Amor Fati - Our Love, Our Fates [COMPLETE]

Part 32 - Sublime

We are all mortal until the first kiss and second glass of wine - Eduardo Galeano

Sunday Evening, Rohini's Apartment

Rohini was bored. She stared at the rainfall outside and wondered when it would stop. Though she loved rain, yet this incessant rainfall was getting on her nerves. Further, she had to go out to get her grocery.

Removing her glasses, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had been working on a project since her return from her Dad's place; they had a presentation on Tuesday, and Madhukar Nayak wanted the project to be theirs.

Her phone pinged. It was a message from Nikhil. She smiled as she read the message - Don't work so hard.

How do you know? - she typed back

I know you. You are a workaholic ... 🙂

Am not ...

Sure are. We always talk about work ...

Is that a problem?

Never. Want to know you more though ...

Same here ...

There was a pause for a while. Rohini wondered what was happening at his end. She yawned noisily and then plopped backs on her bed. She was bone tired.

On an impulse, she dialled his number.

"I was just going to text ..." his voice was deep and warm at the other end.

"Hmmm" Rohini thought for a second. "I am so tired Nikhil. Please can we go away next weekend ... to Ullal? The sea is roaring in my veins ..."

There was pin drop silence at the other end.

Rohini faltered, wondering if she was going too fast "It's okay Nikhil if we don't. Actually I am sorry .. shouldn't have ... I just thought it would be nice"

"Rohini" the deep silk of his voice made her heart beat faster. "Relax please. I would be happy to take you away ..."

"Really?" she was still not convinced. "You may have some work of your own ..."

She could almost hear him smile - "Nothing's as important as this visit. Every time I have somehow dragged you there ..."

They disconnected after a while. Rohini got up and walked over to the kitchen, lost in thoughts, wondering if she had done the right thing.

A few minutes later, a steaming hot cup of coffee in her hands, she walked over to the wet balcony.

Her face bloomed into a smile as she remembered their kiss. Their first kiss. She blushed inadvertently.

She remembered him wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close into his chest, before leaning down to kiss her. Her world had tilted on it's axis, and starburst had blurred her vision, making her shut her eyes. She had almost forgotten how to breath.

But then magic happened. And she found herself kissing him back, her hands going around his back, and then to his nape. His lips had been insistent on hers, and she had allowed him access, while she had melted in his arms

His muscles rippled under his wet shirt, as her hands caressed his back, and she found rhythm in their kiss.

They had broken away for air after what seemed like an eternity, and had stood there in front of each other - him ginning and her, shocked first and then grinning.

A minute later, they had rushed into each other's arms again, for the next kiss.

While the first kiss had been passionate and a bit strong in character, their second kiss was soft and languorous, his fingers reaching up to trace those tears, that she had not known to exist in the first place.

"This is where I go home. I am a man, after all ... " his words had been laboured as they struggled with their breathing, moving away.

Rohini had wanted nothing more than to be with him, but she was mature enough to understand that they needed time. That he needed time. Her heart had lurched as she had unwillingly let him go, in that downpour.

And here she was once again, with no one but the rain for company.

...

Nikhil stared at his phone and smiled. He was glad that Rohini had finally taken the next step ... he had been speechless at her request and had mentally chided himself when she had stuttered, trying to move away.

He ran his hand through his hair, as he stepped out into the open deck, letting himself get drenched.

He had poured himself into that kiss, given everything that he possessed. To the woman he desired with his being. Loved like no one else.

There had been no cheat codes in those kisses.

Her tears had broken his heart. Following the kisses, all he had wanted to do was to hold her close and let her know that his heart was hers. That it only beat for her. It always had, since times immemorial.

But he was erudite enough to realise that she needed time to set the pace to their relationship.

Relationship?

He was happy. The word 'relationship' didn't feel alien anymore. He closed his eyes and prayed. Really prayed. His life couldn't be anymore beautiful than it was right now. He wasn't really a very religious person, but he couldn't thank God enough for the grace that had blessed him.

And he had Rohini to thank for all that love and compassion.

The words had never been uttered, but they didn't need any. 

...

Next Friday, Enroute to Ullal

"Remind me once again why you guys are in this car?" Nikhil spat out at Roshan who grinned unaffected.

"This is no way to treat your best friend" Roshan answered, as he adjusted his shades.

"My foot" Nikhil grumbled under his breath, as he adjusted the rearview mirror. Rohini was chatting with Poorvi, while little Atharva slept peacefully on his Mother's lap.

Roshan noticed Nikhil checking on Rohini, through the rearview mirror. He coughed delicately

"Loverboy doesn't want any intrusion?"

"Shut up, you moron ..." Nikhil fumed.

Roshan grinned some more. After a while, he turned towards Nikhil

"Relax Bava, we are only going to be there for a day. Why don't you shift to the passenger seat so that you can ogle your lady love all you want?"

Nikhil glared at his friend some more, and then looked away.

End of Part 32