Family of Shaows

[sexonmind]

Chapter 12 final part

That evening, as Sai was wrapping up his work for the day, Rani approached him with a warm smile. "Sai, I just wanted to say congratulations on clearing the state services exam," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Sai turned to her, a proud yet humble smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Rani. It means a lot coming from you."

Rani nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. "You’ve worked so hard for this, Sai. Madam is so proud of you, and honestly, so am I. You’ve come such a long way."

Sai chuckled softly. "Thanks, Rani. It’s been a tough journey, but it feels worth it now."

Rani hesitated for a moment before continuing, her tone dropping to a lower pitch. "By the way, I noticed something earlier during dinner. When Madam praised you, Babu didn’t seem too happy. He didn’t say anything, but I could see it on his face. Your success seems to have struck a nerve."

Sai raised his eyebrows, his curiosity piqued. "Really? What did you notice?"

Rani crossed her arms thoughtfully. "He looked... unsettled. Like he was trying to hide his feelings but failing miserably. I think he’s feeling overshadowed. Back in the day, he used to act so high and mighty, treating you like you didn’t matter. Now, it seems like the tables have turned."

Sai smirked faintly, leaning against the desk. "It’s ironic, isn’t it? He always saw me as beneath him, but now, things are different. I won’t lie—it does feel a bit satisfying."

Rani playfully nudged him. "Don’t let it go to your head, Sai. You’ve earned your success, and Madam recognizes it. Let Babu figure out his own issues."

Sai’s smirk faded slightly as a memory crept into his mind. "Rani," he began cautiously, "why are you always taking his side? Did you forget the sexual remarks he made about you?"

Rani’s face grew serious for a moment, but she quickly softened her expression. "Sai, I haven’t forgotten. Those comments hurt, and I won’t pretend they didn’t. But I still remember the sweet boy he used to be. I think he overstepped, trying to act cool or something. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but maybe it explains it."

Sai looked at Rani intently, his expression serious. "Rani, I really appreciate you coming here and congratulating me personally," he began, his voice calm but firm. "But don’t think you’re fooling me with your words. I know there’s something going on between you and Babu. If you really value our friendship, tell me the whole truth. Otherwise, don’t even bother calling me your friend."

Rani froze, caught off guard by his directness. She hesitated, glancing away as if searching for the right words. Her shoulders sagged under the weight of the moment.

"Sai, it’s not what you think," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Then tell me," Sai pressed, his tone unwavering. "What is it?"

Rani sighed deeply, realizing there was no escaping the truth. She looked at Sai, her eyes filled with regret. "I had an affair with Babu," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sai’s eyes widened in shock, the weight of her words hitting him like a punch to the gut. "What?" he managed to say, his voice laced with disbelief.

Rani nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. "It was a mistake, Sai. I know that now. It happened when we were both vulnerable, and I’m not proud of it. But it’s the truth."

Sai stood there for a moment, his mind reeling from Rani's confession. Then, his expression darkened, and his voice carried a sharp edge. "Did you even think about your husband, Ashok? Or your child?"

Rani flinched at his words, her guilt plain on her face. "Sai, it’s over now," she said hastily, her voice trembling. "I broke it off."

Sai scoffed, his disbelief palpable. "Oh, really? Then explain your luxurious lifestyle—the new dresses, the makeup. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Those are gifts from your lover, aren’t they?"

Rani’s face turned pale, her lips parting as if to protest, but no words came. Sai shook his head, his disappointment evident. "You can tell yourself it’s over, but your actions speak otherwise. I don’t even recognize the person standing in front of me."

Rani dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to meet Sai’s piercing eyes. The weight of his words pressed down on her, and she remained silent as he turned and walked away, leaving her alone with her shame and regrets.

Rani straightened herself, trying to regain her composure. "These things have nothing to do with Babu," she said defensively. "They’re gifts from Purushotham sir. He’s been kind to me, helping me out in ways I can’t even explain. That’s all there is to it."

Sai narrowed his eyes, his disbelief evident. "Excuse me if I don’t believe you, Rani," he said coldly. "Even if you are telling the truth, do you think Purushotham is helping you out of the kindness of his heart? Let’s not kid ourselves. He’s only doing this because of Babu. Babu is his best friend, and you’re... part of that circle now."

Rani’s lips trembled as she tried to respond, but Sai didn’t give her the chance. "I’m disappointed in you, Rani. You’ve sold yourself, whether to Babu, to Purushotham, or to this twisted situation you’ve created. You had a family—a husband, a child. What happened to the person I used to know?"

Rani lowered her gaze, her silence a mix of shame and frustration. Sai shook his head, his expression a mix of anger and sadness, before walking away, leaving her standing there with the harsh truth of his words echoing in her ears.

That night the moon cast a soft, silvery glow through the partially drawn curtains, painting the room in a delicate dance of shadows and light. Rani lay on the bed, her breath shallow and her thoughts racing, as she felt the weight of Ashok's body pressing into hers. His hands roamed her curves with an urgency she hadn't felt from him in weeks, maybe even months. The scent of him—his cologne mixed with the faint musk of his sweat—filled her nostrils, but it was the image of Babu that lingered in her mind. Her recent affair with Babu had been a whirlwind of passion and excitement, and now, as Ashok's fingers traced the contours of her body, she couldn't help but compare the two men.

Ashok's kisses grew more insistent, his breath hot against her neck, as if trying to erase the lingering traces of another man's touch. His eyes searched hers in the dimness, looking for a spark of the desire that had once been so easy to find. Rani felt a pang of guilt, knowing that she had been distant, that she had sought solace and excitement elsewhere. Yet here she was, in her marital bed, with the man she had promised to cherish until death did them part. Her mind was a tumult of emotions—desire for the thrill of the illicit, guilt for her betrayal, and love for the man who had been her anchor through life's storms.

Her body responded to Ashok's ministrations, despite her conflicted thoughts. His touch had always been gentle, but tonight there was an edge to it, a hunger that she found both thrilling and unsettling. As he moved above her, she closed her eyes and focused on the sensations he was eliciting. It was almost as if he knew she had been with someone else, as if he was trying to prove to her—and perhaps to himself—that he could still satisfy her. She felt her own passion rising, a warm, liquid heat that spread through her core and made her body arch towards his.

The bed creaked rhythmically as they moved together, the sound a testament to the years they had shared this space. The walls had borne silent witness to their love and their fights, their laughter and their tears. Now, as they reached for each other in the quiet of the night, it was as if they were both fighting to reclaim something that had been lost. Rani felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she wasn't sure if it was from the intensity of her feelings or the guilt that weighed upon her. She willed herself to be present, to give in to the moment, to let go of the shadow of Babu that loomed over her.

But as Ashok whispered her name in the darkness, Rani's thoughts strayed again. She knew that she had hurt him, that she had betrayed their sacred bond, and she wasn't sure if she could ever truly make it right. Yet, as she felt him shudder with release, she also felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, this was the first step towards healing, towards finding their way back to each other. Or perhaps it was just another lie she told herself to justify the choices she had made. Either way, she held onto him tightly, their bodies entwined as if trying to fuse back into one, as if that would erase the secrets that now lay between them.

As Ashok's breathing slowed and he pulled away, Rani's own orgasm remained elusive, hovering just out of reach. She bit her lower lip, willing her body to respond, to give him the validation he so desperately sought. But the embers of her desire had been smothered by the weight of her guilt, and she lay there, unfulfilled. Ashok, ever the attentive lover, sensed her unspoken dissatisfaction. He leaned in, his voice gruff with passion, and asked her if she had come. She nodded weakly, not wanting to disappoint him further, but the truth hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation that she couldn't quite hide.

Determined not to let the night end on such a sour note, Ashok kissed her once more, his lips tender and searching. He slid his hand down her body, his fingers finding their way to her still-damp center. His touch grew more deliberate, more skilled as he worked to coax the climax from her that had eluded her during their lovemaking. Rani felt a shiver of anticipation as he began to rub her clit in slow, teasing circles. The sensation was almost too much to bear, a stark contrast to the frenzied, almost violent way Babu had brought her to orgasm. She closed her eyes, trying to push Babu's face from her mind, focusing instead on the familiar tenderness of her husband's touch.

With a soft moan, she finally succumbed to the sweet release that had been denied her before. Her body quivered as the waves of pleasure washed over her, and she clutched at Ashok's shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. Yet, even as she shuddered through her climax, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was somehow lesser than what she had experienced with Babu. The difference was like comparing the gentle caress of a lover's hand to the brutal, all-consuming force of a tornado—both powerful, but in entirely different ways. And as her husband collapsed beside her, spent and satisfied, Rani knew that she could never tell him the truth, that she could never fully give him what he wanted. The secret of her affair would remain lodged in her heart, a thorn that she would carry with her forever, no matter how much she longed to be free of it.

After their session as Rani lay beside her husband, Ashok, she stared at the ceiling, her mind restless and heavy with guilt and confusion. She glanced at Ashok, sleeping peacefully, his face calm and unaware of the storm raging within her. The weight of her thoughts felt unbearable as four names echoed in her mind.

Ashok. The man she had vowed to stay loyal to, the father of her child, and the one who had stood by her through every challenge. She felt a pang of guilt for betraying his trust, for the lies and the secrets that now sat between them, unseen but suffocating.

Babu. Her heart raced as she thought of him—the way he made her feel, the excitement, the thrill, the attention she hadn’t realized she craved until it was too late. Yet, there was also bitterness in how it had all ended, the feelings that lingered even though she had tried to sever ties.

Purushotham. She recalled his reaction when he found out about her affair with Babu. Instead of judging her or condemning her actions, he had been understanding, even generous. He had offered his support during her darkest moments, easing her financial troubles and making her feel less alone. His kindness was a balm, but it also added to her guilt. What did he see in her that made him so willing to help?

Sai. His harsh words replayed in her mind, stinging like fresh wounds. The way he had judged her, the disappointment in his eyes, and the sharpness of his voice. She had always thought of Sai as a friend, someone who understood her struggles, but his reaction had left her feeling exposed and ashamed. He had seen through her defences, and the reflection of herself in his words was hard to bear.

Rani closed her eyes, her chest tightening. The weight of these four men in her life—each representing a part of her tangled emotions—pressed down on her, making it impossible to find peace. She shifted slightly, turning away from Ashok, her tears soaking silently into the pillow as she tried to make sense of the person she had become.

End of chapter 12