My Triangle Love Story

Chapter-9

                                                                    

                                                                                   It had been an incredibly long day, filled with a lot of guests whose faces blurred together in my memory. As the hot shower poured down over my hair and shoulders,

 I couldn't help but think about Vivek's painful story. He had lost his elder brother, who was practically his whole family at that point. His first love, his first heartbreak, and his deep fear of commitment—it all came rushing back to me.

Then my cousin Teja's recounting of my so-called love story with Vivek struck me. Despite dating several girls after me, Vivek's fear of commitment had always been there. He couldn't commit to anyone else but me, even though he had once tried with another girl. That engagement broke off, and if nothing else, it was fate that brought us back together. It hadn't been long since that happened, yet he fell for me. 

His confession echoed in my ears, "I love you, Siri. I love you..."

As I stood there in the dressing room earlier, Vivek's manly fingers had brushed against my bare back while tying the knots of my blouse. Just the thought of it sent chills down my spine, even under the hot water. The memory of his touch was electric, leaving a lingering sense of anticipation and excitement.The shower washed away the fatigue of the day, but it couldn't erase the warmth that Vivek's love had ignited within me. Despite the twists and turns of our pasts, it felt like everything had led us to this moment. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I knew, deep down, that we were meant to be together.

After the long shower,  I changed into my comfy clothes.

 I had been trying to create a bucket list for the eight months left of our marriage as Vivek wanted to fulfill each item, but my mind was a blank.

Just then, Deepu and Innaya walked into my room after changing. Gowtham, Ashish, my mum, and the kids were already asleep.

"What are you doing?" Innaya asked sleepily, while Deepu silently collapsed onto the bed.

"A bucket list," I replied with a yawn. "Vivek asked me to prepare one."

"You and your weird bucket lists," Deepu said, covering herself with a blanket. Innaya nodded in agreement and joined her under the covers.

My phone buzzed with a message from Vivek: "Baby, be ready at 10 in the morning. Mom wants to meet you. Today was too hectic to talk."

I sighed, realizing I hadn't had a chance to spend proper time with his parents. "Guys..." I started to say, turning around from my study table, only to see them already drifting off.

Smiling at their exhausted faces, I set my phone aside and climbed into bed, letting the warmth and comfort pull me into sleep.

I woke up lazily and unwillingly, rubbing my eyes as the sunlight streamed through the window. "Mom, where are Deepu and Innaya?" I called out, my voice still groggy with sleep.

"They left this morning," she shouted back from the kitchen.

I glanced at the clock—past nine already. Panic set in as I realized I barely had time to get ready. I hadn't even told Mom about visiting Vivek's house today.

"Oh God!" I muttered, scrambling out of bed.

I rushed through my morning routine, and just as I was gulping down my breakfast, I heard a car pull up outside. "Mom! He's here. I'm leaving, bye!" I called, grabbing my things.

Mom started scolding me for being late and thrust a chapati roll with jam into my hands. I took it and dashed out the door, practically leaping into the car.

"You're looking elegant," Vivek said with a wide smile, his eyes reflecting my image. With no time to get ready i just picked a dress with floral pattren whatever it is, but it has a deep back neck but my loose hair is there to protect my back.

"Do I?" I mumbled around a mouthful of the roll, unsure if he understood me.

He just giggled. "And cute too."

With that, we were on our way to his house, a sense of excitement bubbling up inside me despite the hectic start to the day.

His parents welcomed me with warm hugs, their kindness and friendliness instantly putting me at ease. I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for them. 

"We have something for you," his mom said, presenting me with an array of beautiful sarees and jewelry." I don't wear these much anyway. You're the daughter-in-law of this house. You deserve this," she insisted, her smile genuine and heartfelt.

We all had lunch together, the conversation flowing effortlessly. They made me feel like I truly belonged, as if this place was meant to be my home.

After lunch, we looked through Vivek's childhood photos. He was adorable in every picture.

Now, we were alone in his room—soon to be our room. An awkward silence hung in the air, so I decided to break it. Holding up a picture of him as a one-year-old wearing only his underpants, I teased, 

"You look so cute in this!" He moved closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. 

"Am I not cute now?" he asked, his voice soft and playful. I giggled at his charming antics, feeling a flutter in my stomach. 

"You're cuter now," I admitted, ruffling his neatly combed hair.

" But you are the hottest, shall we continue, which we left yesterday", he teased with a flirty tone and mischievous look.

Being aware of what he is talking about, " What is it? " i asked trying to act as innconetly as i can.

" Yesterday......i have seen....." he stops to look at my reaction.

Panic evident in my voice, " What  have you seen?" i asked. 

He came too close that there only a breathable distance between us,  he held my waist with his right hand and my left hand with his free hand and placed on my bare back,  and started counting one............i shut my eyes, even the hand on my back is mine, the moment is electrifying enough with his deep breaths against my cheeks,he moved my hand  towards the left two.......... and then down wards.........and stopped.

I slowly opened my eyes, he planted a kiss on my forehead and took astep back from  me. " I have seen only two so far.... " he said all giggling while iam a blushing mess.

" Vivek, you are such tease....." i followed him with a pillow i lift from his bed. We ran, ran and ran until there's no energy left in us and we both collapsed on his bed.

Lost in each other's presence,  stargazing in each other's eyes.We talked about everything and nothing, the hours slipping by unnoticed.

 The chemistry between us crackled, a tangible connection forming with each passing moment.

Before we knew it, it was evening, and reluctantly, we parted ways. When I got home, the house was quiet except for the sound of my mom's TV serials.

 She looked up and asked, "How was it? Comfortable?"I nodded, lost in my thoughts, as I texted the girls.

" Yeah, " i answered her absent mindedly while entering my room.

 The day had been more than comfortable—it had been perfect. 

 I don't know if iam turning superstitious or i was like this in my past but there is a slight discomfort feeling in my heart or head i don't know, while everything is going well actually perfectly alright, but it's like missing a piece of puzzle  even after completing the puzzle. With all this thoughts running in my mind i drifted into a nap which actually turned into a full fledged sleep.