HELLO! So sorry for being this late in updating...but I've been caught up with the world cup. Thanks for all the lovely comments. Hope you enjoy the update.
CHAPTER
10: Drown with you
Swirling with envy
Wish that I could replace
The water droplets
That kiss your face
Let me drown inside you
Be the breath of air
That breaths life to me
My eternal savior
Present:
Meera and Geet walked into Khurana
mansion with Meliara between them. Both were anxious about coming here, but
they had no excuse or non that they could use to avoid this.
"Namaste Dadima" both said to
Savitri Devi who beamed at them with happiness. Geet introduced Meera. "Dadima,
yeh hai Meera. Dev aur mera dost hai university ki aur hamara saath hi kaam
karti hai"
"Namaste. Hum tho ap dono ki
intezaar kar rahethi." Dadima then glanced down at Mel. "Itni pyaari bachi kaun
hai? Kya yeh Meliara hai?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
Mel looked up at Geet in confusion
because she had difficulty understanding hindi. Geet explained to her. "Sorry
Dadima. Mel has problems with Hindi. Mel sweety, this is Dev's Dadima." Mel's
mouth opened into a big "O" and then broke into a smile. "Say Namaste"
"Namaste. How do you know me Dadi?"
Mel seemed to be quite curious.
Dadima laughed at how astute Mel
was. "You are a smart one! Well Dev always talks about you dear."
Dadima continued to chat with the
girls for a while, giving most of her attention to Mel who had quickly won over
her heart with her happy attitude and lack of shyness.
"Baat bahot hui. Naina is waiting
for you two upstairs. She'll get angry if you don't meet her now." Dadi
admonished the two ladies.
All three quickly went up, knowing
that when Naintara was in a bad mood there would be no escape.
"Finally! You guys are so late!"
Naintara admonished them. "Come on girls, you know I need your help. Especially
you, Miss Meliara. After all you are my stylist!"
Mel gave a serious nod. "Yes! Mel
will make N very pretty!"
Naina pretended to be angry. "Oh
no! Does that mean I don't look pretty otherwise?"
Geet laughed. "Naina you are the
biggest drama queen. What would you do without us?"
Meera looked amused but tried to
console Naintara. "Naina sorry for being late but now that we are here we can
help you." Even though Meera was in immense pain, she was still willing to help
with Dev's wedding as she couldn't begrudge Naina. They were never close
friends, because Meera found it difficult to put a facade of happiness when she
saw Dev and Naina together. Yet she never blamed Naintara for her heartache.
After all she was the intruder, not Naintara.
"I need you guys. Every girl needs her friends
before her big day."
Again Geet laughed. "Would you have
ever imagined us as friends 4 years ago? You hated me back then! How the times
have changed."
Geet recalled with both fondness
and pain how they had bonded together. Naina had been slightly cold and
aggressive towards her. They had clashed due to their independent
personalities. But Naina was fiercely loyal to her friends. She had helped Geet
at a time when she was at her lowest. While everyone else had treated her like
she was made out of glass Naina had made her feel normal. She never held back
and forced Geet to be herself. For that Geet would always have a soft spot for
her.
Naina stuck her tongue out at Geet.
"Very funny. I didn't hate you. I was just 'jealous. Anyways let us forget
about all that."
Meera suddenly said excitedly. "Oh
I just got a text from Sebastian. Geet, why didn't you tell me that he is
coming here soon?"
Naintara's expression suddenly
became guarded. "So Sebastian is coming? How is the loser?" She asked in a
nonchalant manner. "If I didn't love you so much Geet, I would never put up
with the idiot. What do you see in him?"
Geet rolled her eyes. "Oh Naina!
You and Sebastian always have to start a fight. It is absolutely ridiculous."
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PAST:
"This is stupid"
Iman said with a dry tone. He definitely wasn't going to do this. No way!
"Come on, relax.
Geez you are so uptight!" Belle couldn't resist needling the poor guy. He
really did need to loosen up and he was such an easy target for teasing.
Iman looked
indignant. "I AM NOT UPTIGHT! Sanity does not equal uptight. Not everyone has
impulse control issues like you. Some of us actually think before we say or do
something."
"Please what's
the harm in doing this?" Belle was all innocence as she made Bambi eyes at him.
"Please Iman!"
Iman couldn't
resist her pleas. He didn't know why but everything about her just calmed him
down and yet brought out his impulsive side. He loses patience with her at
times, even screams at her but none of that affects their connection. He
noticed so much about her. The way she would laugh for no reason. The way she
would listen to any insult he threw at her with amusement and give back at him just
as good. She always bites her lips when
she is thinking and the way she taps her foot when she was waiting. She also
had a habit of tracing her fingers on her clothes when she tells him a story.
I am indeed insane. Not because of the fact
that I notice everything about her. Or that I never tire of our conversation.
But because I genuinely don't care about the fact that I am slowly getting
closer and closer to this stranger'.who knows me better than anyone else I
know. It feels right and being with her feels right.
"FINE! If we get
caught don't blame me" Saying that Iman started to unbutton his shirt. Slowly opening
one button at a time, all the while staring at Belle. With an arrogant smirk
and a raised eyebrow he asked "Like what you see?"
Belle was glad
that the night covered the blush that spread across her cheeks and that she
could pretend to be nonchalant about him undressing in front of her. "Dream on!
I have better things to look at!"
Oh Geet don't lie. Dear lord he has a
gorgeous body! Wow! Hmmm...look at the six pack and the toned arms...Control
yourself! No drooling over Iman!
Belle slowly
took off her shirt, feeling slightly self-conscious but telling herself that it
was fine and that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. As she unbuttoned her
shirt she stole glances towards him, gulping as she took in his chiseled body
and long legs. She quickly took off her skirt, not wanting to prolong the
moment.
"Ok. It might be
uncomfortable the first few minutes but it will get better after a while" Belle
explained. "Your body will slowly warm up."
"Seems like you
have experience" Iman questioned with
raised eyebrows.
"No questions.
Just do it!" With that she jumped in to the shallow end of the pool. The cool
water was like a slap on the face, but at the same time felt exhilarating. In
the moonlight, it felt ethereal to be swimming and soaking in the water. Belle
closed her eyes and dived underwater for a second. She let her world flow into
the darkness and let her other senses take over. The water felt lovely against
her skin and it pounded against her ears. Just as quickly she emerged out,
gulping in air. It was the best feeling to take in the beautiful breath of air after
being emerged in water.
"Come on Iman!
Jump right in" She called out to Iman.
Iman just stared
at her for a while. She looked stunning with the water all over her face, and
the moon highlighting her delicate features, adding allure. He couldn't help but
look at her smooth legs, not hidden well by her board shorts and her arms which
were visible with the sleeveless waterproof top she was wearing. Even though
what she was wearing was quite modest, it was still seductive for him. Just
seeing her the water, her clothes curving against her body was more than
beautiful.
Initially he was
against her crazy idea of sneaking into the public pools. He tried to ignore
her comments about how doing something "slightly not legal" was a part of
growing up. But at this moment he had no regrets. Seeing her like this made up
for breaking into the public pools in late night, with the risk of getting
caught and facing a fine worth it. He was willing to do anything to spend time
with her.
"Get in quickly
or are you scared?" She taunted with a mischievous smile on her face.
Iman quickly
formed a plan in his mind, a way to pay back her taunting. He dived into the
deep end of the swimming pool, disappearing into the dark water.
Belle watched in
admiration as Iman got into the water, but after a few moments she realized that
he wasn't getting up for air. At first she wasn't worried but as time ticked by
she got stressed.
What if he got a cramp or hurt himself? I
better do something!
Even though
Belle knew that she was a weak swimmer she had to try her best, she went
towards the deep end, near where she last saw him. But as she got closer and
closer towards there it got more difficult for her to swim.
Suddenly she
slipped, falling further into the water. Immediately the darkness overwhelmed
her. However this time it wasn't soothing and peaceful. She couldn't see
anything and couldn't even tell which way to go. She tried to swim, but her
strokes were too weak to bring her above the water. She struggled to get up but
her lungs started to burn as she stayed underwater longer. She could feel
herself getting weaker and weaker, as she couldn't move with much strength. She
started to see spots in her vision and even the darkness was starting to blur. But
still the only thought going through her mind was about Iman. I have to save him! Please let me save him!
Belle tried to
fight as hard as she could but fear was starting to settle in. Her limbs
protested against movement as they became starved for oxygen. Just as she could
feel her mind go blank a pair of hands pulled her up. Finally she was able to
get the breath of air that she desperately needed.
Iman
pulled Belle out of the swimming pull and took her to one of the pool chairs.
He was shaken by the whole experience. Worry, desperation and anger cruised
through him. It was only meant to be a joke to scare her but he had forgotten
that she was a poor swimmer. He couldn't believe that she would actually come
to save him if it meant risking her life. But those few moments when he couldn't
see her and had realized that she was underwater, had nearly killed him. He had
been afraid that he would be late to save her.
He clutched on
to her, making sure that she was breathing. "BELLE! Belle are you alright?"
She gazed up at
him, as if she had a revelation. It was as if she was seeing him for the first
time. This time he couldn't lose himself in her gaze because he was still sick
with worry.
"What were you
doing? If you couldn't swim, why did you come after me" he screamed at her.
Belle's answer
was simple but poignant. "You are my bestfriend" Nothing else needed to be
said. In those moments when Belle thought that she was going to lose Iman, her
whole world had stopped. She couldn't let anything happen to him. He meant to
much to her. She didn't even realize when he started to be so important to him,
but it took that one second to show her that he was essential for her. In these
few weeks they had gotten so close, that he understood her better than anyone
else.
It must be because we have become best
friends. That is why, what other reason could there be? She tried to make
excuses for her feelings but at the back of her mind she couldn't help but feel
that there was more to the situation.
"Never do something
like that again" Iman admonished. "How do you think I would feel if something
had happened to you? I wouldn't be able to live with myself." Without even realizing
what he was doing he pushed her hair from her face and kissed her cheeks, eyes
and forehead. "Please don't risk your life. Not for me, not for anyone." He
rested his face against hers, so that their noses were touching and their lips
were only a breath apart.
He couldn't look
away from her. Her eyes were willing him to come closer, to close the distance.
He could see emotion flare in them, but was unable to decipher what it meant.
Slowly her eyes fluttered closed and he leaned forward. But just as he was
about to kiss her lips, he became aware of what he was doing. Still it was
difficult for him to stop altogether so he kissed her right next to her lips.
Iman was shocked
with how natural it felt to kiss her face. It felt perfect, as if it was meant
to be.
What is happening to me? Am I falling in
love? NO! That is ridiculous.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present:
Maan walked into his house, after a
tiring afternoon at work. He was exhausted but still he had work to do because
Khurana Enterprise was dependent on his care. On top of that he couldn't stop
thinking about Belle..or Geet. She was always on his mind, whether it was in
the night or at office. But that wasn't anything new. It had been like that for
him for the last few years. She was embedded in his very soul, so he couldn't
be free from her even if he wanted to.
As he got in he noticed a little
person running around. As she turned towards him, he recognized the little girl
he had met at the hotel. He couldn't help but smile as he saw her. Something
about her lightened his mood. She also seemed a surprised to see him here but
still ran up to him and gave him a smile.
"KNIGHT!" She asked with a small pout.
"What are you doing here?"
"We meet again little princess! This
is my house. What are you doing here? Did you come to see your knight?"
"Not your house. Uncle D's house!"
She protested. "Mel here to see Naina and Uncle D!"
This time Maan couldn't resist
laughing at the little girl. He assumed
that the girl must be talking about Naintara and Dev. "Well Princess Mel, Dev
is my brother"
"Uncle D's brother? WOW." She
looked quite excited by this new development. But she was cut short when a very
familiar voice cut across from another room. "MELIARA! MEL! Where are you? Come
here!"
"Yes Mama!" Mel quickly ran away leaving a shocked Maan.
For a second he couldn't think. He
was reeling from the revelation. His whole world stopped for that second. He
couldn't process what had happened.
Mama?
Geet's daughter? Geet has a child? Suddenly another thought came into his
mind. Whose child is it? Could it be
mine?
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PRECAP:
Confrontations and heartache
Picnics
NEXT:
Chapter 11: Blinded - Pg 64
AUTHOR'S NOTESorry to end with a cliffhanger π Don't worry Belle and Iman's first PROPER kiss shall happen soon. The next update will be quite big and unfold a lot!
Ok question time
1. Why do you think Naintara was jealous of Geet?
2. Who is Mel's father? Or parent's for that matter?
Remember people COMMENT (love reading all those π) and press the like button if you enjoy.
-SanjanA
Edited by maan-ki-sanjana - 12 years ago
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