Bhanu bolted, looking for her husband and son.
When the three men reached them, Lakshman looked at Ruma’s father and asked, “May I have a few words with your daughter in private, sir?”
Ruma held back her dropping jaw with difficulty, turning to look at her father, wondering what he would say and was surprised when Shyam nodded agreeably. “Ruma, why don’t you take Lakshman upstairs? No one will disturb you there.”
She looked at her mother, who nodded too. Biting her lip to stop herself from grinning, she turned to look at Lakshman. “Shall we?” Her voice came out in a whisper as her heart beat like a drum.
Lakshman took her hand in his and walked along with her towards the marble staircase.
Mohan said, “I think they’re a perfect match. Lakshman likes your daughter. So, you can take that as an ‘yes’ from our side.” He addressed all the Malhotra men.
Ganga had also joined them by now. She nodded, speaking for the others. “You’re right, Mohanji. Ruma and Lakshman ki jodi khoob jamegi.”
Rati gave Meera a nervous look. What could she say? She only hoped that her daughter will not spoil this alliance too. The girl was too headstrong.
Rati felt a tap on her shoulder. It was her friend Damini who dragged her aside. “What’s happening? Why have the Vaswanis left? Have they rejected Ruma?” Her eyes gleamed with glee at her friend’s predicament. She couldn’t wait to gossip about the dire situation the Malhotras faced now.
That put Rati’s back up. “The Vaswanis are paupers; unfit to worship the ground my daughter walks on. Ruma’s going to marry Lakshman Maheshwari, a crorepati based in Jaipur.” She crossed her fingers behind her back. God should only give her daughter enough sense to accept the proposal. “You’ll have to excuse me. Those are his parents that I was talking to. I’ll catch you later,” said Rati, escaping her friend’s clutches.
Damini’s face fell. It looked like Rati had fallen, landing on her feet.
25
With great difficulty, Ruma walked slowly up the stairs along with Lakshman while all she wanted to do was take the steps two at a time along with him. She could feel his thumb tracing the pulse on her wrist, the touch driving her crazy. This was the first time they were meeting after their honeymoon.
The moment they reached the first floor, she turned and pressed her mouth to his, running her tongue over the seam of his lips. Unable to resist, Lakshman opened his mouth to her invasion and rubbed his tongue roughly against hers. His arms went around her, pulling her close to his aroused body. When they came up for air, he begged, “I need you, now. Show me the bedroom.”
Ruma didn’t need to be told twice as she took his hand and pulled him to the corner room on the left. She went in along with him and locked the door before falling into his arms. “Laki…”
Silence reigned as husband and wife reacquainted themselves with each other’s body, their hands in a frenzy. Lakshman spread his legs wide and pulled her between them, pressing his arousal against her stomach. She rubbed a hand against his manhood, stimulating him to fever pitch. “I need you now,” growled Lakshman. “I hope no one’s going to interrupt us for at least a few minutes. If I don’t have you now, I might just stop breathing.”
Ruma looked up at her husband’s strained face and smiled. That was quite a speech for a quiet guy. “Come here,” she invited, walking towards her bed, even as she pulled her choli off with one hand and removed the knot that tied her ghagra with the other.
Lakshman was out of his suit in less than a minute before he joined her on the bed. He pulled her body close, saying, “You aren’t wearing a bra.” He grinned widely, caressing her breasts with both his hands.
“I didn’t want to waste time peeling off too many layers of clothing,” she giggled, helping him out of his briefs. Her hand moved over his shaft, up and down, making him harder as he bent down to take a swollen nipple into his mouth, his other hand stroking the twin.
Unable to control himself any longer, Lakshman walked a finger down her abdomen, rubbed a gentle finger over her belly button before exploring her feminine core. Finding her ready and wet, he braced himself on his arms, before entering her in a single stroke with a grunt of satisfaction. Ruma clung to him, her legs going around his hips, holding him as close as was possible, loving the feel of his turgid manhood grinding within her. Her breath came out in gasps as he pounded into her, his mouth suckling at her breast, driving her faster and faster towards an orgasm. Ruma thought her heart would stop when she climaxed, the waves crashing around her in a crescendo, even as he followed her almost immediately, his heartbeat thunderous against her chest.
“I love you, Laki.”
“And I love you, sweetheart.” He fell against her pliant body, his own shuddering as he took deep breaths.
She ran a soft hand over his muscular shoulder, loving the touch of the smooth skin. “How I wish you could stay the night.”
“I don’t know about staying, but I promise you that we’ll make love again before the night is out.”
She gave him a startled look that soon turned into a mischievous glint. “Now this I need to see. I so look forward to it. I never knew that being married in secret could be such fun.”
He swatted her bottom. “Get dressed, woman. I don’t want your family accusing me of rape.” Lakshman got up to hand over her clothes to her before donning his own. But she sat on the bed, watching him as he pulled on his pants, refusing to oblige. “Ruma, what are you waiting for?”
“I like watching you, even if you are covering that wonderful body layer by layer.” She pouted at him.
He shook his head at her, the shirt falling down from his hands. “Come here.”
She rushed to him in her naked glory, hugging him tight. He crushed her body into his manly chest, revelling in the softness of her breasts pressing against him. He kissed the pulse at her throat, whispering, “You look best when you wear no clothes, but will you please dress up? See what you are doing to me.”
She was already exploring him without that invitation. “I want to take you in my mouth.”
Lakshman removed her hand from his crotch, placing it on his shoulder. “I promise to let you have your wicked way with me in a few hours. But do wear your clothes for now.” Seeing the mutinous expression on her face, he said in mock threat, “Do you want me to walk out of that door and tell your parents that you don’t want to marry me?” He buttoned his shirt, having moved away from her, giving her a naughty grin.
“Now you’ve challenged me. Wait and watch me getting my back at you,” said Ruma, giving him a broad wink as she wore her ghagra.
Lakshman helped her tie the knot behind her choli, unable to stop himself from kissing her bare back, even as his hands moved to the front to cup her breasts. “You look absolutely sexy.”
“Not as hot as you, I’m sure,” she whispered, her eyes meeting his through the mirror. “I think it’s best you let me go and keep those wayward hands to yourself. I need to set right my hair and make-up.”
“I can try,” grinned Lakshman, taking a hairbrush from her dressing table to run it through his dark curls. He watched her as she pulled down her topknot, brushed it and put it back expertly. She ran a makeup brush with some compact powder over her face before applying a fresh coat of lipstick. “Sinfully sexy. Hey, why get angry?” he asked, looking at the fire in her gaze. “My hands are right here with me.”
She poked a tongue at him, still gazing at him through the mirror. “I think it’s best you go and sit on the balcony. I’ll open the door and join you there.”
And that’s how Ram and Akshay found the couple, chatting quietly in the balcony, holding hands. “Phew!” said Akshay. “You guys had me worried. So, what do you say, Ruma? Do you think Lakshman will make you a good husband?” His tongue was firmly tucked in his cheek, as he pulled her from the chair to hug her.
“Chachu,” said Ruma, feeling too shy to meet his eyes, burying her face on his chest. She nodded, “yes.”
“Does the Hindu law allow a couple to celebrate their wedding night immediately after the engagement?” asked Lakshman of no one.
The other three stopped in their tracks to look at him. Akshay shook his head. “I can do you a favour and request Ruma’s parents to get the wedding performed tomorrow morning. The muhurat tomorrow morning is good—yeah, I checked with the family Pandit, just in case—and the selling point would be that all the family members are already here. What do you say?”
Lakshman grinned widely. “You’re my best friend, Akshay chachu,” he said, hugging him.
“I won’t do it unless you cut out the chachu,” threatened Akshay. “What do you say, Ram? Do you think your parents will agree?”
“I’m sure they will. They know the actual situation anyway.”
Ruma gave Lakshman a startled look. “You never told me,” she accused.
“Only last evening, and it’s a long story,” said Lakshman. “I promise to tell you later.”
Ruma gave him a heated glance from her melting brown eyes before turning to Akshay. “But chachu, will Mom and Dad go with the idea? Lakshman and I are supposed to have met today for the first time.”
Akshay reassured her. “It’s all how one presents the package, my dear. Allow me. Your mother’s worried that you might slip out of this alliance too. I’ll convince her that this is the best way it can be done. Saloni has also come down with her husband and baby. There’s no better time like tomorrow. If we want your sister to travel down from the USA again, the wedding might need to be postponed to next year.” He turned to look at Lakshman when he heard him groan. “Exactly my point. Leave the whole thing to me.”
Rati turned with both fear and eagerness in her eyes when she saw the quartet coming down the stairs. All were smiling, so it must be good news. She gave her daughter a hesitant smile when Ruma walked closer. “So, beta, what do you say?”
“If you like him, I’m okay, Mom,” said Ruma, burying her face in her mother’s shoulder. Her shoulders shook with uncontrollable mirth. But her mother took that to be emotion, patting her daughter’s back awkwardly.
Rati smiled widely at her motherin-law Ganga. “It’s a ‘yes’, Mamma.” Tears poured down her face through the smile.
They announced the engagement between Ruma and Lakshman. Ram handed over the matching set of diamond solitaire rings that the couple exchanged. Ruma had stars in her eyes as she placed the engagement ring on her husband’s finger. He placed her ring and lifted her hand to his lips, his moustache brushing against her knuckles, enflaming her nerve ends.
Damini had ‘Google’d all about Lakshman Maheshwari on her smart phone. There was pure envy when she caught hold of Rati for a private moment after dinner. “Your daughter’s so lucky. Laki’s Bakes is a huge chain and your son-in-law has established it all, single-handed.”
Rati preened.
It was past midnight by the time the guests left.
Akshay could be a bulldozer when he chose to. He gathered together the Malhotra and Maheshwari families and explained to them the pros of having the wedding ceremony the next day and the cons of postponing it to a later date.
“It will be difficult for Saloni to travel down with her baby again in the next few months. And Rati bhabhi,” he gave her a small shake of his head on an aside, “I don’t think it’s all that practical to wait for a whole year. Ruma…”
Rati nodded vigorously. “You’re right Akshay.” She was worried that her wilful daughter might change her mind. “But what about Mohanji and Meeraji? Will they agree?” She looked at them anxiously. It was obvious that she presumed that her husband would fall in with her wishes whatever they were. Shyam looked on, a smile on his face. As long as peace and happiness reigned, he was okay with anything.
“My whole family is right here in Delhi today. We are perfectly fine having the wedding performed tomorrow,” said Mohan. Meera nodded her head, in complete agreement with her husband.
“But what about the arrangements for the wedding?” wailed Rati, biting her nails. Oh my God! Will she become a laughing stock?
“I think you aren’t aware of the latest trend, bhabhi,” said Akshay. “Have an intimate wedding, record the ceremony on video and broadcast it on Youtube. Share the link with your near and dear and make them truly envious.” He looked towards the other young men for support.
“Oh yes, aunty. That’s the latest trend.” Ranveer added his two cents.
Shyam stood up. “I think we should do it. What do you say, Mamma?”
Ganga said, “This is the most sensible idea I’ve heard in years,” as she beamed, turning to give her granddaughter a small wink.
And that settled the matter.
26
Lakshman and his parents accepted the Malhotras’ invitation to spend the night at their home while the rest of their clan left to go to Ranveer’s home.
Meera and Mohan had settled down for the night in a bedroom on the ground floor, right next to Ganga’s room.
Akshay showed Lakshman into the guest bedroom right across Ruma’s. “Here you go. This is the most I can do for you. You’re on your own from here.”
Lakshman hugged the other man, the initial animosity all forgotten. “Just one thing. Does anyone else share Ruma’s room?”
“No. Give it another fifteen minutes and everyone should be settled. G’night.” Akshay left.
Lakshman had a quick shower and shaved. Wearing his pajama bottoms, he opened his door a crack to check if there was anyone around in the corridor and wasn’t too surprised when he saw his wife coming out of her bedroom towards his. She walked fast, pushing him back into his bedroom and locking the door behind them.
“I thought you’d forgotten,” she accused, nipping his shoulder, her hands spread on his wide chest. “And I was going to rub it in your face that you’d lost the challenge.”
Lakshman shook with laughter, his hands pulling up her nightshirt and removing it off her. “Your Akshay chacha warned me to wait for some time till the others settled down.” He nibbled on her ear, trailing a wet tongue down her neck. He breathed in her perfume, liking the citrusy fragrance. “You smell awesome.” He continued to nibble on the curve of her breasts.
“Laki…that feels so good. Bite me some more.”
He obliged her willingly, moving from one side to the other, his hands caressing her silky back, all the way down to cup her lush bottom. He closed a mouth over a hardened nipple, stroking it roughly with his tongue. “You taste so good.” He sucked hard, making her jump. She took his hand and guided it to her other breast. He plucked the nipple with hard fingers even as he squeezed the globe, playing her body like a violin.
“Now it’s my turn,” declared Ruma, going down on her knees, pulling his pajama down to his feet. His shaft sprang forth in invitation as she buried her face against him, rubbing her face like a cat on the rough surface of his pubis. She held him in both her hands, dragging her nails gently down the velvety hard surface. When she heard Lakshman’s groan, she gave him an upward smile before bending down to place her lips at the tip, tracing it with her tongue. “Ruma…”
She opened her mouth to take him within, sucking gently, savouring the sensation. She felt Lakshman’s hand in her hair, holding her against him as he threw back his head, moaning in delight. She nibbled him gently before getting up to press her body against his, a hand still holding on to him. “Did you like it?” she asked in a whisper.
“I loved it,” said her husband, lifting her legs around his waist, before thrusting into her eagerly awaiting body. He pushed her against the closest wall, holding her tightly as he pounded into her. “I’m crazy about you, sweetheart,” groaned Lakshman, as they climaxed as one.
Epilogue
Ruma walked into their office at 9 pm, a satisfied smile on her face. She
was tired but happy as her designer cakes had become a super hit from day one. It was six months since she had moved to Jaipur, to her husband’s home, after their second wedding ceremony. She had tried out the various flavours and designs on her new family who had been all appreciation. She had experimented with many recipes, using less of refined floor and more of multigrains, more fruits and less sugar to come up with a healthy line of cakes. She also made them look attractive in her unique style, adding value to her husband’s brand.
Lakshman looked up from his desk when he heard her at the door. “Are you done for the day?” he asked, opening his arms wide in invitation.
She gladly parked her bottom on his lap, snuggling into his shoulder. “Yep. Can you imagine? We’d an order of eighty-seven special cakes just for today.”
Lakshman nodded, his chin pressed to the top of her head, his hands kneading her shoulders and arms. “I know. Your cakes are in such great demand. I think it’s time to get you an assistant.”
Ruma raised her head to look at him. “But Laki, why? I’m managing well, aren’t I?”
“Too well, my love. But this’ll only get bigger. I don’t want you to work yourself to the bone. Let’s begin looking for someone. It’s bound to take some time anyway.”
“Hmm…” She put her head on his shoulder again, exulting in the massage he was giving her tired muscles. Silence reigned for a few minutes as Ruma relished the sensation of his large hands relieving the ache in her muscles, before whispering, “There are other parts of my body that are aching for your touch, Laki. Can we…?”
Lakshman stood up, lifting his wife up in his arms in a single movement, and carried her into the bedroom, to oblige her every whim.
THE END
He moved, his eyes opening a slit, a smile on his handsome face. “Is it morning already?”
Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas) Page 24