Adultery No One Dies a Saint (Completed)

[krish_999]

New chapter 54

Atul

 
It seemed a perfect day for Atul. He woke up with mesmerising memories of the previous night, with a vision of his gorgeous woman crying out of indefinable joy. He had helped her visit the heavenly place not once but twice.
Every day, he promised himself many times, every day I’ll do it from now. I’ll make her scream louder.
In the morning, after Prithvi's leaving, Atul wanted to go to bed again. Looking at her soft lips and shining eyes for three seconds was enough to make him hard again. However, Anvita feared they would be late for work and he was forced to push down the temptation.
 
When Anvita joked about who he was planning to bring for dinner next, he thought about the dinner promise he had made to Rajat. That’s not needed now. Atul thought. His ingenious methods to control your hormones are not needed anymore. Atul was going to say, “no more dinner to anyone; it’s only us…” but then he thought he should actually throw a dinner to Rajat; to celebrate why I don’t need his help anymore. Atul acknowledged it with pride.
“Rajat,” he said. “We had promised him, remember?"
Anvita was staring at him, amused. He looked into her eyes. “We have talked about this. I won’t drink more than two tots. It will be just a formality. I promise you.”
Anvita was still not so happy. Atul ignored it.
He knew there was nothing to worry about.
 
Great things were awaiting him in the office. When he walked in he was welcomed with applause by his colleagues. He saw Maniesh Sain, dashingly dressed in a black suit, emerging from them.
“Welcome to our Strategic Officer.”
Atul was stunned. Maniesh came forward and shook his hand.
“Here comes your package, Atul; the reward that you deserve. We're looking for men like you, and we've found you. You're a big player, Atul; we've come to know…”
Atul thanked him and everyone else, as people gathered around to congratulate him.
Later he sat down and went through the detailed mail from Walzec Systems Pvt Ltd. addressed to him. The appointment was a new position assigned to his office and he had to know what was in the offer. When his eyes stuck on the salary scale which had gone for a heavy hike, he was left to wonder whether it’s happening in real or not.
He was going to throw in a party for all.
 
Atul phoned Anvita and shared the good news. She was ecstatic.
“Wow. I am gonna give you a special treat tonight.”
“Like last night?”
“Last night you were special. Tonight is mine.”
Atul laughed, fondly thinking of what she was going to do that night.
 
When he phoned Ridhima she congratulated him and wished him all the success. She wanted to meet him in person.
“I have a story to tell you. Can you come to Mumbai?”
She asked.
“When?”
“Sooner the better. I have only you to tell this.”
Atul promised he would think about it. She deserved respect, Atul thought. She was also a part of his efforts that had fetched him the unexpected success.
 
The night belonged to Anvita and she delivered what she had promised as she swirled her tongue around the bulbous head of his dick while stroking with her hand. It was before dinner. When he was about to cum, she began to jerk back at first, then looking up into his eyes, she opened her mouth.
“In my mouth...”
Atul's left palm went behind her head, and holding through her hair he let the thick stream of cum spurt into her mouth. Anvita kept her mouth open while he jerked it all, and then ran to the washroom.
“I thought you'd swallow.”
Atul quipped later.
“I'm adjusting with the taste. Next time I'll swallow.”
She smiled.
After dinner, they made love again. This time it was Atul's turn and he took her to the heights of pleasure by plunging into her sensual hole with his tongue first and manhood later.
She watched in wonder when he pulled out and ejaculated over her belly. He lifted her legs over his shoulder and then pushed him down over her to enter her again, this time driving her to a loud cry before filling her with another shot of his love juice.
 
 
Next day Atul assumed his office and moved into his exclusive office cabin. A group of seven staff was assigned to work under him for the initial phase. Mr Madhav Singh, a forty-year-old man with a gentle smile, joined them as the interim operational head.
Walzec had done the thing. Shreyas was fired.
 
That evening he sat with Rajat and broke the news with him.
“That's great news man!” He shook hands with Atul over the table. “Congrats, buddy!”
“Thanks, friend!”
“You're welcome but it isn't enough...”
“Yeah, why not? Drinks on me!”
“Drinks are already on me, it's my turn today.”
“Then?”
“Throw something else!”
“Dinner?”
“One dinner is already coming. Remember?”
Atul smiled, “That dinner isn't needed now, Rajat. I gotta tell you something about it.”
“What!”
Rajat stared at him.
“I've improved. I... I found a way.”
“What way?”
Atul leaned forward. “I've found a way to make Anvita happy. You know what I mean.”
Rajat looked at him in disbelief.
“You gave her all the fun?”
“You won't believe it?”
“I am envious, man. I mean, I'm happy you did it but how?”
“I found a new trick.”
“Oh. That's great. That's great. That's... That's really really great. She happy now?”
“Yeah. She is.”
“What did she say?”
“What would she say? She's happy...”
“I mean... She said she got it, didn't she?”
“You wanna ask her?”
“I'd love to. I mean, I'm so happy for you, man! I think today's drinks should be on you. It's your day!”
“I told you.”
 
Their chat proceeded to other topics and after some time Rajat brought back the subject.
“So, that means our dinner is not happening?”
“Yeah. I think I've figured it out. We don't need to work on it. Thanks for the help anyway man.”
Rajat nodded, “Okay, I'm so glad to see you happy. I'm gonna ask you about that trick, later. Now tell me what next. You wanna hit Neeti?”
“What, no!" Atul laughed, "Come on Rajat; that was just a mistake. You should believe me."
"That's okay, I understand. But this is your chance. Neeti doesn't have a nice image about you. You should change that. It's your chance."
Atul shook his head. "I'm grateful to God that it didn't work well that day. I'm perfectly okay with what Neeti thinks of me. All that matters to me is Anvi's happiness."
"I can't believe you're saying this! You don't know what you're missing out here. Neeti is the ultimate bomb, dude. If you think you really have cracked this trick whatever it may be, then you must use it on Neeti. Especially because she had a crush on you. If you spend one night with her, she's gonna do anything for you. Do you know what I mean? Everything! You understand that?”
Atul looked at him for long, baffled.
“You must be wondering why I'm telling you this, now," Rajat explained. "It is because right now I'm in a position to talk with Neeti about this. I'm going to stop seeing her; Pooja is coming home in a few weeks. Mohit isn't giving her much fun; it's not a secret for both of us. What I'm telling you is this is your chance before she's hooked by someone. She's too good to let go, Atul. She's that good."
"Come on, Rajat. I know how sexy Neeti is. But I'm just happy with what Anvita provides me. I'll consider your advice when I get bored of her. I hope it never happens."
"Ouch! That proves something, Atul. You are really unbreakable.”
 
Later Rajat mentioned the dinner again.
“The dinner for promotion - it’s on, isn’t it?”
“You tell me.”
“Let’s do it as we fixed it. This Friday.”
“Okay.”
“I have that dress we bought for Anvita ready. Don’t say no to that.”
“Is it really needed now?”
“Are you asking me to throw it away? You bought this for your wife, man. She’s gonna love it. Don’t worry about it. You just tell me what time I should knock on your door?”
“You don’t have to knock, buddy. You can use the doorbell.”
Atul quipped.
 
Wednesday morning Atul flew to Mumbai. When he arrived at Ridhima's apartment, she welcomed him at the door, and Atul saw a man sitting in the living room. More than his grey unshaved facial hair and half-bald head the arrogant look on his face made Atul recognise him easily. It was Sudhakar, Ridhima's husband.
Sudhakar looked pissed off, and Atul's friendly smile didn’t yield any response. Atul wondered if Sudhakar remembered him. They had met only once, and it was many months ago.
Ridhima came forward and hugged him. Atul was startled and he struggled to keep his face straight and formal. Sudhakar looked on like an injured animal.
“I am sorry Atul. I couldn’t make it to the airport.” Ridhima told Atul. “I missed you so much. How was the journey?”
Atul sensed something wrong with her. He had called her when he landed and she was now repeating what she had already told him over the phone. Atul looked into her eyes. In a black kurta and white pyjama and devoid of any makeup on her face, she looked a homely woman. A perfect housewife from outside, but far from it inside.
“You look tired. What happened to you?”
She smiled, “I am okay, Atul.”
She turned to Sudhakar. “Sudhakar, this is Atul, my friend. Atul, this is Sudhakar.”
She didn’t say ‘my husband’. Sudhakar looked at him hatefully.
“Friend or boyfriend?”
He grunted.
Atul wanted to throw him off the building.
“Take whatever you want, but you have to leave now, Sudhakar.”
Ridhima said calmly.
“No, you tell me this. He’s your boyfriend, right?”
“Yes.” Came her reply. “He’s my boyfriend.”
Atul's face paled.
“I knew this!” Sudhakar yelled. “I knew this! I knew you’d be fucking around with young men from your office. I know you have a big position in Chetak and you can lure anyone to your bed. I know how easy it is for you to fool these men but not me. I am not going to let you live in peace. I am not going to give you a divorce. Not in this life. You have spoilt my life, my dreams and everything. I am not going to let you live in peace.”
He turned and grabbed his briefcase from the couch. He stepped close to Atul and shook his head.
“I can see what you are after, boy. She’s not gonna give it. I’m not gonna let you enjoy it. I am her husband. Legal husband. You know that?”
Atul was going to face him.
“Sudhakar, leave! I am telling you.”
Ridhima's voice rose.
“What?”
He turned to her.
“Speak with respect. He’s gonna take your place one day. Legal husband. Now get out!”
Ridhima said with her voice firm and eyes blazing. Sudhakar stared at her and then at Atul for a second and stormed away. Ridhima's servant Neelam opened the door for him.
“Wait,” Atul said before Neelam closed the door. “I should also leave.”
He turned to Anvita.
“So that’s what you think of me? But I like to keep my life simple, Ridhima. Good luck!”
He said and walked out, furious.
“Atul!”
He heard Ridhima's voice, and he didn’t stop. His steps got only faster and he chose to walk down the stairs, having lost patience to wait for the escalator.
 
Fifteen minutes later he was waiting for a cab in front of the apartment complex. He got into the first cab, a three-wheeler, he found outside and said, “Airport.”
What the fuck! He rued.
He could only blame himself. I have a story to tell you. That was all she had to tell him to persuade him to book a flight ticket to Mumbai. Looking back he could not believe why he did that. He could have asked her to tell the story over the phone.
“He’s gonna take your place one day. Legal husband.” How could she say that? Is it what she wants from me?
 
Upon reaching the airport, Atul was hurrying toward the booking counters when he heard her voice again.
“Atul.”
Ridhima held his hand and stopped him. Atul turned and looked into her wet eyes.
“Don’t go. Please.”
Her voice was weak and lowly, Atul could barely hear it.
“I should go, Ridhima. This is not right.”
Atul moved back.
“Please Atul. I made a mistake. I didn’t mean to say that in a conscious state. I was really angry with Sudhakar and I just wanted to piss him off.”
“Well, you pissed me off.”
Atul said.
“I know. I am sorry for that. Please don’t go.”
Atul stared at her for a long moment, keeping his silence.
“This isn’t you Atul. I have no plan to make you my…fuck…” She looked away for a second. “…my legal husband! What the fuck is that in the first place!”
Atul couldn’t stop the quick smile that came to his lips.
Ridhima forwarded her hand to him. “If you leave like this I’m gonna sign up for a gender reassignment surgery, only to make a point to you.”
“Enough. Enough. Don’t do that.” Atul quickly grabbed her hand. “I mean, don’t crack such bad jokes.”
Ridhima laughed, finally.
“Come home.”
She said.
Atul nodded.
After sliding into the car with her, Atul placed his palm over hers.
“I am sorry, I overreacted.”
Ridhima smiled.
“No. I overreacted, actually. I don’t know what had got into me.”
  
Ridhima had taken a day off for him. She had arranged for a fabulous lunch at home for him. But Sudhakar's untimely entry had spoilt everything.
Ridhima talked the usual stuff during lunch.
“You had a story to tell me. I hope I didn’t miss that one.”
Atul reminded her.
Ridhima's face darkened.
 
After the lunch, Ridhima sent Neelam home. Then she sat with him in the hall.
“It’s not a story Atul. It’s a very painful experience. I haven’t told anyone. I have none to share this with.”
Her voice was grim.
Atul nodded understandingly.
“Tell me.”
Ridhima's eyes remained stuck on the floor and she began to speak.
“Last time when you were here, we did have lunch with your close friend Maniesh. Have you met him after that?”
Atul stared at her for a moment, wondering how Maniesh came suddenly into their conversation.
“I didn’t mean to question you, Atul. I’m just curious for a reason.”
“I met him this Monday after that. But I have been in touch with him regularly after that, because of professional reasons.”
“And he didn’t tell you anything about me?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
Ridhima took a long breath.
“I had met him after that lunch, at the airport. Two days after. I believe it was pure coincidence. We had coffee and we had a very personal chat. I mean we didn’t speak anything professionally yet we spent like half an hour in the café. I spoke a little about my personal life, which I don’t do normally, I mean I never do that. He was a little persuasive to know about me, I must admit, and I allowed him to speak about you. He spoke about how he had felt you wanted him to get a little close to me. He expected you to be amused to see us together – him and me. That was amusing, even to me, actually. And I didn’t have the guts to ask you about that. I am not judging you, but deep in my heart, I… he made me believe it. I never trust men like that but I did it with him. He invited me to his place. I refused though, politely, of course. I even promised to visit him later.
When we parted he asked me if liked surprises. Assuming from the flow of the conversation, he was clearly indicating to drop at my place. I could see it very well that he was hinting to drop by. I could see it, he was into me. I think you know this. We had joked about it. I told him I prefer to give surprises. I didn’t mean to drop by his place then, but a couple of weeks ago I happened to be at a place near to his – where he had taken us after the concert. You remember that night when I…when I almost crossed the line, don’t you? I decided to surprise him, like, on an impulse. I went to his place. I went to his place; it was like five o’clock in the evening, but to my surprise, someone else answered the door. His name was…Shrivastav; he introduced himself as the owner of the house. It was his apartment and he lived there. But I was sure it was the same apartment we had gone; I mean how can I forget it? The inscription ‘MS’ on the door was still there. I was puzzled. I phoned Maniesh but he didn’t pick up. Shrivastav said Maniesh is his friend and he too tried to contact Maniesh but in vain. He said Maniesh must be busy and he should call back; he suggested me to wait for him. I…I agreed. I went in and his housekeeper served me soft drinks. Shrivastav told me he’s a businessman and a very close friend of Maniesh. Sometimes he allowed Maniesh to stay over, that’s it. I started to believe everything he said. It was irrelevant to me. I was waiting for Maniesh. And out of the blue, this motherfucker is telling me, Maniesh might take some time to come, so let’s have some fun.”
“What!”
Atul had verbalised his shock.
“Yes. He invited me. He said he’s in a very good mood and he promised me a very good time. Fuck! Good time, in his bed! I refused, of course. I got up immediately and began to leave. But he is suddenly holding my hand; he dragged me – he was really a monster – he dragged me and even lifted me on his shoulder. I fought hard but the bastard took me to his bedroom – the same fucking bed – bullshit I can’t tell you about that. “
Ridhima panted and stopped as if she did not want to recollect the moment.
“Ridhima?”
Atul touched her hand.
“I fought him. I slapped him and I ran out. I ran out. Out of the room and out of the apartment. I want to forget how I felt when I stood in the lift. I have never felt like that in my life. I felt like a woman in her most vulnerable moment of life. I am forty years old. I run an entire office. I have so much power. But inside those four walls, in the lift, I was like a child. I was scared like shit. Do you know what I was scared of? I was scared of running into him when the lift opened. I thought he would grab me and carry me on his shoulders like a piece of meat and dump me into his bed and again force upon me. It was like I had believed that I was trapped like a mouse. It was shit. It was hopeless. It was so insulting.”
Ridhima wiped her forehead roughly and squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, rage dominated them.
“And did he…?”
“No. He didn’t come out to chase me. I escaped. Escaped!” Ridhima laughed a little, sardonically. “Escaped. Ridhima Sachdev. Executive Director of Chetak Engineering Pvt Ltd. narrowly escaped from a rat. Do you know what makes me hate the most about it? It’s a filthy shit feeling that comes from inside, that my dignity was at stake in there! Now that means somebody was there to think for one moment he can take away my dignity. I don’t have this Bhartiya Naari type shit in me but I hate to think somebody dared to threaten me just because I am a woman. I ran away from him. My self-esteem took a hit that day, Atul. It took a bloody hit!”
Ridhima shook her head repeatedly.
Atul couldn’t say anything. He didn’t know how to say what.
“And then, there was Maniesh. I was shocked, shaken, and I was equally angry. I was able to talk to him later that night. I wanted to teach his friend a lesson. But strange! Maniesh doesn’t want to go against his friend. He’s rather busy advising me with shit; he’s saying any legal action would attract unwanted media attraction but justice. He’s right it would attract a lot of media shit but what puzzled me was his lack of concern for my well-being after all the enthusiasm he had shown to befriend me. I feel like a stupid woman. His only intention was to have a go at it with me. He has never tried to contact me let alone comfort me or get his awful friend to show some shame. I don’t want to see Shrivastav’s face ever again, but being a friend it was Maniesh's duty to make him apologise. Do you know what he told me? Shrivastav tried to persuade me to sleep with him and I refused. I went home safely. Now it’s wiser to sleep safely than to pick up dogfight with him.”
Ridhima took a pause.
“If, if Maniesh had at least told you about all this, I would have considered him a human being. Maybe he has too much feeling for his friend. But you are also his friend, as much as I know. He should tell you something, shouldn’t he?”
“He didn’t tell me anything.”
“I know that. I trust you. That’s why I am telling you all this. Initially, I was hungry for revenge. I even considered hiring someone to kill that bastard. Fuck! Now I am okay. I hate to say I am okay. I feel like I should have got bangd that day so that I would go against the whole world and screw him. But there was no bang; he just mauled my breasts over my clothes and some press here and there. There is no point in joining the MeToo campaign. It will just make him famous and make me…”
She paused, as Atul took her hand in his.
“I am sorry for what happened, Ridhima. I didn’t know anything about Maniesh apart from what you already knew. To me, he was really interested in you, in a way acceptable by our societal standards.”
Ridhima nodded, slowly.
“You know what Atul? I think I have now come to understand what makes men. They can’t be trusted. I don’t want to mingle with anyone in my life. Even Sudhakar is one of them. You heard what he did say. He won’t give me freedom, and he wants my wealth. He wants a major share.”
“But why? How can he threaten you like that?”
“That’s the thing, Atul. My destiny has it against me. Inside, I am a pathetic human being. I have this contemptuous feeling about me that I can’t give him an heir.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“It is. I know it is. But it is also true, Atul. I can’t bear a child for him. I am infertile. He is using me but what can I do?”
Suddenly her eyes were wet. Next moment, tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Ridhima, this is really bad. This isn’t you that I know. You are looking at only one side of it and you are worried about it. You should pause and think about that rat – Shrivastav. What he would have done when you slapped him on the face and managed to slip away from his hands? Do you think he could have laughed?”
Ridhima's eyes ascended to his face.
“No,” Atul went on. “He must have felt a loser. He must have felt like shit because you kicked his ass and more importantly, denied him. Why do you think he didn’t chase you afterwards? Because he admitted he can’t get you. Tell me who won?”
Ridhima's eyes continued to leak tears but she seemed oblivious of it.
“Me?”
“Yes, you! You won. And he didn’t apologise because he’s the one whose ego took a bloody hit that day. He’s hiding. Can’t you see that?”
Ridhima sat up straight and opened her mouth and took a long breath in.
“I didn’t see that. I…”
“About Maniesh you got nothing to worry. Because you’ve found out what a scumbag he is. It’s about him. It’s not about you. Forget him. And Sudhakar; he can’t even recognise me. He mistook me for your staff or something. I suggest you laugh at him and at everything he says. Next time you tell him we made love after he left. Perhaps he must be already thinking about it.”
A smile suddenly blossomed into her lips and vanished.
“I will. Surely I will.”
“Good. I promise you I won’t be pissed off.”
Atul reached for her face and wiped off tears. He sat closer and put his arm around her. Ridhima leaned to him and submitted herself into his embrace.
“It's going to be alright, I promise you.”
Atul whispered. Ridhima looked up into his eyes.
“Yes. I know.”
Atul's eyes descended from her eyes to her nose and then to her lips. He touched her cheek and ran the tip of his fingers downward and wiped a small drop of tear from the side of her lips. She parted her lips slightly; Atul saw the slight wetness of saliva between them. Atul smiled embarrassingly and looked away.
Ridhima began to move away but his arm didn't loosen. He didn't want to let her go for a moment. Ridhima touched his face too.
“What happened?”
Atul smiled.
“You are a tough woman, Ridhima. Trust me.”
“I trust only you. And I am lucky to have you by me. My only bad is it took me so long to find you. Why didn’t you exist in my life before that?”
“We can’t go back and rewrite our destiny. We have to look forward.”
“I don’t want to look forward. I want to stay at this moment.”
Ridhima's palms pressed against his chest. Her eyes shone. He saw love in her eyes.
“Please. Let me stay in your hands; let me feel like I belong to you. Please.”
Atul couldn’t look away from her eyes.
“I am here only, Ridhima. I am not going anywhere.”
 
He knew where it was going. But he had already given her the hope. He was her only hope. He couldn’t see anything else at that moment.
His face moved forward and his lips pressed lightly on her forehead. Ridhima closed her eyes and he felt her body getting softer in his arms. He kissed lightly again. And again. Each time his lips came downward, over her eyes one by one, and over nose and cheeks one by one, and then he finally he brought it to her lips. He tasted her saliva and he knew the warmth of her mouth, and then his lips refused to part from her. The kiss grew slowly and Ridhima let him explore her mouth. And then he began to slowly suck her lips. His tongue explored in and out of her mouth as the kiss intensified. They stopped in between but only to quickly go back to it.
It had begun slowly. But it had begun.
Atul's hands had begun to move along the sides of her body. Ridhima sat up and pressed her torso into him while still being kissed.
“Atul...”
She whispered when he stopped, finally. Atul looked deep into her eyes, and he saw a soul longing for love.
“Ridhima...”
He leaned forward and brought his lips again to her mouth, and this time his left hand went directly to her chest. And everything changed.
Atul pressed his palm over the softness of her breasts and very soon he unzipped her kurta from behind. It got loose and he slipped it off her shoulder quickly.
“Ridhima...”
Atul broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.
“I'm not going to stop this time,” he warned.
Ridhima was panting already.
“I don't want you to...”
It was a whisper came from her heart. Atul's face sank into her neck and soon dived into her breasts, still covered by her bra. Atul pulled down her kurta and Ridhima helped him by freeing her hands of its sleeves. Her kurta lay wrinkled around her waist. He ran his fingers along her smooth skin over her chest clad in a white bra.
“You look perfect.”
Ridhima smiled shyly, “stop staring at me like this…”
Perhaps the broad daylight embarrassed her, Atul thought.
“Take off your bra,” he said. “I want to see you.”
“Oh...”
She began to say something but Atul's hand had already reached behind her and she leaned slightly forward to allow him to unhook it. It was tough to do, especially without looking, and he couldn't unhook it even after multiple tries.
“What's happening?”
She asked.
“What's wrong with your bra?”
“Don't tell me you're a first-timer.”
Ridhima joked. Atul was embarrassed slightly but he was happy to see her being able to joke about this. She was back into her witty self.
“This is getting funny...”
He said.
Ridhima began to reach behind her to unhook it herself, but Atul had already put his hand inside her bra cup to pull out her soft melons. He pushed her down on the couch and sucked on the nipples.
“Mmm… worth it.”
He quipped after a quick suck. Ridhima laughed shyly. She pulled up her kurta to hide her breasts.
“I am shy. There is too much light here,” she complained. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”
She added and Atul hesitated. Ridhima grabbed his arm quickly.
“Atul…”
Atul looked at her.
“Make love to me, please.”
Atul smiled and gave her a quick kiss. “Of course we’re going to make love. Don’t embarrass me.”
Ridhima laughed. She was happy. She was stupid. She was frank. And she was lovely. Atul sat up and pulled her pyjama and panty down. He saw her neatly trimmed love centre, opening for him. She made no attempt to stop him.
Atul took a look and then went all the way down to put his mouth into the triangle. Ridhima was taken aback, startled, perhaps at the sudden shift of an emotional yet reluctant lovemaking into a sexual encounter with unbridled lust. She let out a hiss as Atul's tongue found her clit and spoke a deal with it. He sucked her inner lips, flicked his tongue inside her, and sucked her even more. Ridhima breathed harder, and her breathing – especially her exhalation – became noisy. And then she cried, “Atul… please… please… I can’t take it!”
Atul got up and knelt between her, spreading her legs wider, with his right knee on the edge of the sofa. He pulled down his pants and took out his erect pole. Ridhima had her eyes shut, and Atul went down, with a soft push he went inside her. He saw her soft belly quivering, and she grabbed at the top edge of the backrest of the sofa. Atul adjusted himself a couple of times and then began to drive into her comfortably. He hadn’t felt how erect he was until then and suddenly he felt he was longing for it since long. His mind went back to the night he had taken her for dinner for the first time, and he remembered him dreaming of making love to her. Atul still had the vision of Ridhima coming down her apartment in a white and navy blue sleeveless sheath dress that ended right at her knee and how hot she had looked then. And he remembered all the many moments in which he could have mated with her but instead chose to restrain himself.
And she was lying here, finally, welcoming his manhood with all the love and affection in the world. Even her husband wouldn’t have got this much love. Atul felt blessed and he felt loved. At that moment, he didn’t think about Anvita.
He pushed down harder into her, and the spring action inside the sofa made her jerk up in response. The squeaking sound of the sofa almost made up for the lack of noise from Ridhima. She seemed to be the silent type in bed. Her eyes were closed, lips partially open, and quivering with each time Atul stuck in his dick deep into her. Atul put his left hand under her back and straightened his left leg and began to pound hard. It felt so good and perfect and very soon he was on the edge.
“I am going to pull out.”
He grunted, breathing heavily. Ridhima opened her eyes, “no! You don’t have to. I am safe…I mean I am the safest… I can show you my reports if you insist…”
Her self-deprecating joke made Atul giggle honestly, and he let it flow into her.
He felt his dick throbbing inside her and shooting a huge cum load inside. He panted and it came to his mind how he had been doing it in the past, letting himself drain completely. When he was done, when he pulled out his semi-limp dick, he was apologetic but Ridhima's cheerful eyes made him happy for letting it go.
He got up and pulled up his pants and smiled at her.
“I am so happy,” Ridhima said, adjusting her clothes. Atul sat with her and she got up reluctantly. “I need to go to the washroom, I think…”
Atul laughed. “Please. It’s your home, don’t be shy!”
Ridhima laughed shyly and ran to her room.
 
When she returned, she desired to see a photo of Anvita. Atul showed one on his mobile phone. Ridhima was astonished.
“Oh my god, she’s so beautiful.”
Atul saw her eyes turning wet.
“What happened?”
He held her in his arms as if to comfort her.
“She’s…she’s…I can’t believe I brought you to this. She doesn’t deserve this.”
Ridhima cried.
Atul felt for her. It was his tears that were coming through her eyes, he felt.
“It is not your fault, Ridhima. It is your destiny. I am here because I am in your destiny.”
Ridhima stared at him.
“I don’t know how to thank you. Promise me you’ll never tell her about me. I don’t want to give her even a hint of what I have done to her.”
“She will never know.”
“I will never…” She paused and sighed. “Look at her beautiful face. Like an angel. She’s so young. You are also young. I should have thought about me.”
Atul shook his head sideways. “Why are you comparing? I had told you this the first day we met. You are a perfect woman. That’s why I am here. Beauty comes from inside. You are beautiful from inside and outside. Open your eyes. I am the one who should be regretting. But I am not thinking about it. Sometimes I have no control over my life and I have to accept that. You have come to my life; I tried enough to stop you. I am done with that. I want you to be happy.”
Ridhima looked at him and shook her head. Atul wiped her tears.
“You have nothing to worry. I will never tell her or anyone. This is just a day in our busy lives. It should pass.”
Ridhima smiled and nodded. Still, there was a pang of sadness in her eyes.
“Come with me.”
Atul walked her to the bedroom and made her stand in front of the mirror.
“Look at you. Smile at yourself. See how beautiful you are. I can see this, why not you? I have told you this. Men go crazy for you.”
Ridhima smiled slowly.
“Yeah, I understand.”
“Do you?”
Atul stood behind her and hugged her.
“Yes. But I am not as pretty as Anvita. That never goes out of my mind.”
“Why comparing yourself with her?”
“I am no match for you.”
“I thought you were brilliant a few moments ago.”
Atul eyed at her in the reflection. Ridhima's eyes shone.
“Me? You were brilliant, actually.”
Atul looked into her eyes, through the mirror.
“Let me show you how beautiful you are.”
He lifted her kurta and took it off her. He saw Ridhima's breasts starting to rise with her heartbeats. He unhooked her bra straps – effortlessly, this time – and Ridhima protested. He held her arms down, and removed her bra and tossed it away. Her naked breasts were on full display. Her face turned red. She couldn’t look into his eyes.
Atul bent down and slid down her pyjama along with her panty, and brought it down to her ankles before making her step out of it. She stood there completely naked.
“Look at you now, Ridhima.”
Atul said, standing behind her, with his palms resting on either side of her shoulders.
Ridhima was still trying to block his view with her hands across her chest, but Atul pulled them down, forcefully. Her breasts sagged a little, but they were big enough to make Atul long for it. He reached around her and touched her nipples with his fingers.
“Your beauty makes me crazy and dumb. It’s amazing. I’m not gonna give you peace now.”
He whispered.
“I don’t want peace.”
Ridhima smiled.
Atul wanted to take her to the bed again, right away. Her beautiful slightly-fat belly trembled with her escalating breaths. Ridhima wanted to move away but Atul made her stay.
“Please.”
She pled.
“No. I want to enjoy your beauty.”
“Then get rid of your clothes too. Let me enjoy yours too.”
She said.
“Okay.”
Atul quickly shed his clothes. When he dropped his brief, his dick jumped out and stood erect.
“Wow.”
Ridhima said.
“Is that it?”
Atul teased her.
Ridhima stared at him for a long moment and then knelt in front of him, smiling.
“You are so crazy.”
She reached for his dick and her delicate fingers were soon wrapped around it. And then, she moved even closer. She brought her face an inch away from its head and then looked up into his eyes.
“May I?”
Atul caressed her cheek. “No. Don’t do this. I’m gonna tell everyone about it.”
Ridhima giggled and pushed it into her mouth.
Her mouth was warm. She took it to the back of her throat all the way and then pulled it out. His dick was now shining, smeared with her saliva. Ridhima licked her lips seductively and then lifted it a little to lick under it with the flat of her tongue, from the base to the tip. Her tongue moved delicately caressing the veins under it, and Atul was astonished at the pleasure it gave him.
“That was so good, Ridhima.”
“I am no expert in this.”
She said humbly.
“Then your skills are god given. Please use it on me.”
Atul said.
Ridhima giggled and then again pushed it all the way into her mouth.
She started bobbing her head. Atul was helplessly seduced by her.
“Oh… yes… so good… oh my… Ridhima you are so good… “
He encouraged her with words and slow pats on her cheeks. She moved her head for ten minutes and then took out and panted.
“I am sorry. My…” She wiped her lips. “It’s aching.”
“It’s okay.”
Atul bent down and kissed at her mouth. It was a big, soul-sucking smooch. Her lips had become even softer because of the nonstop rubbing with his hard penis.
“You are great.”
He said and pulled up her.
“Wait. I’ll do it with my hand.”
She offered.
“Not with your hand, honey.”
Atul said and led her to the bed. He laid her on her back and knelt between her. She was leaking profusely, he saw.
“Take me in.”
He said. Ridhima grabbed his shaft and guided him into her wet hole. Atul pushed and it went smoothly in, Ridhima let out a pleasant sound. Atul pushed again and again as if to meet the walls of her ovary. Ridhima was no more smiling. Her eyes were full of love, and he breathed harder.
“Atul…”
She touched his face and torso.
Atul lay on top of her and sealed her mouth with his; he darted his tongue into her mouth and Ridhima sucked it. He kept pounding her harder and deeper and finally Ridhima let out a moan, a scream. Atul learnt he had brought her an orgasm, and very soon he ejaculated inside her, pumping his semen deep inside her. They kissed and breathed heavily together, and when parted finally, they lay panting for long.
“If this is how you make love to your woman,” she said, “she is the luckiest one out there.”
“What about you?”
“I feel like I’ve been longing for this moment. I’ve never realised it but I do now.”
“It was long due. We were destined to end up like this. That’s life.”
 
Atul took a shower and got dressed. Ridhima had put on another kurta - a blue one with white flowers printed on it. She looked beautiful and calm. She had prepared coffee.
They sat in the hall and talked.
“You are right Atul. We are in each other’s destiny. But I have to respect you are a loving husband. I’ll never pursue you, though it’ll never forget you.”
Atul smiled.
“Thank you for saying this. I think I am gonna feel less regret about this.”
“Don’t be regretful. If I were your wife, I would have forgiven you, because you wouldn’t be guilty in front of the God I believe in.”
Atul nodded and remained silent.
“The thirst for vengeance had left me sleepless, and the inability to act was breaking me apart. But now, I am okay. You are a saviour, Atul. That’s why I feel I would have forgiven you if I were in the place of Anvita. Because I know you shared only a bodily comfort, not love. It’s charity, because the woman you gave it was longing for it, begging for it, for so long in her mind. This is what I’ve been waiting for so long. It was the best moment I’ve ever spent with a man. I…I’ll never have sex with anyone for the rest of my life. I want to live with this memory until my death. I’m going to adopt a child and find a new meaning for my life. I know you can’t love me, but I have known your care and your soul and I conceive it as your love. You had told me once there are good times and bad times. Now it’s going to be good times only. People like Sudhakar and Maniesh can’t take away that.”
Ridhima went on and on with her thoughts.
 
Atul spent the night with her, and they did not try to be intimate.
He took the early morning flight to New Delhi, and he felt absolutely normal about the previous day. There was no guilt.
Perhaps she was right. He thought. Even Anvita could forgive me.
He wondered if Anvita would ever know of it. He prayed she wouldn’t. She won’t.
 
He remembered Ankita and how happy she was after having sex with him. Both Ankita and Ridhima had perceived him as if a gift and credited him for giving their lives a new dimension. But whatever their say went, Atul had learnt a thing about women already, thanks to Leona, Neeti and Radhika: women are emotional creatures who can behave on impulses. They will tell lies; they will cheat and love at the same time.
It is not decided, it is their fate.
  
That night when he went to bed he couldn't make love to Anvita. In his sleep, he saw a dream in which demons were trying to take her away from him. Anvita was screaming for his help but his arms weren't strong enough to protect her. The demons were laughing at him as if they knew he wasn't capable of it. Atul woke up, shaken with disgust.
Suddenly he was struck with remorse. He had done bad things and he had lost the power to save her. Atul put his arms around her - yet in a peaceful sleep - protectively. It was his woman. It was who he belonged to.
It's just a dream. Atul tried to solace himself. But the effect of the horrific nightmare did not elude him even when he woke up in the morning. A dreadful outcome of his misdeeds was awaiting him, he felt. And he feared Anvita would be a victim of it, as though it was justice in a way.
 
Friday turned out to be gloomy. The thought of visiting a bar crossed his mind several times. Somehow he made it to the evening. He phoned Anvita before he left his office and reminded her about dinner. He knew she was not enthusiastic about it, and she could forget it.
“Yeah, I remember, Atul. Don’t worry.”
Anvita said.
Atul was still wary she wouldn’t hide her displeasure to Rajat.
However, she was already in the kitchen, preparing some special menu, when Atul reached home. Wearing a beautiful white and pink printed A-line sleeveless dress, Anvita looked gorgeous and as cheerful as ever. 
I cheated her. Twice.
Atul walked behind her and took her in a warm embrace. Anvita turned her head and kissed him with affection.
"Don't worry Atul. I will be nice to your friend."
She comforted him.
 
Rajat came in before eight o'clock. He came dressed perfectly as if for a formal occasion, wearing a light blue shirt and blazer, and looked really good. Atul greeted him and they sat down. When Anvita saw him, her eyes widened.
"Wow. You look dashing!"
Atul felt relieved at her response.
Rajat thanked her. "And you look as stunning as ever, Anvita!" He added.
Rajat had brought two gifts. One was a bottle of 'desi' liquor.
"It's a very special one I've heard a lot about it. I'm sorry I don't mean to gift it all to you. We'll have two tots of it, and then I'll take the bottle with me. Deal?"
Rajat asked Atul.
"Deal."
"What's in the other packet?"
Anvita asked.
"That'll be opened later."
Rajat winked at her.
 
Anvita refused to take the 'desi' drink and she opened a wine bottle for her. Soon they raised their glasses and cheered together. The 'desi' drink tasted different indeed, and Atul mentioned it.
"That's okay, but you've promised me something."
Anvita reminded him.
"I'll close the bottle after the second tot, Anvi. Leave it to me."
Rajat promised.
They proceeded with jokes and chatter. Soon Rajat grabbed the next package and handed it to Anvita.
"It's a gift for you Anvi, from an admirer of your beauty and a friend."
"What!" Anvita was stunned. "What is it?"
"It's a lehenga."
Anvita refused to take it. "What's this for? What's this occasion that I'm being gifted?"
She looked at Atul.
"It's okay, Anvi. He likes you very much. It's okay. Take it."
Anvita stared at him.
"Anvita, I know I've been making a lot of excuses about hosting you with my family for so long. It’ll compensate for that. Please don't say no. You'll hurt me."
Rajat explained.
Anvita had to take it, in the end.
"And I insist you wear it now. Please."
Rajat said.
Atul wasn't expecting this. And Anvita was not going to do it.
"There's no way I'm gonna put on this now. One, I'm really comfortable with what I am already wearing. Two, I’d like to see it myself first how it fits on me. Three, are you crazy?"
"I insist you consider wearing it now," Rajat said. "One, you look stunning in whatever you wear and I'm sure you'll be comfortable in this one too. Two, it was selected by Atul himself for me so I'm sure it'll fit perfectly on you!"
Atul was embarrassed at his revelation.
"You cheater! You said you'll never tell her about this!"
Anvita was staring at him, in disbelief.
"Yeah, but she’ll eventually know who bought this when she wears it because it is going to fit on her body perfectly. Who knows her measurements better than you? It's my only choice, bro. Please ask her to wear it."
Rajat said. Atul turned to Anvita.
"Yes, Anvi. He had selected the lehenga and I chose the correct size. I'm equally excited to see you wearing this. Please. It won't take much time. I know you'll love it."
Anvita gave him a look and took the packet and walked to her room.
"Thanks, buddy."
Rajat said. He took off his blazer and kept it on the couch. He refilled the glasses and asked Atul for ice. Atul went to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of ice cubes. Rajat was checking his phone and smiling. He put the ice cubes in the glasses and passed the glass to Atul.
"Taste it. Ice makes it better."
Atul took a sip and nodded.
"Mmm. It's better." He said and took another sip.
"About the lehenga; I've made a slight alteration as per the tailor's suggestion, but I know you'll like it."
Rajat said.
He was right; Atul saw it as Anvita walked out. She looked breathtakingly gorgeous Atul couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Wow!"
He said, mesmerised.
Rajat had altered the blouse. It was sleeveless now and its neckline was deep showing a glimpse of her cleavage, and also the waistline was raised higher than it was in the shop, hiding nothing from her midriff to navel. The lehenga suited perfectly and she looked so hot that Atul wanted to take her in his arms and express his love to her. Anvita walked slowly and stopped right in front of him.
"You happy now, Mr Husband?"
She asked, her left hand on hip. Atul was helplessly seduced. And he was nervous, all of a sudden.
"Ask him; he's the one gifted you this!"
Atul gestured at Rajat.
"No, I don't want to make him happy any more. I can see how happy he already is."
Anvita went back to her seat. Atul saw Rajat making a gesture at her with his hand, making a circle with thumb and index finger. Atul was beginning to feel dizzy, and he was embarrassed as soon as he realised it. He wasn't even halfway down his second tot, and he couldn't believe he was feeling like drunk already. The drink was working faster than any drink he had ever tasted. He took another sip as if to try to remember its taste before it was lost.
His head was spinning, then. The only thing he could do to help him was to ease in the couch, and he slipped into a dreamless slumber, unconscious of the world around him.
 
When he woke up, he was lying on the couch, his head resting on a pillow and legs raised onto the armrest. He sat up and looked around. It was morning already and Rajat was gone.
"Anvita?"
There was no response. Atul looked around again and panic began to mount. 
As a matter of fact, he noticed, the fish in the aquarium was floating on the water, upside down.
It was dead.
 

-----------000-------------