The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 30

Nishant pressed his chin on her head and finally felt whole. Everything inside him had calmed down the instant she had come in his arms. But the memories of the past haunted him and he suddenly felt scared of losing her again. As the thought of losing her intensified inside him, he tightened his arms around her trying to ease the feeling, but nothing happened.

Aparna sensed the tension in him and buried her face in his chest trying to make him realise that she was not going anywhere. But, she could hear his heart beat increasing steadily. She moved her hand in front and grabbed the shirt front pulling him to her. As her lips touched the heated lapels, she felt Nishant stir suddenly with his hands moving up and down her back.

He couldn’t just keep his feelings at bay when her lips grazed against his shirt. As her warm breath and soft lips moved, it wakened the old desires in him. But, along with it came the painful sting of her hateful words. The moment he remembered her words, his hands fell away.

Feeling the muscles in his body tensing, Aparna looked up at him and found his eyes tightly closed. The creased lines of his forehead indicated that the memories of that ill-fated night were still fresh in his mind. Even though, his body was connected to hers but he was not holding her anymore. Slowly, she stepped back from him and turned towards the table.

Tonight is your last chance, Aparna. Either you will have him forever or you will need to let go him for the rest of your life. Till now, he has done everything he could to make you feel cherished and wanted. Now is your turn to take away his painful memories. Tonight should only be about him.

Nishant sighed and opened his eyes. What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you forget what happened in the past? He felt like kicking himself looking at her tensed back.

“Would you mind staying here for some time?” Aparna asked softly.

Stay in her room? But why?

“No. But why?”

“Your room needs to be cleaned. And, you should rest for some more time. Also, please do call your bhabhi and Dhruv. They have been worried for you.”

Although, Nishant did not believe her but still he sat down on the bed as she walked out of the room.

What is she upto?

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

Aparna closed the door of his bedroom and started with the work. Apart from cleaning, she wanted everything to be organised and proper before dinner time.

By the time it was 6 in the evening, she had started with dinner preparations. Preparing each and every dish with care and precision, she tasted each before giving the final touches. She was exhausted when she finally finished cooking but she was happy with her efforts.

Hoping that Nishant will like everything, she asked Lakshman to set the table upstairs and then went to her room.

The moment she entered her room, she noticed him sleeping peacefully clutching the pillow to himself. Not wanting to disturb him, she picked up her stuff and went to his room to freshen up.

After an hour, Aparna was ready for the night of a lifetime. She looked at the set dinner table on the terrace and felt happy. She had already asked Lakshman to wake Nishant up. He must be ready and on his way.

Nishant adjusted his t-shirt and looked at himself in the mirror. Woken up by Lakshman an hour ago, he had received a note from Aparna inviting him to join her for dinner around 9:30. He stepped out of her room and was going downstairs when Lakshman stopped him.

“Bhaiya, the dinner is in your room.”

Looking at him surprisingly, he followed him and entered his bedroom. The entire place had been cleaned properly, he could see that. But, the muted lighting and fresh tuberoses along with sandal incense sticks was something he had never expected. Their mixed scent intoxicated him more than anything else.

However, looking around the room he could see no dinner arrangement.

When he looked at Lakshman questioningly, he guided him towards the terrace.

Opening the door, Nishant stepped out in the terrace, but nothing could have prepared him for what lay in front of him.

A small dinner table with two chairs had been set on the right corner near the stone slabs. The candlelit ambience of the table took his breath away. He looked sideways near the table and saw a canopied sitting area, which was still covered with curtains from all around hiding what lay inside.

Overwhelmed with the fact that Aparna had done all this for him, he looked around for her but could not find her. Then suddenly, the tinkling of her steel bangles sounded behind him.

Closing his eyes, Nishant tried to control his ever-increasing heart beat and turned. With bated breath, he opened his eyes and couldn’t help but stare.

Aparna was wearing a white coloured long kurta with a red flared skirt. She must have had a bath just now as her hair was still wet and it had moistened the front of kurta making it translucent. His desired wakened again but, this time his heart quietened them as for now all he wanted to do was take her in his arms once again.

As his gaze travelled, she felt its heat wash all over her making her weak. She wanted to feel his arms around her hugging and caressing each and every part. For the first time in her life, Aparna did not want to hide what she felt and the strange play of emotions gliding by in his eyes made her realise that he felt the same as her.

“Nishant, can you take me in your arms?” she asked ashamedly.

His breathing and heart beat stopped for a second and then galloped with renewed pace as he heard her. Spreading his arms wide, he beckoned her to him.

Aparna closed the distance between them and his arms closed around her in a tight grip. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him to her not wanting to let go ever. Feeling her urgency, he whispered in her ears, “I am not going anywhere, ever.”

But, she did not want to hear anything. All she wanted to do was feel his heartbeat close to hers. She pressed her nose to his t-shirt and inhaled hard trying to take in his scent in her senses.

Nishant felt tears escape her eyes and wanted to wipe them off, but she wouldn’t raise her face. He forced her face up and kissed the tears away.

“No crying, please.”

“These are happy tears,” she answered clearing her throat.

“Whatever, happy or sad: no more tears. Understood?”

Aparna nodded smiling, and then cupped his hand in hers. Slowly, she guided him towards the table and made him sit down. 

Copyright © Paromita Majumder. All Rights Reserved.