not complete her bachelor’s degree…
“Didi.. baba kidhar hai?” Anjali asked… “Baba thode bimaar hai Anji… kuch din main ghar waapas aa jayenge…” Sakshi sighed…
She dared say anything more… spreading a small mat on the floor she laid her head against the damp wall… wiping the moisture off her eyes…
She took the newspaper and tried to find her jobs…
Days passed into weeks… but no one would actually give her a proper job… as she didn’t complete her degree…
She started her mornings by working in the grocery store… earning a meagre 1000 rupees per months… then she would babysit some children for 4 hours… after which she would work in some houses and finally at 12 at night would she return home…
As June stepped in she sighed… “Sapno ka sheher… wakai… Mumbai sirf sapno ka hi sheher hai… kyunki vartamaan toh kuch aur hi hai…”
~*~
Sakshi shivered when she found her clammy palms interlocked in his long warm hands… he sighed and cupped her cheeks… her eyes darted here and there… as he peeped into her eyes his heart broke as it literally screamed for an escape…
He backed off… much to Sakshi’s relief yet confusion… he just couldn’t force himself on her… and if she is not ready… she would be hurt more…
He paced restlessly in her room… while Sakshi clutched her pillow tighter… but then they had to do it as well… he didn’t know what to call that… it wouldn’t be lovemaking… it would be… he found himself at a loss of words…
Sakshi bit her lips… again… she tucked her hair behind her ears… and breathed deeply to control her swaying emotions…
She knew he probably must be cursing himself for this… another unique aspect of their relationship… they could read each other’s minds… always… no exception…
She sat on the bed… looking like a lost puppy… her big eyes… devoid of the little kohl that adorned her beautiful face… she stood up… and walked towards the balcony… the wind making her long hair flip against the wind… she got slight goosebumps as she stood in the cold…
As the wind touched and caressed her sensuously at every exposed skin… she closed her eyes and hugged herself tight… if it does not happen now… they would have to do it again… the thought frightened the hell out of her…
He looked at the lady leaning on the balcony railing… despite the cold she just stood there… wearing a pale blue soft frilly night gown that reached till her knees… her hair danced to it’s own rhythm with the winds… he saw her hugging herself… he clenched his jaw harder… she was innocent… too innocent to be played with…
Sakshi frowned when the smell of the salted sea diffused with that of a musky strong fragrance… her skin heated up on its own… she opened her eyes to find her reason of anxiety staring at her… even though his pupils were fixed with hers… his gaze was somewhere else… about whom.. about what… she didn’t know… perhaps she wouldn’t ever know…
~*~
He sat on a wooden chair… gulping a glass of cold water… he just came back from the last rites… as usual he was alone… and even at this point of time… apart from his lawyer… there was no one…
Who was he expecting anyways? For the past 3 years things have been going this way… his dad had been the only person for him… till day before yesterday…
As he slumped onto the cold floor… staring at… nothingness… he found his lawyer looking at him expectantly…
“Will?” he spoke for the first time in 3 days… the lawyer sighed and nodded…
He nodded and asked his lawyer to read it out… he didn’t even focus on what the lawyer said… he just took the paper and touched where his father’s signature lay… he brushed his fingers over the dry ink…
“Sign?” he asked…
“Idhar…” the lawyer replied… pointing to the dotted lines above his name…
He nodded and signed…
“Ek baar padh toh lo…” the lawyer asked… to receive a blank response…
He walked to another room… his sanctum… a plain grey room… and sat in the corner… his reclusive life… this was part and parcel of who he was… it was long since he recalled the time he smiled…
His lawyer looked at him and sighed… it had been long since he had had his best friend with him… right now there is only his client in front…
The man picked up his father’s photo… he shed his remaining tears and hugged the photo for the last time… slipping back into his reclusive nature he rushed to his office…
Sitting in his cabin he closed all the lights except for one… taking the help of a bitter glass of whiskey he came back to his mechanical life…
~*~
He stepped out of his reverie when he heard a vase crush…
“Oh no…” Sakshi picked up the broken pieces…
“You don’t have to…” he said… while picking up a few pieces with her…
“No… my fault… I'm sorry…” she almost whispered and ran to put the pieces into the dustbin…
He sighed again today… seeing her run away from him…
Throwing the pieces in the dustbin… she washed her face again… he understood that by how pink and raw her face looked…
The more they waste time… the more difficult it would get… he walked towards her…. and she trembled… her feet walking back… he came close till her back hit the wall… she looked as if she was facing her demons…
“Ssh… it’s just me and you…” he whispered…
Still her eyes watered… and he felt her tensing up… he held her milky arms… she looked down in his grip and closed her eyes shut…
“Sakshi I need you to listen to me…” he said gently…
Sakshi nodded… her eyes still closed…
His one hand reluctantly slid around her waist and she gasped out… her eyes open… his name uttered by her rasped voice...
“Arjun!”
~*~
Chapter II
“Arjun”
Her feminine gasp makes him look at her flushed and uneased face… he realizes he is being too fast… she looks into his eyes… both know that this has to be done… just a few hours… till he comes through… that’s it…
She stiffens yet allows his arm to rest on her waist… and closes her eyes shut… as if it were to be a nightmare…
His breath fanning on her face… she tries to make it feel like nothing but the exhaust…
He looks at her face.. hurt… not that he expected anything… but the look on her face makes him feel as if he is… a client… and she… a prostitute…
No… no.. no… she is getting this wrong… he clenches his jaws…
He holds her milky arms and makes her sit on the couch… her face looks at him… confused…
“Now just listen to me… will you?” Arjun almost pleads… and she nods…
~*~
Sakshi was surprised to have found a job… but unfortunately… as a servant in the Prowess Industries’ Co-Owner’s home…
Mrs. Sonia Rawte…
She is everything that a woman could have imagined to be… gorgeous, beautiful, super model looks, high profile life… and even does charity work…
Perhaps she could help Sakshi…
Sakshi was hired as a 24 X 7 servant in the huge mansion… her job was basically cooking… and dusting…
Sakshi smiled at her own luck… the so called idols sitting on top of her… known as “God”... this was the company she wanted to work with… her calibre was such…
However her presumption about Mrs. Sonia Rawte was soon dissipated into thin air…
“Who the blo*dy hell are you to tell me what I have to do!” her voice barked…
“Dare you speak in that level to me Sonia!” A man barked back…
“Whatever… why should I care for the shraad of that buddha!” Sonia flared back…
“For Pete’s sake Sonia that was my father!” he shouted back…
~*~
Sakshi comes back to the present world… her eyes fixed on the gleaming wedding ring on his ringer finger… he was married…
The fact that made her stop going forward with him…
But then… complex as their relation was… she did have much of a choice… she felt like a mistress…
Arjun found her gaze fixated on his wedding ring… he himself didn’t know why he kept it on… and as her eyes swelled up he caught a whiff of what she was thinking…his eyes widened at that…
“No Sakshi… you are not a mistress…” he whispered ever so gently… and threw the ring off his finger… where… he cared a damn about that…
~*~
It had taken Sakshi exactly 7 days to understand that the more polished Sonia looked outside… the dirtier she was on the inside… she had a string of affairs… and probably sticks on to the marriage for property and money…
Her respect for Sonia was diminished… literally…
Then she recalled the first day she met her husband… a person diametrically opposite to his wife…
As usual she was dusting his room when her eyes fell on some projects… it had the engineering set up of the bridge…
Sakshi squinted her eyes and wiped her hands… it was fault indeed… using steel wouldn’t help… rather there is a good chance of the bridge breaking under the tension altogether…
She subconsciously picked up a pencil and a notepad and started her own sketching of the bridge… calculating the force and the probable tension it could resist… being brilliant in physics she invented a new sketch altogether…
What she didn’t realise was that she was sitting on his chair… and was as likely to be fired if on case he found out… he was known to be reclusive man… but also one with a severe temper…
She almost finished the sketching when she felt a piercing gaze on her back… she tensed and gulped…
“Who are you?” a steely voice cut through the thick atmosphere…
From behind he could make out that it was one of his servants… but she seemed to be a petite lady… her long ebony and light brown hair tied into a messy bun… though few strands of her hair was loosely hung… his eyes scanned her… trying to recognize her… even though she had a square cut simple servant dress… it did nothing to hide her youthful curves… when did they hire such a young lady?
Sakshi looked here and there tensed… she tore the paper and crumpled it into her fist… from his voice she realized it was the guy who was barking at Sonia previously.. that means he was the Owner himself…
Arjun Suryakant Rawte…
Oh Holy Sh*t…
He was about to fire the hell out of this girl who had the impudence to sit in his cabin… that too in his chair…
“Turn!” he ordered… his voice as cold as ice… he was about to burst on her when she turned and his voice was stuck… and words vanished into thin air…
The first words that came out of his mouth… “How old are you?”
Her cheeks had the tint of rose… her eyes had the little touch of kohl… which highlighted her deer like eyes… they were colored like that of mahogany… her lips were full, pink and soft… a small chin and a perky nose… she had slight freckles on her cheeks and bridge of her nose… a cheap plastic framed glasses on nose... slight strands of hair cascading her cheeks… her face was angelic… and innocent…
“19… will turn 20 in next two weeks…” she whispered…
“Look up while speaking!” he barked at her and saw her fight off a shudder… he lowered his tone… now he didn’t want “Name?” he asked…
“Sakshi Anand … sir…” she replied…
And then looked at him for the first time… dressed in an expensive jogging suit which highlighted his chiseled figure… his jaws had a slightly overgrown stubble… his hair disheveled… his biceps beautifully carved as he crossed his arms across his chest… the low zip revealed his carved chest…
“Kya chupa rahi ho?” he gruffed at her…
“Kk… kuch nahi!” she said… trying to hide the crumpled paper… her gaze darted here and there…
“You don’t look like a maid…” he muttered as he came close and picked her small fist and placed it in his large hands…
“Ab haath kholo ya main khol doon?” he growled … her cheeks turned red in embarrassment… her hand was ice cold and she let loose of her palm…
He expected some expensive thing in her hand… but saw a crumpled paper!
He frowned… was she copying credit card details?
She bit her lips in tension… she seemed like a lost schoolgirl… her cheeks flushing to various shades of red…
He looked at the paper and scrutinized it carefully… and perhaps expressed the most priceless emotion… “Oh My God… you are certainly not a maid!” he exclaimed…
He compared her design with the one he created… the design was perfect!
“Sakshi right? What are you doing as a maid?” he asked… puzzled…
“Sir… ab yeh statues sab pe mehrbaan thodi na hote hai…” she pointed at the Ganesha idol on his desk…
He raised his eyebrows towards her… motioning her to speak up… he was obviously not a man of many words…
“The usual story sir…” Sakshi sighed…
He squinted and gave a piercing gaze into her eyes…
She looked back without a trace of hesitation…
“Father comatose, mother paralysed, four siblings to raise… ab college jaani ki luxury kaha hai?” she said softly…
“I was an accomplished student Sir… have been in the top 5… was on my way to be an architect… but phir bhi… now I am happy ki all my brothers and sisters… they are studying in good government school… aur mumma ke bhi medicines time pe aate hai… aur papa ka bhi proper treatment government hospital main ho rahi hai…” she crossed her arms across her chest in pride…
He looked at the girl’s face… the faraway gaze in her deep chocolate brown eyes… anyone else would have made their situation sound as if they are in dire need of money and find the maximum opportunity to get money…
But what fancied him was the fact that she had immense self respect… and more than that… the intelligence she had… had she had the best trainings in the world he could’ve vouched for her success…
He opened the paper and peered into the rough sketch of the design formed…
“Hmm… office main kaam karogi?” he asked… she would be an asset to the company any day…
Her eyes flared in anger… which surprised him… “Sir mujhe sympathy nahi chahiye… I haven’t completed my course… I probably wouldn’t be fit for the job! What questions would people raise at me getting a job suddenly? All I could do is just sit and make designs at home!” she said bitterly…
“Then make the designs… if I approve… you would be paid accordingly…” Arjun said and left the room…
Sakshi just gazed the retreating back of the man… he was indeed a man of few words… but someone who had ethics… someone who valued skill… some people like him still existed… strange… yet… wonderful…
~*~
Arjun…
I stared at the trembling woman and sighed… there were so many things that I could change… so many things in where I could make a difference…
Why did I even marry this Sonia…
Agh!
“Now Sakshi.. stop trembling I said!” she became quiet… wait… I didn’t mean to scare her…
“Chickoo…” I said gently.. calling her by her pet name.. she responds to that and looks at me…
“Trust me… kisiko kuch nahi pata chalega… none of my friend circle or hers would know about this… you trust me this much right?” I prodded her and she nodded…
Good… “Aur suno… I wouldn’t have touched you… but… just listen to me… you are not a roadside wanton… I swear as long as I am alive nobody else would touch you… me inclusive… you will remain as precious and pure as you are…” I whispered and pecked her forehead…
She hugged me tightly… and I guess she sobbed…
I patted her back gently…
I gulped at the time… I couldn’t be late now…
~*~
Sakshi
I looked at the various books that I had received to study upon as Arjun sir took my designs… I put my life into studying the content and absorbing the knowledge…
It was at night 2 o’clock when Arjun sir passed by the kitchen where I was sitting cross legged on the table… reading the book…
“Sakshi?” he called me… I jumped in shock… “Woah… careful… abhi tak soye nahi?” he asked…
“Sir… aap bhi jage hue ho…” I said meekly… he pressed his lips together… “Hmm… toh next design…” he asked..
“Sir parso de dungi… woh I even needed to know the capacity of the trains sir… if you ask me kuch jagah pe we have wasted space.. rather had we saved that the capacity of the train would increase by 25%...” I beamed in joy…
He looked at me for half a second then shook his head away…
“Kuch puchna tha sir?” I asked…
“You never want credit for your designs?” he asked in one breath… studying my face… and I faintly blushed…
I have often felt… different when he gazes me top to bottom…
“Milke faida kya sir? It’s the knowledge I have learnt that matters… but sir you are awake as well… must be missing your father right?” I spilled out then shut my mouth… one mustn't be so frank with their “malik”.
He squinted his eyes to mine… as if questioning me… “Woh… aaj.. birthday right…” I said softly…
He seemed to study my face and left without a word… I shrugged my shoulders and continued to study till sleep took over me…
~*~
Chapter III
Arjun…
She clung on to me… through her rapid breathing I could understand that she was crying…
A lump formed on my throat…
That’s it… I wasn’t going to be her lover tonight…
I was her best friend… and I would remain so…
I bled watching her cry like this…
We parted after a few minutes…
I wiped away her tears… for pete’s sake she was just 20… I… I didn’t have the right to do this with her…
Cupping her cheeks I took a deep breathe…
And decided to end this even before it started…
~*~
Sakshi…
He closed his eyes… and I saw my best friend standing there…
“Sakshi… we are not doing this…” he whispered… in a hoarse voice…
My eyes widened and my heart almost jumped for a flick of a second…
But the only word that came out of my mouth was “Why?”
He looked at me and bit his lips… “It’s killing me to see you like this…” he whispered…
I clasped my cold fingers around his warm ones…
“But then…” I started and he shook his head…
“It’s fine… I don’t need that… she can handle it…” Arjun muttered and looked aside…
“No!” I said and looked at his lowered eyes…
Why I said so… it had it’s reasons…
~*~
“Arjun… I want you to give me my share of the company and property…” Sonia crossed her arms across her chest…
“That’s not possible…” Sameer walked in…
“Why is it so Mr. Lawyer?” Sonia raised her eyebrow…
“Because according to the will, after your marriage the entire funds, property and shares were named to… Arjun’s future child…” Sameer spoke…
“WHAT!” Arjun screamed…
“WT*” Sonia yelled…
“Please I am not going to be f*** by him just for property.. there must be some alternative or the other!” Sonia spat fury…
Arjun squinted his eyes and looked at the woman in front… “Mrs. Sonia Rawte… neither am I interested to be in bed with you…” Arjun flared then he went closer to Sonia…
“Agar mujhe ek proof bhi mil jaye about your affairs or illegal working I swear I will throw you out of the house…” Arjun threatened…
“You are forgetting I own 49% of the company…” Sonia smirked…
“But I own 51% of the company…” Arjun crossed his arms across the chest…
“Guys… please calm down… as I said Arjun’s blood child would be given the property… irrespective whether it’s a he or she…” Sameer checked the will…
“Hmm… toh that rules out adoption right?” Sonia sat on the plush couch…
“Not exactly… if Arjun is… sterile or impotent… then adoption is obviously considered…” Sameer cleared his throat…
“Main apne aap ko infertile nahi banane waala just for property!” Arjun looked at Sameer in utter shock…
“Chill Arjun… obvious no…” Sameer reassured…
“If you ask me… I think surrogacy is the best option…” Sameer suggested…
Arjun placed his hands on his hips… straining his neck slightly… “Theek hai… umm let’s go to the Center and ask for a surrogate mother…” he told when Sonia objected…
“Ab kya?” Arjun asked… pissed off…
“Uss centre ko meri best friend Natasha own karti hai… if she gets to know this then they would point out on my femininity… and my entire social circle would get to know this… and this won’t be accepted!” Sonia shrugged her shoulders…
“Damn It!” Sameer cursed…
“Then from where would we get a surrogate mother?” Arjun rubbed his thumb over his chiseled jaw…
“Ghar pe hi hai… she’s young and I guess she’s never had a baby… toh it will be better na! And she doesn’t have any strings attached to anyone!” Sonia shrugged…
Arjun looked at her skeptically…
“Sonia… exactly whom are you talking about?” Arjun almost disbelieved what was coming forth…
“Sakshi!”
“Sonia… you are crazy!” I said exasperatedly…
“Par Arjun… this is what I need… simple!” Sonia blew her nails with attitude…
“Really! God Damn! Sameer I am not listening to this female get it!” I snapped at my lawyer…
“Arjun… I want to speak to you… I guess it is important…” Sameer/lawyer took Arjun aside…
“What the sh*t is this… what will I tell to Sakshi… hey Sakshi… I need the small favor… be the mother of my child.. and get what… a slap on my face!” Arjun threw his hands in the air…
“So you are that sure she would slap you…” Sameer grinned…
“Shut up… tu usse nahi jaanti hai… she has strong morals and ethics Sam… not that we are best friends… she works for me… in designs… aur isme jitna jaanta hoon… bohot self respect hai uski…” Arjun spoke…
Sameer smiled “Good… life main mere sivai ek aur acha dost banaya hai… but you see… it’s not that you would be playing with her virginity right?” Sameer placed a hand on Arjun’s shoulder…
“I know Sameer but being a mother would be a huge responsibility… kya rishta hai mere uske saath ki woh haan kehde… and then her future husband or boyfriend… what would be his reaction to find out that she has already delivered a baby?” Arjun sighed…
“Aur theek hai maan liya he is broad minded… looking at me… and her… now you tell me… the last thing we two together would look like is having a child together by only IVF… I am good looking so is she! Aur yeh society aisi hai… ki agar IVF chilla chilla ke kaho… then also people would go with the perspective that we shared a bed together!” Arjun hissed in frustration…
“Aur chalo… yeh bhi maan lia ki uska husband ya boyfriend bohot hi broad minded hai and he would accept these things… but what about the fact the process that Sakshi would go through… she’s soft hearted Sameer… ek aam ladki hai woh… the first time the baby would latch on her for the first feed… Sakshi would be bounded to her child… and that’s right… cause she is the mother… how can I take a child away from it’s mother just for property! It’s unethical!” Arjun threw the glass in anger…
“But that kid would also be your child… and the thing is that… Sakshi would be taken to a psychologist so as to she can be mentally trained that she is nothing but a carrier…” Sameer spoke…
“And the fact that mother’s milk is must for the first 9 months of a child?” Arjun crossed his arms…
“We’ll look into that… but Arjun… it’s either an entire life with a deceiving wife and a not so successful company - which was Uncle’s dream… ya phir an entire life with a flourishing empire and a cute and beautiful child from a woman who you respect… it’s your call Arjun… and I know you will be an excellent dad!” Sameer squeezed Arjun’s shoulder…
Arjun gulped a glass of water…
He picked up his phone and called his psychiatrist…
“Doctor… mujhe aapse milna hai…” he spoke and rushed out…
~*~
“Sakshi?” Sonia called…
Sakshi quickly hid the books and went to Sonia… “Yes Ma’am…”
“I need a favour from you…” Sonia said…
“Okay ma’am…” Sakshi smiled… uneasily…
“Maine suna ki tumhara Papa comatose hai…” Sonia sat on the sofa…
“Jee…” Sakshi clasped her fingers…
“And ki tumhare mumma paralyzed hai… aur tumhe 4 siblings ko look after karna hai… right?” Sonia asked and Sakshi nodded…
“Sakshi… agar main tumhare parents ko the best private hospital main poora ilaaj, plus the education of your siblings at the best school in Mumbai- fully paid along with a plush apartment… toh would you do anything for me…” Sonia put forth…
“But what is it that you want?” Sakshi frowned… she was wary of help… life had taught her enough to know that people only help for two reasons - they would profit from you… second… if you profit too… the too would profit more than you…
Either ways Sonia benefitting from Sakshi put her to unease… so she clasped her hands and looked at the woman in front…
“See… I need a surrogate mother… trust me you and Arjun are not going to be physical under any circumstances… he isn’t going to touch you or stuff like that… anyways he isn’t even the touchy types…” Sonia chuckled… little understanding how the ground slipped beneath Sakshi’s feet…
“So Sakshi… a higher pay… a better flat... covered insurance and stuff… free education and college for all the four of your siblings, best hospital main tumhare parents admit honge… you just need to give us a child…” Sonia smiled at Sakshi…
“C… c.. can I… t.. think…” Sakshi asked… her face drained of every color…
“Sure!” Sonia smiled wickedly…
As she saw Sakshi staggering herself out Sonia chuckled… “Arjun ne aaj tak mujhe nahi dekha… isse kya dekhega… waise bhi she’s just an average chick!”
When her phone rang… “Ya honey… a week in Spain… haan am coming babe…” Sonia chuckled and packed her bags… she was going for another honeymoon with her boyfriend Karan… Karan Malhotra…
~*~
Sakshi leaned her head against the damp wall… she just set the bucket under the dilapidated roof… her ailing mother… was lying on the cot… the wood in it had started to rot… the windows were partially broken… covered with pieces of wood… yet it gave way to the heavy raindrops…
Sakshi sighed at the rolling thunder outside… her situation no less… when her brother came in…
“Arrey Rahul… kya baat hai?” Sakshi immediately went and checked the wound of him…
“Kuch nahi di…” her 16 year old brother tried to put on a brave face…
“Woh ladke Mishi ko ched rahe the toh sabko naani yaad dila di… why don’t we shift from here di… yaha ke log kitne bure hai…” Rahul hugged his sister…
Sakshi just nodded… Misha came too from behind…
“Dekh Raj aur Anju so rahe hai… tu na maa ko yeh davai de de…” Sakshi handed the tablets…
“AUr Rahul… thoda thand rakha har… yeh davai khareed ke laati hoon… khatam ho gaya na…” Sakshi wiped her hands with her dupatta…
“Di… tujhe pata hai… aaj coach sir kaha ki main bilkul Messi ki tarha khelta hoon! Dekh tera Hero… main India ke liye Fifa Cup launga Di!” Rahul jumped excitedly to fall on his bum…
Sakshi chuckled… “Haan… di… aur kehta hai ki iss ullu ke patthe bhai ko coaching classes ke liye bhejna chahiye… ab ek lakh kaun dega! Gadha… yeh naach hi raha hai!” Misha smiled…
Sakshi’s smile faded… “Aur tujhe jo ballet dancer banna hai… nahi kahegi Mishu?” Sakshi patted her head…
“Di… maa aur papa ke baad tu hi toh dono hai… aur hum kya tujhe ATM bank samjhe… humare liye tu hai… aur yeh do sleeping beauties… yehi kaafi hai!” Rahul smiled and spread his sheet on the floor and kept his bag under his head as a pillow…
Sakshi gulped… no… she would do that… if it meant that her brother would be a football player… her sister a ballet dancer… her mother… being able to walk on her own…
She wiped her tears…
“Don’t worry Rahul… sab kuch badlega…” Sakshi smiled…
To her surprise Rahul climbed up to her and placed his head on her lap…
“Didu… tu kya karne jaa rahi hai?” Rahul looked at her… his grey eyes locked with the brown ones of his sister… he sure knew that something was wrong…
“Kkuch…” before she could reply Rahul put her hand on his hand…
“Pata hai filmy dialogue hai… par phir bhi… mere kasam kha… kya karne waali hai?” Rahul asked her seriously…
Sakshi sighed and ruffled his hair gently…
“Surrogate mum… sab kuch handle hone waala hai… so don’t worry…” Sakshi smiled and Rahul hugged her tightly…
“Saale kaun tujhe chuega… main uska the end kar dunga!” Rahul sobbed…
“Arrey mere Salman Khan… surrogacy main chuna usually nahi hota… medically hota hai…” Sakshi smiled when Rahul’s eyes brimmed with tears…
“Tu itna sab kuch… nahi banna mujhe Messi!” Rahul pouted…
“Hey… haan theek hai… don’t be Messi… be a Beckham!” Sakshi chuckled through her tears while Rahul hugged her tightly…
“Ek hoti hai janam deni waali maa… aur ek tu… main kasam khaata hoon Didu… main tere liye zameen aasmaan ek kar dunga… I can do anything for you Didu…” Rahul spoke… teary eyed…
“Bas… tu aur baki sab agar ache insaan ho jaye toh mujhe sach main aur kuch nahi chahiye…” Sakshi patted his forehead…
~*~
“No Arjun… I…” Sakshi said something when she was shushed…
“What about your future? Tumhare hone wale pati ya boyfriend… how… how would he…” Arjun looked aside…
“Arjun… I don’t want anybody in my life… I am happy alone…” Sakshi wiped off her tears…
“Stop crying Sakshi… please…” Arjun whispered and Sakshi nodded…
“Mujhe bas darr lag raha hai…” Sakshi said quietly…
“Mere paas ho... kabhi bhi mat darna…” Arjun said softly… then he took her palms into his and kissed them lightly… “Thank you Sakshi… thank you…” he whispered…
~*~
Arjun was surprised to find Sakshi say a yes…
“Chalo… main tumhe apna ek puraana dost ke paas leke jaata hoon…” Arjun spoke and Sakshi nodded…
“Main bhi aata hoon…” Sameer said…
“Sakshi right?” Sameer smiled… Sakshi nodded..
“Main Sameer Damsingh Rathore… Arjun ka bf…” Sameer paused to see Sakshi and Arjun’s shocked faces…
“Matlab best friend!” Sameer clarified…
Sakshi half smiled and walked ahead…
“Aap car pe jaye… I would come by the taxi…” Sakshi said softly and walked towards the taxi when Arjun called her…
“Nahi Sakshi… come with us…” Arjun smiled… but Sakshi felt wary… being in an expensive car… that too with two strange men… she fumbled with the edge of her dupatta…
She knew that Arjun was a good man.. but this Sameer?
Over the fact that now Arjun would be viewing her as the mother of his child made her feel awkward…
“Nahi.. main auto ya taxi se aa javungi…” Sakshi said and almost ran away…
“Isse kya hua?” Sameer asked Arjun and he shrugged his shoulders…
---
“Come in!” A female voice called Sameer and Arjun in…
“Hi” Sameer said and walked in… to find a beautiful dusky girl looking at him…
“Where’s Dr. Kapoor?” Sameer asked… Arjun was about to say something…
“I am Dr. Ayesha Kapoor.. par aap?” Ayesha adjusted her spectacled and sat on her chair…
“Woh… I am Arjun’s lawyer, Adv. Sameer Damsingh Rathore.” Sameer extended his hand… though he was heavily impressed by the dusky beauty…
“Nice to meet you… waise Arjun… where is umm… Sakshi Anand I guess?” Ayesha asked…
“She’s coming… acutally woh humare saath aana chahti thi… par phir woh bhag gayi aur auto se ayi… strange…” Arjun said…
“Not strange Arjun…” Ayesha smiled a little…
“First of all she is not a surrogate mother… usse yaha pe favors pe laya gaya hai… she is just 20… she must be thinking that you now see her as the mother of your child which makes her wary… and coming in the car with two guys… one whom she doesn’t even know.. koi bhi ladki bhaag jati Arjun… koi bhi…” Ayesha explained to them…
“Ma’am… may I come in…” a soft voice came from behind…
Ayesha got up from her chair and went towards the young girl who looked at her tentatively…
“Sure Sakshi! And call me Ayesha… yeh ma’am sha’am chodo! Nice to meet you… oh wow… I really love this pink kurti ya! Kaha se khareeda?” Ayesha smiled brightly…
“Woh… woh Big Bazaar pe sale de raha tha… toh waha se…” Sakshi scratched her head…
“Really! Shoot I missed it… agli baar aisi kurti dikhi na toh please mujhe bata dena… waise congrats for this beautiful cause… surrogacy is often looked down in our society for an odd reason… par they don’t realize that it’s not wrong for someone to gift a child… hai na?” Ayesha smiled and Sakshi nodded…
“Alright… so Sakshi… we would start today itself… main personally tumhara dhyaan rakhungi… tum andar change karna jao… okay?” Ayesha spoke and Sakshi silently left…
Ayesha looked at the two men in front… it’s time they needed a good hard talk…
~*~
Chapter IV
“Arjun and Sameer…” Ayesha removed her glasses and put her hair up into a bun… Sameer noticed the little strands of her dark fringe that landed on the sides of her forehead… the slight pressing of lips as she tied her hair into the bun…
She looked up for a second to find Sameer peering at her… “What?” she barked at him…
Sameer nodded nothing and looked aside… his eyes meeting hers at times…
Her jaws were stiff… she cracked her knuckles and looked at the two men in front…
“How did you exactly get her?” Ayesha asked…
Arjun recounted everything… Ayesha… by the end of it… pressed her temples and cursed…
“Bachi hai voh Arjun… she’s 9 years younger than us… I mean… 19!!!” Ayesha said exasperated…
“And you know what surprises me… ki she is the most matured out of the lot… as we are going to proceed for IVF… commonly known as In Vitro Fertilization…” she looked at them…
“Let me tell you… she has to go through many things… this process is lengthy… and the worst part… she is alone… and it is painful… is waqt pe kisika saath hona kitna maina rakta hai… sigh… she’s doing so much for her family… it sounds more like a scene out of movie than reality… seriously!” Ayesha held her head…
Arjun and Sameer just looked at Ayesha and kept quiet…
“She won’t be alone Ayesha…” Arjun muttered…
“Yeah okay fine… and Jun tujhe toh main itna jaanti bhi hoon… but what’s going on… I mean… according to Advocate Rathore…” Ayesha was stopped…
“You can call me Sameer Dr. Kapoor…” Sameer smiled…
Ayesha squint her eyes a little… “Anyways… according to him… the will is instated to your blood baby… and for that you have taken Sakshi as a surrogate mother… but guys… do you think property, money and company is more than a girl’s virginity? Really! Over that Jun you are asking me to believe the fact that you respect her… I don’t think so… I mean… I find this terrible…” Ayesha said blankly…
“Well Dr. Kapoor… I understand… but it’s not that Arjun will sleep with Sakshi… no way… trust me…” Sameer said…
Ayesha put her glasses back and stared at the the man on her right… fair and having a trimmed mustache, his formal clothes highlighted a lean figure… he looked like a typical corporate lawyer… maybe a handsome one… yet perhaps his brain was more shrewd than clever…
Pushing her glasses up her nose she squared her shoulders and gave a faint forced smile…
“Why should I trust you Advocate Rathore on the fact that Jun wouldn’t do anything wrong with her… and for pete’s sake… she is a virgin… you know what that means… and when I am going to insert the catheter to check if it’s size is fine or not… she is going to feel traumatic!” she looks at them…
“Why traumatic?” Sameer asked her…
“ Advocate Rathore, she’s never felt anything there… Over that the needle will go through her pelvic cavity to reach the ovaries… and this would be done at least thrice… once it would be a run through… then to retrieve the egg and lastly to transfer the embryo… she’s never had that… forget about holding a baby! And you two stop looking aside in embarrassment!” Ayesha gritted her teeth…
Arjun and Sameer were silenced…
“She will have anesthesia on right?” Sameer asked and Ayesha gave an obvious look…
“But a local one… if you ask me… tum log iski faida utha rahe ho yaar… gareeb ghar ki hai… exactly 1920’s ki typical situation of disparity and dukhi atmaness… but guys… I can’t help you out with this… I mean jab woh apne ghar jayegi with a bulging stomach… you know what our society will call her right!” Ayesha tried to see if some sense had knocked into them…
“She will stay in Arjun’s home once her stomach starts showing… mum dad waise bhi hospitalized hai toh koi puchega bhi nahi!” Sameer concluded…
“And see Dr. Kapoor… aap jo keh rahi ho… you are 100% right… but he needs the baby… had it just been the property then he wouldn’t have taken this step… agar divorce ab karna chahe toh alumni ki taraf se Sonia ke paas azaadi hai kisi bhi sector of company chose karne ke liye and she is a sly fox… she would definitely chose constructions which is the backbone of the company… 40 saal Rawte uncle ne diye hai… Rawte ka naam… bhikarion se mega tycoon banne ke liye… 40 saal… a lot is at stake Dr. Kapoor… otherwise trust me we would have never ever thought of this…” Sameer advocated…
Ayesha took in a deep breath and gulped in a glass of water…
“And Sonia refused to bear a child right?” Ayesha asked…
“Yep… she can’t put her figure to risk and blah blah… and that she can’t f*** Arjun for property waghera waghera…” Sameer said…
Ayesha glared at him… “Advocate Rathoree I would prefer if you would stay away from profanities when having a conversation with me… and Jun…”
Ayesha looked up at Arjun… “Arjun… tera aur Sonia ka kya khayal ho raha hai yaar… I mean… shadi ke samay toh woh theek thaak thi…”
Arjun breathed in deeply… “Aur kya… I thought of divorcing her… phir papa guzar gaye… and will main it’s given to my child… isliye Sakshi… but trust me Ayesha… I will respect and be grateful to her till the end of my life… trust me…” Arjun closed his eyes…
“Waise… why did you opt for the egg to belong to Sakshi… as in simple words.. the child being genetically related to her?” Ayesha spoke…
“I didn’t want my baby to have any trace of Sonia…” he sighed…
Ayesha squeezed Arjun’s palm… “I know… but be her friend out there… she needs a company…” she said…
Arjun looked at his best friend Ayesha…. “Dekh Ash… I know ki Sakshi ek virgin hai… and she hasn’t done any of these stuffs… but trust me Ash… main usse ghalat nazariyo se nahi dekh raha hoon… I will treat her as an equal… not only for the fact that she’s going to be the mother of my child… nope…” Arjun breathed in…
“And she is a wonderful person… ab dekh agar tu meri cousin na hoti then I would have asked you to hold my baby… and when I say this it doesn’t mean that I am having sexual desires… no… I don’t have any desires left in my life at all… bas sirf aur sirf main chahta hoon ke someone’s bears my child and gives it to me… unfortunately I am a man and obviously I can’t bear a child…” Arjun said…
“And see Ash… take Sakshi in place of me… suppose she needed to be a mother… but no husband and stuff… you would take her to the sperm bank right… waha se ek suitable sperm donor se jo dena hoga doge right… and suppose the donor is me… does it mean ki mera aur Sakshi ka koi shararik samband hai?” he knew he had Ayesha’s attention…
“If she gets to know that cool I am the person who is helping her with the baby… but it won’t create an alliance with me right… if a man can be a sperm donor and be a happy man around… why can’t a woman be a surrogate mother and be a happy woman… aur Ash… virginity loss is not by the breakage of hymen… it’s when she would hopefully mate with someone for a happy future… I am ever grateful to her for giving me my baby… that’s all that I have to say…” Arjun said… a little emotional…
Ayesha took a deep breath and looked at the matured man in front… this wasn’t her casual 2nd cousin anymore…
A matured man now stood before her…
Ayesha for a second couldn’t believe that it was the same carefree cousin who would roam around… go to clubs… have an active social life… now become silent, reclusive and someone who understands a woman…
She smiled and got up… patting Arjun’s shoulders… “Tu bada ho gaya hai… aisa hi reh…” she said softly…
Arjun smiled back at Ayesha…
When they heard a shuffle of feet…
Sakshi was standing there… her mouth was slightly parted… her eyes were slightly squinted… she was almost smiling… her eyes locked with Arjun’s…
They were like that… for a few minutes… talking to each other with their eyes…
His eyelashes fluttered a bit.. his eyebrows tensed… a hesitant yet grateful look…
Her mahogany brown eyes softened… her eyebrows relaxed… the corner of her eyes crinkled as she appreciated his thought..
His eyebrows tensed suddenly… he tried to read her eyes… in case she was forced…
Her eyes widened a little… her eyelids half closed… signaling a no… their gazes met… their pupils stuck to each other’s… and it dilated as they read each other…
One pair of jet black eyes grateful… the other seemed slightly apprehensive yet appreciative…
Ayesha squinted her eyes slightly… she cracked her knuckles and guided Sakshi to the room…
Sakshi nodded and left immediately…
“And to think that these two have no emotions in between…” Ayesha muttered in her mind…
She left the cabin… her mind stuck towards Sakshi…
Suddenly she felt Sameer’s gaze on her as she walked… before entering the other room she turned around and looked at Sameer who held the door open for her…
SHe raised her eyebrows and asked him “Advocate Rathore aapko kuch bolna hai?”
“I must say aap bohot skilled hai Dr. Kapoor…” Sameer gave a genuine smile…
“Agar aap baton se keh rahe hai toh Advocate Rathore… I have seen so many cases in front of me… ki baatein toh apne aap aatein hai… people sometimes don’t realize the value of life… and waise it’s Jun who spoke more than me...” Ayesha squinted at Sameer…
Sameer’s lips twitched at the corners… “Interesting… waise ab kya ho raha hai?” he asked as Ayesha walked towards Sakshi’s cabin…
“Ab ek mock embryo transfer chal raha hai… basically a "practice run" for the embryo transfer which allows me to test the size and placement of the catheter with Sakshi’s body before the big day.” Ayesha answered…
“In short… During the procedure, an ultra-thin catheter is inserted into the uterus while a sonogram guides the process on a monitor.” Ayesha explained…
“I see…I totally understand everything… ” Sameer nodded… though truth be told everything went above his head…
Before Ayesha walked in she folded her arms across her waist… “Advocate sahab… aap ek bohot bure liar hai!” Ayesha smirked and walked in…
“Kya karoon… aapko dekh ke achi aadat bigad jaati hai…” Sameer flirted and Ayesha just hit her head…
She was about to enter when Arjun called her…
“Kya… kya main aa sakta hoon?” Arjun asked… Ayesha nodded…
“Sure… if Sakshi is comfortable enough that is…” Ayesha smiled and walked into the room…
Sakshi was wearing a blue hospital gown… she was nervous… her stance said so…
“Sakshi would you mind if I would stand at a corner of the room?” Arjun asked her…
Sakshi scratched her head… she meekly shrugged her shoulders…
Ayesha made Sakshi lie down…
“Okay then Sakshi… this is just a run through as to what would happen on the main day okay? It would be almost painless…” Ayesha smiled at Sakshi who held the sides of her chair tight…
Ayesha pressed her palms… “Arrey main koi khalnayak dentist nahi hoon… chill maar yaar!” she joked… to which even Arjun smiled…
“Hmm… see I will medically tear your hymen… it would be almost painless ok…” Ayesha put on her mask and got the equipment ready…
“Par… kyun?” Sakshi asked in a small voice…
“Sakshi now see… for the little baby to soon come into your tummy na I would have to insert the equipment and release it near your follicles… now for that your hymen needs to be broken na…” Ayesha explained…
“Okay…” Sakshi mumbled softly…
Sh frantically looked here and there… her eyes stuck with Arjun’s for a minute… he looked back at her… his eyes held a small look of gratitude… she turned her eyes back to Ayesha…
“Ah!” Sakshi yelped a little as the hymen broke… it did hurt… she clenched her eyes shut… especially when Ayesha inserted the catheter…
Sakshi started to perspirate… She never knew that muscles over there even existed!
“Easy there… you are a strong girl na… there… it’s done…” Ayesha spoke encouragingly…
After a quick run through Ayesha made Sakshi sit up…
However Arjun noticed the little tear that trickled down her cheek…
“You okay?” he asked and Sakshi nodded… she hastily wiped her tear off…
Ayesha patted her shoulders slightly…
“Now Sakshi… yeh main tumhe hormonal injections de rahi hoon so as to it increase your egg production… medicines nahi dena chahti cause it will go through your stomach and stuff… toh utna acha nahi hoga… and haan… weekly aa jaana for blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound scans… then we can know if you are good to go for a baby… okay!” Ayesha tried to sound as cheerful as possible…
But Sakshi just nodded…
“After few weeks we will go forward to egg retrieval.. okay? Aur uske baad we will get to as in 3-5 days we would put the embryo in your tummy… okay?” Ayesha looked at Sakshi expectantly…
But Sakshi just nodded…
“Main change kar loon?” Sakshi almost whispered…
“Sure!” Ayesha smiled bright but Sakshi disappeared into the changing room…
Ayesha sighed.. she looked at Arjun who seemed out of place at the moment… “Ao Arjun sahab… viraajmaan ho…” Ayesha said…
“I think usse thoda dukha… woh hymen break karne main… but then it was necessity also… just see that she is happy and fine… not that ki woh tumhari responsibility hai… but you see woh bohot chup chap hai… and often IVF thodi si traumatic hoti hai… regular check ups with tests, injections, medications… so you see…” Ayesha spoke and Arjun nodded…
“I would be with her all the time…” Arjun smiled and squeezed Ayesha’s hand…
“Par tumhara image…” AYesha asked…
“Ash… who’s gonna see anything by the way? She’s having my baby… she does the designs for my company.. she’s already doing a lot for me… I can at least be her dost na…” Arjun smiled…
“Jun… I really think tu kaunsi mahoos ghadi main uss Sonia se shadi ki… you are a good guy you know!” Ayesha smiled..
“Tujhse toh kehraha tha… teri uss Banglore waali dost se mujhe shadi karne de… par tune toh help hi nahi ki!” Arjun smiled…
“You know tujhe itne din baad hasta hua dekh ke khush hua… aise hasta reh.. and next time don’t get your idiot lawyer over here…” Ayesha chuckled…
“Sam? Usne kya kiya?” Arjun asked…
“Flirt…” Ayesha smiled as Sakshi came in… Arjun shook his head…
“Hey there Sakshi! Jab bhi koi doubt ho toh mennu ek call kar do… Punju ho na?” Ayesha smiled…
“Haan… main Punjabi hoon…” Sakshi said softly…
“Ok… bye then!” Ayesha said and Sakshi nodded…
She went to the hospital pharmacy and collected the medicine…
Arjun dropped her back to his home… she was quiet throughout… it was as if over there something was throbbing… she squeezed her legs further together…
Arjun didn’t fail to notice the small things… he wanted to say something soothing… but found himself to be at a loss of words…
“Sakshi… umm you know… thank you… this baby means a lot for me… I wish I could express my gratitude…” Arjun told her as he stopped in front of his house…
Sakshi looked at Arjun and half smiled… “Respect… that’s all I need…” Sakshi sighed and looked outside… she took slow steps…
~*~
“Chickoo…” he called her softly… she closed her eyes tightly as she felt his warm breath near her cheek…
She was still hugging Arjun when he got up… carrying her in his arms… she almost had a steel tight grip on his shirt… palpitating…
She could feel the heat from his body…
As he kept her on the bed… she bit her lips… in tension… and in something unknown…
Arjun sat beside her… caressing her cheek slightly… he noticed the creases on her forehead…
“Do you fear me? Tumhe mujhse darr lagta hai kya?” he looked into her big doe shaped eyes…
She blinked for a few seconds… then nodded negatively…
“Open up… whatever’s going in your mind… tell me…” he prodded her…
Sakshi took in a deep breath…
“Arjun… mujhe nahi pata… you are my best friend… you mean everything to me… tumne mujhe humesha help kiya… be it the first hormonal injection ya anything… bas… ab jab… hum saath main… the fact is that I don’t understand what is immoral… ki tum shadi shuda ho… ya phir yeh ki humne shadi nahi ki… it’s… I don’t know… ek taraf se my mind’s battling something…. from the other side my heart is battling something… I mean… sleeping with a person… I don’t know kya hoga… kya karoge… sh*t I don’t even know how s*x happens! I don’t know whether I have to be unclothed! Argh… mera dimaag fat raha hai… mujhe nahi pata tum kaha kaha chuoge mujhe… I’ve never even been kissed Arjun… I don’t know… not that at the moment I would stop this… because yeh important hai… tumhare liye… and maybe… I don’t know anything…” she was on the verge of tears… huddling herself…
Arjun felt like a beast… “Sakshi… do you think i'm raping you?” Arjun said and stared at her face… his throat felt dry… he didn’t want to exactly force himself on her… if there was a little bit of attachment… a bit of desire… a bit of something… at least something…
Sakshi’s gaze shot to Arjun… why did he feel as if he was forcing himself on her?
She bit her lips… and turned her face towards him… “No… I know Arjun… that had it not been for my circumstances and yours… this wouldn’t have happened… and no… you aren’t doing that to me… I would have killed you myself then… it’s just that I don’t know what happens… you tell me… kya kya hota hai… without a hindrance tell me everything…” Sakshi said softly…
Sakshi had learnt about it in her one biology class… but then… she knew that has a difference to this… she looked at the apprehension in his eyes…
He pressed his temples and told her everything… the atmosphere turned thick and uncomfortable… he promised not to kiss her or explore her… he just promised to do that… and his child… the future of the child would be decided by Sakshi…
Sakshi set her jaws… she closed her eyes… it would be the matter of just a few hours… maximum… if it just goes on… then… for those few hours she would in return get everything…
She ran her hands through her hair…
It’s either now or never… she turned towards him…
“Arjun… just let’s get done with this…” she whispered… Arjun clenched his jaws…
“You’re sure?” he asked… she nodded…
~*~
CHAPTER V
“I am…” Sakshi said quietly… her heart was throbbing… she didn’t know why she said a yes… from where the confidence came…
Arjun looked at her… she wasn’t a woman he would want to have just… s*x… she was a woman who deserved more… he just hugged her tightly…
She was soft yet hard… strong yet soft… mature yet delicate… all at the same time…
Sakshi remained quiet as she felt herself to be engulfed in his arms…
Their gut instincts told her that this night would change her life…
How true…
~*~
Arjun walked towards the living room when he heard the shuffling of feet… and a sigh… he frowned, taking quick steps towards the kitchen he found Sakshi staring at the injection needle and trying to inject herself.
“Help?” he asked, making Sakshi stumble “No, it’s fine Sir… I..” she tried to hide the injection.
“Woh… Ayesha se contact nahi ho pa raha hai, can you please check… I don’t know yeh injection kaise loon…” Sakshi looked at her feet and fumbled with her fingers. “Kaha lagani hai?” he asked. “Umm… right above my hips…” Sakshi said.
“One sec, ya Ash… what… busy… woh Sakshi ki first injection… it’s tough for her…” Arjun spoke to her… Sakshi felt awkward on having Arjun calling up for her.
He cut the call… “Umm… Sakshi, is it fine if I help you?” Sakshi spluttered on the glass of water… “Sir… woh… it’s on my waist…” she said softly… the very thought that Arjun would help her, it made her embarrassed as well as made the atmosphere awkward.
Arjun sensed the discomfort in Sakshi, somehow he had to reassure her that he really wouldn’t have other intentions on her. “Well hospital is an hour late away and you are already late for your first injection…” Arjun explained. “Nahi sir… I… I will manage, thank you for your concern.” she said and kept her phone on the slab, watching YouTube video of putting the injection. Her hands trembled as she tried to hold the injection.
Sakshi looked helplessly at Arjun who half smiled at her “Don’t worry, I’ll help.” he said and took the filled injection in his hand. He felt her shiver when he raised her shirt a little, and her tense up when he rubbed the area with antiseptic and place his bare palm on her soft waist, Arjun himself felt awkward… it was years since he touched a woman.
He shook off his thought and focused on placing his palm correctly on her waist, for in between his fingers where the “V” shape would come he would have to insert the injection there.
It was tough… damn tough. He took in a sharp breath… and plunged the injection straight into a muscle… “Ah!” Sakshi whimpered, frightening Arjun… ‘So So sorry… you’re just fine, easy ok… easy… you are a good girl right? Easy… easy girl…” he hushed her and he put in the liquid… he removed it and rubbed the area with another antiseptic cotton…
Sakshi immediately held the cotton and turned around… pulling her shirt lower… thanking him she ran to washroom.
Arjun walked back nodding, when he stopped hearing shuffling of feet. Sakshi was bending and lifting her shirt twisting herself left and right, watching her trying to peer at her prick in front of the mirror, a chuckle escaped his mouth and a red Sakshi turned aside. “Aaaap!” Sakshi scratched her head and stood rubbing her knuckles while Arjun couldn’t control his laughter. Somehow this innocent gesture looked so comical.
“Ladoo baba, khana laga doon?” An old butler asked Arjun… just before Arjun could answer Sakshi burst into laughter. Arjun shook his head and nodded. Sakshi’s laughter zapped on seeing Arjun watching her intently. “Ladoo hoon… toh?” Arjun tried to hide his embarrassment.
“Aapka pet name Ladoo?” Sakshi’s face was bright red in controlling her laughter. “Haan toh! Itna hassne ki kya baat hai!” Arjun turned defensive at his pet name “Yeh Kaka ko abhi ladoo bolna hi tha! Grr…” he thought.
Sakshi eased her shoulders and blurted out “Par sir aap kahi se bhu laddo nahi dikhte aap toh in fact… umm… I should go.” Sakshi covered her mouth and walked away.
“Shit! Sakshi! Woh tera koi chaddi buddy nahi hai re! Aur tu aise baat karegi apne boss se?” Sakshi chided herself.
Arjun smirked at this naive girl and shook his head. “Haan Sam bol… tujhe Ayesha ka number kyun chahiye?” Arjun chuckled over the phone.
~*~
Arjun removed his shirt away and took in a deep breath. He heard a gasp from behind and knew Sakshi had perhaps seen him in a vest for the first time. “Woh… during that… garmi… bohot lagti hai…” he mumbled and she nodded.
He walked towards her and saw her cheeks turning into a bright shade of red. He chinned her up and saw an unfathomable amount of trust in her arresting coffee brown eyes. He took her soft hands in his rough one and caressed her knuckles. She deserved a better explanation than this for him to bed her.
Sakshi sat on the bed, looking up at the man who was holding her palms in his. He kneeled before her, keeping their joint palms on her knees. Sakshi looked at him, perplexed by his actions. He buried his face in their joint palms for a minute or so…
“Sakshi… trust me.” he whispered and pecked her hand.
Sakshi half smiled as a rush of memories flew threw her head.
~*~
As weeks passed by Arjun and Sakshi had started finding similarities amidst the most different situations. In fact their conflicting tastes brought them closer - as friends. While Sakshi loved the 70’s bollywood music Arjun had a taste for Beethoven and Mozart.
Sakshi enjoyed romances like Guide whereas Arjun prefered Gone With the Wind. While she advocated for Satyajit Ray’s novels he prefered Agatha Christie or Oscar Wilde.
“Firangi Chokro! Sab kuch angrez ki pasand hai…” she muttered when Arjun knocked the table freaking her out. “Arjun Sir!” she shrieked out, nowadays she would add his name along with Sir. “Firangi nahi hoon main.. mujhe bas Western cheeze pasand hai, ab batau ek Rolls Royce main travel karna baat hi alag hai na.” He mused.
“Acha… ek Maruti truck ke peeche savari hoke Uttarakhand ghumo… jab Mother Nature aap pe barse gi tab baat hi alag hai!” Sakshi smirked when a conversation took their attention.
“Phantom Of Opera!” Bunny spoke
“DDLJ at Maratha Mandir!” Naina licked her fingers and smirked.
Sakshi and Arjun stared at the television for two minutes and one giggled while the other shook his head. “Waise it’s time for injection…” Arjun picked up the needle and drew in the liquid. For now it had become a strange routine in their friendship - Arjun ignored the youthful skin under his palm and she stopped shuddering when his palm rested on her waist. There were never other intentions involved.
Sakshi rubbed the cotton on her waist when she produced a picture from her back pocket. “Arjun Sir… yeh photo mujhe mila tha… aapka aur Ma’am ke marriage.” Sakshi noticed the sunken face of her sir’s. With the mention of Mrs. Rawte his face suddenly aged and he settled on a chair, his fingers brushed through the picture of his father in the family photograph.
He was aware of her gaze on him, he found an urge to speak up about his deceased father and his relationship. Sonia had been a great mistake in his life. He regretted marrying to her but life had it’s cruel twist of fate.
“It’s not that I never tried… first of all she and I never actually shared the husband wife relation after the few months of our marriage. She seemed aloof and strange. Sam was sure of an affair but I decided to give our marriage a chance. By the time I realised her affair Papa died… and rest you all know… I don’t know how to thank you again for the baby Sakshi…” he held her soft palms.
Sakshi smiled back and gave a reassuring squeeze. It was at evening and a Saturday when he started chatting about his childhood, even though his father never had enough time for him - he never misunderstood his father. At the beginning he used to feel upset being home with Kaka…
“The one who calls who Ladoo Baba!” Sakshi interrupted suddenly then quietened looking at his half angry glare “Sorry…” she muttered, his lips curved into a lopsided smile and nodded. This same Kaka made him realise what his father was working at. It became most natural that Arjun would take up the reins of his father’s empire - and this was wholly Arjun’s choice. His father had given him the free space to do absolutely anything.
“You know Sakshi my Baba was one of the most handsome man and the best man anyone could have got! In fact tum ab bhi baba se milti toh uske charms pe fida ho jati!” he chuckled but then his smile ceased when he spoke about his dad. Sakshi noticed the quieter Arjun coming on fore when she prodded him “Acha! Koi young time ka picture hai kya?” Sakshi asked and he took out his phone.
He scrolled through his photos and showed one “I clicked this pic from the album, yeh tha 1989 main ya 90 main I guess...” Arjun smiled while Sakshi gazed at the picture intently. “My God… Sir’s so handsome!!!” Sakshi gazed at the picture while Arjun chuckled. “Haan… ladkia marti thi baba pe… but he never married again.” Arjun took in a deep breath.
“Kyun?” Sakshi asked “Not that he didn’t fall in love, he was scared ki main ek step mom ko accept nahi kar pavunga and she may be bad towards me. The first lady was like that, uske baad baba felt guilty of deceiving maa… even though aisi koi reason nahi tha… but then baba and his principles…” Arjun sighed when suddenly a gurgle noise alerted him.
‘Ule babule! Gochu puchu… tuchi puchi…” Sakshi pouted towards the scream and said all baby words possible in the dictionary. She turned to see Arjun staring at her as if she grew two horns “Wait Sakshi kya dekh rahi ho…” he asked.
“Woh woh… zoom karne ke bajaye swipe ho gaya aur yeh chutku sa baby ko dekha… kitnaaaaaa cute hai!” Sakshi mused and did coochie koo with the baby on the phone. Arjun looked at the picture.
“Mann karta hai iss baby ko tight sa kissie de doon!” She said “Woh baccha main hoon.” Arjun looked at her face and mentally chuckled as she turned deep red.
“Sh*t sh*t sh*t….” Sakshi swore mentally “Sorry sir, aapka phone, sorry..” she muttered, ever since she’s been receiving hormonal medicines her language control has gone for a toss!
“Sir par aap sach main ladoo the! I mean look at those chubby cheeks!” Sakshi almost jumped in cuteness when she came back to reality looking at the stubbled Arjun Rawte look at her. “Uh… sorry… I guess woh injection se kuch zyaada hi excite ho rahi hoon…” she muttered when the word excite hit into her head…
Double Meaning.
Sakshi buried her face in her palms… muttering something. Arjun frowned a little and tried to hear her muttering “Sakshi tu pagal ho chuki hai, Sir se koi aise baat karte hai, he does so many good things par hai toh Sir! Aisi baat kar rahi hai jaise janam se jaanti hai usse, tera toh waat laga, do teen baate kya kar beithi araam se gappe laga rahi hai, tera toh…”
It did hurt him seeing that he didn’t consider her a friend… he got up suddenly, his jaws clenched. “Sir? I am so sorry… I really didn’t mean, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” she mumbled. “No… mujhe kyun sorry bol rahi ho, you aren’t accountable for me! Main akela hi khush hoon, tum mujhe apna dost nahi samajthi isme obviously tum sahi ho. I thought you were a friend, especially after opening up so much! But no… it’s always the tag Mr.Rawte ya sir na?” he turned aside, hurt.
It has been happening since childhood… whenever he used to meet his friends - being Mr. Rawte’s son has always come fore. Apart from Kaka everyone called him sir or master. No one called him son. Friends were always for benefits, none called him buddy. Why should Sakshi be any different.
When a soft hand touched his shoulder he realised that he said the words loudly. “Arjun?” she hesitated a bit but didn’t miss the sudden rise of his eyebrows as she called him by his first name. “Jaise tumhare zindagi main kisi ne tumhare wealth ke liye apna dost nahi maane, waise meri zindagi main due to our poverty kisine mujhe woh aukaad nahi di dosti karni ke liye. Bachpan se high society waalon ko ma’am sir kehne ki practise hai. Jo ek do ladkion ko jaanti thi unhe Bibiji ya Ma’am kehti thi. Unke maata pita ko kabhi aunty ya uncle nahi, Mr. Gupta, ys Sir kehke pukaarti thi. Sab ne bohot hi acche tarha se mujhe meri aukaad aur hesiyat ka jagah dikhate rahe. Par aap alag hai, par darrti hoon aapse sach main dosti karne ke lie - kahi ek din aap mujhe meri jaga dikha de toh? Bura lagega na… insaan jo thehri.” she mumbled and sat on a wicker chair.
Arjun realised her point as well… as the two people belonged from different strata of soicety, neither actually had friends, one didn’t have enough status to make, the other was used for benefits. “Am sorry Sakshi, I didn’t mean to hurt you or stuff. It’s true I myself never gave you the permission to call me by my name, neither did I extend a hand for friendship… but I expected it to come naturally.” Arjun half smiled at her.
Sakshi fumbled with her fingers and nodded. “I am sorry sir, neither did I mean to hurt your sentiments. I thought the rich lead all the life of happiness… at least I saw so.” she scratched her head.
“Even if we are rich, we can’t eat green notes can we?” he raised an eyebrow towards her.
She chuckled slightly at that. Perhaps now he understood her extreme self respect and timidness… she hated sympathy of her state. Arjun half smiled at the lady in front. If she had all the riches she would have been a one fine lady. Oh wait… wasn’t she already one?
Clearing his throat he raised his hand towards her “Friends?” he asked. Sakshi looked at him surprised. She put her palm gently in his “Friends!” she smiled as he shook her hand.
For the first time employer - employee, Sir - subordinate dissipated into thin air. All that mattered was Arjun and Sakshi… he cracked jokes after a long time and she burst into peals of laughter after a long time.
“Haan Arjun one second… I’ll see who it is!” Sakshi smiled and opened the door to see Sonia standing there. “Heylo Miss…” she shoved Sakshi aside and stuttered back to her room. As usual she was late from clubbing. Sakshi stepped aside when suddenly Sonia turned around “Did I just hear you call Arjun as Arjun!” Sonia raised her eyebrows. “Listen, zyaada pankh lagane ki zaroorat nahi hai, samjhi. Paise diye hai baccha ko carry karne ke liye, family member nahi banogi. Sir tak rakhna, wahi behtar hai!” Sonia snapped at her making Sakshi tear for half a second.
Sakshi felt like cracking her skull and speaking left right to Sonia at that moment, but daily check ups and injections had taken a toll on her - emotionally. So instead of shouting Sakshi found herself - hurt.
She quietly sat in the kitchen, fumbling with her fingers. She was about to wipe her tears away when a rough hand did it for her. “Ar...jun?” she asked. His eyes were etched in concern. “Kya hua? That bi.. Sonia said something kya, I heard her speaking to you. If you want I will go and speak…” Arjun started to be stopped by Sakshi.
“Why do you do so much for me?” SHe frowned. “Because you are my only friend. And you are going to carry a part of me without any demands or anything. Ethically this thought murders me you know Sakshi. And it’s not any sympathy and crap. I am a good guy… but you are better. If I had been a girl I wouldn’t have done this. I respect you.” he looked into her eyes hoping he convinced her.
More tears fell from Sakshi’s eyes and she buried her face in her palms “Never got so much respect…” she mumbled and he looked at her. “Listen Sakshi, I have seen difficult times as well. Bas yeh yaad rakho that you can be hurt by a person only and only when you allow a person to hurt you. It’s important to be mentally wealthy than financially. Samjhi ya samjhaaun?” He looked into her misty eyes.
She wiped her tears away and nodded.. “I think it’s time I go to hospital… I think treatment ho gaya hai. Itni hormonal aur emotional kabhi nahi thi…” she sniffed a little while Arjun wiped away the little tear. “Haha… I agree… waise Sakshi remember just one thing.” Sakshi looked up into his eyes.
He looked straight back “Trust me.”
~*~
Sakshi looks at Arjun who is kneeling before her. “Sakshi, I promise that as long as you don’t want, another man would never ever affect you in your life. I promise to protect you always. I promise that the life of our baby will be decided by you. I promise that this is the first and last time I will touch you - irrespective the baby comes or not.” He whispered and tears trickled down her cheeks.
“And trust me Sakshi, you are the only woman I will be bound to.” Sakshi drew in a gasp as he said those final words.
“Arjun!” Sakshi started to be shushed by him “No… let me speak. No other woman shall step into my life ever again. This does not mean I bound you to me, you are free.. always. But for me you will be the last woman I feel and touch. For we both know the bond we share is beyond something and till my last breath I will respect this. Consider this as good as an oath.” he looked into her eyes and rubbed away the moisture with his thumb.
Sakshi couldn’t help but fling her arms around her lovely friend… really just a friend?
Arjun closed his eyes and hugged her tight… he so desperately wished if he had met her before Sonia…
He gently picked her up in his arm and placed her head on the pillow, he switched off every light and returned back to her. He quickly removed his trousers - so as to she didn’t see nor understand anything. He parted her legs a little, her sudden gasps weren’t new now.
He rested himself on forearms and elbows which were on the either side of Sakshi’s shoulder. Her breath hitched on feeling his warm heat. Her toes curled up at an instant the moment he placed himself between her. Her eyes shot open - staring at his face, she could see every feature even though the room was bathed in shadows.
Her face looked frightened and confused. He took a deeper breath. He balanced himself on one arm and caught her ice cold palm. He placed his lips on her ring finger. Tears fell of Sakshi’s eyes. Did it have any significance?
The look in Arjun’s eyes stated that it did. Her breathing increased and she got tensed up.
Arjun gulped as now he had to face one major problem. They couldn’t do it unless she was…
Aroused.
Oh Sh*t.
He would hurt her then and this is the last thing he wanted to do! She was scared… he needed to reduce her fear. “Sakshi… don’t feel scared - just you and me.” she was surprised by the sudden ragged breath. “Calm down… we can’t do this unless you feel the same as me…” his lips lingered near her ear and to her astonishment she liked the raggedness.
“What do you feel?” she shocked herself by the husky pitch in her voice. Arjun closed his eyes and tried to feel the emotions that had slipped his notice whenever she was near him. He tried to remember the redness of her cheeks and how he felt about that. More than a friend for tonight he needed to think of a woman.
Not a woman he wanted, a woman he desired.
He took in a whiff of her exotic fragrance which released a gush of blood through his system. He opened his eyes and now, no more his best friend lay before his eyes - rather a woman, rather a beautiful woman was below him. But emotions clouded more than physical aspects. The only woman to have brightened his life, make him live, laugh, chuckle and astonished. The only woman to have brought upon peace in his marred life.
The only woman for which now his heart started throbbing. That’s when he heard her husky question. He took her palm and placed it gently on his throbbing chest. She gasped at it when he shushed her “Don’t be scared, it’s… normal, it’s always fast when…” his voice stopped as her dewy eyes looked into his.
“When?” she asked, something pulsated in her form as his pupils dilated to midnight black.
“When you are near me…” he mumbled and her heart skipped a beat. Arjun partially hated himself when his hands drew patterns near her ears and neck… her innocent gasps and glassy eyes made him want to stop…
And claim her when the time and moment is right. “Focus” his other mind told him. He could notice the cheeks flush to a deep shade of red. He brought his face near his neck to stop himself from kissing her and confessing what he could be feeling for her.
Not that he didn’t want to… he was scared of what she felt. And he promised not to kiss her. As his warm breath reached the sensitive area between her neck and shoulder, her hands sprang to life and held his shoulders. “Arjun…” she moaned softly.
Sakshi opened her eyes, the voice that spilled out his name was so not hers. In spite of the blast of AC she was almost sweating. He didn’t even touch her as of now… but she didn’t know why she started to feel a dull throb and warmth down south. Her heart started accelerating. She looked into his liquid eyes and read a few unspoken emotions in those.
Arjun looked at her face and her moan told him the time’s right. He was surprised to find himself eager as well. He closed his eyes and muttered a quick sorry to the Lords. Somewhere even he knew this was wrong. He felt her suffocation as she felt heat. His one palm slipped underneath and unhooked her undergarment “You wouldn’t be able to breath…” he whispered and she nodded. Her palms were automatically against his powerful biceps. It was strange, her body reacted on its own.
The top layer of her nightdress soon disappeared and she was only in her spaghetti and undergarments - however she felt relief as cool air touched her. She was surprised to find Arjun’s vest getting drenched slightly in his sweat. “Remove…” she said softly. He looked at her red face in surprise. “You’re sweating… feel uncomfo..” her words were muffled as he embraced her tightly. Arjun couldn’t believe amidst this she thought of his comfort!
“Sure?” he gulped and she nodded. Her eyes blazed as she saw his toned form, as if he was sculpted. She closed her eyes shut and rested her arms against his biceps. Arjun quickly clipped the sites of the lower barrier with a safety scissor. He didn’t want to remove it… he didn’t want her to feel embarrassed.
Kicking his boxers away he took a deep breath. He only wished if the IVF had worked.
~*~
Sakshi had been visibly pale after the operation and quiet as the embryo was in her. We were waiting expectantly for the good news. But he noticed that she wasn’t happy. “What’s wrong Sakshi?” Arjun asked.
“I don’t know Arjun, I just feel and know it ki my baby’s not there…” she whispered and he turned deathly pale. “See… maybe… like ab tak bacha shayad uterine wall main place nahi hua… isliye… I am sure that it will take a little time.” he held her hand while she rested her head on his shoulder.
It had become a usual thing for her to rest her head on his shoulder, the operation had been painful and tiring. Arjun almost got tears in his eyes as the pipes were inserted in her. He couldn’t help but rub his hand through her hair, thanking her every second, whispering words of strength in her ears. It was emotionally and physically taxing.
Ayesha on the other hand was extremely happy with the progress of their friendship.. it also gave her hope but she knew better than to jump into conclusions. Sameer had confided in her that there was a loophole in the will out of which Arjun could benefit immensely and most of the problem could be solved. Well Sameer and Ayesha were surprisingly going out for dates as well!
However one thing that worried Ayesha was that Sakshi was a weak mother, and weak mothers usually don’t pose a good chance in conceiving during IVF… usually weak mothers go okay naturally.
After a few days Sakshi panicked and called up Ayesha for an appointment. Her heart told her that something was wrong - her suspicions confirmed when Ayesha told her that the IVF failed…
Sakshi froze at that. Arjun too was shocked to respond.
The most surprising part was when Sonia fired at Ayesha for this. “Listen Sonia my job is to try… which I have done effectively. It’s neither Sakshi nor anyone who is to be blamed! She is unfortunately a weak mother! Usually weak mothers go fine normally, during IVF chances are low!” AYesha thumped her fist on the table.
“FIne! Let Arjun and Sakshi do it then! I mean come on it will be just like a one night stand and that’s cool!” Sonia said to be interrupted “Shut up! I told you ki I don’t want anything of such involved! I may be poor Sonia but definitely not a one night stand material! Understood!” Sakshi barked and stormed out of the hospital while Arjun glared at Sonia.
“How dare you SOnia! Tum khud gher mard ki saath raat bitaati ho iska matlab yeh nahi ki har aurat tumhari tarha hai! Uske paas izzat hai ji tum kabki kho chuki ho! So get the hell out of my sight before I do something I regret!” Arjun barked at Sonia who walked away with a huff.
The day after tomorrow Arjun had been sitting in his office, having a cup of black coffee. He had to apologise to Sakshi on behalf of Sonia…
“Listen Sam… there must be something or somewhere where we can get a child! First of all please send Ayesha to get back Sakshi… humare financial issues ke beech woh pichle teen mahino se ghisi jaa rahi hai! Without any fault of hers!” Arjun gritted his teeth.
“Sure Jun! Par sun, I have chalked out all the other possibilities, kisi organization se toh we can’t take a surrogate mom kyunki Sonia’s bff is handling those, so we might have to opt for red light area women. Now there are three big issues, STDs, blackmailing with the fact that she’s the mother or emotionally unstable. Or this getting leaked to media… if media any day gets a whiff that the Arjun Rawte spent a night with a… ahem… then obviously tumhare baby pe question hoga…” Sameer cracked his head.
“Dead End you mean?” Arjun frowned and Sameer nodded. “Sakshi jaisi ladki really bohot kam milti hai who truly is pure and soft hearted. Though aaj Sherni ka muh kholke acha laga.” Sameer smiled.
“Shut up Sam… this isn’t a joke. First I told Sakshi, hey I want you to be the mother of my children but listen I won’t touch you, then hey listen I want to spend a night making love to you to get my child and then tum jao bhaad main! Mujhme aur ek a*****e main farak kya hai! Now Sam don’t tell me to marry her because that will be pure crap!” Arjun threw glasses on the floor.
“Why crap? See… tu usse religiously shadi karlena you know with sindoor and stuff and then she’s your wife and you can… you know… baby toh tum dono ka hi hoga! And dekho she is from a small town, poverty line ki ladki - toh yeh chota sa shadi karke uska mann bhi behel jayega! Aur kaun choti ladki the Arjun Rawte se shadi kar sakti hai! I mean that’s fantabulous! And once you are her husband then obviously suhaagraat and stuff! You get the right to be with her and love her! Waise bhi she’s more like a half wife around here! And c’mon Arjun don’t tell me you aren’t attracted to her! She’s pretty!” Sameer shrugged his shoulders to find Arjun looking at him as if he grew two horns.
“She is’t just pretty Sameer… she is beautiful but!” Arjun glared but before he could continue a shrill voice cut them…
“What the f*** are you guys thinking!” Ayesha yelled at the two men - especially Sameer.
“Listen Ash wait!” Arjun tried to clarify his stance when a quieter voice interrupted him. His face whitened when he saw Sakshi standing before Ayesha.
“Arjun! You out of all the damn people in this universe! This is serious crap guys! This… how could you even judge my looks! I mean you are attracted to me! You think I am beautiful so you won’t hesitate to! Kya yaha pe kisine socha bhi hai ki main ek football ki tarha idhar se udhar javungi! I am poor but I am not desperate! Aaj Arjun ko ek baccha chahiye toh uske saath raat bitao! Kal Advocate Sir ko ek baccha chahiye to kal uske saath raat bitao! This is what you think of me! A prostitute!” Sakshi screamed at the two men who paled at her bark.
“Sa…” Arjun started “I am not done yet Ar… I mean Sir!” Sakshi glared at Arjun. Hot tears formed near the corner of her eyes.
“Enough of me being nice and grateful to you guys for having treated my parents and looking after my four siblings. I will repay back each and every penny back to you! Mere paas ek phooti kaudi nahi hai… but trust me self respect aur dusro ko izzat dena aata hai mujhe! I am a beggar, chote sheher ki hoon… paise nahi hai mere paas… but it does not mean I will warm anyone and everyone’s bed for a night! When it’s not with her lover ek ladki ko dard hoti hai! Samajte ho ya nahi! We feel the penetration not you f*****g men! Our muscles tear and turn sore! It pains like shit! It’s like being stabbed right in your gentials and trust me it hurts! When that catheter was in me it hurt! It bloo*y hurt! Blood oozes out you damned men! But how will you guys even understand! Let me shove a butter knife up you a**es then you guys would understand what it feels like! Just because any female is physically inferior to a man it doesn’t mean that we are available!” Sakshi hollered at them.
“And a prostitute! You guys are worried about STDs, kisiko yeh chinta nahi that how did that poor woman get it in the first place… but none of you care how her life goes! None of you men care and wish these women have a different life! Kisiko accha nahi lagta apne aap ko bazaar main bechte hue!! Par bachane ke liye koi kyun aaye? We are the only species in the world who forces women to be in bed against their wish! Saale kutte bhi yeh nahi karte! You think I enjoyed the fact that I am giving birth to a child whose father is someone I don’t even know! Darr lagta tha Arjun se! He doesn’t know me yet he wants a child from me! Iraada kya tha iska! And seeing a mother in me isn’t what I was scared of. It was how he wanted! A child is a symbol of an intimate connection between a man and a woman, I was bloo*y freaked out if he ever noticed me in that angle! I know men are attracted to me because I got offers from most of the men to “change” my life. Had it not been for Ayesha… I don’t know then!” Sakshi rubbed away her furious tears and looked at Sameer.
She was about to grab his collars but she stepped back “Mann toh karta hai tumhara gala daba doon, par jahil gawar toh nahi hoon. What did you say, agar Arjun mere maang main sindoor bhar de toh main usse allow kar dungi! Right hoga uska mera upar! He can sleep with me then! What sh*tty knowledge is this lawyer sahab? Haven’t you heard of cases where a husband rapes his wife? Agar shadi se ek insaan dusra ka apna bana deta hai toh aise cases kyun hote hai haan? Yeh koi TV show hai kya? Ya koi fictional story? Arjun ne mere maang main sindoor bhar diya aur iske baad outcome do honge - ek toh he would force me to bed because I am his wife, and after a few days OMG I have fallen for the man who forced me because oh no… he had alcohol and i pity or him or… bechara… jo bhi ho pati toh hai ya phir oh… after that he didn’t rape me again and he felt remorse! Or I would end up falling for my husband and then sleep with him!” Sakshi’s words were like slaps on Sameer’s face.
“Listen Sameer! It’s seriously not about marriage! Just because he would become my husband it doesn’t give him an access in my bed! Get that sh*t clear out of your head! Secondly it’s with whom I want to sleep with! And not sleep but make love with! Bohot fark hota hai isme! It is something so intimate but aaj kal bikau main milta hai shayad! Some people consummate before marriage but that’s fine as long as it depends that both of them love each other and want to stay with each other! Marriage was, is and never will be the access of that! It’s love! Plain and simple!” Sakshi broke into tears as she turned towards Arjun.
“I never expected you out of every person in this universe… kabhi nahi… I hate you Arjun Suryakant Rawte! I HATE YOU!” Sakshi screamed and ran out of the house.
Arjun slumped on the chair, tears filling his eyes while Sameer turned red in shame. Ayesha walked up to Sameer and clicked her tongue, her eyes were teary as well “I know Arjun turned to you to refuse, utna bharosa hai uspe… par tum… Advocate… it’s a regret that i was falling for a man like you… I wanted to…” Ayesha turned aside while Sameer looked at her in shock.
“You were crazy, an idiot! But over the little dates we went… I thought that you were a good person… you deserve nothing than a bag full of sh*t! I was a bigger idiot to love this douchebag!” Ayesha thumped a ring in his hand and walked out by showing her middle finger. “Screw you!” she barked at them and ran towards Sakshi shocking Sameer out of his wits.
His fingers trembled as he held the platinum ring between his fingers, there was a small inscription in it “S & A forever.” He closed his eyes and groaned. “Damn It!”
~*~
Chapter VI - A
Arjun looked at her heated face. He slightly tucked the strands away from her face. Sakshi opened her eyes and gulped as her thighs touched his, a blaze of heat shot up her petite body. She looked at his eyes but it seemed different. His eyes were wide and were almost looking like a pool of black gold. His jaws were clenched, for the first time Sakshi noticed how masculine he was.
It was strange, his fragrance - an exotic combination of menthol and herbs filled her lungs. He cupped her burning cheeks once more and kissed her forehead, right at the top making Sakshi gasp, the forehead, it didn’t have any significance right?
Arjun realised how soft she actually was, and how sweet she smelt. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her feminine scent. He lowered his weight on her while Sakshi clutched his arms in shock. She never felt this weight and strangely it felt comforting.
“Easy… just relax now…” his throaty whisper wafted in her ears. She nodded and shuddered when his stubble grazed her earlobe. Strangely she felt heat pool amidst her core and it started throbbing.
Before she knew further, she clutched onto his shoulders as he united them in the most intimate manner. “Arjun!” she gasped.
~*~
“F*** you Sam! What the sh*t were you speaking!” the ever temperate Arjun lost his cool today. However before he could have pounded on Sameer he found Sameer lost in his world. Sameer slumped on the couch as tears filled his eyes. Ayesha loved him, the woman who meant the world to him loved him!
“I...I… they weren’t supposed to hear… I… just… gg.. give ideas..” Sameer croaked out. Arjun caught his head in his hands and slumped beside Sameer, he never realised what Sakshi was.
She was timid and quiet, but no… she was a woman of steel indeed. He felt as if he was whipped and slapped right across his face. He had never ever felt so shameful of himself. Were men truly devoid any idea of what women went through?
He never wanted Sakshi to hate him! Never! Arjun wiped the little moisture near the crinkle of his eyes. Every word of Sakshi and Ayesha’s echoed in his head, making him morose as seconds passed by.
Today the women had burst the bubble of illusion the two were in… how were they such classified idiots?
Sameer on the other hand was too shocked to even think. He was mum.
The two men came back to reality after a few minutes, as they looked at each other only one thought crossed their mind, were they even worth the respect of Sakshi and Ayesha? Did they deserve it?
Arjun drank a glass of water and took in a few deep breaths. With the little courage left in him he decided to ask apology from Sakshi. Sameer followed him like a silent shadow.
~*~
“Thanks for staying…” Sakshi rubbed her red nose as Ayesha patted her back, controlling her own tears.
“I should have heard what Arjun had to say…” Sakshi spoke after a long time. Ayesha was about to argue when Sakshi stopped her “Before tu phirse shuru ho ja let me tell you, Arjun was about to say something when you stopped him.” Sakshi said.
“You really want to give that Sam and Jun a chance!” Ayesha looked at her disbelievingly.
“Not Sameer, he’s a classified idiot. Just Arjun.. and” Sakshi’s words stopped as she found Ayesha looking aside, tears dwelling her eyes again.
“Wait, Ayesha, tumhara aur Sameer ka kuch…” Sakshi started when Ayesha waved her hand off “No… tha… ab kuch nahi… waise what is it that you are tensed about?”
“What if he takes some legal action, okay not him but Sonia? I mean I did sign a contract… shoot… what if aaj ke aaj they throw maa and baba out of hospital and remove my little ones from school? Sacchai toh yeh hai na… oh shoot… but jo bhi ho main haar nahi maan ne waali…” Sakshi pressed the temples of her head.
“Tu bhool rahi hai ki main bhi ek Rawte hoon, haan company ke koi shares nahi hai mere naam… but main achi tarha se teri family ko support kar sakti hoon..” Ayesha crossed her arms while Sakshi half smiled “Ayesha it’s not about who’s supporting me… it’s about me being independant! And Ayesha the expenses are indeed too much, it goes above crores Ayesha! And moreover I want to support them yaar… uff…” Sakshi groaned in pain.
“Kya hua?” Ayesha asked
“Sar dard…” Sakshi mumbled and before she knew it two hands were pressing her head..
“Di! Kabse… aur tu yaha? Tu toh waha thi na? Ki hua?” Rahul muttered and worked on pressing his di’s head.
“Hey Ayesha Di! Nice to see you, I am Rahul Anand, Sakshi ka chota bhai, main ab eleventh main padta hoon. You know agar koi insaan perfection ki aas paas hota na, tab bhi woh meri di ki ek inch kareeb bhi nahi!” Rahul chattered off while Ayesha looked at the little boy, amazed. “Pakka tum Sakshi ke hi bhai ho!” Ayesha chuckled.
Rahul easily understood that his sister was hiding something from him “Di, does it have to do something with that Arjun?” he asked her. Sakshi could barely lie to him… Rahul was as good as her shadow, she gave a reluctant nod. Ayesha watched his face turn stiff. “Did he…”
“No Rahul…” Sakshi said and pulled her brother’s arms in front, around her neck “Don’t worry Rahul…” “Say the very same line if Anji went through the thing that’s upsetting you, I’ll stop worrying!” Rahul muttered and walked to his room angrily.
“You have a very loving brother Sakshi… a really loving one.” Ayesha half smiled. Brother… aah that reminded her of Arjun.
“Sakshi, today I’ll stay over - okay?” Ayesha hugged Sakshi tightly. Sakshi mumbled a soft thank you . Sometimes a hug does wonders instead of words.
~*~
“Umm..” Sakshi groaned as someone tapped her shoulder gently. “Sakshi…” a soft voice wafted through her ears…
Arjun
“What the!” Sakshi shot up from her bedroom and was about to scream to find his palm over her mouth. “Ssh!” Arjun whispered and looked at an exasperated Sakshi.
“See… Sakshi….please listen to me for once…” he pleaded to a furious Sakshi who battled against him. Pinning her on the couch, which he was compelled to, he waited for her to calm down - yet the fire in her eyes didn’t douse off.
Arjun took in a deep breath and narrated the entire sequence of events and what Sameer and he intended and what came out. Sakshi pushed Arjun slightly away and then sat at the farthest corner of the couch. She pondered over what all was said.
Arjun played with the little cuticle of his nail and waited for an answer “Sakshi…” he spoke.
“What?” she snapped. “Water?” he asked and she nodded. She strode towards the kitchen and took out a glass, the only sound in the house was the water being poured into the glass. Arjun rested his lips at the edge of the glass and took a sip, through the corner of his eye he noticed how Sakshi avoided him like a plague and sought to clear up the kitchen.
“Sakshi please…” Don’t ignore me… something funny and painful happens in my heart. But of course the rest of the words were deep inside his throat. “I don’t know what to say Arjun… I mean… kya aur kyun kahu kuch…” Sakshi sighed as her eyelids fluttered shut in fatigue. She took in a few deep breaths, as if they were taken with great difficulty.
Arjun walked closer to her and waited for her to look at him “I am terribly sorry Sakshi… I truly am.” he cupped her cheek gently when a voice boomed in the room.
“How the hell do you touch my sister!” Rahul barged into the kitchen and grabbed Arjun’s collars. “Rahul! Calm down!” Sakshi tried to yank her brother off Arjun “Oh no way Di! I remember your sullen face and how you cried for this sole man… and I did hear when you said you didn’t expect this from Arj… haan Arjun! Kamine! Pehle toh mere di se baccha maangta hai aur ab!” Rahul was yanked off by Sakshi.
“Bas Rahul! Not a single more word! Yehi sikhaya hai tujhe! Bado ke beech chote baat nahi karte, go to your room and don’t come out till this is sorted!” Sakshi glared at her brother whose face was etched in hurt. “Oh… I see… this man of course means more than your brother… looking at his status… ah I see he must be giving you everything you want right!” Rahul growled and walked away, not seeing how much he hurt his sister by those few words.
Sakshi stood in shock as tears rolled by, her Rahul said this? Arjun was quiet and confused. Sakshi took soft steps and settled on the couch. Rahul’s each and every word hit her like whiplash. What was her status? Who was she? Did it make any difference?
“A baby means a lot for you right?” Sakshi’s voice croaked as a surprised Arjun nodded, wait… where did this conversation come from?
“We’ll do it, we’ll make the baby.” Sakshi smiled softly as tears poured over while Arjun looked at her in shock. “When my brother thinks no diffe..” “Hush Sakshi… please… hush…” Arjun cooed and rubbed away the tears that formed continuously.
“No Arjun… you are not mine yet it hurt when I thought that you can think something so low of me, you are just a friend yet it hurt. What my brother meant today hit like a slam on my face.” Sakshi sagged on the sofa while Arjun held her hand.
“No way Sakshi… we have the baby or not shall be your decision but not on the basis that your brother assumed something else… no way!” Arjun sighed and placed his hands on his hips. How does fate twists things in a manner which ends up with Sakshi getting hurt every time?
“Sakshi…” he said softly and kneeled “I am damn sorry Sakshi, can you forgive me?” Arjun asked while Sakshi gave a broken smile and nodded.
He pressed her palm in understanding and left.
It was time to set a few things right.
~*~
CHAPTER VI - B
“ARJUN!” Sakshi screamed out in a voice that was so not hers. Her nails clawed his back mercilessly yet nothing but soothing caresses escaped his mouth. “Sakshi… easy love…” he whispered as she tightened herself around him.
By now she had memorised each and every touch of his, his scent, his warmth… she never felt this in her entire life. A tear of joy escaped as he pressed his lips against her neck.
Arjun looked at the woman below him, the hazy eyes, the flushed cheeks… none realised when her spaghetti went off in between.
Finally marking each as the other an exhausted Arjun snuggled into Sakshi as the sky cracked dawn. His fingers ran in soothing caresses through her scalp while her arms wound around him in a protective embrace.
Arjun felt the strands of affection, admiration and the purity of her. Hell he would wait for his entire life for her. He vowed that he would be the harbinger of her happiness. What has surprised him was the welcomed warmth of hers. His eyelids turned heavy as sleep overtook him, his lungs filled with the scent of musk and spice. Her innocent flowery fragrance soothed his heart and a smile hung on his lips as he wafted to a deep slumber.
Sakshi stirred when she felt a bright light on her eyes. She tried to shift to find herself cocooned in a surprising yet familiar warmth. Something throbbed beside her chest and she opened her eyes as her finger pads touched a muscular skin.
She blinked hard to find her embracing and him gazing at her, intently. Arjun stiffened as Sakshi woke up and stared at him. A moment of silence enveloped them as their blank eyes looked at each other. They had slept off embracing each other and his heart thumped hard against hers.
Both were too scared to say anything. They didn’t want awkwardness, they didn’t want fear, they didn’t want distance… they wanted something that neither could define.
Thus they contend themselves by gazing into each other’s eyes. Sakshi shivered as the cool of the air condition touched her arms. In a reflex he glided his large warm palm on her arm and she looked at his serene face which held a soft smile.
~*~
“Sir, there’s a student I want to speak to.” Arjun threw his sunglasses inside his shirt and looked at the Principal who nodded and allowed him “Of course Mr. Rawte!” The Principal smiled and then looked at the teacher “Miss Nilima could you call Rahul from 11 A?”
After a few minutes Arjun found himself sitting on a bench as Rahul came running towards the teacher, his football tucked under his arms. “Miss?” “Someone’s come to meet you.” The lady smiled and directed him to Arjun’s way.
Rahul frowned on seeing Arjun but deciding to not make a scene he walked towards Arjun, moving a hand through his wet hair. “Good Day.” Rahul said gruffly while Arjun nodded back.
Arjun half smiled at the arrogant boy who showed off his football skills by kicking the ball from a far distance to hit the goal. Arjun raised an eyebrow as Rahul shrugged his shoulders in ego.
“Why are you here? Go to Di…” Rahul placed his hands on his hips while Arjun smirked “You don’t understand your sister do you? I suppose you hate her.” Arjun said while Rahul snorted. “Can you run along with me while I practice?” Rahul said while Arjun nodded to the strange request.
As Rahul tried to boast his athletics; Arjun smiled at his immaturity. “For your kind information my di’s boyfriend; I love my sister a lot… I thought she was doing some big deal stuff for us but now I see it’s her rich boyfriend paying for us! And over that she decides to hear to you than speaking to me. You are of course, more important to her than us! She has never shouted before!” Rahul growled while Arjun jogged beside Rahul.
“Rahul… I had thought you to be a very caring brother, but am afraid you are a terrible one!” Arjun shook his head and those words hit Rahul’s pride. “EXCUSE ME! I know my sister the best and…”
“Shut up Rahul, I have had enough of your non sense… what sort of a brother doesn’t realise that his sister was trying to tell him to behave so that to show me that you guys have etiquettes and a good upbringing!” Arjun barked and Rahul quivered.
“Your sister dropped out of college so as to you can get into the most prestigious one! She’s running here and there… she herself is a child of 19 or what 20? And she isn’t doing any favour for you! This is the love you have for your sister? To show in front of strangers what an upbringing she has given you!” Arjun told while Rahul looked down shame faced.
“And what makes you think I am her boyfriend!” Arjun threw his hands up in exasperation “You were…” “I was wiping her tears, I am a boy who is her friend… don’t get those two words together! At your age Rahul showing up arrogance is very easy but barely do you realise how much it hurts the other person. Damn if I had a sister who is so caring I would die but say something so painful to her!” Arjun jogged faster while Rahul panted to keep pace with him.
Arjun stopped and looked at Rahul “So you are Mr. Perfect na!” Rahul grumbled “I just don’t have the arrogance and I think before I act. You mean the most to your sister…” Arjun sighed.
Rahul pouted and tried to manoeuvre the ball around his foot when Arjun snatched it “Rahul, you don’t need to show your skills off… minus the pride and arrogance from you and moreover just go home and look at your sister keenly.” Arjun said and kicked the ball straight into the goal, shocking the other kids out there.
Leaving a tongue tied Rahul behind.
Rahul followed behind Arjun and asked “Can you ask princy to let me go home now?” Arjun nodded.
Twenty minutes later he ran back home, muddy and sweaty he sat beside his sister and gazed at her face. Sakshi was quiet as she didn’t understand why was he touching her hands and eyes. Rahul’s face fell as he saw a few injection marks and her dark circles… guilt hit him hard and he hugged his sister out of impulse.
“I am sorry di… forgive me…” Rahul hugged her tightly, blinking away the tears that came “It’s fine paagal…” Sakshi cupped his cheek and wiped away the sweaty bangs from his head. “No Di… I mean… I thought so horribly! You… why don’t you ask me for help di?” Rahul held her hands while Sakshi half smiled “How could I? You are still young… after college I wouldn’t spare you!” Sakshi smiled with the affection of a mother while Rahul hugged her again.
“Agh Bhai you are stinking!” Anjali groaned as Rahul smiled sheepishly “Di! You should have told me before, I gave this stinking and sweaty apology!” He grumbled at the soiled floor thanks to his shoes. Sakshi poked his chest and smiled “It came from here na! That’s what made the difference!” Rahul smiled and promised himself to get things sorted - him being impulsive each and every decision of his was rash and impromptu!
Rahul sent Sakshi to take a bath while he quickly showered. When Sakshi came back she was surprised to have found his clothes in the washing machine, the floor mopped and Rahul bringing food on the dining table.
Sakshi raised an eyebrow as her younger ones made her sit like a princess and tucked napkin onto her collar. “Di… I made food today!” Rahul gleamed in pride as Sakshi smiled. “May I come in?” A husky voice stated which brought smiles on the juniors face. “Arjun bhai! Come come!” Anjali surprised Rahul and Sakshi by dragging him in their house. Dressed in a simple plum coloured shirt and jeans he was seated onto the dining table.
“Alright what’s going on here?” Sakshi raised an eyebrow at Anjali, Rahul, Raj and Misha. They all looked at a guilty looking Arjun while Misha blurted out “Arjun bhai met me in school and told me that you are doing so much for us! We should also take responsibility na!” Mishu said while Arjun glared at her, Misha ran and climbed on Sakshi’s lap while Sakshi broke a hesitant smile “Arjun this wasn’t…”
“No Sakshi… children should understand what all you are doing for them! Just imagine if Kaka hadn’t told me what all Baba was doing for me in childhood I might have distanced with my father… and Sakshi after all that we have been through - I do owe you this much!” Arjun smiled sheepishly while Anjali, Raj and Rahul grinned a little.
“Arjun bhai, why don’t you join us for dinner! Rahul made it today!” Raj jumped while Arjun gave a shocked face “Erm Rahul, should I get an appointment set with the doctor?” he winked and broke into laughter as Rahul pouted like a girl and made a face.
Sakshi felt as if her world was beautiful and complete in one second! “Just joking… of course! What’s up?” Arjun rolled his sleeves and sat on the table while Sakshi was going to deny but it was surprising to see how much he became involved with her family.
Her eyes watered as she saw the changes in Rahul, Arjun had given a positive impact on him indeed.
“We have… Paneer Makhani, Dal Makhani, Rice and Tomato Rice with tamarind pickle and raita!” Rahul gleamed in pride as he set the dining table.
Shock would be an understatement. “Rahul?” Arjun and Sakshi muttered in disbelief when Anjali and Misha chirped “From Gits packing! Readymade tha sab kuch! And you know Gopal uncle gave us the tomato rice at 5 % discount!”
Rahul turned red in embarrassment but then said “Raita is pakka made by me!” Sakshi melted and hugged her brother tightly as they kept on feeding her till she was full “Uff… feed Arjun na! He is pretty much thin!” Sakshi chuckled to get a glare from him as Misha, being Arjun’s favourite kept on piling food on his plate.
No matter how strict he looked, he could help but melt for the tiny tot Misha, her cherub little face, ruddy cheek, pudgy fingers and big dewy eyes brought out the father in him.
That had been a night to remember.
Especially when Arjun stayed back till twelve to wish her a happy birthday. Sakshi herself had forgotten that it was her birthday.
As that night she curled up with her four siblings Sakshi breathed in a sigh of relief… but she hadn’t missed out Arjun’s tensed face after a call…
~*~
Arjun glanced at the watch behind and saw that it was 5 in the morning, he used the remote and closed the curtain as Sakshi’s eyes lowered with sleep. He pulled her closer as she shivered in the cold, her sigh as she relaxed and moulded his body to hers made Arjun sigh in bliss.
Both were still lost in the tranquil state in the aftermath. He could sense Sakshi’s hesitation and confusion, she lifted her head and looked at his face, trying to keep her eyes open when Arjun smiled and peck her forehead “Sleep love…” he muttered and hugged her tightly, forgetting everything…
Forgetting the rules, regulations, the relation… everything except for the fact that the woman he cherished the most snuggled into him and wrapped her slender arms around his frame.
He feared what tomorrow would bring. He feared what would happen after this. He patted her hair gently and embraced her in a bone crushing embrace. He balanced her head on his arm and swallowed the lump forming in his throat.
Tomorrow never seemed so scary.
~*~
Rahul
Anjali and Raj
Misha
CHAPTER 7
Something soft bristled against Sakshi’s fingers rose her from her dream like stance. A little creak of the door rubbed away the remnants of sleep. Sakshi blinked her eyelids heavy from tranquility and half smiled when sweet pain shot up through different soft points of her body.
Her fingers again brushed against something soft and tender, she shot up to find Arjun and was perplexed amidst disappointment and a wistful wish to see his face the first thing in the morning. She closed her eyes and inhaled a musky essence of them, his spicy exotic scent meshed with her fragrance, that’s when another essence hit her.
She turned aside to find a bunch of wild lilac kept beside her, on the bed. She picked up the delicate bunch of flowers amidst her slender fingers and smelt them deeply. The light floral scent filled her inside with a sweet essence. She turned aside and clutched the the duvet near her chest.
Suddenly her eyes widened as she found Arjun peeping at her from the door. His eyes were laden with several emotions, each too difficult to define. Sakshi’s throat clogged up as the meaning of lilac descended upon her.
It meant first love.
~*~
“Ayesha”
“Don’t even take my name Sameer!” Ayesha wiped away the little tears forming as Sameer held her hand in her clinic. “Ayesha baby please don’t separate from me! You can’t break up just because of what I said, I know what I said was horrendous and I plead for forgiveness!”
Ayesha held his hand and sighed “Sameer, do you think it’s your words that hurt me the most! It was the thought! Call a guy, ask him to marry me so as to he has a license to bed me? Tell me Sameer, is that why you wished to marry me?” Ayesha leaned against the wall while Sameer held his head in his hands.
“I had a wrong thought Ayesha, I am sorry… I can do anything in this world to get your forgiveness and your love. Please Ayesha…” Sameer held her hand. “How many more thoughts as such do you have in your mind?” Ayesha asked.
She had seen him struggling and begging for months and sighed as he swore he has been driven far away from such ideas. “I don’t have any such ideas in my mind! I swear on my mum, please Ayesha forgive me! I really love you a lot.” He pinched his throat while Ayesha sniffed. “So it took a few months and my words to get you on track?”
Sameer looked aside, troubled as to which answer might appease her. “Yes.” He answered – truthfully. “So every time you have a wrong thought I have to keep on correcting you for a lifetime?”
Sameer fumbled and nodded “No no, no mistakes! Humare zindagi main there’ll only be happiness and peace and… wait… did you say lifetime?” he asked as Ayesha nodded. “You know I am not very pleased on dealing with a stupid man for a real long time.” Ayesha folded her arms and smiled as he wiped her tears.
“Yeah, stupidly crazy in love with my Ayesha. Thank you for giving me this chance. I love you!” Sameer kissed her cheek while Ayesha hugged him. “Please don’t disappoint me Sameer.”
“Never…” Sameer embraced her and cradled her head gently.
“Dinner at 8?” Sameer asked to which Ayesha nodded and half smiled.
~*~
“Ma’am… it’s not good, Sakshi and Arjun sahib are too close for your comfort.” Mathila, Sonia’s faithful maid reported.
“Mathila, it doesn’t make much of a difference! So what? They’re bedding or not doesn’t make much difference to me. I just need my share of the property and you see, he wouldn’t end up marrying a servant.” Sonia laughed and resumed to laden her lashes with mascara.
“He might, Arjun sahib has always been the one with morals and ethics. You really think he will give nothing to the woman he beds? In fact I have noticed that he’s giving extra attention to that young kid. Memsahib, aap beithe beithe mascara lagate rahenge aur uss bacchi ko iss ghar ki maharani bana ke rakhdenge sahib. Choti hai, nazuk hai, iss waqt uske sapne ka soch kuchaldo, kacchi kali hai – kat jayegi aur apne aap ko hi sahib se door chali jayegi.”
Sonia pondered over Mathila’s words. She kept aside her cosmetics and decided to give a thought to what Mathila said. Arjun is hurt and emotional as he lost his father and Sakshi is the definite goody shoes girl. What if after the child Arjun bestows on Sakshi more than necessity? What if their relationship from a supposed one night stand means something more?
Sonia walked off and happened to look at Arjun working out, shirtless. Hmm, her husband was handsome no doubt… but he wasn’t spicy. Sonia peered at his shirtless back and frowned at those deep scars on his back which was so like… nail marks.
She grind her teeth at their intimacy level and almost gasped at the few love bites.
Everything was mutual!
“This kid is flying too high with her aspirations, time to destroy your kingdom… princess.” Sonia hissed.
Sonia pouted her lips and let out a soft moan “Arj.. jun.. sounds perfect!” she chuckled, tossing her hair aside.
~*~
A confused and embarrassed Sakshi gently tiptoed to the kitchen and helped herself to bread and jam. Something told her that future had something to hope for.
She recalled when she remembered Arjun’s haggard expression a night after her birthday when he realised that Sonia was planning to take a divorce without the kid so as to she could gain maximum.
And that night she agreed to spend the night with him, giving him the gift of a child.
Yet Sakshi felt insecure, her insides felt scared of the fact that they shared something so intimate yet they didn’t have any tangible relation to hold on to. It suffocated her but she hoped for the better. She sipped on her cup of milk and jerked when she heard a giggle.
“Miss. Mathila?” Sakshi washed the plate and walked towards Mathila who seemed red and in amused situation. “Oh shush Sakshi! I just got embarrassed… it’s nothing…”
“Arrey! I’ve never seen you so red! What happened?” Sakshi asked as Mathila waved her hands in the air “I think we might expect good bliss in the family now. Memsahib and Sahib are finally patching up, but hush don’t tell anyone that it’s in the shower!” Mathila chuckled and walked towards the living room leaving Sakshi shattered.
“Just as expected…” Mathila dusted her hands and got to sort the newspapers, not caring about a pale Sakshi trudging subconsciously towards Arjun’s bedroom.
“Oh… oh Arjun!” Sonia’s voice wafted through the bedroom door. Sakshi clenched her fist on her chest and broke down as she heard Sonia’s moans. Suddenly everything stopped and Sakshi simpered away to find Arjun walk out of the room in a translucent white shirt and jeans, his hair wet from shower.
She gasped as she saw the deep nail marks on his back. She didn’t realize when tears rolled down her cheeks when Sonia too walked out of the room, her lipstick smudged and her hair semi wet from shower.
Sakshi ran all the way back to her room and shut herself in the washroom.
If they were together why did Arjun even sleep with her? How could he weave so many promises one night to bed another woman the next morning!
She slumped under the shower feeling utterly used and spent when the word another woman hit her head. It was ironic to call Sonia the other woman for she’s his wife.
What is Sakshi then?
Was she nothing but a night of carnal desire for Arjun? No wonder he did everything effortlessly last night. Dirty, disgusting, used, stale, cheap… these feelings flitted through her as she tried to scrub herself off his scent and touch. She scratched at the bite on her neck to get rid of the presence of his lips over there.
How could she be so blind? It was no secret that rich men often bedded their maids. She cradled her head in her hands and led out a cry of despair.
What was she! A few gentle soft words and great behaviour to her family… in return she agreed to spend the night with a complete stranger. She had developed silent forbidden desires for a man who was married and rich – the class well known for using women.
“Sakshi?” her ears perked up to the husky voice outside her bathroom. Rage and wrath filled in her on recognition of the man outside her bathroom.
“Oh lord what’s wrong with you!” Arjun asked as he saw a raw pink skinned Sakshi staring at him. “Absolutely nothing.” Sakshi snapped back. “You’re wet.” He nodded his head in annoyance as she was dripping with water, he picked up a towel and rubbed her while Sakshi bit back a tear “Just the way you want me to be, wet.”
Arjun looked up at her words laced with sarcasm, did she mean the innuendo? “You really never get enough from women right? Subah uss ke saath biao aur shyam ko mere saath. When you are satisfied with your wife why do you want me for?” Sakshi pushed his chest as Arjun squinted.
“What do you think I want you for, spell it out.” Arjun cornered her against the wall. Sakshi whitened as she saw a different, hazy set of emotions play across his face.
“SPEAK!” he thumped his arm against her face which quivered Sakshi. She slunk back in fear as she just realized how strong, powerful and fearful he was. The sweet, soft Arjun seemed like a façade.
“Kk..keep.” she blurted out while Arjun let out a mirthless chuckle, he placed his index finger under her chin and gazed at her teary face “You’re not that naïve then.” His harshness scared her further and she longed to go back to her home.
“You don’t have the right to talk to me like that!” “Oh really, I don’t have the right? Let me remind you Miss. Anand that your house, your parents’ medical condition, your siblings’ education and even your innocence – it’s all under my care. Get that?” his icy tone made her cry.
Her heart shattered to pieces to see him manifest as what she feared him of. “I hate you!” she plummeted punches on his chest while he gripped her tender wrists with an unknown brutality. “You unmasked this, you called for this Miss. Anand, now come… I need you, my keep.”
Sakshi looked in horror as he tugged her towards the bed “Leave me Arjun…” “SIR!” he barked.
He removed his shirt and pushed her on the bed “My keep right, my façade right? I just used you? Now shut up and climb the bed, GO!” he barked while a trembling Sakshi cried harder.
~*~
Sonia stood outside Sakshi’s bedroom and smiled at hearing Sakshi’s cries. “Mission successful.” Sonia chuckled and walked out in her Mercedes.
~*~
“Please leave me…” Sakshi begged as Arjun pinned her on the bed and concentrated on removing her shirt. “Shut up!” he spoke back and Sakshi choked her tears. She felt humiliated, lost, and cheap ; she died little by little as his fingers worked furiously on her buttons. “Please…” “You will be very pleased” he stated when she begged and touched his face to get any remnant of the sweet Arjun, of the man she lo…
"Tell me, what do you think of me?" "Cheap! Pervert! Stale! Haraami! You used me to warm yourself! I hate you! You blo**y man! At night you whisper soft words and utilize me and at the morning you are bedding Sonia! I hate you!" She scratched him as Arjun's face turned white and hardened into an expressionless form.
"So be it!" his voice strained as he lifted her skirt “NO!” Sakshi howled and struggled to leave him “Sakshi stop struggling… Sakshi!” he said in shock as she flung herself aside in an effect her shirt ripped. He stared at her teary face and tried to make sense of her incoherent words.
Sakshi cried her lungs out when she felt cold air touch her skin. Suddenly she was enveloped in a tight embrace “I ha..”
“ Shut up! You wanted to be a keep and this is how I treat keeps!" he rasped and breathed a sigh of relief when she stopped plummeting at his chest and stared at him. He cupped her jaws and stated "Did I ever treat you like this?"
Her lips trembled as she said no. "I f****d Sonia? From where the hell did you get that idea? I used you? This... this is what you think about me? If I was what you perceived me to be then by now I would have bedded you a hundred times! Not waited for two three months damn it! Not take care of your family as mine and not have made you my best friend!"
Sakshi stood still as his words seeped in and she cradled her head in her palms, what had she done?
In broken sentences she told all that she saw. Arjun's shoulders slumped and he quietly put his shirt on Sakshi and chinned her up "You believed all the lies they stated? If it was even proven that you slept with another man I wouldn't have trusted anything unless you told me so for I lov..." Arjun blinked back his tears and stepped aside.
"In my life after my father if there had been any other person I let close to me it was you. These nail marks you were talking about... look at my back and look at your nails! Don't you think these scratches are a day old and don't you remember that you gave me these?" Arjun fisted his palms in unbound anger and growled.
Sakshi's mouth opened as the realization dawned on her, she had marked him. "Those people made a fool of you for they didn't want you to become closer to me but I never warned you for I trusted you, but nay... I should have known. You wouldbelieve them, not me."
Sakshi's heart shredded to a million pieces as his exhausted face came in view, she walked towards Arjun to beg for forgiveness. She never felt so vulnerable and believed everything which could set them apart for she herself was so unsure of what's happening.
"Arj..."
"Don't take my name!" he snapped and Sakshi blinked hard at his temper "I know am wrong, but I felt so vulnerable and scared that I didn't know what to say or do! I didn't know what you felt after we..." Sakshi said.
"I asked you a thousand times if you were comfortable or not! Is that a yes or no?" Arjun gripped the soft flesh of her upper arm and glared while Sakshi gulped, the continuous tears streaming down her face tugged a corner of his heart but he was too heartbroken to pay heed to it.
"Oh wait, I - a cheap and pervert - am not allowed to touch you at all... sorry!" he lifted his hand away and stepped back as Sakshi cried and tried to go towards him "No Arjun please... it's just a misunderstanding!"
"Could you forgive me if I called you a sl*t and a gold digger who slept with me to feast on my money and me?" Arjun stared at her eyes going round "The words which you told me Sakshi had the same effect, I never intended to lift your skirt nor unbutton your shirt, I wanted you to know what it means to be that." Arjun shrugged her arm away and looked into an empty space.
Sakshi bit her nails in nervousness and guilt as his eyes held a sudden distant look.
"Leave." his words hung in the air as Sakshi looked at him in shock.
"Miss. Anand, from now we have no connection nor any sort of link together. What happened between us was a night of grave error, if you need any sort of compensation please do tell me now. All your belongings shall be shifted to your permanent address. You shall resume your online college and continue to pursue your degree with 100 percent scholarship, likewise for your siblings. As far as your parents are concerned their medical health shall be covered." Arjun's voice sounded distant and mechanical.
Sakshi slumped on the bed as he rattled off other terms and stared at the man so unlike her friend. A friend she lost due to her error.
"Stop" she moaned and shut her ears as Arjun turned towards her and frowned. "I am sorry..." Sakshi cried as she hugged him "I was scared! I didn't know what you felt! Yes, it's my fault... I agree." She sniffed and set back her damp hair.
She cupped his cheeks and tried to speak, looking at his indifferent face she took back her hands and wiped her tears "I'll do anything to rectify this mistake, please Arjun... aise mujhe apne zindagi se judaa mat karo! Darr gayi thi main! Jo bhi chaho karungi. I won't even touch you, pakka promise but I am sorry. I really am! Don't punish me like this." She cried against his chest. Little aware of the storm of emotions in his heart.
He gently pushed aside Sakshi and cupped her cheeks, his own eyes moist with tears reflecting his pain. "Sakshi, you and I have immense difference in our classes... you shall never be able to adjust with me no matter what you do. I am not punishing you... I am just making sure that no cheap and pervert man like me comes near you. You have your life exactly the way you wanted, without me. You wanted me to let you go right? Here... go!" Arjun pushed her gently and called his servant to get a suitcase.
He paid no heed to her cries as he himself packed her clothes.
"Arjun please."
"Leave Miss. Anand"
"Arjun... I am sorry..."
"Don't ever take my name and I can rest assure you that we shall never meet again!" He turned his face to the other side while Sakshi pushed him.
"You aren't giving me a single chance to justify damn it! I AM sorry! You can't make me leave! I can't live without you! Why don't you blo**y get that straight!" Sakshi cried and tugged at his shirt while he plucked her tiny wrist away from his shirt.
"I don't know you Miss. Anand neither do you know me, please leave before I am forced to do so." Arjun walked out of the room shattering Sakshi further.
"And you don't understand what I felt? I felt nothing for you? You know what those flowers meant right... I did know too what those flowers meant and I gave them to you for the very same reason. NOW GO AWAY FROM ME!" He yelled and stormed out of the room.
Sakshi clutched her bag and walked out of the mansion halfheartedly, no one seemed bothered about her disheveled state.
As she walked out she was stopped by the guard "Mr. Rawte has ordered us to drop you to your place." The driver opened the door but was surprised as she closed the door.
"No! I don't want his help! Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye!" Sakshi staggered towards her house, unaware of a man staring at her from his window.
She didn't believe him, hence he won't exist in her world anymore, that's how Arjun justified his actions.
A silent tear fell from his face as he walked away, little knowing that in either ways the couple separated according to the wishes of all those against them.
To be continued...
~*~
Chapter 8
Sakshi absently stirred the tomato soup in a ceramic bowl, unaware of her brother’s questioning eyes. It had been seven weeks since her world went for a toss.
He didn’t pick up her calls. He didn’t allow her to come to his house neither his office. Her emails went unanswered and she doubted if he even read the letters she slipped in the mailbox.
“Di?” her brother’s voice sent startled her. “Hmm…” she replied quietly and spat out the tomato soup the minute she took a sip “This tastes horrible!” Sakshi blinked hard and sucked her tongue.
“Of course! It’s been out since two hours and you have been doing nothing apart from stirring the soup! You’ll kill yourself sick!” Rahul grumbled and stormed away with the bowl, almost snatching it from Sakshi’s hands.
She was alone, again.
Tears sprung up in Sakshi’s eyes as she removed a piece of paper from her pocket and began to write to him… hiding it from Rahul’s eyes.
She cursed at the dried nib of the pen to only find Rahul slam a pen on the table. “I know everything! Di! This is too much, he has underlined it that he doesn’t want you… hopefully in the good way! There’s so much more to life and you’re just wasting yourself away.” Rahul sighed and cupped the ruddy cheeks of his sister. He sighed and left to tutor their younger siblings.
Rahul had grown up.
Sakshi half smiled and wrote a short letter to Arjun.
Dear Arjun,
I am sorry. Please talk to me. I don’t know if I even have the right to talk to you… but please talk to me. I trust you… I do.
Sakshi.
Sakshi huddled herself tighter as she walked towards Arjun’s house. The watchmen looked at her with pity as she kept the letter in the mailbox. A wave of nausea hit her as she recalled her ugly fight with Arjun.
The difference of their age showed up. His maturity and beliefs clashed against her naivety and distrusting nature. But how could she learn to trust anyone when since childhood she had been asked to stay away from anyone who helps her.
“Amma, mereko woh uncle chocolate de rahe hai. Main jau uske saath?” a lanky six year old Sakshi stared at her Amma’s eyes go wide.
She looked in shock as her Amma took a stick and walked out of her house, shouting at the sweet uncle in some incoherent words and beating him, threatening him. In spite of her pregnancy she beat the man into pulp.
Her Amma rushed back home and slumped against the tin door of their ‘house’. “Amma?” the baby Sakshi trodded to her Amma who slapped Sakshi against her cheek “Tereko kisne bola bahar ki log se baat cheet karne ke liye! Akkal nahi hai kya tera! Tereko bechne waala tha!” her Amma gripped the shoulders of a crying Sakshi.
“Amma main cheez toh nahi hoon! Mujhe kaise bechenge?” Sakshi half cried while her mother hugged her child against her worn out bosoms. She glanced at a toddler Rahul and sighed.
“Tereko chocolate deke tujhe leke tujhse ghinoni cheez karwaega! Woh chor tera haath per kaat denge! Meri kasam kha kisi aur aadmi ya aurat ki baat mat sunna!” her mother shouted while a baby Sakshi nodded.
Her Amma knew she couldn’t live her anymore. Her husband was busy working at construction sites day and night, and over here the people got to know there were kids and a woman alone, what if she comes back to find her child disappeared?
Sakshi shook from her reverie as a loud horn blasted before her. Hot tears dropped onto her cheek and she shuddered away.
Her eyes widened as she saw Arjun in the car. “Arjun.” she called softly as he stepped out of his car. She saw his stance firm beneath the tailor stitched suit of his.
A wayward flick of hair settled on his forehead as he whipped towards her. One month… it had been more than a month since she had seen him, in flesh and blood.
A flush of heat washed her with a violent red from her head to toe tips as he settled his eyes on her. Her nether regions pounded with blood as she noticed the softening of his eyes and recognition mask his face. Her pleading eyes locked against his surprised ones. Several emotions and memories played out in Sakshi’s mind.
Arjun bit back a gasp on seeing her in form before him. His cheeks flushed deep and his eyes widened at her innocent gestures. The lowering of lashes, reddening of cheeks, parting of lips and her heaving…
Damn him.
Damn her.
Damn everything.
He had known long before of the primal pull he felt towards his little lady. It didn’t surprise him that he was very well aware of his masculinity and the weakness of his heart on seeing her.
She seemed so fragile, so vulnerable. He was too strong, too independant.
Their difference in age, status, thinking… everything would shatter them if they even tried to come and live together.
Her hoarse whisper was almost his undoing but he couldn’t lead his life protecting her and guiding her. Nothing could diminish the ten year gap between them, nothing could diminish the fact that he would die way before she would… no one would be left to protect her.
She distrusted him - she can’t place an unending faith on him.
That very thought acted as a whiplash against his back.
“Who are you?” his icy voice felt like a slap against Sakshi’s cheek. Her face burnt in humiliation. She opened her mouth to say something when she noticed a woman in the car.
She wasn’t Raina.
She wasn’t Ayesha.
She was beautiful.
Arjun didn’t have any other sister.
Her eyes welled up in tears as a disgusting thought came in her mind. She kept quiet and tried to speak to Arjun when his next question came up.
“I thought I had paid enough to lead a comfortable life Miss. I apologize if there’s a shortage of cash. Please mention the amount and my assistant shall look into it.”
Sakshi felt stabbed at her core. She stared at Arjun, amazed at the calmness on his face. “You’re at your ruthless best.” she whispered while Arjun frowned at her.
No expressions, no words.
“Arjun! It’s getting late. Who’s she?” the woman in the car called out. For once Arjun’s face showed tension as a bitter silent cry escaped Sakshi’s lips. Before he replied Sakshi shoved his chest and threw her bag, scarf and shoes aside - for they were all bought with his money.
“Sakshi!” Arjun said, utterly shocked at her throwing aside her watch, earrings and rubber band.
“Wait! Woman who are you!” A lanky model walked out of the car and her lips parted in an ‘o’ as she saw the strewn objects.
Sakshi slammed away Arjun’s hands and screamed “His blo**y keep!”
A shell shocked Arjun stared at a barefoot Sakshi run away.
Sunaina Kapoor couldn’t believe what happened.
She stared at the man before her as he bent down and collected the items with an inhuman composure.
She hadn’t missed his mortified expression.
Arjun didn’t meet her eyes as he bunched all the materials in Sakshi’s mauve scarf. “EXPLAIN!” she thundered.
To only find herself speaking to a man running in the direction where his ‘keep’ went.
~*~
Sakshi felt severe waves of nausea hit her as the situation replayed in her mind.
Arjun found another escort or keep or whatever those rich people call them. Of course she was more classy!
No no no Sakshi. Not again. Don’t doubt him again!
She slumped on a stone against the pavement and took few deep breaths. She panted from the run and the world seemed to be spinning before her eyes. Thirst, pain, agony, love, burn - the combination seemed fatal for her.
She hadn’t missed the mating of their souls when they met. She laughed at herself, she did become pretty poetic and filled with feelings after their ‘night’. Such a naive idiot.
She cried and laughed at the same time. A myriad of emotions fluttered through her as she thought of their interactions. Tears blurred her vision and she saw black spots dancing in front of her eyes.
And through those black spots she found India’s top billionaire running towards her.
More like a guy who seemed to have a startling resemblance to her Arjun.
She shook her head and held on to her throbbing temples. “Sakshi.” a gruff voice spoke up.
“WOW! You remember me! What a nice job done for your keep!” Sakshi blasted at him, swaying left to right as weakness overpowered her.
“Shut up and dare you say the word again.” Arjun growled and flung his coat aside as the heat of May beat into him.
Sakshi’s cheek flushed to pink as anger fuelled through her “Keep… I said it again, KEEP KEEP KEEP KEEP KEEP!” Sakshi screamed out while Arjun threw her things aside and barked at her.
“SHUT UP! Do you know what that means!” He grabbed her arm while Sakshi burst into sobs “You’ll show me again, right? Why don’t you understand that I have brains SIR!” She shoved at his chest.
“By stating keep it didn’t mean that you are effing me all the time but also for the fact you did treat me like one damn it! Offering me money to stay out of your life! I HATE YOU!” Sakshi screamed as Arjun folded his arms and glared at her hysterical form.
“Are you done with the explanation of a keep!” He barked at her and Sakshi vigorously negated his response.
“Don’t come behind me! Kyun aa rahe ho mere peeche?” Sakshi asked as Arjun ran a hand through his hair and sighed “What’s gone wrong with you Sakshi?”
Sakshi glanced at her own hyper self and thought for a minute. What’s gone wrong with her?
She wiped away the continuous tears and tried to apologise for her sudden outburst when Arjun said “By the way, you are still in my property. My estate is more than twenty acres… so you can’t question where I am going or not.” he took slow painful steps towards her.
And that heightened Sakshi’s anger.
“Shut up! I know I am poor, I know you are rich! I know I am wrong, I know you are right. I… I am tired of waiting for you.” Sakshi sobbed as Arjun blinked at her.
“We have no relation which bounds me to be with you.” he said softly and was shocked when Sakshi screamed on top of her lungs.
“I know am I going hysteric! Damn it! We have nothing! We had nothing? Fine… it was my mistake that I thought that I lov… gah! Take back everything you’ve given me! Take back everything which is yours.” Sakshi whispered and threw aside her earrings, purse and mobile phone.
Arjun had turned aside when he heard the clattering of things. Sakshi felt for him?
A naive stupidity alert hit his mind.
She was a kid, okay not exactly a child but then she felt for him too.
If not why would Raina want her to be separated from him.
If not why would she respond that night.
Perhaps… perhaps he could give a one shot to them. Hadn’t he been super idiotic with her lately?
Sensing her silence his shoulders slumped in defeat and he said “If there’s anything I want to take back from you, it’s you.” he smiled and waited for her response.
But to his horror he turned around to find Sakshi passed out on the road.
Oh no.
~*~
“CHECK HER RIGHT NOW DAMN IT!” These were the first words Ayesha was greeted with by her cousin who carried an unconscious Sakshi in his arms.
“Calm down Arjun.” Ayesha said softly while Arjun shot her a glare. She begged an apology from her clients who were, thankfully, very gracious and understanding.
After making sure her clients were shifted to another doctor in the hospital she cupped Sakshi’s pale cheek and checked her pressure.
“She’s been under severe stress and you have been stupid - I guess that solved the equation.” Ayesha quirked an eyebrow as a fuming Arjun looked aside.
“Listen Jun, I understand you were very hurt with what your bit… I mean your wife stated and that Sakshi mistrusted you, but have you ever considered her background? As a child she probably must have been brought up with the thought to not believe people and moreover what reassurance have you ever given to Sakshi apart from your words?” Ayesha chided at a guilty Arjun.
“Tum dono apna haalat dekho! Instead of behaving as mature adults you two went the Hindi drama soap way! She keeps on contacting you and you behave like a ruthless business man. What effing nonsense is this? Ek baar milne se tera ego kam nahi hota!” Ayesha snapped at him.
“She didn’t believe me! After we… we…” Arjun sighed while Ayesha looked at him.
“Did being apart make any great changes? In fact it made the only sane human I knew - Sakshi, be completely insane and hysterical! Congratulations Arjun! You know the relation that hurts needn’t be the right one. All you had to do was make her sit and make her understand and you two could have probably moved forward! But no! I am Arjun whatever whatever and I have to show my pride and ego and put in a Hindi film sequence of not talking to the woman yet show feelings because I missed and love the heroine… oh GOD…” Ayesha stared at her cousin who wasn’t even lending an ear to what she had said.
“Oh God! Arjun… Don’t tell me…” she said, leaving Sakshi resting on the stretcher.
“No wonder you are behaving like an a*se!” “Cut the drama Ashu…” Arjun groaned and massaged his temples.
“Wait no, I need to say this. Man I always dreamt of saying this… do you have butterflies on your stomach?” Ayesha tapped the shoulder while Arjun rolled his eyes “It’s called anticipation Ayesha Kapoor!”
“And do you have the infamous dhak dhak!” “That’s anxiety.”
“Oh God, and you feel this irresistible physical attraction after you two… erm… you know.” Ayesha coloured while Arjun rolled his sleeves and stood up.
“Instead of checking up what’s wrong with Sakshi you are colouring like a teen and giggling and blushing! Do you understand what I felt when I saw her throwing things on my face - which I sort of didn’t appreciate - and then saw her lying on the floor, which I now feel that throwing things on my face was better! I accept I am a jerk, happy realization day! Now get back to your damn job! I am not in need of hormonal tablets! Useless doctor!” he barked as Ayesha’s mouth parted to a perfect ‘o’.
Arjun sat beside Sakshi, holding her thin veined hand in his large palm. “You can turn into relationship adviser later, for now check as to why she is not well! Samjhe ya…”
Ayesha laughed and fondled with Sakshi’s hair with the affection of a sister “You both were standing in the heat of Mumbai, you see your estate may be in style of London but that doesn’t bring down the temperature now does it?” Arjun chose to ignore the sarcasm.
“So that’s it… let her take rest now and as far as my darling brother is concerned… the only reason you seemed to have left all sense of your maturity and sensibility is because…” Ayesha took a deep dramatic sigh, much to her cousin’s annoyance.
“Is because my brother is in love and he doesn’t even know it.” Ayesha smiled in triumph as Arjun’s lips parted to a perfect ‘o’.
“C’mon… I’m waiting for the refusals and nahi… main pyaar main nahi hoon.” Ayesha squealed in the voice that made Arjun difficult to believe that his cousin was twenty eight and ignoring her medical duty she was busy singing songs of love.
Love.
He was in love with Sakshi.
How?
Why?
When?
Where?
He shut his eyelids and tried to recall every memory which brought a faint thud on his heartbeat… why the hell was every memory in wonderful filters and slow motions when Sakshi was concerned.
He blushed much against his will when he remembered her young flushed face and her sprawled dark hair in contrast to the white satin sheets. Her deep mahogany eyes were wide and twinkling with endless depth.
He remembered her cheeks reddening when she wanted to kiss the photo of a baby, least aware it was the man himself.
Every memory fluttered by and his mind stopped by his most favourite one.
When he met her for the first time.
He had been jogging around for the past half an hour around his estate. Ever since his baba’s demise it had been a difficult period for him to cope up. His wife worsening the situation in every manner.
As he walked into his cabin he heard shuffling of papers. His breath hitched, what was Raina upto? He called on for his bodyguard and peeped into his cabin to find a young lady no… a young girl busy in his room. Was she stealing something?
As he called her, he still remembered how those glittering dark amber eyes widened when they looked at him. The morning sun filtered through the georgette curtains, painting her rouge cheeks with pale gold.
Her nimble fingers tucked back a few locks, he noticed a missing earring and noted down the slight freckles near her button nose.
She was so innocent.
Arjun snapped out of his reverie when Sakshi clenched his palm tighter. His eyes flew towards her and he caressed her absentmindedly.
So many questions poured into his head.
Since when had the cool and composed Arjun begin to take harsh and quick actions?
Since when did emotions become his primary decision maker?
Since when did a simple misunderstanding hurt more than necessary?
Since when did he find sleep to be a difficult thing?
Since when did he send flowers, know their meaning, yet feel exuberant when someone told him what he knew?
I am in love.
In love.
Arjun just stared at the lady beside him and thought in wonderment, if love can mess up one’s system so wonderfully. Not that he was complaining.
Sakshi was restless in her bed and tossed to find Arjun gazing at her with unfathomable emotions. She lost herself amidst his dark eyes.
Not again, she couldn’t suffer from another day dreaming session.
Arjun looked at her in surprise as she put her free palm on her eyes and moan in annoyance. She tried to pull her hand when she realized that Arjun just happened to be a part of the reality. “Arjun?” she licked her parched lips as he nodded in response.
A wave of guilt settled on his heart for having treated her so brutally whereas Sakshi felt uncomfortable and awkward - scared of how much she might have hurt him. She closed her eyes and purred softly as he caressed her cheek with a scorching trail till her temples.
None realised that Ayesha had left her cabin more than half an hour ago, along with Sakshi’s blood test.
The wound on Sakshi’s self respect ached as he tucked her locks. “I don’t want to see you.” Sakshi whispered and Arjun smiled.
“I know that.” Sakshi stared at him and tried to move while he held her still on the hospital bed.
“Don’t move.”
“Don’t order!” she snapped while he paused and whispered “Sorry.”
Sakshi swallowed a gulp and looked at him “Why do you hate me?” she asked while Arjun looked at her beguiling eyes. Hate?
His old anger resumed and he held her shoulders “Why did you mistrust me?”
“Why didn’t you say anything in that morning!” Sakshi retorted.
“Why didn’t you protest hard enough?” Arjun sulked as Sakshi widened her eyes.
“Why didn’t you see me once?” Sakshi plummeted her fists against his chest and Arjun held her tiny wrists in one hand, he cupped her pale cheeks and sighed.
“I am sorry. It’s my fault.” he placed his lips against her knuckles while Sakshi couldn’t stop the butterflies from rummaging her stomach.
“It hurts too much.” even though her voice was hushed, her words were enough to wedge in between them like a sick barrier.
None realised when Ayesha entered the room, gaping at the papers in her hand.
“I am sorry…” Arjun whispered.
“I... damn it!" Sakshi cursed out of clueless anger and tried to push him "You hurt me damn it!" Sakshi struggled in his arms when he gripped her arms and pulled her against him in a bone crushing embrace "Sorry..." he whispered against her warm body and patted her head till he found her relaxing against him.
“I need to say something…” Ayesha interrupted.
“What?” both glared at Ayesha who seem unfazed of their flushed faces and linked palms.
She handed the paper over to Sakshi who skimmed through the contents and stilled. Tears streamed down her cheeks and looked at a worried Arjun whose gaze widened when he read the last line of the blood report.
“We’re” her voice was muffled as she found herself against his thudding heart and his palm resting against her barely swelled abdomen.
As they breathed in each other's essence, drinking the tears of the other - they plastered themselves together and took a deep breath as their hearts throbbed together.
They were home.
They were home.
The papers in Sakshi’s hands fell on the floor, the concluding line read “Pregnancy result : Positive.”
A/N : As promised lovely ladies! They are back together :) Pour in your comments :D
Omg!!! Beautiful!!! But i hope this is not t by w end!
ReplyDeleteWant to read bout the blissful life they share with their little one!
Again... brilliant writing!!!
wow...superb update...u have beautifully portrayed every emotions of the characters..loved the way aisha made arjun realize his love for sakshi..wow sakshi is expecting..pls continue soon and don't let sonia to harm arakshi and their baby...
ReplyDeletegod , this is fabulous update dear...
ReplyDeleteits just awesome
wow, finally sakshi is expecting
continue soon dear..........
hummm
ReplyDeletesakshi is pregnant
sonai did everthing
trying to create problem between arakshi
arjun finally sakshi ki baat suni
continue soon
Thanks for the pm. It was simply mind blowing. Sonia tried her best to drive Arjun and Sakshi away from each other but love always conquers in the end. Arjun and Sakshi both realized their feelings and of course Ayesha behaved very maturely in making Arjun understand his mistake. Hope now that Sakshi is pregnant they will fight and find their happiness. Please continue soon.
ReplyDeleteThis was really really awesome.Keep writing. Arjun & Sakshi always rocks only if there are writers like you! Keep it up!!!
ReplyDeleteHey arma dii *hugs*
ReplyDeleteFinally was able to read all reamaning parts
They were simply amazing
Finally arakshi are one
Sonia tried all ways her evil and coo coo mind could think of but arakshi failed her all attempts
Yippe saku is preggie
Thanks for updating
Di I want a favour
Please can you post parts in different pages?
Pretty please
Pata nahi kyun full page nahi khul rahe, after ALLAH knows how many attempts I was able to read your stories *puppy eyes*
fabulous update
ReplyDeleteRead many chapters together. Late but better than never.
ReplyDeleteSmooth transition in emotions. And I loved it re.
Awesome update
ReplyDeleteLoved it
Amazing
Full of emotions
Finally they are together
Sakshi pregnant
Now I really hope they both are together forever
let's see aage kya hota hai
Waiting for the next part
continue soon
Thanks for pm and blog link.
ReplyDeleteI could resist and I read all the chapter again fully.
Finally Arjun and Sakshi got together. Waiting to for the next part. Awesome update
Pls pm me. Thanks
Finally read whole story
ReplyDeleteWhich is really beautiful
Sakshi out burst is really nice
Arjun behaviour is understandable
A one very nice story