Chapter 5
Since their awkward encounter in his study, Shreya started avoiding Daya as much as possible. She did not converse with him at all except when it was absolutely necessary. She avoided staying in the same room with him when they were alone.
One afternoon, however Daya cornered her in the bureau itself. "I need to talk to you. Don't you run away from me! I am sorry if I scared you that day but please talk to me. I can tolerate your anger but not your silence. Give me one chance to explain myself please"
"I do not wish to discuss anything right now. Please let me go" said Shreya.
"Hear me out and I'll let you go" he said agressively.
"I want some time. Please... please understand... you... you are overwhelming me... please" she said looking terrified.
"Okay, okay I am sorry. I will wait till you are ready to hear me out" said Daya moving aside to let her pass.
She didn't know why she was delaying the talk but the prospect of discussing that encounter with him was intimidating to her. She was keen to prolong their discussion as long as possible. Daya had kept his word so far and she thus she was not worried.
One night, feeling hungry, Shreya decided to make herself a cup of hot cocoa.
She walked out of her room, turning round the corner and walked headlong into someone.
When she looked up, she saw that it was Daya. "Oh, I am sorry sir!" she exclaimed and retreated a few steps.
Daya threw a look at her. He could see her hardened nipples under her shirt. She obviously was not wearing a bra. Daya could still feel the way her breasts had squished against his chest when she had walked right into him.
"That's okay" he answered, his voice hoarse.
"Well, ummm... good night" said Shreya and went back to her room.
Daya was panting. He was trying to restrain himself not to go and touch her. What the hell was this woman doing to him? He felt vulnerable and not in control of his own self.
"She is just your guest! You can't possibly have such thoughts about her! Besides she is so young!" Daya kept reminding himself.
But howsoever he tried, he was drawn towards her. Just like a moth to the flame. She was so damn irrestible. He craved to touch her body and longed to taste her everywhere. He felt his throbbing erection in his pants and he swore loudly.
Instead of going back to his room, he went outside. He definitely needed a walk in the cool air.
Shreya was just about to go to bed when she saw a movement outside window. She saw Daya walk out through the gate. She swallowed and tried to calm herself down. She had not failed to notice the way his hungry eyes had roamed over her body. She knew she shouldn't be feeling that way but she couldn't help it. A wave of excitement passed through her due to this newfound pleasure.
"Daya..." his name felt so good to hear from her mouth.
Suddenly she felt guilty. He was a married man! He had a daughter who was merely a few years younger than her. How could she dream about having a physical relationship with a married man? She was here for CID training! She wasn't supposed to be looking for anything else!
But she had noticed since her arrival in the house that Daya sir and his wife rarely spoke with one another. Shreya had even heard them bickering them once or twice. He hadn't even told his wife a simple thing like he knew how to play guitar. There must be something wrong. That's what he wanted to tell her maybe. She felt like a fool. I should have talked to him.
She wondered for a moment, how it would feel if she had been his wife. They would have been so happy. Shreya realised that she not only craved for his body but for him as a person. He was a brave man, good natured and handsome too. She wondered why did he and his wife quarrel so often. Also, since her arrival, Shreya had seen a change in him. Earlier he had appeared sad and very reserved. But Shreya had observed that whenever they both spoke about work or even the moat simplest and stupidest things, he opened up and talked a lot and that too enthusiastically.
Maybe, his wife never understood him perfectly. She didn't recognise where his passions lay. But Shreya now knew them very well. She loved his dedication and passion for work.
"Maybe priya is not the right woman for him" she said to herself.
"He should have been a bachelor" Shreya thought sadly.
The next morning, Shreya woke up and heard someone screaming below.
She was about to go downstairs when Rhea came carrying her breakfast tray for her. She looked close to tears.
"What going on?" Shreya asked her.
"Mom and Dad are having a row. Again" she said looking embarassed.
"Oh" said Shreya.
"I thought I should get your breakfast upstairs. It's pretty bad. Trust me you don't want to witness it" said Rhea.
"Yeah... but what happened?"
"I don't know. I tried to interfere. I just wanted them to stop yelling. And then Mom yelled at me and told me to mind my own business" said Rhea.
"I am sorry" said Shreya.
"It's not your fault" said Rhea.
"Excuse me for interfering but, it is because he didn't tell about the guitar?" asked Shreya.
"I don't think so. It's really a stupid reason to fight" said Rhea. "Anyway, I am off to School"
"Yeah. You had your breakfast?" asked Shreya.
"Yep" said Rhea.
"Okay... I'll see you in the evening. And don't worry too much. Couples keep fighting. Not that I have much experience but still.." said Shreya.
"Thanks. I am not worried. It's kinda usual. And frankly I don't think anyone fights the way mom and dad do" said Rhea and left the room before Shreya could say anything.
Shreya had decided to talk to Daya but she was really scared to approach him the whole day. He appeared to be in an extremely bad mood and she didn't dare go in front of him.
The same evening when Rhea came home, she found her mother sitting on the steps outside the door.
As soon as she saw Rhea coming her way, she wiped her tears immediately but not before Rhea noticed them.
"Mom? Why are you crying?" Rhea asked.
"It's nothing baby. You got late?" Priya asked.
"Yes I had extra music class. What's wrong mom?" asked Rhea.
"I am so sorry I yelled at you in the morning, sweetheart" said Priya.
"In the morning Dad and you were having a row. Why?" Rhea asked.
"It's nothing -"
"Don't lie to me", said Rhea. "If you don't tell me I swear I won't talk to you ever again. I mean it"
"I wanted to throw a party at pur house for our anniversary. Your dad doesn't want it." said Priya wearily.
"Why? Oh, did you and dad quarrel because of that?"
"Yes. He was just giving excuses about having work... you know the usual."
"I will talk to dad" said Rhea.
"No, I don't want you to get into this. You are too young." said Priya.
"I am not a baby anymore! Please mom, give me a break! I know you and dad are not exactly getting along well."
"It's not like that" said Priya.
"I understand. I can see with my own eyes." said Rhea softly.
"I don't know why. He just seems so disinterested in everything. He doesn't tell me the reason. He doesn't tell me what's wrong. I don't know what does he want from me exactly!" said Priya.
"Mom, what do we do now?" said Rhea embracing her mother. She could help crying.
"Hush... stop crying! It's not that huge. See? That' why I wasn't telling you silly" said Priya wiping tears off her face.
"Dad loves us right? He is not going yo leave us, is he?" asked Rhea.
"No honey, your father loves both of us. He is not leaving us okay? And now I don't want you to think about this. Concentrate on your exams" said Priya.
"I will convince him for the party" said Rhea.
"If he is really not free then-"
"I will tell him. He won't say no to me" said Rhea.
"Okay" said Priya smiling at her.
It was one of the grandest parties she had seen. Shreya was enjoying herself to the fullest. Daya had invited all his CID Colleagues with whom Shreya had been very well acquainted by now.
"I wonder where Dad is" Rhea muttered appearing at Shreya's side.
Shreya suddenly remembered the talk she had overheard between Daya and Rhea about celebrating his wedding anniversary. Shreya knew Daya wasn't interested in this party at all and that he had just agreed to it for the sake of his daughter. She had not not spoken to him yet. Something or the other kept turning up and she hadn't had a moment to spare. Also, she wanted to talk to him alone, away from Rhea and Priya.
She suddenly heard clapping sounds and when she turned, she saw him.
He was wearing a blue shirt with his sleeves rolled up and a pair of good fitting jeans.
Oh my, her heart raced. Suddenly his eyes met hers and she was knocked breathless for a moment due the intensity of his stare before she looked away, blushing.
What the hell was he playing at, staring at her on his own anniversary party?
She looked around to see whether others had noticed the exchange between the and much to her relief, nobody had.
The evening was quite enjoyable and Shreya was aware of his gaze flitting now and then in his direction. As a host, he should have been mingling with the guests and paying attention to his wife not her.
He however seemed to be staring at her the whole time. It was making her head spin. Turning her back to him, she made her way towards her colleage.
"Let's get something to eat. I am starving" said her friend after some time.
"Sure. I will join you in a minute. You carry on. I think someone's calling me" said Shreya looking at an unknown number flashing on her screen.
Much to her annoyance it turned out to be such commercial call. She was making her way towards the crowd waiting for dinner, when she felt someone grab her arm.
Shreya almost jumped when she discovered that it was none other than Daya. His demeanor was casual but his expression was unreadable. He pulled her harshly into an empty room and slammed the door shut behind them.
Shreya backed a bit. She felt scared. She had no idea what he had in mind. Her heart was pounding.
He walked towards her, his face set.
Shreya gulped and retreated a few more steps until she hit the wall. Oh god. That stare. His stare was so intense that she had to look down to escape it. Yet she could still feel it on her.
"W - what is this?" she said. Her mouth went dry.
"You have kept me waiting too long" he growled. "I can't stand it anymore"
Kept him waiting? What for? Shreya had no clue what he was talking about.
"What?" she asked.
"You look wonderful tonight" he whispered standing quite close to her.
A renowned blush creeped onto her cheeks. "Thank you" she said.
"You said you would talk to me. But you never did." he said.
"What?" Shreya was so infuriated. "Is this a way to approach someone? I totally disapprove of your ways of behaviour sir! This are not actions of a gentleman' she said.
"I can hardly stay gentlemanly anymore when it come to you" he said, his eyes boring into her.
"What?" she said.
"Are you going to talk to me or not? I know ways to make you talk" he said.
"I was going to come and talk but then something or the other kept coming in the way and you didn't seem to be in great mood so I thought I would talk later" she said.
"Were you frightened of me?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.
"No." She lied.
"So, tell me. What did you want to talk?" he asked.
"We can't talk now! There are guests outside! You should go. People will wonder where you are" she said trying to walk away but the next moment he had her pinned to against the wall. He put his arms on either side of her head, blocking all her chances of escape.
Shreya chewed her bottom lip as the sexual tension began to mount.
Daya wasn't an expert in reading her expressions, but he could decode this particular one quite easily.
It screamed of lust.
She wanted him. They so wanted each other. He saw her unconsciously licking her own lips and the walls which he had built around him, crumbled.
It wasn't long before he was kissing her roughly on lips. Contentment engulfed him as she responded with equal passion.
The kiss began to deepen, his mouth moving frantically over hers and within minutes Daya found himself becoming ravenous and desperate as he pressed every inch of himself against her, groping possessively at any curve of her body which he could reach through her damned evening dress.
He had waited for this moment since long. He began kissing his way down her neck slowly emanating pleasurable moans from her.
"Ah! Daya - wait...a...aahh!" Shreya drew in a sharp breath, widening her eyes when she felt him hard against her thigh. He buried his face in her hair inhaling her scent.
"We can't -"
"Dad! Are you in there?" Rhea's voice rang out loud and clear.
"Oh, no, no, no!" said Shreya in a panicky voice.
"Don't panic. Stay here." he said.
"They will question. What are we going to tell them?" she said.
He kissed her once again. "Nobody will know. Stay here. Come out only when I say so" said Daya.
"Dad!" Rhea called again.
Daya walked towards the door with his cellphone in his hand.
Shreya slunk back in the shadows behind the cupboard.
When Daya opened the door, Rhea said, "what were you doing in here?"
"Important call. Sorry" he smiled at her. "Is everyone waiting for me?"
"Yeah. We are practically starving." said Rhea.
"I couldn't hear properly over the music so I shut the door." he said. "Come on, let's eat"
"I can't find Shreya anywhere either" said Rhea.
"Really? I wonder where she has gone" he said.
"Shall I check upstairs?" asked Rhea.
"No, she will come. We will start" he said.
When the sat at the dinner table Daya texted Shreya.
Daya: Why don't you join us for dinner? The meal is sumptuous.
Shreya: I am not hungry.
Daya: Just a kiss for dinner then?
Shreya: Shut up! I am already feeling guilty. We really shouldn't have done that.
Daya: It just got delayed. Sorry for that. I had intended to kiss you senseless the same night I played guitar.
Shreya: Please stop...
Daya: Are you coming out or you want me to come inside?
Shreya: Why can't you leave me alone?
Daya: I am coming in.
Shreya: No wait! I am coming out.
Daya: There is no need to feel guilty about what happened. I can't wait to talk to you. Just waiting for this dumb party to get over.
Shreya: It is your anniversary party!
Daya: That makes it even more boring. Now stop texting me and come out in next five seconds!
Shreya joined them looking rather shaken and apologised for her lateness. Daya smiled at her warmly. He couldn't wait for their secret meeting at night.
Sneak peek into the next chapter - Daya reveals to Shreya the real picture of his and Priya's relationship. Shreya is still fighting her inner guilt and is determined not to indulge in any forbidden relationship with Daya until one rainy evening her resolution is put to test...