There was a mere three feet of distance between them, yet it felt like an entire universe. Abhi was absolutely riveted to the spot, unable to tear his gaze from Tulasi, but also dared not risk moving any closer. She was in her usual dress, completely modest, yet somehow, she was igniting a fervent warmth within him, making him sweat like crazy. Abhi's mind was racing, "I mean, seriously? Other girls I party with practically wear nothing and still don't make me this hot! What's she doing? This is next-level, making me melt!". He just couldn't help but stare at Tulasi, utterly smitten. He remembered how beautifully she used to wear a half-saree before.
"Like, seriously, why'd she ditch the half-saree after the Pooja?" Abhi silently grumbled.
"She could totally rock it, and I'd be living my best life just gazing at her! Will I stop myself from wanting her? Absolutely not, fam!". He envisioned embracing her tenderly, his mind drifting, and unknowingly, he dozed off, dreaming of her.
Abhi then looked towards the balcony, and there she was leaning on the wall looking at him – a vision of ethereal beauty. Tulasi was adorned in a royal aubergine-coloured saree, a delicate, golden waist chain embracing her slender form, glass aubergine bangles on both hands, with shimmering golden ones nestled in between. Her eyes, dark and deep, were locking with his. Abhi slowly, as if drawn by an invisible thread, walked towards her. Tulasi's gaze followed him, her innocent eyes wide. "She's absolutely breathtaking," he thought, his heart pounding. He stopped just before her, completely mesmerised.
Abhi looked deep into her eyes, his voice a soft murmur, "May I touch you, my love?".
Tulasi responded with a subtle, shy smile, her eyes twinkling playfully, "Oh, where would your heart desire to touch?".
His gaze fell to her exquisite, delicate fingers, and he whispered, "Your hands, love". Tulasi, with an innocent playfulness, lifted her hands and gently placed them into his "Just hands?".
Abhi, in a mock complaint, teasingly said, "Don't take hands lightly, there is soo much we can do with those, and there is much more meaning to it". Taking her fingers into his, marvelling at their incredible softness. "So incredibly soft," he mused. Her petite hands looked so fragile, so perfectly nestled within his.
His thoughts raced, "Should I just… kiss right now?" Then, a mischievous part of him wondered, "Will she stay quiet? Absolutely not! She's too full of rules and tradition!". He looked once more into Tulasi's captivating eyes, and she was gazing back at him, a silent understanding passing between them. She glowed with shy warmth. Abhi let a small, tender smile grace his lips.
Abhi then, with a playful glint in his eyes, began to gently remove the bangles from her hands. "Hey, Abhi, what's up with that?" Tulasi asked, a hint of playful confusion in her voice.
She gave a slight smile, and Abhi, with a possessive charm, declared, "You gave me your hands, my dear. Now, it's my wish, my heart's command. I can do whatever I want with these hands".
Her eyes, silent and questioning, asked him why he was taking off her bangles. Abhi's eyes, a silent messenger, answered her as if promising, "You'll know soon enough, my love". He carefully removed all the bangles, removing only the aubergine glass ones, and then, with an almost artistic flourish, he put the golden bangles back onto Tulasi's wrists.
She looked at him, her eyes asking, "What exactly is happening here?".
Abhi's eyes, speaking volumes where his lips remained sealed, responded as if to say, "You'll know in a moment, just trust me". He continued to gaze at Tulasi, his intent clear.
Tulasi's innocent heart finally understood what his eyes were asking. Abhi's gaze had now settled, intensely, on her sweet lips. A beautiful blush painted itself across Tulasi's cheeks, and in a fleeting moment of shyness, she tried to step away. But Abhi, with a swift and possessive move, immediately captured her hands, stopping her escape. He took both her hands into his left, gently but firmly pinning her against the wall, pressing her hands, bangles and all, against its cool surface. There was no escaping his magnetic presence now. As he held her hands and bangles tightly, pinning her, she was utterly locked in his embrace. He then looked at her, a single, knowing, mischievous smile gracing his lips, as if asking, "Now, do you understand why I took off those glass bangles, my sweet?". (He knew if the glass ones were there, they would have pricked her, an unnecessary distraction to their moment).
Tulasi, overwhelmed, shyly averted her gaze. Abhi, his eyes still fixated on her, slowly, deliberately, moved closer. His lips, with a soft, gentle touch, met hers. Slowly, like the delicate first drops of asummer rain, his lips brushed against hers, a whisper of a kiss. Then, the intensity blossomed, their lips beginning a passionate dance. She found herself gasping for breath, her world spinning. But he, lost in the moment, didn't stop the intoxicating dance of their lips, deepening it into a dance of tongues. Her breathing became even heavier, a clear sign of her overwhelming emotions. Sensing her discomfort, Abhi, with a tender thoughtfulness, slowly released her lips and began to shower soft, sweet kisses on her cheeks. He covered her forehead, her ears, and the delicate curve of her neck with tender kisses, slowly descending towards her nape.
Seeing the direction Abhi was heading, Tulasi, with a sudden surge of strength, tried to push him away. He, respecting her unspoken plea, let her go. She gasped, struggling to catch her breath. Abhi, however, found himself unable to control the raw emotion surging through him. He came back, one hand gently cradling her head, the other firmly on her waist, and pulled her into a deep, consuming kiss. His hands pressed her closer, moulding her body against his. Her saree, her waist, every curve of her being was now touching him, igniting a fiery connection. A wave of intense fear washed over her. She tried to free herself again, a desperate attempt to escape the intensity.
This time, Abhi, with a sigh of reluctant acceptance, let her go and stepped back two paces, standing there, a silent sentinel. It was incredibly difficult for him to leave her like that; every atom in his body screamed in protest, questioning why he had let her go.
She stood there, gazing at Abhi, her mind a whirlwind. She didn't understand anything—her heart was pounding, her breath hitched, a mix of fear and a strange, new desire for Abhi swirling within her. Her eyes, innocent and bewildered, seemed to ask, "Why did you stop, my love?".
Abhi, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed, offered a faint, almost crooked smile. His eyes, however, spoke volumes: "I've come this far, my dearest. Now, it's your turn. Come to me, and bless me with a kiss".
Her hopeful gaze turned shy, and she looked away, a delicate blush returning to her cheeks. Her eyes, a silent conversation with his, conveyed, "I'm just a girl, Abhi. How can I possibly come and kiss you? My shyness holds me captive". When Abhi didn't move, she, with a timid curiosity, looked into his eyes again.
His eyes, firm and unwavering, conveyed a clear message: "I won't come, my love. You have to make the move".
Dude, I'm literally the girl! How am I supposed to just walk up and kiss you? My shyness level is over 9000 right now! her eyes seemed to protest. She remained frozen in place. Abhi, equally stubborn, didn't budge, standing there, patiently waiting for her. Caught in the throes of her shyness, she simply couldn't bring herself to approach Abhi. She looked at him one last time, then, with a sigh, turned her back. She retreated into her room. Putting both hands behind her, she began to struggle with her long hair trying to make a bun. As she lifted both her hands, her entire waist, revealed beneath the saree, slowly slid down.
Her delicate midriff was now visible. Abhi's earlier passionate mischief had completely disarrayed her saree. Her slender waist, her beautiful back, and all her exquisite curves were now intimately known to him. Abhi's mind reeled, "Isn't this the very essence of beauty? Like a mesmerizing waterfall cascading between majestic mountains! What an absolute masterpiece God created in a woman!". He stared at her, his gaze unwavering, utterly captivated. A fierce heat surged through his body. She glanced back at Abhi for a brief moment. Abhi's eyes, a silent plea, asked, "Am I the only one always chasing you, my love? Shouldn't you come to me, too?". The intense gaze that had been watching her for so long began to feel a bit too much, almost annoying. She let a tiny, shy smile play on her lips. Abhi, unable to tear his eyes away, continued to gaze at her captivating waist.
Her skin, like purest cream, against the backdrop of the aubergine saree, made her waist appear like a captivating drumbeat for his heart. Her graceful back and the long, snake-like braid flowing down from the middle of her back were an enchanting sight, making his brain completely short-circuit. Abhi found himself unable to control his desires, his gaze drawn irresistibly to the beautiful swell of her bosom.
She thought, "Okay, this isn't going to work," started to leave him there and took two steps towards her room. Before she could even take the third step, Abhi, with a swift, possessive move, grabbed her and led her into her room, locking the door firmly behind them. Both of them, in a whirlwind of passion, merged into that bedroom. After what felt like an eternity, she attempted to open the bedroom door. But Abhi, his resolve unwavering, didn't let that happen. A few more hours passed, and the bedroom door stirred again, a silent attempt at escape but he did let her go again….They remained ensconced in that bedroom, lost in their world.