Aakash Ganga Society
Bhalla Apartment
8.30 pm

The door to the Bhalla apartment was slightly ajar, as Ishita reached the lobby. She stepped inside and pulled the door closed behind her.

"Raman" she called, taking a few tentative steps inside. "Raman?"

The living room was mostly in darkness, but there was light visible through a half open doorway. She moved quickly towards it, halting just outside the door.  She knew it was his room. On the two or three occasions she had been inside here, Ruhi had pointed the rooms out to her. Taking a deep breath, she peered in.

Raman was sitting on his bed, his head bowed, his fists clenched. Ishita rushed in, kneeling before her husband, her hands reaching up to his face, cupping it, attempting to get him to look at her.

"Raman" she whispered. "Aisa kyun kar rahe ho? Itna pee kyun rahe theh aap? Mein kya karti Raman?Kisi se kuch keh nahi sakti. Kuch bata nahi sakti. Kya chahte ho mujhse? Raman, look at me." (Raman, why are you doing this? Why were you drinking so much? What could I do Raman? I can't say anything to anyone. I can't tell them anything. What do you expect from me? Raman, look at me)

He raised his face and looked at her and she recoiled at the anguish in his eyes.

"Raman" she whispered. "Kya hua?" (Raman, what is it?)

The next moment she was in his arms, as he pulled her to himself, wrapping his arms tightly around her, hiding his face in her silky tresses.

Raman could not understand his own reactions. Shagun had betrayed him. Ishita never would. He knew that with as much certainty as he knew his own name.

But the possessiveness he felt for Ishita, the pain he had felt when he saw Abhi with her, he had never felt before, not even when he had discovered Shagun's affair with Ashok, not even when Shagun had walked out of his life. That had been bad, yes, but this, this was unbearable.

Seeing her just now, in another mans arms, he had felt as though he could not breath, as if he was drowning, falling into an abyss from which there was no escape, a hell from which there was no redemption.  But now with her arms around him, he knew he was saved. He was overreacting, he knew that. But logic seemed to take a flying leap when it came to his feelings for Ishita.

He had no idea whether she loved him as much as he did her. She had become drawn to him because of Ruhi. But he had fallen, deeply, irrevocably, just for her. He loved her. He adored her. He craved for her. He could not imagine life without her. And he knew he could not go through this again. He could not watch her in another mans arms. Could not see another touch her. This charade had to end now. He had to claim his wife before the world. Before anyone tried to take her away.

He tightened his arms around her, crushing her as if he could merge their very souls together.

                        Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
                        Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
                        Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

She clung to him, holding him close, stroking his hair, caressing him, until she felt him relax, until his body stopped trembling.

"Raman" she whispered again. "You know why I haven't been able to tell the truth to Abhi. What else could I do? Talk to me baba."

His rivals name on his wife's lips made him see red again, and he pushed her away, getting up and walking to the door. He slammed the door shut, locking it firmly, before turning to face her, his eyes blazing.

"If I see you with him again, I'll ...I'll do something to him Ishita, I'm warning you."

"Then let's go and tell everyone Raman. Do you think I want him near me? I haven't told anyone the truth because we were going to get our families on side first. But do you think I like this any better than you? I.. I can't stand it Raman. I can't stand having Abhi near me, having everyone treat us like a couple. I'm your wife. Yours. I want everyone to know that. I want to hold your hand in public, to dance with you. I want to live with you. I want to be with you, with you Raman, just you."

The anguish in her voice melted his anger and he strode from the door to the bed where she stood, crushing her to his chest again.

"And I want to be with you, my madrasan. You're right, we need to tell everyone. I can't go through this again Ishita. I can't."

"Shhhh, it's okay Raman" she caressed him gently, until he relaxed, pulling away from her slightly.

"Do you know what I wanted to do down there, when I saw you with him?" His face hovered over hers and she could feel his quickening breath on her.

"What?" she asked softly, intoxicated by the look in his eyes.

He released his grip on her, then cupped her face in both hands, the pads of his thumbs gently stroking her face, tracing down her cheeks to her lips.

"This" he murmured, pressing his lips on hers, softly sucking and caressing her until her mouth parted beneath his, and his tongue probed gently. Then he withdrew and she moaned , her breath quickening as he replaced his lips with a thumb, running it along her mouth, pulling down her underlip, stroking gently.

"And this" He whispered.

She caught his thumb between her teeth and gently nipped. He smiled and pushed his thumb deeper into her mouth, stroking her tongue.

"Bite me harder" he whispered. She moaned and nipped at his thumb again, then pulled his head down toward hers.

"Kiss me again Raman" she whispered, as he teasingly kept his lips out of reach. "Please"

His eyes darkened with passion. He knew she craved his kisses, but tonight he was in the mood to punish. He did not know why it turned him on so much to see his wife desperate for his touch, but it did - it drove him wild, it inflamed him to breaking point, and tonight he sensed he would lose all control. So he kept his lips aloof, instead jerking her toward himself, moulding her lower body to his, leaving her in no doubt as to his need for her.

"I wanted to do this" he whispered, bending his head until his lips nested in her cleavage, his hands unbuttoning the high collar of her blouse, nipping and sucking roughly on her creamy exposed skin. " I wanted to brand you. Claim you as mine."

She shuddered, loving this torture, her lips slightly open as her eyes closed. "Oh Raman" she whimpered. "Ramannn"

"I wanted to dance with you, like this"

He lifted his head, noting with pleasure her flushed skin and erratic breathing, then dipped his lips on to her cheeks, trailing wet kisses down her neck. She bit her lips in frustration as he started to sway with her in his arms, his hands grinding her hard against him.

                        Tooten toh tooten teri bahoon mein aise
                        Jaise shakoon se patte be-hayaa

"Ramann, kiss me, please" she muttered.

"You see what it feels like" he whispered, turning her around and clasping her from behind, his hands sliding up her waist, tickling and teasing as they inched upwards. "To want something so bad...and not to get it."

She clasped his roving hands, pulling them away, and pushed away from him.

"Two can play at this game Raman" she hissed back at him, backing away, watching as his eyes darkened with frustration.

"Come here" he ordered, lunging at her.

"No" she laughed, dodging him. "Pehle chalo, sab ko batate hai." (First let's go and tell everyone)

"Chalenge" he came forward with purpose, as she backed away. "Lekin jaldi kya hai. Wahan bomb phodne se pehle mein tumhari pyas toh bujha doon" (We will go, but what's the hurry? Before we go and explode this bomb over there, let me sate your thirst)

He had backed her into a corner, and she was standing with her back flush against the wall as he pressed his body against her, both hands on either side of her head effectively pinning her.

"Mujhe koi pyaas nahi hai. Nashe mein toh aap hain" ( I'm not thirsty for anything. You're the one who is drunk) her lips whispered against his. Her throat was suddenly dry as his proximity sent waves of need coursing through her, the laughter dying in her eyes, replaced by the naked hunger she could see reflected in his.

Her breathing was suddenly erratic, laboured as though she had just run a hundred miles.

                        Bikhre tujhi se aur simte tujhi mein
                        Tu hi mera sab le gaya

He ground his body against hers again, one hand grabbing her from behind, squeezing her derrière, pulling her hard against him. She blushed as she felt his hardness against her legs, blood pounding in her ears as she strained against him, wanting to get closer.

"No?" He questioned. "Weren't you just demanding to be kissed....hmmm....?"

                        Na fiqr, na sharam, na lihaaj, ek baar aaya

"No" she persisted, even as her voice betrayed her, and her hands clawed at his chest, pulling at his collar, pulling him closer...and closer...

"Liar" he murmured, his own breathing intensifying, his head dipping as his lips came closer...and closer...

                         Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai       
                         Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai                     

**********************************************************************************************************
"Mihika, wait"

Mihika had been standing in front of the closed door to the Bhalla apartment, her hand poised to knock, by the time Mihir had caught up with her.

"Mihir, I don't have time for anything right now. I have to speak to akka. I saw her going in here, and I need to know what is going on." Mihika hissed angrily at Mihir, raising her hand once again to the door.

Mihir grabbed Mihika's hand, pulling her away from the door.

"No Mihika, leave them alone. Bhai and I have to go to Mumbai now anyway, if they can get fifteen to twenty minutes together then let them be, I'm not going to let you disturb them now."

"What do you mean Mihir" Mihika looked at Mihir in horror, realisation dawning on her. "Let who be? Ishu Akka and ...and.. that man? That Raman Bhalla? You have got to be joking. Akka hates him. She can't stand him. She must've come up here to argue with him about Ruhi. And that's why I have got to go to her. To help her. How dare you insinuate such things about my akka Mihir. I know you worship that man, but honestly, Mihir, this is the limit."

She lunged toward the door again, but Mihir pulled her away again, pressing one hand against her mouth, so she couldn't speak.

"Mihika, listen to me. Your akka doesn't hate Raman Bhai, she loves him. They are not fighting in there. They are doing the exact opposite. And that's why I won't let you disturb them. Do you understand me?"

Mihika's eyes widened above Mihir's restraining hand and she furiously shook herself free.

"No" she shouted. "No, Mihir you are lying. How dare you? How dare you say such things about my akka. Chi "

"Mikku" Mihir could see that Mihika was in shock and he softened his voice. "You've been angry with me since Sunday, right, because I didn't spend the day with you? Well, I had to go pick them up after they returned from their weekend away together. I couldn't take you, could I Miku? You hate Raman Bhai so much, we couldn't tell you."

"Weekend away?" Mihika whispered, her voice dropping in shock. "But akka went to dental camp"

"No, she didn't. Miku, she was with Raman Bhai. Miku yaar, they love each other, believe me. Come on, come here, is your apartment open. Come sit down with me, I'll tell you everything."

Mihir pushed the unwilling Mihika into the Iyer apartment and sat her down forcefully. Then as she listened with wide eyes, he started reciting his tale.

**********************************************************************************************************
His lips hovered just above hers, teasing, then with a groan he claimed her. She wound her arms around his neck, her fingers digging into his hair pulling him to her.

It was just like the previous week, she thought with wonderment. He felt so good, made her feel so good, so alive, so desired. Even this desperation exhilarated her. In his arms she felt as if she was the sexiest woman alive, as if she were a Queen, a supermodel, a superstar. He made her soul soar, he made her heart sing.

It was difficult for her to verbalise her feelings, but as she kissed him back with fervour, opening her mouth to him, squirming with pleasure at the sensations that his lips and tongue evoked in her, she hoped he could tell, just how much she wanted him, how much she loved him.

                        Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
                        Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

Raman drew back momentarily, looking at his wife's flushed face and parted lips. He smiled with satisfaction at the soft moans that escaped her, at the way her fingers were caressing him, sliding under his shirt, running over his chest, touching him so intimately, so demanding, so urgent.

He knew that she loved him, but whenever he saw her like this - her face flushed, her lips swollen from his kisses, her eyes glazed with passion, he was reminded of just how lucky he was.

                        Tu hi meri awargi
                        Tu hi dua har shaam ki
                        Tu khamaaka, tu laazmi
                        Tu hi razaa, tu hi kami

"Do you still want to go back straightaway?" he asked with a hint of laughter in his deep voice.

"No, Raman, I don't want to go back. I want something else" her husky voice held an invitation he could not refuse, and he felt as if he was drowning again, drowning in her. That invitation, that demand stripped away the last vestiges of his self control.

He groaned and rammed his lips back on hers, his fingers making short work of the remaining buttons on her choli, pulling the two sides away, as he exposed her lace clad softness to himself. Gasping, he pulled away from their kiss, his arms going around her as he fumbled with the clasp of her undergarment. She stifled a moan as, the button evading him, he roughly tore both lace cups away, leaving her bare to his gaze.

The next moment, he had one soft mound in his mouth, one hand holding her up as he sucked long and hard, the other hand pushing down her sari and underskirt, which pooled around her feet. She protested in frustration as he removed his mouth from the hardened peak, breathing hard before he took the other in its place. Her hands were busy with his buttons and she pulled his shirt off now, his urgency transferring to her, her hands kneading his chest.

She was gasping frantically when he finally finished drinking his fill of her, raising his head to meet her eyes.

He saw the answering passion in her eyes, and with a grunt, he pushed her against the wall, his hands pulling down her lacey undergarment. She gasped as he caressed her, even as she unbuttoned his jeans, pushing it and his boxers down past his hips. Her breath was fevered, as was his, their harsh gasps intermingling as he pulled her onto himself, raising her legs, wrapping one around his waist, moulding her to him, holding her tight before he joined himself to her, pouring himself into her, his body moving rhythmically in hers.

She felt a brief pain as her body resisted him, then there was only pleasure. She shuddered in ecstasy, calling his name, bracing herself against the wall, pushing into him as their bodies merged and fused. She felt his answering tremors, her name on his lips, as wave after wave of violent pleasure racked through both their bodies, exhausting them as they collapsed, conjoined, on the floor in each other arms.

                        Hoothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
                        Hoothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
                        Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

**********************************************************************************************************
"Married? I don't believe it."

"Mihika, it's true. I was there."

"Akka would never do that, and I'm going to go ask her now and you can't stop me Mihir Arora so stay away."

"Okay, okay , look, I have photos, I took them on my phone, here look"

Mihir opened the media on his phone and started showing the photos to Mihika. He had spent the past twenty minutes explaining things slowly and meticulously to Mihika, reasoning with her, giving her details of events, reminding her of Ishita's New Zealand trip, revealing Raman's presence there as well. He was trying to give Raman and Ishita time to themselves, but time was getting on, and they had to leave for Mumbai soon. Mr Mehta's jet was waiting for them at the airport.

As he closed his phone and put it away, Mihika stood up in a blazing fury, tears in her eyes.

"How could you akka" she hissed, pushing Mihir aside. She was out of her apartment and at the Bhalla's front door in a few strides. This time she didn't bother knocking, simply trying the unlocked door, which opened at her touch.

The next moment she was inside, Mihir close behind her. She switched on the lights and glanced furiously around.

"Akka" Mihika called out, as Mihir tried ineffectually to shush her. "Akka"

**********************************************************************************************************
"Itni chup kyun ho? I didn't hurt you, did I?" (Why are you so quiet?. I didn't hurt you, did I?")

"No" she sniffed, cuddling closer to him.

"Are you crying Ishita?" He was sitting amongst their scattered clothes, leaning against the wall, she in his arms. He tightened his arms around her, hands nestling in her tresses, chin resting on her head, totally spent, listening as her heartbeats settled back to normal.

"No" she sobbed.

He raised his head and looked at her with concern. From the moment he had held her against him, he had been blind to everything but his desperate overwhelming need for her.

She had responded fervently to him, but he should have been more sensitive, he realised, he should have taken it slower. He had claimed her with urgency, overpowering her with his strength, and he belatedly realised that his passion may have been too much for her.

He gathered her closer onto himself, his chest a pillow for her head, while his hands caressed her hair, her back tenderly.

"Baby, I'm sorry, I hurt you, didn't I ? I just wanted you so much, I lost control. I was angry and I know I've had too much to drink. That was too rough, I know. You're not used to all this but I... I'm sorry jaan."

He kissed her cheeks softly, drinking away her tears, and caressed her face tenderly until her tears stopped.

"I'm sorry Ishita" he said again, contritely.

"Raman, no, you didn't hurt me. I don't know why I'm crying. I just love you so much. I love you so much"

"Paagal" he replied in relief. "You're my mad madrassan, you know that. Baby, listen, are you sure you're okay? Are you up to facing everyone tonight?"

"Yes" she said softly against his chest. "I can't hide our relationship anymore Raman. I want everyone to know, please."

His arms tightened around her again in response. "We had better get back downstairs then. I'll just come from the bathroom, okay."

He gave her a last lingering kiss and then disentangled himself from her, picking up his discarded clothes as he walked to the bathroom.

Ishita stared at his retreating back, blushing when he turned to wink at her before he disappeared from view.

She got up slowly off the floor, wincing as she gingerly stretched her aching limbs, a glow of utter contentment on her face. The next moment, her smile disappeared as she looked the remnants of her lacey brassiere, which he had ripped off her in his desperation. Luckily, her high necked blouse was made of heavy linen, and she buttoned it up, stepping back into her other garments, then re-tying her sari,  pulling her pallav high on her chest, noting with relief that the disheveled state of a vital piece of clothing was not obvious.

She winced as she arranged the pallav, her tender chest an inevitable victim of their wild frenzied lovemaking of a few minutes ago. This had been nothing like their leisurely encounter last week, and yet this hurried desperate union had been exciting beyond compare. There had been no finesse, no gentleness but there had been passion aplenty. His desperation for her emboldened her, turned her on, and she still could not believe the effect she had on him.

She blushed as she tidied her hair, then touched her swollen lips gingerly.

"Should I kiss it better?"

She looked up and smiled at him, then blushed anew as he gathered her into a hug. "I'll just go to the bathroom too, then we can go down Raman?"

"Yes Mrs Bhalla" he replied, kissing her softly on her forehead. "Then we can go down and set off the fireworks. Blast the bomb.But wait, first..."

He fumbled in his pocket, then brought out the bracelet he had bought for her, clasping it reverentially around one wrist. Ishita looked at it with sparkling eyes, turning her wrist so that the diamonds twinkled, just like Ruhi had done. "Raman" she whispered. "It's beautiful. But why? You're spoiling me."

He gathered her into his arms again, turning her around so that they could look at their reflection in his dressing table mirror. "Because I love you" He closed his eyes for a second, inhaling her musky fragrance, imprinting her flushed face into his forever gallery of memories. Then he gave her a gentle push. " Go" he said.

A few minutes later, Ishita walked out of the bathroom, smiling softly as she extended her hand to her husband, who was standing at the dressing table, splashing on cologne. The very next instant however, her smile froze, as an angry voice called out from beyond the door.

"Akka, come out now." It was Mihika's voice. "Akka"

**********************************************************************************************************
"It's okay" Raman came up to Ishita and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly, dropping a quick hard kiss on her lips. "This is just the start. Let's go and face this jaan"

They walked out of the bedroom hand in hand, and Mihika dropped onto a nearby sofa, her mouth agape, tears streaming down her face. The glow on her sisters face was unmistakable, the way she clung to that Raman Bhalla, his proprietary arm on her waist, proof enough that Mihir had been right.

"Akka" she whispered, devastation in her voice. "How could you? How could you akka?"

Ishita looked at her sister with growing alarm, moving toward her. Before she could say anything however, Mihir was speaking.

"Bhabhi, I've told Mihika everything. Why don't you take her to your place and talk to her. She's still in shock. And Bhai, Bhai, I'm so sorry but we have to leave for Mumbai straightaway. There's been some industrial espionage in Mr Mehtas factory. We need to do major damage control and we need to do it now. His private jet is waiting. Pack your bag, and let's go. We can pick up my bag on the way."

He turned to Ishita.

"I'm sorry Bhabhi, but Raman Bhai has to go. And I can't say how long we will be away. It could take a week."

"That's okay Mihir" Ishita looked from Mihika to Raman. "Raman, mein Mihika ko le kar jaati hoon. Aap jao. " (Raman, I'll take Mihika away. You go)

"But Ishita" Raman wiped his brow, gesturing towards Mihika, torn between his wife and his duty. "I can't leave you alone to face the fuss. How will you manage?"

"Raman, it's okay. We will tell everyone when you get back. I'll talk to Mihika. Meri behen mera saath degi, I know that. Aap jao. Don't worry about me." (I'll talk to Mihika. My sister will be on my side. I know that. You go. Don't worry about me)

Ishita touched her husband's face gently, clinging to him for a second as he pulled her fiercely to him in a quick hug. Then she pulled away and walked up to her sister, pulling the angrily sobbing Mihika to her feet. She walked with Mihika to the door and turned to give a last sweet smile to her husband.

"Come back soon" she said softly."Ruhi and I will be waiting for you"

**********************************************************************************************************
Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

Tooten toh tooten teri bahoon mein aise
Jaise shakoon se patte be-hayaa
Bikhre tujhi se aur simte tujhi mein
Tu hi mera sab le gaya
Na fiqr, na sharam, na lihaaj, ek baar aaya

Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai
Phir zarre zarre mein deedar aaya hai

Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

Tu hi meri awargi
Tu hi dua har shaam ki
Tu khamaaka, tu laazmi
Tu hi razaa, tu hi kami
Aur tu hi woh, firaaq hai jisko
Hai silsilon ne mere paas laya

Hoothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
Hoothon pe tere izhaar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai

Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai
Behad aur beshumar aaya hai