Adultery Love Sex And War Part 1 : Age Of Darkness

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                                          (CHAPTER CONTD)

In the noon during lunch break , Meghna decided to dwelve further into her favorite couple.


"So , things have been quiet intimate with both of you huh?"

"You can say that"

"I will be honest,  I used to believe that the morning visits were a bluff and you guys were playing me. But seeing you there with him , it showed you are serious about him"

"I am somewhat serious"

"What do you mean 'somewhat'"

"You heard it right Meghna. Its not easy for me okay. A life with him in the future means wrecking a past I made with Hemant"

"You are seriously giving too much importance for Hemant right now. He should no longer be your concern"

"But he is , I have to be. You've seen how he is , how much he is different than Vikram. I had to protect him from a guy like Sandeep. Hemant is way too innocent Meghna , I cannot do that to him"

"So what? You're just gonna live a secret all your life? Let Hemant always pull you down while find warmth with Vikram in secrecy. Is that the life you want?"

"It is what I have to do now. I cannot ruin Hemant. I know damn well he loves me , when he learns this , he will shatter. And I cannot let that happen"

"Like I said , you're giving him too much importance. He runs a big industry now , I am pretty sure with the money he is making he can find a more suitable woman for him. You and Karan are better off without him"

"No Meghna , we are not. Its complicated right now. But for now lets keep this act going. I don't want to ruin anything right now"

"Uggh fine Sonarika. But this is a ticking time bomb and you know it"

Meghna walked away with some frustration as Sonarika sighed. In her alone time , Sonarika was in deep thoughts regarding the days happenings , the kiss with Vikram , her forced talks trashing Hemant. She didn't like it one bit , but she had to , she had to do it in order to keep Meghna away from the watchful eye. But her mind was fighting that duality again , especially since that kiss in the morning. It was an uncalled move but that contact funnelled the once smoldering flames life to ignite further again.

Deep in her thoughts , she knew , getting close to Vikram again is most likely a big risk. But she couldn't help it. She had to endure this , to survive , to overcome. This will be a slow battle , with each different development to make Meghna convince that Sonarika and Vikram aren't compatible.
 
The whole interaction with Vikram was a partial reprieve and partial trouble in her mind. She was glad Vikram was on her side willing to play this game of deception with Meghna. But Sonarika also knew the level Meghna is willing to go if she feels she is being betrayed again. At this moment , she understood some of the gravity of the situation. But that short moment with Vikram , his confession of his feelings. It made her realize that he wasn't the same person he was on that night in Bali. 

She could feel the overwhelming weight of pressure on her , to counter Meghna and her manipulation while at the same time to fight the addiction of Vikram. This is going to be the conflict of her life. She really wished Ragini was here but here absence made her vulnerable and weak. But Sonarika had to fight , she had to find a way to overcome all of this. There were moments , moments when she really wanted to confess to Hemant , confess to him the whole truth. But it also made her understand that Hemant will never accept this , and more than that , this truth will wreck his innocent heart. But she wasn't going to let that happen , she is firm in her stance , she is going to fight for her family. And finally overcome both the problems in her life and become true to her family.

That evening , Hemant surprised her by taking her for a dinner date. The hotel he chose was a lavish one and the table was decorated with candle lights. Sonarika and Hemant ordered their foods and had a warm dinner. Soon she asked out of curiosity.

"What's the occasion Hemant?"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean what's the occasion? You don't usually do things like this"

"Well....the thing you said in the morning resonated with me."

"What thing"

"That our relationship is just more than sex....there are other ways to express love"

"And you think an expensive dinner date is the right way to express"

"It is if you can afford , besides it is a wonderful setting isn't it?"

"It truly is"

"And its also close to our home so there is no issue with getting late"

"Sometimes I wish we could"

"I know Sona , but that is problem with Mumbai and an urban life. Do you remember our first movie date post marriage?"

"How can I forget Hemant? I was expecting you will be taking me for a rom-com movie and it ended up being an action film"

"I chose it because just like me , you were also a big fan of Hrithik Roshan."

"Sure , which is why I ended up enjoying it"

"I could not believe you were whistling in the theatre. It was so surreal seeing you do it"

"The moment demanded it , plus Hrithik looked dashingly cool in that sequence"

"That I agree"

"To me , more than the theatre experience , I cherish our personal first movie night at home"

"Of course you will , because we watched the movie after the 40 minute mark"

"Well , you were constantly looking at my tanktop!"

"That tanktop did not do a good job hiding your tankers!!" 

Hemant was startled after saying that looking around making sure no one else heard what he just said. Sonarika laughed at his talk.

"Tankers!!"

"Sorry honey , I couldn't help it. And last I remember , you didn't complain"

"I did though , the next day when I had rashes in my back due to us sleeping in that uncomfortable couch"

"Yeah , glad that you were cured of it. But they were some good days"

They ended up talking about old times , some of the little moments they shared in the past. These talks , this helped Sonarika building more will in her , this gave her strength. Even though the conflict in her was overwhelming , her resolve was getting stronger.

The next few days went in a balanced way for Sonarika. Vikram suggested to go for breakfast together near Meghna's workplace to ensure she notices it. Vikram acted his best when he noticed Meghna approaching. Both of them maintained their game of illusion hoping to convince Meghna that they are indeed together , and Meghna looked convinced , smiling seeing them and eventually joining them for lunch together.

But what surprised Sonarika was Vikram was true to his words. He never acted upon his feelings. Even now when they initially met for lunch , he genuinly apologized for kissing her on their apartment in front of Meghna. Sonarika accepted it and said to him it was wise doing that to manipulate Meghna.

But what brought great relief in Sonarika was that Vikram no longer tempted her by himself. He maintained that borders of friendship and was genuinly willing to help her. On an evening coffee date , Vikram revealed an idea for their eventual break up by declaring that he will move from Mumbai in about six months permanently to focus on his Hotel in Jabalpur and some of the main businessess of BAJAJCORP up north. He explained they can act frustrated from the relationship slowly and eventually convince that they are no longer compatible for Meghna with which in the end they can convince her that it's over. Sonarika was a bit reluctant.

"Why this approach Vicky?"

"Why not? this is more feasible Soni , this way no harm will be done and eventually we can bury everything and move on"

"I get that , but why leaving Mumbai? Is it because of me?"

"Well , the answer is both Soni. No , because I plan to takeover some more business for my family and handle them and Yes , I am moving away because its not easy for me to move on when I am around you"

"So I still bother you huh?"

"In all honesty , yes. I said I will be faithful to my words and I will be truthful to those words Soni. But the more I spend time with you , the more I feel tempted. Being with you , it was something primal , something igniting. Like as if everything was good with the world , I no longer saw problems in life but only the feeling of closeness , the thrill , the excitement. And in a way this new plan I envisioned is for us to act out our final days so that I can find closure with you Soni. So that I can truly move on"

"But can you move on Vicky?"

Vikram didn't have an answer for few seconds. His expression and the sadness in his face gave Sonarika the answer. But regardless Vikram responded.

"Honestly , this is the hardest for me Soni. I've lost my love once , and with you , I felt I was having a second chance. I was so enamored by you that I didn't care about your married status. But these few days , I had a hard time forgetting you , realizing how much you are imprinted in my heart and my body. Everytime a memory crossed in my mind about you , my entire existence reacts. But I also see the reality , my family , maybe that is the right thing for me to do. To change my perspective , focus on someplace else so that eventually , time will eventually blur away your memory from my mind."

"God Vicky , this is such a mess"

"Hey , its okay to be messy. Life is boring when its perfect. Maybe when you get old you will remember our time as a foolish memory"

"Nothing about our memories are foolish Vicky , it was.....something else"

"Hmm.....can you describe it?"

Sonarika sighed and responded.

"In a way , it was something fullfilling , like there was something incomplete about me or my life in general and then you came and you filled it."

"Oh ,  a few times I definitely did the filling , thankfully they were all on the safe days"

"Stop it Vicky" Sonarika said giggling and smacking him on his shoulder.

"So tell me Soni , on the counter way. If Hemant didn't exist and your family didn't , we would've gone places"

"Oh we would've. But definitely not to that conjusted apartment of yours"

"Its not that bad"

"Its not , but it doesn't suit you"

"Then what will , what would you see?"

"Well , if we happened without my family existing. Then your place would've been a penthouse , I would've convinced you to invest in Mumbai and you would've bought a luxurious penthouse and one day take me there for our first time"

"Oh yeah , and that first time will lead to many times , which will result in you moving in with me"

"Then I will have to take some extra time teaching you some cooking , make you somewhat of a reasonable man to live with rather than a hunk in bed"

"Then I will eventually confess my feelings and put a ring in your hand"

"Already went to the ring huh?"

"Yup , and then I'll take you north to meet my parents. Mom would absolutely love you , and then we will have our lavish wedding"

"Please no lavish weddings , I already had a terrible experience with my own which was exhausting"

"Okay , an intimate one with close friends and family. And I would absolutely love to see you in a bridal wear"

"Let me guess its something sexual"

"Of course , first night is special for that reason. You would look ravishing in that wedding attire and when we are in the bedroom I will take my time getting to know you"

"What about the glass of milk?"

"Oh we will drink it , one gulp each for you and me"

"Then what about the last gulp"

"If the last gulp lands on me , I will gulp it and feed half of it with you mouth to mouth"

"I knew it , you always gonna end it with something nasty"

"Its not nasty , its expressing my love , skin to skin. Bringing a new level of closeness with each other"

"And then what"

"Then I'll unwrap you from that attire like a gift , and then I'll let you strip me as your prize"

"And then I will pounce on you as a cat , and then we will go wild on our marital bed like wild animals. My god , everything is carnal with you!"

"Well , not exactly , you see this is our first night , so I won't be lustful but more greatful"

"Yeah , greatful for what?"

"Greatful for finally having you in my life. So I will be more interested in binding with you in everyway"

"Hmm....interesting"

"And maybe I could initiate that Tantric Sex we can have"

"Oh my god.....you're still hanginig on to that...you are unbelievable"

"Come on Soni.....its a wonderful experience and I've researched it , and judging by our moments , tantric sex could've been our next stage of coming closer together"

"Weren't we close enough?"

"Yes but in this alternate reality , we could've been closer than ever before!"

"Yeah and then what? Is our life only going to be about sex?"

"No , I'll need your help in my business. Your business mind will do wonders for BajajCorp. Then I will fullfill your wish for a space for building your own botanical garden. And then we'll celebrate each of our career successes in our honeymoon in the Madlives!"

"Maldives? That is again part of your fantasy"

"Of course , like I said , romancing you in a bikini. Enjoying sex with you in an isolated beach , it has always been my fantasy. Hell , even our Bali trip was concieved to fullfill that fantasy"

"Was it?"

"Yeah , in our last day , I was going to take you to a private beach there. It was an isolated place. There I would've made love with you. In the sand , completely nude , to show the world that you belong to me!"

Sonarika was in a trance this entire conversation until the Bali trip was mentioned. She soon broke their intimate talks with some reality.

"And then you ended up becoming a despicable bastard and blew it all up on the second night itself!"

Those words made Vikram come back to reality. To realize whatever they shared right now , they were just an alternate life , a dream shared on words , not a possibility. And Vikram was sad understanding the reality right now.

"Yeah , I just had to ruin it for us. If only there was a rewind in life button"

"Many people wish that , but its not possible. What's past is past"

"Yeah , that is why I only keep the good moments in mind so that there is hope for future"

"Good thinking Vicky , good thinking"

That conversation in a whole clouded Sonarika's mind for a bit. Talking about the what if's and the alternate life made her understand Vikram as a person more. He was more open , more engaging in a more friendly way. But that intimate conversation , it showed her Vikram's still repressed feelings for her. And deep down , she felt her own vulnerability , a part of her wanting to be a part of his wordplay , be a part of his alternate life , and live those blissful moments.

But then images of Hemant and Karan flash before her eyes and she would realize living those blissful moments means loosing her own place,  her identity , her place of calm.

                                                                                                                               (CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)