With his hands returned to the small of her back, he guided her to the corner table where they were partially obscured from sight of the doors by the fountain and the giant urn filling with trailing vines and geraniums. Instead of sitting across from her, he pulled his chair next to hers so that he could drape one arm across the back of her shoulders and press his thigh against hers.

Swara- Do you know her?

Swara asked, nodding toward the barista who had brought sugar and cream to their table.

As she spoke, Swara dumped three spoons of sugar and generous amount of cream into her coffee and stirred.

Sanskar- I come here alot.

She glared at him.

Sanskar- Oh, you mean in the biblical sense? Then the answer is yes. I know her. She has her tongue pierced.

He added, as if that explained everything.

Swara- Is there anyone in this city you don't know in biblical sense?

Swara rolled her eyes and tried to shift so that they were no longer touching, but Sanskar followed her movement, keeping his thighs pressed tight to hers. The misunderstanding by the lake simmered between them.

Sanskar- Let's just get this over with and off the table.

Sanskar said, his voice tinged once again with anger.

Sanskar- Yes, Swara, I have slept with lots of women. I'm not ashamed of it and I'm not going to apologize for it. It's old news. Get over it already.

Swara- It's hard to get over it when it's thrown in my face every five minutes.

Sanskar- I like s*x and i like women. Two of my favorite things in life. Don't be a hater just because my lifestyle has been different from yours. Sometimes different is good.

Swara- I know I said that I didn't want a relationship the other night but I was wrong. It made me realize that I'm not wired like that. I can't have s*x with someone and not have feelings for them. I don't know how you do it.

He stayed silent for a moment, dark eyes watching her with serious intent.

Sanskar- Maybe I don't want to be like that anymore.

She snorted.

Swara- Yeah, right. I'm not stupid, Sanskar. Don't insult my intelligence.

Sanskar- I'm serious.

The brown eyes stared unblinking into hers until she was forced to look away.

Swara- You said that you wanted s*x without strings. You were perfectly clear about it. People don't change like that overnight. Don't tell me that you're suddenly afraid of going to hell.

She bit her lower lip to keep from smiling.
He laughed, a warm sound that made her insides clench with pleasure.

Sanskar- Maybe. Mostly I'm afraid that the better part of my life will slip away when I'm not looking and I 'll wake up alone and unloved on my deathbed.

He shifted back in his chair and rubbed the bearded stubble on his chin.

Sanskar- Maybe it's just time for me to grow up. Maybe you make me want to grow up.

The sincerity in his words made her look up at him again. This time she didn't look away, spellbound by this rare moment of disclosure. His sudden vulnerability brought a rush of sympathy followed by shame over her behavior.

Swara- I really am sorry about the other night. I made an a*s out of myself.

The words came out with difficulty but their release brought a flood of relief.

Swara- I don't know why I acted like that.

Sanskar- It's okay.

He said with a casul shrug.

Sanskar- I was kind of an a*s too.

Swara- No. It's not okay. I'm not like that -- not really. It's just that you -- you...

Her voice trailed off as she stumbled for the right words.

Swara- You freak me out a little.

She expected him to laugh but his expression remained serious.

Swara- Not in a bad way. I don't mean it like that. I just don't have much experience with guys like you. Sameer's the only guy I ever dated or slept with.

Sanskar- Seriously? You've only been with the one dude? Ever?

His eyebrows shot up to his hairline as if she'd just confessed a moral sin.

Sanskar- How old are you anyway? Twenty-four?

Swara- Twenty-five.

She corrected.

Sanskar- How can you be twenty-five and years old and have only slept with one guy?

Swara- You say that like it's a bad thing and it's not.

Embarrassment flooded her cheeks.

Swara- You said you won't apologize for all the women you slept with. Well, I'm not going to apologize for being faithful to one person.

Sanskar- Of course it's not a bad thing. I didn't mean to imply that it was.

He ruffled his hair with his free hand, eyebrows raised.

Swara- I'd like to try it -- with you.

She put her hand on top of his; he turned his hand over and entwined his fingers with hers.

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