Chapter 5: Good Night

Boom!

Mittal fell flat on the floor. He heard the same uniform screech in his ears. But this was not a slap. Rather a heartfelt kick. He tried to raise his head when he heard something crack. It was his own neck, he later realized, as he shrieked in pain. A heavy foot turning his head against the floor. So much force that he almost thought his skull would break the ground and bury itself any moment. Four of Shivaay's men along with Mishra and Khanna reached there. They held his arms and legs in place so that he couldn't move. Not that they were needed, Shivaay's classy footwork did the required.

When Shivaay made sure there was enough security, he dashed towards Annika. He made her sit properly, took out his scarf and wiped her dust and tear mixed with blood-streaked face. He saw the marks on her neck, hands, arms. She whispered, "Shivaay, Sahil!"

Shivaay felt a pang of guilt punch him into the gut. This woman was injured and god knows terrified to what extent, but was still worried about her little brother. And all so that Shivaay and his company could be saved from a scam. He carefully moved a few stray locks of her from her face and gently tucked them behind her ear. He brought his lips close to her ears and saw a cut there too. He slowly blow air on the inflammation and whispered back, "Safe. Had dinner. Asleep".

Annika's misery disappeared with the reassurance all of a sudden. In the dark, her once lifeless face started beaming again. She tried to lift her weak hands to touch his face, in a gesture to thank him, but he lightly kissed her approaching fingers,

"be right back"

He turned around and pressed his foot on Mittal's neck, completely transforming from caring to cruel. Choking him in a way 10 times worse than he must have tried choking her. He kicked him so bad, trying to inflict as much pain as he could. He should not die was the only restrain on the men. He heard Annika say something again. He came close "come again?"

"Hit one on my behalf, will you?"

Shivaay's heart did a flip. That was the last thing he could have imagined from a bright woman who is witnessing a gruesome scene. He flashed a bright smile, "With Pleasure" Annika smiled back.

His men tore off his clothes, with his boxers being his only saving grace. Just when Shivaay was about to do the climax action scene, he heard Annika say, "Leave that to me". At this point, Shivaay wasn't even surprised. He was coming to understand her bit by bit, and she was no damsell in distress, that much he knew.

Everyone in the room stepped aside. Shivaay helped her up on her feet. With all the strength she could muster, Annika aimed straight and kicked right onto his balls. "BULLSEYE!" shouted Shivaay.

Everyone in the room started clapping with joy. Shivaay staring at her, his chest swelling with pride. One thing he still couldn't understand was why did her actions make HIM proud?

"Where are we?" she squeaked all of a sudden, delicately. Shivaay's heart might have gone insane else there was no reason it would do another flip just because she scrunched up her nose. Right?

"We are on the far outskirts of Mumbai. It's quite late and you need to get treated and rest. I own a villa nearby, you could crash there if it's fine with you."

"I'd rather tend to my brother's snores than my silly wounds. I'll be going, thanks. Just call me a cab, I dropped my phone somewhere."

Shivaay could see that Annika was sincere in her selfless wish. He could see she must have clearly been through some shit that made her so strong and resilient. He pulled her by her waist and she landed hard on his chest. His heat crept up Annika's body and she felt a familiar rush in her blood. "Let's go. You can sleep there, your brother is asleep in that very Villa".

The farm house was close to the creek waters. An old couple was sitting on the sand and enjoying some old classic music. Annika smiled at the sight. Shivaay was about to ask if this would cause any disturbance to her. But her face was enough to answer.

Once inside, she gulped down two glasses of water. Shivaay eyed her head to toe, torn, ragged clothes smeared with blood "You should change. I'll get you something to wear and show you your room. You could freshen up there."

The cold night air blew away the bad memories of the night. She was so mesmerizing, her presence was enough to let everything fade away. Shivaay couldn't remember when he had actually taken out time, stood in the balcony, and felt the moist beach air kiss his skin. Then Annika happened. And within two days many first times happened. Every second since she entered his life had been an adventure. The adventure sometimes being thrilling, sometimes exciting, sometimes sensual, sometimes emotional.

Annika let the hot water ease out the tension. Her wounds still fresh and her body swollen. She still couldn't stop smiling. She just couldn't when Shivaay was around. His smallest peck on her fingers was adorable too. She came out with a towel wrapped around her. A black satin full-length nighty gown lay on the bed. She chose not to wear the dirty bra back. Anyways, who wears a bra while sleeping? Let them breathe! As if Shivaay would come to my room at night. She didn't know why in the world that crossed her mind. She dimmed the lights and started drying her hair, humming the tune the old couple was playing down. Just when she was about to go to Sahil's room across the wall, the door opened and her imagination was standing right in the face of reality on the door.

Shivaay was taken aback. What he was looking at was an enticingly beautiful face, a slightly wet neck due to her freshly washed hair. If that was not enough, he couldn't take his eyes off the perfect cups of her breast. He suddenly felt the icebox in his hand hot. She was fully clothed yet his body was reacting inexplicably!

The tune playing beneath provided the perfect setting. "First aid and ice," he said when he finally formed words.

She sat on the bed and he sat close by. He dabbed the cotton with antiseptic and slowly applied it on the bruise on her forehead, her neck, her wrist, her arms. The perfect opportunity to stare at her as much as he wanted. In the dead silence, the song lyrics became clearly audible.

Dilbar mere, kabtak mujhe aise hi tadpaaoge...

(Sweetheart, until when will you make me suffer?)

He cupped her face with both his hands and brought his face close to her

Dilbar mere kab tak mujhe aise hi tadpaaoge...

(Sweetheart, until when will you make me suffer?)

He stared straight at her lips. Her lips were swollen and shivering. He leaned in closer.

Mai aag dil me laga dunga vo, ki pal me pighal jaaoge!

(I'll set your heart ablaze, and you'll melt into me within moments)

He moved up and blew at the wound on her forehead and placed a feather kiss there. She drew in a sharp breath.

Ek din aayegaaa, pyaar ho jaayegaa

(The day will come when love will bloom)

Mai aag dil me laga dunga vo, ki pal me pighal jaaoge..!!

(I'll set your heart ablaze, and you'll melt into me within moments)

He slowly came down and made his way through her neck; he pushed her hair behind while his fingers grazed her skin, she clutched the blanket tightly. He blew at her neck. Leaned in closer and left a trail of wet kisses, continuing downwards until he reached her cleavage. She clutched a hand full of his hair and stifled a moan.

Dil se milega jo dil toh mehekne lagoge..

(When our hearts meet, you will drench in fragrance)

Tum meri baahon me aake behekne lagoge..

(When you come into my arms, you will lose your senses)

He picked an ice cube and placed it on her swollen lips. His thumb wiping the melting water and memorizing every curve of her full lips. She was shivering, pain leaving her body, bit by bit, pleasure replacing it instead. Placing the ice cube on her neck, he closed the distance between their lips and sucked out her pain. A slight taste of metallic blood with her original raspberry taste igniting his body.

Dil se milega Jo dil toh mehekne lagoge

Tum meri baahon me aake behekne lagoge...

(When our hearts meet, you will drench in fragrance)

(When you come into my arms, you will lose your senses)

He moved down to her neck while his hands caressed her hands and arms with whatever was remaining of the ice. He sucked the skin on her neck finally freeing her of all her pain, gifting her the best of pleasures of her life as his tongue worked its magic on her neck.

She clutched him tightly and pulled him on the bed. She made him look up and sucked his lower lip. She kissed him letting all her desires drive her actions. They coiled their legs and pulled each other as close as they could.

They were in no position to think rationally. The time that they knew each other held no value. What mattered was the feeling that they knew each other for a lifetime. Putting all rationalities to sleep, they let their hearts and bodies take over.

Mai aag dil me laga dunga vo ki pal me pighal jaaoge....

(I'll set your heart ablaze, and you'll melt into me within moments)

When their lips parted she briefly stared into his eyes. She was right about them. They changed colors. She closed his eyes with her hand and pecked at his cheek "Thankyou, Shivaay". For what he had done today, for how safe he made her feel, and for this ethreal moment that she never experienced before.

He smiled and pecked her lips and whispered, "Good Night!"

Tangled the way they were. They somehow understood where they should stop. They both realized that what was brewing inside was not mere physical attraction. Something more meaningful was forming. And they would happily give it time to nurture. Lights out! Good Night ;-)