I'm All Yours

by Madhumitha Lakshamanan

  I held her wrist. "I am really sorry for what I did! And I would never put you through it again, I prom-"

  Just then, she silenced me by bringing her fragile finger to my lips. "Never promise," she said and she left to the kitchen, clearing all the dishes.

  I was completely horrified. "What do you mean I should never promise?"

  "Simple! Cause you never keep one!" she replied.

  "What promise didn't I keep up? Enlighten me!"

  "You said that you would be back in two weeks, but it took you almost three weeks-"

  "It's just two weeks and four days!" I defended myself.

  "Fine, but, it was more than two weeks. And second, you promised me a dinner! Didn't you?" She raised her eyebrow.

  I laughed at her complaints. She was really cute.

  "I am damn serious." she said.

  "Oh yea?" I pulled her into my arms. I felt her curves against my body. I felt her smooth, bare and petite waist for the first time and it took all in me to stop myself from kissing her senselessly.

  "Yea!" she said, trying to keep a straight face and struggling to get freed from my arms, but I held her.

  "You want to have a dinner with me when I am a pain in the ass?" I asked.

  "You want to have me in your arms even when I get on your nerves?" she retorted, biting me back with her words.

  "Fine! I give up!" I couldn't find an escape now!

  "That is like my good husband." She chuckled and I joined in.

  "Dinner, this Saturday!" I whispered in her ear and left to the bedroom to grab my things.

  I decided to wait for her so that we could drive to office together. I really wanted to spend time with her and make up for the last few weeks. I missed her so much!

  In twenty minutes, I saw her coming towards me and her expression slowly changed from aligning her saree to looking at me surprised.

  She wasn't like the other nagging wives. She was one of a kind. She was all mine!

  "Didn't you leave yet?" she asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  She looked mind numbingly beautiful with her usual light makeup and tied up hair.

  "Ohh..err.. I was hoping if we could go together today!"

  She rolled her eyes

  "Hey! I am serious!"

  "Of course you are!" She laughed again, wearing her sandals.

  "Come on, Shakthi!"

  She smiled. "I should be the one returning with you and not some random woman!" she demanded.

  "Of course!!" I readily agreed and led her to the car park.

  My car soon came to life and I started driving.

  "Can I ask you something?" she asked doubtfully

  "Yea! Go on!" I encouraged.

  "You suddenly made a dinner plan and asked me to come along with you to the office and all! After the 'no Gautham' episode for the past three weeks, this is all just making me over think the entire thing. I know you asked me to trust you, but I just feel like you are doing all this to hide something from me.”

  "Fine! Keep it the way you want," I snapped.

  She just infuriates me at times!

  "Gautham, look! I thought it was better to clear it off rather than just over thinking things."

  She actually had a point. I was the one who left her to suffocate in this house and my sudden gestures are just making her anxious. It was totally natural for any woman to think that way.

  "I am really sorry, Shakthi!! I was really mad that you didn't trust me. But now, I totally understand. I am sorry." I apologized.

  She smiled and looked away.

  We reached office, and we stepped into the empty elevator. It was just me and her.

  I was standing, with her almost bare back in front of me which was slightly brushing my chest. "I wanted you to come with me to the office because I wanted to be with you!" I whispered, bending down to her ears.

  She looked back up to me and made contact with my eyes. "Not bad!!" She smirked.

  Just when I was about to peck her on her cheek, the elevator dinged and my best friend Karan stood at the doorway.

  Shakthi left us at that floor, after giving me her dazzling smile that made my morning even more beautiful.

  "You have fallen for her!!" I heard Karan state.

  "What??"

  Chapter 21-His touches

  Gautham's pov

  "You have fallen for her!!" I heard Karan state.

  "What??" has he gone crazy?

  "You have and don't you try to deny!"

  "No, Karan! It is pure nonsense!"

  He rolled his eyes!

  I care for her. She was such a sweet person to be with! I missed her presence during the last few weeks. But, love will not be the way that I would define my relationship and being committed to a person takes so much effort and love, and at the moment I was totally not ready!!

  "Karan! You've got it all wrong!"

  "I just saw the way you looked at her, so don't give me that crap!"

  Just when I was about retort, the elevator dinged and we moved to my cabin.

  I know that he was about to shoot so many questions and especially after my long disappearance, there was no doubt on it!

  ***

  Shakthi's pov

  Lunch time soon arrived and I decided to go to cafeteria.

  Just as I entered, I saw Gautham and the man, whom I saw at the elevator before I left them, were sitting together.

  It looked like they were friends. I really didn't want to interrupt. So I silently went and bought my food. I chose a corner table and started to munch on my sandwich.

  I finished it quickly and just when I was about to leave, I felt a strong hand tug my wrist, pulling me hard.

  I closed my eyes tightly due to the sudden jerk, but soon I felt my hands grabbing well-toned abs for support.

  I know this familiar feel!!

  "Did I scare you?" Gautham asked

  "Of course not!! No one dares to touch me!" I said boldly.

  "Except your husband!" That made my nerves tingle.

  "Not even you!" I said, pushing him away with my finger.

  "You can't be sure of that!" he said, pulling me into his arms.

  "Gautham, people are watching!" I pleaded.

  But suddenly, out of the blue, he pulled the hair tie that held my hair together, making my hair fall down over my shoulders. Audacity of this man!! "Suits you better!!" he whispered, giving my hair tie back.

  When I was about to comment on his rudeness, I heard a person clearing his throat.

  I quickly came out of Gautham's embrace and fixed my hair. It was the elevator guy again.

  "Sorry to disturb you guys!" he said politely.

  "No problem at all!" I tried to hide my embarrassment.

  "Your sorry isn't accepted! Why did you disturb us?" Gautham asked him.

  That guy laughed. "Because, you were all over your wife and everyone is watching!"

  "Whatever!!" Gautham shrugged it off.

  I felt like hiding under a rock. "By the way, he is Karan!" Gautham finally introduced him.

  "Hi Shakthi! I’ve heard a lot about you."

  "Uhh...Hi!" I stammered. “How come I didn't get to see you at our wedding" I asked, trying to make a conversation.

  "Cause your husband didn't allow me to talk to you!"

  "Karan! You know it is not that!" Gautham interrupted. They had a silent eye assuring conversation. What was that all about?

  I felt odd standing there, in between the best friends!

  "I just have some work! Will catch you both later..Yea??" I asked.

  "I will wait for you in the car park!" Gautham said and I smiled assuring him I would also be there. I was really taken aback that he still remembered even these small little things.

  "Bye!" Karan said and I left the cafeteria.

  ***

  The day at office soon came to an end and just like Gautham had promised, we drove together.

  As soon as we entered home, I crashed on the couch, relaxing when
Gautham had gone to answer his call.

  "Shakthi??" I heard him call me.

  I opened my eyes to meet his.

  "Yea??"

  "I need to go now, I will be back soon!" he said, picking up his car keys.

  Now this frightened me. Would he return home or was it going to be a repeat of the last three weeks??

  "I hope that it won't be a repeat of the previous weeks?" I probed.

  A hint of hurt crossed his features. "Of course not! It is my friend and he needs help, so I need to go! Don't worry!!" he assured me and left.

  After relaxing for a bit, I went to freshen up. I had a nice shower, wiped myself dry and wrapped a towel around my body. Just when I went to grab my pajamas and t-shirt, it hit me that I hadn't done the previous weeks' laundry!!

  Now there were no proper night clothes for me to wear. The only alternative was to wear the lingerie nighties that Tanya had forced me to buy during my wedding shopping. All of them were skimpy and how could I even wear them in front of Gautham!

  When I was standing in front of the wardrobe, choosing which was the least revealing, my phone buzzed.

  It was a message from Gautham and it read, 'don't make dinner for me! I will be late!'

  Now I can wear this without getting scared.

  I chose a black satin two piece nighty. The inner piece was sphagetti strapped, stopping two inches above my knee and the outer piece was a black robe which ended at my knee. It looked fairly decent when I looked into the mirror.

  "I will hit the bed before he could get home!" I mumbled to myself.

  I made a nice dinner and enjoyed it, watching my favorite episode of The Vampire Diaries.

  Now it was almost quarter to ten. My eyes started to droop. I sleepily walked to the room and just when I was about to settle, the room's light came to life and it wasn't me who switched it on!

  Gautham, how could he get back so soon? I should have gone to bed earlier.

  I slowly turned to meet his gaze. I tried to have a bold face like the dress I was wearing didn't matter at all!

  But, I became more aware of the state I was in. His eyes roamed over my body and finally met mine. They carried pure lust which scared me!

  "You're home??" I said, trying to shift the mood.

  "Hmm" he said and slowly neared me until I felt his well-toned chest grazing my back.

  I felt his hand on my stomach, pulling me closer to him.

  He slowly gathered my open hair and laid it on one side and his fingers and brushed my neck in this process. The touch was electric.

  His fingers caressed my cheek which was easing my tension. He nuzzled at my neck which tickled my nerves. The touch was utterly foreign. But I kind of started to like it.

  Soon I felt my robe come undone and pool at my feet. I wanted to surrender to him. I wanted to enjoy this and it was mouthwateringly blissful.

  He slowly turned me, making me face him and pressed our bodies together. A different feel started to stir in me as he left a trail of kisses from my ear lobe to my collar bone. It was a feeling beyond heaven when I felt the touch of his lips on my skin. My legs were becoming jelly and my knees were becoming weak that I couldn't actually support myself.

  Fireworks exploded when he started to apply pressure on the area between my ears and neck with his lips. I grabbed a fistful of his silky hair and suddenly I felt his teeth on the same area and it sent me jerking in pain but soon he started to kiss the same spot making me moan in pleasure.

  His fingers roamed on my skin and I slowly felt him removing the strap.

  That was when a hard realization hit me. What was I doing? How could I give into the physical desire so soon? I had to keep it under control! Why is his touch making me go wild? This was just not right!

  "Gautham!!" I cried out under my breath, pushing him away

  Chapter 22-Sexual Tension

  "Gautham!!" I cried out under my breath, pushing him away.

  Panting, he turned on his heels and walked towards the washroom. He turned to face me. "I am sorry!" he mumbled and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Don't you even know to control yourself!

  He was a dangerous lustful drug and I needed to keep my hands to myself.

  I picked up the robe lying at my feet and covered myself.

  I tucked myself under the comforter.

  I closed my eyes pretending to sleep.

  The bathroom door unlocked. The sound of his footsteps neared me and I felt the bed dip.

  I peeked through my duvet to check if he was asleep, but he had his back to me. It hurt but I immediately shrugged off the feeling.

  Worried he no longer liked me, I somehow forced myself to sleep.

  ***

  I woke up at five in the morning, unable to get back to sleep.

  I got up, stretched and looked at Gautham who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

  I tiptoed to the washroom to do my morning routine and the laundry.

  I strolled to the kitchen to make myself a cup of Milo. I enjoyed every bit of it and it seemed even more soothing after the sleepless night.

  I peeked outside the window the climate was blissful. I badly felt the need for yoga.

  I changed into my sports bra and shorts, tied my hair up in a messy bun and carried a floor mat to our private terrace. Yoga under the rising sun was too tempting.

  I laid the mat on the floor and started doing surya namaskar.

  I continued doing the other asana that I had learnt during my school days.

  I felt the knots inside my stomach come undone with every passing minute.

  Time flew by and soon I felt the warm heat kiss my skin. It was wonderful to feel the glowing light rays of the sun on my skin that made me relax.

  I was doing chakra asana which required me to lift my upper body up from the floor, facing the ceiling with the support on my hands and feet and the posture was like a half wheel.

  When I was about to release it, I heard Gautham's voice, "Shakthi!!" I slipped, but one of his hands caught my bare stomach and the other supported my spine.

  I landed on the mat feeling my back slowly hit the floor.

  He sat on his knees next to where I was lying down. I took in long deep breaths to calm down.

  "Are you alright??"

  I just couldn't calm myself down with his hand still on my bare stomach, making my nerves tingle.

  "Yes!!" I gasped audibly and my breathing turned erratic.

  "Are you sure??"

  I rose up from the mat. "I am fine!" I folded the mat and left the terrace as quickly as possible.

  I rushed into the room and locked it behind me! He was such a gentleman today; it was just my hormones that were all over the place. If this was going to prolong, it was going be really hard for me to be around him.

  My phone buzzed, it was my friend from high school who moved away a long time ago, Ashika.

  Her message actually took me by surprise. 'Care to meet me?'

  'Are you in Chennai?' I texted back, I was super excited.

  'Yes, honey!' wow!

  'Sounds good! Time and place, your call.'

  'Now, at eight, hotel Waves, Chrompet, room number 404. I am leaving tonight! So you better not refuse' She wants me in an hour? She must be insane!

  'Done!' I replied and went for a shower.

  I changed into some casual clothes, grabbed my wallet and car keys and left.

  Did I forget something?? I had this weird feeling that I was forgetting something. My phone. I thought about going back to get it, but I’d only be gone a couple of hours.

  ***

  My time with Ashika was well spent. I enjoyed every minute of it. Talking to her felt really like an escape from the reality.

  Before I knew it it was six, and my cue to leave before I was late for dinner which Gautham was preparing.

  I reached home, after driving through heavy Saturday night traffic. I unlocked the front door.

  There was no sign of Gautham.

  "
Gautham?" I kept calling as I walked to the bedroom.

  My phone rang. I followed the ringtone to find my phone, lying on the bed.

  I picked it up and it was my brother, Arun.

  I answered it. "Hey Arun!!"

  "Shakthi!! Where were you?? I have been trying for so long!!" he panicked

  "Hey! Relax! I just went to meet my friend."

  "Shakthi, It's Dad! Come to City Hospital!"

  "What??” I felt tears running down my cheeks.

  "It is nothing serious, Shakthi! Just make it soon!" He hung up.

  How I wish Gautham was here to support me! Where had he gone?

  ***

  My heart kept beating faster as I parked my two wheerler at the hospital. I inquired for my dad at the reception and they guided me.

  I saw Arun standing near the staircase. "Arun!! What happened??" I felt my legs shiver.

  "Hheart attack" What? But...

  "You told me it was not serious!" I cried, holding him by his collar.

  "Shakthi, relax! It's okay!" Just then, I heard Gautham's voice and he tried removing my hands from Arun's collar.

  "You, stay out of this! This is none of your business!!" I said, pointing my finger at him. My emotions were heightened.

  "You didn't answer any of my calls today and stop scolding the man who saved our father!" Arun defended Gautham.

  "It's alright Arun! She is just upset!" Gautham said.

  "Can I meet dad?" I asked Arun.

  "In a few minutes!" he answered.

  Soon the doctor arrived and Gautham went to talk with him while I moved into the ward to meet my dad.

  The sight killed me! It was the second time I was seeing him like this! My mom was sitting next to him, assuring me with her eyes that my dad was fine. I was happy to see her strong and not an emotional mess like me.

  I started talking to dad and he kept assuring me that he was fine. I controlled my tears in front of him, not wanting to make him sad.

  "Shall I go and get you dinner, Dad?" I proposed.

  He nodded. I came out of the room and mom followed me while Arun went to take my mom's place in the ward.

  As soon as I came out, I hugged my mom, breaking down.