Pure Passion

Part 17

As the morning sun rays warmed up the couple who were sleeping in each other's arms, woke up to the sound of the cry of the sea gulls. They both watch the rising sun on the yacht and wish each other goodmorning by kissing each other. Romeo? she calls out to him lovingly...ahem... clearing her throat she asked him do you really have to be an escort? I mean you can do something else also naa?Why? asked Romeo with a smile...feeling jealous? Kalpi blushed and replied no not jealous just possessive! I feel as if you are only mine! Romeo was surprised at hearing this from his Juliet! He smiled and said what if I am unable to earn enough for us! I will earn too! And we will make it enough for us! I will be happy with you anywhere Romeo! But I want you all for me! I am being selfish no! Your fault! I told you dont spoil me!!!!Really? He looked at her with a mischievous smile biting his lip! Uhhh there you go! Please dont do that it makes me go...R: What? makes you what??...asked Raghav raising one eyebrow and giving his one of the most charming smiles. Nothing! said Kalpi blushing and said I need to change and went to the bedroom with Raghav at her heels!Back there Kalpi wanted to take a shower and Romeo wanted to join her. At first she was hesitant but thinking how he had handled her last night she just couldn't say no to him! I am getting addicted to this guy she thought! Am I in love with him? Or is it just cos he has been a strong support system for me?What is this exactly? I should be sad right now with my whole life crumbling into pieces and here I am shamelessly enjoying the company of this man who has not left any stone unturned to bring back a smile on my face and helping me in coming out of my trauma. Every time I meet him I feel stronger I feel better I feel confident! What has he done to me? But do I see a future with him? Is it even the right time to think of a future for myself when my present is in a mess! She recollected his words from last night! Prem needs his friend right now!What about me? I too had needed my friend! He was the one to kill our friendship! Oh Prem why did you scar my soul!?? Why did you not trust me? As soon as they came out of the bath she saw Romeo with his phone when she went paranoid ...why did you take the phone? What are you doing with it? Cant you wait for a few minutes? At first Romeo was taken aback with her outburst! He did not really relate to it! Where is this coming from?Kalpi's thoughts ran ...Oh God did he take my pictures? Or any video? Oh no! How could I trust him like this I should have checked the room?Raghav realised her fears etched on her face. He walked upto her and gave her the phone...here check it if you want..I...I dont think I could ever do anything that cheap! A wave of relief washed over her and she sighed out aloud however quickly spotted a glint of disappointment on Romeo's face! Oh no he must have thought I doubt him...She shut her eyes and slowly opened them with fresh tears forming in them.She walked upto him and snuggled into his arms hugging him and apologised...I am so sorry I had no intention to hurt you I was...I dont know what came over me... Its ok Jul...Raghav kissed the top of her head...I know now where that came from...you are still to recover from the feeling of being betrayed and are finding it difficult to trust people around you... Its not that you dont trust me...its like now you dont trust your fate that anything good like me could happen to you, right?Kalpi smiled, there! He does it again! He makes me smile and forget my worries... Thank you Romeo! And you can call me Ka...No please I dont think you are ready yet! I like to call you Juliet and will do that! I will tell you my name too. But I think you have already too many things on your mind. So lets keep this for some other time. For now lets have some breakfast..They parted with a heavy heart and he dropped her home.

Kalpi stood in front of the door for about almost 20 mins. She didn't know how to hndle things from here. She felt she did not belong here! Breathing deeply she rang the bell and the door creaked open. She entered and looked at Prem this time carefully.

She could see the guilt ridden face bloodshot red eyes...he was crying the whole night maybe, his nose too had turned red...his hair was in a mess and he looked as if he would just throw up... Her heart went out to him... She wanted to hug her best friend and stepped closer to him with open arms when she realised what she was about to do. She turned immediately and walked into the house to her room. Prem almost thanked his stars when he saw Kalpi with open arms coming towards him but then felt shattered when she retreated! I have nobody other than Ash! Kalpi kept lying on the bed, her mind crowded with various thoughts! she kept getting flashes of things that has happened to her in the past few weeks...her being upset with Prem, Aai baba leaving for Nasik, her meeting Romeo, the time they spent at the beach...her joining the office and the time she spent with Romeo and then Prem's truth being revealed and she being heartbroken and then last night on the yacht!She was upset with her life but she was wondering that were these few weeks really that bad! For every bad memory Romeo had gifted her some truly amazing and beautiful memories!For every deceit she was healed by Romeo, every time she broke into pieces Romeo turned her into something new and beautiful! All in all she really couldn't complain could she?After all till when would she have been closed in this small world of Prem, Aai and Baba? Even if Prem had loved her and were not a gay she would have got frustrated over a period of time...She recollected Kamla's words:Jo bhi hota hai ache ke liye hi hota hai! Whatever happens, happens for good. If God closes a door then he will surely open another for you!Kalpi sat up on the bed thinking if she should forgive Prem finally or not! After a lot of thinking a tiny smile crept over her lips, after all if it would not have been Prem she would have never met her Romeo!!! It was Prem who had forced her to spend time with Neetu aunty!If Prem had yielded to her seduction the other day, she would have never thought of Romeo again and would have given her marriage a second chance! For all the wrongs he had done knowingly or unknowingly he had finally done something right! After all how many women can have a guy like Romeo in their life. She was lucky to have him and his unconditional love for her had impressed her! She too felt the same for him. She was not bothered if her were a gigolo or whatever his past was! She just wanted to be with him forever. Materialistic things never mattered to Kalpi so his worry that he would not be able to take care of a family was just too much! She heard some coughing and that brought her back to earth! Wondering why is Prem coughing she went out. She realised he has not had anything since yesterday she went to the kitchen, made some coffee and brought it to him. Here drink this and you will feel better and turned around to leave when Prem tugged at her hand!He fell on his knees and wrapped his hands around her waist. Please Kalpi you are very important to me dont ignore me! You are my best friend and I have been a b@$%@#d to you!I am so sorry! I really love you Kalpi you are my best friend!Kalpi could no longer see him like this. She freed his hands off her waist and sat on the couch and asked him to sit and have his coffee. Prem wiped his tears and started sipping it. He looked a bit boyish with all that crying and stuff! She felt bad for him. Atleast she and Romeo could meet anywhere but maybe Prem and Ash would have found it difficult!hmmm so how is ur Ash? What is his real name? Prem raised his eyebrows and looked up while sipping his coffee. He sniffed, cleared his throat and replied, his...full name is Ashley...Ashley D'Silva! He is from Goa!Goa? But I dont remember you ever going to Goa Aai never let you go anywhere alone!Hmmm Remember we had an official trip to Daman and Diu? and I was away for 2 weeks?Hmmm replied Kalpi trying to remember...Yes and Aai was very upset with your office! Yes! Well we had just gone for a week. The seminar had ended in one week and we all were to come back home but me, Rohan, Ajay and Mukesh all went to Goa!Kalpi was impressed! Prem you lied so well? And you did not even tell me about this escapade.I thought you will feel bad because after marriage I had not taken you anywhere! And we met in a restaurant there.So how does it work in your case? Is it same like how a boy and girl get attracted randomly or you first confirm if he too is...uhm like you!?I dont know Kalpi! I told you it was all new for me too! I had drunk too much that night and was trying to reach my room when I passed out near swimming pool but it was Ash who took me to my room and waited with me there whole night! We decided to go around for a few days sight seeing since he knew all about Goa and I felt this strange pull towards him. I used to like when he used to look at me smile at me or give me even a little attention! On the last day we hugged and felt something more..one thing lead to another and soon we were kissing and I realised that...Kalpi did not want to hear more, she cringed...and said...Uh I got it! thanks!So you say it is better than what we used to have. Prem was surprised to see this Kalpi who was discussing things so openly with him. You do know right it is so insulting for a woman when her husband is not interested in her but another man!!! Prem closed her eyes and said for the last time I am sorry Kalpi!She laughed hysterically! Prem thought she has gone mad! First she had vanished and away the whole night, morning she comes back, then she makes coffee for him and talks to him nicely and then taunts him and now she was laughing at him. He felt humiliated!You think all this is funny and we dont have feelings?No...ha ha ha...no its not that...ha ha I just imagined Aai's face when she comes to know the truth!What!!!??? How could you Kalpi? You are being rude to me! And Aai will die if she gets to know this. Oh no she wont! She is much stronger than you think! By the way where are they? Shouldn't they be here any time now?Kalpi I am nervous! I really dont know how to handle this.Simple Prem tell her your preferences have changed and since people in India will insult her and her family he thought it better to leave the country with the man he loved!Its not that easy! Well then talk to baba first maybe he can help you!

Time passed and Kalpi couldn't believe she was being normal with Prem teasing him, making fun of him!!!

Sooo is he really good!///!! Prem took her by surprise! Must be! He's probably an expert!Kalpi blushed and then laughed... how do you know we went that far she asked! Are you bluffing me??? I know you since you were a kid okay! Just like you can read my face I can yours! I did think you had someone in your life but did not expect you to be so daring!!! Were you not scared! Naa I was but I couldn't just resist him! Tried but couldn't! And now if I am talking to you it is because of him. He was the one who made me realise that you need ur friend now!You ...You trust him? He sure seems to be a nice person as not many can relate to people like me! Does he look good!?Now I am not telling you that as I dont want you to take him away from me!!!! Kalpiii!!!! yelled Prem and she laughed. Both the friends reconciled and one could hear the peals of laughter which had probably gone lost in the past few years! Now there seemed no pretence nor any tension! They were just friends and life seemed much easier!After some time Kalpi asked Prem what he thought are Aai baba going to do about it? Prem replied I have already filed for divorce n since now it will be mutual it should not take much time.Ya but will we get it by next week? You will be leaving right?Hmmm...You think Aai will let us divorce? asked Kalpi hesitantly! I dont know Kalpi, I just informed her that maybe I wanted to leave you and she made a big hue and cry at home and Baba had to interfere...so I am not sure but enough is enough she must realise we are no longer kids and we have our right to choose.Do you think they will keep me with them or will I have to move out! Prem was shocked to hear that!! Why would you move out Kalpi! This house is yours as much as it is mine!!!! You are as much of a daughter to them as much I am a son to them! Why would you say that?And office? Prem replied you and Rohan can manage that!In the evening the atmosphere grew tense as both Prem and Kalpi were having butterflies in their stomach thinking of Kamla's reaction!!!
What is all this nonsense???? How can this be???
And if it is true then it is all my fault! My fault that I made him spend all his time with Kalpi!!! I should have never brought her home!!! All because of her he has become like this!!!!
Kalpi looks on looking as if Kamla has gone mad!
Prem shouts:::: Aai are you even listening to what you are saying????
Kamla holds Kalpi's arms jerking her and shaking her...its all because of you my son has become like this! You are a Panoti!!!
Sataaackkk!
Kalpi had closed her eyes expecting a slap from Kamla as she had raised her hands but she did not feel anything and Kamla's death grip on her arms too had gone.
She opened her eyes to see Kamla lying on the ground holding her left cheek with eyes wide open. Vitthal had slapped her Aai??!!!!
DONT YOU DARE TOUCH MY PRINCESS! SHE ALREADY HAS BEEN WRONGED ENOUGH!
DONO MAA BETE NE MILKE ZINDAGI BIGAAD DI MERE BACHHI KI!!!
Vitthal's roar was ear deafening and he had a murderous rage in his eyes. Kamla dare not even mew in front of him now as she was sure he would not mind killing her!
Vitthal held his hands together and stood in front of Kalpi! Maaf kar malaa baala maaf kar mala...(Please forgive me my child forgive me!)
Its my mistake I should have controlled her long back but I thought you children liked each other and hence agreed to marry but never knew my own son would cheat us all!!!
Prem was in tears, Kamla in shock and Kalpi stood numb!She could not feel anything. Have I turned into a stone??? Why am I not feeling bad that baba is asking me forgiveness or that Aai has been slapped or that Prem is choking on his tears!
Why??????She stood like a statue devoid of any expressions!Its ok baba! I think we must let Prem do what he wants!Kamla stood up again and went to Kalpi again shaking her holding by her shoulders! Do you even realise what you are saying Kalpi?Do you know how the society looks upon a divorcee? Prem is mad but what happened to you? And what will we say to everyone why did you both divorce? Prem has brought disgrace to me and I dont want to see his face ever again but then what about our status in the society?This time Kalpi looked at Kamla with disgust... What? Did I hear right Aai?You are talking about Prem your dearest! Never once did you hug me or love me in childhood like you did to Prem and today you are ready to disown that son of urs? For what fault? He is my culprit and I forgave him but he has always been a great son! Then why Aai? Society? Where did that come from?Yet if you want I can stay back but I am sorry to say that the divorce will happen! Prem needs freedom from this unwanted relation and so do I and I will give him what he needs.Kamla slops into the couch holding her head! Devaaa give them brains!!! What are they talking! Vitthal Please!!! tell them!Vitthal irritated asks Kamla to shut up! He looks at Prem and Kalpi and asks them have you both decided. Is this your final decision?Dont you want to meet Ash? Asked Kalpi looking at both Aai and babaThey both were stunned at the ease with which she handled the entire thing! They never expected her to turn out so strong. Suddenly they felt this is not their Kalpi! She has changed! She has turned into something else!!!!