“The clock crossed midnight when I came back to our room. Aditya is still sleeping like a baby. I adjust myself on the corner of the bed beside him, keep on looking at his sleepy face. Today he got drunk. I know alcohol doesn’t affect him that much. Then what happened to him tonight? Why did he lose his control? Why did he go to Aryan? To apologise or to open his heart out. Till now, whenever we had an argument or he became mad at me, he always confronted me. If he gets hurt, he tells me the reason. Then what happened today? Why did he prefer to go to his friend rather than come to me? Aditya, I know I should have told you about my restlessness that you have observed nowadays but I just hid it because of you. I know how you will react and perhaps you will become the same Aditya I don’t want to see again. Either you will find out the man and kill him or you will do some madness to protect me which will suffocate me more. Aditya, I love you but I am scared of your madness. Madness to protect me; to keep me close. I have sacrificed enough to change you but I can’t let you change and become a devil again.”

Nandana’s train of thought halts when a soft mumble hits her eardrum.

“Nandana…”

Aditya stirs in his slumber and murmurs. Then he gropes his side and gradually opens his eyes. Nandana kept the dim light on. Aditya roams his squinted eyes all around the partially lit room and eventually, they get fixed on Nandana. She doesn’t let him react more and leans forward to utter,

“You are with me.”

For some moments, Aditya keeps on observing her obscure face. The familiar silhouette, body fragrance and voice eventually alert all his senses. He tries to get up but Nandana places one of his palms on his upper chest and pushes him lightly so that he can remain in his previous position.

“Be like this. You need sleep. I am here with you.”

Nandana mouths softly. In return, Aditya moves her hand from his chest and stretches his hand to reach the side lamp. In the next moment, the room becomes devoid of darkness.

“I had enough sleep. I have some work to do.”

Aditya sounds stern. He lifts himself with a jerk and sits squarely. A sharp pang hits his head.

“Fuck..!”

He abuses under his clenched jaws and presses his forehead with his hand. Nandana observes him and immediately lifts the cup from the side table.

“Have it. You will feel better. Black coffee. Medicine to cure the hangover.”

She forwards the coffee mug to Aditya who glances at it and then ignores it.

“No thanks. It’s not that bad. And in any case, I never get hangovers.”

He says impassively and tries to get down off the bed. Nandana immediately holds him by his elbow and makes him pause.

“I know you never get a hangover. In fact, you never get drunk. Then what happened tonight? You went to Aryan and didn’t come to me. You never do it, Aditya. You never ignore me like this.”

Nandana’s voice is concerned and a bit complaining. Aditya turns at her. His drowsy red eyes meet her caring ones. Then they trail down to stop on the grip Nandana has on his elbow.

“Everything starts at some point. Mostly when the circumstances demand. And I think this ignoring game started from your side only. Mine is just a reaction to an action. And Aryan is my friend. I can go to him whenever I want. Nobody’s permission is required.”

Aditya utters grimly and slowly frees his hand from Nandana’s grip. Tears brim her eyes but this is not the time to get hurt by his words. Nandana knows she made a mistake and she is ready to bear his harsh words. Aditya gets up and reaches the cupboard at a tired pace. Nandana rests the cup in its previous place and follows him.

“Let me do this. Change your jeans.”

Saying this, she tries to take out the shorts almost hovering over his body. However, a profound shove makes her stagger back.

“Leave me alone! Don’t pretend that you care for me. This oversweetness of yours is just irritating. I AM FINE. I DON’T NEED YOU. Do you get that?”

This time Aditya raises his voice a bit which flinches Nandana. She gulps her fear and again comes close.

“Lie. You need me. Like always. You are just mad at me. Because I slapped you in the morning. You are dying to come to me as much as I am but you are hurt. You are so hurt that you didn’t even ask why I did this. I am not trying to take the place of your friends in your life, Aditya. But I can’t bear your ignorance too. If you are mad at me, if you are hurt then scold me, punish me but don’t keep yourself away from me, Aditya. It kills. I can’t leave you like this.”

Nandana’s voice gets choked and this time she doesn’t try to control her tears. They roll down her cheeks. Aditya feels a sharp stab in his left chest. Even a devil can’t bear his Angel’s pain. Nandana comes closer and places her warm palms on his bare chest. Their heartbeats collide with each other. Their eyes remain bridged for some seconds. Nandana’s hand slowly trails up and snakes Aditya’s nape. She lifts her heels to lessen the height distance. Simultaneously pulls Aditya’s face to reach his lips. Now, their hot breath is fanning each other’s skin.

“Neither I will let you leave me like this.”

She whispers and tenderly brushes her petals against his. Aditya closes his eyes. His hands gradually wrap around her slender waist. He pulls her more and their lips mingle more tightly. Nandana feels Aditya’s restless hands getting tighter on her waist. She parts her lips and invites him to enter. Aditya’s ardent tongue invades and laps hers with passion. Her fingers fist his hair more tightly while their tongues start dancing with desire. Nandana slowly steps onto his feet and almost fuses her body with his.

“Ummmm…”

Aditya moans as she lightly bites his lower lip. He retrieves while having Nandana with him and slowly reaches the bed. As his cuffs touch the bed edge, he loosens his body. Both plummet onto the mattress still kissing each other wildly. Both are feeling breathless but still not willing to leave each other. Suddenly Nandana’s mobile starts ringing which brings them in a sense. Nandana withdraws herself and gets up. Her eyes have unease and fear.

“I have something to say but promise me you won’t react insanely.”

Nandana utters in nervously.

.................................

“Mmmmmm…”

A soft moan alerts Aabir’s all senses. He glances over the laptop screen. Navya stirs a bit before opening her eyes. She takes some minutes to sink into the situation and then gets up with a jerk.

“Don’t! You need rest. So, lie down.”

Aabir mouths in a flat voice and again concentrates on his work. Navya observes him with quizzical eyes and asks in a feeble tone,

“What happened? Why am I sleeping here?”

Without looking up, Aabir replies with an impassive voice,

“I should ask you this? What happened? Why did you faint in the office? Aren’t you having your meal properly?”

Navya’s heart sinks for a nanosecond. Definitely, she fainted because of her pregnancy but did Aabir come to know? She takes a few seconds to muster her words and replies,

“Ah…ummmm…maybe because I didn’t sleep last night. I was a bit tired. That’s why I didn’t want to come to the office. You know that, right?”

Aabir raises his eyes from the laptop screen and meets her hesitant ones. He keeps on looking at her for some moments. A tremor of uneasiness passes through Navya’s spine. She breaks eye contact. Aabir rests the laptop beside him and comes to her in a slow gait. He perches on the bed still observing her face.

“Are you sure that was the reason or maybe you want to tell me something more?”

Aabir’s stern voice compels Navya to look at him. His penetrating eyes dry up her throat.

“Something? Wh..what do I have to say? Nothing. Aabir, I think I should go to my place. Please, I need leave for today.”

Navya utters in a dubious voice and tries to pass Aabir to step down from the bed.

“Do you want to keep this baby?”

Aabir’s grave voice startles Navya. She turns to him with wide eyes. Aabir’s eyes are intimidating. He mouths every word with a stone-hard tone,

“Because I don’t.”