A New Beginning - Chapter 18

Saurabh kept the phone and started packing his laptop in the bag he carried. Shweta came in with some checks and saw him packing his bag.

"Sir, you are leaving?"

"Hmmm. Yeah I have some work, so I'm leaving now. Whatever is pending we shall do it tomorrow."

Shweta looked at him question in her eyes, but Saurabh was not looking at her. He just waved at her and left. Shweta was left to look at the empty cabin. Since last month sir had been acting very weird, he was mostly messaging or thinking. She missed his old boss who used be in the office all the time.

***********************************************
Saurabh drove through the rains. When Palak had messaged her, he had been kind of hoping for that and waiting for that. He was not sure what was happening between both of them, but he knew that he had changed. Was it because of Palak, he was not sure he was ready for the answer yet. Whatever THIS relationship they had, was something he was not ready to think about.

There was too much of traffic because of rains and he knew that he was going to be late. He thought of calling her and telling her but he knew she would be cooking and he didn't want to disturb her.

He had missed her cooking, whenever he came home from a trip one thing he craved was her food. She had a habit of experimenting and making new dishes. He remembered now, in earlier his marriage, she everyday made new things for him. He had a sweet tooth, so she learned to make sweet dishes for him only. She used to make those amazing chicken rolls, prawns, pav bhaji. He was getting hungry by just thinking.

He also remembered how he had stopped eating at home, once he started going with client on dinners and lunches. He remembered now her sad face when she made something for him and he had come after having his dinner. He had hurt her very deeply and badly, there was no way to go back and change that. But he could help her as much as he could and will be her friend as she wants. And not acting on what HE wanted.

*********************************************************
Palak was making chicken, she had to go down to buy it but she knew it was worth it. There was jeera rice and also some new chicken dry dish she was trying. It took time but she had known that Saurabh will also take time to come from office as the traffic would be killer.

She was cleaning the kitchen when the doorbell rang. With her heart beating wildly, she took calming breath before opening the door. There stood Saurabh wet not drenched with a smile on his face. He was wearing yellow plain linen shirt with denim. His light brown eyes were looking back at her, "Hey" he said in his deep voice.

"Hi, please come in." Palak said and moved aside so he could come in. He had a cold drink bottle in his hand which he handed it to her. She knew it was no point telling him it was not needed, she took it inside and got a towel for him to dry himself. As she was alone and just started she just had one towel. Not giving it a much thought she went and handed the towel to him.

He had left his laptop bag aside and started drying himself, she went again in to get the water for him.

This was the second time Saurabh had come here, he had known she stayed here. He had made his business to find out. The towel smelled of her. Lavender.

Soon she came out with water. Her manners were of course the same and she looked the same but different. This was the same Palak he had seen. Height coming till his chest, black dark shoulder length hair. Amazing dark chocolate-brown eyes which went darker till black when she was aroused. And her coffee cream skin.

Yup she looked the same but was different, there was a new shine in her eyes. She looked more confident.

He took the glass and drank the water. "Thanks. This is good" he said looking around.

"Thanks," Palak replied and took the glass from him. They both stood standing looking at each other. It was an awkward moment and both were not sure what to say to each other.

Finally Saurabh thought to break the silence. "Can I sit?"

"Of course, I am so sorry Saurabh. Where are my manners?"

"That's okay. We both still don't know how to act around each other." Palak nodded to him and thankful for his good nature.

"Well, what did you want to talk about?" Saurabh asked Palak while sitting on the small cot.

"You have come so far traveling. We will eat and talk."

There was nothing Saurabh could say to that, so he sat where he was and looked around the room. There was nothing much in the room. A cot where he sat, there was a beautiful embroidered bed sheet on it. There was small book-case on the opposite wall. There were many books on that. There was a wonderful lamp on the corner.

Palak came out and laid a beautiful rainbow-colored bed sheet kind of thing. Then she started getting the food out.

"Palak where is the bathroom?" Saurabh asked her. Palak showed him the way and again went in the kitchen to get more stuff. Saurabh washed his hands and freshened, he was never vain but still he checked himself in the mirror.

As he was coming out he thought of helping Palak and nearly collided with her. She was going to fall behind as she had no support, she was carrying something with both hands of hers. Saurabh caught her arms and saved her from falling.

They were standing there together, with Saurabh's hands on her arms to keep her from falling. Not very close, but not very far that they couldn't feel each other's body heat. Their knees were touching. They both were just looking at each other, no one dared to say anything. Saurabh was not sure why he had forgotten how soft her skin was, or how her eyes darkened when he used to touch her. How erratic her breathing became when she was nervous. Why was he remembering all this now?

God he badly wanted his hands on her, his mouth on her. He saw the need in her eyes, and wanted to act on it. But he knew it was wrong, they night enjoy it now but later there will be just regrets.

But she is your wife his mind argued, take her she is yours. He knew if he followed his mind, he will lose her all over again. So with strength he was not sure he had he last time looked at her chocolate eyes and released her hands.

"I am sorry. I thought I will come and help. Should have called you first. I'll be out of your way." He said and left from the doorway to living room.

Palak didn't know what just happened, she had been on earth for a moment and next she had been in heaven when Saurabh had touched her. And she had seen desire for her in his eyes and she thought he will act on it. Thank god. But maybe she had thanked God early as he had stopped touching her. Yup she wanted him, she knew those hormones still worked when Vijay's hand had touched hers, but with Saurabh it was different.

God she was a mess and a coward. She wanted him, but wanted him to make a move, so she could blame him later. But he had left, maybe he just wanted to be a friend to her and that's what she should also remember. Saurabh was her friend not husband who would make sweet love to her.

She knew she had thought she had forgotten him and the time she spent and started a new life. But how could you forget your first love, the guy who had touched you the first time, who had made you moan the first time. How could you forget when it just took one touch to remember what his hands could do to your body.

But she had to, as she made her choice when she left her house, and if Saurabh had changed, still he had his pride. She just needed to find hers so she would not embarrass herself by asking him to touch her again.