by Tariq Saleim
“Meet my wife, Chandani.” He walked over to Chandani, held her hand, and walked back to Coco, who was trying her best to recover. Chandani looked genuinely happy to see Coco. She hugged the doctor and Coco had to respond accordingly.
“Thank you so much for taking care of Nile,” said Chandani. “My family owes you our lives. You saved my husband, you saved all of us.”
Chandani was sincere in her compliments and Coco was embarrassed at herself. Only a few seconds ago she was clinging to the woman’s husband and enjoying his body against hers. What is wrong with me? Coco had a lot of explaining to do to her own self.
“I was just doing my job,” she managed to say in response.
“You did more than your job, Doctor.” Chandani kissed Coco’s hands. Coco noticed that she was crying. “You have no idea how much we are indebted to you.”
Stop it, you foolish woman. I did not do it for you. I did it for this man, whom I adore. Coco wanted to shout out loud and push this crying woman away from her, but she could not.
“Let me get your luggage.” Nile walked to where Coco had left her trolley, leaving the two women alone momentarily. The two of them watched him walk away.
***
Sub-Sector Two was like nothing Coco had ever seen before. Despite the last four decades of efforts to destroy cultures and ethnic footprints, this Sub-Sector had retained its share. Everything about this place exhibited its rich cultural trail—architecture, local dresses, food, the warmth of the people, etcetera. Coco realized that this was one Sub-Sector where the UPF had failed miserably in achieving its goals. Although everybody at the airport spoke English, this place did not feel like Sector Three, her homeland. It was so different, which meant the UPF had not really done well in terms of creating the cultural and ethnic homogeneity that it believed existed. She wondered why she had been unaware that there existed a place that was so dissimilar. Why was this Sub-Sector, which housed thirteen million people, never showcased in any of the travel documentaries? What was the point of hiding something so distinct?
Their journey from the airport to Nile’s house was an hour long. Nile drove through the town on purpose, avoiding expressways. Chandani sat in front, and Coco in the rear. Chandani anxiously updated Coco on the surroundings as they passed through the streets. Every now and then, Chandani would touch her husband’s arm lovingly, as if she could not finish her sentence without touching him.
Is this her habit, or is she marking her territory? Coco wondered.
Nile was quiet for the most part of the journey. He was pleased to see his wife playing host to his doctor. To him, it appeared that both were getting along well.
Nile’s home was a semi detached house on the outskirts of the Sub-Sector. Coco was given one of the guest rooms on the first floor for her stay with the family. Nile’s kids were not at home yet.
“The kids are back at around three in the afternoon,” Chandani explained. “They are also looking forward to meeting you.”
“Me too,” replied Coco.
Nile brought Coco’s luggage from the car and placed her bags in the guest room. “You must be tired from the long journey. Why do not you rest? We will wake you up in the evening.”
Coco ignored Nile’s suggestion. There was something she needed to say and it was imperative that she said it before unpacking. In case Nile changed his mind after listening to her, it would be easier to pick up her bags and find accommodation in a hotel.
“I need to talk to you,” said Coco.
“What is it, Doctor?” Nile asked.
“Can I talk to him in private?” Coco looked at Chandani for permission. Chandani was quick to understand that Coco wanted her to leave, whereas Nile was trying to grasp the situation.
“I need to attend to some matters in the kitchen. In case you need me, I will be downstairs.” Chandani quickly walked out of the room. Coco walked to the door and locked it.
“What is wrong, Doctor?” Nile was puzzled now.
“What I have to say, I must say now,” replied Coco.
“Please, Doctor, I am listening.”
“I cannot stay in this house until you know exactly why I am here.”
“Why are you here, Doctor?”
“I am here because I missed you. I missed you because I love you.”
Nile stared at Coco in complete silence. He was not sure how to respond to what Coco had just said. Is she joking? No, she is serious, thought Nile.
“I wanted to tell you this,” continued Coco, “before I settled in your house. I am here because I could not control myself. I am in love with you. I have never met anyone in my life like you. You are brave, honest, and faithful. You fight for what you believe in. You are a loving husband. Your wife looks happy, protected, and content. This is all I ever wanted from my life. I could not stop myself from falling for you.”
“Doctor, what are you saying?”
“I do not want anything from you. I am not here to break up your family. My love does not mean any harm to you. I am jealous of your wife, no doubt, but this is where it stops. I wish I were in her place, but I am not. However, I had to tell you this before I unpacked.”
“I do not know what to say, Doctor.” Nile was confused and embarrassed.
“If you want me to leave, I will leave now. I just did not want to stay in your house without telling you the truth.”
There was silence in the room. Nile stared at his feet while Coco stared at him. Say something, for God’s sake. Nile’s silence was killing her.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Nile finally replied. “There is no need to leave. Love is an honorable feeling and there is nothing wrong with loving someone. However, in your case, that someone is already in love with someone else. Your love can only be a one-sided affair—a feeling I can respect but not reciprocate. For me, you are a friend, a trustworthy friend, and that is what you will always be.”
Coco felt lighter. She did not feel embarrassed at her rejection. She always knew it would happen. In her mind, this was how she had imagined Nile answering her. She was not surprised a bit and felt better having confessed her love for this man and having heard his reply.
“If ever you need me, I am here for you,” Coco said somberly.
“I will remember that.”
“And if your wife ever decides to leave you, remember I am waiting for you.” Coco smiled.
Nile laughed at Coco’s joke. “I hope that never happens.”
“If it happens, you know where to come.”
They laughed. Coco felt relaxed and less embarrassed now. Nile was a friendly man and she felt comfortable in his presence.
“I need to get back to my shop now. You should rest too. I will tell Chandani not to disturb you.” Nile moved closer to Coco and kissed her forehead. “My family means a lot to me and so does your friendship. Do not make it an either/or choice,” he said, looking into her eyes.
“I will not,” replied Coco.
Nile walked out of the bedroom and Coco locked the door after him. She sat on the bed and grabbed her head in her hands. What did I just do? First the desperate hugging at the airport and now this confession of love. What the hell is wrong with me? Coco was happy that Nile had not asked her to leave his house. Now she needed to behave so that Chandani did not get suspicious. What must she be thinking? What will Nile tell her? Surely she wants to know what we were talking about. Poor Nile, I have put him in a situation. Coco shook her head in disgust. I never used to be this stupid.
***
Nile walked downstairs and found Chandani standing at their bedroom door. He walked through the living room toward his wife.
“What did the doctor say?” she asked.
Nile took his wife’s hand and pulled her to him. He affectionately placed his hands on her hips. After three kids, she was still as desirable as when they had first started courting. Chandani responded by hugging him tightly.
“What do you want, love?” Chandani asked, ignoring the fact that Nile ha
d not answered her first question.
“Nothing,” responded Nile. “I need to get back to the shop.”
“The shop can wait.” Chandani ran her fingers through Nile’s hair. She felt a guarded tension in her husband’s body and wondered what was wrong.
“No, I have to go.” Nile pulled himself away somewhat unexpectedly.
Chandani could sense trouble already. “What happened? What did the doctor say?”
Nile had not yet decided what to say to Chandani. She was looking into his eyes, expecting an answer, and he was struggling to find one.
“I thought you were in the kitchen.” Nile tried to change the topic.
“I was, now I am not.”
“I need to go, love.”
“You are not leaving until you tell me what the doctor said to you just now.”
By now Nile had enough time to think of an answer. He decided not to tell the truth.
“She told me that the Commander and his team are still watching me. They plan to keep me under surveillance for a long time. They are watching me like a hawk. They are watching all of us. I am afraid, really terrified.” Nile tried his best to sound convincing.
Chandani immediately accepted his answer and embraced him again. “Do not worry. They will find nothing. You are not a member of ORRF.” She tried to comfort her husband.
Nile decided not to respond. There were certain things she did not know and it was better that he kept it that way. He forced a smile on his face, gently grabbed Chandani’s face, and kissed her lips.
“Do not go.” Chandani tried her best to sound horny. “Let me relax you a bit.” She opened his shirt buttons and ran her hands across his chest.
“We have a guest at home.” Nile grabbed her hands and courteously lowered them.
“She must be sleeping by now.”
There was never a point in refusing a beautiful woman when she was in the mood, especially when that woman was the love of your life. Chandani was right—the shop could wait. He lifted his wife in his arms and walked into the bedroom. He turned around so Chandani could lock the door. Then, he walked to their bed and placed his wife on it. He took off his shirt quickly while Chandani unbuttoned his trousers. She pulled his trousers down, together with his underwear. His manhood sprung out, ready for action. Chandani loved his husband for that—he was always ready. She kissed him pleasurably, taking his excitement to the point of no return.
They made love to their hearts’ content, knowing exactly what the other one wanted—the result of twelve years of togetherness. They had explored each other long enough to understand who wanted what, when, and how. Half an hour later, they were still lying in bed, momentarily spent but abundantly fulfilled. Chandani rested her head on Nile’s left arm. He stared quietly at the ceiling.
“I have been meaning to tell you something,” said Chandani.
Nile straightened up, moving his arm from under Chandani’s head and resting it on his side. “What is it?”
“I am not sure if I should say this.” Chandani’s hesitancy worried Nile even more.
“Now, if you do not tell me, I will be very concerned.”
“OK. I think this woman is in love with you.”
Nile was startled. This was the last thing he had expected.
“Which woman?” he asked, playing dumb.
“Your doctor.”
Nile’s world went into a spin. How did Chandani find this out? Was she listening to our conversation? Nile suspected that she had stood outside the guest room and heard what Coco had said.
“Why do you say so?”
Chandani sat up and held Nile’s hands. “It is written all over her face. The way she looks at you. The way she talks to you. The way she hugged you at the airport. She is in love with you. Can’t you see it?”
Nile was relieved. Apparently Chandani had not heard his conversation with Coco. She was merely suspicious. “I do not think so, dear.” He stood up from the bed and started dressing. Chandani walked to her husband and started buttoning his shirt.
“You are a good man. Women will fall for you. I cannot change it. I am jealous, but also flattered. She is a pretty girl and she fancies you. This means you are someone special. But you are mine and that is the reality.” Chandani finished buttoning her husband’s shirt and kissed him on his cheeks.
Nile quickly tucked in his shirt and reached for his shoes.
“You did not shower first.”
Nile ignored the change in topic. “I do not think your analysis is correct, but just in case you are, what would you like me to do? Do you want me to ask her to leave?”
“Of course not; she is our guest. She saved your life. We need to treat her kindly.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, love. She is a brave girl. She came here to see me, not you. She wanted to know what I have that she does not. You should have seen the look of disappointment on her face when she saw me at the airport.” There was a hint of arrogance in Chandani’s voice.
“I do not know what to say. I do not want to dismiss your analysis, but I have no evidence to believe you either.” Nile blatantly lied.
“Do not worry about it. I know I am right and that is what matters. We will treat her like one should treat a guest, with honor and warmth. She is not stupid and therefore she will never tell you openly. I just wanted you to know, because you are too naïve to understand all this.”
That day, Nile left his house a very worried man. There were two women in his house now: one the love of his life, the other the doctor who had saved his life. He had no intention of cheating on his wife, but the fact that Chandani had figured out Coco’s love for him was disturbing. He hoped that the next two weeks would pass without incident. He had no idea what was coming his way.
CHAPTER 16
Sector 3, Sub-Sector 1 (formerly known as New York, United States of America)
Rock was feeling rock hard inside Pepper, who was moving in a forward-backward motion atop him. He was holding her hips and augmenting her movements with his big hands. Pepper’s breasts were moving vigorously, exciting him further, prompting him to move her even more forcefully. Pepper was a porn star by profession and delivered on her reputation in real life. In his mind, Pepper was made for three things only: sex, sex, and more sex. In the past few months, he had used her extensively for just that purpose.
Rock was in love with Pepper’s skills. She was a diva, a sex goddess, fashioned by the gods of ecstasy to pleasure men who could afford her. He acknowledged she was expensive to maintain, but whatever her price and preferences were, she was worth it. He had never felt more alive. She had restored his youth and he admired her for that.
Pepper looked at her lover. The fucker must be ready to shoot now, she reckoned. Rock was an old man and could never hold it for long. Pepper was so glad that he could not. Sex with Rock was a necessary ritual, but a rather boring one. It was good that he could not hold the unexciting procedure for longer durations. Of course she never told him that. Pepper was good at making men believe they were the best she ever had and Rock was no exception.
Rock grabbed her throat with his right hand, his left hand still on her hips. Here we go, thought Pepper. Asshole has seen too many porn movies. Rock loved to grab her throat as he ended. Once again, Pepper was grateful that he could not hold things long enough otherwise he could choke her to death. Every time he choked her, Pepper screamed and told him how much she loved it. In reality it was painful and momentarily difficult to breathe, but she kept the routine as it kept his lover glued to her.
Rock tightened his grip on Pepper’s throat and she screamed in ecstasy. He loved her for that. He tightened his grip even more and she let out a few vulgarities. Rock was ready to explode and so was Pepper, as she repeatedly announced with screams of profanities.
The problem with luck is that you never know when it runs out. That is why it is important to stop counting on good luck while it is still good. Pepper should have listened to DK and
stopped living dangerously long time ago. She needed to realize that even the best-laid plans can go wrong. When luck runs out it takes away more than it ever gave. Pepper could have lived comfortably with DK or Spike. Both men would have loved her to death, but she did not. She had no idea that her luck had abandoned her already.
As Rock prepared himself for his explosion, he further tightened his grip on Pepper’s throat, choking her completely. Pepper tilted her face backward, trying to release the pressure on her neck and breathe. Just then, as Rock climaxed and confessed his undying love to Pepper, he saw a reflection in her eyes.
Maybe it was the light from the new chandelier installed yesterday over his bed, or the curtains behind them that he had insisted not to close. A ray of light from some source gleamed off the contact lenses that Pepper was wearing. A less observant person would not have noticed, especially under the circumstances, but Rock was not one of them. He did not hail from a rich family and had to fight hard for his place in the UPF. He was a sharp observer and knew every trick of the trade. He had blackmailed several of his enemies, competitors, and regulators, and his weapon of choice was contact lenses that could record. Today he had discovered, much to his dismay, that his diva girlfriend was wearing his favorite weapon.
Pepper screamed, announcing her climax and confirming how good he was. She could never have enough of him. He was a man in every sense of the word. She wished she had met him long ago so that she did not have to suffer so much with other men. He completed her life. She was still shuddering from her climax that just went on and on.
Rock politely pushed her to the side and kissed her on her shoulder. “I need a smoke, darling,” he said and got up from the bed, grabbed his pack of cigarettes from the nightstand, and walked away. He opened the glass door to the balcony, stepped outside, and closed the door behind him.
Pepper watched him as he stood on the balcony, stark naked, smoking a cigarette. It was a routine thing with Rock. After sex, he wanted to smoke. He never smoked inside his apartment. Pepper also needed a break; her neck was still hurting.