42| Barging through the window

Started writing on 14th December 2020.

Completed on 18th December 2020.

Word count : 4878 words

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Warning : A long chapter ahead. Stay hydrated. Don't blame me for dehydration afterwards!

– D I V Y A –

Seeing Dhruv and Natasha kissing, I was shocked for a moment. But then, it was not my place to come between their personal space.

Just when I was about to step back, I heard mumma calling me out while coming towards my room. It was not good for mumma to see their situation, so I ran to her immediately before she could catch them red-handed.

"Mumma, let's go to my room. I need to show you many things." I said and dragged her to my room.

Just when mumma left, I felt Natasha entering the room and picking her purse, "Divya, I'll get going."

"Wait! I need to ask you something."

"Hmm....." She hummed.

"I saw you and Dhruv there, in the dark corner. I mean, is it true?" I sighed and asked.

"What?"

"Are you both in a relationship?"

"I don't know what to say. I'll talk to you later." She said and ran away. What's wrong with her?

In the evening, I sat beside mumma and kept my head on her lap. "What happened?" She asked and I forwarded oil to her. "You want me to massage your head?" She asked and I nodded. Sitting in front of her, I closed my eyes while she oiled my scalp. "You're nervous?"

"For what?"

"For your wedding."

"I don't think so. It's my second time marrying the same man in the span of five months." I said and she chuckled. "Mumma! Were you nervous in your wedding?"

"I was. Mine was an arranged marriage and I didn't knew your dad that closely. You knew each other before your wedding but for us, we were like strangers. We met a few times before our marriage. And trust me, on my wedding day I was sweating profusely."

"Didn't your makeup spoil?"

"You're really asking me this?" She asked and I nodded, causing us to chuckle. "Do you think I would care about my makeup when I was going to take the most special step of my life. I was way too nervous that day."

"How did you even marry then?"

"I was going to fall due to dizziness. My heart was racing rapidly seeing so many people on my special day. But then, your dad handled everything."

"What did he do?"

"He kept whispering soothing words in my ears until I felt normal."

"What did he say?" I asked.

"Why do you want to know everything?"

"I'm your daughter and it's my right."

"Okay! He kept mumbling— ‘don't worry’, ‘everything will be alright’, ‘please smile, what would our children think when they see our photos’, ‘you're looking beautiful’, and things like that." She said.

"You liked dad before your wedding, don't you?"

"I don't know about like but I had great respect for him."

"You had? Don't you respect him now?" I asked and she chuckled.

"Ofcourse I respect him now too. I've seen how he became a self-made man. I was with him during his struggling days, and I know how much he worked for his family's future. For me he's the best husband."

"And for me, he's the best father." I smiled and she kissed my forehead.

"You can sleep beside me tonight. It's been so long I told you a bedtime story."

"I'm not a child mumma."

"I know. But you'll always be my child."

"Okay. I'll stay here. But what about dad. Where will he sleep?" I asked and she shrugged her shoulders, causing us to laugh.

"What's up ladies?" Dad barged inside the room and asked.

"Nothing. We're planning to sleep together. You can go to another room."

"Wait! What? I was planning to-"

"Just go..." Mumma glared and he nodded.

"Then I need to go to a spare room." Dad said and left. When I was about to say something my phone rang. I was going to pick it up when mumma snatched the phone from me.

"Divya, I'm missing you." Said the voice on other side. Mumma cleared her throat and hummed. I tried to snatch my phone back but she kept roaming her hand. "It's been a day I met you. What were you doing?"

He had called me four times today, just to know about my whereabouts!

"I'm sorry Ayaan beta, but Divya's can't talk to you. It's night, you should sleep or else you'll have dark circles under your eyes."

"Mumma? It's you?"

"Yes. I don't think you should talk this late." Mumma said before cutting the call.

"Mumma!"

"What? Can't he wait for the wedding? Just five-six days are left."

"Okay!"

"Now sleep. I'll tell you some bed-time stories." She said and I nodded.

××

The next day, all the time went in preparations. But the strange thing was, Natasha didn't even call me after departing yesterday. Almost half day had passed but there was no sign of her.

What if Natasha and Dhruv are really in a relationship?

Whom will I support then?

One is my bestfriend and other is my brother!

My phone rang and brought me out of my dreams. "Hello!"

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"I was just sitting until you called. And why didn't you call me a single time today?"

"My Mrs, yesterday when I called you after every four hour, you told me to find some work rather than calling you. And now when I'm not calling you once in a day, you're complaining!"

"Okay okay, my fault. What were you doing?"

"Thinking about you."

"Hmm..."

"What hmm? Don't you miss me?"

"I don't miss you."

"Really? You used to sleep while hugging me. Don't you miss me and my cuddles?"

"No...."

"Same is with me. Even I don't miss you." He said.

"What? You don't miss me? How can you not miss me when I'm thinking about you all the time?" I shouted. After thinking about what I said, I sighed. Such a fool I am!

"Oh! So someone misses me too?" He teased.

"I don't miss you!"

"Don't lie. I know you miss me. It would be so good if we were together now!"

"Why? What's wrong in staying apart like now?"

"If we live our life like this, then nothing would go right."

"What do you mean to say?"

"You know, I want to do many things with you."

"Like? Playing cards? Don't even try as you'll lose."

"Not cards but much more than that? I wish you were here."

"What would you do then?"

"I would pull you in my embrace and kiss you senselessly. Then I would make you sit on the table and kiss your forehead."

"Ohh! Then?"

"Then I will kiss your ears and then your neck. I'll suck your weak point until you moan my name."

"Then?"

"I will tear your clothes in a go and.... AYAAN, COME DOWN FAST. LUNCH IS READY!" He was saying but was interrupted by mom's voice. I couldn't help but laugh at his situation. "Shit!"

"Go and eat your lunch." I laughed.

"But I want to talk more."

"Later."

"Hmm.... We'll talk later."

"Sure." I said before cutting the call. I was exhausted today. Natasha promised to help me, but I myself don't have any idea about her. I walked out to the living room and saw Dhruv busy in a laptop. "What are you doing Dhruv?" I asked and he pulled his headphones out.

"Studying."

"Studying? You're already a professor."

"But medicine doesn't allow that. We need to gain more and more new knowledge." He said and I nodded. I jumped on the couch and sat beside him. He raised his eyebrows in question. "What?"

"Do you love someone?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like any girl?"

"Wasn't mumma enough to ask this?"

"Tell me!"

"Why do you want to ask? What will you do?" He said and was about to wear his headphones when I snatched it. "What are you doing?"

"Answer me first. I could help you chasing her."

"Is this seriously you? When did you start acting like this?" He asked and turned to his laptop.

"Okay. I will come straight to the point. Is there something between you and Natasha?" I asked after thinking many times.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just tell me. Maybe I could help you. She's my bestfriend."

"I..... I can't tell."

"Why?"

"I just can't."

"But it's easy right? Either you love her, or you don't love her."

"Indulge in your own love life. Don't poke your nose in mine!" He said. Picking his laptop and headphone he stood up to leave.

"That's rude!"

"I know."

"That's why you haven't found a single girl till now!" I shouted. He turned back to me and showed his tongue, in an uninterested manner. "Rot in hell!" I shouted until he left to his room.

Idiot cold-hearted man!

I stood up and went to my room. Leaning on the bedrest, I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I heard the noise of something striking the window of my room. I checked the time— 6 pm.

Which thief in this world would barge into someone's house at this time?

×× ××

– A Y A A N –

After taking a long shower I came out, tying a towel around my waist.

Wait! Who the hell would wear just a towel in the chilled month of December?

Nevermind.

I walked out and saw Divya sitting on our bed.

Is she really here?

She stood up on the bed and walked on the mattress, coming near me. Giving me a seductive smile she pulled the belt of her robe and slid it off her body, giving a clear view of her one piece lingerie.

Why was she looking like a temptress?

She leaned to my height and traced my jaw with her fingers. And that seductive smile she gave was enough to make all my blood rush down. I looked in front and saw her cleavage clearly visible.

"What happened?" She asked in a seductive voice and I gulped hardly.

"Nothing."

"Really?" She asked and kissed my neck.

"Divya I-"

"Shh....." She kept her finger on my lip and jumped over me, wrapping her legs around my torso. "I love you." She said and brushed her lips over mine. Pulling my lips in a warm kiss, she sucked them softly while stroking my hair with her fingers.

Wandering around while kissing, I made her sit on a table and hugged her tightly while my lips were on the work. Taking it as a good chance she pulled back and said in a husky voice, "What's your plan for today?"

"Huh?"

"If you're staying back then there are another possibilities." She said in a husky voice and traced my chest. "What do you even eat to have such a great skin?"

"Just some normal food and my wife!" I said. She smiled and I pulled her in a long sloppy kiss. She was about to pull my towel down when I heard a sound coming out of my room.

"Ayaan! Wake up! It's already nine. When did you start sleeping this late?" Mom shouted.

Wait! What? I was dreaming?

Oh shit!

Blue balls! Today too!!

××

Most of the time went in different arrangements for tomorrow's haldi. When I talked to Divya over call, I tried my best to control myself. But as usual, her voice was enough to arouse me.

That's it! I need to meet her!

Ring.. Ring..

My phone rang and brought me out from my realistic dreams. I checked the caller ID, which belonged to Shrey.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Nothing! Just missing my wife. And now I'll meet her."

"But there are still five days for your wedding?"

"I know. That's why I'm going to meet her now."

"Now? Do you think her parents will let you meet her? To meet her, you first need to leave your house, which your parents would never let happen."

"So! You know everything. Give me my solution."

"Okay. Just tell your mom that you'll have some important work in evening. Tell her that you'll be in your room and you don't want any disturbance. This way, one side for you will be clear."

"I knew this would be easy."

"Really? What will you do after reaching there? What reason will you give to her parents? Will you say—‘Mumma, I want to spend some time with your daughter!’? If you say this, they'll throw you out."

"Then? What should I do?"

"It's upto you. Just don't go through the front door."

"Huh?"

"Go! Best of luck." He said before cutting the call.

Huh!

What should I wear?

Business suit? No!!!

Wearing my sweatpants, I did everything as planned and drove to Divya. As I couldn't use the front door, I climbed the wall without getting into security's eye and went inside. I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe.

I can do it. I was great in sports.

I called her name out, standing just below her window. But her window was still closed. My fault. I was literally whispering her name.

Taking a small stone in my hand, I threw it on the glass window.

Answer me! Open the damn window!

She slid her window and peeked out.

"Here." I waved my hand and she looked down.

"What are you doing here?" She shouted.

"I can't take risk and talk here. Just help me in climbing up. Bring a rope or something else."

"But-"

"Just go or they'll catch us." I said and she nodded. Going inside she bought a long cloth and threw it down. "Tie it down somewhere. I'm climbing it." After everything was settled, I gripped it and with the support of wall, climbed up.

"What are you doing here?"

"First pull that cloth up and close the window. And let me breathe." I huffed and sat on the bed.

"Is it really you? I remember the time in school, you were great in these sporty things. What happened now? You're tired this early?"

I aged!

That time, I was seventeen. But now, I'm to-be twenty seven. How can my body be same?

"I'm not tired. It's just that it's cold and pollution level wasn't allowing me to breathe properly." I said and pulled her wrist, which eventually made her sit on my lap.

"Oh really?" She said in a cute voice which immediately changed into a serious one. "What made you come here?"

"I told you, I wanted to meet you." I said and nuzzled my face in her neck.

"But it's not good. We are not married." She said and I glared, "I mean we're married but not married. There are still few days left for this wedding."

"I know. But legally and traditionally, we're already married. This time, it's like we're reminiscing our first one. But then also, were already married." I said while caressing her hair.

"What if someone comes here?" She said. I touched my nose with her's and sighed.

"No one would come." I said and pecked her lips. "It's cold. Let me do something." I hugged her tightly and kissed her while tangling my fingers in her locks. "You know-"

"DIVYA! OPEN THE DOOR. WHY IS THIS LOCKED?" Mumma shouted from outside.

"When did you lock the door?" I asked.

"When you were standing down. Now go and hide somewhere. I don't want anyone to catch us like this." She got up from my hold and pushed me harshly. "What are you doing? Just go and hide somewhere."

"But-"

"Go... Behind the curtains!" She murmured and pushed me towards the curtains.

"Anyone would see me here." I said. She dragged me to the cupboard and pushed me inside. "What the hell? How will I breathe here?"

"For some time, just stay here. Or mumma will catch us." She said and closed the door of cupboard. I wasn't able to see anything as everything was dark there. Switching on the flashlight of my phone I looked around and saw all the clothes hanged in a line.

Oh my! She gives more respect to these clothes than mine.

"Divya, what took you so long? Are you hiding someone here?" Mumma asked her while I was sitting inside the dark cupboard.

"No... Mumma, why would I hide someone. No one is here."

"I'm joking. Why do you look so tense?"

"No I'm not. I was in bathroom."

"Okay I believe you. See these dresses.............." Mom said and their talks continued to eternity. "Okay, I'm leaving then." She said. Thank God! I can go out now. "Wait! Let me bring some clothes out from your wardrobe. We can see which one would be better for which function."

Shit! I'm sitting inside. What if she sees me?

"Mumma. You just sit here. I'll bring them out."

"Your mumma is not that old that she couldn't walk! I'll bring them." Mumma said and paced towards the cupboard, or I can say me. I tried to be inside and hide myself as long as I could. She opened it and picked some clothes.

No! No.....

"What's this?"

Did she see me?

"What mumma?"

"Nothing. These were some new pairs. I haven't seen them."

"Dad bought them today. Now let's sit there." Divya said and I heard some faint footsteps directing that they were going away from the me.

"Really? Your dad bought them?"

"Hmm.... I was going to show them to you. But you came earlier."

"Oh okay. I'll go down. I have lots of work."

"Hmm...." Divya said.

Thank God! Now I could go out.

She opened the door of cupboard and looked at me. "Come out." She forwarded her hand to me. But instead of occupying it, I pulled her on me. "What are you doing?"

"This place is not bad." I said and kissed her cheeks.

"Come out and leave. Mumma would have caught us red-handed."

"But she didn't right? Now let's spend some time together." I said and kissed her while sitting inside the cupboard.

And I knew what effect I have on her.

Well, the same is for me too.

"Ayaan you..." She stopped in between and pulled back.

"What happened?" I asked and she gazed down to my pants. Traveling my gaze down I saw an easily visible boner. "This is what you do to me." I said and pulled her tightly to me while kissing her senselessly.

Wrapping her legs around my torso, I stood up and lost my balance, causing us to fall on the bed. "What are you doing? You need to leave."

"But I want to be with you."

"Even if we're safe here, what about you. What if mom finds that you're not there?"

"She won't." I said and kissed her neck.

"But-"

"No buts." I said while sipping my hands inside her sweater and kissed her tightly.

"DIVYA! WHY IS YOUR DOOR CLOSED NOW? HOW MANY TIMES WILL YOU USE BATHROOM?" Mumma shouted. She pushed on the bed and stood up.

"Just hide in the bathroom or mumma will catch you." She said and pushed me inside the bathroom.

What a life I have!

I can't even spend some time with my wife!

"Mumma, I was sleeping."

"At this time? It's evening."

"Actually, I was tired."

"Don't worry. I'll give you a head massage. Let me heat oil."

"No mumma. I don't want a head massage. I don't have a headache. It's just that I'm tired."

"Okay then. Rest a bit. I'll leave." Mumma said and I heard the sound of faint footsteps. The door barge opened and I saw Divya coming inside the bathroom and pulling me outside.

"Now leave. I seriously don't want any fuss."

"Wait!" I shouted and pulled her inside the bathroom.

"What are you-" She shouted but I stopped her by slamming my lips on her. I kept my hand on the shower tap and was about to pull it when she kept her hand on mine. "Don't switch the shower on. It's already cold."

And I thought that we could enjoy the romantic couple shower!

"Okay, no shower. But rest, we can do it."

"Rest what?"

"You know what? Everything." I teased her and picked her up in bridal style.

"What are you trying to do?" She asked while wiggling in my hold.

"Trying to..... Love you!" I kissed her nose tip and threw her on the bed. Climbing over her, I pinned her hands over her head and kissed her while taking the lead.

As I was about to loosen her hands, she pushed me on my back and sat over me while taking the lead. I tucked her shirt out while she was feathering kisses on my neck.

"Aah!" I shouted when she bit my skin. "Divya!"

"Did it pain?" She asked and I nodded in negative. I held her hand in mine and kissed them.

"Are you ready?" I whispered.

"I am..... but we can't do anything right now. Anyone could hear us."

"No one would hear us. We'll keep it low." I said and she nodded in negative.

"I don't want to take any risk. Just get out."

"But Divya, I'm your husband!"

"And I'm your wife but we seriously can't do anything now. Everyone is here in the house. Now go." She said and I nodded. Walking towards the door, I was about to open it when Divya held my hand.

She wants me to stay?

"Use window." She said. Using the same way as I came, I went down and saw her for the last time before leaving. "Bye!" She waved her hand. Waving my hand as a bye I went out, ofcourse by climbing the wall.

Shit! I really need a cold shower now.

×× ××

– N A T A S H A –

I talked to Divya in morning and she told me that Dhruv won't be there but she was wrong. He was there all the time!

When I reached there, I saw him. He was looking at me weirdly.

Ofcourse, he would. I force kissed him that night!

Why wouldn't he loathe me?

I never left a reason for him to like me.

At first, I became a crazy stalker patient and then, sister's clingy friend who was way too desperate.

I mean,how can I kiss someone forcefully?

Not someone but Dhruv, the Ice God who can't even smile in front of me.

Relax Natasha!

As usual he won't say anything, he's a man of few words.

What if he enquire about that night?

No, he won't. He won't have much time to talk to me.

"I need to use the bathroom. Show me your room." I clutched Divya's sleeve and dragged her inside until we reached her room.

"What happened?"

"Why didn't you tell me that he was home?"

"What's the matter with you? You're acting strange!"

"No... Nothing happened." I couldn't help but stutter. He was going to stay there all the time. I can't even leave as it's my friend's wedding preparations.

"Okay. As you say. Now help me in choosing my dresses." She asked and I agreed. Bringing some dresses from her wardrobe, she placed them on the bed. "Help me choosing one."

"You bought them this early? I mean it was decided just yesterday."

"I didn't buy them. These are what both the mother's bought last time."

"You're going to repeat your dresses?"

"I haven't wore them a single time. They bought so many dresses that time and I didn't have a chance to wear each one of them. Hence, they're all new." She said and I nodded. "And there's nothing wrong in repeating dresses. I'm not a model who's going to walk on ramp."

"You can wear that one." I directed towards a multicolored lehenga.

"I don't like it."

"But I like it and I'm gonna wear it."

"As you wish."

After few hours of discussing many things, we went to eat lunch. And to mention, everyone was present there. Dhruv too!

"Eat more rice beta." Divya's mumma said to me while Divya went to her room.

"I can't auntie."

"You're on diet?"

"Umm.... Yes."

"You shouldn't. Girls of your age shouldn't be on diet! You need enough fat to deliver babies." She said and I choked while eating. Taking a glass, I drank water and sighed. "What happened?"

"Nothing auntie. I need to use bathroom." I excused myself and started walking to Divya's room. On the way someone pulled me harshly with a jerk in a secluded corner. I tried to shout but the person closed my mouth with his palm.

"Shush..... It's me, Dhruv." He said and freed my mouth by taking his hand back.

"What.... are you doing?"

"We need to talk."

"I need to use bathroom. Let me go." I said and tried to leave but he held my waist tightly.

"Listen to me first."

"But.... What do you need to talk about?"

"About that night."

Shit! I'm gone!

"I don't remember anything. I was drunk."

"Really? I never said which night I was talking about."

"I don't know. Let me go."

"Don't you remember the kiss we had on the night of your cousin's wedding?" He asked raising his voice.

"I....." I couldn't say anything at the moment. Why did he have to ask this? Can't he just forget it?

"You don't remember it right?" He asked and I nodded.

Can something be more embarrassing than this?

"I don't remember anything. I'm sorry if I did anything inappropriate that night." I said while bowing my head, not able to meet his eyes.

"You really don't reminisce anything?" He asked and I nodded while keeping my eyes shut. Keeping his finger beneath my chin, he raised my face and before I could blink my eyes, he slammed his lips on mine.

What on earth happened?

He's kissing me!

It must be dream.

But it wasn't a dream.

I tried to push him to get a hold of my mind but instead of going away, he hugged my waist tightly. My mind wasn't able to take what was happening all the time.

He pulled back and looked straight into my eyes. "Do you remember anything now?"

"I...." I was way too shocked to say anything. I just nodded in negative. He shut his eyes forcefully, as if trying to think something with all his mind.

"What if I say that I kissed you that night? Would you regret it?"

Wait! He was the one who kissed me that night!

And I spent all the time thinking that it's me who initiated the kiss!

"I...I don't know. I need to go." I said and ran from there to save myself. I reached Divya's room to take my purse and saw her busy gazing the bed. "Divya, I'll get going."

"Wait! I need to ask you something."

"Hmm....."

"I saw you and Dhruv there, in the dark corner. I mean, is it true?"

"What?"

"Are you both in a relationship?"

"I don't know what to say. I'll talk to you later." I said. Picking my purse, I left the place and drove straight to my house.

××

Just two days later, it was Divya's haldi. After that incident, I stayed at my house without stepping out. But I can't leave her haldi just because of Dhruv.

Dhruv is my love and Divya is my bestie. Both have their respective places.

After thinking a lot, I decided to reach her house for the function and went there.

"So here you are! Where were you these forty four hours? A shoot or an important work?" Divya asked in an uninterested tone.

So cheap of me to leave her wedding rituals just because of my so called broke love-life!

"I was spending some me-time."

"You were spending personal time when your friend needed you the most!"

"Achha, I'm sorry. This won't happen again."

"Hmm..... Now help me. I really don't have any idea in makeup."

"Okay. Then I'll be your makeup artist. But wait, you don't apply make-up in haldi, right? It would eventually remove after few minutes."

"That's what I wanted you to think about. You're so lost. Now get ready and help me too."

"Okay, bride." I said and we went to change our respective dresses.

Wearing a light dress as I usually prefer, I walked out and saw Divya already standing there, looking into the mirror.

"I'm the bride but you took more time than me." She said while wearing her earrings.

"You look good."

"I know. And you look.... Girl, you're going to break many hearts today." She said and we chuckled.

"You're ready? You're looking so beautiful. Nazar na lage meri bachchi ko." Auntie entered inside and said. Indeed, Divya was looking amazing! She turned to me and hugged me tightly, "You're looking amazing beta. We need to look for the priest soon."  (May no one cast an evil spell on my daughter.)

"Huh?" I exclaimed.

"Nothing. Enjoy. I'll go and check everything outside." Auntie said and went out.

"You're the bride. You can rest by the time. I'll go out and see what's happening out." I said and she nodded.

*****

TIED TOGETHER BY LOVE 💍

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