BAREFOOTED

Chapter 9

The weekend turned out to be leisurely for Megha. Nikhil and Dhruv frolicked in the pool all day while she enjoyed a herbal massage before taking a trip on the river for a pleasant boat dinner. When a sleepy Dhruv curled on her lap, she snuggled into the comfort of Nikhil's shoulders as they relaxed in the huge bed in her room. The light of the old fashioned lantern bathed the room with its glow, weaving magic through the wooden interiors with a humongous bed, a large softly cushioned sofa, and a coffee table. She had left her travel bag unzipped on the chair beside a writing table and the bedside table was cluttered with some toy cars that Dhruv had brought along. He had wanted to bring his pup along but thankfully had agreed to let his grandfather keep him as his bodyguard while they were away. Now as the sounds of nature filled the night air, she felt a wintry finger poke her heart.

"I could sit like this forever." Her voice was muffled against his shirt but she felt him tighten his hold and burrow his chin into her hair. She could feel the strong beat of his heart against her cheek and she snuggled closer, delighting in the warmth that flowed through her body. She felt him inhale deeply, holding his breath a while longer than necessary, before releasing it in a long sigh.

"Nik?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you," she said simply, looking up into his brooding eyes.

She felt his body stiffen and slowly straightened up, unsure of herself and the effect of her unexpected disclosure. Maybe she had ruined it all but the words had slipped out of her mouth and there was no way to take it back. She half expected him to hurriedly leave her room or at least push her away with some words to indicate what he was feeling. Instead, he brought his head down for a long searing kiss that left her breathless and wanting more.

"Till later," he whispered, his teeth hotly grazing her ears before he slid off the bed in one quick motion. Leaving her feeling cold, he walked back to his adjoining room, closing their connecting door firmly.

"Well, that went off well," she muttered to herself. He hadn't acknowledged her declaration but he had kissed her hadn't he? Maybe there was hope?

Pulling her son up, she arranged a pile of pillows on one side of the bed to prevent him from rolling off onto the wooden floor before curling up under the warmth of the blanket.

She felt the tug of emotion as she watched the sleeping form of her son, outlined by the moonlight streaming in through the windows. It was incredible how something so beautiful and precious could come from the pain and torture she had endured. Her thoughts slowly moved towards her love life and she exhaled deeply. Love had wormed its way into her heart and it thrilled her. But she knew deep within that she would also have to let it go.

From their conversations, she knew Nikhil would give in to the pressure from his family and marry a girl of their choice. She, on the other hand, was still trying to heal the wounds of her failed marriage. She had no idea how long they could continue meeting or if she could handle the pain when their tryst ended. She loved Nikhil and although she was not certain if he had heard her proclamation of love, she knew she would have to let go gracefully when his interest in her diminished or when he decided to marry. Live for the moment, she told herself as she snuggled further into the blanket, her tired eyelids closing heavily. What she needed was to let herself slip willingly into dreams of a gorgeous hunk with a lock of hair falling over his forehead.

"Hmmm, nice," she murmured sleepily, snuggling into the softness of her pillow.

Outside the chill of the forest air descended in a mist while the wilderness slowly came to life in the dark as she slept. A play of shadow patterns and nocturnal sound wove gradually into the stillness until the dark erupted with life. The medley of a night bird and his feathered friend's hoots were interrupted by the shouts of barking deers. It went unnoticed by the man sitting in the wicker chair outside Megha's room. Lost in thought, he rose, seeing neither the wavering bats nor the eyeshine of a herd of deer when his lantern cast its glow across the bushes. He moved silently, stepping towards the room door behind him, his face taut with unease.