14-06-2026, 01:01 AM
Chapter 44: Boundaries on the Beach
The kiss finally broke. Both were breathing heavily, lips swollen, bodies still pressed close against the cabin wall.
Nikitha placed her hands on Tharun’s chest and gently pushed him back, creating some space.
“Tharun… stop,” she said, voice shaky but firm. “We need to set some boundaries. This is going too fast.”
Tharun looked at her with a mix of amusement and surprise, a small smile playing on his lips.
“After that kiss… and the date… you want to put a gate??” he asked, clearly entertained.
No Tharun this is important, she said.
Alright. talk no
Nikitha said, Not now.. Not in office. take me somewhere this evening? a open place like beach we would talk there”
Tharun agreed with a nod. “I’ll handle it.”
That evening, they left the office together under the excuse of meeting a client. Tharun drove them to a relatively quiet stretch of beach just outside the city. The sun was setting, painting the sky in warm oranges and pinks. They found a secluded spot with no one around and sat on the sand.
Nikitha took a deep breath and began.
“Tharun, I like you. As a friend, as a guide, and yes… something clicked between us. But lately, things are rushing too much, and it’s heading straight toward sex. I’m not blaming you — I’m equally responsible for misleading you with the kiss and the heat last night.”
She paused, making sure he was listening.
“Please hear me fully before you respond. I’m married, and you know that. I appreciated the date and the kisses because I felt unloved for a very long time. But ‘unloved’ doesn’t mean I just want sex. I want to feel genuinely loved and valued first. I want us to get to know each other properly — talks, dates, understanding each other’s preferences, building an friendly connection. We are friends already but its vauge and based on office relation and communication, i want to know more.. I’m not saying no to physical things forever, but it should come much later — only when I feel safe and emotionally ready.”
She looked at him earnestly.
“I’m sorry for leading you on. I got carried away. But I can’t continue at this pace.”
You may question me, why you texted me t hat way? or why i appreciated all your things, i have reason its just i cant say it now.
I'm not lying, im just hiding.. because my own life has some complexities.
Tharun listened quietly, then asked gently, “Did I do anything that made you uncomfortable? I thought you enjoyed my kiss, I dont know why you are suddenly stopping.. did i oversee anything?”
Nikitha shook her head.
“No. To be frank, my relationship with my husband started only with sex. We married under a circumstance, it was a sudden marriage. There was something I can’t tell you right now, especially about my marriage, but i can say a surface level information. Thing is even though we married on a circumstance, we jumped straight into regular sex with almost nothing emotional. That hurt me back after years .
I don’t want any other relationship to begin that way. I don’t even know how serious you are about me — you have a girlfriend. So I’m keeping my expectations low.
Right now, I just need a soul to lean on. I want to experience that.
But it seems like we are stepping foot on wrong path like only sex?
Let me ask you one thing!
Do you even know my husband’s name?
My full story?”
Tharun shook his head. “No.”
“Exactly. First, know me. I want to know you. Then let’s become friends. Slowly, after we gain confidence and share our stories… if we feel we can fix each other’s lives, then we can ride on it together.
Sex… let’s see where it fits.
Right now, I’m not in the mood to entertain sex without the love or affection I want.”
Tharun was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“I can agree to no sex or anytime sooner unless you want. But if I have to wait, can we at least keep some playful teasing? Light touching, kissing, dirty talk… just enough to keep the spark alive. As part of the romantic game.”
Nikitha shook her head firmly.
“No. I don’t want even that right now.
I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression last night.
I got carried away. But I need this to start slow, or I can’t continue.”
Tharun looked visibly disappointed, but he respected her decision.
“Alright… we’ll do it your way. But I won’t hide how much I want you.”
After their serious conversation on the beach, both fell into a comfortable silence for a moment.
Tharun looked at her with a soft smile and extended his hand.
“Let’s restart this evening properly,” he said playfully. “Hi, I’m Tharun Menon. Permanent Branch Manager, occasional piano player, and someone who genuinely wants to know the real you.”
Nikitha couldn’t help but smile. She shook his hand, feeling a strange sense of lightness.
“Nikitha ,” she replied, matching his tone. “Business Expertise Lead, bug fixer, and someone who is trying to figure out what she really wants.”
They both laughed — a genuine, tension-breaking laugh.
Tharun kept holding her hand for a second longer than necessary before letting go.
“Nice to meet you, Nikitha . Shall we walk?”
They spent the rest of the evening in a surprisingly casual and friendly way. They walked along the beach, the waves gently lapping at their feet. Tharun was charming without being pushy — asking about her favorite books, what kind of music she listened to when stressed, and even teasing her about her “teacher” nickname from the old lady at the hotel.
Nikitha found herself opening up a little. She asked him about his love for piano, why he chose gaming as a career, and what he does when he’s not working. For the first time, it felt like they were actually getting to know each other — not just flirting or rushing into heat.
Later, they did some light shopping nearby. Tharun insisted on buying her a small silver anklet she had admired in a stall.
“No conditions,” he said with a wink. “Just a small gift for my new friend.”
Nikitha accepted it with a shy smile.
The evening felt refreshing — light, respectful, and surprisingly comfortable.
He dropped her home at 8 PM.
When Nikitha quietly came downstairs, she found Jay already asleep on the bed. His face looked tired. She didn’t disturb him.
At 9 PM, she went into the kitchen and quietly cooked idlis. She know he must have been hurt as his name was damaged in the office, Anjali was suspended, she doesnt want to enquire about that and want to show her care.
That’s when she noticed something was wrong. He was sleeping more than he usually used to.
She touched his forehead gently.
Jay’s body temperature was high. He had developed a fever.
Nikitha instantly melted looking at him. Despite everything ,the fights, the anger, the distance — seeing him unwell like this made something inside her soften. She sat beside him for a moment, gently placing a cool cloth on his forehead, her heart aching with a complicated mix of care and guilt. Should i wakeup him or take him to doctor.. he heart raced not able to accept him this way.
The kiss finally broke. Both were breathing heavily, lips swollen, bodies still pressed close against the cabin wall.
Nikitha placed her hands on Tharun’s chest and gently pushed him back, creating some space.
“Tharun… stop,” she said, voice shaky but firm. “We need to set some boundaries. This is going too fast.”
Tharun looked at her with a mix of amusement and surprise, a small smile playing on his lips.
“After that kiss… and the date… you want to put a gate??” he asked, clearly entertained.
No Tharun this is important, she said.
Alright. talk no
Nikitha said, Not now.. Not in office. take me somewhere this evening? a open place like beach we would talk there”
Tharun agreed with a nod. “I’ll handle it.”
That evening, they left the office together under the excuse of meeting a client. Tharun drove them to a relatively quiet stretch of beach just outside the city. The sun was setting, painting the sky in warm oranges and pinks. They found a secluded spot with no one around and sat on the sand.
Nikitha took a deep breath and began.
“Tharun, I like you. As a friend, as a guide, and yes… something clicked between us. But lately, things are rushing too much, and it’s heading straight toward sex. I’m not blaming you — I’m equally responsible for misleading you with the kiss and the heat last night.”
She paused, making sure he was listening.
“Please hear me fully before you respond. I’m married, and you know that. I appreciated the date and the kisses because I felt unloved for a very long time. But ‘unloved’ doesn’t mean I just want sex. I want to feel genuinely loved and valued first. I want us to get to know each other properly — talks, dates, understanding each other’s preferences, building an friendly connection. We are friends already but its vauge and based on office relation and communication, i want to know more.. I’m not saying no to physical things forever, but it should come much later — only when I feel safe and emotionally ready.”
She looked at him earnestly.
“I’m sorry for leading you on. I got carried away. But I can’t continue at this pace.”
You may question me, why you texted me t hat way? or why i appreciated all your things, i have reason its just i cant say it now.
I'm not lying, im just hiding.. because my own life has some complexities.
Tharun listened quietly, then asked gently, “Did I do anything that made you uncomfortable? I thought you enjoyed my kiss, I dont know why you are suddenly stopping.. did i oversee anything?”
Nikitha shook her head.
“No. To be frank, my relationship with my husband started only with sex. We married under a circumstance, it was a sudden marriage. There was something I can’t tell you right now, especially about my marriage, but i can say a surface level information. Thing is even though we married on a circumstance, we jumped straight into regular sex with almost nothing emotional. That hurt me back after years .
I don’t want any other relationship to begin that way. I don’t even know how serious you are about me — you have a girlfriend. So I’m keeping my expectations low.
Right now, I just need a soul to lean on. I want to experience that.
But it seems like we are stepping foot on wrong path like only sex?
Let me ask you one thing!
Do you even know my husband’s name?
My full story?”
Tharun shook his head. “No.”
“Exactly. First, know me. I want to know you. Then let’s become friends. Slowly, after we gain confidence and share our stories… if we feel we can fix each other’s lives, then we can ride on it together.
Sex… let’s see where it fits.
Right now, I’m not in the mood to entertain sex without the love or affection I want.”
Tharun was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“I can agree to no sex or anytime sooner unless you want. But if I have to wait, can we at least keep some playful teasing? Light touching, kissing, dirty talk… just enough to keep the spark alive. As part of the romantic game.”
Nikitha shook her head firmly.
“No. I don’t want even that right now.
I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression last night.
I got carried away. But I need this to start slow, or I can’t continue.”
Tharun looked visibly disappointed, but he respected her decision.
“Alright… we’ll do it your way. But I won’t hide how much I want you.”
After their serious conversation on the beach, both fell into a comfortable silence for a moment.
Tharun looked at her with a soft smile and extended his hand.
“Let’s restart this evening properly,” he said playfully. “Hi, I’m Tharun Menon. Permanent Branch Manager, occasional piano player, and someone who genuinely wants to know the real you.”
Nikitha couldn’t help but smile. She shook his hand, feeling a strange sense of lightness.
“Nikitha ,” she replied, matching his tone. “Business Expertise Lead, bug fixer, and someone who is trying to figure out what she really wants.”
They both laughed — a genuine, tension-breaking laugh.
Tharun kept holding her hand for a second longer than necessary before letting go.
“Nice to meet you, Nikitha . Shall we walk?”
They spent the rest of the evening in a surprisingly casual and friendly way. They walked along the beach, the waves gently lapping at their feet. Tharun was charming without being pushy — asking about her favorite books, what kind of music she listened to when stressed, and even teasing her about her “teacher” nickname from the old lady at the hotel.
Nikitha found herself opening up a little. She asked him about his love for piano, why he chose gaming as a career, and what he does when he’s not working. For the first time, it felt like they were actually getting to know each other — not just flirting or rushing into heat.
Later, they did some light shopping nearby. Tharun insisted on buying her a small silver anklet she had admired in a stall.
“No conditions,” he said with a wink. “Just a small gift for my new friend.”
Nikitha accepted it with a shy smile.
The evening felt refreshing — light, respectful, and surprisingly comfortable.
He dropped her home at 8 PM.
When Nikitha quietly came downstairs, she found Jay already asleep on the bed. His face looked tired. She didn’t disturb him.
At 9 PM, she went into the kitchen and quietly cooked idlis. She know he must have been hurt as his name was damaged in the office, Anjali was suspended, she doesnt want to enquire about that and want to show her care.
That’s when she noticed something was wrong. He was sleeping more than he usually used to.
She touched his forehead gently.
Jay’s body temperature was high. He had developed a fever.
Nikitha instantly melted looking at him. Despite everything ,the fights, the anger, the distance — seeing him unwell like this made something inside her soften. She sat beside him for a moment, gently placing a cool cloth on his forehead, her heart aching with a complicated mix of care and guilt. Should i wakeup him or take him to doctor.. he heart raced not able to accept him this way.
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