Twists Twirls Perils & Pearls

65. Dancing with my adversary

"Thank you. The movie was fantastic I thoroughly enjoyed it." Swarnima said looking everywhere but at Abhedya.

"I knew you will like it. But, now my favourite part of the date." Abhedya started to bend towards Swarnima. The lack of space and the huge build of Abhedya didn't help Swarnima. She could push him, knock him down, even. But, could she? "I need my reward for winning the competition, now."

Fear all over Swarnima's face. She was a homeschooled girl, forbidden to talk to opposite sex except for work. She was today, practically caged and captivated with the man of her dreams, in reality.
Abhedya saw the fear in her eyes and sat next to her. Swarnima took a breath of relief.
"Sorry. But, all this is new to me. I have..." Swarnima started to explain when Abhedya put his finger on her lips.

"Shh!! It's okay. There's no hurry. I am just happy you are with us, with me, in my circle. I just want us to grow."

Abhedya's honest confession reached and touched Swarnima's heart. She wanted to complete the cycle but could not. Rules were important and so were the promises she made and the trust the council had in her. She smiled and got up.
"Bye. Good night." Swarnima bid adieu and reached the terrace gate.
A hundred steps she took from the bed to the gate were the most difficult. She wanted to give Abhedya what he demanded but she could not.

When have lovers abided by the rules? She turned, reached to where Abhedya was standing. "Abhey, since your hands did the magic and won the competition,"
Swarnima took Abhedya's hand in hers and with shaky and shivering lips kissed the back of the hand.
It was the devil's hour but it was a moment of absolute divinity, holiness and beatitude.
Abhedya was sure it was a dream until he saw Swarnima running downstairs.

Just like the girl who won the beauty pageant Abhedya made an 'ooo' and covered his mouth with his palms. His eyes had a twinkle of love, his cheeks were painted in the colour of love and he was inhaling and exhaling love.
Abhedya looked at the stars above him and kissed his hand which was kissed by Swarnima.

Abhedya was born with a silver spoon. He never asked for anything, he got. Because of his genius brains and extraordinary skills, he never had to work hard for studies and other activities. Girls drooled over him, he could get any girl with the snap of his fingers. This, girl was hard to get, impress and maintain. One wrong move and he could lose her forever. The thought of losing her feared Abhedya to the core. He would do everything to make her happy. She deserved it.
Abhedya made Swarnima his sole aim and motive.

He slept on the bed on the terrace. It smelled Swarnima. Minty, fruity smell of hers was driving him crazy. A long hair that was stuck to the pillow was curled and packed in a small paper and kept safely. A single hair? Abhedya was seriously insane. He kept gazing at the stars and sleep finally took over.

The following morning Abhedya was woken up by Arya. "How was the date?"

"Magical!!" Abhedya replied.

"What's next?" Arya asked.

"No plan! My thinking capacity is zero." Abhedya said running his fingers in his hair.

"Abhey boy! Do I hear love bells?" Arya put his arm around Abhedya.

"Love? I don't know. Attraction, affection... hell yeah!!" Abhedya replied honestly.
Arya jumped on Abhedya and hugged him tightly. They came downstairs after celebrating and went to their rooms.

Abhedya saw Swarnima playing with Kazu. 'Fetch!' Something all dogs loved. Swarnima still looked like a teenager in early teens.
'The teenager you fantasised in your not so decent dreams.' Abhedya's heart teased.