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Part 12 – New found Shyness!

The moment felt complete and beautiful as I basked in the warmth my dearest girl radiated in my arms. I mentally thanked God for blessing me with her.
I kissed on her forehead and whispered "Good night baby..." and I also drifted to sleep peacefully.

*********

Next Morning

I did not realize the time when I opened my eyes in thin slits as I noticed the sun rays peeping through the windows... I rubbed my eyes with one hand as I simultaneously sprawled my other hand on the bed trying to pull Pooja towards me but found the space next to me empty. I was not drowsy anymore when I realized that Pooja had waked up before me. I sat up leaning against the headboard and took my mobile that was on the bed side table to check the time. It was only 7 in the morning but my dear lady had already woken up and left me alone in the room.

I decided to check on her silently without her getting to know that I was awake. I walked over outside the room and looked around for her in the balcony, hall and the kitchen. I found Pooja in the kitchen, humming some song as she prepared lemon tea. I crossed my arms and legs leaning against the side of the kitchen's wall as I began to admire my lady love... She was still clad in her night clothes, hair messily tied up in a bun, a bare face without any tinge of make-up, a small smile on her lips while she mumbled her song... she looked so beautiful in her simple self... the sight was perfect!
nvoluntarily, my feet walked towards her and I hugged her from behind gently encircling her waist in my arms as I planted a faint kiss on her cheek.
"Good morning beautiful..." I whispered in her ears making her blush at my sudden gesture as she wasn't expecting me while she worked in the kitchen.
"Oh... Good morning handsome! Someone's up so soon?" Pooja replied caressing my cheek with her palm.
"Hmm... I woke up and saw you weren't there so I came here..." I said nuzzling into the crook of her neck, Pooja smiled and turned towards me still being intact in my hold. She pinched the brim of my nose and said "Subah subah romance sooj rahi hai aapko?"
"haaaannn... mera haq hai voh..." I smirked making her blush again... I loved to see her blush whenever I flirted with her. Her little shyness always bowled me over...
"Yeh apki sharm-o-haya hume ek din ghayal karke rahegi begum jaan...!" I mumbled grazing my lips against her cheek, letting them linger there longer while my hands slid under her top drawing abstract circles on her bare waist and I was very sure that her face had flushed to turn into a red shade with my touch. After a few moments, her palms impressed my chest and next second she pushed me away from her gently while lowering her eyes escaping the chance to meet mine. This was new to me... The girl who was sleeping with me whole night, curled up in my arms was blushing and smiling like a new bride in the movies by my mere touch.
"I... I... need to check the tea..." Pooja fumbled with her words as she turned back towards the stove to hide her gleaming eyes and shy face from me. I smiled to myself, rubbing the back of my neck as I realized that I had clearly made my lady feel like a teenage girl in love in front of her boyfriend. I noticed her pouring the tea into two cups, mumbling something audible only to her.
"Pooji... did you say something?" I asked breaking the silence.
"Ah... yeah baby... I was thinking since we both have an off from the shoot today, why don't we go to the gym for some time?" Pooja asked handing over the tea cup to me conveniently dodging the romantic ambience that I had created but I didn't mind being a good boyfriend.
"Sounds great! After that... shopping chale? Gotta buy some shoes for myself..." I asked sipping the lemon tea.
"Sure! Shaheer... did you speak to your family about us?" Pooja enquired out of the blue.
"Not yet... I was thinking to speak today. Waise ab tak Ifrah, Aleefa aur Raees ko pata hi hoga... they were teasing me on our what's app group chat about our Thailand trip..." I chimed in glee which brought a soft smile on Pooja's face too.
"Acha, I was just thinking it will be good if your parents also know about us sooner..." Pooja opined.
"Oh yes... I also thought about this but time hi kaha... shoots,party, sleep...wait! Let me call them right away... you can see their reaction too!" I said happily.
"No no no... it's fine baby... I just wanted them to know. You can talk to them alone...whenever you can..." Pooja was reluctant but I had already shushed her mouth with my palm preventing her from saying any further.
"Sshhshh... Bohat bolti ho tum Pooji...chup chap suno. Abhi call kar raha hu..." I said removing my palm off her and dialing mom's number on my mobile.
"Hello...Assalam alaikum ammi..." I greeted mom turning on the speaker so that Pooja could hear us. But Pooja still resisted hearing us so she moved to go away from there but I caught her wrist and pulled her to me... her back hit my chest and I held her captive with my one hand as I held the mobile with another...
"Walaikum assalam beta... itni subah subah ? sab khairiyat?"

"Ji ammi... kuch batana tha apko aur abbu ko... bulayiye unhe bhi...bolta hu..." I replied while Pooja tried to wriggle herself out of my hold but in vain as I gripped her tighter.

"acha...ruko bulati hu..." mom said while she called out to dad by then Pooja muted the call and said "Shaheer please... tum baat karo na... meri kya zarurat? You can can speak freely if I'm not there may be?"

"Shhshh... I'm going to speak about us... and I need you for me now" I said leaning my head against hers and she kept quiet realizing that it was a waste to argue with me.

"beta... tumhare abbu aa gaye batau kya baat hai?" Mom's voice broke our reverie and I unmuted the call to speak.

"Ammi... Abbu... voh... aap Mahabharath mei Draupadi jo thi... jante ho na usse... Pooja... Pooja ko?" I started with little hesitation... because it does not matter how liberal or how friendly parents are with children but the truth remains that they are "Parents" so the initial reluctance.

"Haa beta jante hai... bohat achi acting karri thi unhone Mahabharat mei..."

"jee... mein Thailand bhi gaya tha na uske sath do din pehle..." I said spreading the topic.

"Haan haa... baat kya hai batao beta..." Mom insisted and I thought I should stop beating around the bush. I was never this hesitant to tell about any of my ex-girlfriends to my mom. But with Pooja it was all a different case surprisingly!

"Jee ammi voh... mei pyar karta hu Pooja se... voh bhi bohat pyar karti hai mujhse ammi... Bohat time baad khush hu actually. Voh mature hai, understanding hai, samajhdar hai abbu... aap log bhi I'm sure usse pasand karoge... bohat achi ladki hai' I confessed in one breathe... there was a bit of a silence over the call and Pooja looked at me with a worried expression and I was blank until I heard Ifrah's voice...

"Ammi meine bola tha bhai ka kuch chal raha hai Pooja ke sath...! Hahaha...ab Raees bhai se 5000 rupees lene hai mujhe! Bet jo jeet gayi... hahaha"

And there was a chime of laughter over the call as mom and dad also joined Ifrah.

"Ammi... apko pehle se pata tha?" I asked with a huge smile on my face as Pooja also heaved a sigh of relief.

"Arre beta kal se Ifrah ratt laga ke baithi hai... ki bhai ka call ayega aur pooja ke bare mei batayega..."

"Bhaii... congratulations!! Party chahiye mujhe..." Ifrah screamed over the call.

"Haha acha acha dunga na... chal ab ammi se baat karne de... Ammi... aapko aur abbu ko mere iss relationship se koi shikayat toh nahi na...?" I asked though I knew they would always support me in anything I decide.

"Shikayat? Kaisi shikayat beta... aap khush toh hum bhi khush... Bohat saalon baad tumhare chehre pe achhi si muskaan hai aaj... Pooja ki wajah se... aise hi khush rehna dono"

"Thank you so much ammi..." I said with love for her unwavering support and affection on me.

"Salamat raho beta... Allah Hafiz"

"Allah Hafiz ammi" I greeted again and cut the call as I looked at Pooja beaming in happiness.

As soon as I cut the call, she hugged me tight and said "Eeeeeee Shaheeeeeeeerrrrrr..... I love your mom! She's so sweet!"

"what? Yeh acha hai... Pyar karu mei, boyfriend bhi mei... par you love my mom?" I asked faking anger with a pout.

"Hahaha... don't try to be cute sheikh saab...! Yes, I love Mommy Sheikh..." Pooja giggled and gave a fun smack on my tummy as she ran away towards the room while I chased behind her "Rukooo... Mommy Sheikh ki bachhi...!"

We played a round of chasing each other like Tom and Jerry before finally falling together on the bed.

"Caught you!" I said pulling her to me on the bed.

"Oh please, I let you catch me..." Pooja smirked.

"Acha ji...ab?" and I pulled her closer to me as if it was possible any further as we were already too close for even air to pass through our bodies.

"Shaheerrr...hahaha... chodo...we need to go to the gym na...?" Pooja tried to free herself in her futile efforts.

"Gym bed pe bhi ho sakti hai... you know? We can burn more calories on bed sweetheart" I winked and said shamelessly running my eyes from her eyes to down her neckline.

"Kuch zyada hi besharam nai ho rahe ho sheikh saab?" Pooja mumbled digging her face in my chest hiding away her expressions because of my quirky suggestion.

"Arre... girlfriend ke samne kaisi besharmi?Apki husn hume majboor kar deti hai...!" I replied in a hoarse voice, nuzzling in her hair inhaling her scent slowly rubbing her back.

"Shaheer..." Pooja mumbled as she peppered few faint kisses on my neck and ran away pushing me to the bed side.

"Jaldi fresh ho jao... shall go to gym!" Pooja shouted while running away as I rested myself flat on the bed and recalled our cute romance. Pooja seemed new today... a new found shyness was in her from the time I got close to her in the kitchen. I never thought the mature, practical, strong headed Pooja would blush and shy away from me or our little romance. Perhaps, I had forgotten that apart from being all that Pooja is a girl first, a woman first and she had just lived her moments of being a love stricken girl with me today and I loved her being that...!

******

Today's morning was very different than any usual day at my home. Instead of lying flat on my stomach sprawled across my whole bed I was curled up in my man's embrace. I opened my eyes and saw Shaheer sleeping peacefully cocooning me in his arms. His breaths fanned over my nape and his chest heaved against my body as he breathed. A shy smile crept my face involuntarily as I gazed his face and his features from so close. I had always had a soft corner for his hazel colored eyes, his long nose compelled me to pinch the brim but I refrained doing so as I could disturb his sleep, my eyes travelled down to his lips that were so naturally pinkish better than any girl's tainted lips! So perfectly shaped and tender that I wanted to kiss them right away... but no! I didn't want to spoil his sleep again... quite shamelessly I checked out my man's long neck that always attracted me! Now I could not resist pecking a small kiss on his nape... I kissed softly and wriggled myself out of his arms silently and replaced my void with the pillow.

I freshened up and went to the kitchen to prepare lemon tea before Shaheer woke up. While I was at it, Shaheer came to the kitchen and surprised me by hugging me from behind. Today, his touches sent shivers down my spine and an unknown feeling of shyness had crept in me while we had our little romantic encounter in the kitchen. Shaheer was honest and good enough to confess to his parents over the call about our relationship when I told him my opinion. I fell for his honesty and how he was all upfront about whatever he did. His parents were sweet to accept and bless us when he told about us. I was more than happy to witness the beautiful bond Shaheer shared with his family and how supportive they were of his decisions without being judgmental.

Then, we had our usual Tom and Jerry banter that eventually led to another romantic moment for us... I felt happy and content being with Shaheer. These little moments were what a relationship would require to keep up the love and affection alive.

I quickly made us fresh fruit salad and took out some walnuts and almonds along with a protein shake for Shaheer which we could eat before going to the gym. By then Mr Sheikh was ready and we had our breakfast together before leaving to the gym. I had called up the gym instructor and told him that we both were going to attend the gym session together so that he could arrange a separate space for us in the gym avoiding the public's view and ofcourse to skip the paparazzi outside the gym.

It was our first gym session together and we were so excited about it. The whole car drive Shaheer enthusiastically spoke what all he was gonna make me work out at the gym. His shiny eyes spoke so much about his pure soul when he gleefully narrated a funny incident he had in the gym some time back. He made sure to make me feel loved and owned in every single sentence he spoke. We reached the gym and as planned my gym instructor had made arrangements for the two of us in a different floor. We started off on the thread mill, the weights and Shaheer did some high intensity work out while I did my cardio.

Then, the gym instructor suggested a couple workout technique where Shaheer had to carry my on his shoulders and he had to squat while I had to bend behind and come up to my position. This was indeed a difficult feat to do, it required lot of strength and endurance also immense trust on the partner that both won't let each other fall off or hurt each other. Though I had trust in Shaheer more than myself I was reluctant to try this out as if any small mistake then we both could hurt ourselves badly and I did not want to take this risk as I was sure I can't see Shaheer in pain if he suffered any injuries because of this.

"Pooji come on... it'll be great! I promise I won't let you fall..." Shaheer insisted grabbing my arms.

"Baby it's not about that... I know you will not let me fall but... if.. if... something goes wrong I...I won't be able to see you in pain" I explained.

"Neither can I dare to see you in pain sweetheart. Trust me,we can do this. Just 4 squats... not more than that. Okay?Please?" Shaheer made his infamous puppy face compelling me to agree to his request.

"I may be too heavy Shaheer..." I nagged still trying to convince him

"Is your weight 150kgs?! OMG!" Shaheer said comically earning a smack on his tummy right away.

"Oh no! I'm not so heavy..." I replied in a reflex action forgetting that he said that purposely to make me agree to him.

"See... you said it yourself! You're not that heavy so please baby just 4 squats... Pleaseeee..." He almost pleaded and I couldn't deny my man's wish.

"Okay... just 4 squats!" I mumbled still being hesitant as I looked at the instructor and he nodded assuring me that he will assist us and take care.

Shaheer was too happy that I agreed so he immediately pulled me into a hug with joy. One of his best qualities was to getting happy in small things and I loved to imbibe his quality in me sooner or later. I hugged him back and asked the instructor to assist us.

I slowly sat on Shaheer's shoulders while he carefully held me before standing up... When the instructor was sure that our posture and everything was correct he told us to start... Shaheer did the squats carefully while I did my part of bending behind down his body and coming back to my position.

And...as my man promised he pulled off the technique very well as if he was an expert and I did my bit too... trusting Shaheer completely.

(Video is added above – it's a real one of Shaheer though the lady is someone else but I tried to include this in my story with Shapoo https://youtu.be/X3c6LXEY19E )

Once done, he slowly let me get down his shoulders and wrapped his arm around my shoulder with a proud smile and said "Good job Pooji... bending back like that is no easy task!" He appreciated me while I smiled.

"You also became Bahubali na... very good!" I appreciated him too side hugging him.

"Arre wah! Arjun ko Bahubali banana wali tum pehli hogi duniya mei...! Haha" Shaheer chuckled and I joined him.

We were done with our gym session after some time and we left to my flat together as we had planned shopping next.

It was around 11am when we returned back home, we quickly freshened up and since Shaheer did not have his casual clothes in his shoot bag he had to go back to his house to get ready for the shopping.

"Pooji...Will you come to Phoenix mall directly? I think going home coming back here again will take time... voh bhi Mumbai ki traffic mei it's hard..." Shaheer said wiping off the water on his cheeks as he had just washed his face.

"Sure Shaheer... let's meet there by 12 30 then?Shopping ke baad we can go out for lunch too...?Phir tumhare liye naya ghar bhi dekhne jaa sakte hai... I have shortlisted few properties.. I think voh sab dekhte dekhte raat ho jayegi so we can return at night. I'll cook dinner for us at your place tonight. What say?" I asked casually, packing his bag not realizing that I had made a full plan for the day and said it at one go.

"Awesome! Toh madam ka aaj pura din mujhe chodne ka iraada nai hai..." Shaheer smirked walking towards me.

"Oh no... if you have any plans you can go ahead. I was just... I mean aaj off hai na so I thought we could spend the day together and see the properties too since you had asked me help in choosing the house... It's... It's okay if you don't..." I tried to justify but Shaheer was quick to shush me with his lips smashed on mine pulling me close to him. Though I was taken a back from his sudden gesture, my hands landed on his chest as I gave in to his kiss and responded equally.

We gently kissed for a brief moment before we parted... my surprised expression still in tact on my face as he grazed his fingers on my jawline and whispered.

"Everything is perfect but I loved the last part of the day baby... dinner at my place tonight!" Shaheer said in a flirty tone making me blush for the millionth time in the day.

"Shhshh... one track mind!" I squealed and giggled away from him.

******

Thanks for reading guys! I hope this was worth the wait...!
Hope you all liked the chapter and have noticed the gradual progression in Shapoo's relationship...
Please do vote and comment your views as they make me write sooner now that I have my laptop back!

Love,

Avni