Always and Forever Part – 12: The Best Chocolate

December arrived with a cold wave, the winds causing chafed skin, and people burrowed in layers of woollens. Sameer was up early in the morning, as usual, because it was Monday. He pulled on a jacket and combed his hair, whistling in excitement of meeting Naina. It had been 5 days since their first kiss, or should he say first round of kissing. He couldn’t have waited for so many days, but unfortunately, he had to travel to Mumbai urgently for a contract, and he had only seen her when she had come to see him off at the airport. Even though they were in a public place, he hadn’t been able to resist pulling her for a quick hug, dropping a kiss on her head. The supposedly quick 2 days trip had stretched to 5, and he was sulking on being away from her for so long. He had finally returned last night, and would have gone straight to meet her if it wasn’t late, and he hadn’t been so extremely exhausted.

It wasn’t like he had sat idle for those five days or focused only on work. He had placed the order for the furniture they had selected and had been told that it would take a month for all the pieces to be ready. He had also talked to a contractor to handle the electricity rewiring and bathroom renovation; some new catalogues had been delivered to his home in his absence. He picked those up and departed for the temple.

He reached early and waited near his car for Naina to arrive. Five minutes later he saw her coming towards him, dressed in a purple churidar with a white sweater, her hair was open, but she had pulled her dupatta over her head owing to the early morning winds. Her eyes lit up as she saw Sameer waiting for her, and she breathed deeply, warmth spreading through her veins at the sight of him. He looked tired, but the grin on his face indicated his excitement on seeing her. Involuntarily, her eyes drifted down his body, he was dressed in straight-cut jeans, blue t-shirt and a black jacket. She loved to see him in jeans, casually dressed up, though she liked shirts more than t-shirts. She could ask him to wear shirt when they meet next, she thought, and blushed at the wanderings of her mind.

“Sharma kyun rahi ho?”, he asked as she came up to him.

She smiled, “kuch soch rahi thi.”

He tilted his head, intrigued, “kya?”

“Bataungi baad me”, she indicated the stairs, “filhaal upar chale?”

They climbed up the long flight of stairs, removed their shoes and entered the temple. The morning aarti was just about to begin, so they stood silently side-by-side till it was done. Sameer watched her pray. Eyes closed, hands folded, the deep purple of her dupatta contrasting against her fair skin, she looked angelic. After the aarti they sat on a bench in the courtyard.

“Tumko yaad hai 5 din pehle bhi hum subah yahin pe mile the?”, Sameer asked.

She smiled, “haan sab yaad hai.”

He grinned, “achcha… zara thik se batana ke aur kya kya yaad hai.”

She blushed, “woh sab chodo. Tum bataona tumhara kaam sahi se ho gaya?”

Sameer smiled at her attempt to change the topic and told her about his work and Mumbai trip. He also told her about the furniture and electric rewiring, then pulled out a folded sheaf of paper from his pocket and handed over to her.

“Dekho ise”, he said in reply to her confused gaze.

She opened the glossy pamphlets and saw several pictures of shower fittings and bathtubs. Her face turned a shade of crimson as she recalled their previous conversation and how she had teased him saying she wanted to try out a bathtub.

“T…tum sa…sach me yeh sa..sab…”, she trailed off stammering.

He chuckled, “ab kya karu… tumne itna achcha sapna dikhaya mujhe uss din ke mera man lalcha gaya… ab to mujhe bhi dekhna hai tumko bathtub use karte hue.”

The red tinge on her cheeks deepened, and the papers dropped from her nerveless fingers. He bit his cheek to stop himself from laughing, and continued, “aur tension mat lo, main har tarah ke bubbles aur oils laake dunga.”

She gasped, “Sameer… hum mandir me hai.”

“Toh..?”, he quizzed.

“Toh… mandir me koi aisi baate karta hai kya”, she mumbled, desperately trying to stop him.

He brushed his fingers along her hand, “tumhi to kehti ho ke bhagwaanji ne hi humko milvaya hai, to unko to pata hi hoga na ke hum kya baate karte hai”, he clasped her fingers, “aur agar yahan sharam aa rahi hai to ghar chalte hai.”

She looked up in surprise, her eyes wide, face flushed from cold as much as from embarrassment. He couldn’t control anymore and started laughing at the look on her face.

“Ghabrao mat, ab tak bathtub laga nai hai”, he snorted.

She slapped his arm, and then buried her face in her hands to hide her blush. He sobered down, adoring the woman in-front of him. It blew his mind to think that she was the one who had demanded kiss from him, teased him into kissing her, and even after all that she could blush like this with his flirting. He was charmed with the different facets that he was slowly uncovering in his life-partner. When she looked up again, he smiled, “mazak kar raha tha, lekin bathroom sach me renovate karva raha hun, kyunki fittings bahot purani hai. Family type nai hai. Isiliye yeh pamplets leke aaya, tumse puche bina select nai karna tha.”

She picked up the papers again, trying to be objective about it, but finally couldn’t resist asking, “bathtub sach me lagva rahe ho?”

His smile widened, he grazed his knuckles along her cheek, “haan, bathtub achcha rahega. Sirf tumne kaha isiliye nai, par ab renovate karva hi rahe hai to koi kasar baaki kyun chode. Aur tumko sach me achcha lagega use karna, trust me.”

She nodded and looked at the pictures in the pamphlets, while Sameer stared at her. “And maybe I can join you in there someday“, he thought, his blood running hot and fast at the image of holding her naked form against his own body while they lounged amidst bubbles.

She selected a drop-in bathtub, positioned on a raised ceramic platform. The edge of the platform was seamlessly melded with the edge of the oval bathtub, there were arm rests on both sides, and floor had slip-proof texture. The ceramic platform had white and blue-grey cracked pattern. The design for her chosen shower area was also just as classy – a walk-in shower design with a back-wall of blue-green small mosaic tile, a glass partition and door, separating the shower area from main bathroom. The fittings she chose made his imagination race, a square ceiling shower head, and a detachable one with 3 massage modes. He swallowed. Quite apart from her sense of style and class, he started to wonder if his would-be wife was on a “torture Sameer” mission. But her expressions made it clear that she had no clue of the several uses of shower massager. God, she was set to kill him, and she didn’t even know it.

“Sameer”, she shook him for he was staring fixedly at her face.

He jerked out of his fantasies, “hmm… haan bolo.”

She frowned, “kahan kho gaye?”

“Kahin nai”, he ran a shaky hand through his hair, the images still distinct in his mind, “chalo main tumhe ghar chod deta hun.”

While driving, he tried to clear his head, and thought to ask her to spend time with him, “waise aaj main chutti le raha hun.”

She turned towards him, “Oh! To chalo na kahin ghumne chalte hai.”

He was surprised, at her proposed idea because that was exactly what he had intended to ask of her. He smiled, “haan, main bhi wahi kehne wala tha. Kahan jaana chahti ho?”

She thought for a minute, “nayi movie aai hai na ‘Ishq’, woh dekhne chale?”

Movie theatre. Corner seat. Opportunities.

He agreed, “thike, lunch saath me karte hai fir afternoon show dekhne chalenge.” She nodded happily, already thinking of what she would wear. While on the other hand Sameer was thinking of how confidently she had proposed the idea of going out, as compared to their first date when he literally had to convince her to come out with him. When he stopped outside her society, she looked at him, biting her lower lip. He closed his eyes, “Naina, maine kaha hai na aisa mat kiya karo. Yahan to main tumko kiss bhi nai kar sakta.”

She let out a small laugh, “suno, aaj jab wapas milenge tab t-shirt mat pehenna.” He opened his eyes, frowning in confusion. She continued, “shirt pehenna, mujhe zyada pasand hai. Aur main mandir ke bahar yahi soch rahi thi. Bye”, she winked and descended. He kept looking at her until she disappeared, wondering where were the days when he used to leave her speechless with his demands and winks. Grinning he started the car and drove out towards home.

He called up the theatre to reserve tickets for them, ensuring he got corner seats. He had chosen to watch the matinee show on purpose, because the movie was new, so the only time when the theatre would be less crowded was on a weekday afternoon. Next, he called up a new South Indian restaurant, and reserved a table for their lunch, hoping she would enjoy this new cuisine.

Later he dressed up in the same jeans but pulled on a red and blue checked shirt, teaming it with his black leather jacket. He flicked his hair, checking himself out, then grinned and opened the top two buttons of his shirt. Whistling merrily, he reached to pick her up, and was greeted by Taiji.

“Aree Bholuram, tum yahan! Aaj subah subah?”, she exclaimed in delight.

He bent to touch her feet, “ji Taiji, woh Naina ko lene aaya hun.”

She adjusted her pallu, “Oh bai! Ghumne jaa rahe ho?”

“Uh…”, he stammered unsure of what Naina might have told Taiji about their date. He was sure he couldn’t utter the word movie in-front of her. Chachaji and Chachiji were different, he could speak the truth to them, but Taiji would raise hell if she knew he was taking Naina out for a movie, even though they were about to get married.

Thankfully Naina came in before Taiji could pester him for answers, and he was lost in her sight, his eyes turning dreamy, a smile tugging at his lips. She was wearing black jeans, with a turquoise V-necked winter top, that eliminated the need for any sweater or jacket. A peach silk stole was rounded loosely around her neck, and she was carrying a small black cross-body purse. Her hair pinned back with a clutcher, but he knew that wouldn’t stay in her hair for long.

Taiji shook him, “Bholuram… Neva! Kahan kho gaye ho?”

He shifted his attention away from Naina, “kahin nai Taiji. Main aur Naina to bas…”

“lunch karne jaa rahe hai”, Naina finished his sentence, “aur fir Sameer apne ghar me kuch renovation karva rahe hai na to uske liye cheeze pasand karni hai.”

Taiji scowled, “yeh reno…jo bhi hai woh kya hai? Oh bai! Tumhare ghar me koi bura saaya to nai hai jiske liye puja karva rahe ho?”

Bela came in from the kitchen, and giggled, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye bhabhiji, damaadji ke ghar pe bura saaya kaise hoga. Aap to kabhi wahan gayi hi nai.”

Sameer’s eyes widened, and Naina coughed, trying to control her laughter. Before Taiji could comprehend what Chachiji said, Naina replied, “renovation matlab naveekaran. Ghar ka koi hissa naye sire se banvana.”

Taiji looked prepared to ask more questions, so Sameer looked at his watch and asked, “Naina chale? Hume der ho rahi hai.”

She nodded, slipping her feet in black shoes, and they left from there.

Just like he had done on their first date, Sameer removed her clutcher as soon as they were seated in the car. But this time he let his fingers sink in the silky mass, touching her nape, feeling an urgent impulse to use the same hold to pull her in for a kiss. She looked in his eyes, could see the intense desire burning, and her lips parted, soft and ready. His eyes drifted down to her lush mouth, breathing hard on seeing the shiny pink gloss, he licked his own lips before releasing her and slipping on his sunglasses.

The restaurant was almost empty, and their orders arrived quickly. After devouring masala dosa and vada sambhars, he sat replete. Naina excused herself saying she needed to go the washroom, and he paid the bill, waiting for her to come. After ten minutes, he frowned, wondering if she was alright, and made his way to the end of the restaurant. He glanced around and spotted the door for ladies washroom, debating with himself for a minute more, he knocked on the door. When there was no response, he called out, “Naina… tum thik to ho.”

“Ha…haan”, came a stammered reply.

Puzzled he asked again, “kya kar rahi ho? Bahar aao.”

Few seconds later, he heard the door being unlatched, and she came out, a little pale and her hands clutching her stole. “S…sameer, mujhe movie nai dekhna. Please mujhe ghar chod doge?”, she asked nervously.

Worried at her expression, he checked her forehead, cupping her face he asked, “kya hua Naina? Batao mujhe kya baat hai.”

She shook her head, shifting her eyes away from him, “kuch nai… bas please ghar le chalo.”

“Thike, movie nai dekhna to hum hamare ghar chalte hai”, he offered.

Her eyes widened, “nai… wahan nai. Chachaji ke ghar le chalo.”

He couldn’t understand what was wrong. He was scared that she might be feeling unwell, “Naina, tumhari tabiyat kharab hai kya? Chalo hum doctor ke paas jaate hai pehle.”

“Nai Sameer… please… samjho na… mujhe bas ghar le chalo abhi”, she pleaded.

He frowned, looking at her face, trying to understand what was wrong. She was not even looking at him properly. She just kept wringing her stole and pulling her top down as if to lengthen it. The movement seemed familiar. He narrowed his eyes, racking his brain, and suddenly recalled how once in college she had been nervous just like this. It was in their second year, and they were supposed to be staying after college hours to study. She had gone to the washroom after the last class, and not returned for fifteen minutes. Worried, he had searched for her, and finally found her near the washroom, frantically searching for something in her bag. She had jerked when he had called out to her, and refused to tell him anything, just kept on tugging at her kurta and asking him to go call Swati or Preeti. When he had told this to the two girls, they had grabbed their own bags and immediately rushed to the washroom. After some time when Naina had returned, she was alright, but hadn’t told him anything when he had asked. He had been perplexed with her behaviour, but while they were leaving he had overheard her talking to Swati, thanking her for the pad. She had mentioned that she always had an extra in her bag, but she didn’t know how she had forgotten this time. He hadn’t understood the meaning, but later at home, while studying, he had pulled out a notepad to take notes. Frowning, he had looked at it. Pad? Was she talking about notepad? But then she could have asked him for it? No, this had to be something related to girls? Girls…what could be so important for them that she would keep an extra in her bag? Pad…pad…sanitary pad…!! Good lord, so this was what she was worried about. It made sense. Her nervousness, fear, asking for the girls. He hadn’t asked her anything the next day feeling that she would be uncomfortable talking to him about it.

But now, the scenario had changed. She should not be uncomfortable in telling him, they were going to get married. He had to let her know that he understood, and it was nothing that she needed to be ashamed about. He looked down at her, “Naina…”, he called softly, “tum mujhe bata sakti ho ke tumhare periods start ho gaye.”

Her eyes widened, horrified, and then she closed them again, as if convincing herself that he hadn’t really spoken to her. But he didn’t relent, “yahan paas me chemist ki dukaan hai. Tum mujhe batao tumko konsa wala sanitary napkin chahiye, main leke aata hun.”

She jerked, eyes flowing open wide, “Sameer, tum kya bol rahe ho?”

He cupped her face, “dekho… tumko mujhse sharmane ki zarurat nai hai”, he looked around, “aur yahan main tumko sab samjha nai sakta. Lekin tum hi socho, hum bahot dur hai, yahan se ghar jaate hue bhi time lagega. Tab tak tum kaise rahogi? Isiliye, mujhe batao abhi, warna mujhe jo sahi lagega main woh leke aata hun.”

She swallowed and whispered almost inaudibly, “stayfree secure.”

He nodded, and then made her sit on a chair nearby, “yahin betho, main jaldi aata hun.”

He talked to the restaurant manager, telling that his wife was not feeling well, and he was going to get some medicines for her.

He walked a block at the maximum speed that he could and found a chemist shop. There were a couple of customers, but he spoke without hesitation, “uncle, ek stayfree secure ka pack dena.’

The female customer gasped, while the man stared at him as if he had grown horns. A young boy helper took out two packs and asked which one was needed, he frowned, not knowing the difference, and quickly read the descriptions. One pack mentioned longer period of dry feeling, so he bought that one. The remaining customers left, looking back at him, but he didn’t bother to pay much attention. He waited impatiently while the chemist wrapped the pack in newspaper, and then dropped it in a conspicuous black polythene. As he paid the money, the chemist scorned, “biwi ke liye le rahe ho? Hamesha yahi use karti hai kya?”

His eyes narrowed at the leering tone, “kyun?”

The chemist smiled, “nai woh hum kabhi kabhi puch lete hai ke konsa wala achcha rehta hai use karneko.”

Sameer smiled back, “aapki shaadi ho gai? Beta hai ke beti?”

“Haan haan… shaadi bhi ho gai aur ek beta hai”, he pointed to the helper boy, who was around 17 or 18 years old, “aur usse badi ek beti.”

Sameer gave a tight smile, his eyes glittering with suppressed anger, “to fir unse hi puch lena ghar jaake ke unko konsa wala achcha lagta hai use karna.” He grabbed the pack, and left from there, feeling disgusted at the thought of girls or women facing such questions from a man when they went to buy such things, that are ideally necessity.

He reached the restaurant, carefully carrying the pack in his jacket. He knew it was not something to hide, but he didn’t want Naina to feel more uncomfortable in any way. At least not until they had talked. She averted his eyes, as she accepted the pack from him, and went inside the washroom once again. Sameer waited patiently for her, and when she came out, he took her hand and guided her outside.

“Hum kahan jaa rahe hai”, she asked, as he drove.

He glanced at her, “waise to movie jaa sakte hai, par filhaal ghar jaa rahe hai.”

She nodded, thinking that he was dropping her off to Chachaji’s place. Her cheeks reddened and tears pooled in eyes due to mortification. She had never thought that she would be in such a situation with him. She was always careful to keep an extra pad with her. Just once, before in college she had faced this problem, when her periods had arrived unexpectedly early, at that time too Sameer was around her asking what’s the matter. She had somehow managed to not let him know anything. However, today, he was not just around but had also understood what was happening. She was thankful to him for helping her out, but now she didn’t know how could she face him, or talk to him. The beautiful day she had anticipated was spoilt.

Sameer kept stealing glances at her. She had kept her head down all through the way, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. He frowned. He hadn’t realized she would be so embarrassed by the incident. He sighed, maybe he should have known, after all they never had any intimate conversations, and today suddenly, she had found herself in such an unanticipated situation. He parked the car, and turned off the ignition, and Naina finally looked up. He saw her eyes widen in shock.

“Sameer, hum yahan…?”, she asked, on seeing the big white bungalow.

He got out of the car, and then opened the door for her, “kaha to tha ke ghar jaa rahe hai.”

When they entered, she noticed that Ramdhari was not present, and she glanced questioningly at Sameer. He grinned, “aaj sach me apne rishtedaar ke ghar gaya hai woh, koi pooja hai. Tum upar jao, main aata hun.”

Naina climbed upstairs and settled on the sofa, waiting for him. She had no clue what he would ask, or what she could say. Few minutes later, he came inside and sat next to her, and wrapped an arm around her firmly pulling her to him. A soft sound of surprise escaped from her as she landed against his chest, he held her tight, and slowly she too wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the scent of leather and him. They sat just like that, and finally he heard a sniff, and felt a little wetness on his shirt. He pulled back, looking down at her, and wiped off her tears with his finger.

“I…I am s…sorry”, she hiccupped.

He hooked a finger under her chin, lifting her face up, “kisliye?”

She sniffed, “yeh sab… achanak aise… main bhul gai…”

“Kya bhul gai? Date?”, he prodded.

She shook her head, “nahi”, she paused, then closed her eyes, and continued, “aaj subah purse change kiya na to usme extra pad rakhna bhul gai.”

He cupped her face, “to usme ro kyun rahi ho Naina? Yeh to kisike saath bhi ho sakta hai na? Aur tum mujhko batane me itna sharma kyun rahi ho?”

She opened her eyes to look at him. The concern on his face was genuine. He was not making fun of her. He was not angry on her for spoiling their date. She took a deep breath, “yeh saari baate main tumse kaise kar sakti hun? Ladkiyo wali baat hai na yeh to.”

He sighed deciding to share his personal thoughts with her first, then address this topic. Maybe that would give her some assurance and confidence. He withdrew from her, lifted the bottle of water he had brought, and offered it to her. She accepted it and took a few gulps. He removed his jacket, then got up and pushed the mattress on the floor, arranged the pillows and sat on it, extending his hand to her in invitation. Puzzled, she got up, and went to him, sitting beside him.

He leaned against the pillows, a hooded gaze on her, “tumne mujhse pichli baar ek sawaal pucha tha yaad hai?”

She nodded recalling her own question as to why he hadn’t ever attempted to kiss her in college. He sighed, “Nanu ke jaane ke baad, jab main tumse dur raha tab mereko ehsaas ho gaya tha ke tumse alag rehke main khud apne gusse pe kabu nai rakh paata tha. Tum saath hoti thi to main shaant rehta tha, warna pareshan ho jaata tha. Itna waqt tumse alag raha ke kabhi kabhi darr lagta tha ke tumse hamesha ke liye na dur ho jau. Nanu ki tarah tumko khone ka darr laga rehta tha. Jab main Ahmedabad wapas aaya tab jaake saans me saans aai. Fir first year ka to tumko pata hi hai, kaam hi itna rehta tha ke tumhare saath thikse waqt bhi nai beeta pata tha. Lekin second year se sab kuch badalne laga.”

He smiled, “kaam se waqt milta tha to tumhare saath rehta tha. Dhire dhire tumhare aur kareeb aane ka man karta tha. Kai baar koshish bhi ki. Samajh nai aata tha ke tumko cheeze kaise samjhau, haath pakadne se aage kaise badhu.” He stopped recalling the incidents in college, his frustration on her innocence.

She was intrigued, “fir?”

He looked at her, “mere paas aao.” She hesitated for a moment, then moved up to where he was sitting, and positioned herself next to him. He tugged at her hand, making her lean on him, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She took a minute, but slowly relaxed, her head on his shoulder, her hand resting on his chest, near his heart. He tilted his head, letting his cheek touch her hair, and continued, “tumko yaad hoga main ek hafte ke liye business trip pe gaya tha. Wahan se wapas aaya na tab mujhe tumhare kareeb aane ke siwa kuch nai sujh raha tha. I wanted to kiss you so badly. Isiliye tumko khali classroom me le gaya tha, lekin jab tumko maine apne paas khicha to tumhare aankhon me confusion aur shock dekhke ruk gaya. Main thik se samjha nai sakta ke uss din mere man me kya chal raha tha. Bahot kuch soch raha tha. Jaise ki mujhe hamesha se pata tha ke tum baki ladkiyon se kitni alag ho, kitni masoom ho. Aur sabse badi baat yeh thi ke hamare bhavishya ke baare me mujhe kuch pata nai tha. Hum dono ek dusre se shaadi karna chahte the, lekin agar tumhare parivaar wale nai maante to. Nanu ke jaane se ek cheez samajh aa gai thi ke zindagi ka kabhi koi bharosa nai. Agar hum dono ek dusre ke karib aaye hote aur fir kuch bhi aisa hota ke hum dono saath nai reh paate, ya mujhe kuch ho jaata to…”

He stopped surprised when she placed a hand over his mouth, preventing him from finishing the sentence. She straightened, removing herself from his arms, “iss wajah se tum mujhse dur rahe Sameer? Yeh sochkar ke kal ka koi bharosa nai?” Fire blazed in her eyes. She couldn’t believe it. What did he think? That she would get married to someone else if not him?

He tried to make her see sense, “main practically soch raha tha Naina. Tum batao, agar humne college me kiss kiya hota to kya tum kabhi bhi kisi aur ke saath apni zindagi beeta paati? Mere saath nai to tumhare parivaar wale kisi na kisi ke saath to tumhari shaadi karvate hi na? Main tumko khush dekhna chahta tha, aur hamare beech kuch bhi hua hota to tum kabhi kisi aur ke saath khush nai reh paati. Hamesha yahi sochti ke shayad college me galti kar di tumne.”

Her eyes narrowed, and then she slapped him, hard. Sameer placed a hand on his cheek, staring at her in shock, “Naina…”, he said roughly, unable to believe that she had slapped him.

“Chup! Chup ho jao ekdum”, she dragged a hand through her hair, tears spilling from her eyes. “Practical”, she scoffed, “tumko wakai aisa lagta hai ke main kabhi bhi kisi aur ke saath khush reh paati? Chahe kiss karo ya na karo? Bade businessman bante ho, to yeh calculation dimag me fit kaise nahi hua ke jab tum mujhse pyaar nahi karte the tab bhi main sirf tumse pyaar karti thi. To fir kabhi bhi kisi aur se shaadi kaise karti main?”

He was stunned on hearing her words. She was furious, her chest heaved, and she irritatingly swiped off the tears from her cheeks, “main bhi sochti thi college me kai baar ke tum dusre couples ki tarah mere kareeb kyun nai aate. Haan, tab shayad sab kuch samajh nai aata tha mujhe. Par kaafi dino se samajh gai hun tumhari saari harkate. Kaise tum college me mujhe dresses gift karte the taaki main khud pe thoda dhyan du, mujhse stories likhwate the taaki college me jo mujhe tease karte the unpe main dhyan na du, mujhe library ka card gift kiya taaki main zayada books padhke samajh saku ke kahaniya kaise likhte hai. Aur itne saalo se har pal mujhe protect karte rahe, dusro se, khud se. Dhire dhire kaise mera self-confidence badha diya tumne yeh mujhe hi samajh nai aaya.”

His jaw dropped in surprise on knowing that she had understood his actions and intentions so well. God, she looked so beautiful even when she was literally spitting fire. He wanted to pull her to him and kiss her thoroughly. But she was not done yet, she pointed a finger at him, “tumne jo kuch bhi kiya mere liye woh tumhara pyaar tha. To ab tum batao, humne kiss nai kiya tha college me, haina. To agar mere gharwale meri shaadi kisi aur se karwana chahte to tum sir jhukake raaste se hat jaate? Ya fir mujhe kuch ho jaata to tum kisi aur se shaadi kar lete?”

He grabbed her shoulders, “pagal ho gai ho tum. Aisi baat kaise bol sakti ho. Tumhe kuch nai hoga kabhi. Tumhare bina main nahi reh paunga.”

“Tum itne saalo se yeh baat sochkar mujhse dur reh sakte ho, aur main abhi ek baar bhi yeh bol nai sakti?”, she demanded furiously.

A muscle clenched in his jaw, the dark brown of his eyes glittered, and the next instant Naina found herself flat on the mattress with Sameer on top of her, and he was kissing her. The kiss was nothing gentle, nothing soft. It was raw, feral, almost violent. It was a full-scale invasion on her senses, the forcefulness leaving her breathless. He tugged at her stole, removing it from her neck and threw it away. She moaned, opening to him, arching her back, her hands fisted in his hair. His mouth worked magic, the slick glide of his tongue making her ache in places she didn’t know she could. He demanded everything, gave everything. Yet, it was not enough. Her hands drifted down his muscular back, and found the hem of his shirt, fingers dipping in, seeking skin to touch. He jerked once, settling his body more fully on her, his own hands running down the side of her body, slipping beneath her top, finding the smooth skin of her waist and belly. He nipped at her lower lip, licked it, then moved down to her throat. He trailed kisses down the sensitive skin beneath her ear, biting, nipping, licking. Lost in her, his control almost snapped, as he skimmed to the dip of V in her top, nuzzling the fabric aside to find more skin. She gasped as he left a possessive mark on her soft flesh, one leg hooked in the crook of his knee and she arched her hips, desperately seeking something. Her sensuous feminine movements drove him out of his mind, he lifted up and captured her mouth again, kissing her deep and long.

He drew back his head, panting, “tum sirf meri ho”, he voiced in a rough undertone.

“Good”, she sounded breathless.

Lifting himself off her, he rolled over to lie beside her, and pulled her to him. She buried her head in his chest. Minutes later, when his breathing calmed down enough, and his brain started functioning, he whispered, “I am sorry. Uss waqt main tumko protect karna chahta tha, isiliye yeh sab kiya. Hamare rishte ko security dena chahta tha.”

“Jaanti hun”, she hugged him tighter.

He rubbed her arm, “Naina, ab hum dono ki shaadi hone wali hai. To hume aage badhna hoga.”

She chuckled, “badh to rahe hai.”

He laughed softly, “sirf yeh nai. Baato me bhi. Aaj jo hua, main chahta hun ke aisi baate hum khulke kare.”

She stiffened, and tried to withdraw, but he tightened his hold, “Sameer please… maine kaha na yeh ladkiyo ki baate hai.”

He turned over to face her, “Nahi Naina. Agar yeh cheez tumko Chachiji ya Taiji ne sikhai hai to galat sikhaya hai. Tumne to science padha hai, tumko pata hai na ke ladkiyon ko periods kyun hote hai?”

She blushed, fidgeting, but upon his persistence she nodded, “haan, pata hai.”

He shifted a strand of hair from her face, “to fir? Tum aise kyun bol rahi ho jaise yeh koi kharab cheez ho? Pehle bhi college me aisa hua tha aur tumne mujhe bataya nai. Tumhe pata hai uss din main kitna pareshan ho gaya tha?”

She looked up surprised, “uss din tumko pata tha?”

He shook his head, “tab nahi samajh aaya tha. Par raat ko ghar aake samajh aa gaya sab. Socha tumse baat karu par fir nai ki taaki tum uncomfortable feel na karo. Lekin ab yeh baate zaruri hai. In fact mujhe to tumhari dates bhi pata honi chahiye.”

She frowned, “tum jaanke kya karoge?”

“Umm…”, he tried to string the words properly, “mujhe nai pata ke tum husband-wife ke rishte ke baare me kya kya jaanti ho. Par family planning ke liye yeh dates important hai. Aur agar uss tarah se naa bhi soche, to bhi, as a husband tumhari baate jaane ka haq hai mujhe. Aur tum mujhse khulke baate nai share karogi to kiske saath karogi? Periods natural hai, saari ladkiyo ko hota hai, yeh koi chupane wali baat nai hai, aur naa hi isme koi sharam hai. Ek aurat ke health ke liye bhi regular periods zaruri hai, to fir isko bimari jaise kyun treat karna.”

She pondered over his statements, amazed at his knowledge and thought. She had never thought that a man could be so frank and open about periods. Sometimes even girls hesitated to talk to each other about it. Objectively, she knew he was right. It was not a taboo, but rather a necessity of female body. She knew the science. But there had been years of family conditioning too, where she had been taught never to talk about it, never to let the male members in her family know about it.

“Hamare ghar me ispe koi baat nai hoti”, she informed slowly, trying to build up the courage to share intimate topics with him, “aur periods ke dino me hum pooja nai karte, kitchen me nai jaate. Kabhi kisiko kuch mat batana, yahi seekha hai.”

He crooked his elbow, resting his head on his palm, leaning over her, so he could look at her face properly, “main kabhi kisi aurat ke saath raha nahi hun. Delhi me to tum jaanti hi ho, ke main parivaar ke beech me bhi akela tha. Lekin itna to main jaanta hun ke periods me agar tum kitchen me jaogi to koi tufaan nai aayega. Main tumhe kuch manne ke liye force nai karunga, aur kuch naa manne ko bhi nai kahunga. Filhaal sirf itna jaanlo ke tumhe mujhse kuch bhi chupane ki zarurat nai hai.”

She smiled, and nodded. He returned her smile, then asked, “waise mere aur bhi sawaal hai.”

“Kaise sawaal?”, she asked.

He bent slightly, looking into her eyes, “tumne mujhe shirt pehenneko kyun bola? Kiss ke baare me tumko kaise pata chala? Main tumhe kiss karna chahta hun yeh baat tumko kaise samajh aai? Kiss ke aage kya hota hai yeh bhi jaanti ho kya? Aur tumne mujhse kaha tha ke tumhare paas aur sawaal hai, woh kab puchogi mujhse?”

She laughed at his long list of questions, “tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ke main tumhare saare sawaalo ka jawab itne asaani se de dungi? Itne saal wait kiya tumne, to thoda aur wait karo, dhire dhire sab bataungi, aur saare sawaal puchungi.”

He wanted to argue, to pester her for answers, but stopped himself. He wanted to let her set the pace for this. She had said she would tell him and ask from him, so she would. It was enough that she had opened up about at least one topic today, accepting that she could talk about periods to him. Besides he was not a fool, her actions, her movements beneath him had told him that she did know things, if not all then some. His wandering lips and hands had not scared her, instead she had arched more into him. If it was a pleasure to teach her, it would also be a delight to find out more about her sensual knowledge.

He reached into his pocket and brought out a bar of chocolate, “yeh lo.”

“Chocolate!”, she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she almost snatched it from his hands and sat up.

He laughed, “hahaha… tum hamesha periods ke time pe khaati ho na, isiliye le aaya niche se.”

She stopped before taking the first bite, and looked at him puzzled, “tumhe kaise pata?”

“Andha nai hun main”, he shrugged, “itne saalo se dekh raha hun ke har mahine kuch din tum hadd se zyada chocolates khati ho, aur gussa bhi zyada karti ho.”

She blushed, and smiled; amazed that he had been so observant of her behaviour. God, can this man be any better? She took a bite of the luscious yummy chocolate and moaned in pleasure, “mmm”

He grinned at her expressions, lifting his hand to trace her lips with his fingers, unable to resist the soft pink texture smeared at the corners with deep brown chocolate. Her eyes opened, she looked down at his sleeping form, the look in her eyes swiftly changing from surprise to desire, and her breath hitched. Shivering slightly she took another bite of the bar, and licked her own lips, enjoying the flare of heat is his eyes. Her lips curved, a tiny sensual smile, that his body instantly reacted to. She touched his arm, trailing her fingers to his belly, and up his chest, stopping at the edge of closed button on top, “tumhara pehla sawaal, maine shirt kyun pehenneko bola.” She slowly moved her fingers in walking motion, reaching to the opening in his shirt, touching his skin, her eyes gazing into his, “kyunki tum mujhe tease karneke liye hamesha do buttons kholke rakhte ho, aur mujhe yeh bahot sexy lagta hai.”

He was enjoying the display of desire on her face at his touch, but the words she spoke knocked the breath out his lungs, he tugged at her hand, “mujhe chocolate nai dogi?”, he asked.

The smile on her lips widened, her eyes heavy, she leaned forward, but instead of reaching his mouth, she placed a soft lingering kiss on his partially bare chest, the slight visible hair tickling her lips. She liked it, the sensation new and arousing, she opened her lips, trailing small wet kisses to the base of his throat, up the strong column, soft lips brushing against smooth skin, and rough stubble. She kissed the cleft of his chin, his cheek in apology for slapping him, then darted her tongue out to outline his lower lip. Intrigued by what he had done earlier to her, she too decided to sample it, and nibbled the plump flesh. She felt a big hand skimming up her back, another strong arm encircling her, and knew she didn’t have much time. Drawing out the seconds, she kissed the corners of his mouth, sucking at his upper lip, and softly biting. He groaned, fisted a hand in her hair, pulled her completely onto him, melding her body to his, and reclaiming control, his tongue doing things to the inside of her mouth that she felt all the way to her womb. She cupped his face, fingers threading in his hair, answering his intensity with the force of her own need. Slowly, and none knew after how long, she lifted her head, and drew in a much needed breath, then dropped back to the crook of his neck as if her own neck could no longer support her head. He rubbed her back, his chest surging up and down, as he too breathed hard, “yeh meri life ka sabse best chocolate tha.”

She chuckled, nuzzling deeper into him, “meri life ka bhi.”