18-07-2025, 09:48 AM
(This post was last modified: 19-07-2025, 11:37 AM by Haran000. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
7. Trekking
February 23rd,
After tuition, as the last rays of daylight faded, Bharat lingered, a knot of hesitation twisting in his stomach. He watched Geetha gather her things, then, with a sudden surge of resolve, turned back and gently took her hand.
“What happened?” Geetha’s voice was soft, inquiring.
Bharat’s gaze flickered, a mix of apprehension and hope in his eyes. “Miss, I mean… I wasn’t sure how you’d react, so I didn’t ask. What did you think about what I told you?”
Geetha hadn't yet revealed her decision to Bharat. She simply offered a faint, enigmatic smile. “Well are going.”
Bharat’s eyes immediately brightened, a spark igniting within them. “Miss, really? Did Gautam sir say yes?”
“Yes,” Geetha confirmed, a hint of amusement in her tone. “We’ll go, Tomorrow evening.”
He settled back down beside her, his hand still comfortably clasped in hers, unwilling to let go of the moment. “Miss, let’s decide now what we need to take.”
Geetha chuckled softly. “What would there be? Just clothes, right? It’s only for two days.”
“Yes, that’s right, Miss,” Bharat agreed, then quickly added, “But please, no sarees or anything like that. Pack dresses.”
Geetha narrowed her eyes playfully, a hint of mischief dancing within them.
Bharat, sensing her unspoken question, quickly elaborated. “Miss, if you wear a saree, you’ll have trouble while traveling. Especially since we’re trekking, that’s why I’m saying no to sarees. You have churidars, right?”
“Hmm…” Geetha mused.
“And Miss, will you make any snacks for us to eat? For meals, we can eat at a hotel.”
“Okay.”
“Miss, uh…” Bharat began, a new hesitation creeping into his voice.
“Tell me…” Geetha prompted, her gaze steady.
“It’s just… I think we’ll have to sleep in the same room there.”
Geetha’s expression became unreadable as she stared silently, her gaze unwavering.
Bharat, suddenly aware of the weight of his words, fell silent for a moment, his eyes drifting away.
“Is there anything else?” Geetha finally asked, breaking the quiet.
“That’s it, Miss. I’ll come tomorrow afternoon. Be ready.”
“No, I’ll come and pick you up from your house, okay?” Geetha countered gently.
“Hmm… okay, Miss.”
Geetha pulled him closer, a tender gesture, and pressed a kiss to his forehead, a warm smile gracing her lips. “Puppy, you’ve studied so diligently all these days. It’s just for two days, okay? You have to study when we come back.”
“Absolutely, Miss,” Bharat promised, his voice filled with earnestness.
“Come, do you want a hug?”
“No, Miss.”
“Come on, do it.”
Reluctantly at first, then with growing ease, Bharat wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her, burying his face in her neck and rubbing his nose against her skin. A wave of comfort washed over both of them. Geetha, in turn, gently brushed his ear with her lips.
“Thanks, Miss, for agreeing.”
“Okay, go. We’ll meet tomorrow.”
As he began to pull away, a new thought seemed to strike him. “Miss, do you have a swimsuit?”
“Why?” Geetha asked, surprised.
“I mean, the lake, up there isn’t really big, just a small one. We can swim in it.”
“I don’t have one, Bharat.”
“Can you swim?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Buy a swimsuit, Miss, it’ll be great. Also, when climbing the hill, you wore a sweatsuit in Dubai, right? That would be good to wear.”
Geetha released the embrace and settled back beside him, a thoughtful expression on her face. “But it might be difficult to swim in that cold, Bharat. Is it necessary?”
“Oh, it’ll be great once we get there, Miss. Come on, buy a swimsuit right now.”
At his insistence, a mischievous smile, tinged with surprise, played on Geetha’s lips. “No, it’s okay. I’ll just wear a T-shirt and pants. It’s hard for me to wear things like that.”
“There won’t be anyone,” Bharat countered, his voice persuasive.
“You’ll be there, won’t you?” Geetha teased, her eyes sparkling.
“Oh, Miss, listen to what I’m saying. If you wear a swimsuit underneath and another dress on top, you can take off the top dress and swim for as long as you want. Then you can take off the wet suit and come down in another dress. Do you understand?”
“Oh, what a strategy he has.
He's going to convince me now.
There's logic in what he said, how can I refuse?”
“Miss, what do you say?” Bharat pressed, his voice laced with anticipation.
“Hmm, okay…” Geetha conceded, a faint smile still playing on her lips.
-
As both stepped into the bustling store, Geetha’s gaze drifting past the vibrant sportswear stall before settling on a display of swimsuits. Her eyes scanned the racks, noting the prevalence of deep V-neck, sleeveless designs with daring V-cuts at the bottom, much like those gracing the silver screen. Bharath, seated calmly by the counter, offered a silent presence.
"Excuse me," Geetha called out, catching the attention of a passing salesgirl. "Aren't there any with half sleeves here?"
"Yes, Madam, please come, I'll show you," the salesgirl replied, leading Geetha to another section.
There, she presented a selection of half-sleeved swimsuits, featuring deep round necks and boxer-style bottoms. Geetha's eyes landed on a military green one. The fabric, surprisingly thin, possessed an impressive stretch. She chose two sizes and made her way to the changing room.
Inside, the military green swimsuit glided on, one size fitting perfectly. Geetha turned to the mirror, and a silent, internal drama began to unfold.
"Uff, Geetha, is that really you?" a voice, laden with desire, whispered from her reflection. "How sexy you look! Those curves, those flaunts! You should be like this in front of Gautham; he wouldn't be able to resist. No man would be able to resist seeing your curves. Ah... I'm getting in the mood myself. Can you be in front of your student tomorrow?"
The other Geetha, the good, troubled one, responded, "I don't know, but he asked, and I agreed. I even told Gautham, and he also took pity and agreed."
The reflection pressed on, "Tomorrow, when you go there, if you feel like doing something to the boy, or if he looks at you in a way that suggests he wants to do something to you..."
"Tch... wearing these clothes, that's how it looks," the good Geetha retorted, her discomfort evident. "Should I cancel it.”
"No, don't... tease and provoke the boy by wearing this," the darker voice countered, a mischievous glint in the mirrored eyes.
Snapping out of her reverie, Geetha quickly shed the swimsuit, pulled on her salwar, and adjusted her clothes before emerging from the changing room. Her neck was damp with sweat, the internal struggle still raging within her about whether she could truly wear something so revealing.
As she approached the counter, Bharath offered her a small smile.
Later, in the car,
"Miss, what color did you get? You didn't show me."
"Green color," Geetha replied, her voice a little hushed.
"Miss, you were shy to show me, weren't you?" Bharath prodded gently.
At his words, a delightful flush spread across Geetha's cheeks. She looked straight ahead, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Upon arriving home, they quenched their thirst with water and settled down.
"Is there anything else?" Geetha asked, the echo of her earlier turmoil still lingering.
"Nothing," Bharath confirmed, the mundane reply a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts that had just consumed Geetha.
+
February 24th,
At Bharat's house, a flurry of hurried spoon-to-mouth movements filled the air as he rapidly finished his meal.
"Hey, eat slowly, why are you in such a hurry?" Susheela chided, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
Bharat barely looked up. "It's almost time for the teacher to arrive, and you cooked late today!" he retorted, a valid complaint in his mind.
"Did you pack everything in your bag?" Susheela continued, ever the doting mother. "Take those fever pills, it might get cold."
"We'll buy everything outside when we go, don't worry," Bharat dismissed, more focused on finishing his meal.
"Tell the teacher to drive slowly. Don't spend too much money that your father gave you after you leave," Susheela rattled off, a mother's endless stream of concerns.
Bharat sighed, a familiar refrain. "Miss will give money, Mom, don't you worry. We'll stay in the room above Subhash uncle's shop; even called uncle, and he said okay. Anyway, we're only staying there for one day, we'll go to the hill in the morning and then come back home, right?" He offered the last part as a reassuring thought.
Just as Bharat finished eating and washed his hands, the familiar hum of Geetha's car pulled up in front of the house. He quickly slipped on his shoes, grabbed his bag, and stepped outside, his parents following close behind.
Geetha rolled down the car window, a polite greeting on her lips. Bharat's parents, in turn, showered her with instructions to be careful. He stowed his bag in the back seat and slid into the passenger seat. Geetha, as always, was impeccably dressed in a green salwar kameez, its deep round neck and elbow-length sleeves accentuating her graceful form. High sandals completed her ensemble, and a neatly folded green dupatta rested on the small shelf in front. Bharat glanced at Geetha, and as always, his eyes sparkled with a youthful admiration. With a final wave to his parents, they began their journey.
"Miss, Mom told me to buy fever and motion tablets," Bharat began, breaking the comfortable silence. "It would be difficult if there's any problem once we get there, right?"
"Okay, let's buy them and go," Geetha agreed readily.
Five minutes later, they were on the main road. Geetha, cautious by nature, didn't drive too fast, and the new road was still unfamiliar territory.
"How long will it take for us to reach?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.
"Miss, we'll reach Venkatapuri mandal in two hours," Bharat replied, ever the confident guide. "From there, the road to the village is a bit bad, it's a one-way street, that's about forty minutes. I know the whole way, Miss, I'll tell you."
"Okay…" Geetha murmured, trusting his knowledge.
They stopped at a medical shop mid-journey, and Bharat hopped out to purchase the tablets and came back.
As he settled back into the car, his eyes drifted to Geetha, catching sight of her black bra strap peeking near her right shoulder, almost reaching her neck.
After a while, as Geetha drove, she noticed Bharat's persistent gaze at the same spot every time she looked at him. A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind.
"What are you staring at me?" she asked, a playful challenge in her voice.
He smiled faintly, a shy, almost innocent expression. That subtle smile touched Geetha, and she found herself mirroring it, a faint curve on her own lips.
"What is it?" she prompted.
"Miss… you're wearing a black bra today…." he confessed, covering his mouth with his hand as a fit of suppressed laughter escaped him.
Geetha felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She pouted playfully and, reaching out, gave Bharat's shoulder a light, teasing pinch.
"Naughty fellow… You've been staring since then…" she chided, a smile still playing on her lips.
After crossing nine kilometers, a new idea sparked in Bharat's mind.
"Miss, let's play a game," he proposed. "If you win, it's up to you. If I win, I'll ask for something, and you have to give it to me?"
Geetha, still driving, chuckled. "What is it?"
Bharat glanced at the speedometer, noting the needle resting at sixty.
"Miss, since there aren't many vehicles coming, drive at ninety," he explained, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "If a car overtakes us first, you win. If a bike overtakes, I win."
"No, it's okay," Geetha demurred. "Many vehicles go on the road; what if, you win, tell me a different game."
"Miss, look how many cars are overtaking us, will a bike go by?" Bharat countered, pressing his point. "And I'm telling you to go at ninety; there are no bikes behind us. How about I count to 100, and if a car goes first within that time, you win, right?"
While they were talking, three cars whizzed past, catching Geetha's eye.
"Hmm… Okay," she conceded, a hint of competitive spirit now piqued.
Bharat straightened up, took Geetha's phone, and opened the stopwatch app.
"Miss, ready?" he asked, poised to begin.
"Wait…" Geetha responded, her foot pressing down on the accelerator. As soon as the needle touched ninety, she declared, "Ready," and Bharat promptly pressed 'start' on the phone.
"Ten," Bharat announced, starting his count.
Geetha peered into the side mirror. Two cars were approaching from behind, along with a lorry.
"Thirty," Bharat continued, his voice steady.
She looked forward, then back again. The cars were still coming, and yes now a bike appeared.
"Fifty," he declared.
The bike was gaining. Geetha sped up even more, a surge of adrenaline prompting a slight anxiety that she quickly quelled. A delicious suspense began to build within her, wondering if he was indeed coming so fast. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly on the steering wheel.
"Sixty…"
Bike getting closer, Geetha’s fingers tightened.
“Seventy Three” Bharath pressed his voice.
Just like that, as Geetha watched, the FZ bike zipped past them.
Hearing the distinct roar of its engine, Bharat looked forward, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
"Ha… I won!" he exclaimed.
Geetha pouted in mock anger. "You saw the bike beforehand and planned everything, cheating!"
Bharat, with a mischievous laugh, feigned innocence. "Promise, Miss, I really didn't know."
"Then how did the bike that was somewhere else come?" she challenged.
"Because he was going fast," Bharat replied simply, still chuckling.
She turned her face away, looking forward, while Bharat continued to laugh, clearly enjoying his victory.
"Stop it now, it's too much," Geetha finally said, a smile fighting its way through her feigned annoyance.
"My luck is good today. Hehe," Bharat gloated.
"Hey, I'm a little tense," Geetha confessed, her tone softening. "You brought me here saying 'please, please'?"
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder and squeezed it slightly. Even with Bharat's small touch, Geetha's body registered a subtle tremor.
"Miss, if I didn't know, why would I bring you here?" Bharat explained, his voice gentle. "I just wanted to show you a nice place."
"Hmm…" Geetha murmured, a slight shift in her demeanor.
"Oh, you're changing the topic, cheater," Bharat teased, seeing through her deflection.
Geetha burst into laughter.
"Miss, you have to give me something," Bharat pressed, returning to his winning prize.
"I know what the puppy will ask for, but let's get there first," she replied, her eyes twinkling.
"What will I ask, tell me?" he persisted, eager to hear her guess.
"Hey, will you make me say it, naughty…" She looked into Bharat's eyes playfully, staring directly, then leaned back into the back seat, a comfortable silence settling between them for a few minutes.
"Miss, will there be another person like you?" Bharat asked suddenly, breaking the quiet.
Geetha felt a wave of shyness wash over her. She looked forward, a warm glow spreading across her face.
"Wh… Why?" she stammered softly.
"Miss, I want a cute girlfriend like you," Bharat confessed, his voice earnest.
She pouted, then playfully pinched his thigh.
"Ow, don't keep pinching me," he protested with a laugh.
"Then you're overdoing it?" she teased.
"I don't know, if I tell the truth, you say it's overdone," he countered, a hint of mock exasperation.
"Anyway, you have Chandana, why do you need someone like me?" Geetha remarked, a knowing look on her face.
Bharat looked confused. "What Chandana, Miss?"
"You two are very close, right?" she clarified.
"No, she's a silly girl, she always disturbs me. If Vandana comes, she comes too," Bharat complained, genuinely annoyed.
Geetha burst out laughing, a full, unrestrained sound. "What did you say, ra?"
"Isn't it true, Miss?" Bharat insisted. "I’m not liking her much. She always says, 'Bharat, draw this,' 'Will you drop me off?' I never had the habit of eating chocolates; she always bought chocolates and gave them to me, making me habituated."
As he recounted his grievances, Geetha chuckled, enjoying his honest irritation.
"Then don't you want a girlfriend?" she asked, still amused.
"Miss, I told you, she should be like you," Bharat reiterated, his gaze firm.
"That's enough," Geetha said, a finality in her voice, but a warmth in her eyes.
They turned onto the road leading from the highway into the village. The car moved away from a large tamarind tree and continued its journey.
Soon after, they entered a quaint village, turning left at the village square, going straight, and finally emerging onto another single main road. A left turn there, and they continued their drive.
After some time, having crossed a few fields, Bharat pointed ahead. "Miss, did you see that hill? That's the one we're climbing tomorrow."
Geetha slowed the car down considerably, rolled down the window, and looked.
The warm, red glow of the setting sun fell gently on her face. Fields stretched out at the base of the hill, giving way to a dense canopy of trees higher up, making it look like a jungle. As their car moved forward, the sun began to dip behind the imposing silhouette of the hill.
"It's good," Geetha observed, a sense of peace in her voice.
"Miss, if we go a little further, there's a path," Bharat continued, still pointing. "That's where we'll start tomorrow."
"Oh…" Geetha responded, absorbing the information.
Three minutes later, a clear path appeared, winding its way towards the hill and flanked by fields in the middle.
"We can park the car under the tree ahead and go," Bharat explained. "No one else comes here except those working in the fields."
"Oh, really?" Geetha asked, a hint of surprise in her tone.
By the time they passed the area with the hill, it was well past six. After driving a bit further, they entered the main village. Bharat directed her towards the temple and then pointed out his uncle's shop.
"Miss, that's my uncle's shop. Men's Cloth Store. We'll stay in the room above tonight."
"Oh, shouldn't we stop here now?" Geetha inquired, ready to settle in.
"No, Miss, let's go to the temple first and come back," Bharat advised. "If there's a line, it'll get late, and we have to go there early in the morning."
"Oh, I see, okay then," Geetha agreed, understanding his logic.
After parking the car in front of the temple, they stepped out. The crowd was sparse, and a small line could be seen through the temple gate.
"Miss, let's leave our shoes in the car and go inside," Bharat suggested.
"Yes…" Geetha concurred.
She left her sandals and Bharat his shoes in the car. Geetha took her handbag, slung it over her shoulder, and after closing the car door, locked it securely.
The air was filled with the melodious strains of temple songs, and small shops dotted the periphery.
They walked inside, and to the right of the gate, spouts offered water for washing feet.
Both of them washed their feet and moved forward to join the line. Geetha was in front, Bharat directly behind her. Seven more people soon joined the queue behind them.
"Miss, it's almost seven now," Bharat whispered. "If we wait any longer, many more people will gather."
"Yes, more people come at night for Shivarathri," Geetha acknowledged.
The line moved forward slowly, inch by patient inch. Every time Bharat moved a little closer behind her, his nose brushed the back of Geetha's neck, a sensation like a warm breath against her skin. She subtly moved forward a bit more and stood still.
After climbing two steps before entering the main temple, they found the inside wasn't too crowded.
Families were allowed in for darshan one by one. They, too, had their darshan, a brief, reverent moment, and then emerged from the temple. Once back in the car, they headed towards Bharat's uncle's place.
After getting onto the main road, they spotted a hotel. It was already past eight-thirty, so they decided to have dinner there. After eating, they drove directly to Bharat's uncle's shop.
His uncle, Subhash was a man over forty. Their actual house was elsewhere; this was purely his shop. The upper floor was still empty, not yet rented out, as it wasn't a bustling city, and the population was relatively sparse.
"How are you, uncle?" Bharat greeted him warmly. "This is our Geetha teacher."
Subhash, a picture of warmth, greeted Geetha with folded hands. "Namaste, is everything well, Madam? Does our Bharat study well?"
"Yes, he's good, Uncle, he studies," Geetha replied, a polite smile on her face.
"You're doing a teacher's job, aren't they looking for marriage alliances for you, daughter, at home?" Subhash inquired, his question innocent but direct.
As he said that, Geetha's cheeks reddened. From the side, Bharat laughed a little, barely perceptible. Geetha felt a sudden urge to hide her blushing face.
"Uncle, Miss is married," Bharat interjected smoothly, coming to her rescue. "It's been two years. Sir lives in Dubai. Miss was bored, so she came here for the festival holidays."
"Oh, really, daughter. That's good then," Subhash said, his eyes twinkling. "Okay, go upstairs," he continued, handing the key to Bharat. "Here, take it."
"Let's go home for dinner," Subhash added, inviting them. "Put your bags upstairs and come."
"Oh, Uncle, we ate outside," Bharat confessed.
"Aren't you ashamed?" Subhash exclaimed, feigning exasperation. "You came here after a long time and ate outside, you donkey…" he said, playfully hitting Bharat on the head.
"I mean, I wanted to eat," Geetha chimed in, offering an explanation. "I was hungry after going to the temple and coming back."
"Okay, daughter," Subhash relented. "I would have gone home by now; I waited for you. Well, I'm leaving, take care." He added, "He wanted a room, and I even brought water in a can, thinking one bottle wouldn't be enough."
"Thanks, Uncle," Geetha said gratefully.
"Uncle, we're going to the hill at four-thirty in the morning," Bharat informed him.
"Why to the hill?" Subbaraju asked, surprised.
"We came here to climb the hill," Bharat explained.
"To climb the hill?" Subhash repeated, a note of disbelief in his voice. "I thought you came for the festival. And why so early, it will be extremely cold. Are you two going alone?"
"Yes," Bharat confirmed.
"Okay, your wish. Be a little careful," Subhash advised, a hint of concern in his tone.
"I know everything, it's nothing," Bharat reassured him confidently.
"After you go there and come back, meet your aunt and little sister at home, okay?" Subhash requested as a final thought.
"Okay," Bharat agreed.
After Subhash left, they went upstairs. It was a large, unfurnished room. The shop shutter was downstairs, and this was simply the room above it, accessed by a door.
After putting their bags inside, Geetha went to wash her face.
"Miss, will you change your clothes?" Bharat asked, gesturing to her attire.
"No, I'll stay like this. It's different at home, right?" she replied, implying a comfort level that superseded formality.
"Okay, Miss," Bharat conceded.
Without a second thought, Bharat took off his jeans right there and put on boxers. Geetha smiled a little shyly, a soft curve of her lips. Seeing her smile, Bharat smiled shyly back.
"There's a blanket in the red bag, take it out. There's also a bedsheet," Geetha instructed, pointing.
After Bharat retrieved them, Geetha moved to take them to spread them, but he stopped her, taking the items and spreading them neatly on the side.
"It's cold, only one blanket, Geetha, the boy be next to you, bite him."
"Uh-uh, no."
Bharat turned, a little shyly, and called out, "Miss...."
Geetha climbed onto the mattress and sat down. Bharat remained standing for a moment.
She covered herself with the blanket, pulling it up to her chin.
"Come on, lie down, we have to wake up in the morning, right?" she encouraged, her voice soft.
"Hmm." He slowly sat on the bed and leaned back. She chuckled, observing his slight discomfort.
Bharat's hand was still holding the edge of the blanket, a moment of hesitation as he wondered what Geetha would say.
"Cover yourself with the blanket, won't you feel cold?" Geetha prompted gently.
"Okay, Miss," Bharat replied, and then, a bold move, he placed his hand just below her bust. He moved away a little, almost instinctively. She bit her lip, a silent reaction to the unexpected touch.
"Hug him, it's warm."
Geetha moved a little closer without lying on the edge, so her knee brushed against Bharat's left leg.
"What happened?" she asked, breaking the silence. "You're quiet, aren't you talking? Are you sleepy?"
"Miss, you're not uncomfortable, are you?" Bharat asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
She took his chin gently and turned his face towards her. She gave a small, consenting smile, a silent affirmation.
"It's nothing, okay, go to sleep, we have to wake up early in the morning," she murmured.
"I mean, really…" Bharat began, still hesitant.
She slowly moved forward and kissed Bharat's cheek, a soft, lingering touch. She smiled, and Bharat also smiled shyly in response. Geetha then put her hand inside his T-shirt and tickled Bharat's stomach. He laughed even more, a joyful sound echoing in the quiet room.
"Haha… Miss, stop it," he pleaded between giggles.
She stopped, withdrawing her hand. Looking into his eyes in the dim light, she gently stroked Bharat's right cheek.
"Miss, when Uncle said that, looking at your face, I laughed so much," Bharat confessed, recalling the earlier incident.
"Oh, I'm not really like that," Geetha said, a faint blush returning. "I was wearing a dress today, so he just thought that."
"Miss, can I lie down with my hand on you?" Bharat asked, his voice low and hopeful.
Geetha remained silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying. Bharat, taking her silence as a hesitant assent, put his hand gently under her waist. Geetha's body felt a subtle heaviness with that touch, and the trembling she had felt earlier subsided, replaced by a quiet calm.
Bharat moved a little closer and turned to his left, now fully facing Geetha.
"Good night, Miss," he whispered.
"Hmm… Good night," she replied, her voice soft in the darkness.
.
.
.
To be continued………..
Next update tomorrow.


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