Boxset: Destiny Decides.. & Destiny Embraces..

by P. G. Van

  I smiled at him as he walked up to me to plant a kiss on my forehead. The makeup artist had just left, and I was about to put on my anklets.

  “Are you doing okay, sweetheart?” Nick asked his voice tender.

  “I am actually excited, Nick,” I said standing up to put my arms around him and added, “You are my pillar of strength. I can face anything with you by my side.”

  I heard him catch his breath at the intensity in my voice and said in a soft voice, “I love you, Sameera. You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “I love you too, Nick,” I said smiling at him and asked, “Would you please put on the anklets for me?”

  “Absolutely. My pleasure!!” he said reaching for the anklets and kneeling down to put them on.

  “Did I tell you how lovely you look in your new dance outfit? Ann has been tasked by my mom to take pictures and videos for her,” Nick said smiling at me.

  I looked at myself in the mirror and saw myself glowing in the deep red dance outfit that I had on for the performance. The new outfit was a complete shift from my old dance outfit, and the combination of the deep red and navy blue-gold threaded border was a bold move on my part.

  The colors signified the confidence and the fire re-ignited by Nick. I looked at the man I loved deeply as he adjusted the clasp on the anklets to get me prepped for the performance of the decade.

  “Nick,” I said and paused catching my breath as he looked up at me smiling with his dimples and deepening my desire for him.

  “What is it baby?” Nick asked standing up and taking my face between his palms.

  “My mom, Nate, and my grandparents are going to be extremely emotional during the performance. I want you, Srini, and Ann to take care of them. I will not stop dancing as I know my dad will want me to finish what I start,” I said fighting back tears of joy.

  “Sameera, I will take care of everyone. I want you to burn down that stage,” Nick said encouragingly putting his arms around me.

  A few minutes later, I heard Nate’s voice on the loud speaker addressing the guests that had arrived for the Sangeet ceremony. I heard her thank everyone for coming and introduced Srini to our side of the family. I heard her announce happily about Nick’s and my wedding along with their wedding.

  As Nick and I approached the back stage, Srini took over the microphone and began speaking. Srini looked at us and smiled, and announced my dance performance and left the stage.

  The background of the stage projected the image of Nataraja, the king of dance, a depiction of Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. I had already given the playlist and the required background for the various songs that I was performing that night.

  As I walked to the center stage, I heard loud cheering from the friends and family that had gathered for the performance. I looked at the large crowd and bowed to them placing my palms facing each other in a prayer pose. I looked at my loved ones sitting in the very first row, smiled at them, and blew a kiss to my grandparents. The crowd cheered as the music started in the background.

  As always, I started the performance with a prayer song and went on to perform some challenging Bharathanatyam compositions. Throughout the performance, I made eye contact and smiled at my family as their eyes filled with tears of joy.

  At the end of the third song, I took the microphone from the event organizer and said, “I hope you all enjoyed the performance so far. I have one more dance routine for you, and it is very near and dear to my heart as it was my father’s favorite song.” I paused and took in a deep breath and looked at Nick for strength before continuing, “This is a tribute to my father who I know is watching over me.”

  I paused again for a few seconds to look at my grandparents and said, “Thatha (Grandpa) and Nani (Grandma), this one is for you.” I saw them smile and glow with tears running down their cheeks. Nick sat next to my grandmother with his arm around her, and I saw Ann next to my grandpa holding his hands.

  I gave the event organizer the cue to start the music and change the background of the stage. As the music started, the background of the stage changed to show a picture of my late father smiling at the group.

  As I danced to the song feeling his presence around me, I saw my mom sob uncontrollably as my stepdad consoled her. Nate wept on Srini’s shoulders looking at me. My grandparents were rejoicing the moment with pride in their eyes. I fought back tears of joy as I looked at them enjoying every step of the dance. As I finished the routine and closed the performance by bowing to the audience, I heard the crowd roar and cheer applauding my performance.

  I ran down the stairs from the stage going straight to my grandparents and touched their feet with my palms to get their blessings.

  “God bless you, Meera,” my grandma said, her voice filled with joy.

  I planted a kiss on my grandma and grandpa’s cheek and went to check on my mom.

  “Meera, I am so proud of you,” my mom said putting her arms around me.

  “Very well done, my child,” my stepdad said, his voice filled with pride.

  “Thank you Daddy,” I said hugging him and said smiling as I saw Nate approach me wiping off her tears, “I am sure Nate is very upset that I ruined her makeup.”

  Nate laughed and hugged me and said, her voice trembling, “This is the best gift ever Meera. I am blessed to have a sister like you.”

  “Nate, my sweet sis, I am glad you feel that way. The person you should be really thanking is Nick. He was the one who suggested that I do this for your wedding, remember?” I said to Nate smiling at her.

  “Nick,” Nate called out to him and as he approached us smiling at me. Nate put her arms around him and said, “Thank you.”

  “Nethra, you are thanking the wrong person. My beautiful fiancée who performed outstandingly is standing right behind you,” Nick teased looking at me.

  Nate looked at him and said, “You know why I am thanking you.”

  Nick smiled and said, “I know, and you are most welcome.”

  “Meera, you were amazing out there,” Ann said hugging me. Srini joined us and was very quiet. When I asked him if everything was okay, he said in a very soft voice, “I have never seen Nethra so happy. Thank you.”

  “Srini, my brother,” I said hugging him and added smiling, “The performance was a gift that my late father sent for you guys for your wedding. I was just the messenger.”

  “I agree. I could feel daddy’s presence when you were dancing to his favorite song,” Nate said cheerfully and asked, “Are you ready to go change, Meera?”

  “Yes, I think I will go home and change,” I said to Nate and added winking, “I will be back before everyone is done with their dinner to start dancing again.”

  I walked over to my mom to tell her that I was going home to change, and that I needed a ride.

  “The driver can take you home and bring you back, but please don’t go by yourself with all the jewelry on you. Take Nick with you,” my mom said coolly and waved to the driver indicating to him to get the car ready. I blushed and walked to Nick and whispered in his ear, “Will you please go with me?”

  “Yes,” he said immediately without asking why, where, or when. The party location was only a few miles from my grandparents’ place so I decided to change at home instead of using the not-so-great dressing rooms back at the event center.

  I took the car keys from the driver and told him that we would be back soon. Nick and I rode in silence in the car as I steered through the evening commute traffic of Hyderabad.

  “Nick, breathe. I know how to drive here. Remember, this is where I learned how to drive,” I said laughing.

  I pulled into the driveway getting out of the car gingerly and entered the house and said, “I need your help getting out of this outfit, Nick,” I said looking at him with desire looming in my eyes.

  Nick’s breath hissed as I put my arms around him and took my lips to the bare skin exposed on his chest and sucked on his taut muscle slowly sinking my teeth into his skin. He groaned
with pleasure putting his arms around me holding me close to him and brought his lips to mine with a deep and dark longing for me.

  “Let’s go to my room,” I said against his lips.

  We stepped into my bedroom and closed the door with our lips engaged as he struggled to find an opening to touch my bare skin. “Undress me, baby,” I said eagerly against his lips,

  I felt his hardness against me as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me along the length of his body.

  “Meera, I can’t take it anymore. I need you,” Nick said his voice trembling.

  “Nick, take off my anklets while I take off my top,” I urged unable to bear the outburst of desire inside me.

  Nick reached for the anklets as I removed the silk sash draped over my fitted blouse and started to unhook the blouse.

  I heard the anklets hit the floor and Nick’s impatient fingers reached for the hooks on my blouse. He unhooked the blouse at a steady pace pulling the blouse off my shoulders down over my wrists and buried his face in my chest. I still had all the heavy jewelry on over my bra. Nothing seemed to bother him or stop him as his hand reached for the clasp on my bra and undid it in a flash. He pushed my bra aside and took his cool lips to my breast as his tongue teased the hardened peak.

  As he worshipped my breast, his hand undid the knot on the drawstring of my leggings and found my moist pleasure triangle down below. I put my arms around his neck for support as my legs had turned to jelly the moment I felt his fingers on my clit. He lowered me onto the low-rise bed and gently slid my silk leggings with utmost care and an equal amount of urgency.

  “Nick, baby. We should save it for tomorrow,” I said as he brought his lips to my neck.

  “Baby, we don’t have to,” he said his voice muffled.

  “Nick, c’mon. It’ll make our wedding night that much more special,” I said hugging him. Nick groaned holding me to him.

  “So, can you help me take off the jewelry?” I asked as my voice wobbled.

  “I love the gold on your yellow tone skin and the mehendi on your hands. Drives me all the more nuts,” Nick said, his eyes clouded with lust.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to steady the pounding in my chest and felt Nick’s warm breath on my face as he traced my jawline with his tongue. I jerked at the tease and smiled as I realized how well Nick knew how to ignite my passion.

  I opened my eyes looking into the deep dark eyes and said, “I am sure we can hold off for one more day.”

  “Are you convincing me or convincing yourself?” Nick mocked, as he dug his tongue into my navel.

  I lost all control of my body as he continued to draw tiny circles around my belly button with the tip of his tongue.

  “Nick, I want you,” I fisted my palm in his hair.

  I held my breath as he came down on me letting out his sexual wrath, and I delved into my own depths to find the ultimate pleasure.

  Chapter Five

  It was almost eight and everyone was getting ready to start the dance and music as part of the Sangeet party when Nick and I returned hand-in-hand smiling at each other. I had changed into the sari that Nick had picked for me during our first shopping trip.

  It was a navy blue and red georgette sari complimenting my skin tone very well and revealed just enough for me to be comfortable.

  “Finally!! What took you so long?” Nate asked innocently looking at me and before I could say anything, Nick said teasingly, “I have no idea why it took her so long to put on that sari.”

  “Did you not help her Nick?” Nate teased him right back.

  Nick smiled and ran his fingers through his hair. A sizzle ran through my body when I saw him do that, and I inadvertently reached out and messed up his hair.

  “Nethra, your little sister is on fire,” Nick said smiling at Nate.

  “She can get away with anything after that performance tonight,” Nate said smiling and planted a kiss on my cheek and added, “Let’s go. I am sure you guys are starving.”

  Nick leaned over and whispered, “You do look hungry, babe.”

  “Stop it, Nick. You need to be on your best behavior,” I said glaring at him.

  Nick laughed and walked away to find Srini as Nate dragged me to the dining area. She made sure I had something to eat before I started downing some drinks.

  The DJ started the party at nine, and the kids were the first ones to gather on the stage as we watched them burn off their energy.

  “It’s so much fun to watch them dance,” Nick said amidst the loud music showing me the cute kids in their traditional Indian attire dancing to the music.

  Nick and I watched from a distance as Srini and Nate danced to their favorite song. Nick and I danced to a fast Bollywood number, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how at ease Nick was when he danced.

  As we left the party later that night, we were completely spent. I smiled to myself holding Nick’s hand as Srini drove towards our grandparents’ house.

  Nick spoke up to break the silence and said, “Srini and Nate, this is the best Sangeet I have been to, and I had a blast.”

  “Thanks Nick,” Nate said turning to smile at him from the passenger seat.

  “We should have brought Ann with us,” I said remembering that she had agreed to stay with us instead of being at the hotel all by herself.

  “I did ask her if she wanted to go, but she was having too much fun hanging out with our cousins,” Nate said giggling.

  Srini pulled into the driveway and even after ten minutes of sitting in the car, Nate refused to leave. Nick and I waited on the patio as Nate and Srini continued to chat away in the car.

  “What time will I see you tomorrow?” Nick asked cupping my face with his palms.

  I took my lips to his palm and said, “I will be there at six as the auspicious time for the wedding is between seven and eight in the evening.”

  “I will see you at six on Saturday then,” Nick said smiling and added, “Isn’t that when all this started?”

  “Yes,” I said and blushed as I remembered the Saturday night we met at Nate’s and my apartment for PaniPuri and dinner. Nick set my being on fire that night and managed to do so every time he touched me from that day. I tenderly planted a kiss on his lips and said smiling, “We have a long day tomorrow. Take Srini home and make sure you guys go straight to bed.”

  “Yes, my love,” Nick hugged me and walked towards the car.

  “Nethra, time to hit the bed sis. We all have a long day tomorrow,” Nick said in a firm voice, and Nate instantly complied and got out of the car.

  Nate and I said our good byes to the boys, and went upstairs to scrub our faces clean of any makeup and get ready for bed. Nate and I were sharing my bed that night as Ann was staying over with us, and Nate offered up her bedroom. Nick and I took time to clean up my bedroom after our passionate engagement earlier that night.

  “Nate, we will be married by this time tomorrow,” I cheered as we got into bed.

  “I can’t wait to be Srini’s wife. I am done being a maiden,” Nate said giggling.

  “Good night, my sweet sister. I am so excited for us,” I said planting a kiss on her forehead.

  *****

  My phone was ringing, and I had barely slept for a few hours. I looked at my phone and Nick’s name flashed on the caller ID of my phone.

  “Nick, is everything okay?” I asked my voice barely audible.

  “Sweetheart, I need to talk to you,” Nick said softly.

  “Hang on, Nick. I am going to step out of the room,” I said sitting up in bed and was glad to see that Nate did not wake up to the phone call.

  “Sameera, I am downstairs on your driveway. Can you please come out?” Nick asked and completely took me by surprise.

  “Nick, what is it?” I asked worried as my heart started to beat faster.

  I went down the stairs gingerly opening the main door and stepped into the patio to find both Srini and Nick sitting in the car.

  Nick got out of the ca
r wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and Srini stayed in the car.

  “Nick, you brought Srini with you. He needs to sleep,” I said shaking my head.

  “Sameera, he insisted; this is way too important, and I don’t trust anyone else,” Nick said ignoring my concern for Srini.

  ‘Nick you are freaking me out now,” I said wrapping my arms around him.

  Nick took a deep breath and said, “I know your parents have made all the required arrangements for us to get married at the same time as Nethra and Srini, but I want to make sure you are really ready.”

  I felt the cold air grip my heart and a shiver ran through my spine. I shook my head and asked in surprise, “Nick, why are you asking me if I am ready?”

  Nick smiled and cupped my face with his palms and said, “I know you wanted to wait but...”

  “Nick, it’s two in the morning, and I am not really sure why you are here,” I said shaking my head.

  “Sameera, I will not do something even if there is the slightest chance of hurting you. Are you upset about not performing the Rajput ceremony?” Nick asked softly.

  “Nick, what are you not telling me?” I asked suspecting there was more.

  “If you thought you could lift the curse on our family by performing this ceremony, then you don’t need to worry about it,” Nick said softly.

  I looked into his smiling eyes with surprise, as I had not told him that the Rajput family believed that performing the ceremony would lift the curse on the family; the curse that the family believed was the reason a girl child was not born into the family in the last hundred years.

  “How did you…?” My voice trailed off as Nick continued to smile with pride.

  “Sameera, I spoke to Mr. Jaideep Bhatia, who happens to be my dad’s second cousin,” Nick confessed. I wondered how he got in touch with the Rajput family member that met me at the airport when I arrived in India over a month ago.

  Nick looked into my eyes and added mockingly, “If you are wondering how I managed to talk to him, your key words are cellphone call history.”

  “How long have you known?” I asked my voice trembling.