by Varsha Dixit
Like she and I are the only ones in this world. And her scent. Vanilla and honey.
Kabir’s nostrils flared to take a deeper whiff of her perfume. She too was aroused; he could feel it in the way her pulse raced under his fingers and how her lips parted for him. It was sheer madness, but right at this moment, he wanted nothing more than to taste her.
Kabir dipped his head, brushing lips again with Aisha. He felt her gasp on his lips. Intense anticipation tightened his muscles. She was all woman—soft and sweet.
As Kabir went to deepen the kiss, she backed away.
“Stop! What are you doing?” She kept retreating from him.
Kabir studied her eyes, wide in panic, and her heaving chest.
Did I read the signs wrong?
“I have to go.” She ran past him. Kabir did not stop her.
#
Aisha ran in the direction of the waiting taxi. She lurched in her rush to get away.
What the hell is wrong with me? How could I let the man touch me? We kissed. I’m certifiably insane!
“Wait! Hold up!” Aisha heard Kabir call out.
She did not stop.
A hand wrapped itself around her elbow.
Aisha turned, surprised. Kabir was quick.
“Come for the shoot tomorrow. I’ll give you the personal tour.” He insisted, his other hand lightly trailing over her chin.
“You won’t even recognize me.” Aisha scoffed, hating the way his light touch was making her sound breathless.
“I will remember your voice. I don’t forget things even if I want to. My mind is mapped that way.” Kabir was now a dark silhouette, thanks to the moon and clouds playing peekaboo.
Shoot!
Aisha tossed her head to the side, making Kabir drop his hand. “Maybe. Goodnight! Thanks for the beer.”
“I’ll take that.” Kabir took the beer bottle from her limp hand.
“Oh!” Aisha had forgotten all about it. “Thank you. I have to go now!”
Getting in the cab, Aisha directed the driver to take her back to the hotel. She saw Kabir watching her—an enigmatic shadow in the darkness.
#
“Strange woman.” Kabir murmured as a thoughtful smile curved his mouth. A part of him wanted to see her face and another did not. What if they both disappointed each other in the unforgiving light of the day?
The darkness is an apt cover for hiding, and no one knows how to hide better than me.
On his way back to the villa, Kabir tossed the beer bottle into the trashcan Aisha had thrown the shoe.
The beer landed on top of the soft litter inside and rolled to the side. The single plum shoe with the silver flowers was gone.
Chapter 11
Next morning around 11:00 am, Aisha approached Kriti Villa again from the beach.
Her stomach knotted worse than necklace chains dumped carelessly in a drawer. It had all to do with her weird encounter with Kabir.
Just thinking of him, Aisha felt her stomach flutter. His spicy scent, the feel of his soft lips and rough hands made her legs tremble.
Playing mom, the lady of the house, completing her own education and writing courses, pursuing a secret obsession and long hours at work did not leave Aisha with much time for love. She could barely squeeze in some time for friends.
Aisha smoothed her hair touching her earrings—today blue and green infused with glass work that matched the green of her long skirt and contrasted with her fuchsia top.
“What the heck!” She groaned, noticing the crowd of bystanders. A few policemen and private security staff held them off.
“Excuse me! Move! Excuse me!” Using her elbows, Aisha pushed and got pushed back but somehow, she managed to reach the front. She spotted Kiara easily—standing tall against the pier railings, her head flung back, a sheer white see-through knee-length shift under which she wore a shimmering gold one-piece. Her hair was styled in a stiff afro, and her face was made up in shades of silver and gold.
Oh my! Aisha gawked at her niece.
Aisha had never visited Kiara at work. She had seen her pictures in magazines and billboards but seeing Kiara all professional in person was something else.
A few other stunning models sat, stretched, and posed around.
No one comes close to my Kia!
Aisha felt pride tug at her heart. Kiara was the centerpiece of that composition.
“Kiara, move a bit forward, slightly to the left.” A woman behind a camera shouted through a megaphone.
Kabir stood next to the woman, tall and focused, studying the image on a monitor placed in front of him. Aisha tried not to stare, but she couldn’t draw her gaze away from his mop of dark hair.
I’m still nursing a hangover from last night . . . on him. Damn!
Metallic clinking noises broke out on the pier.
The models screamed and stepped back hurriedly.
Aisha saw Kiara’s startled expression and heard her surprised shout. Kiara tottered and then disappeared from view.
In a blink, she was gone.
Aisha felt her heart explode in fear.
“Kiara!” Aisha pushed the cop in front of her. She ran as fast as her legs could propel her.
Please, let her be okay! Please, please!
Kabir and some production people were ahead of Aisha. Everyone headed for under the pier.
Aisha sprinted around the scratched and weathered damp pillars that supported the wooden walkway. Her feet kept sinking in the wet sand, but she kept moving.
She spotted the small group of gathered people. “Please move, please move!” Aisha saw Kiara sitting half up, wincing in pain. Aisha dropped to her knees next to her. “Oh my God, are you okay?”
Aisha ran her hands over her niece’s body.
“Boo! What the heck are you doing here?” Kiara stared at Aisha like she had seen a ghost.
Aisha ignored her questions, relieved to see no blood or bones popping out of place. Her eyes clashed with Kabir’s who was helping Kiara sit up. His dark eyes were fixed on Aisha, a thoughtful frown on his forehead.
Shit! Did he recognize my voice? Aisha moved her eyes away.
“Seriously, Boo! What are you doing here?”
“Are you okay, Kia?” Aisha cupped Kiara’s face, her voice husky much like the night before.
“Boo? This is your aunt!” Kabir scowled, tilting his head in surprise.
“Yes, this is my aunt.” Kiara voiced, her mouth lifting a little.
Why are they talking about me? Why is he surprised? Aisha touched Kiara’s foot.
“Ouch!”
“Sorry!” Aisha murmured.
“You said she was old.” Kabir voiced, irritated.
“I did not say that. You assumed it.” Kiara retorted even as she shifted on her bum.
Oh, for goodness’ sake! Aisha got to her feet.
The few people gathered around them gave her room. She gestured for Kiara to stand up.
“What?” Kiara glanced at her.
Aisha gestured her again, keenly avoiding a biting pair of eyes that were staring at her.
“Why aren’t you talking, Boo? What’s wrong with your voice?”
“Yes, please tell. What’s wrong?” Kabir shifted, his elbow on his knee as he glared up at Aisha. “Last night you were talking just fine.” he accused, not a sliver of doubt in his voice.
Shoot! Aisha clamped her mouth and color flared on her cheeks. She winged him a brief guilt-ridden glance.
Kiara jerked her head back. “Yesterday? What are you talking about, Kabir?”
Aisha exhaled and went into the damage control mode. “Nothing, Kia. Last night I came looking for you. I bumped into him and that’s it. I went back; it was late.”
Aisha refused to look at Kabir.
“Kiara, do you think you can stand with support?” Kabir ignored Aisha.
Kiara nodded, doubtful.
Kabir lifted Kiara’s arm and put it around his shoulder. “I got you. Try to get up.”
&
nbsp; Kiara put her hand on the ground and tried to get up. “Ow! My foot, I think it is twisted. Look at it. It’s all red and swollen around the ankle.”
“Let’s get you to a doctor first and out of these stupid clothes.” Aisha snapped.
Someone in the crowd handed Aisha a long terry robe. “Thanks!” Aisha helped Kiara put it on, her expression brisk but her touch gentle.
Kabir took Kiara’s weight and helped her stand up in a fluid motion.
“Let me look at you fully!” Aisha murmured. Lowering her head, she walked around Kiara ignoring her niece’s eye roll.
“It’s just her ankle!” Kabir barked at her.
“You are a doctor?” Aisha mocked. Her guilt at duping him was minuscule when compared to her concern for Kia.
“Stay still, Kiara!” Kabir bent and swooped Kiara in his arms.
Aisha felt something curdle inside her. Kabir and Kiara walked out from under the pier.
“Boo!” Kiara called, forcing Aisha out of her inertness.
Chapter 12
Kabir took long loping strides to the villa. Anger fueled his body to move faster despite the tall human he was carrying. A muscle ticked in the side of his cheek. The scent that came from behind him only added insult to his bruised ego.
Yesterday night’s five-minute encounter had lingered in his mind most of the night and today morning.
Kabir was the kind to roll out of bed the second his eyes opened, whether he was alone or not. But today morning he had stayed a few minutes in bed, shifting his dark head in the soft goose down pillow, watching the pale golden sunrise over a gray ocean. The white curtains at the side of the open window fluttered like a woman’s veil.
In that breeze, he had imagined the face of the mysterious woman he had met last night on the beach. The features he had given her had been delicate, sweet, and kind, matching her lilting, graceful voice.
But now, that image had shattered like a crystal flung on the floor.
She is a fraud and a liar. And a germaphobe. Crazy woman!
Kabir’s lip curled and his eyes narrowed.
“Sir, here! Here!”
One of the production guys pulled forward a chaise. Another had an ice pack in his hand.
Kabir lowered Kiara carefully on the chaise. “Are the others all right?” He asked Amee, detesting how aware he was of the dark-haired woman pouring herself over Kiara, all the while speaking soothingly in her gentle voice.
“Yes, everyone is fine. I sent the models back to the house.” Amee replied.
“It is so surprising. The railing seemed fine in the morning. I leaned on the spot myself.” Vikas mumbled, smacking his head.
“Last night, I too—’ Kabir paused.
From the side of his eyes, he noticed Kiara’s aunt still for a second. He knew she too was thinking about their meeting.
“Let’s go and see it.” He began walking toward the pier, trailed by Amee and a few others from production.
“What about a doctor for Kiara?” Kiara’s aunt’s voice stopped him.
Kabir turned to look at her and felt some satisfaction when the woman wouldn’t meet his eyes. Her gaze was skittish. Good! You should feel guilty. “Vikas, call Christin!”
“I already did, Boss. Dr. Christin is on his way.”
“Anything else?” Kabir asked the aunt tersely.
She snorted but did not say anything, and just went back to pressing the ice pack against her niece’s ankle.
“Sorry, forget to do the introductions.” Kiara said. “Kabir, this is my aunt, Aisha Khatri and Boo, this—’
Kabir spun around and walked away, not waiting for Kiara to finish.
“He’s like that only.” He heard Kiara say. He did not hear the aunt’s response.
So, the liar has a name. Aisha! Nothing unique about it, just like her.
Kabir reached the spot where the railing had come apart. Getting down to his knees, he studied it. A sharp acidic smell lingered there.
“She is lucky to not have broken her neck,” Amee said over his shoulder.
Kabir paled as he stood back up. The mere thought of another dead woman caused him to feel an excruciating tightness in his chest. Panic flooded his bloodstream and his nostrils flared as he breathed from his mouth, feeling a lack of oxygen.
Kabir treaded quickly to the edge of the pier to hide his sickly expression and racing breath. His hands were sweating. He discreetly wiped them on his jeans and wrapped his shaky fingers around a wooden post, staring out at the ocean.
Kabir took deep calming breaths.
“The railing was cut purposely!”
Kabir kept his back to the woman who, until a few minutes ago, he knew only by voice.
“I said, the railing was purposely sawed off. Did you not hear me?”
Kabir exhaled sharply and turned around. “What?”
Aisha’s eyes were the same as Kiara’s. Right now, they were accusatory. “I said the rail—”
“I heard you the first time.” Kabir retorted and walked back to his team.
He heard her footsteps trotting behind. “Look at the metallic dust and wood shavings under the railings. The wind did not blow it all off. Also, the remaining ends smell of cheap glue.”
So that is what the acidic smell was!
Kabir stopped abruptly. “What are you? A cop?” He snapped at the woman whose head reached no further than his shoulders. He noticed a strange expression flit across her face.
“No, I’m observant.” She paused and added after a thought. “And concerned. Very concerned.”
With that, she pivoted and walked away toward Kiara.
Kabir watched her stiff back, and then he glanced at the broken railing. Going closer, he squatted down, studied the spot, and sniffed the edges. Vikas squatted next to him.
“Fuck. She is right.” Kabir exclaimed.
Chapter 13
Aisha joined Kiara who was sitting on the chaise. A young crewmember held an umbrella over her and another pressed the ice pack to her ankle.
“Are you going to tell me what is happening, Boo? What are you doing here?”
Grumpily, Aisha took the ice pack from the man. “I’ll do it. Thank you.” She pressed it lightly against Kiara’s ankle. “Why do you think I came here? You can’t just take off like this! Dad and I were so worried.”
“Dada is fine with this. He trusts me to make my own decisions.”
“If this is such a great decision and you are so confident about it, then why the hell didn’t you tell me?” Aisha shifted the ice pack, which was now slippery.
“Because I knew you would overreact. And look how wrong I was!” Kiara jeered.
“Do you even know who this guy is? This Kabir? He is a k—”
“Did someone order a doctor?” A cheerful voice interrupted them.
Getting to her feet, Aisha turned in the direction of the voice. A man in his thirties, wearing a bright floral print shirt and jeans and holding a weathered leather bag, stood there.
“Finally!” Aisha waved at him.
“Dr. Christin or Chris, at your service. Who am I treating, the model or the younger sister?” The doctor asked, staring at Aisha
Aisha could not help a surprised laugh. “The model. And I’m the aunt.”
“And I’m fine. It’s not a fracture, just a sprain. There is no deformity around the ankle or numbness.” Kiara protested. “Compress and painkillers, and I’ll be fine!”
“Are you a doctor who is faking to be a model?” Dr. Christin crouched next to Kiara.
“No, she is the family quack.” Aisha smiled. There was something open and charming about the Doc, unlike the other men she was recently meeting.
Dr. Chris examined Kiara’s foot, prodding it with quick fingers. “She’s right. It’s a sprain. You fall from that height and you come out with just a sprain? You are a lucky girl!”
Aisha sent a thankful glance to the sky.
“Keep icing the foot, take painkillers every four to six hou
rs. Give some rest to this foot. You should heal just fine in a few days.” Dr. Chris said.
“So, we can travel?” Aisha asked.
“Travel? Where am I going?” Kiara scowled.
“Back home to Mumbai. Where else? You can’t work now.”
“Why can’t she work now?” A curt voice interrupted.
“Exactly!” Kiara matched Kabir’s attitude.
Aisha glared at Kabir, but she addressed her niece. “Did you not hear Dr. Chris? Your ankle is broken.”
“Sprained!” Dr. Chris interjected, still squatting next to Kiara.
Aisha shrugged. “Working on that foot will only make your ankle worse. You could get disabled for life or get a permanent limp.”
Kiara covered her eyes. “And she wonders why I ran away!”
“You ran away?” Dr. Chris smiled. “From her? I wouldn’t!”
“Can I talk to you?” Kabir barked from somewhere behind.
What a rude man! Talking to a nice doctor in that tone! Aisha gave Dr. Chris a sympathetic smile.
The doctor’s expression was amused as he clarified to Aisha. “He wants to talk to you.”
“Oh!” Aisha colored even as she scowled at the ad maker. “What?” She matched his curtness.
An arrogant nod was all Kabir gave her and then walked away sharply, expecting to be followed.
“Walk of a tyrant!” Aisha muttered.
Dr. Chris egged her. “Tell that to his face.”
“Oh, I will.” Aisha started in Kabir’s direction.
“Boo!” Kiara called out, warningly.
Aisha joined Kabir who had stopped ahead, closer to the gate of the Villa’s backyard.
Kabir stopped on the higher edge of the sandy slope, ripe with boulders and stunted pale roots of plants that never grew. Aisha halted next to him, but she perched her flats on the tip of a boulder, giving herself a few inches, even if they were on-the-edge kind of inches.
“You might need a safety harness at that height.” Kabir raised an eyebrow for sarcastic emphasis.
Aisha ignored the taunt. “Listen, about Kia—”
“Kiara is contractually bound to finish the shoot. Her injury isn’t dire. All precautions will be taken. I’ll ask Chris to hang around the sets.”
Aisha’s hand fisted at her sides. She was done being told off. “Kiara is young enough to be your daughter.”
