by MV Kasi
Her phone rang loudly, jerking her from her thoughts.
It was Ajay.
Smiling she picked it up.
"Hi baby, how is your day going on?" he asked.
"Very tiring. I feel so cooped up at home, even though I'm still technically working. I want the next month to arrive quickly. I—" she broke off and gasped.
"What happened?" he asked in concern.
"Your son happened. He wants to be a soccer player, and he's practicing it way too early," she complained.
The baby had been moving and kicking her a lot lately.
She heard Ajay laugh. "Our daughter must be taking after you. She must have felt your moves while you practiced kick boxing on her daddy during the initial months of the pregnancy."
She laughed, recalling the incident when Ajay had taunted her to show him her combat moves.
"Just relax. I'll be home in an hour to give you a really long back rub before the party," he said.
"Hmm...that sounds great."
"Meantime, feel free to get started without me. The last time I walked into that particular scene it ended really well," he teased.
She laughed. "For you maybe. I was so embarrassed!"
"You shouldn't have been. It was the hottest thing I had ever seen—"
She could hear someone knocking on his office door.
"Baby, someone's here. I've got to go now. See you soon," he said and ended the call.
With the smile on her face, she began to prepare for the party that night. And more than that, she was waiting in anticipation for the other private party her husband had planned between them.
***
Ajay ended the call with Sia, and looked at the interruption with a frown.
Surprisingly, it was Jyotika with Harsha who had come to visit him in his office.
Harsha was glaring at Jo, and she had an uncharacteristically stubborn expression on her face.
"Hey Jo, what an unexpected surprise. Everything okay?" he asked.
"Jay, I found—" she began, but was cut off by Harsha.
"For heaven's sake, I told you to just let it go, Jo!" Harsha yelled at her angrily, also in an uncharacteristic way. Harsha was never the kind to raise his voice in temper, and always had a ready smile on his face, even when truly provoked.
"No! I can't. He has the right to know," Jo shouted back.
"Why the hell are you still so hung up on him? He's been married for a while and they are going to have a child in a month," Harsha more or less hissed out at her.
"I already told you several times, I am not hung up on him. But he has the right to know," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Ajay interrupted their bickering. "Guys, calm down. What happened?" he asked.
Harsha and Jyotika spoke at the same time.
"Jay, I found—"
"I tried to stop her Jay. But she wouldn't just let it—"
They stopped talking, and now instead of glaring at each other, they both looked...hurt?
"Guys, what are you both talking about?" Ajay asked.
"I had Sia investigated," Jyotika announced softly.
"What?" Ajay frowned.
"I know I went behind your back and did it. But you were so blinded by her, Jay. And the way she trapped you..." She took a deep breath. "I just had to find out."
Ajay looked at the guilty expression on Jyotika 's face. "What did you find out, Jo?" he asked her quietly.
"It's none of her damn business!" Harsha interrupted angrily.
"Harsha, wait. Go ahead, Jo," Ajay said calmly.
Jyotika looked at Harsha's angry face, and then she looked at Ajay's calm one.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled out a few papers from a folder.
"It's all in here, Ajay. A detailed investigation on her. With these papers, you would have enough information to completely destroy Sia's credibility, and gain the sole custody of your child," she said.
Ajay's calm expression did not change, and neither did he even glance at those papers.
Not letting that fact discourage her, Jyotika elaborated further. "There are explicit proofs about her past drugs, booze, and indiscriminate sex addictions. Including her various visits to the rehab centers."
"Jo, for the love of god, just shut up! And leave!" Harsha shouted again.
Jyotika flinched, but she stared stubbornly at Ajay.
"Harsha, stop," Ajay instructed calmly. And then he looked at Jyotika. "Thanks Jo for the reports. I know you had my best interest at heart," he said.
He took the folder from her. But without looking at it, he placed it in his office desk, and locked it.
And then, he stood up, and grabbed his car keys and cell phone.
"Jo, let me drop you near your car. I was about to leave now, anyway," he said, taking her arm gently. And then, he looked at Harsha. "I'll talk to you later, Harsha," he said.
As he walked Jyotika to her car, he felt guilty. "How are you doing, Jo? I haven't seen you or spoken to you much since the past few months. I went by your home several times to meet with your family, but you weren't around then," he said.
Jyotika smiled tentatively. "I'm fine, Jay. I knew it would be quite awkward to keep in touch with an ex-fiancée after your marriage."
Ajay tugged her hair gently. "Hey, you are my best friend first. And will always remain one. Nothing and no one can change that fact," he said.
"Yes. I know that," she said softly. And then she looked at him with an uncertain expression. "Jay, I—" she broke off.
"What is it Jo?" he asked.
"I-I'm seeing someone," she said.
"Wow, that's really good to hear. No wonder you are never home," he teased.
She smiled shyly, but her smile died slowly. "I don't know if it can ever work out between him and me though," she said.
He was surprised. "Why?"
"I-I just know it. I jumped into that relationship way too soon. And he is so very different from me. I don't know if we can ever have a peaceful life together with some sort of trust between us," she said with a sad look.
He squeezed her arm in reassurance. "Jo, you are the most sensible person I've ever met. And even though you got into a relationship too soon, you definitely must have had some inkling about how compatible you were with that person. And believe me; two extremely opposite minded people can still live happily together. In fact, it makes life much more interesting."
Jyotika stared at him quietly.
"Thank you Jay. You may be right. And I'm very sorry," she said softly.
"For what Jo?" he asked.
"For presuming too many things. It was wrong on my part to go behind your back, and have Sia investigated. You could have done that on your own if had you wanted to," she said.
He sighed. "That's alright, Jo. My relationship with Sia is quite...complicated. I know that you had my best interests at heart."
Promising to visit Jyotika at her place soon, Ajay drove home to his wife.
And during the drive, he thought about what Jyotika had revealed about Sia's past. Like Jo had said, he did have enough evidence to gain custody of his child. But he had already made up his mind much before that it wasn't what he wanted.
Sia and he had been having a great relationship from the past few months. They no longer lived like strangers who were forced into an unwanted marriage. In fact, even though he didn't know how the other married couples interacted while they lived together, he could bet that his own marriage resembled a good one. A damn good one.
Ajay sighed, as his mind filled with thoughts and possibilities.
But one thing, he knew was that he had to come clean, and tell her, she had been investigated. Because she would find out eventually.
People always did. No matter how hard or efficient the cover up.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
SIA HEARD FOOTSTEPS approaching Ajay's bedroom, where she was waiting in bed for him. It was slightly dark because the sun had begun to set, and she hadn't turned on any lights.<
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The bedroom door opened, and she saw Ajay as he waited at the door, watching her quietly. Something about the expression on his face made her remain quiet.
He removed his clothes calmly without greeting her or saying a word. And then, he approached the bed to lie down next to her, facing her, continuing to watch her calmly.
Slowly, he slid his fingers into the hair at her nape, cradling her head. Leaning closer, he kissed her deeply. And when he was done with her lips, he kissed her shoulder blades, and then her breasts.
She began to tremble as his hands cupped the roundness of her belly. Then moving lower, he pressed his lips, and then his cheek, against her belly, as though kissing their child.
A strange desperation and fear began to course through her body, and she pulled him up towards her. He kissed her on her lips once again, while running his hands over her body. Each and every spot he touched, and teased, and stroked, came alive. He raised his head briefly to look at her, and then consumed her with his eyes.
He continued with his intimate exploration, until she could stand no more, and cried out his name.
And even though she found her release, she still felt desperate. And so she climbed on top of him to get her fill of him. She could not make love to him tenderly enough, or passionately enough. She wanted more and more of him. She wanted to keep him with her somehow. Even when he would be long gone from her life eventually.
***
Sia collapsed on top of him in exhaustion. Gently, he eased her from him, and laid her on the bed next to him. She didn't stir much. He smoothed her hair from her face, feeling the growing tightness within his chest, because of the surge of protective tenderness he felt towards her.
He loved her. There was no doubt about it.
But he couldn't tell her that. Yet. Especially because there was still something that gnawed painfully in his heart.
It was a fear. The kind that was not totally unwarranted.
The next month would pass quickly and his child would be born. And he desperately hoped that there would be more time together with her.
He kissed her forehead and her lips.
"You look tired, baby. Do you still want to go to the party tonight?" he asked her.
Her eyes were closed, but she nodded her head.
"Yes. I can be ready in a couple of hours," she said.
He held her close, while she rested. But he couldn't relax as his heart still remained heavy with dread. Clearly sensing an impending storm.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
THEY WERE HEADING towards a party, which was actually a charity cause being thrown by one of Ajay's friends who was also a business associate. And since Sia hadn't socialized much with any of his friends or acquaintances since their marriage, both of them had mutually decided that it was high time, she mingled with the rest of the civilization.
Their entrance was definitely going to cause a commotion, considering Sia would be re-introduced to his friends with her prominent pregnancy. He didn't care that people might possibly speculate about their hasty marriage. Because he couldn't wait to show her off to people who had been his friends and close acquaintances over the years.
As soon as they arrived in front of a large hotel building, he handed over the car to a valet. He held her hand as they headed towards the elevators on the ground floor of a really tall building. They were probably the last ones to arrive for the party because the elevator was empty.
He stepped into the elevator, and pressed the button to the top most floor before turning towards Sia to say something naughty.
But he stilled when he saw her face.
She stood frozen with widened eyes, watching the lit elevator panel.
"Are you okay, Sia?" he asked, worried that she wasn't well because he had exhausted her that evening.
She didn't answer. She just jerked her head slightly, not taking her eyes off the panel.
He, then recalled how she had stood frozen in a similar manner when they rode the elevator together to his penthouse, after they had just gotten their blood tests done. He also recalled the times when she had made them take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Shit. She was definitely nervous about taking the elevators.
"Give me your hand, Sia," he said, holding out one of his hands.
She swayed slightly, and he could see that she was trembling a little too.
"Sia, look at me, and give me your hand," he said in a soft, but commanding voice.
She looked towards him blankly. Her pupils were completely dilated in fear.
"It's okay, baby. You are safe. I'm here with you. Just give me your hand," he repeated.
She stared at his hand like it was a vile thing that would attack her.
"No. Don't touch me right now. I-I'm fine. It's only t-twenty more floors," she said as her voice wobbled slightly.
"I know you are not comfortable taking the elevators, Sia," he said.
She shrank further back into the wall. "I'm fine," she mumbled.
"Just give me your hand, and I promise you that I'll deal with whatever you might find threatening," he repeated.
With her heart thudding frantically, she slowly placed a clammy hand into his. He immediately entwined their fingers, and pulled her close in a full body hug.
Her body shuddered once again, and she stared into his eyes. "I'm sorry. You must be thinking that I'm a coward and a freak. I-I just have so many issues. I'm such a huge mess," she said.
He looked at her agonized face. "You are right. You are a huge mess," he said.
She looked shocked and then disappointed.
He held her even closer and smiled at her. "You might be a huge mess. But I don't think I'll ever find anyone more perfect for me," he stated.
She smiled uncertainly at him.
"Everyone is scared of something or the other, Sia. You might be shocked to know that a manly guy like me is terrified of heights. I don't sit next to a window during the flights or stare down from very tall buildings. They make me dizzy," he confessed.
Her smile remained on her face and he felt her fingers relax around his.
"And besides, you are one of the most fearless women I've ever known," he declared.
She was shocked at his statement. "What? How can you ever call me as fearless?"
"Quite easily. Because you are," he said. She looked skeptical, but he continued with his reasoning. "You hate confined spaces, yet you take elevators sometimes. You hate running, yet you go on daily runs. It's very hard for you to trust anyone, especially when you are the most vulnerable, yet you have slept next to me over the past few months."
He ran his finger along her cheek. "You are fearless, because even though you are terrified of certain things, you still take the plunge and do them. Not many people have the courage to do that," he said.
She looked into his eyes, and placed her free hand on his chest, where his heart was beating.
"Sometimes, you scare me," she confessed.
His heart pumped faster in frustration at her words.
"What's so scary about me?" he asked her.
She sighed. "The way you seem to smash and crumble the walls around me...It's quite scary," she said.
He cupped her cheek gently. "Why do you want walls between us?" he asked
She shook her head. "I can't afford to let anyone in right now, Ajay. There is so much going on that I'm scared I'll hurt you, or get hurt in return."
He exhaled loudly, upset at her admission. Letting go of her cheek, he laid a hand on her stomach, watching her with heated eyes.
"This is mine," he stated, and then he slowly slid his hand up towards her chest.
Her nipple hardened under his touch, but he wasn't after a quick grope. Pressing his hand firmly on her breast, he could feel her heart thumping forcefully under his palm.
"I want this to be mine too," he said in a guttural voice.
Her eyes widened, probably seeing the fierce possessive look on his face.
"
Ajay..."
"Do you want me?" he asked her with raw emotion that he couldn't hide anymore.
"Yes," she said softly.
"Do you want to be with me?" he asked her again.
She looked torn, and didn't reply for several seconds.
And then, she took a deep breath. "Yes, I want to be with you. In fact quite desperately," she confessed.
"Then give me your heart. You and our child have already stolen mine, a while ago," he said.
She looked at him with trembling lips as though she was about to break down at his confession. He pulled her closer, and hugged her, with their child nestled in between them.
"Sia, you need to trust me with whatever is bothering you. I'll protect you. Always."
She have him the barest of nods.
"Do you trust me?" he asked.
She nodded again.
"Give me the words. Tell me," he ordered gruffly.
"I trust you, Ajay."
He knew she was lying about trusting him. But so far, this was the best he could get from her, and he was happy to take it.
For now.
Soon they heard the ping of the elevator door as they arrived on the top floor, where a party was going on in full swing.
***
As soon as a few people spotted Ajay and her, they rushed towards them.
"Ajay! Nice to see you man."
"We don't see you much these days, Ajay. Too busy?"
"Oh yes. Someone had been r-e-eally busy," teased a woman good-naturedly, eying Sia's obviously pregnant stomach.
"Finally he's decided to bring you out from the hiding, huh?" a man smiled at her.
Ajay was still holding her hand while smiling at his friends.
"Guys, guys, don't scare my wife too much. She might go back into hiding again," he said, winking at her.
Over the next hour, Ajay introduced her to his friends and acquaintances, some of whom she had recognized from the wedding.
A woman, who apparently knew what Sia did for a living, struck a conversation with her. "I simply love using Blush products. Especially the lip balms. I was quite addicted to them when I studied in the States for a couple of years. I'm so glad you decided to expand to India," she said.