Our KTLK-Version - 1 CH 35(pg 144)Ashu's Legacy (Page 13)

The look in his eyes changed from playful to intense..he wanted to devour her and treasure her at the same time. Suddenly he remembered the incident in Kerala when Nidhi had come running and hugged him for the first time..he never anything else would surpass the way he felt then..but tonight'with Nidhi looking up at him as if he has given her the whole world..he'll remember this look as long as he lives! He slowly started touching her with his finger tips..first her face,.her eyes..nose.,cheeks..lips..smearing her lipstick off in the process..it was as if a blind man was feeling something precious for the first time..getting to know her all over again through his touch..Nidhi's eyes were closed..part shyness part excitement. Ashutosh ' "Nidhi open you eyes..i don't want them closed tonight. I want to keep looking into them when I lose myself in you..i want to keep seeing you losing yourself in me and coming apart in my arms..i don't want darkness disguising anything tonight."

Nidhi looked at him with surprise..this was her husband? the one who didn't want to change his dress with her in the same room? the one who was hesitant when she wanted to give him a sponge bath? The one who said "yeh kuch zyaada nahi ho gaya?" when she wore a western outfit? Something has happened..something that has changed in him..changed HIM..She lovingly stroked his hair and said, "Ashutosh.." Ashutosh ' "that's all you'll be saying tonight..just my name..over and over..nothing else" His hands start their journey of discovery again..feeling the lace and satin and skin..but never once does he leave the hold of his eyes on hers.

Holding her in his arms he lies back on the pillows and pulls her over him.

Ashutosh ' "I have something for you."

Nidhi ' "what"

He doesn't let her move but stretches his arm and tries to take something. Nidhi makes a move to look in that direction. Ashu says "No..i told you..you get to look only at me..nothing else." He removes the lid of a cooler box and takes out a cup of choc ice cream..He removes the lid and scoops some on his finger and brings it to her lips. She automatically opens them and takes his finger. "Remember this?" he asks. "You wanted choc ice cream but I didn't get a chance to get you one." He takes some more with his fingers and feeds her the same way. Nidhi ' "what about you? Now its my turn." Ashu ' "no. this is your dessert and you are mine." Nidhi is lost in his look and that night in that resort with all the lights on in their room Ashutosh and Nidhi chase away all the remaining darkness lingering in their hearts.

Morning light filters in through the curtains and Nidhi stretches herself and tries to move but finds herself a prisoner of her husband's arm and leg. She blushes a little looking at the surroundings..the scattered pillows..the melted ice cream and the opened bottle of champagne with the glasses on the floor. She gets up without waking up Ashu and adjusts his leg so that it doesn't get uncomfortable for him and goes off to freshen up. Ashu wakes up to the sound of shower running and smiles to himself. He gets up slowly mindful of his leg but sees that Nidhi has taken care and put a pillow under his knee. He thinks "Dr Nidhi Ashutosh Mathur, I love you." His thoughts drift to Mallika "hope everything is ok at home. Am I being paranoid or is something else going on with Mallika? Why do I get worried whenever Nidhi is with Mallika?