by M. V. Kasi
The quaking inside her grew until it burst. Her breath splintered as she came, almost arching off the bed. His heavy weight which lay partially over her kept her in place while she spasmed under him.
Much later, when her breath grew slightly steady, she pulled up his t-shirt. Even though she found her release, the desperate need to be filled by him didn’t subside. She ran her hands greedily over his chest and stomach muscles. “I want you! I have wanted you for a very long time. And I want you now!”
His lips moved away from her breast, leaving a hot trail as he slid his tongue over her chest, and then her throat, until he found her lips.
They kissed urgently while he moved completely on top of her while balancing his weight. He expertly unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down before settling between her legs.
She wrapped her legs around his hips, preparing for his entry. But she felt his body freeze.
Making a frustrated noise, she tried to pull him closer. “Why did you stop—” she broke off when she heard the voice.
“Shilpa? Are you back?”
It was Gayatri. Shilpa had completely forgotten that the younger girl was staying at her place since the previous day.
With great difficulty, Shilpa managed to answer. “Yes, I’m back, Gayatri.”
“Oh okay. I heard the door slam and some noises. I wasn’t sure who it was.”
“I just got back. It’s very late. Go back to sleep. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Yeah. Goodnight.”
Shilpa could hear Gayatri’s footsteps as she went back to the guest room at the other end of the apartment. She knew that Gayatri couldn’t hear them. But still, the moment was gone.
“I’m sorry,” Shilpa said softly. “I had forgotten I had a guest here. She is my neighbor, but sometimes when her parents fight, she sleeps at my place.”
Even though she could feel the tension radiating from Dhruv’s body, she felt his lips brushing her lips gently. “It’s okay,” he said.
Slowly and most likely painfully, he rolled away from her. He sat up on the bed taking a few deep breaths.
“Dhruv…” She placed a hand on his bare shoulder.
His body shuddered.
Shilpa felt guilty that he gave a mind-blowing release, but he was left unsatisfied midway.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered softly. “How can I make this up to you?”
He didn’t answer for a few more seconds. Then he slowly turned towards her and with a dead-serious look, “Have dinner with me,” he said.
This time, she didn’t even have to think. “I would love to.”
Chapter 20
Shilpa had to endure merciless teasing from her female colleagues of the Special Task Force team.
They had just finished a meeting with the Commissioner when somehow Shilpa was held back by the group of females.
“You are so damn lucky! Why couldn’t I be the one going up to the VIP lounge at an exclusive club and kissing the hell out of DJ?” one of the senior officers whined playfully.
“We couldn’t see much,” said another female officer who saw the recording. “But what we could hear… whew! Damn that was hot!”
Shilpa tried to put on her usual stern look, but she couldn’t. “It was for a mission, Officer Senthil and Officer Dhawal.”
That only made them grin.
“And why didn’t the Commissioner suggest any of us for the Mission Superstar? Granted you have more and better experience and also more awards than us, but as a mentor for an actor, what difference does experience really make?”
“Yeah,” replied the other officer. “And Ravi told us what you did to get rid of DJ. So if you really wanted, then one of us could have easily arranged for a switch.”
Everything inside Shilpa rebelled at the thought of not having worked with Dhruv.
“Mission Superstar has already ended. So there’s no point in discussing what could have been.”
The other two officers laughed. Even though Shilpa smiled with them, and they continued to discuss their work and personal lives, Shilpa felt a strange heaviness at not being able to see or talk to Dhruv on a regular basis.
Sure, they had set up a date for later that day, but it was going to be a one-off thing after which Dhruv would lose interest since he would be busy in his world while she would be busy in hers.
Then Shilpa firmly shook off her morbid thoughts. She wasn’t the kind to mope over the future. Due to her line of work, she always thought of the present, and she would continue to do so.
She was going to go on a date with Dhruv and have the time of her life. If anything, she would build memories to remember for later.
DHRUV HAD A long, grueling day. He had to fly to two different cities in different parts of the county to shoot for an ad and then go through some of the changes in the script for his upcoming movie.
But he wasn’t in the least bit tired. In fact, he felt invigorated, and his entire body seemed to be coursing with energy.
Dhruv didn’t know what it was about Shilpa, but he wanted to know more if not everything about her. In the beginning, it was a challenge for him that a woman didn’t automatically gush over him. But as he began to spend more time around her, it was more than just a challenge.
He began seeing her, or glimpses of her, when she let her guard down. And whatever little he saw, he more than liked it and craved even more.
“Ready, Dhruv?”
“Yes. Let’s go.” Dhruv pulled the hood lower on his face as he stepped out of the plane and followed Shiv and Viren as they led him outside the airport.
SHILPA WAS WAITING in the underground parking lot when a bike pulled in and stopped in front of her.
“I almost didn’t recognize you,” she teased him with a laugh.
Dhruv had another fake, long beard and had put on sun glasses that were big enough to cover his face. His teeth appeared white against his dark mustache and beard as he grinned. “I’m taking you someplace public and quite crowded.”
He didn’t have to explain more. Shilpa knew first-hand how a mob would form around him in a matter of seconds if he were to be recognized.
“Where are we going?
“Surprise. Now hop on.” He handed her a helmet.
Feeling a little nervous and exhilarated, she put it on and sat behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso. The muscles under her fingers felt rock-hard and smooth.
“Are you feeling me up, Officer Dasani?” he asked as his body shook with laughter.
She laughed. “I’m trying to get comfortable. Been a long time since I sat on a bike. I used to ride one, but never sat much on the back.”
“I’m going to need all the details on your bike-riding experience.” His voice sounded huskier. “But we’ll have to push that conversation for later since we are running late for the first part of our date.”
Soon the bike zipped out and across the city. And when they stopped in front of a large multiplex movie theatre, Shilpa was really surprised.
She got off the bike and stared at the movie posters. “We are watching a movie? Your movie?”
Dhruv got off as well, and unlike her, he kept the helmet on. He chuckled. “I’m definitely a narcissist. But not that big of a one,” he said. He pointed at another movie poster. “We are watching that. It’s a spy thriller based on a true story. Thought you might like it.”
Shilpa wasn’t much into watching movies. Mostly because her job didn’t allow her to. But she was touched that Dhruv was thoughtful enough to plan a simple date rather than show off his influence and stardom.
“Since you got us tickets, I’ll get us popcorn and drinks,” she said.
There were no dumb, macho protests of wanting to foot the bill because he was a man and a real man didn’t allow a lady to pay. Dhruv just grinned. “Deal.”
A little under three hours later when they exited the theatre, Shilpa felt overwhelmed. “Wow! That was really an awesome movie. Thanks for taking me to watch it.�
�� She had forgotten what it felt like after getting lost in the fantasy world and living vicariously through the characters in a movie. “Did you like it, too?”
“Yeah. It seems to get better each time.”
“You have seen it, already?”
“Yup. That’s why I was sure you’d like it, too.”
As they walked towards the bike, Shilpa’s stomach growled.
“What was that?” Dhruv teased.
Shilpa smiled. “Shut up. When you said we were going on a date, I assumed an exotic seven-course dinner at an exclusive restaurant. So I made room in my stomach since this afternoon.”
Dhruv straight up laughed. “Don’t worry. That part is coming up, too.”
A few people who heard him laugh and also heard his voice turned towards him. “That’s DJ!” someone shouted. Dhruv had taken his helmet off inside the theatre, but he still had the heavy beard and mustache along with the sunglasses. But despite the disguise, a few hardcore fans could still recognize him.
“That is DJ! And he has a woman with him!”
Immediately, Dhruv tensed. He pulled the helmet hanging from the bike and placed it on Shilpa’s head. And then, putting his helmet on, he said, “Get on.”
Shilpa didn’t pause to follow his order. She sat behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso.
“Hang on tight. The ride is going to get a bit rough,” he said.
With a single kick, the bike started with a full-throttle. Then, without pausing for a second, before more people realized it was him and surrounded them, he drove them both out of the place.
They stopped in yet another underground parking garage. It belonged to a sleek high-rise building that was famous for housing one of the best restaurants. This time, he had someone already waiting for him who led them up via a private lift.
They were then led inside a restaurant and seated at a table that overlooked a breathtaking view of the city. Dhruv instructed the server that the first course be brought to their table immediately.
“So,” she said as they waited.
“So,” he repeated with a smile.
“I thought you were the experienced one with your impressive dating life. By now you should know how to fill the time with witty banter.”
“Look who has been googling me.” He smiled. “Well, to my defense, usually my dates are trying to talk my ear off about themselves.”
“Are you saying you don’t?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
He laughed. “I told you, I’m a narcissist. But it’s not often I find the right company to talk about myself so much.”
“Which category am I in?” Shilpa asked. She was well aware she was flirting with him, and she was enjoying it so much that she didn’t want to stop.
“You’ll find out soon enough by the time our date ends. Anyway, I wanted to ask you a few things. But you can go first. Ask me anything.”
“Hmm…” She didn’t want to pry into his personal life. That would be too intimate. So she stuck to safe topics. “There’s one question I had since you told me you’ve watched today’s movie before. When did you?”
“Before it was released.”
“You watch movies before they release?”
“I do when I am one of the producers,” he answered.
Shilpa was surprised. She didn’t know why because she knew most current actors were good businessmen as well. Unlike a few decades ago, the actors these days had a team of financial investors. Of course, having a lot of money and wanting a thrill all the time came with a price for a few of them. They slowly slid into the murky waters of addictions and depression.
But Dhruv, in particular, seemed to fall in the category of a suave businessman.
“Okay, now your turn,” she said.
“Tell me where you learned to dance like you did at the club.”
She grinned at his question. “My mother made me take classes during my childhood. She wanted me to be a professional dancer like her.”
He looked surprised. “Wow. I didn’t know that. Tell me about Rhima Kumar.”
“Why do you want to know about Ma?”
“They say children are usually reflections of their parents.”
Shilpa knew Dhruv adored his mother. And over the last two days, just after Shilpa had agreed to go on a date with Dhruv, she had snooped enough on him to know he was into philanthropy like his mother.
Before Shilpa could answer, her phone rang, and the ringtone indicated it was Ma.
“Speak of the devil,” she said with a smile. She answered the call to let Ma know she’d call back later. “Hello, Ma. I’m outside. Can I call back later?”
It wasn’t Ma. And as soon as Shilpa heard what the caller said, her smile vanished, and she stood up. “I’m coming. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Ending the call, Shilpa picked up her purse. “I have to go. Ma had an accident.”
Dhruv got up as well. “I’ll take you there.”
“You don’t have to. I know you had a hectic day.”
“Don’t be silly. Let’s go.”
Shilpa didn’t argue. She was grateful to him. Despite being trained to handle emergencies, Shilpa couldn’t handle the news of a loved one being in danger.
Not again.
Chapter 21
Dhruv remained quiet as he drove across the city to reach the hospital.
He had called Shiv and Viren and asked them to make arrangements. Less than thirty minutes later, he was wearing a cap and sunglasses while he and Shilpa were led into the hospital through a private entrance.
“Is she okay?” Shilpa asked as she rushed to the side of her mother.
“She lost a lot of blood when she slipped in the bathroom,” the doctor replied. “We are waiting for a donor with a B positive blood group. Do you have the same blood group as your mother?”
“She’s not my mother. And we don’t have the same blood group either.”
Dhruv was shocked when he heard Shilpa say that Rhima Kumar wasn’t her mother. But he got over it quickly. “I have an O-negative blood group. And I’ve cleared all my health check-ups.”
The doctor nodded. “I’ll get the necessary paperwork done while we ready you.”
Shilpa looked at him gratefully. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He nodded even though he was waiting to know how Shilpa was related to the woman whom she lovingly called Ma.
A FEW FRANTIC hours later, Shilpa sighed in relief.
“Shilpa,” a weak voice called out to her.
“How are you feeling, Ma?”
The woman who had been like a mother to her for the last five years smiled. “I’m fine.”
The doctor checked the pulse. “What happened, Mrs. Kumar?” he asked.
“I don’t know. The last thing I recall was wiping the top of my chimney hob. And then, waking up in the hospital room.”
“You don’t remember falling?” the doctor asked.
“No.”
Shilpa felt worry churn in her stomach. “Is she okay?”
“Yes,” the doctor replied. “Her heart seems normal, and we did a brain scan, too. Nothing unusual.”
“Are you sure? Why would she randomly lose consciousness?”
“It happens to older people sometimes. The reasons and triggers could be many. Just continue to have a nurse or someone checking on her frequently.”
Shilpa nodded.
“When can I go home?” Rhima Kumar asked the doctor.
Shilpa shook her head. “Ma, you had a huge accident and lost a lot of blood.”
There was a stubborn look on the older woman’s face.
“Mrs. Kumar,” said a smooth, masculine voice.
“DJ? What are you doing here? I mean, you are welcome to see me anytime. But—”
Shilpa watched as Dhruv smiled charmingly. “Dhruv donated his blood to you, Ma.”
Rhima Kumar’s eyes sparkled and almost fainted again with the news. “I have his blood running in my veins? DJ�
�s blood? Oh my God!”
Dhruv stood next to the patient. “As someone who had his vein pierced to give you blood, I request you rest for another day or two, Rhima.”
The older woman opened her mouth to argue, but then she closed it again. “Fine,” came a grudging reply. “But I don’t want Shilpa staying with me. I know I must have interrupted you both.”
“Ma—”
“No, buts. Or I’ll get up and walk out of this room.” The stubborn look continued on the older woman’s face.
Shilpa sighed. “Fine.”
After ensuring that two nurses were placed on a watch, Shilpa followed Dhruv as he led them to the back of the hospital. Viren was waiting for them with a grim look.
“We have a situation,” Dhruv’s bodyguard said.
“What happened?” Dhruv asked with a frown.
“There are reporters and a crowd waiting outside the hospital. Someone recognized you when they came in.” Viren looked towards Shilpa. “One of the reporters asked me who the woman accompanying DJ was.”
Shilpa sucked in a breath. “Will they bother my—”
“No.” Viren answered. “I don’t think they know yet who DJ was visiting. Just that he came to this hospital. And it’s a common enough occurrence for DJ to visit hospitals to visit sick children or elderly who are his ardent fans and request his presence.”
“I see.”
Dhruv looked grim as well. “I’m sorry for this. But I think it’s not advisable for you to go to your place right now. They might follow you home, and your identity will be out soon.”
Shilpa nodded. “I’ll rent a hotel near the hospital.”
Dhruv shook his head. “No. That won’t help either.” He looked at her keenly. “Come home with me.”
Shilpa was stunned at his offer.
“Before you protest, just listen,” he said. “My car is tinted, and no one would know you are inside even if they recognize my car. And my place is quite near to the hospital. You can stay in one of my guestrooms at my penthouse for the night. Viren will stay here at the hospital until the crowd disperses.”