Forbidden Desire of Shalini - The Awakening

[shellyshalini]

Episode 13 : The Looming Interruption

The door clicked shut behind them, and I stood alone in the living room, my body still tingling from Rupam’s touch. The scent of his skin lingered on my lips, and I pressed my thighs together, savoring the ache he had left behind. I took a deep breath and walked to the bedroom, slipping out of the nightie and into a simple cotton salwar. I needed to look normal before Rohan returned.

An hour later, I heard the front door open. Rohan's familiar footsteps echoed through the hallway. I quickly smoothed my hair and walked out to greet him, a practiced smile on my face.

“You’re back early,” I said, taking his bag.

He nodded, his face tired but relaxed. “Long day. Listen, I need to tell you something.”

My heart skipped. Did he know something? But his tone was casual, routine.

“I have an outstation trip day after tomorrow,” he said, settling onto the sofa. “Just one night. I’ll leave in the morning and reach home next evening. Can you pack my bag? Just the essentials—clothes, toiletries, the usual.”

I nodded, keeping my voice steady. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

Excitement flickered inside me. Bikram’s plan was falling into place. But then Rohit added, almost as an afterthought, “I’ve called Aruna aunty. She’ll come stay with you while I’m gone.”

My stomach plummeted. *Aruna aunty.* My mother’s sister. The news hit me like a cold wave.

“But… why?” I asked, my voice strained. “She’s taking care of Rajib uncle. He’s so sick—why disturb them?”

Rohan shrugged. “I don’t want you alone in the house. You know I worry. Aunty can manage for a night. I told her I’d call her tomorrow to confirm.”

I bit my lip, my mind racing. “I can manage alone, Rohan. Really. I’m a grown woman.”

He looked at me, a hint of concern in his eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel unsafe.”

“I’m sure,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “But if aunty wants to come, I won’t stop her. Let her decide.”

Rohan nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll tell her it’s her choice. If she can’t make it, I’ll trust you to handle things.”

Relief washed over me, but it was fragile. I knew Bikram wouldn't be pleased.

The next morning, I packed Rohan’s bag with practiced precision—neatly folded clothes, shaving kit, a book for the road. Every few minutes, my eyes drifted to the window, watching for Bikram. He arrived around noon, a small brown parcel tucked under his arm. He didn’t mention it, and I didn’t ask. But I noticed the way he kept it close, hiding it in his room when he thought I wasn’t looking.

At dinner, Bikram sat across from me. We ate in comfortable silence until Rohan excused himself to take a call. Bikram leaned closer, his voice low.

“I’ve managed everything on my end,” he said. “Rohan told me about Aruna Aunty, you need to make sure Aruna aunty doesn’t come. Call her tonight. Tell her you don’t need her.”

I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. “I can’t do that. She’s family. If she wants to come, I can’t tell her not to.”

Bikram’s jaw tightened. “Do you want our night or not?”

I looked down at my plate, my heart pounding. “I’ll call her. But I can’t force her.”

Later that night, alone in my room, I dialed Aruna aunty’s number. She answered on the second ring.

“Aruna aunty, it’s me. Rohan said he called you about coming to our home”

“Yes, beta,” she said, her voice warm but tired. “Rajib is not well. The chemo has drained him. If he gets a bit better, I’ll come. Otherwise, I’ll have to stay here.”

I closed my eyes, a strange hope blooming in my chest. “I understand. I hope uncle gets well soon.”

I placed the phone down slowly, the click of the receiver echoing in the silent room. My heart hammered against my ribs as I replayed Aruna aunty's words. *If Rajib gets better, I'll come.* I closed my eyes, a strange prayer forming on my lips—a prayer I was ashamed to utter. I wanted my uncle to stay weak, just long enough for me to have this one night.

I lay there in the darkness, my body trembling with a mixture of guilt and anticipation. Sleep came fitfully, my dreams filled with shadowy figures and whispered promises. When I woke, the first pale light of dawn was filtering through the curtains.

A knock on my door made me sit up. "Shelly? Are you awake?" Rohan's voice was muffled through the wood.

"Yes, Bhaiya. Coming."

I pulled on a simple kurta, my fingers clumsy with nervous energy. I opened the door to find Rohan already dressed, a small bag slung over his shoulder.

"I'm leaving early today," he said, his tone brisk. "The outstation trip is confirmed for tomorrow. I'll need my bag packed by tonight."

"Of course," I said, my voice steady despite the wild beating in my chest.

He nodded and walked toward the door. "I've called Aruna aunty again. She's still unsure. Rajib uncle's condition hasn't improved." He paused, looking at me with a hint of concern. "Are you sure you'll be okay alone?"

"I'll be fine," I said, forcing a smile. "I have my studies to keep me busy."

He squeezed my shoulder and left. I stood at the door, watching his car pull away, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The house felt different now—charged, electric, waiting.

I packed Rohan's bag with meticulous care, folding each shirt as if it were a ritual. Every crease of the fabric seemed to whisper promises of what was to come.

I busied myself with the household chores, but my hands kept straying back to my phone, anxiously checking for any messages from Bikram. That was when I noticed a text he had sent earlier—one I had completely missed in my distraction: "Has Rohan left? Come to my room."

My heart did a sudden, violent flip. I smoothed down my kurta, took a steadying breath, and walked down the hallway. When I reached Bikram's Room , I opened the door to find that Bikram hadn’t left yet.He was standing right there, his tall frame completely filling the space. His dark, intense eyes fixed on me instantly, burning with a quiet fire that made my knees feel incredibly weak. He was wearing nothing but a simple white shirt and dark trousers, but the sheer command in the way he carried himself made even the plainest clothes look powerful.

"Good morning... and sorry, I missed your message," I said, my voice barely dropping above a breathless whisper as I stepped inside.

He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over me. "Good morning." His voice was low, rough, as if he hadn't slept. "Alone?"

I nodded, shutting the door behind him. "Rohan left early. He'll be back late tonight."

Bikram's hand found my waist, pulling me gently against him. I felt the heat of his body, the solid wall of his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat. His lips brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"Tomorrow night," he murmured. "Just you and me."

I trembled in his arms, my fingers clutching his shirt. "Aruna aunty might still come."

"Then we make sure she doesn't." His hand slid up my back, his fingers tracing my spine. "I've taken care of everything else. You just have to do that for us"

A laugh escaped me, nervous and light.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering. "Now, let's talk about tomorrow night."

He guided me to the living room, his hand never leaving my waist. We sat on the sofa, the air thick with unspoken words. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch, holding it up with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"A gift," he said. "For our night."

My hands trembled as I took it. I loosened the drawstring and pulled out a delicate silver anklet, each tiny bead catching the light. It was beautiful, simple, intimate.

I looked at him, my voice catching. "Bikram..."

He took the anklet from my hands, kneeling before me. He lifted my foot, his fingers warm against my ankle, and fastened it carefully. The tiny bells chimed softly as he set my foot down.

"You're mine tomorrow night," he said, his voice low and possessive. "And I want you to remember that every time you hear these bells."

I bit my lip, my heart swelling with a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. "And what if Aruna aunty calls to say she's coming?"

His eyes met mine, dark and unyielding. "Then we'll find another way. But I promise you, Shelly—nothing will stop me from having you."

I looked down at the anklet, the silver glinting against my skin. The bells whispered secrets of pleasure and surrender. I knew, in that moment, that I was already his. The only thing left was to wait.

And the waiting was the sweetest torture of all.