The Weeping Stars

Denial

Isha's shared her bed with many of her toys. All of them were unceremoniously dumped on the ground, as Indra went on to demonstrate that her childhood days were over. Gathered against his fast beating heart, Isha realised she has pushed him too far. Her protests were lost under his plundering lips. Her hands were clasped around his shoulders, testing their hardness. His hands were everywhere. 

Past and present meshed into a continuous thread in Isha's consciousness. She was back in that rain-drenched evening, or was it by the lake. Her body had treasured his touches with delicate care and now demanded more. Her body responded to Indra's touch like a flower responds to sunlight. Her denial was rendered meaningless as she responded with equal fervour. Each kiss lasted longer, each caress encouraged further exploration. 

It was becoming very clear to Indra that if he did not stop now, he will not be able to stop at all. He did not intend it to go so far. She was still someone under his care. Vulnerable and innocent. And so sweet.

Her small hands were over his heart, as his were spread out over her uncovered breasts. Both paused briefly to check each other's heartbeats. They were beating together, at a very fast pace. At that very moment, staring deep into her eyes, Indra realised Isha held his heart in her hands. He was in love with her, completely and irrecoverably. The realisation acted as a bucket full of cold water. He abruptly left her and returned to his seat. From the corner of his eyes he could see Isha gather herself together. Was she crying?

'I am sorry'.

It was not clear who was more surprised to hear that. Isha was in a daze. Isha was expecting a smug smile, or maybe a sneering retort, but not an apology. 

Indra looked up with honest, clear eyes.

This is not why I came to your room.

Isha could see that he meant every word. She was still struggling to regain her composure.What is happening to her? How does he have so much power over her? Or is she a fallen woman.

Indra took a step towards her, trying to tell her something, anything to wipe that guilt from her face. 

'Don't look so serious! What we did was a natural reaction. We share a great chemistry'. Even to Indra this sounded hollow. What they shared was more deep, more earth-shattering.

'In other words, animal instinct, right?' Isha asked in a flat voice. 'I hope it satisfied your male ego. Go on tell me. Tell me that I am a loose woman. But I am not in fault.'

Indra did not want to go there. He could not admit he lost control, that Isha has so much power over him. He will deal with it later, when he is alone with his thoughts in his dark room.

'I came to ask you where did you find this book?' 

The sudden change of topic was unexpected. The book in Indra's hand looked familiar. She hesitantly approached Indra and took it from his hands, carefully avoiding touching his fingers. It was the book she had borrowed from the Mullicks. She had not seen it for a while. 

'Where did you find it?'

'That's another story for another day. Where did you find this?'

Indra's cold voice sent a shiver down her spine. Why is this book so important? Isha tried to recollect what she had read. A hand on her shoulders interrupted her thoughts. 

'Answer me.' The whispered command had the power of a shout. 

'The Mullicks,' Isha blurted,'I found it in a pile of old books they were throwing away'.

It was not clear if the answer satisfied Indra. His hold did not relax, and he seemed tense, and a bit pre-occupied.

Isha was puzzled. 'You have the same book in your library' 

Indra eyes snapped back to attention. 'How did you know?'

'I saw it the day I came to see the library.' Indra turned away without comment. He started moving towards the door. Isha blocked his path. 'What's going on?'

Indra seemed to be making up his mind about something. 

'I promise to tell you about it later, but for now you have to promise me something. You will not mention this book to anybody, especially Nitin.' Indra voice hardened.

'Stop meeting him. Make some excuses. Exams are coming up in the school. Get busy with those.' The mutinous look on Isha's face made him soften his command, 'its for his and his family's safety. I will explain later.'

Isha stared at his departing back with her mind completely muddled. Her simple life has suddenly becoming too complicated.