The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 14

Aparna looked at the glittering Rajput Mansion from the car window just as Dhruv opened the door for her. Smiling at him, she was about to step out holding on to the window sill when he placed his hand on hers. Looking up at him, she got out holding on to his hand.

Guiding her inside, Dhruv flicked his gaze towards the lone car standing around the corner and smiled.

Nishant grabbed the steering wheel with effort as Dhruv folded his palm in hers. Frowning, he looked on as they went inside together. Since morning, he had tried his best to avoid her but now seeing her with Dhruv drove him mad. All he wanted to do was take her away from everything. Releasing the steering wheel, Nishant got down from the car and walked towards the house.

Dhruv was busy introducing Aparna to the stalwarts of the industry when he saw Nishant walk in. Smiling, he placed a hand on Aparna’s back and steered her towards the bar. He could feel Nishant fuming but frankly Dhruv was enjoying this. At least, this way maybe Nishant would realise the truth.

Suddenly, he saw Rushali clutching Nishant’s arm from behind. Dhruv felt elated as he watched both of them. It was time to check if Aparna felt anything for Nishant. Whispering something in her ear, he turned her and gestured towards the embracing couple.

As Aparna’s eyes fell on Nishant hugging Rushali, a shot of jealousy passed through her veins. She turned away towards the bar and kept down the glass with trembling fingers.

“Where’s the washroom?” she asked avoiding to look at Dhruv.

Dhruv pointed towards his right and watched her as she maneuvered her way through the crowd. He flicked his eyes towards Nishant and saw him watching Aparna go.

Such fools!

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Aparna closed the washroom door and looked at herself. Why did you have to come here? Isn’t it torture enough to face him at the office? Then why this now? Leave, Aparna, before it’s too late.

Picking up her clutch from the counter, she turned and opened the door. Determined to leave, she was about to approach the main door when she heard her name being called from behind.

“Where are you going? Siddha Bhaiya is looking for you. Come on,” Dhruv said dragging her towards the stage.

Aparna tried her best to stop him but couldn’t. Just as they reached the stage, she saw Nishant and Rushali standing with Siddha and Roshni. Avoiding looking at them, she concentrated on the newly wedded couple. Hugging both of them, she was about to get down from the stage when Roshni clutched her hand and asked her to stay. As the photographer random poses, her gaze shifted towards Nishant who was looking straight at her.

Look away, Aparna before it’s too late, her mind told her.

Just as she looked away, the music started and suddenly couples were being called to the dance floor. Dhruv grabbed her hand and steered her towards the floor.

***********************

One hour later, Aparna and Dhruv collapsed on the sofa laughing. It had been more than 7-8 years since she had last danced.

“I hope you are enjoying,” Dhruv said with a smile.

“Yes, after a long time. But, my feet are hurting and I am feeling thirsty,” Aparna replied trying to catch her breathe.

Dhruv got up instantly and went towards the bar to get a drink for her. He was ordering their drinks when Nishant came and stood next to him.

“I see you have stuck true to your words,” he said with a hint of suppressed anger in his voice.

Dhruv nodded smiling with pleasure as he saw Nishant’s eyes darken with rage. He could see that his friend was a little drunk but still sensible.

“Well, it seems someone is burning,” Dhruv whispered in Nishant’s ears trying hard to control his laughter.

Fuming, Nishant gave him a scathing look and moved away. Ordering another drink, he sat down on a bar stool and observed them. For the first time in the evening, he finally noticed what she was wearing otherwise up till now his eyes had not left her face and huge eyes.

Today her eyes were not only looking dramatic but also mischievous with the black strokes of her kajal. She was constantly licking her lips as she took sips from the glass and Nishant for a split second wanted to be that glass. He wanted to lick the droplets of the amber liquid away from her lips. As his gaze travelled lower, he noticed the lapels of her blouse tightening against her breasts as she sat up straight.

Nishant’s fingers clutched the glass hard as he tried to control the primitive urges inside him. She swirled her hair around one shoulder and turned towards Dhruv to say something. Nishant looked at her back as one of long threaded trinkets of her blouse danced along the flexing muscles. His gaze slipped lower and rested on her lower back. If only he could trace the lines of her spine with his fingers and kiss wherever the trinkets touched.

She stood up from the sofa and started walking towards the dance floor. Nishant looked at her legs as the black sari coiled around her thighs with the rhythm of her walk. He closed his eyes and saw them together twined like a vine: limbs, legs, thighs and all.

Not able to take it anymore, Nishant stepped down from the stool and started walking towards the garden. He needed fresh air.

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Aparna was enjoying herself thoroughly in Dhruv’s company. Although, he did not have Nishant’s enigmatic persona but still he had managed to keep her entertained. She felt at ease with him.

As someone mentioned Nishant’s name in the group they were standing with, Aparna looked around for him. But, she could see him nowhere.

Had he already left? With Rushali?

Shaking her head, she was about to excuse herself when she heard Dhruv say, “I have to show you something. I bet you haven’t seen anything like this before.”

Before even she could ask, he held her hand and dragged her towards the staircase going somewhere upstairs.

After climbing almost multiple sets of stairs, both of them reached a door. At first, when Dhruv opened the door, it looked a normal terrace but when her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Aparna saw a huge dome like structure.

As they entered it, the noises from the party downstairs diminished completely. She looked at the artificial roof and saw water flowing freely on it. Suddenly the roof started to move in circles and different muted lights flicked one by one shedding colourful watery shadows everywhere. The floor was covered with artificial grass and Aparna saw bonsais and different types of shrubs lined up along the corners.

“Wow!”

Dhruv smiled and said, “This is Nishant’s brain child. When Siddha Bhaiya asked him to design something unique for the terrace, he came up with this. He calls this a forest theme.”

Dhruv pressed a button and the music of pelting rain mixed with jungle sounds filled the air.

“Brilliant! Does the roof open up?” Aparna asked clearly enthralled with the design.

Nodding, Dhruv pressed another button and everything stopped. Slowly the roof folded at one corner trapping the remaining water in its confines and small multi-coloured muted bulbs lighted up the shrubs and bonsais.

Aparna watched with awe as a long line of wooden seats clicked in place along the boundary wall. Shaking her head, she couldn’t help but applaud Nishant’s breath taking artwork.

Dhruv looked at her face and smiled. He was about to go and stand beside her when suddenly he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Excusing himself, he went downstairs to attend the phone call.

Aparna looked beyond the boundaries of Rajput Mansion and saw half the city in front of her. Smiling, she stood there taking in all the positive energy around her.

“Enjoying?” Nishant’s voice boomed behind her. 

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